meandering simply

NEW LOCATION

2009-09-03T12:07:00.004-06:00

I've moved.
Please join me at ValerieDykstra.com

meandering simply: Status on 2009 Goals

2009-02-22T21:45:00.000-07:00

meandering simply: Status on 2009 Goals

NEW ADDRESS

2009-02-14T16:21:00.001-07:00

My new website is coming along. You can check it out at HERE.

happy b'day to me

2009-02-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

A Friday Few

2009-02-13T10:30:00.008-07:00

Good Morning All. I have missed you and am happy that at least two people missed me. Lawana and Joan, thank you for encouraging me to get on with it even without a new website in place.

1) The website creation crashed and burned. I tried and will keep trying, but for now I've got nothing to show for my efforts. I get one step forward then go two back. You get the idea, right?

2) Deborah has pink hair. Last week it was purple. Thankfully, it's fading with every shampoo. She's participating in the Hair MassaCURE for cancer. She didn't get a buzz cut, for which I'm happy, but she did get a dye job. I'm calling her Pinky these days.

3) I spent 3 days in meetings training people who work in major slaughter houses about bacteria, safety procedures, legalities, yada, yada. This is not part of my regular job but my bosses thought it would be beneficial for me to take in these courses to grasp some of the aspects of our association that I have no understanding. They were 3 very long, depressing days. I had no clue that the big guys in processing put through 10,000 hogs or cows daily. That's 10,000 animals per day per plant. And that's just locally. I was sick with sadness. My vegetarian leanings got strengthened.

I do not think everyone should drop meat from their diets, but I do think everyone should cut back.

4) Gordon, Deborah and I went out to a family restaurant where they give children crayons and a coloring sheet. As we waited for our food, Gordon started coloring. As he progressed on the picture I asked if he was going to enter it in the restaurant's coloring contest. He studied his art then said, "No, they don't have the right colors."

Status on 2009 Goals

2009-01-29T23:45:00.007-07:00

January is over. Is it just me or did that go by quickly. I thought I'd assess my progress on my 2009 goals. I've listed the resolutions I made here and my success (or not) thus far.

1)- Give up fiction for January and Lent.
Status: I made it through January fiction-free.

2)- Give blood 4 times.
Status: No blood given yet.

3)- Clean up my recycling act. (My recycling has suffered since moving to a town that doesn't have the awesome recycling program Edmonton has.)
Status: I've done very well. It's been a grind as I've hauled my recycling to Edmonton all month. I work in the city, so this is really no big deal. Just hauling my blue bags around is a drag.

4)- Work towards running 10K. (This is my loftiest goal of the year.)
Status: I'm running two miles (about 3+ kilometers) a day three days a week. I am happy.

5)- Keep laundry current.
Status: I'm rocking. But I must admit it's all in the huge-capacity washer. I never want to go back to a normal-capacity.

6)- Keep bathroom floors clean.
Status: I'm doing well. It's not a job I cherish, but I'm staying on top of it.

7)- Keep up my Club Fit regimen and continue to intensify it.
Status: I'm doing well.

8)- Buy a new carbon steel paddle for dragon boating.
Status: I'm looking on the net, shopping around. But nothing yet.

9)- Buy a new PFD for dragon boating.
Status: I've looked on ebay hoping to find a used one. No luck yet.

10)- Get fence fixed.
Status: I've warned Gordon that it's important to me and that I will be nagging come the Big Melt. Of course nothing can happen before Spring. You know, that white fluffy stuff makes fence building ridiculously difficult this time of year.

11)- Drop melaleuca.
Status: Did it. I'll miss some of the stuff, but I'll save about $100 month.

12)- Lower grocery budget by $25 a pay period.
Status: This one is really hard. I succeeded one pay period and didn't the other. Perhaps this goal is going to be more difficult than I imagined.

13)- Work on Christmas Child Shoeboxes throughout the year.
Status: I am so rocking on this. I've got a box in my closet filled with my cache. Crayons, My Little Ponies, hair brushes, tiny little crafty things, little stuffies, soap... I want to have supplies for 12 boxes by Christmas time.

14)- Vacuum at least once a week.
Status: I'm doing well. But like my huge-capacity washer, it's all in the equipment. I have central vac now and I love it. This is the first time I've ever had central vac. It's still a novelty and I actually enjoy vacuuming. I know the thrill will wane. Sigh.

15)- Get to know new neighbors.
Status: Not happening so far.

16)- Build a website.
Status: I look around for what I like, but that's as far as that's gone.

17)- Take swimming lessons.
Status: I'm booked for April to June.

18)- Take square dancing lessons. (Don't laugh at me.)
Status: I looked for a club to join. None take new members mid-year. But I'm on the "please call when registrations open again" list. I'm already psyching Gordon up by calling him my Dosido Boy. Smiles.

19)- Blog more steadily; pace better. I'm thinking Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Status: Have you noticed? I'm right on target.

20)- Lose 20 pounds.
Status: You know this one really sucks. I exercise but don't lose weight. Must be all that eatin' I'm doing. Oh what I wouldn't give to hate pastries, cookies, chocolate, and every other kind of tasty foods. It would be so nice to be one of those people who have to remind themselves to eat. But I'm not. However, I have added a goal to my original 2009 Goals List. You'll read about it soon.

21)- Improve photography skills. Play along with Mindi's challenges.
Status: I'm working on it but was totally shocked to learn that many (perhaps most) photos I adore have been photoshopped. I was sad to learn that photoshop is very expensive and something I most likely will not invest in. My photos may never look amazing.

22)- Embrace winter.
Status: This one is so subjective, it's hard to measure. All I can say is I've not been growelly about it. So I think I'm not doing poorly.

23)- Read Deuteronomy and the Psalms.
Status: I'm right on schedule.

24)- Actively participate in my new book club.
Status: My bookclub's first book is fiction. A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. On February 1 I will begin it and try to catch up with my mates who are enjoying the book. :-)

25)- Practice thinking about what I'm thinking about. Meaning, clean up my thought life.
Status: Again, it's subjective and hard to measure. However several times when I've felt negativity taking over, I've changed my thoughts to something more positive. I read someone recently who said when something horrible happens they ask themselves, "What is awesome about this situation?" It takes lots of practice and training, but I'm trying to apply that idea.

Goals I've added since the original list are:

26) Join Weight Watchers. I am not happy about this as all my life I've thought of Weight Watchers as middle-aged fat ladies. Reality check!! Valerie, you are a middle aged fat lady. :-)

27) Volunteer at a Seniors' Home with Deborah and Hannah.
Status: I've filled out the forms, visited the volunteer recruitment fellow, and got the police check. We're well on our way.

28) Phone my daddy more often. Our relationship is far from the traditional father/daughter type. But I love him and don't want him to doubt that. I am going to call him more this year. (Thanks for the photo Lawana. I love it.)

30) Don't buy junk food, ever. I don't buy junk food often but when I do I make it worth my effort. I'm going to give it up. :-)

Deborah's Recital

2009-01-29T23:41:00.003-07:00

Perhaps you recall that one of my 2009 goals is to post regularly on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I hope you've noticed so far, so good.

Tuesday evening Deborah had a piano recital. I videoed her at the recital but I couldn't capture her face. I videoed her at home too and captured her sweet little face and hands. It's a sweet video of my little musician. She plays four songs. The last one is called Alien Abduction. She made it up herself. She's gifted, you know.

Please enjoy my little Dobber's music. And if you see fit, Deborah and I both would like to hear your praises.

My 2008 Favorite Books List

2009-01-27T11:26:00.007-07:00

I belong to Goodreads.com and I really like it. Put simply, it's a place to record what I read and see what a few friends are reading too. I used write notes about good books in a notebook. Now I don't have to do the notebook thing. I just record my thoughts or notes from the book on my goodreads site. Much easier to refer back to.

You'll see that my reviews usually aren't real reviews. They are simply my notes about the book.

From the books I read in 2008, these are my favorite. Drumroll please...

The Shack by William P. Young Read my notes from this amazing book here.

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert Read my gleanings here.

The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible As Literally As Possible by A.J. Jacobs I really enjoyed his falling in love with the sacred. Read my notes here.

Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back by Frank Schaeffer I laughed a number of times during this book. It's not for everyone and might offend some terribly but I really liked it. Read my review here.

Fit From Within: 101 Simple Secrets to Change Your Body and Your Life - Starting Today and Lasting Forever by Victoria Moran A nice easy read on a subject I love. Read my notes here.

Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found by Jennifer Lauck A touching memoir about a little girl who lost everything. Read my review here.

Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure A fun insightful read. Read my thoughts here.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith I didn't write a review but I loved the book and gave it 4 stars.

Unveiling Islam: An Insider's Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs by Ergun Mehmet Caner Not exactly an easy read, but hugely insightful. I learned a ton. Read my review here.

Mom brings the cake

2009-01-26T19:22:00.002-07:00

Here is a super short video that my mom sent to me today. Funny.

what it takes to be a successful writer

2009-01-23T11:05:00.002-07:00

A woman asked a writer what was needed to become a successful writer.

The writer responded with, "A husband with a good paying job."

A funny that made me laugh tears

2009-01-21T11:18:00.011-07:00

I stole this from starrgazr.com If you can read it without laughing out loud, you and I aren't on the same page.

A Texas Chili Cookoff

Judge #3 was an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield, IL. Frank: “Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge’s table, asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn’t be all that spicy; and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted and became Judge 3.”

Here are the scorecard notes from the event:

CHILI # 1 - MIKE’S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI

Judge # 1 — A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2 — Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge # 3 (Frank) — Holy crap, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that’s the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

CHILI # 2 - AUSTIN’S AFTERBURNER CHILI

Judge # 1 — Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge # 2 — Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge # 3 — Keep this out of the reach of children. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

CHILI # 3 - FRED’S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI

Judge # 1 — Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.
Judge # 2 — A bit salty, good use of peppers.
Judge # 3 — Call the EPA. I’ve located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest.

CHILI # 4 - BUBBA’S BLACK MAGIC

Judge # 1 — Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 — Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
Judge # 3 — I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the beer maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. This 300 lb. woman is starting to look HOT… just like this nuclear waste I’m eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?

CHILI # 5 LISA’S LEGAL LIP REMOVER

Judge # 1 — Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
Judge # 2 — Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3 — My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted, and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I’m burning my lips off It really ticks me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming.

CHILI # 6 - VERA’S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY

Judge # 1 — Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.
Judge # 2 — The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb
Judge # 3 — My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I messed on myself when I farted, and I’m worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except for Sally. Can’t feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my rear with a snow cone.

CHILI # 7 - SUSAN’S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI

Judge # 1 — A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge # 2 — Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried about Judge #3. He appears to be a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
Judge # 3 — You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn’t feel a thing. I’ve lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they’ll know what killed me. I’ve decided to stop breathing, it’s too painful. Screw it; I’m not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I’ll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

CHILI # 8 - BIG TOM’S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI

Judge # 1 — The perfect ending, this is a nice blend of chili’s. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
Judge # 2 — This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he’s going to make it, poor feller, wonder how he’d have reacted to really hot chili?
Judge # 3 - No Report

Did you laugh tears?

Blue Photo Challenge

2009-01-15T22:23:00.013-07:00

One of my 2009 goals is to improve my photography skills. My niece Mindi is my inspiration. A few weeks ago she issued a photo challenge. Read her explanation of the challenge here.

So far these are the respondants to the challenge.

A few peeks of blue by Mindi.

Shanna has a couple very blue pictures here.

Enjoy Lisa's collage here.

These girls are artsy fartsy kind of girls. I'm a beginner and of a different generation than these girls. But 2009 is a year of improving my picture-taking abilities and I think Mindi's monthly challenge is going to help me. Here is my blue photo challenge collage.

Click on the collage to make it bigger.

Goals for 2009

2009-01-14T12:21:00.008-07:00

“Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” ~Voltaire

Regarding New Years Resolutions, Mark Twain said this on a January 2nd years ago. "Yesterday, everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink, and swore his last oath. Today, we are a pious and exemplary community." That is good for a smile isn't it?

