A LooK Back - 2011

So, 2011 is coming to a close ... in some ways I say GOOD RIDDANCE!  I'm ready to move on - start over - get into that new year's recommitment to making things better, ever hopeful that 2012 will be THE YEAR that I *finally* get it together!!

My pessimist/realist side says 2011 wasn't such a great year for our family anyway.  But honestly, I have to admit, we've had our health, our family's been together, opportunities have been abundant, experienced so many blessings we've since forgotten, and our bills have been paid, there isn't much I really can complain about.  Sure, we had some challenges in 2011; yes, things went very differently than I ever imagined ... BUT God was SO GOOD to us - even through those challenges and some difficult times. 

I think part of my problem is we were coming off a 2 year "high":  in 2009, soon into the year, we found out we were expecting our unexpected blessing, Miriam -and a wonderful pregnancy followed with me getting to ultimately quit my job after 6+ years to work from home (a dream come true!) and culminating by Miriam's birth in December which was about as perfect as any birth could be. 

2010 we spent cherishing every "first" with Miriam, watching our older kids interact with her, and holding on to each moment because we pretty much know for sure we will never have a newborn in our home again. 

In 2011, reality set back in.  Miriam has been a huge blessing - but a lousy sleeper.  I spent much of the first part of the year happy but exhausted - and then our crazy, unpredictable schedule kept me from getting into a steady routine for naps and such.  Other things happened in 2011 that kind of shook up our world in a more personal way - but in the end, it is all for the best:  GOD IS SO GOOD!! 

And so, I have browsed back over my blog and want to share the highlights of our 2011:

January - I started the year wanting to recommit to GOOD HEALTH:  drinking more water, watching what I eat, etc.  Well, I can just cross 2011 off that list of resolutions and put 2012 up there because I am still working in that!!  I haven't lost the 20 lbs I wanted to lose - and I still have a horrible time drinking water like I should and making good food choices consistently.

February - For the first 14 days, I did a study on I Corinthians chapter 13.  I am no Bible teacher by any means ... and I probably didn't share anything profound - however, I achieved my goal of personalizing those verses for myself and my marriage and in my relationships.  I even had it printed into a little bound booklet for myself!

March - we had Spring Break.  It was part fun, part a working vacation week.  We went to Kansas City on Monday and Tuesday (indoor water park and WWI Memorial/Museum and American Girl doll store) - worked in the church office one day - and then spent Thursday and Friday catching up on errands, dental & eye appointments and other such like. 

April - Recommitted to my Healthy Hausfrau lifestyle - and also executed the infamous "Narnia" DVD giveway - in which I mailed out 30+ Narnia DVDs at my own expense because I am CrAzY like that!!  :-O

May - I got a little crafty - which doesn't happen very often - and made felt flower brooches, a banner for our teachers luncheon (that I don't think anyone noticed because there was an overabundance of FOOD underneath the banner that caught every one's attention first!) and cute marshmallow flower cupcakes.  I worked in the school cafeteria quite a bit, substituting - and we had a field day.  THEN SCHOOL WAS OUT!!!!  I think I was happier than my kids were!!  :)

June - We had our week of "vacation" - if you can call it that!!  The first part of the week we worked at a home school convention for Doorposts.  While I love Doorposts and all they stand for, working for 3 days in a little booth for 7-9 hours/day only to break even financially after hotel & meal expenses was a ONCE IN A LIFE TIME experience, for sure!!  The last part of the week we took an ill-fated trip to Oklahoma for a wedding - which resulted in a flat tire (and buying 4 new tires to replace dry-rotting ones) and losing our vehicle's transmission somewhere in Tulsa ... and abandoning the car with a mechanic we had no idea if we could trust. Again, God was SO good to us - and 3 weeks later, we got our car back at a reasonable price!   Let's just say next year, I plan to vacation in Tahiti ...  ;)  ha!!!!!

July - I found out why I felt so horrible for so long.  While Miriam was FINALLY somewhat sleeping through the night and FINALLY weaned, my hormones were out of whack - and my triglycerides were at 489 ... not a good combination.  Time to get serious about my diet - which I did for a week and felt SO MUCH BETTER!!  THEN life got busy again with a Missions Conference at church, and my mom came to stay during that time - with some missionary friends who were a part of the conference.  It was WONDERFUL to have them here though - and I was feeling SO MUCH BETTER at that point too.

August - a first for me:  I got called for Jury Duty! And then, much to my dismay, school started before I felt ready to face a new school year. 

