Happy 4th of July!!! This will be the 2nd time I've been out of the country on a Work & Witness Trip over the 4th of July. We had fireworks in Ukraine, but I doubt we'll have them here in Dominica, since they are pretty much modeled after the Brits. LOL
Saturday ~ a Fun Day. We got up early, made sack lunches and headed out to the Emerald Pool. What a beautiful place THAT was!!! We hiked into the pool, which was fed by a waterfall. The hike in was kinda rugged, but once we got there, off went the outer clothes and into the pool I went! Had to climb over some pretty big rocks to get there, but once in, Ohhhhhhhhhhh, how refreshing it was! We loved playing in this pool! Most of our team got wet, which was good. Once I get my pictures uploaded to my computer, I'll post them. Just trust me, it was beautiful!
After that, we drove to Roseau, the capitol of Dominica. We did some local shopping and I'm happy with my purchases. Got something for all of my grandkids, and Don got a islandy Christmas shirt. Very cool.
Next, we drove to Trafalgar Falls, which is an area where there are 2 waterfalls. One is hot, the other is cold. Very cool. We hiked, or I should say some of us hiked to the falls. The last part of the hike was over lots and lots of boulders. I made my way over boulders to a little pool of very warm water. Not refreshing at all after sweating my way over the boulders. So, I climbed back out and went another direction and found some of the men. And I found a pool of COOL water! So, Don, Jim, Frank, Arlie & I enjoyed the cool water, took lots of pics. That place is so beautiful. Sorta reminded me some of the places in Yosemite.
Hiked out, sweat alot, and then we headed to this mountain in the clouds, and the Fresh Water Lake. I think that the ride UP the mountain was classified as The Ride We Would Surely Die On... Talk about narrow mountain roads with cliffs and no guard rails! I had to shut my eyes for most of it. What you don't see won't frighten you! LOL It was so nice being in the COOL weather for a change. At least for a little while. We enjoyed a cup of coffee before heading back down the mountain to Roseau.
Once back in Roseau, Pastor Dan, Don & I went to the IGA grocery store and bought the staples that we will be delivering to needy families today. Don bought me 2 Bounty candy bars. MMMmmm...
Next, we went to a little village past Roseau, and had some really good BBQ Chicken, fixed by Barbara, a sweet Dominican lady. Roseau and this village are settled right next to the Caribbean Sea. So the views we had on Sunday were really beautiful. We got back to the mission house around 9:30 last night. I promptly went to bed. I can't remember when I've ever had such a workout! LOL Not to self: GET IN SHAPE!!!
***
And that's my life so far...
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Dominica.... I Forget What Day it Is....
Yes, I've forgotten what day # this is of our trip to Dominica. I know it's Friday, July 2nd, so I guess this would be day 8. Oy, I"m tired!
Okay, today we women finished painting Pastor Ray's house. It is so beautiful. The sides are yellow, trim is white and the front door is a dark green. Beautiful. He's so happy to have a new house. He spent the day clearing off the land around the house, so he can prepare it to plant flowers. Beautiful...
We spent alot of time visiting with Pam, the woman who lives across the street. She brought several things for us to sample. Cocotea was a drink she brought over. It's made out of a nut, that is roasted and it pops open, sorta like popcorn, and then it's ground up with a mortar & pestle. Then the product is put in a pot, covered with water and boiled. It's then strained, and poured into a cup and hot milk is added. It doesn't have caffeine. But it tasted yummy, much like chai tea. We all sampled it. Then she brought over fresh pineapple out of her garden. Later we sampled breadfruit & smoked herring. She also brought us a drink that was sorta like a fruit smoothie, only the fruit was something different from any fruit I've ever tasted. I'll try to upload some pics here soon...
Also, Pam came over bearing gifts. She gave all of us women a maracca and she gave me a special bread basket she wove. These are so special to me. We have exchanged addresses, and I feel fortunate to have made a new friend, a new sister in Christ here on Dominica.
I came to this island with the idea of ministering to the locals, and instead, I've been ministered to. I came to bless, and I've been blessed a hundred fold. Thanks be to God.
***
The men finished the roof and pretty much finished the deck on the snack shack. They also hoisted the frame for the swing set, and planted it in about 200 lbs of concrete. Mercy.... hard work.
***
Tonight, we had chicken & dumplings for dinner, and had a pretty relaxing evening, full of chatting, and solidifying friendships.
***
Tomorrow, the plan is for us to have a "fun" day. We will be driving to the emerald pool, to Trafalgar Falls, lots of swimming and playing in the water. We will also be doing some shopping. I'm hoping to find something cute for my precious grandbabies. We are also climbing a 4000 ft mountain and hiking around a lake, and experiencing the coolness on the island. Should be a fun-filled, picture takin' day.
***
And that's my life so far...
Okay, today we women finished painting Pastor Ray's house. It is so beautiful. The sides are yellow, trim is white and the front door is a dark green. Beautiful. He's so happy to have a new house. He spent the day clearing off the land around the house, so he can prepare it to plant flowers. Beautiful...
We spent alot of time visiting with Pam, the woman who lives across the street. She brought several things for us to sample. Cocotea was a drink she brought over. It's made out of a nut, that is roasted and it pops open, sorta like popcorn, and then it's ground up with a mortar & pestle. Then the product is put in a pot, covered with water and boiled. It's then strained, and poured into a cup and hot milk is added. It doesn't have caffeine. But it tasted yummy, much like chai tea. We all sampled it. Then she brought over fresh pineapple out of her garden. Later we sampled breadfruit & smoked herring. She also brought us a drink that was sorta like a fruit smoothie, only the fruit was something different from any fruit I've ever tasted. I'll try to upload some pics here soon...
Also, Pam came over bearing gifts. She gave all of us women a maracca and she gave me a special bread basket she wove. These are so special to me. We have exchanged addresses, and I feel fortunate to have made a new friend, a new sister in Christ here on Dominica.
I came to this island with the idea of ministering to the locals, and instead, I've been ministered to. I came to bless, and I've been blessed a hundred fold. Thanks be to God.
***
The men finished the roof and pretty much finished the deck on the snack shack. They also hoisted the frame for the swing set, and planted it in about 200 lbs of concrete. Mercy.... hard work.
***
Tonight, we had chicken & dumplings for dinner, and had a pretty relaxing evening, full of chatting, and solidifying friendships.
***
Tomorrow, the plan is for us to have a "fun" day. We will be driving to the emerald pool, to Trafalgar Falls, lots of swimming and playing in the water. We will also be doing some shopping. I'm hoping to find something cute for my precious grandbabies. We are also climbing a 4000 ft mountain and hiking around a lake, and experiencing the coolness on the island. Should be a fun-filled, picture takin' day.
***
And that's my life so far...
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Dominica, Day 7 of our Trip
Day 7
I thought I'd start today's blog with some pictures of Dominica. This first one is a picture of the OceanView Retreat Center for the Church of the Nazarene. It's taken while standing up at the Dining Hall. The Snack Shack is the unfinished building down the hill on the right. That hill is a long & steep hill to climb, let me tell ya... but the view from the top is breathtaking.
(EDIT) The first picture here was supposed to be the last picture, but it got deleted, and so I re-uploaded it, and not I can't get it to go back to it's rightful place... Oy... So, the caption for it is at the bottom of the picture segment... (EDIT #2) Okay, so I just realized that the date on my camera is wrong... LOL I will change it tomorrow, ROFL
Here is the Snack Shack, in the state it was when we arrived. It now has a roof on it, and the men are working on the deck out front. Tomorrow or Monday, we women will start priming the wood for paint.
This picture is one of the many beautiful plants here on Dominica.
THis river is next to the airport, and is one of the many beautiful rivers in Dominica. Looks so cool & refreshing, and positively inviting!
Another view of the retreat center, from the top of the hill by the dining hall.
This next picture is the view from our back deck at the Mission House. I have blogged while looking out at this beauty.
Flying over a rainbow. Wow!!!
Black sand at the beach. I have never seen black sand before. So beautiful.
An afternoon at the beach. The cliff was beautiful and fun to be next to. The black sand was near the cliff. This whole place is simply breathtaking. (See picture above, lol)
I thought I'd start today's blog with some pictures of Dominica. This first one is a picture of the OceanView Retreat Center for the Church of the Nazarene. It's taken while standing up at the Dining Hall. The Snack Shack is the unfinished building down the hill on the right. That hill is a long & steep hill to climb, let me tell ya... but the view from the top is breathtaking.
(EDIT) The first picture here was supposed to be the last picture, but it got deleted, and so I re-uploaded it, and not I can't get it to go back to it's rightful place... Oy... So, the caption for it is at the bottom of the picture segment... (EDIT #2) Okay, so I just realized that the date on my camera is wrong... LOL I will change it tomorrow, ROFL
Here is the Snack Shack, in the state it was when we arrived. It now has a roof on it, and the men are working on the deck out front. Tomorrow or Monday, we women will start priming the wood for paint.
This picture is one of the many beautiful plants here on Dominica.
THis river is next to the airport, and is one of the many beautiful rivers in Dominica. Looks so cool & refreshing, and positively inviting!
Another view of the retreat center, from the top of the hill by the dining hall.
This next picture is the view from our back deck at the Mission House. I have blogged while looking out at this beauty.
Flying over a rainbow. Wow!!!
Black sand at the beach. I have never seen black sand before. So beautiful.
An afternoon at the beach. The cliff was beautiful and fun to be next to. The black sand was near the cliff. This whole place is simply breathtaking. (See picture above, lol)Okay.. so some thoughts about today....
While working on Pastor Ray's house, we have befriended a lady named Pam who lives across the street from Pastor Ray. She is a doll. She has shown us around her home, and has talked to us about how they live here on the island. She is a Christian, but doesn't attend the Naz church here. I believe she's Methodist. Anyway, we have become good friends here, and we have enjoyed getting to know her.
Today, she was so excited to get the school report on how her son did in school this year, that she had to run across the street to show me his report card, even though I was standing on a bench on the side of the house painting the trim of a window. She was so excited!!
Yesterday, Pam showed us how to do the basket weaving. She allowed Janet to practice, and then today, at the little bazaar set up after our lunch, Janet bought the basket that she helped weave yesterday. That was so cool...
Three of the ladies from Batacca came to the campground after our lunch and set out their wares for us to peruse and purchase. Their crafts here are extraordinary. I think our team of ladies spent most of our cash, and in turn we are bringing home beautiful items, and we contributed to the economy of these ladies' families. We are making great friends and forming bonds with them, which is what Christ would have us do.
I look at the humble surroundings around me when I'm painting Pastor Ray's house. These people have very little in the way of creature comforts. And yet, God has provided for their every need. Pam lives in basically a shack. It consists of 2 buildings made of scrap wood, with a connecting passageway between the main room & the bedroom, and a corrugated metal roof held in place by large rocks. Her running water is from a spigot located behind this shack. Her kitchen is a separate smoke house, where she keeps a wood fire burning. Her living room is up a slight hill, and has 2 wooden benches in it, and the ceiling is a canopy of trees. You need to climb a steep hill to get to some herbs & the plants where she gets the materials to weave her baskets. Climb up further and you get to her clothesline. Climb even further and you will get to her garden where she grows vegetables to sell for profit. She has basically very little, and yet, she has all she needs. There are fruits and nuts growing for them to eat. She even grows pineapples for her family to eat. Her clothes are rags. Yet she prides herself on looking as neat as possible. She has no transportation of her own. She walks or catches a ride with someone going her way. She has no TV, but she does have a radio. I don't know if she has electricity. She barely has anything, yet she is so happy! There is something to be learned here, from observing her life.
***
Tonight, the men are playing Dominoes with the local men, and the women have gone to get some cheesecake. Frances & I stayed behind, at the mission house. I stayed in tonight because I am tired. This work is wearing me out. BUt, I cannot wait to see the finished house tomorrow! We will get it finished, and Pastor Ray, a preacher with literally no worldly possessions, will have the nicest house on the road, thanks be to God! Someday, I will return and Pastor Ray will serve me coffee in his new house. :) Isn't our God so good??? He provides for our EVERY need.
***
Perhaps when I get home, I will get rid of things I don't need. I am humbled by this experience. I am blessed by my new friend, Pam.
***
The end of Day 7 of our journey.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Dominica, Day 6, June 30, 2010
Day 6 ~
We had storms last night, and when I looked out of my window, I could see the palm trees bending over. The wind was howling, about 2:30 in the morning. The cool breezes felt soooo good after working so hard in the daytime. I was lulled back to sleep pretty quickly, loving the feeling of the wind blowing in on my face. Here in Dominica, we sleep with sheets only, since it's so hot here. I am getting used to the sounds of the fan while trying to sleep. Actually, I believe that we are working so hard that none of us are having problems going to sleep and staying asleep! The cool breeze just feels so good.
In the evenings, it's lovely sitting on the back deck watching the moonrise, especially since it's been a full moon. The moon along with the clouds casts a cool shadow across the Atlantic Ocean. It's just so beautiful here on this island.
Today, the men worked on finishing the roof on the snack shack. It is nearly unbearable for those men, working up on top of that roof in the blazing sun. Don & Mike worked on the concrete steps going from the top level of the playground down to the lower level, where the rock climbing wall will be. I believe that they hauled up 6 or 7 wheelbarrows full of concrete, UP a very steep hill to where the form was for the steps. One of the Dominican workers, Daniel, is a professional concrete mixer. He smooths out the sand, makes a hole in it, adds the other stuff and water and mixes it all up, this whole bit done on the ground. The men on our team were impressed!
The ladies went to continue working on Pastor Ray's house, which was built by another work & witness team. We finished painting the outside of the house a buttercream yellow, and I started painting the trim work white. The other ladies started painting the white on the inside walls, with Beula & Sandra worked in Pastor Ray's bedroom and Frances & Janet worked in the other bedroom. I worked outside, on the trim work, sometimes painting while standing on an old wooden bench, and nearly dumping over into the mud! LOL We women are working very well together. Laura & Jo Ann stayed at the mission house to work on cooking, while Judy & Nancy went to town with Pastor Dan, the missionary.
