Matt surprised me by making me a wooden candlestick holder a few weeks back. It was given it's time to shine last night as the electricity went out.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Exciting Meat buys. Wow. I have hit a new stage in life when THAT is my excitement for the week!
Happy Monday all! I just got back from grocery shopping and just finished putting all the groceries away and thought it best to sit down for a minute. Just briefly. And what better thing to do when resting than to post, I ask. Well. A lot I am sure, but I didn't feel like doing THOSE things!
Matt has been sick since Thursday. It seems he has been more frequently this year than at any other time since I have known him. He stayed home from work today, missed the church's congregational meeting on Saturday and church on Sunday. He has been moving from the bed to the couch to the table to rest. And only when he is sleeping does he put down his new book The Endurance, a gift from the every growing Owen family! Actually, I think he finished it last night by candlelight. (The electricity went out for the second time in two weeks. Both for well over an hour. I can only figure on it being the wind. I am thankful though, to be such a candle freak-because we are always well prepared for times like that. I would like to get an oil lamp too, some day.) While Corynn and I ate cereal for supper in the flickering glow of candles-Matt sat at the table surrounded by candles to finish his book. He kept saying "I am almost done! I am almost done!" So-I wonder what will occupy his sick time now?!?!
Today I went to a new Price Chopper that just opened in a nearby town. I was very impressed with their meat department and the prices there. They have great deals on meats of all kind. I was able to get London Broil for $1.59 a pound. That is a savings of $3.45 cents per pound. I stocked up. I also got some delicious fresh breads for about $1.00 a (large) loaf. In other areas they have higher prices-but I am so excited to have a place to get decently priced meats (one of the most expensive areas of grocery bills). I used to shop at Walmart for EVERYTHING because overall they have the cheapest and most 'bulk' stuff all at one place. But meats are where they overcharge BIGTIME, never have sales, and everyone just 'bucks up' since they are already there shopping. No longer will Matt and I be living on ground beef and the occasional chicken! London Broil, here we come! Price Chopper is on the way to Walmart-so I will hit there first and then get the rest of the stuff at Walmart.
This week I am having TWO lunch guests. One tomorrow and one on Friday. Since both are trying to maintain healthy diets, I will be making soup and salads. I am not sure what kind of soup-maybe Sweet Potato chowder? The salad options are BLT chicken salad, grilled chicken salad, and spicy popcorn chicken salad. Not sure which two I will choose-but it should be good. (And of course, yummy bread and desserts are a must also!)
I have a lot to do this week to prepare for my 'dates'. Not just cleaning (though that is true, for sure!) but I also want to finish up the childrens' room as much as possible so I can show it off to my sister (the Friday guest.) That means finishing up Corynn's bed, organizing a bit more, and (weather permitting!) painting a small dresser I bought at a yard sale this summer to stash Peanut's clothes in. Right now, they are all jammed in the closet. :-( Andif I am able to finish that, that would mean finding a spot for it in an already cluttered teeny tiny room. I may work on the dresser today-after the cleaning, of course. Tomorrow night, my niece and nephews are coming to stay with us for a few hours while their parents' have a date. That will be fun, too.
Okay. Enough lolly-gagging. Time to get up and get moving. Perish the thought.
PS. Abby-are you still swelled with child or are you now swelled with pride?!?! I am dying to know!
PPS. Still no word on the top secret possibilities of the Newman household. We were expecting to hear something last week. Hmmmm.....The Lord is certainy trying to teach me patience. I am afraid I am not a very willing pupil. I have to do better. HAVE to!
Matt has been sick since Thursday. It seems he has been more frequently this year than at any other time since I have known him. He stayed home from work today, missed the church's congregational meeting on Saturday and church on Sunday. He has been moving from the bed to the couch to the table to rest. And only when he is sleeping does he put down his new book The Endurance, a gift from the every growing Owen family! Actually, I think he finished it last night by candlelight. (The electricity went out for the second time in two weeks. Both for well over an hour. I can only figure on it being the wind. I am thankful though, to be such a candle freak-because we are always well prepared for times like that. I would like to get an oil lamp too, some day.) While Corynn and I ate cereal for supper in the flickering glow of candles-Matt sat at the table surrounded by candles to finish his book. He kept saying "I am almost done! I am almost done!" So-I wonder what will occupy his sick time now?!?!
