Three Things I Learned

I learned a few things the first week at my new job.  In random order:

1.  When traveling, DO NOT put hair products and face products in the same type of container when they are both white.

The first day on the new job went well, but I noticed my hair seemed very dry.  Like me, my hair is very sensitive to change of environment.  Consequently, the second day I decided to take out my deep hair conditioner in an attempt to rectify the dry hair dilemna. When I scooped out a gob and rubbed it into my hair, I noticed it felt different.  I figured that I had left it in my travel bag too long and it evidently dried out a bit.  When I noticed it didn't spread very well throughout my hair, I applied my regular conditioner as well.  This isn't uncommon, as I do have dry hair.

After my shower, I attempted to blow dry my hair, but it didn't seem to dry.  When I finally finished, I realized that my hair was dry, just extremely oily.  I looked back at the container. I realized I had just used half a jar of greasy face cream used to remove makeup to condition my hair.  It was too late to rewash it.  I spent the day looking as if I hadn't bathed in a week.

2.  Some people don't care if your hair looks dirty.

3.  Bringing gifts to the people you work with is very rewarding.

These are the people I worked with:

 

Neither one seemed to care whether or not I had greasy hair. 

I brought Ethan a guitar. He had indicated he wanted one.  He goes to music therapy twice a week for a total of 2 1/2 hours.  Before I even had a chance to tune the guitar, Ethan began playing it. 

The next day, Ethan had the day off of school, so I had promised him I would tune his guitar (even though he had already broken a string.)  After I fulfilled my promise, Ethan made me and Josiah sit on the couch.  He began strumming and singing his heart out.  After his first song, he folded his hands and began to pray.  He then gestured for me to stand up, and he began singing again.  He paraded across his pretend stage, singing and strumming. He paused, then bowed his head and loudly began praying. I finally asked him, "Ethan, do you want to be a worship leader at church?"  He immediately responded, "uh huh!" nodding his head up and down.

I wish I had his "performance" on video. It made me cry.  I had a great first week on the job.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mt. 19"14)

A New Job

I have a job!!!  I start tomorrow.  My new job involves traveling 1-2 overnights every week.  I don't know how long this job will last or how long Michael will tolerate me being gone every week, but for now I am a working woman. Can you tell I am excited?

Truthfully,

Joanne

"She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." (Proverbs 31:17)

No Greater Joy

What are the greatest joys a parent can experience? 

An exhausted one might say a sleeping baby. (Josiah is on the left, Ivydee on the right.)

An older parent might say the blessing of grandchildren is their greatest joy.

I do agree about grandchildren, but one of my greatest joys as a parent came this past month.

On Sunday, April 6th, I had the privilege of worshiping at the church my daughter & son-in-law attend.

 On that day, my youngest grandson, Josiah, was dedicated to the Lord.

 Elisabeth, Sarabeth, & Travis also joined us.

On Sunday, April 13th, I had the privilege of worshiping at the church my son and daughter-in-law attend.

For 9 days I took daily walks with these two.

On Good Friday, April 18th, I attended church with Hilary, who had invited Ryan & his family.

We watched the Easter Drama of the death & resurrection of Christ.

There is no greater joy than being able to worship alongside my adult children & and their children in a church where they have found a home. Or watching my grandson Ethan, grasp the hand of everyone around the table to pray and knowing God understands every word he says.

Truthfully,

Joanne

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Keep these words in your heart that I am telling you today. Do your best to teach them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deut. 6:5-7)

Thirty-three

Thirty-three years ago, I became a mom to this sweet, baby girl.

Happy Birthday Christina!  

This was taken on the day you were baptized. Tomorrow you will dedicate your second son to the Lord.

I couldn't be more proud of the daughter you are, 

 a sweet older sister to your brother and sisters,

 a fisherman,

a loving mother, 

and a dedicated wife.

 

 You earned your degree,

and furthered your career opportunities by graduating as a R.N.

I remember when I turned 33.  All I could think about is Jesus ended his earthly life when he was 33 years old.  I felt I hadn't accomplished much by that age. But you sure have! I am so very proud of you, Christina.  Happy 33rd birthday!

