I've been packing all day
...yikes we have a lot of stuff.
And we're messy
and theres a lot of paper to be recycled
and dust elephants
and clumps of dog fur
and boxes boxes boxes.
Boxes for Goodwill
Boxes for the food pantry
Boxes for packing!
Boxes boxes boxes!
four walls of cardboard
moving out and moving on
my blog time curtailed
Monday, July 23, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Harry Potter 7 : No Spoilers
I've finished it!
And its great
and ties up almost every loose end or question I could want!
Between reading it, packing and family stuff its been a very weird weekend.
I packed all my teacups!
So for tea tonight I drank out of a Pyrex measuring cup!
Blackcurrant.
MMmmmmm.
And its great
and ties up almost every loose end or question I could want!
Between reading it, packing and family stuff its been a very weird weekend.
I packed all my teacups!
So for tea tonight I drank out of a Pyrex measuring cup!
Blackcurrant.
MMmmmmm.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Friday5: Looking back, looking forward
Sally at the Revgals writes"When I began work here at Downham Market a wise friend told me that after one year I would see a few changes and sense God at work- years two and three would cause me to question and to wonder why I had chosen to accept the post here and in year four I might see the beginnings of something new.And so with that in mind alongside yesterdays celebrations I bring you Friday 5"
Looking back, looking forward..
1. Share a moment/ time of real encouragement in your journey of faith
I've been coming along this bumpy road for a while, I guess.
Hubby is my guide.
My Bible Study ladies, church family and thre revgals encourage me.
Just by being strong people of faith...and real people too.
2. Do you have a current vision / dream for your work/ family/ministry?
A home, a church, a job,
a library job for me, school for Flash, friends for all of us.
You know, just, everything.
3.Money is no object and so you will.....
I guess this is for my ministry right?
This doesn't really apply to me I guess.
Although if I won the lottery I'd pay off debts,
Tithe, and take some time off to re-evaluate.
And seriously consider opening my own ice cream place.
4. How do you see your way through the disappointments? What keeps you going?
Ice cream.
I mean, um...family? Prayer?
I have an optimistic spirit that makes me feel like it'll all work out OK.
Not quite "God has a plan" but something very much like that.
And after dark nights, most things look better in the morning.
5. How important are your roots?
Pretty important.
The older I get the more I realize
that my foundation in my family,
as well as just genes, has played an enormous part in my life.
I've really enjoyed living near my family
as an adult these past few years.
6. Bonus= what would you like to add ?
Very large numbers in my head.
Looking back, looking forward..
1. Share a moment/ time of real encouragement in your journey of faith
I've been coming along this bumpy road for a while, I guess.
Hubby is my guide.
My Bible Study ladies, church family and thre revgals encourage me.
Just by being strong people of faith...and real people too.
2. Do you have a current vision / dream for your work/ family/ministry?
A home, a church, a job,
a library job for me, school for Flash, friends for all of us.
You know, just, everything.
3.Money is no object and so you will.....
I guess this is for my ministry right?
This doesn't really apply to me I guess.
Although if I won the lottery I'd pay off debts,
Tithe, and take some time off to re-evaluate.
And seriously consider opening my own ice cream place.
4. How do you see your way through the disappointments? What keeps you going?
Ice cream.
I mean, um...family? Prayer?
I have an optimistic spirit that makes me feel like it'll all work out OK.
Not quite "God has a plan" but something very much like that.
And after dark nights, most things look better in the morning.
5. How important are your roots?
Pretty important.
The older I get the more I realize
that my foundation in my family,
as well as just genes, has played an enormous part in my life.
I've really enjoyed living near my family
as an adult these past few years.
6. Bonus= what would you like to add ?
Very large numbers in my head.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Thankful Thursday
God,
I thank you
for my family,
friends and faith
for food, shelter and clothing,
the bare necessities and our creature comforts
and for our family's journey with you.
Please help us to be happy, healthy, safe and strong
And to be good people, doing good things in your world.
Amen
I thank you
for my family,
friends and faith
for food, shelter and clothing,
the bare necessities and our creature comforts
and for our family's journey with you.
Please help us to be happy, healthy, safe and strong
And to be good people, doing good things in your world.
Amen
Monday, July 16, 2007
Two funny kid things
We say "amens" while Flash drinks his evening milk.
Then we sing a song if he's not finished the milk.
Tonight Hubby sang a made up lullaby,
and it went on and on, and on, and on... while Flash slowly drank.
After a few minutes, Flash looked up and said
"This is a really long song".
