Almost a New Year.....time to reflect on 2008

Dear Friends,
I have decided to take myself more seriously. Those of you who know me well may be collectively groaning and reaching for your "mice" to click off of this blog. Be patient, my friends, I don't mean that I am going to try to find my navel and contemplate it....the world has had quite enough of that kind of introspection from me. However, it is time for me to take myself seriously as a writer, and it is time for me to pay better attention to my health. I am not going to use my blog to hold myself accountable this year, though. Today I evaluated what I actually accomplished in 2008. I lost 32 lbs. and gained back 15....not much of an accomplishment, but something. The only time in my life I have lost weight in a healthy way was when I was on Weight Watchers. So, today I signed up for the monthly plan at Weight Watchers. I absolutely will not waste money by skipping meetings I've already paid for, and the fees will come out of my bank account monthly, so I have to make an effort to stop the payments. My pride will not let me step on the scales week after week with no weight loss, so I think I've made the right decision. My conscience was bothering me all last year when I thought of shelling out money to help me lose weight....as in, I have to pay someone to help me not eat too much food, when three fourths of the world is starving to death??? But how am I going to be of any use to the rest of the world if I am dead from diabetes?
I do not want to go the surgical path....I would rather eat less than be forced to eat less by going through the trauma of abdominal surgery. I will let you know how I'm doing--Jaime, especially. Pray for me. It is my hardest personal challenge.
The other health issue is my right knee. It has not bounced back after the knee replacement, like my left one did. I am rebeginning my own personal physical therapy, and if I don't see an improvement in the bend, I am going to go back to the surgeon and allow him to force the bend in my knee, which he said could break bones. I was released by physical therapy before we could get a complete bend in it, because I have huge scar tissue in there. I don't want any more surgery, and I sure don't want a broken bone, but I can't exercise properly with so little bend. Don and I walked all over downtown yesterday, but I had to stop every half hour and try to stretch out my leg. Today it was much better.
Now, as for my writing. My new writer friend, John Shore, who I met on Facebook, told me that I need to focus either on the writing or on the painting but not on both if I want to be successful at either. Resistant as I am to that idea, I know he is right. Since writing is where God has gifted me most, I am going to focus on that, without giving up my painting completely. I really want to publish the work I have already done as well as finish some work I have begun. I will illustrate the children's books I have finished, but the ones I have yet to finish sketching out, I will submit without illustrations. I am also going to publish some of my own writing on my blog, for comment or just to do something positive with it. Feel free to comment, criticize or share with others. I am not sure how many people read my blog, but several people have been commenting to me personally. That's encouraging. Finally, if you are my friends, you know that my desire is to please God with my life and all of my efforts. I know being responsible with my health and body is God's plan for me. I know He would like me to use my gifts to serve Him, as well. Please pray for me about both of these areas of discipline in my life. Happy New Year....I will be posting some specific goals on Jan. 1st...corny I know, but I need icons.

Santa Baby!

Well, I'm on Conner break for about 2.5 weeks. I miss him already, but we will see everyone Christmas eve and Christmas day. Little Man and I have been all over Northern VA Christmas shopping since Thanksgiving. It's getting where Conner knows that we're going somewhere whenever he sees me. He smiles when he hears Christmas music playing, except Sunday when he was with us at chorus practice for Christmas Eve. He wanted to be on the stage with us.

Tonight Don and I are finishing celebrating our engagement anniversary. Last night we had dinner out at PF Chang's, and tonight we are wrapping presents together and watching Christmas movies. We were engaged on Dec. 22, 1974. We always exchange a gift and our Christmas cards on that date. It's my favorite Christmas tradition, because it's just between Don and me.

I went grocery shopping today, and it was busy at the commissary! It was weird being there without Conner! I was in and out in an hour. I didn't spend any more than I usually do for a two week grocery run. Our grocery bill is going down. I'm trying to cook just for the two...or three if Nathan's home...of us. Sometimes Katie eats with us, too, but she doesn't eat much. Rarely Don and Elise will come over, and sometimes we invite people over, but our food bill doesn't change much. I have been evaluating our spending on food, utilities etc and trying to do my part to cut expenses. I have been feeling nudged by God to spend less and give more...I have become more aware of ways that we waste money. I can't do it anymore. We have everything we need and more. We gave up our expensive gym membership, because Don has a gym at his work, and I wasn't getting there during the day with the Little Man. They said I could bring him to the nursery, but I just couldn't leave him there yet....he isn't my baby, and that does make a difference! Also, the germs...it's one thing exposing myself...but Conner...couldn't do it. (Some stranger could try to pick him up....) Then, there was just the logistics. I had enough trouble having the two hours to get me over there in and out of the pool, shower and go home...in winter. But with Conner....it just makes me exhausted thinking about it. So, I have been utilizing the hundreds of dollars worth of exercise DVD's and weights I have here....I love the newest Firm DVD's I bought last summer as well as Leslie Sansone's 3 mile walk DVD. I really feel convicted that I need to use what I have and stop looking for new answers. I think God's already sent me rescue boats, (no, I wasn't in Bethesda!), helecopters, tug boats.....a Hummer....and I'm waiting around for something new to change me. I need to use the tools God has given me, and start looking for more ways to serve Him with my strength and gifts. I still have my goal of getting down to my goal weight by the end of 2009. I could use prayers, but I'm optomistic. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (I'll let you know what my engagement anniversary present is...I have a feeling that it will be inspirational!) :)

A Rant about Rudeness

I took a wimpy little journey into self assertion the other day. Most of the time I ignore it when someone is rude to me, but it seems that women my age start taking chances, calling people on their oversights, or downright meanness. My anger reflexes are a bit slow sometimes, but a so-called sales person in the CVS at Fair Oaks Mall really burned me up last Saturday! I was looking for a Wii game for Don, and I had looked all over the mall for it with no success. I went into CVS for something else and noticed they had Wii games. The salesman was a few feet from the Wii display, and I looked his way for a couple of minutes. Then I said, "Excuse me, do you have such and so game?" He stared at me in the eyes for a minute or so...and then a friend of his walked into CVS, and he pointedly ignored me, turned his attention to his friend and began about a 5 minute pointless conversation about some party and some girl. I was really angry, but I looked through the games....ignoring the conversation. After his friend left, the young man tried to talk to me, but I wouldn't even look his way. Then he said, rather obnoxiously, "That game you wanted, I sold the last one just a minute before you walked through the door!" Then he said it again. I ignored him and walked out of the CVS, but I was still thinking about it yesterday. After telling my family about it, everyone said I should have talked to the manager of the store. So I decided to call the store. I know it was too little too late, but I wanted to show that young man that he couldn't just discount people without consequences. BUT I had to call the 411 operator for AT&T. I have never spoken to a nice AT&T operator, and this one was no exception. She asked me for the address to Fair Oaks Mall. I told her Rt. 50, and she proceeded to give me an attitude, naming all of the streets in Fairfax county. I interrupted her and said, "You know, I have never once spoken to a curteous 411 operator from AT&T. I am going to file a formal complaint." She said, "So do you want the number?" I hung up. Then I tried to call the AT&T 0 operator. There isn't one. So I gave up. See, I told you it was a wimpy attempt. I think I waste a lot less time and emotional energy by just telling myself that other people's rudeness is their problem, not mine, as long as I am polite. But, if you decide to be rude to me, know this: I am not blind, I am not stupid, and I do have a voice, and I notice your rudeness. I just choose to rise above it. If that makes me arrogant, then what does it make you? Just asking.....

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving was so much fun this year! We had a change in eating schedule, because Don and Elise had to go to Elise's grandparents for dinner prior to our dinner. Normally we eat at 3, but this year we ate at 6. Don and Elise got here at 6, but the stuffing and other sides weren't ready until 6. That gave me some time with my daughters in law, and Conner and Andrew, Marie Henderson's little boy, who is a doll baby, too. Marie played basketball with the boys and Don. Nathan played for about 2 minutes. He didn't feel well all day yesterday, and still doesn't feel well. The doctor said all of his abdominal organs are bruised, including his liver. The way it happened was, the boys and their friends--about 20 people....played "touch" football....but their first play involved two lines charging at one another. Chris, our oldest, and Nathan, our youngest charged each other, and neither one of them backed down. Both of them ended up getting hurt...Nathan more than Chris. Yesterday, before they played basketball, I mentioned disability insurance and how easy it is to damage spinal cords. I am reading the book, Wild at Heart. Maybe I'll begin to understand....

Anyway, first Cameron and I hung out with Conner and Andrew while I cooked....and that was a lot of fun. I'd almost forgotten about cooking with little ones underfoot. We had little cars, a high chair, sippy cups and cookies in my little kitchen. It was fun. The kids were excited and Andrew and Conner played sweetly with one another. When Elise and Don got here, Cam took the boys downstairs to play and Elise hung out and helped me finish up dinner. We fit ten people around our dining room table, with hardly an inch to spare. Don and I are going to have to get a longer table! We prayed and intended to go around the table saying what we are thankful for, but we never did that, because everyone was so hungry--except Don and Elise--who ate at her Grandparents. They ate though.

