Will I Stay or Will I Go?

I was checking the national headlines today and came across this story about Starbucks increasing it pricing about 9 cents.

Click Here for video story

So now the question out there is, Will folks still grab that seemingly addictive and unmatched cup of joe while paying nine cents more for it??

I'm no expert, but I don't think it will stop anyone, including my once weekly allotted Vanilla Latte. I'll add nine cents to the weekly budget. Start digging in the couch for change, raiding my kids piggy bank, anything to get that Starbucks!!!!!!!!!!

Four Eye Are Better Than Two

We learned recently that Drew would need glasses. The vision in his left eye was surprisingly poor. Dan and I felt pretty bad that we never noticed any signs of this. Drew never indicated to us that he had problems seeing, so when the Dr. said that his left eye was close to "legally blind" I thought Dan was going to cry. (sorry, Hon)

You see, this was Dan at age 6, with his first pair of glasses: Cute, right?



And here is Drew today with his new specs.

Any bets on how long this first pair will last?

Woe is me!

Ever have one of those days?

When nothing particularly tragic happens, just something unexpected and highly annoying.
That was my yesterday.

I was happily planning my day---a little blogging, a little cleaning, a little coffee sipping when suddenly Chase exclaimed, "Mom, the carpet's wet down here!"

What I discovered was once again the lift pump in the mechanical room of our basement malfunctioned. Water (gray/black water, for you campers) was spraying EVERYWHERE each time the pump tried to do its job. The result was wet floor, wet carpet, wet padding, wet toys, & nasty soaked cardboard boxes.

I immediately called my fabulous father-in-law who saved the day, and solved part one of the problem---no more pee water spraying about. Have I ever told you how much of a blessing it is to live on "the hill?" Some of you may know what I mean. Not only is Dad D. ready to help me, he also has the beautiful ability to calm me down and put things into perspective when the little things cause me to go a little nutz-0!

Fast forward to today. The basement is slowly drying out, carpet is ripped out, I have purged the playroom of many un-played with toys, and we are hoping that no mildew sets in.

Thank you to Dad, Johnny, & Scotty who helped us out yesterday. I would likely be pacing about in an overly dramatic display of emotional distress if you hadn't come to my rescue!!!

I guess my pity party must come to an end. ;)

Easy does it!

I have been getting so very much flak for my lack of posting.
The following is my list of excuses:

I am busy.

It is summer and I am lazy.

I wait for some type of inspiration before I blog.

I have no soap boxes to climb upon and rant

My kids are still saying hilarious stuff, but not necessarily kosher for blogging.

I have been a little preoccupied with getting fillings, root canals and crowns.



I'll try and put some effort into blogging. But until then here are a few photos I dug up of what we've been up to.

Dan's 40 in Canada

Dewey on the Slip and Slide at sports camp

two tired boys sound asleep

Joy at sports camp, doesn't she look thrilled?

The kids on 4th of July

Chelle and Joy and Payne Lake

Where'd I go?

I have had a lot of "I should blog about this" moments lately, however,

I did not blog about them, and my blog rather blows lately.

What have we been up to?
Staying at the cottage at BWFL, and enjoying time with family on the 4th of July, basically keeping a tight schedule filled with summer activities to keep the Mini-Van, well, you guessed it-- Mega-Fun!!

So for the sake of blogging and not becoming a total dead beat,

I'll give you a topic...talk amongst yourselves...

I need a get rich quick scheme.

Camping. It's a weird thing.

Last week while we camped at the lovely Holland State Park I got to thinking about the act of Camping.

You see I did not grow up participating in this activity. My father wouldn't step foot in a camper, (he probably wouldn't fit). He wouldn't be able to tell you what a "dough boy" was, or a "hobo pie." We spent our summer vacations at the cottage, by the lake with fully functioning toilets.

You can imagine the mockery I sustained when I told my family that I was going camping.
While I was growing up on Payne Lake, my husband was growing up in a tent on a remote Michigan campground and enjoying it to the fullest.

Dan wanted to recreate that kind of fun for our kids. Thanks to a friend with a fabulous camper we set out for family fun.

