Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Megan! I know I'm a day late with this greeting. But my card and gift and also my phone call arrived on time! It's hard living so far away from our grandchildren. I can hardly believe 11 years have gone by since you were born. You were beautiful and so sweet and you still are! Now you have a baby sister! Happy Birthday!!!

Monday, January 29, 2007

Where Have I Been?

I was recently asked, in a blog comment, where I have been in the world, how many countries, how many continents, etc. Well, that would be too long an answer in a comment so I'm writing it up in a blog! When we were still just going together I told Jerry I wanted to see the world! His reply to me was that first we would have to see the USA! So we started out on our honeymoon going to all the New England states and making many stops along the way, especially in New York City, Washington D.C., and Niagara Falls. Now, forty-seven and a half years later I'm proud to say we've been in 49 states and hope to go to the fiftieth for our fiftieth anniversary! That would be Hawaii and to cruise there is my dream! Now to move on to the rest of the world...we've been in five continents: North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. We've been in thirteen countries: USA, Canada, Mexico, Haiti, Paraguay, Brazil, The Netherlands, Belgium, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Japan, and Thailand. The last two I went to by myself but Jerry and I went to all the others together. Our next trip, we're hoping will be to Malaysia. Many of these trips were missions trips not vacations and all were very exciting and satisfying. I praise God because He is our Creator, and He is Omnipresent!

Dizzy

Once in a while I get an attack of vertigo. It's a very debilitating dizziness and lasts for several hours. We were at church when I began to feel it coming on so we left. I have pills to take when I feel it coming on and I needed to get home to take a pill. The only thing I know to do is just lay as still as I can and sleep it off. It's like my equilibrium gets off kilter. So I'm feeling better now but I also know that something was wrong with my head, it feels big and heavy. Jerry is a very good doctor and took excellent care of me! Thank you, Lord, for being me healer and for my wonderful husband whom you have given to me.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Night time TV

I'm not a good sleeper. I have many sleepless nights, by that I mean being awake all but 4-5 hours or less. So I go to our loft and do one or two of four different activities. #1 - I pray; #2 - I read; #3 - I watch TV; #4 - I watch a DVD or video. If I'm watching TV I mainly watch PBS. Last night and a few nights ago I watched movies that were so good! The first one I don't know the name of but it was about the Pope. I almost didn't watch it but decided to check it out and it was very good! The one last night was Music From The Heart starring Merrill Streep. (I don't know if I've got her name right.) Another movie that had a big effect on me was Hand of God. With todays movies being so full of violence, sex, and bad language, it's good to know there are a few that are the exception. So now you know how I spend my nights...my life is an open book!

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Praise


There are lots of different ways to show praise to God. Today in the middle of our mall some friends of mine were praising God unashamedly. Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in his mighty heavens. Praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Psalms 150



Ashlee

Three years have passed since our beautiful niece, Ashlee, was killed in a tragic car accident. I still get an ache in my heart when I think of her. It's a reminder for us to always be ready to go. God's timing is not our timing but it is perfect timing.

Lots of snow





We've got lots of snow now. #1 is me shoveling snow off the deck. Jerry went out to shovel off the roof with his snow rake and I got kind of a neat picture! I opened a window of our sunroom so the pictures were taken through the screen but I didn't get the glare of the glass. #2 you can see the long handle of the rake and snow falling on the right side. #3 is perfect!!!

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Taste Changes

It's interesting how our tastes change over the years. I'm from a family who loved chili and hot tamales. Jerry is not. He never wanted me to make chili for supper unless it was Saturday and even then he didn't want me to make it very often! So I seldom did. I remember once when we were visiting my brother and his family for a few days. We both had small children. We had planned to leave on a certain day and when that day arrived Richard asked us to stay just one more day. We declined and he said, very excitedly, "If you'll stay I'll make a big pot of chili for supper!" Well, I was ready to stay. But, that was all it took to make Jerry even more determined to go! We went. But now, years later, Jerry loves chili! He asks for it very often! I've got a crock pot of chili on right now! And he loves hot dogs! He didn't used to. I have always loved hot dogs, especially chili dogs. So every time I make chili now, you can be sure, we'll also be having chili dogs for lunch. I'm very happy with this change and so is he! I guess getting old isn't so bad after all!