We laughed an laughed but now that I type it, it's not so funny. Hmm
Flash has a small lump on his head.
Could be a bug bite (his seem to swell horribly sometimes)
or it could be from a bump on the head.
So I asked him about it.
He patted me on the shoulder seriously and said "Its a long story, mom"
And my gladiolas have bloomed!
Then we sing a song if he's not finished the milk.
Tonight Hubby sang a made up lullaby,
and it went on and on, and on, and on... while Flash slowly drank.
After a few minutes, Flash looked up and said
"This is a really long song".
We laughed an laughed but now that I type it, it's not so funny. Hmm
Flash has a small lump on his head.
Could be a bug bite (his seem to swell horribly sometimes)
or it could be from a bump on the head.
So I asked him about it.
He patted me on the shoulder seriously and said "Its a long story, mom"
And my gladiolas have bloomed!
Miracles!
My mother's dear friend has been in need of a kidney transplant
for over 10 years.
Her health has been up and down from bad to worse,
and she's very difficult to match, something about markers.
Last Thursday night she got a call to come to the hospital,
they had a kidney for her, with the right markers.
They prepped her, and the other transplant recipient
(two kidneys from the donor).
And then
The donor kidney that was to go to her was cancerous,
but the other one was healthy.
The doctors talked to the other recipient,
explaining about the markers,
how it was so rare to find this rare type that matched perfectly,
about her chances.
They said the next kidney would be his.
He was prepped and ready
...and he gave it to her.
He gave her the kidney that he needed desparately too.
He gave it to her.
Two miracles.
Thank you whoever you are!
I'm praying for your kidney too!
for over 10 years.
Her health has been up and down from bad to worse,
and she's very difficult to match, something about markers.
Last Thursday night she got a call to come to the hospital,
they had a kidney for her, with the right markers.
They prepped her, and the other transplant recipient
(two kidneys from the donor).
And then
The donor kidney that was to go to her was cancerous,
but the other one was healthy.
The doctors talked to the other recipient,
explaining about the markers,
how it was so rare to find this rare type that matched perfectly,
about her chances.
They said the next kidney would be his.
He was prepped and ready
...and he gave it to her.
He gave her the kidney that he needed desparately too.
He gave it to her.
Two miracles.
Thank you whoever you are!
I'm praying for your kidney too!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Stuff, stuff stuff
4 boxes of kitchen things and I haven't started on regular dishware yet,
just pots and pans and devices.
I am wondering why I ever unpacked our fancy dishes.
Hubby's doing books (I think I won that one).
Boxes everywhere. Everywhere!
We are taking a small break.
Hubby is using it to nap, I am blogging. Hmmm.
Flash is having a playdate with Gammie (my mom)
and that's allowing us some much needed time to do this.
Max, one of our dogs looks defeated and scared.
Simba is taking it in stride, if we pack the biscuits he may have a problem however.
just pots and pans and devices.
I am wondering why I ever unpacked our fancy dishes.
Hubby's doing books (I think I won that one).
Boxes everywhere. Everywhere!
We are taking a small break.
Hubby is using it to nap, I am blogging. Hmmm.
Flash is having a playdate with Gammie (my mom)
and that's allowing us some much needed time to do this.
Max, one of our dogs looks defeated and scared.
Simba is taking it in stride, if we pack the biscuits he may have a problem however.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Situation update
The brief version...
2 weeks left.
POD and contingency plan #1 - my Mom's. sigh.
BUT...
Visiting a church in 2 weeks, far far away.
Lots of nibbles, no bites.
There was a church we visited twice and got a rejection letter from.
OK with that.
There was a church that we visited that was geographically desirable
and completely wrong for us.
OK with that.
There was a church that had arranged a trip with us
and then cancelled because Hubby's final assessment wasn't done.
So when it was done he emailed them!
and 3 days later they emailed back that they'd picked someone else.
It all happened in 1 month.
I was crushed.
Anyway, packing continues, work continues, fatigue continues.
The neighborhood is emptying, friends moving away.
I really didn't want to be the last ones here.
I'd rather say goodbye triumphantly on our way to somewhere interesting,
than waving at moving trucks.
I struggle with the idea that God brought us here and then... what!?
My petulant heart hopes that he's "preparing a place" for us to serve.
In a really whiny voice.
But then I think of the woman a building over.
She and her family (6 total) are off to a fantastic call, close to home in the midwest.
She is the best pray-er I know.
I dash off notes to God, she writes Him novels.
She told me once that she prays for her children's future spouses.
I'd never even thought that.
