Last Minute Thoughts

It was a very good year. My granddaughter was born. I found a place in the job market again. I finished my degree. I haven't had any health problems. We had a wonderful vacation to Oregon.

The biggest challenge was that my Hero lost his job. Even in that, though, God has been good and provided for us for the past two months.

In a little more than an hour, a brand new year begins. I have some goals. I really have to get my weight under control this coming year and move toward long-term health. Now that my degree is finished, I have time to write. I need to finish the book about my Mom first. It's all there in my head. I need to get it on paper.

Other than that I just need to keep working towards loving my Savior more, being a better wife and mother and enjoying every moment being a Nana.

Resolutions

You Should Make 3 Resolutions

Lose Weight Save Money Get Fit

What Should You Resolve to Change Next Year?

It is finished (I think)

Right out of high school, I left for Bible college. I didn't finish the first semester because I couldn't find a job and my parents had some unexpected expenses that limited how much they could help.

So, I entered a "career path." I say that sarcastically, but it really was good for me. At 19, I moved 300 miles away from home and took a job as a paste-up artist at a company that produced school curriculum. I learned a lot on that job. Eventually, with on-the-job training, I became a typesetter and that skill still comes in very handy today.

I also met my Hero because of that job. I looked for and found a church home and there he was. We started dating 8 months later and married 10 months after that. So then I was not only on a career path, I was working on my PHT (putting hubby through). He was in Bible college at the time and we chose to make his training a priority with the idea that I would go back to school after he was finished.

And I did. Well, sort of. When we had been married for 6 years, I went back to school. This time I went to community college and I was a math major. I did great. I made good grades and I enjoyed my classes. However, one day, sitting in Calculus class, it occurred to me that while I was good at math, I did not want to spend the rest of my life in a career that required derivatives.

So after three semesters, I concentrated on family and career again for a while. Then, when my Hero actually began to pastor, I quit the workforce to become a full-time wife and mother. (For anyone who thinks that full-time homemaker is a leisurly job, think again. I was busier than ever.) I homeschooled as many as nine kids over a period of 16 years. I played church secretary in between teaching science and grading compositions. I loved every minute of it.

Then the inevitable happened and my kids grew up. I had time on my hands and in the spring of 2005, I went back to school to get my degree. This time I was an English major. I have stories to tell and I wanted to learn to be a better storyteller. I went to the local community college for 3 semesters and earned my Associates of Arts in English. In the fall of 2006, I transferred to the University of Illinois Springfield where I could finish my BA completely online.

The very first semester, I was sicker than I ever remember being. I almost died. Really. I wound up spending the entire month of December in the hospital at the University of Iowa and had surgery twice. As bad as that was, I was bound and determined not to let it interfere with school. (Looking back now, I must've been crazy but I perservered.)

In the spring of 2007, I took a full load again even though I was still recovering, was house bound, and had a visiting nurse every day to tend to me. In April, I went back into the hospital for another surgery and had a heart attack. Now, at this point a sensible person would have probably decided to take a break. If you've read my blog at all, you are probably aware that I am not necessarily a sensible person. I kept going.

I even made decent grades. Today, I finished my last class for my BA in English. If my grades for this semester hold up, I should graduate with honors and maybe even high honors. It's an accomplishment that has been 30 years in the making and I am so glad to be done.

Oh, the "I think" in the title: I'm never sure until I see my final grades. I'm funny like that.

Comfort

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah."

Psalm 61:2-4

Sleeping Like a Baby

I dunno if I'm gonna make it!!

12 Days to go..... just 12 more days but tons of assignments and tons of work hours. I will be so happy when it is over.

I will be finished with school and can start writing. That part I enjoy.

Too true

What Your Thanksgiving Meal Says About You

When it comes to the holidays, you follow and love the big traditions. You look forward to them every year. You see the holidays as a time to be close to loved ones. It's a good time to reconnect and make memories. You like the aspects of the holiday that remind you of your childhood - opening presents, treats, and old favorite foods. During the holidays, you are likely to feel comforted. At your worst, you feel a bit over-indulgent. You consider yourself to be a bit of a purist, and you're proud of it. You tend to spend your holidays sharing and pitching in. You'll do whatever needs to be done.

