Thursday, December 28, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Happy 53rd Birthday Michael!
In honor of my dear husband's birthday, I am writing 53 things about Michael.
53. Michael is 30 years older than his son.
52. He is 30 years younger than his dad.
51. I find I am still learning things about him.
50. Michael likes dark chocolate, but not milk chocolate.
49. He is so very patient with me and my quirkiness.
48. He is a tease and we all laugh at his sarcasm.
47. Michael actually enjoyed shoveling our new huge driveway after the blizzard.
46. He plays Power Rangers with Ethan.
45. He likes curly hair.
44. (I'm glad I have curly hair.)
43. He loves red hair.
42. (Did you notice I'm a redhead now? LOL.)
41. Michael has a gorgeous smile.
40. He works from home, where we share an office.
39. He takes me out to lunch at least once a week (and lets me get Starbucks whenever I want.)
38. He doesn't drink coffee.
37. Michael is trustworthy.
36. He enjoys mowing the lawn and doing yard work.
35. He has a riding lawn mower.
34. Isn't romantic by nature, so instead works very hard at it for me.
33. He never complains about how long it takes me to get ready to go somewhere.
32. He is a genius.
31. Is a member of mensa.
30. He doesn't like computer or video games, but enjoys a good challenge.
29. He has been an incredible provider for me and our 5 kids.
28. Michael is a wonderful father and an even better grandpa.
27. Loves to fly sail planes.
26. He isn't particularly fond of pets.
25. He lets me think I am right.
24. He is honest.
23. He used to be a gymnast.
22. He still has hair.
21. Michael compliments me often.
20. He has his pilot's license.
19. Is amazing with finances and has a gift for earning and investing.
18. He has the greenest lawn on the block (okay, with 1 exception.)
17. Is witty and great with puns.
16. He keeps our cars in great running order (and most of you know about the little gem of a car he bought me.)
15. Michael has been on a 100 mile bike ride.
14. He is a man of character and a man of his word.
13. He is generous.
12. He used to be a flight instructor.
11. He keeps me laughing with his sense of humor.
10. He likes to make me happy, and I am happy most of the time.
9. Michael appreciates anything and everything I cook.
8. Diet Pepsi is his favorite drink.
7. He watches T.V. to relax.
6. He lets me pick out whatever music I want to listen to.
5. Michael is honest in everything he does.
4. He is creative.
3. He is my partner in having fun.
2. He tells me he loves me every day.
1. He just keeps getting better and better.
Happy Birthday Michael!!!
In honor of my dear husband's birthday, I am writing 53 things about Michael.
53. Michael is 30 years older than his son.
52. He is 30 years younger than his dad.
51. I find I am still learning things about him.
50. Michael likes dark chocolate, but not milk chocolate.
49. He is so very patient with me and my quirkiness.
48. He is a tease and we all laugh at his sarcasm.
47. Michael actually enjoyed shoveling our new huge driveway after the blizzard.
46. He plays Power Rangers with Ethan.
45. He likes curly hair.
44. (I'm glad I have curly hair.)
43. He loves red hair.
42. (Did you notice I'm a redhead now? LOL.)