Anyhow, she told me that she was praying for a call for us
and that the call be so obvious that it would be easy to choose.
Hmmm.
2 weeks left.
POD and contingency plan #1 - my Mom's. sigh.
BUT...
Visiting a church in 2 weeks, far far away.
Lots of nibbles, no bites.
There was a church we visited twice and got a rejection letter from.
OK with that.
There was a church that we visited that was geographically desirable
and completely wrong for us.
OK with that.
There was a church that had arranged a trip with us
and then cancelled because Hubby's final assessment wasn't done.
So when it was done he emailed them!
and 3 days later they emailed back that they'd picked someone else.
It all happened in 1 month.
I was crushed.
Anyway, packing continues, work continues, fatigue continues.
The neighborhood is emptying, friends moving away.
I really didn't want to be the last ones here.
I'd rather say goodbye triumphantly on our way to somewhere interesting,
than waving at moving trucks.
I struggle with the idea that God brought us here and then... what!?
My petulant heart hopes that he's "preparing a place" for us to serve.
In a really whiny voice.
But then I think of the woman a building over.
She and her family (6 total) are off to a fantastic call, close to home in the midwest.
She is the best pray-er I know.
I dash off notes to God, she writes Him novels.
She told me once that she prays for her children's future spouses.
I'd never even thought that.
Anyhow, she told me that she was praying for a call for us
and that the call be so obvious that it would be easy to choose.
Hmmm.
Revgal Friday5: Potter and Other
Option 1: Accio Friday Five!
1. Which Harry Potter book is your favorite and why?
Prisoner of AzKaban because so much goes on in it,
new characters, new plots to think about.
2. Which character do you most resemble? Which character would you most like to get to know?
Um...I dressed as McGonagall the other day.
Physically I guess Molly Weasley.
I think she'd be very interesting to know and a great friend...
but I think I'd like to get to know Dumbledore.
3. How careful are you about spoilers?a) bring 'em on--even if I know the destination, the journey's still goodb) eh, I'd rather not know what happens, but I'm not going to commit Avada Kedavra if someone makes a slipc) I will sequester myself in a geodesic dome to avoid finding anything out.
Well, I like theories but not spoilers.
I will read the whole book next weekend. Somehow.
4. Make one prediction/share one hope about book 7.
Fawlkes the Phoenix will appear in the book.
I hope.
5. Rowling has said she's not planning any prequels or sequels, but are there characters or storylines (past or future) that you would like to see pursued?
She's said she had backstories for just about every character
and some of it had to be scrubbed, like Dean Thomas' family story.
Also I'd like to know about the adventures of the original Order of the Phoenix,
and when Dumbledore defeated the wizard Gindlewald.
By the way there's a ton of fan-fiction on the internet, if you're interested.
Option 2:
1. Former U.S. First Lady "Lady Bird" Johnson died this week. In honor of her love of the land and the environment, share your favorite flower or wildflower.
I'm a sucker for any orange or peach flower,
stargazer lilies are lovely and fragrant.
My favorite weed is the dandelion.
I am hoping my gladiolas bloom before we leave here.
2. A man flew almost 200 miles in a lawn chair, held aloft by helium balloons. Share something zany you'd like to try someday.
Love that story. Zany huh? I'll have to think about that.
3. Do you have an iPhone? If not, would you want one?
Course not!
They're like 600$ and I'm far too practical for that.
My cell phone calls people...and I have discovered has a calculator and alarm.
I'd love one of those ones with the music players in them
and I thank iphone for(probably) driving down the cost of them.
4. Speaking of which, Blendtec Blenders put an iPhone in one of their super-duper blenders as part of their "Will It Blend?" series. What would YOU like to see ground up, whizzed up or otherwise pulverized in a blender?
A blender, preferably mine...the infernal thing.
5. According to News of the Weird, a jury in Weld County, Colo., declined to hold Kathleen Ensz accountable for leaving a flier containing her dog's droppings on the doorstep of U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, apparently agreeing with Ensz that she was merely exercising free speech. What do you think? Is doggy doo-doo protected by the First Amendment?
Sure. Although I think it was
a. disappointing that she didn't do the classic fire and paper bag thing and
b. unsportsmanlike that he actually SUED her for it.
And yes for the record ewww,
she shouldn't have done it and I'll bet it'll hurt her cause,
whateveritwas.
1. Which Harry Potter book is your favorite and why?
Prisoner of AzKaban because so much goes on in it,
new characters, new plots to think about.