September - Andrew turned 13!!  I have a teenager!
We skipped school one day to go to a corn maze with some homeschooling friends - and enjoyed a bon fire, outdoor lunch, and some fun games.  We then commenced to skip a whole week of school as Dan and I took 3 students and our own kids on a "college trip" to Knoxville (where we conveniently got to see my family!!) and Pensacola, Florida.  :)

October - My triglycerides were down - but only to 304.  :(  Still  have some work to do! 
And I got dismissed from jury duty!  :)

November - I held my annual 30 Days of Thanks on my blog.  My Anna turned 11 years old - and I celebrated yet another birthday too.  :)

December started out as a busy month with something to do almost every day for the first 2 1/2 weeks - and then CHRISTMAS BREAK!!!!!  :)   We had a nice time with friends, celebrating Miriam's 2nd birthday, with Dan's parents, and then with my parents who came for Christmas and stayed a week.  Oh, and we celebrated 19 years of marriage too - no small feat these days!!  I'm so thankful we have committed to stay together - forever, for always, no matter what.

Having written all that out, I guess I honestly have to say 2011 wasn't so bad after all ... :) 

Between the Years

In Germany, the time period between Christmas and the New Year is often called the time "between the years" ...

Christmas has come and gone - and we are preparing and anticipating for the NEW YEAR while closing out the OLD.

Somehow that is reflective of what is going on in my heart in these days as well.

But before I get too philosophical about my thoughts about old things and new beginnings, I want to share what we've been up to the last 2 weeks that has kept me from my blog:

My kids were invited to a Christmas party on December 20th with a group of friends ... complete with decorating gingerbread houses and playing lots of silly games and a gift exchange.  Miriam sported her new hair-do (called "fountain head" or "the Pebbles Flintstone look") for the occasion:

Miriam turned 2 years old on December 22!  This year she definitely got the hang of OPENING GIFTS!

We spent a few days with Dan's parents and that is where the celebration took place.

My parents arrived while we were still with Dan's parents ... so we came home to MORE grandparents!!  I am so thankful my parents could make the long trip from Tennessee to here to spend Christmas with us.

The kids woke up in their new Christmas jammies on Sunday morning (well, actually, we just got Andrew a St. Louis Cardinals tshirt since he is getting too big for "jammies"). 

It was very special to have church on Christmas morning ... and then we came home to a turkey dinner.  Anna helps so much in the kitchen now - and this year, she prepared special place cards for us all to help decorate our table:

Miriam found the whole Christmas experience to be EXHAUSTING:

2 days after Christmas, Dan and I celebrated our 19th anniversary!

Since my parents were still here, we asked them to babysit while we went to a very special dinner at an old mansion-turned-restaurant called Sybill's (named after the owners' daughter).

A few of Dan's teachers got together and gave us a very generous gift certificate and the recommendation to go.  What a blessing to get away together for the evening, sit near a cozy fireplace in a beautifully decorated room, and eat a leisurely meal (that happened to be incredibly DELICIOUS!!!).   We topped the night off by going to Goodwill, Big Lots, and Kmart because we're high falutin' like that ... ;)   

My parents are leaving this morning ... and we'll be using the last few days of our vacation to get some things done around the house, tie up a few loose ends, and close out some issues we need to resolve from the OLD year.  I do look forward to what 2012 will bring us - definitely some NEW beginnings and some NEW directions and some NEW resolutions and some reNEWED hope and strength from the Lord because we will need it every day. 

Enjoy your time time "between the years" ... as we say good-bye 2011 and WELCOME 2012!

This, That, and the Other

THIS movie:

I won a copy of CHRISTMAS LODGE from another blog ... and last night we had a chance to watch it.  While the plot is incredibly predictable, it was nice to just sit down with my entire family (even my husband and son!) to watch a movie that was rated G so we didn't have to worry about its content.   This movie actually included prayer, the Bible, and discussions about accepting God's will ... and at the end, we all sighed at how lovely it ended (well, not literally, but it WAS a happy ending). 

Even better was that the folks I won this movie from have accepted me to review other family, faith-based products starting in January - and many will include GIVE AWAYS!!  :) 

2.  THAT isn't all there is to share on my blog - but in keeping it short, I will share that Monday I finished my Christmas shopping, and Tuesday my kids and I went to a Christmas party at a friend's house and had a fun time.  The kids decorated snow scenes, played lots of games, and had a gift exchange - and I got some encouraging, adult/mom interaction that always leaves me feeling refreshed (and hoping that I really am somewhat normal...).

Today I had some things to do all morning into the afternoon - but then I went into frantic cleaning mode as tomorrow we leave for my in-laws' house and by the time we get back on Saturday, my parents will be HERE!!!!!  :) 

3.  THE OTHER thing I wanted to say is that Thursday is MIRIAM'S 2nd BIRTHDAY!!  I will be in "the land of no internet" for the rest of the week, so I wanted to acknowledge her birthday now!   These last two years have FLOWN BY - and I am so thankful for our little Christmas gift ...

