Gram's Place

This morning, I couldn't sleep. So much going on in life right now. I tossed and turned most of the night and then decided to just give up on sleep around 5. I read some interesting stuff on waiting. Did you know that Dwight Eisenhower was in the military in his 20s....but from the age of 28-51 he did not make a significant decision? Did you know that Harry Truman was considered a failure in his 20s and 30s... and at the age of 36, he had to move in with his mother in law because he couldn't afford his home? But, at the age of 53, he was president of the US? Perseverance. Patience. Those are hard things. The economy....rising cost of living....stresses on families....broken relationships.... changes in jobs and businesses. Those are hard things. And yet... I find myself realizing that we all have so much to learn. I don't want to miss out on what God is trying to teach me now to be ready for what is around the corner tomorrow. I don't know what my future holds. I

I am not sure why I am even posting on this semi-daily blog.  I really have nothing to say. Noth. Ing. So, to make it worth your while since you came to this site to get an update on my boring and dull life, I'll tell you some things I'm thinking about today. 1. I want to see the movie "He's just not that into you".  It's playing across the street at the movie theater and it sounds funny. 2. I went to see "Confessions of a Shopaholic".  It was well worth my money. But, mostly because I loved the books. 3. I hate cold uncomfortable days. 4. I am frustrated at work because I have a pile of stupid stupid stuff to do and I can't seem to find the bottom of my desk. 5. my house a disaster and I don't feel like cleaning it.  I secretly wish a house cleaning fairy would appear and wave her magic wand across my dusty floors and sticky countertops. 6. I am easily annoyed today. 7. I have a list of 8 things to do on my desk.  I wrote t

Two things: 1. I wanted to call my friend Janine this morning. So, I picked up the phone and dialed. I don't really call her that often. Rarely, actually. But, I have this wierd thing with phone numbers. I remember them. So, I dialed her number. "Hello?" "Janine?" "No... this is Marla." I realized at this point that I dialed the wrong number. And soon, you will know how small my town is. "Oh. Hey Marla. This is Tina Last Name. I think I dialed the wrong number" "Oh hey Tina. How have you been lately?" "Great! It was nice talking to you. Have a great day!" Now... I need to explain. I did not know Marla's number. I have never called Marla that I know of. I know her because our kids were in the same grade together a few years ago before they graduated. But, I recognized her voice as long as she said her name and could have a conversation with her. I feel like I live in Mayberry. Seriously. 2. I did somethin

  Today is Emily's birthday.  She's 10. She's happy.  She's proud.  She's confident. She went to school today carrying her bright green cupcakes.  17 for her class. 1 for her teacher. 1 for the secretary. and 1 to bribe the principal for a new pencil. Her words. Not mine. She lost a tooth last night.  This is an old picture so it doesn't show the missing tooth.  She left it under her pillow and KNEW the tooth fairy would leave a $20 bill since it was her birthday.  The tooth fairy left a $5 - and she was happy about that. Tonight, we're having family over for a birthday party. I asked her what she wanted to eat. Steak and potatoes. She is so proud to be like her daddy. She has a strong father.  And she is a strong daughter.  All of her. Emily, you are one special girl.  Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't.  You can. You know you can. You can be who you want to be. You can do all that God has for you to do. Be confident. B

Today, it is bitter bitter cold. The wind is the kind of wind that whips your face and cuts to the very center of your body with its chill. Today, I am sitting in front of the fireplace, curled up in a blanket, reading my Bible, drinking a cup of coffee.... and dreaming of Spring.

You're 22 today! Happy Birthday!

This bottle of stuff way in the back of my mudroom cabinet came out today in mass quantities. The description on the bottle says this: "No other disinfectant claims to kill more viruses, fungi, and bacteria†, including HIV Type 1††, herpes simplex types 1 and 2, influenza (A2/Hong Kong), athlete's foot fungus, and streptococcus pyogenes, which can cause sore throat, fever, coughs, runny nose, pneumonia, bronchitis, respiratory disease, and skin and wound infections. Disinfects and deodorizes, inhibits mold and mildew, eliminates odor-causing germs, and leaves a cleaner, fresher-smelling bathroom" So, I've put it into spray bottles and am spraying it everywhere. I put it in the mop bucket and mopped the floor. I put it in a bucket of water and am wiping everything down. I want to give the kids baths in it... I want them to drink it and blow their nose with it and wash with it. I'm desperate to stop the flu in it's tracks.

As I sit at the computer, my georgous fantastic super wonderful sexy husband is cleaning up the second round of vomit. With 10 of us in the house for a couple weeks, I am praying really really hard.

These trees are new. They've only been planted for a year or so. I'm a little worried about them this winter. It's been tough on them. In the spring, the rain came. Then the floods. In the summer, it was dry. really dry. And this winter has been bitterly cold. The cold has caused it to be an extraordinarily dry winter as well. I can feel it. Surely they can. I look at them in these elements in their lives and wonder, will they survive?

Last year, we watched our sweet missionary friends' kids while they went to Bulgaria for a couple of weeks. This year, they are in Africa for two weeks. I talked a little about last year here. Seriously, I love these kids. Even though there are 6 of them now with their teenage niece living with them, they are fun to have around. We're all geared up for it. We've got the rules posted on the wall, the 3 strikes you're out poster on the wall, the morning and evening schedule poster out there... I think we've been watching a little too much super nanny. But, the response has been great. Last night and this morning, they kept looking at the schedule posted on the wall to make sure they were doing things in the right order. hehe... we'll just see if that lasts through the week. We turned our china cabinet into a dresser to hold clothes. We dug out all the plastic cups we could find. We staggered the bedtimes just a little.... we shoved the dining room table ov

and we're making valentines.

His birthday was on Thursday. But, we were gone. So, the celebration was a little off. Happy Birthday Shawn!! To our "hero".

Random posts are always what we bloggers resort to when we can't really think of any one topic to blog about.  We brought our kids along to our business meetings this week (2 kids + 1 friend) and while we sit in meetings learning about how business is changing, the kids will be at the indoor waterpark.  Since we've gotten here, so far, all we've done is eat.  I critiqued this hotel last year here.   I have dreamt about that Lemon Berry Torte all year long.  I hope they have it again.  But, really what are the chances?  I was wondering if I should take my camera to all of the dinners just in case... so I can post a picture of that deliciousness.  The funny thing is... after staying at the lavish hotels in Vegas a couple weeks ago, all midwest hotels seem quite boring. That's just so unfair. Just a little notice to all of you.... btw.  Tomorrow is THE Day for Shawn's birthday.  If you have his cell number, text him a little birthday message. :)  He won't t

I've been silent too long. It isn't that I haven't done any blogging. I have really. I just haven't published my posts because I want to add the pictures before doing it. Okay... really long story... but our internet at home wasn't working for a really really long time. But, it's on the mend.... so soon... very soon. Random list for this week: 1. Leaving today for an indoor waterpark/business convention - not in Vegas, but indoors it's a bit like an island. :) 2. It's supposed to be 40 when we get back from this trip. I love random increases in temperatures. 3. I really want to watch the Paul Blart Mall Cop movie. (My desk faces the movie theater and it is now showing). 4. Diet going well. I've lost 10 pounds. 5. Abbie burnt her hand in chemistry today. on purpose. all is well. 6. Shawn's early birthday celebration last night (will post pics later) - he got a Wii and a bunch of games like Cabella's Dangerous Hunts. 7. I dreamt I was being