You have heard that expression many times. Well my memory of this might be a bit fuzzy, but I will try to tell it as was told to me recently.
It seems that our younger daughter didn't quite appreciate the information that was told to a boy that she had a huge crush on.
I'm not sure what was transmitted to him via a pipeline, but one day she took things in her own hands. She proceeded to go downstairs while our nephew was sleeping. She had a glass of water that she splashed on him. Good natured Gary took it in his stride and knew what she was protesting. I vaguely remember this incident and didn't know what it was all about. I think Gary told this boy something that Mary had told Gary about how she felt about her heart throb.
He acted like he was drowning under so much water.
I should think what is good for the GANDER, should be good for the GOOSE! She must have thought it was a one way street and only she could transmit messages through the pipeline.
Anyway, Gary told me later that he knew he had acquired a SISTER after that incident. They really got along very good and was like sister and a brother. Mary has only high esteem for her cousin even to this day!
Thought--Young people are so much fun to be around. There isn't a dull moment and something is taking place. I have enjoyed every age that our children went through. Each age has its exciting fun experiences as well as the challenges that a particular age brings. Just enjoy those years as they come.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
I HEARD IT THROUGH THE PIPELINE!!!
As I have stated our nephew went to church with us on a regular basis. This was twice on Sundays.
He got acquainted with the youth of the church quite rapidly since our younger daughter was active in the youth choir and youth group. She had a best friend that she hung around with a lot. That friend had a beautiful younger sister. Our nephew took notice that she was quite pretty and mentioned this to our daughter. Of course the pipeline started in full force. She proceeded to tell her best friend what Gary said about her younger sister. Now you know a sister is going to tell her younger sister what a handsome boy said about her.
Beth would then proceed to tell Megan things and Megan would tell Mary and of course Mary told Gary like all good cousins would do. Back and forth it went like this. Quite a pipeline was set up for a budding romance don't you think?
She finally would come down from the choir and would sit beside him for the rest of the service.
This continued and blossomed into quite a "twosome". They probably got married about three years after they first met. Beth was probably 18 by this time.
They have been happily married for 35 years already. They have 3 grown sons.
Thought--I can't think of a better place to meet your spouse, since this is where I met my spouse about 60 years ago.
He got acquainted with the youth of the church quite rapidly since our younger daughter was active in the youth choir and youth group. She had a best friend that she hung around with a lot. That friend had a beautiful younger sister. Our nephew took notice that she was quite pretty and mentioned this to our daughter. Of course the pipeline started in full force. She proceeded to tell her best friend what Gary said about her younger sister. Now you know a sister is going to tell her younger sister what a handsome boy said about her.
Beth would then proceed to tell Megan things and Megan would tell Mary and of course Mary told Gary like all good cousins would do. Back and forth it went like this. Quite a pipeline was set up for a budding romance don't you think?
She finally would come down from the choir and would sit beside him for the rest of the service.
This continued and blossomed into quite a "twosome". They probably got married about three years after they first met. Beth was probably 18 by this time.
They have been happily married for 35 years already. They have 3 grown sons.
Thought--I can't think of a better place to meet your spouse, since this is where I met my spouse about 60 years ago.
Friday, August 28, 2009
ONE DAY HIGH SCHOOL--NEXT DAY COLLEGE!!
It was one of those evenings that our nephew that was staying at our house, our daughter, and I was conversing around the table, when our younger daughter said she had all her credits to graduate high school. I thought, why is she going to high school, when she could be using that time getting credit courses for college.
It was around the time in January that you needed to sign up for new classes at the Junior College. I told her she should ask them at the high school if she could drop out and still graduate with her class in May. She did and they said she filled her requirements that was needed for high school and she could start classes at the Local Junior College while still graduating with her class in May.
Since college was looming and getting a few required courses still while living at home was a great advantage.
Thought--Yet that fall our youngest was going off to the University and leaving us! If it wasn't for our nephew to soften the blow of an EMPTY NEST, we would have really been sad to see her go. Anyone that experienced their last one to leave the nest, can understand the vacuum that is created. Thank you Gary, for helping us during this time!
It was around the time in January that you needed to sign up for new classes at the Junior College. I told her she should ask them at the high school if she could drop out and still graduate with her class in May. She did and they said she filled her requirements that was needed for high school and she could start classes at the Local Junior College while still graduating with her class in May.
Since college was looming and getting a few required courses still while living at home was a great advantage.
Thought--Yet that fall our youngest was going off to the University and leaving us! If it wasn't for our nephew to soften the blow of an EMPTY NEST, we would have really been sad to see her go. Anyone that experienced their last one to leave the nest, can understand the vacuum that is created. Thank you Gary, for helping us during this time!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
EMPTY NEST--NOT FOR LONG!
After our older daughter was married, I think yet that fall our nephew came to stay at our house since he was going to Junior College close by.
I had an extra bedroom/sewing room on first floor and thought he would use that room to sleep in. He didn't want to sleep there, and wanted to sleep in a bed downstairs. I wished that he had slept upstairs, but since this was my first experience with boys, I let him decide. Of course, he had the full run of the house, otherwise and only slept in the basement.
He was such a blessing to our family and really helped us with that "EMPTY NEST" SYNDROME!
There was one request that we wanted from him. We always went to church on Sundays and I wanted him to go to church, also. I told him that he didn't have to come to our church, but we wanted him to get active in some church in the area.
He joined us each Sunday and became a "Big Brother" to our younger daughter. To this day, I see the bond that those two have.
Stay tuned and I will tell you a few stories about this "Big Brother" that made our household so enjoyable while he was there for two years.
Thought--I have never regretted sharing our home with him during those two years. He never gave me an ounce of concern and always was a "fun" person to be around. His even disposition made it quite enjoyable. By staying at our house, it helped him with expenses while he was in school and helped us with that "empty nest" syndrome.
I had an extra bedroom/sewing room on first floor and thought he would use that room to sleep in. He didn't want to sleep there, and wanted to sleep in a bed downstairs. I wished that he had slept upstairs, but since this was my first experience with boys, I let him decide. Of course, he had the full run of the house, otherwise and only slept in the basement.
He was such a blessing to our family and really helped us with that "EMPTY NEST" SYNDROME!
There was one request that we wanted from him. We always went to church on Sundays and I wanted him to go to church, also. I told him that he didn't have to come to our church, but we wanted him to get active in some church in the area.
He joined us each Sunday and became a "Big Brother" to our younger daughter. To this day, I see the bond that those two have.
Stay tuned and I will tell you a few stories about this "Big Brother" that made our household so enjoyable while he was there for two years.
Thought--I have never regretted sharing our home with him during those two years. He never gave me an ounce of concern and always was a "fun" person to be around. His even disposition made it quite enjoyable. By staying at our house, it helped him with expenses while he was in school and helped us with that "empty nest" syndrome.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
DECISION MADE!
Our new acquired son-in-law after he finished his engineering undergraduate studies, was wondering when he should do his 3 months ROTC officers school. He knew that he needed to work in the summer months, since his schooling was totally his responsibility. He was praying for God to lead him in the direction he should follow. He asked us to pray for direction, also.
I was working at the fabric store when he requested us to pray for him in this decision.
For the most part, it was rare that any man came in the fabric store to buy something. I think one time a man came in to pick up some thread for his wife, but this was an exception. On another occasion 2 men came in to buy velvet to paint on. Now this was the extent of men in the store.
One day after we started praying for Jim to make the right decision, a man came in to the store in uniform (unusual indeed). I got to talking to him and asked him a few questions about ROTC in general. Now this man pulled out of his pocket the "whole ball of wax". He had what our son-in-law would make those three months, his mustering out pay, etc. He had the data right there on the spot.
It turned out that Jim went to officer training for the next 3 months. He was in ROTC all during his college undergraduate schooling. He made enough from his pay and mustering out to cover his next years schooling (graduate work).
Coincidence?? Neither Jim nor we thought this was coincidence, but God in ACTION!
Wisdom--Never underestimate the most mundane things that happen in our life. When we pray, we expect God to answer those prayers and sometimes in very unique ways.