Her birth story is on my blog - and I'm so glad I have that documentation of the events surrounding her arrival.  Hard to believe my baby who came into this world at 7 lbs and 21 inches is now (as of today) almost 27 lbs and 33 inches!!  :) 
She's a running, talking, taking-apart-everything, singing, dancing, smiling, laughing, coloring, puzzle-doing, book-reading, happy girl who brings us all so much joy each day! 
Happy Birthday, Miriam!! 

redbox - 12 Days of Deals!

Redbox is hosting 12 Days of Deals & Prizes and offering daily prizes from December 13 thru December 24. Text FUN to 727272 for instant savings of 25 cents - $1 off of your movie and game rentals, as well as a chance to be entered to win a daily prize from Redbox. Each day, a random drawing will select a winner with top prizes from Sony, Wii, Barnes & Noble, Activision and more.

Thanks to smiley360, I received a FREE movie rental from my nearest redbox ... and with more than 28,000 redbox kiosks nationwide, there is SURE to be one near you!  Visit redbox to find out where!!   ALSO:  "like" redbox on facebook - and keep up-to-date on all the redbox news!

Not only can you rent MOVIES (we got Cars 2), you can also rent video games (my kids added Wii London Olympics 2012 for $2 more).  You can now also RESERVE your DVDs and games ON LINE to be picked up at your nearest redbox kiosk - to be sure you aren't disappointed if a movie you want to watch is gone. 

This is a smiley360 review.  I was compensated for this review with a code to get a free redbox rental.

                                                                            

4. Advent

ONE WEEK - ONE WEEK until Christmas!  Are you ready?  Is your shopping done?  Your menu finalized??  Is your heart ready to celebrate Jesus' birth? 

It will be a little different this year because Christmas is on a Sunday - not that it matters what day of the week Christmas falls on, but somehow a Sunday seems that much more sacred.

One more shopping trip with a friend tomorrow, and I should be DONE with my shopping.  I am pleased that we DID keep our gift giving simple this year - and yet, I think everyone will be getting something they really wanted; and we were able to remember the most significant people in our lives-friends and teachers and helpers at church.  AND I actually wrote a few Christmas cards as well!!  I've really pared my list down this year - and in a way it makes me sad to NOT send out the 100+ cards that I usually do to our friends and family all over the United States and the world, really, but it was necessary this year. 

We put our spare change in the Salvation Army kettles when we saw then and contributed to our local food pantry with a food drive our church/school held.  I think I've somewhat fulfilled my goals for this Christmas; though I wish we could have done MORE for others.  Yet as I watched some children enjoy "Shop with a Cop" at Target the other night as I shopped, I realized that many who financially can contribute to such project do ... and sometimes time is also a gift you can give to someone that means just as much as money. 

Enjoy this week of preparation before you ... and have a blessed 4. Advent Sunday.

The Best Day of Christmas Break

Today is the best day of Christmas Break because it is the FIRST day of Christmas Break.  It means all of Christmas Break still lies ahead of us!  We have a full 2 weeks plus a day with no school, not much work, and a lot of family time to look forward to. 

The last 2 weeks of school and at church were extremely busy ... but now we are slowing down a little although we still have a few fun events coming up to enjoy.  And of course, CHRISTMAS is next Sunday!

While I have a few quiet minutes on the couch with my (newly repaired!!) laptop, I thought I'd share a few pictures from our 9th Annual Christmas Tea at Shady Gables in Versailles, Missouri.  I have been every year except one when I worked full-time, and my friends took Anna with them. 

We came to Missouri when Anna was just a year old ... and she immediately made friends in the nursery with 2 other girls - one 9 months older and one a little over a year older than her. Now these girls are 11 and 12 years old.  They have been through Kindergarten together, elementary school, and are now in 6th grade. 

We have now moved from the girls having "Tea with Mrs. Claus" to just enjoying "The Queen's Choice" tea meal together.  Afterwards, we always do some shopping and usually end up having dinner together. 

I love that we have this tradition to remember when Anna and I look back on her childhood.  I am definitely not always the best mother I could be or the calmest mother I should be ... but I am hopeful that times like this make up for all the times that I hope Anna will forget (like when I lose my temper or get impatient with her). 

These tea times are so good for me too ... I remember to lighten up a little ... and to laugh and enjoy my daughter and my friends, who make this tradition that much more special.  Even this time, just as our tea was beginning and we had poured our various teas (choices this time were "Lover's Leap", "Holiday Spice", and "Candy Cane"), Anna - in her Anna-like way - bumped the table and shook up our full tea cups - but my friends' laughter and the gentle joking reminded me to not berate my daughter for her clumsiness but the join in the chuckling, because REALLY it wasn't THAT terrible after all.

