It turns out that Tornado (C.) isn't the only one with an obsession with "ucky" things. Our beloved custodian at church, M., who is coming up on her 75th birthday, comes by everyday she's in, to empty the trash. She examines the contents of our trash cans with the attention given by a hospital nurse checking the urine output in a foley bag hanging from the patient's bed. "You did good today," comments M. on the amount of trash she has to empty. Or, "you've been busy." Or, "today is a slow trash day." Always a comment, always an interest in what is in the can (or not). Today, she found a disposed copy of a prayer card I was working on for H & S, and came back in to ask me if that was my daughter. "She looks just like you!" Yep, we've heard that a few times.
M., living alone, also talks to herself, carrying on regular and detailed conversations. In the beginning, it always threw me for a loop to walk into a room and wonder if she was talking to me. Now I may or may not comment on whatever she is talking about at the moment, depending on whatever interesting I may or may not have to say.
M. is really quite amazing, moving tables and chairs, mopping the entire gym, and more, at her age. To say she does so without complaint would be a lie, but we'll miss her when she's gone. I doubt anyone else will take her level of interest in what is found (or not found) in our uckies.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
From my journal today
This morning, while pouring my cereal (carefully measured, in an attempt to practice the discipline required in weight management after 50), I was pondering that this is the way of the world - too much of any "thing" is just too much, and is not profitable, does not better us, and really just drags us down. For example, too much food leads to extra weight, that ultimately will have a negative impact on our health. Too much household stuff just gets in the way, requiring cleaning, maintenance, and decisions about what to do with it. Too much time invested in any one activity brings an imbalance to life.
The only thing we can't get too much of in life is God. The vastness of His personhood and the majesty of His glory draws us to Him and the desire to experience more of Him is like being irresistibly pulled toward a super magnet. I think that life is in perfect balance when He is at the center of it, and that it is that "centeredness" that helps us to make sense out of the rest of it. He is the author and sustainer of all life, the beauty that we see in creation and the reminder of the completion of the redemption of our broken world upon His return.
Perhaps this is what Jesus was talking about in John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly."
The only thing we can't get too much of in life is God. The vastness of His personhood and the majesty of His glory draws us to Him and the desire to experience more of Him is like being irresistibly pulled toward a super magnet. I think that life is in perfect balance when He is at the center of it, and that it is that "centeredness" that helps us to make sense out of the rest of it. He is the author and sustainer of all life, the beauty that we see in creation and the reminder of the completion of the redemption of our broken world upon His return.
Perhaps this is what Jesus was talking about in John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly."
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
When you don't have anything interesting to say...
...you quote somebody else. This is one of my favorite blog posts from a friend-of-a-family-college-friend. Ever notice how reading blogs can take you to interesting places? Many blogs have links to other blogs, and that's how I found this one. This guy keeps me laughing on a regular basis. And if I could write like HIM...
Udder Confusion
Hey kids! Sorry about the lack of posting for a while, I guess it's the price I pay for having nothing to say. For those of you who haven't read either my mother's post on the topic or the related Ann Arbor News story, or if you just want a slightly less biased (ha!) opinion on the matter, you've come to the right place. First off, I want to tell you to ignore those two links I gave you up there and listen only to the soothing sound of my typing hands, but I imagine that you've already read the news article and first-hand apology (I mean that in the Socratic sense, she's not sorry), so I'm just going to attempt to editorialize here.
Last Friday morning found my mum and sister-in-law waiting in a back alley in Ann Arbor with a largish crowd of folks with pony tails and Birkenstocks and maybe the occasional "man with no name"-style poncho, who had all driven (or perhaps carpooled to save on greenhouse emissions) there in old Volvos that are now held together only by bumper stickers which read "Free Tibet," "I break for Jake," and perhaps "I'd rather be in Ann Arbor." What, you may ask, could possibly have drawn these people away from their homeopathy boutiques and used record and book stores on this Friday morning? Milk. That's right, just like the stuff the rest of us buy at gas stations and grocery stores at our convenience. Well, almost just like it. What makes this milk so special? It's unpasteurized. Unpasteurized? Isn't pasteurization that process by which the bacteria in milk are killed? Yup, but let’s leave that for later. For now, let’s just content ourselves with the knowledge that two otherwise sane people whom I love very much were standing there on a Friday morning waiting to buy dirty milk out of the back of a truck. In an alley. On purpose. And then, suddenly, in the blink of an eye, nothing happened. Seriously. The sketchy milk truck didn’t show. Close to 100 hippies were stuck there in an alley, awaiting the arrival of a truck that simply would not arrive. Awkwardly, they stood around with their hands in their pockets, probably thinking to themselves that it’s getting a wee bit cold to wear Birkenstocks, and perhaps making awkward small talk to one another about how they never forgave their parents for not accepting their lifestyle.
