Gram's Place

Em got a horse for Christmas. She named her Chloe. It was the perfect gift. She adores it.

When I view this I am reminded of this verse. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

If only it could stay this way. The week between Christmas and New Year's is somewhat of a pause in life. It's a somewhat surreal, long punctuation as we hang in the balance waiting for the next holiday. The hustle and bustle of shopping is over, instead we flock together with kin folk, and test all our new toys. In our home, we have played cards, drank smoothies, amused ourselves with battleship, assembled puzzles, scrutinized cds, inspected dvds, and devoured cuisine. We have no homework, no concerts, no evening schedules, no appointments, no deadlines. ahhhh... this is the life. I'd like to figure out a way to filibuster this recess. While I work on that, I think I'll eat some more Russell Stovers and ruthlessly whip my husband and children in Risk . Enjoy your intermission friends!

One of the many Christmas festivities this year was making gingerbread houses at Great Gramma Jensen's house!

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house.... Not a creature was stirring..... not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney (cough cough) ... uh TV... with care..... In hopes that Saint Nicolaus soon would be there.... The girls with their new robes ... And even the cats... had just settled down for a long winters nats.

We have a family tradition with Shawn’s folks. We get together every year on Christmas Eve and have a great time! We eat waffles and ham, read a Christmas story, take family pics, eat, eat, eat, and open presents for hours. Then we play with all the presents we bought each other. It takes about 6 hours. We’ve had variations of this tradition because sometimes we have church to go to, so we have to start early. That wasn’t the case this year. We arrived our usual 45 minutes late, ate our waffles, opened our presents, then spent the rest of the night playing karaoke on ps2 and making smoothies and mochas with my new Magic Bullet . It’s great crazy family fun!

I talked to Chad's dad today. He said that the doctors in Iowa City have ruled out meningitis finally. They have figured out that the subdermal hemotoma in his vertebrae was caused by it being crushed somehow. He ruptured an artery in his vertebrae and it is bleeding into his spinal fluid. The blood apparently travels up the spinal cord and into his head, causing the severe headaches. When they check his blood, no infection shows up. But, when they test his spinal fluid, it is full of infection. Originally they were going to try to get the infection under control, but they have now decided that the headaches will continue if they don't stop the bleeding. So, they are going to try to fix the crushed vertebrae. The neurologist will visit him today and from there, they will determine when the surgery will occur.

We got a call last night. They did a full body scan in Iowa City and they found a bulging disk between his 11th and 12th vertebrae. They think that it is the cause of the blood found in his spinal fluid, but they are still unsure why he has such horrible head pain and they are still unsure why he is so full of infection. They are not ruling out meningitis, and are treating him for that until confirmed he doesn't have it. He will have surgery on his back for sure, when he is stabilized. They finally drugged him enough to let him get some sleep as he hadn't slept since Saturday. We are continuing to pray for him. His three children are spending Christmas with their mom (divorced), and hoping to get to see him sometime as well.

My husband’s cousin Chad works for us.  He has worked for us for many years, and is very talented in the area of construction.  If it can be done, Chad can do it! He’s not been feeling well lately, struggling with a lot of headaches, etc.  He’s been going to the chiropractor and taking too much Tylenol and ibuprofen hoping it will go away.   On Saturday, he went hunting.  His back started hurting him terribly and by Saturday night or Sunday morning, he was in the emergency room at the hospital.  They thought he had some muscle spasms or something.  They gave him some medicine and sent him home. On Monday, he was no better.  He talked to Shawn and said he wasn’t coming in to work.  We’ve all been really worried about him.  On Tuesday, I called to talk to him and he said he still had a headache, back pain, neck pain, etc.  I tried to get him to go to the Emergency Room or at least...

Emily is learning about the different parts of words and how to spell. Things are starting to make sense to her. Last night, I was impressing her with my ability to sing the "I AM A C.. I AM A C.H.... I AM A C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N" song. When it got to the "L-I-V-E-E-T-E-R-N-A-L-L-Y" I decided to go especially fast to show her how smart I am. It worked. "WoW! That's hard!.. .What does it mean?" "Let me go slower" I repeated it slower.... she sounded it out. "Christ-ee-an?" "Christian" "Oh! Cool! What's the rest?" I spelled the Christ in my heart as she sounded it out. "Christ in my heart. Awesome! I never knew that!" Now we got to the next part and she figured that all out too. I was impressed she figured it out, AND I also knew that I could still sing it faster. :) "Emily, do you know why we're called Christians?" "Because we believe in Jesus" "Yeah, but do you know wha...