2. Which character do you most resemble? Which character would you most like to get to know?
Um...I dressed as McGonagall the other day.
Physically I guess Molly Weasley.
I think she'd be very interesting to know and a great friend...
but I think I'd like to get to know Dumbledore.
3. How careful are you about spoilers?a) bring 'em on--even if I know the destination, the journey's still goodb) eh, I'd rather not know what happens, but I'm not going to commit Avada Kedavra if someone makes a slipc) I will sequester myself in a geodesic dome to avoid finding anything out.
Well, I like theories but not spoilers.
I will read the whole book next weekend. Somehow.
4. Make one prediction/share one hope about book 7.
Fawlkes the Phoenix will appear in the book.
I hope.
5. Rowling has said she's not planning any prequels or sequels, but are there characters or storylines (past or future) that you would like to see pursued?
She's said she had backstories for just about every character
and some of it had to be scrubbed, like Dean Thomas' family story.
Also I'd like to know about the adventures of the original Order of the Phoenix,
and when Dumbledore defeated the wizard Gindlewald.
By the way there's a ton of fan-fiction on the internet, if you're interested.
Option 2:
1. Former U.S. First Lady "Lady Bird" Johnson died this week. In honor of her love of the land and the environment, share your favorite flower or wildflower.
I'm a sucker for any orange or peach flower,
stargazer lilies are lovely and fragrant.
My favorite weed is the dandelion.
I am hoping my gladiolas bloom before we leave here.
2. A man flew almost 200 miles in a lawn chair, held aloft by helium balloons. Share something zany you'd like to try someday.
Love that story. Zany huh? I'll have to think about that.
3. Do you have an iPhone? If not, would you want one?
Course not!
They're like 600$ and I'm far too practical for that.
My cell phone calls people...and I have discovered has a calculator and alarm.
I'd love one of those ones with the music players in them
and I thank iphone for(probably) driving down the cost of them.
4. Speaking of which, Blendtec Blenders put an iPhone in one of their super-duper blenders as part of their "Will It Blend?" series. What would YOU like to see ground up, whizzed up or otherwise pulverized in a blender?
A blender, preferably mine...the infernal thing.
5. According to News of the Weird, a jury in Weld County, Colo., declined to hold Kathleen Ensz accountable for leaving a flier containing her dog's droppings on the doorstep of U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, apparently agreeing with Ensz that she was merely exercising free speech. What do you think? Is doggy doo-doo protected by the First Amendment?
Sure. Although I think it was
a. disappointing that she didn't do the classic fire and paper bag thing and
b. unsportsmanlike that he actually SUED her for it.
And yes for the record ewww,
she shouldn't have done it and I'll bet it'll hurt her cause,
whateveritwas.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
From the mouths...
We visited GA.
We've been talking about moving.
Its only natural that Flash is thinking about places.
And he doesn't get it yet...he's 3
Flash asked us at dinner the other night "where were we before we were here"
We said before we lived here in NJ we lived in GA.
And he said "No. before."
Well frankly thats it for him, really.
He was insistent and we were clearly wrong with all of our answers.
Finally I asked the smart-mom question
'Where do you think we were?"
We were with God, because he built us"
We've been talking about moving.
Its only natural that Flash is thinking about places.
And he doesn't get it yet...he's 3
Flash asked us at dinner the other night "where were we before we were here"
We said before we lived here in NJ we lived in GA.
And he said "No. before."
Well frankly thats it for him, really.
He was insistent and we were clearly wrong with all of our answers.
Finally I asked the smart-mom question
'Where do you think we were?"
We were with God, because he built us"
Kudzu
Doug Marlette, the cartoonist who wrote the cartoon that pastors everywhere have had sent to them in the mail or slipped under their doors, died in a car accident in Mississippi yesterday.
Rest in his peace.
Rest in his peace.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Obstacle Course: Busy library week
Why do I always plan my obstacle course for a day when the weatherpeople on TV and radio tell you to stay in air conditioning?
Needless to say I had quite a few cancellations, but the 8 kids that came had a wonderful time!
And their choice of popsicles. I bought the kind with the joke on the stick. You have to eat the popsicle to read the punchline.
They were almost as much fun as the obstacle course.
...and I've had a request to bring the obstacle course things home so we can have our own!
My Basic Ingredients: Hula Hoop (jump in and out 3 times), string (to go over), table (to go under), plank of wood (for balance beam, add bricks for older folks). Add popsicles and 2 teen-age volunteer cheerleaders!