Over the past two weeks I cannot count the times I've heard "80% of the people who make resolutions have fogotten about them by February." But I still make them and I still keep some of them. I never keep them all, but maybe that's because I make too many. It's something I love to do. I really really love starting the year with a new set of goals.

My 2009 goals for this year, in no particular order.

1)- Give up fiction for January and Lent. (so far, so good)
2)- Give blood 4 times.
3)- Clean up my recycling act. (My recycling has suffered since moving to a town that doesn't have the awesome recycling program Edmonton has.)
4)- Work towards running 10K. (This is my loftiest goal of the year.)
5)- Keep laundry current.
6)- Keep bathroom floors clean.
7)- Keep up my Club Fit regimen and continue to intensify it.
8)- Buy a new carbon steel paddle for dragon boating.
9)- Buy a new PFD for dragon boating.
10)- Get fence fixed.
11)- Drop melaleuca.
12)- Lower grocery budget by $25 a pay period.
13)- Work on Christmas Child Shoeboxes throughout the year.
14)- Vacuum at least once a week.
15)- Get to know new neighbors.
16)- Build a website.
17)- Take swimming lessons.
18)- Take square dancing lessons. (Don't laugh at me.)
19)- Blog more steadily; pace better. I'm thinking Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
20)- Lose 20 pounds.
21)- Improve photography skills. Play along with Mindi's challenges.
22)- Embrace winter.
23)- Read Deuteronomy and the Psalms.
24)- Activly participate in my new book club.
25)- Practice thinking about what I'm thinking about. Meaning, clean up my thought life.

Embracing Winter

2009-01-14T12:18:00.001-07:00

A neighbour's yard.

The snow keeps coming. And coming. Thankfully my efforts to "embrace winter" are working. I look at the snow and gray sky with mature neutrality. The real test will come in February when I've had it with winter.

On warmer days I've enjoyed getting out and embracing winter through photography. I'm not a photographer by any stretch but I'm hoping to improve lots in 2009. The most practical way I can think to embrace this season is through finding beauty in it and photography forces me to look for the beauty. It's been a delightful exercise and I think it's really working. These are some of my photographs from this week.

Our backyard.

what makes you smile?

2009-01-14T11:31:00.005-07:00

“If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it.” - Andy Rooney

I read this little doozy this morning on the bridgemaker I like it. I smile when no one is around quite a lot so this quote made me feel good.

I thought of people who smile when no one is looking. I thought of my friend Debbie Tannehill who smiles and laughs lots, even when she's not feeling well. I thought of my mom, who smiles when she sees preschoolers and cute dogs. I thought of all my sibs who smile and laugh when they remember funny things. Smiling and laughing when no one is around is a really cool thing.

You know that saying, "Smile! It increases your face value"? There's truth in that. One of my aspirations is to smile when I'm out it public even if I'm just smiling for the sake of smiling. First, smiling people look nicer. Secondly, I'm pretty sure smiling is a de-stresser. Thirdly, it spreads goodwill and that leads to others smiling. Fourth, generally people are nice to me and I think it has something to do with my smiling at them. (Then too, maybe I'm full of it.)

I smile when:

I see something cute, bumper sticker, t-shirt,...
I see that puppy from the next door office.
I think of something romantic or loving that Gordon does.
I hear Deborah playing the piano.
I hear Hannah playing with pets.
The girls are being kind and/or playing together.
I think of Romie Boy.

Makes me wonder what makes other people smile. What makes you smile?

2008 reflections

2009-01-08T09:41:00.009-07:00

"Every day that you do the right thing is one day closer to the results you want." Jeff on My Super Charged Life

I love this time of year. I love reflecting on the past year and the new year. I love assessing personal progress and ascertaining weaknesses, (as if those aren't easy to see). In 2007 I discovered that growth is made by taking baby steps -- that every step in the right direction is indeed a step in the right direction. This was a revelation to me. I thought to be successful I had to be totally successful. I never saw moving in the right direction as valuable if I didn't fully reach the goal. That's all changed. If I've made progress I'm happy. The more progress the happier. But even a little progress is enough to be thankful.

Here were my goals for 2008 and my progress:

- De-clutter more. I've recently realized that I have more seasonal decorations than I need. I can part with some fall and Christmas decorations and with other things in closets in the basement. ** I seriously rocked in this department. I have to say I'm well on my way to being a minimalist. And I love it!

- Get a job. I really don't want to work retail, but retail has always worked with my scheduling needs. I'm going to try to find a job that isn't retail. Something new and improved. ** This turned out even better than I ever could have dreamed. I got a great job with great hours and it's close to home too. I'm so so thankful. Bonus! I got a Tuesday evening job too and it's my spending money. It too is a great job.

- Spend an hour a week with my friend Colleen. ** This became impossible with my new jobs. I didn't have that kind of time any more.

- Take the dogs to the off leash park on Thursday mornings with my friend Elaine. ** This too became impractical once I got the job.

- Take the dogs to the off leash park on Saturdays with Hannah and Deborah. (These off leash dates serve several purposes; strengthening relationships with the girls, getting the dogs out where they can run like the wind, getting me into nature, getting me physical.) ** I did this pretty often until the price of gasoline sky-rocketed. When gas prices came down we had moved even farther from the park by then.

- Use Rosary Beads regularly for focusing me in prayer. (I'm not Catholic but I've found Rosary Beads beneficial in keeping me focused in prayer.) ** Yes, I do this. Many a morning I find my beads in bed with me. That means I fell asleep while praying. That's a good way to fall asleep.

- Join a dragon boat racing team. ** Woohoo. I didn't just join a team, I joined a competitive team that rocks.

- Get Rachael into drawing or cartooning lessons. ** Accomplished. She really enjoyed it.

- Go for a walk in the river valley with Rachael once a week. ** Didn't do.

- Give up sugar for Lent. ** Accomplished.

- Mall walk once a week. Once the snow melts, move this walk outside. ** I didn't mall walk once, unless I was shopping, which happens very infrequently. But I did walk frequently outside after the melt.

- Reduce portion sizes at meal time. ** I didn't do great, but I didn't do horribly either.

- Finish New Testament reading. ** Accomplished. :-)

- Lay with each girl at bedtime once a week. ** I do this fairly regularly, but not once a week. It's more like I lay with a child once a week but not every child once a week. I improved, but I didn't accomplish my goal.

More recaps of the 2008: The single best thing from my year was my visit from Stephanie and Christopher. I don't see my American kids nearly enough so I cherish deeply every moment.

Boot Camp! Good gravy, what was I thinking? But I did it and I'm so proud of myself. I didn't die and I'm seriously grateful for that. There were plenty of times when I was thinking, I wonder if this is what it feels like right before the killer stroke. Boot Camp was a huge accomplishment for me.

Using just a few words to describe 2008, I'd say challenging, invigorating, satisfying. Not a bad set of words, eh? A few days ago I was reading from Deuteronomy 1 when God said to Moses, "You've stayed on this mountain long enough. It's time to break camp and move on." As I read that I thought how it was sort of like when God convicted me of inactivity. I knew I'd been on the lethargic mountain long enough and that God was saying it was time to break out and carve a new way. I'm so glad he did. But the most beautiful thing is that he didn't just convict me, he gave me the desire and the strength to carry through. I'm so so thankful for that. He's been strong in my weakness.

Shortly after reading the verse about the mountain I was thinking about Moses on that mountain and wondered the time frame. I went back to Deuteronomy 1 and read, "But forty years after the Israelites left Mount Sinai, on a day in midwinter..." Guess how old I was and what time of year it was when I was convicted of my inactivity? It was a cold winter morning when I was 40 years old. How cool is that? Me and Moses, we're buds.

Through the encouragement of one of the blogs I read, Simple Mom, I created a phrase to describe my 2008. "Much ventured, much gained." Hallelujah.

Stephie Pooh's Family

2009-01-07T21:30:00.001-07:00

Stephanie, John Mark and Romie Boy. A lovely little family, don't you think?

dancing

2009-01-07T21:13:00.007-07:00

In P.E. these days Rachael and Hannah are learning dance. Rachael really enjoys it and her class put on a very good production a couple weeks ago. Now they are working on another performance and she loves to practice.

I have to admit I still have residual feelings from my childhood. I don't think dancing is necessarily wrong, but it isn't a pursuit I encourage. I'm well aware this stems from my childhood brainwashing.

Yesterday Rachael was showing me one of her new spins. Since I'm mildly uncomfortable with the enthusiasm she has with dancing I said, "You know what? When I was your age the good kids never went to dances. They were just for the bad kids."

Amazed, she responded, "You mean the only kids that went to dances were the druggies and gangsters?"

I replied, "No actually I mean only the Catholics and Methodists."

+++++++

For a smile read what my brother says about dancing and here too.

Chickpea Soup and Gordon

2009-01-07T21:03:00.003-07:00

Tonight we had vegetable soup for the third night. Yes I know, that's kind of boring. However the soup changes from night to night. We eat it down and then I think, hey I could alter this into a different soup by adding corn, or peas, or broccoli... You get the idea? (And by the way, the soup has been good every night and different enough every night that no one has complained. But three nights is stretching it so I knew we had to finish it off.)

Tonight I didn't quite have enough left for a full meal but I needed to get rid of it. So to make it stretch I added chickpeas.

As we ate, I asked Gordon if he liked the soup and he said, "Well I'm getting kind of ready for some protein."

I pointed out that the chickpeas are loaded with protein and there were lots of them in the new soup.

He replied, "No kidding, there are enough chickpeas in here to blow up the Empire State building."

2008 most memorable moments

2009-01-03T11:19:00.005-07:00

A few weeks ago someone posed the question what my three most memorable moments in 2008. This was my answer.

1) Becoming a Canadian citizen

2) Crossing the finish line for my first gold medal in dragon boating.

3) My grandson’s face when he got off the plane when he and my daughter came to visit.

I would have felt very blessed by any one of these things. Experiencing all three helped create an exceptionally good year.

links to some good reading

2009-01-02T23:35:00.010-07:00

I have an annoying habit of sending myself emails. Usually they are notes to remind me of something I need to do at work or at home depending on where I sent the email of course.

I subscribe to a number of blogs that challenge and encourage me. Through bloglines.com new posts come to me instead of me searching all my favorite blogs looking for updates. We all know how annoying that is. :) Wonderful helpful info just shows up for me to read at my leisure. Often times I just skim it yet other times there is some great info that I'm grateful to learn or be challenged to think about.

Presently my inbox is full of things from me to me and I need to dump them somewhere. Remember that this blog is my magnificent virtual filing cabinet serving me remarkably well as a record of stuff. So this is an email dump posting. These are links that I've emailed myself so I can store them here on this blog. Maybe you'll glean something from them too.

I love some of these quotes.

I love this picture and found this post a sweet meditation for Christmas. I should have linked to this last week as maybe one of you would have found it inspirational as well.

I love setting goals for each new year and I find doing so extremely beneficial. I think this post is really good for anyone who struggles with the particulars of making goals.

I am a journal-er. I write down tons of thoughts, feelings, prayers, etc. I told a friend recently that it is imperative that I write things down. If I didn't write things down I wouldn't know what I think. I feel things easily, but often until I write it out, I may not know what I think on the subject. For instance tonight was incredibly stressful for me. I thought my head was going to blow off with emotions. I needed to get my journal out ASAP to figure out what was going on. I'm not saying writing things down solves my problems but it goes a long long ways to give me perspective.

Several months ago I was terribly agitated by a meeting at work. I was tapped right out emotionally by the time it was over. That night as I dumped my feelings into my journal, God gave me incredible insight into why I got so agitated. I might still have heart palpitations to think of that meeting had it not been for journalling. Journalling saved the day and I cannot count the times that has happened. That is why this article is significant to me. The numbered points that he makes are so bang on for how I experience journaling.

