Hubby and I enjoyed a low-key Friday night at home.
To back up a smidge -- Thursday night our supper consisted of going out for appetizers. Neither of us were very hungry and when they brought the two appetizers we both kinda groaned. It was a lot of food. We brought home the leftover shrimp and boneless wings. So for supper tonight I warmed the chicken and shrimp and put them on a bed of lettuce. It was very yummy! Such a good use for leftovers.
(See? Low-key.)
After supper we went downstairs to the big TV to finish watching the M*A*S*H* finale. We loved watching M*A*S*H* when we were in college and then reruns when we were first married. I remember getting off my college job of working in food service and going over to Hubby's apartment to watch the finale episode. (Only he wasn't my Hubby yet. Obviously. He was just my boyfriend at the time. Engagement was a few months away yet.)
After the M*A*S*H* finale was over we looked through the stuff I had recorded on the DVR and decided to watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
We remembered seeing it way back in 1988 and enjoying it.
(Let's just reflect on the year 1988: We had been married four whole years, Hubby started working for the company he still works for, we were in our late 20s, for goodness sake, and we had an adorable blond hair, brown eyed one year old little boy. Sheesh, I feel old.)
In the twenty-five years since, something must have changed in us. (And can I say? I am very thankful that God has changed us! He has worked wonders in us in twenty-five years.) We did NOT like Who Framed Roger Rabbit tonight.
At. All.
It was not very funny and it was pretty crude. We did watch the whole thing tonight, all though now that I think about it, I have no idea why we bothered. It has been deleted from the DVR.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
Last::: Five Minute Friday
Today I am joining up with the Five Minute Friday gang from Lisa-Jo Baker's blog. Click on over to see how to play along. (Lisa-Jo gives a one word prompt and we are to write for five minutes about that word.)
Today's word is: Last.
One thing I've realized as the years have gone by is that I am not always given the luxury of knowing when the last of something will be. When will the last time be that my little one crawls across the floor or the last time I will make a school lunch or the last time I make a birthday cake? In so many situations the last occurs with me being unaware.
There have been a few times that I was convinced it was the last. Sometimes I've been right: like the last time I talked to my grandmother on the phone in the fall of 1995 -- I felt like she was telling me good-bye. But then there was the time almost four years ago I visited my mother in the hospital and she looked so ill that I was convinced that was the last time I would see her on this earth. Four years later, she's still here. I just saw her on Wednesday and got to hug her and give her my arm as we walked across a cemetery lawn to say good-bye to a family friend.
I want to be more aware of the possibility of lasts and enjoy each and every moment I have with my friends and family. They are a blessing.
One thing I've realized as the years have gone by is that I am not always given the luxury of knowing when the last of something will be. When will the last time be that my little one crawls across the floor or the last time I will make a school lunch or the last time I make a birthday cake? In so many situations the last occurs with me being unaware.
There have been a few times that I was convinced it was the last. Sometimes I've been right: like the last time I talked to my grandmother on the phone in the fall of 1995 -- I felt like she was telling me good-bye. But then there was the time almost four years ago I visited my mother in the hospital and she looked so ill that I was convinced that was the last time I would see her on this earth. Four years later, she's still here. I just saw her on Wednesday and got to hug her and give her my arm as we walked across a cemetery lawn to say good-bye to a family friend.
I want to be more aware of the possibility of lasts and enjoy each and every moment I have with my friends and family. They are a blessing.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
A Few God Things
Yesterday I attended the funeral of my dad's life-long friend. Dad was asked by his friend to officiate the funeral service. When I arrived at the church and saw my dad he told me that the family had requested he speak on Psalm 23. He told me this with a slight grin on his face and said, "Do you think it was a coincidence that we stayed at your house Sunday morning and listened to that sermon?"
(Sunday morning we stayed home and listened to a sermon from our son's church on line.)
(The sermon was on Psalm 23.)
This was absolutely a God Thing. God orchestrated the small details of our lives.