Sometimes today, while painting, it would start raining, just for 5 or 10 minutes, and then it would go away and the sun would come out and boy, oh boy, would it ever get humid! I don't remember EVER sweating so much in my entire life! THe sweat would drip off of my face, or into my mouth... Yummy salt! Perhaps I'll sweat off the pounds this week, ya think???
Lunch was at the dining hall at the campground. Egg salad sandwiches, or PBJs, chips, cookies & tea. We are really enjoying spending time getting to know the local workers. Let's see, there is Daniel, who is married to Gail, the Sunday School Superintendant at the Bataca Church, and Richie, who is helping us ladies paint, Kervin, our driver, Armstrong, the plaster guy, who is also called "Stretch," Stretch's little brother, Danny, who does the mowing & weeding, and I think there's one more guy, but his name is slipping my mind right now. We are enjoying getting to know them.
***
Last night, while at the church service at Gaullette River church, when the music started, a bat flew from the top rafters and kept dive bombing us. Frances & I got to giggling, and we had to keep ducking to keep from having a bat fly into our heads while singing praises to Jesus! And the two pastors on the front row kept jumping and trying bat the bat down with their hands! It was quite hilarious!
***
Did I already write about the bats??? Probably... I'm just so tired.
***
Tomorrow, there is supposedly a storm coming in from the eastern Caribbean, so we'll see how much work we can get finished.
***
Goodnight Blog...
We had storms last night, and when I looked out of my window, I could see the palm trees bending over. The wind was howling, about 2:30 in the morning. The cool breezes felt soooo good after working so hard in the daytime. I was lulled back to sleep pretty quickly, loving the feeling of the wind blowing in on my face. Here in Dominica, we sleep with sheets only, since it's so hot here. I am getting used to the sounds of the fan while trying to sleep. Actually, I believe that we are working so hard that none of us are having problems going to sleep and staying asleep! The cool breeze just feels so good.
In the evenings, it's lovely sitting on the back deck watching the moonrise, especially since it's been a full moon. The moon along with the clouds casts a cool shadow across the Atlantic Ocean. It's just so beautiful here on this island.
Today, the men worked on finishing the roof on the snack shack. It is nearly unbearable for those men, working up on top of that roof in the blazing sun. Don & Mike worked on the concrete steps going from the top level of the playground down to the lower level, where the rock climbing wall will be. I believe that they hauled up 6 or 7 wheelbarrows full of concrete, UP a very steep hill to where the form was for the steps. One of the Dominican workers, Daniel, is a professional concrete mixer. He smooths out the sand, makes a hole in it, adds the other stuff and water and mixes it all up, this whole bit done on the ground. The men on our team were impressed!
The ladies went to continue working on Pastor Ray's house, which was built by another work & witness team. We finished painting the outside of the house a buttercream yellow, and I started painting the trim work white. The other ladies started painting the white on the inside walls, with Beula & Sandra worked in Pastor Ray's bedroom and Frances & Janet worked in the other bedroom. I worked outside, on the trim work, sometimes painting while standing on an old wooden bench, and nearly dumping over into the mud! LOL We women are working very well together. Laura & Jo Ann stayed at the mission house to work on cooking, while Judy & Nancy went to town with Pastor Dan, the missionary.
Sometimes today, while painting, it would start raining, just for 5 or 10 minutes, and then it would go away and the sun would come out and boy, oh boy, would it ever get humid! I don't remember EVER sweating so much in my entire life! THe sweat would drip off of my face, or into my mouth... Yummy salt! Perhaps I'll sweat off the pounds this week, ya think???
Lunch was at the dining hall at the campground. Egg salad sandwiches, or PBJs, chips, cookies & tea. We are really enjoying spending time getting to know the local workers. Let's see, there is Daniel, who is married to Gail, the Sunday School Superintendant at the Bataca Church, and Richie, who is helping us ladies paint, Kervin, our driver, Armstrong, the plaster guy, who is also called "Stretch," Stretch's little brother, Danny, who does the mowing & weeding, and I think there's one more guy, but his name is slipping my mind right now. We are enjoying getting to know them.
***
Last night, while at the church service at Gaullette River church, when the music started, a bat flew from the top rafters and kept dive bombing us. Frances & I got to giggling, and we had to keep ducking to keep from having a bat fly into our heads while singing praises to Jesus! And the two pastors on the front row kept jumping and trying bat the bat down with their hands! It was quite hilarious!
***
Did I already write about the bats??? Probably... I'm just so tired.
***
Tomorrow, there is supposedly a storm coming in from the eastern Caribbean, so we'll see how much work we can get finished.
***
Goodnight Blog...
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Dominica 2010
Dear Blog~ I tried blogging on a Word Document, but was unable to cut & paste it here. So, I'll try to get it posted here once we're home. In the meantime, I'll blog from here on out on this site, now that I have Internet connections.
Day 4
THis was our first day of actual work. We went to the jobsite at 7 AM and had devotionals with the Dominican crew. Then we outlined what jobs we needed to accomplish and we began work. The men began work on constructing the roof on the snack shack building at the OceanView Retreat Center. The women were in 2 groups. One group stayed at the mission house to organize the food & cook, and the other group was at the retreat center and we cleaned the kitchen, cleaned the floor of the dining hall, and we cleaned the men's and women's restrooms. Bugs are EVERYWHERE... And it is HOT. Hot and MUGGY... Unbelievably hot and muggy! The heat from the sun is so intense here, being so close to the Equator.
The men were working down the hill on the snack shack, and it was below the level where you could feel the ocean breezes. So, for them, the heat & stuffiness was crazy!!!
The ladies then went to Pastor Ray's house. This is a house that was built by a former work & witness team. We needed to prime the outside of the house as well as the inside. For the past 2 days, we've been priming, and have gone thru a complete 5 gallon container. The house is about 400 square feet, and is basically 4 walls with a roof on top. Inside, there are 3 rooms and a outside shower. No kitchen. His kitchen will be in his old house, which is nothing more than a lean-to shack. That way, if the wood burning stove burns down the kitchen, the house doesn't get burned down. Pastor Ray bathes in a river which is down this steep ravine, and he uses an outhouse for his restroom, which is also down the ravine. His house that we are painting is by far and above the nicest house in this part of the village.
We had our lunch break at noon, when one of the drivers came to the house and got us to take us back up to the campground. We ate with the rest of the team & the local workers. The women finished the afternoon early so we could return to the Mission House to shower and get ready for leading the women's bible study & make a craft with them. The men finished at 3:30. They came back to the mission house and got cleaned up & went out to dinner at a BBQ place.
The ladies went to the Bataca Church and I lead a Bible Study on the ability for us to be Godly women, based on Psalm 31. Then we taught them how to make padded picture frames & I took their pictures & printed them out with my Picture Mate Photo Printer. This was a hit! One of the leaders of their women's group took all of our extra supplies, including our glue guns, and will use them. We are so glad about this.
We came home from this dead dog tired! The room we were in, of course, was not air conditioned, and the sweat was just dripping off of me while we were hot gluing photo frames. That took us 2 hours! We all came back to the mission house and nearly promptly went to bed. The men didn't get home until 11 PM.
End of Day 4.
Day 5 - Tuesday
Up bright and early, after a night of howling winds. Got up, put on my painting clothes, washed my face, put my hair in a ponytail, had breakfast, and away we went. The men continued working on the snack shack and we women went to work some more with the Pastor's house. We managed to use up all of the primer paint before noon. Pastor Dan was so surprised we used all of that paint! LOL I told him that the wood was just soaking it up. THis work is hot and difficult. The weather is stiffling... I do believe we are "suffering" for Jesus, or perhaps not. The blessings are outweighing the difficulties. We just continue taking water breaks and we try to find any little bit of a breeze that we can!
Today, we met Pam, who lives in a double shack across the street. She lives there with her husband who is disabled, and her 3 children. She weaves baskets for a living. And she farms. Her shacks are right on the side of the road, and next to them is a "smoke house" kitchen. Then up a little hill is her living room, which is nothing more then benches set out under trees. This is where she weaves her baskets out of reeds. THen you climb the hill more and you get to where she hangs her laundry to dry, and then you go further up the hill to get to her garden, where she plants various vegetables to grow for her family, and to sell for $$. SHe is charming. She is a Christian, and is so excited to know the Lord.
Part of our reason for being here is to do the physical tasks that need to be done to further The Kingdom. The other reasons for us to be here are for developing relationships with the locals. That, for me, is the fun part.
Today, the women were able to partially finish priming the inside of the house, and we applied the first coat of paint on the outside. The color is a buttercream, and the trim will all be white. And, I have as much paint on ME as we put on the house! LOL
Tonight, we had dinner and then went to the Galette River Church for worship. Judy Wickham shared her testimony, and Frances, Jo Ann & I sang our song, which right now I cannot remember the name of... I'm so crazy tired.
Everyone is heading to bed... so I suppose I must too. This getting up early is for the BIRDS!!! Up before 6?? Are you kidding me??? But, I"m doing it... oy... as long as there is a pot of coffee on, I"m happy.
I'm missing my kids and grandkids pretty badly right now. We have another week to be away from home... I can't wait to get back and hug & kiss on them!
Goodnight, Blog. End of Day 5.
Day 4
THis was our first day of actual work. We went to the jobsite at 7 AM and had devotionals with the Dominican crew. Then we outlined what jobs we needed to accomplish and we began work. The men began work on constructing the roof on the snack shack building at the OceanView Retreat Center. The women were in 2 groups. One group stayed at the mission house to organize the food & cook, and the other group was at the retreat center and we cleaned the kitchen, cleaned the floor of the dining hall, and we cleaned the men's and women's restrooms. Bugs are EVERYWHERE... And it is HOT. Hot and MUGGY... Unbelievably hot and muggy! The heat from the sun is so intense here, being so close to the Equator.
The men were working down the hill on the snack shack, and it was below the level where you could feel the ocean breezes. So, for them, the heat & stuffiness was crazy!!!
The ladies then went to Pastor Ray's house. This is a house that was built by a former work & witness team. We needed to prime the outside of the house as well as the inside. For the past 2 days, we've been priming, and have gone thru a complete 5 gallon container. The house is about 400 square feet, and is basically 4 walls with a roof on top. Inside, there are 3 rooms and a outside shower. No kitchen. His kitchen will be in his old house, which is nothing more than a lean-to shack. That way, if the wood burning stove burns down the kitchen, the house doesn't get burned down. Pastor Ray bathes in a river which is down this steep ravine, and he uses an outhouse for his restroom, which is also down the ravine. His house that we are painting is by far and above the nicest house in this part of the village.
We had our lunch break at noon, when one of the drivers came to the house and got us to take us back up to the campground. We ate with the rest of the team & the local workers. The women finished the afternoon early so we could return to the Mission House to shower and get ready for leading the women's bible study & make a craft with them. The men finished at 3:30. They came back to the mission house and got cleaned up & went out to dinner at a BBQ place.
The ladies went to the Bataca Church and I lead a Bible Study on the ability for us to be Godly women, based on Psalm 31. Then we taught them how to make padded picture frames & I took their pictures & printed them out with my Picture Mate Photo Printer. This was a hit! One of the leaders of their women's group took all of our extra supplies, including our glue guns, and will use them. We are so glad about this.
We came home from this dead dog tired! The room we were in, of course, was not air conditioned, and the sweat was just dripping off of me while we were hot gluing photo frames. That took us 2 hours! We all came back to the mission house and nearly promptly went to bed. The men didn't get home until 11 PM.
End of Day 4.
Day 5 - Tuesday
Up bright and early, after a night of howling winds. Got up, put on my painting clothes, washed my face, put my hair in a ponytail, had breakfast, and away we went. The men continued working on the snack shack and we women went to work some more with the Pastor's house. We managed to use up all of the primer paint before noon. Pastor Dan was so surprised we used all of that paint! LOL I told him that the wood was just soaking it up. THis work is hot and difficult. The weather is stiffling... I do believe we are "suffering" for Jesus, or perhaps not. The blessings are outweighing the difficulties. We just continue taking water breaks and we try to find any little bit of a breeze that we can!
Today, we met Pam, who lives in a double shack across the street. She lives there with her husband who is disabled, and her 3 children. She weaves baskets for a living. And she farms. Her shacks are right on the side of the road, and next to them is a "smoke house" kitchen. Then up a little hill is her living room, which is nothing more then benches set out under trees. This is where she weaves her baskets out of reeds. THen you climb the hill more and you get to where she hangs her laundry to dry, and then you go further up the hill to get to her garden, where she plants various vegetables to grow for her family, and to sell for $$. SHe is charming. She is a Christian, and is so excited to know the Lord.
Part of our reason for being here is to do the physical tasks that need to be done to further The Kingdom. The other reasons for us to be here are for developing relationships with the locals. That, for me, is the fun part.
Today, the women were able to partially finish priming the inside of the house, and we applied the first coat of paint on the outside. The color is a buttercream, and the trim will all be white. And, I have as much paint on ME as we put on the house! LOL
Tonight, we had dinner and then went to the Galette River Church for worship. Judy Wickham shared her testimony, and Frances, Jo Ann & I sang our song, which right now I cannot remember the name of... I'm so crazy tired.
Everyone is heading to bed... so I suppose I must too. This getting up early is for the BIRDS!!! Up before 6?? Are you kidding me??? But, I"m doing it... oy... as long as there is a pot of coffee on, I"m happy.
I'm missing my kids and grandkids pretty badly right now. We have another week to be away from home... I can't wait to get back and hug & kiss on them!
Goodnight, Blog. End of Day 5.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Catchup!
Time for a "catchup" blog....
***
***
It's Wednesday morning, May 12th... and I'm just sittin' here, relaxing and enjoying my morning coffee. It's nice not to have choir tonight. I tell ya, it's like I work so hard and am so obsessed with this ministry from September to May, that it's nice to have a break for the summer. Today, I shall work on laundry, finish up some Work & Witness trip stuff, and go thru mail and pay bills. Should also balance the checkbook. A day at home. Nice.
***
April 27th, Meg turned 25 years old. We celebrated by going to the Zoo. The zoo is our FAVORITE place to go. It was a perfect day at the zoo. The weather was perfect. The animals were out playing, and we all had a delightful time. Fun was had by all on Meg's 25th birthday.