Being a stay-at-home mom when my kids were little was one of the best choices/sacrifices I ever made. I haven't one regret in that department. I'm out of that stage of life now that the kids are bigger, but the subject matter is still near and dear to my heart. That is why this article is special.

As you may have deduced from my blog and other things I've said or done, I love simple living and am on a continual quest for simplicity. Articles like this one remind me of why I embrace it. They make me smile and think, "Yes, this is it!"

Similar to the above article, this one itemizes some of the benefits very succinctly.I love simplicity and this article lists many of the reasons why very well.

And here's just one more article on simplicity. The paragraph that mentions CS Lewis is the one that made this post especially noteworthy.

This article was good for me to see ways to reduce stress in home life. I'm still a nag in plenty of ways, (the article didn't cure me), but I found her observations clever and insightful.

And lastly, I emailed myself this quote: “If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” - Mary Engelbreit

The reason this quote is presently striking a chord with me is simply this; winter. Right now it's -30 and it's just, well, it's cold. Several months ago a friend astonded me by saying that winter is her favorite season. Honestly, it had never occured to me that winter was anyone's favorite season. I was flabbergasted. Winter is my least favorite season which explains very logically why I moved 2500 miles north to live where it's winter nearly half the year. I love Canada but I wish it was a mite warmer. :)

This quote encourages me to change the way I think about winter. I'm trying to find things to enjoy and love and embrace about this cold white season. A few years ago I was able to change my thinking about mosquitoes. I still don't like them but I don't hate them passionately like I used to. If I can change my attitude toward mosquitoes I figure I can do it with winter too. I'm trying and this quote helps me.

So there you have it. This post went a long ways to cleaning out my inbox. There is a lot of good reading represented here. Let me know what you think.

Hannah's Video

2009-01-01T22:20:00.005-07:00

I got a new camera for Christmas. My old one was on its way out but I wasn't expecting it to die. However after giving it to Rachael it passed on to Canon Camera heaven.

I think I've told you these things:

1) Hannah is a goon. She's always coming up with weird zany things to say and do, sometimes producing some hilarious concoctions.

2) We have extra dogs in the house, creating some interesting scenarios.

My neice Mindi is an amazing photographer. I'll never be as good as her but I do hope to improve this year. That to say, I'm playing lots with my new camera and in my play I captured this video of Hannah being goofy.

The context of this video is the dogs chasing the cat. One dog actually got her cornered and, bam, Tawny surprised the dog with a paw in the face.

Which is now a saying we are over-using around here: "Bam, paw in the face."

Enjoy. And please comment as Hannah is so embarrassed that I put this on youtube.

Mug shots

2008-12-30T12:04:00.005-07:00

Our house is presently overrun by dogs. We are dog-sitting and it's been kinda "wild." Here are some cute profile shots of the poochies.

Shelby, the pastor's dog.
Lucy, our beloved dog who isn't really ours anymore. I am so blessed to get to babysit her though.
And this is my little Bearsie Boy. He's the only one that is actually ours.

Aren't they all so cute?

Merry Christmas Everyone

2008-12-25T00:35:00.003-07:00

Merry Christmas. From our house to yours. Love to you all.

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T23:52:00.019-07:00

The evening began with a service at church where Deborah sang.
Then home to supper in the family room. Christmas Eve is the only time of year we eat here.
A lovely little clan enjoying sausage, cheese and crackers.
Bear loves the sausage especially.
Next is stocking time. Panties are a stocking staple, especially if the panties have turtles on them. Hannah is 12.
Everyone loves the cracker crowns. Rachael is 13.
Daddy and 9-year-old Deborah.
Nice undies, eh?

After stockings, we watched The Nativity Story, a lovely movie.

Next, bed time calls.
This is Frank, Myrrh, and Merry.
Since the girls were wee, on Christmas Eve they've slept with these bears. This year was no different. They are growing up, but they still took their bears to bed.
Before the girls went to bed they each took their gifts to the tree. The evening began with no gifts under the tree.

Night night little ones. In the morning you'll see that Santa came.

Picture Roulette

2008-12-22T23:14:00.009-07:00

I got an interesting challenge from Joan today. Go to your pictures, open the 5th folder and post the 5th picture in the folder. It's cool how for me that was a Christmas folder. This is 2005 when each girl got a hamster for Christmas. Have I mentioned we like hamsters around here?

Have I mentioned Hannah bought two guinea pigs a few months ago? When we moved to this house she decided to take them to the SPCA to give them to someone else. Turns out the SPCA wanted $60 to take Daisy and Flossy off Hannah's hands. Ugh, I don't think so. However we left the SPCA with a new hamster. We went to drop off two guinea pigs and left with two guinea pigs PLUS a hamster. We are suckers.

I'm about to randomly go to my picture files and continue Joan's picture roulette game. The last photo in the 12th folder.

And I didn't plan that the 12th folder was a Christmas folder. This is from last year's Christmas.

Friday Foto

2008-12-19T22:43:00.002-07:00

Remember my little Senor Frodo? He loved to sleep under the Christmas tree.

a note from Deborah

2008-12-19T09:20:00.002-07:00

This was in my email inbox this morning:

Hi, mom you are the best mom in the world! Thank you for making sure I was o.k. when I had that nightmare! I hope Jesus comes before you die! I just wanted to say thank you for being sooooooooooooooooooooooo good to me LOVE DEBORAH I LOVE YOU!

She's a sweet Dear.

bob carlisle

2008-12-18T13:18:00.003-07:00

Do you remember the song "Butterfly Kisses?" It's a snappy little ditty (NOT) about a dad and his little girl growing up. It was an instant success in the 90's and went straight to the top of the charts on several billboards.

I can not hear that song without smiling.

After Bob's rise to fame I heard a most funny testimony from him. In the testimony he tried valiantly to be humble but fell terribly short. Of course I can't quote him exactly but it went something like this.

"When people tell me they have nothing to give, I say 'Hey man, if God can use me he can use anybody. Who am I? I'm just a guy. (Insert humble pause here). I'm just a songwriter, producer, recorder of a number 1 hit, 1998's hit recording artist with more that ???? record sales.'"

Is that as funny to you as it is to me? {Smiles}

fushia thong (made you look)

2008-12-18T12:42:00.004-07:00

A few days ago at the gym I had the pleasure of standing behind a fit little thing in the dressing room. As she disrobed she took great interest in her toes. Seemingly she had lots of lint between them and needed to tidy things up. The whole time I changed clothes she was bent over cleaning between her toes.

Her thong was fushia and I'd be remiss to not admit she wore it quite nicely and proudly. But the toe thing,... I got a little suspicious. I think she wanted me to see her cute butt and how fit she was. Truly it was a bit odd how long she stayed bent over with her butt as the main attraction.

Well once that suspicion kicked in, I could barely control my giggles. Everything in me wanted to tap her shoulder and say, "Excuse me, you've got something in your butt crack."

When I left her she was still toying with her toes. Sure she looked better in a fushia thong than I would, but I think I have the better time. "Excuse me, you've got something in your butt crack." I so amuse myself.

Lessons from Charles Shultz, from Peanuts

2008-12-17T09:35:00.003-07:00

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.

You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read it straight through, and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
These are no second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies..
Awards tarnish.
Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?

The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.
They simply are the ones who care the most.

The Memory Tree

2008-12-12T08:42:00.045-07:00

Christmas trees are a beautiful thing. I like to think of them as lights pointing heavenward. So many trees are majestically big and dynamic. Mine isn't huge, it's actually on the small side. (The tree was inexpensive which is why I bought it.) Yet still I wouldn't trade my Christmas tree for any beautiful tree in the world. My tree is 100% memories, precious memories. That's why I call it my memory tree.

One of our family traditions is getting a special family ornament every year that symbolizes something special about that year. For instance, this year I'll get a "New House 2008" ornament. Also, if something special happens in the lives of one the kiddos (or Gordon or me) I commemerate it with an ornament. For example, if I can find something symbolizing Deborah's baptism this year, I'll get it. Or my Canadian citizenship...

Here's a little history from our family.

The Memory Tree. 2008
Our angel topping the tree, handmade by our dear friends and pastors (the Wests) at Crossroads in 1996.
2002, the year of getting a new church. Zion.
The "first grandchild, 2007". The back of it tells the pertinent info on Romie Boy.
Mt Rushmore, 1991.
Deborah made this candle in Kindergarten, 2004.
That's my man Christopher, 4 years old, 1992.
The oldest ornament on the tree, from 1981. I bought it at my first job, Village Florist.
Deborah's first ornament, 1999.
2005, Gordon and I went away without kids for the first time ever. That's two moose in a bed if you can't tell.

Rachael
"became a woman". 2007
The girls and I spent a month in the States in 2004. This is a smore holding a US flag, if you can't tell. I got it in North Carolina.
Stephanie and John Mark, 2006.
2008, a new little lady from Lawana. (It's red because of my big fat thumb over the flash.)
I bought this little angel in China when I smuggled Bibles in. 1991.
This picture is red because my hand was over the flash. It's actually a sepia colored globe and perhaps my favorite on the tree. From Stacie, "our love could easily stretch around the globe." 1998
2006, Family holiday at Capernwray Habour, Thetis Island. (The guy at the Christmas store misspelled Capernwray.)
The year of the girls' first airplane ride. 2001
Frodo, our perfect little dog who got run over. 2005
The Memory Tree. 2008 Doesn't it seem more special having heard some of its history? Of all my possessions, our pictures, my prayer journals and these ornaments are the most valuable.

Some of my favorites are plain ornaments that have pictures of the kids glued to the back. These are from years when finances were too lean to buy a special ornament.

(And you only heard the history of but a few of my ornaments.)

Merry Christmas

2008-12-12T08:33:00.004-07:00

I obviously said something really funny here.
Rachael 13, Hannah 12, Deborah 9.
A wee girl Hannah, 12 years old.

Secret Santa

2008-12-07T17:57:00.002-07:00

Today I read the humble beginnings of the Secret Santa. I think it's wonderfully uplifting and something we can all aspire to. Click here to read what I read.

lil boy joke

2008-11-27T20:28:00.002-07:00

A 6 year old and a 4 year old are upstairs in their bedroom.
'You know what?' says the 6 year old. 'I think it's about time we started cussing.

The 4 year old nods his head in approval.

The 6 year old continues, 'When we go downstairs for breakfast, I'm gonna say something with hell and you say something with ass..'

The 4 year old agrees with enthusiasm.

When the mother walks into the kitchen and asks the 6 year old what he wants for breakfast, he replies, 'Aw, hell, Mom, I guess I'll have some Cheerios.'

WHACK! He flies out of his chair, tumbles across the kitchen floor, gets up, and runs upstairs crying his eyes out, with his mother in hot pursuit, slapping his rear with every step. His mom locks him in his room and shouts, 'You can stay there until I let you out!'

She then comes back downstairs, looks at the 4 year old and asks with a stern voice, 'And what do YOU want for breakfast, young man?'

'I don't know,' he blubbers, 'but you can bet your fat ass it won't be Cheerios!'

Happy US Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T10:16:00.004-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving family and friends south of the border. Today may be the last of my Thanksgiving posts. Remember I was posting thanks from Canadian Thanksgiving to US Thanksgiving. So technically that ends today however it is a good practice any time of year and I'm considering keeping it going. Your thoughts on that??

Yesterday Rachael told me they were discussing thanks at school and the teacher said that we all want more than we're thankful for. That revealed a lot about the teacher (unless she was just trying to get the kids to open up which is altogether possible). My wish list is so very short and pretty inexpensive too. I haven't bought the black socks, can opener, and hand towels simply because it's nearly Christmas time and these are the items on my wish list from the girls. If I really think hard -- which I've done this morning just to see if I could come up with a bigger list -- I can think of a few more things and they are definitely pricier. (A carbon paddle for dragon boating, new pfd (personal flotation device) for dragon boating, new jeans, garage or carport (the one unfortunate thing about the new house), but I've been thinking and I honestly can't think of more wants. I can go on and on and on about things I'm thankful for though. (#39) I'm thankful for this mentality. I don't mean it proud, I mean it sincerely.