41. Michael has a gorgeous smile.
40. He works from home, where we share an office.
39. He takes me out to lunch at least once a week (and lets me get Starbucks whenever I want.)
38. He doesn't drink coffee.
37. Michael is trustworthy.
36. He enjoys mowing the lawn and doing yard work.
35. He has a riding lawn mower.
34. Isn't romantic by nature, so instead works very hard at it for me.
33. He never complains about how long it takes me to get ready to go somewhere.
32. He is a genius.
31. Is a member of mensa.
30. He doesn't like computer or video games, but enjoys a good challenge.
29. He has been an incredible provider for me and our 5 kids.
28. Michael is a wonderful father and an even better grandpa.
27. Loves to fly sail planes.
26. He isn't particularly fond of pets.
25. He lets me think I am right.
24. He is honest.
23. He used to be a gymnast.
22. He still has hair.
21. Michael compliments me often.
20. He has his pilot's license.
19. Is amazing with finances and has a gift for earning and investing.
18. He has the greenest lawn on the block (okay, with 1 exception.)
17. Is witty and great with puns.
16. He keeps our cars in great running order (and most of you know about the little gem of a car he bought me.)
15. Michael has been on a 100 mile bike ride.
14. He is a man of character and a man of his word.
13. He is generous.
12. He used to be a flight instructor.
11. He keeps me laughing with his sense of humor.
10. He likes to make me happy, and I am happy most of the time.
9. Michael appreciates anything and everything I cook.
8. Diet Pepsi is his favorite drink.
7. He watches T.V. to relax.
6. He lets me pick out whatever music I want to listen to.
5. Michael is honest in everything he does.
4. He is creative.
3. He is my partner in having fun.
2. He tells me he loves me every day.
1. He just keeps getting better and better.
Happy Birthday Michael!!!
Saturday, December 23, 2006
When I was 6, my family attended a small Baptist Church. My brother and I were in the same Sunday School class since so few children went. He is 13 months older than I.
The Sunday before Christmas, the teacher asked, "Whose birthday is next Wednesday?" My brother immediately spoke up, "It's mine!" Mrs. Noel, the teacher of the primary grades very gently told him, "no, it isn't your birthday. Does anyone know the answer?"
"It IS my birthday." My brother insisted. "I will be 8." The teacher turned and looked sternly at him. I wanted to say something, but being so shy, I instead began nodding my head in agreement. His birthday was indeed on Wednesday."
Relenting, Mrs. Noel replied, "okay, it is Greg's birthday, but who else celebrates their birthday on Wednesday?" Without waiting for a response she answered her own question. "Class, next Wednesday is Jesus' birthday." As she continued to share the wonderment over this most magnificent event, my brother just looked sad.
As a child, how do you measure up to sharing a birthday with Jesus? Not only does Jesus' birth outshine yours, but then this Santa character comes in and presents gifts to everyone else on your birthday. Nobody wishes you a Happy Birthday. It is "Merry Christmas, oh, and Happy Birthday too."
My mom tried to be creative in celebrating Greg's birthday. I remember the time he had his birthday party in September. It was the beginning of the school year and he had friends over, birthday hats and birthday wrapping paper. I think he had fun, but I don't think he felt like it was "really" his birthday. My guess is that he felt slighted on his birthday. Too often he was handed a brightly wrapped Christmas gift from unsuspecting friends/relatives with the greeting, "Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday."
With the exception of that Christmas when I was 6, I didn't think much about his birthday being on Christmas. I don't recall ever celebrating it on Christmas.
Do you remember the November I met Michael?(Part One & Part 2) A few short weeks later, I was at his parents' home to celebrate his birthday. His mother always made a big deal out of his birthday. His falls on December 24th. His sister's is the 26th. Three days of birthday celebration.
As I'd grown accustomed to, I presented my gift to Michael. It was wrapped in beautiful Christmas paper. "Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday." I watched the look of shock and horror from the faces of his sisters. One of them spoke up. "It is Michael's birthday, not Christmas. You never wrap someone's birthday gift in Christmas paper." I was embarrassed, humiliated. I'd never given it much thought.
Talking with Michael, he said he'd never felt slighted in regards to his birthday being on Christmas Eve. Now I understood why. I never made the mistake of wrapping a December birthday gift in Christmas paper, nor did I hand a single gift with birthday and Christmas greetings together. I wonder how Jesus feels as we go about our celebrations, anticipation of Santa's arrival and all, and then throw in the token Christmas Eve attendance at church.
The Sunday before Christmas, the teacher asked, "Whose birthday is next Wednesday?" My brother immediately spoke up, "It's mine!" Mrs. Noel, the teacher of the primary grades very gently told him, "no, it isn't your birthday. Does anyone know the answer?"
