Monday, September 5, 2011

Labor Day 2011

http://www.group-games.com/stationary-games/couch-game.html

Monday, July 25, 2011

Journal Excerpt: August 10, 2009 Canandaigua Part Two

1:15 pm Fascinating upstairs to Muar's, the refuge we used in yesterday's thunderstorm.

Yes, that's right, the paragraph at the top of this page says. "Hope the rain holds off...."Well. as planned above, yesterday Doug dropped me off on the edge of the business district and he drove on to explore the beach area. I was so excited. On the corner of the second block, I found a great little gift shop, "Goodie II Shoppe", and enjoyed exploring its nooks and crannies. The shop owner was very friendly and we discussed the instability of the weather,hoping for sunshine for my little window-shopping excursion.
I stepped into a back room to look at some fascinating books. Absentmindedly I looked up and out the window--it was raining torrents!! I couldn't believe it. It came so suddenly and violently.
Thankfully I had my phone so I could tell Doug where I was so he could pick me up. (I love cell phones! He never would have found me without my call.)

I was very disappointed, but since it nearing 2:00 and we hadn't eaten lunch yet, we decided to try the little beach-front restaurant. We braved the pouring rain to get in the front door, but it was well worth the soaking jackets.

Sooo cute--bright beachy colors that just make you happy to be here. We were fortunate to get a table in front of the window overlooking the lake. We had paninis and shared a Snapple. We noticed that a few people went upstairs so we ordered an ice cream cone (for me--Turtle Cheesecake and Coffee Heath) and a healthy oatmeal cookie (for Doug--he loved it) with a cup of coffee, and explored upstairs (where I am right now).

Friday, July 22, 2011

Part One: Journal Excerpt, August 2009. Canandaigua

Comfort Inn & Suites, Farmington, NY Near Canandaigua
August 9, 2009

Yesterday was Griffin's 4th birthday. He has been with us for four years. In one way it's hard to believe that he's four years old, and in another, it seems like he has been part of our lives for a long time.

He's such an amazing child. Alicia called Kaley on Thursday evening to say that the wheel had broken on her car. Griffin immediately headed for the door. Kaley asked where he was going--to find a wheel for Aunt Alicia.

In the basement he found a hub cap from Kaley's old car for Alicia :-)

On Friday evening, we met at Frank's--an Italian restaurant in Maine--for my birthday dinner. Alicia was a little late, but as soon as she came to our table Griffin looked up and said, "Shisha, did you get your car fixed?"

What an amazing thing for a four-year-old to remember and ask about. He really likes to serve and work, an observation I have already made in his father.

My birthday dinner was very nice on Friday evening--it was a bit poignant because by the time Doug's birthday comes. Ehrets will be residents of Souderton, PA :-)  :-(

It really is the end of an era--a beautiful era of having Kaley and Wes, Griffin and Lincoln available for all our birthday parties, spur-of-the-moment get-togethers, and "Can we stop in and see the boys?" afternoons. They won't be hanging out after the morning services anymore for "Hill-family get-togethers" and so that I can love on the boys.

Wow--the end of an era indeed.

Very sad, but delightfully exciting.

Thank You, Jesus, for the past and now the anticipation of the future.

Doug couldn't attend my birthday dinner because he had a wedding rehearsal. Those in attendance:

Tami, Brian, Alex, Kendra
Kaley, Wes, Griffin, Lincoln
Ryan, Macia
Alicia

Gifts:
--Murphys: a $5 DD certificate and a Dorothy Sayers murder mystery (a used book Tami got in an Ithaca bookstore)
--Ryan--an iron
--Ehrets--a 2-year subscription to "All You" magazine (coupons!)

After a delicious Italian meal, we went across the street to "Scoops" for an ice cream cone (Alicia treated me), then Alicia came home and fell asleep in front of "Sergeant York". Smile...

It felt good to have her at the house. She made us each a cup of tea and she curled up in the recliner, and I got comfy on the couch. A special moment together.

The next day (yesterday) we left around 10:00 to get to Treman Park fort he wedding Doug was officiating. Then we headed right out for the last 3 days of our vacation.