What Does Your Thanksgiving Meal Say About You?

In my country

About ten years ago, I took a group of about 15 ladies from my church to a large women's conference. The church had converted all of the bathrooms in the building to women's restrooms for the conference to shorten the wait during breaks but there were still lines.

There was a lady from my church from Cameroon who had immigrated here and she was standing in line with me waiting for the restroom during a break. We were just chatting and she said, "There are no lines in my country."

I was a little confused and after a moment I asked her, "So are there a lot of bathrooms or what?"

Her answer, "No, in my country the biggest and strongest go first."

After today and all the mad rush and crush just to save money on a TV or a Wii, I'm afraid that is the case in my country, too.

First Thanksgiving Proclamation

General Thanksgiving

By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America
A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houfes of Congress have, by their joint committee, requefted me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to eftablifh a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and affign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of thefe States to the fervice of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our fincere and humble thanksfor His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the fignal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpofitions of His providence in the courfe and conclufion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have fince enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to eftablish Conftitutions of government for our fafety and happinefs, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are bleffed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffufing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleafed to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in moft humbly offering our prayers and fupplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and befeech Him to pardon our national and other tranfgreffions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private ftations, to perform our feveral and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a bleffing to all the people by conftantly being a Government of wife, juft, and conftitutional laws, difcreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all fovereigns and nations (especially fuch as have shewn kindnefs unto us); and to blefs them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increafe of fcience among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind fuch a degree of temporal profperity as he alone knows to be beft.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand feven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

Source: The Massachusetts Centinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1789

The day after the night before

When I was sixteen, my friends and I stayed up all night playing Monopoly. We thought we were cool.

Then it didn't bother me so much. I could go to school and go to my job and function just fine.

When you are almost 3x16, it looks like this. It isn't pretty.

I hate insomnia

Have you ever noticed that no one ever says, "What a great time to have insomnia!"

If it's Christmas eve or the night before vacation and you can't sleep, we call that anticipation. If you are drinking coffee to stay up all night and study, we call that an all-nighter.

It's only when you are desperately tired and sleep evades that we call it insomnia. (When you have insomnia and you are blogging at 12:45 a.m. that is a weird looking word.)

Oh, well, maybe I should try again to go to sleep.

The Omnivore's Hundred

This was on a couple of my friends' blogs (Starr and Tami) and I thought it was kind of neat!!

The Omnivore’s Hundred:

The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food - but a good omnivore should really try it all.

The instructions are quite explicit...

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.

2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.

3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.

*I did remove all the references to liquor and alcohol as I don’t drink and don’t promote drinking.

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle

19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float

37. Clotted cream tea

39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk

46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle


59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

How about you? How'd you do with this list?

It seems I did okay with Mexican, German, and most Southern American but I don't seem like a very good omnivore, do I?

The END is near!!!!

In 24 days I will be finished with my B.A.!!! I am so excited!

Today, I wanted to just throw in the towel. I'm tired. I have assignments due and I don't want to ever again look for Greek or Biblical Motifs in European Literature... but then I counted the days!

Did I tell you? Only 24 days (and if you account for the Thanksgiving holiday next week, it's only 17!!

I am so happy.

Have You Ever?

I've seen this on several blogs and thought I'd join in. How many of theses things have you done? I guess 53 out of 99 isn't too bad, but I should travel more.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland/world

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang/played a solo

11. Bungee jumped (ha! There is a scary mental picture!)

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Gotten flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Made a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

A little more than a month left

And I will graduate from The University of Illinois Springfield with a BA in English!!! I can't wait. This last semester has about killed me. Since I'm working 30-35 hours a week and taking a fulltime load at school I catch myself coming and going. But the end is so very close....

He is five today!

My little buddy.
My grandson.
My comedian.

Elisha

New.