"It IS my birthday." My brother insisted. "I will be 8." The teacher turned and looked sternly at him. I wanted to say something, but being so shy, I instead began nodding my head in agreement. His birthday was indeed on Wednesday."
Relenting, Mrs. Noel replied, "okay, it is Greg's birthday, but who else celebrates their birthday on Wednesday?" Without waiting for a response she answered her own question. "Class, next Wednesday is Jesus' birthday." As she continued to share the wonderment over this most magnificent event, my brother just looked sad.
As a child, how do you measure up to sharing a birthday with Jesus? Not only does Jesus' birth outshine yours, but then this Santa character comes in and presents gifts to everyone else on your birthday. Nobody wishes you a Happy Birthday. It is "Merry Christmas, oh, and Happy Birthday too."
My mom tried to be creative in celebrating Greg's birthday. I remember the time he had his birthday party in September. It was the beginning of the school year and he had friends over, birthday hats and birthday wrapping paper. I think he had fun, but I don't think he felt like it was "really" his birthday. My guess is that he felt slighted on his birthday. Too often he was handed a brightly wrapped Christmas gift from unsuspecting friends/relatives with the greeting, "Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday."
With the exception of that Christmas when I was 6, I didn't think much about his birthday being on Christmas. I don't recall ever celebrating it on Christmas.
Do you remember the November I met Michael?(Part One & Part 2) A few short weeks later, I was at his parents' home to celebrate his birthday. His mother always made a big deal out of his birthday. His falls on December 24th. His sister's is the 26th. Three days of birthday celebration.
As I'd grown accustomed to, I presented my gift to Michael. It was wrapped in beautiful Christmas paper. "Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday." I watched the look of shock and horror from the faces of his sisters. One of them spoke up. "It is Michael's birthday, not Christmas. You never wrap someone's birthday gift in Christmas paper." I was embarrassed, humiliated. I'd never given it much thought.
Talking with Michael, he said he'd never felt slighted in regards to his birthday being on Christmas Eve. Now I understood why. I never made the mistake of wrapping a December birthday gift in Christmas paper, nor did I hand a single gift with birthday and Christmas greetings together. I wonder how Jesus feels as we go about our celebrations, anticipation of Santa's arrival and all, and then throw in the token Christmas Eve attendance at church.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Oh the weather outside is frightful,
but the fire is so delightful.
And since we've no place to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
So far, we have 34 inches of snow. It should stop snowing in the next 5-6 hours. Shopping? Tomorrow? Hmmm...maybe Saturday? I know, many of you would like to say to shop online. That is great, but packages won't be arriving, not even the U.S. mail came yesterday and won't be going out today. I know some parents who are going to be telling their children that Santa just couldn't get through the blizzard. We never did the Santa gig, but at the moment, I'm wondering if I could have gotten some mileage out of that one.
I haven't been off the front porch to get decent photos. The girls did some sledding yesterday. Michael shoveled every few hours so he wouldn't have the full 34 inches to shovel today.
4:00 Yesterday
8:00 This morning
(Edited)
I stepped out my back deck (yes, in my pajamas) to get a couple more photos. I know Christopher is missing the snow and wants to see it since he (hopefully) will fly in on Saturday. (I am so happy he wasn't flying in today or yesterday as the airport is shut and who knows if those people will make another flight.)
This is our covered deck. Because of the strong winds, the snow blew in to the door.
This is our back fence that is 5 feet tall.
I'm not just dreaming of a White Christmas anymore!
but the fire is so delightful.
And since we've no place to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
So far, we have 34 inches of snow. It should stop snowing in the next 5-6 hours. Shopping? Tomorrow? Hmmm...maybe Saturday? I know, many of you would like to say to shop online. That is great, but packages won't be arriving, not even the U.S. mail came yesterday and won't be going out today. I know some parents who are going to be telling their children that Santa just couldn't get through the blizzard. We never did the Santa gig, but at the moment, I'm wondering if I could have gotten some mileage out of that one.