The hotel is new and very nice. We got here about 4:00, took advantage of the hot tub, then went downtown to explore Canandaigua by car. We found a fun place to eat--Eddy O'Brian's Grill. There was music and a couple of people dancing. One couple was about our age and they danced and danced. It made me want to learn to dance even more. When we got home I tried to find some video clips with dance lessons but didn't come up with anything amazing.

It's 12:30 on Sunday now. It has rained all morning :-( but the sun is shining now. We are going back to Canandaigua so I can walk the main street and do some window shopping. Doug is going to ride his bike around town, then we will go to a late lunch at a cute restaurant that we discovered last evening.

Hope the rain holds off because this is the sort of thing I love to do. [To be continued...]

Monday, June 6, 2011

Poetry --Sir Thomas Browne

From A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L’Engle p. 20


If thou could’st empty all thyself of self,
     Like to a shell dishabited,
Then might He find thee on the ocean shelf,
     And say, “This is not dead,”
     And fill thee with Himself instead.

But thou art all replete with very thou
     And hast such shrewd activity,
That when He comes He says, “This is enow
     Unto itself—‘twere better let it be,
     It is so small and full, there is no room for Me.”

                     --Sir Thomas Browne

Vicky: “As for me, I felt replete with very me, full of confusions and questions for which there were no answers.”

Journal Excerpt: April 11-June 29, 1985

April 11—[We had no TV, so we went to a time share presentation where they offered a portable TV—a tiny, huge-battery-operated, portable TV—for listening to their spiel.] Went to Bremer Hof—got portable TV! Ate at McDonald’s in Great Bend.

Before we left, Kaley [nine years old] was reading the instructions to Bremer Hof and the details about the free TV. She read: No strings attached. “Does that mean there’s no cord on the TV?” she asked.

***************************************************

Alicia said she was hungry and I told her we were going to Aunt Lois’ for supper. “Oh, thank you, Lord,” she breathed emphatically.

***************************************************

Grandma Iversen was eating French toast with us. Alicia asked her if she ever made French toast. Grandma said, “Yes, when Aunt Peg was a little girl, when Aunt Madolin was a little girl…” and on down the line. I said, “t sounds like hard work, doesn’t it?” Alicia said, “Yes, did you sweat?”

****************************************************

April 22—Ryan has started lifting his arms begging me to pick him up.

****************************************************

April 25—Ryan—11 months old. He has started putting the telephone to his ear and chattering.



May 1985

Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12—Alicia was drawing a picture in church. She’d look up at me then look down and draw an eye. She’d study my face some more and draw another eye. After studying my face several more times, she completed the drawing with eyes, ears, nose, etc. I was moved—“She’s doing a portrait of me on Mother’s Day.”

“Look, Mom.” She held up the picture. “It’s a monster.”

****************************************************

Saturday, May 25—Ryan’s First Birthday! Ryan woke up on his birthday playing peek-a-boo.

Sunday, May 26—Ryan’s birthday celebration at Brigg’s

May 28—Ryan started climbing all the stairs

May 30—Ryan fell down the stairs

June 1985

June 4-5—15th Anniversary—PTL! Overnight at Turner’s cottage; Kathleen Murphy with kids

June 5--$210 from Charlie PTL!!!

[Backdrop of this story: We had made plans for some time to go to Ohio to Shari’s Smith’s graduation. The kids were so excited—a road trip to their cousins’! But as time came closer we realized that we had NO money to make the trip—as in NO money. We couldn’t bear to tell the kids that we might not be able to go, it would break their hearts. So, the evening before we were to go, we packed our suitcases, prayed with them and tucked them in bed filled with the exquisite anticipation that is a delicious part of childhood. Doug and I prayed—we couldn’t even imagine the sadness of having the kids wake up the next day to the news that we couldn’t take the trip. Then a knock came at the door; it was Charlie. He handed us an envelope with $210 in it (cash, not a check) and said that God had told him to do this some time ago, but he hadn’t gotten around to it. Charlie had no idea that we needed money that very moment for this trip—but God did. It’s hard to find the right words to express the wonder of this.]