My dad was involved in a car accident on Tuesday. It was a huge deal for him and really could have been very serious. He has a lot of soreness but no serious injuries. (Don't tell him I said his injuries weren't serious). 40) I'm thankful he wasn't hurt any worse.
This morning before I left to take Deborah to school, a friend dropped by to see the new house. That was cool. She oohed and awed nicely and I was blessed. She offered to take Deborah to school so I had an 41)unexpected hour to sit and be thankful. (Thanks Lydia). I sat there thinking of my family down south who no doubt have a grand day of festivities planned. I thought of the laughter, good conversation and great food I'm missing. But I smiled the whole time I thought about it just because they're 42)my family and I'm thankful for them.

After a bit of meditating on thanks I put on a load of clothes, dusted, and washed down the bathroom. I was so blessed by that extra hour to sit alone in my new house for the first time and listen to the washer hum and the clock tick. I revel in peace and quiet and it was nothing short of a revelling time for me. I sat and smiled.

43) Did I mention my new Maytag washer? Actually it's not brand new, it's 7 years old. She's not one of those modern pieces of art, she's just a regular white top-loading washer. But since my old washer is 37 years old, this one seems like quite the washer. The old Maytag is still at the other house, still going strong, left there for the renters. I'm still curious about how long she'll live.

44) I've biked 120 kilometers so far this month. My goal is 200 and I'm obviously woefully behind. But I'm thankful for the 110. I'm thankful that God put this get physical notion in my head. I've been sedentary for years and 2008 has been a great year for turning that around. I don't think anyone could accuse me of being sedentary any more. I've mentioned it before but it's worth mentioning again. I've prayed for so long that God would change my heart, that He'd help me learn to love physical activity. He's done just that and it's a huge answer to prayer. It's not my work or tenacity, it's been His work. I honestly don't have words to express how grateful I am for that.

45) This morning when I got to work I had this email waiting for me. It's a blog entry from someone I don't know but subscribe to. I think this idea is so cool. I decided that if I got a card like this it would say,
--Follower of Jesus Christ
--Wife to Gordon, my best friend
--Mom to 5 delightful kids
--Lover of Peace and Simplicity
--Blessed Beyond Belief

Life is good. It's been a good morning to sit and think just how good it is and how blessed I am. Often I measure my good life by how much more I have than others. I think about the hungry children in the world and feel guilty for being thankful that it's them and not my kids. What a horrible confession, but it's true. I grieve for them but that grief drives me to be more thankful for my own kids' good life.

I think of the 5-year-olds who have to work to help feed their family and I'm overcome with sadness for them and thanks for me. It makes no sense to me how hard they have it and how good I have it. And it sure makes no sense how little they have and how much our culture consumes and is still driven by want for more. Surely in the next world there will be a reckoning. Maybe God will even things out, maybe they have something special on the other side that those of us who've never known true hunger won't get. I hope so.

My Christopher announced to Stephanie last week that blogs are over-rated. "They're so melodramatic," he said. :-) This post is certainly that and I apologize for the dramatic expressions of thanks. It's not exciting stuff but it's such a good day to express thanks for some little things.

Give thanks with a grateful heart.

Deborah's Baptism (Thanksgiving 38)

2008-11-23T21:07:00.005-07:00

Our little Deborah got baptised Sunday. She was so excited to take this step. Her daddy baptized her, which I think made it even more special. She gave this "testimony" before her baptism: "I remember when I invited God into my heart and asked for forgiveness. It felt like he was in the room with me, it was a very good feeling. I remember before I invited God into my heart, I was afraid that he would come down to earth and see all my sins and rebuke me and yell at me for them. Now I am not afraid anymore."

Gordon asked, "And what do you want to do for the rest of your life?" and she answered, "I want to praise and worship God."

Thank You God for Deborah's faith and salvation. Thank you for drawing Deborah into your family.

New House and Thanksgivings

2008-11-23T20:36:00.014-07:00

Thanksgiving 36) This is really quite small, but kind of cool. I'm thankful for my new address. I won't tell you here what my new address is, but you have to trust me, it's such a pretty address. I'm glad it's not just a bunch of numbers like my old address. This address has a little character. I'm glad.

37) We moved from the city to a bedroom community. It's a short trip to Edmonton but I've been surprised by the "feeling" of being out of the city. It's more pleasant than I realized, more noticable than I expected. I love the feeling of small community. 75,000 population seems small and cozy and running to the store is so simple. These are feelings I didn't expect and have been quite nice to experience.

Now some house pictures. I hope you like our new digs.

Notice my entrance with a door. Only a Canadian would know how nice this is in the flying snow.
A nice little living room. I didn't capture the dining area which is around the corner.
Where my toothbrush is safe...
Our bedroom.
It's a small kitchen, but I'm finding I function pretty well in it.

The family room, my favorite room.
Where I blog...
To the bedrooms...
A little honor to the native land...

Now what I've not shown are Gordon's little office/workroom, my laundry room/sewing room, the kids' rooms, and the backyard. Someday I'll post those too.

I'm thankful for the new house, how close we are to the girls schools, our nice neighborhood and being close to the church. I'm having fun nesting.

Thanksgiving 26-35

2008-11-19T12:18:00.005-07:00

Thank you friends and family for your kind regards and patience during my move. Yes, we are in our new house and I absolutely LOVE it. My camera doesn't do the wide angle thing so I'm having a hard time getting pictures to share. Pictures coming soon, some way, some how.

Thanksgiving 26) I am really thankful for the new house. The kitchen is smaller and the pantry is smaller but in other areas it either feels bigger or is bigger. It looks tiny from the outside, but the house is deep.

27) Our movers didn't show up. There was a bit of a mix up and on Saturday morning, moving day, we woke up to NO movers. Gordon rented a truck and he and I moved us entirely by ourselves. Good times. Good times.

I'm very thankful that I had the strength needed to do this very big job. "Sometimes my own strength scares me." Click here to find out why I say such a thing. I had visions of Gordon sitting on the porch with his head in his hands crying like a baby. I was so glad I got to keep him from breaking down. :-) I'm not joking or bragging, I'm just saying I'm thankful I had the strength to help him and that we were kept safe.

28) I'm very thankful that the move is behind us. We still have to get the deep freeze from one basement to the next, but I'm still recuperating. It will come in due time.

29) Gordon and I didn't move the piano. Our piano is over 100 years old and is an upright grand. It weighs 3000 pounds. Two moving guys spent 5 hours getting it from one house to the other and I was major stressed. First I was stressed for the safety of the piano, then I got totally scared for the movers' lives. They were in positions that could get them killed. Thankfully the piano and the movers finished safely, although the window by the front door didn't fare so well. Broken. But the young movers are fine and I'm thankful.

30) I love to hear Deborah play the piano. She has talent and I feel such joy listening to her music. I'm thankful for her love for music.

31) I've been remembering some Christopher stories and enjoying the memories. Once we were travelling from Edmonton to Cranbrook and through one section there was some strong livestock smells. As we drove, 4 year old Christopher rolled down his window and hung his head out and yelled at the horses: "Horses stop stinkin'!"

32) During a long spell in Christopher's boyhood, he couldn't say the l sound. L's were pronounced as w's. Yellow was yewwow. Lizard was wizard.

Christopher was fond of his cousin Ben, who he called Bean. Once when he was three he was playing in the living room when my sister Diane and her four kids pulled in the driveway. Beside himself with excitement, Christopher ran in circles saying, "Howey Mowie, there's Bean." This weekend when things would surprise or excite me, I let out a "Howey Mowie, there's Bean."

33) My little lawn manger scene is complete. My friend Trudy finished painting it last week. I'll be decorating in a couple weeks and am so glad to finally have a manger scene for the outside. They are extremely rare here, so I'm very happy to have one.

34) In the office building next to mine is a new little puppy. The bookkeeper brings the puppy to work with her. I get daily doses of smiles as the puppy gets taken outside throughout the day to do her business. She is so adorable.

35) I got a new toothbrush. Actually we all got new toothbrushes. In the old house I told Gordon that I couldn't wait to get a new toothbrush. It seems that we were having boundary issues regarding toothbrushes. I didn't even know which toothbrush was mine. Toothbrushes were a free-for-all. We all used whichever one we grabbed first. I was looking so forward to correcting this in the new house. As if she'd been a fly on the wall and overheard that conversation, I received a package of 5 toothbrushes from my sister-in-law Lawana. I was so excited. We all were. Now we guard our toothbrushes and no one shares. Life is good.

These are my thanks for today. There are many more where those came from but those will do for now, eh?

Thanksgiving 25

2008-11-03T21:55:00.003-07:00

I am so so so thankful for the gift of laughter and more precisely for the laughter I share with my Arkansas family. Better fun is hard to find, trust me I know because I've tried.

Tonight, missing family and laughter, I read some of my old posts and belly laughed as I was read this story. Especially for my family out there, read this and laugh hysterically. Let's pretend we're in Mama's living room laughing together.

Thanksgiving 24

2008-11-02T19:38:00.003-07:00

I'm thankful for our new house. In less than a couple weeks we'll be moving to this sweet little place. When we get it painted I'll post interior pictures. We are very excited to get close to the girls' school and closer to everything we're involved in.

dvd and debs

2008-11-02T19:17:00.004-07:00

Last night we stopped at Walmart and Gordon and Hannah ran in while Rachael, Deborah and I sat in the van. A family came out and got in the car beside us. As they drove away we saw they had a dvd player and the kids were watching Sponge Bob Square Pants.

Deborah got excited and asked, "Mom would you like it if we had a dvd player in our van?"

"Well actually I think it's pretty sad to need a dvd player for the trip between Walmart and home," I righteously declared.

Deborah thought for a moment then said, "Yeah I guess. That's not nearly enough time to see the ending."

are you washed

2008-11-02T19:11:00.004-07:00

When Stacie and I were between 2 and 5 years old, an electrician was doing some work in our house. I sang "Are You Washed in the Blood?" After my solo, Stacie looked up at the man and said, "Mister, are you washed in the blood?"

He replied, "Yes Ma'am I sure am."

I was reminded of this story this morning when we sang that hymn in church. I smiled.

Roman Pumpkinizing

2008-11-01T15:08:00.007-06:00

A lovely little family, eh?
"Hey, where did that come from?"
A year ago this is how wittle he was.
Now look how big the little pirate is.

Thanksgiving 23 A Speaking Engagement

2008-10-31T11:39:00.013-06:00

Sometimes the changes in me make me stop and wonder, "Who are you Girl?" I used to be terrified to speak in public. I had to do it on occasion and I covered those times with prayer, fasting, and a good amount of nervous sickness. Sometimes I think, "Wow, look at how I've matured," other times I think my www friend Joan has the right idea. See what I mean by that by clicking here.

A few nights ago I had the honor of speaking to a ladies group (Women's Ministry). Amazingly I wasn't nervous. I often hear what a great sense of humor I've got and how well I tell a story. I've accepted that perhaps these things are gifts that I'm supposed to use. Out on a limb, I started my little talk to a bunch of church ladies with this story and then this story. It worked. My audience laughed lots. One old lady had tears running down her face.

I spoke on how I have a lot of joy in my life but how misleading it would be to not tell the other side of my life. I shared my submission to the book called Six Word Memoir. Then I shared this stuff and other bits from my life. And I ended with this.

It went well. (Of course I laid awake that night tormenting myself with, "You are such an idiot." "Never before has one so stupid had a mike in front of them." "When word spreads, even more people will know what an ass you are." Sweet thoughts, oh such nice things played through my brain).

After the event was over and people were mingling, several ladies told me some snippets of their story. I'm always touched by what the person across the room has been through. Everyone, every single person, has a story to tell. Some people haven't plunged the depths of their souls and therefore can't articulate their story, but I am convinced that everyone doesn't just have a story, but that everyone has an interesting story. I'm glad to have regurgitated my story enough to be able to articulate some of it. I hope and pray that no matter what may happen in my life I'll always be able to cling to the Romans 8:28 factor; that I'll always be able to comfort myself by saying, "Every thing that's happened so far in my life, God has brought good out of. He will do the same in this situation too."

