My Reading Blog

The time has come To pack the bags Rearrange the car Early morning rise To get out the door Heading south toward home To warmer temps and sunny days To get back to my own bed and house To retrieve Max from his surrogate parents The time has come To write the last March slice To thank everyone who wrote and commented To thank Stacey, Tara, Dana, Betsy, Beth and Anna For all their dedication to making this challenge a success To continue writing on Tuesdays To keep noticing and appreciating all those little things that happen on a daily basis The time has come ....

As a treat for Michelle's birthday (really because we wanted the girls to ourselves), we had the girls for a sleep over at Uncle Scotty and Aunt Jen's house.  Michelle brought them over just before noon on Friday.  They had their bags packed to the brim with clothes and books.  Mommy had several other bags packed with some food necessities and other paraphernalia.  The girls had to show me what they brought and proceeded the empty out their bags while talking a mile a minute.  Mommy said her goodbyes and left. "Can we watch Frozen now?" asked P.  "No, how about we play with Rocky's toys?" said M.  (Rocky is the cat and they love playing with his toys.)  Back and forth they went trying to decide what to do first.  Since it was lunch time, I suggested lunch. "When will Aunt Jen get here?" P asked.  I told her that she would get home from work around 4:00.  Five minutes later, "When will Aunt Jen get here?"  They love their ...

Today we celebrate the birth of our daughter, Michelle (at Literacy Learning Zone).  Check it out she might tell you how old she is.  M - A miracle .  Michelle, a gift that God has given to us to cherish and raise.  We are so very proud of all that she has accomplished.  And now, she has two little miracles of her own. I - Interested and interesting .  Michelle is always interested in learning more to help her girls and all those that she teaches.  Because she is interested, she is so interesting to listen to and learn from. C - Caring .  Michelle is a nurturer.  She cares for her family, friends, co-workers, church members, students.  Always putting others before herself.  (Take time for yourself!) H - Helper .  Michelle has always been my little helper, always wanting to please and help in any way.  She continues to be a helper today - to her hubby, her girls, her friends, students, ... E - Exciting .  M...

Today (and every day) I'm embracing each moment... Sunshine after the rain    Smiles after the tears Hugs and kisses, just because    Listening and watching Helping and teaching   Reading and being read to Time to enjoy   Time for fun Time to spend with family   Quiet time to reflect Anticipation - what will happen next?       

Yesterday, Mommy had an oil change scheduled for her car at 7:45.  Grandma & the girls got to play dress up and a parade with a marching band.  M & P searched high and low for just the right outfit to wear and then they dressed Grandma with necklaces and a flower hat.  M had the drum and wand.  P opted to sit and read while Grandma and M marched around the house.  P joined in after a couple of trips around.  And then it was time to hid from Grandma. After a trip to Hobby Lobby and the library, we had lunch and tried to decide if it was a day for nap or just quiet time.  Mommy, M & P had made an agreement at the beginning of the week that they would take a nap every other day.  Yesterday was just quiet time.  We settled down with a couple of books and Mommy closed her eyes while Grandma read.  They wiggled and giggled and talked softly.  They snuggled under a blanket.  Grandma crocheted and M watched and waited....

Another fast paced, fun filled, action packed day with Michelle & M & P.  First thing there was ice skating - M is really steady on her feet, and up in a flash when she falls.  She used the hockey stick and hit some pucks.  P isn't quite sure that this is something she wants to pursue.  She tried skating while pushing a chair, but kept veering toward the rail - it was more stable.  Then Mommy skated with her, but she said Daddy was better. While Mommy got her hair done, we played games and read books, took a nap (Grandma needed the rest), made pictures with stamps and ink and markers.  And to top the day off, we did Wii bowling.  The girls did a great job and even got a couple of strikes.  Another day of hugs and kisses and come see this and can we do ..... A good night's rest for all of us.

A long day yesterday - driving from AR to IL.  But what was waiting for us when we arrived made the long drive so worthwhile.  I sent a text to Michelle around noon to let her know where we were and approximate time of arrival.  She immediately sent one back telling us that M had been very concerned because we weren't there yet.  She told M & P that she would check her phone and poof there was the answer.  M told Mommy she couldn't wait till we got there and P told her that she was probably going to be shy. When we arrived, it was quite the opposite.  P came running to the door with an envelope in hand, saying "Hi Grandma, hi Grandpa.  I've got something for you".  She gave hugs and kissed and proceeded to open up the envelope (she covered the envelope with lots of heart stickers).  P had drawn each of a picture. M on the other hand met us at the door, said "Hi" and ran behind the couch.  But then, after Grandpa raised P up to ...

