Berlea's Mind

Unfamiliar Territory

2012-01-23T15:47:00.001-05:00

Well, you know how I have babbled on about how I am always waiting for the "other shoe to drop" and things to go awry? It happened. Fortunately all of the recent issues Rich has had are treatable and have a great prognosis, but Wow, just Wow! It confirmed for me that I do not care to be in this world without him. He makes me smile, makes me feel safe and always, always puts me and the kids first. He is just one of a kind. That's the best way to describe him. We have an agreement that I will go first. There is no other way it can be. He is healthy now that that his heart checks out great after the stent and he passed some angry kidney stones. I like things much better this way.
The part that has been so unfamiliar is accepting comfort and help from others. It's been so very wonderful to be lifted up in prayer from the people in our lives and just small gestures that mean so much in a time when things are topsy turvy. My friend Laurie, who is going through unimaginable struggles in her own life, took the time to come to the hospital, bearing a salad and hot tea and a hug just to let us know she cares. Offers from friends to clear our driveway when it snowed, and my cute Italian friend Yonette bringing her delicious baked Ziti for Garret when I wasn't there to make the meals. We really haven't faced anything in our lives up until this point that required care and comfort from others and I really had to stop and tell myself that it was Ok to accept it and be appreciative that people care about us. God is good in so many ways that I could never imagine, mostly in the way God took care of Rich. It could have been so much worse.

Winter

2012-01-09T09:54:00.000-05:00

I am basically in a dry desert of good ideas for blogging. It's my writer's block time of year. Winter: it sucks the very life out of me. I am generally cranky, moody and unpleasant. I try to make the best of it but boy is it hard. I have committed with my friend Anna to exercise BEFORE work twice a week. That's all I am comfortable with but it's a start. I think exercising will make me more pleasant, right? right?! I also ordered lip balm from Savannah Bee which I LOVE. I am basically addicted to the stuff. It is much better than Bert's Bee and I will take supple lips to dry, cracked ones any day, you know cause of winter. I also love reading posts from The Pioneer Woman. Sometimes the way she says something it exactly what I am thinking. Her recent post about false eyelashes is cute and no kidding, I just had a whole conversation in my head about the possibility of trying them because I think my lashes are getting thinish. Why can't my body get thinish on it's own like my lashes? I am grateful that so far it has been a mild winter, no snow, and days are getting longer again. See, I can dig deep and see the positive. Some day I hope to be a Snowbird or have a beach home somewhere to spend some of this dreadful thing called winter.

Fervent Prayers

2011-12-05T11:50:00.001-05:00

I am amazed by my own kids sometimes. The way they come to decisions, process things, and come to very mature decisions without us. Garret is the most emotional of our kids. He gets mad, sad and then happy in a two-minute time frame pretty often. I will confess there are times when he says something that I brush it off knowing that in a few minutes he will feel completely OK about whatever he is worrying about. He is a little like his father in that. It's very endearing and reminds me of exactly how he has always been even as a toddler.
All on his own he has made some very life-changing decisions that will benefit where he wants to go with his criminal justice degree and how he wants God to direct his life. When the time is right he will make it widely known, but we are very, very proud of him. In the routine of life I am ashamed to say that I don't always feel like God is listening or caring about my little world, and then KABOOM! He reminds me that He is in control and works in ways I could never even imagine and that the faithful prayers of grandparents and those that love our kids really are important.
He will always be my cute redhead but he is proving that he is a man that wants to follow the path God has set before him.

If Only

2011-11-04T11:03:00.006-04:00

I am a little obsessed with a new show on TV this season and this is very unlike me. I have become disinterested in the garbage that is on TV and spend very little time actually watching anything regularly. I think we mainly have a TV to watch sports. Until I saw the previews for Pan Am. I was definitely curious about seeing what the show was about but, without embarrassment, I proclaim that it is on after my bedtime. Admittedly by 9 p.m. I am spent, finished, done, a goner. It's just the way I am wired, I make no excuses. So I recently realized that with our cable provider I can watch network shows on-demand. I gave this a whirl and watched an episode of Pan Am and I am hooked. Big time hooked. The pathetic kind where I try to arrange my evening plans so I can sit down and watch an episode. I am behind people, I have to get caught up!
Here is why I am so infatuated with this show. My childhood and teen dream was to be a stewardess. Yes, that is what they were called then, not a flight attendant. I had my life planned out. I would be based in Dallas, drive a Datsun 280Z and be independent and fly around the world. It was so glamorous to me. I was going to do it and no one was going to get in my way. Until, and I say this pointing the finger at myself, I listened to important people in my life during a very impressionable time in my life. It was viewed as "not the lifestyle for a proper lady." You know, jetting off, at the beck and call of unscrupulous gentlemen all around the world and was no life if I ever wanted to be a wife and mother. I wish I had more of the attitude that I can take a shot, I might fail or not like it, but at least I will have explored my options. That's something I really wish I had ingrained in me, I really don't like that about myself.
Anyway, back to my new favorite show. I can't get enough of the clothes, high heels, hairstyles, exotic places and the stories. On the ABC website there are stories from real Pam Am stewardess and they paint the picture just as I imagine it would have been like. I was just born a little too late. Don't get me wrong, I love my life and know it is just as God planned, but I think we all have "what ifs". For now I will just watch the show and imagine.

No Sanding Required

2011-10-24T10:01:00.002-04:00

I had Friday off for Fall Break (a perk of working at a College) and took the day to repaint Garret's bedroom. It hasn't been updated since we moved into the house and was long overdue. I managed to get it complete in a day. Scrubbed the walls, painted the walls and repainted the trim. I enjoy painting in a weird kind of way because it feels so fresh and clean after all the work. It's an excuse to purge unwanted things, clean all the nooks and crannies and redecorate. The dresser in his room is very old. It was a hand-me-down and is well-made but needed a little freshening up. I decided to paint it black to go with the new decor in the room. I love the new spray paints that don't require stripping and sanding, etc. I took it down to the garage and began giving it a new coat of paint. It is a maple wood and with the black satin paint all the little nicks and scratches seemed to show up even more but when I noticed that, something crossed my mind. Now I will admit most of the time when these types of things cross my mind it is directly related to my hormones and that may be the case this time, but I LOVE all those scratches, dents and marks on that dresser. It used to be in Chad's room then we moved it to Garret's room so both boys have made their "mark" on it. Every time they put a baseball, football, book, iPod, fish tank, Swiss Army knife, gun shells, fishing lure or trophy on the top it has made one of those marks. I love the dresser just the way it is. It is like a journal of their life to me. I miss my boys very much and realize they will most likely not move back home after college but in a small way I have a piece of each of them on this dresser.
Hormones, right?

Do Not Make Eye Contact

2011-10-17T09:34:00.003-04:00

When we were in Connecticut this weekend we visited a favorite restaurant of Chad's the USS Chowderpot. This was our second time going there and the food is really good. This is an old school restaurant, all nautical, with netting, lanterns,etc. Chad loves it and wants his house to look beachy someday. He makes me smile. We waited for about 40 minutes to be seated and then sat at the front of the dining room right next to a huge lobster tank. They are not there for decoration, they are there for dinner. Every time I would look over one or two of them would be climbing on top of some of their friends and clawing, well trying to claw with their little banded claws, at the side of the tank. All I could imagine is the lobsters who had been hanging around in there longer saying (in a New England accent) "Mabel, it won't do any good and all you are doing is drawing attention to yourself and you don't want to 'draw' anything right now, especially butter!" I cannot imagine walking over to the tank and picking one out for dinner! It made me anxious and sad. Every once in a while a waitress, who I am sure is only doing her job, would open this secret room behind the tank and take one out of the tank with a net, weigh it and then, Gulp, you know, take it to some steamer somewhere that all the rest of the lobsters left in the tank know they are one net grab away from. It was very traumatic for me. As I get older and thanks to Disney and Pixar I think everything is real. All this weird stuff plays out in my mind. It's very exhausting. My advice, do not, I repeat, do not make eye contact with any lobster in a tank, it's very disturbing.

Excuse to Meddle?

2011-10-03T12:03:00.001-04:00

Rachelle and Dan's wedding could not have been more lovely, just as I knew it would be. Every detail was thought through and the flowers, dresses, food, and the cake were perfect and beyond beautiful. Aside from that, the love that Rachelle and Dan have for one another is so precious. They both really love the Lord and made a point to include that in their ceremony.
I am going to share deeply personal moment with you; that is my greatest wish for my kids. That they will find just the right person who also loves the Lord and they can at least have that to bind them together to begin their journey together. I don't think any of our kids are close to making a lifelong commitment to someone, but really, what would I know? Kids keep that stuff to themselves when it comes to parents. I really try not to get involved in the kids personal lives. They usually end up thinking it's just because I am their mom that I have a strong opinion about something or someone. So being at the wedding confirmed for me what I have been thinking about for awhile. I am going to meddle this one time.
Rich is so sick of me mentioning this that he actually told me to go ahead, I knew I could wear him down. Here's the story. There is a great guy that works in our office, a recent grad from Messiah. I have long suspected that he and Lauren would really like each other if they ever had the opportunity to meet each other. I have been rolling it around in my mind for sometime so after this weekend I decided I would make the move. I casually mentioned something to Ben about where Lauren works when she works at the restaurant and threw in that they have 10 cent wings on Mondays thinking food would get a guy every time. Who knows but I have never really felt so strong about something like this. I don't know what will happen, but I have given myself permission to meddle this one time. I told Ben we never have to speak of it again. If it works out good, if not, no big deal, but I had to try. Weddings get you like that, you want to see everyone happy.

Personal Day

2011-09-28T10:32:00.000-04:00

I decided to take one of my two personal days on Monday. I had plans of accomplishing a list of errands that I haven't had a block of time to get done. I awoke early and headed out the door by 9 a.m. Made a stop at Micheal's Craft Store then went to the mall just as it opened at 10 a.m. My first stop was "Forever 21". I am well aware that I am not even close to 21 but I had seen some inexpensive jewelry that I thought would look good with the dress I am wearing to my niece's wedding this weekend. I would estimate there were six sales people working in there, all I am sure, believing they will be Forever 21. As I strolled around looking first at their sweaters in the hope of finding a shrug for my dress then wandering to the jewelry, I was gawked and glared at by these perky, fresh, 21ish faces. The looks they were giving me where basically saying "You are WAY too old to be in this store and the Middle-Age store is down at the end of the mall." I actually felt self-conscious. I selected a cute bracelet then proceeded up to the counter to pay for my jewelry because obviously they would never have anything my size or style, and the girl at the counter looked at me like, "What?!" I sheepishly slid the bracelet closer to her on the counter and made my purchase and was never so glad to leave a place. The sad part is that as I was checking out I saw some tights that would look perfect with my dress but I dare not ever return to this store. I will have Lauren go in and make the pick-up for me, they will never know, right?
My next stop was J.C. Penny's to find dress slacks for Garret to wear to the wedding. I made a sweep of the store again looking for a shrug for my dress and found a sale on a bra and picked one up. This was an unexpected purchase, but believe me when I say, things there are not at all like when I was 21. So I wandered to the jewelry and found the perfect earrings to go with the bracelet I had just bought, score! My next stop was the men's department for Garret. I surveyed all their slacks and found a few that would work. I had a question about the size so I thought I would text him, that's when I realized, GULP!, I did not have my purse on my arm, you know my COACH purse with all my world inside, keys, wallet, phone. MY COACH PURSE!!!!!! So I calmly, and unsuspectingly retraced my steps to no avail. I stopped at every sales desk to ask if someone had turned in a COACH purse, and basically got a look like, "No, and how the heck to you leave your COACH purse just laying around in a store?" I checked with the catalog department as I was told to and they called onto the floor to have sales people "make a sweep" or as I translate, help the not-so-21-year-old find her purse. I kept racking my brain trying to figure out how I had done something so stupid. It ended up being at the sales desk right next to the jewelry counter, the last place I asked, of course. I have never been so thankful for something in my life! We are talking about my COACH purse! I am really not about diamonds or gems, for me, it's all about the shoes and purse.
I made my purchases then tried to grasp any shred of dignity that I had and left the store.
That was the most exhausting, humiliating personal day ever. I went home after that mostly because I was afraid I might not remember how to get there.

Brothers

2011-09-19T15:44:00.001-04:00

I have two. Growing up my older brother and I were always closer mostly because we are only two years apart. We did most everything together. I knew he would look out for me and we had many conversations about what we were going through in high school and he always listened and helped me figure things out. He went off to college and I followed to the same school I think partially because I knew he was there and would look out for me.
Life has twisted and turned and honestly for many years we were not very close. The busyness of raising kids, working, and other "stuff" got in the way but I am happy to say things have come around recently. I didn't realize how much I have missed having a big brother. It's nice to have an occasional hug from him and and be in tune with his life a little more.
And yes, I know, this is the most ridiculous picture ever. Not sure who hacked my bangs like that and why for crying out loud are we not all looking at the same place? This is actually the photo my parents ended up getting. Faces only a parent could love.