***Our children's musical, "Acorns to Oaks" was performed on May 1st & 2nd. The kids did a marvelous job. I loved this musical. The music was beautiful, the lesson to be learned with wonderful, the actors & soloists were superb, and we collected donations to give to the Midwest Fostercare & Adoption Agency. The church really received this musical well. I am proud of my kids. A few pics? Alright...
***Mother's Day was nice. Since we had our Choir 3 BBQ & Hot Tub Party on the day before, Don helped me get the garden all cleaned up & replanted, as well as the deck. It's nice getting everything all nice again. The spring flowers are in the deck pots. The tomatoes & cucumbers are planted. Was going to plant watermelon, but the dang bunnies ate them already. I planted lots of herbs, oregano, basil (several kinds), lavendar (several varieties), as well as some more hydrangeas, lilacs & 3 more peonies. I love my garden. I need to post pics sometime. Gotta take some first. Also, Don finally brought my bench back to the garden so I can now sit in it and really enjoy it. The birdfeeders are all filled and being consumed... My backyard is a place of peace, and lots of wildlife activity. I love it.
And then the family came over for on Mother's Day for wonderful ribs, topping off a very nice weekend.
***
And that's my life so far...
Thursday, April 29, 2010
AAAhhhhh, Rehearsals!
This is The Week. Our children's musical performances are this weekend. Yay! I'm so glad it's finally here! Last night, we had a really long, difficult rehearsal, piecing everything together. I had lots of little directors helping me out last night. I'm kinda like Jekyl (sp?) and Hyde with this. Sometimes I want the help, sometimes I don't. But, all in all, it was a good rehearsal last night. The kids were real troopers, and seemed to be having fun, for the most part. I truly want this to be a positive experience for them, and I want them to take the words to this music to heart, and remember them forever.
Now, if we could just get the BAND to step up. We had quite a few rough spots last night. For one thing, because we were stopping so much, making adjustments to blocking or cues, the band wasn't paying much attention to me, and when I'm giving them the tempo, or opening measure, they weren't ready to play, or half of them would be, and the other half was playing "catch up." Oy..... We have a pianist who is very good, but hasn't practiced much. And we have a drummer who is very good, but doesn't read music. They are indeed using their gifts, but it's rough sometimes, getting there. Tonight, we'll improve on this, I hope. We have a Technical Rehearsal from 7 - 9, which involves the band, the sound tech, the light tech & the caller. The caller calls the cues for the sound & light people. i.e. cue solo mic, stage left; cue wireless #2; cue blue lights; cue thunder; cue broken machine.... etc. etc. etc. So, they will work on knowing their cues, while I smooth out the music with the band. The most difficult part for me is all the crazy meter changes! Oy.... And they are usually only for 1 measure, i.e. the whole song is in 4/4 and for one measure, it switches to 2/4, then back to 4/4. Also, there are huge tempo changes and several songs that merge from one tempo to another, with 4 measures of drums in between songs. That one is fun, I tell ya! All in all, though, this only makes me a better musician. And for this, I'm grateful. I love learning and improving my skills as a musician / director. Some of the most fun I have is directing the children along with the band. I love that.
Friday night is our "Dress Rehearsal." Call time: 6:00. We will rehearse until 8:30. The kids need to wear their costumes, and we will run the musical twice, hopefully, with a big break in between for snacks. The main cast needs to arrive early to get their mics taped on, and their pack secured. Then we'll take attendance, do vocal warmups, review a few things that need to be talked about, and off we go!
We have 2 performances this weekend: one is Saturday at 3:00 - a matinee, and the other one is Sunday evening at 6, followed by an all-church reception for the Kaleidoscope Children's Choir. Fun times. Then the parents, led by Dyan, will strike the set. I'll just have fun with my kids during that time. We have a tradition of signing the shirts. I'll bring my sharpie, and everyone will sign the back of everyone's musical shirt. Fun times will be had by all.
***
Kenzie sure is sleeping a long time today! I put her down at 9:30, and it's 12:30 and I haven't heard a thing from her! Wow...
***
Meg is starting a new spa business in her home. I'm happy for her. I gave her $$$ for her birthday to go towards the purchase of a pedicure thingy.... Hmmmm, wonder who will use it??? ME!
***
I need to get my bicycle out and start riding it. There is a restaurant in town called Spin Pizza, and they sponsor bike rides of varying lengths. I wonder if I could handle a 20 mile ride??
***
And that's my life so far...
Now, if we could just get the BAND to step up. We had quite a few rough spots last night. For one thing, because we were stopping so much, making adjustments to blocking or cues, the band wasn't paying much attention to me, and when I'm giving them the tempo, or opening measure, they weren't ready to play, or half of them would be, and the other half was playing "catch up." Oy..... We have a pianist who is very good, but hasn't practiced much. And we have a drummer who is very good, but doesn't read music. They are indeed using their gifts, but it's rough sometimes, getting there. Tonight, we'll improve on this, I hope. We have a Technical Rehearsal from 7 - 9, which involves the band, the sound tech, the light tech & the caller. The caller calls the cues for the sound & light people. i.e. cue solo mic, stage left; cue wireless #2; cue blue lights; cue thunder; cue broken machine.... etc. etc. etc. So, they will work on knowing their cues, while I smooth out the music with the band. The most difficult part for me is all the crazy meter changes! Oy.... And they are usually only for 1 measure, i.e. the whole song is in 4/4 and for one measure, it switches to 2/4, then back to 4/4. Also, there are huge tempo changes and several songs that merge from one tempo to another, with 4 measures of drums in between songs. That one is fun, I tell ya! All in all, though, this only makes me a better musician. And for this, I'm grateful. I love learning and improving my skills as a musician / director. Some of the most fun I have is directing the children along with the band. I love that.
Friday night is our "Dress Rehearsal." Call time: 6:00. We will rehearse until 8:30. The kids need to wear their costumes, and we will run the musical twice, hopefully, with a big break in between for snacks. The main cast needs to arrive early to get their mics taped on, and their pack secured. Then we'll take attendance, do vocal warmups, review a few things that need to be talked about, and off we go!
We have 2 performances this weekend: one is Saturday at 3:00 - a matinee, and the other one is Sunday evening at 6, followed by an all-church reception for the Kaleidoscope Children's Choir. Fun times. Then the parents, led by Dyan, will strike the set. I'll just have fun with my kids during that time. We have a tradition of signing the shirts. I'll bring my sharpie, and everyone will sign the back of everyone's musical shirt. Fun times will be had by all.
***
Kenzie sure is sleeping a long time today! I put her down at 9:30, and it's 12:30 and I haven't heard a thing from her! Wow...
***
Meg is starting a new spa business in her home. I'm happy for her. I gave her $$$ for her birthday to go towards the purchase of a pedicure thingy.... Hmmmm, wonder who will use it??? ME!
***
I need to get my bicycle out and start riding it. There is a restaurant in town called Spin Pizza, and they sponsor bike rides of varying lengths. I wonder if I could handle a 20 mile ride??
***
And that's my life so far...
Thursday, April 22, 2010
My Daughters, My Heroes
My daughters are my heroes. Today, when having a bit of a pity party because my pedi / mani girl couldn't fit me in tomorrow, and quite honestly, I'm tired, overworked & underpaid, and was feeling so sorry for myself. It feels like I'm constantly giving, giving, giving, and never getting, getting, getting. Which is really ridiculous. I receive blessings all the time. I get stuff from Don every day. And my girls too. But, today, I dunno, I must have been hormonal or something, because when I tried to get an appt. for tomorrow, to have my Friday Mani / Pedi, she, my gal, couldn't fit me in. So, Dyan & Meg got together and now they're my heroes. Dyan has a pedi bath thingy, and Meg has her estheticians license, and can do manicures, pedicures & massages... so, they got together and got it all planned out. Tomorrow, I will be going to Meg's house for my pedicure & manicure, followed by a massage. All while there will be 2 babies there. Meg is watching Lily while Dyan & Christian go to an indoor water park. So..... yup, my girls. They're my heroes.
***
The musical.... oy. We had a pretty disastrous rehearsal on Wednesday. The kids know the choruses to the songs, but the verses, they totally bomb at. It will really help when we get the powerpoint words on the back wall, and when we get the main kids all wireless mic'd. That will really help.
I finally finished dressing the stage. It looks pretty good. I need to take pics of it. Probably will on Saturday. We have a 3 hour rehearsal Sat. morning, with the main cast, the soloists, the Emcee & opening prayer person, and the band, oh, and the dancers. Big rehearsal. Fine tuning the blocking and their parts. Anyway, the stage, it's 24' x 32', I think.... and has 2 large choir risers each tilting towards the center. The choir risers have picket fencing nailed to the back of them, and white lattice work nailed to the front & sides. Then we have hay bales for steps up to the risers, and more hay bales on each corner of the front of the stage. We have a few old farmstyle chairs, sunflowers, copper watering cans, a small garden flag with a picture of a barn on it, and lots of flowers. Simple, but nice. The back of the stage, and both side areas have the black curtain system in place. Makes it all look polished. I've had several parents tell me how nice it looks. On Saturday, I need to show Dyan where everything goes back to once the musical is finished. We will have parents strike the set on Sunday evening and put the props & materials all away. I will be schmoozing with the parents & audience, as well as the kids.
We have a tradition of signing our t-shirts after the last performance. I will bring a sharpie for this task. The kids love this, and so do I.
***
Don's medical tests were not so great this time. His numbers were down quite a bit. We think that stress is the culprit. Also, he hadn't been taking his multivitamins / minerals the past few weeks either, and so that may be part of the reason. We are hopeful for the next appointment, which will be in July. We don't want Don having to go on any medications unnecessarily.
***
My purple music stand came today! It's beautiful! I'm so excited about it. And I also ordered stand lights, led, and they are so bright that both sides of my music will have NO problem being seen! Yay!
***
Meg's birthday is Tuesday. We plan on going to the zoo for the day. Dyan is making us all picnic lunches. I can't wait. The zoo is one of my FAVORITE places in the world to go to. Fun times will be had. I could watch the meerkats for hours on end! Lots of walking = great exercise = being able to eat birthday cake that evening! Yay!
***
And that's my life so far...
***
The musical.... oy. We had a pretty disastrous rehearsal on Wednesday. The kids know the choruses to the songs, but the verses, they totally bomb at. It will really help when we get the powerpoint words on the back wall, and when we get the main kids all wireless mic'd. That will really help.
I finally finished dressing the stage. It looks pretty good. I need to take pics of it. Probably will on Saturday. We have a 3 hour rehearsal Sat. morning, with the main cast, the soloists, the Emcee & opening prayer person, and the band, oh, and the dancers. Big rehearsal. Fine tuning the blocking and their parts. Anyway, the stage, it's 24' x 32', I think.... and has 2 large choir risers each tilting towards the center. The choir risers have picket fencing nailed to the back of them, and white lattice work nailed to the front & sides. Then we have hay bales for steps up to the risers, and more hay bales on each corner of the front of the stage. We have a few old farmstyle chairs, sunflowers, copper watering cans, a small garden flag with a picture of a barn on it, and lots of flowers. Simple, but nice. The back of the stage, and both side areas have the black curtain system in place. Makes it all look polished. I've had several parents tell me how nice it looks. On Saturday, I need to show Dyan where everything goes back to once the musical is finished. We will have parents strike the set on Sunday evening and put the props & materials all away. I will be schmoozing with the parents & audience, as well as the kids.
We have a tradition of signing our t-shirts after the last performance. I will bring a sharpie for this task. The kids love this, and so do I.
***
Don's medical tests were not so great this time. His numbers were down quite a bit. We think that stress is the culprit. Also, he hadn't been taking his multivitamins / minerals the past few weeks either, and so that may be part of the reason. We are hopeful for the next appointment, which will be in July. We don't want Don having to go on any medications unnecessarily.
***
My purple music stand came today! It's beautiful! I'm so excited about it. And I also ordered stand lights, led, and they are so bright that both sides of my music will have NO problem being seen! Yay!
***
Meg's birthday is Tuesday. We plan on going to the zoo for the day. Dyan is making us all picnic lunches. I can't wait. The zoo is one of my FAVORITE places in the world to go to. Fun times will be had. I could watch the meerkats for hours on end! Lots of walking = great exercise = being able to eat birthday cake that evening! Yay!
***
And that's my life so far...
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Musical Production = Busy Life
Our spring musical, "Acorns to Oaks" is under full production right now. We will be performing it in 2 weeks. So....... my life is not my own right now.
My ToDo List:
1~type out the program, not forgetting anyone or anything
2~go to Home Depot to find a container to make the Turbo-Harvester prop. I THINK I know what I need, but I'm sorta making it up as I go. I bought some garden things, a sunflower made out of some sort of metal, and some grassy looking plants. I think if I get some sort of container, a new rake, some S hooks, I'll be able to put it together. The S hooks will be to hang around the top of the container and hang baskets from it. The sunflower, rake & grass will go inside it. And I'll make a sign for the front. All today. Tuesday.
3~gotta make the "rain" hooplas for the ballerina who will be dancing liturgically to the song, "Rain", and the hooplas will symbolize rain from the Holy Spirit. I bought 2 embroidery hoops and a whole buncha ribbons and will fashion the hooplas from them. Gotta get them done today.
4~gotta type & print the riser standing order, as well as the lineup order for entering the stage.
5~gotta finish entering all of the attendance records for this semester.
6~gotta make a decision on the Choir People of the Year, and order the plaques.
7~gotta pick up the t-shirts next Tuesday, on Meg's birthday.
8~gotta make labels for the t-shirts, so that they can be handed out next Wednesday.
9~gotta have some coffee.
10~gotta email info on rehearsals to the choir parents.
11~gotta make sure everything is in place for the 2 receptions.
12~gotta figure out what I'm gonna wear. Does my denim skirt fit me again? Hope so.... I've lost 14 lbs so far....
13~gotta send out evites for the Choir 3 BBQ & Hot Tub Party.
14~Need more coffee.
15~Need to order more cymbalta. Pronto.
16~Need to continue to pray.
Lots to do. I ought to print out this list. I am a list person. Truly. I've always been a list person. Somehow, when checking off items from my many lists over the years, I feel like I'm accomplishing something. Seriously, I have lists saved on my computer. I have lots of menu lists, with corresponding grocery lists. I have ToDo Lists for what to do prior to any holidays, for what needs to be done prior to the first rehearsal of the year, for what to do prior to any musical, for preparing for vacations, for camping trips. Seriously. I am a list person. I'm always afraid I'll forget something. I love my lists.