I'm so thankful for my friends and their daughters.  We've been friends through the births of babies, major life changes, the adjustments of going back to work (and then for ME going back home), and of watching all of our kids grow up.  I'm thankful we are all growing up together!

Christmas Singing Giveaway Winner!

It is time for me to pick a winner for THE CHRISTMAS SINGING BOOK. 
Thank you to all who entered my give-away - and for following my blog. 
I wish I could give you all a copy of this book ... but alas I only have one copy - and it goes to commenter #3



Comment #3 was left by ArtyMarti ~ Congratulations, Marti!!  I'll be contacting you asap so you can start enjoying this Christmas read.  :)

Hodge Podge - 12/14/2011

Is it REALLY Wednesday AGAIN!?  Time is flying!!!!  Well, it's time for HODGE PODGE with Joyce and Friends then:

1. Do you put Christmas decorations in every room of your house? If not every room, what rooms do you decorate?

I decorate the living room & dining room - a few left-over decorations in the kitchen.  That's all.

2. If you could visit one of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) which one would you choose and why?

I've been to Denmark & Sweden ... I also once landed at the airport/an airstrip in Iceland (on a military Space-Available flight in like 1975 or 76?) ... so I guess since Dan's mom's mom's family is from Norway, I'll say NORWAY ...

2:45 p.m.
HAD TO COME BACK & EDIT THIS ... upon contemplation I have NOT been to Sweden!!!!  I was thinking we went to Copenhagen (which we did) and it was the capital of Sweden - but it is the capital of Denmark, of course!!! 
3. What does the word faith mean to you?

Oh, so many things!!  Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1)

4. You can go back to your childhood for one day...what day and age would you choose?

Any summer I spent in Germany with my Oma & Opa ... the age didn't matter; it was always wonderful!

5. When did you last have 'punch'? If it's not too much trouble share your favorite punch recipe. 

Last Christmas, I made "punch" for my daughter's class for their Christmas party and it has been requested again this Friday!  My recipe is SO easy:

1 - 64 ounce - fruit punch

1 - 2 liter - Sprite or Lemon-Lime soda

several scoops of your favorite flavor of sherbet (I prefer raspberry)

Throw it all in a punch bowl & ENJOY!!  :)

6. Do you fill stockings at your house? Are stockings opened before or after the bigger gifts?

I do try to fill stockings with 1 or 2 items.  They are opened whenever we get around to it. 

7. What takes your breath away?

Majestic sights of God's creation.  When a moment I've been anticipating finally comes to being - walking down the aisle on my wedding day, the birth day of my children, the moment I glimpsed my husband at the airport when he came home from Iraq, etc etc etc. 

8. Insert your own random thought here

Recently I came up on a poem attributed to Mother Thesesa - but perchance someone else wrote it - but no matter WHO wrote it, it has been a source of great encouragement to me lately:

"People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
...

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway."

Tuesday

I have no other title for this blog post except that it is indeed, I think, Tuesday (December 13, 2011). 

My observations for the morning are thus:

1.  Despite 2 cats & an almost-2-year-old, I managed to install my new wireless router today (to replace the one that burned out recently).  Not that it matters entirely as my laptop, which is the device I use the MOST wirelessly, is at the computer shop, getting its power source repaired. 

2.  THEN I realized - as I attempted to PRINT and scan - that my printer/scanner was ALSO wireless!!!  And thus, I uninstalled & re-installed my printer, despite my 2 cats and an almost-2-year-old.  Finally, I got it all figured out (me, being very NOT technically inclined) - and printed my test paper - only to get a little laugh:

Apparently German is a long, wordy language!  We have words like "einundzwanzig" which is simply the number "21" spelled out!  There is a "glottal stop" in there (a pause between 2 vowels), so you can catch a breath:  ein (pause) undzwangzig.  And compared to English, I think sometimes it takes many MORE German words to say the same thing. 

On my test paper from my printer, the message "Thank you for choosing Lexmark" was written in about 20 different languages.  All the languages required one line to say the phrase, even those with characters instead of letters EXCEPT German.  No, the German phrase took TWO almost full lines to say the same thing:

"Vielen Dank, dass Sie sich fuer ein Produkt
von Lexmark entschieden haben." 

3.  I am not sure how to keep up a healthy life style right now!  Well, honestly, I'm eating HEALTHY - but there is so much FOOD available right now!! 

Last Friday, our church had its Christmas party - and the buffet was catered.  The food was INCREDIBLY delicious for a catered meal:  brisket, chicken, veggies, mashed taters ... and CHEESECAKE with strawberries.  I tried to use "moderation," but it is hard when you want "one of EVERYTHING!". 