Gettin' Me a One Way Ticket Outta Here!

2011-08-19T16:31:00.001-04:00

I am 45 minutes away from the end of a week in "Crazy Town." I have been going pretty much nonstop at work all week. The art director for our office had a "riding accident", which by the way, is now second to my favorite excuse not to come to work, the first is "my plane was delayed due to volcanic ash", you couldn't make that one up if you tried. So anyway back why you are totally going to feel so sorry for me. During the summer I fill in for a coworker who has the summer off. None of us are bitter that she spends a good part of the summer in Cape Cod and at the community pool, it's fine, just FINE! Typically I am thankful for the extra work during the summer to make the slower pace more tolerable. But I could feel trouble swirling even before the riding accident. The volume of things that were requested of our office was ramped up and we were already falling behind. For background, our office designs and prints almost all publications for the College and summer is especially a busy time for Admissions jobs since they want them all complete by September. Add in vacation schedules for the graphic designers and a random throw from a horse and Kaboom! all kinds of crazy breaks out. I have spent the week rescheduling dozens of jobs already in process, phrasing things ever so diplomatically, and trying not to run from the building screaming. I don't think I have ever been so grateful for a weekend and to know that I have one more week of crazy before I hand it off to Cape Cod girl. Tick tock, almost there!

Meet My New Hans and Franz

2011-08-08T13:08:00.000-04:00

Call it mid-life or whatever but we bought a Total Body Gym. I know what you are thinking, "First the diet thing, now this, really?" I have wanted one for awhile and Rich got on board with the idea after seeing the infomercial. I told him Christy Brinkley does not come along with the gym and he seemed to realize that when we bought it. After Rich put it together last night he said that he is determined to be in shape by the time he turns 50. I won't lie, I may have laughed only because that seems like a super long-term goal seeing as how he has over 3 years to meet that goal. I really hope it doesn't take that long for either of us. So here's to getting toned, and exercising a few times a week. My excuse has always been that I didn't have something at home to work out on. Me and my big mouth.

Sensory Overload

2011-08-02T14:07:00.000-04:00

I am just plain exhausted and need to step back from all the things that bombard my mind. I accidentally left my phone at home today, my constant link to all things media, but already had made the comment to Rich last night that I am going to give up Facebook for awhile or maybe permanently. Here's where I am at, and I can share this with both of you that read my blog because you are not the people I am referring to. Facebook makes me not like perfectly nice people that I know. It makes people in my world annoy me with their comments, pictures, and observations. Why subject myself to that? My firm motto is "ignorance is bliss." Constant news updates, emails, texts, and Facebook posts are coming at me from every direction and I am tired. I need a break. I have heard of people doing this, I now understand. Don't judge me, but if you do, post it on Facebook and I won't ever know. At least not for awhile.

Vientitres,Vingt-trois, Dvacet-tri, Fiche tri,Tjuetre

2011-07-29T07:53:00.000-04:00

Twenty-three in different languages. None of them make sense to me just like how Lauren can be turning 23 today. That sounds so much older than 22 to me for some reason. She is working hard to get and keep clients at the salon and it is fun to see her getting more confident in just how amazing she is at styling hair. She has found her niche and I know she will do well. So today is all about celebrating our cute girl who makes is laugh, makes us proud, and makes us shake our heads sometimes too. Love you sweet Lauren.

Most Annoying Word Ever

2011-07-25T15:36:00.002-04:00

Please allow me a moment. How do you feel about the expression "Whoot, Whoot!"? Please for all that is good in this world tell me you dislike it as much as I do. First, there are multiple spellings floating around out there, either Woot or Whoot. I have no clue which is correct and will not take time out of my busy day to inquire from Websters about it. Now I don't know if it is the fact that a certain someone in my office LOVES to say that after every little thing, if it is the person that says it, or if it seems ridiculous that a 40-something person says it all the time and fist-punches the air. The bitterly sad part about this is that most of us in our office now say it as much as this certain person in an "I am making fun of that expression" kind of way because it has been said so much. We even got this person a card for her birthday that had an owl saying "Whoot, Whoot" on it and she framed it for her office, you heard me!
I was enjoying shopping at my happy place, King of Prussia http://www.kingofprussiamall.com/, on Saturday and at Nordstrom's at the jewelry counter there was a necklace in packaging that actually had the words "Whoot, Whoot!" on it. I was shocked, appalled, and sickened that it has now crept into marketing materials.
OK, I am done now. Next time I will discuss why this same person also says "Do you hear what I'm, sayin" after every sentence. Ponder that one for awhile.
P.S. The best part is that my spellcheck just went crazy with the Whoot, Whoot in this post. It is somehow deeply satisfying.

A Girl's Best Friend

2011-07-24T10:09:00.000-04:00


Tucker being Tucker

Rich and Garret were away fishing in New York for a few days and I have to be honest, I don't mind being alone once in awhile for short periods of time. But really, I am not alone. I have the best company a girl could ask for in Tucker. He is happy to see me when I get home and loves to hang out with me on the couch and watch any old show I want and he never complains. He doesn't even mind when I use him as a footrest, he is good like that. I really can't imagine my world without this big hound. His face has a few little gray hairs even though he is only 5, so it makes me think about how much longer he will be laying around with his "Frito-y" feet, how many more times he will go outside and howl at nothing, or stare at the counter for food he wishes would float down to his mouth. I choose to believe he is just prematurely gray and it makes him distinguished. He is a loved "Cooney" for sure but he gives me so much love in return.
P.S. I know Garret thinks Tucker is his dog, not so much, but that's between you and me.


Yes, he has his head on the pillow


"Frito" feet

Cutest dog face ever

From Where I Sit

2011-07-12T20:06:00.002-04:00

If you ever want a study on humanity, sit at my desk for a day. I cannot tell you how many interesting,
nonimportant observations I make just from the geography of my desk. I sit smack dab in the middle of our floor and department. Everyone has to walk past me at some point of the day. Either to use the restroom, use the break room, to leave for lunch or use the elevator. You cannot believe the comments we have heard and "experiments" me and the girls in my office have quietly conducted.


View from behind my desk


View from in front of my desk

The Candy Bowl

You see those plants sitting at the corner of my workstation? They have saved me from going "batty" some days. That spot used to be where anyone who had, let's say flowers delivered from their husband for THEIR anniversary would put them for everyone to enjoy and all 14 people would walk by at different times and say "Look at those pretty flowers, where did you get them?" I smile and tell them they are not mine and blah, blah, blah. I pity the 14th person who walked by because they get the abbreviated version and I am sure a look like I hate those "pretty flowers" now. I have never been so happy for Administrative Assistant's Day and my directors giving me that plant arrangement. By the way, I don't like Administrative Assistant's Day. I think it's embarrassing to be recognized for doing my job and think there should also be a day to celebrate everyone else that works in our office too. That is just my side commentary.
You see that blue candy bowl? That has also brought endless entertainment to me and the girls. First, put candy in it, it's gone in about 20 minutes. People come out of the woodwork. Also, people will leave just one piece. No one wants to be greedy and take the last piece. It's human nature, but interesting. Don't even get me going about unwrapped candy in there. Everyone putting their grubby hands in and grabbing candy. There should be some kind of rule.
I do love where I sit most of the time. At least a few times a day a group will gather at my desk to talk about our day, our kids, our boss, what's for dinner, and always laugh. It's good to be me and sit where I sit.

Hospitality with a Capital "H"

2011-07-07T19:45:00.009-04:00

We had the best time possible in Savanna with Pam, John, Logan and Missy. It is not secret that I am fond of them, but this trip just confirms it. I know there are a lot of Pam fans out there, but I am the self-declared biggest fan. She never ceases to amaze me. She made the most delicious meals, had our room perfectly ready, with chocolates, wine, a chicken magazine (well, that was for me more than Rich), she made sure we were completely happy every minute. I love her sweet attitude, her "no looking back" way of thinking, and what a great mom she is.
Rich and I survived the trip both to and from, although he did a lot of talking at 4 a.m., but he does a lot of talking at 6 a.m. so why was I surprised. We always enjoy our road trips, I wouldn't want to go with anyone else.


Deliciousness that was waiting for me when I arrived.

So if you are ever in Savannah, look the Kasabians up, they have the most lovely home and the most lovely people I know live there. Even though there are no chickens, it is still lovely. John will have to answer the question that begs to be asked, "Why?"


Georgia peaches, of course!


Cupcake Emporium, Yum!


Peaceful Pond


Young Egret and his reflection

U2360

2011-06-24T10:09:00.000-04:00

The 360 Degree Stage

When we decided to go to this concert a few months ago I was excited but as it got closer I was a little beside myself. I have read reviews about how amazing the U2 concert is but wanted to see for myself. Well let me tell you, it was so amazing and I was actually sad when it was over. We are considering going to see them again in a nearby city later in July. Is that weird? I don't want to be one of those fans that follows a group all around, but it was such a great concert and well worth seeing again. What's wrong with hearing great music with really thought provoking meaning?
We had a great time with our friends The Browns and The Gettys. We are all so very different but it works, we just like each other. We laughed alot and enjoyed the fellowship.

So Bono, I may see you again soon, very soon.

The Gang

We decided to shoot an album cover in case we take our act on the road.
"LB and The Fish Tacos"

Our Little Town Outside of Hershey

2011-06-22T08:53:00.001-04:00

I am a little ashamed to admit that I rarely tell people I live it Etters. I don't like the name and some may say it has been know in the past to be a little um, how do you say, not the most high class town in our area. There are certainly lovely sections, but there is some questionable zoning and it draws some "Riff Raff". Lately though I am kind of proud of our town.
This week "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" http://abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition is working on a house right down the street from our house and it is exciting and very touching to see how our little community has pulled together for such a great cause. They are remodeling a house and pool for a great kid that was paralyzed from the neck town in a gymnastic accident a few years ago. Brian was a star athlete with an exciting future when one accident changed everything. His dad retired early to be at his side every minute and Brian just graduated in May from the same college that Garret attends. Garret has watched him persevere at school and has seen how great his attitude is. This renovation will make his quality of life so much better.
One news story mentioned how this is the first time in the history of the show that every single neighbor enthusiastically signed off for this show to completely invade every space in their neighborhood to make this happen for the Keefer family. That just shows you what great people there are in Etters. People from all over the area are volunteering, so much so that they are turning volunteers away. It has been very inspiring to watch this happen right down the street, hear the dozens and dozens of buses pass our house with volunteers, hear the cheers of excitement from the workers, and hear the heavy equipment come in to get the job done. Etters is my town, and I am very proud to be a part of it.

My Best Half

2011-06-14T16:06:00.001-04:00

Today is our 26th Wedding Anniversary and I am deeply grateful for Rich and all he adds to my life. We have been abundantly blessed and we are even better friends than when we started on this journey all those years ago. We were just kids, almost 21, but what we have had has always made sense. Life hasn't always been easy but I have always been certain we were meant for each other. I was thinking about all my favorite things and how Rich is just like the other half of all of them. He is the Pinot to my Grigio, the S' to my Mores, the dark to my chocolate, the Toy to my Story, the Coco to my nut, the Coach to my purse, the I to my kea, the cream to my coffee, the Su to my shi (OK that one is a stretch, but I really like Sushi!), the cup to my cake, and someday he will be the chicken to my coop.

My best advice about marriage is that it is about the smallest of things. Just a general caring and thinking of the other person. Rich will fill up my gas tank if he notices that it is low just so I don't have to, he is in tune with the days that I am just plain "spent" and will offer to go out to dinner so I don't have to cook, and he is so kind to my parents willing to help them out whenever they ask. It's all those and a lifetime of little things that make me so happy to be married to this loving and caring man.

Monday, Monday

2011-06-06T08:58:00.000-04:00

I am not a fan. I am feeling particularly cranky this morning and I think the best form of therapy may be to lament about this day of the week that I do not like. I woke up this morning with my eyes pasted together from pollen that has been making my eyes itch and water constantly since spring arrived. I stumbled into the kitchen after I got ready and there was NO cream for my coffee. I was fully aware that I need to make a trip to the grocery store, but this was a most unfortunate turn of events. You see, I hang on to my mug of coffee as I am driving to work for dear life, it's a habit now, a "blankie" for the ride into work, a way to make it all seem better. Ask Rich, I start on Saturday morning saying "I don't want to go to work on Monday, don't make me." This has been going on for say, 10 years now (I just hit my 10 year Anniversary at my job, ugh!). Rich just pats me on the head and patiently says, "I know Honey, just a few more years." I don't know what he means by that. A few more years before he can't take it any more and smothers me in my sleep because he is so sick of me saying the same thing all weekend or a few years before we come into some kind of inheritance or lottery and I won't need to work. I can't get a straight answer out of him. I don't like to talk in the morning and Rich can't understand that. It's been almost 26 years, so I am not sure what part of I don't want to talk to you in the morning he doesn't get. His eyes open, his mouth starts moving. He now calls me Helen Keller in the morning. It doesn't hurt me, it just means he is starting to get the idea. He must be a slow learner. It's now almost 9 a.m. and I have been at work for close to an hour. I will suck it up and face another Monday just as I face every Monday, looking forward to Friday at 5 p.m.