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

My Friend Anja


This is my friend, Anja, and me in Ruby Tuesday Resturant. She is visiting here from The Netherlands! Several years ago she and her family lived here and I tutored the two boys and also Anja in Conversational English. We became really good friends. A few years ago we were in The Netherlands and got to visit them in their home and they took us to the North Sea! That was so much fun! I remember Anja told their kids they were having company from the U.S. so they needed to be on their good behavior! The boys thought it was just someone from their dads company but when they saw us they were very happy and excited even to show us everything about their home and life in The Netherlands. Today Anja brought me up to date on Tom, Dirk, and Lettika. They're grown up now and doing well. It was very hard for Anja and me to say good-bye so we settled for so long or until next time! But who knows when that will be. Thank goodness for e-mail and blogging! It's a small world after all!

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Grandchildren

A new week, already! Having two of our granddaughters here for the weekend seems to make time go really quickly. And we never know how long it will be until we see them again. Kids grow up so quickly. I'm so glad we have two grandchildren very close by, but with their busy schedules sometimes a week will go by and we barely see them. However, just knowing that they, along with the other 11, are busy with school and other activities and knowing they are happy and well adjusted in school and with friends, and seeing them develop physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually makes us very contented grandparents. Our thirteen grandchildren range in age from 21 years to six months! I wonder if we'll ever all be together again in one place! Geographically they go from Michigan (next door & 3 hours) to Illinois (6 hours) to Georgia (about 16 hours) to Malaysia (who knows?)! It's a small world after all! I praise God because He is Omnipresent!

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Burger King





It was too cold to go sledding today. So what do we do to keep busy and happy? Well, Burger King has an indoor playground! Okay, we can go there! So we went there for lunch and to play, and also, to the mall to play on the playhouse. We had lots of fun! We also went to Barnes & Noble to get books. Sydney got Aquamarine, Haleigh got Nicki, an American girl book, Last but not least, Bella got Go Diago Go. (Haleigh and Sydney wrote the last few sentence of this blog! They did good!) I'm very proud of my grandchildren!!!

Friends


I met some old friends today in Burger King, of all places! I was there with three of my granddaughters, letting them work off some energy. Dennis, Jocelyn and Caleb were there with their pastor's children, letting them work off some energy! It was so good to see them!

Puzzle




Sydney worked on Grandpa's Noah's Ark puzzle made by our friend, Dave. Isabella and Haleigh both helped her out. Done!

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Brrrr!


Baby, it's cold outside! Five above zero F.! But, it's nice and warm and cozy in here! Jerry built this fire in the wood stove before breakfast this morning! Now, he's gone to walk at the mall! This is his second day to walk since his neuralgia problem and sitting for several weeks has not been beneficial to his overall health, or mine either! I exercise here, which I need to go and do right now! So, later....

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Fred



Meet Fred! He lives next door, but he loves to sleep in our European Buggy! He let me take his picture but then decided he'd had enough! One day when I walked up the steps of the porch I looked over and saw Fred looking at me from the buggy so I said, "Hello, Fred!" He looked at me and said, "Meow!" I think he was even smiling!!!

Monday, January 15, 2007

Jerry

Oh boy, I think I need to clarify my last blog. Jerry took his last medicine on Saturday evening for his Trigeminal Neuralgia. He drove our car yesterday for the first time (I'm no longer the designated driver!) and he seems to be doing well. It takes months though for the problem to go away completely but atleast for now he feels good. If we had gotten snow before today he couldn't have plowed it from the driveway! He's very tired right now because he's not used to working so hard and long. Thank you, Lord, for being our strength.

Snow!

We woke up this morning to snow and no school! This is Michigan! I love it!
Yes, this is work, but don't let him kid you...he loves it!

Friday, January 12, 2007

Production: Annie

Yesterday I went to see the production of Annie at one of our middle schools. Two of my former students in 5th/6th grade class were the two main characters! Emma was Annie and Joe was Daddy Warbucks! Now when I was teaching these two kids I knew they each had potential, but...Oh my goodness! Was I ever proud of them as I watched the play and listened to them sing! They were outstanding! All of the actors were good, don't misunderstand, but Annie and Daddy Warbucks were outstanding! Their costumes and make-up were incredible too. I'd give anything if I had taken my camera. This also reminds me that I have missed my own grandson, Kaleb, in two productions in which he played a major role in both. It was just too far away: Canada and Malaysia! Maybe next time, Kaleb!

