God is good! This is the theme of one of the classes I'm taking. It is the first line in a favorite childhood prayer I used to say at bedtime. These three words are quickly becoming where my mind goes, as I get older and find more and more things that are wearing out on this body of mine.
God is good! This is a basic truth. If we would stay mindful of these words, of this truth, our lives would be transformed.
We had a children's minister at our church that thankfully had been a cheerleader in her younger years. She would literally lead the congregation in a sort of sing song cheer. She would say: God is Good! Our response was: All the Time! And she would repeat: God is Good!
Yes, God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good. This makes my day. Especially on days when bad news just doesn't stop coming, or there's not quite enough in the bank to cover the bills, or there just isn't enough to go around...OR, when the kids are home from school sick, and there's a gazillion things to catch up on....you see, these are all short term. Good news does come, kids get well, finances can change with the wind...and well...the to do list will get shorter...stop adding to it!
God is good. His word says it, and He's proven Himself faithful over and over.
I am now officially a seminary student. My first 'assignment', due the first official day of class is complete. My next assignment due 2 weeks: 1000 words. If you know me, you know that I can speak 1000 words in about 5 minutes, so you say, this should NOT be a problem. However, keep in mind, writing is hard work. There is a lot to consider, rhythm, use of certain words and the direction things should go--many choices to make. And so, while 1000 words sounds like a little thing, (and, according to what I wrote in the previous paragraph it really is a little thing) it will take some time to put all my thoughts together and edit them down, so that they won't be difficult to follow! (and, if you know me, you know that sometimes talking with me is like following a bouncing ball--according to a dear friend!)
As a new student, I have much reading to do. MUCH. The topics I am reading about are God, and the calling He has on my life. Since these are both important to me, I will step up and read and write what ever I'm assigned. I'm eager to learn! This experience has taught me a lot already about waiting on God. And, as this week has proven, He can work anything out (like travel/accommodations details, and, did I mention that my computer was continually 'blue screening') God is good. He has brought me this far, these details and this day are no surprise to Him...and if He cares about the number of hairs on my head, then I think He's got the whole travel/computer things that concern me taken care of, as well. Truly blessed: that's me!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Double blessing...
On this date fifteen years ago, we were anticipating the New Year, not having a clue how much our lives were getting ready for a huge change over the next few days. Our home was completely decorated, down to the kitchen rugs, for Christmas. Each room had it's own themed Christmas tree, 8 in all. It wasn't time to face taking everything 'down' yet...so we were enjoying the holiday season, and completely enjoying the atmosphere for a few more days.
Back then, the days immediately following Christmas were for nesting, de-cluttering, setting goals for the year, reviewing our household budget and getting tax information in order before officially heading back to work and school after the holidays.
Our girls, now 11 and 9,could do things for themselves--they were definitely out of the constant care phase of their lives. Which is why the events of the next few days would be especially fun, an shocking at the same time.
By the 8th of January that year, 1996, I had a few decorations put away, but there had been a lot of snow, the girls had been home, and I was just hanging out with them.
The 8th day of January, 1996 changed our lives forever! The girls and I were organizing things in our family room in our basement, when the phone rang. We had gone through pre-adoption classes a year before. We had planned to adopt a three year old potty-trained child, who ever this child was, we didn't know! But, we knew that God did, and He was planning and orchestrating exactly the child that would become ours!
So, imagine my surprise when I answered the phone to hear the news that available to our family were newborn twin baby girls. They had been born two days previous, and I would be able to pick them up at the hospital on the 1oth. I was amazed.
First of all, newborns are rare for adoption. Second of all, they were girls, a perfect fit for the older girls who were quickly outgrowing the doll baby stage. My husband and I prayed and were completely at peace with saying absolutely YES!!! We would be happy to step through this door of opportunity.
And so, that year, the 9th of January was spent packing up 8 Christmas trees and tons of decorations. The 10th was spent driving to get these two precious baby girls, that have grown in to beautiful young girls! We were so blessed back then, and feel doubly blessed today!
Only in God's economy can I explain how we could have been praying for a 3-year old potty trained child that would be a right fit for our family, and received TWO beautiful, perfectly healthy, baby girls instead. It doesn't mean we had to have specifically the three year old...it does mean that "If you delight yourself in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart."--Psalm 37 tells us.