After dinner and dishes, we went downstairs for Wii bowling. Andrew and Conner were all excited, and my living room was full of action! I forgot to mention, our granddog Dylan was there, too. He is a border collie, and before Conner's birth, he was the "baby" in his family. He still thinks he has to sit in my lap and lick my face. So if Conner or Andrew wasn't taking a rest on the couch with me, Dylan was squeezed between me and Elise or on top of both of us...kissing us on the face. He reminds me of a 5 year old suffering from sibling rivalry.

It wasn't hard for me not to eat meat, even though I gave myself permission to have a piece of turkey. I just didn't eat it, because it didn't sound good to me. Everyone said it was the best turkey ever, but I couldn't eat it. I did eat other things with milk products and eggs, so I had a vegetarian meal...not vegan.

I am thankful for all of my family, especially my daughters in law and baby Grandson. I am thankful for my husband and our 33.5 years of marriage. I am thankful he knows me better than anyone on earth, and he still tells me I'm perfect. No one knows better than he does...except me...how imperfect I am. But he truly loves me. I am thankful that God has created this family from the two of us.
I love and respect my children....the boys and their wives...our little grandson. I am thankful for Marie and Christine and little Andrew in our life...and all of my friends and church family. I feel like my life is a painting with all of the little nuances and rich colors...lights and darks....brights and dulls...warms and cools...that make up a great painting. God has blessed me richly. I am so undeserving, but His love and grace has rained down upon my life. How can I help but thank and praise Him. Thank You, God!

Continuity and Wise Adventure

This is the 34th Thanksgiving dinner I have made;although one year when I was sick, I coached, half-conscious from the couch, in between trips to the bathroom--it was the year I had Hep A. I am always up the night before Thanksgiving, making pies, cornbread, salads and cleaning. Every year I ask what everyone wants for dinner, and they always mention the same things I have made for all of these years. They only want that dinner once per year, but they always want the same dinner. Usually, we go to devotional the night before Thanksgiving, but this year Nathan spent the afternoon at the hospital. He was diagnosed at the medical clinic with appendicitis. After a CAT scan at the ER, it was discovered that what he really had was extremely bruised internal organs, to include liver, kidney, and all of his abdomen, from a game of "touch" football he played with his brothers last weekend. I am not happy. They are grown men, and they should know how fragile the human body is....even young 20 and 30 something bodies. One of them is a daddy, and he should know how valuable his spinal cord is! When they were little and hurt each other, there were consequences. When they hurt themselves, the consequences took care of themselves.
This year, I am considering taking Thanksgiving dinner hostage....and banning the basketball game altogether. At the very least, I am sending the voice of sanity, their dad, out in their midst. They have always known there will be "heck" to pay if they hurt their dad....or me. But I quit playing with them after they started getting taller than me. But this is serious....a liver can be ruptured so easily, and if the liver is ruptured, death from hemmorage happens almost instantaneously.
I told Nathan that if he even thinks about playing basketball tomorrow, I'm cancelling Thanksgiving dinner. He promised he wouldn't. Just wait until Little Man is big enough to play....I think they all will curtail the rough stuff. If they don't, there will be "heck" to pay....from Chris, Cameron AND all of the grandparents. I know boys need adventure....but wise adventure! Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

Praise, Pounds, Phil and Rainbows......

It was an extroidinary weekend! I learned so many things about our brother, Jeff Dalling! It was inspiring to hear how many people connected with the selfless service of Jeff and how everyone knew that he was the way he was because he loved (loves) God. I was inspired by how many people attended his funeral, provided food and ministered to the Dalling family. I admire the courage and faith of Wanda, Lizzy and Ben. They were here and serving all weekend. I admire that they let us share in their sorrow and yet were willing to humbly serve and be served by the family at Fairfax. That is the way families are supposed to operate, and I am so grateful to have witnessed such faith in action. I am also grateful to be a part of the family at Fairfax.

Also, I was proud to be part of our church family last night as we welcomed the McKinney family. Pound parties were new to us when we moved to this area. We moved to the DC area on a prayer (we didn't even have a wing). We became members at University Park church of Christ, and some really dear friends gave us a pound party.
We felt part of a family, and we really needed to find family in this big cavernous world up here. I was happy to hear Phil say that they felt they were "home" here. That's the way everyone should feel--that our church family is home,to our old and new members, even people who are not yet part of our church family. I miss my family at University Park, too...the way it was then, and I miss the sister who gave us the pound party.

It was great to see the faces of everyone in the congregation from the vantage point of the praise team. It was like Phil said, we weren't singing to each other....we were singing to God.

Oh, and I forgot to mention....Saturday after the funeral and after my art class, I looked out the window right on the Potomac River--from the Torpedo Factory. There was the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen....a brilliant double rainbow with 8 different colors...I always thought rainbows only had 7 colors! I looked around the elevator and beckoned a young family to go outside and look at the rainbow with me--I just wanted to share it with someone. We were just staring at the rainbow, and I was trying to think of something to say to the family, when the young woman said, "Wow! This is just PERFECT for the gay pride event downtown!" Um...not exactly what I was planning to talk about, so, as my mind drew a blank, I decided to call and share the rainbow with Don...over my cell phone! He had already seen it from his Centreville vantage point and had called me during art class. I had whispered, "....still in class!" Anyway, I guess wherever you were, you probably saw it, too. (I'd like to think Jeff asked God to display it for his family.)

Losses

This week we had a tragic death of the father of a young family, Jeff Dalling. It is the second such death in our church this year. He was a public servant who traveled into harms way in both Iraq and Afghanistan in the past several years. He was also on our prayer team, and we all prayed for him and felt relieved that Jeff didn't have to go back overseas. He died of a brain aneurysm. I am so sad for his family....his wife and children are going to miss him so much, as will our church. He was a good man, a true servant from what I knew of him.

I've been thinking about the Roth family, another family who lost their dad this year. It must be really hard going through this again with another family in our church, at least for Tresa and the older kids. Pray for the Roth family, too.
I know we know we will see our loved ones again, but it's so hard when Heaven seems so far away, especially to children.

Other upsetting news came from my family. My brother, who has polycystic kidneys, like my dad had, went to see his nephrologist in Denver, CO. My brother's kidney function has gone down from 60% to 47%. He is only 49, and he seems to be losing function a lot quicker than my dad did. He will most likely have to have a kidney transplant...I thought about giving him one of mine, but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't let me, because of my lupus and diabetes. Pray that my brother's kidney deterioration slows down and maybe that there will be a cure for his disease. He's had to quit his job because of pain and will hopefully be on long term disability and then social security disability. He has a good attitude. He said that he has an opportunity to be home with his 15 year old son now, and he may not have that time later. That makes me sad, too, but proud of my brother. I'm going to go see him this Feb. I think.

God Bless America!

I am amazed by the distance our country has traveled in the last 44 years! Today I turned 54 years old, and I have a picture that is engraved in my memory from 44 years ago. I was standing on a street corner watching a parade. I was holding hands with another little girl, with dark skin, and she and I were oblivious to everything except the sights and sounds of the parade before us. Suddenly, we were ripped apart, and, as my father grabbed my shoulder, bent to my level and shook his finger in my face, so did my friend's father do the same to her. She and I stared in bewildered silence at one another, and never again were we allowed to play together in our fathers' workplace--where my dad was a credit manager and hers was an elevator operator. It was the first moment of my awareness of racism, and fear was the shadow on both of our fathers' faces, fear for what could have happened to two little girls standing on the street in Wichita Falls, Texas during the racial tension-filled sixties, holding hands, watching a parade.

I remember the fires that my parents watched burning on the TV screens, and I remember the muffled whispers and furtive glances and they worried about what would become of our country. I remember Martin Luther King's speeches on racial equality and I remember wondering why anyone would deny someone their rights just because of the color of his or her skin.

Later, as a young woman I was angry to find out that parts of towns in Texas had what was called "colored town". I read books like "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "Diary of Anne Frank" and I made comparisons of the cruelty in both worlds. I was already outraged by injustice, but then I became fearful of the capability of men to believe in the superiority of one race over another. The murders of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy added to my fear of the reality of our world. And there was always the looming mushroom cloud of the cold war.

Tonight, I am amazed. Although I voted for Sen. McCain, because of my strong belief that abortion is wrong, I am proud of our country for electing an African American President. And it is gratifying to know that most of the electorate who voted for him were not black. Our country has come a long way.

This was the first election that had me undecided until a week before the election. It was the abortion issue that pushed me onto McCain's side, but I think both men would be good Presidents, and unlike most of the hype I've heard about Palen, I respect her as well. I don't know much about Biden...or at least I didn't until tonight. I am sure you all prayed, as I did, for the outcome. I miss talking to my dad about the election. He used to take me to vote. He would have been amazed and proud tonight, too. And unlike me, he would have voted for Obama. And that would have been an amazing thing, too! Thank you, Dad, for taking me to vote with you...you gave me a love for my country, and you made election day have a wonderful sense of anticipation for me. I did the same thing for my boys, and all of them voted today....basically, our whole family cancelled out each others' votes! :)
But at least we live in a country where we can do that! God bless America....and please, dear God, let us glorify You by our actions.

Tomorrow night Don and I have GREAT tickets to see Michael W Smith and Stephen Curtis Chapman. Then we are planning to spend the night at a hotel in Rockville.
I'm excited. This will be the fourth time we've seen Michael W, but the second time we've seen Stephen Curtis! We are kind of celebrating my birthday early. Next week I am going to a Ladies Retreat with New Life Christian church. I'm going straight to my art class both Sat. after we spend the night in a hotel and I'm leaving early from the retreat for my art class. (I have my priorities right, right?)
Roan Rickards comments had me in tears Sunday morning. He talked about the Marines, their willingness to die for one another and their respect for their fellow Marines...both dead and alive. My dad was a Marine. I knew what he was talking about. I miss my dad more this year than I have in the past two. There are a lot of things I would like to ask him. I think I've been dealing with so much change--good and not so good--since he died. Now, I'm sad. That's so weird. I'm getting close to the age he was when he had his first major stroke. I'm going to be 54 next Tuesday. He was 62 when he first had a stroke. It's hard to imagine being handicapped so young. Happy Halloween out there. I'm putting a bowl of candy on the front porch next to our jack o lantern with a sign that says, "Please take one." Don laughs at that idea. Hey, I have faith in our youth! :)

Jumping Out of the Boat....I'm not a Boat Potato!

I'm not sure how many people read my blog, but any who do, please feel free to comment. I have decided to vote for John McCain; although, I don't think he is the best choice, as far as his ability to run this country at this time in history. I like him and respect him as a person,I respect his military and political service to our country, and I will respect him if he miraculously becomes President. I think Obama has a better financial plan, and I agree with his plan to exit our troops from Iraq as soon as possible. But I cannot vote for a candidate that is pro-choice, because I believe abortion is WRONG! I listened carefully during the debates to Obama's stand on abortion. He said, "I am against partial birth abortion, as long as there is a clause that allows for it in order to protect the health of the mother." Even before Roe vs. Wade, babies could be delivered early when the pregnancy was a threat to the health of the mother! And, why is no one asking this question: What in the world does it have to do with the health of the mother to KILL the baby after he/she is partially BORN? With my first son I had pre ecclampsia and was close to dying after 21 hours of labor. My son was past due, and they did an emergency C section to save both my life and the life of our son. Okay...there was never a question that my baby being born ALIVE would affect my health negatively! Of course we desperately WANTED our baby!
Partial birth abortions are performed during the last trimester, when, with our advanced technology, a near term baby can be viable. Why, why why KILL the baby after he/she is partially born....in the guise of protecting the health of the mother?? The baby would still be OUT if they didn't kill him or her!!! The only thing that protects the life of the mother in this circumstance is getting the baby OUT! Why NOT allow this precious CHILD....a life that God considered important enough that He knitted him or her together in her mother's womb...why not allow that child the chance to live? If the mother doesn't want the baby, someone out there will!
It is not ours to say when life begins. As a mother of four, I knew there was life inside me early on. There was a relationship between me and my unborn children.
I do not pass judgement on anyone--God alone knows a person's heart. But I do question the logic here. I definitely disagree with the morality of protecting a mother, who actually has many choices to prevent an unwanted pregnancy by sacrificing a life that God created from the union of two people. I have had a couple of friends who had abortions when they were young. They were emotionally scarred because of the experience--and I have compassion on young women who make the choice to abort their babies, because it takes a toll on them, and sometimes they realize too late that society is not always right. But I cannot think of even one argument that could stand honest scrutiny in support of partial birth abortion. Take the baby, if you must, to save the mother, but give the baby a chance to live....and give someone else the chance to parent him or her! There are many people out there who can't have babies who would give everything to give love to an unwanted BABY!
I have heard the argument, "Well, what about the lives that are being lost in Iraq?" I hate war. My father was completely traumatized for his entire life because of fighting as a Marine in WW2 and by being the only survivor from his division who fought in the Korean War...and he nearly didn't make it because he was shot in the stomach. I love soldiers, and I hate war...even necessary wars. But any good soldier would risk his own life to run into a battle and drag away the body of a fallen comrad. That's the way they are trained. My dad was a Marine. I know about the horrors of war. But the Marines are a volunteer branch of the service, as are all of the branches of service during our times. Men and women VOLUNTEER to go into battle. They are trained. They know where they are headed. They have choices.
An unborn child is at the mercy of the vessel that carries him or her. And even then, sometimes aborted babies live a few minutes after being cast from their mothers. Those little babies have no choice. Who knows who they may have become?
They have no voice of their own. Only people with voices and choices can speak for them! We are outraged when we see the genocide that occurs around the world. We cry out for redemption...not nearly enough...but we do...when atrocities happen around the world. But we have for almost two generations stood by while generations of our OWN children have been massacred in the name of "pro-choice". What about the choice of our babies? I would love to see a change in our country, but I don't think it is going to come from our President alone. The change has to happen in our hearts! I do not hold to the dogma that there is only one political choice for Christians. I always vote for the man. I will not have anyone telling me for whom I must cast my vote. My dad used to take me to the polls when he voted. He considered voting his patriotic duty and right. He always told me that who I voted for was my business alone! I honor the duty, the right, and my father. If he was alive, he might vote differently than I will on November 4th...which is also my 54th birthday. But he did defend almost to his death before I was ever conceived, my right to cast that vote. Do I care about the lives that are being lost in Iraq? Yes! But I have to speak up for the lives that are being cast away every day in our own increasingly self absorbed society. A life is a life. I am thankful for mine.
And that brings up another question that is looming on the horizon. If we humans have the power to decide when life begins, then how far away is it in this perilous economy in which we live, before someone raises the question of: When does life END? I had a 16 year old friend in Texas who was thrown from a horse many years ago. She landed on her head and was in a coma for years. She woke up sometime around our senior year in high school. She was herself again...with a few minor glitches. Her parents got to finish raising her and she rode horses again. She had a life, even when she was in a coma. I have other friends who have passed on from cancer, most of them very young. Until they breathed their last breath, there were thousands of prayers being offered on their behalf, because their lives were precious...even though all they could do was lie in a bed and interact with those around them. I have to wonder how far we are from a society that considers the sick and the handicapped a drain on our economy and our precious "way of life" to the extent that we no longer consider the rights of those people. Even today, a person with no health insurance is not very likely to get adequate health care. And I know, the Democrats have a great plan for national health care. They also recognize our need to actually care for the poor, instead of making them wait for
money to fall out of the sky and land on them! AND my last point is this: Republicans have been standing on the pro life platform for many years, and I think several have been elected while proclaiming to be pro life. If they can't produce some meaningful legislation...take a real stand for life....then why should we keep voting for them? I'm getting a little sick and tired of talk. And I am really tired of hearing about our bulging pocketbooks here in America....when a whole segment of our population can't even conceive of having money to invest in the stock market, because they can barely live from day to day. AND even they are far richer than most of the world we live in. Anyway, I'm voting for McCain...and I'll see if he does anything about abortion.

God is always watching!

Conner has had a cold all week, but as of last night I was still undecided about cancelling my dr. appt at Walter Reed for today at 1PM. I felt unsettled, because I haven't taken Conner into WR yet, and I was concerned he might pick up a flu bug or something. But I haven't been to the dr in a long time, and I've been sick off an on since August. I finally decided to cancel when I couldn't shake the feeling that I shouldn't go. My appt. was easily rescheduled, and I felt good about taking good care of Conner.
This afternoon, Nathan and a friend discovered that my valve stem on my car was leaking air....so badly that we could hear the air escaping. Nathan and John changed my tire, and I took my car into Goodyear. Turns out my tires had been recalled, and they replaced all four tires and didn't charge me a penny! If I had kept my appointment, Conner and I would have been on 495 rushing when the valve stem started leaking, and many people have crashed as the result of a faulty valve stem. That is the fifth brand new tire that has gone bad on my car since August 2007. I was stranded with Conner twice, once with my nephew and once with Conner and Mary Jane McGiboney! Hopefully, this is the end of my tire issues....but it could have been SO much worse! God is good! I have been all over the area this week, and my tire started leaking in my own driveway! I drive Conner on two way roads every day. I consider it a huge responsibility. Chris, Cam and I just switched Conner to a bigger car seat, because he was getting to the weight limit on his. Anyway, I'm feeling loved and cared for. I am thankful for Nathan and John, too, and for Goodyear's integrity. I have changed my opinion of them.

Not giving up.....giving it up....

Well, my drawing class is annoying me! It's because we do three minute sketches for 2.5 hours straight...with a break, but just when I start to get a concept, it's time to change. I know I'm learning, because my paintings are getting better , but we never finish anything in drawing class! I'm always ready to go home after class, though. On the other hand, I could paint all day long...I am never ready to go home on Sat. I'm thankful I can take these classes, though.

Conner has another cold, and yes, he slimed me again. I hope he feels better really quickly, and I'm hoping my resistance is higher this time. I don't want to end up sick in bed again.

I'm excited about a few upcoming events. Don and I have really good tickets to see Michael W Smith and Stephen Curtis Chapman at the Strathmore with the National Symphony on Halloween! I had to get the tickets as soon as I heard the first advertisement, because Don's dream concert was to hear the two of them at the Strathmore! I had the same dream.

We also have a free night's stay up on Skyline Drive on November 23rd! We go there every few months, so they gave us a thank-you night. We are going up after church.

Don and Elise, Chris and Cameron and another couple are hiking up a mt., camping out and hiking down this weekend. Cam's mom is watching Little Man. It should be a beautiful hike. I hope the weather is nice for them.

I'm going to be 54 in a couple of weeks, and I'm not near my goal weight again. I don't know what to say about that. I see my doctor this week, and I'm about the same as I was the last time I saw her. She doesn't get after me about my weight...she's mainly concerned about all of my other numbers. She's a good doctor, but I wish my weight was going to be down. On the positive note, I've weighed more, and I'm not far from the weight I was when I got married. I still am sticking with my goal of getting to my goal weight in 2009. God will get me there, if I give it up....but not give up.

Restoring communication--return of my cell phone!

On Saturday I got up early and trekked out to Rt 29 where my cell phone flew off the roof of my car...still feeling DUMB! Anyway, I didn't find it! I did, however, get my jeans legs really wet, as well as my shoes...with the morning dew, and some really tiny seeds were all over my shoes and pants. Lovely look, but I was going to art class....people show up all kinds of ways.

It was a two art class day...making up for lost classes on Don's wedding day and my weekend away with Jennie. So I was painting from 9:45-4:00. I still didn't want to quit. My art teacher was quite pleased with both of the paintings I was working on, and I got some very good feedback. I just can't learn enough about painting right now! I'm loving it!

And to my surprise, when I checked Don's cell to see if he'd called me on it, I saw 2 calls from MY cell phone!! Yep, my sweet husband found my cell phone!! He said it took him one minute! He was more certain of where I'd lost it than I was. It had a few scratches on the back, but other than that, it was perfect! Did I mention that I have the BEST husband ever! (No you don't, I do!!!) :) He stopped on his way to Warrenton area to play a wedding--in his tux, no less! No, he didn't get wet pants legs or tiny seeds. He didn't park on the OTHER side of 29 and run across 29 like I did. He didn't go down in the ditch and up the other side. He just stopped where he thought it was and there it was waiting for him! I didn't mention how efficient he is, either! It's a good thing he is with a wife who leaves her cell on top of the car--I lost my best Bible that way, too....on the FFX Cty parkway once. I stopped and picked up all the pieces and tried to put it back together, but I couldn't. So I missed all my years of markings and the "flip open" spots. In that case, I started all over, and it was okay. Now my new Bible has those things.

Bruce talked about resolving conflict today and all of the things that we do but shouldn't in the face of conflict. I have to say that I have visited most of the wrong ways to deal with conflict. I'm still thinking about it. I'll write more about this later.

Birthday, Cold Stone and Flying Cell Phone!

Tonight we celebrated Chris' 32nd birthday! You know you're getting old when your kids start getting old! :) Sorry, Chris, just couldn't resist! Seriously Chris is getting up there! We were 35 when we moved to Fairfax county from DC, and that seems like yesterday! Don and I took Chris, Cam and Conner to PeiWei for dinner and then to Cold Stone for ice cream. I got to see Chris and Cam in action with Little Man--in public. They were great! Conner seemed to know what to expect from them, and they worked as a team. Don and I were quite proud. I'm always proud to watch my son with his son! He loves Conner so much, and Conner loves him back. Same with Cameron! Conner expects love wherever he goes, and that is because he receives love from everyone around him. Pei Wei was good, but I didn't like what I ordered. I ordered a Thai dish with coconut and chicken. It was kind of slimy, spicy with a weird taste that I can only compare to some kind of charcoal lighter. Chris agreed with me. But everything else was good. I had never been to Cold Stone except to buy an ice cream cake one time. The ice cream was good, but I didn't know how to order. I ordered black cherry and French vanilla ice cream and then sat down to watch Conner. Don asked if I wanted it "mixed", and I said, "No." The next thing I know, Don is semi-shouting over to me, "Are you sure, because it's going to be HUGE!"
Did I mention that I dislike eating ice cream in public places, because I shouldn't be eating ice cream at all??? I muttered, "Fine, just have them mix it and put it in a cup." Don came over and said, "I told them to put it in a cup, and they put it in this big cup! So, I kind of huddled next to Conner, holding a BIG cup and feeling like a pig! Of course I fed Conner some, and I only ate off the top...who eats dessert anyway after eating dinner at a Thai place? Don didn't mean to be LOUD about ice cream in PUBLIC...and using the word "HUGE" about my portion....we just never have ordered ice cream at Cold Stone before....and probably won't until I am 50 lbs. smaller.
On the way to meet Chris and Cam, my cell kept ringing. We couldn't find it! I always carry it next to me when I am driving, and I was driving. I assumed it was in my purse, but it was ringing near me...not on the floor where my purse was. We were in stopped traffic, so Don took off his seat belt and was crawling around trying to find my phone. He kept calling it, and it kept ringing muffled near me. I made sure I wasn't sitting on it, and then we decided it was under my seat. It rang again as the traffic finally sped up. Then we heard it! A couple of clunks across the roof of my car and a crack on the pavement behind my car! Don called my phone again....no ring! My phone was lost from the top of the car! I was really sad, because I love my phone. Don reminded me we have insurance, and I cheered up a little, but I knew I would lose numbers I probably couldn't get back. Then, after we got home, I remembered all of the adorable pictures of Conner since birth...all on my phone. I have to go back and try to find my SIM card. I'm going to do that tomorrow morning before art class.

Next time--wedding pictures!

Sept. 27th--one of the BEST days

The wedding was more than we could have asked or imagined! Don and Elise were so joyful, and I don't think there was one person at the wedding or the reception who didn't share their joy! Tim Jones did a wonderful job with the wedding ceremony--it was absolutely perfect for them. Elise was a beautiful bride, and she was so happy, which made her glow! Her dress was elegant and beautiful, and she picked out really nice dresses for the bridesmaids. Don looked very handsome...his tux was longer than the rest of them, so he looked really TALL and handsome.

A really great thing that was unexpected was that Don (son) and I ended up having a manicure and pedicure together. He wanted a pedicure, so Don Sr. gave him some money and told him to meet me where I was going. The only thing was I decided to get mine done where I was getting my hair done. Don came over thinking I was having my hair done, but ended up sitting in the chair next to me and getting his nails done. We had fun. Don had never had a pedicure before, and wanted to get rid of his rough feet for Elise. I thought it was hilarious that we ended up doing that together--I had felt a little lonely getting mine done by myself on the wedding day.

I don't think there was a dry eye in the church during their ceremony. Both Don and Elise were teary, and so were her mom and I. It was really special. Don and I are so happy for them. At the reception, Elise's grandad was supposed to say grace, and he did a great job. First he explained what grace meant in the Bible, then he told us what "Amen" meant, and then he had us say "Amen". It was cool. Then we all danced the night away. Don and Elise like "oldies", so there were a lot of Beatles and 60's and 70's music. It was great. Don and I felt young again. What was most gratifying was to hear what Elise's dad had to say about Don, and that he believed their match was really made in Heaven. Tim, our neighbor, friend, and Don and Elise's minister at New Life Christian Church, said that he really believed the angels were singing and God was smiling down on Don's and Elise's union. I truly felt that way! Thank you God for September 27th. It was one of the best days! Pictures later.

Counting Down....and some random pictures

Top picture is of Nathan and his girlfriend, Katie...no, they aren't getting married right now, but it was Nathan's birthday Sept. 13th. The other picture is of our family on vacation in NY state several years ago.....just because.

We can't believe Don's and Elise's wedding is only days away! We had such a joyful weekend the weekend before last and last week with Nathan's and Conner's birthday and Elise's wedding shower. Her wedding shower was so much fun, because her bridesmaids planned it, for the most part. Then, this past weekend, Don's brothers and friends took him on a bachelor party camping trip in the Blue Ridge. I'll post pictures soon.

Don and I are going to miss Don around here. He comes in and talks to us, and he always has something positive to share. He is really a joyful person and a joy to be around. He's always been like that. I can't remember a time when he wasn't like that. We are happy for him, though. He has chosen a wonderful woman to marry, and she has chosen a wonderful husband too.

Okay...enough mushy stuff. I need to make a list of what I have left to do:
Finish the card for Don
<em>CALL PACINOS and CHANGE TIME OF REHEARSAL DINNER TO 15 MINUTES LATER
<em>Type up the poem I wrote for the wedding
Buy some frames for pictures of Don and Elise N/A
Take care of LG's gift
Be on the lookout for TJ's gift
GO TO ART CLASS TOMORROW NIGHT--GO EARLY FOR SUPPLIES
GO TO PRACTICE ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT
color my hair
get a manicure and ped
Look for some dress shoes for Nathan
Keep checking FreecycleMissions money
send puppet play to Grace
get decorations out on Thurs. (Print email from Kristen)

Pray for the wedding to be beautiful and just what Don and Elise have dreamed of.
Pray that God will be glorified
Meet Kristen to decorate
Decorate the tables for rehearsal dinner
arrive early for rehearsal
hair appt for styling 11 AM Sat. Creative cuts

I'll check back in before the wedding. Pray for everyone...pray I'll be well. I've been sick.

Conner's Big Day! One Joyful Year!

One year ago today on September 11, 2007 Conner Steven Harrington came into this world, and 9/11 gained a new significance in our family forever. Today was very emotional for me and for our family. As always happens, my heart became heavy when I remembered what happened in our country...and our area...7 years ago today. But, unlike any other year, that sad feeling was followed by immense gratitude and joy for the birth of little Conner. I thought about the day of his birth, when his whole family waited for his arrival. We were excited and concerned for his well-being and then anxious and prayerful as he was put in the NICU for the first five days of his life. I remember how brave Cameron was as she awaited the C-section and how nervous Christopher was as he waited with her. I remember how excited everyone was and how all of Conner's grandparents and uncles waited to see him. I remember that, when Christopher wheeled him out for us to see, Conner was wrapped in a PINK blanket and I stared at him for a moment...wondering....was he a boy or a girl? We had been told he would be a boy....but the pink blanket threw me a little. And then we saw him, SO precious and perfect...just a little premature....at 8 lbs. and 3 oz!
Precious little Conner, we love you--your Mommy and Daddy, your grandparents and uncles, your aunt Marie, Christine and your almost Aunt Elise and Mrs. Lisa! You are a precious gift from God! Thank You God for Conner!

Getting over the flu....

Conner's germs are pretty potent! I guess what he had was the flu, because I was sick Thurs-Sun, and we ended up not getting to go to NY. I still have a really bad cough, but I don't feel as miserable as I did for more than 3 days. I was actually in bed under the covers all day Fri and Sat and most of the day Sun. Yesterday we went out shopping for the wedding for a few hours, and I was exhausted last night. But this morning I made myself get up and exercise. This is the second major physical problem I have had in a month. I hope it's not a trend. I spent the last 3 days of our vacation time in bed, too, because of dehydration/dizziness. I'm going to get the flu shot as soon as I can.

Conner's 100% though. He's not having any part of me feeding him except that he still loves his hot cereal, so he puts up with me for about 10 minutes.

I am interviewing to teach a preschool music class for 2 hours three times a week this afternoon. I'm not sure if I'll take it,or if I'll be hired, but I'm hoping it is an opportunity to pull in a little money to help out with our budget. Anyone who is reading this, please offer up a prayer that God's will will be clear in this situation. I don't want to get overscheduled.

Kind of an off day for the Little Man

Conner is sick today, and all I did was hold him most of the day. He was only able to be consoled if I was rocking him, and even then, he was still miserable. So I didn't get much done, but I got a lot of snuggle time. Snuggle time doesn't burn many calories, though. I think I'm going to start going to Weight Watchers again. I need accountability with faces attached! I'm disappointed, because I was hoping to be a lot closer to my goal by Don's wedding, but I'm not. It only matters to me...Don Sr. tells me I'm more beautiful than ever. I told him I'm thankful for his poor eyesight! :) Don Jr. only has eyes for his sweet Elise, and she will be beautiful at the wedding, no doubt. She's beautiful every day. Well, I have almost a month....a busy month but a month!

I Found a Dress!

Well, this morning I got my dress! I'm taking a chance ordering it online, but I know that it will be flattering on me, as long as it is what it says it is. I can send it back. I also ordered my shoes, so I'm a little nervous. This whole weekend was about birthdays and the wedding, except for Sunday. We went to church at New Life at the last minute, because we were running late. (I woke up dizzy again...) It turned out to be what we've been calling a "God thing". Our neighbor was preaching, and his lesson was on what works to bring people to repentence. He went through all of the things that didn't work in the OT and new....people only immediately respond to miracles but forget. What works is God's love....He knows us...really knows us and loves us anyway. And that works. His love transforms us. That settled a lot of things for me. Also, we surprised Don and Elise, driving up behind them at church, and Marie, Andrew and Chris were there, my "adopted daughter" and family. Speaking of Marie and Andrew, we went to Andrew's second birthday party Sat. He was so cute....he got a drum set from his uncle, and we all circled up around him as he played it. He actually played it really well, beating the bass drum with his foot and using the drumsticks on the snare drums and cymbals. Then he would stop and wait for us to clap. Conner was sitting in his stroller taking it all in, so as soon as Andrew was ready to play with something else, I put Conner on the stool, and Andrew graciously handed him the drumsticks. Conner loved that.

Yesterday after church Don and I spent the day together....having fun. We ate at Red Robin, and I had a salmon sandwich on grain bread. It was really good. I can't remember what Don had...I was enjoying my salmon sandwich too much. :) After that we saw TRAITOR. That was a really good movie. I usually don't like that type of movie, but I was interested in the fact that it was Steve Martin's creation, and it was about Al Quaida sleeper cells. He evidently did a lot of research on this movie, and it was an accurate portrayal of how the terrorism network operated in our country and others. It wasn't graphically violent, but it was intense and interesting. After that Don and I went to Cub Run Rec center, and I worked out in the pool while Don lifted weights.

I woke up this morning at 6 when son Don was getting ready for work...and I had no dizziness...first day since our trip to the mountains. I started the laundry and washed up some dishes left for me by various sons and visitors who ate at our house last night...and didn't take care of their dishes. Oh well, the clock is ticking....soon I won't have any sons here to clean up after.....nope, still not too sentimental about that. But Sat. I felt it. I'm going to miss my early morning and early evening talks with son Don. I'm going to miss him coming in and making Conner's day by saying, "Hi, BAAABY!" and picking him up. Conner can't smile big enough to express how excited he always is to see Uncle Don come home from work.
But I can't wait for Don and Elise's wedding! They are such a great couple. I'm excited to see them start their life together. And I'm really happy to have another daughter-in-law! Have a happy Labor Day!

Lists and Loved Ones

Sweet Elise....almost Sweet Elise Harrington!


Sweet Conner Steven Harrington--"Do I look almost 1 year old?"

After Conner left this afternoon, before picking up all of his toys and starting dinner, I did two self-portraits. I looked overwhelmed in both of them.....that's because I am right now. I have so many things coming up that I'm finding too many things crowding my brain. Here's what is in my brain:

Things to get for the wedding: (Items in italics completed or on schedule)a dress
shoes
a cake for the rehearsal dinner N/A
punch for the " " (get my punch bowl back from Chris.)
a card for Don and Elise
a gift for the wedding and one more for the shower
a cake for the ss
fruit for the ss
cook out food for the bachelor camping trip (Chris and Nate did this.
get surprise for " "

For Birthdays:
Get Andrew a gift
Get Conner a gift
Get Nathan a gift
Get Elise a gift

Things I've promised to do:
Bring cake and fruit to the shower
Get groceries for the bachelor party/camping trip (For Don and Nathan)N/A
Set up time for Kristen and Elise to see the stuff at the house for decorations
Attend Andrew's birthday party on Aug. 31st
Make a birthday dinner for Nathan on Sept. 13th
Attend Conner's Birthday party on Sept.14th, armed with camera,film and video camera.
Help with surprise eventPick Ansel up at the airport and drop him off (He can't come... :(
Babysit Conner on the AM of the bachelor partyDecorate the tables for rehearsal dinner
arrive early for rehearsal
Go to NY with Don to see his family (work on sewing project) (sick...didn't go)

Things I need and want to do:
Continue daily God time (not daily)
Pray for others (almost daily)
Exercise
Sign up for my fall art classes
practice sketching
work on paintings I started in the workshop
go to Pennsylvania with Jennie
Clean house from top to bottom
Keep the laundry done (so far--Don helpeed when I was sick)
Get the yard ready for fall.

Summer's End....Here comes September!!!

This is NOT a universal wedding invitation! :) I just want to share the beautiful job they did on the invitations!

I usually feel a little blue to see summer end, but also have a feeling of expectation when fall arrives. I enjoy all of the seasons, but none is more beautiful to me than fall in Virginia! This year, September should be phenominal in our family! Almost 23 years ago, on September 13th, our youngest son was born, making Friday the 13th a great day for us. Now, September 11th has become a great day for our family, because our little grandson, (nephew, and son, Conner Steven, was born almost a year ago! (I can't believe it!) And this year, we are adding another new member to our family, our sweet new almost daughter-in-law, Elise, who will marry our son Don on Sept. 27th! This is a day our family has been eagerly awaiting for at least a year, and philosophically for over 24 years. I prayed diligently for my future daughters-in-law when my boys were babies and growing up. Cameron is a blessing to our son, Chris, as he is to her, and now Elise will bless Don's life, as I'm sure he will hers. Our September is already completely booked up! The first week, Don's brother Les is going to his 50th high school reunion--YES 50th! We are meeting Don's family in NY state for that weekend.
The following weekend, we celebrate Nate's and Conner's birthdays--Conner's first so it's going to be a huge gathering...Nate's a family event...and another wedding related event! The next week, the boys and Don (hubby) are giving Don a bachelor camping trip up in the Blueridge..... (I will be chillin' at home, panicking in peace, I'm sure...), and I hope to attend another wedding related celebration for someone NOT in my family. The following week, my nephew comes into town for the wedding on Thurs., we have the rehearsal dinner on Friday and the wedding on Saturday!! Sunday the newlyweds will fly to Jamaica for their honeymoon, and Monday we will take Ansel, my nephew, to the airport. AND the first weekend in October is both Christopher's 32nd birthday AND a Ladies Retreat in Lancaster, PA where I am going with Jenny Jackson! So don't expect to see many blogs here for a while! (Or I may be doing a lot of processing here!) It's really an exciting time for our family! I am so thankful for God's blessings!

Long Time no Blog.....

Don and I had a wonderful couple of weeks on our anniversary and staycation. We didn't stay home, though! We spontaniously decided to take a trip up to the BlueRidge and the Shenandoah and stayed at Skyland, our home away from home about four times a year. We got a beautiful room with a king sized bed overlooking the valley. We really love it up there. I'm really excited about what I was able to do!
Throughout our time raising the boys up until my knees got bad and I got lupus, Don and I used to hike White Oak Canyon trail, usually with a baby in a backpack on me and at least one on Don's shoulders. We would bring sandwiches for lunch, hike down to the waterfalls and back up. Well, in the past several years...more than 10, Don and the boys have had to make that hike without me! Well, Tuesday I told Don I wanted to try that hike. I don't think either of us thought I would make it all the way down to the first falls, because we decided since we had just eaten breakfast and I had had coffee and water that we didn't need to carry water or a snack! Well the trip to the first falls is straight down the mountain, with some pretty steep climbing in places. I did great, and we even played on some rocks and waded in the first waterfall. We actually hiked a bit past the first falls but decided it was too steep for us to go any further. Don decided we would rock "hop" across the stream instead of going back over the bridge like "normal" 50 something year old people would do. I tenatively agreed, SO he threw my tennis shoes across the stream and said, "NOW you're committed!" (He's always trying to help me challenge myself!) SO I was the first into the ice cold stream....and the walking surface choices were....REALLY slimey slippery rocks on which to balance on my very tired knees....and sharp gravel! I started out on the slippery rocks and quickly switched to sharp gravel. Luckily I had my walking stick we found at the trail head! Once we were across and I assured Don that he wouldn't be getting his hands on my shoes again any time soon, I climbed on the rocks looking for a better view of the upper falls from just above it while Don hiked up a horse trail to investigate what ended up being a ranger's truck with an igloo cooler on the back, and a water bottle with a hole in it. Don filled up the water bottle and dranks some and brought some back to me.....told me to get off the rocks and drink some water. As soon as I drank the water we started back up the trail, and I realized my blood sugar was getting low....and the road kept going and going. We were looking around for blackberries but didn't see any, although people were picking them up the road from where we were.
It was over 2 miles back to the top--straight up, and about 3/4 of the way up I just couldn't go on anymore. My knees weren't the problem...my blood sugar had gotten too low and I was really dehydrated. I sat down on a rock and Don was going to run the rest of the way up to get me an apple when we heard a BIG noise in the woods, so he wouldn't leave me...and I didn't want to be left in case a bear thought I looked like an easy meal! So I stumbled the rest of the way up the path, and made it to the car, ate an apple and an oatmeal cookie and drank a bunch of water and started feeling better. That night we listened to a really good singer and had dinner and then watched the Olympics in the lounge, and the next morning I felt great. SO we decided to hike up Hawksbill (Upper Hawksbill) Mountain which is the highest mountain on the drive, but only a 2 mile round trip hike. I was fine going up and coming down, because I had hydrated and eaten before hiking, but I must have gotten more dehydrated than I realized the day before, because when we got in the car after hiking up, climbing on the rocks at the summit and hiking down, I got very dizzy again and also nauseous. Don stopped and got me come candy, but that just made it worse and we had to get out of the mountains, because the curvy roads were making me sick. We had planned to go through Front Royal and have lunch, but we just went home and I managed not to get sick or pass out in the car. By the time we got home I just wanted to lie down, so we went straight home, and I fell down trying to lie down on the couch. Don helped me upstairs and I tried taking a shower--in case I had to go to the ER, and after that I was just so tired, I went to sleep. The next day I couldn't walk without being dizzy, but I was slowly getting better because Don was giving me bananas and potassium salt in water, and by Sat. afternoon, I was back to normal. Saturday afternoon we walked at Meadowlarke and yesterday after church we ate lunch with our son and his fiance and some friends and then went to our friends' TR and Cynthia's house and swam for a long time. I feel completely back to normal, but I'm not going anywhere with out water and maybe diluted Gatorade. I still feel a great sense of accomplishment that I can hike such long and challenging trails again! I'm really thankful, because Don and the boys and I have great memories of hiking in the Blue Ridge. The boys have been backpacking twice a year together since they were in high school. Maybe I'll practice carrying a backpack....at least I'd be sure to have water and a snack! I'll post about the rest of our "staycation" later.

Tags......

TAGGED BY JAIME: (I'm guessing at the questions...my answers)
1.Do you like being pregnant? I LOVE being pregnant, too. I'm not pregnant either....I would probably be a widow if I was! :)
I really sometimes feel "lonely" knowing I won't ever feel that feeling of having a baby inside, moving etc, and I felt beautiful. (Don always thought I was beautiful pregnant.) I feel affection for pregnant mommies...especially my daughter in law when she was pregnant.
2. Do you have any quirky sleep habits? I sleep with one foot out of the covers, and Don always covers up my foot--I've never told him that I put my foot out on purpose, because I think it's sweet that he takes care of me that way. (He doesn't do blogs.)
3.How do you feel about fake nails? I hate fake nails--they are oppressive to me, and I fight biting my nails. It helps me to put polish on my nails and occasionally get manicures.
4. Do you like fans in the bedroom? We both like fans blowing year round for noise and air circulation.
5. Which do you like best--fruits or vegetables? I love all fruits and veggies, but I can only eat 2-3 fruits a day.
6. Do you write "To Do" lists? I keep lists in my head but recently have had to start writing them down. I also cross off and carry items from the list to the next day, for the same reason.
7. Do you like organizing or cleaning best? I enjoy organizing, and I love the smell of the house on days that I clean, but I try to finish quickly. I'm a fanatic about making the bed and changing the sheets often, so I make the bed the minute we get up. Don just told me the other day how much he likes it that I do that.

Tag: Erin L and Erin G, Lisa G and Lisa J, Jill Y

FROM ERIN G's BLOG

1. What time did you get up this morning? I woke up at 5 AM and got up at 5:30.
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Dark Knight
4. What is your favorite TV show? Dancing with the Stars
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Oatmeal or a boiled egg and E.muffin
6. What is your middle name? Aleecia
7. What food do you dislike? mango
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Michael W. Smith "Rain"
9. What kind of car do you drive? Hondai Elantra Station Wagon and PROUD of it!
10. Favorite sandwich? homemade hamburger
11. What characteristic do you despise? deceitfulness
12. Favorite item of clothing? jeans and a white t shirt
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? France (countryside)
14. What is your favorite way to pass the time of day? Other than spending time with hubby and grandson and our family, oil painting, writing or playing the piano/clarinet, or reading
15. Where would you retire to? Virginia countryside in a homey country house with a little land for a garden and some animals.
16. What was your most memorable birthday? All 33 of the ones since I've been married
17. Furthest place you are sending this? France (to Claire)
18. Person you expect to send it back first? Jaime
19. When is your birthday? Noevember 4
20. Morning person or a night person? Morning person...I am sometimes up at night, but I don't want to be.
21. What is your shoe size? 9
22. Pets? We HAD an adorable toy poodle, Charlie, until a month ago. (He died.) :(
23. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I had a very successful art workshop this past weekend, and Don and I went away to celebrate our 33rd anniversary
24. What did you want to be when you were little? a teacher,a Mommy and a writer
25. How are you today? Happy to be with my grandson today!
26. What is your favorite flower? lilacs
27. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Sept. 27th, our son's wedding
28. What are you listening to right now? Conner eating sweet potato puffs
29. What was the last thing you ate? a chicken pot pie
30. Do you wish on stars? I used to...can't see the stars anymore.
31. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? yellow
32. How is the weather right now? Beautiful, sunny and cool
33. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Don
34. What is your favorite soft drink? Diet Dr. Pepper
35. Favorite restaurant? Pacino's
36. Hair color? blonde with white (without color...white with dirty blonde)
37. What was your favorite toy as a child? my doll
38. Summer or winter? summer
40. Chocolate or Vanilla? vanilla
41. Do you want your friends to email or blog you back? yes
42. When was the last time you cried? On Saturday
43. What is under your bed? Don's vitamin books on his side nothing on mine...
44. What did you do last night? Watched Olympics and read
45. Are you afraid of Death? No, but I want to be here for my family and see what happens.
46. Salty or sweet? salty
47. How many keys on your key ring? 3
48. How many years at your current job? 33
49. Favorite day of the week? Sunday
50. Do you make friends easily? yes
51. How many people will you send this to? everyone who reads my blog
52. How many will respond? 2-3
53. Do you like finding out all this stuff about your friends? yes