Dad did a really great job with the service. And he didn't choke up, although I don't know how.
A God Thing.
As I was sitting next to my mom in the church before the service began, I thought I saw a woman that looked like my aunt. Mom couldn't see her at that moment, so was unable to confirm, but thought it probably was. After the service Mom and I were in my car waiting to join in the line of cars to the cemetery and a woman (who I didn't know) knocked on my window and asked if she and her friend could ride with us to the cemetery. I said, "Of course!" Would you believe me if I told you that the woman's friend was MY AUNT!?
So in my backseat was my aunt (whom I hadn't seen for 9 years) and a friend!
A God Thing. Again.
As we were chatting I said to Aunt Delores, "You should introduce me like Grandma used to and tell her that I'm 'Clair's baby'." (Clair is my dad's name.) (And it used to embarrass me so much when Grandma would say that.) To which my aunt's friend said, "Is this the baby you took care of?!"
(Back Story):
(When I was three months old, my mom and dad took a little break from having four kids in less than seven years and left us four kids with friends and family for a week. My parents picked me up from friends and then were heading to pick up the rest of my siblings. Along the way, they were in a head-on car accident. Dad broke an arm and Mom shattered her knee and got a big cut on her head. I was in a basket on the front seat between them. [No car-seats back then.] Mom says I just rolled on the floor and wasn't hurt. Mom ended up staying in the hospital for two months. For those two months my aunt and uncle took care of me.)
So.....
This friend of my aunt's remember that from soooo many years ago!
A God Thing.
It was difficult to see the family in such grief, but sweet to look back and see God's hand in the details.
(Sunday morning we stayed home and listened to a sermon from our son's church on line.)
(The sermon was on Psalm 23.)
This was absolutely a God Thing. God orchestrated the small details of our lives.
Dad did a really great job with the service. And he didn't choke up, although I don't know how.
A God Thing.
As I was sitting next to my mom in the church before the service began, I thought I saw a woman that looked like my aunt. Mom couldn't see her at that moment, so was unable to confirm, but thought it probably was. After the service Mom and I were in my car waiting to join in the line of cars to the cemetery and a woman (who I didn't know) knocked on my window and asked if she and her friend could ride with us to the cemetery. I said, "Of course!" Would you believe me if I told you that the woman's friend was MY AUNT!?
So in my backseat was my aunt (whom I hadn't seen for 9 years) and a friend!
A God Thing. Again.
As we were chatting I said to Aunt Delores, "You should introduce me like Grandma used to and tell her that I'm 'Clair's baby'." (Clair is my dad's name.) (And it used to embarrass me so much when Grandma would say that.) To which my aunt's friend said, "Is this the baby you took care of?!"
(Back Story):
(When I was three months old, my mom and dad took a little break from having four kids in less than seven years and left us four kids with friends and family for a week. My parents picked me up from friends and then were heading to pick up the rest of my siblings. Along the way, they were in a head-on car accident. Dad broke an arm and Mom shattered her knee and got a big cut on her head. I was in a basket on the front seat between them. [No car-seats back then.] Mom says I just rolled on the floor and wasn't hurt. Mom ended up staying in the hospital for two months. For those two months my aunt and uncle took care of me.)
So.....
This friend of my aunt's remember that from soooo many years ago!
A God Thing.
It was difficult to see the family in such grief, but sweet to look back and see God's hand in the details.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
It Was Simply Wonderful
All of last week I kept myself crazy busy cleaning the house. I haven't decided yet if the fact that I spent so many days on it means that the house was terribly dirty or maybe I'm just a lot slower at what I do. (I'll go with being slower.) I have made myself a modified version of a cleaning schedule I found on this site that I found through Pinterest. I don't always do all it on a weekly basis because with just two of us, things just don't get dirty as quickly. That and I'm not a persnickety housekeeper. But since we have been gone a lot this summer, it's been neglected more than normal.
