Life Changes

Things I love Take II

2010-10-22T09:26:00.000-04:00

I couldn't help writing down a few other things that make me happy.

The Farmers' Market ( soon to close down because of the cold weather) :-(

Creating with friends (canning jalapeno jelly today!!!)

Cleaning windows (well, actually I hate cleaning windows, but love the look of freshly cleaned windows, so I guess I love clean windows, not cleaning windows)

The return of Red Wings hockey

Dark Chocolate (when I heard it was good for you, it gave me license to eat it a little more often, okay, okay, a lot more often)

Taking time to spend a few minutes on the computer

Our small group (love those people!)

Watching God do amazing things!!

PIZZA!!! (I really do limit myself to very little, but I love, love, love it!)

Okay, enough for now, I am so grateful for the little things...

Things I love

2010-10-21T17:31:00.004-04:00

I thought I would make a list of the things I love at the moment...'cause it changes day by day.

Cool weather (with these nasty hot flashes, the cool days and nights feel wonderful!)

Shopping with Lance today (he had to get two more green shirts, let's see, I think that makes six now)

Hubs home early from work stealing some well deserved zzzzzzzz's

My books (yes, I have mentioned this from time to time) :-)

Working out (can you believe that I actually love working out???? I can't either!)

Talking to my daughter about my grandson (soon to be delivered and I can't wait...well...yes I can because I want him to healthy and perfect in everyway)

My job

The things I can buy at my job (just in case you don't know, I work at Sur La Table...)

More things I can buy at my job (Ya Baby!!!)

Canning

Bible reading

Worship music

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat

Playing cards and giggling with Brig (okay, not giggling, laughing until hurts, which isn't very pretty with the wheezing and snorting and crying and squealing and then having to explain what was so funny to the hubs who didn't find it funny...humpff)

My new doctor (FINALLY ONE WHO WILL LISTEN!!!)

Cooking with all the new things I have purchased at work (unfortunately I tend to buy too much)

This is always fun to write down the things that make me happy. I love my life!!!

Remembering Summer Again

2010-10-20T15:55:00.000-04:00

As I was walking outside taking pictures of the lingering summer flowers, I started reminiscing about the wonderful summer we had this year. The Tiger game, San Diego with Angela, Lisa, Emma and Lily's visit, "Up North" in Caseville, Rhonda's family here for Crystal's wedding...it was great.

Lance, Emma and Lily

in Caseville, MI

Lance's Special Needs class

at the Detroit Tigers game.

Lance making pizza wearing the

apron and hat from Angela and David.

Petting farm in Caseville

Seals basking in the sun at La Jolla beach

Angela at 27 weeks

Rhonda, Jim and Crystal at Stony Creek

It truly was a memory making summer, now I am looking forward to a memory making autumn.

Front Lines

2010-10-15T07:31:00.000-04:00

I pretend I would be this incredible missionary and bring the "Good News" to people around the world world. I pretend I would be able to live in exotic places and walk around in peaceful and beautiful surroundings sharing my "Worldly and Godly Wisdom" to those who know no better. I am naive.

I have a dear friend, Jami and her husband Brian, that after years of knowing and wanting to minister to missionaries and people in Africa, finally made it. She has a blog and been sharing her journey of getting to that place. Please take a moment or two to read her compelling latest entry. She and her family are truly on the front lines.

I realize that it takes very special people to missionary work and as sad as I feel, I am not one of them.

Time Flies When You Are Having Fun!

2010-09-25T19:24:00.000-04:00

I can't believe it!!! It has been forever since I have blogged. Wow, life goes on even when we aren't looking. I am hardly on the computer except for email and an occasional look on facebook. I never thought I would become too busy to not to use my computer, but alas, that is exactly what happened. Between two jobs, one ending and another beginning, visiting my daughter in San Diego, having two sisters and their families come up to visit, several family members in the hospital and planning a baby shower, not to mention trying to keep up with my workouts, I haven't had a moment. I am not complaining, no not at all! Just saying that I have missed my time blogging.

The weather has finally cooled down today and Brig and I finished all the canning. We made Raspberry Current jam and Apple Cranberry preserves for favors for the shower. Yummm... The house cleaning commences tomorrow and the decorations early in the week. In a few short months my little grandson will be here and I can't wait to hold him!

Oh...I haven't told you just how much I love my job. :-) I am working at Sur La Table (pronounced sur la tob) and love it. It is a wonderful place for foodies (I like to pretend that I am a foodies). The problem is I want to spend all my money before coming home. Oh the things I could cook if I had the right tools in the kitchen...

Yes, time does fly when you are having fun...

Robin Williams As The American Flag : The Coolest One

2010-07-05T10:08:00.002-04:00

This is so much fun! Since it is the 4th of July holiday weekend, I thought I would share it. Enjoy!!

Robin Williams As The American Flag : The Coolest One

Oh, by the way, we have a new post at http://www.realfoodrots.blogspot.com/.

Glowing and Glistening

2010-07-04T22:20:00.005-04:00

Did I say I loved the south? If I remember right, I have said I love the south, many, many times. Well today it was hot, and being a northerner once again (after moving back from living in the south) I am not used to it. It was 95 degrees with high humidity and we wimped out. Yes, we wimped out totally, we came home from church ate some lunch and promptly fell asleep in the air conditioning. All four of us! After a long summer's nap...we woke up and decided to watch a movie, Invictous if anyone wants to know (good movie by the way!). Then ate a very late dinner, left overs from our picnic yesterday. I needed to get a walk in, so at 9:00 p.m. we leashed up the dogs and walked for about 30 minutes.

And that's when it started...drip, drip, drip...drip down the back...drip between the girls, drip down the forehead, drip, drip, drip... My hair was drenched. My shirt was wet and my arms felt clammy. My underwear (I am still a little too heavy to call them panties yet) was sticking to me in a very uncomfortable way. I use to say that girls glowed or glisten, well not anymore, I was sweating and I mean Sweating with a big S. Sweating like a man... Ewwwww...

I am not going to complain about it being hot, no, I am not going to complain because before too long it will be winter once again. But I want it noted that I will surge tomorrow on the treadmill, in the basement with the air on and I will do my strengthening exercises in front of the TV with Jillian...with the air on and close to a register which will be wide open.

I still do love the south, but I have been away a little too long.

L.I.F.E.

2010-07-02T15:56:00.000-04:00

Life - the course of existence or sum of experiences and actions that constitute a person's existence:

Busy - Sustaining much activity

These two words and definitions define what has been going on. Because of life and business, I have not the time to blog. Let me catch you up to date...

I have finished the "official" biggest loser program. Over all I have lost 32 pounds since January. I continue to workout and eat right, as well as stay in contact with the people in the program. I am also going to continue with the program by helping out in different capacities.

My father, father-in-law and best friend were and are very ill. Both dads had surgery, one with a blocked bowel and the other for a gangrenous gallbladder. My friend was diagnosed with severe IBS and thyroid cancer. I have been taking the time to help them out/care for them/talk with doctors, nurses, specialists, etc...

I finished with the census four weeks ago only to be called back to start a new project. I am happy for the additional income/unhappy for the time it takes away from my home and family and friends, as well as my exercise routines.

We pulled out our micro sized lawn to put in a cottage garden. It is beautiful, but boy did it take some time and energy to do.

My daughter is expecting our first grandchild in December. I am going to fly out the beginning of August to visit her. I can't wait!!! I am also planning a shower for her (she really doesn't want one, but what new mom could not use the blessings of needed baby things).

What a difference one year makes. What a difference a busy life makes.

And Now For Something Completely Different (sort of)

2010-04-29T22:32:00.001-04:00

Hey check out the new blog that I am sharing with Brig (my daughter). It is about food and other healthy-type stuff! It's called Real Food Rots.

Challenge

2010-04-23T12:46:00.001-04:00

Another weigh in last night. I worked really hard this past week. Zumba, kickboxing, surging and strengthening exercises. Salads, protein and good fat. Increased my daily calorie count and made lots of good choices.

The result...Da ta da.......nothing. No change, nada...

I could have been really discouraged, but surprisingly I wasn't. Okay, another change...in the past, I would have given up and started eating what I wanted and lay around because what does it matter anyway, I am not losing weight.

But now I have to say that yesterday I gave myself a new challenge. I am training for a 5k. The Hubs, who use to run, but doesn't anymore because of knee surgery, agreed to train with me and run it as well. Two old gimps doing this together.

We have several friends who are or have fought the good fight of breast cancer. My mother passed away from breast cancer. So we are going to do the Race for a Cure 5k in exactly one month. May 23rd. That means a lot of training between now and then. But I am looking forward to it. Really and truly looking forward to it.

Having a goal, a purpose is something I need to keep me going on this road to health. I am constantly reminded about Paul's letter to the Philippians, verse 3:14 "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heaven prize for which God, through Jesus Christ is calling us". Yes, at this point I am taking this quite literally, but this is also the verse I am striving to accomplish each day spiritually as well.

I am changing and pressing on, will you join me?

The Long Haul

2010-04-20T16:06:00.001-04:00

My goal last week was to lose 3 lbs. Well, sad to say, not only didn't I lose three pounds, I gained 1. That's right, I gained a pound.

After talking with the leaders of the BLC, I was told that it will take much longer for me to lose weight than the average person because of my thyroid issues. (I had part of it removed several years ago) I felt very sad and discouraged to say the least. But Dr. J assured me that by staying on the program I will lose the weight. Right now I am getting in shape and that is proven by the inches lost. (27") He told me his s-i-l had her thyroid removed and he worked with her for over a year and then all of a sudden she lost 30 lbs. in one month. Her body finally kicked in and started working the way it was created to work.

We only have seven weeks to go, but I am in this for the long haul. I may not win, but I will continue to eat clean and healthy, workout six days a week and make good choices for me and my family. As for tonight, I am going to do my boot camp workout with the gang and be encouraged...

Kicking And Screaming

2010-04-15T12:18:00.000-04:00

Well I did it. I took my first kickboxing class. It was Fun with a capital F!!! When I first arrived, I realized I was the biggest person there. The others were thin and fit and already warming up on the spin bikes (another class I may join one day). I nervously looked around and thought, oh boy, am I in trouble. Within a few minutes of standing there the personal trainer came in wanted to start right in. At that point a familiar looking person came up to me and low and behold it was a friend from years back. We went to church together and our children were in the Children's ministry together. She said not to worry and to take it slow and easy.

At that point we started. I want all of you to know that not only did I not take it slow and easy, I kept up with everyone!! My old friend even committed about how well I did, I surprised her. See, that just means you can't judge a book by the cover. It was truly fun and challenging and I am looking forward to doing it again next week.

Thoughts

2010-04-14T15:30:00.000-04:00

As a part of the BLP(Biggest Loser program), there are devotions we do every week. I wanted to post some of the highlights.

Lose the unrealistic Expectations...gain real hope. From the book, "What have you got to lose?" by Stephen Arterburn.

I must be perfect for God to work in me. Holding on to this kind of thinking, we tend to cover up our problems and be dishonest about our struggles because we think God is looking for perfection.
I've screwed up so many times it's just too late. It's never too late with God. Never!!!
I can do this alone. If you can do it alone you would have done it by now.

I have to admit that I have said all of the above at one time another. I just really need to realize that with God all things are possible. They truly are! Also, I need to be honest about why I let myself get to be the way I was. Just some thoughts to ponder.

Kicking It Up

2010-04-13T15:38:00.000-04:00

I changed my blog title because of the many changes taking place in my life right now. I want to tell you that change is an understatement. If you read my post yesterday, you will remember me talking about the running I am doing now, that is totally not me. I NEVER RAN, NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER.... My daughter and husband did. My brother and sister-in-law on my side did and does. The Hubs family, almost all of them, did and do, but NEVER EVER ME!!!! NEVER!!! So now I am running a bit, not a huge amount, usually with surging and boot camp style training, but it is running none the less.

Today I went to the gym to workout. Well, I took my new shoes, which I will not wear outside yet, with me. (Yea, the nerd in me can stand the idea of getting them dirty.) Because of this I needed to get a locker. I brought a lock in which to lock up my horrible shoes (the salesman's term not mine) and my pocketbook. The lock was too big and didn't work on the locker and I couldn't bring all my junk into the workout room with me, so I had to leave. On the way out, I picked up the new class schedule and stopped at the counter. Guess what I did??? I signed up for two classes, Total Body Sculpt and Kickboxing!!! Yes, that's right, I enrolled in two classes along with my regular workouts. Another change, something else I have NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER done before. So now, along with surging and boot camp, which I have to do six days a week, I will be sculpting (my body not clay) and kickboxing. This will be very interesting.

Stay tuned.

Fat, Flat and Red, White and Blue

2010-04-12T13:56:00.002-04:00

Shin splints...OUCH!!! I have them and I don't like them. Period...

All my bravado about working harder than ever and doing as much exercising as I can to lose three pounds this week...yea...well...that went out the window this past weekend. I talked with the Hubs and since he is a former runner (knee surgery took care of that ridiculous behavior!) he suggested I go to the running shop and purchase a pair of good running shoes.

I thought my nice sneakers from Wal Mart were good. They have been doing the job of supporting (so I thought) my feet just fine. After several weeks of doing a lot of running for my workouts, I found out they are the reason I have the dreaded shin splints.

So I head out this morning to the running store. I walked in and I am sure the young guy at the register thought "what is this fat old lady doing in my young running store"? He was way too kind to actually say that to my face and instead asked if he could help me. I felt I needed to justify why I was there, why do I do that??? I began telling him about how I have lost 26 lbs. in three months and now I am running and have shin splints and need new shoes but don't know how to find a pair that would help me with the running I am now doing because I am working hard at losing weight and feeling better and did I tell you I lost 26 lbs. so far and now I am running to continue to lose more to feel healthy and make a cha...yea, it was really sad. He was so sweet and told me to take off my horrible shoes (yes, he really did call them horrible) and walk the length of the store and back. He then asked me to step onto this computer pad which analyzed my feet. From that information I started trying on many different kinds of running shoes, ones that have lots of support because these fat flat feet need lots of support. (He didn't say fat flat feet, he just said flat feet, but I knew what he was thinking!!) Finally after six pair, we found the ones that are going to make a difference for me.

These are my brand new and expensive New Balance running shoes and they feel really good on. Look, they are red, white and blue, very patriotic. In fact, they are made in the good ole US of A and here's proof!

So now I won't have an excuse to lay around the house anymore. I am going to go out and begin my workout with the running because I lost 26 lbs so far and I am not going to let shin splints get in the way of running because I want to lose more weight and get healthy and feel better and.......

Plugging Along

2010-04-09T14:27:00.002-04:00

It has been three months since starting the Biggest Loser program and I have lost 26 lbs and 25 inches. Last night we had the workout from hell. We ran back and forth, frontwards and backwards, as well as sideways for half an hour. From there we went on to combination strengthening exercises for another half hour. We do jumping jack squats into front planks into up up down downs (a variation of push ups). We do toe touch crunches into pyramid squats into six inches (our ab work). From there some lunges and then walk/run surges. And once again I was dripping sweat.