As Christmas draws near, I am reminded that we haven't spent NEARLY enough time discussing the REAL meaning of Christmas. I admit, regretfully, that I get caught up in the snow, and the tree, and the sentimental times of having our Rompin Rudolph Slush at our Trim the Tree Party, shopping, etc.... When Haleigh came home, she talked to Emily about Christmas. Emily had just watched Prancer. So, she was clearly defending that Santa is real. Haleigh asked her what Christmas is about, and she said "Jesus". I was glad to at least hear that as I had really felt like we had been completely neglecting Jesus this Christmas... So, last week, we went to the Narnia movie. It was so good! Emily sat by me, and I wanted to make sure she was "getting" it. During the part when Aslan made the long, slow walk to the white witch, where he was giving his life for his people, she asked me where he was going. I explained that since Edmond had been a traitor, the law required t...

This kid has quite an imagination!

It is supposed to snow 7 inches between tonight and tomorrow night. WHOOO HOOO! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

What does the word "creep" mean? Lindsey and I had this conversation: btw, we were talking about the WOTD Gimcrack blog entry from yesterday. Me: Lindsey, did you read my blog today? L: No Me: Here, read it. L (as she reads): oh wow, you're such aaaaaaaaa creep. Me: I'm a creep? What does that mean? L (stammering): Uh, it means...... like, dork. Me (sarcastically): Is it a new word? L: Oh yeah, it's basically a new slang word. Me: really? L: Well, that's basically what that word means in that sentence. Me: Oh cool, so words can mean different things in different sentences? L: yeah, pretty much. Me: Oh, okay. Then, I'm going to give you a hundred dollars. Me: You know, because in THAT sentence that means I'm going to give you a spanking. L: duh. I love being the mom of a teenage daughter. Oh wait, I mean three teenage daughters (and a 6 year old goin on 13)

yeah, well, since I only have a couple weeks for the 2005 Word of The Day, I thought I'd better at least share with you the best ones. Here we go.... this is a good one today. It's "gimcrack". Now honestly, have you EVER heard that word before? Be honest... It's a noun. : a showy object of little use or value. And used in a sentence.... Why is there so much gimcrack on my desk? Why do I post about gimcrack on my blog? Why do I always get gimcrack for gifts? (except for my new and improved word of the day 2006) Why do our mothers have more gimcrack than we do? A little history about gimcrack..... Did you know?... The exact origin of this word is not entirely known. It established itself in the 17th Century. It was most likely borrowed from the Yiddish. Need to get rid of some gimcrack? Visit the flylady.

I got some special treatment yesterday at Sears when we were shopping for Christmas. I was quite proud of myself. I was with my friend Chris... and whenever we are together, nothing is very serious. When we started shopping, I suffered from my normal case of what I call "Shopping ADHD". Because it isn't my favorite thing to do, I spend time wandering around aimlessly, forgetting my purpose for being there, bouncing from one thought to another, not able to make a decision on where I'm going and what I'm doing, wanting to buy stuff for myself and not really having any reasonable direction. After a few of her reminders to "get with the program, we have a job to do here", I decided to conquer one person at a time. I had a thing I wanted to buy for someone (who might read my blog so I have to be vague). So, Chris and I went into Sears, after going in the wrong door and forgetting where we were, being disoriented, and getting back on track, we arrived in ...

I got my first Christmas gift already! It couldn’t be MORE me! I love gifts that just say “ME” all over them, because it means that person really listens to who I am and what I do and like. I always WANT to give gifts like that, but I admit I am guilty of giving what I WANT, and not always what others might want.  Partly because one of my least favorite things to do is shop.  I know, some would question my womanhood on that one.  But, it’s true.  Shopping is not something I enjoy much.  Wandering through stores aimlessly and people watching is sometimes fun for me, but looking at things I have no intention of buying and researching and checking out things I MIGHT buy someday, is not anything I enjoy.   Are you ready to hear my gift??  I know that if you read my blog at all, you will agree that this gift is ME. Here it is: I got…….. ready? Are you sure?  Ready?  Here we go…. It is…….drumroll….. da d...