I haven't been off the front porch to get decent photos. The girls did some sledding yesterday. Michael shoveled every few hours so he wouldn't have the full 34 inches to shovel today.
4:00 Yesterday
8:00 This morning
(Edited)
I stepped out my back deck (yes, in my pajamas) to get a couple more photos. I know Christopher is missing the snow and wants to see it since he (hopefully) will fly in on Saturday. (I am so happy he wasn't flying in today or yesterday as the airport is shut and who knows if those people will make another flight.)
This is our covered deck. Because of the strong winds, the snow blew in to the door.
This is our back fence that is 5 feet tall.
I'm not just dreaming of a White Christmas anymore!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Christmas Shopping
I began my Christmas shopping yesterday and found out why it is NOT a good idea to wait so long to start. I thought I would attack it again today-early! I awoke at 6, as usual, then went to wake up my girls for school. When I opened my bedroom door, I could hear chatter. This is very unusual. It is rare that anyone awakens before me. I could see the glow of the television and gleeful sounds filling the room.
"What is going on?"
The girls were dancing around, arms linked. One had the phone to her ear conversing at the same time. Hilary ran up, grabbed me as she sang, "snow day, snow day!"
You've got to be kidding. My kids never get a snow day, well, once every 4 or 5 years. I looked out the window. There was a frosty dusting, but where was this snow that would cause such an interruption to my plans?
The girls assured me that it indeed was true. They showed me on the computer screen and again on the t.v.
Blizzard Warnings. 16-24 inches of snow expected.
Yikes! Doesn't anyone realize the students have final exams today? What about my Christmas shopping?
Looks like a good day to decorate that artificial tree we put together last night. It is our first fake tree ever. Where is the smell of Christmas? The tree is the one scent that lingers, unlike the freshly baked goodies. I love waking up and breathing in the outdoor air of pine. I'd settle for warm cookies today if I had the ingredients to bake them.
Time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Our Savior's birth.
(It's beginning to snow.)
"What is going on?"
The girls were dancing around, arms linked. One had the phone to her ear conversing at the same time. Hilary ran up, grabbed me as she sang, "snow day, snow day!"
You've got to be kidding. My kids never get a snow day, well, once every 4 or 5 years. I looked out the window. There was a frosty dusting, but where was this snow that would cause such an interruption to my plans?
The girls assured me that it indeed was true. They showed me on the computer screen and again on the t.v.
Blizzard Warnings. 16-24 inches of snow expected.
Yikes! Doesn't anyone realize the students have final exams today? What about my Christmas shopping?
Looks like a good day to decorate that artificial tree we put together last night. It is our first fake tree ever. Where is the smell of Christmas? The tree is the one scent that lingers, unlike the freshly baked goodies. I love waking up and breathing in the outdoor air of pine. I'd settle for warm cookies today if I had the ingredients to bake them.
Time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Our Savior's birth.
(It's beginning to snow.)
Monday, December 18, 2006
No Tree
Hmmm...I am not sure what we are going to do. We always buy a fresh cut Christmas Tree at the local grocery store. Since we were going to Christopher's graduation and would be out of town, we decided to get it when we returned. We went to purchase our tree and to our wonder and amazement there wasn't one in sight. We just might not have a tree this year. Sigh.
But here is a quick family photo after the graduation. (Of course I will speak more about that later.)
But here is a quick family photo after the graduation. (Of course I will speak more about that later.)
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Wordless Wednesday
The Experiment
More Wordless Wednesdays
(Today is the day we leave to attend Christopher's graduation!!!! Won't be back online until Sunday.)
The Experiment
More Wordless Wednesdays
(Today is the day we leave to attend Christopher's graduation!!!! Won't be back online until Sunday.)
Monday, December 11, 2006
What is it like?