Sunday my friend and I ran to do a little Christmas browsing/shopping - and ended up at Olive Garden - and I had a gift certificate - and I ate SHRIMP CAPRESE.  I left a lot of my noodles on the plate - a crying shame - but I felt it was the right thing to do since I ate too many my fair share of bread sticks and salad.  :-O

Last night, our staff had its Christmas party at a lovely location (above) in a nearby town - and I had the BEST steak I've eaten since probably last year's Christmas party!  I did have green beans (no doubt prepared with much butter and such to make them even more scrumptious!) and a baked potato.  Moist, spiced apple cake for dessert - with a thick, creamy frosting ..........
Today I really should fast.  :-X

4.  Lastly, I wanted to remind everyone of my giveaway. 

I will be choosing my winner TOMORROW (Wednesday, December 14) very late at night ... so you've got today & tomorrow to  ENTER HERE. 

Have a good Tuesday!  Once I get myself organized, Miriam and I will be heading out to the WalmartS ... and then to watch Andrew play basketball with the school team, and then our family cleans our church on Tuesdays (and Thursdays). 

A Christmas Book - A Christmas Give-Away!!

I just finished reading and reviewing Cindy Woodsmall's newest book (Amish fiction) THE CHRISTMAS SINGING.  It was a pleasant read - and I'd love to share this book with a friend ... and SO:  I am GIVING MY COPY AWAY!!

As my Christmas gift to one of my readers, I will draw a winner on WEDNESDAY, December 14 - and mail the book to you as soon as I can get to the post office.  This is a hardback book - 189 pages - even has a few recipes in the back.  If you live in the U.S., I will send it to you via media mail; if any of my international readers would like to enter & you win, I will mail gladly mail it AIR MAIL.   

HOW TO ENTER: 

1.  Simply leave me a comment and a way to contact you (either thru your blogger profile or with an email address).

2.  for a 2nd chance to win, leave a second comment to let me know you follow my blog OR that you have signed up to follow if you don't already.

The winner will be chosen by random.org on Wednesday.   HURRY!  Enter now!!  :) 

The Christmas Singing - A Review

I have read several of Cindy Woodsmall's books by now - and this newest one THE CHRISTMAS SINGING did not disappoint!  Cindy writes great Amish fiction that isn't TOO stereotypcial ... I like that!  Her plots are interesting and unexpected. 

In this book - another one in Ada's House series - independent Maddie, an Amish girl twarted in love, is happily running her own bakery when disaster sends her back to her parents' home - and where her former beloved is working.  Though she has found a new love, he doesn't seem to quite meet up to the man who broke her heart so seemingly cruelly.  However, Maddie starts finding out the truth ... and well, you just have to read the book to find out what Maddie ends up doing!

This book was a quick, pleasant read ... perfect for the holidays, but perfect for any time as well.

I received this book from Waterbrook Multmonah for the purpose of review, and the opinions given are my own. 



3. Advent

Just a quick wish for my blogging friends to have a blessed, peaceful 3rd Sunday of the Advent Season.

I leave you with a thought/quote from Martin Luther - from one of his Christmas sermons.  As relevant today - in 2011 - as it was then in the early 1500's, in my opinion:

"The inn was full. No one would release a room to this pregnant woman. She had to go to a cow stall and there bring forth the Maker of all creatures because nobody would give way. Shame on you, wretched Bethlehem! The inn ought to have been burned with brimstone, for even though Mary had been a beggar maid or unwed, anybody at such a time would have been glad to give her a hand.

There are many of you in this congregation who think to yourselves: "If only I had been there! How quick I would have been to help the baby! I would have washed his linen! How happy I would have been to go with the shepherds to see the Lord lying in the manger!" Yes you would! You say that because you know how great Christ is, but if you had been there at that time you would have done no better than the people of Bethlehem. Childish and silly thoughts are these! Why don't you do it now? You have Christ in your neighbor. You ought to serve him, for what you do to your neighbor in need you do to the Lord Christ himself."

This thought by Martin Luther brought to mind another quote I read this week which asks:
Are you going to a comfortable "Western" church where they are doing a lovely job of serving the saved and ignoring everyone else? 

As we enter our churches this Christmas, climate-controlled unless the heater makes things too stuffy and we complain, decorated impeccably, with our family dressed up so nicely, clean and wrinkle-free, matching outfits and bows in the girls' hair ... do we realize Jesus came to us in the humblest of circumstances?  As we place our manger scenes out, it doesn't smell like a barn even though the animals are present; Joseph and Mary are dressed in their clean robes; and the baby Jesus lays on a bed of pure straw or cloth, I wonder was it really that sterile?  Was the first Christmas - with its bright, shining, guiding star - as pristine as we want it to seem??  Was Mary tired, exhausted, in pain?  Was Joseph perhaps frustrated, scared, concerned?  Most of us give birth in hospitals or even our homes, but in an non-sterile barn, a stable??  And yet, God used the dirtiest, most dire of circumstances to bring His Son to us!  There were no wreaths adorning the stable - no Christmas tree lighting up the night ... just a humble place for humble people - a poor couple, simple shepherds, and farm animals. 