Yesterday was Kizzy's birthday. She is 38. Most likely you don't know her. But, I do. Of all the people in my life, I could say I probably know her the best. Mostly because we grew up together. We have known each other for 27 years. We were together - joined at the hip - from the time we were 11 to 19. Everyday. Everything. Then she went to college, and I had babies and got married, we didn't see each other every day any longer. But, when we did, it was as if no time had passed. I experienced so much life with Christine (oh yeah, that's her real name). Every season that passes in my life brings so many memories shared with her. Right now it is snowing outside. I can remember the times when we drove around town in snowstorms. (I would never let my kids do that by the way...) I remember one time we were with Michelle and Michelle was driving and she had this little tiny car. She was driving way too fast. When our city plows the streets after a big snow st...

Sometimes I wonder if there is any month any BUSIER than December?!? We officially have something to do EVERY night from Dec. 4 thru December 12. We have a night free on the 13th. Well, kind of. Linds actually has to cheer at a bball game, but it's in Independence, and we're vetoing it. Too far. Then, we have Thursday the 15th off too. But, then we're busy again EVERY night until December 22. CRAZY. Whatever happened to chestnuts roasting on an open fire... ? Who in the world has time to roast chestnuts in this day and age? Who has even really ever HAD Chestnuts? I did a little research on chestnuts.... did you know that they are the only nut that contains vitamin C? Did you know that chestnuts are mentioned in the Bible? Jacob put peeled chestnut twigs into his water troughs to promote healthy offspring of his livestock. I don't know why I even looked any of that up. It doesn't matter, and nobody really cares now do they?

I can't believe i haven't updated this blog in 5 days! ME.... the EVERYDAY blogger! ME... the sometimes two or three times a day blogger! I apologize for my insensitivity to blog addicts everywhere. It is so frustrating to go to a DAILY BLOG that isn't updated! So, I'm back! I guess I've just been incredibly busy lately. I don't know what in the WORLD I've been doing.... but, I know it isn't BLOGGING. Today, we actually did some domestic BAKING and DECORATING. I baked so many things... I baked spritz cookies, peanut butter cookies, thumbprint cookies, carmelita bars, cream cheese danish... and my all time FAV.... Outrageous Brownies . These are heavenly. With an entire POUND of butter, OVER TWO POUNDS of CHOCOLATE, THREE CUPS of walnuts, and only a cup of flour. OHMYGOSH, they melt in your mouth. I absolutely love Ina Garten . She makes the greatest food. Something to be totally proud of is that this recipe is rated - not easy, not medium, no...

I haven't posted anything on my calendar lately,... so I thought I'd fill you in. This is the month of November. Incredible isn't it? As a matter of fact, I'm heading to one of those "meetings" tonight, fulfilling my civic responsibility. It's officially my resignation meeting though. I'm not going to be the secretary of the group any more, and tonight is the night I get to tell them! :) Since it is the end of November, I was looking over the notes on the calendar pages one last time before flipping the page in a couple days... I must have missed this one, or I certainly would have blogged about it a couple weeks ago.... "November 17, 1992 - A Dateline expose reveals that GM trucks are unsafe if you attach explosives to the gas tanks and detonate them." Am I the only one who thinks that is hysterical? You gotta love Dateline's reports.... :)

I spent some time this weekend cleaning out my desk and ran across this old journal. Haleigh was 2, Lindsey 6 weeks... me... wow... 21. It's like a time capsule. April 12, 1989 2:30pm I think I am going to be crazy by the end of this day. So far, I have put Haleigh to bed about six times, saved Lindsey just in the nick of time from being stomped on, saved Lindsey from a roller coaster ride in her swing after Haleigh pushed her, tried to rock Haleigh to sleep for about 1 ½ hours, and while I was on the telephone with Marge, she managed to drag out 150 tissues from the tissue box, rip off the binding from her best, biggest, and most expensive book, and eat nearly all the frosting from a cake sitting on the stove. I have spanked her, talked to her, spanked her, talked to her, and am about to spank her again because she is now in her room, standing on her bed and pulling the strings on the curtain so they open… close….. open…..close…. be right back! Frustration is setting in. Ha...

