Monday, December 31, 2012
2012 Recap
The year is coming to a close. Right now Frank is somewhere over the Atlantic winging his way to Zurich for his last layover before Tel-Aviv. He will be in Israel until the 9th. We had soup supper at church tonight and took down all the Christmas/Chrismon ornaments. Frank has established his shop for his scroll saw art and did a killing business from October to December. He gave me a corner to make my chimes....so I lovingly have named it....Karen's Korner....real original huh? I learned to do some minimal crocheting and am making this lacy little scarves as fast as I can ....I get two to a skein. Loving it! I also learned how to make cake plates, breads, and mesh wreaths. Man do I love Pinterest! Brain and Kat, Frank and I did a Pinterest Christmas. It was so much fun. I made sugar scrubs for Kat and cooking rubs for Brian, a family frame, coasters, and scarves. It was so much fun. I hope we do it again next year. Christmas day brought all of my children together under one roof for the first time in over 15 years. It was a beautiful day inside even if the outside was nasty. We are still at Rock Mills for another year. We spent a week at Panama City with the Porch People and I am looking forward to repeating the fun this year. My KLAMS trip this year was to Canada and we got to see Nick Wallenda walk across Niagra Falls. It was something else. I was able to attend my 40 year class reunion with Susan in August. It was so much fun seeing folks I have not seGreenvillen in years. I am so glad we decided to go. I participated in Project 365 on my blog. I blogged and loved the web journal idea. I joined the Rock Mills Volunteer Fire Dept. Spent time with wonderful people in Nashville, Knoxville, Greenville, Panama City, Birmingham....shared time with family and friends, sang some, loved a lot, cried a bit, read, blogged, and enjoyed life. I was diagnosed with ulcerative collitis in May and to be honest thought I was going to die. Frank's sister was diagnosed with breast cancer this year, as was one of our bowling teammates, MaeLynn. I have learned to HATE the words Cancer and Alzheimers. I was busy, fed, employed, and loved. I missed some who have left us here, grieved over some others, but....all in all 2012 was not a bad year. As I sit here and think of resolutions I might need to make I find there aren't any. I won't keep them....so why make them. I, instead, will be making plans. I plan to live 2013 to the fullest, fulfill some of my bucket list, enjoy my precious husband, children, and family, travel some, read more, be grateful for what I have and thankful that I have it. As midnight approaches and the ball is about to drop....Happy New Year to you and yours. See you next year! God loves each of you and so do I!
I Resolve To NOT...For 2013
So it’s sort of been a tradition on my blog to make resolutions…on what I’m NOT going to do. They’re much easier to keep, I’ve noticed…
Here is what I resolve NOT to do in 2013…
--I resolve to not…stop drinking Diet Coke. People are forever posting pictures and articles on how bad soda is for you and it only makes me want one even more.
--I resolve to not…start being a crafty parent. It’s just not for me and I don’t need to feel guilty about it. If someone wants to make a dress from a sock, good on them.
--I resolve to not…stop cringing when people continue to mess up your and you’re. If you’re-see what I did there? over the age of 10, you should know the difference. It’s YOU’RE welcome. Not your welcome.
--I resolve to not…feel guilty if the thought of playing a game with my kids causes me to want to rip my hair out. Hopefully they'll play better when they're older.
--I resolve to not…give up on finding an agent to represent me. Surely there is someone out there who believes in my writing. (I have a book on Kindle now called The Swimmer's Assistant if you're interested!)
--I resolve to not…stop making fun of Justin Bieber, One Direction, Keesha, and all those other awful singers who people have deemed “talented.” They aren’t my taste. At all. And what is the point of Nicki Minaj? I still don’t comprehend.
--I resolve to not…give up my junk food. I eat it in moderation. I laugh when these “experts” come on the TV and talk about how to give the junk up because you’ll feel “so much better.” No. I will not. If I don’t get my daily chocolate, I will not be a pleasant person to be around.
--I resolve to not…stop wondering how my husband can spend so long in the bathroom. Why would he want to remain in a room sniffing his filth? I don’t get it.
--I resolve to not…feel guilty for my parenting choices. I’m a proud breastfeeding, circumcising, non-organic food giving, allowing TV before the age of 2, disposable diaper buying mother. Hello.
Here is what I resolve NOT to do in 2013…
--I resolve to not…stop drinking Diet Coke. People are forever posting pictures and articles on how bad soda is for you and it only makes me want one even more.
--I resolve to not…start being a crafty parent. It’s just not for me and I don’t need to feel guilty about it. If someone wants to make a dress from a sock, good on them.
--I resolve to not…stop cringing when people continue to mess up your and you’re. If you’re-see what I did there? over the age of 10, you should know the difference. It’s YOU’RE welcome. Not your welcome.
--I resolve to not…feel guilty if the thought of playing a game with my kids causes me to want to rip my hair out. Hopefully they'll play better when they're older.
--I resolve to not…give up on finding an agent to represent me. Surely there is someone out there who believes in my writing. (I have a book on Kindle now called The Swimmer's Assistant if you're interested!)
--I resolve to not…stop making fun of Justin Bieber, One Direction, Keesha, and all those other awful singers who people have deemed “talented.” They aren’t my taste. At all. And what is the point of Nicki Minaj? I still don’t comprehend.
--I resolve to not…give up my junk food. I eat it in moderation. I laugh when these “experts” come on the TV and talk about how to give the junk up because you’ll feel “so much better.” No. I will not. If I don’t get my daily chocolate, I will not be a pleasant person to be around.
--I resolve to not…stop wondering how my husband can spend so long in the bathroom. Why would he want to remain in a room sniffing his filth? I don’t get it.