Yes, Lord, the desire of our hearts was for You to be honored and glorified in our lives...our prayer continues to be for your blessing on our family, but make us a blessing to others.
Back then, the days immediately following Christmas were for nesting, de-cluttering, setting goals for the year, reviewing our household budget and getting tax information in order before officially heading back to work and school after the holidays.
Our girls, now 11 and 9,could do things for themselves--they were definitely out of the constant care phase of their lives. Which is why the events of the next few days would be especially fun, an shocking at the same time.
By the 8th of January that year, 1996, I had a few decorations put away, but there had been a lot of snow, the girls had been home, and I was just hanging out with them.
The 8th day of January, 1996 changed our lives forever! The girls and I were organizing things in our family room in our basement, when the phone rang. We had gone through pre-adoption classes a year before. We had planned to adopt a three year old potty-trained child, who ever this child was, we didn't know! But, we knew that God did, and He was planning and orchestrating exactly the child that would become ours!
So, imagine my surprise when I answered the phone to hear the news that available to our family were newborn twin baby girls. They had been born two days previous, and I would be able to pick them up at the hospital on the 1oth. I was amazed.
First of all, newborns are rare for adoption. Second of all, they were girls, a perfect fit for the older girls who were quickly outgrowing the doll baby stage. My husband and I prayed and were completely at peace with saying absolutely YES!!! We would be happy to step through this door of opportunity.
And so, that year, the 9th of January was spent packing up 8 Christmas trees and tons of decorations. The 10th was spent driving to get these two precious baby girls, that have grown in to beautiful young girls! We were so blessed back then, and feel doubly blessed today!
Only in God's economy can I explain how we could have been praying for a 3-year old potty trained child that would be a right fit for our family, and received TWO beautiful, perfectly healthy, baby girls instead. It doesn't mean we had to have specifically the three year old...it does mean that "If you delight yourself in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart."--Psalm 37 tells us.
Yes, Lord, the desire of our hearts was for You to be honored and glorified in our lives...our prayer continues to be for your blessing on our family, but make us a blessing to others.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
"Sew"--A Needle Pulling Thread
Needles and thread. Fabric, tape measures and patterns. Buttons, zippers and snaps. Scissors, pins and seam guides. Shiny, sharp, dangerous, fun, these tools have always been a source of great fascination for me. By being familiar with them and their uses, I learned, at an early age about making clothes, for myself and for others.
My grandma, AnnaBelle, taught me everything I knew about sewing. I remember being 4 or 5, sitting next to her while she used her sewing machine. Fascinated by the whirring sound it made, only when she pressed her foot on the pedal that was on the floor. Watching as the thread mysteriously disappeared through the fabric, only to come up and make a real stitch because there was thread underneath the surface as well, from something called a bobbin. Fun to say and fun to consider, sometimes a challenge to fill: the bobbin!
When fabric shopping, she and I would begin looking at the fabric immediately to the left as we walked in to a fabric store, and gradually make our way through the entire store. This could take hours. Neither of us wanting to miss anything, and neither of us in much of a hurry, as we were completely enjoying this escape to our own dream world!
Touching, each bolt of fabric, and discussing how we would use it, what it could become, whether we actually ever did it or not wasn't important, we were discussing dreams and ideas and things that 'could be'--or no, this would not work at all! There was comfort in knowing that there was no one that cared but us.
We share a love for beautiful fabric, and a unique conversational trait with each other--describing in detail color and texture and designs because we know it will interest the other. She's described everything from her friend's wall paper to the floral pattern of her new love seat, to the color and fabric of her new blouse. And, if we re-do a room in our home, she wants to hear every detail, colors we've used, or even thought about, types of curtains, and the upholstery fabric choices--down to the last tassel on a pillow.
AnnaBelle could construct clothing items without use of a paper pattern. She probably used a pattern for this, but I remember a medium blue velvet swing coat she made herself in the late 60's that was exquisite...it had large self-fabric covered buttons and was lined with soft shiny same-color satin. I loved sitting in her dining room watching her create as much as I loved nosing through the fabric stores with her. I can still smell her perfume and the steam from the iron she used to make the seams perfectly crisp...hearing the ice in her lemon tea clink as she'd take a drink...and hearing her laugh when it looked good and came together well, or stand at the ironing board and almost whine I could just cry when it didn't turn out so good.
