More Random Questions

1. Please share one memory of your high school graduation. Pics would be great!

I remember being nervous that I would trip in my high heels walking up to the stage. I wore a dress I made. It was the last time I sang in my high school choir. We sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic. (Did you know it was written in 1861? It was popular during the American Civil War. You can read about it here. I just watched this video and surprised myself by actually remembering the alto line after several decades.) I wish I had a picture. Oh wait... Here is a Senior Picture as it hangs on the wall at my parents' house:

2. What is one "emergency use" item you keep in your vehicle at all times?

Well, I guess jumper cables. Not that I have a clue how to use them. In the winter I keep a blanket just in case I have an urgent need for a nap on a long trip. :)

 

3. In your region, do you celebrate graduation open houses? Addendum: (If so,) how many open houses/bridal showers/weddings are on your upcoming events calendar?

Yes, graduation open houses are rampant here. We had one for both of our kids and they were a lot of fun. I think we will only go to 2 or 3 this year. A friend of ours told us how she was out running the first May they moved here and saw several tents set up in driveways and at first thought there were a lot of funerals happening. I laughed so hard when she told me that. I always wondered if we popped in on a busy open house of someone we don't know, would any one notice we didn't really belong?
Bridal showers? Weddings? I have two more showers to go to for our daughter and ONE wedding! 24 days until our girl gets married!

4. Tell me one truth you believe about motherhood.

It's a lot of hard work, the best job ever and goes by in the blink of an eye leaving me wonder if I did a good enough of a job and kinda wanting to do it again but at the same time worn out at that thought. (Does one sentence count as one truth??)

5. What was the last thing you broke?

 I don't really remember what I broke last. Just lots of things in the house have been breaking. (sump pump, cable box, water softener, sprinkler system, washing machine CO detector, ice dispenser, vacuum cleaner... seriously, all these things have gone wrong since we put the house on the market)

6. On average, how many pieces of junk mail do you receive daily?

I think we get around 3-4 a day. There's one good thing about moving... it takes a while for the junk-mailers to find you again.

7. Do you like to shop by catalog?

If by catalog you mean on-line, then the answer is yes, yes, yes. I live in a small town (and moving to an even smaller town farther away from a decent sized town). I am thankful for on-line shopping. One of my favorite sites is Zappos.com. I get shoes from them. I have wide feet and not many stores carry that and Zappos is a great place to find them. The best part is there is no shipping cost. If you need to return something, you can just print out a return label and it is so simple!

8. Is lawn maintenance at your house a "his job," a "her job" or "his/her job" or "that's why we have teenagers" job?

Oh definitely "his job." When the hubby was heading out to dig dandelions recently, I apologized for not having more kids. :) My outdoor job is to water the flowers and the grass. I like watering the lawn because it has consisted of walking into the corner of the garage and flipping the switch on the sprinkler system. We'll miss that.

9. Which room would you like to redecorate in your home?

Right now, none. When we move I guess I get to redecorate every room in our new house!

10. Do you read a newspaper regularly, or do you read most of your news on line?

I do read our local town paper. It only comes twice a week. I get most of my news on TV.

11. Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

Oh Yes! Romans 8:28 says:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

12. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

Ummm.... yes?

What She Taught Me

I know it's been an eternity since I've written on here. The thoughts just weren't coming. I can usually go about my day and start thinking about something and a blog post starts forming. That part of my brain has been a bit dried up lately.

So, in an attempt to jump start it, I thought I'd write a bit of a belated Mother's Day Post.

My mom:

I've thought lately about all the things my mom has taught me.

• She taught me to love my family. My devotion to my husband and kids and kids-in-law is rooted in this.
• I learned how to refinish furniture and cook and bake and read a recipe and table manners and how to set the table from my mom. She was a Home Ec major in college and has a vast amount of knowledge in these areas. She was willing to try new recipes and I like to as well. There are the classics like her Swedish Rye Bread and Thanksgiving Stuffing and Rhubarb Crisp. When I bake the Rye Bread, it smells like Mom and Dad's house. The stuffing? Sadly, I'll never be able to duplicate it because there is no written recipe. That's what makes it great. Now that it's spring I start thinking of who I know that has a rhubarb patch so I can make some Rhubarb Crisp.
• When I was signing up for classes for Junior High, Mom suggested on a whim that I sign up for choir. Ever since the 7th grade I have loved to sing. The past 9 years I have been privileged to sing on our church's worship team. I may have never known I could even sing, if I hadn't taken Mom's advice to be in the choir.
• She gave me a love for sewing. From the age of 9, through the first several years of marriage I sewed much of my own clothing. I had very few store bought dresses. I enjoyed sewing things for my kids when they were little. Now I enjoy quilting, which I could not have done without that base knowledge of sewing.
• She gave me a love for Bernina sewing machines. I have owned two. Every time I use my newest one I think, I like this machine.
• Most importantly my mom (and my dad) introduced me to Jesus. The years between age 9 and age 14 my parents sacrificed to be able to send us kids to a two week Christian camp in Ontario. I still remember things I learned there. My mom came to Christ at a Billy Graham Crusade when she was in college. I am thankful for growing up knowing Christ.

