Gift Giving

I have been thinking about gift giving this Christmas season. I was well pleased with the gifts I gave this year, which isn't always the case. Sometimes the gift is chosen in last minute desperation. This year they seemed like perfect choices to me...exactly what they asked for or something that perfectly reflected and encourgaged who they are. As they were opened I got different reactions. Some were genuinely pleased and spent more than the passing, "Oh, thanks," with the gift. They went back to look at it or use it again. Some said, "Oh, thanks", put it back in the bag and went on. I have no idea if they ever got it out to look at or use again. Some I haven't heard from and didn't get to witness the opening. So, that was how it looked from my side of the gift. I was often happy, pleased, and sometimes saddened. Now, I think about the other side. How did I respond to the gifts I was given? I tried to show all the gratitude and joy I could even when suprised by the gift. I was, for the first time, this year way less interested in getting the gifts than in giving. My joy this year was in the giving...hmmm.
Then comes the BIG thinking. While driving hither and yon you have lots of time to think.
I know how excited and content I was with the gifts I was giving. I was also a little nervous at their reception. If in my tiny humanity, I felt these things, what must God have felt that first Christmas?
Surely he knew that he had the BEST gift. Surely he was content. Perhaps he was a little nervous about the reception...
How have you recieved the Gift? Did you accept it with tears of joy and then put it away? Did you only barely acknowledge it before moving on? Did you just ignore it all together?
Or, maybe, you received Him joyfully and turn to Him daily? Can you imagine the smile on God's face when we love the Gift and the Giver with our whole heart?
The Perfect Gift well received...that's Christmas!

A New Christmas

This year has been very different for me at Christmas. There is nothing on my list, so everything will be a wonderful surprise. I found simple gifts that seem just right for all of my family and can't wait to see if they agree...and knowing my family, I will still be OK when they don't get excited. I know it is a good gift that will be used and appreciated, if only silently, over the years.
This is the very first year that I haven't been waking someone up with, "It's Christmas! Let's open the presents!" I know. Really. At the tender age of 53! Well, better late than never. Instead, I got up and started making the cookies for my brother...joyfully, with the help of my little husband.
Only after that did we exchange our gifts. Ahhh.
Now we are off to Monroe's to help in anyway we can with the free dinner Jimmy serves each year.
Then off to my dad's for the night.
It's taken 53 years, but maybe, just maybe I am beginning to "get" it.
Merry, merry Christmas to you and yours.

Snow Writing

I went for a walk up at the track this evening (in the dark, but not really very dark since the snow is so shiny) in an attempt to ease a bit of serious back pain.
I had to climb over a snow plow pile to even get there, but when I did, it was so worth it. Pure snow! No one had been on the track since we got about a foot of snow over the weekend...Yippee! There were a few animal tracks, but not even many of them. I walked around the curve to the straight and it was just too tempting for me. It was a blank slate waiting to be written up on...a rare and wonderful opportunity. So, I began.
I walked and wrote in cursive clear down the straight, around the curve at the far end and back up the other straight. It says:
Believe in the miracle of a baby born to save you. Love came down at Christmas.
Hallelujah. Amen.
Now, if I just had some way to get up in the air and see it all layed out there...
Regardless, I feel better and I have shared the message of Christmas with whoever stumbles upon it before it melts. An hour well spent.
Believe in the miracles in your life...believe in the God of the universe...Merry Christmas!

First Snow

Well, it is here. It is beautiful. It is SNOW!
I am looking forward to a day of quiet. Snow makes everything seem more quiet....muffled.
Went out to Shangri La Ti Da for a check. Went out to eat Chinese. Now home.
It just doesn't get any better than this, does it? Slow and peaceful. In from the snow and looking at a new seed/plant catalogue and thinking of the garden to come in the spring. After having read Barbara Kingsolver's book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle I am excited to try some fun plants in the garden this year. Our first garden at Shangri La Ti Da...which is, by the way, already winterized with about a foot of mulch over the two new 4x40 foot beds.
This is the pace I am looking forward to after retirement...time to enjoy and see and appreciate what is around me.
I don't even have all my Christmas done, but I have shed that frustration and anxiety and feel peaceful with what is done already and the wrapping I can do and plans to make for what still needs to be done.
Thank the Lord for this Christmas miracle...
Amen

Slow Down

As I have been edging toward a simpler, quieter, slower life and praying, I am sometimes surprised by God.
Tonight I was over booked and knowing I would be in a rush all evening. I had a doctor's appointment in Terra Alta that I had to zoom away from school for. Then I had to zoom back for a PTA meeting and I need to cook something for a church dinner tomorrow night...aarrrggh! Where's the peace, right?
So, on the way up the mountain my car dies. As I am trying frantically to get Stevie so she can come and get me, my cell phone starts to have issues.
So, now I am thinking it was all a slow down message. We did live before cell phones. I could have walked somewhere to use a phone and give someone a chance to show some Christian charity.
I did get to the doctor and she was very nice and took a lot of time with me. Told me everything looked good inside and out...for my age! It was all so good that I completely forgot to worry about getting to my meeting...and it all went well at the meeting even with out me....how about that?
In all of this I was forced to slow down and think again....
Thank you, Lord.

Minimumly Musical

My little husband and I went to the community Christmas dinner at the high school tonight. It was tasty enough, but the real fun was the entertainment they had planned. The musical theatre group as well as the bands and choirs performed. It was a nice variety of music.
But the main thing is that because I am only minimumly musical, I can, and do, enjoy it all. I don't know enough to be analytical about what I am hearing.
It is kind of interesting to me. I have a hard time, nearly impossible time, sitting still while music is being performed, but I don't really feel like I have much rhythym. I long to be a dancer, but am not brave enough.
And here's another part of the puzzle. Mostly I don't care for radio music, but almost any kind of live music I am happy with. Maybe it is the connections. Seeing those kids perform tonight and knowing how that, all that, that goes into a performance is making them more prepared to be the future...teary eyed through most of it.
But none of this is the best part yet. At the very end...after 2 long hours on the bleachers...I got to sing the Hallelujah Chorus with the choirs and anyone from the audience who wanted to join us on the floor. It was great!
See, being only minimumly musical means I can sing with abandon and joy. I know enough to stop singing if I am way off, but otherwise I don't sweat the small stuff and just enjoy!
Amen!

Mission Accomplished

You know why I love being married? Well, married to my little husband in particular? He is good with me being an able assistant on projects and not much of a house cleaner. Right, Little Husband?
We have been having a bit of wind the last few days and this afternoon our neighbor pointed out that the antennae on top of our roof was listing (and not to port...must be starboard). This is not a little bitty antennae. It is a 12 foot antennae on a 30 foot pole that was attached to the chimney with brackets and secured with steel cables at 3 points on the eaves. Now, why we needed this monstrosity when we don't even have a TV is another discussion all together.
Anyway, after the helpful neighbor pointed this out, my husband began planning. The plan came to fruition at about 10:00pm tonight. He sets up the ladder, plugs in the Sawzall (is that how you spell that toy?), and up we go onto the roof of the house. It is not nearly as breezy as it has been, thank goodness. We cut the one remaining cable. He starts the cut on the bracket attaching it to the chimney and then hands off the toy. He goes to the mid point of the support pole and I put the flash light in my mouth and get to finish the sawing! Much more fun than say, sweeping or dusting or doing the dishes! I cut the bottom bracket and we put the antennae on the ground behind the house...all without any mishap or excitement!
The only bad news is, the house still needs cleaned!
The best news is that my husband loves me anyway....ahhh, blessing.

Disney

In the middle of the Advent Conspiracy posts...but it really took place before I started them...a report on the Disney trip.
We had a great time. Enough laughing to cause incontinence! Enough screaming to cause sore throats. Enough lights to cause squinting. A bit of an adventure seeing all those Christmas decorations in palm trees and such, but a lot of lights twinkling always looks good, right? Enough sweet desserts to keep you awake for hours and happy about it! Enough walking to make you not feel too badly about eating at a dessert buffet at 9:00 at night!
I have been to Disney World a few times, but never before in the "Christmas" season. The weather was much more agreeable and the lines were much more manageable. I would suggest this time of year to anyone with kids. We did 4 parks in 3 days and I think each of us saw most of what we wanted to see. We arrived as the park opened and left as it was closing 3 different days. We are so lucky to have Amy who is a type A planner of all things recreational. No thinking involved when you are on one of Amy's trips. You just get to enjoy the sights...if you can keep up with her! I hope she enjoys doing the planning as much as I enjoy the plans.
All of that said...I did have some twinges of elitism (is that a word?) that I am not comfortable with. Generally, if something isn't available to any and everyone, I don't want to be part of it either...and a Disney trip is expensive for a family. And then of course, I get back to hear about the Advent Conspiracy and begin to think of all the things I could have spent that money on...
But, I did enjoy time away with good friends and that is worth more than any money.
I would show you some photos, but the trip coordinator is also the photographer and I haven't gotten any photos yet. She took some great ones, so that is something you can look forward to...