Of course, she made most of my clothes, beautiful things, until about the time I began Jr. High. By the time I started High school, she had moved over 1,000 miles away. I began sewing for myself, a little before she moved. But I kept sewing more and more until, I loved it so much that, sewing was all I wanted to do (ask my sister!).
Finally, I'm certain as a peace-keeping measure for our household, I was only allowed to sew during the summer. If I sewed during school months, I'm pretty sure I would not have done any home work, or perhaps felt it necessary to attend school at all. I enjoyed it so much, and found such satisfaction in the process that I would dream of designing and making clothing of all kinds, evening gowns, to skirts and blouses, purses to suits, I loved all things fabric.
Probably so I wouldn't stayed holed up in our home my entire high school years, I was encouraged to get a part time job. So my first job was a checker at a grocery store, forcing me to become face to face with complete strangers and their daily food choices. (hmmmm....I see another topic to write about in that sentence!)
This job was good for me and my love for all things fabric because soon I had saved up enough money to purchase a really good sewing machine. A Kenmore, my very own, and it cost just over $700, a lot of money in 1978. Grandma coached me through that purchase through many phone conversations and continued to talk me through difficult projects and garments that I made over the next many years.
By sewing I learned valuable life lessons, grandma taught me: if the seam isn't straight, then rip it out--don't be afraid of this--always take your time, and make it right. Another lesson was about being as conservative as possible when planning and laying out the pattern pieces on the uncut fabric--measure and re-pin as many times as needed.
Both valuable lessons: one having to do with the overall appearance of the garment, the other having to do with keeping the costs low.
Lessons or not, I still have such an appreciation for beautiful fabrics and textures! I am so thankful that I was greatly loved and wonderfully influenced by such an accomplished seamstress!--AnnaBelle!
My grandma, AnnaBelle, taught me everything I knew about sewing. I remember being 4 or 5, sitting next to her while she used her sewing machine. Fascinated by the whirring sound it made, only when she pressed her foot on the pedal that was on the floor. Watching as the thread mysteriously disappeared through the fabric, only to come up and make a real stitch because there was thread underneath the surface as well, from something called a bobbin. Fun to say and fun to consider, sometimes a challenge to fill: the bobbin!
When fabric shopping, she and I would begin looking at the fabric immediately to the left as we walked in to a fabric store, and gradually make our way through the entire store. This could take hours. Neither of us wanting to miss anything, and neither of us in much of a hurry, as we were completely enjoying this escape to our own dream world!
Touching, each bolt of fabric, and discussing how we would use it, what it could become, whether we actually ever did it or not wasn't important, we were discussing dreams and ideas and things that 'could be'--or no, this would not work at all! There was comfort in knowing that there was no one that cared but us.
On these shopping excursions, textures were always important to consider. Corduroy, or sear-sucker, it didn't matter, except we should consider the season for which we'd be using the garment, corduroy does not work in summer, nor sear-sucker in winter. No visit to a fabric store would be complete, however, without another hour or so with the stacks of pattern books. This was the place I learned about lines of the garment the difference is that there are classic lines and lines that 'date' the garment, and when you are sewing within a budget, you must know and consider the difference.
We share a love for beautiful fabric, and a unique conversational trait with each other--describing in detail color and texture and designs because we know it will interest the other. She's described everything from her friend's wall paper to the floral pattern of her new love seat, to the color and fabric of her new blouse. And, if we re-do a room in our home, she wants to hear every detail, colors we've used, or even thought about, types of curtains, and the upholstery fabric choices--down to the last tassel on a pillow.
AnnaBelle could construct clothing items without use of a paper pattern. She probably used a pattern for this, but I remember a medium blue velvet swing coat she made herself in the late 60's that was exquisite...it had large self-fabric covered buttons and was lined with soft shiny same-color satin. I loved sitting in her dining room watching her create as much as I loved nosing through the fabric stores with her. I can still smell her perfume and the steam from the iron she used to make the seams perfectly crisp...hearing the ice in her lemon tea clink as she'd take a drink...and hearing her laugh when it looked good and came together well, or stand at the ironing board and almost whine I could just cry when it didn't turn out so good.
Of course, she made most of my clothes, beautiful things, until about the time I began Jr. High. By the time I started High school, she had moved over 1,000 miles away. I began sewing for myself, a little before she moved. But I kept sewing more and more until, I loved it so much that, sewing was all I wanted to do (ask my sister!).