***
I need to have time to work outside in the garden. I think perhaps this Saturday, after my 3 hour morning rehearsal, I'll work in the garden. Need to get the burner out and burn the weeds that are cropping up. I need to transplant the seedlings that we started in the basement. I'm really hoping that the bunnies don't eat them. I also need to clean out my deck pots and plant them with annuals. Perhaps this year I'll go back to using impatiens. (sp?) I've used potato vines the last several years, and I grow tired of them. I want color back. So, impatiens & perhaps some salvia.
I have seedlings to place in the big garden. I planted sweet peas, okra, salvia, cosmos, black eyed susans, wildflowers, tomatoes, watermelon, pumpkins. Gotta get them transplanted. I thinned them yesterday and watered them again. They're ready to go.
***
Tuesday is Meg's 25th birthday. We plan on spending the day at the zoo. The zoo is one of my very favorite places in Kansas City. I love the zoo. And I especially love going to the zoo with my grandchildren. Of course, Lily & Kenzie won't really care about it, but Christian.... oh my. We are really looking forward to the experience of looking at these cool animals! Especially the lions and meerkats. I love the meerkats. I could watch them all day. Such interesting little babies.... And I hope the chimpanzees are out playing. They are so fun to watch too. Dyan is packing us a picnic lunch and we're all gonna have so much fun for Meg's birthday. I'm pretty sure we'll be going back to Meg's house for dinner & birthday cake. Fun times ahead.... This all makes me so happy that my girls are stay at home moms. I love this...
***
And that's my life so far.
My ToDo List:
1~type out the program, not forgetting anyone or anything
2~go to Home Depot to find a container to make the Turbo-Harvester prop. I THINK I know what I need, but I'm sorta making it up as I go. I bought some garden things, a sunflower made out of some sort of metal, and some grassy looking plants. I think if I get some sort of container, a new rake, some S hooks, I'll be able to put it together. The S hooks will be to hang around the top of the container and hang baskets from it. The sunflower, rake & grass will go inside it. And I'll make a sign for the front. All today. Tuesday.
3~gotta make the "rain" hooplas for the ballerina who will be dancing liturgically to the song, "Rain", and the hooplas will symbolize rain from the Holy Spirit. I bought 2 embroidery hoops and a whole buncha ribbons and will fashion the hooplas from them. Gotta get them done today.
4~gotta type & print the riser standing order, as well as the lineup order for entering the stage.
5~gotta finish entering all of the attendance records for this semester.
6~gotta make a decision on the Choir People of the Year, and order the plaques.
7~gotta pick up the t-shirts next Tuesday, on Meg's birthday.
8~gotta make labels for the t-shirts, so that they can be handed out next Wednesday.
9~gotta have some coffee.
10~gotta email info on rehearsals to the choir parents.
11~gotta make sure everything is in place for the 2 receptions.
12~gotta figure out what I'm gonna wear. Does my denim skirt fit me again? Hope so.... I've lost 14 lbs so far....
13~gotta send out evites for the Choir 3 BBQ & Hot Tub Party.
14~Need more coffee.
15~Need to order more cymbalta. Pronto.
16~Need to continue to pray.
Lots to do. I ought to print out this list. I am a list person. Truly. I've always been a list person. Somehow, when checking off items from my many lists over the years, I feel like I'm accomplishing something. Seriously, I have lists saved on my computer. I have lots of menu lists, with corresponding grocery lists. I have ToDo Lists for what to do prior to any holidays, for what needs to be done prior to the first rehearsal of the year, for what to do prior to any musical, for preparing for vacations, for camping trips. Seriously. I am a list person. I'm always afraid I'll forget something. I love my lists.
***
I need to have time to work outside in the garden. I think perhaps this Saturday, after my 3 hour morning rehearsal, I'll work in the garden. Need to get the burner out and burn the weeds that are cropping up. I need to transplant the seedlings that we started in the basement. I'm really hoping that the bunnies don't eat them. I also need to clean out my deck pots and plant them with annuals. Perhaps this year I'll go back to using impatiens. (sp?) I've used potato vines the last several years, and I grow tired of them. I want color back. So, impatiens & perhaps some salvia.
I have seedlings to place in the big garden. I planted sweet peas, okra, salvia, cosmos, black eyed susans, wildflowers, tomatoes, watermelon, pumpkins. Gotta get them transplanted. I thinned them yesterday and watered them again. They're ready to go.
***
Tuesday is Meg's 25th birthday. We plan on spending the day at the zoo. The zoo is one of my very favorite places in Kansas City. I love the zoo. And I especially love going to the zoo with my grandchildren. Of course, Lily & Kenzie won't really care about it, but Christian.... oh my. We are really looking forward to the experience of looking at these cool animals! Especially the lions and meerkats. I love the meerkats. I could watch them all day. Such interesting little babies.... And I hope the chimpanzees are out playing. They are so fun to watch too. Dyan is packing us a picnic lunch and we're all gonna have so much fun for Meg's birthday. I'm pretty sure we'll be going back to Meg's house for dinner & birthday cake. Fun times ahead.... This all makes me so happy that my girls are stay at home moms. I love this...
***
And that's my life so far.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Yeah, Life.
Yeah, life. It's moving on. And I'm trying to cope with it better. This past week was very stressful. In fact, when I went to the doctor on Friday, to check my weight and get more shakes, my blood pressure was 145 / 80. Not good. Stress. Oy..... The doctor told me to eat a few more carbs. Well, when I say "eat," I mean drink. He told me to drink the higher carb shake every once in a while. Especially when I feel stressed or light headed. So, on the way to my mani / pedi appt. after the doctor, I stopped by Sonic and had a jr. hamburger and a small order of tots, along with a large diet cherry limeade. I immediately felt better! LOL
***
So, now I'm taking over our income tax filing. Don's done it for 30 years... now it's my turn. At least it will get done on time, and hopefully correctly. My way of doing it will be to take it somewhere. LOL But I'll gather all the goodies, receipts, forms, etc. etc. etc. and make sure the taxes get filed. This year, we're filing an extension, at least until the other tax matters get resolved. Per suggestion of our attorney. Wow, who'da thought we'd have so many attorneys in our lives??? Oy....
***
The musical is 3 weeks away. We are down to the brass tacks now. The stage is built. Now I just need to dress it. The rest of our rehearsals will take place on the stage. Today's rehearsal was on the stage, and it was great. Our cast is so good, and we are having a ton of fun. For instance, today, after our restroom break, I came back to my directors chair and was ready to put on my little reader glasses, and couldn't find them! I looked everywhere. I even had one of the girls go to the restroom to see if for some reason I took them there. Then everyone was laughing and I look up at the stage to see our lead actress wearing them. Silly....
We finished the blocking today. All 6 scenes are blocked, along with the songs. It's all good. Next Saturday will be a 3 hour rehearsal in the morning. We will completely review scenes 1 - 6 & the songs that have blocking in them, along with the crows and weeds, since they also have dialogue. Then after that rehearsal in the morning, I follow up with a 2 hour band rehearsal. Fun, but exhausting times. I need to remember to bring my camera and snap some shots of our rehearsals.
Now I just need 8 bales of straw, a couple of farm chairs, lanterns, picket fences nailed, lattice nailed, and perhaps a tree or two... Oh, and I need to figure out these dang "inventions".... Oy.... lots to do.
***
I candled my ears today. You wouldn't believe how much pollen and wax was inside of them.
***
Tomorrow, late afternoon, we have another Work & Witness meeting. Gonna plan our menus, and other food things. Gonna get their medical forms notarized. Don is a notary. And Don is gonna share some personal info with our team. I think. He keeps asking me if he should, and I think he probably will. His call. We are about 2 months out from our trip. I'm really looking forward to going to Dominica. It's lush & beautiful, and I'm really looking forward to interacting with the women on this island. I'd love to do something with the children too. We will discuss the possibilities at our meeting tomorrow. We have a great team put together. Sixteen people total. Nice.
***
I pray that the Lord guides us out of these latest troubles and helps get things resolved in a timely manner, so that we can once again give to the church and concentrate on our ministries. I pray that God walks through this with us and guides us, and that the Holy Spirit will give us the strength to make it through. And, if He chooses to not delay his return for His church, I wouldn't be upset about that! Come, Lord Jesus, come! I'm ready!
***
And that's my life so far...
***
So, now I'm taking over our income tax filing. Don's done it for 30 years... now it's my turn. At least it will get done on time, and hopefully correctly. My way of doing it will be to take it somewhere. LOL But I'll gather all the goodies, receipts, forms, etc. etc. etc. and make sure the taxes get filed. This year, we're filing an extension, at least until the other tax matters get resolved. Per suggestion of our attorney. Wow, who'da thought we'd have so many attorneys in our lives??? Oy....
***
The musical is 3 weeks away. We are down to the brass tacks now. The stage is built. Now I just need to dress it. The rest of our rehearsals will take place on the stage. Today's rehearsal was on the stage, and it was great. Our cast is so good, and we are having a ton of fun. For instance, today, after our restroom break, I came back to my directors chair and was ready to put on my little reader glasses, and couldn't find them! I looked everywhere. I even had one of the girls go to the restroom to see if for some reason I took them there. Then everyone was laughing and I look up at the stage to see our lead actress wearing them. Silly....
We finished the blocking today. All 6 scenes are blocked, along with the songs. It's all good. Next Saturday will be a 3 hour rehearsal in the morning. We will completely review scenes 1 - 6 & the songs that have blocking in them, along with the crows and weeds, since they also have dialogue. Then after that rehearsal in the morning, I follow up with a 2 hour band rehearsal. Fun, but exhausting times. I need to remember to bring my camera and snap some shots of our rehearsals.
Now I just need 8 bales of straw, a couple of farm chairs, lanterns, picket fences nailed, lattice nailed, and perhaps a tree or two... Oh, and I need to figure out these dang "inventions".... Oy.... lots to do.
***
I candled my ears today. You wouldn't believe how much pollen and wax was inside of them.
***
Tomorrow, late afternoon, we have another Work & Witness meeting. Gonna plan our menus, and other food things. Gonna get their medical forms notarized. Don is a notary. And Don is gonna share some personal info with our team. I think. He keeps asking me if he should, and I think he probably will. His call. We are about 2 months out from our trip. I'm really looking forward to going to Dominica. It's lush & beautiful, and I'm really looking forward to interacting with the women on this island. I'd love to do something with the children too. We will discuss the possibilities at our meeting tomorrow. We have a great team put together. Sixteen people total. Nice.
***
I pray that the Lord guides us out of these latest troubles and helps get things resolved in a timely manner, so that we can once again give to the church and concentrate on our ministries. I pray that God walks through this with us and guides us, and that the Holy Spirit will give us the strength to make it through. And, if He chooses to not delay his return for His church, I wouldn't be upset about that! Come, Lord Jesus, come! I'm ready!
***
And that's my life so far...
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Shopping Day
Yesterday, I went to the mall with my girls, grandson and granddaughters. What fun we had! I love spending time with them. And Christian, well, he flat out melts my heart every time I'm around him. I never believed I could love a child this much. When I pulled up into Dyan's driveway, he ran out and was waiting for me to open the door. And when I did, he said, "Grandma! I have a kiss for you!" Melting heart..... We got the kids all packed up and off we went.
Now, if you know me, you know I'm not a big fan of shopping... unless it's for shoes, or unless I am at my goal weight, and in a size 12. Well, we always park by Nordstrom's, the SHOE entrance. Yummmmmmmm..... We perused the shoes and I probably salivated a bit. Christian was my escort for this mall outting. I promised him that if he was very good, I'd buy him some special cookies. That always worked for me! LOL
We went thru the mall, bypassed the Easter Bunny, who my girls say is just FRIGHTFUL.... and headed to Panera. The girls are so funny, they were afraid I couldn't get anything there. Wrong. I ordered a double order of turkey, no bread, nothing else. Just 4 oz of turkey. And a bottle of water. And a soda. I drank half the water and then put my shake mix in it and drank it up. And I only had ONE taste of Christian's Mac & Cheese, just to make sure it wasn't too hot. LOL uh huh....
Then we walked thru the mall, while Meg & Dyan shopped in this cute baby clothes store. Christian & I sat in the mall and determined which people were boys and which people were girls. He's really into that these days. That and potty functions.
Next, while Meg went into another shop, Christian & I went to the carousel. We paid for 2 rides. The first one, he wanted to sit in the SPINNER.... so, while the carousel goes around, then you spin the spinner and it spins like crazy. Thought my turkey would come up. LOL Then next ride, we went to the top level and Christian rode on the seal. Yes, seal, as in swims in the water.
Next stop, Dillards. They do have a kind of shoe that I love, made by Kenneth Cole. Reaction is the type. I couldn't decide between the sandals with the clear stones, or the turquoise. Christian liked the clear stones, so I bought both. LOL We then caught up with Dyan & Meg, and she ended up finding a great dress to wear to a wedding in a few weeks, on a discount rack! I'm so proud of her shopping saavy! Dress was marked down from $140 to $40. Woo! I love that! And it's a size 4. ugh... I've never been a size 4. Size 9 in high school, and in my adult life before age 30. But never a size 4.
Then we worked our way upstairs to the food court and we bought the before mentioned & promised cookies. Two bakers dozens. They were the little, itty bitty cookies. Meg & I sat with the kids while Dyan shopped for jeans in this store for younguns'. She's been losing weight and needed some hip, smaller jeans. Good for her! And we all ate cookies. Even I did. I had 4, itty bitty white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Yup, I cheated on my diet. But.... the GOOD NEWS is that I am down another lb and a half today! That makes 10 1/2 lbs total in like 11 days. Woo!
Well, we did have to walk back thru Nordstrom's on the way to the cars. And since I'm nearly out of my perfume, and Norstrom's is the only place in town I can buy it, I picked up a bottle. $$$ Oy.... And then, you guessed it, we walked past the shoes. This pair of converse tennis shoes jumped out and grabbed at me. They are all sparkly. Kinda covered in brown glittery sparkles. I love them! They also had a pair of pink sparkly shoes, but the girls decided that the brown sparkles were more ME. So, I tried them on, and yup, I bought them. Wow.... 3 pair of shoes & a bottle of $$$ perfume all in one day! I never, EVER do that! What's wrong with me??? I'm usually such a penny pincher, especially these days, ya know? Oh well.....