Advent Conspiracy

We are doing an interesting and though provoking study in Sunday School this month. It is call the Advent Conspiracy and it is about bringing Christ back into Christmas. The first week was about worshipping fully. How often the thing that we worship at Christmas is finding the "perfect" gift. Perfect because it cost the right amount (want to impress, want to save money, agreed to spend $20); perfect because we know the person so well, perfect because we would love to have one, perfect because we will get to use it, too, but we can count it as a gift...you get the idea.
The PERFECT gift was given all those years ago by a God with a plan for each of us.
How often the thing we worship at Christmas is "time off " to do nothing or do something different or spend time alone or spend time with loved ones.
Why do we need time off to do these things? Perhaps we should take time off from our important life to be still and know God. Christmas is a good time to start that.
So, anyway, the point is that we should worship fully the Baby, the life he showed us and gave up for us. It isn't about the stuff that we gather, give, return...and other wise worship. It is about loving...not stuff.
Give presence. Do you or anyone you know really need anything?
Just think about it...

The Villages

I got to go to Florida for Thanksgiving this year to help my friend, Stevie, celebrate her 60th birthday a bit early. We were lucky enough to be able to stay in a friend's house while there. It is in The Villages at Lady Lake, Florida. The Villages are a grand retirement village of about 70,000. Can that really still be a village? It was an eye opening and laugh inducing experience. These folks know how to enjoy the life they are living. There are activities scheduled all the time, from polo to woodworking. There is live music every night in the square. It is very appealing. Their main mode of transportation is a golf car (not cart). And these are not just your plain old golf carts...it was great fun to see all the individuality. They built a bridge just wide enough for 2 carts to pass to go over the 6 lane freeway below and tunnels to go under...what a juxtaposition! Speedy and slow. I am so looking forward to the slower pace. We got to spend an afternoon and evening with two friends who live there. They were so sweet with us and each other. How gentle they were. I can see now the possible reward for working all this time...a slower, gentler time is in my very near future!
Wonder why we can't live that life now and then???

Is It Possible?

Abundant life lived simply and deliberately. It is my goal. Is it possible? I seem to get flashes of it and then "real life" happens again. I get swept up and carried in the flow of stuff...
It isn't abundant then, but rather, shallow.
It isn't simple then, but rather, meaningless.
It isn't deliberate then, but rather, mindless.
Arrrgghhh.
God help me!
What do you think?

And Then...

And then there were Furbabies! Everywhere!

The joy that they bring is immeasurable. The lessons they teach are innumberable. They are grace and mercy and joy in abundance. They love you and show you...all the time. So what if you have to share your bed every once in a while.

Mercy is the big Shiloh Shepherd, Grace is the golden retriever, and Sweet Pea is the tiny 20 year old kitty in the middle of it all. I don't know where Becan and Skippy Joe Lohr (the other 2 kitty kids) are. Must not have gotten the memo about the photo shoot.

Hope it brought a smile to your face.

Making a Difference

With parent - teacher conferences I am always nervous. Am I living up to their expectations? Am I doing the very best I can for their little darling? Even though I have a fairly regular contact with many of my parents, there are always some who want to come and they did.
All of the conferences went well and it was humbling to hear how much of what we do at school is going home. It is stressfull, but rewarding, to know the amount of advice that we can give - and they listen to.
Stevie and I are a great team.
We are making a difference and so we continue.

Child of God

I am a child of God's. I am made in the image of them...God, Jesus, Holy Spirit. If I am made in the image of them, it seems I should look like them, right?
I wonder if people realize I am related to God?
Do you think Jesus would be standing there with us in the hallway when we are eager to get the latest "scoop" on one of our coworkers or kids families? Or would he be there with the "scoopee" offering love?
Do you think Jesus would be there beside us when we berate a student for not doing the "right" thing again? Or would he be there beside the student offering to do whatever he could to help?
Do you think Jesus would laugh when we enjoy someone else's "funny" clothes or hair or speech or whatever? Or would Jesus take the time to reach out a hand to that person and show them love is much deeper than funny clothes or hair or speech?
God tells us to do two things: Love Him and love others...a lot!
Here's the next question. Would anyone recognize me as a child of God?
I have heard it said that when we get to heaven, God will ask one question and it won't be to us. It will be to Jesus and he will say, "Do you know this one?"
Will Jesus know me? Do I know him? Do you? Does anyone else know we are Christians by our love?

Personhood vs. Paperwork

No wonder God says we should become as little children. Today, we found out that we will be getting a new student in our class...a 6 1/2 year old kindergarten student.
The immediate response of all the adults was a groan of irritation at the thought of all the things that have to be copied and gathered and made and organized to bring a new student up to speed so that they can participate in the regular classroom activities: folder for home/school, poetry folder, sight word poems, name sticks, monthly quilt pieces, seating charts, buddy reader bears, journals.....you get the picture. Now, none of this is to say that we don't want the child to come or don't feel that we can make a positive difference for him, but it is a massive amount of work up front.
That's the paperwork response.
When we were telling the kids about the new student and how he would probably feel nervous/scared and not know any thing about how we do things or where things were, their immediate response was, "I can help him." They were excited to be able to show him which was the boys bathroom, how we walk in line, where to sit, where we keep our journals, how to sign in, where to hang his coat. Many volunteered to be his friend, his best friend. We don't want him to be scared.
That's the personhood response.
Humbles you and makes you proud, doesn't it?
Can you be more like a little child tomorrow? First response...generous and excited....
It's a worthy goal.

It Is Good

What a wonderful Sabbath it has been. I went to church in Bruceton to hear my friend, Tiffany, preach. She spoke about joy and stealing joy. It was powerful and uplifting. I cried and laughed and was inspired to spread joy every day instead of stealing joy. It takes so little to do either. How easy it is to see the joy on someone's face when you compliment them. How easy it is to see the joy on someone's face when you recognize them and their gift or talent. How easy it is to see the joy on someone's face when you attend to them in their moments of joy...and in their sorrow. All it takes is a word or a smile or a touch or a moment of attention. And then, how easy it is to steal their joy with a look or a word or an attitude...
God is for joy! Share the joy. It is good.
This evening I went to a benefit concert to raise money for an after school program in Uganda, where Mackenzie Brown is working for a year. The music was wonderful, the selection of songs perfect and the sweet Spirit of the Lord was in that place. I cried through many of the songs, sometimes because of the words and sometimes for the stories behind the words and the people presenting them. To witness that generous gift being selflessly offered for kids that we will never know until we all get to Heaven was nothing short of being in the presence of Holiness. In talking with people after the concert it was interesting to hear which songs touched which people. For me, the most inspiring song was Go Light Your World. (Tiffany, is that the song you were talking about this morning?)Mackenzie's mom, Shelia, sang it with a voice strong and true. It talks about taking your candle and running toward the darkness...not lighting your candle and sitting it prettily in your living room or carrying it to church with you every Sunday.
Running toward the darkness with your candle and spreading joy...that was the powerful message that I got today. And now I have shared it with you.
Light your candle and get out there. Our world is often a dark place, but not today in my part of the world and it can be lighter and more joyful in your part of the world tomorrow if you light your candle and spread the joy that only you can spread in the place where only you are!
It is good.
You know how you often hear that the world is going to hell in a handbasket? Well, the handbasket is empty right here where I am.
It is good.

Wondering

Wondering if the people who always seem to have it all together really do or not. There are those who seem peaceful, happy, effective...and I wonder.
I wonder if I pretend well enough that folks think I am one of those who have it all together. I wonder.
Honestly, just when I begin to feel a bit of peace and balance in my life I just go crazy again. Why is that? Like Paul says in the Bible...I do the very things that I don't want to do and don't do what I know I should. Being in good company with Paul isn't really making me feel all that much better.
The small silver lining it all the chances I get to begin again...
I think I will go now and read again how Paul dealt with this problem.
Wondering.

The Amazing Appearing Cat

We have cats and dogs and I can't even imagine not having them, or some of their kin. They are so amusing.
Sunday, on the way to church, I realized it was too cold and ran back in to get a sweater. As I ran in, Skippy Joe ran out. I gave it a very hearty attempt to get him back in the house... for about 15 seconds. I was late for church already! So, Skippy was out on his own. He isn't an outdoor kitty really and this was the first time we had left him out when we weren't there to let him in as soon as he asked to come in. It was a little nerve wracking.
After church, as soon as I got out of the car, I was calling for The Skipster. He is usually pretty good about showing himself when called...not always coming to you or coming inside, mind you, but showing himself to see if you have something interesting...and there was no Skippy Joe. Now a little bit nervous. There is a mean neighborhood kitty.
As soon as I walk in the door, there is Skippy, sitting at the water bowl, giving me the evil eye as if to say, "Where have you been? I wanted in and you weren't here." I looked at my husband just to confirm that he hadn't let the cat in before we left for church even though I knew that he had been in the car when I ran up to the house for my sweater...even though I knew that he didn't let Skippy in, THERE was Skippy! The amazing APPEARING cat!!!
With a little confusion and trepidation I went further into the house. As I got to the bedroom the mystery was solved. The screen from the window was on the floor and the window wide open. The mighty Skippster had climbed up on the wood pile under the window and pushed the screen into the room...I thought the dogs must have helped at first, but even our smarter than average dogs couldn't have pulled the screen into the room.
All you can do is shake your head and grin!
What amazing thing has your furry friend done?