Homer and Hank

2011-05-26T09:22:00.000-04:00

I saw an advertisement for the new Disney movie "Cars 2" and I realized I am not so weird after all. I have this need to name everything, even inanimate things. If Disney can do it why can't I? I named my last car Sven, then when I got my van, with my friend Beth's help, I decided on Homer, because Homer wrote "The Odyssey" and my van is a Honda Odyssey. So it was obvious that when Rich got his new car yesterday it had to be named. It is a Chevy HHR so it was fitting it had a boy name, so Hank it is. It is so much easier to just say "Let's take Homer or Hank."

I already have names picked out for my chickens should I ever get them. They will be Gertrude, Henrietta, Mildred, and Maude. Those names roll off my tongue easily and seem perfect names for hens.

I also realized that I didn't even put this much thought into our kids names. I am not proud of it, but it's true. Maybe it's because I was busy making three human beings in four years and just slapped any name on them that we liked without researching the deep meaning of their names. I always feel a little guilty when we are at church for baby dedication and the pastor talks about each precious baby and what their name means and why their parents picked that name. We so did not do that. Really, it's a miracle that we even remember their names. Poor Garret, I usually call him Tucker and Rich has always called him Gibby, probably more because we couldn't remember his name since he was the last rather than it being a cute nickname. This last part we will keep between me and you, OK? Thanks!

Chicken Legs, Measurements, and Laughs

2011-05-20T09:25:00.000-04:00

I made 10 chicken legs last night for dinner. They were Grandpa Knight's recipe. The kind he used to make at the Fire Hall, I guess. Rich was remembering Grandpa Knight and how he used to go pick up shut-ins for church every Sunday and everyone would have to wait to eat dinner until he got home. Sweet, sweet Grandpa. Anyway, You marinate the chicken for a few days then grill and baste them to perfection. Rich proudly announced that he had cooked them perfectly and he has the secret; low heat and lots of basting. You are also probably wondering how I can love chickens so much and still, gulp, eat them. I don't know, I wrestle with this at every meal that we have chicken. I am working through it, maybe I need to consider counseling. Did I mention all ten of the chicken legs were gone when we finished eating? I also made a huge pan of roasted vegetables and 16 crescent rolls. All gone! I cannot believe how much food two boys can eat. They are like vacuum cleaners. I have gone to the grocery store just about every day they have been home to pick something else up they have scarfed down. I wouldn't trade it for a thing.
In our house you have to have a thick skin. There is alot of "kidding" that goes on. The boys make fun of Rich because he is short, and by Rich's own admission, his head circumference may be larger than the average person. He can't help it, it's hereditary. They make fun of Chad because they say he has a "beak" and call him a Woodpecker. Garret gets harassed for his red hair and "bird chest" as Chad calls it. See what I am dealing with ? It is all in fun, most of the time, and there are sprinkles of love in there, way deep down. Anyway, Chad broke out the tape measure last night and started measuring everyone's head, neck, and nose. It actually was quite entertaining. Cheap fun, I say. We don't do board games, too much competition in our house, it always ends badly.
Chad is home for one more week. We will miss having both boys together. They really do like each other and it is fun to see them together. I know I don't mention Lauren much. She is cute too. Works alot and isn't home much. She is just as important in our family, she just isn't around much. If only she would clean her room.

Mind of Their Own

2011-05-16T10:35:00.001-04:00

Now that our kids are technically adults I am finding a new challenge in realizing that they have a mind of their own. We had a conversation with Chad this weekend, and it doesn't even matter what it was about, where he voiced a very strong opinion about something that we definitely did not agree with. I admit that I may have felt very defensive and a little hurt about what he said, at first. When I had a chance to step back and think about it I realized that it's Ok for our kids to think differently and have their own thoughts on things. I certainly do not always agree with my parents and I know I don't want my kids to be a clone of me. We have tried to raise them to think independantly, be strong, self confident people. With that, a natural product will be a new way of thinking about things. It's humbling to me, since I want to think that our kids think we are making the best decisions and have all the answers when actually the more I think that, the less I realize that I do. They are out in this big world with so many things shaping their opinions, just like we were. All I can do is pray for them and hope that every decision and opinion they have is centered around God. That should keep me busy for awhile.

Sometimes You Just Have to Throw Caution to the Wind

2011-05-13T15:00:00.002-04:00

I love our Keurig single-serve coffee maker. We had one and it never worked properly so we sent it back and we just received the replacement. It's like a special treat whenever I use it. I can choose whatever flavor or kind of coffee I have a hankerin' for at that moment. It's like a toy for grown-ups.
I have to share a recent comment someone made to me about these though. I mentioned how much we love our Keuring and someone went into a commentary about how globally irresponsible they are and how much waste they are since they only make one cup at a time and the little, adorable (I added that part) pods do not make for "green" earth. I'm glad people are aware of the environment and want to "save the world" but really, people, let me have my treasured cups of coffee with no judgement or hatin'. I am growing weary of every Tom, Dick, and Harry sharing their opinions when I have clearly not asked for it. Whew! Feels better somehow to get that off my mind. So in my humble opinion, get yourself one of these and hold your head high.

Blades of Grass

2011-05-09T11:44:00.001-04:00

On one of my recent walks with Tucker in our neighborhood something struck me about property boundaries. I know this is random but that's how my mind works, I can't help it. I am not sure if it is because I like things to be symmetrical or to appear to be complete, but I noticed that a gentleman was mowing his lawn and finished mowing right up to his property line with one, maybe two rows left, that would have gone to his neighbors driveway. It seemed kind of ridiculous that he didn't just finish the remaining rows for his neighbor. Now maybe he has had some sort of discussion with the next-door-neighbor about this and they have a mutual agreement that they will just stick to the property lines, or they disagree on the height that grass should be cut, or they have had a bitter dispute and are not speaking and this is a way to make a statement. (I totally made up that last one, but it's possible). I understand if your property line attaches to your neighbor's large, open lot, but just a couple of rows? Anyway, it got me thinking, is this a reflection of our world now? Are we so interested in sticking to life in our own "property lines" that we don't take time to notice the one or two rows of "life" our neighbor is going through? I am just as guilty as the next person.
Ok, I am making too much of this again, aren't I? Just food for thought.

Herbalicious

2011-05-09T09:04:00.001-04:00

I love using fresh herbs when I am cooking. I went this weekend and got a few of my favorites. I plant them in window boxes that are attached to our deck out back. They get lots of warm sun for a good part of the day and seem to love it as much as I do. They always thrive there. This year I got Italian Basil, Parsley, Chives, Rosemary, Oregano, Lemon Thyme, and one of my favorite herbs, German Thyme. I discovered this variety of thyme last year. You should try it for it's very distinct thyme flavor. It brings back memories of the string beans my grandmother and mom always made whenever we had a German meal of sauerbraten, spaetzle, and red cabbage. I've included this simple but delicious recipe if you ever want to try it.

German String Beans

1 lb. of fresh green beans, cleaned and cooked as desired. (I usually steam them)
2 tbsp. of butter
2 tbsp. of flour
2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 small onion chopped fine
1 tbsp. fresh German thyme or dried thyme to taste

Melt butter and cook onion until tender. Add flour and mix until smooth. Add vinegar, whisk until smooth. Add thyme, then add green beans.

Look Up, Up There!

2011-05-03T10:53:00.001-04:00

You should look up in general about all things but look up at the top of my blog. I have added a "My Favorites" page. I know that I always enjoy finding out about new products, styles, recipes, books, gardening tips, shopping destinations, or any other interesting things from others. That's why I added a page to my blog to share anything that crosses my path that I think you would like to know about. Enjoy!

A Living Will

2011-05-02T16:49:00.000-04:00

Do you have one? Rich and I have been discussing getting serious and making sure we have our wishes spelled out. We have had extra incentive to do it since someone we know that was our age died after a brief illness and she had some moments where she was not able to make decisions about her care. I won't lie, since Terri has passed away I have been a little obsessed with death. I am not afraid of dying but her life was parallel to mine in so many ways that I think it jolted me into thinking what if it was me? Her boys are exactly our boys age, she and her husband were just starting down that road where they were getting to know each other again after raising kids, maybe looking ahead to grand kids someday, and generally taking a sigh of relief for a moment after all the flurry of teens and what that involves.
It may seem like a somber subject but I don't want Rich or the kids to have to make the decision about how I remain alive if I am not able to make that decision for myself. I took some time yesterday to spell it out and I really do feel a sense of relief. It is best to get it notarized and make sure your doctor has a copy as well as the person you appoint as your representative because apparently it is more likely to be honored.
I hope that it is never needed but I know that at least I have my wishes spelled out on my terms.

Chickens

2011-04-29T14:01:00.002-04:00

Martha Stewart's Chickens

More of Martha's Chickens

I don't know if it is the decrease of carbs in my diet, but I have felt the urge to yap alot on my blog this week and it occurred to me that in all my ramblings I have never talked about one of my favorite subjects, chickens! Coincidentally while reading Martha Stewart's blog today she mentioned the website "My Pet Chicken" http://www.mypetchicken.com/default.aspx. You need to understand that I spend a good part of my day, not mentioning what part, researching all that it would take to own and care for chickens. The website "My Pet Chicken" provides everything anyone would ever need to know about chickens and they are the ones who just provided Martha Stewart with her newest chickens for her coop. You can read the post here http://www.themarthablog.com/2011/04/new-chicks-new-bees-and-more.html. I'm a little obsessed with Martha's chickens, they grace my background on my work computer and they make me smile everyday. If you want to laugh, Martha also is hosting a new series "Men Who Make Us Laugh" and in one episode Seth Myers from "Saturday Night Live" was visiting her home and it involves her chickens, it is very entertaining! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5JjwnogzSo&feature=player_embedded.

What I am trying to say is, how could you not love a chicken? I am on a mission to convince my brother-in-law John to let Pam get some so that I can live vicariously through them until I can get my own. They have a perfect area and chicken coop that was already there when they bought their lovely new home in Georgia. I have resorted to sending John a chicken fact most everyday and I can tell it is starting to make him think about the benefits of this lowly fowl. I think my mission will be complete soon. I can't explain it, but I smile when I think of chickens. Try not to smile when you think of them. See?

I Wanna Be

2011-04-28T11:44:00.000-04:00

I think we all have someone that we may not actually know that is in the media that we think "I would love to have their life!" Mine used to be, in a small way, Martha Stewart. Not in every way, but mostly because everything she touches is so lovely. Well, I have found my new, "I wanna be her when I grow up" person. Ree Drummond of The Pioneer Woman http://thepioneerwoman.com/. She cooks, blogs, photographs, home schools (I actually have never nor will I ever desire to do this), gardens, writes books, and generally has the ideal life that I picture in my head. Now I am not so naive that I think she is not super busy, tired, stressed, and doing "real life" things that I do but it is like she is in my head whenever I look at something on her blog. She talks about my favorite stores Talbots and Anthropologie, her adorable Basset Hound Charlie (who now has his own book "Charlie the Ranch Dog") who is similar in many ways to Tucker, photography (in the way I wish I could take pictures), and sometimes the way she says something is exactly how I would say it if my own blog could become my actual way to make a living. I recommend making her blog a regular part of your day or week. It is well worth it!

Day 9, I'm Back!

2011-04-27T09:44:00.000-04:00

The movie "Elf" with Will Ferrell is my favorite movie. I watch it nonstop throughout the holiday season. No matter how many times I watch it, it makes me laugh. Kind of like "Legally Blond" but that's another story. The only thing I could think about last night when I finally ate some carbs was the scene in "Elf" when Buddy is eating breakfast. He is enjoying a plate of spaghetti noodles covered in Pop-Tarts, cereal, M&Ms, chocolate syrup, and maple syrup. His pure happiness is how I felt last night. If you have ever seen the movie, Buddy is kind of moaning with excitement as he shovels this plate of food into his mouth. In my head, that's what I was doing. I feel so much better today after I started my day with whole grain bread (I heart Peppridge Farm bread) and a poached egg. I am not going to go all kinds of crazy, but I have always been a firm believer that everything in moderation is the best rule to follow. Rich is still doing so well and I am very happy he is eating healthy and losing weight. I want him to stick around for awhile. I am back to my carb-happy self , things in my world are right again.

