Gram's Place

An atomic clock is a type of clock that uses an atomic resonance frequency standard to feed its counter. The national standards say that it will maintain an accuracy of 1 part in 1014 (whatever that means, but it sounds really accurate). They maintain a continues and stable time and they are syncronized using lead seconds to UT1 which is based on actual rotations of the earth with respect to the mean sun. (ACCORDING to Wikipedia ). Sellers of this revolutionary clock boast of its accuracy and some of the selling points include, of course, that you will NEVER be late. ever. You know, because you always have the exact time. Makes sense. Except. The official time change occurred several weeks ago. My computer is correct, my cell phone is correct, my D cell battery operated 1956 alarm clock is correct, my ipod is correct.... But, for the past several weeks, every time I glance at the revolutionary atomic perfectly accurate clock in the office, I am temporarily thrown into orbit thinkin...

It wasn't all that long ago... was it 20 years? 25 years? okay... so, I take it back. It just seems like yesterday. I just remember when I went to my first garage sale. My mother-in-law got me hooked. She was such a great garage saler back-in-the-day. We would scope out the newspaper and mark the best ones, map it all out, and then head out early in hopes that they will open the doors just a teensy tinsy minute or two or five early so we can have a first look. We would always scorn on the ones who were rigid and stuck to the "NO early sales" rule. We were so funny. One of us would drive, and one would navigate.... and we would hit them all. every. single. one. Every spring, about this time, I begin to feel "it". If you are a garage saler you know what "it" is. I don't have to explain. But, I'll tell you - for those of you who don't know. "It" is a rush you begin to feel in anticipation of getting the best sale, the best deal. ...

I was hit this morning with a sudden realization that I haven't posted ANYthing on this blog for almost a week. No wonder I lose readers! I think today is another one of those random days. I told Heth the other day that I could probably tag all of my blog entries "random". After I walked away from the conversation, it struck me as really funny and I laughed all the way home. I am sure that nobody else sees it quite as funny as I do... it's my sense of humor that nobody ever seems to get. So, here are a few random pieces of information about our lives. 1. It's spring - and we know it because the pile of snow that was in the school playground is now black. It hasn't totally melted. It just turned black. 2. There were 17 (we counted them) robins in my backyard on Easter Sunday. 3. I have gained 10 pounds since Sunday from all the candy and creamy food we ate. 4. Haleigh has an interview this week for an internship in sunny california that she really wants. Good L...

A couple of weeks ago, my 9 year old told me she needed to wear jeans with butt pockets because on "What Not To Wear" they tell people with no butt to wear jeans with butt pockets. Hello? You're 9!! You're not supposed to have a butt! Yesterday, she asked her dad to borrow a pink tie to go with her outfit to wear to school. I was seriously thinking she was joking. She wasn't. She wore it. I was a little worried about how the other kids would take it. But, it must have gone well because today, she wanted another one to wear. I stood in the back of her, giving my husband "the eye"... so he said "not today". What would Stacy and Clinton say to that???

His Girl talked about spring today in her blog! I love her photos of Spring. Unfortuntaly, that isn't how it is in the midwest. Spring usually starts like this.... the ice and snow turn to slush. So, uh.... welcome spring?

Okay, so as you can see (if you frequent this blog daily that is) that I have a little blog identity crisis going on. I have changed it frequently lately and am still not satisfied. So, sorry if it's hard to read or if you get here and you think "this isn't the right blog"... cuz I just can't make up my mind right now. Maybe I should go back to the original boring one.

So, all night last night I couldn't sleep. I felt like I was Eli Stone. This song kept running through my head.... I like the song and all, but all. night. long? I Am Free Through You the blind will see Through You the mute will sing Through You the dead will rise Through You all hearts will praise Through You the darkness flees Through You my heart screams, I am free! I am free to run (I am free to run) I am free to dance (I am free to dance) I am free to live for you (I am free to live for you) I am free (I am free) Chorus: I am free I am free I am free to run (I am free to run) I am free to dance (I am free to dance) I am free to live for you (I am free to live for you) I am free (I am free) Yes I am free So, then this morning I got up and did my devotions. This is the verse I journaled on: S - Galatians 2:12&13 When he first arrived he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But, afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn't eat with...