(This is probably more than anyone wants to know about me. Just trying to think of more things to write about and frankly, I like reading blogs when people write about just their normal everyday lives.)
(So there you have it.)
Aside from my motivation coming just from the house being dirty, I was also motivated because we were expecting COMPANY FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND!!!!
(All caps are necessary because we NEVER get company here. Our last overnight guests were last Christmas and then only other people that have been here this year were a friend who stopped by for an hour and a niece who stopped by for an hour.)
(I cannot express how much I hate that no one wants to come visit us here although I can't really blame them because this town isn't much to look at. Not much at all.)
Anyway....
My mom and dad came for a weekend visit! I am thankful my mom was feeling well enough to make the trip, although she isn't back to 100% after her few days in the hospital a couple of weeks ago.
We had a simply wonderful time.
I loved planning a menu and thinking about the things my parents like. The blueberry muffins I made for Sunday morning were a hit as was the pork loin I grilled for Saturday night. I can't even tell you how I enjoyed cooking for company. The fact that Hubby cleaned up after every meal and fixed the breakfasts (except the muffins) was a bonus!
Friday night we watched a movie. Parental Guidance. My new favorite movie! We all had seen it before, but some movies I can just watch over and over. Saturday afternoon we made a excursion to the local soft-serve ice cream place. Saturday night Hubby and Dad played a game together. Dad beat Hubby three times! (Hubby is really good at games and 99% of the time he wins.) Sunday morning Mom was too tired to make a trip to church, so we had our own church service in our living room. Mom said it was the first time she had gone to church in her pajamas! grin. We sang a couple of hymns with Hubby playing the piano. (Loved hearing my dad's bass voice.) We listened to a sermon on-line from our son's church. (After we figured out how to play it so it was loud enough for everyone to hear. I connected my phone to our Bose radio/CD player.) We spent some time prayng together. (Sweet.) Lunch on Sunday was at our favorite restaurant in town.
Right after lunch my mom and dad headed back to Iowa. My dad had found out Saturday morning that his lifetime friend (as in since they were babies) had passed away. His friend had asked my dad to do the funeral service, so Mom and Dad went to meet with the family. The funeral is tomorrow and it will be a really tough one for my dad. I'm planning on attending.
Late Sunday evening our niece stopped by for a quick visit. She's in the area visiting friends before her college classes start next week. We had such a fun chat with her and felt so very honored she took the time to stop to see us. She's a sweetie, for sure!
Monday morning I woke up and realized the house was empty. I cried.
My mom taught me so much about cooking, keeping a house and being a good hostess. I love to have her visit so I can show her what she taught me.
(This is probably more than anyone wants to know about me. Just trying to think of more things to write about and frankly, I like reading blogs when people write about just their normal everyday lives.)
(So there you have it.)
Aside from my motivation coming just from the house being dirty, I was also motivated because we were expecting COMPANY FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND!!!!
(All caps are necessary because we NEVER get company here. Our last overnight guests were last Christmas and then only other people that have been here this year were a friend who stopped by for an hour and a niece who stopped by for an hour.)
(I cannot express how much I hate that no one wants to come visit us here although I can't really blame them because this town isn't much to look at. Not much at all.)
Anyway....
My mom and dad came for a weekend visit! I am thankful my mom was feeling well enough to make the trip, although she isn't back to 100% after her few days in the hospital a couple of weeks ago.
We had a simply wonderful time.
I loved planning a menu and thinking about the things my parents like. The blueberry muffins I made for Sunday morning were a hit as was the pork loin I grilled for Saturday night. I can't even tell you how I enjoyed cooking for company. The fact that Hubby cleaned up after every meal and fixed the breakfasts (except the muffins) was a bonus!