My Baby in the News

2008-10-31T08:50:00.003-06:00

So you can know what kind of work Gordon does...

And especially for his mom who probably didn't see it.

Thanksgiving 22

2008-10-30T14:59:00.003-06:00

I'm thankful for simple beauty. I love things that are simple and beautiful in one little package. Rachael made a cloth pumpkin in home ec class. Now mind you, she hates it and generally hates home ec in general. But I think her little pumpkin is adorable.

Everyday this little website sends a pretty picture to my inbox. Usually it's something relatively simple and the pictures nearly always make me smile.

Typically I don't look at a lot of home decorating type magazines because I know they could make me feel discontent. (This has often happened. I enjoy home decorating mags but often they wake up a wanting mindset in me that I really don't need to be awakened).

However this website, the inspired room, doesn't do that. It just makes me smile and I enjoy the beauty.

Pineapple

2008-10-30T14:38:00.008-06:00

I've not mentioned that I've become a vegetarian. It all started as an environmental decision. A few years ago I read how the cattle industry contributes 1/5 of all greenhouse emissions. That was when I cut back on our family's meat consumption. I didn't cut it out all together, I cut our meaty meals to 3 or 4 times a week.

Then a few months ago I read this and it pretty well did me in. I've not had meat since and I have hardly missed it.

The other day coming home from school Deborah asked if we could have pizza for supper. She'd no more asked when she said, "Oh yeah, you're a vegetarian. Never mind."

A few minutes later she asked if I could make a ham and pineapple pizza with just the pineapple. It reminded me of when my young nephew Randy got a job at a pizza joint when he was around 16. He had never experienced Hawaiian pizza and was mildly repulsed by the idea of pineapple on pizza.

His employers weren't the gentlest of souls. One day Randy goofed on something. The boss went kind of ballistic and started hollering. "What's wrong with these pizzas?" he barked at Randy. Randy pondered the question, unsure of what he'd done wrong, and then hesitantly answered, "They have pineapple on them?"

Thanksgiving 21

2008-10-30T14:35:00.003-06:00

I'm thankful that my grandson Roman has a wonderful life with loving parents. Read Steph's latest entry here.

citizenship

2008-10-29T20:00:00.002-06:00

Yesterday, with 92 others - representing 29 countries, - I became a Canadian citizen. I am very excited about it.

Psalm 23

2008-10-23T23:11:00.001-06:00

I posted this before but think it's so sweet and could cheer up anyone who needs cheering.

Thursday 13

2008-10-22T12:37:00.004-06:00

I got a catalog in the mail yesterday and had a few chuckles as I read these t-shirts and wall plaques.

1) I am fairly certain that given a cape and a nice tiara, I could save the world.
2) Many people have eaten my cooking and gone on the lead normal lives.
3) Three wise women would have… Asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made the casserole, brought practical gifts, and there would be Peace on Earth.
4) This IS my Sexy Lingerie. (on a oversized sleep t-shirt)
5) My Attitude is contagious but they’re looking for a cure.
6) If I’m talking you should be taking notes.
7) Don’t make me use my Opera voice.
8) Traveling 33 RPM in an iPod world.
9) I’m sick of being my wife’s arm candy.
10) English Major – You do the math.
11) Your participle is dangling.
12) Careful, or you’ll end up in my novel. (This one is my fave.)
13) Of course I live in the past, it’s cheaper there.

Thanksgiving 20

2008-10-22T12:34:00.002-06:00

This is a little poem to me from my little Deborah. I'm thankful that my kids love toying with writing and poetry and such.

Babies
by Deborah

Babies babies
Little ladies
Cute as can be!

Soon they’ll turn to kids so happy
And sometimes you’ll have to be kind of snappy.

You’ll be so sad when they leave
I know that you will have to grieve.

When they come to your house
They’ll be wearing a size large blouse.

Seems like yesterday they were so small
And they’d have to stick with you in the mall.

Soon she’ll be gone with some kind of guy
As the days go by and by.

Soon she’ll have her own little babies
Just like little ladies.

Now didn't that make you smile??

Thanksgiving 15 - 19

2008-10-22T12:27:00.002-06:00

15. I’m thankful for this blog. You may think that’s silly, but it’s a wonderful record for my family. I have captured many memories here and those memories are very valuable to me. This blog gives me an outlet and I’d consider it one of my fondest hobbies.

16. I’m thankful for the girls’ schools. They are in good schools – next year they’ll all be in the same school as Deborah’s class moves on to Rachael and Hannah’s school. They have caring, supportive teachers and Rachael and Deborah have good friends from good homes. (Hannah doesn’t have the quality friendships that Rachael and Deborah have, but I’ve decided she has made that choice and it doesn’t break my heart like it used to. Hannah and Rachael are best friends and that seems to be enough for Hannah.)

17. I’m thankful for Gordon’s leadership. I think I have the best husband in the world (and I appreciate that you think your husband is the best. I think that is the way it’s supposed to be.) We are presently casting the net into unknown territory and it should scare me. There’s a bit of fear there, but I know I’m not the only one praying about it. I know that Gordon is seeking God’s wisdom and wouldn’t be foolish and knowingly jeopardize our family. I’m thankful that I can trust Gordon this way. He is an amazing husband and father, but this week it’s his leadership qualities that I’m appreciating so much. (Regarding that casting the net thing, I’ll let you know about that once we know for sure what is happening.)

18. I am thankful for my aged van. She just keeps going. A few months back I thought she was coming to the end of her life. But after having her see the doctor we learned all that was wrong was a tiny rubber thingy had worn out. It was a $12 part and Gordon was able to fix it. My van is 12 years old and has 250,000 kilometers (150K+ miles) but she’s still chuggin’ away, still reliable and I’m grateful. She’s not the prettiest car in the lot, but she’s been paid off for a long long time.

19. I’m thankful that Gordon is a great fix-it guy. He can fix almost anything that needs fixing. He’s saved us thousands of dollars, no doubt.

Thanksgiving 14

2008-10-22T12:21:00.001-06:00

Recently a girlfriend from high-school and I re-connected through Facebook. She and I were rebels together and I’m glad that her life simmered down like mine did. Both of us are committed to following God and committed to our families. When I think about who we were as teenagers, I’m very thankful God brought us through those years fairly intact. Furthermore God gave us good sense to try and train our children to live differently than we did. My kids and her’s have chosen higher paths and I’m thankful to God.

Years ago my mom received a “still small voice” Word from God. I believe it was bang on and it comforts and encourages me regularly. (I may get the words all wrong, but I think I’ve got the idea right.) My mom was going through a time of healing and was reflecting on her own parents’ lives and their upbringing. As she thought about how they had been brought up, the baggage they carried and subsequently the baggage they gifted their kids with, she prayed for her kids and that the cycle would be broken. I don’t remember the wording, but the gist of what she heard from God was that every generation would progressively get more whole. The one phrase that I think I remember accurately is this one: “and your grandchildren will go free.”

My great grandparents had lots of baggage. My grandparents had lots of baggage, but probably less than their parents. My parents had their share of baggage but still less than their parents. My siblings and I have our baggage, but I like to think that we too have less than our parents. And finally I see so many chains broken on the next generation. Yeah they have baggage, but a whole lot less than I had/have. My kids, and my nieces and nephews, had healthy upbringings for the most part. I look at them all and am sooo thankful that I see much evidence of wholeness.

Re-connecting with Paula and seeing the spiritual and emotional health that her girls and my kids take for granted, I’m thankful beyond words that God’s grace has penetrated mine and Paula’s lives and especially the lives of our children.

Thanksgiving 11 - 13

2008-10-22T12:15:00.002-06:00

I’m in the third week of boot camp, counting the days till it’s over and till I can be just a regular girl going to a regular gym at a regular time of day. This 5:00am business is really hard. I’m quite tired these days. All that to explain why I’ve not been posting my thanks as often I’d like. But I think about them lots and I’m going to make up for my lack of posts right now. God is good to me and I have many many things that I’m thankful for and that give me joy day in and day out.

11. I’m very thankful for my job. I couldn’t have found a better job had I tried. The hours are superb for me, the location is superb, my office is superb, what I do is ok. Sometimes I think my employer can’t justify my position and fear the position will be terminated. I hope not but I don’t take it for granted.

12. Boot camp is almost over -- I count the mornings every day. Hang on till next Friday Val. Hang on. My friend Elaine is doing this with me and I’m thankful for that too. It makes it easier knowing she’s expecting me to pick her up at 5:15. I’m tired, but it’s a good kind of tired. The desire to do this is a God thing and I know it. For several years I’ve prayed that God would change me from the inside out; that He’d change my desires and make me want to exercise. I’m incredibly grateful that He has answered that prayer.

13. I’m very thankful for the quiet time that is built into my day every work day. After dropping the girls off at school, I have one hour before I start work. I go to a park down the road from Debs’ school and that is my prayer and Bible reading time. It works perfectly for me. That part of my day is another reason I love my job as different work hours wouldn’t work so well for this element of my day.

Thanksgiving 10

2008-10-21T10:27:00.001-06:00

Sweet Stephanie's ability to praise this Lord right now.

Read about it here.

Thanksgiving 9

2008-10-18T18:13:00.002-06:00

I've got a grandbaby coming in June. I'm thankful

Thanksgiving 8

2008-10-16T14:52:00.003-06:00

About a week ago one of my neighbors got really upset with me. I did something really stupid, but it wasn't intentional. I pondered how to correct it but was kind of stumped. Yesterday I came home and the neighbor was out. I told him I was really sorry and that I didn't mean for everything to happen. I am so thankful that little experience turned out well. We are back on good terms and as far as I know, there's no ill will between us.

Blog Action Day -- Poverty

2008-10-15T10:21:00.008-06:00

Today, October 15 is blog action day. Every year bloggers volunteer to post something that brings awareness to certain issues. Last year the topic was the environment. Today thousands and thousands of bloggers are talking about poverty. I hope raising the awareness of poverty helps. For one day can't we try to think and act on behalf of those who have little? I'm trying.

What are the greatest things we can do to fight poverty? I don't know. However I can think of some things that will help. I can't help hundreds but I can help a few. I'm sure you've heard the story of a little boy walking along the beach after a storm. There were hundreds of starfish that had washed up on the shore. He was throwing starfish back into the ocean. A man walked by and noticed the boy's activity. He said, "You know there's a lot of starfish out here. I don't think you're going to be able to help them."

As the little boy tossed a starfish back into the ocean, he said, "I helped that one." I'm sure that starfish appreciated his help. That's the moral of the story, eh?

Poverty is so huge -- there are more poor than not in our world -- I think we feel overwhelmed by the need so we do little thinking we can't make a difference. But that's a lie. We can help.

Years ago there was a couple living a few doors down from us who I became acquainted with. Every day they came home from their good jobs and more often than not they had take out food with them. One day we were out shovelling our sidewalks at the same time. She knew that Gordon has recently been laid off work and she asked how we were doing. I used the opportunity to tell her how God was taking care of us and all our needs were being met.

Oddly she turned the conversation to giving to charities. They weren't church goers but they had gone to church the week before to a baby christening. She said she'd put $20 in the offering plate and then added, "You know Valerie, we can't afford to give that kind of money it's just seemed like I was supposed to."

That conversation drove home to me how we North Americans are so out of focus on poverty and neediness. She thought 20 bucks in the offering plate was such a sacrifice but didn't seem to notice how affluent she lived. If we are all tapped out financially, sure it'll be hard to give. So to me, a logical first step in fighting poverty is eliminate some of our consumption and materialism. Once our standards of living are reasonably humble there will be more to give away.

Often times I see perfectly good stuff in peoples' garbage. Last week there was a make-up table and some beautiful baskets and dishes. Deborah promptly brought those things home and put them in the tree house. (Not exactly helping the poor I know). Every time I see the waste, I'm disturbed. I don't begrudge people for getting rid of stuff, but reusable stuff in the trash?? Why not Goodwill or the Salvation Army? Again, we have so much stuff that putting decent items in the garbage that someone somewhere could benefit from is common place. (I know in small communities there may not be the abundance of second hand stores that want donations, but where I am there are many. And there are many many people who can only afford second hand).