Finally, I'm certain as a peace-keeping measure for our household, I was only allowed to sew during the summer. If I sewed during school months, I'm pretty sure I would not have done any home work, or perhaps felt it necessary to attend school at all. I enjoyed it so much, and found such satisfaction in the process that I would dream of designing and making clothing of all kinds, evening gowns, to skirts and blouses, purses to suits, I loved all things fabric.
Probably so I wouldn't stayed holed up in our home my entire high school years, I was encouraged to get a part time job. So my first job was a checker at a grocery store, forcing me to become face to face with complete strangers and their daily food choices. (hmmmm....I see another topic to write about in that sentence!)
This job was good for me and my love for all things fabric because soon I had saved up enough money to purchase a really good sewing machine. A Kenmore, my very own, and it cost just over $700, a lot of money in 1978. Grandma coached me through that purchase through many phone conversations and continued to talk me through difficult projects and garments that I made over the next many years.
By sewing I learned valuable life lessons, grandma taught me: if the seam isn't straight, then rip it out--don't be afraid of this--always take your time, and make it right. Another lesson was about being as conservative as possible when planning and laying out the pattern pieces on the uncut fabric--measure and re-pin as many times as needed.
Both valuable lessons: one having to do with the overall appearance of the garment, the other having to do with keeping the costs low.
Lessons or not, I still have such an appreciation for beautiful fabrics and textures! I am so thankful that I was greatly loved and wonderfully influenced by such an accomplished seamstress!--AnnaBelle!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Eleven NOT Seven
Cooking a new recipe may not be a great thing to try on Christmas day, but the risk was worth the outcome. It turned out delicious even considering that I am such an novice cook. Due to my cooking experiment, I needed to wake up and get busy at 5am. Yes, on Christmas morning.
It's a good thing I love to get up early each day. On this Christmas morning gave me much time to read the Christmas story (go ahead, read it--Luke 1-2--I love Mary's prayer in Luke 1) and pray over the day. There was also time for me to think and plan all the details for the day.
A Merry Little Christmas--our family around the dining room table and a snow covered neighborhood in view through our windows. The Lord has greatly blessed our family and He blessed our table this Christmas, as well--that we were able to have all our kids and grand kids around it together...never to be taken for granted again, ever.
Laughter is a gift we enjoy when we are all together. Before one bite of food had been eaten, we laughed until we cried. On holidays, we 'toast' the occasion with sparkling grape juice. Today, I asked my husband if he was ready to toast...and he told me to go ahead and say it for Christmas. This surprised me but I raised my glass for the occasion, and encouraged everyone else to do the same. As I raised my glass, I said these words: "This Christmas as we think about 2007, we should look forward to all the..." and, that is as far as I got. My daughters were, by this time looking at me like I had said something they did not understand, and so I stopped talking. The kids started laughing, then I started laughing...then we cried because we were laughing so hard. We decided I had had enough Christmas banana punch. (and not one drop of alcohol was involved) Why I said 2007, and NOT 2011 is beyond me. I can only say that they do rhyme...perhaps that is why the word seven came out of my mouth instead of eleven. At any rate, and for what ever reason to give us laughter. Much laughter--the best gift of all!
Board games this evening, and now Christmas movies. Only the movies we haven't seen this season.
Truly, a Merry Little Christmas. During this time of year, we hear a song that has a lyric that goes something like: 'Why can't every day be like Christmas?' Good question.
I'm looking forward to putting away all the decorations and preparing for the new experiences 2011 holds. I don't know what they are and yet I'm certain I will not be disappointed. I never am. There is always something new to think about, consider, experience, or plan!
I hope you had a Merry Little Christmas, yourself--I also hope that YOU will embrace the fact that the God of the universe has had this year of your life in mind before you were born, every detail, and you can rest knowing that nothing that is happening to you, or will happen to you is a surprise to Him. He loves you, unconditionally, and He's excited to see how you will bring glory and honor back to His name through each new experience, while you wait for His return!
And, while "2007" for me must have been a really good year, my hope is that you will be blessed beyond measure in 2011!
It's a good thing I love to get up early each day. On this Christmas morning gave me much time to read the Christmas story (go ahead, read it--Luke 1-2--I love Mary's prayer in Luke 1) and pray over the day. There was also time for me to think and plan all the details for the day.