Here's a picture of my mom and dad last fall when Mom was in the hospital for sooo long. See what 57 years of marriage looks like:

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!

I'd Be LOST Without the Random Dozen

No, not a reference to the TV show. (Although Linda@2nd Cup of Coffee meant it as a reference to the TV show. I was just hurting for a title.) Here we go with this week's Random Dozen.

1. Have you ever been so lost that you were really afraid?
I've been lost a few times, but not long enough to be really afraid. The only town I can manage to get lost in is where my in-laws live. Most of that town is at an angle to the world (not many straight north/south, east/west streets) because of the river that runs through it. I have actually stopped to ask for directions there. I think I will be thankful for the GPS on my new phone.

2. Have you ever been to an island?
Uh-huh. A couple of years ago we went on a cruise around the Hawaiian islands. That was awesome! And I lived on the island of Singapore for three years. It is an island 15 miles by 25 miles and has 4+ million people. Interestingly, I hardly ever saw the ocean while I was there. The beaches are nasty because it is a major shipping port.

3. Are you more of a thinker or feeler?
Feeler all the way. 'Nough said.

4. Do you tend to see issues or situations in life as black and white or shades of gray?
I think I lean towards black and white.

5. If you were stuck on an island, what book would you hope to have with you (Let's pretend the Bible is already there, so you can't say that.)
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. Such a beautiful picture of God's relentless pursuit of us. I've already read it twice and will likely read it again. And again.

6. What are you most afraid of?
Being alone.

7. Would you rather lose all of your old memories or never be able to make new ones?
I wish we could pick and choose what we remember and what we forget. You know, when something bad happens, flip a switch, forgotten. When a really terrific moment happens, flip a switch, never forget the moment and the feelings that go with it.


8. Pretend I'm looking at a scrapbook page about you. There are three spaces for you to drop in individual pictures. What are those pictures of, and why did you select them?

*My best friend and me. I love him. I am sooo thankful for him.
* My laptop. Perhaps one of the better purchases we have made. I like my laptop. :)

*I like this picture because it shows how I like to be a bit goofy.



9. If you were re-doing your wedding, what would you do differently? (If you're single, tell me one thing you would do if you were planning a wedding OR huge party.)
I would have had a couple of my college girlfriends be bridesmaids. I feel like I really didn't get to choose who I wanted to be attendants. I was told I had to have family members. Other than that, I am happy with the simplicity of our wedding. The best part is that I have been married to my best friend ever since.

10. Tell me one thing you know/believe about forgiveness.
I'd be no where without God's forgiveness. Every time I sing a song that speaks to that, I choke up.

11. You're waiting in a doctor's office. What is your favorite way to pass that time?
I always try to bring a book along. That is one of the reasons I bought a bigger purse is so I can stuff a book in it. Otherwise I'm stuck looking at the magazines. I'd rather read my own book. Now I own a "smart phone" so I can always rely on that as a back up to check FB, or play a game. I'm kinda stuck on one game right now and need to find some others to entertain myself with.

12. If there were a clone of you in a parallel universe what is one way you hope she/he would be the same as you and one way you hope she/he would be better?
Same: sense of humor
Better: skinnier and liked to exercise

Fill in the Blank...

Outside my window...lots and lots of green! I love watching the world come back to life. The irises are coming along nicely and our few token tulips are blooming too.

I am thinking... that I am so proud of my daughter for being admitted to Pharmacy school! What a terrific accomplishment for her. We sent her these cheery flowers after we heard the news.

I am thankful for... my lunch date with my sister-in-law earlier this week. We hadn't done that in years and it was nice to just sit and talk.

I am wearing... denim capris and a light green shirt. I like green. :)

I am remembering... my grandma. I came across a newspaper article written about her when she was 92. She lived to be 96. I miss her phone calls and letters.

I am going... to see our kids this weekend. I am really looking forward to spending some time with them.

I am currently reading... a Laurie Wick novel. I'm also still working on reading through the whole Bible. No, I'm not trying to do it in one year. I think I'm on year four. :) I am reading in the Psalms and Galatians. I just take turns between the old and the new testament.

I am hoping... I can get motivated to exercise more each week and to eat more fruits and veggies.

On my mind... an appointment I have in the morning. I'm kinda dreading it.

Noticing that... it's really dark in here. I've been sitting here for quite a while. I need to get up and turn on some lights.

Pondering these words... He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, 

Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.