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Jerry (yesterday)! I had such a busy day that I didn't get on my blog to wish Jerry a Happy Birthday. But we had a happy day here! Jerry is the only man in the family going all the way back to his Great-grandfather to live to this age! So we celebrate 71 with vigor! I fixed one of his favorite dinners, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravey, green bean casserole, salad, and mince meat pie! Rob's family came to celebrate with us and it turned out that the mincemeat pie was for only Jerry! No one else likes it, not even me!!! He says it's very good! Happy Birthday, Jerry, enjoy eating your pie!

Monday, January 08, 2007

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Haleigh! This is a special code for Haleigh! I hope you have a really special happy birthday! I remember this day 10 years ago! You were born early and so you were very tiny! But you were so sweet and so pretty! And, you still are today! We've been waiting for snow and now here it is snowing on your birthday! Always remember, God has a very special plan for your life! But, it's up to you to let Him work His plan out! I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Sunday, January 07, 2007

All dressed up!



Aren't they beautiful?! All dressed up, ready for church!

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Cerial time!


Any time is cerial time, especially when it's Froot Loops and Lucky Charms! This is the middle of the afternoon! I guess it's better than candy! And it makes them very sweet!!!

More fun with granddaughters





They have more energy than they know what to do with!!! It was a very cold day!

Friday, January 05, 2007

Monkey

Well, here is my attempt at making a monkey birthday cake for Haleigh! It's not real plain to see but he's hanging by his tail from the branch at the top of the picture. In the second picture we've added the balloon candles. #3 shows Haleigh pleased with her monkey cake! Even the girls at her party thought it was okay! #4 shows Haleigh making her wish and getting ready to blow out her candles. Her monkey shirt was a Christmas gift from Tyler! Haleigh's birthday is actually Jan. 8 but this is her party for her friends. Happy Birthday!



World Book

What do you do with old encyclopedias? We've asked around for quite a while but haven't gotten any satisfactory answers...until a few days ago! Now we've brought them all down stairs, (a huge job!) and they are by the front door waiting to be picked up by our neighbors, who don't have a computer and could really use them! It's kind of like finding a new home for a pet! We want them to go to someone who will appreciate them and enjoy them and use them! We found out they were needing a set at the little neighborly holiday get-gether last Friday. So Bob & Donna will come this afternoon to get them. Happy reading!!!

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Back to Normal!

Well, Christmas is over. I'm just about finished with putting Christmas things away. I'm just taking a little break here. The outside lights are down, the trees are down, the Christmas cards are down, the Nativity Scene is put away. It's a job putting everything away! But now the house seems so clean and fresh so it's worth it. The guest room is clean and ready for the next set of company! Here I am rambling again. We had some friends over this evening who will soon be leaving for the south. We enjoyed our visit and hope they did too. We all get so busy we really don't get together often enough. Good friends are one of God's gifts to us!

Monday, January 01, 2007

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I can hardly believe 2006 is now history! What will 2007 bring? I wonder...! It's already been all planned out by God so I just need to rest in Him knowing that whatever happens He already knows about it and is at my side for both the joys and the sorrows. What a wonderful Saviour!

Style Show


After we went shopping the girls put on a style show for us.
Sydney is modeling her white pull-over shirt and her brown suede and knit jacket with a hood. Haleigh is modeling her stylish dress, which is one piece, below the knee in length, and is aqua, white, and black. This is a perfect dress for church, parties, or other dress up times.

Style Show 2



#1 is Sydney in her white pull over shirt and brown suede-like jacket with knit sleeves and back. It also has a hood for cold windy days. #2 is Isabella showing her pink pullover shirt with stars bursting out all over! Her jeans have hearts and flowers and a pretty tie belt. #3 shows Haleigh, Sydney, & Bella posing for the audience! #4 Haleigh and Sydney are in a striking pose! #5 Isabella is showing her second pull over shirt with a favorite character, Dora. The Spanish word Bonita is under Dora, which means pretty! Bella is the one who is bonita!


To be truthful: all three girls are bonita!

Shopping




Haleigh, Sydney, Isabella and I went shopping at Kohl's. What a time we had! The first two pictures are the girls in the dressing room trying on their clothes. Trying to decide which ones to put back and which ones to keep! They had gift cards to use so there was a limit to what they could spend. The third picture is at the check out counter with the nice lady, Ms Rose. She was a big help, keeping track of each one's purchases and making sure we didn't go over (too much!). Thank goodness there wasn't a line of people waiting behind us! It was very fun! Thank you, Lord, for my precious granddaughters. I just wish Annie, Megan, and Madelyn could have been with us too!