A Merry Little Christmas--our family around the dining room table and a snow covered neighborhood in view through our windows. The Lord has greatly blessed our family and He blessed our table this Christmas, as well--that we were able to have all our kids and grand kids around it together...never to be taken for granted again, ever.
Laughter is a gift we enjoy when we are all together. Before one bite of food had been eaten, we laughed until we cried. On holidays, we 'toast' the occasion with sparkling grape juice. Today, I asked my husband if he was ready to toast...and he told me to go ahead and say it for Christmas. This surprised me but I raised my glass for the occasion, and encouraged everyone else to do the same. As I raised my glass, I said these words: "This Christmas as we think about 2007, we should look forward to all the..." and, that is as far as I got. My daughters were, by this time looking at me like I had said something they did not understand, and so I stopped talking. The kids started laughing, then I started laughing...then we cried because we were laughing so hard. We decided I had had enough Christmas banana punch. (and not one drop of alcohol was involved) Why I said 2007, and NOT 2011 is beyond me. I can only say that they do rhyme...perhaps that is why the word seven came out of my mouth instead of eleven. At any rate, and for what ever reason to give us laughter. Much laughter--the best gift of all!
Board games this evening, and now Christmas movies. Only the movies we haven't seen this season.
Truly, a Merry Little Christmas. During this time of year, we hear a song that has a lyric that goes something like: 'Why can't every day be like Christmas?' Good question.
I'm looking forward to putting away all the decorations and preparing for the new experiences 2011 holds. I don't know what they are and yet I'm certain I will not be disappointed. I never am. There is always something new to think about, consider, experience, or plan!
I hope you had a Merry Little Christmas, yourself--I also hope that YOU will embrace the fact that the God of the universe has had this year of your life in mind before you were born, every detail, and you can rest knowing that nothing that is happening to you, or will happen to you is a surprise to Him. He loves you, unconditionally, and He's excited to see how you will bring glory and honor back to His name through each new experience, while you wait for His return!
And, while "2007" for me must have been a really good year, my hope is that you will be blessed beyond measure in 2011!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Over Forty Years of Slumber Parties...hmmmmm...
An oxymoron, I love that word. Oxymoron: slumber party. I have always loved slumber parties. I was allowed to host my first slumber party when I was 8 or 9. This party was the beginning of my love for gathering friends together in order to celebrate. Today, I love women's retreats, attending, planning and packing for them, but most of all creating an environment to celebrate friendships--a time to let your hair down.
As I think back to that very first slumber party, I'm amazed that my mom took the risk. I remember who was there, and I remember LOTS of running--all night long--all over our house,. We did not run in or to my parent's room--it was strictly off limits--not to mention the fact that my mom was probably in there, praying for quiet and repenting for allowing such an event to even take place.
The next slumber party was much more drama-filled. This is what happens when 8-10 thirteen year olds, overloaded on sugar and sleep deprived try to make sense of their lives. My birthday is in the summer, and so, my party was always in the summer. All of us were sitting n the front porch of my house in the dark...trying to scare each other. My Grandma Sisk was sitting inside our living room with my mom. They could hear us through the screen, and my sweet innocent Grandma made a noise that made all of us scream and run in to the house in lightening speed! This was the year my friends got on the roof of our house, and I thought my mom was going to have a stroke as she prepared breakfast, thinking that this would cause our roof to leak.
When I was in eighth grade, I got to have a slumber party with only two friends. One of the girls was from out of town, and the three of us had become close the previous summer at church camp. On the first night, peanut butter and jelly became smeared all over everything in our living room, including our hair and sleeping bags. The next day my dad almost had a stroke because the three of us took a very long walk and we hadn't told anyone where we were going. Consider, this was before cell phones and beepers. My parents spent 2-3 hours looking for us. Oh my, when they did find us, glass packs on my dad's pick up were revved up. This sound was always in proportion with how agitated he might be over a certain event. This event registered: off the charts.
Through the years, slumber parties were always here. The year our oldest hosted 18 of her closest friends, also measured: off the charts! This party proved to be fun for everyone--except the parents, this party also was the time when our precious family vacation videos were 'taped' over to make way for pre-teen girls to be silly and take videos of their own made up game shows...hilarity rules, and has for many years. I remember thinking, as I was shaking from lack of sleep while preparing breakfast, I am too old for this! But, truth be told, the twins have also hosted slumber parties. I figured at some point, I have been hosting slumber parties for 40 years.