Today I went to a new Price Chopper that just opened in a nearby town. I was very impressed with their meat department and the prices there. They have great deals on meats of all kind. I was able to get London Broil for $1.59 a pound. That is a savings of $3.45 cents per pound. I stocked up. I also got some delicious fresh breads for about $1.00 a (large) loaf. In other areas they have higher prices-but I am so excited to have a place to get decently priced meats (one of the most expensive areas of grocery bills). I used to shop at Walmart for EVERYTHING because overall they have the cheapest and most 'bulk' stuff all at one place. But meats are where they overcharge BIGTIME, never have sales, and everyone just 'bucks up' since they are already there shopping. No longer will Matt and I be living on ground beef and the occasional chicken! London Broil, here we come! Price Chopper is on the way to Walmart-so I will hit there first and then get the rest of the stuff at Walmart.
This week I am having TWO lunch guests. One tomorrow and one on Friday. Since both are trying to maintain healthy diets, I will be making soup and salads. I am not sure what kind of soup-maybe Sweet Potato chowder? The salad options are BLT chicken salad, grilled chicken salad, and spicy popcorn chicken salad. Not sure which two I will choose-but it should be good. (And of course, yummy bread and desserts are a must also!)
I have a lot to do this week to prepare for my 'dates'. Not just cleaning (though that is true, for sure!) but I also want to finish up the childrens' room as much as possible so I can show it off to my sister (the Friday guest.) That means finishing up Corynn's bed, organizing a bit more, and (weather permitting!) painting a small dresser I bought at a yard sale this summer to stash Peanut's clothes in. Right now, they are all jammed in the closet. :-( Andif I am able to finish that, that would mean finding a spot for it in an already cluttered teeny tiny room. I may work on the dresser today-after the cleaning, of course. Tomorrow night, my niece and nephews are coming to stay with us for a few hours while their parents' have a date. That will be fun, too.
Okay. Enough lolly-gagging. Time to get up and get moving. Perish the thought.
PS. Abby-are you still swelled with child or are you now swelled with pride?!?! I am dying to know!
PPS. Still no word on the top secret possibilities of the Newman household. We were expecting to hear something last week. Hmmmm.....The Lord is certainy trying to teach me patience. I am afraid I am not a very willing pupil. I have to do better. HAVE to!
Friday, February 24, 2006
Last Night: Stamping Party for One!
I made about seven or eight variations of this card-I used the same stamp and mostly the same coloring but varied the papers, eyelets, and overall composition. These will be Thank You cards also...but only for a select few. Most of my shower thank-yous will actually be store bought this time around. Basically, because $2.98 for 20 cards was VERY appealing to me!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
April Showers Bring May Flowers
APRIL
April is fast approaching! Seven more weeks on the Peanut countdown. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and I was sorely displeased with the outcome. All is well with squirmy wormy Peanut-but in three weeks I gained NINE pounds. Ouch. Not sure why (although I HAVE been inhaling candy like there is no tomorrow. Surely that has NOTHING to do with it...) but now I have once again begun exercising. (I know I know. Exercising when you GAIN weight is NOT the right veiw of exercising. It SHOULD be a constant part of your life to keep fit. A lifestyle change-not a result of freak weight gain....) Onward ho. I got my first clue of my 'chubbiness' when I saw some pictures of my double chin and rounded face from the....
SHOWERS
...BABY SHOWER I had on Saturday. Sorry it has taken me so long to write about it. I have not had opportunity to spend any more than five minutes on the computer since then. So without further ado-I give you....
IT'S A BOY!
Yep. Baby Newman #2 is a boy, no doubt. Matt and I have thought so from the beginning so it wasn't a SHOCK! Matt really wanted a boy and I was sort of hoping for another girl~but really, we both see so many great things about both, we couldn't have cared less either way. I was sortof hoping for a girl for several reasons...
1) To prove Matt wrong. He has been calling him a 'he' since day 1.
2) I LOVE same sex stair-steps. They can relate to each other as they grow older, they can play together, and they are just plain cute to look at!
3) I wanted to avoid the in-evitable "OH! You have your boy and your girl! Now you are all done, right?!?!"
Of course-in the very same breath, some of the reasons I looked forward to the possibility (and now, reality) of higher levels of testosterone are...
1) Well, hey now. All my friends are having boys! ;-)
2) You know what they say about Mama's boys. I HOPE to get a cuddler this time around.
3) We are thankful for the chance to carry on the Newman name. Sounds silly, I know. But it is important.
4) I know how much Matt wanted one.