It could have been perfect. It could have been good. BUT... as I already mentioned, the girls vetoed the veal. So, we went with pork and beef. Stuffed meatloaf. You're supposed to blend all these great flavors together and then layer them with leftover stuffing in the middle. I know it doesn't sound that great, but it looked awesome. So, we vetoed the veal. Then, when it came time to make it, someone had gone before me and eaten the leftover stuffing. We left it out. Decided to blend all the spices and flavors together and make an incredible UNstuffed meatloaf. It cooked for about an hour. I had made a great twice baked potatoe out of the leftover potatoes and heated up the green bean casserole. Called everyone to the table and they were starting to come in to the kitchen (it takes a while in my house to gather everyone). As I took the meatloaf out of the oven, I gingerly placed in on top of the stove to cool for a while , then just before everyone came into the kitchen, ...

Lazy Day After We had great plans today… but at the last minute we decided it was too cold out to go anywhere, and so now we are sooooooooo lazy. Sitting around watching the Food Network and all the great ideas for leftover recipes. Great Thanksgiving and lots of great food, then everyone watches the great cooks on tv and then we all want to cook again!  What in the world??? We had a great Thanksgiving.  One thing I have always appreciated about my husband is his willingness to totally pitch in and help with the cooking.  He peeled so many potatoes yesterday morning. I think we both kind of overestimated how many potatoes you need to make mashed potatoes for twelve people.  It’s definitely not a 5 gallon bucket full.  That’s way too many.  We had leftover mashed potatoes all over the place! We had plates of mashed potatoes for supper, we ate mashed potatoes for a midnight snack, then got up this morning and I made potato pancak...

READY? SET? GO!! Thanksgiving is officially past.

I ate too much Turkey, I ate too much corn , I ate too much pudding and pie. I'm stuffed up with muffins and too much stuffin' I 'm probably going to die. I piled up my plate and I ate and I ate. But I wish I had known when to stop, For I'm so crammed with yams, sauces, gravies, and jams That my buttons are starting to pop! I'm full of tomatoes and french fried potatoes My stomach is swollen and sore, But there's still some dessert so I guess it won't hurt if I eat just a little bit more!

Thanksgiving Day n. The fourth Thursday of November, observed as a legal holiday in the United States to commemorate the feast held at Plymouth in 1621 by the Pilgrim colonists and members of the Wampanoag people and marked by the giving of thanks to God for harvest and health. Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don’t know something, For it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, Because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for each new challenge, Because it will build your strength and character, Be thankful for your mistakes, They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, Because it means you’ve made an effort. It’s easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those Who are also thankful for the setbacks. Gr...

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your word.

The word of the day today is: epitaph - n. 1. an inscription on or at a tomb or grave in memory of the one buried there. 2. a brief statement commemorating or epitomizing a deceased person or something past. I didn't realize it had that second meaning. Okay, somewhat morbid to think about --- but mostly if you don't know Christ. But, an interesting thing to poll the blogosphere about. What do you hope your epitaph says when you have gone to be with Christ in heaven?

It was teacher appreciation at Em's school today. We parents made salads and lunch food for the teachers and took over their normal duties so they could enjoy the lunch hour. I had recess duty. I signed up before I knew how cold it was going to be... I arrived at the school and checked in as a visitor just in time to have the lunch room mommy march in with a child and proclaim "She has a tummy ache too." "too"... that word sunk in a second or so. The secretary said "What's for lunch? This is the third one with a stomach ache." >>> I headed out the door, and as I was just getting used to the 11 degree heat wave, a child looked quite forlorn. She was being comforted by her friend. I thought I would be nice and see why she was so sad. "Because... I feel like I'm gonna puke..." I quickly escorted her into the nurse's office before her problem became mine, and headed out for the remainder of my recess duty. The first th...