What is it like to have your Christmas shopping finished before December 1st, have your tree and lights glowing, and your entire house adorned with lovely holiday decor? Do you sit by the fireplace at night, sipping hot cider singing carols and enjoying those beautifully decorated cookies? Do you spend afternoons delivering packages and goodies to those less fortunate? Are you all decked out in red sweaters and gold, sharing with friends at Christmas Teas?
Okay, maybe this isn't anyone's life. And truthfully, I have nobody to blame but myself. I am very excited to be getting on the plane with the 6 other members of my family and leaving the chaos behind. The tree won't be up, the shopping won't be finished, err...started, cookies won't be baked. I've more important things to do this week.
Christopher is graduating from COLLEGE on Thursday. I know, it doesn't seem possible. High school graduation was a mere 3 1/2 years ago. But here he is. As always, I have much more to say about this, but am on a pretty tight schedule. So let me just shout:
Congratulations Christopher! I am so proud of you.
What is it like to have your Christmas shopping finished before December 1st, have your tree and lights glowing, and your entire house adorned with lovely holiday decor? Do you sit by the fireplace at night, sipping hot cider singing carols and enjoying those beautifully decorated cookies? Do you spend afternoons delivering packages and goodies to those less fortunate? Are you all decked out in red sweaters and gold, sharing with friends at Christmas Teas?
Okay, maybe this isn't anyone's life. And truthfully, I have nobody to blame but myself. I am very excited to be getting on the plane with the 6 other members of my family and leaving the chaos behind. The tree won't be up, the shopping won't be finished, err...started, cookies won't be baked. I've more important things to do this week.
Christopher is graduating from COLLEGE on Thursday. I know, it doesn't seem possible. High school graduation was a mere 3 1/2 years ago. But here he is. As always, I have much more to say about this, but am on a pretty tight schedule. So let me just shout:
Congratulations Christopher! I am so proud of you.
Friday, December 08, 2006
The Thinking of a 14 Year Old
Hilary is sick. She's been sick. I've been pumping her full of drugs so she can keep dragging herself off to school and practice. She didn't want to miss the first basketball game tonight. Monday she stayed home. Tuesday she went to school. Wednesday a trip to the doctor. Thursday back to school.
Friday: I wake her up and can tell she's running a fever. It's 102. More medicine and I tell her she is not going to school and we are making another trip to the doctor.
An hour later, she comes upstairs wearing shorts.
"I don't know what to do." She looks like she might fall over any minute.
"What do you mean?" I'm wondering if she's going to ask if she can still go to the basketball game.
"Do I have to stay in bed under the covers?"
"What?"
"I am so hot, I don't think I can stand to lay under the covers anymore."
"Your fever is probably breaking, which makes you sweat and feel hot. Why would you stay under the blankets?"
"Because people say when you have a fever you should sweat it out."
I almost laughed out loud, but instead reassured her that it was ok if she didn't remain bundled in her bed. I have no idea who people are. I wish she'd quit listening to them. Maybe then she'd believe me when I tell her things instead of arguing what these people have told her.
Update: She has pneumonia
Friday: I wake her up and can tell she's running a fever. It's 102. More medicine and I tell her she is not going to school and we are making another trip to the doctor.
An hour later, she comes upstairs wearing shorts.
"I don't know what to do." She looks like she might fall over any minute.
"What do you mean?" I'm wondering if she's going to ask if she can still go to the basketball game.
"Do I have to stay in bed under the covers?"
"What?"
"I am so hot, I don't think I can stand to lay under the covers anymore."
"Your fever is probably breaking, which makes you sweat and feel hot. Why would you stay under the blankets?"
"Because people say when you have a fever you should sweat it out."
I almost laughed out loud, but instead reassured her that it was ok if she didn't remain bundled in her bed. I have no idea who people are. I wish she'd quit listening to them. Maybe then she'd believe me when I tell her things instead of arguing what these people have told her.