I don't know what came over me, but I am determined more than ever to lose three pounds this week. So I am pulling out all the stops. I did some surges today on the elliptical machine and tonight I will be doing some Jillian Michael's metabolism boost workouts. I found out I was not eating enough to keep my metabolism high, so now I am making myself eat more. More veggies, fruit, protein and good fats. Tonight I am making a Kale and Chickpea soup, a soup loaded with veggies! Update: The Kale, Chickpea Soup is amazing! I will post this recipe soon.

Every day I will post how I am doing to try to hold myself accountable to you all.

Changes

2010-04-07T13:43:00.000-04:00

I am changing in many ways. There is so much happening in my life, I felt it was time to change my blog(s). I will be combining my Heathly Dreams blog with this blog and it will be titled "Life Changes".

You will read about the changes taking place in my life spiritually, physically, emotionally, with my family, etc... You will see some of my journal about the Biggest Loser program, as well as, my life being a mom with an adult son with disabilities. I will post healthy recipes I find I really like and want to share. Some exercises or tidbits about a healthy life style. There will be some things about the midlife changes I am experiencing now that I am in my fifties. And then again, there may be little nothings about what is currently going on.

Thanks for stopping by!!

2010-04-06T10:44:00.004-04:00

Ahhh...the economy. We have been hit hard here in the Midwest. The Hubs hasn't been working his full 40 hours a week in over a year. Things have gotten very tight financially, but I can say our God has met all our needs. I don't do any extra driving or visiting and nothing has been done in the house for a very long time. Because of my new way of eating and working out we are spending more on healthy and organic food, so there usually isn't any money left at the end of the week.

Well, since the Government is doing it's ten year census, my daughter and I applied and took the test. Yesterday I was called to be an enumerator. I am not too excited about this temporary job, but it is a job and pays well. We could really use the extra money to do some necessary repairs around the house and yard. I also want to get away with my man, just the two of us, for a little vacation. It has been years since we have taken time away by ourselves.

Now, if you haven't sent in your 2010 census form, start looking for me to phone you or knock on your door. (Well it may not be me, but start looking for someone soon.)

Quiet

2010-03-17T13:47:00.002-04:00

I am sitting here with the sun shinning through the window listening to the quiet. It has been a very long time since quiet permeated our home. Brigette and Lance are out and about, Kevin is sleeping because he worked the night shift last night and the dogs are basking in the beautiful warmth of the sun.

silence...

Awww...wonderful silence...

Our home has turned upside down with the start of the Biggest Loser program and the arrival of Brig and Pippin. I am constantly in the kitchen preparing healthy food, or working out, or listening and getting out of the way of dogs running and playing and barking, or spending time with Brigette as she is planning and preparing for the next phase of her life, or having staff and therapists over at different times during the week for Lance.

Stop...

Breath...

Listen to the quiet...

Thank you Lord...

2010-02-15T14:20:00.002-05:00

I love the Olympics! No, really, really love the Olympics. I have been an Olympic nut for many, many years. It doesn't matter if it is the summer or the winter Olympics, just as long as it's the Olympics.

My family all know that they cannot watch TV during this time every couple of years. The nice thing is that they all have come to love them too.

So many great stories, so many magical moments take place during these two weeks. Like the Canadian mogul skier that took the gold last night. He is the very first Canadian to win gold on their own soil. Also, he has a brother with cerebral palsy and loves him so much that he said he was skiing for him. That touches me even more, because of our son who also has CP.

Brigette summed up the Olympics in a few words. "Somebody always wins" and "the national anthem always gets played whether it is our country or an other's".

So go USA and go Olympics!!!

Busy, Busy, Busy

2010-02-05T11:59:00.006-05:00

Once again, I have to say I am soooo busy. I hate starting my blog this way, but I am, so there.

Brigette moved home a week ago and we have been extremely busy moving her in, trying to finish the basement where she will be living and also trying to find her a job. She did get hired in at a local Starbucks, which we are very excited about.

Oliver finally has a playmate, Pippen. Pippen is taking her time transitioning to another new environment and has been a little bit crabby and Oliver is so excited that he is not giving her the time she needs transition. Well, you can image the growls of joy and the growls of complaints going on around the house.

I have been working very hard on the BL contest and working out a lot. Also, I am spending time recording my eating, exercising and journaling. This takes quite a bit of time out of my day.

My time spent on the computer for fun is very limited at the moment. My prayer is that I can organize my time management much better than I have been and begin to enjoy my love of blogging again, as well as, visiting the blogs I love to read.

BTW, once in while there may be a guest blogger, so look for them and hopefully you will enjoy a new perspective on my blog.

Ouch

2010-01-18T12:07:00.002-05:00

Here it is, day number four and I am still hurting from the exercise. Geesh...am I so out of shape. On Saturday I couldn't even climb up or down the stairs without wincing in pain. We were told we needed to rest on Sunday, well I chose Saturday because I just couldn't move. I was still sore yesterday, but able to do a few floor exercises and a brisk walk on the treadmill.

The nice thing is my little Ollie loves to hop on the treadmill and walk with me. I have a permanent walking buddy! He stayed with me even when I raised the incline. What a good little doggie he has turned into. I will have to have the Hubs take a picture, it is so cute.

Tonight I am going to an exercise class that is being led by some of the old biggest losers. What an inspiration that will be. Secretly, I am dreading going because I know they will whip my hiney.

The good news is, I have had three people ask if I am losing weight! My poop of a husband said it was because I finally broke down and cut and colored my hair. Leave it to him to burst my bubble.

My Thoughts

2010-01-15T11:53:00.002-05:00

"It was fun to be with fifteen other people who want to change theirs lives too. The excitement was infectious. Pictures were taken, individual, teams and the entire group. (These will be the before pics). We were weighed in and our measurements taken."

Excerpt from my first journal entry. Our "official" Biggest Loser Program started last night. To tell you the truth, I am overwhelmed with information. I am not sure how those who work full time are going to do it. It takes so much time and energy to get everything started. Our meetings will be three hours long and one of those hours is a workout. Ohhh...did that kill me. I am so sore today. It helped to see the others struggle just as much as I did. I really need to have others doing this with me.

I think the biggest help though, is the prayer and devotions.

In the book "What Have You Got To Lose", Stephen Arterburn says there are seven keys to losing your burdens. The first one is surrender. "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor" (1 Peter 5:6) "You must be willing to discover what is driving your negative behaviors and want healing more than you want your false comforts".

Stay tuned...

New Year

2010-01-04T15:26:00.003-05:00

Resting - still recovering from an antibiotic resistant bacteria (pneumonia) in my lungs.
Reading - read three books in the last couple of weeks and have a bunch more to read, thanks Ang.
Pounding - as the Hubs is working to finish off part of the basement.
Exciting - daughter number two has graduated from college and is moving home for a short time.
Growing - in the Lord as I challenge myself spiritually.
Shrinking - as I start the Biggest Loser program this week.
Organizing - because it always makes me feel neater and cleaner.
Loving - the time spent with my children, siblings and their families over the Christmas holidays.
Trying - to blog and read blogs again. It has been a very long time...

New Post

2009-12-09T16:37:00.003-05:00

I know I haven't been here in a very long time. But feeling so lousy (fighting double pneumonia), I just haven't had the energy to write. I check my facebook status a couple times a day, but that is it. I am looking forward to the new year for many reasons.

I have a new post on my The Healthy Dream blog. Also, we are leaving soon to spend time with my family for Christmas. Our middle daughter Brigette, is graduating from college in one week. We are so proud of her and thankful to our oldest daughter and son-in-law for allowing her to live with them during this past year and a half.

Most of all, I am looking forward to writing again. The new year should bring lots of ideas for blogging.

Thank you to my many blogging friends for the encouragement and prayers sent my way. God bless you all!!

Slapped

2009-11-11T08:58:00.004-05:00

About a month ago, I was diagnosed with a sinus infection, strep throat and bronchitis (the second time in four months mind you). So, after being prescribed a Z-pack (one of the greatest inventions in the modern era!) I started feeling better and was on the move once again. One week to the day after the diagnosis, I started feeling a little punky yet again. I ignored the tickley cough and general feeling of tiredness for a few days. The cough turned into a little more than a tickle, but I continued to ignore the worsening symptoms. Finally, on a Friday night when I couldn't sleep because of the nasty cough and wheezing that the hubs could hear across the room (he is suppose to wear a hearing aid because of his bad hearing and he wasn't wearing it at the time) he demanded that I go to the clinic. I wanted to wait until Monday when I could go in to see my doctor and the stubborn in me did exactly that.

So when the doctor listened to my lungs he said "ewww, that doesn't sound good at all". I asked if the bronchitis returned and he told me that it wasn't bronchitis but pneumonia. Because I just came off the nasties ten days before, he prescribed a two week round of two monster antibiotics, steroids and a strong cough med. It didn't take long before I was feeling better. Besides the constant feeling of tiredness, I wasn't coughing much and able to do things around the house. Not much, just a little here and a little there. By Sunday I had finished almost all the steroid and because the weather was so beautiful, went outside with the boys to put my flower beds to sleep. About an hour after cutting and pruning my stomach began to churn, hmmmm I thought, I will get the remainder of this done and go in to rest a bit. The tummy ache (looking for different word to describe it) didn't subside and continues to hurt today.

Monday, an old friend of ours (Steve, if you are reading this, I am not calling you old, just calling our friendship of many years old, wink, wink) came by to pick up a bag of clothes that Lance no longer needed, to give to the homeless men he and his family minister to every Saturday morning. Anyway I digress. Steve had noticed my post on facebook about my having pneumonia and proceeded to tell us that I should be resting. I assured him I was, but didn't divulge my cleaning out the perennials beds on Sunday and doing a little here and a little there around the house each day. He began to inform us that pneumonia is a sneaky killer. His doctor told him when he was down with it, that too many people start feel a little better and begin to do things and that is when the bottom falls out. Jim Hensen ignored the rest component of his remedy and even though he was taking antibiotics, he continued to work and that's when he died.

Okay, so God used Steve to slap me upside the head. I get the picture, I need to rest. Besides if the Jim Hensen story didn't work, the upset stomach from the antibiotics is keeping me down. I finally figured out that the steroids were helping my stomach tolerate the meds for the first week. Now I have to eat, take one tablet, then wait a while and eat, take the other tablet, all day long. I have to take these crazy pills seven times a day. And to try to eat when your stomach doesn't feel great, let alone seven times a day. Ughhh...

Thank you God for using Steve and what ever else you have to to get me back up on my feet.

Pneumonia isn't fun and it sure doesn't help fodder the imagination for blogging. I'll be back soon.

Shaggy, Crayons and Other Characters

2009-10-30T09:47:00.003-04:00

Guess who was Shaggy once again? If you guessed Lance, you were absolutely right.

Last night was Lance's school Halloween Dance. We don't like to encourage Halloween much, but Lance loves it and since he is so innocent and doesn't understand the evil behind it, we let him have fun. Sorry, I digress. I took him to the dance and couldn't help enjoying myself. He walked around the dance floor looking at every one's costumes. Lance doesn't dance. Why? I am not sure, but he would rather walk around and look at all the people while they dance. So, that's what he did all evening, well that, and eat pizza. He always has room for pizza.

When we got in the car, he started talking and didn't stop until he went to bed. He saw Miss Elaine dressed as an old man and Jessica dressed as a crayon. There was a bat, several Draculas, an Egyptian Princess, a couple Minnie Mouses as well as a few Elvises. He saw witches, Michael Jacksons and some greasers. Another friend was what Lance said was "a waitress" she was dressed in a 50's style waitress costume, so cute. He also saw some policemen and firemen and doctors and nurses and even a veterinarian. Need less to say, he will be talking about all the characters and I do mean "characters" :-) for quite a while. It was so much fun watching all these people with challenges, having a great time. I do have to admit that all the staff people and high school kids who came in for their community service hours, had just as much fun.

Thankful List

2009-10-29T12:40:00.002-04:00

As you know, it has been soooo busy lately and I haven't had the time I need to spend blogging and visiting blogs. I thought I would take a few moments and list a few things that I am thankful for...

New 600 count sheets (our one and only pair ripped after being washed so many times)
Talking to family on the phone
Books
Freshly baked pumpkin pie
Teaching Carly, Lance's staff person, how to make freshly baked pumpkin pie from scratch.
Worship music
Books
Watching Lance and Carly carve a vampire pumpkin
Novocain for a very sensitive tooth
Books
Cool weather
A new bra that doesn't pinch (I know many of my lady friends will understand)
Starbucks
Prayer with friends
Books
My faithful blogging friends who understand that I will be stopping by soon to catch up.

My Life

2009-10-20T11:42:00.002-04:00

I found out this weekend that I had strep throat, a sinus infection and bronchitis bordering on pneumonia. With much prayer and antibiotics I am on the road to recovery.

We had a wonderful visit with Angela this past weekend and even though I wasn't up to snuff, we enjoyed her time here immensely. It was fun watching Angela and Lance exchange birthday gifts. I had asked Lance what he wanted to get his sister and told me flowers, which was so thoughtful but I explained that she wouldn't be able to take these home on the plane. He then suggested getting her chocolates and again I hated to burst his bubble, but told him that she doesn't eat chocolate at all. I think he began to grasp for straws because his next suggestion was to buy her a steak. This made me laugh because Angela eats very little meat and never a steak. Lance and I went to Bath and Body Works where he picked out a subtle fragrant body mist. I think he did a great job, and for the record, I would have liked anyone of the items he wanted to get his sister.

Angela got Lance three books, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Six by Seuss, and Where the Wild Things Are. He made Erin, his staff person that was on duty last night, read to him from Where the Sidewalk Ends for over an hour. She told me that she remembers reading the book when she was young and thoroughly enjoyed reading it again. I am so happy she is a good sport.

Now, I never let people know who my daughter works with, I figure it is her job and she doesn't need people knowing the who's, what's, where's and why's of her business, but I am going to brag a little bit right now. Because of who she knows, we, as in Lance, Kevin and I, are getting back stage passes to a concert we are attending Sunday. Can you say YES!?!?! Lance will absolutely love meeting the band members of this well known worship band.

Once again, I want to apologize for not stopping by and visiting all my bloggy friends. Life has a way getting in the way of so many things. I am hoping that next week I will feel much better and be less busy so I can catch up with all of you. In the mean time, keep the faith!

Catch Up

2009-10-16T10:12:00.003-04:00

Okay, I am giving in and going to the clinic today. I haven't been feeling well for quite a while and when the hubs woke me up this morning to say I kept him awake with my snoring and coughing, I decide that was it. I offered to sleep in another room but he, being sweet, said "no, it doesn't bother me too much and I would rather have you next me". Can you say Awwww...?

My girl is coming to visit tomorrow!!! She is flying in for work and thought it would be nice to come early enough to celebrate Lance's birthday. He doesn't turn 24 until December, but it will wonderful to have them both together. Shhhhh...don't tell her, but we will celebrate her birthday too, it is before Lance's. I am sad that our other daughter is unable to come, but she is almost finished with school and needs to keep up the work. Graduation is only a few months away!