I just read Beefy’s Blog and it reminded me of something that happened to me a few years ago so I thought I’d share.  Now don’t TELL me you haven’t had a similar experience! Okay, I was walking into Kwik Star and going to purchase something when this car pulls up to me.  I look into the car and there is a lady in the back seat with a baby. Lady: “HI!” … as if I am an old friend. Me: “Hi!” … as if I know her. Lady: “How are YOU doing?” Me: “Great!  How are YOU?” Lady: “We’re doing sooo good.  The doctor released us last week and everything is going good” Me: “Really?!? That’s great!” Lady: “Yeah, it is incredible how many blessings we have”. Me: “Yeah, you really need to appreciate that don’t you?” Lady: “You guys were sure a lot of help, I can’t thank you enough” For a split second, I hesitated.   I know she is mistaking me for someone else.  But, I am in the middle of it.  Should I admit my faults? No, there is no w...

Dad Today is my dad’s birthday.  He is 65. We have been through a lot together, my dad and me. It almost seems like two lifetimes. My parents were divorced when I was young and there were some real complicated relationship issues between my parents.  I am sure I will never know the depth of the hurt experienced on both sides there.  I am sure I never want to know. So, there were several years (15 years actually) that I had no contact with my dad, didn’t know him or who he was or what he did or anything.   I have gone through a lot of emotion with my dad.  I loved him, hated him, resented him, pitied him, mourned him really. Then, when I was 21 years old, was reunited with him. We have had a relationship ever since.  That was 16 years ago. This year marks a new era.  I have now officially known my dad longer than I have not known him. I can now say I really know my dad.   Is he perfect? No.  Am I? D...

I was sitting in church tonight and I thought of a million zillion things I could blog about.  Now as I sit in front of the computer, not one comes to mind. Duh. The word of the day today is “betwixt”.  It means between.  Sometimes this word of the day calendar is really annoying.  As if betwixt is a word I wouldn’t know.  Then, the sentence they use is this: Jack Sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean; and so betwixt the two of them, they licked the platter clean.   I got a little irritated with that too. I believe the poem goes “and so between the two of them”…. I’d like to smack that calendar writer. So hostile I know. I am eating crow now though… for those of you that don’t know what eating crow is, it is an expression you use when you make a grievous error. I ripped off the calendar page, since it is 11:44pm and the day is nearly done, and I am somewhat annoyed at the word betwixt and the use of it in an incorr...

Word of the Day: riposte \ ri-post\ n 1: a fencer's return thrust after a parry 2: a retaliatory maneuver or response; especially: a quick retort I wish I were a master of verbal risposte , able to dash off the kind of reply that most people only think of in the car on the way home. Now you use it in a sentence.

So Shawn won't most likely post this so I figure I will do it instead. Emily is so good on the computer. Her favorite sites are www.whatsherface.com and www.barbie.com and www.divastarz.everythinggirl.com . She and Shawn were looking for some cool animal sites cuz she's been into animals. And she ran across www.yahooligans.yahoo.com which has an animal link on it. So, she has been learning at the young age of 6 to surf the net. She came across a fun thing for kids to do and then a place where you can click on to "send it to a friend". You have to fill in the information and email it to a friend. Here's her information: Name: Emily Email Address: I dot know what you men Friend's Name: Shera Steere Friend's Email: same as me She just stinkin cracks me up!

My brother is law is the sweetest thing on earth. He isn't feeling well right now. He went in for a check up and is having several things going on at the same time. He has struggled with so many health issues in his lifetime, and he doesn't complain a whole lot. So, it's hard to know when he isn't feeling good. But, now on top of all the other "stuff", he has pneumonia. Please take a minute to pray for him today. I love you, Shelly.

I was cleaning out an old box and ran across a journal from last summer's trip to Mexico.... Wed, July 14, 2004 The church we went to today was in a very poor area two hours away. We did a vacation bible school in the afternoon in the park and there were a ton of children there. I think this was, by far, the largest crowd we have attracted the entire time we have been here. I would have to guess there were over a hundred and fifty kids here. It was a heart wrenching day. Most of the families cook in holes in the ground covered with palm branches. After lunch, there was a woman who brought her daughter to us because she was sick. She couldn't have been more than four years old. The doctor looked her over and asked her a few questions. The baby had a cough and a fever which had lingered for over a month. She needed a chest xray and to be checked for tuberculosis. She didn't have any money to take a taxi to a clinic as it was a long ways away and it cost 200 pesos. 20...