--I resolve to not…feel guilty for my parenting choices. I’m a proud breastfeeding, circumcising, non-organic food giving, allowing TV before the age of 2, disposable diaper buying mother. Hello.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Project 365 - Week 52
Sunday, December 23rd
Sunday evening we had potato soup at the Kramer house. Beth makes a most excellent potato soup and the fellowship was wonderful. I love to get shots of the ornaments on people's trees when I visit them. I love ornaments and I guess if I had to say I have a favorite collection it would be that....ornaments.
Monday, December 24th
It was a pretty quiet day until evening. We had Come and Go Communion at the church and then dinner at Keaton and Magen's for the Towler family Christmas.
This was Jett's first little cap and Magen made it into a Christmas ornament. What a great idea and how sweet is that? Do you get the feeling that this is an Auburn family?
Tuesday, December 25th
Busy day. Breakfast at 7 at Aunt Doris's house with the Burgess/Towler families. It is a tradition we have not missed since we moved here. Sherry and Marcie really put on the spread. It is so much fun.
We had three new babies this year. Jasmine is the oldest by a month, Jett is the only new baby boy and he is three months old. Miss Lillie was born at Thanksgiving. Valerie and Chris (middle shot) favorite the Burgess mom and dad. After looking at a picture of the two....I agree. After breakfast we headed to the house for Christmas lunch with my kids and others.
My entire family was all here for Christmas this year. It is the first time in about 15 years that we have all been together at one time for the holidays. I was delighted to say the least. We also had two of Kathryn and Brian's Moldovan friends, Sergio and Mia, and one long time family friend/adopted son, Joey. What a grand day. The weather was horrendous outside but inside the walls of my house it was a bright, sunshiney day. Momma was definitely smiling!
Wednesday, December 26th
Up early because we are taking one of our youth, Tyler to the Bass Pro Shop in Prattville today. We are eating lunch at the Islamorada Fish Company at the BASS place.
Thursday, December 27th
Lunch at J.R.'s today with Jo and Deborah to discuss Jo's upcoming wedding.
Friday, December 28th
Red sky in the morning....sailor take warning. What sunrise looked like in Rock Mills this morning. My yarn finally got here from Herschnerr's Yarn. I am so excited. I can see many scarf projects forthcoming.
Saturday, December 29th
We went to see Mr. Larry and Mrs.Betty Jean before they took down their tree. Since flowers are not in bloom right now I had to get this shot. Her tree was lovely. She is so meticulous about the placement of the balls that it looks professionally done. After we left they began the dismanteling process and there is now not a single reminder of Christams. This part of the holiday always makes me a bit sad. Happy New Year to you all and see you again in 2013.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
An Amish Christmas
"Christmas Cradles" by Kelly Long -- When Anna Stolis takes over for her aunt, the local Amish midwife in Paradise, Christmas night heats up with multiple deliveries, three strangers' quilts, and the help from resourceful and strong Asa Lapp, whose job it is to get Anna through a dangerous blizzard to complete her midwifery rounds.
“A Miracle for Miriam” by Kathleen Fuller: This Christmas, Miriam must decide whether to guard herself or accept the love of a man who once broke her heart.
“A Choice to Forgive” by Beth Wiseman: Lydia, a widow who has given up on love, is shocked when Daniel-- a past love-- returns to the Order, and her life.
“One Child” by Barbara Cameron: This snowy Lancaster Christmas Eve will see two couples’ lives changed by the birth of one child.
About The Authors:
Kelly Long: Kelly Long is the author of Sarah's Garden, the first novel in the Patch of Heaven series. She was born and raised in the mountains of Northern Pennsylvania. She’s been married for nearly 25 years and has five children.
Beth Wiseman: When a personal crisis tested and strengthened her faith, award-winning journalist Beth Wiseman was advised by her agent to consider writing a Christian novel, particularly an Amish one. Encouraged by her agent’s urging, she began exploring the Amish lifestyle and soon developed a great appreciation for the more peaceful way of life. In 2008 Wiseman wrote her debut novel, Plain Perfect, featuring the Amish lifestyle within the context of a fictional love story. It was a bestseller, as have been all of the full-length novels and novellas she has written since.
Kathleen Fuller: Kathleen Fuller was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and now makes her home in beautiful Geneva, Ohio. She has been married to husband James for 19 years. They have three terrific children, three dogs, and an overwhelmed cat. They also have raised cattle, pigs, and chickens at various times over the years. The Fuller family would have gone into the goat business, but Kathllen had to draw the line somewhere. She started writing in 2000, and published her first short story a year later. Since then she has authored several short stories, novellas, novels, and has done a lot of freelance non-fiction work. I\She has also worked as an editor. She has a Masters degree in Special Education, emphasis on teaching the blind and visually impaired, and a Bachelors in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. She has taught all age groups ranging from age 4 to age 21. A few of her favorite things are: her relationship with Christ, chocolate (of course!), autumn, a satisfying book, good friends, a sense of humor, people who don’t take themselves seriously, haunting melodies, NFL football, and did she mention chocolate?
Barbara Cameron: Barbara Cameron is the author of fifteen novels and three nationally televised movies (HBO), as well as a recipient of the first Romance Writers of America Golden Heart.
My Thoughts On The Book: This is the perfect book to snuggle up on the couch with on a nasty day. Once you begin the first novella it is impossible to put the book down until you have read the last word of the last novella. These are some of my favorite Amish authors and these stories are filled with Christmas tales, love, faith, romance, and the Amish way of life. If you are a fan of Amish stories then this book is a must for your library.
Friday, December 28, 2012
The iPad Adventure
It was because of my parents that I was even able to get the gift. They had sent some Christmas money and I immediately thought, “I can get it for him now!”
Tom had been lusting over an iPad for months. He’d throw hints out at me, “It sure would be nice to have one when I deployed,” or, “Man, I have a Droid, I can’t play that awesome zombie game that only people with Apple devices can play.” Okay, that one was a little odd. But I can appreciate zombie games since I love The Walking Dead.
Anyway.
