Writer's Workshop- 10 Things That Make You HAPPY

From this week's assignment at Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop:
List ten things that make you HAPPY:
(in no particular order...)

1. Fresh brewed ice tea. with a piece of lemon. and sometimes, half a packet of the pink sugar package.

2. being with friends, in no hurry, and laughing, laughing, laughing.

3. a date with my husband. just us. anywhere.

4. my Life is Good long sleeve t-shirt.

5. Road trips.

6. clean sheets.

7. listening to my kids play nice.

8. my summer i-tunes disc.

9. worship. especially closing my eyes and listening to voices in harmony.

10. sunshine on my face.

You?

By Order of the Management

I discovered this artist in a gallery in Wilmington. Actually, his mom owns the gallery. It was fun to hear her brag on her son! His work is also available on Etsy.

I love the By Order of the Management series. I'd probably take one of each. And add a few of my own. Like, "if you can't be nice, you can just be quiet." And, "be kind to others." And, "lick and turn" (with a picture of an ice cream cone in the background...).

What are some of the things you say over and over, that could be added to the By Order of the Management series...?

Grandbaby

If becoming a grandmother was only a matter of choice, I should advise every one of you straight away to become one. There is no fun for old people like it! ~Hannah Whitall Smith

Back from 5 days spent with a delightful young man, our grandson, and his parents.

Oh the wonder of grandparenting!

Take my word for it- it is MUCH easier to be a first time grandma than to be a first time mom. That first time mom learning curve is awfully steep. So many unknowns. So many doubts. But by the time you get to grandparenting, being with a baby is like breathing; you just DO. The only thing that you really have to pay attention to is not being bossy to the parents! :-)

It was all blessing to hang out with our kids and grandbaby at the pace of life that comes with a newborn. It was hard to leave! See you soon, but surely not soon enough, guys!

Wilmington, NC

(otherwise known as "the post in which she does not gush about her grandson...")

I've been away this week, away from life with teens and pre-teens and sports and all that, to Babydom, Wilmington, North Carolina, home of our 1st grandbaby. Of course, the true purpose of the trip is to simply hang out with the A family. But, we did get in a few of the sights of Wilmington too.

We strolled the downtown area. The Pride of Baltimore was docked for the Memorial Day weekend. That's appropriate, because when I think "tall ships," I think Baltimore.


I took a picture of this building because it appealed to me. No other reason.

Wilmington has an on-going pedestrian art exhibition. The latest sculptures are really fun- guys created of driftwood, found in various places here and there.

There are some neat shopping areas, including an old warehouse with surprising courtyards and resting places.

A took me to a couple tasty local spots, like Port City Java (mmmm... goooood fresh brewed tea with REALLY good ice...) and Front Street Brewery (that was serving their spring brew for $1.99- too good to pass up...).

AND, we made it to the beach! I miss the beach! I love to jump through the waves, lay in the sun, watch people. If not for the pesky sand, the beach would be perfect... :-)

I'd say that Wilmington would be worth a trip even if you did not have an absolutely perfect little guy to visit there.

Simple- May 18

FOR TODAY, Monday, May 18, 2009...

Outside my window... full sun, tree branches swaying and the bright green leaves of spring blowing in a gusty wind.

I am thinking... this is the kind of day we look forward to in the middle of winter!

I am thankful for... healthy kids, a list mostly completed, good food to eat for dinner.

From the learning rooms... Esther, the end of the 20th century history, Longfellow.

From the kitchen... Indian food & spinach salad for dinner, oatmeal scotchie bars for dessert

I am wearing... brown roll-up capris, tan and orange blouse, sandals.

I am creating... lists. of things to do. a lot to do.

I am going... to Wilmington, NC tomorrow to visit grandbaby H and his folks!

I am reading... Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry.

I am hoping... for a good, uneventful, last night of classes at ESL this evening.

I am hearing... my son and a friend quiz each other on history, girls playing in the front yard, the front door squeaking open and shut, dog paws on the wood floor.

Around the house... kids. my five. and three neighbor kids. and a buddy that is riding with us to baseball practice.

One of my favorite things... warm oatmeal scotchies out o' the oven.

A few plans for the rest of the week: snuggling baby. being a nice grandma and a mom that's a blessing.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... my son playing ball. That's what we seem to have a lot of pictures of these days...

Check out more Simple Woman's Day Book entries...

Random Lists

tv shows that disturb me:

Groomer Has It

Toddlers & Tiaras

Half Ton Teen

must have's in the refrigerator:

cheddar cheese

tortillas

salsa

limeade

tasks that always take more time than you think they will:
making airline reservations

driving others

baking anything in my oven

states I will visit between May and August:

North Carolina (maybe SC too...)

Texas

Oklahoma

Washington

this weekend:

soccer

baseball

worship

Hannah- A Woman of Prayer

Megan at Half Pint House has posted thoughts and comments on the latest chapter of Through His Eyes: God's Perspective on Women in the Bible. This post on Chapter 10 examines the example of Hannah. And what an example Hannah is!

Come and join the discussion.