I was working at the fabric store when he requested us to pray for him in this decision.
For the most part, it was rare that any man came in the fabric store to buy something. I think one time a man came in to pick up some thread for his wife, but this was an exception. On another occasion 2 men came in to buy velvet to paint on. Now this was the extent of men in the store.
One day after we started praying for Jim to make the right decision, a man came in to the store in uniform (unusual indeed). I got to talking to him and asked him a few questions about ROTC in general. Now this man pulled out of his pocket the "whole ball of wax". He had what our son-in-law would make those three months, his mustering out pay, etc. He had the data right there on the spot.
It turned out that Jim went to officer training for the next 3 months. He was in ROTC all during his college undergraduate schooling. He made enough from his pay and mustering out to cover his next years schooling (graduate work).
Coincidence?? Neither Jim nor we thought this was coincidence, but God in ACTION!
Wisdom--Never underestimate the most mundane things that happen in our life. When we pray, we expect God to answer those prayers and sometimes in very unique ways.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS!!!
The summer that our older daughter was getting married, there were about 3 or 4 other weddings scheduled to be held at our church yet that summer.
We mothers got our heads together and decided to pool our money to purchase netting material and I volunteered to make netting/and skirts for the tables for the reception. We were then going to leave it at the church for future weddings to come. This we did and with previous netting, etc. we were "good to go"!
Without good friends and help at the last minute with wedding preparation, one could not accomplish all that needed to get done. I was most grateful for all the effort that went into setting up and detail work that could only be done at the last minute.
One of the mothers wanted to go on vacation right after her daughter was to get married, BUT she needed someone to manage her fabric store while she was gone. She did not want to leave the store to her teenage workers and take off. Since we both had a wedding that summer and her daughter was marrying a special friend's son, she asked me if I would be interested in being in charge of the fabric store for about a month. OPPORTUNITY KNOCKED, I opened the door and said, "yes."
After about 20 years, I was finally thinking about going back to work. With college looming ahead and some free time, I thought, why not!!! I had sold Avon, but I didn't have a 8-5 job for a long time.
Wisdom--In our lives we know that God is in control and when the door opens for something NEW, we need to weigh that opportunity and what is ahead for us. By doing this, we know what our decision should be. I wasn't out seeking to work outside of the home, but expenses would be greatly increased due to college costs, so thought it would be an excellent opportunity to consider.
We mothers got our heads together and decided to pool our money to purchase netting material and I volunteered to make netting/and skirts for the tables for the reception. We were then going to leave it at the church for future weddings to come. This we did and with previous netting, etc. we were "good to go"!
Without good friends and help at the last minute with wedding preparation, one could not accomplish all that needed to get done. I was most grateful for all the effort that went into setting up and detail work that could only be done at the last minute.
One of the mothers wanted to go on vacation right after her daughter was to get married, BUT she needed someone to manage her fabric store while she was gone. She did not want to leave the store to her teenage workers and take off. Since we both had a wedding that summer and her daughter was marrying a special friend's son, she asked me if I would be interested in being in charge of the fabric store for about a month. OPPORTUNITY KNOCKED, I opened the door and said, "yes."
After about 20 years, I was finally thinking about going back to work. With college looming ahead and some free time, I thought, why not!!! I had sold Avon, but I didn't have a 8-5 job for a long time.
Wisdom--In our lives we know that God is in control and when the door opens for something NEW, we need to weigh that opportunity and what is ahead for us. By doing this, we know what our decision should be. I wasn't out seeking to work outside of the home, but expenses would be greatly increased due to college costs, so thought it would be an excellent opportunity to consider.
Monday, August 24, 2009
THE BIG WEDDING DAY!
The big wedding day was finally here and there were last things that had to be done before the ceremony. We had to move the wedding cake that was at our home, down to the church to be set up there. Also, we had finger foods that needed to be transported as well.
I like the "Food Channel" a lot and sometimes they have cake creations that need to be removed from the work space over the the "judging table". I know exactly how those people feel when this is done, anything can happen and sometimes it all falls apart for them.
Since I had incorporated a fountain in the center of the cake, it was quite a large cake (of course nothing compared to the food channel cake creations). It had to be taken to the car, transported to the church, down a flight of steps onto the table waiting for the cake. We had some of the groomsmen help with this because it took a steady man's hand to lift and step down on the steps to put it in place. I had taken pictures of the cake, just in case it didn't make it to the church in one piece.
It got to the church, but some of the support pillars had shifted. You guessed it, one side was collapsing. One of the men carrying the cake just happened to be an architecture student and knew what had just happened. I reached over and in the nick of time retrieved the layers on top of the one that was giving out. I had to whip up more icing and recreate that side of it, by straightening out the pillars and correcting the problem.
Along with the stress of the day we had complaints that we were too organized, etc. One certainly can't be too organized I thought. When the guests appear, you had better have a sheet of paper to hand them of the coming events and times that they needed to be where, or you just might forget to tell something to someone, and that would really foul things up.
We had a few other crisis things that occurred yet that day, but the wedding took place.
I was composed during all the crisis during the day and through the wedding. After the wedding and in the middle of the night, I woke up and was so TIRED and EXHAUSTED. I have never been this tired or this exhausted before nor since.
Thought--Would I have done the things that I did again. Of course I would! This was a "big" event for our daughter and it was all worth it. When planning a large event, one better just expect that somethings will not go as well as planned. That way, you won't be surprised when it happens.
I like the "Food Channel" a lot and sometimes they have cake creations that need to be removed from the work space over the the "judging table". I know exactly how those people feel when this is done, anything can happen and sometimes it all falls apart for them.
Since I had incorporated a fountain in the center of the cake, it was quite a large cake (of course nothing compared to the food channel cake creations). It had to be taken to the car, transported to the church, down a flight of steps onto the table waiting for the cake. We had some of the groomsmen help with this because it took a steady man's hand to lift and step down on the steps to put it in place. I had taken pictures of the cake, just in case it didn't make it to the church in one piece.
It got to the church, but some of the support pillars had shifted. You guessed it, one side was collapsing. One of the men carrying the cake just happened to be an architecture student and knew what had just happened. I reached over and in the nick of time retrieved the layers on top of the one that was giving out. I had to whip up more icing and recreate that side of it, by straightening out the pillars and correcting the problem.
Along with the stress of the day we had complaints that we were too organized, etc. One certainly can't be too organized I thought. When the guests appear, you had better have a sheet of paper to hand them of the coming events and times that they needed to be where, or you just might forget to tell something to someone, and that would really foul things up.
We had a few other crisis things that occurred yet that day, but the wedding took place.
I was composed during all the crisis during the day and through the wedding. After the wedding and in the middle of the night, I woke up and was so TIRED and EXHAUSTED. I have never been this tired or this exhausted before nor since.
Thought--Would I have done the things that I did again. Of course I would! This was a "big" event for our daughter and it was all worth it. When planning a large event, one better just expect that somethings will not go as well as planned. That way, you won't be surprised when it happens.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
ORGANIZATION!!!
Any mother that has had to get ready for a wedding knows that one has to be organized, with a plan in place and carefully work the plan.
This is what I faced when our older daughter was going to get married and I had one year to do the things that I wanted to do for her. Since I sewed quite a bit, I wanted to make her wedding dress. I also wanted to make her wedding cake. She had 4 bridesmaids, flower girl and ring bearer. Making the bridesmaid dresses and the flower girl's dress was also something that interested me. Not to mention the decorations, ring pillow etc. that goes into making a wedding special and one of a kind.
How was I going to get all this accomplished and still keep up with daily things that every mother faces.
We shopped in Chicago for her material for her wedding dress, along with the material that her bridesmaid dresses were to be made from. She selected the lace, pattern, and bridesmaids pattern and material. I know the wedding dress material came from Marshall Fields in Chicago. The bridesmaid dress material was purchased in a lessor known shop in Chicago, close to the Loop.
She selected the design for the cake from Wilton Cake Books. We purchased the fountain from them as we knew we wanted to have it for both girls weddings.
After all the decisions were made, etc, the organization needed to be put in place. I really am not that good of an organizer, but I knew if I didn't, I would come up short of time and not have everything done. So organizing was the way to go.