The money came last Thursday so I decided to go out on Friday to get him an iPad. The Friday before Christmas. Meaning crowds. And lots of them.
I went to the BX first because if you buy at the BX, it’s tax free. Naturally the electronics department was a total zoo. I waited patiently and when I made it up front I asked for an iPad.
“We’re sold out,” the worker snapped. Yes, she snapped as though she thought I was stupid for even asking. I get that she was probably overworked and irritated and wanted two seconds of PEACE but sheesh. There’s no reason for attitude.
“You don’t have any?” I inquired.
“It’s the HOLIDAYS!” she said, as if I didn’t know.
“Really? It is? Because I wasn’t aware. I was curious on what all those trees were doing in the store," I replied. No. Not really. I thought it.
“Do you know when you’ll get more in?” I asked, still keeping my tone polite.
“No! Can I help you?” the woman turned to the man behind me.
Okay. Rude.
This meant I had to go to WalMart.
“We have to go to WalMart,” I said to Natalie. I had to take her. She’s on Christmas Break and Tom was at work.
“Aw,” Natalie groaned. “How LONG?”
“Hopefully quickly,” I said and crossed my fingers. Oh please let there be enough cashiers open at WalMart. Please let there not be a bunch of scary people. Please let them know about personal space and if they don’t, let them know the importance of deoderant.
So Wal-Mart was packed. I parked in the way back. Then I rushed into the electronics area—well, as fast as I could rush with Natalie trailing behind me. She stopped to look at all the baked goods that were out—normally I’d do the same because yum—cake and cookies—but I just wanted to buy the iPad and go HOME.
“Look! Cakes with green and red sprinkles!” Natalie said, pointing.
“Lovely. Let’s go,” I said, grabbing her hand.
She pulled it free. “Look! White cookies! Mmm, can we get the white cookies?” Natalie licked her lips.
“We have cookies at home. Please, darling, let’s go check to see if we can find Daddy’s present,” I begged.
“I must look at toys,” Natalie said firmly.
“Later!” I vowed and then I scooped her up and carried her under my arm.
“This is rude,” she informed me, looking up.
I ignored her and dodged customers. I made it to the back, waited a bit, and then made it up front.
“Do you have any iPad 2s left?” I asked the man hopefully.
“Um.” The man scratched his cheek. “The what now?”
Oh for—he looked like he was a volunteer. He had on a bright yellow vest so I imagine his regular WalMart job was stocking stuff in the back or something. They probably forced him to work in the electronics because of the crowds.
“The iPad 2.” I said it slowly and pulled out my phone. If I had to, I’d show him a picture.
The man pulled over a pad of paper and grabbed a pen. “The iPad..” he scribbled down.
“2,” I finished. “Just the 16 GB.”
“The what now?”
Oh man, I needed some chocolate. Or booze. Or both.
“16 GB,” I repeated.
“16..” the man wrote down.
“GB.”
“G….B?” the man wrote it down but seemed confused. “I’ll go check in the back.”
Oh please. Please oh please. I did not want to go anywhere else.
“Mommy, can I get this princess movie?” Natalie held up a copy of Mulan.
“Not today,” I said.
“Aw. But I love her,” Natalie said even though she had no idea who Mulan was. She’s into Rapunzel and Belle and Cinderella at the moment.
“Sometime. Maybe Santa will bring it,” I lied.
“Oh. Okay.” Natalie put it back.
The guy returned with a white box. Yes! Yes!
“Is this it?” he asked.
I checked the stats. 16 GB. iPad 2.
“Yes! Thank you so much!”
“Mmmm…” the man scanned it and I handed over a wad of cash. This must be how Jay Z feels.
Then it was mine. The man bagged it and handed it to me.
“Toys!” Natalie chirped. “Toys!”
“Another time. You’ll be getting toys for Christmas,” I reminded her. “We have to go!” I didn’t want people to see me with an iPad and want to jump me when I got outside. One never knows.
“You are mean,” Natalie pouted.
Going shopping with Natalie gives me a headache. It never fails. It wasn’t bad when she could be contained in the cart but now? Now it takes me forever to get through a store. Thank goodness for school. The summer is going to be extra fun though especially with Tom deployed. Yay me.
I managed to get Natalie out of the store by distracting her with a piece of Big Red gum from my purse.
“When you’re done, don’t stick it in your hair,” I said. Yes, she’s done this before. She said she wanted to ‘save’ the gum.
At home I wrapped the iPad 2 and waited excitedly to give it to Tom on Christmas. I knew he’d be so happy with it.
On Christmas, I made him wait. He opened his gifts under the tree and thought he was done. Then I was like, “Wait, there’s one more…” and he looked at me with a raised an eyebrow.
“Merry Christmas,” I said, placing the package in his confused hands.
He opened it, saw the box, and was like, “Are you serious?” He’s not a man that squeals when he’s excited. Or bounce around. Yes, it’s odd to me. I bounce around. I squeal. I do a happy dance.
But yes, he is thrilled:
And he installed his beloved zombie game.
And like me with my iPhone 5, he’s not sharing with our kids.
We like our electronics.
To ourselves.
Heck, I don’t even know if I’ll get a chance to mess around on the iPad. Even though I feel I sort of have a right for battling the crowds….
Tom had been lusting over an iPad for months. He’d throw hints out at me, “It sure would be nice to have one when I deployed,” or, “Man, I have a Droid, I can’t play that awesome zombie game that only people with Apple devices can play.” Okay, that one was a little odd. But I can appreciate zombie games since I love The Walking Dead.
Anyway.
The money came last Thursday so I decided to go out on Friday to get him an iPad. The Friday before Christmas. Meaning crowds. And lots of them.
I went to the BX first because if you buy at the BX, it’s tax free. Naturally the electronics department was a total zoo. I waited patiently and when I made it up front I asked for an iPad.