Gifts

I received the best gift ever.  I've mentioned before that I journal. This is what I received in the mail today:

How awesome is this?  A journal with custom, hand drawn artwork, created by my very own mom.

Here are a few of the pages:

A blessing and a reminder of how very much I am loved, each and every, single day.

What a beautiful gift!

I have the best mom ever!

Truthfully,

Joanne

" Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." (James 1:17)

A Merry Heart

Laughter doeth good like medicine...unless you have a broken rib.

Looking Back

Six years ago, this weekend, something happened. My son, Christopher, flew home for the weekend. He had graduated from college 3 months prior, and was a working man. His visit wasn't because he was homesick, and it wasn't just his family he came to see.

Christopher's goal was to meet with Lauren's parents and ask for their daughter's hand in marriage. We couldn't have been happier or more excited for him.

(This guy was happy to see his uncle.)

A week after his trip, Christopher proposed.  Lauren said yes.

Feeling very thankful for the blessings that emerged from that weekend, six years ago,

Not only do we have a beautiful daughter-in-law, but they have a daughter of their own. Our sweet granddaughter, Ivydee.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
In the very heart of your house,
Your children like olive plantsAll around your table." (Ps. 128:3)

Out Of The Mouths of Babes

Before Josiah was born, every other Wednesday, I picked Ethan up from school and took him to music therapy.

Each and every time, he would ask if he could go to Grandpa's house. I reassured him, "when the baby is born Ethan, you can come and stay at Grandpa's." (I'm not sure why our house is "Grandpa's." Either it is an easier word for him to say or else Grandpa is his favorite.)

The day Josiah arrived, we drove down to see him. Ethan enjoyed meeting Josiah,

but was ready to go to Grandpa's. I ended up staying the entire day at the hospital with the new family, so Hilary, Elisabeth, and Grandpa went back to the house to pack a bag for Ethan to spend the night.

At home, Ethan grabbed two huge trash bags.  He emptied his clothes into one, and his toys in the other. He packed up his suitcase and all of his pull-ups.  He was taking all of his belongings and moving into Grandpa's house. He even had his bedroom picked out. Ethan believed me when I said that when the baby was born, he could come to stay at Grandpa's. I don't recall saying permanently or indefinitely, but I must not have said a couple of days either.

I guess I need to be more specific when making a promise to Ethan. He'll hold me to it.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"When I was my father’s son,
Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
He also taught me, and said to me: 
Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live. 
 Get wisdom! Get understanding!" (Proverbs :3-5)

Perspective

It was a lovely, warm day.  I sat on the porch soaking up the warmth.  My next door neighbor came out.  I waved hello.  She was walking to her mailbox, but began walking to my house. I told her I was sick, but she continued walking.  In spite of not feeling well I got up to meet her. She told me "don't get up," but I told her I needed to give her a hug. We met in the middle of the yard. 

As we embraced, she broke out in huge sobs. She whispered to me that her only son had been taken to jail that morning...for at least a year. I began sobbing with her...uncontrollably.  She told me not to cry as I would start coughing. I told her I needed to cry because I love her son as my own, and was heart broken for them both.

Truthfully,

Joanne

 ^"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:15)

What's Up

I began feeling ill the day before my birthday, but made the most of it.  Michael had made special plans for Saturday to celebrate: dinner and a concert with two of my favorite people, Rick and Dee (my son's inlaws.) I took lots of medicine and made it through.  By Sunday, I was feeling much worse. The fifth day, Monday, I went to the Dr.

My doctor and the pharmacist warned me that some of the medication could cause me to become aggressive, angry, and agitated, so I should warn those closest to me.

Funny, I think I was too sick.  I had no energy for anger, agitation, or aggression. That was 8 days ago.

I went to the doctor again yesterday.  I was told I am not well yet and should spend another week resting and continue taking the meds. I have a bit more energy now and lots of free time.

I probably shouldn't be posting, but what's a mother to do? When someone says unkind things about one of her children, the Mama Bear comes out-and this one is on steroids. ROAR!