Each week that I had left after purchasing the material, I had to divide the time up and do X amount toward the wedding during each week.
Mints were made and frozen. Cake layers were frozen and waited for the final decorating. Wedding dress and girl's bridesmaid dresses had to be cut and made.
I counted the hours it took to sew the beading on just one sleeve of her dress and it was time consuming and a lot of beads (the exact amount of beads and time escapes me). After that, I just kept up following my plan.
The big day was fast approaching. Stay tuned, as what can go wrong, will go wrong.
Thought--Today they have such elaborate weddings, but I don't think any wedding could have any more "Love" put in the planning than our daughter's wedding. However, expect the unexpected, because surely every wedding has a few surprises!
This is what I faced when our older daughter was going to get married and I had one year to do the things that I wanted to do for her. Since I sewed quite a bit, I wanted to make her wedding dress. I also wanted to make her wedding cake. She had 4 bridesmaids, flower girl and ring bearer. Making the bridesmaid dresses and the flower girl's dress was also something that interested me. Not to mention the decorations, ring pillow etc. that goes into making a wedding special and one of a kind.
How was I going to get all this accomplished and still keep up with daily things that every mother faces.
We shopped in Chicago for her material for her wedding dress, along with the material that her bridesmaid dresses were to be made from. She selected the lace, pattern, and bridesmaids pattern and material. I know the wedding dress material came from Marshall Fields in Chicago. The bridesmaid dress material was purchased in a lessor known shop in Chicago, close to the Loop.
She selected the design for the cake from Wilton Cake Books. We purchased the fountain from them as we knew we wanted to have it for both girls weddings.
After all the decisions were made, etc, the organization needed to be put in place. I really am not that good of an organizer, but I knew if I didn't, I would come up short of time and not have everything done. So organizing was the way to go.
Each week that I had left after purchasing the material, I had to divide the time up and do X amount toward the wedding during each week.
Mints were made and frozen. Cake layers were frozen and waited for the final decorating. Wedding dress and girl's bridesmaid dresses had to be cut and made.
I counted the hours it took to sew the beading on just one sleeve of her dress and it was time consuming and a lot of beads (the exact amount of beads and time escapes me). After that, I just kept up following my plan.
The big day was fast approaching. Stay tuned, as what can go wrong, will go wrong.
Thought--Today they have such elaborate weddings, but I don't think any wedding could have any more "Love" put in the planning than our daughter's wedding. However, expect the unexpected, because surely every wedding has a few surprises!
Friday, August 21, 2009
TOO YOUNG!!!
One day our older daughter announced to all of us that she was engaged. My younger daughter said, "YOU ARE TOO YOUNG"! Out of the mouths of "BABES" wisdom come!
Our older daughter dated Jim off and on for about 2 years from their first date. It was between her freshman and Sophomore year at a junior college in town, that she told us this.
They decided to get married between her Junior college and getting the last two years at the University. By this time, he had one year of engineering left, but planned to go on to further his degrees.
I had about one year notice to prepare for a wedding. They dated about 3 years altogether.
Wisdom--Did I think they were too young? At the time, I probably didn't think about it, but later I felt that they should have waited. By both going to school, both working, both studying and trying to meld their lives together was a difficult task. They did know each other, but they had still a lot of learning to become a "TEAM".
Our older daughter dated Jim off and on for about 2 years from their first date. It was between her freshman and Sophomore year at a junior college in town, that she told us this.
They decided to get married between her Junior college and getting the last two years at the University. By this time, he had one year of engineering left, but planned to go on to further his degrees.
I had about one year notice to prepare for a wedding. They dated about 3 years altogether.
Wisdom--Did I think they were too young? At the time, I probably didn't think about it, but later I felt that they should have waited. By both going to school, both working, both studying and trying to meld their lives together was a difficult task. They did know each other, but they had still a lot of learning to become a "TEAM".
Thursday, August 20, 2009
ENTRY RUINED! NOW WHAT?
Our older daughter was about 14-15 and there was a contest in a National Home Economics magazine that she entered. It was where you designed a room and if you were good enough, the grand prize was that you got that room recreated for you as your prize.
She worked really hard on her upstairs bedroom and collected samples of carpet, paint, bedspreads, etc. She put it together and made her entry into a booklet form. She covered the cover page & back page with material, etc. A lot of work went into this entry.
As she had it very close to sending in her entry, she had it laid out and her younger sister was playing with "Silly Putty". Now this was a "fun" putty, but a golden rule with this stuff, is that you always put it back in the container it came in. This particular day, she didn't follow the rules. The silly putty was left out on top of our older daughter's contest entry. Now the silly putty had flattened and gone into the fabric on the back of her entry. Our older daughter was devastated, and thought all her hard work was for naught.
She came and showed what had happened to her "work of art". Mother's always have a solution up their sleeve on just such an occasion as this. Mothers have had lots of experience, since lots and lots of occasions happen like this. You learn to teach them to pick up the pieces and move on.
My solution--I told her that she had to cover the "Silly Putty" mishap with her own "Work of Art". So she put an easel over the big ugly spot. Then she put a paint brush (dripping with paint), and a pallet of paint. On the easel she wrote, "HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?" That was the back page of her entry.
No she didn't get the grand prize, but she did get "Runner Up". For this she was presented a Broyhill Lingerie chest. Her picture was in the paper when this was presented to her.
Her entry was placed in the New York Design center and she received a note from someone in New York City, that saw her entry and she took the time to tell her how well she liked her design.
Since our older daughter entered this, then our younger daughter decided she wanted to enter the same National Contest when she was a few years older. She did, and she too received "Runner Up" status and received a nice prize equal in value.
Wisdom--When you think that you want to give up and things looks dismal, that's the very time you keep on keeping on. God has something better for you around the corner! Perhaps this back page caught the judges attention that otherwise they would have passed over if it were not finished in this unique way! Who knows, but God turns everything around for "Good" if we trust Him!! KEEP ON, KEEPING ON is a very good RULE!!!
She worked really hard on her upstairs bedroom and collected samples of carpet, paint, bedspreads, etc. She put it together and made her entry into a booklet form. She covered the cover page & back page with material, etc. A lot of work went into this entry.
As she had it very close to sending in her entry, she had it laid out and her younger sister was playing with "Silly Putty". Now this was a "fun" putty, but a golden rule with this stuff, is that you always put it back in the container it came in. This particular day, she didn't follow the rules. The silly putty was left out on top of our older daughter's contest entry. Now the silly putty had flattened and gone into the fabric on the back of her entry. Our older daughter was devastated, and thought all her hard work was for naught.
She came and showed what had happened to her "work of art". Mother's always have a solution up their sleeve on just such an occasion as this. Mothers have had lots of experience, since lots and lots of occasions happen like this. You learn to teach them to pick up the pieces and move on.
My solution--I told her that she had to cover the "Silly Putty" mishap with her own "Work of Art". So she put an easel over the big ugly spot. Then she put a paint brush (dripping with paint), and a pallet of paint. On the easel she wrote, "HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?" That was the back page of her entry.
No she didn't get the grand prize, but she did get "Runner Up". For this she was presented a Broyhill Lingerie chest. Her picture was in the paper when this was presented to her.
Her entry was placed in the New York Design center and she received a note from someone in New York City, that saw her entry and she took the time to tell her how well she liked her design.
Since our older daughter entered this, then our younger daughter decided she wanted to enter the same National Contest when she was a few years older. She did, and she too received "Runner Up" status and received a nice prize equal in value.
Wisdom--When you think that you want to give up and things looks dismal, that's the very time you keep on keeping on. God has something better for you around the corner! Perhaps this back page caught the judges attention that otherwise they would have passed over if it were not finished in this unique way! Who knows, but God turns everything around for "Good" if we trust Him!! KEEP ON, KEEPING ON is a very good RULE!!!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
CAGEY NEPHEW!!
Earlier I wrote about how we met our future son-in-law. Today I will tell you how our daughter and Jim started to correspond and date.