“We’re sold out,” the worker snapped. Yes, she snapped as though she thought I was stupid for even asking. I get that she was probably overworked and irritated and wanted two seconds of PEACE but sheesh. There’s no reason for attitude.
“You don’t have any?” I inquired.
“It’s the HOLIDAYS!” she said, as if I didn’t know.
“Really? It is? Because I wasn’t aware. I was curious on what all those trees were doing in the store," I replied. No. Not really. I thought it.
“Do you know when you’ll get more in?” I asked, still keeping my tone polite.
“No! Can I help you?” the woman turned to the man behind me.
Okay. Rude.
This meant I had to go to WalMart.
“We have to go to WalMart,” I said to Natalie. I had to take her. She’s on Christmas Break and Tom was at work.
“Aw,” Natalie groaned. “How LONG?”
“Hopefully quickly,” I said and crossed my fingers. Oh please let there be enough cashiers open at WalMart. Please let there not be a bunch of scary people. Please let them know about personal space and if they don’t, let them know the importance of deoderant.
So Wal-Mart was packed. I parked in the way back. Then I rushed into the electronics area—well, as fast as I could rush with Natalie trailing behind me. She stopped to look at all the baked goods that were out—normally I’d do the same because yum—cake and cookies—but I just wanted to buy the iPad and go HOME.
“Look! Cakes with green and red sprinkles!” Natalie said, pointing.
“Lovely. Let’s go,” I said, grabbing her hand.
She pulled it free. “Look! White cookies! Mmm, can we get the white cookies?” Natalie licked her lips.
“We have cookies at home. Please, darling, let’s go check to see if we can find Daddy’s present,” I begged.
“I must look at toys,” Natalie said firmly.
“Later!” I vowed and then I scooped her up and carried her under my arm.
“This is rude,” she informed me, looking up.
I ignored her and dodged customers. I made it to the back, waited a bit, and then made it up front.
“Do you have any iPad 2s left?” I asked the man hopefully.
“Um.” The man scratched his cheek. “The what now?”
Oh for—he looked like he was a volunteer. He had on a bright yellow vest so I imagine his regular WalMart job was stocking stuff in the back or something. They probably forced him to work in the electronics because of the crowds.
“The iPad 2.” I said it slowly and pulled out my phone. If I had to, I’d show him a picture.
The man pulled over a pad of paper and grabbed a pen. “The iPad..” he scribbled down.
“2,” I finished. “Just the 16 GB.”
“The what now?”
Oh man, I needed some chocolate. Or booze. Or both.
“16 GB,” I repeated.
“16..” the man wrote down.
“GB.”
“G….B?” the man wrote it down but seemed confused. “I’ll go check in the back.”
Oh please. Please oh please. I did not want to go anywhere else.
“Mommy, can I get this princess movie?” Natalie held up a copy of Mulan.
“Not today,” I said.
“Aw. But I love her,” Natalie said even though she had no idea who Mulan was. She’s into Rapunzel and Belle and Cinderella at the moment.
“Sometime. Maybe Santa will bring it,” I lied.
“Oh. Okay.” Natalie put it back.
The guy returned with a white box. Yes! Yes!
“Is this it?” he asked.
I checked the stats. 16 GB. iPad 2.
“Yes! Thank you so much!”
“Mmmm…” the man scanned it and I handed over a wad of cash. This must be how Jay Z feels.
Then it was mine. The man bagged it and handed it to me.
“Toys!” Natalie chirped. “Toys!”
“Another time. You’ll be getting toys for Christmas,” I reminded her. “We have to go!” I didn’t want people to see me with an iPad and want to jump me when I got outside. One never knows.
“You are mean,” Natalie pouted.
Going shopping with Natalie gives me a headache. It never fails. It wasn’t bad when she could be contained in the cart but now? Now it takes me forever to get through a store. Thank goodness for school. The summer is going to be extra fun though especially with Tom deployed. Yay me.
I managed to get Natalie out of the store by distracting her with a piece of Big Red gum from my purse.
“When you’re done, don’t stick it in your hair,” I said. Yes, she’s done this before. She said she wanted to ‘save’ the gum.
At home I wrapped the iPad 2 and waited excitedly to give it to Tom on Christmas. I knew he’d be so happy with it.
On Christmas, I made him wait. He opened his gifts under the tree and thought he was done. Then I was like, “Wait, there’s one more…” and he looked at me with a raised an eyebrow.
“Merry Christmas,” I said, placing the package in his confused hands.
He opened it, saw the box, and was like, “Are you serious?” He’s not a man that squeals when he’s excited. Or bounce around. Yes, it’s odd to me. I bounce around. I squeal. I do a happy dance.
But yes, he is thrilled:
And he installed his beloved zombie game.
And like me with my iPhone 5, he’s not sharing with our kids.
We like our electronics.
To ourselves.
Heck, I don’t even know if I’ll get a chance to mess around on the iPad. Even though I feel I sort of have a right for battling the crowds….
The Blessed Church
About The Book: (From the Back cover): How can I help my church stay focused on its purpose? What would a culture of generosity look like for my church? What part does rest play in a healthy church? Whether you are a pastor, a volunteer, or a church member, you want your church to grow well. After all, there's no better place to experience God than in the loving, healthy community of a church. But what does an effective church look like? Is it possible to grow and be healthy at the same time?
About The Author: Robert Morris is the Founding Senior Pastor of Gateway Church, a multi-campus, evangelistic, Spirit-empowered church in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Since it began in 2000, the church has grown to more than 24,000 active members. He is featured on the weekly television program, The Blessed Life, broadcast to approximately 90 million homes in the United States and more than 200 countries around the world. Robert holds a Doctorate of Literature and serves as Chairman of the Board of The King’s University. He is the bestselling author of ten books including The Blessed Life, From Dream to Destiny, The Power of Your Words and The God I Never Knew. Robert and his wife, Debbie, have been married 32 years and are blessed with one married daughter, two married sons and three grandchildren.