And Then They Were One

Amber and Bryan have been going to church with us for quite awhile now. They are so cute and sweet and faithful. It is not an easy thing to make God a focus in your life when you are not surrounded by like minded people. They are making a go of it and seeming to enjoy the journey.
Watching them love each other and get engaged - it just makes a believer in you all over again.
Today was the wedding. The church was beautiful and the pews were full.
As we stood to welcome Amber into the service I watched Bryan instead of turning to see Amber...it was so worth it to see the love all over his face. When I did turn to look at Amber she was aglow as well. Finally, she and Bryan got to get ahold of each other and they held on so tightly and encouragingly. When Bryan stumbled over the tears in his throat during the saying of the vows, Amber never looked away and encouraged him ever so gently with her hands on his. When it was Amber's turn to talk, Bryan was the encourager. When they got to finally seal the deal with the kiss, they melted into each other and gathered strength.
This has been typical of what I have seen and known about them from church. They seem to understand even now that love is more than a feeling. It is a determination to lift up your mate with encouragement every time it is needed. It is all that and more!
I have a great feeling about these two young folks...it's a lifetime of joy for them. I'm sure. I can't wait to watch them grow older together.
God bless them real good.

A Stirring

There is definately something stirring. I feel an abundance...a ripening...something ready to burst forth (and it is more than my weight!)...an answer to prayers...some that I am pretty sure I never even thought of.
What is the change? Listening? Making myself open and more available?
A striving to control my thoughts and think only what is good and pure and right?
It isn't easy at all. But for this feeling...it is so worth it!
Let the listening and striving continue and God's work be done. Amen.

God's Moving

For quite a while now, Don and I have been comfortably alone together. We didn't do much with other folks in or out of our family. It was good time together. We did, however, pray for God to use us.
Now, I can feel Him moving in our lives. We are making connections with people in and out of our families in ways that we would never have expected.
Don has taken on a man to do chores who needs to know about God more than most people. Don pays him to do what he could certainly do himself and then he gets to speak the Message to him on occasion. God is moving in us and through us.
Don's brother has come to stay for awhile and look for a job.
God is changing our lives.
Letting God lead is powerful. It is hard for me, especially, because I always want to do it my way for myself...I can fix "it" whatever "it" is!
Letting God lead is peaceful. I am feeling joy. I am feeling a major change in me and in my life with my little husband. Peace, purpose, joy...it's all good.
God's not finished with me yet. Amen.

A Bit of Balance

A full and balanced day...rare and wonderful.
Started with worship among friends and fellow travellers. Lunch with my little husband after church at New China with only reasonable consumption. Shopping for a friend who needed a broom and delivery. An invitation to Don's brother (who is in a transition time in his life and needs a safe harbor and lots of love) to come and stay as long as he would like.
A little reading and a nap. Time at work, but not too long. A 2 mile walk at the high school while listening to my friend, Patrick talk about unity among all of us who love Jesus. Home to fix lunches and still only about 8:00pm. Yippee!
Still have time to read a bit more before I fall asleep. Hope your day was purposeful and blessed.
Good night, friends.

More and More

God designed out bodies to work beautifully...if we stick somewhat close to the original plan, I think.
For way too many years I have taken my body for granted. It has worked well for me with relatively little upkeep on my part. I am healthy, but things are beginning to hurt more often for longer times. Things I used to be able to enjoy (potato chip and chocolate frenzy) with little or no ill effect just are not possible anymore. Sigh.
But the good news is that God has a good plan. I can feel myself tending toward healthier eating because I enjoy it more and more. I can feel myself enjoying preparing healthier food more and more. I still have to fight the convenience of "fast food" and "prepared" foods, but it is coming more and more.
Two good magazines for you to check out are Eating Well and Clean Eating.
Enjoy!
Not sure if I am becoming someone new or returning to who I used to be or who I always wanted to be...very perplexing.

Woolies!

One thing I do know about myself is that I am a creator. Here are some of my Woolies. Enjoy!

Now, I am going to make some more...little sittable softies...can't wait to meet them.

Pretending

I hope it isn't just me, but am afraid that it may be. Does any one else ever feel like they don't know who they are anymore? I feel like I am just pretending to be whatever anyone needs me to be and I'm not sure who I am or want to be anymore. It is very disconcerting, to say the least.
Today at church, the preacher told us not to store up treasures here on earth and proceeded to talk about what those treasures might be. I found out that I couldn't think of one "thing" I treasured here. That doesn't seem normal.
I want to be who God meant me to be. Seems like I should feel some leading or reassurance or something...
Sometimes I think it is OK to pretend to be something until you can really be that (like patient, kind, generous), it's like practice, but I don't think it is probably a good idea to pretend to be all the time.
Maybe I'm just having a bad day...I'll try pretending that I am happy.

Citrus Salad

If you had told me at any point in my life up to this very one that I would suddenly realize that I seriously enjoy cooking (well, maybe we should call it food preparation today, since no fire was involved) I would have smirked in your general direction. I just haven't done that much of it, ever. I make a pretty good soup now and then. I can make a good salad, but who can't? Cooking has mostly been a matter of necessity...ran out of money to go out and eat! For many of my "grown up" years, I was single and cooking for one is not that much fun and eating out is even cheaper, so...Now that I have a husband I find that I picked one who is a "basics" guy, well, minus most veggies, especially fresh and colorful ones. This is not always a bad thing. He would happily eat meat and potatoes only for many, many nights.
Tonight, I am home by myself and I just made myself a citrus salad. My friend, Amy, made one last weekend and it was so tasty I had to have more.
It was tedious, messy and took forever. But the funniest part is that I enjoyed, seriously enjoyed, every messy moment of the whole process! I stood at the counter peacefully creating something that nourished my creative soul and will nourish my body. My mind was free to wander at will. All good. Go figure.
It was fun, rewarding, and will be yummy when I eat it tomorrow. What's not to like?
The challenge is, now that I realize this joy that is possible in my life, how will I work it in more often...
Well, I love a challenge!
I'm thinking a pot of chili tomorrow with the cooler weather...yeah.

Early Columbus Day

Just spent a wonderful weekend in Columbus with two of my most favorite travelling buddies, Stevie and Amy. We have travelled together enough to know how to keep the peace for a week to ten days at a time! Mostly I stay while they go when I am about to be testy from too little "alone time" and they have learned to be OK with that. There are not many other people, besides my little husband, that I can imagine spending that much fun time with.
So, we were in Columbus. I got to sleep in a non hairy bed. I had flowers waiting for me. The condo was clean, clean, clean and there was good conversation for as long as I could stand it...
Sleeping Friday night was interesting. Amy lives in a flight path for the Port Columbus airport so I could hear planes flying over head, but then just after that I could hear a flock of geese flying over and then another plane. In spite of our best efforts we can't get rid of nature. It just keeps adapting. Thank God.
Saturday I got up and had fresh citrus salad and Egg McShuppes before we went for a wonderful walk in the park. Another of those city juxtapositions...we are walking in beautiful, quiet, deep woods and you can hear the interstate on one part of the path. Then we started on our shopping odessy. There is so much there that I can't even get a grip on it. There were lots of places that I would have liked to stop, but there was just no time. It's too much for me on a daily basis for sure, but it is nice to be able to go and visit. We got good deals and ate good food.
I know for a fact that I would never want to live in a city like that and I am even more looking forward to living more and more simply...but, again, it is nice to be able to go and visit with good friends.
Thanks to my travelling buddies for a fun weekend!
Oh, and I am inspired again to create some primitive Whimsical Woolies!
Hope you had a great weekend, too.

Fluff

Today I was walking down the hall with a little 3rd grade girl that had on a pretty pink coat and leopard leggings. I complimented her on her cool leggings and told her she was looking very pettable today. "What's pettable mean?" she asked. I told her I thought she was looking pettable because her pink coat was so nice and soft.
"Oh." she said. "Most of the fluff has been loved off already." Straight face, comment to be taken at face value. OK, have a great day I told her. We both walked away with a smile.
Have you loved most of the fluff off of any one lately?

Snuggy

I love this weather! It is absolutely the best to be snugged into my bed with the mattress warmer turned on high (which my little husband remembers to do for me) and the windows open to let in that cool, crisp night air. Almost makes me want to sleep outside in a tent...hearing the rain drop softly on the tent and roll down the sides...almost!
Haven't put socks on with my Birkenstocks yet, though. Might get a few more days sock free. Looking forward to winter! Love it, love it, love it!
Enjoy. God changes the weather often enough to keep us all happy, right?
What's your favorite time of year, kind of weather?

Saturday

It was a rainy day today. All day. Nice and cool. Amazing how with a rainy day everyone can only remember the rainy day Buckwheat Festivals. I can't tell you how many times I heard, "It ALWAYS rains during the Buckwheat Festival." Hmmm. Didn't rain yesterday or Thursday and shouldn't rain tomorrow. It is one of those things about human nature that seem sad to me. We tend to see the negative, the half empty glass as our default mode. For example, today when I saw a friend who has a new job I had to conciously stop myself from asking her if there were any mean people working with her. I asked instead if there were any friendly and helpful ones and what a difference it made in the tone of our conversation...lots more smiles and laughs instead of whining and frowns. Hmmmm.
Spent most of the day selling art in the Arts Council booth. Saw lots of people, got to know some of my fellow artists better, and sold a good bit of art by all the artists. A good day...maybe even a great day if my feet aren't too upset in the morning. I even began to feel just a bit of kinship with the other artists in our booth and the other booths. Interesting.
Yesterday, Stevie and I spent a couple of hours frying sausage at the community building. It wasn't hard work, but it was dangerous...I smelled so "sausagey" when I got home that my dogs went a little crazy! Quick in the shower....
Then a great concert by Kathy Mattea. And we had front row seats!!!! WooHoo.
Tomorrow is church. Blessing. Sustenance.
But for now, I sold all but one of my Carolina Stars (yippee!) and I need to go and help my little husband finish up a few for tomorrow.