During the Sophomore year of college, our nephew would come over and visit occasionally. When he showed up unexpectedly at the door, Jim would appear too. Maybe this was about 2-3 times during school year.
That summer between his Sophomore year and Junior year Hank wrote Jim and signed it like Carol had written Jim an invitation to her town. Jim proceeded to answer the letter and told her that he couldn't come for some reason or another. Carol wrote back and told him she hadn't written any letter to him, but he was welcome to come if he wanted to.
This was kinda the beginning of a correspondence. Then when Carol was needing a date for "Sweetheart Banquet"(church banquet), she thought she would invite Jim to it. She was either the queen or in the queens court. I am fuzzy about this.
Carol wore a yellow long dress (I made). She had her hair piled on top of her head and had tiny, tiny bows tucked into her hair. She was beautiful! Our girls never believed me when I told them that. They would say, "Oh you are just saying that because you're my mom". All mothers are a tad partial, but she was very beautiful in spite of that I saw her through a mothers eyes.
Wisdom--Since Jim was a Christian and active in "Navigators" (a campus bible group), I felt she was in "safe hands".
During the Sophomore year of college, our nephew would come over and visit occasionally. When he showed up unexpectedly at the door, Jim would appear too. Maybe this was about 2-3 times during school year.
That summer between his Sophomore year and Junior year Hank wrote Jim and signed it like Carol had written Jim an invitation to her town. Jim proceeded to answer the letter and told her that he couldn't come for some reason or another. Carol wrote back and told him she hadn't written any letter to him, but he was welcome to come if he wanted to.
This was kinda the beginning of a correspondence. Then when Carol was needing a date for "Sweetheart Banquet"(church banquet), she thought she would invite Jim to it. She was either the queen or in the queens court. I am fuzzy about this.
Carol wore a yellow long dress (I made). She had her hair piled on top of her head and had tiny, tiny bows tucked into her hair. She was beautiful! Our girls never believed me when I told them that. They would say, "Oh you are just saying that because you're my mom". All mothers are a tad partial, but she was very beautiful in spite of that I saw her through a mothers eyes.
Wisdom--Since Jim was a Christian and active in "Navigators" (a campus bible group), I felt she was in "safe hands".
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
A SUB-ZERO DAY IN DECEMBER!
Surgery was on my schedule at the end of December, right after Christmas. I elected to have my varicose veins operated on, since they were giving me a lot of pain.
Little did I know that it would be way below zero the morning of my surgery. Since my nephew was working at the University during the Christmas break (this is when he was a freshman in college), my husband had taken me over and then went to the dorm to stay with our nephew, so he wouldn't have to drive back the next day.
The next day it was so-ooo cold (sub-zero weather), that he couldn't get his car started that morning to drive across town. Our pastor was there long before my husband was able to come. (He had to drive 35 miles). Both arrived before I was scheduled to go into surgery.
I woke up from surgery and couldn't believe how good I felt. They took me from the recovery room to my hospital room on a gurney. I couldn't believe that this little ride would be so hard on me. My family wanted to stay overnight with me, but I told them I didn't care what they did, just leave me alone. I really was shaken up and didn't care if store kept or not.
Wisdom--I think of how faithful that our pastor had been time and time again. This kind of dedication can not and will never be forgotten! At another time, my husband was having surgery and our pastor and wife stayed all morning with me while waiting the results of that surgery. A caring pastor and wife can make such a difference in the family involved. We hit the jackpot in this couple.
Our health affects the way we think and our attitude toward life. I have been relatively healthly most of my life, but have compassion on those that haven't been so fortunate!
Little did I know that it would be way below zero the morning of my surgery. Since my nephew was working at the University during the Christmas break (this is when he was a freshman in college), my husband had taken me over and then went to the dorm to stay with our nephew, so he wouldn't have to drive back the next day.
The next day it was so-ooo cold (sub-zero weather), that he couldn't get his car started that morning to drive across town. Our pastor was there long before my husband was able to come. (He had to drive 35 miles). Both arrived before I was scheduled to go into surgery.
I woke up from surgery and couldn't believe how good I felt. They took me from the recovery room to my hospital room on a gurney. I couldn't believe that this little ride would be so hard on me. My family wanted to stay overnight with me, but I told them I didn't care what they did, just leave me alone. I really was shaken up and didn't care if store kept or not.
Wisdom--I think of how faithful that our pastor had been time and time again. This kind of dedication can not and will never be forgotten! At another time, my husband was having surgery and our pastor and wife stayed all morning with me while waiting the results of that surgery. A caring pastor and wife can make such a difference in the family involved. We hit the jackpot in this couple.
Our health affects the way we think and our attitude toward life. I have been relatively healthly most of my life, but have compassion on those that haven't been so fortunate!
Monday, August 17, 2009
OH NO, WE SAW HIM!!!
It seems like every mother wants to protect their daughters from any danger that they may encounter along life's pathway.
I am no exception to this rule. I had always told the girls that it just takes "ONE KOOK" to ruin their life. I told them to be aware of being alone in places where they are vulnerable and be careful. Now what mother wouldn't want to say that to their beautiful daughters.
Well, one day they came home from a well known shopping store, and alarmingly said, "MOM, MOM, WE SAW HIM!!" I said, "Who did you see?" They said, "That guy you have been warning us about all these years!!!".
They proceeded to describe this guy that was leaving the store. He had a huge ring that went through the end of his nose, no shirt, leather jacket, tattoos, the works. I guess he looked like someone you had better watch out for.
Do you suppose they were poking fun at my early warnings? No, no, they wouldn't do that!
Never-the-less, I must have gotten there attention on what to look for.
Wisdom--All mothers wants the best for their children and has their childrens best interest in mind, so pay attention to what they say. It might save your life someday! Remember, we aren't living in Kansas no longer.
I am no exception to this rule. I had always told the girls that it just takes "ONE KOOK" to ruin their life. I told them to be aware of being alone in places where they are vulnerable and be careful. Now what mother wouldn't want to say that to their beautiful daughters.
Well, one day they came home from a well known shopping store, and alarmingly said, "MOM, MOM, WE SAW HIM!!" I said, "Who did you see?" They said, "That guy you have been warning us about all these years!!!".
They proceeded to describe this guy that was leaving the store. He had a huge ring that went through the end of his nose, no shirt, leather jacket, tattoos, the works. I guess he looked like someone you had better watch out for.
Do you suppose they were poking fun at my early warnings? No, no, they wouldn't do that!
Never-the-less, I must have gotten there attention on what to look for.
Wisdom--All mothers wants the best for their children and has their childrens best interest in mind, so pay attention to what they say. It might save your life someday! Remember, we aren't living in Kansas no longer.
Friday, August 14, 2009
HOW WE MET OUR DAUGHTERS HUSBAND!
My sister was home for a visit and since she wanted to see our nephew at the University, we drove over and surprised him. It was in May and he was in between final tests in his engineering courses. We had called up to his room and told him we were downstairs in the student lounge. He probably didn't have time to spare, but made time for us. In his room that day was Jim talking about the engineering tests they had taken that week. This was the end of their freshman year at the University.
Instead of coming down by himself to see us, he asked Jim if he wanted to meet us. Since he was through with all his tests and waiting for a ride home for the summer, he agreed.
My sister, her son, my two girls and I had gone over that day (my husband was at work). Little did we know that we were going to meet my older daughter's future husband. He was very cordial and polite. The girls did not interact with him much, but just was tag-a-longs! I think our older daughter was 15 (very close to 16 years old). Our younger daughter was 12 1/2 years old going on 18.
The nephew just had a test to take and was free to "goof off" right afterwards, so he asked my sister's son to stay over for a few days and they would be able to visit. Since he had some extra clothes in the car, he did just that.
A few days later, we went over to pick up Steve and say goodbye to Hank as they were headed back to their home in another state.
We met in the snack bar close to the dorm. Well, you guessed it, Jim came along with Hank down to the snack bar. Well Hank was up to his "sneaky ways" and tried to get Jim and Carol to sit by each other. I don't think this happened but he still had some "sneaky ways" in his mind.
Stay tuned, I might get around to telling you about his "sneaky ways".