(art credit: Hannah Prays to the Lord, etching by Marc Chagall)

Just what the doctor ordered...

"...the exception, dark chocolate. As far as I'm concerned, you can eat dark chocolate every day..."

Dr. Nancy Snyderman, TODAY Show, "Diet Myths Revealed"

love Dr. Nancy...

Pretty Picture

The final "pretty picture" from the Hubble space telescope's longest running optical camera...

Lift up your eyes on high
and see who has created these stars,
the One who leads forth their host by number,
He calls them all by name;
because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power
not one of them is missing.
Isaiah 40:26

(photo credit to HubbleSite News Center)

A Different Sort of Earmark...

A historian is suggesting that perhaps Van Gogh didn't cut off his own ear, but lost it in a fight with Paul Gaugin.

Van Gogh might be one of those characters that I'd invite to that fictional "if you could invite any 5 people to dinner" party. So many questions I could think to ask him...

(art credit: Starry Starry Night by Van Gogh.
story credit: to Catherine Larson at The Point)

On the Road

“I’d buy one, but I have twins.” -Congressman Brian Baird of Washington referring to the two seater electric-hybrid Aptera Tuesday, at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill.

This photo, and the quote, come from a new site, WORLD on the Road, from James Allen Walker, a photojournalist at WORLD magazine.

The site will include some of the "behind the scenes" and outtake photos of Walker's shoots, as well as his commentary. I'm a fan already. Check it out.

Flu Check

Found this site for those who are wondering if they might have the flu...

(courtesy of The Point, who credits one of my all-time-favorite-funny-guys Dave Barry)

Announcing!

For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother's womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:13-14

That cute little guy to the left?
That's our first grandbaby.
A boy!
He was born just after the clock turned to Saturday last week.

All of us, grandparents, aunts and an uncle, rejoice!
Wonderful are His works!

Home Delivered Meals

I'm a day late for Wordful Wednesday. Alas. Some weeks are like that.

But really, that's OK, because today is Thursday, and on the first, third, and if there's a fifth, Thursday of the month, my family delivers meals for the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. Yep- basically we are meals on wheels.

ENOA is preparing to hold its annual fundraiser, "Sharing the Table," and this photo will be part of their "slide show." (are there really slide shows anymore? isn't everything a "multi-media production"?) This photo is missing my middle daughter, she was at basketball practice that day, but other than that, I love this picture. Even if we are all squinting. Even if you can't see that I have eyes.

My family has been delivering meals for a while now, maybe four or five years. I've lost track. It makes us sound much nicer than we are. Delivering meals is really one of the easiest things we do in a week. It takes about an hour, and I am certain we are more blessed by our clients than we are a blessing to them. And I am certain that most of our clients are more happy to see the kids than they are to see the food.

When we started, all 6 of us would go to every door. We quickly got over that! Now, one or two of the kids deliver each meal. We make about 10 stops, several with multiple meals. No- we do not cook the meals! All we do is pick up the meals, and then deliver them to each client on our list.

We all have favorites. We have clients that are cantankerous and grumpy, but soften right up with the kids. We deliver to those with disabilities and dementia. We delivered to a lady who told us the same story every week for three years. And then one day she added, "...but maybe I've told you that." HA! (uh, yeah, maybe, but we understand...)

We delivered to one lady that we knew was old, but we didn't know HOW old until one day I asked her how she was feeling, and she answered, "Pretty good for a lady that is 102." 102! You should have seen my daughter's eyes pop out!

We deliver to one lady who smokes "like a chimney" says my girls, and has me put out food for the stray cats ("you shouldn't take part in an illegal activity" says my son), and gives my girls Tootsie Roll pops but not my son. She must be able to tell he's against the cats...

We delivered to one lady with hoarding behaviors. Honestly, she could barely make it to the front door, she had so much stuff. Boxes and boxes and racks and racks and stacks and stacks of stuff. She was constantly in trouble with her neighbors for the perpetual yard sale filling her driveway. But oh!- did she delight in seeing my daughter!

We delivered to one man, an old gentle soul, who asked me if I'd like to join his chapter of the Hell's Angels. "You don't have to ride a bike," he told me. Me!? A Hell's Angel!? The only bike I know is my mountain bike that has cobwebs on the spokes right now...

So here's an exhortation to you families: if you are looking for a fun, easy, rewarding way to serve, deliver meals! My only caveat- make sure your kids can buckle their own seat belt first! And then, get ready to be blessed.

You must be there

"I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me... I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:36-36, 40 (NIV)

"Andrew was visibly moved as he recited these verses. 'Don't you see,' he told us, 'you cannot give a person something to eat unless you are there. You cannot provide drink or clothes, or visit the sick and imprisoned, unless you are there."

from God's Smuggler, Brother Andrew with John and Elizabeth Sherrill.

That's My Answer...

Wandering through Blogdom while the kids watch Bedtime Stories. (with Adam Sandler, that goofy guy that makes me laugh. My all-time favorite Adam Sandler? The Hanukkah Song. hands down.)

But I digress...

I just found That's My Answer, which is asking REALLY important questions for us to answer. Questions like:

It's 70's-80's Saturday night. Fantasy Island or The Love Boat?