I am so excited!!! I was hired to host a doctor's grand opening open house. It has been so long since I put on a party, and even though it is not an "official" party, I will be planning and putting together the refreshments and decorating the tables. Naturally my mind is going crazy with ideas, the problem is he wants it low keyed and classic. I love to take themes and run with them! But I will have to tone down the imagination and make it very nice and business like. It is still nice to be doing this for pay once again.

Last week we didn't go to our small group because we had a wedding to attend. The wedding was very nice and we got to visit with my mother's family. It has been so long since we have seen them and I realized how much I missed them. I am going to have to take the initiative to go visit more often. Anyway, we are going to small group tonight, I find it so amazing that we already have formed some good relationships with these people. We have only been attending a short time.

Well I need to go dry my hair and get Lance ready for his staff person. Then off to the clinic.

Has It Been A Week Already?

2009-10-01T10:34:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it has been a week since my last post. The days seem to be slipping by so fast. I also have not been spending too much time on the computer lately. I hop on really quick to check the facebook status and work for a few minutes on my virtual farm and then close down. (I got sucked in to Farmville!) I haven't even been by to visit my blogger friends recent posts. Sorry to all of you!!

Lance is still recovering from a resistant case of bronchitis. After six weeks, he is still coughing and wheezing. The doctor said that he has been seeing quite a few people who have this somewhat resistant bacteria infection. So now Lance is on a very strong antibiotic, steroids, two inhalers and some allergy meds. The poor guy leaves in the morning for school, all drugged up.

Did it get cold in your neck of the woods??? I got up this morning and our little Oliver (our dog) was shivering like crazy. It got down to 36 degrees during the night. Actually, I sleep so much better when it is cold at night, but like it to warm up during the day time. I know, it true...I want my cake and eat it too! I have to admit that I did turn the furnace on this morning for a few minutes to take the chill out of the air. I really didn't want too, but seeing Oliver shivering and shivering, I took pity. But I only had it on for ten minutes!

The colors are changing quickly now, especially the sugar maples. They are a beautiful burgundy color. I am not going to "fall" into my usual regretting fall because it ushers in winter mode. I am going to enjoy this gorgeous season for what it is. Colors, crisp air, apples (made a big apple pie yesterday!), cider, and of course the cider donuts. The funny squirrels squirrelling away the black walnuts are as crazy as ever. We are finding the walnuts all over the house and yard. Tucked in the corners of the porches and on the fence posts, as well as, in flower pots and on the grill. Oliver loves to go outside and sit in the sunshine while watching these crazy creatures scamper everywhere.

Now back to the apple pie and cider donuts. I am applying for the Biggest Loser competition at church, and thought that I need to eat these for the last time before the BLC begins. I need prayer that they will consider me for this program. There are over forty applicants and only 12 are chosen. It would be a huge commitment on my part. January through May with daily exercise and a strict diet. But I would also get spiritual and nutrition counseling, emotional counseling, personal training and tons of support. Just what I need!

As I look and see how much I have written, I figure I need to log off for now. Yes, this is my journal, but there are those of you who stop by and read and you don't need to read about my boring life all afternoon.

So until later, au revoir.

Sleepless in Michigan

2009-09-24T08:09:00.006-04:00

It was another warm, sticky night and sleep eluded me. After an hour of tossing and turning, flinging the sheet on and off more times than I can count, I finally turned the air on again. I hate the idea of turning the air conditioning on in the fall, it goes against everything I believe in.

Kevin has been out of town for several days and I don't sleep well when he's away. I think I began dozing around 1:00 a.m. I fell asleep and then woke and fell asleep and woke. This continued for several hours. When I started dreaming, I heard the noise. A whine, but because of the dream, I couldn't place it. What was that sound? Struggling to wake myself, I rolled over and looked at the clock, it was 3:10 a.m. Then I heard it again and realized it was Oliver. He never cries to go out at that hour.

I grabbed my robe and plodded down the stairs. As I opened the door, a sour smell hit me. Oliver had gotten sick in his bed, poor guy. He raced towards the door and I turned on the porch light so he could see where to go. I went back and took out the cushion from his bed and put it out in the garage and wiped up the other areas that were hit. When he came back in, I showed him his bed and closed the door. He was not happy with me.

So back up the stairs I went. I climbed into bed and pulled up the sheet once again. I could still hear Oliver whimpering a bit, but by this time I was wide awake. I tried to ignore it, but my brain wouldn't stop. Have you ever started organizing your house in your head? By the time 5:15 rolled around, I had reorganized every closet and drawer in the house. My oven, stove, refrigerator and microwave had been cleaned. All the laundry done, the cobwebs brushed down out of the corners and the bathrooms sparkling. I also wrote several e-mails and grocery shopped.

I got up at that point and woke Lance up because he needed to shower before school. I put in a load of laundry and turned on the dishwasher. After that, I made him breakfast, packed his lunch and sent him out the door. I put the wet clothes in the dryer and put Oliver's bed in the washer. I then turned on the TV and watched the program I recorded last night. That's when I started to get tired and droopy eyed.

Now, I think I will have to take a nap. So all the cleaning and organizing I did in my head last night, still needs to be done in reality and I can honestly say, that it is not happening today.

Yawn.....

I lay down and slept;I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. Psalm 3:4-5

More Bits and Pieces

2009-09-20T15:08:00.007-04:00

It has been a while since I have posted. You know how life gets...busy, to say the least.

We started our new small group, it is great to be with people who want to study the Word like we do. Our study is the Truth Project from Focus on the Family.

The fall flowers are blooming in my front yard. Aren't these beautiful?

I met with my book club for the first time last week. The book was intriguing, Safely Home by Randy Alcorn.

Lance has been to the doctors' for bronchitis several times. He now has a nasty cough resulting from his bronchial tubes spasming. He has to use an inhaler, it was quite difficult teaching him how to use it. Lance also had an MRI and an MRA done last week in which he was put to sleep for. This ended up being a very long day. His dental surgery has been scheduled for the end of October. No coverage for it, so I have been calling around to see if there is some place or organization that would help with the $7000.00 min. cost. That is government healthcare for you. Sigh...

Love, love, love the weather!!! It has been absolutely gorgeous this fall.

Had a crown done this past week, another two in the next month. Geesh...

Kevin is leaving for training in CA tomorrow. I might get the chance to go see a movie or two while he is gone. Thanks Ang.

We finally became members of our church. We have been attending for almost two years and decided it was time to be committed. It is a great church!

Watched the first televised Red Wings game last night. It was a preseason game, so the lost doesn't count. (That is a relief!)

Only three more months until Brigette graduates. Everyone is happy for that!!!

Did I say that I am loving the weather? Cool nights, warm days and blue skies. Ahhhh...

Something Green Growing

2009-09-08T04:58:00.006-04:00

It was a bad night. I tossed and turned with the achies. Lance is recovering from a bad case of bronchitis, so he and I been home for over ten days. Kevin was visiting his sister and our friends up north. I thought the weekend would be quite long, but to my surprise it wasn't. Laying in bed this morning, feeling the cool air blowing through the door and window, listening to quiet chirping of the birds waking up and the soft wind blowing through the trees, I realized just how blessed I am.

If you have been a reader of mine for any length of time, you will remember my lamenting over the last year of being moved back to the north. We lived in the south for almost five years. I grew to love the south, the warmth of the climate, the warmth of the people, my family and the proximity of the ocean and mountains. I hated moving back. Most of family no longer live here, and it's funny how friendships change even if you don't want them to.

But, over the past few weeks, I began to treasure once again, the blessing of the beautiful Michigan late summer season. The warm days and cool evenings. The gorgeous dark velvet green lawns and lovely late blooming flowers. The drunk bees buzzing and abundance of fruits and veggies being harvested. The windows are open and the smell is something I just can't describe. So fresh. The late summer rain is a wonderful sound. Even all the dogs barking at the crazy squirrels running around trying to hide the black walnuts anywhere they can, is a noise I enjoy. It was a wonderful weekend.

I am learning to grow where I am planted. I am even looking forward to changing leaves, apples cider and donuts and walks wearing a sweatshirt. I am also looking forward to the new friends I will be making with the new small group and book club I am attending. I love how much my in-laws have come to mean to me.

I thank God for being my source, my family, my best friend. For helping me adjust to the change in my life. It took a long time, because I don't adapt to well to change, but His patience and kindness is good.

I am in a good place, geographically, emotionally and spiritually. I can see a little green sprout growing out of what I once thought was dead.

Today's Chuckle

2009-08-31T11:20:00.002-04:00

I get many e-mail forwards from friends, and to be honest, I usually don't do too much with them. I may possibly read them, but most often hit the delete button. Today was a little different, I read this and thought it was cute. So, I am going to post it. If you have read it, just ignore it. If you haven't, enjoy it.

Gentle Thoughts for Today -
Birds of a feather flock together . . . .and then crap on your car.
A penny saved is a government oversight.
The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.
The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement ..
He who hesitates is probably right.
Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are XL.
'If you think there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody.
If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.
There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt.
Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words 'The' and 'IRS' together it spells 'Theirs....
'Aging: Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.
Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know 'why' I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth, think of Algebra.
You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young..
Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today, it's called golf.

Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth . .. . . . . . AMEN!

Remembering Summer, Take II

2009-08-27T12:35:00.004-04:00

Writing yesterday's post opened up a flood gate of memories, so I thought I would add a few more.

Watching Dad as he sprayed lighter fluid on the charcoal and then listening to the big Whoosh as the match was thrown on.

Jumping double dutch, hula hoops, four square and dodge ball.

Being at a friend's house and swimming in our underwear.

Being allowed to play kick the can with the big kids in the street light after dark.

Wandering through the bamboo grove when it finally grew above our heads.

Playing house in the same bamboo grove.

Helping Mom hang out the clothes on the clothes line and then watching them whip in the wind.

Standing at the door calling Ju-dy, Ju-dy, instead of knocking or ringing the bell when we wanted our friends to come out to play.

Swinging so high on the swings and then jumping off to see how far we could go without hurting ourselves.

Having lunch out on the picnic table everyday so we wouldn't mess up the dinning room after mom had cleaned it.

Hurrying up to finish our chores so we could be the first ones outside.

Picking up the apples under the apple tree and then polishing them on our shirts until they shined before eating them.

Coming in when the street lights came on.

What are some more of your memories?

Remembering Summer

2009-08-26T08:24:00.008-04:00

Do you remember catching lightening bugs and putting them into empty mayonnaise jars with holes popped in the lids?

I love summer, the sights, the sounds, the smells and the feel. With the drizzly, damp, chilly, dark day today, I am lamenting that summer is almost gone. But instead of feeling down, I started to think back to the days when we didn't have air conditioning in our house or cars, when the kids played outside instead of sitting in front of a TV or computer and when summers were old fashioned fun.

Kids riding bikes with streamers hanging off the handle bars and a playing card clothes pinned to the spoke on the back wheel making the bike sound like it was racing down the street.

Grampa sitting in a lawnchair, listening to Ernie Harwell calling the Tigers' game on the radio, while the other men in the family were drinking a cold brew, congregated around the horseshoe pits.

Hanging upside down by our knees on the crossbars of the big swing set.

Standing in the long line at the Dairy Queen waiting to get our chocolate baby ice cream cone.

Climbing the big maple tree in the yard.

Riding in the car with all the windows down and the wind blowing in our faces, smelling the diesel smell of the trucks as we passed by.

Laying in bed on a Saturday night, with the windows open, listening to the race cars racing around the track at the Mt. Clemens Race Track five miles away.

Playing tag, red rover red rover, statue and red light green light in the front yard with all the other kids in the neighborhood.

Laying down in the middle of the grass looking up at the clouds, trying to figure out what shapes they made.

Penny candy like squirrels and candy cigarettes or Mary Jane's and black licorice whips.

The smell of freshly cut grass when it was too long and playing in the big piles of grass that didn't get raked up.

Running through the sprinkler.

Shucking corn on the back porch.

Listening to the crickets chirp outside the open window.

Summer memories, they are the best.

Oh What a Morning!

2009-08-24T06:51:00.005-04:00

I need to preface this post a bit.

For those of you who do not have dogs, will laugh like crazy and say, "that's why I don't have a dog"! For those of you with young children will say, "I understand...geesh, kids"!

Let start with this. Last year, coming off the worst time in my life, I was very lonely and wanted (needed!!!) some company during the day. We found Oliver, read here. Yes, I wanted a little doggie to love and more importantly, a little doggie to love me back. If you have been reading this blog for some time now, you will remember my past blogs about the trials of training my little Oliver. He has been something, but he is older and has turned into a pretty good dog (I thought).

For those of you who may be new to reading this blog, we have a grown man who will, unless God performs a miracle, forever be a little boy. Our Lance is disabled, read here, so it is like having a child in the house (all the time, everyday, morning and night...forever and ever...) he is our joy and full of laughter and kidding and we love him to pieces. That is why I can joke about having him here all the time. Anyway, I digress...

Back to Oliver. What I love about Oliver is that he loves people. The door bell rings and races to the door crying, he wants to greet whoever may be coming through the door. He hates to be by himself. He quite literally, lays on our feet just to be touching us, (which is hard when you are going through menopause and having lots of hot flashes). He never wants to be alone.

Lance is an early riser, but usually I am up before he is and have to wake him for school. He catches the bus at 6:33 a.m. (yes, it really is 6:33, I can't believe a driver can calculate the time to be exactly 6:33 every single morning, but he does. 6:33.)

This week Lance is on Summer break, he has two weeks off before the start of the new school year, so he could have slept in.

Kevin left extra early this morning, so I made his lunch (he packs a lunch everyday to save money) last night. That way I could sleep in a little bit later than normal.

This is what happened:

Oliver crept into my room at 5:30a.m. and began to cry. I got up and put him outside, even though Kevin had already let him out. He just didn't want to be alone. When he came back in, I told him to go lay down, it was still dark in the house and I knew he could go back to sleep. I thought...

At 5:55a.m. Lance walks into my room and tells me he stepped in something. I jumped up and turned on the light and that's when I saw it. There is was, tracked from one end of the hallway (we have a long bridge that connects the back bedrooms, across the open area of the great room, to the master bedroom) all the way into my room. (If you have certain sensibilities, you may want to skip the next word or two, or even the next few lines.)

Dog *&$%, yes, dog crap, okay for propriety's sake, doggie doo. Our little Oliver was mad at me for going back to bed and decided to show me how mad he was. And our Lance, instead of stopping and avoiding the rest of the $@#*, walked all the way to my room just to tell me about it.

So, at 6:00a.m. I am scrubbing 15, the nerd in me counted, 15 spots, regretting getting a doggie to keep me company and silently cursing a kid who can't sleep past 6:00a.m.

Now I have to decide, am I going back to bed to take a nap or do I stay up and feel groggy all day long...do I trust the two of them? Nooooo....so groggy it is.