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Two


Three


Four


Five

Wordless Wednesday

God is moving

And sometimes we don't know how He is moving, but we know he is in control. My hero was laid off from his secular job today — the one God provided to help us pay the bills. We are certain that God will continue to provide but pray for us as we seek His guidance.

Misunderstood

Have you ever seen those cartoons that go something like "What she said" vs. "What he heard"? I think it's often way too true to even be funny. Many times it's not even the misunderstandings between men and women either. It can be between sisters, brothers, friends, parents and children or children and parents.

I've read and re-read the stack of letters that my brother gave me that my parents wrote back and forth in the months leading up to their wedding and the months afterward while Daddy was in Germany, Mom was in Missouri, and I grew in her womb. In that same stack were a few letters written by friends to my mother when she was as young as twelve. Those letters gave me a whole new perspective on the woman I called Mom. I saw her as a teenage girl, as a young woman in love, and as a first-time mother picking out names. I wasn't there to watch it happen but I can visit her through those letters.

Now as a mother of grown children, I'm afraid they don't know me. Especially since most of them didn't know me until they were young pre-teens or even teens. When I speak, they hear me without the filter of unspoken trust that grows between parent and child before the child can even talk. I don't really know how to make myself clear without that filter, either. I love each and every one of them unconditionally. I'm not always in agreement with their actions; occasionally I think they are downright wrong! (Imagine that — a parent who thinks the kid is wrong....) But my love never waivers.

An Adoption Poem

Not flesh of my flesh,
Or bone of my bone,
But miraculously my own.

Never forget …
Not even for a minute …
You weren't born under my heart
But in it.

I hope they hear that.

I want to win!

But just to be nice (and get my name in more) I'll tell you about it!!

Want to win a quilt?

Check it out!

The Wall

A long time ago, I had a Lhasa Apso named Pookie. She was a funny dog. She loved to go on walks. Short walks. When she was done, she was done. We would be walking along and she would decide the walk had been long enough and she would just lie down. She wouldn't move. We would pull on the leash and drag her and she wouldn't budge. We called the scenario, "taking Pookie for a drag." No matter how long we waited, she was done. Finally, we would pick her up and carry her and she would perk right up and look around and be all happy.

I think my body pulled a Pookie this week. Age is a funny thing for me. I know I am 47. I know I am not 20 anymore, but I don't feel 47. (Don't ask me what 47 feels like, I have no clue.) I just know that I expect to be able to do the same things I did when I was 20. Sometimes, I can't. This working and going to school full-time is a lot to expect out of a 47-year-old body, especially one that was so very sick a couple of years ago.

Don't worry, I'm fine, but I guess I need more than 5 or 6 hours sleep a night. This week, every time I try to read or do my assignments, I fall asleep. So last night, I went to bed early and this morning I'm going slow. If I pace myself, I'll finish this semester just fine.

In the meantime, I hit the wall. Ouch.

My Granddaughter

She's getting big isn't she? She weighs 16 lbs., is 24 inches long, and 4 months old!

Do you see him?

No, not my Hero, silly! (Although, he is really good lookin' isn't he?)

The people who live behind us had this tree removed. We were looking at how big a tree it was. This is one side of the double trunk and it isn't even the biggest diameter of that half.

My Hero and I were looking at it, and being a woman with a camera, of course I took a picture. Do you see what happened?

Look closely at the world's smallest cat sitting on the tree trunk.

No, it's not really the world's smallest cat. It's just a normal neighbor's cat sitting in the yard in the background, but it sure looks like the world's smallest cat.

Take just a minute

and breathe deep.

Where Have I Been?

It is the start of week 8 of my final semester!!!! Only 8 weeks to go.....

Then maybe I can breath and blog.

In the meantime, I'm reading Early American literature, European literature looking for Greek and Biblical motifs, and writing technical documents. And those things haven't translated here.

I get up, play taxi, come home stick my nose in the books and the computer, go to work, come home stick my nose in the books and the computer, go to bed, get up, and do it all again.

December won't come soon enough.