Day 8

2011-04-26T09:05:00.001-04:00

Rich and I were discussing how stinkin' hungry we are on this diet last night when we sat down to turkey burgers, kale, and string beans. For me at least, it has been torture without carbs. I feel weak, have a constant headache, and generally have no energy. Rich kind of begged me to start eating some good carbs. I was also lamenting about how I have not lost one pound and he didn't have the heart to tell me when he weighed himself yesterday, he has lost 12 pounds. I am genuinely happy for him, but bitter too. So I am going to start to incorporate some brown rice, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, bananas, whole grain bread into my diet. I will be a much nicer person to be around, I'm sure.
The best part of our evening was when we were complaining about eating things in moderation, we heard a knock on our front door. It was our very nice neighbor with a plate of homemade peanut butter and coconut Easter eggs. We couldn't be rude, so we enthusiastically accepted this plate of heaven. When we shut the door, we looked at each other and took is as a sign that we should at least try one. We split one of each ( they are very small) and tenderly wrapped them in a container and placed them in the freezer. Just knowing they are there, like a good friend, will be comforting somehow.
I guess I can't do anything for 17 days after all.

Day 7

2011-04-25T11:07:00.000-04:00

Other than the constant headache and stomach growling things are getting better. What I don't understand is that I have not lost one stinkin' pound! Rich has already gone down a belt size and already looks thinner; me, not so much. We were really good about what we ate this weekend, even with all the delicious things around. I may have had one small sliver of delicious coconut cake on Easter, even though I wanted the entire cake.
It was a blessing to have all the kids around this weekend, to enjoy an amazing Easter service at church, and remember how amazing it is that the Saviour died for little ol' me. I am going to keep plowing through, I can do anything for 17 days, right?

Day 4

2011-04-21T21:01:00.000-04:00

It must be like a junkie trying to get clean. It took some time but I was able to function and feel pretty much like myself today. Some therapy that is helping is making everything I want to eat for Garret. He's is a good sport like that. I love having Garret home, he is my little homebody, and it was music to my ears today when he went outside and cut the lawn and trimmed. Oh, that's part of why we had kids, I forgot!
Anyway, now that my blood sugar is becoming detoxified, I am much more coherent. Yesterday I thought I was being so nice and took the trash out to the curb after I emptied it all through the house and Rich came home and asked me why. It was 2 days early! Yes, that's how delirious I have been.
I am looking forward to this Easter weekend with the rare occasion when all the kids will be home, we will be with my brother's family and my parents, and I will confess, I may stray slightly from this diet. I'll adjust it to the 19 Day Diet, it's Easter after all.

Day 3

2011-04-20T14:31:00.000-04:00

Day 3 of this cursed, I mean very beneficial, diet is in progress. Yesterday I experienced brief bouts of forgetfulness, crankiness, and everyone that came into my path looked just like a golden, steamy turkey leg. If you don't already know, I am a rule follower. If the book tells me not to eat fruit after 2 p.m.(see earlier posts) I don't, if the book says don't eat any salad dressing or cheese that is non-fat, I don't. Well in all Rich's declaring he is not hungry at all (Whatever!), he confessed that he had a salad at Panera, with feta cheese and dressing. He also willy-nilly eats fruit after 2. I think he is on the 17 Day Dietish. He is NOT always a rule follower. Oh how I wish I could step into that world, I would be much fuller right now.
I am feeling less like I want my dear friend chocolate but I find that kind of sad. It has been a faithful friend in so many ways. I will not give up on this thing, at least before Rich. I can do anything for 17 days, right?

Day 2

2011-04-19T10:43:00.001-04:00

We are into Day 2 and things seem to be better than yesterday, for me anyway. Rich declared yesterday that he wasn't even hungry. Whatever! I on the other hand was starving. We had some work that needed to be done around the house last night and at one point Rich looked at me and said, "Go get something to eat, would you!" I have no idea what he meant. I also cannot explain why he watched TV downstairs and I watched TV upstairs and then I went to bed without so much as a "Goodnight". I am not proud of it, just being honest.
So onto this day. I feel less like I want to gnaw off my own arm. I can do this, I think. I do miss my friend chocolate. My other predicament is that I brought a not-so-ripe pear for my 1 snack for the day and as I mentioned yesterday, I am feeling a lot of pressure about the 2 p.m. "magic hour". I think if I wait until closer to 2 p.m. the pear will be more ripe, but what if I am hungry for my snack before then? Do I risk eating a hard, unflavorful, gritty pear?
We also neglected to weigh ourselves yesterday when we started this diet. I am fairly certain I lost at least 5 pounds yesterday if my stomach growling is any indication, but how will I ever know? I am determined to stick with it. I can do anything for 17 days, right?

Day 1

2011-04-18T14:52:00.000-04:00

Ok, you heard it here first. Rich and I are starting the 17 Day Diet. Now, I am usually the last person to announce to anyone that I am on a diet, but I need an extra boost of will-power so I thought telling it on my blog ( to the two people who read it), would help me stick with it. The menu isn't actually that far off from what we usually eat pretty often, but minus the delicious dark chocolate, rosemary bread, baked potatoes, rice, pasta. (Deep sigh) Ok, but anyone can do anything for 17 days, right? The second 17 days you start introducing some of those good whole grains and pastas. It involves alot of drinking water and green tea. It also involves a fruit snack that you eat before 2 p.m. That is alot of pressure. What if I don't get to it before then? Should I not eat one of my two snacks? Should I chance it and eat it anyway after 2 p.m.? I'm making it more difficult, aren't I? Like I said to Rich, we got ourselves into this mess, now me have to lose the weight and fix it. So Day 1 is potentially a success since so far I haven't eaten any chocolate, I have had about 5 of the eight cups of water, and followed all the food options.

So here is to ridding my body of toxins, staying well- hydrated, and saying goodbye to dark chocolate and white wine for awhile. I can do anything for 17 days, right?

See His Sole, er Soul

2011-03-28T10:10:00.000-04:00

Look at this face. Tucker can't look me in the eye. He is feeling a little guilty about a certain thing he did, this certain thing. It used to be a shoe. At some point in the last few days he went into Garret's room and sniffed out his favorite pair of Sperry Docksiders from under his bed and took one outside and proceeded to completely chew the entire shoe down to the sole. We haven't found a single remnant of the shoe. I must say he did a thorough job.
Tucker brings us so much joy. He is so willing to love us, he has mastered the English language because he completely understands the words Ice Cream, Truck, Hamburger, Biscuit, and Walk. We love his "hound" smell that only a hound owner can understand, all "Frito-y", his floppy ears, the way he loves to get all cozy in bed, and even the way he streams toilet paper from the roll through the house, and the way he insists on being in the middle when we are sitting next to each other, it's just where he is most content. We'll keep him even when he does the occasional puppy-like things and chews a shoe or sock. He had us the first moment we laid eyes on his little mahogany, feet and ears too big for his body.

He Can Make the Blind to See

2011-03-16T10:02:00.000-04:00

I've heard that my entire life and I am going to have to hang on to that promise. My mom's sister, Aunt Janie, was just diagnosed with lung cancer and she goes today to see if a spot on her liver is also cancerous. They are doing a full body scan to see if it has spread anywhere else. Her type of cancer is the kind that spreads pretty quickly. She had thyroid cancer a few years ago and beat that. She has spent most of her adult life smoking and just hasn't been able to kick the habit.
Here's the real story though. She has been blind since birth, but don't even think about feeling sorry for her. She is the strongest, most feisty girl I know. She keeps her house immaculate, cooks, does laundry, always looks put together, and is able to take care of herself, make no mistake. She has had my uncle to be her partner, but I am pretty sure other than driving, she could manage most things herself. She and my mom had alot of sadness and struggles growing up, and Aunt Janie had some especially traumatic and sad things happen in her life and has always rejected the thought of God. Mom has tried to talk to her about God but she immediately ends the conversation. I am sure she probably can't imagine a God that would allow the things in her life she has experienced. My heart breaks for her and my mom. She is mom's last living relative and they are very close and my mom has been so burdened for her but especially now. There is nothing more sad than knowing someone is rejecting God and that they won't be in heaven when you get there. That's why I am holding on to the promise that my aunt may never literally be able to see but that the blindness in her heart will be taken away. God can make the blind to see, I know that.

True Confessions Final Chapter

2011-03-02T09:02:00.002-05:00

I am an introvert. According to the Myers-Briggs personality test that I have taken twice, I am not kind of an introvert, I am a complete introvert, a solid line "I". I am also N,F, and J, but that is for another time. What that means, according to Myers and Briggs, is that I feel refreshed and energized from being alone and focus on the inner world of ideas and impressions. I don't know who Myers and Briggs are but they need to get out of my head. Each letter really nails my personality on the head, it's almost scary. So the final chapter of my true confessions has come early. I have gracefully bowed out of Bible study. I know I was going to stretch myself and all the other lofty things that I said but the introvert in me can't, and I am OK with that. I found myself enjoying the actual study, but not the group part. I was feeling stressed each week and came to the conclusion that that is not how I best learn from the Word and that God speaks to me when I am alone with Him. I kind of picture just me and God sitting at a cafe table in a quaint coffee shop, steaming cup of coffee, and one of those huge bakery muffins with the granulated sugar on top (OK don't judge me it's a "spiritual" muffin and is very low in calories), talking one-on-one about what His Word says. The nice part about getting older is that you really do know yourself better. While there is always room for improvement, I am just designed a certain way, the way God made me, and I can't fight it. I am grateful to the women of my Bible study and how gracious they all have been to me, and count them as a blessing in my life.

True Confessions Week 3

2011-02-28T09:40:00.001-05:00

OK, my confession is that I didn't go to Bible Study this week.

But I have another deep, dark confession that is causing quite the flurry of confusion for me. How can I wake up one day and my deodorant completely checks out and stops working? I began to notice things going awry this weekend. Then today at work, I am wearing a lovely ensemble that includes a skirt and silk blouse because today promises to be warmer than the subzero weather we have been having and I felt compelled to wear something other than black pants and a blouse due to my poor attitude with winter. I noticed that my "Secret, strong enough for a man but made for a woman" isn't doing its job. You must know that I very much dislike shopping for deodorant. It's impossible to know if it will keep you dry, but even worse, the smell. They never smell like they are advertised and really bother me if I can smell it overpowering my senses all day. What does all this mean? I have used Secret for years. I don't want to change, I am a loyal person. Why can't it be the trusted companion that I need? Do I really need this type of stress when I don't have a good deodorant to lean on?

True Confessions Week 2

2011-02-17T08:05:00.002-05:00

Week two went fairly well. It was a smaller group, and no one-on-one. It was a good discussion about anger, forgiveness, and purpose.

We talked about how it seems like a natural reaction for Jesus to have been angry when he was being taunted and mocked when he was crucified and how he was still merciful and forgiving to the criminal that was repentant next to him and gave him eternal life. We also talked about how Mary, Jesus' mother, must have felt. One point that made me think was that she knew from the very beginning when she conceived Jesus that she had a purpose and focused on that throughout the time He was on this earth. How difficult it must have been to watch what hap pended to him on the cross, and how God must have prepared her for that. God has a purpose for each of us in the same way.

The thing I find difficult about these type of group studies, and this is kind of a big admission on my part, I got thothin'. You see, I struggle with the fact that I don't have a juicy story about how I came to know the Lord or all the sadness and heartache that I have gone through in my life. What can I possibly share that would make anyone think, "Wow, she has such a great story of her journey, I want to listen to her." I spend time feeling slightly guilty about that and kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop and things to go all kinds of bad. I don't know why up to this point God has spared me from anything very traumatic and painful. The funny thing about having time now that the kids are away and busy and adults is that I can actually think. So my mind spins all these thoughts around and around.

I had no urges to laugh this week even though I sat right next to Esmerelda. I am loving this sweet older woman who has pearls of wisdom and has actually been through a lot in her life. She will be sharing her journey in a few weeks at our Bible study, I am looking forward to it. One other woman made the comment when we were talking about anger that a good gauge of how you feel about someone you may have had an issue with in the past is how would you feel if you came face to face with them in a room. Makes you think, huh?

True Confessions Week 1

2011-02-10T08:36:00.006-05:00

I went to the first week of a women's Bible study last night and must now make a confession. Here's the background. This Bible study is not at my church and it is in a tiny little church basement. When I got there last night there were about 16 faces staring at me and my friend Laurie, who is leading the study, comes over and welcomes me and promptly tells me we are paring up with a prayer partner, alphabetically. She drags me into some sort of lineup and determines I will be partners with Gina. She then instructs us to go off somewhere in the room, alone, and answer a list of interview questions from a sheet she just handed us. The first questions were fine, name, phone, married, children, then it took a turn for the deeply personal. Not my strong suite, especially with a stranger. Gina and I determined we were in the same boat and that we were a little out of our comfort zone. OK, got through that.