Kids and dogs, what fodder for blogging.

Random...

2009-08-21T09:59:00.008-04:00

Today is a day of random stuff. Articulate isn't it? Stuff, but that is what it is.

A new post over at Eat at Bett's, Pretend PF Chang's Lettuce Wraps. I wanted them and decided to find a recipe. I did and here are the results. Also, it is quite easy to convert to low fat and/or low sugar. Lot's of protein too. Yummm...

Pictures of Oliver while visiting with Little Sister, my sister-in-law's little pug.

Oliver and Little Sister looking at each other instead of the camera.

A friend was here this week visiting from Minnesota. Actually Kevin's best friend from childhood. They still stay in touch and visit whenever they get the opportunity. He and his wife lost one of their children a year ago, Jeff's just not the same. I am so thankful that they know the Lord and He is their source. It comforts me knowing that.

Found out there is a new pedicure place close by that does spa pedicures at a very good price (really, really good price). Lisa, if I had known, we would have so been there while you were here. I am calling today to make an appointment. My feet are so bad and crackly and dry and peeling, well, you get the picture. Pedi here I come!!!

Meeting with the elders of the church we have been attending for almost two years, on Sunday. We are going to become members. We love the church and felt it was time to make the big step. After we moved back from South Carolina, we took our time and prayed a lot about where to attend. This is a great move for Lance and well, for us too. So here it goes...

We are also attending Gateway tomorrow night. It is a big open house at church for people who want to join a small group. Church is about 30 minutes away, so we don't attend midweek service (traffic is terrible that time of night). It will be nice to get to know some people that live closer to us and also get in a Bible study again. I missed it horribly.

Meeting an old friend for lunch today. It will be good to see her.

Enough random stuff for now. We'll see what pops into my head over the next few days. Yea, that can be a scary thought.

By Popular Demand

2009-08-19T15:27:00.004-04:00

I had several requests for the coconut dip and iced tea recipes that I mentioned in the last few posts, so by popular demand:

Coconut Dip

This is by far the easiest recipe you will ever make and it will bring a ton of praise.

Prepare one package of instant toasted coconut (or if it is hard to find, coconut cream) pudding according to directions. Let cool in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes. When soft set, mix with 2 cups of low fat cool whip.

Cut a pineapple in half and scoop out the fruit. Put the coconut dip in the pineapple and arrange cut fruit around it. That's it!

Lisa's famous Iced Tea

Bring several cups of water to boil and then pour over four to six tea bags (whatever kind you like) and let steep for about 15 - 20 minutes. In a pitcher, add as much sugar as you would like (no more than 1 cup, I only use two teaspoons because I do not like my tea very sweet)and two pinches of baking soda. Pour the tea over the sugar and baking soda, stir until dissolved. Add water and ice.

There you have it. So simple and so good.

A Surprise Birthday

2009-08-18T15:46:00.004-04:00

It was such a gorgeous morning as I headed out to the airport to pick up Angela. She came in for the day to help celebrate her Grandma's eightieth birthday. We made a stop at Trader Joe's for snacks, then Kroger's for the balloons and lastly, the Hallmark store for a couple of cards. When we arrived home we commenced with the cutting of the fruit for a large fruit tray complete with coconut dip in a hollowed out pineapple. After that, we loaded Angela and Lance in the backseat of the car with the balloons and headed out. Mom only lives a few streets away, so the kids said they didn't mind the balloons in their faces. Well, Mom and Dad were suppose to be gone by then, but when we pulled up in front of the house we noticed their car still there. So we sped on past and ended up waiting about fifteen minutes down the road. Poor Angela and Lance were squished in with all those balloons.

Lance peeking out.

Angela with a great sense of humor.

Finally, Mom and Dad pulled out of the driveway and we pulled in to begin the preparations for the big surprise.

The back yard getting the needed setup. It was in the 90's by this time, boy was it hot and humid, but the prettiest day we have had all summer.

The sons, so proud of themselves for putting up the volleyball net.

Finally, Mom came home from her day out with Kevin's sister Renee (all planned of course) and she was beyond surprised. We had so much fun doing this for her!

Mom so surprised with Lance and Angela.

Kevin hugging his little mom.

It was such a fun day! A day we will all remember and treasure.

Updated Post

2009-08-14T07:01:00.003-04:00

There is a new post at The Healthy Dream. Sobering Statistics.

Welcome to my home

2009-08-12T12:26:00.015-04:00

There are some days when I miss having a yard and lots of room to roam. Days when I long for a vegetable garden or big place where children can run. But today was not one of them. As I sat on the balcony of our detached condo this morning, I realized how blessed I am to be here. Yes, my home is lovely and is, in a sense, my sanctuary. I draw peace from the water. Here are few pics of our home.

The front of our home.

The walk to my front door.

My little flower garden

Our little table and chairs

Our neighborhood.

The view from the balcony.

Across from us.

The river view from our dock. Kevin and I joke that we use to

have a boat without a dock and now we have a dock without a boat.

Across the river from us

Looking down the river

Yes, I am truly blessed.

About a Foodie

2009-08-11T13:57:00.005-04:00

After yesterday's post, I thought I would talk a little bit about being a foodie. I have lots of interests, gardening, boating (when we have a boat, of which we do not have at the moment), biking, reading, listening to music (use to be singing, but that is something I won't talk about at the moment), having lunch with friends (okay, that might go under the heading of being a foodie, which I will talk about in a moment), watching movies, walking the dog (who needs to be walked at the moment), etc...

Foodie: Amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation and news. Foodies want to learn everything about food, both the best and the ordinary, and about the science, industry and personalities surrounding food. They are sometimes viewed as obsessively interested in all things culinary. "wikipedia"

That's me, I love everything about food, not just eating it. I think I was the only one who would borrow ten cooking books at a time, from the library. I will go to the book store and pour over the cookbooks. I have my mom's and some of my grandmother's recipes.

I love reading cooking blogs. I love experimenting with recipes and using my family as guinea pigs for new recipes. I talk about cooking with friends and family. I love having people over for lunch and dinner just so I can get away with cooking something a bit more expensive. (I just can't justify spending too much on us for our everyday meals). I could spend hours in the kitchen wares department at Macy's or Sur La Table and dream about cooking instruments.

I love watching the Food Network Channel. I even DVR the shows I hate to miss.

I have stacks, really, stacks of recipes in my closet, (they are in the closet because if they weren't, they would be stacked all over the house), recipes that I find in magazines or on the Internet or copied from friends. I subscribe to Martha Stewart Living and Cooking Light magazines just for the recipes and articles about food. I love looking at pictures of food.

The hubs and I go to the markets for date night. Oh, to meander through the fruit and veggies, the spice isles, the meat and seafood section. Then when I smell the bakery department...I am done for.

I am a foodie...and I like to eat. There I said it, I like to eat. Which is one of the reasons, I'm sure, why I am over weight.

Maybe I need an intervention...

Bits and Pieces and Food

2009-08-10T13:01:00.005-04:00

Loved yesterday's sermon. How many times do we really keep the Sabbath? Really? Pastor talked about rest and how most of us never, ever take the time to truly rest. Yesterday we did. It was nice.

Treated myself to a movie this morning. I saw Julie and Julia today. It was great, especially for foodies. I like to consider myself a foodie. I love to cook and to bake. So now I want to do what Julie Powell did, challenge myself to cook more. She went through Julia Child's cookbook in a year and found herself. I don't think I need to find myself, I know who I am, but I would love to truly challenge myself. Especially with cooking.

Why do I enjoy blue cheese dressing so much?

Okay, another foodie bit. Just recently read A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg. My daughter recommended it to me. Again, I loved it and want to try many of the recipes. I wonder what it is about food that influences people so much. Is that why Jesus says He is the Bread of Life? Food really speaks to us.

I am so thoroughly enjoying the Farmer's Market this year. The Michigan corn is amazing. We have had it several times a week for three weeks now. The beans, blueberries, tomatoes and zucchini are also unbelievable. I have been buying the free range eggs too, nothing like a fresh egg. Oh, and the hubbs and son are going crazy over the homemade baked goods that they sell.

Saw Bedtime Stories (silly little thing) and G-Force (lots of fun) Saturday with my guys.

Am looking forward to celebrating Mom-in-laws eightieth birthday Saturday. My daughter is flying in for the day. YAY!!!

Made some fantastic blueberry pancakes Saturday morning. I only had one because I am suppose to be watching what I am eating. They were very good with the fresh berries. Mmmmm...

Really enjoying my iced tea this summer. My sister told me how she makes her southern sweet tea and I modified it so it doesn't have much sugar at all. The secret is baking soda, who would have thought.

There were some wicked storms last night. There is nothing quite as cozy (even in 90 degree weather) as a crazy storm. The lights kept flickering, but we were prepared with flashlights, candles and matches. My man was kind of hoping he could fire up the generator. Well, we didn't lose our power, but we lit the candles and turned out the lights anyway. It made me smile.

It's the little things...

Boy Is He A Pill!

2009-08-07T08:09:00.007-04:00

After having my little doggie, Oliver, vaccinated for kennel cough, he went to play with Pippen, my daughter's dog, and her poochie friends at the doggie daycare in Charleston. He had a blast, and we had a breather from two overly energetic pocket beagles, who did nothing but run and play and chase each other inside and out of the house all day and night. I do have to admit that it really was much calmer with them out of the way for the day.

A few days after we left to begin our treck home, stopping in Charlotte for another few days first, we noticed Ollie being a bit more subdued than normal and coughing in the mornings. After a few more days, the coughing became more frequent and he wasn't eating as much or as enthusastically as he usually does.

By the time we were home and he almost completely stopped eating and was sleeping most of the day, as well as, coughing a lot...I took him to the vet.

Yep, it was confirmed, kennel cough. She proceeded to tell me that even if a dog is immunized, he can still get it. So I left the office with arms full of meds and a special canned dog food to feed him because of his sore throat.

The vet told me to hide his meds in his food, so he wouldn't know he was eating it. It worked the first time! He was so excited to get soft dog food that he gobbled it down. The next time, he picked through the food and I found one of his pills in the bottom of the bowl when he was finished. The time after that, he pick both pills out and put them on the floor and continued to eat. I picked up the pills and him and put them in his mouth and encouraged him to swallow. He did.

That is when he declared war. From then on, each and every time he had to take his pills, he fought me. I tried to hide them in hot dogs, he ate around them and left the pills on the floor. I tried cheese and picked through it and left them on the floor. I then proceeded to put them further down his throat than the first time, he swallowed. Wallah!!! It worked!!!

Well, I always thought he was smart and the following day he proved it. I put the pills way back in his throat and held his muzzle closed, he swallowed three times, when I let go, he started to shake his head and work up the saliva and that's when it happened. He literally spit the pills across the room along with lots of disgusting foam loaded with doggie germs. Can you say EWWWWW!?!? He had learned to cheek the pills and then spit them out each and every time we tried to get him to take his meds. It finally took two of us to do it. One to hold his head up and the other one to put the pill down his throat as far as it would go without hurting him, while the first one person massaged his throat on the outside to get him to swallow.

Now his energy is up, he is eating his regular dog food again and growling at us if we get too close. He is not coughing much anymore and I am once again a happy dog owner. I am hoping and praying that he never gets sick again, or if he does, that we can get liquid medicine that we can sprinkle in liverwurst. I think he may like that. Hmmmm....

Water, Water Everywhere

2009-08-06T08:16:00.010-04:00

I love water. Rivers, lakes, oceans, fountains, sprinklers, it doesn't matter. A view of the sunset over the bay in Clearwater Beach, seeing the sun sparkling off the surface of the Clinton River outside our balcony or the tinkling sound of water trickling in the little fountain in my garden. Just the sound and sight of water calms me. I think that is why we live where we do.

Here are some pictures of several of the beautiful fountains I have seen and enjoyed over the summer.

The kids playing in the fountain in a little park in Charlotte. We love this park.

Lily looking at a fountain in Frankenmuth, Michigan

A lovely water feature at George, George Park in Clinton Twp. Michigan

Another fountain at George, George Park

These next few, are pictures from a park right in the center of uptown Charlotte. I love the sculptures of little children playing.

My little bubbling fountain in the garden in my front yard.

It Is Raining Again

2009-08-05T15:10:00.008-04:00

After the x-rays were taken, the hygienist began to look at them. I heard an "oh!" and then an "I'll be right back". After a few minutes, she came back to the room and the dentist came in right behind her. He looked at the x-rays. "Hmmmm..." he said, and looked at Lance and I. He then put on his gloves and mask and came over to the chair. He asked Lance to open his mouth and began the exam.

We were there for a cleaning. We needed to get in before his dental coverage ran out. Michigan cut both dental and vision and we were scrambling to get the exams in before the cuts took place.

The dentist asked when his last cleaning was done. I had to admit, with a bit of embarrassment, that it was about eight months earlier with a dentist that came into his school. Medicaid patients don't have much of a choice when it comes to who provides care and most are not very good, so we were not always good about having his teeth cleaned exactly every six months. But, we have always had great reports and told that Lance's teeth were in good shape. A few fillings now and again, but never the less, good.

He told us there were no cavities. Great I thought. He then pointed out on the x-rays, that the bone around Lance's teeth were beginning to wear away, he had gum disease. He then said that Lance's medicaid insurance will not cover it. So now we had to pay for the expensive deep root cleaning, about $1000.00. Geesh... why didn't the other dentists find the problem before it got this bad? We made the necessary appointment and left.

A week later we returned knowing that Lance will need nitrous oxide to relax and Novocain for his entire mouth. Not three minutes after I left the room, the assistant came to get me. I went back to see the dentist who was very agitated, he began his tirade. "He is moving too much!" and he began to undulate in exaggerated movements. "I can't work on anyone like this!" as he got more frantic... "The instruments are too sharp!" his voice getting louder and more anxious, "and besides, he is disab..." and that's when he caught himself. He was discriminating against my son because of his disability. He quieted down and saw that I had turned red. Very quietly I told Lance to get out of the chair. It was then that the dentist patronizingly suggested that I take Lance to someone who could put him to sleep and do the procedure. We walked out of the office and I began a lengthy search to find a dentist who works specifically on people who have special needs.

I did find one (he is great!!!) and after a consultation a few days ago, it was decided that Lance will have this procedure done in the hospital. While there, the specialist may need to do some gum surgery and will also do any other dental work that he may need, including the cleaning. Medicaid will not cover any of this (government health care for you) so it will be $2000.00 to $4000.00 for the dentist's work alone, that does not include the hospital care.

Sigh...

Last night, Lance's PT told me that his ankles are not getting stronger and after a year of working and trying to strengthen them, she is recommending that he see and Orthopedist and get some braces to help stabilize them.

When it rains, it pours.

I am so glad that He is in control and I can come to Him when I am overwhelmed.