It's 5:30pm on a Saturday night and everyone in the house is sleeping, except me. The fact that we have only been awake for about 4-5 hours today should give you a good indication of how things on going on the "influenza" side of things. We are all now taking Tamiflu. It seems to be helping quite a bit, as each day is getting better. And the health department hasn't put a quarantine sign on the outside of our house yet, although they may as well. Abbie's finger IS officially broken. She has a finger splint thingy on it. When she started complaining about the pain, I told her the story of my friend Cindy whose son broke his arm last year and played hockey all season with it in a cast, hiding it under his gear so the referee didn't see it. He is only 10. I'm such a mean mom. Hey kid, suck it up. We got a surprise package today from Julia in Germany. A zillion pieces of chocolate... and a few gifts for the girls birthdays. (Thanks Julia... and if you are read...

Okay, so I'm not so savvy on the bloggy thing. I'm redesigning.... so bear with me!

I've been home for a couple of days doing sick duty with my 9 year old. She came home from school Tuesday night with a headache. I figured it was just a little thing. By the wee hours of Wednesday morning, she had a fever. Not a fever to boast about, but enough to stay home from school. So, I did what any other mom who works at her husbands business would do. I took her to work with me! By Wednesday night, the fever went up and up... and Thursday morning we were looking at a little over 103, despite my efforts of motrin and tylenol. So, off to the doctor we went. I was secretly hoping for an ear infection or strep throat or something that would be curable with a little antibiotics. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was influenza. When I called the school for the third day in a row, the secretary said "Oh didn't you get a flu shot?". Now in hindsight, I have to say that is a very good idea. I wonder if it's too late? The doc was able to prescribe some ridiculously expen...

I have made this recipe before and over the weekend we visited Lindsey, we went to the Olive Garden and had it again. It is so good! So, we are having it tonight. Just Like Olive Garden's Zuppa Tuscana Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups spicy sausage 2 medium potatoes, cut in half lengthwise and cut into 1/4 inch slices 3/4 cup onions, diced 6 slices bacon 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic 2 cups kale leaves, cut in half, then sliced 2 tablespoons chicken base 1 quart water 1/3 cup heavy cream Directions: Cook ground sausage, until done. Cook bacon and onion over medium heat, when bacon is crisp, take it out of the pan and leave the onion. Add garlic to the onion, and cook 1 minute. Add chicken base, water, and potatoes; simmer 15 minutes. Crumble bacon. Add crumbled bacon, sausage, kale and cream. Simmer 4 minutes, then serve.

I don't know why but I am a list maker. I have a habit of just making lists in my head! It's sometimes so dang annoying. But, ALL MORNING, I have been calculating this list in my head and I have to get it out or I will continue thinking about it!! Things I never get enough of: 1. sleep. never. ever. ever. But it doesn't matter. Because even if I'm still tired, I wake up and I have to get up. 2. time. I want to do EVERYTHING. I have a zillion interests and I want to do them ALL. But, even if I were retired, I wouldn't be able to because I only have 24 hours in a day. Why can't people like me just have 36 hours in a day??? 3. money. I wanted to buy so many things this past weekend but my husband kept taunting me with that blasted question... is it in the budget?? I hate the "B" word. 4. chocolate. I have to stop myself because it's just a really bad thing to get more of. so, I never get enough. 5. coffee. okay. well, I added this to the li...

Your last year as a teenager! Just 6 years ago, you turned 13. I could hardly believe then you were a teenager. The last 6 years have gone so fast. You went from not wearing makeup 6 years ago to using some of my makeup 5 years ago, to now me wanting YOUR makeup. I can't believe how many lipglosses you have! You really should share... This year has been an exceptional year for you Lindsey. I am completely amazed at how God has grabbed a hold of you and transformed your life. I am in awe at how you love Him recklessly and care for people.... all people.... God's people. As we drove home last night after visiting you, I wanted to remember every little detail of your birth and your life. I wanted to recall how you were born and raised ... and how God worked in you in little ways to make you who you are today. I wanted to see the future, and get a glimpse of what God has for you later. It is times like this when I am excited for your future. I live in expectancy - anticipa...

We are visiting our daughter for her birthday this weekend. I took the opportunity during the 4 hour car ride to finish this book I've been reading out loud to Shawn for a few weeks. Before I say another word, let me say this: this book is a novel. It is certainly not intended to be a great theologically correct inductive study on anything. If you decide to read this book, realize that. The main character of the book is Mack. And Mack is led to The Shack after a horrible tragedy in his life to have an encounter with God. God, who desperately loves Mack, shows His love in an incredible way, big and full. Three things continue to stand out to me after reading this book. 1. My preconcieved idea of what the Lord looks like. I have one. 2. God's bountiful Love for ALL His Creation. It is HUGE. and 3. The incredible power of reconciliation.