thanks for the memories

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

My new granddaughter!

Kaycie Elisabeth born this morning at 9:19 am.  She weighed in at 6 lbs. 8 oz. and 18 inches long.  She also has a mean set of lungs on her.  Mother and father are doing fine.

Monday, January 28, 2013

The Simple Woman's Daybook 28 January 2013


Outside my window...the world is gloomy with a certain feeling of expectation.  There is a winter weather advisory out for today.  The air out there fairly tingles with the anticipation of impending snow and cold.  Is it my imagination, fancy, or real this realization I have of what hangs in the air?

I am thinking...about the movie that I saw twice this weekend.  I accessed a movie called "The Miracle of Belle Isle" on Amazon prime.  It stars Morgan Freeman and it was thoroughly enjoyable.  

I am thankful for...this wonderful man that I married.  He has both physical strength and a strength of character that is a testament to his faith in God.  Even after nearly 30 years he still shows me aspects of his personality and character that amaze and thrill me.

From the kitchen...I am hoping that there is plenty of leftovers from the weekend 'cause I am not cooking today.

I am wearing...comfy cozies!!! 

I am creating...custom undies for my grand-daughter.  She is such a tiny little thing that the commercially available undies are too big for her.

I am going...to be industrious and energetic today (I hope) and get the new bag of mending that I received from Father yesterday done.  I also hope to crank out a half dozen pairs of undies for Savannah too.

I am reading...Team of Rivals.  It is a thick book and will take me awhile.

I am hoping...for safety, peace and love for all.

I am hearing...MK and Layn picking up in the livingroom, bagpipe music playing on the stereo, and MK's bird tweeting to itself in the mirror.

Around the house...there is everywhere evidence of family life.  Pillows randomly scattered on the furniture and floors, toys in little piles to show where Layn has recently been, and baskets of handiwork sitting by the rocking chair.  All of these give mute evidence of the inhabitants of this home.

One of my favorite things...watching my husband playing tea party with his grandkids.

A few plans for the rest of the week...finishing up some projects that are near completion, going about my usual business and preparing for the start of my new semester on Monday.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you....
Yesterday grandpa spent time playing tea party with Layn and Savannah.  There is something so endearing about a man who will get down on the floor with little people and abandon himself to their world.

Friday, January 25, 2013

We had a wedding!!!!

Better late than never I always say!! On December 28, 2012 my eldest son, Ian married his sweetheart, Melissa.  God was more than good to all of us for this occasion.  We were able to all be together and celebrate the increase of our family.

From left to right, my daughter-in-law, Kim with Jason and their daughter Savannah.  Matthew was home on leave and sporting his best Army blues!  Adam made it all the way here from Washington State.  Of course next is the newlyweds.  I am holding my grandson, Layn and my wonderful husband of nearly 30 years is beside me.  Behind Doug is Ryan, or Uncle Big Dude to those who love him. Mary-Kate is the beauty next to Ryan and finally Melissa's oldest son, Alex.

I love my big, loud, boisterous family!  Thank you God for the blessing of each other, love, and our belief in your goodness.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Let's get real here people!

     I don't usually use this blog as a forum for anything but sharing my family with those members who live far away.  But after reading this article here, I have to stand up and say my piece.
   
     Suspending a 5 year-old after overhearing her talk with her friend about shooting each other with bubbles?  What is that?  The intended weapon; a Hello Kitty automatic bubble shooter!  Should it be banned because of its high-capacity mag?  or maybe because it is an automatic weapon and those are illegal!  Whatever the reason it is beyond ridiculous.  My first thought after reading this was to ask if little boys should have their fingers removed to keep them from pretending cowboy and Indian.

     My point in all this?  Stop and think a little world.  First of all guns don't cause trouble.  Sitting there innocently in the gun case or on display in the story, they are just tools, bits of metal and wood.  Unfortunately they seem to have taken on untold powers and virtues which rightfully belong to the people who use, and misuse, them.