I thoroughly enjoyed my Mall Adventure with Christian, Lily, Kenzie, Dyan & Meg.... and I feel so blessed because of my family.
***
And that's my life so far...
Now, if you know me, you know I'm not a big fan of shopping... unless it's for shoes, or unless I am at my goal weight, and in a size 12. Well, we always park by Nordstrom's, the SHOE entrance. Yummmmmmmm..... We perused the shoes and I probably salivated a bit. Christian was my escort for this mall outting. I promised him that if he was very good, I'd buy him some special cookies. That always worked for me! LOL
We went thru the mall, bypassed the Easter Bunny, who my girls say is just FRIGHTFUL.... and headed to Panera. The girls are so funny, they were afraid I couldn't get anything there. Wrong. I ordered a double order of turkey, no bread, nothing else. Just 4 oz of turkey. And a bottle of water. And a soda. I drank half the water and then put my shake mix in it and drank it up. And I only had ONE taste of Christian's Mac & Cheese, just to make sure it wasn't too hot. LOL uh huh....
Then we walked thru the mall, while Meg & Dyan shopped in this cute baby clothes store. Christian & I sat in the mall and determined which people were boys and which people were girls. He's really into that these days. That and potty functions.
Next, while Meg went into another shop, Christian & I went to the carousel. We paid for 2 rides. The first one, he wanted to sit in the SPINNER.... so, while the carousel goes around, then you spin the spinner and it spins like crazy. Thought my turkey would come up. LOL Then next ride, we went to the top level and Christian rode on the seal. Yes, seal, as in swims in the water.
Next stop, Dillards. They do have a kind of shoe that I love, made by Kenneth Cole. Reaction is the type. I couldn't decide between the sandals with the clear stones, or the turquoise. Christian liked the clear stones, so I bought both. LOL We then caught up with Dyan & Meg, and she ended up finding a great dress to wear to a wedding in a few weeks, on a discount rack! I'm so proud of her shopping saavy! Dress was marked down from $140 to $40. Woo! I love that! And it's a size 4. ugh... I've never been a size 4. Size 9 in high school, and in my adult life before age 30. But never a size 4.
Then we worked our way upstairs to the food court and we bought the before mentioned & promised cookies. Two bakers dozens. They were the little, itty bitty cookies. Meg & I sat with the kids while Dyan shopped for jeans in this store for younguns'. She's been losing weight and needed some hip, smaller jeans. Good for her! And we all ate cookies. Even I did. I had 4, itty bitty white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Yup, I cheated on my diet. But.... the GOOD NEWS is that I am down another lb and a half today! That makes 10 1/2 lbs total in like 11 days. Woo!
Well, we did have to walk back thru Nordstrom's on the way to the cars. And since I'm nearly out of my perfume, and Norstrom's is the only place in town I can buy it, I picked up a bottle. $$$ Oy.... And then, you guessed it, we walked past the shoes. This pair of converse tennis shoes jumped out and grabbed at me. They are all sparkly. Kinda covered in brown glittery sparkles. I love them! They also had a pair of pink sparkly shoes, but the girls decided that the brown sparkles were more ME. So, I tried them on, and yup, I bought them. Wow.... 3 pair of shoes & a bottle of $$$ perfume all in one day! I never, EVER do that! What's wrong with me??? I'm usually such a penny pincher, especially these days, ya know? Oh well.....
I thoroughly enjoyed my Mall Adventure with Christian, Lily, Kenzie, Dyan & Meg.... and I feel so blessed because of my family.
***
And that's my life so far...
Monday, March 29, 2010
My Favorite Sunday, and Other Thoughts
Palm Sunday. That is my favorite Sunday of the year. I love the meaning of it. I love seeing the children's choir processing in, through all of the aisles in our church sanctuary, waving their palm branches above their heads, proudly, and regally walking to the platform where the choir risers are awaiting them. And one of the most precious things I saw was my grandson, Christian, standing on the pew next to his daddy, waving his palm branch along with the children's choir. About made me cry. My heart swelled.
I love retelling the story of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and the start of what we Christians call, "Holy Week." I love the pomp & circumstance surrounding this. I love that Jesus humbled himself and rode into town on a donkey. I love that the children & townspeople were elated to see him and waved palm branches, put them on the road for the donkey to ride on, along with their cloaks. I love how they loved him.
I love talking to the children about the meaning of this holiday that we, Christians celebrate. Truly, if the whole 'story' wasn't true or factual, then we'd have no reason to believe what we believe. Would we? I love talking to the children about what Jesus did for EACH ONE OF THEM. How he, with grace, endured the torture & the cross, in order that EACH ONE OF THEM has the possibility of having eternal life. They sit there with looks of awe on their faces. I, truly, feel the same way. I'm in awe of what Jesus did for ME. Am I deserving? Probably not. But that doesn't matter. My sins don't matter, because I'm forgiven. Jesus blood washed away my sins.
The Choir 3 kids will be singing one of my all-time favorite children's choir anthems on Good Friday. I love talking to them about the meaning of what they're singing. And they sing it with such beauty. My heart is blessed & overflowing....
"A Lenten Love Song"
Now Jesus went into the garden. The garden of Gethsamane.
He went there sad and very lonely to be alone to pray.
"Dear God, your Son is sorrowful, is there no other way? Dear God, if it is possible, let this cup pass away."
Now Jesus went into the garden. The garden of Gethsamane.
The olive tree bent over him, and heard him sadly pray.
"Dear God, your Son is sorrowful, but knows your way is best.
Let love take hold of me, help me to be bold and free to do your will, to do your will, TO DO YOUR WILL.... and REST.
Ubi caritas, et amor. Ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.
Ubi caritas, et amor. Ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.
Translation: Where charity and love are found, God is there.
Charity and love. He FREELY and with LOVE, gave himself to the cross for the redemption of ALL mankind. Wow.
If you are reading this blog and have not asked Jesus into your heart, then why not? What is holding you back? It's really very simple. Jesus provided the way, very simply, by grace. All we have to do is ask. It's like the ABC's of salvation. We need to Acknowledge that we are sinners. Believe that we can be forgiven, and Confess our sins to Jesus, thru prayer. Then we need to ask him to be in our heart, to be the Lord of our life, and it's just as simple as that. The Word says that if we ask, it will be given to us.
Eternal life. I love that idea. I love the fact that I'll be able to see my mother again, as well as all my loved ones who have gone before me. I love the fact that life here on this earth is not eternal, that it's only temporary. Thank God, literally, because mankind has made such a mess of this world. But I'm living not for this world, but for the next. I know that the Lord is preparing a mansion for me. I know that I'll live forever, with my family, in the presence of the Lord, and that makes me very excited.
If you do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, why not take the time today to ask Him into your heart. It's really very simple. Grace. We are saved by grace and not by our good works. All you have to do is ask. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will be given to you.
I love retelling the story of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and the start of what we Christians call, "Holy Week." I love the pomp & circumstance surrounding this. I love that Jesus humbled himself and rode into town on a donkey. I love that the children & townspeople were elated to see him and waved palm branches, put them on the road for the donkey to ride on, along with their cloaks. I love how they loved him.
I love talking to the children about the meaning of this holiday that we, Christians celebrate. Truly, if the whole 'story' wasn't true or factual, then we'd have no reason to believe what we believe. Would we? I love talking to the children about what Jesus did for EACH ONE OF THEM. How he, with grace, endured the torture & the cross, in order that EACH ONE OF THEM has the possibility of having eternal life. They sit there with looks of awe on their faces. I, truly, feel the same way. I'm in awe of what Jesus did for ME. Am I deserving? Probably not. But that doesn't matter. My sins don't matter, because I'm forgiven. Jesus blood washed away my sins.
The Choir 3 kids will be singing one of my all-time favorite children's choir anthems on Good Friday. I love talking to them about the meaning of what they're singing. And they sing it with such beauty. My heart is blessed & overflowing....
"A Lenten Love Song"
Now Jesus went into the garden. The garden of Gethsamane.
He went there sad and very lonely to be alone to pray.
"Dear God, your Son is sorrowful, is there no other way? Dear God, if it is possible, let this cup pass away."
Now Jesus went into the garden. The garden of Gethsamane.
The olive tree bent over him, and heard him sadly pray.
"Dear God, your Son is sorrowful, but knows your way is best.
Let love take hold of me, help me to be bold and free to do your will, to do your will, TO DO YOUR WILL.... and REST.
Ubi caritas, et amor. Ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.
Ubi caritas, et amor. Ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.
Translation: Where charity and love are found, God is there.
Charity and love. He FREELY and with LOVE, gave himself to the cross for the redemption of ALL mankind. Wow.
If you are reading this blog and have not asked Jesus into your heart, then why not? What is holding you back? It's really very simple. Jesus provided the way, very simply, by grace. All we have to do is ask. It's like the ABC's of salvation. We need to Acknowledge that we are sinners. Believe that we can be forgiven, and Confess our sins to Jesus, thru prayer. Then we need to ask him to be in our heart, to be the Lord of our life, and it's just as simple as that. The Word says that if we ask, it will be given to us.
Eternal life. I love that idea. I love the fact that I'll be able to see my mother again, as well as all my loved ones who have gone before me. I love the fact that life here on this earth is not eternal, that it's only temporary. Thank God, literally, because mankind has made such a mess of this world. But I'm living not for this world, but for the next. I know that the Lord is preparing a mansion for me. I know that I'll live forever, with my family, in the presence of the Lord, and that makes me very excited.
If you do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, why not take the time today to ask Him into your heart. It's really very simple. Grace. We are saved by grace and not by our good works. All you have to do is ask. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will be given to you.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Busy, busy....
Busy, busy.... that's me, these days. Between directing & producing the spring musical for the Kaleidoscope Children's Choir, and helping to coordinate our summer Work & Witness trip to Dominica, I'm meetin' myself coming and going. Toss in taking care of Kenzie 2 days a week, and normal household stuff, it all makes for a very busy life right now. For a season.
***
My sprained ankle is healing. I'm able to walk on it with no problems. Just can't turn it quickly and I have to be careful with it. Still really bruised and a bit swollen, but I will survive.
***
I started a diet. Last Friday, I went to a diet doctor over in Overland Park. I was interested in doing the HCG diet, where you get a shot of this hormone that pregnant people produce, and it works to burn off the belly fat, well, any excess fat. But, the NP said because of my history with breast cancer, I'm not a candidate for this program. So, instead, I'm doing a liquid fasting diet. I slapped down a buncha money and got my "supplements," gave them some blood, counseled with them, and away I went. So, Saturday, I started the diet. I'm supposed to drink 6 shakes a day, along with 64 oz of water. It's all a mind game with me. I love to eat. So much of life is around what we're eating. We celebrate stuff with food. I love to eat. But.... not at the moment. Saturday, I was like obsessed with not 'chewing' anything. Sunday, I was obsessed with not 'chewing' anything. By Wednesday, I knew I'd made a mistake. I was dying to have something to eat, chew on, and taste, other than chocolate or vanilla. I'd lost 5 lbs so far, but I was in a state of panic, fearful that I'd once again failed a weight loss program. So, I called Don. No answer. I made a sandwich. Two slices of whole grain bread, a schmear of mayo, some mustard, and 2 fried eggs. MMMmmmm.... but, I could hardly finish it. I felt soooo full. Then I called Misha, the counselor. She calmed me down and said that this is very normal. She said I needed to eat along with the supplemental shakes. So, now, I can have 4 - 6 oz of either chicken, fish or turkey, grilled, broiled or baked, and 2 cups of cooked green vegetables. In addition to that, I will be having 4 of those supplemental shakes a day. I can deal with this. I also take lots of vitamins & omega 3 fish oil caplets. I can have diet soda if I want. I don't drink diet sodas, well, haven't in months. And I won't drink regular sodas right now either. But yesterday, before choir rehearsal, I drove thru Sonic and got myself a large diet cherry limeade. OMGosh, I felt like I was really treating myself! Yum... Tomorrow I go back to the doctor to weigh & get more supplements & counsel. Their goal for me is to lose 60 lbs. I thought I needed to lose 80. They said for me to get to 60 and see how I'm feeling before losing any more. That for my age, body type & height, that I needed to weigh *** lbs. which is 20 lbs more than I was figuring... So, we'll see. I hope to be at a good weight before we go to Dominica in June. Encouragement. I need encouragement. The extremely low calorie diet that this is puts me into a ketotonic state, where my body will burn the extra fat and leave the muscle. Hmmm... I'm not hungry, tho. They said that I wouldn't be, because of the fat being metabolized and burned.
***
Next week, I will add back in exercise. I'll start walking, or riding my bike. I'll also get out April's yoga dvd. I have to watch it, tho, since my calorie intake is so limited right now. So, I'll do walking, which the np recommended, and some weight training. I may get on the bike. But we do have hills, so, the bike may have to wait until I get more weight off first.
***
Mackenzie is a little dollbaby. She's making motor sounds with her mouth now, which is too cute. And she's eating solids. Today she had oatmeal for breakfast (organic, of course), peas for lunch which I made for her, and peaches that Meg bought for an afternoon snack. Tomorrow, after my dr. appt., I'll take my vitamix machine over to Meg's house and we will be whipping out some homemade baby food. We'll be making peas, carrots, peaches, prunes, and possibly green beans. Meg will freeze them in ice cube trays, and then pop them into freezer bags once the food cubes are frozen. The vitamix is perfect for pureeing the foods. I love the feeling that I'm needed. Meg says that she's freaking out a little about having to make Kenzie's food. She's afraid she won't know how. So, she asked me to come over tomorrow to do it with her. Fun times....
***
The phone rang the other day. "Hello?" "Hello, Grandma." Christian just wanted to call and chat. I loved that. He was telling me all sorts of stuff, most of which I couldn't understand. But I loved it anyway. He's growing up so quickly. He's no longer a toddler, but a little boy. I love how he's so creative, and he uses his logic and thinks about stuff. He is sooooo good, and I'm not biased! He's the perfect grandson!