Truthfully,

Joanne

 "So I remained utterly silent,
    not even saying anything good.
But my anguish increased; 

     my heart grew hot within me.
While I meditated, the fire burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue: 

 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;
    let me know how fleeting my life is." (Ps. 39:2-4)

Happy Birthday HRH

Twenty-two years ago, my youngest daughter, Hilary Rose was born. Every year just keeps getting better.

"Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
    who find great delight in his commands.

 Their children will be mighty in the land;
    the generation of the upright will be blessed. 

 Wealth and riches are in their houses,    and their righteousness endures forever." (Ps. 112:2-3)

Quiz Answers

I thought it would be fun to have a quiz to see how well people know me. Choose the answers you think best reflect what I would choose. 

1.  What is my favorite flower or flowers? 
      a) Carnations
      b) Tulips
      c) Roses
      d) Orchids
      e) All Of The Above

     I like flowers, but I love the scent of Carnations.  I like that they are inexpensive.  I like that they last.

2.  The perfect date night would be:
      a)  Dinner & A Walk Along The Beach
      b)  Dinner & Dancing
      c)  Dinner & George Strait Concert
      d)  Dinner & A Long Talk
      e)  All of the Above

I could have said all of the above, but the most accurate would probably be 'D' combined with the walk along the beach. (You also must realize that next month my answer might be completely different.)

3.  If I could start a new career, it would be:
     a)  Foster Mom
     b)  Midwife
     c)  Concert Pianist
     d)  Writer
     e) All of the Above

Why couldn't I do it all?


4.  If I could live anywhere it would be:
     a)  The Mountains
     b)  The Beach
     c)  Downtown in a Big City
     d)  In the country, lots of land
     e)  None of the Above

Probably not forever,  but I'd like to try it for a couple of years.

5.  My favorite dessert is:
     a)  Peanut M&M's
     b)  Ice Cream
     c)  Shaum Torte
     d)  Wine & Cheese
     e) None of the Above

Sorry guys, I don't have a favorite dessert. Okay, maybe ice cream and yes I do like M&M's very much.

6.  If I could have anything I wanted for dinner it would be:
     a)  Anything with Bacon
     b)  Orange Chicken
     c)  Chili Rellenos
     d)  Pan Pizza w/Sausage & Onions
     e)  All Of The Above

Next week it might be a cheeseburger, or a salad.

7.  My favorite song of all time is:
     a)  Neon Moon (Brooks & Dunn)
     b)  Baby Blue  (George Strait)
     c)  Biggest Part Of Me (Ambrosia)
     d)  Love Me Tender (Elvis Presley)
     e)  All of the Above

Okay, I can't decide.  It's a tie,  Although C should probably win since I've liked it for the longest.

8.  Favorite television show:
     a)  Teen Mom
     b)  Dance Moms
     c)  Dateline
     d)  The Voice
     e)  None of the Above

I don't have a favorite television show, but I'm guilty of watching these ones.

9.  If I could be doing one of these things right now, what would it be?
     a)  Reading
     b)  Writing
     c)  Playing the Piano
     d)  Sleeping
     e)  All of the Above

No explanation.

10.  If I could only wear one kind of shoe the rest of my life, what would it be?
     a)  Boots
     b)  Heels of any kind
     c)  The perfect flat-ballet slippers
     d)  Sneakers
     e)  None of the Above

Come on, you all knew that. Boots are a close second.

11.  If I could go to any concert, who would it be?
      a)  Elvis Presley
      b)  Brooks & Dunn
      c)  Alan Jackson
      d)  George Strait
      e)  All of the Above

Guess who doesn't have tickets to the April 5th concert???

12.  If I could only listen to one kind of music for the rest of my life, what would it be?
      a)  Instrumental Guitar
      b)  Country
      c)  Classical
      d)  Contemporary Christian
      e)  None of the Above

Surprising, I know. I get bored easily with a single genre. Instrumental guitar can encompass a whole lot of genres and a variety of guitars.