While I don't think it is wrong to dress up, decorate, give gifts, and enjoy the beauty of Christmas by any means ... my family does all these things ... I also hope I never lose sight of those who are in humble, dire circumstances ... and even if it is just a few dollars donated to the Salvation Army to help the less fortunate or feeding folks at a homeless shelter or visiting the forgotten at the nursing home; there are still those can't dress up, decorate, or give gifts - in fact, they may be dirty, smell bad, and look a mess.  Jesus came to them as well.  This is the time to share His love, His birth - in the lovely, clean, decorated church sanctuary - but also among the humble, the poor and needy.  Which is how Jesus came to us on earth in the first place - in the stable of Bethlehem. 

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You can get codes for 25 cents to $1.00 OFF a video rental!

TIME FOR FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT!!

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Tis the Season to be BUSY

RECAP OF MY WEEK:

Monday - Picked Anna up from school by 9 a.m. - her stomach hurts ... sure enough, she's got a stomach bug :(    She was supposed to ring bells for the Salvation Army at Wal-mart with her dad in the evening - but the task falls to Andrew.  Brrrrrr - very cold night!!  1 hour of bell ringing brings home a VERY frozen Dan - Andrew goes to play basketball at church to warm himself back up!

(above pic NOT of my family!!  Click the link to read the History of the Salvation Army kettle).

Tuesday - Anna feeling better - but must stay home for 24 hours post last "symptom" of stomach flu per school rules (makes good sense to me - let's NOT spread the germs!!).  Andrew's basketball game at 6 p.m.  Anna feeling so good that she eats a pulled pork sandwich, mozzarella cheese sticks, and various other treats at the game.  I personally feel a doozy of a headache coming on ...

Wednesday - 4 a.m. dreaded wake-up call from sick child - Anna's stomach apparently did NOT like all that food last night.  Stomach flu day #3 at home.  Crackers, chicken soup, and Sprite on the menu for her!  Tylenol and more Tylenol on the menu for me.  

Only Andrew & I go to mid-week service at church.  Final practice for our Patch the Pirate Club kids before next week's Christmas performance.  Come home - give in to migraine pain - and go to bed at 8 p.m.

Thursday - wake up groggy and achy.  Pretty much useless day.

Andrew & Anna's band and choir concert tonight - it was very lovely!   (see pic at top of post)

Friday - still headachy.  Have to run up to my doctor's office 60 miles away for a quick drop by - try to do some shopping but feel HORRIBLE.  Just drive home with NOTHING to show for my efforts.  Lay down on the couch until time to get ready for the church Christmas party.  Sit at a table with my favorite people; feeling better already!!  :)   Enjoy good food and the funny White Elephant gift exchange (we re-gifted a book called Eat and Stay Slim which obviously did NOT work for ME - and I got a LOVELY homemade, hand-crocheted scarf!!  I feel somewhat bad that I got the better gift - however, that's the risk of the white elephant).   Go home, watch some old TV shows (on DVD) with my family - and off to bed. 

Isn't the scarf nice??  Anna said "It has a hole in it!!" and it does!  On purpose:  I think that's genius!  :)  

Saturday - here I sit, still slightly achy ... still slightly tired.  But I finally slept well - and hopefully can get some things accomplished today!!  Dan is at choir practice (Christmas cantata is tomorrow!) ~ and I have a roast out for a FAMILY MEAL later today.    

Church tomorrow - and then next week, we get to start all over again!!  Something to do every day/night!  It's all fun - but I am looking forward to some SILENT NIGHTS when ALL IS CALM ...



The CrOoKeD Post

This is how our day has been ... lounging on the couch, watching movies, with a cozy blanket - Miriam, not even dressed; me, not dressed properly for going beyond my house anyway!!

We're kind of in an sideways mood - and hence, I'm leaving my pictures from today sideways instead of going back to crop them the right way!  You'll just have to tilt your head a little to the left to see them properly:

 ^^ BJ:  if you look closely at the far bookshelves, you will see my NEW, lovely P-E-A-C-E stocking holder's temporary home!!  I'm still tweaking ... but I love them SO MUCH  - and more so, that you thought of ME!!  :)  

The rest of my living room looks like this right now.  SOMEONE should really pick up around here.  "MAID!!  Oh, MAID???"   Hmmm, she's not answering right now.  *hrumph*

 So, last night the migraine that has been under the surface since Tuesday, I'm sure, finally manifested itself at full force.  :(  I came home from church - crawled into my bed - and didn't come out until 1 a.m.  And that was just to put Miriam into her crib from where she had fallen asleep on Dan who had fallen asleep on the couch, to take a second dose of migraine meds, and to get a big glass of water (<< NOTE PLEASE:  Melanie!!). 