***
Lily is such a little doll.... she's growing so quickly! She's standing on stuff now, and ya know what that means.... soon she'll be walking. And she's only 9 months old. Oy... She is just adorable tho. The other day, I was watching all 3 grandkids, and since Kenzie was in the crib, Lily didn't get her nap, until she fell asleep in my arms. I loved that.... She's just such a good, happy, peaceful little girl....
***
Cali is the protector. Whenever Kenzie is over here, and napping up in the nursery, and starts to cry, Cali makes sure I know about it. And she runs upstairs and stands outside of the nursery door until I get in there. And she loves kissing the kids. All the time. And when they're on the floor playing with their toys, she brings her own toys over to play with too. Cute, but sometimes aggravating! She does love those babies, tho...
***
Don is so supportive of my new diet. I don't know whether it's just because he loves me and wants to see me succeed, or if it's because he's just tired of having an overweight wife! LOL At any rate, he cooked my chicken and green beans tonight, since I was wiped out from a day of Kenzie not sleeping. Whatta guy.
***
Our tax problems are still hanging over our heads. We need to get this taken care of ASAP. Hopefully tomorrow, I can give that lawyer a call. I want this over. Done. Zapped.
***
And that's my life so far...
***
My sprained ankle is healing. I'm able to walk on it with no problems. Just can't turn it quickly and I have to be careful with it. Still really bruised and a bit swollen, but I will survive.
***
I started a diet. Last Friday, I went to a diet doctor over in Overland Park. I was interested in doing the HCG diet, where you get a shot of this hormone that pregnant people produce, and it works to burn off the belly fat, well, any excess fat. But, the NP said because of my history with breast cancer, I'm not a candidate for this program. So, instead, I'm doing a liquid fasting diet. I slapped down a buncha money and got my "supplements," gave them some blood, counseled with them, and away I went. So, Saturday, I started the diet. I'm supposed to drink 6 shakes a day, along with 64 oz of water. It's all a mind game with me. I love to eat. So much of life is around what we're eating. We celebrate stuff with food. I love to eat. But.... not at the moment. Saturday, I was like obsessed with not 'chewing' anything. Sunday, I was obsessed with not 'chewing' anything. By Wednesday, I knew I'd made a mistake. I was dying to have something to eat, chew on, and taste, other than chocolate or vanilla. I'd lost 5 lbs so far, but I was in a state of panic, fearful that I'd once again failed a weight loss program. So, I called Don. No answer. I made a sandwich. Two slices of whole grain bread, a schmear of mayo, some mustard, and 2 fried eggs. MMMmmmm.... but, I could hardly finish it. I felt soooo full. Then I called Misha, the counselor. She calmed me down and said that this is very normal. She said I needed to eat along with the supplemental shakes. So, now, I can have 4 - 6 oz of either chicken, fish or turkey, grilled, broiled or baked, and 2 cups of cooked green vegetables. In addition to that, I will be having 4 of those supplemental shakes a day. I can deal with this. I also take lots of vitamins & omega 3 fish oil caplets. I can have diet soda if I want. I don't drink diet sodas, well, haven't in months. And I won't drink regular sodas right now either. But yesterday, before choir rehearsal, I drove thru Sonic and got myself a large diet cherry limeade. OMGosh, I felt like I was really treating myself! Yum... Tomorrow I go back to the doctor to weigh & get more supplements & counsel. Their goal for me is to lose 60 lbs. I thought I needed to lose 80. They said for me to get to 60 and see how I'm feeling before losing any more. That for my age, body type & height, that I needed to weigh *** lbs. which is 20 lbs more than I was figuring... So, we'll see. I hope to be at a good weight before we go to Dominica in June. Encouragement. I need encouragement. The extremely low calorie diet that this is puts me into a ketotonic state, where my body will burn the extra fat and leave the muscle. Hmmm... I'm not hungry, tho. They said that I wouldn't be, because of the fat being metabolized and burned.
***
Next week, I will add back in exercise. I'll start walking, or riding my bike. I'll also get out April's yoga dvd. I have to watch it, tho, since my calorie intake is so limited right now. So, I'll do walking, which the np recommended, and some weight training. I may get on the bike. But we do have hills, so, the bike may have to wait until I get more weight off first.
***
Mackenzie is a little dollbaby. She's making motor sounds with her mouth now, which is too cute. And she's eating solids. Today she had oatmeal for breakfast (organic, of course), peas for lunch which I made for her, and peaches that Meg bought for an afternoon snack. Tomorrow, after my dr. appt., I'll take my vitamix machine over to Meg's house and we will be whipping out some homemade baby food. We'll be making peas, carrots, peaches, prunes, and possibly green beans. Meg will freeze them in ice cube trays, and then pop them into freezer bags once the food cubes are frozen. The vitamix is perfect for pureeing the foods. I love the feeling that I'm needed. Meg says that she's freaking out a little about having to make Kenzie's food. She's afraid she won't know how. So, she asked me to come over tomorrow to do it with her. Fun times....
***
The phone rang the other day. "Hello?" "Hello, Grandma." Christian just wanted to call and chat. I loved that. He was telling me all sorts of stuff, most of which I couldn't understand. But I loved it anyway. He's growing up so quickly. He's no longer a toddler, but a little boy. I love how he's so creative, and he uses his logic and thinks about stuff. He is sooooo good, and I'm not biased! He's the perfect grandson!
***
Lily is such a little doll.... she's growing so quickly! She's standing on stuff now, and ya know what that means.... soon she'll be walking. And she's only 9 months old. Oy... She is just adorable tho. The other day, I was watching all 3 grandkids, and since Kenzie was in the crib, Lily didn't get her nap, until she fell asleep in my arms. I loved that.... She's just such a good, happy, peaceful little girl....
***
Cali is the protector. Whenever Kenzie is over here, and napping up in the nursery, and starts to cry, Cali makes sure I know about it. And she runs upstairs and stands outside of the nursery door until I get in there. And she loves kissing the kids. All the time. And when they're on the floor playing with their toys, she brings her own toys over to play with too. Cute, but sometimes aggravating! She does love those babies, tho...
***
Don is so supportive of my new diet. I don't know whether it's just because he loves me and wants to see me succeed, or if it's because he's just tired of having an overweight wife! LOL At any rate, he cooked my chicken and green beans tonight, since I was wiped out from a day of Kenzie not sleeping. Whatta guy.
***
Our tax problems are still hanging over our heads. We need to get this taken care of ASAP. Hopefully tomorrow, I can give that lawyer a call. I want this over. Done. Zapped.
***
And that's my life so far...
Monday, March 15, 2010
A Lucy & Ethel Day
Sunday started out very normal. Well, with the exception of losing an hour of sleep. My worst day of the year.... anyway...Got up, ready for church, wearing a very cute, chic outfit. My black skirt, a yellow tank top and my red 3/4 length sleeved sweater, with a brooch which was a gift from one of my sweet choir kids. I put on my black tights and my nice church shoes. I looked good, I think. We went to church, where I worked in the toddler class & then helped out in children's church. Normal day.
After church, Don & I went to his mom's house for a visit and for Don to do some work around there. We had a nice ham sandwich for lunch. Avocado was even on it! Yum.... Anyway, after being there an hour or so, I get a panicky phone call from Meg. "Muffy ran away!!!" OMGosh! "What???" "MUFFY RAN AWAY." Apparently Meg & Drew were watching Greta's little Yorkie, Muffy for the weekend, while they were out of town. Meg & Drew have a fenced in back yard, but apparently that little doggie found the one place where the fence didn't go, under the house on the right side. There was a gap just big enough for Muffy to squeeze thru. Apparently neither Meg nor Drew realized that she was gone until several hours later. Meg was totally panicked, because she has an "iffy" relationship with Greta & Sydney (Drew's sister) and she feels that they don't like her or me, for that matter, and that this was only going to make matters so much worse. Meg, the DAUGHTER IN LAW, lost their beloved Muffy. Oy.... So, what was I going to do? Obviously, I needed to go help them look for that stupid dog. So, Don & I said our goodbyes to Mom, and took off to Belton.
Here I am, driving thru the neighborhood streets by Meg's house with my head hanging out the window, calling, "Muffyyyyyyyyy." Got to Meg's house. No Muffy. Meg and Drew had been out looking for her. No Muffy. Now, see, I have some experience in looking for lost dogs. Every time I'd go on a trip somewhere, my first Shih-Tzu, Tasha, would always run away, looking for her Momma! I found her every time. Three times she did that. Anywho.... Here I am in my fancy church clothes and heels, looking for this dog, all to save Meg's relationship with her in-laws. I walked all around, calling, "Muffyyyyyyyy." The whole neighborhood could hear me, I'm quite sure. It was like I was echoing. Weird.
I noticed that about a block away, there were some houses with a big fence running along behind them. So, since I was freezing to death, I grabbed one of Meg's blankets and wrapped myself up in it, and walked over there, all the while yelling, "MUFFYYYYYYYYY." lol So, I walked between some houses and over to the fence, thru squishy, lumpy, soggy, snowmelted ground, and was peering thru the fence, calling for the dog. And I prayed. "Dear Jesus, PLEASE help me find this dog for Meg. Amen." Then, not 30 seconds later, this lady, about 4 or 5 houses down was looking out over her back deck, which was up on the 2nd story of her house. She called to me and asked if I was looking for a lost dog. I said YES!!! I called back to her, asking if she sees a little Yorkie. She said, "Yes! She's in the fenced area, going around this building way over there." Sooo, she was also calling for Muffy, and I had to walk way over to the end of the fenced area, which was all gated up. No way to get inside, unless you're a little yorkie and can squeeze under the fence. Sheesh. So I walked around the end, and after trying several gates, all were locked up tight. I ended walking to the very end of the fence, which butted up against a little creek, which was very full and bubbling from snow runoff. I held on to the fence and swung my legs around it and got inside. Then I began the long trek to the building. It was about a mile away, or at least 3/4 a mile. Don was nowhere in sight, since he was in the Hummer driving thru the neighborhood looking for The Dog. I got to the lady's house and asked her to call my daughter and let her know The Dog was here. And then I proceeded to give her Dyan's number!!! And then after realizing my mistake, I had to turn around and walk back to her house and say, "OMGosh, I gave you the wrong daughter's number! (I was so out of breath from running thru mud in my church shoes, which were $200 shoes, BTW) Here's the right number," I said. I walked all the way down the mud path, and saw The Dog. Well, did she come when I called??? HECK NO!!! So, I'm running after this dog, in my fancy church clothes & my fancy church shoes.... and the dog runs away from me, and goes behind this building. I'm looking around and apparently I'm in a poop plant. Literally. They had several water tanks where they clean sewage. Omgosh. This plant was abandoned, but there were cars and junk everywhere. So.... The Dog went behind the building. I go trudging around the building, in my fancy church clothes and $$$ church shoes, thru the mud, muck, watery ground, lumpy grass, and there is The Dog. She's trapped by the fence. I get within 5 feet of her, after twisting my ankles side to side, because I'm wearing heels on uneven ground, and I kneel down and say, "Muffy Baby, come here!" She creeps close to me, and then within 3 feet of me, she tears off running away again. I think I probably swore, got up on my feet and walked thru the lumpy, muddy, wet, uneven ground while constantly twisting my ankles side to side. By the time I got to the muddy road, The Dog was clear back down to the end. OMGosh... Don, I could hear his voice by this time. He's on the other side of the fence. I yell at him to come around the end, but apparently he didn't hear me, because it's like TWO MILES AWAY! So, I'm hobbling down and yelling for Don to get Drew, since Muffy would know Drew's voice. By the time Muffy got down by Don, she turned around and ran back towards me. So, I stopped in the middle of the muddy road, kneeled down again, and said, "Muffy baby, come here!" And zoom, she ran right past me again. I couldn't nab the little poop. By this time, I'm thinking..... "If I ever catch that dog.... she'll get a whoopin' all the way home!" So, I go off in the direction of the building again. And pretty soon, Don & Drew had come inside the area, thru the frence at the other end, by the building. But noone could find The Dog. Apparently she must have gone around the building and under the fence. We're going on 2 hours by now, looking for The Dog. And I'm sick and tired of tramping thru mucky, muddy, soggy, uneven ground in my $$$ church shoes, and constantly twisting my ankles. Then Don & I were together, by the building, looking for The Dog. Nowhere to be found. Then a few minutes later, Don got the phone call from Meg saying that Drew nabbed her and was heading home with her. And the little poop dog even bit Drew!!! Boy.... Then Don said, my car is here.... but, because I'd been running and walking so much, I dropped Meg's blanket in the middle of the road, WAY BACK DOWN THEREEEEEEEE!!! So, I had to walk clear back down the road to retrieve the blanket and Don drove down to the far end of the fence to wait for me. I picked up the blanket, walked to the edge of the fence by the bubbling river, swung around the edge and walked over to the Hummer. Now, because my feet are all muddy.... and I was clearly worn out, I opened the door to climb into the Hummer, and put my feet on the floor board and started to heave myself into the seat, and BAM, my feet slipped off the floorboard and I landed on my right ankle, sideways. I heard snapping and popping and everything went numb, and I thought I broke my foot. I even cried. I never cry with injuries. But I did this time. Don took us to Meg's and I went inside, could barely walk, sat down, and then we noticed my ankle had swollen to grapefruit size. Oy..... Don insisted we go to the ER.
Fast forward FOUR HOURS after sitting in the ER surround by coughing, hacking, on death's door people. I made Don & me sit way far away from "those people". Mercy me.... Oh, and get this..... we were STARVING to death, and on the TV???? The Food Network. Steak grilling contest. Brother. Anyway, I finally got x-rays and diagnosis, severe contusion and sprain. I'm to stay off of it for several days and put ice on it. It's wrapped in an ace bandage & with an air splint. It's still pretty painful, but I'm getting around.
So, that's my Lucy and Ethel Day. Chasing a little poop dog who didn't want to be found, while wearing fancy church clothes & $$$ church shoes, and walking / running thru lumpy, mucky, muddy, wet grass & mud.... All for my daughter, to save her relationship with the In-Laws. LOL Sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do!
***
And that's my life so far...