What had become of the truck and its high-bacteria bounty? It had been stopped en route from the organic dairy farm by sheriff’s deputies serving a Michigan Department of Agriculture warrant to seize the sketchy milk and Farmer Rick’s cell phone. They also swiped his computer back at the farm house. Little did Farmer Rick realize that his weekly back-alley drop-offs had been to 99 honest crazies trying to get their bacteria fix, and one undercover agent from the Michigan Department of Agriculture. An undercover agent, baby! Every MDA worker dreams of this kind of assignment. “Son, I need someone to infiltrate an organic dairy co-op, and they tell me you’re the best. Here’s your ‘Jerry Lives’ t-shirt, and the keys to your 1979 Volvo. In the car you’ll find an 8-track tape with further instructions, along with some live bootlegs of Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young.” Hahahaha, those jokers at the MDA, what will they come up with next?
According to the news article (which, by the way, more than pushes the limits of impartial journalism), Farmer Rick has done nothing illegal, and has yet to be charged with anything. Apparently there’s a loophole in Michigan law which allows the co-op to buy the milk by leasing part-ownership of the herd, or something like that.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m actually against laws that keep people from buying unpasteurized milk when they do so with full knowledge of what they’re buying. We can still legally buy alcohol and tobacco, can’t we? Sorry, I’m just not looking to the State of Michigan to save me from myself. That said, I personally find the whole ordeal to be about the funniest thing I’ve heard all month. I’m sorry to those of you who’d already heard the whole story, I’ll try to post something else in a timely manner. Until then, I wish you well.
Udder Confusion
Hey kids! Sorry about the lack of posting for a while, I guess it's the price I pay for having nothing to say. For those of you who haven't read either my mother's post on the topic or the related Ann Arbor News story, or if you just want a slightly less biased (ha!) opinion on the matter, you've come to the right place. First off, I want to tell you to ignore those two links I gave you up there and listen only to the soothing sound of my typing hands, but I imagine that you've already read the news article and first-hand apology (I mean that in the Socratic sense, she's not sorry), so I'm just going to attempt to editorialize here.
Last Friday morning found my mum and sister-in-law waiting in a back alley in Ann Arbor with a largish crowd of folks with pony tails and Birkenstocks and maybe the occasional "man with no name"-style poncho, who had all driven (or perhaps carpooled to save on greenhouse emissions) there in old Volvos that are now held together only by bumper stickers which read "Free Tibet," "I break for Jake," and perhaps "I'd rather be in Ann Arbor." What, you may ask, could possibly have drawn these people away from their homeopathy boutiques and used record and book stores on this Friday morning? Milk. That's right, just like the stuff the rest of us buy at gas stations and grocery stores at our convenience. Well, almost just like it. What makes this milk so special? It's unpasteurized. Unpasteurized? Isn't pasteurization that process by which the bacteria in milk are killed? Yup, but let’s leave that for later. For now, let’s just content ourselves with the knowledge that two otherwise sane people whom I love very much were standing there on a Friday morning waiting to buy dirty milk out of the back of a truck. In an alley. On purpose. And then, suddenly, in the blink of an eye, nothing happened. Seriously. The sketchy milk truck didn’t show. Close to 100 hippies were stuck there in an alley, awaiting the arrival of a truck that simply would not arrive. Awkwardly, they stood around with their hands in their pockets, probably thinking to themselves that it’s getting a wee bit cold to wear Birkenstocks, and perhaps making awkward small talk to one another about how they never forgave their parents for not accepting their lifestyle.
What had become of the truck and its high-bacteria bounty? It had been stopped en route from the organic dairy farm by sheriff’s deputies serving a Michigan Department of Agriculture warrant to seize the sketchy milk and Farmer Rick’s cell phone. They also swiped his computer back at the farm house. Little did Farmer Rick realize that his weekly back-alley drop-offs had been to 99 honest crazies trying to get their bacteria fix, and one undercover agent from the Michigan Department of Agriculture. An undercover agent, baby! Every MDA worker dreams of this kind of assignment. “Son, I need someone to infiltrate an organic dairy co-op, and they tell me you’re the best. Here’s your ‘Jerry Lives’ t-shirt, and the keys to your 1979 Volvo. In the car you’ll find an 8-track tape with further instructions, along with some live bootlegs of Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young.” Hahahaha, those jokers at the MDA, what will they come up with next?