Friday night we watched a movie. Parental Guidance. My new favorite movie! We all had seen it before, but some movies I can just watch over and over. Saturday afternoon we made a excursion to the local soft-serve ice cream place. Saturday night Hubby and Dad played a game together. Dad beat Hubby three times! (Hubby is really good at games and 99% of the time he wins.) Sunday morning Mom was too tired to make a trip to church, so we had our own church service in our living room. Mom said it was the first time she had gone to church in her pajamas! grin. We sang a couple of hymns with Hubby playing the piano. (Loved hearing my dad's bass voice.) We listened to a sermon on-line from our son's church. (After we figured out how to play it so it was loud enough for everyone to hear. I connected my phone to our Bose radio/CD player.) We spent some time prayng together. (Sweet.) Lunch on Sunday was at our favorite restaurant in town.
Right after lunch my mom and dad headed back to Iowa. My dad had found out Saturday morning that his lifetime friend (as in since they were babies) had passed away. His friend had asked my dad to do the funeral service, so Mom and Dad went to meet with the family. The funeral is tomorrow and it will be a really tough one for my dad. I'm planning on attending.
Late Sunday evening our niece stopped by for a quick visit. She's in the area visiting friends before her college classes start next week. We had such a fun chat with her and felt so very honored she took the time to stop to see us. She's a sweetie, for sure!
Monday morning I woke up and realized the house was empty. I cried.
My mom taught me so much about cooking, keeping a house and being a good hostess. I love to have her visit so I can show her what she taught me.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Backing Up a Bit
I know, I know. I've been neglecting this blog and I miss it. As I was looking through my pictures recently, I realized I haven't blogged about how Hubby and I celebrated our anniversary.
Three weeks ago.
Sigh.
(Okay, stop kicking yourself, Judy, and get on with it.)
Let's see. Where were we?
We had spent most of the weekend of our anniversary helping our son and daughter-in-law with jobs around their house.
The morning of our anniversary we drove over to Lawrence, KS to worship with our daughter and son-in-law one last time at the church that we have had at least one kid attending when they were at the University of Kansas. It's been eight years that we've joined one of our kids there (and parked in the visitor parking spots).
This particular morning our daughter was singing on the worship team. I cannot describe the joy that fills our hearts when we see her doing this.
After lunch that day found us back at our son's house helping with a few more jobs.
Just look at how cute this house is! It's a smidge over 100 years old. Lots of character. Lots of work.
Two weekends ago our daughter and son-in-law moved into the top floor of this house! So now we have all our kids under one roof for a while! Pretty awesome, I think.
Later that afternoon Hubby and I checked into a quite swanky hotel to have a couple of days to celebrate our 29th anniversary.
Just check out this view we had of the Country Club Plaza on Kansas City.
I'd love to see this at Christmas time when all those buildings are lined with lights. So pretty!
That night we took all the kids out for a celebratory dinner. Traditionally, Hubby and I have celebrated our anniversary just the two of us, but we thought this year it would be fun to treat the kids to a nice dinner.
Those two kids are a couple of the best things that God has gifted us with through our marriage. Those other two kids are wonderful bonuses.
It was a great dinner and so fun to be all together. Hubby chose a great restaurant. (Bonefish Grill.)
The day after our anniversary found us visiting Hubby's aunt and uncle and cousin in Lawrence. It was so good to spend some time with them.
That afternoon we also visited a friend of our who was in the hospital in a Kansas City suburb. I was so thankful we were nearby so we could pay her a visit.
Monday night, Hubby found a really yummy restaurant (Seasons 52) to take me to to celebrate just the two of us. We both had probably the best salmon we've ever had and finished it off with a couple of cute little desserts:
It was refreshing to spend some time just the two of us.
On our trip back home we made a stop at The Missouri Star Quilt Company (where Hubby forced me to buy some fabric I thought was cute), and had supper with some good friends at our favorite Iowa barbeque restaurant.
Sadly, Hubby brought with him a souvenir of his work with our son. Poison Ivy. Finally, after three weeks, it's feeling a lot better.
(This post seems to be kinda disjointed and not flow very well. Frustrating. I think I am out of practice with writing.)
Three weeks ago.
Sigh.
