Anniversary party a success

I forgot to mention in my last post that the 50th anniversary party was wonderful. My in-laws and all their guest had a lovely time, enjoyed good food and festivities. Three moments stand out to me:

1. When Mom and Dad first arrived, and looked around, wide-eyed, at the party atmoshpere and guests. I don't think they expected all the fuss - fancy food, candles, a slide show, a wedding-style cake, champagne, etc. They thanked us again and again.

2. Hearing each of the kids' speeches to Mom and Dad. They were really good, and drew laughter and a few tears.

3.When Mom sang her own version of "Thanks for the Memories" to Dad. It was funny, but also sweet, and got a lot of applause.

At one point during the party, my cousin-in-law, Sarah-Marie, told me something she over heard Noah say upon sipping the punch, "What kind of champagne is this?"

I'm so glad I got to be a part of throwing this party for them. They've been so good to us. It was nice to give something back.

Cozy computer nook

I have a new place to post and surf: the office/laundry area in our basement. It doesn't sound nice, but in fact, it is very cozy. The pc is sort of in a corner, by a large window, with a lovely view of our dogwood tree out back. There are lace curtains on the window, and hanging on the walls are two pleasant pictures, one of roses and the other of quails. On the table near the pc is a little metal lamp painted a dull green with little black decorations overtop. It's a candlesctick style lamp. I can hear my family above, as they move around, and watch tv, but I'm not bothered by their noises. I can hear someone leaving or arriving. I can jump up and fold warm clothes out of the dryer 10 feet away. It's perfect. And I wouldn't have discovered this spot if my laptop hadn't become problematic. David had to wipe it and reinstall its programs, but still hasn't gotten it back online. We're going to have to pay someone, which means it'll be put off for some time. Oh well. As long as the boys aren't doing homework, I can use this pc. Yay for unexpected nice discoveries.

My hysterectomy/tummy tuck will be in December, close to Christmas. I learned this a couple weeks ago. When I first learned this, I was not happy. But then I realized that much of the holiday prep will happen before-hand anyway. And I can make cookies early and freeze them, as well as shop and wrap early. My mother-in-law is more than happy to make the Christmas meal. I only hope I can make it to my Dad's Christmas Eve. But, then again, feeling rather sore, I may not mind staying behind with Maisy, and perhaps my mom and in-laws.

"Why are you having a major surgery so close to Christmas?" you may wonder. To save $800.00. We already met our deductible this year, and so we must have the surgery before the year ends.

Another benefit is that the kids will all be home from school, so they can help out around the house, instead of my mother and mother-in-law doing all the dishes, etc. Also, I won't be allowed to drive for 2-3 weeks. With the kids being home, that should cut back on driving demands that my mom and mother-in-law would have to perform.

It's late, and I'm sleepy. G'night.

Anniversary party

Well, I have yet again neglected my blog. This is mainly because, on Noah's first day of school, my brother-in-law, Jeff, called me about putting on a 50th anniversary party for his and my husband's parents. I was delighted to do so. It's been a busy month, though, and I'm eager to see it happen this Friday night. As Jeff is out of town, I'm the "Event Manager", doing everything from finding a place, to finding a caterer, getting a cake ordered, shopping for a pendant for my FIL to give to my MIL, to putting centerpieces together. And then there's the scanning and organizing of 150+ snapshots for a pc slide-show, as well as making slides to introduce each "chapter" of Mom and Dad's lives. They have been so good to us, I was glad to do this for them. I look forward to watching them enjoy their time in the lime-light. 50 years is quite an accomplishment. Just staying alive that long is something, but staying married that long is huge!

Noah finally admitted to me that he liked kindergarten a "little bit." That was because they had gym today, and he apparently really likes that.

We're having a little party tonight for Sarah Jane. She's soon 22. ( I'm the mother of someone old enough to be a wife and mother herself - a sobering thought. ) I'm proud of my Sarah Jane. She's working hard at getting her BSN, and she is living her life responsibly, and in fear of God. It makes my heart glad.

A movie review: Undertaking Betty (2004)
I caught 30 minutes of this movie on TV recently, and it was rated PG-13. So I rented it from blockbuster.com. When it came, it said it was rated R. Confused, and wanting desperately to see how it came out, I watched it. It seems to be PG-13. It was one of the sweetest and funniest movies I've seen in a long time. Set in modern-day Wales, in a little village, it's a fable about love that has to wait until mid-life to bloom. Starts Brenda Blethyn, Alfred Molina, Christopher Walken, and Naomi Watts. My daughter, husband, and teenage son all enjoyed the movie. (I edited 2 scenes) If you're a mom or dad, watch it with your other half, and then know where the scenes are to "edit." Otherwise, it's delightful.