According to the news article (which, by the way, more than pushes the limits of impartial journalism), Farmer Rick has done nothing illegal, and has yet to be charged with anything. Apparently there’s a loophole in Michigan law which allows the co-op to buy the milk by leasing part-ownership of the herd, or something like that.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m actually against laws that keep people from buying unpasteurized milk when they do so with full knowledge of what they’re buying. We can still legally buy alcohol and tobacco, can’t we? Sorry, I’m just not looking to the State of Michigan to save me from myself. That said, I personally find the whole ordeal to be about the funniest thing I’ve heard all month. I’m sorry to those of you who’d already heard the whole story, I’ll try to post something else in a timely manner. Until then, I wish you well.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Why I listen to NPR
I believe I have mentioned my distaste for election years a few times (maybe more) before. I find that a nice alternative to "he said, she said" reporting is the ecclectic collection of far more interesting news stories found on National Public Radio. I listen whenever I am in the car.
This week on NPR, I learned there is a company that makes military uniforms working on a new design for combat wear. The latest is that one day soon soldiers will be able to wear fatigues with built in tourniquets in the arms and legs (injuries to the extremities being the most common). Upon deployment following a wound, the tourniquet will be in place within 22 seconds. It is predicted that many lives will be saved from the bleed out caused by wounds to the major arteries in the arms and legs.
Next, in a report entitled, "Old Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills", I learned studies have revealed self-regulatory skills are learned in imaginative play. Many children are missing out because video games and tv have taken the place of good old fashioned play. Back in the pre-computer days, we created fond memories of neighborhood football games, playing Daniel Boone in the fort in the back yard, sleeping outside on cots under the stars, and escaping from the enemy by doing the army crawl along the bottom of the retaining wall during military exercises. One summer we even opened our own neighborhood library, checking out books to all of the would-be readers on our block.
And finally, did you know that the Smurfs are poised to make a comeback?
As one who is seriously tired of bad news, my vote is on NPR, where I also learned that the latest winner of the Westminister Dog Show was a beagle. There IS still good news to be found - you just have to know where to look.
This week on NPR, I learned there is a company that makes military uniforms working on a new design for combat wear. The latest is that one day soon soldiers will be able to wear fatigues with built in tourniquets in the arms and legs (injuries to the extremities being the most common). Upon deployment following a wound, the tourniquet will be in place within 22 seconds. It is predicted that many lives will be saved from the bleed out caused by wounds to the major arteries in the arms and legs.
Next, in a report entitled, "Old Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills", I learned studies have revealed self-regulatory skills are learned in imaginative play. Many children are missing out because video games and tv have taken the place of good old fashioned play. Back in the pre-computer days, we created fond memories of neighborhood football games, playing Daniel Boone in the fort in the back yard, sleeping outside on cots under the stars, and escaping from the enemy by doing the army crawl along the bottom of the retaining wall during military exercises. One summer we even opened our own neighborhood library, checking out books to all of the would-be readers on our block.
And finally, did you know that the Smurfs are poised to make a comeback?
As one who is seriously tired of bad news, my vote is on NPR, where I also learned that the latest winner of the Westminister Dog Show was a beagle. There IS still good news to be found - you just have to know where to look.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Eclipses (lunar and otherwise)
Well, of all of the 93 photos on Yahoo of last night's eclipse, this is the one that looks closest to what we saw from our front porch at about 9:00.
The really cool thing was we didn't even know about the eclipse...we had just returned home from our small group and H1 (who was visiting the convalescing H2) remembered it and jumped up to look out the window. She shouted, "there it is!", and we all ran out on the porch to see. That was our last chance until 2010 to view such an eclipse, so I'm glad we didn't miss it.
On the health front, H2 is a little better, but definitely not ready to jump right back into boyland. She's planning to rest another day before heading home.
And for a little head-scratching, how about this comment by Michelle Obama, made in Milwaukee this week: "for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country — and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change." Personally, I think there's a bit more to be proud of than a hunger for change, and I liked Cindy McCain's not so subtle reference to this comment: "I have, and always will be, proud of my country." Makes me wonder if Barack's handlers have put a muzzle on his wife. We'll see...
The really cool thing was we didn't even know about the eclipse...we had just returned home from our small group and H1 (who was visiting the convalescing H2) remembered it and jumped up to look out the window. She shouted, "there it is!", and we all ran out on the porch to see. That was our last chance until 2010 to view such an eclipse, so I'm glad we didn't miss it.
On the health front, H2 is a little better, but definitely not ready to jump right back into boyland. She's planning to rest another day before heading home.
And for a little head-scratching, how about this comment by Michelle Obama, made in Milwaukee this week: "for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country — and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change." Personally, I think there's a bit more to be proud of than a hunger for change, and I liked Cindy McCain's not so subtle reference to this comment: "I have, and always will be, proud of my country." Makes me wonder if Barack's handlers have put a muzzle on his wife. We'll see...
Monday, February 18, 2008
General Hospital
Well, this is one of those times when I'm thankful for a flexible job and a generous boss.