I dozed fitfully all night, pondering why in the world my recent migraines have been SO horrible that even the prescription meds don't seem to touch them.  :(  Guess I need to go back to keeping a migraine journal to track what is triggering my headaches so I can avoid them, if at all possible?!

Anyway, woke up feeling a little better - just as if I had a "normal" headache, which is much less painful than what I'd dealt with all night.  Today I'm still achy - but at least I can go to work this afternoon and then my older children's band & choir concert (hopefully that won't re-trigger the migraine! ha!!).  :) 

As I'd pretty much skipped breakfast, the thing that sounded the best to me for lunch today was a comforting soup.  Anna has been home from Monday thru Wednesday with a stomach bug, so we were all out of chicken noodle soup - but I remembered my SPECIAL STASH of German foods, which included my ultimate COMFORT FOOD "Eiermuschel Suppe" (an egg noodle soup) that my Oma always made for my Opa and I as an appetizer for lunch. 

I have 2 precious mixes of this soup (which are actually Andrew's - a gift from my mom who got them from a friend in Germany - because he loves it too!) that I've been saving for a "special occasion" - but I think today merits a little "special" treatment and TLC.

I'm feeling better already!

Have a nice day.

Hodge Podge - 12/7/2011

HELLO, Joyce & Friends!! 

 Linking up for another Wednesday of Hodge Podge Questions & Answers:

1. Will you be hosting any house guests between now and the end of December? Does that thought make you happy or crazy? Do you do anything special for your guests to make them feel at home? How long should a house guest stay?

I don't know yet ... my parents - who have recently discovered I have a blog *gasp* - said they MIGHT come for a few days.  I'd love that, by the way!!
The thought makes me happy - we don't have very many house guests or even just "have people over".  It isn't my comfort zone at all - hospitality is not my gift but something I would like to work on. 
To make my guests feel at home, I try to change the sheets on the bed ... HA - just kidding!!  I mean, I change the sheets, but OF COURSE, who would NOT change the sheets (well, actually, my parents-in-law tell the story that once they visited a great-uncle & great-aunt of theirs - and arrived very late - in the middle of the night.  The great-uncle and aunt insisted my in-laws sleep in their bed that night - still warm from their previously sleeping-in-it bodies!!!!!).  But otherwise, I do sometimes leave magazines on the bedside table and make sure there are tissues, an alarm clock, etc. 
How long should a guest stay?  That depends on who they are:  my mom can stay forever (she cooks, helps with the kids, does crafty things, etc) ... someone else - maybe a few days (we've hosted missionaries for a week once - it went well enough). 

2. Walter Elias Disney was born this week (December 5) back in 1905 ...what's your all time favorite Disney movie? Here's a list in case you're struggling...and yes, you have to pick one.

Oh how well I know the facts about Disney's birth!  I've had 2 kids go through Missouri State history in 4th grade!!  :) He and Harry Truman are the 2 most popular native sons of Missouri, I do believe! 

My all-time favorite movie ... that's tough - probably one of the older ones like Cinderella.

3. What was the last thing you purchased that you realized was a mistake after the fact?

When I had my first baby, I got a diaper wipe warmer ... total & complete waste of money!!!! 

4. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done online?

Currently?  0%
Potentially?  about 90%

5. Amaryllis-snowdrop-poinsettia...your favorite winter blossom?

I guess I'd have to go with a standard poinsettia - red or burgundy.

6. What is one thing on your personal Christmas wish list? I think we all want peace on earth so let's make this answer an actual item.

I want the book about Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxes ... probably a very weird request - but I saw the author speak about it on some C-SPAN book program (total coincidence because I never ever ever watch C-SPAN!!!) and am totally intrigued!!   I follow Eric Metaxes now on facebook - he is a Greek-German-American - and a Christian - and an interesting personality.

7. If you could only use one word today what would it be?

Tired.    :)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am thrilled, tickled, and just a little mortified about how my little blog has expanded in readership lately.  My sincerest pleasure is writing - my dream is that people would read and relate to what I write ... but my nightmare is that I would turn out to be a horrible disappointment as a writer or a person ......... 

Writing is so personal yet revealing - but it is a way for an introvert like me to open up to people - to share - to explain myself - to process my thoughts among friends.  It is a way for me to record my life and the things that I want to remember later.  My blog is a place I can go back to and look at to see how far I've come (or how far I've regressed, whatever the case may be). 