The Art of Flowers

2009-07-31T20:16:00.013-04:00

Doesn't God have the most amazing touch when it comes to painting? I have been absolutely in love with the flowers of the summer of 2009. They have been breathtaking in every park we have visited this year. It got to be that whenever Lisa and I would walk by a garden, Emma would say, "That's all you two ever do is look and talk about flowers!" Here are few pictures of some of the flowers and foliage we saw.

FIRE!

2009-07-31T08:59:00.011-04:00

Okay, there wasn't a fire at all, but Carley, a young woman who works for Lance, (actually he has three...lucky guy) has a boyfriend who is a firefighter. He said the firehouse was quiet all day and they thought it would be fun for Lance to visit and look around. Of course, Lance had only been there a short time, when a call came in and everyone had to jump into action. Well being the great guys that they are, they played it up big for Lance and honked every horn and put on every siren as they left the firehouse. He loved it! The conciliation prize for not being able to stay at the station too long? He and Carley stopped at Little Cesar's and brought home pizza.

Lance in Carley's boyfriend's gear.

Lance in the ladder truck. He asked if he could drive it! Yea, right...

Carley and Lance eating pizza.

South Carolina

2009-07-29T11:48:00.010-04:00

Lance and I spent a wonderful time with my girls and son-in-law in Charleston a couple of weeks ago.

Ahhhh...the smell of the ocean, the beautiful sailboats, the bustle of the city. I love Charleston!

Angela, Lance and I went to the aquarium one morning. Brigette works and attends school downtown, so she was very happy to meet us for lunch in one of the many little restaurants there. (Especially when mom pays, because the cost of school is outrageous!) It was a great day!

We also spent a few days at the beach. Even though the temps were very high, there was always a gorgeous breeze blowing. Lance loved walking and drawing in the sand, as well as, playing with the little sand crabs.

Lance and I went to the local county park to hike a bit, it is a beautiful place with lots of woods and boardwalks over the marsh. We ended up leaving not too long after we arrived because of the attack of killer mosquitoes. I really thought that at one point we were going to be lifted up and taken their hideout to be interrogated.

The week ended by spending some time visiting with David's mom and dad. It had been way too long since we saw them. They too, came to spend some time with the kids over the fourth of July holiday. David barbecued and Angela set a lovely table. I, of course, forgot to pull out my camera and get a few pics, but the memories will always be with me.

The only down side of the whole visit was Oliver (our dog) getting kennel cough. I bet you didn't know that even if a dog is vaccinated, they can still get kennel cough. Go figure.

Lance and I are now counting the days until December when we will be returning to Charleston. Brigette will be graduating from the College of Charleston!! Yea Brig!!!

Lovely Parks

2009-07-28T14:51:00.009-04:00

We have had the opportunity to visit some lovely parks over the last month or so. Here are a few pictures of several of these parks, in Charlotte as well as here at home.

Amazing Summer

2009-07-23T11:15:00.005-04:00

Family retreat, over two weeks in North and South Carolina visiting my girls, sisters, nieces and nephew, as well as a few very good friends. One week with my niece Emma up here with us and this week my sister and other niece Lily visiting. It has been an amazing summer so far!

We have done so much and have had some greats times even with the lousy Michigan summer weather.

Goofy kids!

Frosties at a Wendy's in Charlotte

We have been playing and have had big times at many parks, both in the Carolinas and Michigan. Next week I will be back in my quiet, stay at home mode, and will post more pictures.

Family and Heat

2009-07-02T15:44:00.002-04:00

I have been down south visiting my family. What is it about being with family...? Love, that's what it is. There is nothing better than family.

I spent some time with Lisa and the girls and Rhonda and Andrew in North Carolina. The last several days, I have been in Charleston, SC with my girls. Yesterday, we went to the beach for a while. It was beautiful! Lance enjoyed watching the little sand crabs running this way and that, also he had fun wading in the serf. Today, we went to the Aquarium and then to lunch with Angela and Brigette at a little bakery. Excellent food, by the way!

Now, I am taking a moment break from the heat (95 degrees, yesterday over 100) and thought I would pop on the blog to let you know what was happening.

I have been taking some pics but forgot to bring the USB plug, so they will have to be posted when we return. I think I have the best hubs in the world...he told me to stay as long as I need since there isn't much going on at home right now. I have several friends I want to see when we go back to Charlotte and he wanted to make sure that I get the time I need to visit them.

I love family!

They're Back

2009-06-24T16:13:00.003-04:00

I opened the door and there it was, the first fishfly of the season.

We live on a river and just down the road from Lake St. Clair. Every year about this time the fishflies swarm the shorelines of the lake and river. These little creatures are the most interesting, annoying and dangerous things around. They don't bite and only live a very short time (30 minutes to 24 hours). They cling to every available surface, such as windows, doors, cars, car windows, sides of houses, plants, walk ways and people. They fly around lights, especially large lights like street and parking pole lights, as well as commercial lights on store fronts. Then they die and fall to the ground and cover the areas under the lights. This makes the ground greasy and slippery. Many an accident has happened because of these buggers.

The city of New Baltimore (not far from us) has a fishfly festival every year with carnival rides, a parade and even crowns a Miss Fishfly. I remember so many Fourth of July fireworks with fishflies flying and landing everywhere including us. The little ones especially hate them, they are harmless but give you the biggest creepy crawly feeling when that happens. But I admit to having lots of fun picking them up by the wings and setting them squirming on the arms and legs of people who have never been around them before.

Ahhh, summer's here and so are the fishflies. The good thing is they are only around for a few weeks.

Phew Slow Down and Charlottes

2009-06-23T10:52:00.009-04:00

The summer has just started, but I have been off and running in the races for a few weeks now. I love summer, the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and the water is flowing in the fountain. But to say that I have been busy is an understatement.

The weeks prior to Family Retreat, I was busy organizing and scheduling the women's small groups. Then came the actual retreat, what an incredible time. Now that we are back home, I am cooking several pots of soup and spaghetti for Kevin, cleaning the house and doing laundry before repacking Lance and I so we can leave early Friday morning.

We are driving down to Charlotte and Charleston to visit my daughters and sisters for a couple of weeks!! I can't wait, I haven't seen most of them since Christmas.

I am still basking in the glow of the retreat. Lance and his buddy for the week had a wonderful time. Charlotte is a woman in her mid 70's, boy is she a powerhouse! She was just perfect for our son. His best friend for years was his grandmother, he has missed her terribly since she passed away. Well, when we first found out that Lance's STM was an older woman, we were a little skeptical to say the least. Were we ever wrong, she is fun and funny, full of life and Lance had a hard time keeping up with her, just like his Nena (grandmother). We all fell in love with her. She kept him in line and took care of him too. They went to the Young Adult services in the morning and did many fun things in the afternoon. They went boating and walking along the beach. They went to eat pizza and rode very fast go carts. They played games and did crafts, went to the Western night and line danced (well Lance didn't dance too much, he was looking at the girls). They ate every meal together, as well as, ice cream and cotton candy. She was truly an answer to prayer.

I am hoping to post several stories over the next few days.

Purest Praise

2009-06-19T19:04:00.003-04:00

I could see her in the isle, she was hunched over in her wheelchair with her twisted arms raised as high as she could reach.

Behind me I could hear him singing out of tune and off beat.

I watched the joyful face of a mom, while she watched her little seven year old son jump up and down in front of the platform flapping his hands as fast as he could.

An isle over from me, I could hear the excited screams of the young man in the wheelchair.

Elizabeth sat next to me constantly tapping me to show me her drawing of Jesus.

The young black man on stage, was strumming his guitar and singing with one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard.

Some of the STMs (short term missionaries) were holding their charges, while the moms and dads were singing and swaying to the music.

Margie has downs, there were tears streaming down her face as she worshipped.

There were giggles and squeals, grunts and squirms. Little ones dancing and bigger ones lifting there voices and hands up high.

Even now as I write this, I am still crying. The cacophony of sounds, the visual sight of movement...words cannot describe the most beautiful worship service I have ever been in. Maybe, just maybe, I can grasp a little of what David meant in Psalm 100.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.Serve the Lord with gladness;come before his presence with singing.Know ye that the Lord he is God;it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,and into his courts with praise;be thankful unto him, and bless his name.For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;and his truth endureth to all generations.

Purest Praise...

Busy Life

2009-06-07T20:07:00.004-04:00

One moment I am complaining that I don't have much to do (or should I say want to do) and the next moment I don't have a second to relax.

That's where I am at, no time to relax. I have been working on Family Retreat things for the last few weeks, trying to get the house cleaned and taking Lance to the eye doctors and dentist.

Retreat begins Saturday. There still is so much that needs to get finished before then. Kevin and I washed 26 windows yesterday and today, as well as cleaned behind the furniture that we had to move to get to the windows. Took Lance for new glasses, but not to the optometrist I wanted to take him to. We have been waiting for quite awhile for an authorization to see the one he has gone to since he was born (this is the guy who did Lance's surgery) and found out that we will be losing vision and dental by July 1st. I panicked and took him to any old doctor I could find. Well, I got the call that the authorization was approved, so we are going to see that doctor, even though Lance already has new glasses. Went to see the dentist and found out that Lance needs some major dental work done, so new we have to go back several more times. I need to do some shopping and packing, between phone calling and making meals for Kevin.

I will admit to taking the time to watch the Wings games (see previous post) but they are almost finished. Sorry Becky, but it looks like the Wings are going to take the cup again. ;-)

I only have a little time in the morning to check e-mails and then off I go. So, I probably will not be posting too much for the next few weeks.

Tootles for now...

Wing Nuts

2009-06-01T07:46:00.010-04:00

I have been so busy the last few weeks getting ready for family retreat. Lots of phone calling and e-mailing and writing documents. It is fun and worthwhile, but because of this, I haven't spent a lot of time on the computer for fun.

This morning I am taking a few moments to talk about what Kevin and I are enjoying most right now.

THE DETROIT RED WINGS!!!

Yes, we are Wing Nuts. And the Wings are in the Stanley Cup Finals once again. Honestly, we are not into too many pro sports, in fact after last year's football season, we were even embarrassed to say we were from Detroit (can you spell L-i-o-n-s?). But when it comes to hockey, we are crazy nuts, quite literally wing nuts.

So to satisfy my daughter's request, here are a couple of pics from this weekend. (Two games played...Sat. and Sun. and two games won!)

Kevin sitting on the edge of his seat wearing his 2008 Stanley Cup championship cap and his Red Wings jeresy, a gift from our daughter and son-in-law.

Brigette, here is a picture of Dad and Oliver. Oliver gets so excited when we are yelling. Which is all the time during a game. :~)

Kevin's jeresy has the name of his favorite player, Datsyuk, who is out of the line-up right now due to injuries. :~(

and here they are skating to beat the band.

Yes, I know we are crazy, but we love it. Usually we get to go to a couple of games during the year, but this year, because Kevin's hours at work haven't been that great, we couldn't go. We are so grateful they have been televising all the games. Wahoo!! This is a great distraction from all the bad news in our area lately...Chrysler's bankruptcy and today's announcement of GM's bankruptcy with all the new layoffs.

GO WINGS!!!

Heart Prayers

2009-05-25T06:32:00.003-04:00

Been awake since 3:00 this morning. I have a lot on mind. A lot to do in a short time. A sad event taking place in my life. Taking more time to be with Jesus.

Now three and a half hours later, still to early to contact people, I haven't accomplished all that much except spending more time with God.

Don't you love the fact that at times when we can't pray with our words, we can pray with our hearts? That what it was this morning. Just sitting and praying with my heart. Letting Him feel my prayers. I feel that He responds more to me laying my heart open, instead of rattling off impressive word prayers. Not that we can't use word prayers, that's how I pray 98 percent of the time, but sometimes just letting our hearts pray and cry out to Him...

Peace, that's what He gives to us when we heart pray. Plain, simple, uncomplicated peace.

Now I can face my day. Go to the nursery to finish getting the plants for the yard. Planting those plants. Making potato salad and baked beans. Making the phone calls that need to be made. Taking Lance on a bike ride.

Resting in God.

Family

2009-05-18T12:19:00.005-04:00

My daughter had some work in the area Thursday and Friday. We haven't seen her since Christmas, so when she asked if she could crash at our house, we jumped at the chance. It was incredibly good to see her and her little doggies. We love our grandpuppies to pieces and so did Oliver, even though Tilly and Kally didn't care for him quite as much as he cared for them.

She came loaded with gifts from Trader Joe's (I made a recipe to use up the fast ripening pears she brought in, you can read it here).

My daughter is a publisher, an author of her's was speaking at a local church. So, on Thursday evening, she and I went to the mall for a quick visit at a store that she loves to shop in (they do not have this particular store where she lives), and then off to hear the author speak. The next day she was up and gone early to meet with this author and I had our little Tilly and Kally (Long Haired Tea Cup Chihuahuas) all day. We had such fun, the girls, Oliver and I. When my daughter came back home, we had a quick dinner (that she made, Wahoo!!!) and then she and the dogs left to catch a plane back home.

It was a very fast visit. I miss both my girls so much, that even a quick visit is a treasured treat for me.

Ahhh...nothing like family...

Kids Say the Dardest Things

2009-05-14T11:43:00.005-04:00

Most of the time I don't pass along or post the forwards I recieve via e-mail (and believe me, I get a lot of them) but every so often, a priceless one comes along. This is one of those. Many you have probably already read it, but it is so cute and reminds me of my girls when they were little. So here it is again. "Kids say the dardest things." Art Linkletter

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.

2. Mostly to clean the house.

3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.

2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.

3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.

2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related.

2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.

2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.

3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name.

2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?

3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.

2. She got too old to do anything else with him.

3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball..

2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.

3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.

2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.

3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.

4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.

2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.

2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.

2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.

3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Life is Good

2009-05-12T07:53:00.004-04:00

Friday, I was able to celebrate my nephew's graduation from U of M. I couldn't be prouder of Lance (yes, we have two Lance's in the family)! He worked very hard to get to this place.

We rode in a big limo bus, sipping wine, to the Hunt Club about an hour away. It was a gorgeous evening. The grounds were beautiful, the daffodils and tulips were showing off, the grass was a carpet of green, the birds were singing a wonderful tune and the squirrels were acting as squirrely as can be.

The lodge was elegantly rustic with the heads of the most amazing animals and birds staring at us from the walls. I do have to admit that I am not a hunter and would be happier if those animals and birds were alive and running around in their own habitat. Even so, they were so impressive looking down on us. Out in the court yard, there was a waterfall and the most beautiful Magnolia tree in full bloom.

Dinner was all evening long. It has been such a long time since I took four hours to eat a meal. Appetizers were cheese and crackers, Salmon Pate`, Smoked Pheasant and Elk Meatballs. For the soup course, I had Ham and Pea soup, Salad was a Spring mix with oranges, grapefruit and raspberries with a lemon vinaigrette. The Entree I chose was Elk and Quail, the presentation was beautiful. It was so delicious and tender. And desert was a choice of Fried Ice Cream, Creme Brulee, Cheese Cake or a Chocolate Torte. I had the Torte, again it was so beautifully presented.