Some of my all time favorite things might surprise you. #5 – time alone: as much of a people person as I am, I never get over how great it is to have time alone. Time to do whatever I want. Time to think, dream, regenerate. Surf the net or clean the kitchen, whatever I WANT to do. #4 – a crisp fall morning in Iowa – there is nothing like it. When the trees have changed color and are in the process of falling. I love those mornings when the leaves are falling and you can watch them fall. You can just see the seasons change before your eyes. The breeze is crisp, but not quite cold yet. It smells fresh and clean. I love that. #3 – snuggling with my girls – at any given moment, I can bring myself to tears if I just think of a time when I snuggle with my girls. Ever since they were babies, and we would fight over who gets to sleep with the baby on your chest, we have loved to snuggle with them. Even as teenagers, I have to resist the urge at times (and sometimes I don’t resist) to c...

We’re all excited at our office. We have the greatest theatre in the area. Now playing: Chicken Little Rated G, Dreamer: Inspired by a true story Rated G, and The Legend of ZORRO rated PG. AND – its really fun when we work late, cuz the theatre is just across the street. When the marquee lights up and we are working, it’s always so exciting! The theatre was renovated in 2000 I think, and the upper part – which I hear is pretty large – was made into a residential single family dwelling where the theatre’s manager and family lives. The theatre is going to be featured on HGTV’s ReZoned . They are coming this week to film! Maybe we’ll get some free advertising. We better clean up the messy office!

Word of the Day: Fulsome \’fúl-sem \ adj 1: characterized by abundance : copious 2: exceeding the bounds of good taste : overdone 3:excessively complimentary or flattering : effusive

If I'd have known that posting my bad mood on my blog would have brought me this delicious scrumptious plate of heaven, I would have posted my mood long ago. Thanks for lifting my spirits friend! You are the best ever! PS I updated my house blog. Check it out.

I've been kind of grumpy lately. Too many irritations I guess. Too much stress. I wanted to write a blog but them I remembered what Thumper says: "If you can't say somethin nice, don't say nothin at all"... well, actually, I think it was one of Thumper's parents. So, I'm not sayin nothin today.

check it out . she's so cute!

okay - so I was helping Haleigh with her report for school -- me and -- cough cough -- college papers..??? anyway, and I stumbled across this report . Basically, it says that the average American spends more time using media than even sleeping. And often we are guilty of using two types of media at the same time. OF course, the report is quick to point out that women are more capable than men of the media-multi-tasking... and that TV is still the prime choice among Americans. But, the computer is the second choice. AND - I guess we have more time on Fridays - because Fridays are the most-used-media days. So, Heth, guess that's why What Not To Wear is on Friday. It's definately the best show ever.

I am always completely impressed with people who can communicate effectively. Mostly because this is definately not something I am good at. I always think of things I WANTED to say after the fact, I'm certainly not quick on my toes, and I just plain can't think half the time. One of my all time favorite movies is Pride and Prejudice. There is just something about the 18th Century that is intriquing to me. They were so eloquent back then. What happened to us? Somewhere the art of communication was lost, and we have settled for incomplete thoughts and ignorant speech. At least I have. Anyway, where was I? Pride and Prejudice, 18th Century... oh yeah. see what I mean? can't think... The thing that impresses me the most in Pride and Prejudice is their innate ability to insult one another eloquently. Before you knew what hit you, slam! insulted. It leaves you thinking... hey... I was just insulted.. I think. Now that's an art form. I have a book that Shawn bought me for m...

1. 12 1/2 hours later and I'm still at work - downtown trick or treat night. 2. my arm hurts from holding that huge basket of candy all night. 3. My entire family is at work with me. along with the rest of the ciy. 4. There were some great costumes out there. some strange ones too. 5. I'm thinking some of those people were a little old to trick or treat. 6. If you work this long in one day are you entitled to Friday off? 7. I wonder if I got all my work done - nope. 8. I saved some candy (the good stuff) for the end. We didn't use it. now I get to eat it. 9. I can't think of anything more to say and I have to get to 10. 10. I don't know why.