On the way home we told our older daughter that Jim seemed nice and was "cute". To that my older daughter was not that impressed.
Our younger daughter wasn't impressed because he had "Hush Puppies" for shoes on. Now that sure is a criteria you need to watch out for in men! Don't ever date anyone that wears Hush Puppies! Check them off!!
Thought--When you are young, you have the strangest set of values. Sometimes it may be as silly as the way that a boy might part his hair. Only when you get a few years older, do true values fall into place. This takes time!
Instead of coming down by himself to see us, he asked Jim if he wanted to meet us. Since he was through with all his tests and waiting for a ride home for the summer, he agreed.
My sister, her son, my two girls and I had gone over that day (my husband was at work). Little did we know that we were going to meet my older daughter's future husband. He was very cordial and polite. The girls did not interact with him much, but just was tag-a-longs! I think our older daughter was 15 (very close to 16 years old). Our younger daughter was 12 1/2 years old going on 18.
The nephew just had a test to take and was free to "goof off" right afterwards, so he asked my sister's son to stay over for a few days and they would be able to visit. Since he had some extra clothes in the car, he did just that.
A few days later, we went over to pick up Steve and say goodbye to Hank as they were headed back to their home in another state.
We met in the snack bar close to the dorm. Well, you guessed it, Jim came along with Hank down to the snack bar. Well Hank was up to his "sneaky ways" and tried to get Jim and Carol to sit by each other. I don't think this happened but he still had some "sneaky ways" in his mind.
Stay tuned, I might get around to telling you about his "sneaky ways".
On the way home we told our older daughter that Jim seemed nice and was "cute". To that my older daughter was not that impressed.
Our younger daughter wasn't impressed because he had "Hush Puppies" for shoes on. Now that sure is a criteria you need to watch out for in men! Don't ever date anyone that wears Hush Puppies! Check them off!!
Thought--When you are young, you have the strangest set of values. Sometimes it may be as silly as the way that a boy might part his hair. Only when you get a few years older, do true values fall into place. This takes time!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
ALL THAT WORK AND IT IS CONSUMED SO QUICKLY!
Somewhere when the girls were little, either out of necessity or just the "fun" of it, I decided to learn to decorate cakes.
Originally, I would make "cut up cakes". This is where you would take a cake and cut it up to make a lion, dog, doll, etc. Mostly, this was done for their birthdays. Then I started learning to do flowers, etc with the frosting.
I really never got to be really good at this hobby, but if I had a flop, IT WAS SOON EATEN UP, anyway. I often thought about how much work that went into making the cake and then after you got it just the way you want it, it was eaten and nothing to show for all the mess and trouble you went through. Oh well, I was young then and my back didn't go out. Today, my back hurts and that's just too much "sugar for a cent", so they say.
On vacation one year we happen to visit the Ohio State Fair on the way home. I saw a cake there that had a fountain in the cake. Secretly, I had always wanted to make our daughter's wedding cakes. When we (girls and I) saw this cake, we knew that we wanted to incorporate a fountain in their wedding cake.
Yes, I got enough nerve to bake and decorate both of the girls wedding cakes. Perfect, NO, but I put a lot of "LOVE" in the cake and also each had a fountain in the center of their cake, with real running water.
Thought--When I think of the cake being eaten up so quickly back then, I think today, this is the kind of things that I like today. Something that you can use up, eat up and not stick away with all the other "stuff" that seems to occupy too much space in my home. How your views differ as you get older.
Originally, I would make "cut up cakes". This is where you would take a cake and cut it up to make a lion, dog, doll, etc. Mostly, this was done for their birthdays. Then I started learning to do flowers, etc with the frosting.
I really never got to be really good at this hobby, but if I had a flop, IT WAS SOON EATEN UP, anyway. I often thought about how much work that went into making the cake and then after you got it just the way you want it, it was eaten and nothing to show for all the mess and trouble you went through. Oh well, I was young then and my back didn't go out. Today, my back hurts and that's just too much "sugar for a cent", so they say.
On vacation one year we happen to visit the Ohio State Fair on the way home. I saw a cake there that had a fountain in the cake. Secretly, I had always wanted to make our daughter's wedding cakes. When we (girls and I) saw this cake, we knew that we wanted to incorporate a fountain in their wedding cake.
Yes, I got enough nerve to bake and decorate both of the girls wedding cakes. Perfect, NO, but I put a lot of "LOVE" in the cake and also each had a fountain in the center of their cake, with real running water.
Thought--When I think of the cake being eaten up so quickly back then, I think today, this is the kind of things that I like today. Something that you can use up, eat up and not stick away with all the other "stuff" that seems to occupy too much space in my home. How your views differ as you get older.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT!!!
One time that one of my nephews was down, I decided that I would try to get him to eat foods that was set before him, and not eliminate foods that I thought he should eat.
He had been very busy all morning trying to correct a problem that I had with my television. He had an aptitude for just such a thing way back in Junior/Senior high days.
It became lunchtime and I proceeded to fix him a toasted cheese sandwich. This was his favorite food and I knew he would love it. I got to thinking, why don't I put a very thin slice of ham between two slices of cheese and press those cheeses together and he wouldn't be the wiser. "Mikey might like it", I thought. This would get him to eating a little protein with his meals. He was a vegetarian and I was out to change that.
I called him to lunch and he had his electronic book in his hand while he was eating. Of course, I had hid the ham so at first glance he couldn't tell that I had played this trick on him. That day my horns was sticking out "BIG TIME".
Since he was so engrossed in his book, he took a big bite and noticed it wasn't what he expected. He spit it out and I authoritatively told him that he should eat it. I could see that it was actually making him almost ill. No, he didn't eat it and all the talking of how good it was for him didn't work. When will I ever learn that "trickery" doesn't work!!! And to think of how hard he had worked on my television that morning!
THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT!
One time we went up to his home and he had rigged up a speaking system to the radio and when I came in the door he was speaking to me from the radio from another room. He must have inherited that "trickery" from his aunt.
On another occasion, by this time he had gotten his Electrical Engineering degree and was living in another state and nobody knew he was coming home. He hid in my daughter's closet and when I went over to see her one day, he popped out of the closet and asked if I wanted him to hang up my coat! A branch doesn't fall too far from the tree, they say. So, he had a few tricks of his own that he pulled on all the family on more than one occasion. Of course, we were glad to see him that day.
Wisdom--I'm thankful that he still loves me and has forgiven me of my "trickery".
He had been very busy all morning trying to correct a problem that I had with my television. He had an aptitude for just such a thing way back in Junior/Senior high days.
It became lunchtime and I proceeded to fix him a toasted cheese sandwich. This was his favorite food and I knew he would love it. I got to thinking, why don't I put a very thin slice of ham between two slices of cheese and press those cheeses together and he wouldn't be the wiser. "Mikey might like it", I thought. This would get him to eating a little protein with his meals. He was a vegetarian and I was out to change that.
I called him to lunch and he had his electronic book in his hand while he was eating. Of course, I had hid the ham so at first glance he couldn't tell that I had played this trick on him. That day my horns was sticking out "BIG TIME".
Since he was so engrossed in his book, he took a big bite and noticed it wasn't what he expected. He spit it out and I authoritatively told him that he should eat it. I could see that it was actually making him almost ill. No, he didn't eat it and all the talking of how good it was for him didn't work. When will I ever learn that "trickery" doesn't work!!! And to think of how hard he had worked on my television that morning!
THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT!
One time we went up to his home and he had rigged up a speaking system to the radio and when I came in the door he was speaking to me from the radio from another room. He must have inherited that "trickery" from his aunt.
On another occasion, by this time he had gotten his Electrical Engineering degree and was living in another state and nobody knew he was coming home. He hid in my daughter's closet and when I went over to see her one day, he popped out of the closet and asked if I wanted him to hang up my coat! A branch doesn't fall too far from the tree, they say. So, he had a few tricks of his own that he pulled on all the family on more than one occasion. Of course, we were glad to see him that day.
Wisdom--I'm thankful that he still loves me and has forgiven me of my "trickery".
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
SIRENS, SIRENS, SIRENS!!!!