     Let's look at some facts.  The famous Lizzy Borden killed her folks with an ax.  But the government didn't pass legislation banning axes in general or specific kinds of axes in particular.  The pros and cons of single blade versus double blade axes didn't come under scrutiny because of the heinous murder that occurred all because of an ax.  And why should any of that happen when it wasn't the ax that was guilty but the woman who wielded it.

     Fourteen women were strangled to death with their silk stockings in the city of Boston in the early 1960's, purportedly by Albert DeSalvo, but again the murder weapon has not caused the kind of uproar that guns have in this century.  How about banning silk stocking because they make a good murder weapon?  Or maybe Congress should consider banning stockings because of their lethality but leave pantyhose alone since they weren't implicated in any of the Boston murders?

     Do I sound ridiculous?  I think not, no more ridiculous than those who accuse of guns of being guilty in the Newtown, Columbine, or any of the other mass shootings that have been in the headlines lately.  Guns were merely the instrument of choice for all of those who were responsible for murdering innocent people.  The guns didn't kill, nor can they kill until they are in the hands of someone who intends to use them for that purpose.  And no amount of legislation or banning can stop murders from using guns for that purpose until the minds and hearts of individuals have been changed, not the guns themselves.

The Simple Woman's Daybook 21 January 2013

Outside my window...everything is covered in a layer of pristine whiteness.  Yesterday's wind and increasing cold turned to heavy lake-effect snow fall.  Not being a real lover of the white stuff it is a lot for me to say that I think that I like this look better than the mud that we had the day before.

I am thinking...about "strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff."  I am thinking that the words may be coming back after months of being MIA.  Time will tell my friend, time will tell.

I am thankful for...patience, love, compassion, and the silliness that is my family.

From the kitchen....black beans and other such yummies are in store for this day.  I don't know what is missing in my diet lately but I cannot get enough of eating black beans (my poor family).  

I am wearing...warm cozies!  Along with the snow came very cold temps, once again, so it is back to long johns and hoodies.

I am creating...peace and tranquility (yea right)

I am going...to the Mennonite store to stock up on baking supplies.  The flour buckets are beginning to look like Mother Hubbard's cupboards.  

I am reading...Team of Rivals.  Really good read.

I am hoping...that the snow holds off some until I get home. Then it can snow and blow all it likes.

I am hearing...Layn helping Melissa clean in the bathroom, Isabella padding around the room looking for today's preferred place to rest, and MK picking up the dishes in the kitchen.

Around the house...it looks like a large family had a fun weekend.  

One of my favorite things...watching the little people discovering the world around them.  It was such a pleasure last night to sit and watch Savannah and Layn playing with the tea set.

A few plans for the rest of the week...a great deal of the usual along with a smattering of the less than usual topped with a dusting of the truly amazing.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you...

Isn't he just the cutest thing?  

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Dogs and rabbits!

A little over a week ago my daughter's dog up and ran away from home.  She had been outside doing her doggy thing when she heard a gunshot and, to coin a phrase, she rabbited!

She has been know to do that in the past so we gave it not a second thought and simply believed that she would be home either that night or the next day.  Not so this time.
After a couple of days MK got a bit concerned and called the vet thinking that someone would have caught her and called them as per the info on her collar.  That has happened before so it seemed reasonable that it would be the case again.  Not so this time.
So another day went by with no Isabella and MK decided to call animal control.  She had been spotted in the past and they had been notified so it was likely that they would know where she was.  Nope, nothing, nada, animal control had no idea where she was.
Melissa then posted information and a picture on the local pet rescue FB page and their website.  Surely by now someone had seen this errant doggie and wanted to find her home.  After a day there was a post on the FB page saying that she had been spotted about 6 miles from here.  Searchers were dispatched (MK and Melissa went over to Verona to look) but to no avail!
It was suggested that some piece of MK's clothing be left where Isabella was last sighted in the hope that she would smell the scent and hang out there long enough to be found.  
After all these efforts to find this errant hound she was not found and picked up.
This crazy dog waltzed back onto our farm as if nothing out of the ordinary has occurred.