1. Why is the phone bill so hard to read? I called them twice today for deciphers. 2. Where do all these papers in my inbox come from? I swear I just emptied it now it's full again. 3. Why did I eat so much for lunch? I didn't really like the chef salad that much anyway. 4. Where did the trick or treat candy go? I really should have had that for lunch. 5. Should I work on filing or on posting? I really don't want to do either. 6. Why is it so hot in my offfice? Probably because the heater vent is right under my desk blowing on me. 7. What is going on after work? Besides the crazy kids run around and do stuff stuff that is. 8. Where did this headache come from? probably from thinking about this stuff. 9. What am I going to make for supper? too bad I didn't go to Everyonesachef when I wanted to or I'd know. 10. Isn't that Harms customer nice? I really like nice customers.

1. Why did I wake up at 4am this morning and wasn't able to get back to sleep? 2. I'm glad I woke up at 4am this morning, cuz now I have all my laundry done. 3. Why does the early news on KWWL just say the same things over and over and over again? 4. It's cold this morning. 5. I got up at 4am and I still couldn't get to work on time. 9 minutes late. 6. Good grief. What time do I have to get up to make it to work on time? 7. Gas is now $2.29 --- according to the radio guy. 8. How many times did KWWL talk about the cost of tuition at ISU going up 4%? 5 times ? 6 times ? It had to be more like 200 times. 9. I don't know that I ever cared before about the cost of tuition at ISU. Until now. 10. I frosted and decorated an entire cake this morning too. 11. I wish I would have made my cake walk cake better. Emily is going to work really hard to win it. I want her to get someone else's who put a lot of time and energy in theirs. Not mine Em, not mine. It's sweet thou...

Trick or Treat Our city is having a downtown trick or treat night this Thursday. The businesses supply treats and the kids walk trick or treating from business to business. I bought a LOT of candy for this thing. I made a mistake. I opened the candy bags and put them in a basket. A basket that now weighs a hundred pounds. Now, I must eat the candy. Pretty soon, the basket will not be the only thing that gained 100 pounds.

I thought I’d offer my suggestion for Pastor Bill’s next new song to introduce for the Worship Team to learn. This has to be my current favorite. Hear Our Prayer – Hillsong Hear our prayer Spirit, come How I long forYour sweet touch. On my kneesI cry out Jesus, Savior Behold your child. Chorus Like a deer longing for water My soul yearns; Only you can fill my deep hunger My heart burns My heart burns. Oceans deep Mountains high O my God, I cannot live without your love; I cannot live without your love. (Repeat Chorus)

REESES

When I look at the awesome calendar hanging on my office wall, I am reminded of my somewhat sick sense of humor. When we were married just 4 years or so, we went to counseling and the counselor called it “dry”. My sense of humor. I happen to like it. I think it’s funny. This month’s calendar page is called “ACHIEVEMENT” and is sort of like those motivational calendars… it has a beautiful picture of some sand triangle things (Bliggity what are they called?) in Eqypt or somewhere like that where there is lots of sand. The words under the phrase say this: YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO WHEN YOU HAVE VISION, DETERMINATION, AND AN ENDLESS SUPPLY OF EXPENDABLE LABOR Am I the only one that thinks that is hilarious? I read ahead on the calendar to this weekend… this calendar is great. It says that on Saturday, October 22, in 1985, Oreste Lodi sued himself in a Shasta County Superior Court for trying to raid his own trust fund. He lost. And He Won. It just makes me laugh.

If you had to choose, which one would you pick? whoppers kit kat reeses hersheys milk chocolate

I created a new blog called 1405 . It’s going to be all about our new house. Hopefully, we’ll be diligent enough to keep it updated. Maybe not daily… but at least when something happens.

We paid off our van yesterday. Officially. It’s now really ours. Not the bank’s. I think we might have to have a party. A no-more-van-payment party. I calculated it out. In the next year, we should have $5076.00 extra… all because we have no van payment. I made a dream list of lots of ways to spend it. furniture cruise wardrobe investments Shawn’s list most likely includes a motorcycle, computer, and guy stuff. Reality is this list though: College education for the kids bills debt groceries But, hey…. It’s fun to dream!