Fest'al Time

When it's frostin' in the meadows and there's colorin' on the mountains, then you know that once again, it's Fest'al Time.
It's only Thursday and I have had festival fries with vinegar 3 times and buckwheat cakes once!
I spent a fun 2 hours at the Arts Council booth demonstrating how to make Carolina Stars. It was great. You get to sit down, visit with people and get stuff done! I got 4 stars made and hopefully I will need them to sell before the weekend is over. My friend, Anne, bought one tonight. Thanks.
My little husband and I watched the parade and I cried at every little band that went by. I wanted to walk out in the street and thank the band directors as they went by, for making a difference in those kids lives.
But, all that said, I was teary eyed today and told my husband that I missed being the me that used to LOVE the Buckwheat Festival. I don't rightly know where she got to.
Let me know if you see her.
ps...saw some of my kids and parents today...they shared how proud their kids were of their ribbons and prizes from the mini-Buckwheat Festival! Oh, yeah. That's why we went to all that extra trouble. :>)

Little Joys

My kids are so excited about the Mini Buckwheat Festival we are having at school tomorrow. We talked about it and sent the note home explaining it all to their parents yesterday. Today several of them reported that they already had their "pet" for the pet show in their backpack today so they didn't forget it tomorrow. Some are working with the Nana's to create art for the art show, some wanted their moms to dig up the morning glory plant from the yard for the plant show. They are excited and it makes my job so much fun! While they tour the Buckwheat Festival grounds tomorrow morning I will be at school thinking up ways to award prizes to everyone...not everyone gets 1st place, but everyone does get a prize. So, there are prizes for things like, "Stripiest Animal" "Purplest Flower" "Picture with the Most Colors". You get the idea. They will love seeing the awards pinned on their creatures or creations. They will get to play games and get prizes...and of course, eat buckwheat cakes (no sugar added) with sugar free syrup for my diabetic darlings and their chubby teacher! Oh yeah. We also crown our own King and Queen! They each get to come and tell me who they think should be our Royalty and usually they make an amazingly wise choice.
Another small joy for me today was a wonderful group of parents who are willing to come in and volunteer to work 2 or 3 times a week with the kids for and hour and a half. It's a major committment and I am thrilled with their willingness. They had their training today after school. They will start on Monday!
Did you find joy in your day today?

Max

Today our first monarch butterfly hatched out. The kids are pretty faithful about checking on them first thing in the morning. I made sure to point out how clear the chrysalis was and tell them to keep a close eye on him. Just about 10 minutes later the watchers started shouting, "It's out, it's out!" We all gathered around the table and sat on the floor and watched the miracle. Sharing it with these eager, amazed little beings is just like seeing it anew each time. It doesn't get much better than that. After lunch we named him, Max, and set him free. Another powerful moment was when he finally leaped into the air off of my fingers and flew, after hunkering down for a few minutes in the slight wind. The kids all start waving and saying, "Bye, Max!"
Do you have a better job than this? I can't imagine.
I also saw a couple of my kids today fold their hands and pray, God is great, God is good, before they ate their snack.
Oh, and I wore those jeans I bought right before school started and they do fit and look pretty good!

Two Kinds Of Tired

Today I got to go and ride Flicka, the mighty red riding lawnmower, for a few hours of what was probably the last ride of the season. It was great. Outside, listening to a great sermon or two on my ipod, just driving around. I saw monarch caterpillars in the wild (as opposed to in the aquarium at school) and resisted the urge to help them over to the jucier looking milkweed plant. Just like all summer when we were working long days at Shangri La Ti Da, I am tired. But, this tired is a refreshing tired. Does that make sense? I can see exactly what got done. I was in the fresh air. I didn't have to smile or talk to anyone else. I got some spiritual food from the sermons. I am refreshed.
Now, I am going to school to finish lesson plans. Since school has started I have been a whole different kind of tired. The mental stress of a teaching job leaves me everything but refreshed at the end of the day. Sure I can see what got done, but often I am stressed because I didn't get something else done, or meet the need of one more child who needed me, or didn't present the new concept clearly enough, engagingly enough for it to work. I am tired and it is a draining tired.
What I realized again this weekend is the need for balance. Since school started I have not taken any "refueling" time for me. I haven't created. I haven't spent time walking or working outside. I haven't read or listened to anything to feed me spiritually except for Sunday mornings.
I can so understand why people decide to leave the stress and live closer to God and the land...
What kind of tired are you?

Sharing Tears

Twice today I cried with friends at school. Once it was because we are both feeling overwhelmed with life...so we cried and prayed.
The other time was happier...a sharing and a hug.
Pray for a tender heart and keep the kleenex handy!

Arrrgghh to Ahhh

By the end of the day today, I was in a mood and it wasn't all butterflies and rainbows, either. Technology, unfairness, can'ts, shouldn'ts...aaarrrrggghh!
After a lovely dinner with my sweet husband (who always knows to be extra sweet when I am saying aaaaarrrrggghhhh!) I decide to go to the Board of Education meeting...adding insult to injury, right?
Well, as I got out of my car behind the Board office and saw that view over the valley to the mountains, the peace of my Creator God, in charge, came over me. For sure there is evil out there seeking to destroy and devour all that is right and good...no butterflies and rainbows for these guys. Hmmmm, maybe I was having a "dark side" moment there at the end of school. Hmmmm, where there is light (God's side) the dark cannot be. That's not just some good spiritual hoo ha, that's good science (and good spiritual hoo ha). So, I guess when I let God's light go out or turn away from it, then that arrrgghhhh dark is there. Hmmmm. Doesn't seem that hard...stand in the light, right? Where's my sunglasses???
Anyway, that amazing view inspired me to be peaceful. The board meeting was nothing but good news! We are doing all we can and doing it well, to avoid the H1N1 crisis. The state auditor is very happy with us and very complimentary. No hecklers were in attendance...
So, thank God I went from an aaarrrrggghhh afternoon to an ahhhhh evening.

Becoming

We are watching the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly in class. We started with 4 lowly yellow, black and white striped caterpillars in various sizes. Each were tiny, focused eating machines munching almost continuously on their only food source - milkweed. At the appointed time each moved to the top of the aquarium and onto the screen to turn into a chrysalis. This is an amazing process and one rarely seen because it is so fast. They attach themselves and then hang vertically until they shed their skin one last time in a writhing dance of change. We are waiting now for the final transformation and the becoming. It makes me think, as others have before me, about my/our transformation and becoming more Christlike...Christian.
Before we become Christians we, like the lowly caterpillar, move about close to the ground with a mighty focus on getting what we need to grow in whatever way we have decided is the best way to find and secure our personal happiness. When we have done all we can, when we finally feel the need for more, the inexplicable urge to change someway, somehow because we just aren't happy, then we stop.
When we hear the call of God in our lives, we like the caterpillar, attach ourselves and just hang on. I have seen every step of the life cycle with the Monarch except that letting go and hanging step. I wonder if they just let go with great abandon and fall straight or do they cautiously release 2 of their little feet at a time as they ease into the vertical hanging position. I want to witness this step, but it will have to wait for another year. And I wonder if we, when we find God and attach our lives to His, just let go with abandon, knowing that with him we are safe, or do we cautiously let go a little at a time? Our next step, like the butterfly, is to shed our old skin/life/way of living for the last time. When you watch the caterpillar do this, you see that it isn't really a gentle or gradual process. It is hard work, but it is also short work. After it is begun it must be completed and that final shaking off of the old skin is the very hardest part but when it drops you can see the relaxing into the new creature that is becoming. You can immediately see the creature it will be. I don't know if with us it is that obvious, that immediately, but I do know that it must be done if the transformation is to be complete. And once it is done...Woo Hoo! Who knew that inside that creepy crawly caterpillar was the beautiful butterfly? Who knows what is inside you? God does and He has built into us the "need" to be transformed ...completely and forever.
Amen.

Inquiring Minds

Most days you get lots of questions in Kindergarten. Can I pee? When's lunch? When can I see my mom? What did you say? What did you say? What did you say? But every once in awhile you get one who likes to think a bit deeper. Then you get questions like how did Noah fit all the dinosaurs on board the ark? Who came first, the cave men or Adam and Eve?
And one of my all time favorite questions was from a little guy who was in trouble at recess and had to stand against the wall for a short time. I went over to lean against the wall in the sun near him and he scoots over, looks up at me and says incredulously, "What did you do?"
And the parents...did this one REALLY want me to let her child be a Price St. wacker for the hole year????
What's your most interesting question????