Today: Toddler Singalong and a Making Slime with the Mad Scientist
Rest of the week: King Tut, Storytime, Harry PotterCostume Contest, Baby Music and Chess!
oh and Thursday is a Teen Cookie Review Day!
Summer is underway!
Needless to say I had quite a few cancellations, but the 8 kids that came had a wonderful time!
And their choice of popsicles. I bought the kind with the joke on the stick. You have to eat the popsicle to read the punchline.
They were almost as much fun as the obstacle course.
...and I've had a request to bring the obstacle course things home so we can have our own!
My Basic Ingredients: Hula Hoop (jump in and out 3 times), string (to go over), table (to go under), plank of wood (for balance beam, add bricks for older folks). Add popsicles and 2 teen-age volunteer cheerleaders!
Today: Toddler Singalong and a Making Slime with the Mad Scientist
Rest of the week: King Tut, Storytime, Harry PotterCostume Contest, Baby Music and Chess!
oh and Thursday is a Teen Cookie Review Day!
Summer is underway!
Friday, July 06, 2007
Friday5: an oldie, but a goodie!
Today, what are you:
1. Wearing - Orangy-red tank top, khaki shorts, sandals. Nothing special.
2. Reading - We are on a road-trip today so Hubby and I are listening to the second book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series today. 10 hours of The Sea of Monsters! That'll get us most of the way there. We listened to book 1 from Jersey to Georgia! Flash watches movies in the back seat...its been a Kipper and Bob the Builder marathon.
3. Eating - Road food. Cokes and granola bars. I pack some of those yogurt-in-a-tube things for Flash. Hot tamales (the candy) for Hubby. We've been eating Mexican food since we arrived in GA. NJ has fantastic pizza and Italian places but the Mexican food situation is dismal. Our favorite place is Sangria, stopped there yesterday. Also El Campesino up here in the Mountains.
4. Doing - Typing. Packing for the journey which will commence in about an hour. Tidying up my in-law's place. Feels a little bit like college...I brought laundry with me to do...taking it back nice and clean and folded.
5. Pondering - Our next move! I am feeling a little optimistic at the moment. Our CPM liasion said she'd heard from a church and wished us luck. We have a visit scheduled at the end of the month (incidently the weekend that we were going to be moving...thats being moved up).
1. Wearing - Orangy-red tank top, khaki shorts, sandals. Nothing special.
2. Reading - We are on a road-trip today so Hubby and I are listening to the second book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series today. 10 hours of The Sea of Monsters! That'll get us most of the way there. We listened to book 1 from Jersey to Georgia! Flash watches movies in the back seat...its been a Kipper and Bob the Builder marathon.
3. Eating - Road food. Cokes and granola bars. I pack some of those yogurt-in-a-tube things for Flash. Hot tamales (the candy) for Hubby. We've been eating Mexican food since we arrived in GA. NJ has fantastic pizza and Italian places but the Mexican food situation is dismal. Our favorite place is Sangria, stopped there yesterday. Also El Campesino up here in the Mountains.
4. Doing - Typing. Packing for the journey which will commence in about an hour. Tidying up my in-law's place. Feels a little bit like college...I brought laundry with me to do...taking it back nice and clean and folded.
5. Pondering - Our next move! I am feeling a little optimistic at the moment. Our CPM liasion said she'd heard from a church and wished us luck. We have a visit scheduled at the end of the month (incidently the weekend that we were going to be moving...thats being moved up).
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Hooray!
certified
ready to receive a call!
Atlanta was great, saw a few friends from church.
Whirlwind tour.
Heading back tomorrow.
ready to receive a call!
Atlanta was great, saw a few friends from church.
Whirlwind tour.
Heading back tomorrow.
Monday, July 02, 2007
5 lbs of
blueberries!
We went picking on Saturday with Flash and Flash's best friend...who is moving away this week. This is gonna be hard.
But we picked 5 lbs! of blueberries!
That amount filled my big colander!
Flash is hoping for a pie, I want to make a cobbler
but at this rate we'll probably just be eating them straight!
Starting the long drive to GA tomorrow night.
I may not be able to post until after the big Presbytery meeting.
A little prayer from each of you would be much appreciated!
We went picking on Saturday with Flash and Flash's best friend...who is moving away this week. This is gonna be hard.
But we picked 5 lbs! of blueberries!
That amount filled my big colander!
Flash is hoping for a pie, I want to make a cobbler
but at this rate we'll probably just be eating them straight!
Starting the long drive to GA tomorrow night.
I may not be able to post until after the big Presbytery meeting.
A little prayer from each of you would be much appreciated!
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