(Okay, stop kicking yourself, Judy, and get on with it.)
Let's see. Where were we?
We had spent most of the weekend of our anniversary helping our son and daughter-in-law with jobs around their house.
The morning of our anniversary we drove over to Lawrence, KS to worship with our daughter and son-in-law one last time at the church that we have had at least one kid attending when they were at the University of Kansas. It's been eight years that we've joined one of our kids there (and parked in the visitor parking spots).
This particular morning our daughter was singing on the worship team. I cannot describe the joy that fills our hearts when we see her doing this.
 | ||||
Just look at how cute this house is! It's a smidge over 100 years old. Lots of character. Lots of work.
Two weekends ago our daughter and son-in-law moved into the top floor of this house! So now we have all our kids under one roof for a while! Pretty awesome, I think.
Later that afternoon Hubby and I checked into a quite swanky hotel to have a couple of days to celebrate our 29th anniversary.
Just check out this view we had of the Country Club Plaza on Kansas City.
I'd love to see this at Christmas time when all those buildings are lined with lights. So pretty!
That night we took all the kids out for a celebratory dinner. Traditionally, Hubby and I have celebrated our anniversary just the two of us, but we thought this year it would be fun to treat the kids to a nice dinner.
It was a great dinner and so fun to be all together. Hubby chose a great restaurant. (Bonefish Grill.)
 |
| Our dessert |
The day after our anniversary found us visiting Hubby's aunt and uncle and cousin in Lawrence. It was so good to spend some time with them.
That afternoon we also visited a friend of our who was in the hospital in a Kansas City suburb. I was so thankful we were nearby so we could pay her a visit.
Monday night, Hubby found a really yummy restaurant (Seasons 52) to take me to to celebrate just the two of us. We both had probably the best salmon we've ever had and finished it off with a couple of cute little desserts:
It was refreshing to spend some time just the two of us.
On our trip back home we made a stop at The Missouri Star Quilt Company (where Hubby forced me to buy some fabric I thought was cute), and had supper with some good friends at our favorite Iowa barbeque restaurant.
Sadly, Hubby brought with him a souvenir of his work with our son. Poison Ivy. Finally, after three weeks, it's feeling a lot better.
(This post seems to be kinda disjointed and not flow very well. Frustrating. I think I am out of practice with writing.)
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Those 27 Hours
Twenty-seven hours last Friday into Saturday were some crazy busy and (mostly) fun hours for me.
Hubby came home from work a couple of hours early on Friday and we took off west to Sioux Falls, SD. Why?
First, to drop off my sewing machine so it could get some much needed cleaning.
I've had this machine for more than five years and have never had it cleaned or serviced. I recently inquired of Bernina how often that should be done and they told me the recommendation was once a year. Oops. The nearest place I could take it was an hour away and on the way to Sioux Falls, so we thought it would be great to drop it off as we went by last Friday.
The reason for the trip west was to see these guys:
!!!!!
Hubby graciously agreed to come along so he could lug my sewing machine into the store for me and to chauffeur me to and from this event. What a nice guy, huh?
I went to this event by myself. And I loved it. (I guess that's my introvert coming out.) Beth Moore has events she calls Living Proof Live. She teaches Friday night and Saturday morning. Travis Cottrell leads worship. I just don't know what I enjoyed more: the teaching or the worship. For the Saturday morning session I managed to score a seat in the 4th row!!! I was so excited to be that close to the stage! (This was in an arena and there were something like 4500 people there.)
I loved being able to worship with Travis and his team. I admit to singing at the top of my lungs. Thankfully, the music was loud enough to cover my warbling. ha.
Through the teaching, God reassured me that He's not forgotten about us. That His purpose is being worked out. Just wait.
I am so thankful Hubby wanted to come along just to drive me around. Such a sweetie! While I was listening to Beth, he spent his time reading and doing some shopping in man stores. You know, places like Lowes and Home Depot. Stuff like that. grin. He enjoyed himself.