Even Day

I found a double acorn today at Shangri La Ti Da. Hooked together with both hats on. They are just so cute that I want to make them into little people with faces and cute tweed jackets and flannel shirts. So, that's a 2 and 2 is even.
One of my little darlings had a bit of a melt down today when he was supposed to be writing numbers. He couldn't write a 4. Mrs. Bayles told him she knew tricks and he would know how to write a 4 in no time....down and over-down some more...that's the way you make a 4. He got it and was so proud of himself. Those are the moments that make teaching the job to have! You should have seen his face...and then, to make a perfect moment even better, I let him write it on the chalk board! So, that's a 4 and 4 is even.
Got some of the last corn of the season from a wonderful gardener. There were 6 ears and 6 is even.
I stopped to get a diet soda at McDonald's on the way to Shangri La Ti Da this evening and waited long enough to read 8 pages in my book...and 8 is an even number.
Did you have an even or an odd day?
Tomorrow, the question, "Did cave men or Adam and Eve come first?"

Confession?

On the playground on of my little darlings came up to me and said, " I was just holding some of these wood chips in my hands. I hope no one got hurt." I said, "Well, tell them to come and see me if they did."
A little later the same darling comes and says, "I was only trying to hand them some wood chips. I hope no one got their eye hurt." Having heard no screams or seen any problem, I say, "OK. Be careful. Go play."
A little bit later still she comes back and says, "So, do you mean I don't have to worry about this anymore?"
Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Quiet

Today was like a second Sunday. It was very peaceful, fairly productive and healthy...
Reminded me of my summer. Ahh.
Gotta go now. My little husband just opened a bottle of Brietenbach Elderberry Wine that we got on our anniversary honeymoon last April.
Oh, but before I go...we want to go to Yellowstone next summer...any suggestions? We are thinking of driving/camping so we can take the dogs.
My little husband will be 6o and this will be his birthday adventure!
OK...wine is pretty good. Bye now.

Be Careful What You Ask For

Because our God has a wicked...in the holiest aspect of the word...sense of humor, you had best be very careful what you ask for. Being a slow learner, I have to keep learning this lesson, over and over again.
Once I was asking for help with losing weight, controlling my tendancy to eat too much too often sort of thing. So, my little husband and I go off for dinner at Monroe's before a church meeting. You have to know that at that time we were going to eat there 2 or 3 or 4 times a week. They knew what to bring us without even asking. But, on this particular day they didn't come and they didn't come and they didn't come. When they finally did come there was only time for my diet coke with lemon before we had to leave for our meeting. As I was complaining to my little husband as we drove to the meeting, I heard "the voice" say, "What? You said you needed help controlling yourself, didn't you?" (chuckle, chuckle, chuckle...I could hear him chuckling, really)
The latest event was last week. For some of you this may come as a shock, but I have serious control issues. I know how I want things and I know how to get them the way I want them. Not always an attractive attribute. So, I have been praying to not have to always be in control, in charge.
His answer this time was much quieter, more subtle. I spent hours and hours this summer organizing all the things I wanted to teach this year and when, down to books I wanted to read and papers I wanted to copy...for all year! I was so proud of myself. Since school started I have spent hours and hours working on a schedule that worked for 4 people and 30 kids and allowed time for all of the massively amazing plans I had made over the summer. In the past this has been maybe an enjoyable 2 hour job that needed a tweek or two after the first day. By Thursday, I was a basket case. I wasn't sleeping. I was sick of retyping the schedule and lesson plan form and I wasn't seeing any way to fix it. Thursday morning I admitted to Stevie and Teresa and Susie that I couldn't do it. It was too much pressure and I didn't know what to do. And I cried. After they popped their eyes back in and picked up their jaws off the floor, Teresa prayed. Peace came down, we got through the day and that evening it all came together.
This evening I spent enjoyable time planning for next week...knowing that God is listening to me and He must think I am amusing! Giving God a reason to smile is a good thing, right?
I am blessed to work with Godly women.

A Day in The Life

Fun Fridays are supposed to be fun. We had fun, but let's start at the beginnng. It is only the 4th day for these kids in school and already they need just a bit of reminding for the morning "check in" routine. Amazing what they can learn. They each come in with something on their mind...sometimes it is good and sometimes it is bad...but it is their life. Our job is to hear what they say and even what they don't say and greet them each as special.
Today was Apple Day.
First thing they got to find the word apple in a story and do apple patterns.
Next was karaoke time for reciting their poem for the week. Every single one of them got up and took the microphone...most with authority...many with their lips right on the equipment. We went through a few Clorox wipes! What fun that was to watch. One little guy who never complains had a little puffiness in his eye. I thought perhaps just a cold settling in or the effects of tiredness at the end of a long week. Within a half hour it was seriously puffy and the other eye was very red...off to the nurse and he goes home. We peel and cut apples and put them in crock pots to start cooking for applesauce. Four adults with 6 or 7 kids assisting and about 10 pounds of apples. Those car assembly lines have nothing on us. We were through those 10 pounds in about 1/2 hour! You, get apples. You, get rid of the peels. You, push the corer thingy to make slices. You, get your fingers out of your mouth and go wash you hands (just kidding...). You, take these cut up pieces to the crock pot...yea! for team work.
Did a little singing and dancing to relax.
Lunch time. Recess. Next crisis. One of my baby girls fell off of the monkey bars, landed on her wrist and got up saying ow ow ow ow ow, just quietly. I take one look, toss the radio to Stevie and start for the nurse's office. She is fine for about 25 steps and then gets a bit shaky and white so I pick her up and start praying that I can carry her up the stairs and all the way to the nurse's office. She is so brave and just whimpering and clinging to me. We get her settled, call her mom who is luckily just about 2 minutes away. Off they go to the hospital. I run her backpack and folder down to the emergency room and have a last little visit. X-rays show both bones in wrist broken and twisted...off to Morgantown. She told her mom she wanted to have some of our applesauce. (I saved her some.)
We are busy doing a graph before special class while Stevie meets with a parent. One of my princesses has a birthday and mom brings cupcakes. We eat and sing our birthday song. Mom cries and cries...sweet.
We are busy doing more apple activities when we have the 2nd firedrill in 3 days. We all get out there and are out there and out there and out there. We begin to look for smoke! Finally, one of the teacher's radios in and asks if we can come back and they say, "Oh, sure. Didn't anyone tell you?" We go back in and finish the last apple activity and have about 20 minutes to eat our yummy applesauce with ginger cookie "spoons"...kindergarten teachers are not to be deterred by the fact that we were out of spoons in our stash...lots of forks but no spoons. Cookie spoons were a big hit. One slept through this part. Busses start coming. Kids start leaving. It looks like something blew up in the classroom, but everyone left happy and I have great help for clean up...oh, and only one wee one missed the bus. Well, one of Stevie's did, too, but the bus came back from the high school to get him.
Oh. Before the broken wrist this same little girl came down the fireman's pole and was very proud of herself, so I said, "So, are you going to be a fireman when you grow up?" She says, "Uh, no. A Princess." And off another of my little princessses ran.
Amazing day. Amazing job. A week that lasted longer than the whole summer off.
So, how was your day?

God in the Details

Sometimes you don't realize that God has been so involved until after the fact. Here's the story...
Last Thursday, I left a long list of things I needed/wanted to get finished on Friday before my kids started on Monday...I'm talking a LONG list. This is that list that gets made when there is no more time to do all the things you have been mulling around in your mind all summer waiting for the bad ideas to fall out of your mind so you would only have to deal with the really good ideas that have stayed with you all summer. Am I the only one who does this?
Anyway, as soon as I get to work on Friday I find out that my friend, Roseann has been evicted from her classroom and has to relocate UP a hill and be ready for her kids on Monday. I'm sure my principal was happy it wasn't me he had to give this news to. That is certainly not "spreading the joy" like he likes to say.
Anyway, I run home and change clothes and bring a shirt for Roseann and we work hard all day...sorting, packing, moving UP a hill on Friday! By the end of the day we were nowhere near ready. She still had a home visit to do Friday afternoon. We worked again for about 8 hours on Saturday and her little nest looks really good and ready for kids in the morning. However, nothing was done on my list. Usually that would have me in a panic, BUT, God is and has been in the details...
#1 I was available to help on Friday even though we had kept that day open originally for extra parent/home visits. My "extra" visits ended up happening on Wednesday without any planning on my part.
#2 I was able to relax about my lack of preparedness for Monday because for the first time since ever, we are only having half of our children come and then the other half on Tuesday. Heck you can let 12 kids entertain themselves if you need to and things shouldn't get too out of hand. I'm not planning too, but the stress level is easily halved when the case load is halved.
#3 The move is a good thing for Roseann, into a little nicer facility with a lot less stuff and now we are nearly neighbors.
So, maybe it doesn't seem like much to you, but for me, I see God's hands all over this...and a big smile on His face now that it is done. I can see Him sitting up there (well, this part is a little fuzzy since I can't really picture Him and I don't really know where there is...) smiling and saying, "I love it when a plan comes together."
Where have you seen God in your life lately?

Blessed

All summer it was mostly just me and my little husband in our little world building and mowing and enjoying our life together. It was a most peaceful season. A blessing. A healing. A beginning.
Now it is back to work time and I am overwhelmed by the pain and sadness in so many of the lives that I will be touching or touched by daily. There are mothers with cancer, husbands who are sick, elderly family members who are fading, students with sick grandparents, students with dicey living situations...and the usual school "stuff"...way past challenging classes, facilities that are crumbling, classroom evictions the day before students are to begin.
All I can do is cry out, "O, my God, your sheep need a shepherd. Come quickly."
I am blessed beyond belief. I have much reason to shine. I am looking for every opportunity to be His hands, His feet, His arms and His smile in my little corner of the world. My season of peace-fullness was purposeful, so that I am more able to be present to folks around me, to share my peace (or as my principal says...share the joy!). God knows what He is doing...well, I guess that isn't exactly a newsflash but it is always exciting to see it and realize it in your very own little life.
Count your blessings and share your light!