It's A Test

I thought it would be fun to have a quiz to see how well people know me. Choose the answers you think best reflect what I would choose. 

1.  What is my favorite flower or flowers? 
      a) Carnations
      b) Tulips
      c) Roses
      d) Orchids
      e) All Of The Above

2.  The perfect date night would be:
      a)  Dinner & A Walk Along The Beach
      b)  Dinner & Dancing
      c)  Dinner & George Strait Concert
      d)  Dinner & A Long Talk
      e)  All of the Above

3.  If I could start a new career, it would be:
     a)  Foster Mom
     b)  Midwife
     c)  Concert Pianist
     d)  Writer
     e) All of the Above

4.  If I could live anywhere it would be:
     a)  The Mountains
     b)  The Beach
     c)  Downtown in a Big City
     d)  In the country, lots of land
     e)  None of the Above

5.  My favorite dessert is:
     a)  Peanut M&M's
     b)  Ice Cream
     c)  Shaum Torte
     d)  Wine & Cheese
     e) None of the Above

6.  If I could have anything I wanted for dinner it would be:
     a)  Anything with Bacon
     b)  Orange Chicken
     c)  Chili Rellenos
     d)  Pan Pizza w/Sausage & Onions
     e)  All Of The Above

7.  My favorite song of all time is:
     a)  Neon Moon (Brooks & Dunn)
     b)  Baby Blue  (George Strait)
     c)  Biggest Part Of Me (Ambrosia)
     d)  Love Me Tender (Elvis Presley)
     e)  All of the Above

8.  Favorite television show:
     a)  Teen Mom
     b)  Dance Moms
     c)  Dateline
     d)  The Voice
     e)  None of the Above

9.  If I could be doing one of these things right now, what would it be?
     a)  Reading
     b)  Writing
     c)  Playing the Piano
     d)  Sleeping
     e)  All of the Above

10.  If I could only wear one kind of shoe the rest of my life, what would it be?
     a)  Boots
     b)  Heels of any kind
     c)  The perfect flat-ballet slippers
     d)  Sneakers
     e)  None of the Above

11.  If I could go to any concert, who would it be?
      a)  Elvis Presley
      b)  Brooks & Dunn
      c)  Alan Jackson
      d)  George Strait
      e)  All of the Above

12.  If I could only listen to one kind of music for the rest of my life, what would it be?
      a)  Instrumental Guitar
      b)  Country
      c)  Classical
      d)  Contemporary Christian
      e)  None of the Above
 
   

Brotherly Love

It never gets old

Or tired

"Continue to love each other with true brotherly love." (Hebrews 13:1)

Merry Monday Morning

Last night I was browsing my blog in an attempt to figure out when an event happened. Much like a journal or diary, in the years I blog regularly, life information is saved. An account of sorts is kept. I can flip to June of 2006 and see what was in my thoughts or at least what I felt like sharing.  I was 23 pounds thinner that June.

I ran across a bucket list from March of 2010. I was dismayed when I read it:

1. Spend some time at an orphanage in another country. Possibly Uganda.
2. Rock the babies and children at aforementioned orphanage and pray over them.
3. Eat thick, chewy, crusty, pan pizza, filled with gluten and the toppings of my choice.
4. Go to a George Strait Concert. (Again)
5. Visit New York in the winter.
6. Stay overnight in a tall New York hotel, and watch snow falling down on the busy city.
7. Lose a few pounds.
8. Volunteer at a hospital again.
9. Take piano lessons and really learn to play.
10. Bless a stranger abundantly.


I haven't accomplished a single one.

 I suppose I could pick up the phone, call the local pizzaria and stuff myself with gooey, glutenous pizza. Then take a red pen and draw a line straight through number three as if I'd accomplished a life long dream. I should have clarified, when I made the list, that I wanted to eat thick crust pizza WITHOUT getting sick.  It doesn't appeal to me anymore. I can cross it out as "lost interest." It's time to make a more realistic bucket list.