Praying for the poor is something we can all do. When I pass a poor or homeless person, I certainly don't always stop to give money, but it's always possible to pray. I want to do that more. But I also want to help them more too. I gave a couple a ride a few weeks ago. They were walking down the alley with a small tv wall-unit they had picked up in someone's garbage. We loaded it into my van and drove it to their little apartment. It felt good to help them, and God knows they appreciated it.

A few years ago we developed a relationship with a homeless man named Ron. Every Sunday we'd bring him to our house for a shower and lunch. It felt good to help him.

I sometimes pick up $5 gift certificates in fast food restaurants to give to a homeless or needy person. It seems I never have cash so when I go to pay for a $2 purchase on my debit card, it seems logical to make it $12 and buy a couple gift certificates to give away to someone who'd like a warm meal.

Gordon's brother and his family serve dinner to the needy in a huge church organized "feed the poor" Christmas meal. My mom invites a low-income lady for meals several times a week. Opportunities to help are endless.

On a world wide scale, there are opportunities for us common folk too. Here are a few of my favorites.

1) Click for hunger is something those of us who are on the computer daily can easily do. It is so easy. Just sign up and they'll email you a reminder with a link every day. When you get your email, click on the link and when the link opens you click an orange button. Every click provides food for a hungry person. I checked this out personally and it is legitimate.

2) This one is new to me, but it's along the same line. Give free rice. It's a vocabulary game and every right answer gives rice away. I didn't read enough to know how it works, but I know my vocabulary could be expanded and the poor helped too. Why not?

3) Operation Christmas Child is a wonderful way to help poor children. I'll admit I've not done this in a couple years. However what I used to do worked very well for me. Once a month when I was grocery shopping, I'd look for something on sale that was suitable for the Christmas boxes. Toothpaste, soap, toothbrush, little toys, crayons, whatever. I'd buy 12, bring it home and put it in the pantry. By the end of the year, I had the contents for 12 shoe boxes. It was nearly effortless and financially painless.

4) Samaritan's Purse, the organization behind Operation Christmas Child, publishes a catalog where you can buy cows, goats, chickens, and many other things than would give poor families in undeveloped countries opportunity to grow their own food. It's a beautiful beautiful opportunity. There are many organizations that do this now. I think it's absolutely delightful.

5) Compassion International is another favorite of mine. Sponsoring a child is easy. For less than $50 a month you can feed, clothe, and send a child to school. What an investment.

There are tons more organizations to help the poor. These are some that I'm familiar with and know are good.

If you forget or discount everything I've said, please still think of the poor and how you can help today.

I'd love to know what you do for the poor or under-privileged.

Thanksgiving 7

2008-10-14T16:57:00.004-06:00

I had a lovely visit with Stephie Pooh last night. I love to hear her stories of Roman's growth and development and always find a bit of cuteness in her stories of his mischief. Being a grandma sure is different than being the mother.

She told me things she's learning and I was pleased to hear of her own growth and maturity as a little homemaker, wife and mother. Why do those things please me so? It's all delightful to hear about. It's like a refreshing glass of iced tea on a hot summer day. Smile...

Romie Boy throws fits now. Who'd thunk it? He's a mere mortal with a sinful nature. As she and John Mark struggle through how to train him in a Godly path, I am thankful that I know everything will be OK. They are going to hit and miss the mark so many times just like the rest of us, and yet because of the grace of God, Roman is going to be OK. He's going to be a normal little boy but he already knows how very special he is and how loved he is. Could I ask for more?

Roman has thrown a few fits and the times where Stephanie "got firm" with him only served to make him angry. She told me of one little fit where she felt like God gave her wisdom. When he started his one-year-old anger bit, she remembered the verse, "A soft answer turns away wrath." She got down on his level and softly chastised him. Amazingly it worked.

Isn't God good to give little snippets of wisdom to us struggling moms? He did it for my mom, for me, and now he's doing it for Stephanie. I'm thankful.

Thanksgiving 6

2008-10-14T16:43:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I was the first one up to welcome Thanksgiving Day. Like I've said before, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and the time alone first thing in the morning was a lovely treat. My coffee and I sat in the window taking in fall beauty and peace. I thought of how luxurious my life is. Coffee, a comfortable sofa to sit in while I looked down the street of a Canadian middle class neighborhood. Down the hall my family slept safely, soundly, and comfortably with hardly any cares. All around the world women don't have those simple things that would be nothing short of luxurious to them. I am thankful for the peace in my life, the peace in my home, the peace in my country.

Thanksgiving 5

2008-10-12T11:18:00.003-06:00

If you're just tuning in, I'm tracking thankful thoughts from now (Canadian thanksgiving season) till US Thanksgiving. I don't mean to bore you with my trivial thoughts, but it's a good exercise for me and I am quite alert to the goodness in my life when I'm actively thinking thankful thoughts. Today is my 5th entry.

Gordon's good financial sense

Yesterday we met with a financial type person and she bragged on our financial situation. Let me assure you we don't have a lot of liquid assets, but we have nearly no debt, good jobs, all our needs met and most desires too. She said we are in great shape. (I'm sure "great" is relative, but it was nice to hear).

I'm so thankful for Gordon's self discipline and commitment to delay gratification until he can pay cash. If I were in charge of finances, I just might have us in the poor house. I appreciate his taking care of us and his financial good sense.

Thanksgiving 4

2008-10-12T11:08:00.004-06:00

I'm strong in body

Yesterday I had the opportunity to help a lady I go to church with. She's recently diagnosed with cancer and is in a lot of pain. She's recently moved into a new house and her kitchen grout was dirty. It was bothering her but she's physically unable to tackle the job. It was a big job but I got her grout clean. I'm thankful for my own health and ability to do that kind of work.

(Her grout wasn't nearly as bad as mine is. There's a touch of irony and humor in me cleaning her grout when mine is clearly more in need of it. I told Gordon I was going to go figure out how to clean grout, come home and show him how to clean ours. He didn't think that was as funny as I did.)

Thanksgiving 3

2008-10-12T10:54:00.007-06:00

Deborah's sweet spirit

A few days ago I was having an off day. I was tired and cranky and slightly overwhelmed with things I needed to do. Everyone was trying to stay out of this grumpy woman's way. Everyone but Deborah. She was very concerned for me and hung around seeing if there was anything she could do to ease my irritability. "Mama, would you like me to _______." "Would it help if I did _______?" "Mama are you feeling better?"

It's not my kids' responsibility to make me feel better. However seeing Deborah genuinely wanting to help me blessed me. It's not just me she would have wanted to help, she would have wanted to help anyone she knew was having a bad day. She's precious. I'm very thankful for her sweet spirit.

money trivia

2008-10-10T13:33:00.005-06:00

I read these little statistics on Get Rich Slowly and found them mildly fascinating. I am soooo not normal. If I ever have $104 in my purse, something is up, like I'm travelling or about to make a "cash only" purchase. Here are some stats:

96% of women carry a purse or a wallet. (I'm normal).

61% of men carry a wallet, while 6% use a money clip, and about 20% carry cash loose in pockets. (Gordon's normal, so are most of the men I know).

The average purse or wallet contains about $104. (I'm so not average).

13% of American adults use a piggy bank, while 28% collect change in a jar.(What? Only 13% have a piggy bank? I have a lovely pink piggy bank and it stays pretty well stocked with coins. That's how I pay for all my little things. Since only 13% have piggy banks, I guess I'm not normal in this department either).

Just over 15% of Americans keep a serious stash of cash around the house — about half of these hide it, while the other half keeps it someplace obvious. (Just occasionally will I have a stash hidden, but my idea of a stash is 20 or 40 bucks).

Another third of the population keeps a small amount of cash on hand for emergencies. (That's Gordon's job, not mine :).

More than half of us don’t keep any extra cash in the house at all. (Finally, I'm normal).

Thanksgiving 2

2008-10-10T11:11:00.003-06:00

This is a really cool exercise I'm doing. Writing "thanks" as they come to me is making me aware of just how good my life is.

Yesterday Gordon phoned and said he would be late for dinner. This is so unusual; he usually comes home right as I'm putting the finishing touches on our meal.

Yesterday when he phoned to say he'd be late, I was disappointed that we'd be eating without him. I immediately realized how my husband coming home on time (or coming home period) is something I take for granted. I am thankful my husband is faithful, considerate, a family man, and usually home for dinner. :-)

Thursday Thirteen

2008-10-09T10:51:00.004-06:00

As you know, I'm diligently striving to get fit. There are a number of resources that I've called on to help me in my numerous times of need. Among those are quotes of encouragement. I have these stuck on various places of my desk. I just counted them, and guess what, there are thirteen. Perfect for a Thursday Thirteen. I hope these encourage you like they do me.

1. It’s never too late to be what you might have been. – George Ernst

2. Every day that you do the right thing is one day closer to the results to want. – Jeff on My Super Charged Life.

3. And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. – Abraham Lincoln

4. Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. – Henry Ford

5. Your outer world reflects your inner world.

6. The grace of God is with you no matter what happens. – 2 Peter 5:12

7. It’s better to wear out than to rust out. – Richard Cumberland

8. A boat is off course most of the time it’s enroute to its destination. But it still gets there. How? The navigator makes tiny adjustments constantly to get it where it’s meant to go. It’s not about making one big leap, rather tiny ones every day.

9. You are the creator of the life you want to live.

10.You are what you do.

11.The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs… one step at a time. – Joe Girand

12.May the God of peace who brought Jesus my LORD from the dead equip me with all I need for doing his will. May he produce in me, through the power of Jesus Christ all that is pleasing to him. – Hebrews 13:20, 21

13.We first make our habits and then our habits make us. – John Dryden

Thanksgiving 1

2008-10-08T11:32:00.004-06:00

Monday is Canadian Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s not the festivities that make it my favorite, but rather the spirit of gratitude that it’s all about.Traditionally on Thanksgiving I make a list of things I’m thankful for. The list seems to go on and on. Yesterday I had a brainy idea of sharing individual posts of some of my thanks. I’m beginning today and I’m doing it until US Thanksgiving. (After all, I’m both an American and a Canadian.)

Canadian and US Thanksgiving falls roughly a month a part. In the early days of our marriage I strove to celebrate both holidays in a festive manner. Alas, it was too much effort to facilitate work and school schedules. Now we just celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving, but in my heart I celebrate both.

Today’s thanks: The Sense of Sound.

In the past I’ve under-appreciated the wonder of hearing. I have sensitive ears and often feel assaulted by noise. Furthermore I have a high need for peace, quiet, and down-time. On numerous occasions I’ve spurned the onslaught of racket. Trucks, loud cars and motorcycles, loud music, ringing telephones, saws, airplanes, the lady beside me who talks incessantly,… I focused more on the sounds I hated and regretfully, little on the sweet wonderful sounds that fill my life. I realize it’s a no-brainer for most people but it’s a fairly recent reason for thanksgiving for me. I never stopped to consider all the lovely sounds that infuse my every day.

Yesterday Deborah and I were outside in a steady fall breeze. I said, “Shhh. Hear that?” We listened to the breeze in the poplars and it was music to my ears. I told Deborah I think the leaves are one of God’s musical instruments. He sends the breeze and makes glorious melodies.

How many times have I been blessed beyond words by my children’s laughter? Innumerable. Even as I type this I smile at the thought of those sounds.

How often in years past did I smile (and I’m smiling now too) when my babies woke from naps and stood in the cribs and beckoned me with the sweet chirp, “Ma-Ma?” Priceless memories.

I remember Romie Boy and his “Whazat?” (“What’s that?” for those of you who may not understand Romanese.) I think of his “whazats?” often and joy wells up in me.