Here were a few observations I had about camping:

• Campsites are pretty close together. No where else would I want to eat, drink, and sleep that close to perfect strangers. But when you are camping it doesn't seem to matter that I was walking around in my PJs for all the world to see-- at 10am.
  
• Showering. It doesn't seem as necessary as it does at home. Why bother when the shower water just might be lukewarm and you have to push the button every five seconds to keep up a steady stream.
• Meals. Food cooked over an open flame just tastes better in a campground that on the grill at home.
• Exercise. I didn't wake up in the morning thinking that I would climb a sand dune that day. My sons tricked me into it I tell you. I think I may have got more physical activity in that week than I had in a long time. Embarassing, yes.
• The convenience of an indoor potty does not out weigh the gross-ness of emptying out the "black water" at the end of the week. Black water, Gray water, fresh water, who knew? I was such a camping rookie.

We enjoyed the week. So much.

A few Pix from our Camping Vacay.

vintage Mac

Thou Shalt Not Steal

Especially pink Bibles.

Last night we trucked out to Wal-Mart (they are yet to be on my black list, give it time) with one purpose. To buy the kids a kiddy pool so they won't drive me nuts all day begging to go and swim at Grandma's big pool.

While I was browsing the terribly messy clearance aisle Joy spotted a little pink Bible that she just had to have. I told her she may have it, how can you not let your kid get a Bible, right?

As we went to the outdoor check out to pay for the rad pool the boys picked out, Miss Joy neglected to hand her Bible (and a tube of pink princess toothpaste) to the cashier. I didn't realize it until I glanced back at her in the truck on the way home and she was holding tight to that little pink Bible.

What a prize, what prize indeed!

Now I have to go and be a parent a minute and teach her a lesson--and drive back to Wal-Mart to pay for it. Guess how much?

The saga continues

First came the indisputable evidence that a pest had cozied up in my van.

Next was the bread crumbs on the closet floor.

Now we have the lingering odor of a mouse gone on before us.

So stinky, so offensive.
I remember this happening to my parents home time and time again. A mouse dies in the walls or somewhere you can't locate. I also remember my father and Grandpa H. cutting a hole in the drywall to remove the offender(s).

Anyone have a solution to this problem or do we just have to wait out the potent stench?

Why pay more? Only if you have your own pen.

Soap Box Alert.

So I was grocery shopping at my local Meijer the other day filling the cart with random necessities when the most ridiculous thing happened.

I had successfully unloaded and loaded my groceries to and back into my cart. (no baggers at Meijer) I reach into my wallet and decided to write a good old fashioned check to pay my bill. You see, I did not have my debit card on me and I was not willing to charge my groceries.

Here is where the weirdness began.

My purse was ink pen-less and I asked the young cashier to borrow a pen.
This is what he said:

"uhhh, I don't have one." (he stands there and stares back at me)
"yeah, us cashiers are supposed to supply our own pens. People keep stealin' mine and I don't feel like buying them all the time." (Still he has not moved a muscle)

I said, "Well, you're gonna have to find me one if you want me to pay for my stuff, right?"

He said, "uh, OK."

As I am writing out my check, I say to him,
"This just might be the end of me shopping at Meijer."

He says, "You don't like it here?"

"No, I really don't like huge stores." I replied

He says, "Yeah, I hate it here." (He resumes just standing and staring)
He ends with "Uh, here's you receipt"

Employee of the Month he ain't.
It was just annoying on so many levels.

He's still working on me.

Well folks, it has been a busy and emotional week. Blogging took a back burner.

I guess I have been more up in my head than typing at my MacBook this week, thinking about things of greater gravity. Talking with my kiddos about life, death, and the afterlife following the death of my Aunt. It is so inspiring to me as I observe my children working out their faith, their beliefs, and how they describe it all. Kids says some pretty cute stuff. :)

I've been trying to think back to the first time I learned about Jesus, about the first time I asked the really hard questions about life and death. I suppose it was some time during my childhood and it was again most recently as I attended the funeral for my Aunt. When I was young, I thought I would have it all figured out and answered by the time I was a "grown up."