June 6—Left for Ohio at 6:30am. Perfect trip PTL!

June 11—Todd’s 6th grade graduation

June 13—Class Picnics:

Todd—El Ranch de Paz –take 2 pkg. hot dog “roles” (TDH)

Kaley—Mrs. Wright’s

June 15—Ryan walked! [I still remember that his brother and sisters were standing around and we were all laughing and crying as Ryan took his first steps.]

June 20—Kaley’s last game—1 hit

June 21—Todd’s last game—2 hits

June 26-29—Castle Inn—PTL!!!

****************************************************

Alicia riding in the car: “Mom, isn’t it neat that we can have a baby.”

Alicia’s mispronunciations:

Nickname = rickname

Canker sore = tanker sore

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Journal Excerpt:: April 1-9, 1985

--Alicia had some catsup on her plate and some applesauce. She said, "When you eat catsup and applesauce together it's like a fire in your stomach."

--When I came home from the grocery store, Alicia ran to me and said, "Mom, Kaley antagonized me!"

                         ********************************************

April 1--To the Pepper Mill with family

April 4-- Otsiningo with family, Jeremy, and Scott Baker

                         *********************************************

April 8--Alicia's 4th Birthday

Kite Theme
--spray painted foam kites to hang on doors
--paper kites with toothpick frames with names printed for small cups with raisins and peanuts
--gave out Fun Pads and punch balloons for prizes
--played Magic Carpet (musical chairs), drop clothespins in canning jar (Tami), throw jar lids on soda bottle (Todd), throw buttons in egg carton (Kaley)
--ate brownies in the shape of a kite frosted in blue with licorice string, Rice Krispie treats (made by Tami), grape juice with Ginger Ale and ice cream

Guests and gifts:
Mindy--Play Doh
Mandy--coloring book $4.04
Johnny Covert--Simon Chipmunk
Jennifer and Eric--pony necklace, two books
Kim Webber--birthday bear made by Sue
Aaron--comb and brush set, two books

Also:
Briggs--books and tape
Grandma Iversen--$20
Grandpa and Grandma Hill--car seat
Tami--finger paints
Pony and Play Doh

                              ***********************************

Tuesday, April 9 --Spring Baskets

                              ***********************************

--Alicia was not wanting to go to bed alone even though she has an assortment of dolls and stuffed animals on her bed. "I want someone real to go to bed with," she cried.


                            

Journal Excerpt: March 1985

February 25--Ryan 9 months old

                                                   ***********************************

March 1--First day of March--PTL!!  Doug and I went for a nice walk--52 degrees

                                                   ************************************

March 5--Todd's first pay check [Delivering Pennysaver]--$12.08!!

                                                    ************************************

March 6--Tami--shop with Grandma

March 8--Tami overnight--Mrs. K

March 9--Tami's 15th Birthday

                                                      ************************************


Friday, March 15:  Language Arts

        Tami:
                First--Dramatic Interpretation
                First--Creative Writing
       Todd:
                First--Dramatic Interpretation
                Third--Creative Writing
       Kaley:
                 Fourth--Spelling

Tami to Nelson's; Todd to Christensen's; Kaley to Lois'

                                                          *****************************
Saturday, March 16

Slept in--seemed good.

Swim party: Tami, Kelcy, Jacob

                                                         ******************************

Ryan says "MaMaMa"

Alicia as she's getting ready for her nap (she had taken a bath earlier): "Mom, after my nap will my body be clean?"

                                                            ****************************

March 19: Tami cut Kaley's hair

                                                             ****************************

March 29: Tami--Fine Arts -- Tie for 2nd with Beth Hershberger

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Journal Excerpt: January-February 1985



Tami was the captain of the cheerleaders for the first game.

*****************************************
Jan 8--Started Ryan on whole milk.
Sunday, Jan 13-- Ryan clapped his hands during singing 

Ryan keeps busy now clapping his hands. 

****************************************** 

Sunday, Jan. 20--Mom I. for lunch--leftovers. Kaley to Megan's; Todd to Jay's; Doug and Tami to Hill's--Super Bowl; Mom and I put a puzzle together.