Mom and Dad went away this past weekend.  Usually they take me to C & J's house - I really like it there - but this time we drove past their street and kept going. Hey, where are we going?   I was getting a little anxious - I just got a hair cut, so I wasn't going there.  Maybe to the vet, but no this isn't the way either.  They drove a little further thru town (Dad takes a different way than Mom).  Oh, now I know where we're going.  To my 3rd home - I'm so lucky.  When C & J are going someplace with Mom & Dad, I get to go to Ray & Kathy's house. They're just like C & J - they treat me like royalty.  Kathy met us at the door and welcomed me with a fresh bowl of water and lots of sweet talk and back rubs.  Ray wasn't there - I had to wait till later in the day when he'd come home.  After Mom & Dad left, Kathy played with me, I followed her around the house, checked everything out (just to make sure there weren'...

Yesterday, we continued celebrating our anniversary in Kansas City. The architecture,  the sights,  the sounds,  the people Union Station the model trains music by a high school band WW I museum learning remembering wondering late lunch great BBQ glass of wine awesome concert taxi cab rides a good night's sleep cold morning  packing up going home A culmination of our wedding anniversary celebration.  A wonderful weekend shared with fantastic friends.

Our plans had been made since December for this weekend.  We enjoy watching "Sing Off" which is an a cappella music competition that only last for four weeks.  At the finale, they mentioned that there would be a tour with these groups.  We found out that they would be performing in Kansas City, which is a mere 5 hours from home.  Our friends, C & J, wanted to go also, so we ordered tickets, made reservations and finally the weekend has come. Yesterday was our wedding anniversary, so we planned to celebrate for the whole weekend.  We started out yesterday, stopped at the Truman Farm Home in Grandville, MO and then on to Independence.  Unfortunately, it was too late in the afternoon to take a tour of the Truman Home, but we did see a video telling about Harry & Bess.  I'm going to have to read up on President Truman.   Our friends and us enjoy American History, so this may be a place that we will need to investigate at a later date...

On March 21, 1970, 44 years ago, my parents walked me down the church aisle to wed my husband to be.   It was the first day of spring that year and a beautiful day - sunny and almost 60 - for Illinois in March. The church was full of family and friends.  Our vows were said, music was played. Weddings in the early 70's were not elaborate affairs like they are today.  We had a simple reception with cake and coffee being served by the Ladies Group from church.  Gifts were opened and a delightful time was had by all.  Afterwards, Mom and Dad had a dinner for our families, all prepared by Mom. We had no big plans for a honeymoon, but we drove south for about an hour and stopped in Rantoul.  We had planned to go to Champaign, but the high school basketball state tournaments were being played there and no hotels available.  The following day we drove back to Mom and Dad's to pack up our gifts and other belongings to drive to Dover, Delaware, where ...

A couple of weeks ago I wrote that I was jealous that the reps I work with were going on a Thrivent Built/Habitat trip to Guatemala.  The guys got back home on Sunday.  When I went to work on Tuesday, I heard all about the trip and saw their pictures.  I thought I'd share some of their trip. This was Shawn's third trip and each of them have been a little different.  He is still just as excited as he was when he came back from the first one.  This trip was a little different as they were in the middle of the build and didn't have to dig trenches and unfortunately, they were rained out for three of the five days.  They did make progress on the house, but not as much as they would have liked.  This build was on the Caribbean side of Guatemala and was very HOT and humid.  Shawn said he didn't realize he could sweat so much.  While they were rained out of working, they did get to do some extra sightseeing and the pictures were beautiful. ...

The sun is shining Not a cloud in the sky The power flickered But stayed on Then just after lunch No flicker - just nothing Power was out No reason Computers were quiet No radio No internet No access to files No working stop lights People unaware  4-way stops Policemen directing traffic And then in just A flick of the switch The lights were on The radio blasting The computers humming The printer sending signals Stoplights working All is right with the world.

Friday and Saturday brought sun and warmth Sunday first brought rain,  then sleet then snow and wind Monday began cold  with snow covering the ground The sun came out  the snow turned to slush The slush turned to mud The snow disappeared What will tomorrow bring Will it be warm or cold Will it be sunny or cloudy Will spring ever get here? And once it arrives, of course,  we'll only complain that it's too hot and too humid Too rainy, too dry. Are we ever content with what Mother Nature give us?

Yesterday's post about our dining room table got me to thinking about the house where I spent the first eleven years of my life.  The house was built in 1900 and my grandparents lived there in the late 1930's until my parents returned in 1945.  Grandpa retired from farming and my Dad took over.  I came into the picture in 1948. The main floor consisted of a kitchen, pantry, bath (with a claw foot tub), formal dining room and living room and a small room used as a play area with a daybed and piano and a closet.  The closet was my hiding place where I played with my dolls and read books.  We used the daybed when Allan or I were sick.  I learned to play the piano on the old upright.  There were five bedrooms on the second floor.  I remember over the years that I changed rooms several times trying to find just the right one to call my own.  The front bedroom which was one of the larger ones, was for company and we kept it closed off duri...

We had some friends over for dinner the other night and Denise said, "I love your dining room table."  As I thought of that comment, it made me think about how I almost didn't get this table and if this table could talk, oh the stories it would tell. This table belonged to my grandparents and passed on to my parents when they moved to the farm near Clifton in 1945.  I didn't come along for several years after that, so I'm not sure what those stories might be, but as I was growing up I remember the many times that we used this table.  It was in the "formal" dining room, so it was used for those special celebrations, Easter, Christmas, birthday celebrations and family gatherings.  Usually the extra leaves weren't added to the table until preparations were being made for these celebrations.  Mom always put a table cloth on it to protect the top.  There were many stories and fun times around this table - adults and children. I remember that Mom ...

After reading Elsie's slice this morning, I reached way back into the dark crevices of my mind and came of with a memory from my childhood. Most every year during the summer, we spent a week on Lake Little Arbor Vitae near Spooner, WI.  The trip that seems to stick in my mind was when I was about 11 years old.  We stayed at a resort.  I remember that it was a very tiny cabin, but then there only four of us - my Mom & Dad and my brother.  The boats were furnished with the cabin and as I recall, it was also small, probably a row boat with a motor attached. One day my Dad took Allan and me out to fish.  It was a pretty day when we started out.  I think we were fishing for crappie.  Mom stayed behind to clean the cabin and get dinner ready.  I think she was planning to have fresh fish for dinner.  My memory isn't that clear on some of the particulars. We had been out only a short time when Dad said we need to get back to dock, there's...

I knew it I felt it As we walked the sun came up  over the lake A big orange ball The sky was blue Cool temps A beautiful beginning A new day A day to cherish and enjoy and embrace As I drove to town I turned a corner and there it was Off to the side of the road The first sign of spring A clump of bright yellow fully blooming daffodils. I knew it I felt it I've said it Spring is almost here At least in the Ozarks (for a while)

Goodreads Summary:  "The Midwife’s Revolt takes the reader on a journey to the founding days of America. It follows one woman’s path, Lizzie Boylston, from her grieving days of widowhood after Bunker Hill, to her deepening friendship with Abigail Adams and midwifery, and finally to her dangerous work as a spy for the Cause. Much has been written about our founding men. But The Midwife’s Revolt is unique in that it opens a window onto the lives of our founding women as well." I haven't read a lot about the Revolutionary War and was very impressed how the author wove the story through several years of this war.  Lizzie was a delightful character and wanted to help the cause.  I'll look for other book by this author. Finished:  3/10/14

Needed some help today, so checked out Michelle's Pinterest writing suggestion folder and came up with Currently.... 1.  Listening/Watching - the crackling of our fire/Property Brothers 2.  Eating - a chocolate ice cream bar 3.  Drinking - water (had my wine with dinner) 4.  Wearing - sweatpants and a t-shirt (had a sweat shirt on but we've got a fire going and I got hot) 5.  Feeling - tired tonight, but blessed   6.  Weather - This afternoon it was sunny, gusty and a cool 55 (spring is coming) 7.  Wanting - to visit my kids and granddaughters 8.  Needing - some inspiration to restart my desire to scrapbook 9.  Thinking - I am so thankful for all of God's blessings 10.  Enjoying - this March SOL challenge and reading and commenting on the wonderful slices

 Mom was tired last night and decided that it was time for me to write a slice.  A lot of you already know me, but for those who don't, here's some special tidbits that you should know. I was born 11/11/2001, so I'll be 13 years old this year.  My mom was a Cocker Spaniel and my dad, well, they never told me.  I'm a medium sized dog weighing about 45 pounds.  My fur is mainly white with some kinky light brown fur down my back and on my ears.  Here's a picture of me with my winter coat.  I'm in need of a hair cut. I have dark brown eyes that seem to draw everyone in.  My disposition is pretty laid back, in fact sometimes I don't react to anything or anybody! I have some hip problems that bother me sometimes, but Mom & Dad give me my pills every day and that helps. I really like to sleep a lot and have some special places to take my snoozes. I like to walk and run and sniff and lift my leg.  I've got a couple of friends tha...

I got an e-mail from a member of our small group asking for prayers.  Her husband was hospitalized and undergoing tests.  He was experiencing heart rhythm problems.  I promptly sent her an e-mail back telling her that both of them were in our prayers and asking if she wanted me to sit with her while she waited.  I didn't get a response back that day, but heard that he was doing better. This morning there was an e-mail waiting for me simply saying "Yes, I'll call you later."  I didn't hear anything and finally called her to find out what was happening.  She said they were waiting for someone to take him to the OR for an angiogram and could I come in around 1:00.  I told her I'd be there.  When I arrived, they were still waiting.  So we chatted and talked about when my hubby had his heart attack and all that transpired.  They were both very concerned that the blockage was severe and couldn't be taken care of with stints.  I trie...

As I mentioned in yesterday's slice, Skyping is one of our special things to do on most Sundays.  Since we live 10 hours from our kids and grandkids, Skyping has been our salvation.  When the girls were infants, they sat and we talked with Mommy and Daddy.  As the girls have gotten older, it has become more challenging (especially for Mommy).  And we love every minute of it.   M & P are intrigued with seeing themselves in the little picture on the computer.  They love to watch themselves make faces and get really close to the monitor and out of camera range.   They like being silly and noisy.  And we love every minute of it. We try to talk and ask questions, but our voices don't always come thru.  They tell us what they've been doing, sing us some songs, makes faces and do the typical almost 4 year old antics.  It doesn't take long to lose their attention and off they go, so we get a brief moment to talk with Mommy and Dad...

One of my favorite Gospel groups is Ernie Haase & Signature Sound.  As I walked yesterday, they were singing a song entitled "Sundays Are Made For Times Like These".  The chorus rings so true to how I believe Sundays should be.  It goes like this: "Sundays are made for times like these Sunday morning worship and time with the family A day to rest A day to love With no place you've gotta be Sundays are made for these" We try to capture this every Sunday Worship God, Communing with Him, Praising Him, Hearing His Word Fellowship with our church family Breakfast with dear friends Skyping with our family Resting - reading a book, taking a nap Enjoying life to it's fullest Embracing the gifts God has bless us with. Yes, Sundays are made for times like these. The last line fulfills God's promise to us: "I keep thinking about the one day In my home up in the air Every day will be Sunday over there."

Exercising has become a way of life.  I try to do something every day and am pretty dedicated.  I feel better when I exercise, but lately I wonder why do I really get up at the crack of dawn and go down to a cold basement to torture myself.  Sometimes I feel like I "just go through the motion" just to say that I exercised.  Is it really doing me any good? So last week, I was reading Prevention magazine and came across a new exercise workout, called Get Your Body Back Fit, Firm and Fabulous.  I ordered it and thought this is what a need to get into shape.  I've been doing the same ole routines for years and they have become old hat and I don't really concentrate on my form or even what I'm doing. The DVD arrived on Monday, so Tuesday morning I put the DVD on and proceeded to "try out" the first 10 minute routine.  You do every move for 1 minute (I can do anything for 1 minute, right???).  Needless to say, my 65 year old body couldn't keep u...

Last October, I spent a week in Guatemala with Thrivent Built/Habitat for Humanity building a house for a family of eight.  It was one of the best weeks of my life.  The people of Guatemala, the sights, the experiences, the bonding and fellowship with those who went with me, and the love of God bringing it all together.  My boss headed up the trip for Thrivent Financial. This week, he and the other rep in our office are going back to Guatemala for another build, this time on the Atlanta coast of Guatemala.   But, I can't go.  I'm jealous! Yet I know there will be another trip - maybe this fall.  In the meantime, I will wait for their return so that I can hear of their experiences of the week.  And hold down the fort while they are away.