My Thoughts On The Book: As a pastor's wife and helpmate of a small rural church this book was a must read for me. In the book Reverend Robert Morris shares his own firsthand experiences of the spiritual and relational excitement of a growing, dynamic church. In The Blessed Church, Morris brings you practical wisdom for cultivating real growth by nurturing true and Biblical health in your spiritual community. When Morris speaks of "church" he is not referring to the building but to the people that make up the congregation. Wherever it is you attend "The Blessed Church" will help bring about a new healthy and vital church. In the six sections of the book we are shown the areas where we can ignite health: The Gateway Story, Blessed Vision, Blessed Shepherds, Blessed Leaders, Blessed Government, Blessed Church Culture. In the book we are walked through what we need to know so that health can begin within the body and spread throughout the church and into our neighborhoods. This book is a blessing and I cannot wait to begin the new year with a new outlook on what makes a church and how we can reach out to the people in our community. Click here to see a trailor on the book. You won't regret it.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Blogging for Books Program. I was not required to write a positive review. All they asked for was an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Things That Annoy Me Thursday: Toy Packaging
“Why?” I moaned as I tried to slip the scissors underneath yet another twist tie. I couldn’t get it positioned right so that meant I had to untwist it by hand.
I so hate getting toys from their packaging. Those plastic twist ties are the bane of my existence. They are everywhere. Clamping doll hands down. Doll feet. Heads. Torsos.
“How many twisty ties does one toy need?” I shouted.
And let’s not forget what they do to hair:
Ugh. And sometimes they don’t easily come off. So you’re trying to rip the piece free while hoping it doesn’t also rip the hair. I don’t think Natalie would be pleased if I was like, “Here’s Cinderella. But she’s bald now. Thank the toy companies.”
I’ve ranted about this before and I’m sure I’ll do it again next year: getting toys out of their boxes is the worst. Especially when you have boxes and boxes of toys. It gets even more exciting when there are multiple tiny pieces that you have to somehow wrench out of the box. And sometimes the pieces are so small that you think it’s trash until thirty minutes later your kid is like, “Where is this piece?” and you’re like, “Dammit! Why put in itty bitty pieces? We are not elves!”
I hope everyone survived opening all the new toys.
I did, with a little help from chocolate and Diet Coke.
I so hate getting toys from their packaging. Those plastic twist ties are the bane of my existence. They are everywhere. Clamping doll hands down. Doll feet. Heads. Torsos.
“How many twisty ties does one toy need?” I shouted.
And let’s not forget what they do to hair:
Ugh. And sometimes they don’t easily come off. So you’re trying to rip the piece free while hoping it doesn’t also rip the hair. I don’t think Natalie would be pleased if I was like, “Here’s Cinderella. But she’s bald now. Thank the toy companies.”
I’ve ranted about this before and I’m sure I’ll do it again next year: getting toys out of their boxes is the worst. Especially when you have boxes and boxes of toys. It gets even more exciting when there are multiple tiny pieces that you have to somehow wrench out of the box. And sometimes the pieces are so small that you think it’s trash until thirty minutes later your kid is like, “Where is this piece?” and you’re like, “Dammit! Why put in itty bitty pieces? We are not elves!”
I hope everyone survived opening all the new toys.
I did, with a little help from chocolate and Diet Coke.
An Amish Kitchen
Fall in Paradise, Pennsylvania, always brings a brisk change in the weather. This season also ushers in unexpected visitors, new love, and renewed hope for three women.
Fern has a green thumb for growing healing herbs, but longs for love to bloom in her life. Then the next-door neighbor’s oldest son, Abram, comes running into Fern’s kitchen seeking help for his little sister. The crisis soon leads to a promise of romance—until mistrust threatens to end the growing attraction.
Nearby, Hannah runs her parents’ bed and breakfast, Paradise Inn—but her life feels nothing like Paradise. She longs for a man of integrity to enter her life, but never expected him to knock on the front door looking for a room. Will she be able trust Stephen with her future once she discovers his mysterious past?
When a storm blows a tree onto Eve’s farmhouse, she has little choice but to temporarily move her family into her parents’ home. Outside of cooking together in the kitchen, Eve and her mother can’t agree on anything. But this may be just the recipe for hope in healing old wounds.
Three Amish stories—each celebrating love, family, and faith—all taking place in a tight-knit community where the kitchen truly is the heart of the home.
The book also includes a Reading Group Guide and 45 Old Order Amish Recipes.
About The Authors:
Amy Clipston: Amy is a native of New Jersey who began her writing career unofficially when she was a child. She loves writing about the Amish, and has an Amish friend in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, who reads her manuscripts for accuracy. She has always been fascinated with the Amish. Clipston remembers visiting Lancaster County, and her father, who was a German immigrant, told her that the Amish speak the same dialect of German as her relatives. She was drawn to their simplicity and faith. Due to her German heritage, she felt a loose connection to the Amish and their culture. Her plots come straight from the heart and all involve family issues intertwined with faith.
Kelly Long: Kelly Long is the author of Sarah's Garden, the first novel in the Patch of Heaven series. She was born and raised in the mountains of Northern Pennsylvania. She’s been married for nearly 25 years and has five children.
Beth Wiseman: When a personal crisis tested and strengthened her faith, award-winning journalist Beth Wiseman was advised by her agent to consider writing a Christian novel, particularly an Amish one. Encouraged by her agent’s urging, she began exploring the Amish lifestyle and soon developed a great appreciation for the more peaceful way of life. In 2008 Wiseman wrote her debut novel, Plain Perfect, featuring the Amish lifestyle within the context of a fictional love story. It was a bestseller, as have been all of the full-length novels and novellas she has written since.