It was a few days after Christmas and my nephew was visiting our home for a few days and toward evening we were sitting in the living room, when we heard these sirens. They were really close to our house (at least a couple blocks away). They just kept blowing and blowing.
I thought to myself somebody had gotten in an accident and they were taking them to the hospital. Little did I know that the person that was being transported to the hospital was our good friend's son. Our "camping buddies" son was with another friend's son and they had a horrible accident!!!
Young "Chuckie" was in critical condition and the other lad was not hurt that much. They transported Chuckie to a hospital in another city close by soon after. His fever rose and to keep the fever down they opened the window of the hospital room and put a fan up to keep his fever in check. Now this was in the dead of winter. He had lots of blood transfusions, etc, during this time. Our pastor the one I mentioned earlier in "Raining tears", stayed with the family and slept on the floor at the hospital waiting room many a night. This pastor was one in a million! Such dedication to his calling!!! Thank you so much for your caring for the "Flock"!!!
Since this happened just a few days after Christmas, Chuck and Katie still had their Christmas tree and decorations still up. Dorotha (camping buddy) and I went over to take down the decorations, so they wouldn't have to face seeing them up and remember the joyous time a few days prior. To this day, each year I take down my decorations, I think of this horrific time in their lives, where their son's life was hanging in the balance. I always think, one never knows what a day will bring forth, let alone a new year will bring forth. I'm always thankful when the year went smoothly, with no tragic endings.
Chuckie lost his battle of life and went to be with His Lord, about two weeks later. A great loss to the family and to our church family. God truly had to carry our friends during these days and weeks after. Words are so inadequate during these times. It brings tears to my eyes as I write about it.
Wisdom--In Proverbs 27:1 it states--"Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." In II Corinthians 6:2b--"behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation". We must never put off accepting the Lord, for we know not whether we will have another chance. Chuckie was 17 years of age when he died.
I thought to myself somebody had gotten in an accident and they were taking them to the hospital. Little did I know that the person that was being transported to the hospital was our good friend's son. Our "camping buddies" son was with another friend's son and they had a horrible accident!!!
Young "Chuckie" was in critical condition and the other lad was not hurt that much. They transported Chuckie to a hospital in another city close by soon after. His fever rose and to keep the fever down they opened the window of the hospital room and put a fan up to keep his fever in check. Now this was in the dead of winter. He had lots of blood transfusions, etc, during this time. Our pastor the one I mentioned earlier in "Raining tears", stayed with the family and slept on the floor at the hospital waiting room many a night. This pastor was one in a million! Such dedication to his calling!!! Thank you so much for your caring for the "Flock"!!!
Since this happened just a few days after Christmas, Chuck and Katie still had their Christmas tree and decorations still up. Dorotha (camping buddy) and I went over to take down the decorations, so they wouldn't have to face seeing them up and remember the joyous time a few days prior. To this day, each year I take down my decorations, I think of this horrific time in their lives, where their son's life was hanging in the balance. I always think, one never knows what a day will bring forth, let alone a new year will bring forth. I'm always thankful when the year went smoothly, with no tragic endings.
Chuckie lost his battle of life and went to be with His Lord, about two weeks later. A great loss to the family and to our church family. God truly had to carry our friends during these days and weeks after. Words are so inadequate during these times. It brings tears to my eyes as I write about it.
Wisdom--In Proverbs 27:1 it states--"Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." In II Corinthians 6:2b--"behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation". We must never put off accepting the Lord, for we know not whether we will have another chance. Chuckie was 17 years of age when he died.
Monday, August 10, 2009
CAMPING BUDDIES!
Our first contact with our good friends, Bill and Dorotha, and Chuck and Katie were first initiated by going out "church calling" and visiting new comers that recently attended our church.
Bill and Dorotha had recently had a baby and I wanted to bring something for the new arrival. I had whipped something up on my trusty sewing machine. It really was a "nothing" gift, but it was received like it was very "special gift". I would have not remembered this, but was told about it years later.
Our first introduction to Chuck and Katie was one day we went visiting newcomers to our church. Chuck was at work and we just visited Katie and her two small boys that particular day.
Little did we know at the time that these two families would be our life long friends and "camping buddies".
Well, first of all, Bill and Dorotha had never gone camping, so we took them out with us one weekend in our 12' X 12' tent. I furnished the food and they just had to pack their clothes.
We all slept in the tent (all 8 of us). We had 4 cots (adults slept on these) and the kids feet was telescoped under our cots. The next morning, our neighbor campers were amazed, they kept seeing people coming out of this tent and thought it was like the Volkswagen car that had all these people coming forth.
"THEY WERE HOOKED" from that weekend forth. Their reaction was the same as ours when we took our first camping trip years before. Only they went out the very next week and bought a "pop up camper".
Wisdom--Greet newcomers and welcome them to your church, who knows they may be your buddies before long.
Bill and Dorotha had recently had a baby and I wanted to bring something for the new arrival. I had whipped something up on my trusty sewing machine. It really was a "nothing" gift, but it was received like it was very "special gift". I would have not remembered this, but was told about it years later.
Our first introduction to Chuck and Katie was one day we went visiting newcomers to our church. Chuck was at work and we just visited Katie and her two small boys that particular day.
Little did we know at the time that these two families would be our life long friends and "camping buddies".
Well, first of all, Bill and Dorotha had never gone camping, so we took them out with us one weekend in our 12' X 12' tent. I furnished the food and they just had to pack their clothes.
We all slept in the tent (all 8 of us). We had 4 cots (adults slept on these) and the kids feet was telescoped under our cots. The next morning, our neighbor campers were amazed, they kept seeing people coming out of this tent and thought it was like the Volkswagen car that had all these people coming forth.
"THEY WERE HOOKED" from that weekend forth. Their reaction was the same as ours when we took our first camping trip years before. Only they went out the very next week and bought a "pop up camper".
Wisdom--Greet newcomers and welcome them to your church, who knows they may be your buddies before long.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
WHY CAN'T I STAND UP?
These words were called to me one day when our older daughter was on the floor and she couldn't stand up. Since she was so young, I thought it rather strange.
I helped her up off the floor and wondered what her problem was. She said at PE she ran and hurt her leg and maybe it was just part of the healing. Well, we took her to the Pediatrician and she had her leg ex-rayed. Nothing showed up on the ex-ray and she didn't have any problems after that one incident, so we dismissed it.
The year she had gotten married, she had just finished Junior College and was going the the University to get her degree for the next two years, along with her husband which was getting advanced degrees.
Yet that year they got married they rented an apartment in a city close to where he grew up. He had a summer job until he could return to college. We had gone up to visit them, and our older daughter was fine, but by evening she was in quite a bit of pain and she was limping and having trouble stepping off the curb. She hadn't done anything unusual, but here she was once again having problems. We insisted she go to the doctor and find out what was causing this since she was way too young to be limping for no reason.
They operated on her knee and found out she had an early torn cartilage injury and this was what her problem was. I guess the cartilage in your knees doesn't show up in ex-ray exams. So this was what was causing her problems years earlier. It had been damaged in PE class many years before.
Thought--We were thankful that they took out temporary health insurance during the summer months, since this operation would surely have set them back financially, if they hadn't done this.
I helped her up off the floor and wondered what her problem was. She said at PE she ran and hurt her leg and maybe it was just part of the healing. Well, we took her to the Pediatrician and she had her leg ex-rayed. Nothing showed up on the ex-ray and she didn't have any problems after that one incident, so we dismissed it.
The year she had gotten married, she had just finished Junior College and was going the the University to get her degree for the next two years, along with her husband which was getting advanced degrees.
Yet that year they got married they rented an apartment in a city close to where he grew up. He had a summer job until he could return to college. We had gone up to visit them, and our older daughter was fine, but by evening she was in quite a bit of pain and she was limping and having trouble stepping off the curb. She hadn't done anything unusual, but here she was once again having problems. We insisted she go to the doctor and find out what was causing this since she was way too young to be limping for no reason.
They operated on her knee and found out she had an early torn cartilage injury and this was what her problem was. I guess the cartilage in your knees doesn't show up in ex-ray exams. So this was what was causing her problems years earlier. It had been damaged in PE class many years before.