But really, I am still working out my Christianity. Not whether or not I believe in the incarnation, death, and resurrection, for I am persuaded, but rather working on the daily walk. I don't think there will be a moment when I feel I have arrived, spiritually speaking, because life's big circumstances always have a way of bringing me back to my foundation---the Grace of God.

I'm so thankful that this foundation is all I need to spend eternity with Christ, that I don't have to know it all, be perfect, or have all the answers. We are ever thankful that Aunt Patty had this same blessed assurance.

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.

But I know Whom I have believèd,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.

OK, so I love old Hymns. If you do too and want to hear the one above, click here
It's old school church music but it still rings true.

In a New York Minute

I'm not sure what gave us away, maybe it was the camera swinging around my neck, maybe it was when we climbed the subway stairs to the street, immediately looked up atthe skyscrapers and Dan rammed into a local. I think it was because we wore big huge tennis shoes for all the walking and the regular New Yorkers wore just about anything else. We were strangers in a strange land and we loved it.

Our long weekend trip was hosted by two very gracious New Yorkers. Their love and pride of the city was as big as, well, the Big Apple itself. Steve and Dana guided us through different neighborhoods and districts of Manhattan detailing the history, the future, and the people that dwell there. Each neighborhood had its own feel, its own vibe nearly indescribable but powerfully present.

I highly recommend New York as a place everyone should visit if just once in their life. Please continue to lift up Steve, Dana and the kiddos in your prayers. They are on the brink of huge and exciting changes once again. From what I observed it isn't always easy for a family to live in NYC but God is so very much there, I could see it in the beauty of Central Park, feel it on the bus when a man gave up his seat for me, and saw His grace in a little apartment on the Upper West Side.

“Each man reads his own meaning into New York” ---Meyer Berger

Some photos of the trip:

On this day in 1997

Two young, naive, country kids tied the knot.

I remember waking up with a cold sore on my chin and 2 monster zits on my chest. Believe it or not that didn't get me down, for it was my wedding day! We stood before family and friends and pledged ourselves to constant faithfulness and abiding love.

I moved from my parents house to my new married home. Suddenly there was laundry, groceries, and toilets to clean. What delight I took in these tasks initially, but the novelty wore off.

Soon came our first car and full time jobs to pay the bills. It was an exciting time of learning my profession, but the novelty wore off.

Next up was pregnancies, births and becoming a family. Someone I know once said, "Isn't this the best of life--right now?" I agree. We are smack dab in the middle of a balancing act between childrearing, work, home, school and church responsibilities. I can honestly say that even as we reach this 10 year milestone the novelty of family life has not worn off.
I love you, Dan! Thank you for giving me the life I dreamed of as a little girl. God is good, it He that has brought us here.
Happy Anniversary!

AVON--product of the week

Here is another great AVON product!

ProSport Deodorant Wipes

Summer sweat is just around the corner and ProSport wipes are the perfect freshen up between showers.

They are easy to keep in your purse, beach bag for whenever you need them. AVON ProSport Wipes are better then a baby wipe or just re-applying deodorant,
because they actually clean and remove odor.

Contact me, or goto my website to order.

To be a kid again.

This was a great weekend for being a kid.

My children enjoyed a campfire, soccer game, Golf cart rides, Birthday party at the GRCM
Slip and Slide, and numerous freeze-pops. What I noticed about kids again today is that they run everywhere. I wonder if I did the same, did I aimlessly run through the grass, did I pick flowers (weeds) for my mommy, did I realize just how great it was to be a child? Probably not.

Forgive me for sounding like an episode of The Wonder Years. Boy, that show was so great.
Sometimes I think I should sit down and write down as many childhood memories that I can so I don't forget and can tell them to my kids. I also think that my parents should do the same. (Hint, hint)

This morning I checked out my cousin Carl's Blog
Strangely enough, his blog echoed many of my thoughts from this weekend.
His post today highlighted a local story from the GR Press about some neighborhood kids and their homespun Major League Whiffleball team. It is a great article about the simple joys of youth. Check it out, click here, then click Field of Dreams.
Here's to Summer Break! 12 and a half days left of school!!!!