The sweet words from my children, they bless me day in and day out. A couple of days ago Rachael and I were walking when out of the blue she said, “Mom, I love you.” *Smile*

Gordon has a deliciously warm voice that makes me all cozy inside.

Johann Sebastian Bach’s music always relaxes me.

Lucy Dog’s groans of ecstasy when I rub behind her ears, it’s too cute for words.

God, I’m very very grateful to hear. Thank you for giving me the sense of sound.

financial savvy? humph

2008-10-07T11:18:00.004-06:00

I've been thinking about finances, contentment, life-style choices, advertisement and things along these lines lately. I had an a-hah moment this morning, thanks to Jeff at My Super-Charged Life. Isn't it curious, ironic, crazy -- call it what you like, that the folks claiming to have the most financial savvy are the same ones getting a 700 billion dollar bailout???

Have you thought of the whole bailout crisis in that light?

boot camp, round 2

2008-10-06T12:52:00.002-06:00

This morning at 5:00 I started month 2 of (physical fitness) boot camp. Although I'm the only one in this class that's a second-timer, I'm still the most overweight and out-of-shape. Sigh. (I get the distinct impression boot camp is not a favored past time for fat folks).

My friend Elaine is boot camping with me this month. Right off the bat this morning she pulled something in her leg and from that moment on she was the class grunter. I was happy to surrender the title.

Someone said, I think it was Anais Nin, that we see the world as we are, not as the world is. As I was driving home this morning I thought about my first day of boot camp last month. It was so hard for me; I thought I might die -- literally. It was hard this morning too, but not once did I think I was closing in on death.

When I got home, Gordon greeted me by sweetly (and proudly, he's proud of me for all this effort) asking, "How are you doing?" I was pleased to be able to reply, "I'm a whole lot better than I was this time last month."

After a shower I fell back into bed and slept another 45 minutes. The first day last month, I nearly slept the whole day.

My point? I realized this morning that last month I went on and on about how hard boot camp was. Experiencing it freshly again this morning, I realized with clarity that the problem isn't how hard boot camp is, rather how out of shape I am. I spent the month seeing the world (boot camp) as I am, not how it (boot camp) is. I can't say I'll enjoy it, but again, I know I'll be a better and more fit person having done it.

Again, my goal is to finish the month without missing any sessions.

just for fun

2008-10-03T08:27:00.001-06:00

A woman was sitting at a bar enjoying an after work
cocktail with her girlfriends when Steven a tall,
exceptionally handsome, extremely sexy, middle-aged man
entered. He was so striking that the woman could not take
her eyes off him.

The young-at-heart man noticed her overly attentive stare
and walked directly toward her. (As All men will.) Before
she could offer her apologies for staring so rudely, he
leaned over and whispered to her, 'I'll do
anything, absolutely anything, that you want me to do, no
matter how kinky, for $20.00...... On one condition'

Flabbergasted, the woman asked what the condition was. The
man replied, 'You have to tell me what you want me to
do in just three words.'

The woman considered his proposition for a moment, and then
slowly removed a $20 bill from her purse, which she pressed
into the man's hand along with her address. She looked
deeply into his eyes, and slowly and meaningfully said....

"Clean my house."

Thought for the Day

2008-10-02T14:16:00.001-06:00

If God had a refrigerator, my picture would be on it. :-)))

churchy chuckle

2008-09-30T12:21:00.003-06:00

Several years ago during the singing portion of church a lady near the back started wailing. Wailing loudly. Her sorrowful moans and groans permeated the sanctuary.

The young music minister had a deer-in-the-headlight stare. Clearly he didn't know what to do with the emotional outburst that interrupted the music.

After a few awkward moments of this lady's bellowing dominating the air, the minister spoke. "Let's take a few minutes to pray. I sense in my spirit that there is someone here in pain."

As per usual I nearly lost composure. I whispered to Gordon, "You reckon?". He never appreciates my comments at moments like these.

my opinion

2008-09-29T16:54:00.001-06:00

Regarding the 700-billion dollar bailout, I'm inclined to agree with this guy:

We are now in the golden age of thieves. And where I come from we put thieves in jail, we don't bail them out." — Rep. Pete Visclosky, Democrat.

a bear and an athiest

2008-09-29T15:02:00.007-06:00

An atheist was walking through the woods.

"What majestic trees"!

"What powerful rivers"!

"What beautiful animals"!

He said to himself.

As he was walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. He turned to look. He saw a 7-foot grizzly charge towards him. He ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder & saw that the bear was closing in on him.

He looked over his shoulder again, & the bear was even closer. He tripped & fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but saw that the bear was right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw & raising his right paw to strike him. At that instant the Atheist cried out, "Oh my God!"

Time Stopped. The bear froze. The forest was still.

As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky. "You deny my existence for all these years, teach others I don't exist and even credit creation to cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"

The atheist looked directly into the light, "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask You to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps You could make the BEAR a Christian"?

"Very Well," said the Voice.

The light went out. The sounds of the forest resumed. And the bear dropped his right paw, brought both paws together, bowed his head & spoke:

"Lord bless this food, which I am about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen."

More wacky news

2008-09-26T11:42:00.001-06:00

Would you eat breast milk ice cream? Just wondering.

Lessons from Boot Camp

2008-09-26T10:06:00.007-06:00

I am extremely happy to report that I finished a month long boot camp this morning. My last exercise was carrying a 20 pound bag of sand while I ran and then pulling a truck tire from one end of the field and back. As I briefly recuperated afterward, several congratulated me on finishing the month. Everyone knew it had been hard for me. I was the sound effects for the group. "Uuuugghhh," was my common anguished cry as I fought through my push ups or triceps dips and really any other exercise.

This morning my mates told me they couldn't believe I came back for the second day. "I knew on that first day I'd never see you again," one said. Well I surprised them and never missed a day. They said I had grit.

There is more than the finishing boot camp thing that I'm proud of. It's big to me that I never missed a day. Every morning was a spiritual exercise to make myself go. Early in dragon boat season, I had an epiphany about how it was ingrained in me to quit hard things. I have a history of quitting things if I was no good, it was too hard, I was too embarrassed to be bad at it, it was too inconvenient,... When I had that realization early in the dragon boat season (you may recall how hard I thought it was), I knew it was a spiritual problem and I committed to finish the season if it killed me. Thankfully I learned to love it.

The same thing happened with boot camp. It was brutal, but I knew I'd be an internally stronger and better person if I finished. I committed to not miss a day and I didn't.

I learned that no matter how I hate the front end of it, (getting up at 4:55am isn't my cup of tea), or how I think "I can't take another step" during the middle of it, I always felt happy that I'd done it afterward. I was always thankful that I got out of bed and that I kept going even when I thought I literally couldn't do one more step.

I learned that striving toward getting fit is a boost in and of itself. I can't tell I look one iota different than I did when I started, but I feel better about myself. I lost a whopping 2.5 pounds. (Everyone encourages me with muscle weighs more than fat and I always like to respond, well that's a lot of muscle . Having lost 2.5 pounds doesn't sound grand, but I know I'm a better person, a more disciplined person, a more fit person from the inside out, and I'm not talking just physically.

I learned that sticking with something that is hard and that you'd rather not stick to has far reaching effects. Gordon and I were asked to do a skit at church. Let me assure you that I am no drama queen. I have a history of freezing up in front of people. I have always been content to leave the drama to my sister Stacie. I wished I could "act" but knew I never would.

When I was asked to be the bag lady in a skit, the first shock was that I said OK. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd willingly participate in a skit, and my part was a significant one. I said yes, and as soon as I gave it some thought, I knew that the willingness to try was directly related to dragon boating and boot camp. From both dragon boating and boot camp I had learned and was continuing to learn that the experience is worth something even if I'm a total wash up at it.

The day we did our skit, I wasn't too terribly nervous. You have to know me to know how big of a thing that is. Once I got going, I wasn't nervous at all. I was able to tap into acting skills I didn't know I had. Quite simply, I was a great bag lady. Everyone thought I was a born actress (or a born bag lady). They had no idea how far out of my comfort zone I was. I can't explain it, but I know it's related to both dragon boating and boot camp.

Another lesson from boot camp; I learned that I actually like the active life. I like physical activity. I was humiliated quite terribly in sports as a youth and have lived all my life knowing I couldn't do a blasted thing in the sports and physical fitness areas. Well it was all a lie and I learned it at 42 years of age. I am not the best, but I can do it and have fun.

I've enrolled in another boot camp. I'm dreading it. It starts Monday and it's a repeat of what I've just completed. (There's a chance the class will be cancelled because of too few registrants. In October the snow may come and the cold definitely will and most people don't choose to get up at 5am to exercise outside).

I've learned a lot this month. It was long, terrible, hard and I'm glad it was long, terrible, and hard and that I can say "I did it!".

Thursday Thirteen

2008-09-25T14:29:00.009-06:00

This is lame, I know. But here are thirteen things I do everyday.

1. Click for Hunger I hope you do too.

2. Go to bloglines.com and read my blogs.

3. Either thank God for helping me survive another day of bootcamp or bask in it being an off day.

4. Wonder what I'll make for dinner.

5. Read the news on-line, usually CNN.

6. Have a big mug of coffee.

7. Wish laundry got done automatically, you know, by the laundry fairy or some equally helpful being.

8. Talk to the four-legged creatures around here.

9. Kiss all my babies when I drop them off at school.

10. Kiss my big baby when he leaves for work.

11. Read my Bible (except on Saturdays) and pray.

12. I bet you wonder why I don't read my Bible on Saturdays. I don't know. It just never happens on Saturday.

13. Sing. I sing the most when I'm driving.

a deborah kind of joke

2008-09-25T14:27:00.001-06:00

Here's a little joke from Deborah.

Q: What did the farmer say when his dog went missing?

A: Dog-gone.

farty news

2008-09-25T11:01:00.004-06:00

You know I love wacky news... I'm hear to tell you not to pass gas in public, you may get charged with assault. Be warned and remember, this probably isn't the first time I've saved your butt. :-)

Hurricane Ike pictures

2008-09-22T14:14:00.011-06:00

These photos are from a news site called Boston.com. They are phenomenal pictures of Hurricane Ike's wake. Oh the destruction, eh? Click on the photos to see them better.

I don't recall ever seeing an alligator walking on all fours on the highway.
This one is taken 220 miles above the earth's surface. It's amazing how it captures the force of Ike.
Poor little horse. That was a close call.

tip of the day

2008-09-22T10:26:00.002-06:00

Here are some tips that everyone can apply to their lives to become greener. Some won't apply to all of you, but most of us can do many of these. To add a little green to your life, check out 50 things you can do to help the planet.

self-esteem

2008-09-19T12:04:00.002-06:00

"The subject of self-esteem is a topic that has generated a fair amount of controversy over the last few decades, but one thing seems clear: you don’t get healthy self-esteem from constantly telling yourself how great you are, or even from other people telling you how great you are. You get healthy self-esteem from behaving in ways that you find estimable.

"In other words, the best way to feel better about yourself is to do something worthy of your own respect: keep a difficult resolution, meet a challenge, solve a problem, learn a skill, cross something unpleasant off your to-do list."

I read this little gem this morning on the happiness project. Great food for thought.

fashion

2008-09-16T15:14:00.007-06:00

Imagine me, Valerie, giving fashion updates. True this post is out of character and this fashion alert may be the only one you ever see from me. But I have to be the first to inform you that hats are back. Straight off the Paris and London runways I bring you proof. Yes, hats are back. Pick your's up today.

And just in case you don't have quite enough to worry about, read this.

Tuesday Thought

2008-09-16T10:40:00.004-06:00

"Could you go into the world without any evidence of your talents or success and be confident that people would be able to recognize who “you” are?"

I read that this morning on a simplicity blog . I think it's an excellent question worth pondering.

flaunting my new bod

2008-09-14T13:22:00.003-06:00

Did I mention I'm in boot camp and it's really whipping me into shape? The folks at church this morning didn't seem to appreciate my new look. I know my blog readers will.