Thought--We were thankful that they took out temporary health insurance during the summer months, since this operation would surely have set them back financially, if they hadn't done this.
Friday, August 7, 2009
"HARVEY"--OUR GUEST!
Not everybody gets to entertain "Harvey", the well known invisible rabbit for dinner. This was quite the privilege! Our daughters were ecstatic over having Harvey to talk to and visit with one day.
Let me first give you a brief introduction on how we happened to have Harvey for dinner. We had invited my brother and family for dinner this particular time, and we must have gotten our signals mixed up and there was a "NO SHOW".
I had made a special dinner and set the table up in the dining room and was ready for our guests. Since they didn't come, I thought the girls were disappointed, so I told them that we did have a "special guest" at our table. His name was "Harvey". You remember the movie that Jimmy Stewart played in and he had an invisible rabbit that he kept talking and visiting with. Well, THAT VERY SAME RABBIT "HARVEY" was our dinner guest that day.
Did we have fun passing Harvey the food and talking to Harvey about things in general.
Instead of being a "downer day", we had an unforgettable guest and it turned out to be unforgettable "fun" time!
Thought--When life dishes out lemons, make lemonade!
Let me first give you a brief introduction on how we happened to have Harvey for dinner. We had invited my brother and family for dinner this particular time, and we must have gotten our signals mixed up and there was a "NO SHOW".
I had made a special dinner and set the table up in the dining room and was ready for our guests. Since they didn't come, I thought the girls were disappointed, so I told them that we did have a "special guest" at our table. His name was "Harvey". You remember the movie that Jimmy Stewart played in and he had an invisible rabbit that he kept talking and visiting with. Well, THAT VERY SAME RABBIT "HARVEY" was our dinner guest that day.
Did we have fun passing Harvey the food and talking to Harvey about things in general.
Instead of being a "downer day", we had an unforgettable guest and it turned out to be unforgettable "fun" time!
Thought--When life dishes out lemons, make lemonade!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
VULNERABLE!!
Our girls were about Junior High/High School age and my husband was working either 2Nd shift or overtime and I needed to go out to deliver Avon to my evening customers that wasn't available to reach during the daytime hours.
Since they were babysitting age, I thought it would be OK for me to leave them for a few hours.
I informed them that under NO CIRCUMSTANCE should they ever let anyone into the house.
I thought that they knew this was not a very good idea!
After delivering the orders I came back and asked them how it went. Well they said that someone came to the door and wanted to use the telephone to call for a repairman to fix his car. DUH! Does this sound like a good idea to let him into the house to phone? They let him in to use the phone. They were VULNERABLE!! All the preparation and warnings flew out the window that evening.
They claimed that the guy was in front of our house with the hood up inspecting the engine, and it was obvious that he needed a repairman. Thank heavens he truly did need a repairman. In this case they should have said, that they would call the repairman for him and to wait in his car.
WISDOM--You can't give enough warnings out for "Home Alone" children. The car problem could have been staged. I dread to think of how many "Home Alone" children there are that may face just such an event and it could be tragic. Now, most people have cell phones and can call repairmen if they truly need help. It is sad that one has to be skeptic these days to help another person out.
Since they were babysitting age, I thought it would be OK for me to leave them for a few hours.
I informed them that under NO CIRCUMSTANCE should they ever let anyone into the house.
I thought that they knew this was not a very good idea!
After delivering the orders I came back and asked them how it went. Well they said that someone came to the door and wanted to use the telephone to call for a repairman to fix his car. DUH! Does this sound like a good idea to let him into the house to phone? They let him in to use the phone. They were VULNERABLE!! All the preparation and warnings flew out the window that evening.
They claimed that the guy was in front of our house with the hood up inspecting the engine, and it was obvious that he needed a repairman. Thank heavens he truly did need a repairman. In this case they should have said, that they would call the repairman for him and to wait in his car.
WISDOM--You can't give enough warnings out for "Home Alone" children. The car problem could have been staged. I dread to think of how many "Home Alone" children there are that may face just such an event and it could be tragic. Now, most people have cell phones and can call repairmen if they truly need help. It is sad that one has to be skeptic these days to help another person out.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
BABYSITTING "TAILS"!
Sometime when the girls hit Junior High they started babysitting. I will try to recapture some of these tales or I mean "TAILS". They usually babysat children that they knew or closer by our home.
This one particular time one of our daughters was babysitting and they had a baby and a younger child. It was a two story home and the changing table was upstairs. One of the instructions was that she was not to let the dog out of the house under any circumstance. Well, the baby needed changing and while she was changing the baby upstairs, the older child went down and let the dog out of the house. Now she was frantic wondering what she should do about the dog. She called me up since we were close by and thought I might have a solution. I told her that her first responsibility was to take care of the children and by no means go out looking for the dog. I proceeded to go over to look for the dog. I found the dog, but don't know whether there was any damage done by the dog getting out of the house.
On another occasion, the same daughter was to "CAT SIT" a neighbors pet. She was to make sure the cat had plenty of food and water. The first morning she went over, she couldn't find the cat anywhere. She called me and asked me why she couldn't find the cat. I told her that perhaps its under a bed or hiding. I went over to help her find the cat. THAT CAT WAS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND!!!! IT JUST PLAIN DISAPPEARED! A few days later the cat was back at their doorstep wanting to be fed. Somewhere in the process, communication was lost and they forgot to let her know the cat was outside.
Another occasion, I was being helpful to my neighbor back of us and was taking care of their canary while they were on vacation. I was to feed the canary and see that it had water and change the paper in the cage when soiled. They were gone a week or two and each day I checked out the bird. The day they were to come back I had gone over early on Sunday morning and fed the bird, etc. All was well. My husband said in the afternoon, "I think I will check on the bird just before they arrive home". He came back and said, "You won't believe this! The canary is dead!" Whoa! I couldn't believe it! Now what was I going to do? I offered to buy them a replacement canary. They said that they knew the canary was not acting right before they left, but just didn't mention it. I felt so bad. Moral to this--Don't ask me to take care of a pet, unless you want it to die.
One more story--
Our older daughter was in early High School and she babysat at this home. This was referral from someone. The wife had a parent that was quite ill and she went to the hospital to check on her parent. The husband left for someplace else. A few hours went by, and then the husband showed up at the home. My older daughter was thinking that he would drive her home, since he was back home. They sat in the living room together, she was knitting and he was reading the paper, etc. Each time she mentioned about him driving her home, he threw her a dollar. After a few dollars, she said, "Well if you aren't driving me home I will call my parents up to come and get me." She didn't see any reason why they needed her, when the husband was there to take care of the children. She did call me, and he got on the line and said he would bring her home. I didn't have any time to think this through before he hung up. He did as he said and she came in rather upset. I questioned her about what had happened. I had asked her if he had been drinking. To this she replied, "How would I know?" I told her that she could smell the liquor on his breath. She then said, "What does it smell like?" I realized we had sheltered her quite a bit down through the years with that question. He actually was trying to keep her there because his intentions were to go out later yet that night. He knew his wife probably was going to stay at the hospital due to the condition of her parent.
Wisdom--Children that are babysitting age still needs a backup when they are babysitting. They also need to check the locks on the outside doors to the premises, etc. We aren't living in Kansas no longer. Stay tuned--I have another tale to tell!
This one particular time one of our daughters was babysitting and they had a baby and a younger child. It was a two story home and the changing table was upstairs. One of the instructions was that she was not to let the dog out of the house under any circumstance. Well, the baby needed changing and while she was changing the baby upstairs, the older child went down and let the dog out of the house. Now she was frantic wondering what she should do about the dog. She called me up since we were close by and thought I might have a solution. I told her that her first responsibility was to take care of the children and by no means go out looking for the dog. I proceeded to go over to look for the dog. I found the dog, but don't know whether there was any damage done by the dog getting out of the house.