My Thoughts On The Book: All three of the authors are some of my favorites. Their take on the life of the Amish is amazing. All three novelas are filled with faith, love, and the culture of the Amish. Having grown up in a family where the kitchen is the heart of the home and women bonded within its walls I was delighted to see that there are some amazing recipes at the end of the book and a reading guide if you would like to do a book study on the book. It is the kind of read that makes you want to shut the world out and just submerge yourself into a world of simplicity. A great read and would be a wonderful gift. I plan to add it to my Amish library of keepers.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Christmas Day Revisited
It has been a whirlwind of activities since I left school on Friday, December 21st. Friday night we had dinner and Christmas celebration with Amanda, Linda, David and family, and us at Amandas. We had a ham and the fellowship was wonderful. It was great getting to spend time with Linda and her husband, Victor, Amanda, and David, Susanna and the boys. There is nothing like little ones and the holidays. Saturday morning we ate breakfast with Beth, Ron and Colin at the Farm House and headed for Auburn to have lunch with the Blairs at Cracker Barrel. Their daughter Jill and her son, Brady came too and we did our present swap in the back corner of the restaurant. Saturday evening we celebrated with the Burgess family and played Dirty Santa. The meal was wonderful...soups and stews and the fellowship was such fun. There are three little ones this year and they were passed around to anyone who was willing to hold a baby for a bit. Sunday was church and our adult choir program, "A Lesson in Carols." After lunch we ran to LaGrange and then to Beth and Rons for potato soup. Such a fun day. Monday we had Come and Go communion and thn went to the Towlers for a traditional Christmas celebration. There was an element of sadness at this party since they have lost two family members this year. Fun, food and fellowship along with gift exchanges took place and we all left with full belly's and wonderful memories. Being part of the Rock Mills United Methodist family is such a blessing. Frank and I have such wonderful friends from our church. They make us feel so loved and wanted. Tuesday morning we had breakfast with the Towlers/Burgesses at Aunt Doris's house. It was yummy and then we came home to get ready for our family dinner. Kat and Brian were the first to arrive with Sergio and Mia in tow. Their friends were visiting from Moldova (via Syracuse, NY and Tuscaloosa). Jeni and Sam came next with Joey Long (my adopted son), and Eric, Roulain, Hannah and Hayden arrived shortly there after. It was amazing having all three of my kids together. It has been a long long time. I have to be honest and say that this was better than any gift I could ever have unwrapped. Pinterest Christmas with Kat and Brian was so much fun. Frank and I got some really cool gifts. The weather was supposed to get bad and the kids all headed home around 4:30. I was sad to see them go. I hope it is not a year before we all get together again. Their was one dark spot in the day....Frank's daughter, Amy and her husband, Stephen and their daughter, Amelia were not here with us. THAT would have been a perfect day. Sigh...maybe next year. I hope you all had as wonderful a time as I did. Now to rest. Holidaying takes a lot out of a body. Today we took one of our youth, Tyler to Bass Pro Shop in Prattville and had lunch at the Islamorada Fish Company. It was a great day!
I Didn't Burn The Christmas Ham
"Did I get one?" was the first thing Tommy asked as he rushed downstairs to check out what Santa had left.
"I don't know," I answered.
"It's just, I've been wanting one for YEARS!" Tommy shrieked and gasped with pleasure when he saw Santa's set up.
"I just want Princess stuff," Natalie said matter-of-factly. I actually had to wake her up. It was a little before 8 and I expected both kids would be ready and waiting for me to come get them. But no, she had been tucked in her bed, surrounded by her princess dolls, a tiny crown perched on her head.
Tommy, on the other hand, was wide awake. He claimed he had been up since 4.
Yikes.
"He came!" Tommy bellowed, digging into his stocking.
"PRINCESS STUFF!" Natalie yelled, grabbing her dresses that Santa left draped over the couch.
"I'm not seeing it," Tommy said, panicked.
"If you don't get one, at least you have other stuff," I reminded him.
"I know but...I've been wanting one for YEARS!" Tommy repeated. He plunged his hand into his stocking and pulled out chocolates, tiny toys, Nerds...I could see the worry beginning to form on his face.
And then...
At the very bottom of the stocking...
"I GOT IT! I GOT IT!" Tommy boomed. If anyone had been sleeping in the house, they'd have surely woken up then.
"I love it. I LOVE IT!" And Tommy promptly ignored his other stuff. Seriously, we could have gotten him the iPod Touch and he would have been fine.
Tommy's iPod Touch, by the way, is better than ours. We have the one from a couple of years ago. No camera. No FaceTime.
Tommy's has a camera. FaceTime. It's shiny.
Tom almost wanted to trade him his old one for the new one.
Meanwhile, Natalie was digging through her gifts and found the Rapunzel gown that Tom's Mom had sent:
"It's beautiful!" she gasped.
All in all, it was an awesome Christmas.
I mean, look what Tom got me:
Anyone want some chocolate? Because I'll have some for years. Or, you know, months.
He also knows that I love the Titanic and got me authentic Titanic wood.
And it was a white Christmas:
AND...I didn't burn the food. Everything came out delicious:
So our Christmas was awesome. On Friday I'll probably write how I got Tom's gifts. Getting one was a bit of an adventure.
How was your Christmas?
"I don't know," I answered.
"It's just, I've been wanting one for YEARS!" Tommy shrieked and gasped with pleasure when he saw Santa's set up.
"I just want Princess stuff," Natalie said matter-of-factly. I actually had to wake her up. It was a little before 8 and I expected both kids would be ready and waiting for me to come get them. But no, she had been tucked in her bed, surrounded by her princess dolls, a tiny crown perched on her head.
Tommy, on the other hand, was wide awake. He claimed he had been up since 4.
Yikes.
"He came!" Tommy bellowed, digging into his stocking.
"PRINCESS STUFF!" Natalie yelled, grabbing her dresses that Santa left draped over the couch.
"I'm not seeing it," Tommy said, panicked.