Emily woke up with a tummy ache this morning. I decided to keep her home... just in case. At 8:35 I was already knowing I made the wrong choice. Funny how that is. I guess now I decided she just needs home time.... and mommy time. So, I called work and told them, we're sick.

For those of you carrot cake fans, this is an AWESOME recipe. I’m making it for tomorrow night’s Tapestry Meeting. TASTE OF THE ISLANDS CARROT CAKE 1 ¾ cup plus 4 T flour 2 t. baking soda 2 t. cinnamon ¼ t. salt 1 ½ cup veg oil 1 2/3 cup sugar 3 eggs 4 cups shredded carrots 1 cup chopped pecans ½ cup raisins Preheat oven to 350. Grease 10 inch round baking pan and line bottom with wax paper. Grease the paper and lightly flour the pan and paper. Stir together 1 ¾ plus 2 T flour, soda, cinnamon, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, beat oil, sugar, and eggs until light in color… about 3 min on low speed. Add flour mixture slowly, beating just until smooth. Combine carrots, nuts, raisins, and remaining 2 T flour. Stir into batter. Pour into pan. Bake 20 min at 350, then reduce to 325 for 50 min. Cool at least 15 min. Frost with cream cheese frosting.

Blogger for WORD I downloaded Blogger for Word. I thought I’d check it out and see what it does. So, this is a test blog. I’ll let you know if it does what I want it to do.

I was tagged by the Laundry Lady ... and it has taken me all weekend to figure out what to write. Mostly cuz first I had to figure out what tagging is. So, I finished it finally. 1. Hind’s Feet 2. Dandelions & Roses 3. Lifenut 4. From Under the Laundry Pile 5. Dull as Dishwater What were you doing 10 years ago? In 1995, I was living in a small 2 bedroom bungalow (800 sq. ft) with my husband and 3 small girls, age 8, 6, 3. The house was a real gem. It had no cold water in the kitchen, and no hot water in the bathroom sink. The heat was an old gas stove in the middle of the house, with holes in the second story floor to heat the upstairs. We did laundry at the laundromat every week because there was nowhere for a washer and dryer hookup. I was working at the Best Western in town as a night auditor clerk for somewhere around $4 an hour, and Shawn was doing carpentry work. What were you doing 5 years ago? 4 girls now – ages 1, 8, 11, 13. We had just stepped into the unforgettable teena...

mmmmm......... my breakfast was good this morning! I had a Casey's Cream Cheese Danish and Columbian coffee (with lots of half and half!) Doesn't it sound heavenly? If you know how to make these, I would pay you to deliver them to my house everyday.

I always title my blog entries before I write them. Today was no exception. Except now I am thinking... what exactly does "Ode" mean? I think I'll look it up.... Ode: 1. a lyric poem of some length usually of a serious or meditative nature having an elevated style and formal structure. ut oh... that's not what I'm doing. Should I rename the blog entry? wait... let me read #2: A choric song of classical Greece, often accompanied by a dance and performed at a public festival as part of a drama. hang on.... I'm DEFINATELY not doing that. try #3: a classical Greek poem modeled on the choric ode and usually having a three-part structure consisting of a strophe, an antistrophe, and an epode. If I attempt at this point to rename this blog entry then I would have already typed all of this in vain, and I can't do THAT. So, I'm going with ODE.. and I'll make it work. ODE TO THE PASTORS (this is the poem part minus the serious or meditative nature) For all yo...

Last night Shawn officially took the last load from the old house. unbelievable. 3 weeks and 6 days. one day short of 4 weeks to move. unbelievable. As he was walking around the house, he was saying goodbye. Goodbye memories. Goodbye house. Goodbye soft water. Goodbye gas stove. Goodbye dining room. Goodbye piano. GASP!?!?!?! PIANO?!?!?!?!?!?!Oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We forgot about the piano!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! unbelievable. 4 weeks exactly. Anyone free this afternoon to move a piano? Is there ANYONE we haven't used up all our favors with for the last four weeks? sigh.....