Simple Woman Daybook, September 22, 2008

FOR TODAY September 22...

Outside My Window... It's a beautiful first day of Fall. The trees are whispering hints of what's to come in the red and yellow tinges.

I am thinking... that I'm finally getting a handle on this semester. Organization is everything.

I am thankful for... the blessings the Lord heaps upon me daily.

From the kitchen... Wendy is taking care of dinner tonight.

I am wearing... my blue denim dress. It's funny because I haven't worn it in weeks and then I wear it on a Monday.

I am creating... I've been busy doing some mending.

I am going... to work, maybe to the grocery store.

I am reading... Early American literature, and some 18th century European literature (same stuff for the whole semester).

I am hoping... to get some medical tests done this week.

I am hearing... the hum of the air conditioner.

Around the house... the house is actually pretty clean.

One of my favorite things... my family's smiles.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… pretty much, school and work, same as last week, same as next week.

Here is picture thought I am sharing..

My family on a World War II ship that docked here a couple of weeks ago.

I should explain

My sister had a particularly bad day a couple of weeks ago. She finally decided to go out in her backyard and unwind. It was just getting dark. As she walked around the yard she stepped on what she thought was the water hose . . . until it moved. She looked down and it was a 5 foot black snake. Poor fellow was trying as hard to get away from her as she was to get away from it. She began screaming and her 12-year-old son ran out of the house to see what was wrong. She was jumping all around the yard screaming because she didn't know where the snake had retreated. My nephew was laughing so hard that he had to lean against a tree to hold himself up. His mother was not amused. I think it's hilarious!

This is for my sister

more animals

What Spice Are You?

You Are Cilantro

The bad news is that there are some people who can't stand you. The good news is that most people love you more than anything else in the world. You are distinct, unusual, fresh, and very controversial. And you wouldn't have it any other way.

If you think about it

Pray for me. I don't know how much of it I chronicled here in my blog, but between June of 2006 and June of 2007, I was very sick. Actually, I've had endometriosis since at least 1982. That led up to the major health problems I had in the time frame mentioned. I spent 4 days in ICU, required 7 units of blood, and 5 days in CCU.

I thought that the surgeries fixed everything and I had a few things that needed "cleaned up" but other than that, the endometriosis adventure was ended.

I might have been wrong.

I've had some pain in the past few days. It's an all too familiar pain but I kept thinking "it can't be." Then tonight I read that 15% of women who have a total hysterectomy to treat endometriosis still have a reoccurence.

I think I may cry.

I'm making a doctor's appointment tomorrow, but can I tell you that the medical professionals really shuffle their feet on this one? I don't know what God has for me, but He's brought me this far.

I'll just have to keep trusting.

Simple Woman Daybook, September 8, 2008

FOR TODAY September 8...

Outside My Window... It's fixin to rain and it's really cool — the high today is only supposed to be about 63°.

I am thinking... about the assignments I'm about to work on. I have to answer some questions about the Biblical context of Salome and the literary value of some early American writings.

I am thankful for... technology! I love being able to sit in my recliner and get an education.

From the kitchen... I haven't decided what we are having for dinner tonight.

I am wearing... blue culottes and a khaki & red checked shirt.

I am creating... nothing right now. I'm forming some of the ideas for some writing.

I am going... just to work.

I am reading... Early American literature, and some 18th century European literature (same as last week).

I am hoping... that we hear about my grandson's application to the daycare at the Y.

I am hearing... Dr. Laura.

Around the house... the house is actually pretty clean.

One of my favorite things... gadgets. I am a gadget geek.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… pretty much, school and work, same as last week.

Here is picture thought I am sharing..

My granddaughter's smile.

Saturday Already?

Here it is the weekend and I haven't blogged at all since Monday… you probably didn't even miss me. The first couple of weeks of any semester are always a little more frantic for me. This semester I have a professor who is, well, a little different than most I have had. In fairness, she is not originally from the United States and so it is probable that the difficulty I am having grasping her expectations are a cultural communication gap. I'm figuring it out but I've had to devote a little more time that I expected just to setting up the assignments.