After church, Don & I went to his mom's house for a visit and for Don to do some work around there. We had a nice ham sandwich for lunch. Avocado was even on it! Yum.... Anyway, after being there an hour or so, I get a panicky phone call from Meg. "Muffy ran away!!!" OMGosh! "What???" "MUFFY RAN AWAY." Apparently Meg & Drew were watching Greta's little Yorkie, Muffy for the weekend, while they were out of town. Meg & Drew have a fenced in back yard, but apparently that little doggie found the one place where the fence didn't go, under the house on the right side. There was a gap just big enough for Muffy to squeeze thru. Apparently neither Meg nor Drew realized that she was gone until several hours later. Meg was totally panicked, because she has an "iffy" relationship with Greta & Sydney (Drew's sister) and she feels that they don't like her or me, for that matter, and that this was only going to make matters so much worse. Meg, the DAUGHTER IN LAW, lost their beloved Muffy. Oy.... So, what was I going to do? Obviously, I needed to go help them look for that stupid dog. So, Don & I said our goodbyes to Mom, and took off to Belton.
Here I am, driving thru the neighborhood streets by Meg's house with my head hanging out the window, calling, "Muffyyyyyyyyy." Got to Meg's house. No Muffy. Meg and Drew had been out looking for her. No Muffy. Now, see, I have some experience in looking for lost dogs. Every time I'd go on a trip somewhere, my first Shih-Tzu, Tasha, would always run away, looking for her Momma! I found her every time. Three times she did that. Anywho.... Here I am in my fancy church clothes and heels, looking for this dog, all to save Meg's relationship with her in-laws. I walked all around, calling, "Muffyyyyyyyy." The whole neighborhood could hear me, I'm quite sure. It was like I was echoing. Weird.
I noticed that about a block away, there were some houses with a big fence running along behind them. So, since I was freezing to death, I grabbed one of Meg's blankets and wrapped myself up in it, and walked over there, all the while yelling, "MUFFYYYYYYYYY." lol So, I walked between some houses and over to the fence, thru squishy, lumpy, soggy, snowmelted ground, and was peering thru the fence, calling for the dog. And I prayed. "Dear Jesus, PLEASE help me find this dog for Meg. Amen." Then, not 30 seconds later, this lady, about 4 or 5 houses down was looking out over her back deck, which was up on the 2nd story of her house. She called to me and asked if I was looking for a lost dog. I said YES!!! I called back to her, asking if she sees a little Yorkie. She said, "Yes! She's in the fenced area, going around this building way over there." Sooo, she was also calling for Muffy, and I had to walk way over to the end of the fenced area, which was all gated up. No way to get inside, unless you're a little yorkie and can squeeze under the fence. Sheesh. So I walked around the end, and after trying several gates, all were locked up tight. I ended walking to the very end of the fence, which butted up against a little creek, which was very full and bubbling from snow runoff. I held on to the fence and swung my legs around it and got inside. Then I began the long trek to the building. It was about a mile away, or at least 3/4 a mile. Don was nowhere in sight, since he was in the Hummer driving thru the neighborhood looking for The Dog. I got to the lady's house and asked her to call my daughter and let her know The Dog was here. And then I proceeded to give her Dyan's number!!! And then after realizing my mistake, I had to turn around and walk back to her house and say, "OMGosh, I gave you the wrong daughter's number! (I was so out of breath from running thru mud in my church shoes, which were $200 shoes, BTW) Here's the right number," I said. I walked all the way down the mud path, and saw The Dog. Well, did she come when I called??? HECK NO!!! So, I'm running after this dog, in my fancy church clothes & my fancy church shoes.... and the dog runs away from me, and goes behind this building. I'm looking around and apparently I'm in a poop plant. Literally. They had several water tanks where they clean sewage. Omgosh. This plant was abandoned, but there were cars and junk everywhere. So.... The Dog went behind the building. I go trudging around the building, in my fancy church clothes and $$$ church shoes, thru the mud, muck, watery ground, lumpy grass, and there is The Dog. She's trapped by the fence. I get within 5 feet of her, after twisting my ankles side to side, because I'm wearing heels on uneven ground, and I kneel down and say, "Muffy Baby, come here!" She creeps close to me, and then within 3 feet of me, she tears off running away again. I think I probably swore, got up on my feet and walked thru the lumpy, muddy, wet, uneven ground while constantly twisting my ankles side to side. By the time I got to the muddy road, The Dog was clear back down to the end. OMGosh... Don, I could hear his voice by this time. He's on the other side of the fence. I yell at him to come around the end, but apparently he didn't hear me, because it's like TWO MILES AWAY! So, I'm hobbling down and yelling for Don to get Drew, since Muffy would know Drew's voice. By the time Muffy got down by Don, she turned around and ran back towards me. So, I stopped in the middle of the muddy road, kneeled down again, and said, "Muffy baby, come here!" And zoom, she ran right past me again. I couldn't nab the little poop. By this time, I'm thinking..... "If I ever catch that dog.... she'll get a whoopin' all the way home!" So, I go off in the direction of the building again. And pretty soon, Don & Drew had come inside the area, thru the frence at the other end, by the building. But noone could find The Dog. Apparently she must have gone around the building and under the fence. We're going on 2 hours by now, looking for The Dog. And I'm sick and tired of tramping thru mucky, muddy, soggy, uneven ground in my $$$ church shoes, and constantly twisting my ankles. Then Don & I were together, by the building, looking for The Dog. Nowhere to be found. Then a few minutes later, Don got the phone call from Meg saying that Drew nabbed her and was heading home with her. And the little poop dog even bit Drew!!! Boy.... Then Don said, my car is here.... but, because I'd been running and walking so much, I dropped Meg's blanket in the middle of the road, WAY BACK DOWN THEREEEEEEEE!!! So, I had to walk clear back down the road to retrieve the blanket and Don drove down to the far end of the fence to wait for me. I picked up the blanket, walked to the edge of the fence by the bubbling river, swung around the edge and walked over to the Hummer. Now, because my feet are all muddy.... and I was clearly worn out, I opened the door to climb into the Hummer, and put my feet on the floor board and started to heave myself into the seat, and BAM, my feet slipped off the floorboard and I landed on my right ankle, sideways. I heard snapping and popping and everything went numb, and I thought I broke my foot. I even cried. I never cry with injuries. But I did this time. Don took us to Meg's and I went inside, could barely walk, sat down, and then we noticed my ankle had swollen to grapefruit size. Oy..... Don insisted we go to the ER.
Fast forward FOUR HOURS after sitting in the ER surround by coughing, hacking, on death's door people. I made Don & me sit way far away from "those people". Mercy me.... Oh, and get this..... we were STARVING to death, and on the TV???? The Food Network. Steak grilling contest. Brother. Anyway, I finally got x-rays and diagnosis, severe contusion and sprain. I'm to stay off of it for several days and put ice on it. It's wrapped in an ace bandage & with an air splint. It's still pretty painful, but I'm getting around.
So, that's my Lucy and Ethel Day. Chasing a little poop dog who didn't want to be found, while wearing fancy church clothes & $$$ church shoes, and walking / running thru lumpy, mucky, muddy, wet grass & mud.... All for my daughter, to save her relationship with the In-Laws. LOL Sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do!
***
And that's my life so far...
Thursday, March 11, 2010
March Randomness
Some random thoughts for the month of March...
1. It rained last night. Fantastic! Even had lightning.
2. I hate driving in driving rain.
3. I love meeting Don at OTB for dinner after KCC rehearsal.
4. Lily reached out to me yesterday, and I loved that.
5. Christian lights up his face with love when he sees me, and I love that.
6. Mackenzie is fascinated with my coffee cup. Good girl.
7. Kenzie had a hard time going to sleep this morning. Took 3 times to calm her down. She had her "mad" on.
8. I love chianti. Who knew?
9. God is so good and I know He's watching over me and my family.
10. I never know who reads my blog. Wish there was a way of finding out.
11. Wish I had more than 4 official followers of my blog.
12. Why don't my girls blog anymore?
13. Julie & I are the only ones who update our blogs regularly.
14. April, you are slackin' on your blog, dahhhhling.
15. Meg, seriously, it's been a year.
16. I love coffee with macadamia white chocolate cream in it.
17. Cali is one smart doggie. She understands my words. "Down." "Get your toy." "Stop barking!!!" "Do you want to eat?" "Time to go ni-night." "GET IN THE HOUSE!!!" "Want a chewy?" "Bye bye." "Want to go bye bye?" "Let's go get your bath." "Get down!" "Wanna sing?" followed by her howling on pitch with me!! Smart doggie, she definitely is. "Kenzie is here!" "Christian is here!" "The babies are here!" Any of those said, she runs immediately to the front door so excited to see them!
18. I need a vacation.
19. I wonder how the Lord is going to bring us out of this latest jam in life???
20. I can't wait to get out in the garden and start working. I want to plant a new peony, and several new perennials. I also want to grow okra this year. Along with my tomatoes.
21. I love playing the piano.
22. I love how my house is almost always neat & clean.
23. I love cooking and am contemplating catering the Dinner Drama this fall at our church.
24. I loved going to the Elton John / Billy Joel concert.
25. I love my cyber-daughters and am very proud of both of them.
26. I'm changing the "Crow" dance.
27. I'm working on the "Weeds" dance.
28. I have no idea what we're gonna do for the "inventions" yet.
29. #26 - 28 have to do with the spring musical, "Acorns to Oaks."
30. I'm crazy about my daughters. They are fantabulous women.
31. I'm crazy in love with my husband.
That's enough randomness for today.
***
and that's my life so far.
1. It rained last night. Fantastic! Even had lightning.
2. I hate driving in driving rain.
3. I love meeting Don at OTB for dinner after KCC rehearsal.
4. Lily reached out to me yesterday, and I loved that.
5. Christian lights up his face with love when he sees me, and I love that.
6. Mackenzie is fascinated with my coffee cup. Good girl.
7. Kenzie had a hard time going to sleep this morning. Took 3 times to calm her down. She had her "mad" on.
8. I love chianti. Who knew?
9. God is so good and I know He's watching over me and my family.
10. I never know who reads my blog. Wish there was a way of finding out.
11. Wish I had more than 4 official followers of my blog.
12. Why don't my girls blog anymore?
13. Julie & I are the only ones who update our blogs regularly.
14. April, you are slackin' on your blog, dahhhhling.
15. Meg, seriously, it's been a year.
16. I love coffee with macadamia white chocolate cream in it.
17. Cali is one smart doggie. She understands my words. "Down." "Get your toy." "Stop barking!!!" "Do you want to eat?" "Time to go ni-night." "GET IN THE HOUSE!!!" "Want a chewy?" "Bye bye." "Want to go bye bye?" "Let's go get your bath." "Get down!" "Wanna sing?" followed by her howling on pitch with me!! Smart doggie, she definitely is. "Kenzie is here!" "Christian is here!" "The babies are here!" Any of those said, she runs immediately to the front door so excited to see them!
18. I need a vacation.
19. I wonder how the Lord is going to bring us out of this latest jam in life???
20. I can't wait to get out in the garden and start working. I want to plant a new peony, and several new perennials. I also want to grow okra this year. Along with my tomatoes.
21. I love playing the piano.
22. I love how my house is almost always neat & clean.
23. I love cooking and am contemplating catering the Dinner Drama this fall at our church.
24. I loved going to the Elton John / Billy Joel concert.
25. I love my cyber-daughters and am very proud of both of them.
26. I'm changing the "Crow" dance.
27. I'm working on the "Weeds" dance.
28. I have no idea what we're gonna do for the "inventions" yet.
29. #26 - 28 have to do with the spring musical, "Acorns to Oaks."
30. I'm crazy about my daughters. They are fantabulous women.
31. I'm crazy in love with my husband.
That's enough randomness for today.
***
and that's my life so far.
Monday, March 8, 2010
It's a New Week
It's a new week..... thank God for that! Literally. The past week has been very difficult for me. Last Friday, I was spiraling out of control, depression taking over, and there was a battle between me, Satan and the Lord taking place in my bedroom. I spent the majority of several hours in prayer, asking for help from the Lord. And pleading with Him for strength and to not cave in to wanting to take a bunch of pills and go to sleep forever. It was a tough day. And I couldn't think of ONE person I could call and seek help from. I didn't want to worry my girls. I didn't want to worry my husband, or give him an extra burden that day. Finally, the Lord put Emily on my mind and I called her. I reached out to her and she was there for me. I love Emily, and am grateful for her. She & her husband will be helping Don & me.
What instigated this? The IRS. They are after us now. We were audited a few years ago on 4 years worth of taxes, and they had thrown out ALL deductions from those years. Just plain old tossed them out. Then when we (Don) protested it, he met with the IRS investigator and provided proof of all of our deductions. He has boxes of receipts and proof. Still, we didn't hear from her in a long time. Then on Friday we got letters saying that for 3 of those 4 years, we now owe the IRS a six figure amount of money in 2 weeks time. Whoa......... spinning out of control. Don says not to worry, that we have the proof. In my mind, I'm thinking, "How much more can we be expected to endure from our Federal Government??? How much more in this life are we expected to endure????" Then Don went back to work, and I spun out of control.
Emily's husband is an attorney, and is finding us a good tax attorney that we can trust. Hopefully we'll hear something today. I'm just so sick of all that Life has thrown us these past few years. I know that the Word says that He won't give us anything in life in which we cannot endure thru His strength. I'm leaning on this promise, and trusting Him to guide us to the right attorney, and to see us through this new trauma in life.
I am so grateful for my husband. He came home from work early on Friday and was VERY worried about me. He loves me unconditionally and without end. He reassured me that everything would be alright (crying as I'm typing this) and that we'd make it through this. We have the proof, after all. Then he had me clean up and he took me to dinner down at Buca's. Love that place. We had a delightful time. We sat at the bar, talked with the bartender and people around us, and enjoyed a nice spaghetti dinner. LOVE that garlic bread, unfortunately.... oy...
***
Saturday morning was another rehearsal for the musical. I had the "3 crows" come first so I could teach them the choreography to their dance. Then the 2nd hour was the crows with the other characters in their scene - Scene 3. Good rehearsal. What a great cast we have this year. Well, we always have a good cast. 'Cause we always have such great kids involved! Love them.... I do.