From the kitchen... I fixed myself a grilled lobster tail for supper tonight. It was really yummy.

Around the house... everything has been picked up and in order, but the dirt and dust is coming back. Ugh. I hate when that happens.

One of my favorite things... hugging my kids. I get to do that this weekend!

From my picture journal... I haven't made these Butterhorn Rolls since Christmas. They look really good, don't they?

A Wonderful Day

This morning I was listening to Pandora Radio while I was getting ready for church. I heard this David Crowder Band Version of a hymn I haven't heard in a very long time. I thought I would share.



Heaven came down and glory filled my soul
When at the cross my Savior made me whole
My sins were washed away
And my night was turned to day
When heaven came down and glory filled my soul

O, what a wonderful, wonderful day
Day I will never forget
When I was wandering in darkness away
Jesus my Savior I met

O, what a tender compassionate Friend
He met the need of my heart
Shadows dispelling with joy I am telling
He made all the darkness depart

O, what a wonderful, wonderful day,
yeah, today
And O, what a glorious, glorious day
The day You came, came to save me
O, what a wonderful, wonderful day
The day You came and You saved me

Flashback Friday

I'm joining Mocha with Linda today for her Friday Flashback. Click over to her blog to link up or read some more flashbacks! 

Here's Linda's question for this week:

If you have a child in your life, your calendar for April and May is probably quickly filling up with end-of-year activities - performances, recitals, etc. Did you take lessons as a child? Piano or another instrument? Gymnastics or dance? Other types of lessons? Were they weekly? How much were you required to practice between lessons? Did you participate in recitals? If so, do any of them stand out in your memory? Did they foster a love or a hate for that activity? Did you want to take lessons in a certain thing that you never got to? And if you have kids now, how did your experiences with taking lessons like these impact the activities you had/have them do?

I wish I had more pictures form my childhood so I could scan some in and post them!

Anyway... that's not really the focus for this week, is it?

I took piano lessons for 8 (?) years growing up. I think they were weekly lessons. I enjoyed the piano. I am glad I took piano lessons. It taught me how to read music. I can't imagine not knowing how to read music as much as I can't imagine not knowing how to read. I remember riding my bike to piano lessons and my piano book falling out of the white wicker basket and I ran over it with my bike. I remember riding fast to get away from some dog that decided to chase me. I don't recall any recitals. Seems a bit strange to me now that I didn't participate in recitals. I loved to go in the basement after school when I was in high school and play and sing at the top of my lungs. I bought lots of sheet music of popular music. I was pretty sure I could sing You Light Up My Life as good as Debby Boone. :) (I just watched that YouTube and it's a little scary how well I remember the words...) I would be deathly embarrassed when someone would walk in on me.

I never liked to play in front of other people. The one time I remember I did was for my grandparents' 60 Wedding Anniversary. (My grandma thought I could do anything.) I was about 20. I played a hymn and my cousin sang. We were the youngest and oldest grandchildren. I remember starting to play, the room went quiet, I looked up and clutched. From then on I just stared at the music. Somehow I made it through.

I thought I was pretty decent on the piano until I met my husband. He blew me out of the water. He is an amazing pianist. He can play some Billy Joel and Scott Joplin. He has played for church here for the past almost 9 years. I am so proud of him for using his gift that way.


I think because of both of our backgrounds in piano, we really wanted our kids to learn how to play as well. By God's provision I found a really good piano in the want ads for a steal. Our kids started lessons in 1st and 2nd grades. Caleb took for about 6 years. By the time he was halfway through middle school, he was taking saxophone and guitar lessons as well as piano. We told him he could choose which two instruments and the sax and guitar won out. He's still a decent piano player and awesome on the guitar. (He hasn't played the sax since high school.)

Megan took lessons all the way through high school. Her piano teacher stopped taking students Megan's senior year, but continued with Megan. Megan is as good as her dad. I really can't tell which one is playing but just listening. She plays for her church, too. She also excelled on the trumpet in high school.


Music lessons were big in our house. I actually miss listening to the practicing! 


What lessons do I wish I could have taken? Probably voice lessons.

Wannabe Eavesdropper

Just sitting here hanging out at the local coffee shop. It's my hangout of choice since the house is being tromped through by (hopefully) countless strangers messing up my clean floors.

I found a comfy chair in the corner near an outlet to sip my Iced Tea. (I can't stand coffee.) There are two older men sitting across the way from me having a very intense conversation. Ever since I sat down, they have lowered their voices and leaned in to each other to talk. Don't they know people (me) want to eavesdrop? Geesh. I've heard words float by like, pastor, church, salvation. Sounds like a very potentially interesting conversation to me. Maybe I could be encouraged by what they are talking about. Maybe I just need to be entertained. Don't they know that?

Just saying...