Definitely The Love Boat. To tell the truth, the only time I really liked Fantasy Island was when there were kids on the show. And, sometimes it was spooky. Just my opinion...

Do read the fineprint on your contracts? What about all those agreements online, do you just click AGREE and carry on, or do you actually read it and then decide?

In real life, I read them, uh, well, I skim them. Online? I click agree and move on. I really hope that I don't regret that someday...

You’ve been put in charge of creating a contest that anyone can play. What is your contest? Where will it take place? What is the prize for first place? Do you think I’m going to win?

Too much thinking. Next question...

Today’s high is supposed to be 81 and the low is 58 (F). What is the forecast for your city?

I am SO glad you asked! Today, oh today. Beeee-you-ti-full!

High 89, but with breeze, sometimes wind, so it wasn't hot. And then a storm came through at game time, and cooled things in minutes. Perfect.

Low 59. That's sleeping weather.

Tomorrow- 60/52. We love you, sun. Come back to visit...

and that's my answer.

I'll Never Forget...

It has been a few Thursdays since I joined MamaKat and the Writer's Workshop over at Mama's Losin' It. This week's assignment? I chose number three:
Why won't you forget? List six true sentences that begin with the words 'I'll never forget...' Then use all six of your sentences in a paragraph, poem, or longer descriptive piece.(writingfix.com)

I’ll never forget…
Four years old,
Hiding under the bed,
Piercing sirens wailing,
TV on.
Tornado in the neighborhood.

I’ll never forget…
Elementary school years.
La Cienega picnic grounds.
Marshmallow roasting on a whittled stick,
Slick rocks across a bubbling stream,
Sticky sap of vanilla scented pines.

I’ll never forget…
17 years old and invincible,
Road trip AZ to CO.
Dusty dry Moab camping,
Dire Straits out the window,
Rocky Mountain air in June.

I’ll never forget…
College summer before senior year.
Train ride Juarez to Mexico City.
Glowing smoking wildfires rage outside,
Closed window musty inferno smolders inside,
Babble of language to be learned.

I’ll never forget…
Eight months pregnant in July.
Unfiltered sunshine on the shadeless Kodak Hula Show.
Strumming ukuleles, swirling grass skirts, beating tribal drums.
Frozen lemonade for sale,
Sweet tart icy cold slushy delight.

I’ll never forget…
The comfort of mid-life friendship.
Dawn of early morning Fridays.
Holding a warm mug of strong coffee,
Trusted confidence,
Prayer and tears mingle sweetly together.

I'll never forget...
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits.
Psalm 103:1-2

And you? What will you never forget?

Getaway

Took a little weekend getaway, to get away, to get a way, this last weekend- a road trip up north to Minneapolis. Me and two friends and a new friend. A friendly foursome. A frolicking foursome. A funny foursome!

We stayed here, thanks to a great price on Hotwire divided by 4. It was terrific, except for the absence of a hot tub, which we really would have appreciated after a long day of shopping.

Yes, shopping. As far as shoppers go, I am a rank amateur. I don't have the drive. Stick me in a bookstore, and I'm fine. Surrounded by racks and racks... not so much. I'm cheap. But we were in some prime shopping locales. And my first grandbaby is due any minute. I held my own with the pros.

IKEA. Love IKEA. I showed great restraint and stuck, mostly, to my mental list. Mostly. But how can you pass up 99 cent potholders and the like? Tough.
The Mall of America. 4.2 million square feet of retail acreage. Every store you can think of, and then some.
Factory Outlet Mall. By the time we got there, I lost the edge. The snack samples and truffles at Henry & David helped, however...
And, I found a few new books, besides.

Mostly though, it was just good to get away. Marcelene Cox (who is Marcelene Cox?) said, "The quickest way to know a woman is to go shopping with her." I don't know about that, but I do know that it's not just any ol' girls that I would take a road trip with! Thanks ladies! Fun weekend getaway.

Naomi and Ruth, part 2

Belinda at Upsidedown Bee has posted her comments on Chapter 9 of Through His Eyes: God's Perspective on Women in the Bible by Jerram Barrs.

This chapter, "Naomi and Ruth: A Portrait of Redemption," examines God's Providence, His compassion and how we can be obedient in the same spirit as Boaz today. As in the chapters previous, I commend it!

(art credit: Ruth Gleaning by Marc Chagall, 1960)

back to work

Let there be no pride or vanity in the work. The work is God's work, the poor are God's poor. Put yourself competely under the influence of Jesus, so that he may think his thoughts in your mind, do his work through your hands, for you will be all-powerful with him to strengthen you. - Mother Teresa

Which speaks directly to this post, The Day After Easter, by Stephen Nichols, on the Reformation21 blog-
It was after Christ rose from the dead that the work of the church, of beginning and building the church, began in earnest. The euphoria of the Resurrection moment would abate and the grind of routine would set in. The hard work, the daily commitment to love and care for people, the challenge of a hostile world crushing in, all this and more was what the early church, the New Testament church, had to look forward to.

Day after Easter- back to work...