Mouse in the House

I can't sleep, I'm thinking about the evidence of mice I found today in my mudroom closet and in my van. Tonight the internet has been quite informative, maybe too informative.

Tonight I am reading all kinds of horror stories about mice nesting in vehicles, chewing their way through fuel lines, wiring and such. Not to mention the fact that I am now afraid that one is going to rear it's ugly head as I am tooling down the highway!!!!

What to do?
I feel like some kind of disgusting housekeeper, who let one too many crumbs fall to the floor in the minivan (shut up Brad).

Again, what to do?

Another One of My Great Ideas.

This blog has seen many of my epiphanies-- moments of sudden revelation or insight.

To name just a few:

• Laundry--start and finish all it in one day.
• Credit Cards--cut 'em up
• My deliberate decision to drink coffee--and like it.
  
• Becoming an early riser
• Spring cleaning.

I feel like I am always coming up with great plans, new ideas for efficiency and self improvement. Today I came up with a brand spankin new one. It stems from one of my apparent flaws---I hate to meal plan, get groceries, and basically cook or bake. I look at my shopping cart and cupboards full of bounty but don't know what to do next. What irritates me is the stuff that sits in my cupboards for weeks, months, or even longer. Food stuffs that never get used, is old, or just plain does not sound appetizing.

All this leads up to my new plan!

I hereby declare that we will empty our cupboards, purge our frig , and vacate the freezer.
Yes, I know I'll still need to buy a few basics here and there, but it is high time we use what we already have before I mindlessly buy more and more!

Can it be done?
Will I finish the 7 or more boxes of cereal that are half gone?
Will we eat the freezer burned green beans from last summer? (D, you know what I'm talking about.)
Stay tuned.

in our spare time

this is what we do.
take photos of ourselves and laugh.



Thanks for the inspiration Stella!

putting my Mac to good use yet again.

not a pretty sight

Today was the weirdest day. Most of it was spent sleeping and staring into space. In almost ten years of marriage, Dan and I have shared a lot. This time we shared the stomach flu. Both sick at the same time. Picture two grown adults hunched over walking back and forth to the bathroom at regular intervals. Picture our 3 kids running circles around us as we try to get them ready for school. Picture in your mind Dan and I watching King of The Hill at 2:00 in the afternoon. Picture the sticky dishes in the sink that have been there for two days now and Dan's boots still in the driveway from yesterday where he kicked them off in a mad rush to find the toilet. It was a weird day, I am glad it is almost over. I am so thankful for my mother who came over and took Dewey to school and took our little miss jabber box home with her.

Please pray that my mom doesn't catch this nasty little flu.

No Questions Asked?

So my blog has been a tad fluffy lately which is all fine and good but today for no reason but a song I heard on the radio I have a few serious thoughts to share. The song was titled River of Peace. The chorus went like this:

Ours is not to question why,
Ours is just to live and try
To settle for the answer, whatever it might be.
Until we see You face to face in another time and place
Where the river of Your peace runs free.

Really, no questions? Am I taking it too literal-- Do not question God? In the midst of despair and confusion can we not throw our hands up in the air and cry out "Why?" It seems like a tall order to just settle for the answer without doing a bit of wrestling with God, our faith, ourselves.
I suppose this song is saying that in this life we will not always fully understand the answers to our "Why?"questions.

Why does my does my dear sweet aunt have ALS, why are little children taken from their parents at a young age, why does one family continue to suffer and other families never seemingly struggle, why, why, why?

Is it a sign of small faith to question, or a natural response because of human incapacity to know God's ultimate plan? This is what I ponder today. This song reminds me of another fave Hymn.

When peace Like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say,
It is Well, It is Well with my Soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

What you don't know.

I have been tagged again. This time by Laurie, the task is to list 6 things you may not know about me.

That's a toughy. Some of you will know this stuff I'm sure.

1. My early childhood was lived in Hopkins. As this was my maiden name, I told all the kids at my school that my dad owned the town.