Kevin was sick and unable to attend, which I felt bad about, even so, I had a wonderful time chatting and visiting with people I haven't seen in such a long time. On the way home the boys (I should say young men)sang and let lose, it was a noisy end to the evening, but it was theirs to enjoy.

Congratulations Lance! Isn't Life good?

The Day My Eyelids Fell and Other Menopausal Stories

2009-05-08T07:13:00.010-04:00

I remember it well. While sitting in church listening to the Pastor preach, I reached up to rub my itchy eye. And that's when it happened. I noticed that things didn't feel right, I reached over to check the other eye and yes...it was the same. When did this happen and for how long has it been like this? My eyelids were no longer tight! They were sagging! Please don't ask me what the Pastor spoke on, I don't know. And don't ask me what we did for the rest of the day, I can't remember. I just know that to my horror, I realized that I was getting older.

I started coloring my hair at the age of 28 because I began to turn grey. My husband has always been the one who was/is practical and frugal, and he insisted that I didn't need to color my hair since it had only a few greys. He said he would tell me if I needed it. Well, I continued to be vain and colored it for quite a few years. Then one day, I started thinking about all the money I was spending on hair coloring services and thought that my real hair color really couldn't be that bad, even with a few greys. Heck, both my sisters have a few greys and it looks fine on them, so why not let my hair go natural. It didn't take long until the good old hubs said, "I think you need to keep coloring". Okay, so not only didn't I have a couple of greys, the grey was covering three quarters of my head. I still color to this very day...

It was one of the coldest nights of the year. While sleeping in my tank top and short pajamas, I was awakened for the fourth time that night with a hot flash and sweating profusely. I couldn't stand it anymore. I got up and opened the door to our balcony and stood out there for five minutes in the subzero weather, with the snow flying, in only the tank top and shorts. When I finally cooled off and came back to bed, I saw hubby huddled under three blankets shivering like crazy. He then curled up next to me to try to warm up. Yep, it happened again, another hot flash, not two minutes later, back outside again.

While driving home from having a pelvic ultra sound for a leaky bladder, (yes, another menopause symptom)I had to stop for a train. I am sure most, if not all of you, have had those ultra sounds where you have to drink gallons of water. Well, I was behind a long line of cars waiting for that train. The train kept coming and coming and coming and I kept waiting and waiting and waiting. I began to squirm and wiggle. Of course I turned the music up and sang with gusto trying to get my mind off my filling bladder. I danced in my seat. That train kept moving. I know you must think, I am making this up, but I am not, the train had to be 30 minutes long. I knew that even if I finally get to cross that railroad track, I still had about a ten minute drive home. Well, that's when I decided to pull into a little (I reiterate little) market right there at the train tracks. It was a dive to say the least. I walked in and begged the owner to let me use his restroom. Of course he said it is only for costumers. I promised to buy something when I was finished. I think after he saw me dancing around and my cries of please, please, please, he gave in and told me where it was. I had to go down the oldest set of stairs into an even older Michigan basement. It was dark and damp and cold and I thought I saw something move in the corner. (true story!!) When I entered the restroom, I started to cry. It was beyond my imagination, dirty. But because I had to go so bad, I closed my eyes and prayed that I would hit the toilet while hovering. When I finished, I ran up those stairs and out the door hollering THANK YOU SO MUCH. (The owner didn't even look me in the eye, now I know why he didn't want to let me use the restroom!) I couldn't buy anything from that place, ewwwww...shudder.

Menopause, what a trip!!!

A Giant of a Woman

2009-05-07T07:29:00.013-04:00

I don't know if there ever was as tiny a woman who held such a huge place in the heart of a family than my mother.

Betty Jean was itty bitty, only 97 lbs. and so full of love for the Lord and for us. She always put her family first, we were the most important things in her life. It centered around her children and grandchildren.

There were six biological children born to her and then in her fifties she adopted two more. She now has 19 grandchildren.

We always lived close by her, even right next door for six years. She was the kind of woman who would drop everything to help anyone out. When Lance was born, she was right there. I have never had the problem of being a parent of a special needs child without support. Mom and Lance were the best of friends, he adored her and she him. She loved to take Lance to Disney World, I think we were there six times with her. (Thanks to her, Lance only wants to go to Disney World!)

If one of us were struggling financially, she would happily give. If one of us were hurting, she would be there immediately for as long as we needed her. Her family was spread out across the country and she would go visit often.

Today would have been her 73rd. birthday. We lost her just one month shy of three years ago. I can't tell you what a huge hole was left in our hearts. We miss her more now.

Phil posted her eulogy, it is Mom. You can read it here.

Sexy Betty

Mom and Dad's Wedding Day

Auntie Eileen who passed away two weeks before mom, she was like a mother to us, Mom, Lisa and Me at my wedding.

Mom and Lance on a beach in New England.

Mom and Lisa at Lisa's Wedding.

All of us, yea we are a big family.

We miss you Mom, happy birthday.

Please Pray

2009-05-05T06:40:00.003-04:00

Joni and Friends Family Retreat is only five weeks away. It is a time for many families affected by disabilities, to escape the rigors of the everyday life. For many it is or will be the only time they ever get away. Having a loved one with disabilities can be very wearing and exhausting. The entire family will be able to relax, have fun and renew themselves, both spiritually and physically.

I am asking all my friends here in Blog World to join me in prayer. We need Short Term Missionaries to come along side these families. An STM is someone who will be a one on one with the person with a disability. It enables the family to relax knowing that their loved one is being taken care of and having fun without them. It also allows the person with a disability to feel like they are important and have fun without their family right with them the entire time. They feel like one of the group instead of the one who is different or even despised.

We currently have 60 STMs signed up and need 200. The times are hard, I know, the cost is $400.00. Also asking people to give up the one and only vacation they may get, only to spend the week working hard and not getting much free time, is asking a lot. But people are needed.

Please join me in praying that God will move on hearts and provide the means to make this happen. That He will open doors and make available people who want to be used.

The Art of Lying

2009-05-04T11:27:00.006-04:00

Yesterday I went to church by myself, since Lance wasn't feeling well and Kevin volunteered to stay home with him. (I personally think that Kevin just didn't want to shave, he was nurturing the stubbiest beard that I have seen in a quite a while).

At church we had communion. I love and hate communion. It is such a wonderful time of sharing and remembering the sacrifice and blessing that Jesus gave to us. But it is also the time of reflection and repentance, and I find that there are so many things in my life that I am ashamed of. Sin. But then again, it is so beautiful afterward, when things feel right between God and me.

Pastor started a series several weeks ago called reflection and yesterday he spoke specifically on lying.

We know that God does not lie, he can't lie. Numbers 23:19 Hebrews 6:18 or Titus 1:2

But why do we lie?
To impress
To get revenge
To protect ourselves
To escape punishment
To profit
To keep from offending someone

What are ways that we lie?
Distortion
Exaggeration
Slander
Gossip

I come from a long line of pathological liars, so much so, that some of them even believe their lies. I have always prided myself on not lying, but what about these scenarios?

I'll start my diet tomorrow.
Really officer, I didn't know I was going that fast.
Oh, this tastes really good and you're thinking I could have made it much better.
No Honey, that dress doesn't make you look fat.
I will pray for you.
Etc...

To say the least, this message opened a whole can of worms. We here in the good old USA have made lying an art form.

And then there's the smuggling Bibles and hiding Jews during the Holocaust scenario.

Help me God...

Have you heard the one?

2009-05-02T09:45:00.004-04:00

Our Lance has the funniest sense of humor.

We have been told many, many times that children with the type of disabilities like Lance's, do not understand abstract ideas and concepts. They most often will have tons of fun and laugh, but will not comprehend or tell jokes. This is not the case with Lance, he loves jokes, jokes of all kinds. Every single teacher he has ever had, has told us that Lance is so funny and has the greatest sense of humor.

We know this because we have been the recipients of many a jokes or one liners. The funny thing is, they come out of the blue when you least expect them.

Here are a few of the ones he has told us, with his classic follow up line. These are for my family's benefit.

Why did the chicken cross the playground?
A: To get to the other slide. Get it??? Other side, other slide???

Why did the boy throw the clock out the window?
A: Because he wanted to see time fly. Get it??? Clock flying out the window???

What did the baby corn say to the mama corn?
A: Where is Pop corn? Get it??? Pop corn, Dad corn???

What kind of movies do pirates go to?
A: Arrrrr rated ones. Get it??? R rated, G rated???

What did Captain Hook want for breakfast?
A: Peter Pancake. Get it??? Peter Pan...cake??? Like pancake??? Get it???

We are so blessed that Lance doesn't fit the mold, God can do amazing things.

Choices

2009-05-01T14:58:00.003-04:00

My daughter had forwarded this story to me today (she never, and I mean never forwards anything). I have read it before, but after reading again I still cried. We never know how our choices will impact another, good or bad. I thought I would share it here.

Think harder about choices.

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: 'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.

As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!Run to first!' Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.

He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball.

The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!' As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!' Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

Let us make the right choices to uplift, encourage, help and bless those around us, we never know how it will make someone feel.

Tidbits and Updates

2009-04-29T13:37:00.005-04:00

Just a list of tidbits and updates in my little world.

Took Lance to a new doctor and he absolutely agrees that we should not do surgery for Lance's brainstem compression right now. He feels that it would do more harm than good. I am so relieved since it is so very risky.
Feeling better from Monday's asthma attack. The only issue I have right now is extremely bright red cheeks from the steroids they have me on.
Found myself humming in the store yesterday...it has been three years since I have hummed at all, let alone in a store.
Cleaned my stove, microwave, dishwasher and rearranged some drawers in the kitchen.
Had a wonderful prayer time this morning.
Rejoicing with Lisa about Emma's test score of 98%.
Lance bought the Kung Fu Panda video with a gift card we found from Christmas, he is so happy.
Finished my first Excel class with flying colors and signed up for the next one.
Feeling good about the progress I am making with Oliver, he is turning into the cutest and sweetest doggie.
Kevin is not stressing over not getting enough hours at work anymore. He is learning to trust God to provide our daily bread.
I am not spending as much time on the computer, except for homework. This is a good and bad thing. Good because I have other things to do which keep me busy and bad because I am not able stop by the blogs I like to visit everyday.
My dad stopped over today, I don't see him very often.
The Wings are in the second series of playoff games, they are playing the Anaheim Ducks. (We will trounce them!!!)

I find I happier than I have been in a long time. Go figure, in a world full of chaos and trouble, I am finding my stride. Hmmmm....

How Do You Spend Your Monday Evening?

2009-04-28T07:17:00.004-04:00

Cough
Cough
Wheeze
Cough
Wheeze
Wheeze
Cough
Wheeze
Crackle
Wheeze
+ Wheeze
_______________________
A trip to emergency room for a breathing treatment

I am not sure if it because of the change in weather from cold to very warm, the fast budding of the trees and flowers, or the heavy rain, but I have had a terrible time with my allergies and asthma lately. Well last night I couldn't stop coughing and started wheezing really bad and even after several doses of my inhaler, I kept getting worse. Around 11:30p.m. I couldn't breath very well and decided I needed to go to the emergency room for a breathing treatment. I arrived back home breathing much better, but hyped up from all the medicine. I think I finally got to bed about 2:30a.m. Need less to say, I am very tired, sore from all the coughing and still coughing some.

Oh spring, I love you...but my lungs are saying enough already...

Beatles Surprise

2009-04-25T07:27:00.004-04:00

Well it finally came, the big surprise for Lance. Lance is a HUGE Beatles fan and before Christmas, Kevin bought tickets for the 1964 The Tribute, a Beatles tribute band. The Rolling Stones Magazine said and I quote "Number One Beatles Tribute Show on Earth". Oh, by the way, I do not read the Rolling Stones Magazine. When Lance found out we were going, he started to grin, my favorite grin, the one I hardly ever get to see. The grin that starts slow and then spreads across his face to light it up. That grin!!!

Besides the dreaded hiccups (this is a medical issue and Lance can get them for a week or two at a time, several times a month) Lance didn't say a word, and for those of you who know our Lance, that is saying something.

He swayed to the music and tapped his toe. He even kept rhythm with Ringo, tapping on his knee. There was one particular song that the entire audience got up and danced, twisted would be the better term, Twist and Shout. Even Lance twisted a bit, again a real surprise to us, because Lance does not do this.

So the evening was a HUGE success! The pictures are lousy, but the lighting was terrible and the camera, sigh, well at least I had a camera.
A fun evening!!

Yesterday

2009-04-23T11:26:00.004-04:00

My day yesterday--

Awake at three a.m., couldn't sleep so I finally rolled out of bed at five a.m.
Did my homework for computer class and began a yearly statement for my husband's non-profit organization.
Made breakfast and lunches for Kevin and Lance.
Fed Oliver and got Lance out the door for school.
Tried to sleep a little longer, didn't work.
Talked with Lisa.
Made some breakfast for me.
Made the beds and took a shower.
Put dishes in dishwasher.
Finished the statement.
Left for prayer.
Stopped to get coffee before prayer.
After prayer talked with Phil while driving home.
Called a dentist for Lance, didn't get through again.
Called to make an appointment for the eye doctor for Lance.
Called to make an appointment for the regular doctor for Lance.
Called a person who wanted to know more about being and STM for Family Retreat.
E-mailed the director for Family Retreat (back and forth off and on all day).
Talked with a mother of 6 little children, one who has Downs Syndrome, about attending Family Retreat. (boy does she need the break!!!)
Did two loads of laundry.
Took out chicken to thaw in microwave for dinner.
Sat down for a moment and ate a few fat free wheat thins for lunch.
Kevin came home early and needed help finding something.
Lance came home.
Lance's Speech Therapist came.
I took the STM and Family Retreat applications to the post office to be mailed. (You would have thought it was Christmas, there were so many people in line!)
Came home and had a conference with the Speech Therapist.
Answered about twenty e-mails.
Grilled the chicken and made a green salad and a fruit salad, along with garlic bread (because Lance requested it)
Ate and then cleaned up everything.
Made some oatmeal cookies, cleaned up again.
Answered more e-mails.
Talked with Brigette.
Sat down to read my Bible and fell asleep.

I am so grateful everyday is not like this. Pheewww...

Thinking

2009-04-21T09:01:00.002-04:00

Here I am listening to Pandora Radio trying to think of something clever to blog about. My brain is still asleep and I realize I am not a particularly clever person. At that my friends, is the rub. I want to be clever, I want to be humorous, I want to write witty little antidotes about my life and instead I am faced with clumsy thoughts.

Once again, I am faced with the reality that I am not who I want to be.

Who am I?

If nothing else this blog makes me think. Thinking is good. But thinking causes me to challenge myself.

Hmmm...

Thinking also causes me to realize that I am exactly who God wants me to be. This is the frustrating part. I don't want to be what I am...

I am too old for this. Geesh...

Pandora

2009-04-20T12:25:00.002-04:00

I absolutely love Pandora.com!