My coworker at the clinic was on vacation all week so that left me (almost) solo for the first time. Some other things have come up in the course of the week.

All of the absence excuses aside, I have a question (or two) for the couple of you who read here. My main purpose for finishing school has been that I really think God is going to have me write a couple of books. One will be a memoir of sorts of my mother tentatively titled My Mother was a Pigeon. She was mentally ill but life was never boring and there are so many things to learn from her.

Beyond that, I have a couple of ideas tumbling around in my head. (It's a wide open space up there so there is plenty of room for ideas to move about.) Of the following ideas, which one(s) would you read?

A book for pastors' wives: Big Hair and Piano Playing not Required (encouragement for those of us who don't fit the "image")
A book for parents: My Kid's in the Far Country, What Now? (how to cope when your child goes astray)
A book for everyone: It's Too Far From Your Heart to Kill You (The difference between a mishap and a sorrow)

So what do you think?

Simple Woman Daybook, September 1, 2008

FOR TODAY September 1...

Outside My Window... The sun is shining. The day is beautiful.

I am thinking... that it is so nice to have my Hero home today and to have no particular plans for the day.

I am thankful for... my heating pad. It makes my back feel so much better.

From the kitchen... right now my Hero is doing my dishes for me. I think we are going to have a big pot of butter beans tonight for dinner.

I am wearing... oops, I'm still in my pink jammies.

I am creating... havoc! LOL!

I am going... as far as I know, I am just staying home today.

I am reading... Early American literature, and some 18th century European literature.

I am hoping... that God shows Himself in some situations this week.

I am hearing... Sprout on television.

Around the house... we have a few plans for some yard work today.

One of my favorite things... I think I've said this one before but new socks.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… pretty much, school and work.

Here is picture thought I am sharing..

A visitor in my garden.

I was 19 on that day

Twenty-eight years ago.

This is the page from my work calendar. I'll tell the story later.

It's been quite the week

I started classes this week and I think I'm getting in the groove. My job is picking up. We've been busier than normal and I'm increasing my hours since I'm soon to go from temp to permanent. So, between work and school, my blogging has been neglected. I will try to dig my way out and into a schedule and return very soon.

Simple Woman, August 25, 2008

FOR TODAY August 25...

Outside My Window... The weather could not be any nicer for late August. Right now it is about 60° headed for a high of 78° with almost no humidity.

I am thinking... that my classes start today and I'm nervous. My books haven't arrived yet and I have assignments due tomorrow.

I am thankful for... my sister. We are closer than best friends.

From the kitchen... tonight will probably be hamburgers.

I am wearing... a blue denim dress and black slip ons.

I am creating... wedding pictures. A couple were married at our church Saturday afternoon and I took the pictures. I need to clean them up so I can give the newlyweds a CD.

I am going... nowhere but work today.

I am reading... still reading "The Choice" by Nicholas Sparks.

I am hoping... that this semester isn't really rough. I don't think it will be once I get going but you never know.

I am hearing... Dr. Laura.

Around the house... I cleaned the main rooms last night and my daughter will get the dishes done today.

One of my favorite things... soft sheets.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… I will be getting all kinds of packages this weeks: books and computer stuff.

Here is picture thought I am sharing..

My strawberry blossom.

Today is

Today is the first day of my last semester at the University of Illinois Springfield. I'm taking three classes, 12 hours, this time: Technical and Professional Writing, Greek & Biblical Motifs in Literature, and Early American Literature. I don't think it will be a really hard semester but my blogging may be a little more sporadic. We shall see.

You know it's time

You know it's time for a boy to graduate from a toddler bed to a big-boy bed when he's carrying the toddler bed around and making forts and bridges out of it. For the past week, every time one of us walks into Elisha's room his bed is another architectural wonder. He'll be five in November and I am certain that a big boy bed is on the agenda.

My Computer Journey

I am a Mac Geek! Yep, Apple all the way since 1989.