I sometimes wish I had a true niche' - like homemaking or decorating or writing professionally  or devotional writing or genius parenting or relationship advice - but I am what I say I am:  "an ordinary Hausfrau."  Just a woman who wants to continue to learn, share, grow (not in SIZE but personally!!), and enjoy the journey God has for me.  I just want to take a moment to say THANK YOU for reading my blog - and for the sweet comments I get. 

Day Book - 12/6/2011

It's been a while since I wrote a daybook ... today I think it is time to do it again!

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...

a very light dusting of snow!!

swagbucks is telling me it is 25 degrees outside.  Brrrrrrr!!!

So thankful that I was able to park my car in the garage yesterday after cleaning out "my side" of it.

I am thinking...

about Christmas.

I haven't really bought any presents (well, maybe one or two) and I haven't figured out what to do about Christmas cards yet.  I think I'm the "behindest" I've ever been in preparing for Christmas ... however, somehow that just doesn't bother me right now.

I am thankful...

Anna slept through the night - and is still sleeping.

She came home early from school and had a touch of a stomach bug yesterday.

She felt better by late evening - and I'm hopeful after a day of rest today, she'll be ready to participate in all the busy-ness of the next few days/weeks.

AND I'm hopeful NO ONE ELSE gets this illness.

From the learning rooms...(if this applies)
I don't home-school, but I am ever learning myself.

Yesterday I cleaned my bathroom with a solution of equal parts vinegar and hydrogen peroxide (you can and probably should add tea tree oil - but I have no idea what that is or where to get it yet - must research!!!).  While I thought it did a fairly good job of "freshening up" the counters, etc., my bathtub/shower needed something with a little more "umph"!  I poured baking soda in the tub and doused it with vinegar to get a foam going - and then scrubbed.  Apparently, I need to do this more often!!  I still wasn't satisfied - and had to resort of my old, chemical-y cleaners to finish off the soap scum (soft scrub and simple green - but NOT together!!).

In the kitchen...

not much going on there this week :( 

We won't be eating together as a family much - if at all - this week.  (See Plans for the Rest of the Week).

I am wearing...

In my defense, I got up at 6 a.m. and just had a shower so I'm not dressed for the day yet.

I am creating...

a plan to get this house CLEAN and looking nicer.

I am scheming a bathroom make-over to transform my 1988 bathroom into something a little more up-to-date - to include painting a cabinet, new hardware, and perhaps even a new sink & light fixture??!

The wallpaper "border" so popular in the 80s and 90s must go!

I am going...
to work later this afternoon and for the next 2 afternoons - in our church/school office.

I am wondering...
where the time has gone!  Here we are in December, the end of 2011 - and I remember so vividly last December, celebrating Miriam's 1st birthday - at which time I remembered so vividly the December before that when she was just newly born ...

It is true that life just seems like a vapor that passes away.  We try to hold on to the moments and take pictures and remember all the details of our days - but they are still fleeting. 

We need to make the best of each opportunity!

I am reading...

Psalms.

Magazines; I need a good book!!

I am hoping...

my family can stay healthy - and we can get through all the activities of the next 2 weeks efficiently.

I am looking forward to...
Christmas Break!!!!  December 16 - January 2

I am hearing...
the space heater running - but otherwise, blessed silence.

Around the house...
got a plan in place to scrub down my house!!  Starting with the bathrooms early this week - and moving on to the kitchen later.  I read that baking soda/vinegar makes a good oven cleaner as well - so hoping that will get my oven back to its former glory without killing me with chemicals.

I am pondering...
Exodus 14:14

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

I just read a commentary that said "hold your peace" means to be still or to remain calm.  That reminds me of Psalm 46:10:

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

It is the same context:  relax, stay calm, cease from striving.

God is in control - and everything will work out as He wills and to His glory.

One of my favorite things...

sleepy children waking up happy.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Monday evening - Dan & Andrew (as Anna's sub since she got sick) ring bell for the Salvation Army at Walmart for one hour; Andrew to men's basketball at church until 7:30 p.m.  (DONE!)

Tuesday evening - Andrew's basketball games (Junior Varsity & Varsity) and then clean the church.

Wednesday evening - meal at church & then mid-week service - children's program (Patch the Pirate Club)'s final practice before our performance & party next Wednesday!

Thursday evening - kids' school band & choir concert; clean the church

Friday evening - church Christmas party

Saturday - FAMILY DAY!!!  :)  Clean up, catch up, rest, and just BE TOGETHER.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing:

By German tradition, we celebrate the 4 Sundays before Christmas - the "Advent".

My great-aunt from Germany emailed me this lovely picture this week on the 2nd Advent Sunday: