"These happy golden years are passing by, these happy golden years." Laura Ingalls Wilder

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Holiday Light Show


Tomorrow night I should be freezing my bunz off on a visit to the "North Pole" via one of the Coeur d'Alene Resort's cruise boats. If my camera doesn't freeze up, I'll post pictures on Thursday. Look out my midwest friends ... "Old Man Winter" is about to blast away your balmy weather (sigh).

What do you get when? ... Amazing Google Searches


The other day I was checking my site meter and noticed a visit via a google search. Key words picked up that led to my blog were "one more kiss mama", and a few days previous, "...not to wear red or black to a wedding." I'm dedicating this to Sara in Michigan because it sounds vaguely similar to her style of parenting ... which by the way, produced two of God's finest young men on earth (from what I read) :) Check out this gals My Space under Heros

Monday, November 27, 2006

Coffee Snobs


My very soon to be sil always comments on my good tasting coffee. He bought an inexpensive coffee maker and complains that it just makes a terrible brew. We even use the same coffee (Yuban)? Are you a coffee snob? Silly question, but I think I may be one. I've tried all sorts of whole beans, even used to have dh bring me my bean "fix" from Trader Joe's market on his monthly visits up here. I can tolerate Starbucks ... but not the French roast. Our area has some fine coffee houses and even several local roasting companies. But for the quick fix, Yuban is fine. Only the small can though as I get "high" opening a fresh one :) I use a Cuisinart "Grind N Brew" with a flavor control switch. Are you a coffee snob? (Guess what dear old mil got her dear sil for Christmas? ... hope he doesn't read this post)

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Glad To Have Studs

I felt idiotic the past four weeks driving around with studded snow tires on my van ... but not any more (he, he) ... bet the line at the tire store will be two miles long tomorrow morning. It started snowing mid-way through church this morning and is supposed to continue until 10 PM.

Reflections of Christmas





















1. Adoration
2. Reflection
3. Price Paid
4. His Great Love
5. Grace
6. Mercy
7. Sacrifice
8. Timeless
9. Free Gift
10. Willingness


These words and so many more describe the Christ Child that was born in a lonely manger long ago. Care to add what He means to you?

"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome" 1 John 5:1-3 (NIV)


Saturday, November 25, 2006

Just One More Kiss Mama


Nathan's parting words as I tucked him in bed Friday night, "Just One More Kiss Mama" ... yes, my heart melted!
"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet."
Psalm 3:24 (NIV)

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Let It Snow


A beautiful sight to behold today ... I'm glad to be all snug inside ... we have a snow/blowing snow advisory overnight. Last night around 10 PM the neighborhood kids were playing outside and making snowmen. Hope everyone enjoys the evening ... turkey sandwiches anyone? Pumpkin pie? Did you enjoy your day with the family ... or serving in a soup kitchen?
Top photo - our new home being built on the left. Bottom photo - road in front of our new home 11/23/06

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Thanksgiving Wishes


"Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

From Ephesians 5:19b-20 (NIV)

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Monday, November 20, 2006

No More Whining!





In the mid 1980's I accepted Christ as my personal savior. Being raised in the Church I was taught more about a religion ... than a relationship with the Living God. As a new believer, I was certain God would just bend to the whims of my prayer life ... NOT. I remember praying that God would give me perfect vision so I wouldn't have to wear contact lenses any longer. Dh and I were renting a small three bedroom, one bath home that had been built in 1933. As typical of that era, we had one very small bathroom with one light bulb over our one sink. Originally there was just one bath tub ... but during a remodel, someone tiled up the walls and installed the plumbing for a shower. Only problem was a rather low window that had to be covered with a plastic curtain to keep it from getting wet. One stormy night after a Wednesday night Bible study, I was getting ready for bed. Standing in the dinky little bathroom, I began complaining to God about my vision and asking why He would not just make my vision clear. All of the sudden a bolt of lightening struck the telephone pole in the rear yard. Attached to this pole was the electric line to our house ... that also ran through a tree just outside the bathroom window ... the line was attached to the house eve just above the said window ... Now being that it was a windy, rainy, stormy night ... and that I had just been complaining to God about my slight annoyance with my vision, this lightening traveled from the pole, through the line, through the tree and straight to the house at the exact moment of my complaining. (edit: Seems I also remember a "voice" saying, "How would you like to be blind." Probably the Lord's way of getting my attention, ya think?) From the now pitch black house, I could see the "live" wire dangling just outside the window. Talk about a wake up call ... I began to tremble that God would use His might to scare the wits out of me. Dh was sleeping so I crawled with fear and tremble through the hallway ... through the living room ... and to the telephone. Back then there was no 911 to call. I certainly couldn't see a thing ... so I dialed "O" and got the operator. Bawling, sniffling, and shaking like a scared animal, I could just barely compose my words to ask for help. She kept telling me to calm down ... all the while, I was sure God was telling me not to complain about my vision and to be happy with what He'd given to me. From that day forward, I have never complained about what I don't have ... but learned to be content with exactly what God provides. I do believe it was that one event that turned me into an optimist for life and always looking for the bright side to every situation.

Friday, November 17, 2006

My Newest Licensed Driver


Yesterday, Ann, got her driver's license; this is my newest reason to get hives again (lol).

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

The Finished "Shopping" Results




My sensible shopping side went with this outfit for my daughter's winter wedding. The top even looks great with a pair of new dressy jeans and boots. The black shoes are nice and comfy .. no pointy toes or heels! I know the "old school" rule is to not wear red or black to a wedding ... but I say "pooey"!

The maid of honor is wearing apple red too, so I'll just blend right in with the photos.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Mother Of The Bride ... Dress Shopping


Being a person that is not "fussy" about what I wear ... you know, all put together each day with accessories and what have you ... I'm a blue jeans, comfy type of person, ... shopping for a "mother of the bride" outfit was bothering me quite a bit. I surely didn't want to fork over the money for a fancy smancy outfit from a formal shop ... you know those long sequined/beaded thingies that would only be worn once ... then relegated to the wardrobe closet in a zip up bag (I have nothing against these types of outfits nor mothers that buy them). Not me, I'm too sensible and want a multi-purpose outfit that can be worn again and again. So off to Macy's I went ... alone! I told my daughters I'd be back in 2-1/2 hours. How about four hours later I returned ... (and not with the dinner I said I'd pick up at the store on the way home). Not only did I find a nice outfit to wear ... but came home with an updated wardrobe to boot. Presently, I have been wearing the same four pairs of long pants since the weather turned cold. Two blue jeans that were waiting for the flood waters (one recently had the knee rip ... which is now in style), and two pairs of black slacks ... one for church and one a pair of sweats. I'd try to mix things up a bit with my tops, but with only two colors of slacks, there were limitations. Being that I only shop twice a year, I decided to load up on my winter wardrobe with three new slacks and ooodles of mix and match tops and vests. This should tide me over until spring I hope. Now I'm off tomorrow to find some sensible dressy shoes that don't have too pointy of toes ... and not too high of a heel ... and not too young looking either ... this may be a tougher task than finding just the right outfit.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Boy's Day Out



Being the parent of a special needs child has me constantly trying to think ahead about the future scene and what life will be like for my youngest son once dear hubby or I'm not here to care for him. Our daughters and oldest son are very tender hearted towards Nathan, so through the years I've prayed that God would bless them with spouses that would have the same tenderness for their little brother. My very soon to be son-in-law shows such tenderness in his actions towards Nathan. Today the two have a lunch date and then a trip to the movie rental store. Nathan made sure he said, "mama stay here" ... not wanting me to be a third wheel I guess. Do I feel blessed or what? Thank you Lord for remembering prayers from long ago, AMEN!

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Something Good Is Cooking In The Kitchen


With the upcoming wedding of my 21 year old daughter, she has been brushing up on her cooking skills the past few weeks. This is much to my benefit as she is taking over the kitchen on her days off. Never in my married years has anyone taken over my kitchen, with the exception of my mom for a few days after each youngin was born. I'm beginning to feel like a queen, although I know this will be very shortlived. Last nights fare included spiral baked ham, green beans, freshly baked yeast rolls, roasted potato wedges and cooked chocolate pudding for dessert. I wonder what's on the menu tonight. She's heard me say many times that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach ... now it's sinking in. Hope you have a blessed day.

Edit: Today is my 26th wedding anniversary

Monday, November 06, 2006

New Millennium Parenting


The other day I was channel surfing and came upon a show about parenting. The host or leader of this little group of women was going on and on about how "they" were in a new parenting age. She went on to say that her children could make their own choices. for example, when she took her baby to the closet, what ever the little one touched is what she'd be wearing. Then went on about her breakfast routine and that if one child wanted waffles and one wanted eggs and ham that she'd make them each their own breakfast ... their choice. It seems that each generation has some new revelation about how to get the job of parenting done. We tend to look at the way we were raised and know that we can probably do things better or different. (Remember, there is nothing new under the sun ... everything gets recycled ... including parenting ideas). I hope this new era of parents can at least steer their children in the direction of our Heavenly Father or this could be the beginning of another Dark Age. Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Thursday, November 02, 2006

HOT news FLASH


When a person retires to bed for the night, it's a nice thought that you might get at least 7 to 8 hours of peaceful rest, RIGHT?? There was a time I could jump out of bed perhaps 5-6 times a night to check on Nathan ... and fall back to sleep. Now with the change of life quickly or perhaps slowly approaching, the 3 - 4 times I do get up at night bring on a hot flash and thirty minutes of tossing and turning. I'm not liking this one bit! Oh, what I'd give to have a whole night of uninterrupted sleep :) With the change of time I'm now heading to bed at 8:45 dead tired. Hopefully, my internal clock will begin to adjust AND SOON! I'm beginning to feel like a bear; grouchy, growling, and looking for a den to sleep away the winter. I'd even settle for just ONE NIGHT of sleep. I need stronger coffee!