Quiet Evening

Here I sit with my oldest cat, Sweet Pea, who is about 18, asleep on the printer beside me. My dog, Grace, on the floor under my feet. My dog, Mercy, asleep in front of the fan, and the other two cats, Becan and Skippy Jo Lohr in the bedroom waiting for me. My little husband is reading.
So, off to make lunch and iron clothes for tomorrow and then into bed for some reading myself. Just started a new book, Bella, and it seems good so far. It just doesn't get much better than this. How could it? Count your blessings!

Possibility and Potential

I wandered the halls at school late this afternoon just because I love to see all the rooms ready for the morning. It is a wonderful picture of possibility.
I can't decide who is probably more nervous, the students or the teachers.
How many times do you get this chance so full of potential?
It reminds me of God's amazing grace. He sees in each of us that kind of possibility and potential and He doesn't even wait for the "beginning of the year" to realize it and wonder at it all. Each blink is that kind of beginning for Him and for us through Him.
Here's hoping that we can remember the grace and mercy - hmmm, those would make great dog names :>) - that God shows us each day. Here's hoping that we can see the possibilities and potential in each of our students and all we come into contact with...
Can we do it? Let your little light shine!

Reality Check

Well, I'm not sure how this is going to work now that I am back at work. I lived pretty much in my sweet little bubble all summer with my husband and my furry family. We had hard work, good food and peace.
Two days in to work and my light is flickering.
Had a little picnic planned for lunch time at Shangri La Ti Da today and half the people couldn't come, Stevie came stressed, I forgot things to take. I was sad.
But the stable is still very cute and I am very proud of my little husband and myself.
It was a bit of a roller coaster ride today. There are people in pain, unhappy people, overwhelmed people, a possible flu pandemic...and I'm pretty sure I didn't let my little light shine brightly enough to make a difference yet.
Will it be possible? Can I be in the world without being overcome by the world?

Missed an Answer

First official day back at work. It is always good to get all of us together and see all of the good folk who are Preston County Schools. We are an amazing bunch and should not let others tell us otherwise!
In the afternoon session we did a personality/leadership type activity with all the kindergarten teachers and aides. We were to decide if we were a North, South, East, West. Here are some of the highlights of each direction:
North-
· Assertive, active, decisive
· Quick to act or make decisions; expresses urgency for others to take action
· Perseveres, not stopped by hearing “No,”
· Likes variety, novelty, new projects
· Comfortable being "in front"

South-
· Value-driven regarding aspects of professional life
· Uses professional relationships to accomplish tasks
· Feeling-based thoughts and actions; trusts own emotions and intuition
· Values words like “right” and “fair”

East-
· Visionary who sees the big picture
· Generative and creative thinker, able to think outside the box
· Very idea-oriented
· Looks for overarching themes and ideas
- Likes to experiment and explore
(this one was the only one that had a recognition of a spiritual aspect)

West-
· Understands what information is needed to make decisions
· Seen as practical, dependable and thorough in task situations
· Moves carefully and follows procedures and guidelines
· Skilled at finding fatal flaws in an idea or project

So, as these were being read aloud there were several people who pegged me immediately as a North. Others pegged me as an East. I tried to be a NorthEast but when I had to choose only one, I chose East. I was the only one of all of us to go there. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I took the East sign over and worked with the North group which was also only 3 people. Everyone else was either South or West.
It might be that God is showing his sense of humor again...or answering prayer. I have prayed that I be different enough that I stand out from "the world". Well...He showed me I was and I chickened out and ran to find a group. Aaarrgh. That insight just come to me as I was typing this...what is wrong with me? He answers my prayer and I run the other way...
I guess I can live with being an action oriented decisive idea oriented visionary with a spiritual bent!
Could you find your leadership style? Which are you?
Hopefully I will learn to be a better listener...

Light

My desire to be light, God's light, in my place is going to be harder than I had hoped. It is so very easy to get drawn into negative thinking, negative talk, gossip, judging....yikes! I need help.
If you hear me say something, or see me do something that dims the light, remind me to shine!
Thanks.
Shall I do the same for you? If we are all shining, we can drive out the dark. With enough light from enough sources, even the shadows are driven away. I learned that in a photography workshop yesterday.
Intending to shine!

Call It A Day

Went shopping with my friend, Stevie, today.
Here's the rundown -
*some last minute school supplies (but still have a few to get)
*new music CD (Kari Jobe...thanks, Rachel for the recommendation)
*a new pair of jeans that fit and are comfortable...in a short petite, which seems a bit redundant, but works out perfectly.
*3 animal books with their matching stuffed animals...my theme this year is Amazing Animal Adventure
* interesting stories and discussions
*yummy tortilla soup at Don Pablo's
*plenty of laughter about things that probably only 2 old friends would find funny
*Battenburg lace curtains (white to match the facia and soffit) for Flicka's stable (aka storage shed)...but, of course!
*quality time in a JoAnn's Fabric after a dash through torrential rain and a parking lot flood
*nice bargains at Eddie Bauer outlet
*green beans and limas for my 3 bean salad for meeting/dinner tomorrow...not to worry, I already have the third bean product
***and, oh yeah, 4 new tires!
Seems that at some point Stevie drove over a bolt, not a screw with a point, but a blunt bolt about an inch and a quarter long and 1/8" wide and imbedded it in her rear tire. When we stopped at the teacher store she decided to check out the clicking noise we had noticed. Then she decided to get out her little crow bar and pry out the source of the little clicking noise which immediately changed into a big hissing noise! Because God loves us especially and didn't figure the crowds that would gather to watch us change a tire in the parking lot would be safe, Stevie noticed right away that there was a Firestone store right on the other side of the parking lot. She jumped in the car (after safely storing the crow bar for the next adventure) and sped to the Firestone haven where Shane was waiting with nothing to do and an empty lift. I get to spend plenty of time in the teacher store and Stevie gets to mark new tires off of her to-do list.
Time to call it a day!
What did you do today?

It's That Time

I love this time of year. I am always so excited to start the new year with a clean slate...more beginnings...and new kids. I get so excited that I often wake up in the middle of the night nervous. I so want to do it right. These little folks only get one first day of Kindergarten. No pressure.
So, I have been thinking and planning and buying and organizing and arranging most of the summer. I suppose it will be alright to retire never having believed that I "had it all figured out." Figuring it out is part of the adventure.
I can remember the first day of many years was special because I got to see my friends, I got new "stuff" and I got a new teacher. I decided to be a teacher early on because I had such wonderful, caring, teachers as I was growing up (and because I was usually the teacher's pet-tough job but someone had to do it). I can remember one bad first day. It was 3rd grade and that was the year you got to move up to big kid desks (woohoo!)...but my teacher that year, Mrs. Farren, decided I was too short because my feet wouldn't touch the ground (not that that really mattered because I usually sat with my feet tucked up under me anyway....wow, can't do THAT anymore) so she took my big kid desk out in the hall and called for a spare little kid desk to be brought in for me. Mostly I love being not tall, but not so much that very day. I don't believe I grew into a big kid desk all that year.
Do you remember what your best part of the first day of school was? Share.

Choose Love

When the New Testament church began to form, they formed communities. The church wasn't a place, it was a people gathered together. Unified by their love of Jesus. They pooled all of their money and possesions and gave to whoever had need. They were a church family. You knew they were Christians by their love, by their love, yes, you knew they were Christians by their love. Sorry that song just needed to be finished. Now it won't be in my head all evening, but hopefully in yours!
God still calls us to community, to church family, to show his love so others will know we are Christians. Maybe your community is your neighbors, maybe it is the folks you work with (yes, even them), or maybe your community is your collection of friends and their friends. I just finished reading the book, Belong To Me, by Marisa de los Santos. It was a fine book, but I didn't cry til the end. One of the main characters, Cornelia, is talking about love. She talks about the ones she had been given to love and says, God knows it hasn't always been her choice, but they are undeniably hers to love. And she does. It isn't always easy or smooth, but she chooses love over and over again.
Are you chosing to love the people you have been given to love, even if you might not have chosen them for yourself?
Let's do that. Let's each of us choose love over and over again and thank God that he does the same for us.

Fiesta!

My little husband and I went to visit with his family in Wellsburg today. Family from New Mexico were in and we see them very rarely, and we had never seen the baby who turned out to be completely precious.
But the really good news is that I got to go to the Fiesta Outlet! Aside from the fact that I love Fiesta, it makes me proud that it is a West Virginia company and it is sold and loved all around the world.
Anyway, the outlet is attached right to the factory. You can smell the painting process as you walk up. You can see the actual workers changing shifts. It is great.
When you walk in, you see the top of the line dishes to torture you with before you make your way to the back where the 2nds are. You pick up a milk crate and begin the adventure. There are just bins and bins of each piece of dinnerware in all of those colors. It was so fun to see the "pros". Many had rags with them to wipe off the dust to check for color inconsistencies, etc. One smart lady had a tube sock on one hand to wipe with. At first I thought she must have poison ivy or something until I saw her in action. One man spent the entire time I was there moving close to 100 dishes to find his favorite 10 or so. I thought he was good to go and the next time I looked he was down to just about 5 dishes, but he was happy. Then there were the ladies who walked out with only one item. They had to be locals is all I can figure. Me, on the other hand, a milk crate so heavy that I could hardly carry it...
Left with much happiness and colorful eating possibilities!
Let me know if you need a guide for getting there.