September

It's September - one of my favorite months. I always liked this time of year as a kid. I enjoyed going back to school, and liked the cooler weather as well.

Noah started kindergarten this year. So far, he's not impressed. I'm hoping he'll soon look forward to going, to join his friends and learn new things. I cried a little after walking back into the empty house that first day. I guess it marked the end of his baby/toddler-hood to me. Especially since he's my last. He told that he missed me a lot that first day too, and that warmed my heart. We were both fine the next day.

The girls are back at college. Rebekah is out of state, but Sarah Jane lives here. SJ is practicing her harp as I type. I love to hear her practice.

Rebekah is so happy at college. She has a tight group of friends, and only calls about once a week. Sometimes she calls just to talk to Noah.

My little sisters, age 21, are coming over any minute. They want to see Josh's hair, which he bleached blonde the day before school started. I don't like the way it looks, but most people compliment him on it. (I think they just don't know what else to say.) His natural color is brown, and that looks great on him. Oh well, as David says, at least he didn't get a tattoo.

Sarah Jane, inspired by Josh, bleached her hair as well. It looks very natural on her, as her skin is blonde-friendly. So now, after years of having dark-haired kids, I have two "blondes."

Beach, Maisy, Becka turns 20

Oops... I've neglected my blog...

We got back from our trip to the beach a couple weeks ago. We went to Bethany Beach, DE. The big kids had a lot of fun. Noah had some fun, as did I. David got a terrible sunburn on the first day of the week, and had to hide out for the next few days. He did enjoy the boardwalk at night, and did have a nice day in the surf the day before we left, but I felt really bad for him most of the time. He wasn't very discouraged, as he enjoyed having the beach house to himself for large blocks of time, to watch what he wanted on TV, and to read a book he had been wanting to finish. So, all in all, it was a good trip.

I learned something during the trip: Noah is not a beach person, at least for now. He played a little in the waves, got knocked down, then spent the rest of his beach-time whining to go back to the beach house. He wouldn't even build sand-castles with me. The sticky sand and hot sun bothered him. He very much enjoyed the boardwalk rides, and feeding french-fries to seagulls. Also, he enjoyed flying the little kiddie kite we bought him. We found that 6-8pm was our family's favorite time to go to the beach.

I tried going to the beach in the morning for my devotions, and found it to be too bright and a bit muggy. I walked on the early morning beach, and also found that less than enjoyable. I guess evenings really are the best time for some to be on the beach in July.

When we returned from the beach, my Dad and step-mother, Brenda, brought our dog, Maisy, back to us. Brenda had asked me if she could take Maisy to her Sheltie's groomer while they were keeping her, and of course I was fine with that. (The summer-clip I had given her was looking sad, and a fresh cut would make her cooler... ) I asked only that her ruff and tail be left alone. And that is what Brenda told the groomer. But when she returned, Maisy's ruff was gone. Her tail was still fluffy, but she now looked like a mix between a Jack Russell and fox terrier. The groomer told her that the ruff needed to grow in along with the body hair, or it would look bad. Anyway, I thought she looked cute. She's fluffed out since, resembling a Corgi, but here's how she looked right after the groomer's:

And last but not least, Rebekah turned 20. Various friends and family joined us for her party the other night. She was very pleased with all the decorations and effort that went into it, and made a point to personally thank everyone. I can't believe it's been 20 years since the second time I heard the words, "It's a girl!" I'm so glad God blessed us with Becka. She's a lovely young woman.

endometrial hyperplasia

Try saying that three times fast. That's what a doctor told me I had when I went in to see her Monday, about having a roller-ball endometrial ablation done. It seems I need to have a hysterectomy, as this hyperplasia can turn pre-cancerous. The heavy periods I've had for some time are caused by this condition. The hyperplasia is caused by a hormone imbalance. (I believe I'm lacking in progesterone.) So, at the tender age of just 40, I'm going to lose my uterus. And gain relief from heavy blood loss, and the anemia it has caused. And, frankly, I'm OK with it.

Now I just have to figure out the logistics. It has to happen sometime between getting Noah settled into kindergarten, and Christmas. October seems good. We'll see what my doc says this week.

awake

I cannot sleep. I drank some coffee around 10pm and I'm still up on it. Also, I seem to have caught a "summer cold" and my nose has become a faucet. It's not fun to lay in bed, constantly changing my tissue-nose plugs. Finally, frustrated, I found myself poking around the meds for a dry-em-up. I found some Benadryl. What would I do w/o it? Tomorrow I'll use a Neti-pot.



Sarah Jane and I just got back 1:30am. We should've arrived at 9:35, but I overshot our exit off the Garden State Parkway. We knew we had gone too far when we saw flat land and sand in the soil...



God was good and saw us safely home. I have a cold and my nose is running like a faucet. And this coffee... And I think I'm just so happy to be back with my own family. I missed them!



One thing I did while in CT was really fun: Clair took me to see Nunsense at the Ivoryton Theatre. It was great! If you have a chance to see it, go! We laughed and laughed. There were a couple not-nice lines/jokes, but generally it was fine. The one character, "Mother Superior," was played by a man. "Mother Superior" seemed to weigh about 300 lbs, but moved with amazing agility for "her" weight. He/she was a great dancer. Clair was amazed at how nimble this heavy person was. I told her I thought he was padded. After the show, the actor came out in street clothes, and he was a trim man, about 5'7", weighing maybe 150. The padding really looked like real extra weight.














My friend had her baby. She had a girl, her third child, though poly-cystic ovarian disease has bothered her for some time. I think God must feel such joy in making these miracles happen. Makes me want another one. I guess that never goes away. If God wants to, He can make it happen, but so far, in the 15 years since getting my tubes done, nothing has happened outside of the IVF we did to get Noah. He knows best.

Road trip to New England

I find myself in Connecticut. I'm staying with a dear friend I made years ago when we lived here. I came along with Sarah Jane who was determined to get to her long-time friends, Chris and Enna. They went to the beach today.

My friend is Clair. And while Sarah Jane and her buddies were going to the beach, Clair and I were having manicures. I'd never had one before and let me tell you it was most relaxing. Clair treated. (I think she was a bit taken back that I'd never had my nails done before.) Mei, my Chinese nail-doer, was very thorough, and trimmed all my cuticles, massaged my hands and forearms, and even put a very warm towel on them. I think I liked that more than having spiffy nails. The process of having my nails done involved seemingly countless lotions and polishes. I think Mei applied 8 different liquids to my nails and hands by the time she sat me down under the dryer. And then Clair joined me. We sat there, feeling very girly and self-indulgent. A gal massaged Clair's back. (She had offered to do mine as well, but I thought it was extra so I declined.) Now my nails are a tasteful light pink, and I feel very special.

Clair loves the Lord, and so we have spent much time talking about His working in our lives, and how much He has blessed us.

Clair has quite a testimony. She said He manifested Himself to her in a most miraculous way. Jesus told her to read His Word because every word in it was true. I just had shivers as she shared all the details. Clair's working on a book, and I think she'll include this, so I'll not write it all out now. Just trust me - if you are earnestly seeking God, He will reveal Himself to you!

It's just about time to check in on another friend and see how her C-section went yesterday. I imagine she'll feeling a bit ouchy right now. I remember that feeling the next day, after all that wonderful numbing medicine has worn off. You just want to hop out of bed, but you can't. You have to move in slow motion because there are 7" of staples holding your tummy shut...

My newest obsession

This is a red and white Boston Terrier. I'm totally enamored with this pup. And I like the way Bostons look grown up even more!

My only problem is that David isn't a major pet person. If it wasn't for me, we'd have no pets. He does enjoy them, but generally can take them or leave them. (Though he does admit a weakness for cats and boxers...)

Today we go to a picnic, to visit with a family from our church who moved to Florida last year. I'm very excited because I have a surprise for my mother-in-law. I made her mother's Pennsylvania Dutch potato salad. It's sweet and sour. I have Grandma's recipe box, and found it in there a couple years ago. I couldn't believe nobody else wanted that recipe box as we went through her belongings.

Also, I'm bringing a dessert that I call Faux Chocolate Pie. I made it up yesterday. Having a fondness for bar cookies, I started with a basic bar crust, and poured pudding over it. Try it for yourself:

Faux Chocolate Pie

1-1/2 cups flour

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1-1/2 (3/4 cup) sticks cold butter , cut into pieces

2 small boxes chocolate pudding (the kind you cook)

4 cups milk

Preheat oven to 335 degrees F. Blend flour, powdered sugar, and butter til course and crumbly. (I use my food processor.) Press into ungreased 9"x 13" pan. Bake for 18 minutes. Cool on rack. While it's cooling, make up the pudding (I do this in the micro), and pour over crust. Cool on counter for an hour, then in fridge for 2+ hours. You can put a meringue on top, but I don't.

My family just eats this up! I had to gaurd the last piece for Sarah Jane, as she was working at the hospital til late.

Now, I must figure out a way to sneak a little Boston into the house...

Depression glass

Just thought I'd post a pic of one of the pieces of depression glass I bought the other day. It's a stem pot. I made that name up - maybe it's called something else. But it's really neat. It has a removeable "lid" with little holes for flower stems. Isn't it just too sweet and old-fashioned? I wonder who owned it before, and what they were like...

Also, here's a lamp that Faith's mom has. Faith said it was rather old. I liked how the bottom lights as a night-light. You can have both parts on, or just one. Isn't it dear? I love the color!

And, though it's off topic, I just had to post a pic of Maisy, our Sheltie, how I found her this morning. She's often on her back.

Respite in Rosebud

I went away last weekend. Noah and I hopped into my friend, Faith's, volvo, and headed three hours away to her parents' home in Rosebud, PA, in Clearfield Co.

Faith and I chattered happily, both being ENFP's, and the time flew. As soon as we got there, we headed to the main street for a town parade and fair. I loved the small town of Coalport, right across the river from Rosebud, a walk from Faith's childhood home. As fire engines and sportscars (advertising so-and-so for city council) inched by, the passengers threw candy to the crowd. Noah soon had more than he could carry. Nice ladies walked along, handing out balloons to kids. A Ten Commandments float went by - that was neat.

Noah takes a balloon

After the parade, we walked about and Noah won a bird whistle at a dart game! We ate hot dogs and snow cones, and every other person stopped Faith to say hello. "Oh, that was my cousin," Faith would explain, or her father's cousin, or her aunt, and so on. Everyone knew everyone else, or was related to them. I loved it. Also, I envied how Faith, now, and as a child, walked to her old-fashioned Methodist church, with the bells ringing everyone in. "Frank and I were married here." she told me. Yet again, I felt ripped off by my own wedding in a done-over grocery store, star-pierced lit border, mirrored poles and all... Oh well. The reception was OK. I often find myself wanting to have a vow renewal in an olf-fashioned church. Maybe someday we will - and then go on the honeymoon that David longs for. (Scuba-diving off some island - I'd really like that too!)

But I digress.

I so enjoyed staying with Faith's parents, Tom and Betty. They have a tidy country- decorated home with an expansive back yard. There are many hide-aways in the yard, and I found one in particular a favorite: a white heart swing, tucked under mature trees, near a babbling stream. There were purple and white foxglove growing by the stream. Here I had Bible devotions, and worked on the book I'm reading: The Kite Runner.

The swing by the stream

One night, Faith drove me to a mountain-top with a view all around. We climbed a water tower and saw even further. It was amazing. Then we went to Pirate's Cove for ice-cream, and some guys (Faith thought they were "lit") asked Noah (wearing a pirate hat) where his beard and hook were. At first he looked away, shyly. But then he sneaked out a hooked finger. They laughed. It was cute.

Faith and me (right)

It was a very restful time, and I'm so grateful to Faith for inviting Noah and me along. On our way back, having run out of heart confessions, Faith and I made up a story by turns, about a Victorian girl named Cora with a secret admirer. That was fun to do as we drove past mountains and rivers. The views were incredible. We stopped at an antique shop and I picked up some pink and green depression glass.

Back to the usual now. But I was ready to come home. I missed the rest of my family. Faith missed her squirrel.

family visits

Yesterday and today were family visiting days. Yesterday, we went to my sister, Wendy's, for a BBQ. The kids had water battles, and the grown-ups talked and ate too much. We wrapped up with a game of knock rummy til after sunset, and got home around 9.

Today, we ate Chinese take-out at David's parents' home. "Nanny" and "Papaw" really enjoy having all of us over, and we played games, watched movies, and looked at all the pix from their recent trip to Venice. They went for their 50th anniversary. They made sure to ride in a gondola. Dad told me it cost $100/person - ouch! If I ever go, I'll have to take the Walmart-type gondola. This will be a basic metal canoe with a starter gondolier, mabye around age 13, and we'll just hope to stay dry!

chipmunk cheeks

Josh had his wisdom teeth out this morning. He had a couple extra teeth removed as well. 6 extractions. Poor kid. He did really well, though, and hasn't complained at all.

Job well done

Today was my husband's birthday. I think he was pleased with how his day went. I made him tacos for dinner, followed by New York-style cheesecake. He really liked his present, a coffee-table book all about arts and crafts style bungalows. Beautiful photos. He looked and looked at it, even after all the excitement wore off.

My mother-in-law joined us, just back from her trip to Venice. She brought souveniers with her! She has got to be the best souvenier-getter in the entire East coast. As soon as David had opened his gifts, she started handing out all the others. Soon the table was filled with interesting goodies: hand-painted flutes, T-shirts, jewelry, linens, old-fashioned toys, and knocking balls (which may be whisked away in the night by the peace-and-quiet fairy). By the time all was unwrapped, I had an ecru hand-crocheted table runner, a golddust-filled glass pendant, and a lovely sachet of dried lavendar, mmmmm-mmm!