This was what our first computer looked like. It was an Apple SE with 1 mb of RAM and, get this, a 20 mb hard drive. We were screeching fast! I did publish, print and distribute a homeschool record-keeping system with this thing and we ran all of our church records on it.

The day came when the SE was just a little too sluggish. If you had a computer back then, you might remember clicking to open a file, going and doing a load of laundry and coming back to check if the file was open yet. That was fun. So we upgraded to this little baby — an LCIII otherwise known as the Performa 476. We had color and AOL with a portal to the World Wide Web. And boy, we had a 28.8 external modem. A new age had dawned.


For a little bit anyway. Then the Internet was starting to catch on and Steve Jobs gave us the iMac — one button access to the WWW. It was so popular that other companies started making toasters and curling irons in Bondi Blue. I still have a Bondi Blue scanner in a closet somewhere.


That little computer was my right arm for several years but eventually, it graduated to a designated church computer and I got the white wonder for my personal use. We lovingly named this guy Petrie because he reminded us of the baby pteradactyl in The Land Before Time. He could bob his head ever so cute.

Then last year, I moved up to the BIG time and I mean big — 24" screen. It is so cool for working in Photoshop. I can have two or three pictures open side by side and do all sorts of things. This is the computer I am using today to type this. This computer is not being replaced but rather I am adding to my collection. Any day now, the friendly delivery driver will pull up in front of my house and bring me one of these:
A MacBook Pro. And I am excited. For the past 10+ years, my Hero has forbidden me to have a laptop. He said it was for my own good because I needed to get away from my computer and my work sometimes, but he has finally consented. I can't wait to see the things I will be able to do with this new jobbie! I can sit in my recliner and watch Food Network and surf all at the same time… oh, yeah, and study and work on school, and do my church duties, too.

I got the job!!!!

I am now an employee of Palmer Chiropractic College! I am really excited and trying very hard to restrain my usage of exclamation points but !!!!!!!

I love going to school online

And I found this poem:

Gone High Tech
You may have noticed, teacher,
I am not in school today.
But the tape deck on my desk,
Will record each word you say.
Switch on my laptop's Webcam,
When you have something to show,
And if you pass out homework,
Find my fax number below.
I’ve a pager and cell phone,
So I won’t be hard to reach.
Since I don’t need to be in class,
I’ll do lessons at the beach.

From School Poems

I will sing

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing, I will sing!
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing of the mercies of Lord!
With my mouth will I make known
Thy faithfulness, Thy faithfulness!
With my mouth will I make known
Thy faithfulness to all generations!
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord!

"I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations."

Psalm 89:1

Simple Woman, August 18, 2008

FOR TODAY August 18...

Outside My Window... we are tying a weather record for 2008! This is our 5th straight day without precipitation. Since January 1, we have not gone longer that 5 days without snow or rain. It looks like we might break the record tomorrow.

I am thinking... about anything but the phone call I am anticipating.

I am thankful for... my husband's many skills. He had to re-plumb our bathroom this weekend and got it all done, even learning to sweat pipe. We have no leak now and a wonderful new shower head!

From the kitchen... tonight we are having chorizo, eggs, and potatoes with cornmeal muffins.

I am wearing... blue culottes and my t-shirt from our cruise to the Bahamas.

I am creating... chaos — as usual. This last week I didn't have much time to create, hopefully this next week I can crochet some more.

I am going... to work this afternnon.

I am reading... "The Choice" by Nicholas Sparks.

I am hoping... to hear about my job interview today. I have interviewed for the permanent position that I have been temping for the past six week and I really want the job.

I am hearing... construction equipment working in the housing development across the street.

Around the house... I'm hoping to get the office cleaned and organized today. My final semester of college starts next week and I need to be organized in order to juggle home, work and school!

One of my favorite things... puppy kisses.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… I haven't really thought that far ahead. If my financial aid comes in today, I have some online shopping to do.

Here is picture thought I am sharing..

Don't you wish photos came with smell and you could smell the chives?