Out of Sync

Usually my little husband and I are in tune with each other. For example, when were painting, he was on the ladder and would reach down farther than was really comfortable so that I didn't have to reach up so far. I was on the ground and I would paint up higher than was really comfortable so he didn't have to reach down so far.
Today we were out of sync. I wonder what causes that...
Praying it will be better tomorrow...
I'm surprised there are no more closet number geeks out there.

Closet Number Geek

I am a closet number geek. I can't slice things without counting the slices. Anything repetitive, I count...like those little posts between mile markers on the interstate, tiles on the floor or ceiling, how many pedals in a mile on my new bike, Razzle. I like to make patterns or arrange things in order by size.
But perhaps the geekiest thing is with digital clocks. Each time I look at a digital clock, besides finding out what time it is, I try to make a math problem out of it. I don't do it on purpose, it just happens. For example, last night I woke up at 12:43, which translates to 12 divided by 4 = 3. ( and I guess technically that was this morning instead of last night) I bet that almost 80% of the times that I look at a clock I can make a math problem. Of course, just this minute when I looked it was 9:49. I can't make a math problem, but it is a nice pattern start. Sometimes it is only that the numbers in the time are in sequential order. 2:34 6:45 12:34 ( my personal favorite). Is it just me? Is it just that time is like that?
Oh, and I play a game while I am driving with the license plate numbers. I take whatever numbers are on the plate and try to do "math problems" to get the answer to be as close to zero as possible. For example, my plate numbers are 577 I think. So, I try 57 divided by 7 (8.something), 5 divided in to 7x7 (9.something)...anyway, you can rearrange the numbers but it is more "special" if you don't. What can I say.
I guess that I'm not a "closet" number geek any more....
Just pay attention for a few days and see what you see.
Off to the farmer's market in Oakland tomorrow.
ps Right now it is 9:54 - you do the math!

Look At Me

I was pretty subdued for the rest of the day after finding out that the school key had been stolen. Feeling vulnerable, I suppose. I went up to spend the evening with Stevie's cat, Willow, and on the way back I was praying....might be considered whining to anyone but God. Anyway, driving home in the dark I was telling God about all these evil spirits that were attacking me and trying to steal my peace-fullness. I was begging him to deal with the spirit of fear, spirit of vulnerablility, spirit of anger, spirit of unease, spirit of frantic-ness, spirit of overwhelming...got the idea? So, I say to Him, "Please, God, Creator of peace and abundant living, take care of all of these evil spirits, because...." At that time I hear Him say, "Don't look at them. Look at me." As quickly as that I am smiling again and amazed again at our God. I just chuckled and said, "OK."
Now, it isn't just that easy and I had to turn and look at God often during the rest of the night and today. But he was always looking back.
Key is still missing but my peace is intact.

Sad and Scary

I have kept a school key in a place for any teacher to use to get in the school during evenings or weekends. I have kept it there for years and it has helped many teahers who have never taken advantage of it or misused it in any way.
Today I get it and my husband and go off to school to deliver my latest purchase for the beginning of the year. When we get everything out of the car and by my classroom door, I got the key out to put in the door.
Unfortunately the key was a blank. Someone had taken the school key off of the key ring and replaced it with a blank key.
Who would do that? Why?
They left our house key, thank God.
It is not shaking my peace or my faith, but it does make me so sad. And a little bit scared.
They took the trouble to put a blank key on the key ring instead of just taking the key...I just can't understand it at all...
Praying.

Amazing Folks

Today I spent the morning with my little husband at Shangri La Ti Da working on the trim for Flicka's stable. It will be painted a gold to compliment the cheery yellow walls. Can't wait to see them together. While we were there a guy stopped from PSD2. He wasn't looking for us but we had a nice visit. He is a man who I have only known before to be testy and grouchy and short tempered always. Today we had a perfectly pleasant visit. I am so happy that I saw him in this completely new light. Now, I can hold on to that and see past an occasional grouch! And I can only hope that others will do the same for me.
This afternoon I had an amazing afternoon with some amazing folks making some amazing beads.
Amazing folk number one is Tiffany. She is an amazing mother. Her 2 boys are interesting, amusing, well behaved and cute beyond words.
Amazing folk number two is Misty. She is an amazing daughter. As her mother faces a life changing event, Misty is standing right beside her strong, supportive and funny!
Amazing folk number three is Susi. As she faces the scariest thing in her life to this point she does it with grace, self-lessness and humor. She is an amazing person.
And if I was really with it, I would have here a photo of the amazing beads we made. But, sorry.
There are amazing folks all around each of us...can you find them? Are you someone else's amazing person?
Thank you ladies for a memorable afternoon.
You are amazing folk!

This and That

BUTTERFLIES:
The last few times we have been out to Shangri La Ti Da I have seen a gala fluttering of butterflies. I counted 5 different types. The monarch is a favorite and there was a tiny...less than 1 inch wing span...periwinke colored beauty. I have no idea what kind that is. It felt like working in a butterfly zoo thingy. What are those called?
NEW VOCABULARY:
While reading the latest book by Anne Rivers Siddons, "Off Season", I came across 4 words I didn't know. Figured out the meaning well enough with the context...didn't want to get out of bed and get the dictionary...but now am going to see if any of you know the meanings. Ready?
1. numinous
2. chatoyant
3. plangent
4. benison
Isn't it fun to learn new words?
WORKING SOLO:
After doing a shopping for supplies day, my little husband left me to go do another job. I drove to Shangri La Ti Da to get the 40 firring strips off the top of the Subaru and put them in Flicka's stable. While there, I decided to try a little work without direction, on my own, alone. The firring strips are for the battens on our board and batten look. They are 8 feet long. I had to put up a trim piece that was also 8 feet long and 8 feet up off the ground...so, picture me, 8 foot board, ladder, tool belt, hammer, nails...
I eyeballed it and put a nail in the center for a pivot point. Got off the ladder, pulled my rule (you know, one of those cool ones that is metal and comes out and then when you let go, snaps back inside the little thingy?) out and measured from the 8 foot up board to the bottom of the siding over and over again all to get within 1/16th of an inch. Up and down the ladder, tapping, measuring both sides, tapping, measuring, up, down...finally!
Next, I took one of the 8 foot firring strips and nailed it up and down. Holding 8 foot board without letting it move, holding nail, hitting nail and not me (all but once...ouch!). I repeated that 4 times. Had issues with only one where I kept hitting a screw that I couldn't see under the firring strip...bent up 3 nails. I always try the brute force and ignorance plan first. Last, I trimmed about 1 inch off the bottoms of each firring strip with a really sharp little hand saw.
Time for paint! It's yellow and happy! We'll see if it passes muster with my little husband the real builder.
NEW FAVORITE COLOR:
Beet juice! I want to dye my clothes that color...it is beauteous!
How was your day?

Farmer's Markets

These are from an earlier farmer's market shopping trip in Kingwood.
Stacy, the lettuce is from your garden. Yum.

Today I stopped at the Farmer's Market in Oakland. I bought beets and corn on the cob. I don't know why for sure, but each time I shop at a farmer's market, I come away with a grin on my face and tears in my eyes...oh yeah, and great produce.

I suppose it has to do with my personal peaceful simplicity movement. I am thrilled that there are folks who have the know how and take the time to grow great food that is good for me. They are an interesting mix of "old timers" and young believers. They are, to a person, kind and gentle of spirit as far as I can tell in our short encounters. I always want to linger. It was easier to do in Oakland since there were more vendors and shoppers there. In Kingwood it is pretty sparse and loitering to soak up the atmosphere would be noticable!

But the best thing I found out today was about CSAs...and that's not the Confederate States of America for you history buffs. It stands for Community Supported Agriculture. I had read about it before, but kind of figured it was just another of those things that happens somewhere else. Not this time. There is a farm near Cranesville, WV called Round Right Farm (roundrightfarm.com) that participates in the CSA movement. You pay a fee at the beginning of the season and get a box full of whatever is growing each week. Here is this week's boxfull:

This Week's Box
Wednesday, August 5th
Green Peppers
Potatoes
Cabbage
Summer Squash
Green Beans
Onions
Carrots
Head Lettuce
Basil
Salad Mix
Cilantro
Beets

So, I signed up for possible inclusion in next year's program since they are full up for this year and I think that is wonderful. Check out their website.

Now is a good time to learn to think and live locally, in my opinion, and this is an excellent way to do just that.

Visit a farmer's market...soon! Friday in TA, Saturday in Morgantown, Kingwood and Oakland and Wednesday in Oakland...and that's just the one's I know about! Yum!