Why am I writing about slumber parties? I don't know, except I'm contemplating one coming up. Tonight, three of our girls are having a sleep over, at our oldest daughter's home. Next week, I get to meet a good friend from out of town. We haven't seen each other in a couple of years. We have much talking and laughing to do! We won't be climbing on to the roof, or running all night long, or smearing pbj all over the place, or trying to scare each other. But we will laugh and talk MUCH. And, this time: truly slumber.
As I think back to that very first slumber party, I'm amazed that my mom took the risk. I remember who was there, and I remember LOTS of running--all night long--all over our house,. We did not run in or to my parent's room--it was strictly off limits--not to mention the fact that my mom was probably in there, praying for quiet and repenting for allowing such an event to even take place.
The next slumber party was much more drama-filled. This is what happens when 8-10 thirteen year olds, overloaded on sugar and sleep deprived try to make sense of their lives. My birthday is in the summer, and so, my party was always in the summer. All of us were sitting n the front porch of my house in the dark...trying to scare each other. My Grandma Sisk was sitting inside our living room with my mom. They could hear us through the screen, and my sweet innocent Grandma made a noise that made all of us scream and run in to the house in lightening speed! This was the year my friends got on the roof of our house, and I thought my mom was going to have a stroke as she prepared breakfast, thinking that this would cause our roof to leak.
When I was in eighth grade, I got to have a slumber party with only two friends. One of the girls was from out of town, and the three of us had become close the previous summer at church camp. On the first night, peanut butter and jelly became smeared all over everything in our living room, including our hair and sleeping bags. The next day my dad almost had a stroke because the three of us took a very long walk and we hadn't told anyone where we were going. Consider, this was before cell phones and beepers. My parents spent 2-3 hours looking for us. Oh my, when they did find us, glass packs on my dad's pick up were revved up. This sound was always in proportion with how agitated he might be over a certain event. This event registered: off the charts.
Through the years, slumber parties were always here. The year our oldest hosted 18 of her closest friends, also measured: off the charts! This party proved to be fun for everyone--except the parents, this party also was the time when our precious family vacation videos were 'taped' over to make way for pre-teen girls to be silly and take videos of their own made up game shows...hilarity rules, and has for many years. I remember thinking, as I was shaking from lack of sleep while preparing breakfast, I am too old for this! But, truth be told, the twins have also hosted slumber parties. I figured at some point, I have been hosting slumber parties for 40 years.
Why am I writing about slumber parties? I don't know, except I'm contemplating one coming up. Tonight, three of our girls are having a sleep over, at our oldest daughter's home. Next week, I get to meet a good friend from out of town. We haven't seen each other in a couple of years. We have much talking and laughing to do! We won't be climbing on to the roof, or running all night long, or smearing pbj all over the place, or trying to scare each other. But we will laugh and talk MUCH. And, this time: truly slumber.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Reason for Wonderful #1: The mail box is a happy place to go. Yes, they are arriving. Those cards that people send during this time of year: The Christmas Card. Not too many traditional ones any more. Many are pictures of the sender with their families, smiling from various points of interest. I love opening each one, sometimes a hand-written note is included, sometimes just the sender's name is written. I love the variety in people and the variety in the way the send their seasonal greetings. My mom--even though she isn't Martha Stewart--has started making her greeting cards. She works with card stock, a hole punched design and metallic thread. Her creations are truly gorgeous. I love receiving them, not just a Christmas, but through out the whole year.
Reason for Wonderful #2: Wrapping paper and ribbon are everywhere. Scissors, tape and a pen are all necessary tools for this time consuming but fun task. And, the mystery of what's inside becomes an added bonus to torment the girls. Helpful hint jsut for you: after Christmas sales are a great place to stock up on wired ribbon...in various colors and varieties, and it is very forgiving for package wrapping, if the present gets stacked and the bow gets smashed, the wire is easily re-shaped in to a gorgeous bow with little trouble.
Reason for Wonderful #3: Music--the music of the season, is amazing. Randy and I sat in wonder last night as we waited for his show to come on. On the PBS station, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was singing in front of 21,000 people. That choir, including children, an orchestra and dancers had around 600 members. I can only imagine what that would have been like in person. Truly beautiful. We will soon be traveling to hear the choir that a dear friend in Northern IL directs, we will, I'm certain, sit in wonder as we listen to this choir, as well.