Update: She has pneumonia
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Videos
I know, I haven't been around much, but I have a good excuse. My family loves watching home videos. A few years back I began the painful process of transferring them to DVD. This takes a LONG time. (Somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 hours per DVD.) I believe I've completed 6 or 7 DVDs. It isn't a simple one-step process and 1 tape doesn't translate into 1 DVD-usually 2. We have 83 videotapes. I thought I could do this over Christmas break that year. Crazy!
So where am I going with all of this? My darling husband, Michael, decided the other day that HE would take on this monstrous task as a sort of Christmas gift to the family. What a wonderful, thoughtful gift! I forgot that my computer was required to do this. While this process is running, my computer becomes unfunctional for any other purpose. Since my multi-talented, multi-tasking counterpart is still asleep, thought I'd sneak on here and let you all know where I've been. I may not be around as much as I'd like to.
Hey, maybe I will get my Christmas shopping done in a timely fashion this year. Quite possibly those Christmas cards might ship before Christmas, cookies baking in the oven filling the house with delicious scents, decorations aglow...who am I kidding? It just wouldn't feel like Christmas if I didn't run around at the last minute like a crazed woman.
So where am I going with all of this? My darling husband, Michael, decided the other day that HE would take on this monstrous task as a sort of Christmas gift to the family. What a wonderful, thoughtful gift! I forgot that my computer was required to do this. While this process is running, my computer becomes unfunctional for any other purpose. Since my multi-talented, multi-tasking counterpart is still asleep, thought I'd sneak on here and let you all know where I've been. I may not be around as much as I'd like to.
Hey, maybe I will get my Christmas shopping done in a timely fashion this year. Quite possibly those Christmas cards might ship before Christmas, cookies baking in the oven filling the house with delicious scents, decorations aglow...who am I kidding? It just wouldn't feel like Christmas if I didn't run around at the last minute like a crazed woman.
Friday, December 01, 2006
December 1st
How did that happen? Do the days get shorter as we get older? Everyone tells me it is just my imagination, but I think it must be true. I remember being in 1st grade. The school day was at least 10 hours long, no kidding. There is no way it was any shorter. My mom says no, it was only a 6 hour school day. Surely the school had 90 minute hours on their clocks.
I remember after 3 long months of school December would finally arrive. But was it really only 25 days until Christmas? It seemed like an eternity. I'm telling you, the days were twice as long.
December is here again. Yes, Christmas will be here in 25 days. No, that is not 25 long days. Those 25 days are the short ones. They whir past. If I am not careful, I will wake up tomorrow and it will be the 18th. I'll blink and suddenly it's Christmas Eve. How does this happen?
I want to go back to the good old days when time moves a little more slowly. I don't like waiting, but somewhere along the way I missed the average days. I went straight from long, drawn-out days to time warp speed, not-able-to-finish-anything. Trust me, when they say "Christmas is just around the corner," believe it. I just hope when I'm out shopping this afternoon I don't accidently run into it. I can't have time going any faster.
I remember after 3 long months of school December would finally arrive. But was it really only 25 days until Christmas? It seemed like an eternity. I'm telling you, the days were twice as long.
December is here again. Yes, Christmas will be here in 25 days. No, that is not 25 long days. Those 25 days are the short ones. They whir past. If I am not careful, I will wake up tomorrow and it will be the 18th. I'll blink and suddenly it's Christmas Eve. How does this happen?
I want to go back to the good old days when time moves a little more slowly. I don't like waiting, but somewhere along the way I missed the average days. I went straight from long, drawn-out days to time warp speed, not-able-to-finish-anything. Trust me, when they say "Christmas is just around the corner," believe it. I just hope when I'm out shopping this afternoon I don't accidently run into it. I can't have time going any faster.
Quiz
I saw this quiz over at Rocks In My Dryer I realize I scored 100%, but that in no way reflects the grammar on this blog. I suppose I should pay closer attention or edit more, but then I'd never post anything.
Your Language Arts Grade: 100%
Way to go! You know not to trust the MS Grammar Check and you know "no" from "know." Now, go forth and spread the good word (or at least, the proper use of apostrophes).
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