"If you don't get one, at least you have other stuff," I reminded him.
"I know but...I've been wanting one for YEARS!" Tommy repeated. He plunged his hand into his stocking and pulled out chocolates, tiny toys, Nerds...I could see the worry beginning to form on his face.
And then...
At the very bottom of the stocking...
"I GOT IT! I GOT IT!" Tommy boomed. If anyone had been sleeping in the house, they'd have surely woken up then.
"I love it. I LOVE IT!" And Tommy promptly ignored his other stuff. Seriously, we could have gotten him the iPod Touch and he would have been fine.
Tommy's iPod Touch, by the way, is better than ours. We have the one from a couple of years ago. No camera. No FaceTime.
Tommy's has a camera. FaceTime. It's shiny.
Tom almost wanted to trade him his old one for the new one.
Meanwhile, Natalie was digging through her gifts and found the Rapunzel gown that Tom's Mom had sent:
"It's beautiful!" she gasped.
All in all, it was an awesome Christmas.
I mean, look what Tom got me:
Anyone want some chocolate? Because I'll have some for years. Or, you know, months.
He also knows that I love the Titanic and got me authentic Titanic wood.
And it was a white Christmas:
AND...I didn't burn the food. Everything came out delicious:
So our Christmas was awesome. On Friday I'll probably write how I got Tom's gifts. Getting one was a bit of an adventure.
How was your Christmas?
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Does It Even Matter by Tracey Eyster
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.
We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items (books, a gift pack, music CDs) from the contributors! Enter now on Facebook or at the Pearl Girls blog. The winner will announced on January 2, 2013 at the Pearl Girls blog.
If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Mother of Pearl, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.
***
Does It Even Matter?
By Tracey Eyster
Every day, day after day, for twenty years I have been immersed in the task of mothering. No one told me before I was handed that swaddled bundle how all-consuming the role of motherhood was going to be, or how my heart would be forever altered.
My heart is swollen from the love that has grown there. A deep love that’s swelling has come at a cost.
The cost of daily dying to self as I choose to serve the needs of my children and my husband—to grow a family with the end in mind.
Thankfully I was taught by those older and wiser than me that the building of image bearing children requires intentionality and purpose by two loving, connected parents who are willing to work together for God’s purposes.
Even when we don’t know the outcome or exact purpose God has in mind for our children—our willingness to put in the hours and to be yielded to His direction is our gift to the Father.
This Christmas I have had a new and odd wondering that I have been contemplating, a question that has never before occurred to me.
Who built the manger?
Did he think the task was too menial?
Was he weary and tired from the task?
Did he want to build something more grand?
Did he dream of working in a way that would bring him glory and attention?
Did he wrestle with the assumption that what he was putting his time and effort into was not for a grand purpose?
How could he know the plans God had for that little manger?
The Savior of the world was going to rest there and do great things.
Psst . . . Mom, do you see it?
The Savior of the world has the potential to rest within that which you are building . . . to do great things.
Take care to put your time, talents, and energy into building well.
***
Tracey Eyster is the happily-in-love wife of Bill and the fun-filled mom of two teens, and she is devoted to her family and is happiest when making memories with them. In 2008 she took her passion for speaking into the lives of moms and created the ministry of MomLife Today. She is passionate about momlife and is amazed at God’s blessing of allowing her first book Be The Mom to come to fruition. She enjoys connecting with moms through her personal blog at www.bethemom.com, and on Facebook or Twitter @MomBlog
Merry Christmas and Help Me Open Stuff!
Merry Christmas!
Or, if you don’t celebrate it, hello.
If you do celebrate it, how did it go? Did you get everything you wanted? Does your living room look like Toys R Us threw up in it?
Are you running out of space to put all the wrapping paper and packaging?!
I hope everyone has a fantastic day.
Oh, and good luck with getting toys from their packaging. My poor fingers are going to sore.
I HATE those plastic twisty things. It’ll probably be my rant for Things That Annoy Me Thursday. Even though it was my rant last year.
But, well, those plastic twisty things are just awful.
Still.
Merry Christmas, guys!
Or, if you don’t celebrate it, hello.
If you do celebrate it, how did it go? Did you get everything you wanted? Does your living room look like Toys R Us threw up in it?
Are you running out of space to put all the wrapping paper and packaging?!
I hope everyone has a fantastic day.
Oh, and good luck with getting toys from their packaging. My poor fingers are going to sore.
I HATE those plastic twisty things. It’ll probably be my rant for Things That Annoy Me Thursday. Even though it was my rant last year.
But, well, those plastic twisty things are just awful.
Still.
Merry Christmas, guys!
Monday, December 24, 2012
All I Want For Christmas
Christmas is tomorrow. Are you ready? I think I am. I hope I am. I’m not going to the stores today so if I forgot something, I’m wrapping up a bunch of leftover crap and calling it a gift.
The following are what I would like for Christmas:
For people to turn off word verification on their blogs
To still fit into my pants after the holiday season
For judgemental moms to shut their traps and stop posting condesending things on Facebook.
For a literary agent to love my writing and want to represent me. Look, if SNOOKI has a book out there, I feel I should too.
To strike it rich and pay off my car. I hate car payments!
For the television networks to stop cancelling shows so soon. The Last Resort is getting cancelled, yet The Neighbors gets to stay. What?
For someone to fold laundry for me. I hate folding laundry. I tend to shove things in drawers. Whenever my Mom visits she always folds things so nicely and I think, “I like this. I should try it.” It never happens.
To have a white Christmas. We might! It’s in the forecast but one never knows with Oklahoma. The state behaves like a petulant child sometimes.
I hope you all get what you want for Christmas!
The following are what I would like for Christmas:
For people to turn off word verification on their blogs
To still fit into my pants after the holiday season
For judgemental moms to shut their traps and stop posting condesending things on Facebook.