In the midst of my research, I discovered I can also cross off number 4.  In 2011, I saw George Strait live in concert.  In my disappointment of not being able to get tickets for his upcoming concert in Denver, it slipped my mind. It was 4 days after we returned from our around-the-world trip.  Why wasn't THAT on my bucket list?

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick,    but a sudden good break can turn life around." (Prov. 13:12 MSG)

My Valentines

I have a lot of catching up to do. For now, I want to share my Valentines.

I was up until 4:00 a.m. with this guy:

Around 7:30 a.m, I awoke to another little voice.  "UhMa" and a tiny tap to my shoulder.  As I opened my eyes, this was pushed this towards me:

Then this boy kissed my cheek and said "Bye" as he headed off to school.

Now if I could just get a squeeze from this girl, life would be perfect.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Grandchildren are the crowning glory and ultimate delight of old age" (Proverbs 17:6)

Happy Birthday Laurie!

Remember Halloween in 1969? Mom made us martian costumes with pointed hats and polka dots.  Mine was green, yours was pink. You wanted to be a ballerina because most of the girls in your class dressed up as ballerinas.  Somewhere, there is a picture of us together dressed as martians. The pink polka dotted one is pointing her toys, posed as a ballerina.

Remember when you told me I had a mustache?

Do you remember riding in the station wagon with mom when we were little?  We'd put our flip flops (which were called thongs) on the floor, upside down, and pretend they were gas pedals. We shared so we could take turns having 3 each: one for the gas, one for the brake, and one for the clutch.  We were sure that if anything ever happened to mom while driving that we could take over and drive the car  for her.

Do you remember pillow presents? Sometimes we made scavenger hunts, sometimes just little treats or notes to each other.  I remember mostly getting homemade tamales tucked under my pillow but I don't remember eating them.  Did we?

Remember laying in bed tickling each others feet to see who would laugh first?

Do you remember sharing a bedroom and sometimes we fought? We'd try to divide the room up, but usually by the end of the day, we were friends again.

Remember taping Starsky and Hutch on cassette tape, then interviewing each other and using audio clips from the television show for the answers?  You thought Starsky was so cute and I liked Hutch. Whatever happened to those tapes?

Do you remember I had a pet water balloon?  It was sort of like having a pet rock, someone to talk to when you felt like you didn't have any friends.  I made a little bed for it and drew a face on it, but never told anyone.  One day I shared it with you and you laughed and wanted to pop it.  Later you told me you were sorry and said you'd never make fun of me again.

Remember when you told me I had a mustache, and laughed?

I have so many fond memories.  More recently they are the ones where you've had layovers in Denver or when I've been in Arizona and we've sat by your firepit and as we've always done, talked for hours and hours.

Let's keep making memories, maybe New York for the next one?

Happy 50th Birthday, Laurie!

Expired Junk

Clutter creates chaos. I'm not sure how or why this happens, but it does. More often than I care to admit. 

Standing in the kitchen, with a half hour before I needed to leave for an appointment, I told myself I had just enough time. I could empty and reorganize one shelf of a very deep cabinet. Hidden away in the back, amongst the clutter, I found this:

In case you can't read the Best By date, it is Sep. 02, 2009. Do you have any idea how many jars of peanut butter I have purchased in the last 4-5 years?  Plenty.  I've even run out of peanut butter, or so I thought. (To be fair,this is creamy peanut butter and it most likely was shoved to the back by my peanut butter eaters who prefer crunchy.)

I found many interesting items in that cabinet: A package of seaweed sent from Korea by my son. He's been back in the states for 2 years. Two boxes of candy canes I planned to use at Christmas. They were saved from the previous year. Six empty bags of Starbucks coffee. Did you know if you take an empty bag to the store you can get a free cup of coffee? Just a regular coffee, nothing fancy. Expired hot chocolate, coffee filters that don't look useable, and a nearly empty roll of Reynolds plastic wrap that is no longer sold-nostalgia? I can't remember why it was saved. I ran across 4 expired packages of baking chocolate, one was white. Apparently I had baking plans, but never got around to them. I managed to empty the shelf in the allotted time and only put back what I felt was necessary and trashed the rest.