Next we meet back at the table that apparently seats 16 comfortably, and I am #17. So a sweet woman from the group finds one last folding chair that is in a back room and brings it over to me and opens it and it makes this horrible screeching noise (see previous post for how that bothers me). So now I am in this chair kind of on the perimeter of the table. So we get into the questions that we were to answer from our study during the week, and my dear, sweet friend Laurie calls me out. I hate talking in front of a group let alone about personal things but I gave my answer and "stretched" myself a little. Then as all the other women began sharing, one in particular intrigued me. She has a pretty ordinary name, but in my head her name should be something like Esmeralda. She is very dramatic, and theatrical and has some sort of quote or saying for everything that each of us said. She is very demonstrative and affirming. Well, I had this strong urge to burst out laughing more than once whenever she was talking. I am thanking the Lord that he helped me with that.

All that to say, I have made an effort to be a part of women's Bible studies at various times in my life and in my opinion, it always goes all kinds of bad. It usually ends up being a time when one or two women share too much or go off in tangents. I really wanted to run screaming from the building as soon as I got there.

So on my ride home I was pondering what to do and I realized first, this will make for great blog post material, but more importantly, I am going to step out of what makes me comfortable and I like the idea of being accountable for studying the Bible each week. I am going to view these women as a cast of characters and try to learn something from what they say. It is also a great study from Max Lucado, "No Wonder They Call Him Savior" that will take us up to Easter. I am looking forward to focusing on what my Savior did for me on the cross.

So my true confession from week 1 is to answer the question, "What do you most want to be remembered for when you are gone from this life?" My answer is that I was unashamed to tell others of God and of salvation. In my safe bubble world, it is so easy not to stretch myself to do that since almost every person I have contact with knows the Lord. I want to be a prayer warrior and to be bold in my faith.

My Idea of IKEA

2011-01-31T10:16:00.006-05:00

We are just about finished updating our bedroom and it is all things IKEA. I get happy just going to IKEA to get ideas, smell the cinnamon buns wafting through the whole store, and most importantly to get Swedish Meatballs, yum, how I love them. It’s a delicious plate of adorable meatballs with just the right amount of sauce, mashed potatoes, and lingonberry sauce, Oh, sorry, I lost my train of thought.
Anyway, 20 years ago we bought our previous bedroom set. You know the Queen Anne cherry kind that we liked back in the day. Since it wasn’t the most expensive furniture it began to, well how do I say this, bug the living daylights out of us. All the wood strips under the drawers stopped holding the drawers, went in uneven, and what you must know, made this horrible screeching noise when you shut the drawers. We have been talking about getting new furniture for a few years, but life gets in the way sometimes. Well, around Christmas, I pulled a drawer out, heard the “noise” and may or may not have lost it. I hurled the drawer to the ground, it kind of broke, so I was not satisfied, so I picked it back up and threw it again, ah success! It broke in several, unrepairable pieces. Good riddance to you, I say. Rich mentioned he hadn’t seen me lose it like that before. He must not remember our first few years of marriage. I loved to slam doors. I have grown out of those things, but I just lost it, OK? Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands.
All that so say, I have found a tranquil space again in our bedroom. We got new Pottery Barn linens, and I will admit there is no substitute for good linens. Oh, so heavenly. It’s just about where I want it to be. A little more touches here and there and I think it will be perfect.

The Most Interesting Man in the World

2010-12-09T08:08:00.002-05:00

In our house this is an ongoing conversation from the commercial that talks about the most interesting man in the world. I think Rich and I may have met him on our flight back home from Florida. An older gentleman sat down next to Rich on the plane and after a few minutes asked us where we were headed. From that point on we had the privilege of learning all about Lynn's interesting life. We literally talked to him the whole 2 hours we were on the flight. He kept saying that he would stop talking and then my sweet husband would ask him another question and that would lead into something else that this completely fascinating man had done over the course of his life. He is a Vietnam vet, and engineer that helped create helicopter radar now being used in Afghanistan, a father of three, a dancer who goes two times a week to dance with Big Band orchestras, a member of the VFW that helps blind people get readers that can help them "see", a collector of penguins, fisherman, and a friend to his "lady friend" in Florida that has gone through a kidney transplant and soon to have a corneal transplant. Could you meet anyone that has had a more full life? He is a genuine person. There aren't too many of those anymore. He thanked us for letting him talk, we felt like we should thank him. He gave us his contact information so that we can call him if we ever get to the Boston area and he will show us a good time. Rich and I came away feeling blessed to have met Lynn and know that he will always be an inspiration to us.

What it means to be a Fan?

2010-10-27T09:30:00.004-04:00

We are getting a first-hand lesson in that this season with UConn. What does it mean to be a fan? Is it complaining and bashing the players and coaches when the season isn't going well? Is it hanging our heads low, tossing our UConn gear aside, not proudly hanging our Husky flag? No, it's supporting the team and coaches through thick and thin. Every team has its peaks and valleys and that's what makes supporting a team exciting. I can only say this on my blog but sometimes its Ok to learn how to be a good loser too. It helps you to work harder, dig deeper, and be humble.

After listening to Coach Edsall's press conference yesterday for the WV game this Friday I am even more convinced that Chad is in the right place, and with the right coach. He mentioned that his first goal is to make the young men on the team the best people and players that he can, it's not ALL about football. He truly leads the team like that. When it's all said and done, those life skills will stick with Chad alot longer than him kicking a football on the field.

I am super proud of our Husky and the great friends Chad has made and character that Chad is developing. So good, bad or ugly, I am the biggest Husky fan there is!

Liesse means bliss in French

2010-10-16T17:49:00.008-04:00

Rich and I just got back from 2 blissful days at a French Country bed and breakfast in Virginia. We enjoyed being together more than either of us expected, laughed, drove scenic roots throughout the Winchester, Leesburg area, experienced a wine tasting, and ate incredible French cuisine. You should know we were skeptical of the French food thinking it would be pretentious but let me tell you, we are now completely appreciate it. We were sad to leave our beautiful room but won't miss the ornamental birds that were in the room that kind of bothered us. I am so thankful for my husband of 25 years and that we still have even more fun now than we did in the beginning.

Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart

2010-09-21T09:25:00.003-04:00

Remember that song? I remember singing it in Sunday School. It occurred to me sort of out of the blue last night that I have received one of the things that I always wished for and it brings me joy down in my heart.
I loved my big brother growing up and used to hang out in his room at night and talk and listen to what he thought on this and that. He looked out for me and I like that feeling. For whatever reason we haven't been so close in our adult years. I have always wished that my kids would be close and have the type of relationship where we can all spend time together and really enjoy it. It occurred to me last night, they really do. They keep in touch, enjoy hanging out together the times they are all in the same place at the same time now. They are supportive, encouraging, and keep each other grounded with the typical stuff siblings say to each other, but there is always the undertone of love and that no matter what we are family. I still pray that as their lives wind and turn, that they will always enjoy spending time together and with us and that they genuinely love each other. What better birthday present can a mom ask for than three great kids that bring me joy in my heart? I am blessed.

Baking Therapy

2010-08-30T11:26:00.005-04:00

I now completely understand why little Italian, Greek, German or any other kind of grandma always want to feed their family. We took Garret to college on Saturday and now I have this irresistible urge to bake pretty much anything. Cupcakes, biscotti anything to make me feel like I am taking care of someone and doing something useful besides sitting here thinking about how all our kids are out in the big wide world. I am actually home today because I can't seem to get a grip. Don't worry, the German in me will cry about it then pull it together and be OK. All these emotions have come as a big surprise. You see, if you had any idea what the last few months have been like with Garret, you would understand. He has been tense, irritable, grumpy and just plain not fun to be around. Rich and I may have said more than once, "It will all be over Aug. 28." I was perfectly fine, not even once feeling sad on Saturday until the very last second when we hugged Garret and said goodbye. It pretty much opened the floodgates. Garret is trying to get used to things there and figure out minor details, but when he calls and sounds frustrated it breaks my heart. He is smart and independent like our two other kids, and I know he will be fine, but this letting go stuff stinks. For now there is always baking, just heard my timer go off, gotta go take another batch out of the oven.

Crossing Over to the Other Side

2010-08-15T16:37:00.003-04:00

It's happening to me. There comes a time when it dawns on you that you are getting older. I had my first realization recently when I purposely put packets of "Splenda" in my purse because sometimes they don't have them in a restaurant when I want them. It was with shame that I reluctantly rummaged through my purse to pull the prized packet out to put in my iced tea. First sign.
Another instance happened when I ordered a cute two-piece pant and hoodie set and then ordered a second one in another color so that I could have them when we are traveling to football games to be comfy in the car. I soon realized that I was describing a "traveling suit". You know the kind older women wear when they go on bus trips, the ones that are pink or some other bright, primary color and have a flower applique or pithy saying on them. I take satisfaction that mine are called "yoga" style pants and are plain with no sayings. but really, how far away is the one I just described?
I'm pretty sure it's all downhill from here, but if I intertwine enough "cool" things into my life maybe I can disguise it a little longer. It's a slippery slope.

Spiritual Summer

2010-08-08T20:32:00.004-04:00

It has been hotter than blazes here this summer, so much so that I may have uttered the words
" I'm looking forward to fall." It's too hot to be outside, humid, and just plain miserable. The grass is brown, and all the plants are withered, and parched. I feel like it has been a long, hot, parched summer in my spiritual life recently also.
Our youth pastor gave a great message this morning about what it means for God to reveal himself to us and about how we need to listen to what He is saying to us. That struck a cord with me. Am I really listening to what God is saying to me? I long for that more than anything for my kids too. I pray that they will have a tender heart to what God wants to do in their lives. It is a very awkward time in our parenthood. Our kids still depend on us for the basics; house, food, clothes, but are also completely adults and independent and eager to make their own decisions, choices, and have their own opinions. The awkward part is that they don't really seek or ask for our opinions anymore. Unsolicited opinions from your parents aren't really welcome, but boy do I have opinions and feelings about what our kids do. So I'm learning to keep my mouth shut, and PRAY! That's the tricky part, sometimes I just feel plain tired and "parched", and "withered". All I can think is that I am so glad God doesn't get that way with me. So here's to the continuing journey of really listening to what God says to me if I will only take the time to stop and allow Him to speak to me.

I ate a bowl of berries

2010-06-29T08:55:00.003-04:00

but smothered them in Hershey's Chocolate Syrup. Boy was it good but probably negated all the benefits of eating fresh fruit. Rich and I are trying to be more healthy, and that probably wasn't the best option. He was diagnosed with dangerously high blood pressure a couple of weeks ago. My mind started wandering thinking of all the bad things that could happen if he didn't get this under control. Nothing like a crazy imagination to make you realize what you have and how you don't want it to change. I cannot even imagine my life without Rich. I depend on him for so many things. He is the "take charge" guy that I need, my security, and my friend. It is like a switch flipped and I am more conscious of telling him I love him before I leave in the morning, and his little quirks don't bug me so much (at least for now). I'm really trying not to be "that" wife that nags him about taking his medicine and eating the right things, but boy is it hard. I would encourage everyone to imagine their life for one minute without someone they love, it's a real way to change your perspective.

What They Don't Know

2010-06-21T10:34:00.004-04:00

I am positive that our kids know they have a great dad, but I don't think they know how great. I am so happy that Rich is the dad that he is. He has a great balance of being a friend when he can be and being the dad when he needs to be. Sure, the kids laugh at certain things he does, but I know that he is the first one they go to when they need something or need to know what to do. He has taught them to work hard, not to expect things to be handed to them, to do what's right, to be respectful, and to enjoy things. Happy Father's Day to our favorite dad.

What's 25 Years Get Ya?

2010-06-15T14:12:00.004-04:00

When we got married on this day 25 years ago I am certain we didn't think that this would be the year that we would be "empty nesters". We are getting a taste of things to come since Garret is at the beach for Senior Week and there really aren't any kids around. We have been sitting at the new table we bought to seat 8, staring at each other, wondering "What now?" But it's all just fine. After this long together, "dead air" is OK. We've earned the right to just not talk and to glance over at each other and feel completely secure knowing we have each other and we are each other's best friend, and we have done good. We were alone for just three short years when we got married before we had the greatest blessing of all and started our family. I think we forget what it's like to just be us. We are excited to find out and to move on to the next chapter of our lives. We will rattle around in the house I'm sure, but are anxiously looking forward to our kids starting their families some day and being a part of their lives. We are deeply blessed.

A Pink Scooter

2010-05-03T08:34:00.003-04:00

Got me thinking, but more on that in a minute. I am so grateful for the wonderful girl friends that are in my life. Each one is so different and add so much to my life.

There's Beth who is so funny, adorably in love with her sweet baby girl Adele, and no surprise that she's in public relations, able to eloquently speak her mind and get her point across perfectly.

Then there's Yonette, my cute Italian girlfriend who loves to cook and who can strike up a conversation with anyone.

Anna makes me laugh every day with her adorable take on life and her witty sense of humor.

Pam is the sister I never had. I have always been a big fan of her creativity, her bottomless caring for everyone she meets, the amazing mom she is, her strength, and her love for life.