Pandora is a radio station(?) that you program with all your favorite genres of music. This is what I really like about it, you type in a certain artist or song and it will pull up suggestions and you can pick which song you want to listen to and then it will suggest other songs or artists that are similar in style. At this point you can use a thumbs up or a thumbs down if you like or don't like the song and it will go on to suggest other songs.

So what it essentially does, is to create a personal station for you. After that, if you want to listen to an entirely different style or artist, you start a whole new station. You can have as many stations you like.

I have found so many new artists and songs I never knew existed. It has opened a whole new world for this little house potato.

So go to www.pandora.com and start your own radio station (without commercials and DJ). Have fun!

Sabotage

2009-04-18T08:03:00.011-04:00

I really did start a new blog yesterday and I really did post about a lifestyle change yesterday. I really do want to get healthy and I really do want to want to lose weight, even a small amount of weight.

Well Kevin Sabotaged me. He didn't do this on purpose, it just happened that way. Last night we had plans to drop off Lance and Erin, his staff person, at church for movie night and we were going to go to Papa John's. Papa John's is an amazing European Market with fruits, veggies, fresh everything including meat, fish, poultry, bread, cheese and even a cafe were you can have some fantastic salads. Yes, that was the plan...until Erin came in with a kite. Because it was an absolutely gorgeous day, she thought it would be fun to go fly that kite at the beach and get some ice cream after. The plans changed and Lance and her went kite flying.

And that's when the sabotage began!!!! Kevin decided he wanted to go to P.F. Chang's for dinner. Okay, I would be lying if I led you to believe that I didn't jump at the chance, because we never go to places like this. In fact our dates have been consisting of coffee and Barnes and Noble. Now I like, coffee and Barnes and Noble, so I am not complaining, it's just we very rarely go to a nice place like Chang's.

They have a new menu item called Chang's for two.
I had the Hot and Sour Soup and Kevin had the Egg Drop Soup.

We shared the Lettuce Wraps

I had some Sesame Chicken and Kevin had the Sweet and Sour Chicken, please note the little effort at eating healthy, Brown Rice

Then came the clincher, mini desserts. Yea, I had to, HAD TO I TELL YOU!!! have the tiramisu

Well, as Scarlett O'Hara would say "Tomorrow IS another day". Shhhhh, don't tell anyone, I have left overs for lunch. Thank goodness Tomorrow is another day.

A New Beginning

2009-04-17T09:31:00.003-04:00

I know this doesn't make sense...January is the month for making changes in our lives. We start our diets or exercising. We have good intentions, but within a month, these thoughts are gone and our resolutions have gone to the wayside.

So...I am making some changes in my life in the month of April.

I have started an accountability blog titled The Healthy Dream.

In this blog I will share my thoughts and my ambitions. I will post my progress concerning all my lifestyle changes. They will include the usual, weight loss and exercise. They will also include changes in my health, my home and my environment. I will do some research and try some experiments. But most importantly I will be honest and to anyone who wants to follow along, I will be accountable to you.

http://thehealthydream.blogspot.com/

Still Easter

2009-04-16T18:26:00.002-04:00

I just read my brother Phil's Easter morning sermon and to tell you the truth, it made me cry. It reminds me that it is still Easter. I need to celebrate Easter all year and in everything I do. Take a few moments to read, you won't be disappointed.

Open Days

2009-04-15T09:34:00.008-04:00

Today...

What will today bring?
I have no plans at the moment.
Lance is home on Spring break, so I was unable to go to prayer.
Let's see...
Clean our bedroom and wash sheets?
Clean the bathroom too?
Read another chapter from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader to Lance?
Spend some more time than usual with the Lord?
Type up the minutes from a board meeting held two weeks ago?
Check in on Angela? She had some oral surgery yesterday and didn't tell me about it.
Give Oliver a bath? He is not going to like this.
Check in on Phil?
Find out if Brigette finished her taxes?
Go for a walk this afternoon?
Organize the office?
Begin my exercise program?
Take the whole day off and read?

Don't you love open days?

They are so full of promise...no obligations...make them what we want them to be...open days...

Parable of the Sower

2009-04-14T09:47:00.012-04:00

I had the privilege to work at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte for four years. While there, we were able to move the campus into a beautiful new home, it is a gorgeous building architecturally.

I can honestly say that while working there I had the most amazing experience. I was able to witness a fresco being created. Frescoes are a dying art form originating from Italy. One example of a famous fresco is the Sistine Chapel ceiling created by Michael Angelo.

It took artist, Gerald Steinmeyer, eight months working long hours everyday with several asistants, to create The Parable of the Sower. The only words to describe it is breathtaking. I would go into the chapel just to sit and stare at this incredible sight.

If you ever get to Charlotte, take some time to go visit the school and the fresco, it is worth the effort.

Father-In-Love

2009-04-13T16:00:00.006-04:00

On Easter Sunday we always get together with Kevin's family at his brother's house for brunch. It is a great time of celebrating family. My sister-in-law is extremely taleted with photography and she shared a couple of pictures she took of my father-in-law and our little Oliver. Dad is probably the hardest working, the sweetest and kindest man I have ever met. He is very meek and humble and just sits quietly while everyone else carries on. I am not sure why, but he just adores our Oliver. I wanted to share these with you. He is my Father-in-love...

He Is Risen

2009-04-12T10:24:00.003-04:00

He is Risen! We can rejoice! He took our sin and made us clean. He gave it all. Hallelujah, Hallelujah!!

Can We Make a Difference?

2009-04-10T14:04:00.007-04:00

A few weeks ago we went to a fundraiser for a local special needs program for POHI young adults. POHI is an acronym for Physically and Otherwise Health Impaired. When Lance was young, he attended a POHI program for elementary school and while at the fundraiser we were able to reconnect with several of Lance's old school mates and their parents. We couldn't believe our eyes!! We remembered little kids and what we found were grown up people. It was such fun catching up with everyone, remembering fun old times and enjoying the DJ, dancing, pizza and raffle. We even won some fun things, a massage and a HD DVD player. Cool...

I remember going to parent meetings, being on parent advisory committees, fighting endlessly with with educators about the education of our children. Planning fundraisers, going to informational meetings and just picking each other's brains for knowledge and advice. We were going to change the system and our kids were going to rise above the standard that wasn't set very high at that time. We encouraged each other to keep fighting.

What I saw the other night, were parents that were worn out. They were proud of their kids and how they have grown, but in their eyes was a weariness, the same weariness that I have seen in my own eyes. Their bodies are starting to wear out, everyone of us have had to have surgeries, several have had heart attacks (they are only in their 50's and early 60's). I asked if they were still fighting and every single one of them said "I try but I am giving up, it is too hard". They don't know what will happen to their children if they die. They are concerned because even after all these years of trying to do the best for their kids, there isn't a place for them to go. There are a few good programs, but most of them are out of state and hard to get into. One mother adopted four special needs kids because she and her husband loved children. Her husband died five years ago and she is now caring for three young men and a teenage daughter with severe disabilities by herself.

Good friends of ours live about an hour north of us and attend a wonderful church. They have a daughter who is now thirty, the youngest of six children. Doris suffered a heart attack about six years ago, they knew they had to do something to provide a place for Becky to live, in case something else happens to one of both of them. There were several other people with special needs that also attended the church. Doris and Gary started meeting with the other parents and the church leadership and they came up with the idea of building a place for these people. The entire church got together, raised money, built a home and provided the finances to pay for people to staff it. It is supervised by a board elected from the church. Becky loves the independence she has away from her parents (even though they see her every week) and Gary and Doris are enjoying being empty nesters for the first time in their lives.

My prayer is that churches all over the country begin to catch a vision to help people and families like this. To allow parents who are worn out to get some breaks. To stop building edifices unto themselves and to reach out to help provide food, shelter, love and support to needy people everywhere.

Come on Church, let's make a difference in the world!!!!

Who Are We?

2009-04-09T11:22:00.001-04:00

A friend sent me this video this morning. Well as I watched I cried...happy tears, amazed tears and sad tears, because I wonder why we measure someone's worth based on what they can do, instead of who they are.

I am thankful God sees us for who we are not what we can do.

Simple Joy

2009-04-08T15:18:00.005-04:00

I love looking at life through the eyes of children. Mine kids are much older, but I have the unique view of looking at life through my child like son. For those of you who don't know, my son, who is 23, is disabled and our joy. We have many challenges that we face day to day and life can be very hard at times. But one of the fun things we have learned to appreciate about Lance, is his unbelievable enthusiasm for movies and music.

For Lance, his life revolves around movies and music. Every day he comes home looking for the next movie from Netflix, a gift from his sister and brother-in-law for Christmas. "Did it come mom?" he asks as he is walking in the door. If it has, he races upstairs to his room and turns it on. He studies the movies, who's in them, what other movies did they play in. Who wrote the music and what artist is singing the song. Then after he has watched that particular movie three times, he will turn on his music. I think he has almost all the Beatles albums. He loves Elvis, Elton John and Phil Collins. We hear the songs played until we are sick of them, but he is happily tapping out the beat to music with a smile on his face, it doesn't matter that he has heard the song 2783 times. Simple joy.

I make life too complicated. I worry about what is happening in the world today (and there is so much happening). I think about what needs to be done around the house. I fret about the finances and the weather and if I can make dinner stretch for an extra night. I worry about what others think of me.

I want my life to have simple joy. Joy and contentment. Not to worry about all that is going on around me. Having an expectation and yes, even the excitement of doing something for the 1647th time.

Maybe I need to tap out the beat to my favorite song or take the time to read the credits, just because.

This is the Day the Lord has Made

2009-04-03T09:51:00.007-04:00

This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118; 24

I am rejoicing today even though it is raining, remembering that April showers bring May flowers.

I am rejoicing today because Lance and I are feeling better after a couple weeks of illness.

I am rejoicing today because I have a family that loves me.

I am rejoicing today because my Father is a good God

I am rejoicing today because I am blessed beyond words.

I am rejoicing today because God used me to bless a dear friend.

I will rejoice!

Hanging On

2009-03-30T09:32:00.009-04:00

Like other bloggers lately, I have found that I haven't had much to write about. I have never deluded myself about being a good writer, in fact, I am very aware of my inability to write. Which is sad, because I have many good writers in my family. My daughters, my sister and brother all write extremely well. (Some even published.) Never the less, I have been journaling via this blog.

I have been wondering about my lack of items or thoughts to write about.

Could it be that I have such a boring life that I ran out of ideas? This may be it. Because of the economy, I have stopped driving. That means that I don't leave the house except for twice a week and those times are for my prayer time with friends on Wednesday mornings. Right after prayer, on my way home, I stop at the grocery store to do my shopping. The other day is Sunday, our church day. Once in a while, Kevin and I will go out on a Friday evening. This night out is usually to Barnes and Noble where we will get a coffee and browse the books. That's it, my time away from home and my lack of motivation. BUT...I am going to start a computer class tomorrow night (very close to home) and this means I will get one more night out. Wahoo!!!

Am I in a blue funk? This could very well be the answer. If you have followed my blog at all, you have read about the few rough years I have had recently. I miss my family, especially my girls who live down south. I have had some physical problems which has caused me to isolate myself from people. My son has had some major health issues which resulted in having to have tests, doctors visits, therapies, etc... I have felt sorry for myself. So there you have it.

Is it the long, long winter? I will be honest and tell you that it has affected me in a big way. I love sunshine. I think that is why I did so well down south. The sun shines much more often down there than it does here in the Great Lakes area. I need sunshine!! Even though I have never been officially diagnosed, I think I suffer from SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder. The good news is, Spring is not too far away (the season not the date) and I love Spring and Summer. During this time of year, I am out fiddling in my small garden, I sit and read on the balcony or front porch, Oliver and I walk everyday (sometimes twice a day) and we bike ride to the beach two to three times a week. I love the warm, sunny weather!!

So, I am hanging on. I have a busy summer planned with the Family Retreat, my two week visit to the Carolinas and having my niece spend a few weeks with me. That will be followed by my sister and other niece coming to visit us here up north.

In the meantime, I am praying for blogging ideas and hoping to get out of my blue funk and start cleaning and fixing up my home once again. I am also praying that I will continue to trust God with my life. He knows what He is doing, even when I don't.

End Table

2009-03-27T09:14:00.007-04:00

I love my little table. When we moved into our house a few years ago, I was able to purchase a few pieces of furniture and I can honestly say I love these pieces. Today I wanted to showcase my little end table and the nest I found for fifty percent off yesterday.

I found this lamp a few years ago at a little shop in Charlotte, NC

Isn't this nest sweet?

I love the detail on the legs.

I will be posting more on the little things I love in my home.

Alphabet Game

2009-03-23T10:19:00.003-04:00

Saw this on Facebook and thought is would be fun to play along here.

A is for your age: 49
B is for your burger of choice: Flame grilled with lettuce, tomato, pickles, mustard, ketchup and mayo
C is for the car that you drive: Ford 500
D is for dog's name: Oliver, our 11 pound pocket beagle
E is for an essential item you use each day: I think my computer is pretty essential!
F is for your favorite television show: 24, you gotta love that Jack Bauer
G is for favorite game: Hand and foot, but I haven't played in a very long time.
H is for hometown: Mt. Clemens
I is for instruments played: Guitar
J is for favorite juice: I am not a big juice drinker, but if I mix cranberry and orange juice with a little Sprite, I can handle it.
K is for what you'd like to kick: My frustrations
L is for last restaurant you dined at: Coney Island (didn't care for it, so we won't be going back)
M is for your favorite muppet: Janice
N is for number of piercings you have: 2 - one in each ear!
O is for overnight hospital stays: Lets see... I guess it's about 10, maybe more.
P is for people you were with today: My Husband and son
Q is for what you do in quiet times: Blog. Watch TV and Read
R is for regrets: No big regrets - I do wish I played more with my kids when they were younger instead of worrying about doing housework.
S is for status: Married???
T is for time you woke up today: 6:00 am
U is for what you consider unique: people - each one is different
V is for favorite vegetable: Tomatoes and zucchini
W is for your worst habit: procrastination
X is for x-rays you have had: dental, knee, chest/lung, bones, head...too many to mention them all.
Y is for yummy food you ate today: Special K...???
Z is for zodiac sign: I don't believe in that junk. But if you do...I am a Gemini

I love finding out more about people, so if you read this, please post one on your blog and let me know. All you have to do is copy and paste, then erase my answers and add your own.

What's On Your Wall Wednesday On Thursday

2009-03-19T07:05:00.008-04:00

I have been so busy that I haven't taken the time to blog the last few days, but I have tried (not too successfully) to visit my blogger friends. This morning I went over to my friend Cindy's blog, at Letters From Midlife and found that she had a fun post which she posted yesterday, "What's On Your Wall Wednesday". Well, I really enjoyed looking at her wall art and decided that I would steal her idea and post it today. So here is What's On Your Wall Wednesday On Thursday.

This is a photograph my sister-in-law took, it is hanging in our foyer.

Our small bedroom wall

These were my mom's plates when she was first married. I decided to display them on my dinning room wall.