2. I have never watched any Star Wars movie, sequel, or episode. Have no idea what they are about.

3. I like to watch 1970s TV, my favorites--All In The Family, Little House on the Prairie

4. Once I awhile, Dan and I want to pack it all up and move to Tennessee.

5. I drive like a senior citizen most of the time. Yeah, that's me that you get stuck behind on the highway in the fast lane.

6. Someday I want to start a home-based business making photo slideshows, movies montages, and the like.

You learn something new everyday.
I tag Triplet Mom, One Day at A Time, and Vink Clan

The moment I knew I was no longer young.

and basically un-cool for that matter.

On a Sunday night I was driving my mini-van
in the parking lot at Target.
I was rockin' out to a hit song
from 1976,
windows rolled all the way down.
A young-ish looking teenager looked at me.
She looked annoyed.
She looked at me like I was some kind of repulsive adult.

Man!

When did you (those of you that are old) realize you were not hip as you thought?

Turn off the TV week

Ok then.

So Chase came home with all excited last Monday night. At school the students were challenged to turn off the TV for the whole week--including the weekend. A good project with the end result being a child's realization that he could exist without his daily dose of the tube.
His ambitious, young mind was filled with ideas of what he could do instead of watch TV. I was ready to support him, until I began to realize how much I depended on a TV show or video here and there to occupy my kids while I completed various tasks. Each hour or so I needed to provide Chase with some type of entertainment. Books, bikes, games, wrestling with Dewey just to name a few.

Some info from TVturnoff.org
What's So Great about TV-Turnoff Week?
Turning off the television gives us a chance to think, read, create, and do. To connect with our families and engage in our communities. To turn off TV and turn on life.

I am proud to say that he accomplished the task. Maybe it was because "everybody's doing it", maybe he did it because of the small chance his name would be chosen in the daily drawing and he could win a calculator---ooooo! Whatever the reason, he showed determination and self discipline. Could you give it up? If just for a week?

Yesterday Chase woke up and asked me, "Am I done yet? Can I watch Arthur?"

My Man in Uniform

Since Dan was so popular as Sonny Crockett
I thought I'd give him one more day in the sun!

He only moonlights as Miami Vice, concrete is his day job.

And we thank you for it.

Family Values

How does one family go from this:



to this:

click photo to enlarge and enjoy

Blogger's Night!!

Another great coffee night with the gals, and once again we closed the place down.

Thanks for the fun, ladies. We missed you Katie!


Special note to "church lady" you get your butt better and come and join us!!

Those two blondes on the left really look like sisters.

We're going to party like it's 1985!!

And that we did.

Last Friday night Dan & I were able to attend a 1980s themed surprise 40th party for our cousin Cheryl.

It was like totally radical.

The surprise factor went off perfectly, and good times were had by family and friends. Thanks to Carl for the excellent par-tay.
Happy 40th Cheryl! Hopefully more photos will surface in the blogosphere soon...click here

My awesome hair and Dan with his sweet ride!

Avon Product of the Week

MOISTURE THERAPY Intensive Body Lotion

Love this Lotion. I only promote products that I use and use over again. This is one of them. It is a great all over body lotion that stays with you. It is perfect for legs, arms, hands. I have a basket under my sink full of lotions that I have tried over the years but this one is my old trusty!!!

Each week as I highlight a different product I will try to also offer free samples of it. Leave a comment if you would like to try one. Visit my website if you would like to order it (or contact me).

Have a fabulous week!

new week, old germs, and birthdays

I had a good streak going, a long winter with narry a cold, but last week I caught it.
Maybe it was while I held Joy with a fever, maybe it was when my niece coughed in my face, maybe it was the shopping cart at Meijer, full of germies that I forgot to obsessively wipe down.

Now I am just waiting for common cold to pack it's bags and walk out the door, but not before returning my voice. I realized just how much I, let's say, raise my voice on any given day. With laryngyitis, I couldn't communicate the way I am used to with my kids. I couldn't talk on the phone, and couldn't stand the sound of my own manly, scratchy sqawking.

There was my whining, here is my rejoicing!