Then there is my friend Lauralei who just got a pink scooter and a bright pink helmet with a "Hello Kitty" sticker on the back. You have to know her. (She doesn't read my blog so I am free to say whatever I want about her). She is a matter-of-fact kind of girl, stronger than strong; strong enough to go back to nursing school when she was 40, a mom to 4 boys; with a set of twins thrown in there, big hearted, compassionate, funny, and the thing I have recently discovered; she has an inner frilly girl that is dying to get out. Since she has had all things boys all her life, she decided she wanted a scooter to get to work and that she wanted a pink one. I am in awe of her first because I would be too scared to drive one, then to be so bold to get pink. I love that! She is considering getting a pink leather coat to go with it, and I might spring for a cute scarf that would definitely finish the look. I am so grateful for her friendship, and that in many ways our lives run parallel and we totally "get " each other.

I am blessed by these women in my life and have come to realize that there is nothing like a women's perspective to help me sort things out.

The Cutest Redhead In the World

2010-04-22T09:05:00.012-04:00

Garret is 18! Seems unbelievable, but it's true. I was looking at some of his pictures last night, and these are a few of my favorites. He's pretty cute, right?

Change

2010-04-02T08:58:00.003-04:00

I like things to change now and then. I go through times when I feel restless and want things to be new and exciting. That seems curious to me since I have a fairly unchanging life. I've been married for 25 years, had my job for 9 years, repainted the inside of our house and ended up with the same color completely by accident, but that's a whole other story. But honestly, I'm not too keen on the place that I'm at now. This is the first year we won't all be together at Easter since Chad can't make it home, the first year I'm not hiding Easter baskets for the kids (they officially had enough of that last year). I think I'm a grown up "Tween", you know, in between the time when my kids need me as much in a mom kind of way and the time when I might someday have grand kids and that brings back all those fun times. It's time to move to a new chapter.
I did have some time today to reflect on the best change that ever took place in my life and for this world. On Good Friday thousands of years ago, God was willing to offer His Son as a sacrifice for my sins and change this world and my eternal future. I am deeply grateful that my life changed when I accepted the Lord into my life.

He Can Still Surprise Me

2010-03-19T10:11:00.003-04:00

Rich and I had a date last night. We are fans of the band "Train". Well, I am more than Rich because I have a little crush on Pat Monahan, the lead singer. Not in a weird middle-age kind of way, I don't think. He's just completely adorable, and kind of littleish, and they put on an amazing show, so it's really about the "art". OK, enough defending myself.

Anyway, we planned to go to dinner before the concert, but weren't sure where to go. The concert was in Lancaster and there aren't too many places beside Amish Smorgasbords or chain restaurants to choose from. After much discussion, Rich suggested a Japanese restaurant he has gone to with some clients. I loved this idea. So as Rich turned into a strip mall and I was thinking, "Oh No, he didn't just plan to take me to an average, everyday Chinese restaurant in a strip mall on our date, did he?" He assured me it would be OK. And you know what, it was! It was very upscale and they had delicious sushi and tempura. He did much better than me with the chopsticks, but I was determined to eat with them. He really can still surprise me after almost 25 years.

The best quote from him during the night was when the opening act, Butch Walker, was playing and I said how I thought they were really good, in a country/rock/blues kind of way and he said,"But he has a mustache". To which I just looked at him and said, "OK, really not relevant, but OK."

I am so glad that after all this time, we still can really have fun together, still laugh, sometimes at each other, but always love each other and know we are best friends.

Breakups are Hard

2010-03-17T09:04:00.005-04:00

Recently I have had to breakup with a hairstylist and a friend, both at the same time, and it's not the same person, so it's double the predicament.
Breaking up with my hairstylist only makes sense since Lauren is able to cut hair now. It doesn't make it any easier though. Why do we girls get so conflicted about this? I feel disloyal and feel bad that she will lose a client, but she had to see it coming. She knows Lauren is in cosmetology school. I've mulled this over for months now and decided that I will go see her one last time then it's over. We will have to go our separate ways. I think I might design a greeting card for just this occasion, I could make a fortune.
The second breakup isn't so easy. I recently made an observation about myself. I tend to have friends that suck the life out of me. I guess I finally had the nerve to admit it or I have enough good friends around me now that it became more clear to me. I also felt conflicted about this but realized that we all change, grow, and become different and it's OK to move on from a friendship that isn't really healthy. Friendship is a two-way street and if all the signs change to one-way, it's time to find a new route.

Ten Again

2010-02-17T18:58:00.016-05:00

I just got home from spending a few days alone with my cute parents during their stay in Panama Beach, Florida. It was like being a little girl again. They took care of me and met my every need like when I was small. There were a few times I forgot I am , you know, the age that I am. It's been a long time since I felt like it was so special just that I was spending time with two people.
Mom had my favorite magazines on my bed, wonderful bath soap, and a candle that I could burn, all to make me feel spoiled. Dad never minded trudging multiple times to get the truck in the parking garage and provide valet service for me and mom. I wasn't allowed to pay for any of my meals, even when I tried. I am so blessed to have my parents and to be so loved.
My dad spends part of his days swimming in the indoor pool, and mom loves to be on the patio watching the ocean. They were adorably excited about the Mardis Gras parade that they go to every year. They are cute like that.
No matter how old you get, you are always some one's kid and it's nice to be reminded of that once in a while.

It's harder to "be" than to do.

2010-01-26T08:08:00.004-05:00

Up to this point in my life, the deepest pain I have felt has been on behalf of my kids. Either from a poor decision they have made, or someone has treated them unfairly, or they are disappointed and hurt about something. What do you say to your kid when he has known for the past two years what school he wanted to go to and what major he wants to study and has done all the right things to make that happen, and he still doesn't get accepted into the only school that has the major he wants? What do you say to a kid who seems like he has to work twice as hard at things as other kids to get things? All the things that I know in my head just sound like the teacher on "Charlie Brown".... "Whaat, Whaat, Whaat" when I say it to him. "God has a plan", "Things happen for a reason", etc.
I was feeling pretty empty last night and almost just went to bed, when I saw my devotional "John" from Beth Moore (love her by the way) sitting beside my bed and opened it to the day's study. It was talking about how the disciples were fishing and caught nothing and Jesus told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat and they caught so many they couldn't pull them all into the boat. (John 21:1-7). Beth's point was that the disciples went back to fishing because they didn't know what their next steps should be, so they went back to something familiar, and just did what they knew. It really is harder to just "be" than to do. I am so thankful that God cares about little ol' me in the midst of the sadness in Haiti and all this world that he can speak so clearly to me when I need it most through His Word. I am praying that God will refine Garret and help him just "be" right now and show him what to "do" in His time. That is my deepest desire for my cute boy.

Four Friends on $40 a Day

2010-01-25T10:05:00.002-05:00

That's our new spin for a TV show that we want to host. We spent Saturday night with our fun friends Scott and Lauralee eating at Pizza Hut where they have any size, any kind of pizza for $10 then went to the "cheap" movie theatre where we saw a movie for $4 each and got popcorn, Raisinets, and a drink for $7, yes $7! We felt like we stepped into an alternate universe where things cost what they did 25 years ago. OK, the theatre left a little to be desired but once the lights are out you really can't notice. We then decided we could try to do what Rachel Ray does with her show "$40 a Day" and find ways for four friends to travel around and eat and do fun things for the same. How fun would it be with our favorite two people and get paid to travel together? It is really about being with friends we are so thankful for and blessed to have. God has provided a wonderful friendship between all four of us that doesn't happen but maybe once in a lifetime.

What if I had a Greek Grandma?

2010-01-19T22:37:00.004-05:00

I had two grandmothers that could not have been more polar opposites. Grandma Duffy (her last name was MacDuffee) thought I could do no wrong. I would spend weeks there during the summer and she would let me play in her makeup, dress up in her clothes and shoes, and never once said I couldn't touch something. She let me eat all the Captain Crunch cereal I wanted, and stay up way too late watching old black and white Dracula movies. She even had one of those exercise contraptions that had the big band you put around your waist and turned on to shimmy and shake you until you firmed up, you know what I mean? I'm sure it wasn't safe, but she just couldn't tell me "no". There was always a visit to Burger King at every trip just to get one of those cardboard crowns. She was always well manicured, her hair was beautiful and her skin was the smoothest I have ever seen even in her last days. Everyone needs someone who is your biggest fan, and she was that for me when I was growing up. I was glad when God mercifully took her from her suffering from emphysema, she deserved to be at peace. She taught me so much, but cooking and baking were not things she taught me.
I also had Mom Mom (pronounced Mum Mum to us), my dad's mother. She was a stoic German woman who came to America to escape Germany and I am sure she experienced horrors I can't even imagine. I used to love going to her house too. I think we always had an unspoken understanding. Even as a small child I knew that under all that "German" there was a heart of gold that loved me more than anything. I always had this desire to do something for her when I was around her because it seemed like she may have never had anyone to take care of her. My favorite memory of her is when she laughed. It always made me happy. It was a deep, from the belly laugh. She was an amazing cook and baker. She was as frugal as you would expect, and we still laugh about her turning the grapefruit inside out and making us eat the rind, so that we didn't waste anything. I'm pretty sure she used to put wine in my ginger ale too, just so I would take a good nap after Sunday dinner. God mercifully took her too. She never taught me how to cook or bake either.
We were at the Strip in Pittsburgh this weekend and I bought some baklava from an adorable Greek woman and it got me thinking about what it would have been like to have a Greek grandma. Now that is a grandma that would teach me to cook and bake like no one's business. I imagine that they start when you are young with including the young girls in making all the phyllo dough, delicious fillings for all the pastries, and just the experience of a close knit heritage like that. Heck you even get to throw plates and break them at some point, right? I bet there are some Greek women my age that would have loved it if they had had my grandmas. I have special memories. I thank them both for that.

Shape Ups

2010-01-08T12:10:00.003-05:00

Have you see them? Skechers Shape Ups? Let me say, no matter what they might do for my posterior region, I would NEVER be caught dead in these. They look like orthopedic shoes and a major fashion faux pas. They keep playing the commercials for them and I just can't take it serious. They say "Make the most of your walking work-out with the Skechers Shape-Ups. Shape-Ups are designed to improve your life by changing the way you walk." If I am so desperate that I need these shoes to improve my life, that's just plain sad. Well I'm off to find some other socially acceptable way to work out.

Unbalanced

2009-12-27T09:26:00.003-05:00

We spend a lot of time watching ESPN and talking about sports in our house. Allow me to step up onto my soap box for a moment and share my opinion about what I think is an unbalanced advantage that some players have over a kid from an average white family in the suburbs with parents who are married and who have a pretty normal home life. Most stories make a big deal about how this or that kid who comes from a rough neighborhood and who's only hope of making something of them self is through athletics to avoid certain gang-related death or prison. I am as big a fan as the next person of the movie "Blind Side" and thought it was truly inspirational.
How about a story about how a bunch of kids who played soccer together in elementary school wanted to try football because there is such a well run midget football program in their area. How this program has produced some amazing college athletes and NFL players, how these kids have formed life-long friendships, and how those coaches still care very much about these kids and the new kids that go through the program.
My problem comes from the fact that no one acknowledges, sometimes not even on their own team, that the average white kid from a loving, supportive home has to work just as hard, sometimes even harder, to gain an athletic opportunity. The world's perception of this kind of kid is that they have it all already. It is an amazing opportunity for any kid to get to play a sport they love and gain an education but is a lot of very, very hard work and dedication. Yes they get many advantages but also have to make the right choices and remain focused. Every kid who makes it to college-level sports has a story that took all the years leading up to college to unfold. Guess that doesn't make for enough "wow" factor. I support more balanced reporting.

First Annual Christmas Cookie Bakingpaloo

2009-12-12T20:46:00.007-05:00

Yes, I know you would think that it would be "BakingpalooZA". But I must confess we didn't earn the "ZA" on the end, maybe next year. You see, I had visions of plates and plates of assorted cookies all beautifully baked and decorated after our first annual cookie bakingpalooza, but it wasn't to be. I arrived at mom's at 10:30, a little sad that I didn't have a cute apron to wear, and my cute mom greeted me at the door holding one and had one for both me and Lauren. So, it was off to a good start. Then Lauren arrived, and put her apron on WRONG! How can you put an apron on wrong.... but being the rookie cookie baker she is, we will let it slide. After a good laugh, we got busy making peanut blossoms. OK, one down. Next we started our cream cheese cutout cookies that require refrigerating the dough and placing colored crushed candies into intricate little spaces on each cookie. I think out of the 4 dozen we ended up with, 3 whole cookies turned out good enough to actually give away..... that is ALL we got accomplished today. We were exhausted after these two batches, and called it quits. I will not be discouraged though. Although the thought crossed my mind that this is why all the customers used to come into my dad's then our bakery to buy their cookies. I have visions of my mom, Lauren, my cute grand kids, all decked out in Christmas aprons, baking cookies every year in my picture-perfect kitchen. So here's to achieving the whole "Bakingpalooza" next year.