A Piece of the Peace

After much thought and consideration I have decided on the reason for much of my peace-fullness this summer.
As a teacher, maybe especially a kindergarten teacher, I am always in charge, of organizing, supplying, preplanning, evaluating, in other words, everything! Mostly I am quite OK with that and usually pretty good at it, too.
However, about house building, I know next to nothing. For quite some time, though, that didn't really seem to matter that much. I still wanted/needed to be in charge of everything. Wasn't really working out all that well, even with my endlessly patient husband. It wasn't bothering him much, he just did what he knew needed done in a logical and methodical process. But me? It was driving me crazy. It often didn't seem logical or methodical and it was taking forever!
At some point, after much praying (OK, it could be construed as whining) to God, I just gave it up.
My little husband, the builder is in charge. Most of the time (old habits die hard) I wait for him to tell me what to do. There are a few things that by now I know need doing and I can go ahead with them.
I wish you could feel the lightness in my heart and soul. The joy in my days. I'M NOT IN CHARGE.
Now, if I can take that and hold onto it for the bigger picture. I'm not in charge of so much in my life...often even when I think I am.
God can be in charge and the joy and lightness will only increase. Right?
It makes me smile. You?

A Clean House

My husband was the preacher yesterday at church...it's not easy being the preacher's wife! He did a great job and I beamed appropriately. His mom and brother came down for the event and so, we had to clean house. Of all the good and cool things I have been doing this summer, house cleaning isn't one of them. I love when my house is tidy and clean. I do. Really. I just don't like cleaning it. But, that beginnings theme can work here, too. I can begin again. I love slipping into crisp clean sheets. I can begin to see that that happens more and more often. I love fresh flowers in a vase. I can begin to see that that happens. I like a dog hair free environment...well, I can brush them more, but dog hair free??? Probably not going to happen with our two hairy beasts. I love clutter free counter tops. I can begin to see that everything makes it to it's assigned place each day. See, I can begin to love housecleaning, because I love the outcome...right? OK. It's a stretch, but not a complete impossibility.
Today I loved riding Flicka for about 3 and a half hours and the mowing is done again....so much more fun than sweeping! Maybe if I wear the ipod for house cleaning, hmmmm...
Going now to visit with Stevie's kitty, Willow. Up the mountian I go.
What do you love best about a clean house?

Look At That

Hope you had a wonderful day. I had a thoughtful day. Not ready to write yet. This is a photo of a sunset a few days ago that was so impressive that my little husband and I had to stop the car and ogle for awhile. Don said he kind of expected the clouds to part and Jesus to step out. It was that awe inspiring. What a way to wrap up an evening.

ps It was really even more wonderful than it looks in this photo because the colors just kept moving and changing...

Then and Now

What a difference a day makes. The photo to the left is right after Baby Grace was born. She is holding on to her daddy's finger, knowing already who will be her earthly protector.

The photo to the right is of the newly named, Lexi Grace Roy with 2 of her sisters standing guard over her with much love and attention. Look at the peace on her face.

Our God is still doing miracles. Did you see any today?

Peace-fullness

Do you ever wake up in a "mood" for no reason that you can fathom? Today was one of those days. After these last few weeks of peace-fullness in my life it was scary to find my old whiny, negative self when I woke up this morning. With no luck figuring out on my own what had precipitated this sudden funk, I decided to pray.
We made our way out to Shangri La Ti Da and started to work. I cleaned the new stable of all construction leftovers, helped my husband with roof panels and painted. All the while a stream of praying is running through my mind. When my little husband had to run back into town for supplies, I sat in the quietness of the woods and meadow. As the symphony of nature soothed my spirit I realize that my prayers for a return to peace-fullness had been answered. Ahhh. Thank God.
ps...Baby Zoe, who will now be known as Lexi Grace to the rest of the world, came through her surgery with flying colors today! Ahhh. Thank God!

It's A Girl!

A new baby. An end of pregnancy. A new journey is begun as an old journey is ended.
Today, Baby Zoe Grace Roy was born. (well, that is what I call her....they can't decide on a first name yet) Baby Zoe is a bit of a miracle. Awhile ago she was diagnosed with Spina Bifida and hydrocephaly. Her parents were told how bad it was going to be. They were even told that many babies like her die before they are born. Meloney, her mom, didn't like to go to see the doctor because he was so negative.
So, we began to pray. And pray. And pray. When we didn't have some specific physical need to pray for we prayed that the negative doctor would not be able to be negative and upset Meloney...you'll have to get Mel to tell you that story.
Baby Zoe has a very small sac at the base of her spine and a very mild hydorcephaly. Her legs and her knees work. Her lungs work fine even though she is a month early. She was born big enough to put a shunt in immediately to alleviate pressure.
Yes. Baby Zoe is a miracle. She is already the most precious thing in the world to her 3 older sisters. She has doting grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. Her parents are two of the most amazing people I know.
Tomorrow the pediatric neuro surgeon will close the hole in her spine and put in her shunt. Surgery will start 7:30ish and last 6 - 8 hours.
And we will continue to pray for continued miracles, because our God is like that.
Lift up a prayer for Baby Zoe Grace Roy.
Lay some lovin' on one of God's miracles that lives with you.

One of Those Days

It was one of those days. Everything went well and a good time was had by all. All shopping goals were completed. No eating out was done ( I packed a lunch!) A bike ride was enjoyed.
My friend, Stevie, and I went to Morgantown. Might actually be the first time all summer. She is back from her trip to Ireland and it was the first day we got to spend together catching up.
We loaded the bikes on the back of the Subaru and took off. First stop was Pathfinder to get my fenders put on the bike, which by the way will now be known as Razzle...she looks most cool with her silver fenders. Next purchase needs to be a bell. Stevie needed a new inner tube for her bike. Then came the shopping part. Smooth.
Finally got to biking. We parked at MedExpress and went toward Fairmont. We only did about 15 miles. I know that is a diappointment to some of you who know I can ride longer distances, but Stevie doesn't have a comfortable ride like Razzle. Her butt was getting sore! I am the best of friends though and sacrificed my comfy seat and happy butt for her to use Razzle a couple of times during the ride. When we stopped for lunch we were near a field and saw several Monarch butterflies. They are amazing creatures and beautiful. We raise them and release them each year in Kindergarten. We saw deer coming and going to get drinks in the river, a squirrel and plenty of birds.
Stopped for a kiddie cone at the DQ and came home. Ahhh. One of those days.
Hope yours was as nice.
Oh. P.S. The show last night, that my Lydia was in, was amazing. I laughed and cried and enjoyed it tremendously. Near the end of the show we realized that every single cast member was a PHS graduate. Even Mrs. Broderick was in the show. The next one starts Friday. Big River. Nate Golden is Huck Finn. You should go!

One Of Those Times

Have you ever had one of those times when you said you wanted to do thus and such, were sure you wanted to do thus and such, were looking forward to doing thus and such, but when the time came to actually do it you could think of a couple of thousand reasons why you didn't really want to, shouldn't really have to, couldn't really even imagine doing that very thing? By yesterday evening I was tired, it was going to rain (the weather map radar was very green), it was going to be late and I didn't really want to go to Chestnut Ridge to see String Fever in concert anymore despite the fact that we had planned to for a few weeks. We have seen them before in the comfort and closeness of Monroe's during a Laurel Mountain Coffee House. It would be OK if we didn't go, right? We are too old to sit in the rain with strangers, right?
Well, it didn't start raining and it didn't start raining and I found out the concert really started at 6:00, not so late even for us (although I was actually looking on line hoping to see that it had been cancelled). So, I finally said, "If Keith can get there, so can we." Off we went, praying the whole while that the rain would hold off and Keith would be strong enough to enjoy what he was doing.
The rain did hold off. I got a big hug from a friend I hadn't seen for years as soon as we walked in and saw a few other folks we knew during the evening. And talking with Keith at the end of the show let us know that he did enjoy what he was doing. His smile and spirit were strong.
For those of you who don't know, Keith has cancer and is generally in a lot of pain. He had to sit through the show. He had to wear a brace from chest to waist. And he sang and he played with his usual passion. He and Joan and Jake were a gift to all who were there.
I'm glad I went. It was a blessing and a testimony to the power of prayer.
Tonight I am going to see one of my graduated kindergarten darlings, Lydia, in the show Steel Magnolias. I'm sure I will be glad I went to this event, too.
Ever had one of those times?

Baskets-my other hobby

These are just a few of my baskets. I really enjoy the peacefulness of creating them. I took a couple of lessons a couple of years ago with my friend, Autumn, and since then I have learned to read directions to make a basket on my own. But even more fun is the creating of an original basket. None of these show my latest "signature" detail that I try to put on each of my baskets these days. I don't guess I have photos of the newer baskets. The basket above is an original design for my friend, Sarah, in New Mexico.

The basket to the left is from a pattern and it is called a Shaker Cat's Head basket. If you look at the bottom you can see the cat's ears. This basket is sort of magic. You go along weaving and then it says turn it over. Voila...you have cat ear's. Lots of fun. This one went to my sister-in-law for her birthday.

This last basket is a twill weave market basket that I probably took apart 5 or 6 times as I was trying to get the twill right. I now carry this basket with me everywhere. It used to be my "pocket book" replacement, but now I have a pocket book small enough to fit inside the basket. It is my lunch box, mail carrier, general tote and supply keeper. I had to install leather band around the handle and woven into the basket after about a year because the handle kept breaking. Ahh, the joy of using something made by your very own hands...makes me think homesteading ... no, probably not in a very big way.

What have you made lately?