H2 got in on Saturday night, feeling a slight sore throat coming on. By morning, "slight" didn't begin to describe it, and besides a killer sore throat, she hurt everywhere else all at the same time, too. Thankfully, with the threat of a crippling winter storm, H1's Sunday plans were cancelled, and she was able to come and take care of the boys while we were at church and while H2 rested. Thankfully again, the said storm did not materialize after all, so we didn't have to deal with another foot of snow.
Today, H2 is still seriously under the weather, so I rearranged my schedule to stay home with the boys. We have eaten breakfast, played choo-choo, blocks, balls, watched Sesame Street, eaten lunch, and gone down for naps. And all before noon. How's that for productivity? H1 is coming over after work, as I have a meeting I can't miss tonight.
P has had a cold, Tornado (E) has had a temp, and I'm loading up on the Hall's Immune Booster cocktail. So far so good.
H2 got in on Saturday night, feeling a slight sore throat coming on. By morning, "slight" didn't begin to describe it, and besides a killer sore throat, she hurt everywhere else all at the same time, too. Thankfully, with the threat of a crippling winter storm, H1's Sunday plans were cancelled, and she was able to come and take care of the boys while we were at church and while H2 rested. Thankfully again, the said storm did not materialize after all, so we didn't have to deal with another foot of snow.
Today, H2 is still seriously under the weather, so I rearranged my schedule to stay home with the boys. We have eaten breakfast, played choo-choo, blocks, balls, watched Sesame Street, eaten lunch, and gone down for naps. And all before noon. How's that for productivity? H1 is coming over after work, as I have a meeting I can't miss tonight.
P has had a cold, Tornado (E) has had a temp, and I'm loading up on the Hall's Immune Booster cocktail. So far so good.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
TwoSpeak Part Deux
For your learning pleasure, today we will embark on part two of "How to Speak TwoSpeak". To keep things interesting, we'll start with a multiple-guess quiz:
1. ucky
a) anything you find on the floor in a public place
b) a rubber duck
c) a garbage can
2. aah-hole
a) a toybox
b) don't even think about it - this is a family-friendly blog
c) an apple
3. uppy
a) "I want to be picked up"
b) an older urban professional
c) a puppy
4. ishy
a) anything gushy or squishy
b) that irritating feeling of nausea
c) fish
So now, how did you do?
1) "Ucky" is indeed synonymous with "garbage can". This was the first word out of H2's mouth everytime one of the boys headed for the garbage can ("That's yucky!"), and it stuck. By the way, C has an amazing ucky radar, pointing out every garbage can in any public place you happen to visit - "Ucky! Ucky!"
2) "Ah-hole", while frightenly similiar in sound to a word you definitely do NOT want coming from your child's mouth, is really twospeak for "apple". H2 lives in fear for the day they serve apples in the church nursery.
3) "Uppy" means "puppy" - are you seeing a pattern here? Sometimes the first consonant is dropped in twospeak.
4) So if you got "ucky" (although I did try to trick you with "ducky") and "uppy", you have probably correctly deciphered "ishy" as "fishy". The boys love "Finding Nemo" and eating breakfast with their highchairs pushed close to the aquarium in the dining room.
Well, while the boys are napping, I'm contemplating one myself. Then it's out for a few errands before the arrival of the NEXT big storm, due to arrive tonight. H2 is planning to get here before the storm does, and will stay until Monday to give both the paint fumes in the boys' room and the 12" of snow they're predicting a chance to be cleared out. Like we have anywhere left to put anymore snow - there is still at least 18" on my picnic table!
1. ucky
a) anything you find on the floor in a public place
b) a rubber duck
c) a garbage can
2. aah-hole
a) a toybox
b) don't even think about it - this is a family-friendly blog
c) an apple
3. uppy
a) "I want to be picked up"
b) an older urban professional
c) a puppy
4. ishy
a) anything gushy or squishy
b) that irritating feeling of nausea
c) fish
So now, how did you do?
1) "Ucky" is indeed synonymous with "garbage can". This was the first word out of H2's mouth everytime one of the boys headed for the garbage can ("That's yucky!"), and it stuck. By the way, C has an amazing ucky radar, pointing out every garbage can in any public place you happen to visit - "Ucky! Ucky!"
2) "Ah-hole", while frightenly similiar in sound to a word you definitely do NOT want coming from your child's mouth, is really twospeak for "apple". H2 lives in fear for the day they serve apples in the church nursery.
3) "Uppy" means "puppy" - are you seeing a pattern here? Sometimes the first consonant is dropped in twospeak.
4) So if you got "ucky" (although I did try to trick you with "ducky") and "uppy", you have probably correctly deciphered "ishy" as "fishy". The boys love "Finding Nemo" and eating breakfast with their highchairs pushed close to the aquarium in the dining room.