Peanut being a he doesn't come without a bit of trepidation. I am nervous to have a boy because...
~Matt almost killed himself so many times growing up. I am in fear of Peanut's life. Already!
~Boys need to be taught things I cannot personally relate to, being a woman. I fear that I will not find the balance of teaching our son(s) how to be a man and the responsibilities of a man while still encouraging him in ways that strengthen character. Thankfully, I am not in this alone-and Peanut will have the most wonderful role model when he looks to his Papa.
So-there you have it. Baby Newman is no longer a (s)he but a bonafide HE! My shower was a WONDERFUL success. I know why they call it a shower. People just SHOWERED me with kindness and gifts galore. In every corner there were special treats (from a beautiful ship cake my sister made to a boat quilt hanging as a 'take home for Peanut' decoration!) and at every turn there were unique and creative ways to celebrate this life that God has blessed us with. Hard-boiled babies to carry around with us to a table in which all the guests decorated a onsie especially for Peanut...lots of wonderful expressions of the great anticipation of a new baby Newman. And I must say, It is so nice to have few BLUE things now, instead of just yellow and white! Since this will be, no doubt, my last baby shower it was very convenient to be having a boy. Whatever subsequent children we will have, we will be prepared for-with girl OR boy clothes.
BRING
We have no news regarding the very 'secretive' and overtly vague post of last week. We expect to know more by this weekend. In the meantime, the Lord is seeing fit to keep it a secret from us. This news will bring many more tidy to-do's for my to-do list. Being already LONG, I will have to replace 'necessary' check-offs with 'fun' ones. Ah well. I hate being 'in-limbo'. I hate standstills but that is where we are...temperarily anywho. As you probably have guessed since he would have been leaving on Monday~ Matt will no longer be heading to Guatemala for two weeks. At least, not at this point. He may still go this summer, after the baby is born but he felt it prudent to postpone it for now. And I sure do agree!
MAY
I don't really know what to put in the 'May' spot so......May you enjoy the slew of shower photos to come! ;-)
FLOWERS
While my mind has been mostly occupied with Baby Peanut thoughts and excitement, I have still managed to find room for contemplating and anticipating the coming growing season! Only a bit over three weeks until SPRING is here! While it IS still winter and the grass is BROWN and dead-for the past few weeks there has been brown earth to tease me and blue skies to lure my thoughts toward all the growing possibilities this spring and summer has to offer. What I will do differently; what I didn't use a lot of that I DID grow last year, what I didn't grow but should have...things like that. My first canning season came and went without too many hitches so I plan to jack up the output this year and expand my endeavors. THAT won't be too hard to do since I only did applesauce, a TINY bit of spagetti sauce, salsa, cucumber pickles, squash pickles, blueberry lime jam, apple butter, and strawberry freezer jam. I will be growing some more flowers this year-preferably some for cutting. I also want to grow herbs. My plans are of course, dependent on how much space I have to work with.
So now. My mind is cleared of all the things I have been wanting to write-and you are all bored out of your skulls. SORRY! Hope you like the pictures... :-)
April is fast approaching! Seven more weeks on the Peanut countdown. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and I was sorely displeased with the outcome. All is well with squirmy wormy Peanut-but in three weeks I gained NINE pounds. Ouch. Not sure why (although I HAVE been inhaling candy like there is no tomorrow. Surely that has NOTHING to do with it...) but now I have once again begun exercising. (I know I know. Exercising when you GAIN weight is NOT the right veiw of exercising. It SHOULD be a constant part of your life to keep fit. A lifestyle change-not a result of freak weight gain....) Onward ho. I got my first clue of my 'chubbiness' when I saw some pictures of my double chin and rounded face from the....
SHOWERS
...BABY SHOWER I had on Saturday. Sorry it has taken me so long to write about it. I have not had opportunity to spend any more than five minutes on the computer since then. So without further ado-I give you....
IT'S A BOY!
Yep. Baby Newman #2 is a boy, no doubt. Matt and I have thought so from the beginning so it wasn't a SHOCK! Matt really wanted a boy and I was sort of hoping for another girl~but really, we both see so many great things about both, we couldn't have cared less either way. I was sortof hoping for a girl for several reasons...
1) To prove Matt wrong. He has been calling him a 'he' since day 1.
2) I LOVE same sex stair-steps. They can relate to each other as they grow older, they can play together, and they are just plain cute to look at!
3) I wanted to avoid the in-evitable "OH! You have your boy and your girl! Now you are all done, right?!?!"