Sunday we were blessed to only get freezing rain/sleet topped by a couple of inches of snow.  I say "blessed" because it was suppose to have been ICE!  Of course, that pretty much shut everything down - including our snow plows.  Monday, was a day to just stay at home and read a good book. Tuesday, Max had a hair cut appointment and I had to go to work. So I ventured out.  We live about 9 miles out of town and our county hasn't quite figured out how to do that snow plowing thing.  The roads were totally covered in packed down snow with some ice underneath.  Driving slowly, grasping the steering wheel very tightly, always on the look out for cars coming my way.  We made it to the state highway - now you'd think that it would be clear after a day and half, but that wasn't to be.  It wasn't as bad as the county roads, but it left a lot to be desired.  I did make it to work and back home again.  We hadn't seen seen or heard a snow plo...

March 5, 1917, my Dad was born on a farm in Essex, IL.  He was named Hartwell Paul which apparently was suggested one of the hired farm hands.  I don't know a lot about his early years other than he grew up with two older siblings.  Farming was hard work, so I know it must not have been an easy life, especially during the 1920's.  At the age of 17, a bb ricocheted off of a building and hit his eye.  He lost his sight immediately, but that never stopped him from doing anything. He made his way through high school by the skin of his teeth, and always a smile on his face.  He told his parents that he had no desire to go to college.  World War II began and he enlisted in the Army, but since he only had vision in one eye, he wouldn't be shipped overseas.  He was stationed in California at the Presidio and worked in the medical division processing in those who were injured in the line of duty. He came home on leave in 1943 and married my Mom and t...

We are blessed to live in the woods and have an abundance of wildlife that like to visit us daily and they give us reason to laugh and smile each time they venture through our yard. There has been an overwhelming quantity of deer for the past couple of years.  In fact, last year there were two sets of twins and one set of triplets born.  We have watched them grow and mature and yet, they still love to romp and play as they graze across the yard. Last week we had several loads of mulch delivered and because the weather has been so difficult, it has not gotten spread yet.  The other morning when Max and I were going for our walk, there were several deer on the top of the mulch pile, munching away at whatever they could find.  They stood their ground and just watched us walk past and promptly went back to see what else they could forage. Several days later, I looked out the window to discover this little one munching away on the cedar tree.  The tree ...

The morning we were getting ready to leave for our annual Florida vacation, we took a moment to look at the beautiful sunrise that appeared over the lake.  When we first saw it, there were clouds on top, then a stripe of blue going across the middle and then more clouds beneath the blue.  The sky had a multitude of colors with pinks, blues, purples and some orange and yellow thrown in.  God gave us a beautiful morning to start our journey south.  As we traveled that day, the clouds appeared to be divided horizontally with stripes of pinks and blues.  Another one of God's blessings that I'm embracing.  The pictures tell the rest of the story.  These pictures were taken looking towards the southeast from the front of our house.  And these pictures were taken looking northwest off of our back deck.

As I sit here on Saturday night, writing my slice for Sunday, I'm embracing today.  Embrace is my OLW for 2014 and I continue to search how I can embrace life and all that surrounds me.  This morning when I walked Max, the sun was rising over the lake and was a beautiful, big orange ball, filling the sky with a glow.  The sky was bluer than blue with no clouds in sight.  The temperature was a warm 38 degrees and very little breeze.  In other words, a perfect morning to take a walk. Max must have been enjoying it also, as he took his time smelling every little pile of leaves and twigs, and greeting his friends along the way.  Even a deer stood and watched us as we proceeded up the hill.  As we turned around to come home, the sun was full in the sky and I could feel its warmth hitting my face. The birds were singing their songs, welcoming a new day.  And other than their music, I was surrounded by peace and quiet. So I embrace this morning's...

It seems like a short time ago that my daughter, Michelle (Literacy  Zone) challenged me to become a part of this writing community.  And now, this is the beginning of my third year.  This morning I re-read  my first SOLSC slice and I remembered how difficult I thought it would be to share my thoughts with others, let alone have anything to write about.  But, as that month went on, I found that it got easier, there was something to write about and my co-writers left comments!   And now as I begin my third year, I find that something is missing if I don't write.  It's addictive. I find myself so much more aware of what is going on around, I pay attention to the little things that happen each day, I see how blessed I am.  Oh, sure there are days when I struggle to make my fingers type something, but somehow I manage to get a slice together to post.  It's rewarding when Hubby looks forward to each Tuesday to see what I've written about...