Mom told us that Dad insisted on getting that fancy table runner for me. He bargained and bargained for it, finally spending about $70 on it. He's so good to me. I still treasure the Canadian gold coin pendant he brought me a couple years ago.

Well, I'm pooped. Time for bed...

Screeee!

Since all the big kids got out of school, a special sound is heard through-out my day...

"Screeeeeeee!"

How is it that a five-year-old can scream this much.

"Screeeee-eeeeee! Ben is on my bike!!! You're not riding it in the middle! Screeeeee!"

"Screeeeeeee! Becka won't let me on the couch! Screeeeee! She pinched me! Becka- I'm never gonna play with you again! I hate you!"

So, what is a mom to do? Send them all to their rooms, put some break-and-bake cookies in and watch a movie...

This really happened.

It was bedtime in the fall of 1992. I had four kids at the time. Girls, ages 5 and 7, a 2-1/2 year-old, and and a baby, around 7-8 months old. I had just put Josh, the two-year-old, to bed, and carried the baby, Ben, on my hip to check that the girls were settling in. My husband, David, was studying for his P.E., his lap full of books and binders, his mind purring along.

As I got to the girls' room, I heard a terrified scream come from Josh. It was one of those get-there-now! screams, and I ran to see what was up. As I approached the room, there was an orange glow coming out of it - fire! I screamed for David as I nearly dropped Ben at the doorway and ran in to get Josh off his bed, which was on fire.

Josh was trapped behind the fire, in the corner the bed was in, but I got around it, grabbed him, and took him out of the room. By this time, David had flung the books off and was in the room. He tried to beat the fire out with a blanket, but it just kept coming alive again. This was because of the mattress, an old one filled with Spanish moss of all things! We had to haul it outside and douse it with water. Still it stayed lit. Finally I suggested David cut it open like a bun, and douse it. That worked.

All this started because Josh snuck some matches into bed.

So I have two pieces of advice for moms:

1. Don't use old mattresses. Use new, non-flammable ones.
2. Don't keep matches. We have only kid-proof lighters in the house now, as we have a five-year-old son.

God was good.

KJV only!

I read and trust the King James Bible only. If you want to know why, check out this site:

http://www.av1611.org/

Lots of good stuff. Educate yourself. Why use a butter knife when you could use a sharp sword?

Shorn Sheltie

I felt soooo sorry for our dog, Maisy, for having to wear a long wooly coat in the summer heat. She was even panting in the a/c. So yesterday, I took some scissors and trimmed her. I left her mane and fluffy tail, but at least her body will be cooler. David hates it. I think she looks like one of the sheep she's supposed to guard.

Here she is before:

And after:

freaky wolf man

Ok, this is just grossing me out. Sarah Jane is watching A Man Among Wolves on the National Geographic Channel. It's about a man who lives among wolves, like a wolf, feeding pups from his mouth, with them licking into his mouth, etc. I used to be quite the tom-boy, but I really can't stomach this. Nor can Josh. So now she's put on something equally disturbing, a show about Hitler's Youth.

Poor Noah. His arm is so swollen from his vaccinations yesterday. I'm glad I only allowed them to give him 2 instead of 4. Good thing we have Benadryl. This happened before and that's what I had to give him.

Noah said the cutest thing the other day. He was dressed as a knight, rocking on his horse, and I asked him, "Are you going to be a knight when you grow up?" Suddenly, he threw down the helmut, shield, and sword, and declared, "I'm not a knight! I'm a mother's child." (mother pronounced "muh-thaw") Awwww. He's my sweet little boy.

Same gold - new ring

I had my original wedding band remade into a 2.5mm plain comfort fit band to match my .33 diamond bezel ring. They look great together. I just got them back today. I'll see if I can post a pic. Yep, here it is:








Isn't that purty?

Time to make dinner...

Visiting Day

Lots of friends came over today. My new friend, Faith, brought 3 of her kids over to join 3 of my kids. She and I ate salmon cakes, and then took off to chat while I ran errands. It was fun. We found ourselves at the mall soon enough, and decided to walk it to get some exercise. Then we saw this neat place where you can make your own stuffed Teddy. Now we each want to bring our little ones and do just that. The kids would love that!

Both of us being jewelry-nuts, we had to stop here and there and ogle pretties. I have decided that, despite its being marketed like crazy, I like the Journey pendant. But I'll go for a cz one that I can afford.

I'm dropping off to sleep. Must end now...