Of course-in the very same breath, some of the reasons I looked forward to the possibility (and now, reality) of higher levels of testosterone are...
1) Well, hey now. All my friends are having boys! ;-)
2) You know what they say about Mama's boys. I HOPE to get a cuddler this time around.
3) We are thankful for the chance to carry on the Newman name. Sounds silly, I know. But it is important.
4) I know how much Matt wanted one.
Peanut being a he doesn't come without a bit of trepidation. I am nervous to have a boy because...
~Matt almost killed himself so many times growing up. I am in fear of Peanut's life. Already!
~Boys need to be taught things I cannot personally relate to, being a woman. I fear that I will not find the balance of teaching our son(s) how to be a man and the responsibilities of a man while still encouraging him in ways that strengthen character. Thankfully, I am not in this alone-and Peanut will have the most wonderful role model when he looks to his Papa.
So-there you have it. Baby Newman is no longer a (s)he but a bonafide HE! My shower was a WONDERFUL success. I know why they call it a shower. People just SHOWERED me with kindness and gifts galore. In every corner there were special treats (from a beautiful ship cake my sister made to a boat quilt hanging as a 'take home for Peanut' decoration!) and at every turn there were unique and creative ways to celebrate this life that God has blessed us with. Hard-boiled babies to carry around with us to a table in which all the guests decorated a onsie especially for Peanut...lots of wonderful expressions of the great anticipation of a new baby Newman. And I must say, It is so nice to have few BLUE things now, instead of just yellow and white! Since this will be, no doubt, my last baby shower it was very convenient to be having a boy. Whatever subsequent children we will have, we will be prepared for-with girl OR boy clothes.
BRING
We have no news regarding the very 'secretive' and overtly vague post of last week. We expect to know more by this weekend. In the meantime, the Lord is seeing fit to keep it a secret from us. This news will bring many more tidy to-do's for my to-do list. Being already LONG, I will have to replace 'necessary' check-offs with 'fun' ones. Ah well. I hate being 'in-limbo'. I hate standstills but that is where we are...temperarily anywho. As you probably have guessed since he would have been leaving on Monday~ Matt will no longer be heading to Guatemala for two weeks. At least, not at this point. He may still go this summer, after the baby is born but he felt it prudent to postpone it for now. And I sure do agree!
MAY
I don't really know what to put in the 'May' spot so......May you enjoy the slew of shower photos to come! ;-)
FLOWERS
While my mind has been mostly occupied with Baby Peanut thoughts and excitement, I have still managed to find room for contemplating and anticipating the coming growing season! Only a bit over three weeks until SPRING is here! While it IS still winter and the grass is BROWN and dead-for the past few weeks there has been brown earth to tease me and blue skies to lure my thoughts toward all the growing possibilities this spring and summer has to offer. What I will do differently; what I didn't use a lot of that I DID grow last year, what I didn't grow but should have...things like that. My first canning season came and went without too many hitches so I plan to jack up the output this year and expand my endeavors. THAT won't be too hard to do since I only did applesauce, a TINY bit of spagetti sauce, salsa, cucumber pickles, squash pickles, blueberry lime jam, apple butter, and strawberry freezer jam. I will be growing some more flowers this year-preferably some for cutting. I also want to grow herbs. My plans are of course, dependent on how much space I have to work with.
So now. My mind is cleared of all the things I have been wanting to write-and you are all bored out of your skulls. SORRY! Hope you like the pictures... :-)
Friday, February 17, 2006
Forever changed
GUsh Gush GUsh.
Tomorrow is my baby shower. Gush GUSH Gush.
Not sure how I will be getting my mind off of it today.
If a baby shower were not exciting enough-THIS baby shower will be revealing the gender of baby PEANUT. At least... Probably. It HAS been known to happen that they are 'wrong'. It didn't hit me until this morning-the excitement that is. Not only is a baby shower FUN FUN FUN but it is the last lap in the marathon of pregnancy. I am ALMOST to the finish line and soon we will get our prize! To see our sweet baby's squished up face and have those toothpick thin fingers wrap around my pinky. To see the dry wrinkles on the doll feet of our little one and to watch the many funky little expressions as (s)he tries to acclimate to a whole new world. A world of clothes. A world of TOUCHING without barricades. A world of bright lights, cold air, and LOUD sounds. Ah yes. I am doing a fine job of convincing Peanut to come on out. Anyway.