Well, while the boys are napping, I'm contemplating one myself. Then it's out for a few errands before the arrival of the NEXT big storm, due to arrive tonight. H2 is planning to get here before the storm does, and will stay until Monday to give both the paint fumes in the boys' room and the 12" of snow they're predicting a chance to be cleared out. Like we have anywhere left to put anymore snow - there is still at least 18" on my picnic table!
Friday, February 15, 2008
TwoSpeak
In order to enjoy a weekend with two 2-year-olds, one must have a grasp of their unique vocabulary. Fortunately for us, we spent last weekend at their house, with helpful interpretations from Mom and Dad. So when they came for a visit with Grammie and Papa, we were ready.
Interestingly, C & E, being so close in age, also exhibit some of what I would imagine to be categorized as "twin behavior". Some of these behaviors include always wanting to know where the other one is, being very connected in every way, and owning the wrong pronounciation for any new word learned by the other.
That being said, sit back, relax, and enjoy the twospeak that has been making us smile for the past two days (as phonetically correct as I can manage:)).
ahpbah - This is by far the most commonly used word by C, meaning "football". He repeats it at least 500 times a day, and non-stop when he wants to see his Veggie video with a football segment.
utdown - "touchdown", spoken with enthusiasm, and again, frequently.
doughy - This is one of those words that evolved rather incorrectly, and was claimed by both as the correct way to say "juice". E first called it "joo-ey", then C coined "doughy", and it stuck.
ni-ee - When one of the boys makes a basket, or something else equally impressive, they will exclaim with excitement, a drawn out version of "nice" (minus the "s" sound).
ah-shoe - No, this is not a sneezing sound, it is twospeak for "choo choo". Today, we saw a miniature train exhibit that mesmerized the boys longer than one would assume humanly possible. Later, we went to the mall, where Papa and the boys took a train ride around a little track. E held onto the gate, and had to be dragged onto the train by Papa. C got to ring the bell, which he did with gusto for all 5 laps around the track. But true to C-style, he never once cracked a smile while on the train. He seriously knows how to have some serious fun.
Well, all is quiet here, with the boys bedded down for the night. And while it is only 7:45, I think I could knock off myself. In and out of car seats with restraints rivaling those found in the cockpit of a fighter plane not once, but three times today (times 2 boys) along with the 20+ times of lifting them for one reason or another, and I am quite pooped. Contentedly pooped, but pooped nonetheless. There is nothing quite like two giggling 2-year-olds (in the car, in the tub, in the play area at the mall - where, by the way, E ran at least a mile while we were there) to lead one to conclude: it was a very good day.
Interestingly, C & E, being so close in age, also exhibit some of what I would imagine to be categorized as "twin behavior". Some of these behaviors include always wanting to know where the other one is, being very connected in every way, and owning the wrong pronounciation for any new word learned by the other.
That being said, sit back, relax, and enjoy the twospeak that has been making us smile for the past two days (as phonetically correct as I can manage:)).
ahpbah - This is by far the most commonly used word by C, meaning "football". He repeats it at least 500 times a day, and non-stop when he wants to see his Veggie video with a football segment.
utdown - "touchdown", spoken with enthusiasm, and again, frequently.
doughy - This is one of those words that evolved rather incorrectly, and was claimed by both as the correct way to say "juice". E first called it "joo-ey", then C coined "doughy", and it stuck.
ni-ee - When one of the boys makes a basket, or something else equally impressive, they will exclaim with excitement, a drawn out version of "nice" (minus the "s" sound).
ah-shoe - No, this is not a sneezing sound, it is twospeak for "choo choo". Today, we saw a miniature train exhibit that mesmerized the boys longer than one would assume humanly possible. Later, we went to the mall, where Papa and the boys took a train ride around a little track. E held onto the gate, and had to be dragged onto the train by Papa. C got to ring the bell, which he did with gusto for all 5 laps around the track. But true to C-style, he never once cracked a smile while on the train. He seriously knows how to have some serious fun.
Well, all is quiet here, with the boys bedded down for the night. And while it is only 7:45, I think I could knock off myself. In and out of car seats with restraints rivaling those found in the cockpit of a fighter plane not once, but three times today (times 2 boys) along with the 20+ times of lifting them for one reason or another, and I am quite pooped. Contentedly pooped, but pooped nonetheless. There is nothing quite like two giggling 2-year-olds (in the car, in the tub, in the play area at the mall - where, by the way, E ran at least a mile while we were there) to lead one to conclude: it was a very good day.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
To My Valentine
Today marks the 33rd time I get to say "Happy Valentines Day" to my one and only. It is an amazing thing to me that we have been together for almost 2/3 of my entire life! In honor of the day, here are my Top Ten Things I Love About You:
1. You are a man of faith. Your love for our Savior shows through everything you do. It was one of the first things we ever talked about on that blind date, and your faith has remained steadfast through the years.