A Special Category

I've decided that the Mommy Olympics should have a special category for Grandmothers. There's all kinds of events that could be held in this category: "Shopping for grandchildren," "Keeping the mouth shut when you disagree with the grandchildren's parents," "Crafting for grandchildren," and "Babysitting grandchildren."

My mom should be posthumously awarded a special medal for that last event. Ten days after my mom went to heaven, my Hero and I said goodbye to Samuel Mark Cannon. The little guy surprised us. We didn't even know he existed when he made his trip to heaven a little more than 4 months after he began to take form in my womb. Through our tears, we laughed at the idea that my mom, "Nanny," couldn't even go to heaven to escape babysitting!

Right now I spend my time training for the "Figuring out what the grandson is pretending to be" event. My form needs work.

The Mommy Olympics

I think there should be Olympic competition for the real life skills. And who has more real life skills than a Mommy? There could be the obvious events like "diaper changing," "laundry folding," and "speed vacuuming." But then there could be advanced events like "cooking while nose wiping without cross-contamination" and "helping an 8-year-old with math while burping a baby."

I think I would win the "listening to inane chatter while maintaining a smile" event.

What other events can you think of? What's your best event?

Notes to self

Blogging layouts are a pain. Fix it and leave it.

Beyond that, my days have been very uneventful. My back must have gone on a round-the-world tour because it has been out for a long time. My family, though, has been absolutely wonderful about picking up the slack around the house. For that, I am beyond thankful.

I have an interview tomorrow for the permanent position I have been filling as a temp. I really pray I get it. I love the job and the people and the situation just fits my life perfectly. Since I need to work, this is the job I want.

You know you are in for a doozie of a course when the professor e-mails the syllabus and schedule two weeks before class starts because the first assignment is due the first day of class. (swallows hard) Maybe this semester won't be as easy as I hoped. Either way, though, come December, I will be FINISHED!!

And, no, as of this moment, I am not going on for my Master's. (Ask me again in a year.)

This thing is all messed up

But I think I've almost finished fixing it. I'll get back on it tonight.

Simple Woman Daybook August 11

FOR TODAY August 11, 2008...

Outside My Window... it is just unbelievably beautiful for August. It is only 65° with a slight breeze and clear, blue skies.

I am thinking... about something.... I'm sure..... I just don't know what.

I am thankful for... my washer and dryer. I would hate to cart this laundry to the laundromat, or worse yet, the river, everyweek.

From the kitchen... It will be salmon croquettes this evening!

I am wearing... a denim jumper and a bright green shirt.

I am creating... I've been slowly working on the new afghan. My puppy interrupted me by unwinding and tangling my yarn but I got that straightened out.

I am reading... "The Watchman" by Robert Crais. I don't know what got me in this mystery mode, but it's fun. Here in a couple of weeks everything I read will be school related.

I am hoping... my back quits hurting soon. Later this week, I have the real interview for the permanent position I have been temping. I hope that works out well.

I am hearing... the news.

Around the house... I haven't been able to do much because my back is out. It's not too bad, though. My family has been keeping things straight.

One of my favorite things... comfy socks.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
I don't really have any plans. I guess I'll tackle each thing as it comes at me.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


The sky was so blue on Friday. This is the I-74 bridge connecting Iowa and Illinois across the Mississippi River.

I think it's time for a trip up the east coast

visited 35 states (70%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or determine the next president

Sometimes I crack myself up

I was posting on my devotion site, Grace & Salt, and the introduction I have in the right column caught my eye. This is what I have written there:

"As the pastor's wife, I often teach lessons to our ladies. This is a sister blog to Nana's Faith — a place for me to record those spiritual thoughts as the Lord leads."

Then I started laughing at myself because I thought, "What's Nana's Faith? The place where I record my carnal thoughts?" Honestly, I was laughing out loud.

Don't mind me, I'm in my own little world enjoying myself.

Grandbabies

Emma (2 months).


So precious.


Elisha's Preschool graduation. (He starts PK-4 this year.)


Singing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" with sign language.