Halfway through Saturday morning I got a call that my sewing machine was ready to pick up! It was supposed to take 3 or 4 days, so it was way cool that we could pick it up on our way back home. Of course, I managed to doing a little fabric shopping while in the quilt shop. Of course!
In the first sixty miles of our trip back home we counted 322 motorcycles heading west on the interstate highway! That wasn't even counting all the motorcycles being pulled in trailers. They were headed to Sturgis for an annual motorcycle week. It's crazy how many we saw! We didn't count the rest of the way home.
After we were back home for a bit, I got a text message from my dad that my mom (81) had been admitted to the hospital for heart problems. She had atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) and fluid on her lungs. As of yesterday afternoon, she's back home. (Yay!) Her heart is still in a-fib, but the fluid is gone and she feels lots better. Our anxiety levels went up when we heard the news because my mom had a heart attack almost four years ago that resulted in by-pass surgery and lots of complications that resulted in almost 4 months in the hospital. None of us wants to see her (or my dad) go through that again. I thankful that she's home and sounded good when I talked to her on the phone.
We ate a pretty big lunch in Sioux Falls complete with chips and salsa and fries. I mentioned I just wanted a giant bowl of fruit for supper that night. Hubby fixed it for us. Just check out the presentation!
Show off!
That was a packed 27 hours!
Hubby came home from work a couple of hours early on Friday and we took off west to Sioux Falls, SD. Why?
First, to drop off my sewing machine so it could get some much needed cleaning.
The reason for the trip west was to see these guys:
 |
| Travis Cottrell |
 |
| Beth Moore |
Hubby graciously agreed to come along so he could lug my sewing machine into the store for me and to chauffeur me to and from this event. What a nice guy, huh?
I went to this event by myself. And I loved it. (I guess that's my introvert coming out.) Beth Moore has events she calls Living Proof Live. She teaches Friday night and Saturday morning. Travis Cottrell leads worship. I just don't know what I enjoyed more: the teaching or the worship. For the Saturday morning session I managed to score a seat in the 4th row!!! I was so excited to be that close to the stage! (This was in an arena and there were something like 4500 people there.)
I loved being able to worship with Travis and his team. I admit to singing at the top of my lungs. Thankfully, the music was loud enough to cover my warbling. ha.
Through the teaching, God reassured me that He's not forgotten about us. That His purpose is being worked out. Just wait.
I am so thankful Hubby wanted to come along just to drive me around. Such a sweetie! While I was listening to Beth, he spent his time reading and doing some shopping in man stores. You know, places like Lowes and Home Depot. Stuff like that. grin. He enjoyed himself.
Halfway through Saturday morning I got a call that my sewing machine was ready to pick up! It was supposed to take 3 or 4 days, so it was way cool that we could pick it up on our way back home. Of course, I managed to doing a little fabric shopping while in the quilt shop. Of course!
In the first sixty miles of our trip back home we counted 322 motorcycles heading west on the interstate highway! That wasn't even counting all the motorcycles being pulled in trailers. They were headed to Sturgis for an annual motorcycle week. It's crazy how many we saw! We didn't count the rest of the way home.
After we were back home for a bit, I got a text message from my dad that my mom (81) had been admitted to the hospital for heart problems. She had atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) and fluid on her lungs. As of yesterday afternoon, she's back home. (Yay!) Her heart is still in a-fib, but the fluid is gone and she feels lots better. Our anxiety levels went up when we heard the news because my mom had a heart attack almost four years ago that resulted in by-pass surgery and lots of complications that resulted in almost 4 months in the hospital. None of us wants to see her (or my dad) go through that again. I thankful that she's home and sounded good when I talked to her on the phone.
We ate a pretty big lunch in Sioux Falls complete with chips and salsa and fries. I mentioned I just wanted a giant bowl of fruit for supper that night. Hubby fixed it for us. Just check out the presentation!
Show off!
That was a packed 27 hours!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)