2. You are a man of integrity. This was one of the very first things that attracted me to you (besides how cute you looked in a flightsuit). You always tell the truth, and you are who you say you are. You do the right thing even if it is hard.
3. You have always taken good care of us. You are fiscally responsible and generous at the same time, and darn good at both.
4. You are passionate about what is important to you, and you do things with excellence. This shows up around the house in all the things you fix and build, and in relationships as well.
5. You challenge me to be my best. You make sure I spend time broadening my horizons and learning new things.
6. You love our children and there is nothing you wouldn't do for them. You have been a great dad, and watching you be a "Papa" is something I wouldn't miss for anything.
7. You love me for who I am (no matter what color my hair is at the time, or how much extra weight has crept on).
8. Even though you live in daily pain and have a physically complicated life, you never complain, but meet each day with courage.
9. You are a balanced person who works hard but is able to kick back and relax.
10. You are always there for me - dropping everything to come and change a tire, listening to me in the middle of a busy day, turning off the t.v. in favor of conversation.
I love you with all my heart! Happy Valentines Day!
1. You are a man of faith. Your love for our Savior shows through everything you do. It was one of the first things we ever talked about on that blind date, and your faith has remained steadfast through the years.
2. You are a man of integrity. This was one of the very first things that attracted me to you (besides how cute you looked in a flightsuit). You always tell the truth, and you are who you say you are. You do the right thing even if it is hard.
3. You have always taken good care of us. You are fiscally responsible and generous at the same time, and darn good at both.
4. You are passionate about what is important to you, and you do things with excellence. This shows up around the house in all the things you fix and build, and in relationships as well.
5. You challenge me to be my best. You make sure I spend time broadening my horizons and learning new things.
6. You love our children and there is nothing you wouldn't do for them. You have been a great dad, and watching you be a "Papa" is something I wouldn't miss for anything.
7. You love me for who I am (no matter what color my hair is at the time, or how much extra weight has crept on).
8. Even though you live in daily pain and have a physically complicated life, you never complain, but meet each day with courage.
9. You are a balanced person who works hard but is able to kick back and relax.
10. You are always there for me - dropping everything to come and change a tire, listening to me in the middle of a busy day, turning off the t.v. in favor of conversation.
I love you with all my heart! Happy Valentines Day!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Hurricane and Tornado
Our two grandsons are coming for a visit tomorrow - without their mom and dad. This is a first! I'm meeting them in the city, where we'll make the swap. We have some fun plans in the works, like visiting a model train exhibit (they are way into trains at present), playing in the snow, and making cookies. Bring on the boys!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Home again
I wanted to take before and after pictures of the big projects this weekend, but the first time I turned on the camera, it said my batteries were "exhausted". I know the feeling. The window project wound up consuming our entire work time at H & S's, and even when we left, it was not completely done. Close...but no cigar. But we got the really important work done - playtime with the grandboys. Their vocabulary is growing and they are oh so much fun. They are coming here for the weekend while their mom and dad engineer a work day for their list of projects needing to be completed before the house goes on the market.
While we were there, we watched a clip (disclaimer: I did not see the entire interview, just a clip) of Joel Osteen on 60 Minutes. I found this quote from the interview on CBS's website. The question asked was why his "positive message" (steps for living your best life now) didn't include anything about God or about Jesus Christ.
"That's just my message. There is scripture in there that backs it all up. But I feel like, Byron, I'm called to help people…how do we walk out the Christian life? How do we live it? And these are principles that can help you. I mean, there’s a lot better people qualified to say, 'Here’s a book that going to explain the scriptures to you.' I don’t think that’s my gifting," Osteen says.
Wow...I think it's pretty nervy to write a book of one's own self-discovered principles for "successful living" and back them up with Scripture while at the same time admitting a lack of understanding of said Scriptures. It's sort of like saying, "I know what people need in order to be successful. I think I'll write a book. But in order to appear credible, I should probably include some Scripture references. God won't mind if I use him as a footnote. He'd probably really like my ideas."
I think that God, as the creator and sustainer of all life would probably prefer to be viewed as more important than a footnote. That he is not an afterthought in order to prove a point- he IS the point. That his view of success is the one that really matters. That what he thinks about anything is more important than any of man's opinions. That the one who presumes to represent him should do so only after careful study, much prayer, and with no small amount of trepidation.
James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
While we were there, we watched a clip (disclaimer: I did not see the entire interview, just a clip) of Joel Osteen on 60 Minutes. I found this quote from the interview on CBS's website. The question asked was why his "positive message" (steps for living your best life now) didn't include anything about God or about Jesus Christ.