(And just in case you're dropping by for the first time, this body isn't mine and the dress isn't either. :-)

overdose photos

2008-09-13T22:05:00.008-06:00

My aunt sent me an email today. I forwarded it to a few and was told the photos didn't show. So here are some photos depicting overdose. Parental discretion seriously advised :-).

"Think Simple Now" Article

2008-09-13T10:47:00.003-06:00

The other day I read a disturbing article on food, actually it was more about meat. I wanted to pass it along and get some feedback. What are your thoughts when you read this? I really really want to know what others think.

Fat Cat

2008-09-13T10:42:00.000-06:00

"My whole family, we're all big boned."

Friday Four

2008-09-12T10:23:00.003-06:00

Creative, I know. :-)

1) This morning I saw a maternity t-shirt that made me smile. It said, "All I wanted was a back rub." Very cute.

2) As of this morning at 6:30 I am half way through my first stint of boot camp. Lord willing I'll do this again next month. Trust me, I'd never push myself this hard without a firm instructor.

3) Mondays are the days that nearly kill me, or at least it feels like it. I asked this morning if all Mondays will be as hard as this past Monday. The answer was, "It will get harder and harder, but you'll get better and better." I hate that I'm already dreading Monday.

4) I appreciate my husband so much. This morning when I got home (after boot camp) I went and laid down for what I thought would be 20-30 minutes. Turns out I slept an hour and a half. Gordon told Rachael to get everything going this morning and to wake me when it was time to drive them to school. I was so blessed by him for telling them to let me sleep and for them for getting the morning routine done well without my involvement. I slept in and we weren't even late for school. What a treat.

Good News in the News

2008-09-09T19:16:00.004-06:00

Anne Murray had a song a number of years ago called "A Little Good News." Remember that? I read this the other day and was touched by the good news. I hope you enjoy it too.

Parents' Assignment

2008-09-08T17:20:00.004-06:00

Deborah's teacher requested that all the parents of her students write something telling about their forth grade experiences. Here's mine:

Grade 4 Memories from Deborah’s Mom

The year was 1976 and it was a special year in the United States where I grew up. It was the Bicentennial Year. That means it was the United States' 200th Birthday. In a way, the celebration lasted all year long.

One of the teachers in my school drove a white truck with red and blue stars on it. "Spirit of '76" was painted on the side. It was cool to wear red, white and blue clothes. My mom made me a white dress with red stripes and blue stars. I also had a blouse that had a bunch of US flags on it. (Actually my brother, sisters, and I had matching shirts). I had another shirt that had US Army, US Navy, US Air Force, and US Marines written all over it. Now I think of those shirts and cringe. Then I thought I was so cool.

My Grade 4 teacher was Mrs. Barrow. She was old and her hair was perfectly silver. Every day she wore either gold or silver sparkly shoes. Maybe my patriotic clothes sound weird to you, but her sparkly metallic shoes were weird to me.

After lunch recess, she'd always read us a Bible story. Then we'd have to put our heads on our desks for "a rest." Poor Mrs. Barrow always fell asleep and we'd whisper and pass notes. We loved it when she fell asleep.

At recess we played basketball, football and chase. We had one set of monkey bars and a slide. That was all the playground equipment we had.

One day a big dog came to the playground and played chase with us. We had so much fun. A mean kid who was standing beside me pulled the dog's tail really hard. The dog thought it was me and turned and bit me on the hip. I loved dogs and didn't want to get the dog in trouble. My hip bled, but I wasn't scared. The teachers acted like something terrible had happened. They even phoned my parents. The owners had to come to the school to prove the dog had its rabies shot.

I was a good student, but you won’t believe it when I tell you this story. Once when we had a spelling bee I drew a blank when the teacher asked me to spell "use." A three-lettered word and I couldn't spell it. I was very embarrassed.

I remember learning how the earth moves around the sun. We had a substitute teacher and she brought one of those large outdoor candles that people use to decorate their yards at Christmas time. She plugged it in and we pretended it was the sun. She took a basketball, which we pretended was the earth, and she slowly walked the ball around the sun. That visual lesson helped me all through school to remember that the earth moves around the sun and not the other way around.

The most horrible thing that happened in grade 4 was when a boy in grade 6 tried to kiss me. I cried and cried. I was very afraid of him.

Other than the bully who tried to kiss me, Grade 4 was a good time. I hope your Grade 4 is great and no bullies try to kiss you. If one does, slug him or her and say, "That's from Mrs. Dykstra."

Boot Camp

2008-09-08T07:05:00.002-06:00

Second Week, Day One.

Need I say more?

Boot Camp

2008-09-07T15:56:00.004-06:00

Friday I finished my first week of boot camp. It was hard. I am much much worse than the other women. They are younger, thinner, and fitter. Being the worst is a humbling position to be in -- definitely not my preferred spot in the food chain. I'm always last to finish every exercise. My teammates can't stop their drill until I've completed mine. No one is ever allowed down time, everyone is constantly working.

For example, we had a drill on Friday where we ran to the first pylon then back to the starting line, did 10 push ups then ran to the 2 pylon, ran back to the starting line, did 10 push ups, then ran back to the 3rd pylon... Since I was last and everyone was so far ahead of me, they had to keep doing push ups as I'm dragging up the rear. It's humiliating enough just being last. The pressure is steep to hurry. I was on my eighth push up in my last set and thought I couldn't do another one. They were yelling at me (not angry yells, more like begging and encouraging mixed). Evidently someone in the group slacked off because I heard the instructor bark, "You can't stop until she's finished her set."

Can you see why this is on hard on me and them? Being the worst is hard (and embarrassing) but being them is equally hard.

I was basking in finishing my first week at the end of class on Friday. (In this particular instance, "basking" resembles laying on my back looking like a very big road-kill but on the inside there's a smile). Instructor quickly ruined my revelry by saying that Monday will be a hard day, our hardest yet. That wasn't how I wanted to end the week. On the positive side, knowing Monday will be harder, I'm being careful how I eat this weekend so as not to increase my hardship on Monday.

As I was running on Friday the sweat was dripping off me as if it was pouring rain. Rivulets ran down my face and my clothes were soaking. I can't imagine it getting harder. I'll let you know.

Boot Camp Day 2

2008-09-03T13:11:00.004-06:00

It only hurts when I breathe. If I lie like a corpse everything feels fine.

I've been reading 1 Peter and I've been meditating on 5:12, "The grace of God is with you no matter what happens."

This morning as I ran around the field at 5:30, thinking I might be leaving this world at any moment to receive my eternal reward, I kept chanting this verse (in my head of course, God knows I hadn't the breath to really speak it). Maybe I'm about to die, but the grace of God is with me no matter what happens.

The grace of God carried me through. It was harder today. We doubled the running time and we did all the same exercises as Monday, except we added 3 more sets of each and got to hold weights as we did them.

You should check out a boot camp. Fun fun fun.

Tuesday Tip of the Day

2008-09-02T12:28:00.004-06:00

I have a tip. It's not huge, but it has freed up a bit of time. I read this tip on Mindi's blog a long time ago and never did anything about it. So my apologies to Mindi for not taking her tip seriously. I finally have and it's made a big difference.

This tip will only apply to those of you who read multiple blogs. Now instead of going to each blog personally, I just go to bloglines and they let me know when one of "my" blogs has been updated. I go to one spot and it's much easier and less time consuming.

Here's my tip: www.bloglines.com

Sign up and enter all the blogs you read or wish to read more regularly. Add bloglines.com to your favorites. Then every day go to bloglines and see if any of your people have updated. If they have, you can read it right there. If they haven't, you haven't wasted anytime looking for good reading.

about boot camp

2008-09-01T14:28:00.008-06:00

Let me tell you about Boot Camp. First let me say I have marbles for brains. The words "boot camp" conjure up ideas of pain, yelling, exhaustion, and other equally charming words. (Insert, "Valerie what were you thinking?")

There is this torturous boot camp called Soldiers of Fitness. I wanted to do it because I thought that would really be impressive. I have a very very fit girlfriend who was training for a marathon in the river valley. As she trained, Soldiers of Fitness ran past her and they were carrying logs. Refreshing, totally refreshing. I guess it was my pride talking that made me want to do SOF. After all, how often do you see people running in the river valley carrying logs or people. I thought being able to do this would prove that I was fit and people would ohh and awhh and say, "That Valerie, is she ever amazing?" Yes, it was pride.

Darling Gordon looked at the brochure and knew intuitively that I was NOT in good enough shape for SOF. (That really wasn't rocket science, he was just a step ahead of me.) Anyway, once hearing that I probably wasn't fit enough for SOF, (I heard it from several sources) I started checking out other boot camps.

Boot camps are sort of expensive and still wanting to eventually do SOF, (as of this writing), I chose one called The Real You Boot Camp. It is affiliated with SOF and once taking it, I'll get a 20% break on my next boot camp. Money talks, so I signed up for it.

At 5:00 this morning I hauled myself out of bed and went to an empty field in the cold black night. There I met other women who've taken this boot camp before. (Clearly it's a good thing, because people come back.) I was the least fit person there, by a long shot. And the instructor punished the whole group for one person's (read MY) mess-ups. For example, during the plank, I let my stomach touch the ground and the instructor yelled, "We're starting over. I saw a stomach touch the ground." This is all for the building of team-work. "It's all about team-work. We don't leave anybody behind," she barked as though we were in the Vietnam jungle trying to get to the helicopter.

I was pathetic. Totally pitifully pathetic. I honestly think some of my badness can be attributed to the early hour. I was nauseous from the first "10-minute run to get the heart rate up." There were no breaks, just three or four 10 seconds to get a drink, which I thought was a commendably virtuous act of generosity. By the same token I was afraid to drink because I was pretty sure I was going to throw up. I never did, but I wanted to because I put on quite a show when I throw up. I know I would have gotten a break had I started the vomiting business. Alas, it stayed down.

I can't stress enough just how poorly I did. As daylight broke and class ended, I wanted to just stay lying in the field. My team mates were very nice to me telling me they couldn't do it the first time either. That's where I learned they are all repeat campers. They encouraged me with "It gets easier."

I sure hope so. It's going to be a LOOOOOOONG month if it doesn't. I came home and crawled back in bed and have pretty much been there all day, just getting up occasionally to take more Advil.

So that was my day. How was yours?

a Friday Foto

2008-08-29T18:32:00.001-06:00

Roman 13 months, and having a ball.

Thursday Thirteen

2008-08-28T12:37:00.004-06:00

It's been a while since I posted a Thursday 13. Today is Thursday and I think I can think of 13 things that are going on around here.

1) Today the girls went back to school. That was/is exciting.

2) Gordon just got back from Montreal. He was there nearly 20 years ago. He LOVES Montreal and his pictures are beautiful.

3) He brought me back two sets of rosary beads from Notre Dame Cathedral. One set was made in Jerusalem. Now I have three sets; one at the office, one in the car, and the most used one is on my nightstand. He couldn't have brought me anything better.

4) I think more protestants should use rosary beads. They are wonderful at keeping me focused when I pray.

5) For all practical purposes my dragon boat season has ended. It's been a wonderful (though often painful) experience. Lord willing, I'll do it every summer.

6) Beginning Monday, I'll be in a month long (3 times a week @ 5:00am) fitness boot camp. That should provide lots of blogging fodder. :-)

7) In case you've forgotten, 2008 goal focus was physical fitness. I'm doing quite well in the department.

8) It's been cool this week and I'm sad to see summer slipping away.

9) It's been a great summer, but it didn't seem long enough.

10) I had lots of wonderful times this summer, but the highlight was Stephanie and Roman's visit.

11) I play "Where's Roman?" all the time in my head and imagine him tapping his head. I miss him so much. He's on my screen saver, so I see him lots everyday.

12) Tonight to commemorate the cool weather I'm making cream of broccoli soup. Oh that sounds so good.

13) Kids How-To books are the ticket on learning something that baffles me. I've been toying with building a website and been totally overwhelmed,confused, and way out of my league. However today I picked up How-To Build Cool Web Pages by a kid for kids and you know what, I'm getting it.