TAG: Jaime S, Erin L and G, Lisa G and J, Jill Y

Eventful Week

33rd Wedding Anniversary August 9, 2008

After today I am going to post calories/exercise every few days, because I am doing really well, and posting on both Sparkpeople and here takes a lot of time. I did the express Cardio overdrive with the Firm, and that wasn't enough, so I also did the regular workout this morning before Conner got here.
I am feeling so strong now. Also, I forgot to take my meds this morning with breakfast, because Conner was here. I remembered at lunch time, so I took my blood sugar before lunch, and my reading was normal without having taken my blood sugar meds. this morning--and I had two pieces of toast for breakfast! I am making some really important progress now. Thanks to God, because I have been asking Him to help my body function the way it is supposed to. Just last week, AFTER exercising and before eating breakfast, my blood sugar was 100 pts higher than that.

I am also going to do the weight lifting DVD from the Firm and yoga to stretch out. Wed. I have more time to exercise, since I'm mostly finished with my work around here....I just remembered I left the water on in my garden. Well I now have a nicely meandering stream in my backyard, and I'm sure the garden eating critters are just having a ball about now! My neighbor and I were talking today, and I was looking out at the backyard when I noticed the squirrels out there--about 6 of them--going from one plant to the other. Now I know why my plants keep making flowers and growing bigger but are not producing cucumbers, tomatoes and squash! Charlie may have been a little pipsqueak toy poodle, but he kept the squirrels and birds at bay! I'm going to rent my neighbor's cat, Seven--he brings home squirrel tails as trophies. He's the wildest long hair beautiful cat I've ever known! I usually don't
get too mushy about cats, but if they serve a purpose.... (Cats are too aloof--I need constant adoration!) :)

Speaking of constant adoration, have I mentioned how much I adore my grandson? Well, he has a cough that has not impressed his pediatrician much, but it has mommy and grandma concerned. He and I played with the bouncy balls I bought him and the stacky rings, and I got down on the floor with Conner to take pictures. Then I read him one book and he was too sleepy for anymore, so I put him down. He had just fallen asleep when he started coughing and got strangled, so I picked him up and camped out with him on the couch until he fell asleep. Cameron found us both asleep when she got here--I got up at 5:30 again this morning. I don't see him again until Friday, and then we have only two days next week, and he'll be going to the beach with Chris and Cam and two other couples for a week! After that, we are back to school schedule.

This weekend is our 33rd anniversary and also my art workshop, which lasts all weekend....for 2 hours Friday night, for 6 hours Sat. and Sun. In the evenings Sat. and Sun. night, Don and I are going to do things in Old TowneAlex. and DC, like take a ride on one of the riverboats and eat in one of the sidewalk cafes. This is our gift to each other. While I am in class, Don is going to enjoy our hotel, which is really nice, with a pool and a workout room and a two room suite. The class is on Developing an Idea, and I am supposed to bring all of the media I have. I am bringing oil, acrylic, pencils, charcoal and ink....as well as canvas, a sketchpad and canvas sheets. I only have to buy ink. I am also supposed to come with ideas of things I would like to accomplish with my art. I am bringing a few of my children's book ideas and some poems. I feel like I'm really making progress with this part of my life, too. I haven't decided what classes I am going to take in the fall, but I plan to take 2. I'll post my calories later. So far I've burned 864 and eaten 1300 and something.

For our vacation this year, Don and I are staying home and pretending to be tourists, and do the stuff we usually don't have time to do. I hope you all are enjoying your summer, too.

Things are changing....

I'm finally starting to see some progress in my muscle strength and my weight loss. Don noticed that my legs are looking better, and I've noticed that my knees are definitely functioning better. Yesterday I didn't get online and figure out calories, but I did eat healthily and exercised in the pool at Bull Run Park. I tried to sign online, but after about 5 tries, I gave up. I finally had to unplug everything and restart. At that point, I just didn't care anymore.

I'm also seeing progress in my attitude. I'm reading a tidbit of scripture and devotional from the Lose it For Life materials with Don every morning. I have been asking God to be in control of my appetite, my health and my energy. I have seen and felt a change in my perseverance.

Thurs. Son Don is getting the apartment he and Elise will be living in after they are married. He said he'll probably just move in their stuff and stay here....he said it would be weird sleeping there when everyone is here and Elise is still at her parents' house. I'm going to miss Don. He always comes in and talks to me and seems to enjoy it. I know I do. Conner really will miss him.

Tonight Don Sr. hollered up at me, "Jerri, I'm going to walk Charlie!" I almost answered, "Okay!" Then I remembered Charlie isn't here anymore. I went out and took a walk with Don, and he didn't even have to wait for me to sniff the trees etc.
:)

We will be married 33 years on Sat. It's been a great 33 years, too! God knew what he was doing when he gave Don and me to each other. We may not be perfect (by any definition of the word), but we're perfect for each other! :)

Oh, by the way, Don loved the 8 by 10 of him and Conner. I framed it and put it on the piano to surprise him.

Great Day

Do you think this will be a good 8 by 10?

It was a really good worship service this morning. I was ready to worship....sometimes going to worship is like finding an oasis in the middle of a desert! We sang some really great songs, Abbie Mills was baptized, and Bruce preached a really great sermon about Paul's conversion. It was encouraging to me to consider how Paul, when he was Saul, persecuted the church (and Christ) and how God's plan was carried out in his life. I want God's plan for me to be carried out in my life. I need to learn how to just give myself over to His plan....I'm always striving. I need to be still and wait for Him. I'm not good at waiting. He's always faithful to me, though.

Don and I went to see The Dark Knight--we were peer pressured into it by Bruce. :) Actually, Don has been wanting to see it, and I've been promising to go see it with him. Afterall, he saw Mama Mia with me last week! :) It was pretty well done, if you like action packed, bloody movies with lots of really ugly bad guys. When I got tired of the non stop action, I got up and got myself a cup of coffee. The coffee was really good! :)

Today I went to Walmart and bought Little Man two bouncy balls and a stacky toy. He really loved the bouncy balls at VBS last week. I can't wait until Wed. when I get to play with him again. I also copied some prints to send to my mom. He's growing up so fast! I got a really nice picture of Conner and Don made into an 8 by 10. We need to get a good one with me....I'm always taking the pictures. He won't remember what Grandma looks like when he gets older if something happens to me!

Tired with a Headache

I was too tired to go online last night after we got home at 10 PM from going out with our friends for dinner and a movie. I did well with my eating out...I just ate part of a crab cake, some mashed potatoes, about a quarter cup of corn, some broccoli and a lot of cooked carrots....no dessert and no popcorn at the movies. The bad thing was I also didn't have time to exercise yesterday at all. My friend Christine came over for lunch and stayed until Cameron picked up Conner....who was sick with a runny nose. I had just enough time to pick up and then meet our friends and Don for dinner. Since I didn't exercise, I was relieved not to be tempted to eat a lot for dinner or tempted by popcorn.

This morning I caught up on sleep for the week. I haven't slept my eight hours all week. Now my head is hurting. Go figure...my body isn't used to me getting my sleep. Today I'm giving myself some time to paint and recharge my batteries. I am going to either go to the Cub Run pool and swim or go to my friend Cynthia's house and get in the pool. I haven't gotten in the pool all summer. I've been walking and doing other exercise. I miss it, and my joints are hurting, so I think a day in the water would help.