On another occasion, the same daughter was to "CAT SIT" a neighbors pet. She was to make sure the cat had plenty of food and water. The first morning she went over, she couldn't find the cat anywhere. She called me and asked me why she couldn't find the cat. I told her that perhaps its under a bed or hiding. I went over to help her find the cat. THAT CAT WAS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND!!!! IT JUST PLAIN DISAPPEARED! A few days later the cat was back at their doorstep wanting to be fed. Somewhere in the process, communication was lost and they forgot to let her know the cat was outside.
Another occasion, I was being helpful to my neighbor back of us and was taking care of their canary while they were on vacation. I was to feed the canary and see that it had water and change the paper in the cage when soiled. They were gone a week or two and each day I checked out the bird. The day they were to come back I had gone over early on Sunday morning and fed the bird, etc. All was well. My husband said in the afternoon, "I think I will check on the bird just before they arrive home". He came back and said, "You won't believe this! The canary is dead!" Whoa! I couldn't believe it! Now what was I going to do? I offered to buy them a replacement canary. They said that they knew the canary was not acting right before they left, but just didn't mention it. I felt so bad. Moral to this--Don't ask me to take care of a pet, unless you want it to die.
One more story--
Our older daughter was in early High School and she babysat at this home. This was referral from someone. The wife had a parent that was quite ill and she went to the hospital to check on her parent. The husband left for someplace else. A few hours went by, and then the husband showed up at the home. My older daughter was thinking that he would drive her home, since he was back home. They sat in the living room together, she was knitting and he was reading the paper, etc. Each time she mentioned about him driving her home, he threw her a dollar. After a few dollars, she said, "Well if you aren't driving me home I will call my parents up to come and get me." She didn't see any reason why they needed her, when the husband was there to take care of the children. She did call me, and he got on the line and said he would bring her home. I didn't have any time to think this through before he hung up. He did as he said and she came in rather upset. I questioned her about what had happened. I had asked her if he had been drinking. To this she replied, "How would I know?" I told her that she could smell the liquor on his breath. She then said, "What does it smell like?" I realized we had sheltered her quite a bit down through the years with that question. He actually was trying to keep her there because his intentions were to go out later yet that night. He knew his wife probably was going to stay at the hospital due to the condition of her parent.
Wisdom--Children that are babysitting age still needs a backup when they are babysitting. They also need to check the locks on the outside doors to the premises, etc. We aren't living in Kansas no longer. Stay tuned--I have another tale to tell!
Monday, August 3, 2009
BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED!!
Yesterday at church a lady brought me a Dahlia from her garden. It was 10 inches across. Somehow these bloom so beautifully for her.
My thought was, that's just what we are supposed to do with our lives. No matter where we are and the circumstances that surround us, we are to make the most of it and BLOOM WHERE WE ARE PLANTED!
This lady that gave me the gorgeous flower is doing just that where she is planted. From early on she has had her neighbor child come and eat with her and her husband on a regular basis. What an impact she has on this child. She is a grandmother figure to him.
I think of people in the past that has served faithfully in the nursery so the children will quickly identify with them. I had a close friend (Reva) that served for years and years in the baby nursery. Another friend was legally blind but served as an organist past the time she was declared legally blind. She didn't let this stop her and she sewed toddler clothes and sold them. Now I can see, and I am telling you that she sewed beautifully long after she was told she couldn't see. She could have said, woe is me, and folded her hands, but not Eileen. Eileen has had so many operations that one stopped counting, but she always had an uplifting spirit about her. Both of the above people have passed away within the last few years. Eileen passed away last month and both are forever with their Lord.
Wisdom--In I Corinthians Chapter 12 it speaks of the Spiritual gifts and one gift is no less important as another and all are given to honor Christ. Truly, both these ladies did just that!
My thought was, that's just what we are supposed to do with our lives. No matter where we are and the circumstances that surround us, we are to make the most of it and BLOOM WHERE WE ARE PLANTED!
This lady that gave me the gorgeous flower is doing just that where she is planted. From early on she has had her neighbor child come and eat with her and her husband on a regular basis. What an impact she has on this child. She is a grandmother figure to him.
I think of people in the past that has served faithfully in the nursery so the children will quickly identify with them. I had a close friend (Reva) that served for years and years in the baby nursery. Another friend was legally blind but served as an organist past the time she was declared legally blind. She didn't let this stop her and she sewed toddler clothes and sold them. Now I can see, and I am telling you that she sewed beautifully long after she was told she couldn't see. She could have said, woe is me, and folded her hands, but not Eileen. Eileen has had so many operations that one stopped counting, but she always had an uplifting spirit about her. Both of the above people have passed away within the last few years. Eileen passed away last month and both are forever with their Lord.
Wisdom--In I Corinthians Chapter 12 it speaks of the Spiritual gifts and one gift is no less important as another and all are given to honor Christ. Truly, both these ladies did just that!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
"HYPOCHONDRI-ITIS"
Our younger daughter when she was in the fifth grade had to stay home from school due to Pneumonia. We had her in a steam tent and she kept up with her school work at home. She was home about a month until she was better. This was in the spring of that year.
In the fall, we decided to take her to the doctor for a thorough examination, before the flu/cold season began. All checked out well at the doctors office.
One day I found her up in her room reading. She was reading the "World Book Encyclopedia". I thought this was a strange book to be reading. I checked what particular subject she was reading. Well, of all things, she was reading about cancer. She thought she had cancer. She had complained about this and that hurting her. It was never the same place that she was complaining about. She wanted to go to the doctor to see if that is what she had. I had told her that we had just had a thorough check-up and she checked out fine. She wanted a 2ND opinion!
I asked her, "If we go to get a 2ND opinion, and they don't find anything wrong, would she be OK with that?" She said she would. I had told her that I thought she had a good case of "Hypochondri-itis". She said, "Oh my, what is that?" I told her to look it up, since she was so adept with the World Book, I knew she would be able to locate this in the dictionary.
She looked it up and I asked her what it was. She said, "It is when you imagine you have something and it become so real you develop symptoms."
We had kept our promise to her, and took her to a well known Clinic in an adjoining city. They ran tests on her and one of the tests was checking her out for allergies. Well, she had tested out that she was quite allergic to all kinds of things. We started giving her allergy shots. Our friend Lucile (I wrote about her the other day) would give her weekly shots, since she was a former nurse.
Our older daughter had allergies (See ONE BIG PUFF). Allergies run in families.
Later I was selling Avon to a lady that had acute allergies and she said that allergies sometimes make one part of your body hurt and then another day, something else hurts. Bingo! This is why none of her aches she was describing was in the same spot.
Wisdom--Always be alert and check out things that your children are complaining about. It might be something that is easily controlled.
In the fall, we decided to take her to the doctor for a thorough examination, before the flu/cold season began. All checked out well at the doctors office.
One day I found her up in her room reading. She was reading the "World Book Encyclopedia". I thought this was a strange book to be reading. I checked what particular subject she was reading. Well, of all things, she was reading about cancer. She thought she had cancer. She had complained about this and that hurting her. It was never the same place that she was complaining about. She wanted to go to the doctor to see if that is what she had. I had told her that we had just had a thorough check-up and she checked out fine. She wanted a 2ND opinion!
I asked her, "If we go to get a 2ND opinion, and they don't find anything wrong, would she be OK with that?" She said she would. I had told her that I thought she had a good case of "Hypochondri-itis". She said, "Oh my, what is that?" I told her to look it up, since she was so adept with the World Book, I knew she would be able to locate this in the dictionary.
She looked it up and I asked her what it was. She said, "It is when you imagine you have something and it become so real you develop symptoms."
We had kept our promise to her, and took her to a well known Clinic in an adjoining city. They ran tests on her and one of the tests was checking her out for allergies. Well, she had tested out that she was quite allergic to all kinds of things. We started giving her allergy shots. Our friend Lucile (I wrote about her the other day) would give her weekly shots, since she was a former nurse.
Our older daughter had allergies (See ONE BIG PUFF). Allergies run in families.
Later I was selling Avon to a lady that had acute allergies and she said that allergies sometimes make one part of your body hurt and then another day, something else hurts. Bingo! This is why none of her aches she was describing was in the same spot.
Wisdom--Always be alert and check out things that your children are complaining about. It might be something that is easily controlled.
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