"That's just my message. There is scripture in there that backs it all up. But I feel like, Byron, I'm called to help people…how do we walk out the Christian life? How do we live it? And these are principles that can help you. I mean, there’s a lot better people qualified to say, 'Here’s a book that going to explain the scriptures to you.' I don’t think that’s my gifting," Osteen says.
Wow...I think it's pretty nervy to write a book of one's own self-discovered principles for "successful living" and back them up with Scripture while at the same time admitting a lack of understanding of said Scriptures. It's sort of like saying, "I know what people need in order to be successful. I think I'll write a book. But in order to appear credible, I should probably include some Scripture references. God won't mind if I use him as a footnote. He'd probably really like my ideas."
I think that God, as the creator and sustainer of all life would probably prefer to be viewed as more important than a footnote. That he is not an afterthought in order to prove a point- he IS the point. That his view of success is the one that really matters. That what he thinks about anything is more important than any of man's opinions. That the one who presumes to represent him should do so only after careful study, much prayer, and with no small amount of trepidation.
James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Toro, Toro
So...it's 8:45 p.m., and we're just winding up round two of the big snow clean-up. And it had better just stop now, because we are running out of places to put the snow. After the plow guy came by, the mailbox was buried. Our "Tim Taylor" neighbor with the "more power" snowblower unearthed it so now, at least, the mailman won't have to park across the street to get to our box. Our Toro is a 6 hp, and who woulda thunk it too small? This is the southern part of a northern state, after all...
Here's hoping we can get out tomorrow morning and on the road. We're trying, H2!
This is why we stayed home
Well, I don't think we've seen this kind of snow since we lived in Denver. We decided we'd better not wait until it was done to start clearing out and it snowed two more inches in the hour it took to blow and shovel 2/3 of the driveway and the sidewalks. And it's not over yet.
Good thing we have youth on our sides. Yikes!
So, the jaunt to H & S's will have to wait until tomorrow. (Hope we can get out of bed in the morning.) H2 says it's RAINING at her house. They're saying this should start tapering off by about 6:00 p.m., and that we'll have 16+ inches.
We're breaking out the hot chocolate and working on the new jigsaw puzzle P bought me yesterday while he was out. It's a good one, and if I remain sane throughout all the red roofs (they're all red) and finish it before having to call the white truck, we'll all be happy.
E walked away (without a scratch) from a freeway crash with a semi last week after hitting a patch of black ice and losing control. He, miraculously, has cheated death once again. His beautiful Firebird, however, did not fare so well. He took it on the right quarter-panel, and not only is it smushed, it is gone. E's angels deserve a medal, and we just say, "Thank you, God!".
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Winter is forever...
Or so it feels, anyway. We're on the radar for another 12" coming our way in the next 24 hours. P. took this week off, and we're on the calendar to be heading to H & S's house tomorrow morning, but the weather may preclude our departure. When H2 came for the weekend, the normal 2.5 hour trip took 8 hours, an all-time record. We're not really interested in trying to break that one.
We have had LOTS of snow this winter. Probably more this year than the last three combined. H1 is ready to pull the plug and move to Arizona...especially when her car resists starting, like it did this morning.
We have had LOTS of snow this winter. Probably more this year than the last three combined. H1 is ready to pull the plug and move to Arizona...especially when her car resists starting, like it did this morning.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Un-stinkin-believable
"This telecast is copyrighted by the NFL for the private use of our audience, and any other use of this telecast or of any pictures, descriptions or accounts of the game without the NFL's consent is prohibited."
Okay...well, forsaking fear of dismemberment or incarceration or lifelong banishment from the NFL Network (oh wait, we don't have cable), I am throwing caution to the wind and commenting on the Super Bowl.
First of all, anybody can be beaten, as tonight's game proved.
All technical discussion aside, who can't be happy for the underdogs, who proved that you don't have to act like thugs or wear your cap on sideways to be winners?
Big-time contrasts: Plaxico Burris crying after thanking God for giving him the ability to go out and compete every Sunday...Randy Moss celebrating after his touchdown by parting something (?) with his hands for the camera - kind of looked like the Red Sea - and an expression that said, "See? I really am God."
Tom Brady did play a good game, and even though he took a major lickin', he kept his head and led with class. Actually, I would have been happy for the Pats - their record this season was indeed stellar.
P. & I agreed this was one of the better Super Bowls we've seen in awhile.
Okay...well, forsaking fear of dismemberment or incarceration or lifelong banishment from the NFL Network (oh wait, we don't have cable), I am throwing caution to the wind and commenting on the Super Bowl.
First of all, anybody can be beaten, as tonight's game proved.
All technical discussion aside, who can't be happy for the underdogs, who proved that you don't have to act like thugs or wear your cap on sideways to be winners?