***
Saturday night was the first of Family Dinner Nights at our house. We used to do this when our kids were little, and Don wants us to start doing this for our kids. We used to go to Don's parents house in Calif. every Saturday night for burgers. That way we got to see them, and they got time with our girls. Fun times, fun memories. So, we're starting that in our family. And any of the kids who can come are welcome to, and if they don't want to come, or have other plans, then that's okay too. But for now, we're starting Family Dinner Night on Saturdays. Dyan & Jory had other plans already, but Meg, Drew & Kenzie came over. We had burgers & watched a stupid Guy Flick - Ironman. It was stupid with NO plot, but the guys & Meg liked it. Ridiculous, I say. But, we had a nice time together, and I even made chocolate malts. Yum.... after our burgers & baked fries.
***
Sunday - church. I felt alone at church yesterday. Don't know why, but I did. I felt disconnected. Must be the depression talkin'. I don't usually feel that way. I sat alone. I felt alone.
***
Sunday after church, we came home, had sandwiches, and then got on the Harley. It was a bit chilly, but with our leathers on, we were fine. We rode to Dyan's so she could cut Don's hair. They we took off to the Plaza (my favorite place in KC). We parked in the semi-designated bike parking area, where all motorcyclists park, then took off the chaps & leather jacket, stored it in the bike, then walked to J. Jill, and I shopped. I shouldn't shop when I'm having bouts of depression.... $300 later, I got some good deals! Lots of sale items, and I needed new clothes, since mine are either stained or worn out. I put it on my JJill charge, so will pay it off in a month. I felt good about my purchases, except having to buy size 20 jeans. I have no jeans in my closet, and really needed a pair, so I had to order them online, from the store, so no shipping charges, and I absolutely HATED having to buy 20's... but, I hopefully won't be in them long. I just needed some jeans to wear "in the meantime." Oy.....
After J Jill, Don & I went to the Cheesecake Factory and had a slice of cheesecake and a glass of iced tea. Yum.... I know, I know, I've totally BLOWN my diet this weekend. Back on the plan today! I swear! Honest!! I have to find my yoga DVD. It's been put in my office, I'm sure.... Gotta find it and get back to it.
***
Today is KenzieDay. She's such a little dollface. She's rolling all over the place now. And this morning, she ate a whole bowl of organic oatmeal. Yes, "organic." LOL She's taking her morning nap now. I've never seen a baby so easy to put down for a nap. She's wide awake when I put her in the crib, and we turn on her music toy, and she goes right to sleep! Amazing! I need to take new pics of her and post them. She's really getting big!!! She's almost 7 months old now.
***
New Week = New Attitude. I can do it! I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.
***
And that's my life so far...
What instigated this? The IRS. They are after us now. We were audited a few years ago on 4 years worth of taxes, and they had thrown out ALL deductions from those years. Just plain old tossed them out. Then when we (Don) protested it, he met with the IRS investigator and provided proof of all of our deductions. He has boxes of receipts and proof. Still, we didn't hear from her in a long time. Then on Friday we got letters saying that for 3 of those 4 years, we now owe the IRS a six figure amount of money in 2 weeks time. Whoa......... spinning out of control. Don says not to worry, that we have the proof. In my mind, I'm thinking, "How much more can we be expected to endure from our Federal Government??? How much more in this life are we expected to endure????" Then Don went back to work, and I spun out of control.
Emily's husband is an attorney, and is finding us a good tax attorney that we can trust. Hopefully we'll hear something today. I'm just so sick of all that Life has thrown us these past few years. I know that the Word says that He won't give us anything in life in which we cannot endure thru His strength. I'm leaning on this promise, and trusting Him to guide us to the right attorney, and to see us through this new trauma in life.
I am so grateful for my husband. He came home from work early on Friday and was VERY worried about me. He loves me unconditionally and without end. He reassured me that everything would be alright (crying as I'm typing this) and that we'd make it through this. We have the proof, after all. Then he had me clean up and he took me to dinner down at Buca's. Love that place. We had a delightful time. We sat at the bar, talked with the bartender and people around us, and enjoyed a nice spaghetti dinner. LOVE that garlic bread, unfortunately.... oy...
***
Saturday morning was another rehearsal for the musical. I had the "3 crows" come first so I could teach them the choreography to their dance. Then the 2nd hour was the crows with the other characters in their scene - Scene 3. Good rehearsal. What a great cast we have this year. Well, we always have a good cast. 'Cause we always have such great kids involved! Love them.... I do.
***
Saturday night was the first of Family Dinner Nights at our house. We used to do this when our kids were little, and Don wants us to start doing this for our kids. We used to go to Don's parents house in Calif. every Saturday night for burgers. That way we got to see them, and they got time with our girls. Fun times, fun memories. So, we're starting that in our family. And any of the kids who can come are welcome to, and if they don't want to come, or have other plans, then that's okay too. But for now, we're starting Family Dinner Night on Saturdays. Dyan & Jory had other plans already, but Meg, Drew & Kenzie came over. We had burgers & watched a stupid Guy Flick - Ironman. It was stupid with NO plot, but the guys & Meg liked it. Ridiculous, I say. But, we had a nice time together, and I even made chocolate malts. Yum.... after our burgers & baked fries.
***
Sunday - church. I felt alone at church yesterday. Don't know why, but I did. I felt disconnected. Must be the depression talkin'. I don't usually feel that way. I sat alone. I felt alone.
***
Sunday after church, we came home, had sandwiches, and then got on the Harley. It was a bit chilly, but with our leathers on, we were fine. We rode to Dyan's so she could cut Don's hair. They we took off to the Plaza (my favorite place in KC). We parked in the semi-designated bike parking area, where all motorcyclists park, then took off the chaps & leather jacket, stored it in the bike, then walked to J. Jill, and I shopped. I shouldn't shop when I'm having bouts of depression.... $300 later, I got some good deals! Lots of sale items, and I needed new clothes, since mine are either stained or worn out. I put it on my JJill charge, so will pay it off in a month. I felt good about my purchases, except having to buy size 20 jeans. I have no jeans in my closet, and really needed a pair, so I had to order them online, from the store, so no shipping charges, and I absolutely HATED having to buy 20's... but, I hopefully won't be in them long. I just needed some jeans to wear "in the meantime." Oy.....
After J Jill, Don & I went to the Cheesecake Factory and had a slice of cheesecake and a glass of iced tea. Yum.... I know, I know, I've totally BLOWN my diet this weekend. Back on the plan today! I swear! Honest!! I have to find my yoga DVD. It's been put in my office, I'm sure.... Gotta find it and get back to it.
***
Today is KenzieDay. She's such a little dollface. She's rolling all over the place now. And this morning, she ate a whole bowl of organic oatmeal. Yes, "organic." LOL She's taking her morning nap now. I've never seen a baby so easy to put down for a nap. She's wide awake when I put her in the crib, and we turn on her music toy, and she goes right to sleep! Amazing! I need to take new pics of her and post them. She's really getting big!!! She's almost 7 months old now.
***
New Week = New Attitude. I can do it! I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.
***
And that's my life so far...
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Blind Parenting
(content deleted ~ therapy session completed)
Blind parenting. I'm not blind. But, I am blessed.
Thank you, Ms. Blog, for once again being my therapy session. The check is in the mail.
Blind parenting. I'm not blind. But, I am blessed.
Thank you, Ms. Blog, for once again being my therapy session. The check is in the mail.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Here We Go Again
Here we go again....
Today is my last "free" Saturday until the 2nd week of May. Yes kids, it's SPRING MUSICAL SEASON, and I will have no life. LOL Auditions for our musical will be held tomorrow afternoon, and voila!, next Saturday begins our weekly drama rehearsals.
This year, I've chosen "Acorns to Oaks" for our musical. It's a New Testament musical, based on the parable of the sowing of seeds. I think it's a wonderful musical, full of great lessons for the kids, that will hopefully remain with them on their way to growing into mature Christians. Acorns to Oaks is all about growing up to be Christ-like, and becoming a mighty Oak, with roots that are spread deep and wide and are firm in the Word. There are some funny elements in this musical, which will be challenging for me. For instance, the birds: Maggie, Lark & Robin, the birds dressed in upper crust black, with boa feathers, large hats, pearls, and they have come to eat the seeds. That will be fun to put together.
Then there's another challenging section: the Weeds ~ Blabs and Squeal. They are the RUMOR weeds, and they are nasty. They will be dressed up like gangsters and will use a Brooklyn accent. We'll put together a dance routine for them, and they will also be the soloists for the Rumor Weeds song.... Nasty, but cute. Hopefully the kids will learn the lesson about spreading false stories, rumors, and how they can damage people.
The kids will also be learning about the fruits of the Spirit. That will be fun for them. (Love, peace, patience, kindness, joy, self-control, and I can't remember the other ones off the top of my head) Bad, eh? Oh yeah, Gentleness. Hm... was that a Freudian slip? I try to be gentle.... lol.
I'm in the search for a Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald. They need to be older, not kids from the choir. I'm trying to get Meg & Drew to do this... Meg's on board, but Drew is hesitant. He's thinking about it. Hopefully he'll come to the auditions tomorrow and read the part with the kids. We'll see. It would be perfect if they did it. It would be so much fun for the kids to see Mr. & Mrs. Weaver up on stage with them. Fun times will be had by all.
***
And I come to the question, why do I do this???? I know how busy I'll be getting. This becomes practically a full-time job, if it's done right. And I always ask my self, WHY????? Well, I dunno.... I guess because it's my passion, teaching the children about the Lord thru the music that we sing. I love interacting with the kids. They feed my spirit. I get so much joy out of watching them perform in ministry. Also, I love being able to direct the band or orchestra. For me, that is a huge challenge, and one I look forward to every year. We have some very talented musicians at our church, and it's an honor for me to be able to work with them, and they make me a better musician. And when we put it all together, lights, sound, band, action, props, sets, choreography and kids, it's all very exciting and worthwhile. So, I guess that's why I do it. I just have to keep remembering this.
***
Don & I stayed in bed until 10 this morning. Cuddling and watching Property Ladder on TV. There are some real morons on that show... lol. We had a good laugh. Then we got up & went to Ihop for breakfast. Yes, breakfast at 11:00. Actually I had breakfast, Don had lunch.
***
Laundry Day. I don't know, but I'm afraid that we both have way too many clothes. We just got back from vacation, and the laundry is piled up. I really need to purge alot of stuff from our closet. I probably have 6 loads of laundry waiting for me. Coloreds, whites, towels, jeans, and more coloreds.
***
Tomorrow night, Don is taking me to see "Riverdance: The Final Tour" It's my Christmas gift. I love love love riverdancing, and it will be tons of fun to see the pros at it. I'm really looking forward to this. Just hope the snow holds off. Oh wait, we drive Hummers. Not a problem!
***
And that's my life so far....
Today is my last "free" Saturday until the 2nd week of May. Yes kids, it's SPRING MUSICAL SEASON, and I will have no life. LOL Auditions for our musical will be held tomorrow afternoon, and voila!, next Saturday begins our weekly drama rehearsals.
This year, I've chosen "Acorns to Oaks" for our musical. It's a New Testament musical, based on the parable of the sowing of seeds. I think it's a wonderful musical, full of great lessons for the kids, that will hopefully remain with them on their way to growing into mature Christians. Acorns to Oaks is all about growing up to be Christ-like, and becoming a mighty Oak, with roots that are spread deep and wide and are firm in the Word. There are some funny elements in this musical, which will be challenging for me. For instance, the birds: Maggie, Lark & Robin, the birds dressed in upper crust black, with boa feathers, large hats, pearls, and they have come to eat the seeds. That will be fun to put together.
Then there's another challenging section: the Weeds ~ Blabs and Squeal. They are the RUMOR weeds, and they are nasty. They will be dressed up like gangsters and will use a Brooklyn accent. We'll put together a dance routine for them, and they will also be the soloists for the Rumor Weeds song.... Nasty, but cute. Hopefully the kids will learn the lesson about spreading false stories, rumors, and how they can damage people.
The kids will also be learning about the fruits of the Spirit. That will be fun for them. (Love, peace, patience, kindness, joy, self-control, and I can't remember the other ones off the top of my head) Bad, eh? Oh yeah, Gentleness. Hm... was that a Freudian slip? I try to be gentle.... lol.
I'm in the search for a Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald. They need to be older, not kids from the choir. I'm trying to get Meg & Drew to do this... Meg's on board, but Drew is hesitant. He's thinking about it. Hopefully he'll come to the auditions tomorrow and read the part with the kids. We'll see. It would be perfect if they did it. It would be so much fun for the kids to see Mr. & Mrs. Weaver up on stage with them. Fun times will be had by all.
***
And I come to the question, why do I do this???? I know how busy I'll be getting. This becomes practically a full-time job, if it's done right. And I always ask my self, WHY????? Well, I dunno.... I guess because it's my passion, teaching the children about the Lord thru the music that we sing. I love interacting with the kids. They feed my spirit. I get so much joy out of watching them perform in ministry. Also, I love being able to direct the band or orchestra. For me, that is a huge challenge, and one I look forward to every year. We have some very talented musicians at our church, and it's an honor for me to be able to work with them, and they make me a better musician. And when we put it all together, lights, sound, band, action, props, sets, choreography and kids, it's all very exciting and worthwhile. So, I guess that's why I do it. I just have to keep remembering this.
***
Don & I stayed in bed until 10 this morning. Cuddling and watching Property Ladder on TV. There are some real morons on that show... lol. We had a good laugh. Then we got up & went to Ihop for breakfast. Yes, breakfast at 11:00. Actually I had breakfast, Don had lunch.
***
Laundry Day. I don't know, but I'm afraid that we both have way too many clothes. We just got back from vacation, and the laundry is piled up. I really need to purge alot of stuff from our closet. I probably have 6 loads of laundry waiting for me. Coloreds, whites, towels, jeans, and more coloreds.
***
Tomorrow night, Don is taking me to see "Riverdance: The Final Tour" It's my Christmas gift. I love love love riverdancing, and it will be tons of fun to see the pros at it. I'm really looking forward to this. Just hope the snow holds off. Oh wait, we drive Hummers. Not a problem!
***
And that's my life so far....
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