MK, Melissa, and Layn are all happy to have her back in the bosom of the family.  I am happy for all of them and my husband may not rest until he figures out her motivation for going so far away and then returning home on her own.

Monday, January 14, 2013

The Simple Woman's Daybook 14 January 2013

Outside my window...it is a gloomy day.  By the look of the road I would say that it rained as some point in the night. Just about all of our snow has melted and we are totally surrounded by a sea of mud!  On the plus side I think it will be another warm day which means I can go outside for my walk.

I am thinking...there is nothing like a little boy to keep the place hopping!

I am thankful for...tea parties with Layn, movies shared with my girls, and family who truly loves each other.

From the kitchen...burgers are on the menu today!  I was just informed that Ian wants burgers for supper so burgers it will be.  There, that was easy!

I am wearing...long johns and a big nightshirt.

I am creating...organization where chaos once reigned.  Two more projects and the project basket in my sewing room will be empty!!!! That of course means that I can start something new.

I am going...to the store for some supplies and then home all day long.

I am reading...Lark Rise to Candleford.  

I am hoping...for miracles!

I am hearing...MK's parakeet singing upstairs, Layn talking to his mom in the bathroom, and the birds singing outside my window.

Around the house...all is as it should be.  There are signs of family, fun, and togetherness everywhere you look.

One of my favorite things...being able to cry during a movie without having to explain why.

A few plans for the rest of the week....accomplish the usual and complete the unexpected.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you...

Nothing is more exciting than the mind of an active child.  I don't know what Savannah was pretending here but she was serious about it.

Monday, January 7, 2013

The Simple Woman's Daybook 7 January 2013

Outside my window...it is a gloomy day!  The sun has decided to take a break today but that doesn't seem to stop the birds.  The tree out there is literally covered in little birds wondering when someone is going to refill the feeders.

I am thinking...about  gatherings and get-togethers.  Family and friends are so important to life!  I truly believe that the connections and interactions required by family and friends are irreplaceable means to serve God.  It is always easy to be kind to someone that you may never encounter again.  How much more virtuous to be "company" kind to those you interact with on a daily basis.

I am thankful for...my daughter.  Her kindness and generosity are a wonder to behold.  I am thankful each and every day that God sent her into this family.

From the kitchen...only good, low calorie and wholesome foods will be prepared in this New Year!  And if you believe that I have some swampland to sell.

I am wearing...comfy cozy jammies!!! I overslept this morning and since I won't be able to go anywhere today I think I will continue in this fashion trend.

I am creating...an empty mending basket.  Over the holidays I didn't tend to the sewing or the ironing. Now the sewing is staring me in the face with an evil eye!  I did the ironing on Saturday and it took most of the day to empty the two baskets that had accumulated.  We now have drawers full of freshly ironed table linens and closets full of crisp clean shirts.

I am going...nowhere fast!  My car has been in the shop since Thursday and isn't likely to be done today.  I am going to revel in being home with no place to go and no way to get there.

I am reading....Pope Benedict's book about the infancy narratives.  

I am hoping...to clear all the mending today along with finishing the quilt that is on the machine.  Time will tell how that ambition pans out.

I am hearing...Layn calling Archie, the fan on the furnace bringing the warmth up into the house, and the birds twittering outside the window.

Around the house...there is peace and calm and a sense of rightness.  This old house feels satisfied that it has harbored and nurtured the whole family once again.  There is a definite feeling of satisfaction in the air.  Though the house is sad that its various occupants have now gone back to their own lives, I sense peace and happiness too in the role that it has played in protecting and sheltering the family.

One of my favorite things...the peace and contentment that comes with knowing family.

A few plans for the rest of the week....sewing, writing, teaching, praying and all of the other joys that go with being a wife and mother.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you....
The peace and tranquility of the nativity scene as it adorns the shelf in Layn's playroom is a constant reminder of who we should be serving.  

Auntie enjoying her niece and nephew during her birthday celebration.  Nothing can duplicate or replace the sound of young children having fun.