Big-time contrasts: Plaxico Burris crying after thanking God for giving him the ability to go out and compete every Sunday...Randy Moss celebrating after his touchdown by parting something (?) with his hands for the camera - kind of looked like the Red Sea - and an expression that said, "See? I really am God."
Tom Brady did play a good game, and even though he took a major lickin', he kept his head and led with class. Actually, I would have been happy for the Pats - their record this season was indeed stellar.
P. & I agreed this was one of the better Super Bowls we've seen in awhile.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
August Rush
H2 is home this weekend for a little well-deserved R&R - her amazing husband is keeping Tornado and Hurricane all by himself...for most dads, a few hours is one thing, but three days with two 2-year-olds is something altogether heroic.
On H2's recommendation, all us girls (E included) went to see August Rush at the cheap theatre. I think it was one of the most profound movies I have seen in a very long time, and the spiritual parallels overwhelmed me. I don't know if the movie was meant to even have spiritual overtones, but it sure spoke to me. It's about an 11-year-old boy in an orphanage who, having been there since birth, has a deep sense that he will one day be reunited with his parents, and that they want this as badly as he does. Nobody else shares this conviction, and he is taunted by the other boys for the "music" he hears in his soul, drawing him to set out on his own, following the music to his destiny. He runs away, makes it to New York city, and, even though utterly lost, finds himself there. We learn that he is more than a strange, sensitive child with an odd sense of being longed for by the very parents who obviously deserted him...he is a musical prodigy...a modern day Mozart. Without spoiling the whole story line, here are just three of the at least ten spiritual parallels that kept me awake late into the night:
1) Evan's closest companion, even before he was able to identify it as such was the "music" he heard everywhere - wind through a field of grain, traffic noise, voices talking...it was all music to him, and he was his happiest when he took all the cacophony around him and heard a symphony in his head, making beauty of all the random sounds. My closest companion is my God - and when I listen, even in the random noise of the crazy world around me, He is there. All I have to do is listen, and there He is, interpreting chaos, bringing beauty, everpresent. Even when I feel alone, listening to the music reminds me He is there, making sense of it all.
2) Evan was driven by the music to believe something that those around him could not understand, to pursue a hopeless dream, to keep looking for something he could not see. This is the same way that God often operates - calling us to higher heights and deeper depths, places we can't see up front, but we follow anyway, because the music is compelling, and we know we must go.
3) Evan was on a journey, and while he was driven to continue, he was patient in the going, somehow knowing that the destination would be reached at the right time, and everything that happened inbetween was a part of the final symphony. Sometimes we become myopic, unable to see anything but the end result. But in God's economy, where even the hard times of life are redeemed for good, the journey really is as important as the destination. The lessons learned along the way, the people we meet, even the pain failures...it's all part of the larger whole.
On H2's recommendation, all us girls (E included) went to see August Rush at the cheap theatre. I think it was one of the most profound movies I have seen in a very long time, and the spiritual parallels overwhelmed me. I don't know if the movie was meant to even have spiritual overtones, but it sure spoke to me. It's about an 11-year-old boy in an orphanage who, having been there since birth, has a deep sense that he will one day be reunited with his parents, and that they want this as badly as he does. Nobody else shares this conviction, and he is taunted by the other boys for the "music" he hears in his soul, drawing him to set out on his own, following the music to his destiny. He runs away, makes it to New York city, and, even though utterly lost, finds himself there. We learn that he is more than a strange, sensitive child with an odd sense of being longed for by the very parents who obviously deserted him...he is a musical prodigy...a modern day Mozart. Without spoiling the whole story line, here are just three of the at least ten spiritual parallels that kept me awake late into the night:
1) Evan's closest companion, even before he was able to identify it as such was the "music" he heard everywhere - wind through a field of grain, traffic noise, voices talking...it was all music to him, and he was his happiest when he took all the cacophony around him and heard a symphony in his head, making beauty of all the random sounds. My closest companion is my God - and when I listen, even in the random noise of the crazy world around me, He is there. All I have to do is listen, and there He is, interpreting chaos, bringing beauty, everpresent. Even when I feel alone, listening to the music reminds me He is there, making sense of it all.
2) Evan was driven by the music to believe something that those around him could not understand, to pursue a hopeless dream, to keep looking for something he could not see. This is the same way that God often operates - calling us to higher heights and deeper depths, places we can't see up front, but we follow anyway, because the music is compelling, and we know we must go.
3) Evan was on a journey, and while he was driven to continue, he was patient in the going, somehow knowing that the destination would be reached at the right time, and everything that happened inbetween was a part of the final symphony. Sometimes we become myopic, unable to see anything but the end result. But in God's economy, where even the hard times of life are redeemed for good, the journey really is as important as the destination. The lessons learned along the way, the people we meet, even the pain failures...it's all part of the larger whole.
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