When clutter takes over drawers, closets, countertops, and cupboards, is it any wonder that items become lost or disappear? I doubt I'm the only one who has lost an important paper, misplaced a valuable tool, or simply couldn't find what I needed because of unnecessary clutter. In the busyness of life, rather than deal with stuff that is accumulating, it seems easier to shove it in a drawer and decide what to do with it at a later date.  The problem is, later isn't any more convenient. As the clutter takes over, it steals my time. I waste hours sifting through junk to locate an important item. The time it would have initially taken to either find a proper home for stuff or discard it is a pittance to the time lost rummaging through it in search of other things.

What about mental and spiritual clutter? Issues and decisions come up yet get shoved to the back of my mind or heart because I don't want to deal with them now. What becomes of this junk? Does that little agitation grow every time I throw it to the back of my mind's closet? When is a convenient time to deal with that irritation or to make that decision? When it is fresh, right in front of me or when it has been allowed to clutter and cloud my thoughts for days and weeks at a time? Do I forgive right away, or stuff that in my mental "to do" folder? If I wait until I am offended again, I can add that to the existing folder.  Then when the folder is big and fat, it is no longer filled with just items needing forgiveness, but now contains deep roots of bitterness.  I glance at it and realize I have a huge cluttered mess to tackle.  It reminds me a lot of that overstuffed closet. It would have been so much easier if I had dealt with these things right away.

When I allow clutter to build up, whether clutter of the heart, mind, or home, it can lead to chaos.  It causes me to lose valuable time and resources. That jar of peanut butter was a perfectly good, food item that was wasted because it became lost in the back of a shelf, amidst the junk. How often have I missed an opportunity to grow or to be used by God, because I was loaded down by a bunch of junk that kept me from seeing what was truly important?

What about you? I'd love to hear how you have dealt with clutter: your successes and failures.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," (Heb. 12:1)

My New Job

 I recently committed to picking Ethan up every other Wednesday to take him to music therapy.  Yesterday was the first day for me to drive an hour and 15 minutes to his school, pick him up, then drive 38 minutes to therapy.

Once in the car, I explained that I was taking him to therapy (not Grandpa's.) Afterwards I would take him to get something to eat.  He began signing and telling me something.  Grrr...I wish I understood his signs better.

"Ethan, get Gramma's Ipad out of her purse.  Find the app that has the owl.  See if you can tell me on there."  It has been a very long time since we've attempted to use that speaking program.  The school chooses to use another speak system that frustrates me beyond belief, but enough of that.  Within a couple of minutes, he was in the program and it was saying dinosaurs.  That was the mode where we last left it. The next thing I hear is, "I want Dr. Pepper."

I look at the clock, then the GPS.  There is no time to stop.  We should arrive at our destination in 23 minutes, exactly 3:30.  His water bottle in his backpack is empty. I feel like a bad gramma.  This kid gets on the bus at 8:30 a.m.  School starts at 9:00.  Normally he doesn't get out of school until 3:30 where he again rides the bus arriving home between 4:00-4:30.  That is a long, darn day.  On Mondays and Wednesdays therapy doesn't get over until 4:45.  Then there is that long drive home.

"I'm sorry Buddy, we will get one when we get something for dinner." I hand him my phone that has the GPS and tell him he can FaceTime with one of his aunts. Instead he is fascinated with the map and begins telling me directions to go, gesturing and pointing. We finally arrive at the appointed time, but all I can think about is my 11 year old grandson has never asked me for a drink, let alone for a Dr. Pepper-and I can't do anything about it. Grrr....

 I have to say though, I am very excited about his music therapy. I believe it will open new areas of his brain development. This is about all I could see from my vantage point.  I listened to them singing and doing activities. Occasionally he would see me and smile, then go on with what he was doing.

After therapy and driving 40 minutes, Ethan and I stopped at Chik-fil-A to get that long awaited Dr. Pepper.

See you next Wednesday Ethan!

Truthfully,

Joanne

 ^"And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." (Mt. 10:42)

 12/17/13