Yesterday Drew turned 5 years old! Back in March Chase reached 7 and Joy, 3.
I can remember the day of their births and every little detail surrounding. What precious gifts!

A few recent photos.

Happy Easter!

The Resurrection Luke 24 1-7

1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'

AVON--Product of the Week

In the effort to boost my AVON business--I use that term loosely---I am going to highlight a little AVON goody each week.

Something I have tried and give my seal of approval.
To my male readers, don't stop reading now, AVON has a bunch of products for men. I will have Dan try them out and give a full report.

Exciting stuff, right? Stay tuned.
To place an order, click the AVON logo at the left side bar, or contact me.


ANEW BEAUTY Age-Transforming Foundation SPF 15
I highly recommend this foundation. It is the perfect consistency with a touch of highlight to give your skin a glow. Seriously!

Dumb and Dumber

This is by far the dumbest argument in the almost 10 years of our marriage.

The setting: 11pm getting ready for bed.
Me: "Hon, how was your show (LOST) tonight?"

Dan: "Good, it's getting so weird"

Me: "I'll probably never watch an episode of that show, just because"

Dan: "yeah, you probably wouldn't get it anyway"

Me: "What?!? Who's smarter here, me or you?

Dan (laughing): "You think you are smarter than me?"

Me: "Well, probably."

Dan "Oh, because I'm just a cement man, you are smarter than me?"

Me: "I didn't say that. I just know more stuff."

Dan (going to bed): "Fine, Hon."

Me: "uhh!"

My Wall of Fame.

The Spring Cleaning Machine came to a screeching halt this week when I discovered 3 large boxes of my children's artwork, craft projects, etc. Society might consider me a pack rat for keeping a good 6 years worth of what comes down to a bunch of paper, glue, and a popsicle stick here and there. What a pickle. Do I toss it? How can I part with the most beautiful art ever created???

Above is a photo of a large cork board in our kitchen/dining area. Just a small sampling of what compounds weekly in our home and there is no end in sight. I have even started doling it out to my parents because they can't say no to it, they have to display it with the utmost pride. Do I recycle it? It still feels like I am throwing it away forever!!!

I guess I just enjoy their little faces when they create something with their own two hands and their big imaginations. Soon enough crayons and glue will be a thing of the past. Until then, don't be surprised if you receive an Chase, Drew, or Joy original.

More on More

Quite awhile back I read an excellent and honest post by one gracious New Yorker. Read it.

What she said lingers with me today. I am in the process of spring cleaning which includes my clothing closet. I look in my closet to find something to wear, and I exclaim

"Bleeccch, I don't like any of this."

Ridiculous, sad, and true. It is slightly dangerous for me to go shopping during the change of seasons. I see all the new fashion out there. I think I need more. More in my closet, more choices, more of the new trends, more, more, more!!!!

Why is discontent so rampant? It is just me? Or would any one of us be able to pinpoint an area of their life where they feel discontented about something they would not want to readily admit. I don't like it that my discontent is so trivial as clothing. It's one of those times where I say, Come on, Chelle these are not real problems. Focus this energy on something worthwhile. I need to realize that God has given me even greater blessings that the clothes on my back.

We can blame advertisers, billboards, and brilliant marketing schemes for fueling our need for more. It is amazingly potent. I can not open my email, watch TV, or drive down the road without being presented with something I think I need. But it comes down to the strength of our hearts, not getting sucked in by all the world has to offer. Don't keep up with the Jones's because it really doesn't matter.

I'll keep telling myself I don't need this :
or this.


Just some thoughts for a Monday.

ok, I fixed it, now you can make comments

on the previous post if you so desire.

This Is the Day That The Lord Has Made!

I'm sure everyone and their brother will be blogging about what a fine early spring day it was today. It really was. I couldn't help but look out my window more than usual today just to watch the grass getting greener by the hour. I suppose it is unusual for March in this great state for temps in the 70s but I'll take it, even if it means a roller coaster weather ride in April. As this Monday went on I noticed a few weird maybe unusual things that happened not common to this time of year.