These two are the Beatles pictures that my sisters gave to Lance. As you can see his room is quite a bright green, we really wanted him to be involved in the process of decorating his room this time and this is the color he wanted. :~)

This last one is a wrought iron piece of art I found to tie in all the metal pieces I have around the house.

What We Can't Do Without

2009-03-13T08:17:00.004-04:00

This morning I got up and knew that I would be talking with my daughter, my sister and my brother so I started to look for my cell phone. I CAN'T FIND IT!!! It is driving me nuts... I did call my sister from my land line, but it is still bothering me. It's like a piece of me is missing.

I started to laugh and thought about the things (note that this says things) that I absolutely cannot do without.

Of course my cell phone: I always have it with me, or at least close by me. I use it not only to talk with my family, all Lance's doctors, therapists, school and agencies we work with, only have this number. I also use it for a watch, mine broke and I haven't replaced it.

My Bible: It goes where ever I go.

My chapstick: I only put on lipstick when I leave the house, any other time I have my Burt's Bees on.

Music: I have to have music...all different kinds of music. I need music.

My sweats: I wear these anytime I am at home.

The car: Because of the economy, I hardly ever leave home now, but if I didn't have a car in the garage I would feel like a part of me is missing.

My computer: I turn it on first thing in the morning to check my e-mail. I also use it to store recipes, check weather, find movies for Lance, find phone numbers and of course blog and facebook.

Hand lotion: I have to have lotion on my hands continually.

My shower: If I can't shower everyday I feel nasty

Books: I cannot be without a book of some kind, even if I only read a line a day. I have at least four books going at the moment.

And last but not least:

Reality TV: I DVR all these silly shows and find myself getting upset if I miss them. The Biggest Loser, American Idol, Survivor, Jon & Kate Plus 8, Little People Big World, 18 and Counting, HGTV: Design Star and the The Next Food Network Star. (The new season for these last two haven't started yet, but I can't wait!)

So there you have it. Can I do without these things, probably, but I would walk around in circles until I got use to not having them. In the meantime, I have circled the great room eight times and checked between the cushions on the couch and riffled through my purse, I am sure I left that darn phone in the great room after I talked with Brigette. .. Rats...

Awww Detroit

2009-03-12T07:04:00.006-04:00

Living in the Detroit area the last few years has been an adventure. This post could take me in many different directions, but I am going to concentrate on the way our area is defeating it's self.

It is true that many, many cities throughout the Nation are struggling, especially those who rely on manufacturing for it's survival. But I think Detroit is one of the worst at the moment. We now have an unemployment rate of 13 percent. Everyone everywhere knows someone who is laid off or ready to be laid off. Kevin is not getting forty hours a week and hasn't been for quite a long time.

We recently went through the whole Kwame Kilpatrick, the former Mayor of Detroit, scandal. Sex, lies, corruption and even a possible murder. The City Council has been involved in a lot of this... Just a side note; many, many people have been praying that the corruption would be exposed...it has!

All of this, the unemployment, scandal and so much more, has had a negative impact on the whole area, not only Detroit proper, but the suburbs as well.

Because of the sinking auto industry and the depression that is taking place here, Jay Leno, a huge car buff, has offered to do a free comedy show for those who are unemployed. With his help, the Palace of Auburn Hills, the arena where the Pistons play basketball, have offered to put on this show free of charge along with some other local companies who have offered to bring in refreshments. Well, you can image the excitement over this! Someone is noticing what is going on and offering to help in a small way.

So here we go...the Detroit City Council has started whining, "If this is for Detroit, why isn't Jay Leno performing in Detroit?" The Palace is a part of the Detroit area (about 30 minutes north), the Pistons play there, many other people perform there because the venue will hold a huge amount of people. Also, the Palace has offered the place free of charge!!! Not one of the other venues in Detroit has offered to host this event!!!!

We have been hosting the International Auto Show forever. Because of the shape of Cobo Hall, the IAS have threatened to move the show to another city. Again, the law makers in the city of Detroit, have not wanted to relinquish control of Cobo to an independent company so the repairs can be made and we can continue to host this huge event.

It just saddens me to see that because of power, the morale and well being of an entire area will just be thrown away.

We watch as, police and firefighters are laid off, State, City and County workers are let go, many, many businesses are closed, while the powers that be, argue over the ridiculous.

Awww Detroit...you are something else.

Weary

2009-03-11T07:00:00.006-04:00

Some mornings are just hard... This morning is one of those mornings. I was up late last night...I watched the Red Wings game and then watched The Biggest Loser which I had DVRed. I know better, but my evenings get away from me sometimes. Add onto that, the busy, busy weekend that we had and the time change, well, need less to say, I am dragging.

I have a full day planned, a meeting with a special needs organization at a local church and grocery shopping. I then need to race home to straighten the house before Lance's speech therapists comes. After that I need to make dinner and help Kevin record and submit the love offering we received from the kick off and in between, I need to make a batch of cookies because the guys are out of them. (This is what I get for making everything from scratch) Do a couple of loads of laundry (again, that's what I get for never wanting the towels to sit longer than a day)...

The Word says in Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest.

I am not "loaded down with burdens" at the moment (Thank God!!) but I am weary for sure, (Yes, I realize I am taking this a bit out of context, but there you go...) I will come unto Him, I will spend some time with Him this morning. He will give me rest.

Tonight I will go to bed early, well, earlier than normal, well, okay I do have to watch the elimination on American Idol and I do want to read a little since it has been a few weeks. I don't think the Wings are playing...but if they are, well, okay maybe I will try to sneak in a nap, well, that won't work...Hmmmmm...

A Giant of a Man

2009-03-09T12:09:00.009-04:00

Well, our official launch of Southeast Michigan Joni and Friends was a huge success. We had about seven churches who have a special needs ministry in our area, to a dinner for networking. Nick Vujicic addressed us, along with Larry Patton, a board member and Colleen Holmes our Chairperson. They encouraged these church leaders to continue to reach out to families and individuals with disabilities and we let them know that JAF is here to help anyway we can.

Afterward we had about 2000 people (much more than expected) join us for the JAF commission and to hear Nick speak. I can only say, WOW!! It was an amazing night and so incredible to see God move in such a mighty way. There were more than 200 people who committed their lives to the Lord. (Another 200 the next day in our church service) Nick was articulate, funny, challenging and informative. He truly is a Giant of a Man!

The response we had concerning JAF is truly humbling, there were so many people who express an interest in helping or serving in one way or another. We also have been invited to several meetings and conferences to share about the ministry.

All I can say is, we need to hold on to our hats!!!

Lance and Erin, his helper for the evening

The commissioning prayer

Kevin and I sharing about our experience with JAF

Nick Vujicic

Nick and the Board of Joni and Friends Southeast Michigan

Rejoice

2009-03-06T13:41:00.004-05:00

Okay, I admit it, I am a creature moved by the weather!

It is in the low sixties today and could possibly break a record. I feel ecstatic, elated, I feel deliriously happy!!! Was it only a few days ago, that I was in the "depths of despair" (Anne Shirley).

Give me sunshine and a balmy day and I am yours.

It is so funny, because when I am like this I start quoting scriptures.

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it...Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice...I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise will continually be in my mouth.

Why can't I do what I quote? Rejoice everyday, no matter what. Rejoice always, no matter what. Bless the Lord at all times, no matter what.

I am fickle and I am faithless at times, but today I am grateful.

Thank you Lord for your love and patience and for the wonderful sunshine.

Amazing Man of God

2009-03-05T08:05:00.001-05:00

The Southeast Michigan Joni and Friends, which Kevin and I are a part of, is having it's big kick off Saturday night called "Lift Off: Life Without Limits". We are here to encourage and help equip the local churches to reach out to families and individuals affected by disabilities.

Nick Vujicic is our keynote speaker. If you have never heard Nick speak you need to take a few moments and watch this video. He is an amazing man of God and is being used by God all over the world, especially to young people. His ministry is Life Without Limbs.

Be blessed!

DBJ

2009-03-01T16:55:00.003-05:00

In August 2005, my husband Kevin went on a Wheels for the World trip to Nairobi, Kenya with Joni and Friends. He and a handful of other people went to deliver used wheelchairs, refurbished by prisoners here in the US, to people who would never otherwise receive one. This is a little paper he wrote to send to our family and friends who supported him with finances and prayer. Kevin is not a writer, but his heart shines through each word written.

DIS BE JESUS

I went to Africa with the purpose to fit wheelchairs and walkers to Kenyans who were in great need, with the gospel of Christ in my heart.

When I arrived, I experienced DBA, “dis be Africa”. We were on Africa time. When your transportation is late, when your plans have to change, when you shower in your hotel room, which you are looking forward to after a long day, is only cold water, DBA…when the first two days are fitting adult wheelchairs and your recipients are all children, when they serve fruits and vegetables which look good but you cannot eat because of bacteria, DBA…when you go to a safari to see wild life and you notice there are no lions because they mauled two rangers and had to be removed…DBA.

As time went on, I started noticing other things. I noticed two OTs, Heidi and Michelle, who brought their skills from Nebraska, lead two teams of workers, and with compassion and expertise fitted many adults and children with wheelchairs and walkers.

I noticed a Baptist pastor, David, whose job assignment was mechanic, but as time went on grew to include social director. Looking like an offensive tackle for the Panthers, he had a natural ability to greet the recipients and their caretakers with a warm smile, demeanor, and love.

I noticed another member of our team, Doris, who says she is a retired nurse. I think she fibbed to me. I believe she simply changed her job location. At 70 years young and on her first mission trip, her life just started. She hit it off with the nurses at Kenyatta Hospital with her wit and encouragement. She also showed her nurturing talents when the infants came. She made sure the little ones were laid down in the shade while waiting for strollers, singing songs for comfort. Retired? I don’t think so.

I noticed two people with disabilities and their caretakers. In spite of their own difficulties and struggles, Byron, Scarlett, Jean and Karen went to speak to the recipients and their caretakers, armed with Bibles, the Jesus film in Swahili and their own personal stories. Byron also took on the task of leading our trip. A huge task when you take into account people in our group came from California, Nebraska, North and South Carolina, as well as planning with people from Joni and friends to get the wheelchairs all the way to Nairobi and through the red tape.

I noticed Anthony helping Byron all week with his personal needs, so Byron could minister. I watched him as he went around during the week emptying urine bags. I saw such humility.

I noticed Phyllis and her diligence and hard work; whether it was making pads out of foam rubber, cutting vinyl and stapling or anything that was needed. She just kept on working and helping everyone.

I noticed Cheri, who, for the last three years has been through an awful lot. With kidney failure and then cancer, she definitely knows about hardship. She took her experiences and hope with her, sharing her victories and strength found in Jesus Christ with those she was helping.

I noticed John, from Joni and friends, who oversaw all of our efforts. He came with his organizing experience, having distributed wheelchairs for years. He personally gave up a career to become a full time staff member with Joni and friends. What possesses people to make illogical decisions like this? It is called compassion and love.

I noticed my own daughter, Angela, the editor, interviewing recipients and their caretakers about their personal stories. I noticed her hold one of the little babies who was orphaned because of AIDS, or maybe just thrown away by his parents. She wanted to comfort the helpless.

Finally, I noticed through my teammates that who I really saw was Jesus…compassion, love, selflessness, humility, comfort, all of Christ’s attributes right before my eyes. It was an honor to be part of this great work in Christ. I could say a lot more but I think you get the picture. What I noticed was not DBA, but DBJ…dis be Jesus.

Rants Again

2009-02-27T13:03:00.008-05:00

Quite awhile ago, I wrote a post on rants, little pet peeves or annoyances that drive me crazy. I am going to do it again. I apologize about the negativity in my post, but I am really trying hard to be a gracious person in my "real" life with most people.

But here I can be real...

1) It drives me nuts when people micromanage...
2) I hate it when some people are not clear on certain things they want, then criticize or "correct" you if you don't do it right.
3) I can't stand dishonesty...even with myself.
4) I dislike deadlines that bring out the worst in people.
5) I am really getting annoyed with this winter, Big Time!!
6) It is so frustrating when someone asks me to write a letter and then "proofs it" and changes just about everything. Why didn't you write it yourself?
7) Isn't it annoying when you can only DVR one program, record while watching another and there is a third program you want to see but can do nothing about.
8) The little dust bunnies that keep popping up even after I dust and vacuum, drive me bonkers.
9) I don't like not being liked, it causes my blood pressure to rise when someone dislikes me. Why wouldn't they like me?
10) I hate, hate, HATE dirty snow!
11) Don't read someone's magazine before they do, (especially if you have to open the plastic it is wrapped in) it is just plain old rude.
12) If you don't like a program on TV then don't watch it, don't go on and on about how bad it was and then watch again just to start all over about how much you dislike it. Quit watching it!

I hate that I am so petty. I want to see the best in everyone and everything all the time. Isn't that what God would want me to see?

I am done for now with my rants. Hopefully, it will be a long, long time before I do it again.

Fat Tuesday

2009-02-23T09:03:00.006-05:00

We have a very large population of people with Polish ancestry in our area. Many of them live in Hamtramck, a small city within the borders of Detroit. Because of them, we have been able to enjoy lots of wonderful Polish traditions. Ash Wednesday is this week, which of course is the start of Lent, and tradition being what it is, the Poles brought the celebration of Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras), the day before Ash Wednesday, with them and we here in the Detroit area have embraced this day with a vengeance.

We splurge on Packzi!

Paczki, pronounced (PUNCH-key) plural or Paczek (PUN-check) singular, is a large filled pastry that resembles a donut. Paczki are deep fried and filled with everything from lemon, raspberry jelly, strawberry jelly, apples to cream or custard. They can be covered with powdered sugar, glazed or plain. You can pick them up anywhere, and I mean anywhere. Bakeries of course are the best place to get them, but you can also find them at grocery stores, convenience stores, drug stores, even gas stations. Unless you go into a bakery where you can purchase just one (I don't think I know anyone who has gotten just one!) you end up buying a box of six or more and you know what that means...you have to eat all of them before midnight Ash Wednesday! With each Paczek having between 420 and 600 calories each, no wonder it is called FAT TUESDAY!!

After the gluttony of Fat Tuesday, we tend to refocus on the sacrifice Jesus made for us. This is a time of reflection for me. Talking with my brother Phil this morning, you can read his blog here, he made the suggestion of doing something for the Lord, instead of giving something up. I like the idea of both. I need to get my thoughts, actions and words off myself and onto what God wants and to rededicate myself to His way of thinking. To live and love like Jesus.

In the meantime, I am going out tomorrow morning and buying three paczki for the three of us to celebrate. Hmmmm...I just may have to get a box and that means six...

The Choice

2009-02-20T10:06:00.006-05:00

Today, I have made the decision to walk in joy. Yes, for me it is a decision. I used to always see life as a cup half full, but over the last few years, I have come to see it as half empty. I need to fill my home with praise. Music, thoughts and words. It is my choice to live a life of worship to God. My choice to live a life of joy. I will take one day at a time, maybe even one moment at a time, but I WILL!

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalms 100