Just as You Are

2009-12-07T16:30:00.002-05:00

We had a busy, exhausting, freezing, weekend in CT watching the Huskies beat South Florida with a last-minute field goal I might add. Yeah for kickers! We had the opportunity to take Erin, Chad's significant other, with us to surprise him. It was fun plotting and planning all week to make it happen. He had NO idea. It was so fun to see his face when he realized she was there when before the game we were trying to get his attention at the end of the field that he was warming up on and where the mega tron is. The camera tech saw us trying to get Chad's attention so that he could see Erin and he put her up on the mega tron as Chad was kicking towards it..... it was pretty adorable. It is fun to see him happy and how sweet and caring he is towards her.
I am determined to be supportive and accepting of whoever my kids care about. I had a great example in Rich's family. I always felt like they accepted me from the moment I met them. Mom was a great example to me. Boys are special to moms and it isn't always easy to see them caring so deeply about someone else. I don't ever want to be "that kind of mother" and have that tension. So far so good.

I Got Nothin'

2009-11-30T14:59:00.002-05:00

Rich asked me why I haven't blogged for awhile. That is my answer. Nothing seems interesting enough to share. Life is about peaks and valleys, right? I feel more interesting when I am on a peak. Life is good and I do have some belated thanks for my family, cozy home, my boy who is away from me only because of football and not because he is in the military far, far away in a dangerous part of the world, a dog that is my best friend when I am home alone, and dark chocolate, definitely dark chocolate.

Should I Care?

2009-10-22T10:55:00.004-04:00

Have you ever known that a person really doesn't care for you and you have absolutely no idea why and know for certain that they have no basis for any of their feelings simply because you have never had a personal conversation with them? Their opinions can only be measured by something that they have heard from second-hand knowledge. It feels unfair. I am really only writing this hoping that somehow saying it out loud might make me feel better about being in this situation.

I feel like I have spent a good part of my life not making a good first impression, but seem to turn most people around, eventually. I really try to give most people the benefit if the doubt when I first meet them. They may be shy, unsure of them self, full of pain from something I don't know about, and I would hope that a little compassion could go a long way. I am better able to cope with someone who knows the "real" me and still doesn't like me than someone who has a fabricated opinion and decides they don't like me. Not sure I care, other than the fact that I am to reflect the Lord and don't want to be a poor reflection of Him.

These are my deep thoughts for the day and a reminder not to jump to judgements about others before you really know who they are.

Three Hours for Fifteen Minutes

2009-10-11T16:18:00.009-04:00

My cute parents, me, and Rich made the three hour trip to see UConn play Pitt on Saturday. We had a fun time before the game at The Strip in Pittsburgh and a had a great lunch at Primanti Brothers. Aside from some parking issues before the game and a heartbreaking loss by a field goal, we enjoyed a beautiful fall day and just being together. It never ceases to amaze me how we don't mind traveling pretty much any distance just for a chance to see Chad for 15 minutes after every game before he has to fly home to school. The actual game is just a bonus. We laugh because right now while Chad is not playing, we really only care about getting there before the games start just to see him warm up.
$15 for PA Turnkpike tolls
$24 lunch at Primanti Brothers
$10 for parking at the stadium
$12 for a stadium drink and hot dog
Seeing your boy for 15 minutes after the game... Priceless.

Wish I did.....

2009-10-05T15:33:00.005-04:00

anything but what I do. I know, sounds so ungrateful, but I'm just throwing it out there. I went to see the movie "Julie and Julia" last night and I so could relate to Julie's feelings of being lost in her job. She and Julia Childs found a way to make what they always dreamed of happen. I want to be them. Most times I feel like I have wasted my time doing a job that feels unfulfilling and meaningless in hopes that it is for the best interest of my kids. I'm no martyr, believe me, I whine about it all the time. I feel conflicted a lot of the time wondering what God's take on that is; not the whining part, I know the answer to that! I am extremely grateful just to have a job, don't get me wrong, and I work with some of the most amazing people you could ever meet, it's just not my "calling". I need to go on and find that.
If I can't find that "calling" I would want to be a bear. God has a perfect plan for their life. They get to eat as much as they want in the fall, gain hundreds of pounds, go to sleep and skip the worst time of the year, wake up skinny. Brilliant! I think I'll ask God why that wasn't an option for me when I get to heaven.

Family

2009-09-23T15:19:00.006-04:00

Some families have it right. They live close enough to be involved in each other's lives and share day-to-day things. I know that can go all kinds of bad, but most of the time it really is wonderful. We just got back from Texas where we spent time with my bother and Rich's sister. How sweet it is to reconnect and realize there is nothing like family.

Cattle Call

2009-08-10T08:36:00.002-04:00

Rich and I were at the grocery store yesterday to get a few things and something that happened made me think that we really aren't that different from your average farm animal. There was a display of fresh, local corn that the produce workers were refilling and there were swarms of people snapping it up faster than they could put it in, and I swear in the distance I could here mooing just like cows when they are at the trough. It was a little humiliating to see humans act that way. I'm not sure if I missed the memo that this will be the last of the tender, sweet kernels of corn for the season, but you would have thought so. Rich, being the fearless provider that he is, got right in there and shoved a few people out of the way to secure our 5 ears of delicious corn.

I have also observed something about my personality that at some point, along with a laundry list of other things, want to have analyzed. In situations like that, even if it is something that I was determined to have, when there is a mad dash for something, like say corn, a cute dress, etc., I find that I want the opposite of that thing when I see people pushing, shoving, rushing to get it. It feels too humiliating to want something that bad. I'll get that looked into sometime soon.

The Mom Voice

2009-08-06T09:52:00.002-04:00

My friend Beth welcomed their cute baby girl Adele into this world yesterday. It has been fun and exciting to watch Beth through her pregnancy realizing that she was about to experience what every mom knows, but can't explain until it happens; deepest love and adoration for the new little person that is about to rock your world. When Beth called to tell us the happy news, she had it, "The Mom Voice". That voice that has confidence, protection, love, and eternal unconditional love the second you lay eyes on your new baby. Baby Adele has a great example in her mom, one that is smart, funny, adorably opinionated, honest, and super gifted in making beautiful cards, and a home that is cozy. I cannot wait to meet her and buy all kinds of cute shoes to put on her cute feet.

Lauren is 21!

2009-07-29T16:47:00.005-04:00

It was a similar day then as it is now, muggy and stormy outside, and I remember looking at Lauren when they brought her to me that first night in the hospital, with a thunder storm in the distance, and lightning flashing in the sky, and thinking that this is what I always saw myself being, a mom, and how excited I was to begin this journey. Haven't done it perfect, but so glad I did! I can't believe our adorable 9 lb., 1 oz. , red hair girl is 21! Lauren has always been so smart, hard working, hair coloring- many colors, even purple-lover of the underdog, funny, strong- willed, best big sister ever, and aside from a few times, a joy to have around. I have always told her to use her powers for good and she is really doing that. I am proud of my cute girl, and am so thankful for her.

Hydration is Overrated

2009-07-23T16:01:00.005-04:00

I have been trying to drink more water, a lot more. You know, for all the health benefits they proclaim. To decrease wrinkles, haven't seen any improvement in that area; to make me feel more alert in the afternoon, definitely seen NO improvement in that area! I spend a good part of my day in the restroom, and have even started getting up at night if I dare drink anything after 7 p.m. I either have the bladder the size of a pea, of a crazy overactive one. Drinking all this water is part of a new "kick" as Rich calls it of getting healthier. I am tired of being smooshy. I've exercised 6 days a week for 2 weeks and have seen no significant weight loss, and I am positive it's because I'm retaining all the water I've been drinking!

Esther Rocked!

2009-07-19T18:51:00.004-04:00

I am doing a mini Bible study on Esther. Ever since I was a little girl in Sunday School I have had a fascination for Esther; she's my favorite Bible character. I remember getting a series of "learn to read" Bible story books and as plain-as-day, I can see the front cover of the Esther one. It had a glossy cover with a cartoon picture of Queen Esther with her crown on, and even in cartoon she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. My love for this story is partly because the books in Esther read like a novel; beginning, dramatic middle, happy ending. It reads in fluid language and just simply tells her story. I'm no scholar, so I'm sure I appreciate the simplicity.
I love that she came from a simple, probably sad background, since both her parents had died and she was living with her cousin. She probably felt like no one special, but must have been a knows-what's-right kind of gal, and when asked to step by step carry out a plan to save her people, never wavered. She was willing to be herself, willing to let her inner and outer beauty shine through without a lot of adorning to capture the attention of the King. She lived her faith even if it meant she would lose her own life. Most times my life seems pretty insignificant and I'm sure I won't be saving my people, whoever they are, from extermination any time soon, but I do hope that God will be able to use my life in a way that makes it possible for others to know that I lived my faith too.

Amish "Stress Me Out" Bread

2009-07-12T17:17:00.003-04:00

My cute neighbor Barb gave me a starter of Amish "Friendship" Bread last week. My theory about this bread is that Naomi Ebersole and Rebeccah Stoltzfus were neighboring Amish women who for some reason had a falling out. So Naomi decided she'd get Rebeccah back by coming up with this "Friendship" Bread recipe that Rebeccah had to keep track of for 9-10 days, adding different ingredients at varying days, all the while not refrigerating it; which seems all kinds of wrong seeing as how there is milk in it. She then made up this recipe that you separate into 4 starter bags of dough and try to find four "friends" that you can share it with. You know Naomi knew that Rebeccah would no longer have any friends once they realized what they had to do to keep this "friendship" bread going. I am also certain Rebeccah was equally stressed by the fact that after all that adding, separating, and sharing, when she actually went to make HER loaf of this bread, she didn't have half of the ingredients she needed and is now wondering if she can wait until day 11 to get the rest of what is needed before something goes completely wrong with her starter dough.
Anyone want some Amish Friendship Bread?

Real Time

2009-07-07T10:53:00.002-04:00

How does Garret arrive in Bermuda before Rich even gets home from the airport?
How does a package I sent to Chad in Connecticut at 2 p.m. on Monday arrive there by 10:30 a.m. the next day?
How does a whole little person, with really, really cute feet I'm sure, grow in my friend Beth's belly in only 9 months?
How is it that I am this age and been married this long and it feels like no time at all.
These are things that make me wonder.....where does time go?

These will definitely help!

2009-06-26T15:01:00.005-04:00

I was scurrying around at lunch today getting a few last minute things for Chad to take to school, and in the drug store, what did I see? The perfect prescription for a mom who's boy is leaving for college tomorrow! Coconut M&Ms! I love all things coconut, chocolaty and delicious. What a brilliant idea. I may or may not buy a plentiful supply of these to ease my sorrow.

Seriously, I have felt lifted up by prayers of my dear friends, family, and sweet sister-in-law who tells me that say, in two years, I will be just fine; she is just now feeling ok about Tate being gone. I am ready for a "new normal" and feel like I can face this with excitement for Chad, some one-on-one time with Garret before he goes down this road next year, and a chance to find out what Rich and I have in common again, besides three kids that we love more than anything.

Coconut M&Ms, life is good!

Who Knew?

2009-06-15T18:37:00.007-04:00

Twenty four years. Sounds like forever, but boy has it gone fast. Rich and I are celebrating our anniversary today. We have accomplished a lot in those years. Almost raised three kids, moved four times, two times across country; once when I was 8 months pregnant, gone through too many cars to count, gone through the big hair thing, laughed, cried, gotten snarky, made up, and here we are, and never once doubted that Rich and I are supposed to be together. We have changed a lot; but always know we have each other. When we had Rich's 39th surprise party, I wrote and framed some things I love about him, I looked at them again, and still feel just the same.

I love.....
That he calls me everyday just to say "hi".
That he always wishes he ordered what I did at a restaurant.
When he plays "air guitar".
That after all this time he still thinks that I'm pretty.
That he still gets excited about little things.
That he is always nice to everyone.
That he has so many interests.
That we have already spent half of our lives together and I am still looking forward to the second half.
That he likes Kitty even though he isn't a "cat person".
That he always makes me laugh.
That he always thanks me for making a meal.
The he never gives up.
That he seems to be able to fix anything.( Except the crack in the wall, sorry honey...)
That he is mine.

The Grad

2009-06-12T08:48:00.004-04:00

It's signed, sealed, and delivered. My boy is an official high school graduate. We had a great time with family celebrating Chad. That's the good thing about celebrations like these, you get to spend time with family and set time aside to be together. He's off to the beach for a week of well deserved time with friends before he begins his new chapter at UCONN.