• I let my children play with the hose, get all wet, just short of getting their swimsuits on.
• We went out for ice cream--Wendy's Frostys--picked up at the Drive-thru and eaten at home.
• I am chosing to sit on the main level of my home which is a 79 degrees and not the basement where it is markedly cooler-- because I'm enjoying the heat.
• I rolled up a hose and weeded a flower bed on March 26!!
• I had BO
• I went out to eat and instead of bringing my cell phone I took my home phone along with me in my purse. Ok, so that happened last week, but how ridiculous. It deserves to be in this list.

What inspired you this lovely day?

The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.
Psalm 104:19

You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!

Galatians 4:10

good times had by all

I was inspired by Tami to do a little slideshow of the family cruise we took in January. These are only a few of the many hundreds of photos we all took, but they are some dandy ones I tell you what. THANK YOU!! Dad and Mom for the spectacular time and the unforgettable memories made!

The Best Day Ever.

I might be overstating it a bit, but last Wednesday ranks pretty high.

Let me give you a little history. My husband works in concrete construction. It is a dirty job. Each and every day Dan comes home with dirt, mud, concrete, oil, etc, all over him. For almost 10 years his work clothes have piled up in the garage until he or I decided to either rid ourselves of them or worst yet--attempt to wash them! In 10 years we have gone through 3 washers and 2 dryers due to the abuse they take from washing his heavily soiled garments.


It has been one of those sore subjects in our marriage that seems to rear it's ugly little head every so often. Once, early in our married life I had had it up to my ears with his disorganized piles of dirty, smelly clothes. As any horrible wife would, I shouted out the threat "If you don't take care of those work clothes I'll throw them out in the front yard! How'd ya like that, huh?" Out in the front yard they went. But Dan being the excellent bluffer that he is, took that threat and raised me on it. It didn't bother him that his clothes were out in the yard, he got up , put on his clothes one leg, one arm, one shoe at a time just like any other day and went on his merry way to work. My plan was foiled.

Fast forward to now and why I am happy as a clam. Last week my dream came true.

wait for it....

Dan has WORK UNIFORMS!!!!!!!. This is exciting on so many levels. No more work laundry! No more piles of old T-shirts from 1998 stacked a mile high. No more bickering!
It was like my birthday! He thought it was his too.

The simple things in life, ya know?

photo coming soon...if he'll let me.
Seriously though, best day ever.

I thank God for the laborous, grueling, dirty work that He has provided, and that Dan is willing to get out there and do it for all of us.

Spring Cleaning?

Without fail, this time of year makes me cringe when I look around at my home. Dirty doors and walls, gooey windows, dusty drawers. It's time to spring clean this place. I procrastinated so long last year that spring cleaning 2006 has now turned into spring cleaning 2007.

So, will I bite the bullet, or will I get out the Murphys soap, and Windex only to finish my complete my mudroom? (that was spring cleaning 2005) The question I have is, do people still spring clean? Is it just a ritual that housewives used to have time for?

Here are the Elements of Clean, some may find it helpful, others may find it unnerving.

Download the PDF "period table of cleaning" It all looks fine and good---


for my mother.

Beauty is in The Eye of the Beholder

I wish this was my eye. I have never thought that my eyelashes were one of my better assets, until I lost a few of them. I didn't realize I was that vain until I cried over the bare spot on my eyelid where lashes once grew strong.

A busy Sunday morning where time was short and nothing was going right was the scene for the lash curling gone wrong. I stuck that lash curler on, pinched it closed. That is when I had what some might call a brain fart. I pulled the curler away from my eye BEFORE I OPENED IT! I actually pulled out my own lashes! I ended up with one eye missing exactly half of it's top lashes and oh so many lashes stuck to the curler.
I screamed out to Dan who did not think it was worth all the emotional drama I was displaying.

Honestly, who does this kind of stuff. Last year at this time I was trimming my eyebrows with a little razor and took out a huge chunk of those too. Yes, they will grow back, but in the mean time I will be purchasing some falsies to see if I can fill the void.

They are just going to kick me right out of the AVON lady business for this one.