Last night we saw Swing Vote. I am surprised it was such a thoughtful movie. I think our two party system has become such a hypocritical bunch of hot air! I don't think a person who wants to run for any political office stands for anything at all when he or she hides behind a party platform and neglects to speak any of his or own truths. I am never again going to vote for a man or woman based on his or her political party. I don't know how many politicians I have heard invoke the name of JFK, Roosevelt or Lincoln. At a time in our nation's history when we need great leaders like they were, we have men who need political parties and advisors to tell them what they believe. That's why I liked Hillary Clinton. I didn't agree with her about everything she believed, but she wasn't afraid to speak up for the poor people in our country...who are getting poorer. I'm not sure if either of the other candidates care at all about what is becoming the larger part of our population. Okay, so I am cynical about politics....but not about the what God can do.

Another busy...but fun...day

Well, today was the last day of VBS, and so I'm done with my week of baby holding...except for Conner of course. It was a lot of fun to see people I know from other churches and from Stepping Stones. I wanted to go back tonight, but we had to get our adjustment at our chiropractor's, and I needed to be popped back into place for sure after all of that baby holding.

I did a lot of work around the house that I haven't had time for this past week today, and I finished up my laundry. I was planning to walk to Starbucks to meet my friend Cynthia, but it was too hot to walk, so housework has to count as my exercise today. I plan on walking in the morning and doing another session with my Firm DVDs.
I'm weighing tomorrow too, so I'll let you know how I do. Thanks for all of the encouragement. I really appreciate the emails and accountability!

It's probably a vulture.....

I'm not in a great mood tonight. I get anxious when Don starts believing business opportunity letters we get in the mail. Since he doesn't go online, he doesn't see the dozens of those kinds of emails I delete every day. Don, most of the time, believes that if it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck and promises lots of ducks, it's a duck. I believe if it looks like a duck.....it's probably a vulture. We're a good mix, but getting to common ground about these things takes work. The good quality that makes Don believe letters like that is that he also believes things like someday I'll be a successful writer and he can retire and be my manager.
:)

VBS is winding down. Conner came with me today, and he was hilarious! He hasn't been around babies very much, and he thought he needed to taste a few of them. He hasn't been around toddlers pushing things with wheels on them, and Conner loves to spin wheels. I ran a lot of interference. He also had never seen me holding a lot of babies, while Conner is on the floor, NOT being held. He did not like that at all. But he got over it. It was lots of fun, and we both came home and had a nap!
I am a grandmother, after all.

We're all getting excited about the wedding now....especially Don and Elise. I can't wait to have Elise in our family. It's been so fun watching Don and Elise kind of grow up together. They started dating their junior year of high school and both of them were each other's first serious boy/girl friend. They have both matured and brought out the best in each other in every way. I'm excited about them starting their life together in Sept. and about having Elise in our family!

In my devotional time this morning, I was focusing on letting God heal the things in me that need healing. I find myself trying to do things "for God"....instead of just letting Him work on me. I know I have the responsibility to obey God, study, pray etc., but the real changes come from the Holy Spirit renewing my mind daily and filling me with the fruits of the Spirit...so that I can never boast.

Busy Day

This morning I walked and ended up getting two phone calls while I was rushing to get ready for VBS on time. Tomorrow I'm going out earlier.

Lately I've been thinking about what it is that I treasure, since Jesus said where our treasure is there our heart will be also. I've decided to make sure that I live my days to show what it is I truly treasure in this life. If I treasure my life here on this earth, I won't be building up treasures in Heaven. So, although it's important to keep track of what I'm eating and exercise every day, it isn't okay to turn my weight loss efforts into the center of my "free time". I need to focus on letting the Holy Spirit transform my thinking about weight/food issues. I have noticed that when I'm doing well with my program, I usually don't think about food/dieting/weight as much, but when I'm not doing what I know I should be doing, I think about it all of the time. That tells me that there is a spiritual aspect to my weight loss efforts--actually everything we do is spiritual.

Well, I'm cutting this short, because I am REALLY tired. Holding multiple babies all morning at VBS wore out this Grandma. Tomorrow I get to take Little Man with me.

If It Walks Like a Duck Part 2

Same ducks, same birds, same bunnies,same squirrels, same dead bat on the sidewalk (ugh!), same sweet Hispanic woman going to her bustop, same old Indian man taking his morning walk and rotating his shoulders, same middle aged lady walking her two really old dogs....same four miles, but faster today! Yay! More later...have to go to VBS. Sorry for all of the sentence fragments.

If it walks like a duck....

This morning I got up at 6, since it's the Lord's day, and went out to walk my four miles. I saw 2 bunnies, several doves, some robins a number of sparrows, two squirrels and two fat white ducks. The ducks were the same ones who started following me in V formation one day when Don and I walked by. I guess I must not be waddling as much as I was right after my knee replacement...and I must smell better (that day I had sat on under a tree that had been mulched and fertilized), because they paid no attention to me! I also met a lot of happy moring people who jogged by me or met me walking. One man walked by me with an attitude, so I said, "Good morning!" to him...at the same time he said, "Good morning!" So he must not have heard me, because he said again loudly, "GOOD MORNING!" I said, "GOOD MORNING!" back. Boy! Anyway, I did the four miles and have eaten 230 calories so far...I'll be back later.

Checking in....

I started off my day by walking four miles. It was deceptively cool, because there was a breeze this morning. I got about 2 miles from home and started back, and realized I was really starting to get dehydrated, but I was on a schedule, so I just walked home instead of doing the sensible thing and stopping for water. When I got home all of my boys were meeting to play basketball, and Chris was coming to drop off Little Man. They got me water and saved my life. Well, that wore me out, and then Conner and I hung out for a while while the boys played basketball. Don got home while the boys were taking showers and we hung out with Conner, and then I took my shower and we took a nap. That has been my whole day so far. I made myself a yogurt and frozen peaches smoothie and had a cup of cottage cheese and a piece of chicken all day. Now we are getting ready to eat out somewhere and see a movie. I'm writing this part of my blog now to hold myself accountable for what I do while we are out. My plan is a salad at Applebees and no popcorn. Let's see if I do that.

I ate a salad at Applebees, we skipped the movie, Don ate homemade popcorn, but I had water! :)

Recommitted

One of the things I would like to ask God when I go to Heaven, if it even matters to me once I see Him face to face, is if, when I pray for answers and one occurs to me, if that is God telling my heart the answer. I happen to believe that is true, but I'm so afraid of writing my own answers in my heart, that I question everything. When I question Him and the same answer pops in my heart, then I take that to be God answering my prayer.

That happened to me yesterday when I was praying. I haven't been working on myself lately. Nathan moved back home for a month, because the union hasn't had any jobs lately, due to the bad economy, so I've been helping him do the job search thing, encouraging him and spending more time with him and Don (Jr.) lately. Of course, I don't pay as much attention to my own needs, and I use that as an excuse not to sleep as much and not to eat right and not exercise. And, of course, my blood sugar has gone up. As an alarming side bar, Don's coworker's wife, who is about my age, died in her sleep night before last. So Don is more concerned than he should be about me, because I've been irresponsible about my own health. So I'm not taking good care of my husband either. I was praying and asking for forgiveness as well as strenghth and focus yesterday, when the answer in my heart was: You take care of everyone else except yourself. You're the one you should be worried about! Well, as true as that was, I questioned whether it was God's "voice" in my heart or my own, or perhaps my mom's. Then this morning when I asked God to help me, that admonition came into my heart again. So I got up at 6 this morning and went out for my three mile walk. I made myself an egg white omlet with veggies for breakfast and recommitted myself to Spark people, which really helps me. Again, I am posting my calories and exercise minutes here, so if you'd like to encourage me, I appreciate it. Also, I am posting the picture above for my second "before" picture. On the 25th of every month I am going to post a picture with me and Little Man for you to compare. Hopefully, he will get bigger and I will get smaller. Pray for me friends. My life here on earth depends on my sanity, strength and discipline in this area. The self control will come from the Holy Spirit, I am certain. Thank you in advance for your prayers, admonition, and encouragement!

10 months of JOY--Thank You, God, for Conner!

Whatcha doin' Uncle Steve?

What's up, Uncle Don?

Smile, Grandad!

I love my Grandad!

I love my Ernie, too!

Where is Uncle Nathan, Grandma?
Today our precious Little Man Conner is 10 months old--well, technically it was yesterday, but I'm STILL up! He is a little sweetheart with A MIND OF HIS OWN! Today he took the spoon from me as I was feeding him breakfast. I let him feed himself that bite, but I wouldn't relinquish the bowl. Conner hollered at me for a minute until he realized I wasn't impressed, and then he smiled at me with his little baby cereal face. I took off his shirt, reloaded his spoon and let him feed himself another bite....when I took back the spoon to load it again....he hollered at me...Grandma was STILL unimpressed....we played that game until he was done with breakfast. Another cute thing he did. Cameron was waving bye bye and saying, "I love you!!!" to Little Man, and I was waving and saying, "Bye!Bye! Mommy!" Then Conner looked at his hand and waved bye bye to himself....with a really intent look on his face! Baby Genius, our Little Man! Happy Birthday to everyone's special boy!