Reason for Wonderful #4: Food and Family and Friends. I can't think of any of these without thinking of them all. All at once. Our kids are truly blessings to us, and we look forward to enjoying Christmas dinner with them. Connecting with friends during this season is sometimes hard to coordinate, but so worth it. And, food. It's fudge season, enough said.
Reason for Wonderful #5: It might snow. There could be snow days, that will help slow things down to an enjoyable level, away from the rush of our lives. Actually enjoying one of these days: today.
Reason for Wonderful, for me, #6: Books. I will begin seminary in January, so I have begun to order the books I'll need---and they are starting to arrive, one package at a time. Each one becoming a new, sweet friend to get to know. I just love paper and ink.
Six reasons. I could go on and on, siting reason after reason. Instead, I urge you to write out your own reasons for wonder during this Most Wonderful Time of Year.
Reason for Wonderful #2: Wrapping paper and ribbon are everywhere. Scissors, tape and a pen are all necessary tools for this time consuming but fun task. And, the mystery of what's inside becomes an added bonus to torment the girls. Helpful hint jsut for you: after Christmas sales are a great place to stock up on wired ribbon...in various colors and varieties, and it is very forgiving for package wrapping, if the present gets stacked and the bow gets smashed, the wire is easily re-shaped in to a gorgeous bow with little trouble.
Reason for Wonderful #3: Music--the music of the season, is amazing. Randy and I sat in wonder last night as we waited for his show to come on. On the PBS station, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was singing in front of 21,000 people. That choir, including children, an orchestra and dancers had around 600 members. I can only imagine what that would have been like in person. Truly beautiful. We will soon be traveling to hear the choir that a dear friend in Northern IL directs, we will, I'm certain, sit in wonder as we listen to this choir, as well.
Reason for Wonderful #4: Food and Family and Friends. I can't think of any of these without thinking of them all. All at once. Our kids are truly blessings to us, and we look forward to enjoying Christmas dinner with them. Connecting with friends during this season is sometimes hard to coordinate, but so worth it. And, food. It's fudge season, enough said.
Reason for Wonderful #5: It might snow. There could be snow days, that will help slow things down to an enjoyable level, away from the rush of our lives. Actually enjoying one of these days: today.
Reason for Wonderful, for me, #6: Books. I will begin seminary in January, so I have begun to order the books I'll need---and they are starting to arrive, one package at a time. Each one becoming a new, sweet friend to get to know. I just love paper and ink.
Six reasons. I could go on and on, siting reason after reason. Instead, I urge you to write out your own reasons for wonder during this Most Wonderful Time of Year.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Yes, Curb-Side Pick UP--Oh, MY!
No, we've had curb-side pick up for trash collection for a long time. I'm talking about curb-side pick up for our things that can be recycled. Of course, if we were living in our grandparent's time, there would be no need for this procedure, as they could find a use for just about everything!
This 'new' procedure is one more added responsibility for Mallory on the evening before 'trash day'!
Last week, Randy & I pulled up to our home just in time to see a white haired man running from our front porch to a pick up truck idling in the street! Hilarious! Small town or not, it was funny! Being Christmas season and all, I thought he was leaving us a beautiful present! Oh, no! He was leaving us a beautiful blue colored tub, a laminated calendar and instructions about the things we can and cannot include in this endeavor! Ya gotta love it!
And so, knowing myself as I do, I know that I will put things 'in the tub' if I can 'see the tub'...so it has taken a great spot in our kitchen right next to the refrigerator!
My dilemma today is: it's icy and wet outside. If I put that tub outside, it will get cold and possibly crack plus the fact that someone's jam hands from emptying it will make it grimy! Then I have to put the thing back in the kitchen so I will remember to use it...I am not too excited about the possibility of having a yukky plastic tub in sight all the time. As you can tell, I'm having some anxiety about this crazy new routine called recycling! And, it was extremely hard for me to leave our precious, shiny, clean tub by the curb.
In the spirit of helping our environment, though, it is now outside, in the cold, in the snow...waiting to be emptied by a different white haired man (who hopefully does not possess jam hands) at some point during the day!
Just pick it up, I'll dry it off! I don't like thinking that I will have to repair the inevitable cracks made from extreme out door temperatures we will encounter this winter! Can you say: duct tape comes in all colors!!!
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