                                         ******************************************

Monday, Jan. 21--Mom in town: Cinnamon buns and boiled dinner!
Alicia was so funny--she did everything Grandma did. She pulled her little chair right up next to Mom's chair next to the fire to eat and read books. She crossed her legs just like Mom. She helped Mom make cinnamon buns and rolled out and cut her own.

***********************************************

Ryan sits up now from a lying position. I walk into his bedroom and there he is sitting up--it shocks me every time.

*********************************************

I was rubbing lotion on Alicia's legs and I called them "sweet little legs". She said, "I love these legs."

*******************************************

Ryan straightens up on his back legs when he's on all fours so it looks like he's going to stand up. He stays that way for quite a while--it looks so funny.

******************************************

Todd was having a problem with Mrs. A, his new teacher. I talked to her on the phone; she admitted she was wrong, and we set a date for the three of us to talk on Monday.

Todd said, "I'm really nervous about this."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because when people say they are sorry, they usually hug you."

*****************************

February 1--Tami and Todd's stories chosen for Language Arts

                                                     ******************************

Monday, February 4--Todd played his first basketball game

                                                      ******************************

Feb. 5--Ryan "walked" while Doug held his hands

                                                        *****************************

Feb. 5--Kaley won the Spelling Bee to compete in Language Arts

Feb. 7--Ryan crawled a little at Grandma Hill's--also waved when we said "hi".
Doctor's appointment with Dr. Goodman 21# 4 oz.

                                                         ******************************
At one point we told Alicia her birthday was pretty soon. The other day she stated with great resignation, "Pretty soon is a long, long time."

                                                       ******************************

Ryan crawls now, but he looks like a dying man in a dessert crawling to a drink of water.

                                                      *******************************

Ryan discovered his tongue. He sticks it out and plays with it every time he laughs.

He recognizes his name now.

He crawls all over now. He crawled into Dad's study and started chewing on the filthy crud in the Rainbow basin. Poor Dad--he had to pull it out and clean Ryan up. Ryan had his four teeth brushed for the first time!













 










Sunday, May 22, 2011

A Sound to be Detested

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle. It made me 1) want to hop on a plane to France or 2) at the least, open a bottle of French wine. The following excerpt describes my on-going love/hate relationships with the telephone:

"We got home to find the telephone ringing. It is a sound both of us detest, and there is always a certain amount of maneuvering to see who can avoid answering it. We have an innate pessimism about telephone calls; they have a habit of coming at the wrong time, and they are too sudden, catapulting you into a conversation you weren't expecting. Letters, on the other hand, are a pleasure to receive, not least because they allow you to consider your reply. But people don't write letters anymore. They're too busy, they're in too much of a hurry or, dismissing the service that manages to deliver bills with unfailing regularity, they don't trust the post. We are learning not to trust the telephone, and I picked it up as I would a long-dead fish."
                                           --From A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Making Waves!

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CM Unit E-mail Explaining Retirement Plan--April '08

As you know, last August I made the decision to become a CM hobbyist so for the past months I have not been holding get-togethers or recruiting, I’ve just been servicing my existing customers. I’m a new product junkie, so I have thoroughly enjoyed each unveiling of the latest and greatest CM products.

It has become clear to both my husband and me that the year 2008 is the year that I should hang up my Creative Memories hat. The bottom line is this: it is simply time. My plan at this writing (keeping in mind that it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind!) is to place my last order in November. That would mean that I would officially lose my consultant status in February.

February will be just short of my 19th CM anniversary. It would be fun to wait and celebrate my 20th but, as I said, it is simply time.

It’s almost impossible to imagine my life without my CM business; in fact, it’s very emotional for me. I’ll start to think that maybe I could wait a couple more years, but then I remember: it’s simply time.

I will take it easy during the summer, like I do every summer, so I can enjoy all the family activities that a family my size is involved in, then I’ll come back strong in the fall and wrap up my career during the season of thanksgiving.

I hope that the weather in your town is as exquisite as the weather here in Newark Valley. Blissful!

I’ll be back,
Nancy