For a literary agent to love my writing and want to represent me. Look, if SNOOKI has a book out there, I feel I should too.
To strike it rich and pay off my car. I hate car payments!
For the television networks to stop cancelling shows so soon. The Last Resort is getting cancelled, yet The Neighbors gets to stay. What?
For someone to fold laundry for me. I hate folding laundry. I tend to shove things in drawers. Whenever my Mom visits she always folds things so nicely and I think, “I like this. I should try it.” It never happens.
To have a white Christmas. We might! It’s in the forecast but one never knows with Oklahoma. The state behaves like a petulant child sometimes.
I hope you all get what you want for Christmas!
Just Like Mary by Carla Anne Coroy
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!
Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.
We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items (books, a gift pack, music CDs) from the contributors! Enter now on Facebook or at the Pearl Girls blog. The winner will announced on January 2, 2013 at the Pearl Girls blog.
If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Mother of Pearl, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.
***
Just Like Mary
By Carla Anne Coroy
Mary. Amazing Mary. Mother of Jesus. We marvel at her simple, faith-filled acceptance of God’s will for her life. There’s so little written about Mary in the Bible. We know almost nothing, really, about this woman that God chose to parent His Son.
Many have speculated about the exact age of Jesus’ mother. How old was she, really? What would it have been like to be greeted by an angel—and told you would become pregnant by the Spirit of God?
I wonder about other things sometimes, though. Like if she had morning sickness, or gained a lot of weight during her pregnancy. Was she overdue, or was baby Jesus born right on time? Did she mistake Braxton Hicks contractions for the real thing before labor really started? Was it a fast labor or did Joseph have eighteen hours to get that place into birthing readiness?
Most women who have ever given birth to a child have shared pregnancy stories. Everyone’s story is unique and interesting. Surely Mary’s was, too!
Then there are the stories of potty-training and conversations on how to get the baby to sleep through the night. Did Mary bounce Jesus on her knee while sharing recipes with other young moms?
We cannot find answers for these questions in Scripture. And as interesting as it might be to share pregnancy stories with Mary over a cup of coffee (maybe in heaven?) and get her tips on potty-training, we really don’t need to know any of that to love the Son she bore.
But Mary’s example raises questions about me and my own life that get under my skin.
Am I the kind of woman God will choose to be part of His plan? Do I trust and love my God enough to give faith-filled answers like she did? If there were just a few paragraphs written of my life for future generations to read, would those words reveal a heart of willing submission to God?
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38, NIV)
God has not asked me to carry the burden of His Son in my womb. There are other burdens He is asking me, and you, to carry instead. Are we being the women He needs for the part of the plan we’re living in now? Am I saying to Jesus today, “May it be to me as you have said”?
During this Advent season, let’s prepare ourselves to be used by God, filled with faith and anticipating His grace—just like Mary.
****
Carla Anne Coroy is a Christian speaker and blogger, and the award-winning author of Married Mom, Solo Parent. She ministers to a wide audience through her website and blog at www.carlaanne.com. Carla Anne has served full-time with organizations such as Youth for Christ and Crown Financial Ministries, and is currently developing mentoring resources for women and an international mentoring organization for youth. She also serves as a staff writer for the online magazine Mentoring Moments for Christian Women and is a spokesperson for Faithbuddy.com. Carla Anne lives in Canada with her husband and four homeschooled children.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Projct 365 - Week 51
Our hostess Sara has been amazing this year. I hope she hosts us again next year. This has been fun and I hope you will consider joining in next year. See you in 2013. Merry Christmas to all!
Sunday, December 16th
The day was spent pretty much dedicated to preparing for the Youth Christmas program at 6:00 pm. It was a Charlie Brown kind of program. Top picture is Frank playing the Rev Wisehart. The bottom photo is Libby - one of the lead characters singing "What Child is This" as Anna. The kids did an amazing job and I am very proud of them.
Monday, December 17th
I finished up the wreaths I have been making for Christmas gifts. This one goes to one of my dear Auburn friends. My den looks like Hobby Lobby. I love Pinterest.!
Tuesday, December 18th
Tree is up and done...or should I say as done as it is going to be.... and the present wrapping is almost complete.
Wednesday, December 19th
I got up at 4 this morning so I could make this for a gift. This was sweet potato bread I made for my custodian, Gene. I also made the cake plate for him too. I have always given whoever my custodian is something homemade for the holidays....one year I didn't....I bought a red velvet cake from the Pig and one year I gave them socks and gloves....not a good idea believe me. I learned early on in life that you need to know the secretaries and custodians at the school.....oh and the head of the lunchroom. It makes life much easier. I love Pinterest!
Thursday, December 20th
After getting home from bowling tonight I made bread for tomorrow evening and finished up two more gifts. This cake plate I did with a Lenox vase and gorgeous plate. I can't wait to see its recipients face. I also made this one with party lite candle sticks I found on ebay. Have mentioned how much I love Pinterest?
Friday, December 21st
My tree this year is filled with ornaments that I have gotten as gifts. The snowflakes are some of my favorites. Mrs. Shirley made them for me. My aunt Shirley used to make me a new one every year. I love them...and they are all so unique. The peace sign is from one of my oldest friends. It is a past reminder of the no worries life of a teenager.
Saturday, December 22nd
What a busy day. Breakfast at the Farm House with the Kramers and their grandson Colin, we headed to Auburn to take care of some business and met the Blairs and Jill and her son Brady for lunch at Cracker Barrel and exchanged gifts, then it was home to whip up "the stuff" for the Burgess family Christmas gathering and dirty Santa at Aunt Doris's house. We got home a little after 8, ran to Wal-mart, and then home to crash. I was beat. Tomorrow is our Christmas service, "A Lesson from the Carols" presented by the adult choir. I had planned on having an Open House this year but have no clue as to where I would have put it in my schedule. Have a Merry Christmas. This time next week Frank will be winging his way to Israel.
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