Off to Change the World

2009-06-02T14:34:00.002-04:00

It's finally here. The day I have been in deep denial about all year. I get teary every time I think of it, and try to be brave, but all I can think about is how much I will miss Chad and how much his life is going to change in a few short weeks.
How did he go from being my bouncing in his "Johnny Jump-Up" boy (that I take full credit for why he is now a kicker, thank you very much), light-up shoe soccer player, preschool graduate, hard-working, goal driven boy, ready to go out in this big world and make a difference? I know, this is what is supposed to happen, but are we ever truly prepared? I am genuinely excited for all he is going to experience and know that God will direct his path, I just have to be willing to stay behind and let him find his own way.

Middles

2009-05-25T12:39:00.003-04:00

I think we all have a certain age when we feel like we are officially middle-age. I am staring it right in the eye. I don't think it so much has to do with the age that I am turning this year, which will remain unmentioned, but the way I feel and the things going on in my life right now.
For instance, on Friday night I got pulled over by our local police, which hasn't happened since I was in college, for "failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign" . When the officer came up to my car, he looked like he was about 18, a sure sign you are middle-age when those in authority start looking like kids, right? By the way, he let me go with a warning, and never once called me ma'am, for which I want to nominate him officer of the year!
My middle boy is leaving for college in a few weeks.
My middle is getting wider, which I attribute to perimenopaus, another sure sign of middle-age.
One middle that isn't so bad is that of an Oreo.

Creative Parenting

2009-05-18T11:17:00.003-04:00

Out of all our kids, we have had the most e-mails and phone calls from teachers about Garret (some really good, some not so much). Lauren chose to do her questionable activities outside of school, Chad just does what he is supposed to, but Garret, he' s another story. On the same day as he received his National Honor Society packet, we got an e-mail from a teacher and a letter in the mail from school outlining his detention. Ironic, right? Granted, detention is for using his cell phone in school (second offense), could be worse, but the e-mail was from his teacher in his Foods class (I mean really, can't he just behave in a no-brainer class like that?) outlining his juvenile activities that are disrupting class. So Rich had a long talk with him, explaining that every school year we have this conversation. I was out for the evening of this conversation so Rich reserved the right to discuss the punishment with me. Grounding seemed the only logical choice, so we brought this up with Garret. He said that grounding really wasn't effective, he had already apologized to the teacher, and felt bad about what he had done (not sure he felt bad enough, but that's just me). So Rich must have been channeled by his dad, and came up with a pure Dick Christen moment! Garret has to be at school every morning this week at 7 a.m. for a 30-minute detention before school, so Rich said the best thing to help Garret think about what he had done was to get up at 6 a.m. every day while he has detention and look up verses in the Bible that have to do with obedience and obeying authority. I couldn't say it at the moment we were talking to Garret, but I was in awe of Rich's brilliance! Once in awhile he gets it exactly right, this is one of those times.

Are We Really Surprised?

2009-05-15T11:49:00.003-04:00

I have had about enough of the stories about the goings on of Jon and Kate Gosselin from "Jon and Kate Plus 8". They are pretty high focus around here since they lived in Lancaster until they recently moved to a new million dollar home. Didn't we see this coming the last few years with them getting plastic surgery, teeth whitened, spa days, personal trainers, personal chefs, free trips, the list goes on and on. If you are willing to put your life out there for all to watch, and trade off for the perks that the average person raising 8 kids can't afford, I think it would tend to make you feel like you don't need to depend on your significant other when you have so many others tending to your every need. I have no idea if any of what is being said is true, and don't really care, but what they claim is all for the sake of having the lives of their kids documented, I think it is a pretty big trade off. Real life is about going through struggles, sadness, disappointments, happiness, joy, and simple pleasures, in the privacy of your own world, with the ones who mean the most to you, not with a few million people watching and judging your every move. So no, not really surprised at all.

Prom 2009

2009-05-10T20:04:00.009-04:00

Here's some pictures of Chad and Garret's prom this weekend.

What Doesn't Belong?

2009-05-09T18:00:00.002-04:00

Saturday Matinee, Estee Lauder Youth Dew, Menthol, Metropolitan Opera, and Me? I had my first opera experience today courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera's Live HD program. Check it out here http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/broadcast/hd_events_next.aspx. I purchased tickets for my mom for Christmas, and today was the day. You visit your local movie theatre and watch a live opera streamed from the for real Met in NYC! It is a behind-the-scenes look and a close-up view of a live opera. Do it if you can, it was great and I'm sure I'll do it again. Yes, the majority of the audience was in the 70ish age range, but I'm thinking it takes most of us that long to realize what wonderful entertainment an opera provides. I saw a specific elderly couple going into the theatre dressed in their Sunday best, holding hands, with big smiles on their face. I am hoping I can convince Rich to go with me someday, but it may take until he's that old!

If I Could Do Anything for a Day...

2009-05-07T08:49:00.003-04:00

My friends and I recently had this discussion and I have come up with what I would do. I would want to work on a story at ESPN's show E:60. I find myself watching this more and more, even when the boys aren't around the house. It is a behind-the-scenes look at sports stories, sprinkled with a little investigative reporting related to sports. I have become a fan of the format, and appreciate that they have two female reporters that are extremely knowledgeable about sports without seeming like they are trying to prove anything.
The story I would do is why Congress feels the need to get involved with the NCAA football playoffs. Just because a certain President may have mentioned that the system may need to be changed, Congress jumped right on that. There are enough problems in this world like the economy, and H1N1 virus, just to name a few, that they should be busy enough.
Chad' s goal is to someday do an internship at ESPN, I hope he gets a chance to work with E:60, I could live vicariously through him.

Adendum to Spring Things

2009-05-04T08:55:00.002-04:00

In reference to my joy of Woody the Woodpecker knocking on the trees around our house, well I wish to rescind that motion. Not Woody, but an adorable Downy Woodpecker, spent the entire, and I mean entire weekend, pecking on a tree right beside our house. The persistent knocking, for hours on end, has made me a little cranky. This is one determined woodpecker. I'm not sure if he is trying to peck into a tree to make a new home, or if he is finding bugs, but for the love of man, he has to stop. I am thankful for God's creatures, but am hoping that this guy finds another tree to call home.

Spring Things

2009-04-29T08:20:00.003-04:00

I love the sound of kids playing and laughing outside.

The smell of neighbors grilling their dinner.

The sound of lawn mowers.

Robins chirping.

Open toe shoes!

The blooming wisteria at the entrance of Messiah's campus.

The smell of blooming lilacs.

The beautiful Dogwood tree blossoms.

The sound of the Pileated Woodpecker (Woody, as I affectionately call him) knocking on the trees around our house.

The warm sun, finally!

Stepping Out of the Shadow

2009-04-22T08:22:00.006-04:00

Garret is 17 today! I just cannot believe it. I am so excited for this year for him. He has so many abilities and interests and I think it will be a good thing that Chad is moving on to the next step of College so that Garret will have a year of making his own mark on things. He has so graciously lived in Chad's shadow, especially at school, so I think this will be a great year for him. He doesn't realize it now, but working hard for all these things will serve him well. He knows how to deal with disappointments, and how to work for what he wants. I am so proud of my cute red hair boy. We celebrated Sunday with my parents and had his favorite German meal, sauerbraten, spaetzle, and fruit trifle (this isn't so German, but who's counting).

Healthy, Schmealthy

2009-04-21T13:40:00.003-04:00

I know, two posts in one day, but I just tried this new V8 Garden Broccoli soup for lunch. Um, yuck! My personal review of this soup, yuck! Thick, green, albeit healthy, not for me. Now I can sit here the rest of the afternoon, wishing for something delicious for lunch.

A Dog's Life

2009-04-21T09:59:00.012-04:00

Tucker makes us laugh, a lot. He spends most of his time sleeping, as any Coonhound should, but also spends a lot of time staring at food he wishes he could eat. He never jumps up to get anything on the counter, but will stare at it all day long hoping that a handout will come his way. Here are some pictures of the day in the life of Tucker.

Mercy

2009-04-14T09:59:00.004-04:00

My Aunt Janie, my mom's sister, lives in Murfreesboro, TN. with my uncle, and as you may have heard, had the frightening experience of living through a tornado this past weekend. I cannot even imagine experiencing this, but even more so, since my aunt is blind. I turned on the news and heard reports of the devastation in Murfreesboro and immediately called my mom. I'm not sure what is a more helpless feeling than not knowing if your loved one is OK in a situation like that. Mom fell to pieces. I think even more so because she has a deep burden for Aunt Janie to come to know the Lord. My mom and aunt went through some unimaginable hardships growing up, and sometimes I think my aunt must question if there is a God that could have allowed her to go through some of those things and the fact that she has been blind her entire life. She must question the justice. She is not willing to listen to anything that has to do with God.
God did show his mercy by sparing them and their house. Houses in front and behind theirs were destroyed. One person actually witnessed the tornado jumping over their house. My mom was never so glad to hear my aunt's voice. She was shaken up and very upset that they weren't expected to have electric restored for up to four days, but was OK. God sent kind people to check on them and provided a generator so that they could have some power for the necessities.
The night before this happened my mom and I were actually talking about how burdened she is for my aunt. My mom said she wants Aunt Janie to walk with her in heaven. There is a reason God showed his mercy to my aunt and uncle through this.

Occupational Hazard

2009-04-09T08:14:00.002-04:00

This is a picture of just some of the shoes Chad has. He works at Foot Locker and I guess since he is someone that loves sneakers, it is natural he has a few. I fear I have somehow given him this fascination with shoes. I may or may not have more shoes than I wear, and I loved getting cute shoes for the kids when they were little. We are a little concerned for where he thinks he is going to put all these shoes when he goes to school. He might scare his room mate if he shows up with this many shoes. I don't think he is finished buying more either.

Ashtanga Doga

2009-04-06T15:24:00.003-04:00

My friend Yonette and I tried a 3-hour yoga class a couple weeks ago and it was "enlightening" and helpful, minus the chanting and mantra. I see it's value for stretching and flexibility. I so should do some sort of downward dog thing everyday. And speaking of dogs, there are Doga classes available for you to do with man's best friend. Ok, I love Tucker as much as is humanly possible, but really, I could NEVER even imagine him finding his center long enough to stop eating socks and getting toilet paper off of the roll and streaming it through the house. Instructor Kari Harendorf says "We're going to Om, but I want you to actually Om towards the dog," in front of a yoga class for dogs and their owners. "Inhale, Ommmm, Ommmm," she continued. I'm sure Tucker would think I was completely out of my mind if I were to Om towards him. For a clever and funny take on Doga, see this Youtube video, http://uk.video.yahoo.com/watch/696530/3131599. Is it pronounced Dog-a or like Yoga, but with a D? If they want to come up with this new word, they should explain how to say it at the very least.

Grandpa Knight Lives On

2009-04-03T08:04:00.004-04:00

I remember being a shy 20 year-old and meeting Grandpa Knight, Rich's grandfather, and how special he made me feel. I'm sure he made everyone feel that way, but at that time of my life, it meant so much to me. He was one of a kind, for sure. He made us laugh with the funny things he said and did. There will be stories in our family forever, I'm sure. The other interesting thing about him is that he was a legend with Prudential Insurance. He sold insurance most of his career and made a huge impact by being diligent, honest, and hard working. Well, his grandson, Rich, inherited that same spirit.

I'm sure that Rich would have liked his career to have taken another path, but sales is what he has ended up doing, and he is very, very good at it. He has had a rough couple of months with his largest account that he has nurtured and cared for for 18 years. He mainly deals with purchasers with what he does, and this company has seen a few come and go. The most recent one, that he had a great personal and professional relationship with, actually quit and walked out while Rich was there on his weekly sales call. So there is always the big question of who will replace the old contact. Well, things went all kinds of bad when Rich started working with the new purchaser at this account. He accused Rich of gouging prices, using lesser product to make a profit, among other things. I was so amazed at how well Rich has handled this. He has bent over backwards to do the right thing, he has been professional, and up front. I knew if he kept at it, he would prove himself. Yesterday he got a phone call from this purchaser telling him that he is the best vendor he has worked with in 30 years of being in this business and how much he appreciated Rich's honesty, hard work, and not taking his business for granted. We all know Rich can fudge his way through a story better than anyone, but when it comes to what really matters, he is a man of deep integrity and honesty. I love that about him. He will someday be a legend like Grandpa Knight was, I have no doubt.

How Could They?

2009-03-30T15:00:00.006-04:00

I made these adorable chick cupcakes again this year, as I mentioned last year this may be a new tradition for me, and brought some into work. I was just in the break room and in the tray with these guys looking up at me was a large, long KNIFE! How could someone even begin to think of, you know, cutting one in half just to make themselves feel better about not eating a whole one? I personally can't bring myself to eat one, I think I've mentioned I can't eat things with eyes looking back at me. My friend Beth says to "back into it", I might be able to do that, but I'm still not sure.

I am having issues today, I think, because my new favorite show is Planet Earth which has returned to the Discovery Channel after a few years, and there were some realities of nature on the show last night that may or may not have involved baby geese being dinner for an Arctic Fox. I can't shake the thought of that.