Tomorrow is the big day and I can't get my mind off of it. If we are having a boy, which Matt is putting HIS wager on, we are naming him........___________________!!! SuRPRISE! We have to keep some spice in life! If we are having a girl (which I am not necessarily putting a wager on but would think it was pretty cool and VERY Funny, especially since Matt is so sure of himself!) we haven't yet decided what the name would be. We are floating with about five names and will probably keep them all until the baby is born and we see 'which suits her best'.
It will be so nice to share my excitement with other ladies from the church and family and friends too! My first shower was much different than the one tomorrow. I expect some of Matt's family there, for one thing. It will be gender-specific, for another. My sister will not only be there, but she has really planned and prepared the whole thing! I have asked my sister to take pictures for me-so I will post plenty of them next week.
As for today. I am not sure WHAT I will be doing. Something baby-ish. Last week I cleaned out Corynn's closet and organized it. I plan to move her dresser in there (it is narrow and high) to make some more room for the baby. Today I will work to clean out the dresser, sort through clothes that don't fit anymore and consolidate-freeing up a drawer or two for any clothing I might receive for Peanut. No. I haven't even STARTED re-doing that dresser for Peanut. And due to certain circumstances, may not for several months.
Which brings me to my next topic. BIG changes for the Newmans. I can't really go into anything just yet but opportunities MAY have arisen to make a dream for our family come true. Nothing is for certain but for the last week I for one (as I know Matt has been also) have been fervently praying for wisdom in seeking His will for our lives. It is hard to pray for something you want so badly, while tempering your prayer with "Thy will be done". Certainly I know, as does Matt, that God has a perfect plan for us and all will be revealed in His perfect time. I contine to pray for guidance and wisdom for such a life-changing decision. There is much to seek out if this is 'a go' including perseverence, strength, guidance, wisdom, self-control, faith, and trust.
If this opportunity is NOT the Lord's will I FERVENTLY pray that Matt and I are blessed with a content spirit. That we are given an extra ounce of strength to endure what lay ahead and the patience to seek out the Lord's perfect timing for our lives. Faith to trust in God's promise to care for us and a thankful spirit to truly appreciate the gifts that we have been given so abundantly. I pray that we will continue to rise up-and not be brought low with dispair, anger, or a feeling of injustice.
I would appreciate it if you all would keep us in your prayers in the coming weeks as we are in the midst of some very life-changing opportunities. May we seek out the Lord's will for our lives without bias or selfish ambitions. Praise God we can lean on Him!
Now. I am off. The dark gray clouds bursting with rain we awakened to this morning have since disappeared, revealing a BEAUTIFUL blue sky. The only thing lingering from the early morning storm is the wind. Which makes NOW the perfect opportunity to try to 'capture' wind on my camera. A challenge I suppose I am up for! Off I go!
Tomorrow is my baby shower. Gush GUSH Gush.
Not sure how I will be getting my mind off of it today.
If a baby shower were not exciting enough-THIS baby shower will be revealing the gender of baby PEANUT. At least... Probably. It HAS been known to happen that they are 'wrong'. It didn't hit me until this morning-the excitement that is. Not only is a baby shower FUN FUN FUN but it is the last lap in the marathon of pregnancy. I am ALMOST to the finish line and soon we will get our prize! To see our sweet baby's squished up face and have those toothpick thin fingers wrap around my pinky. To see the dry wrinkles on the doll feet of our little one and to watch the many funky little expressions as (s)he tries to acclimate to a whole new world. A world of clothes. A world of TOUCHING without barricades. A world of bright lights, cold air, and LOUD sounds. Ah yes. I am doing a fine job of convincing Peanut to come on out. Anyway.
Tomorrow is the big day and I can't get my mind off of it. If we are having a boy, which Matt is putting HIS wager on, we are naming him........___________________!!! SuRPRISE! We have to keep some spice in life! If we are having a girl (which I am not necessarily putting a wager on but would think it was pretty cool and VERY Funny, especially since Matt is so sure of himself!) we haven't yet decided what the name would be. We are floating with about five names and will probably keep them all until the baby is born and we see 'which suits her best'.
It will be so nice to share my excitement with other ladies from the church and family and friends too! My first shower was much different than the one tomorrow. I expect some of Matt's family there, for one thing. It will be gender-specific, for another. My sister will not only be there, but she has really planned and prepared the whole thing! I have asked my sister to take pictures for me-so I will post plenty of them next week.
As for today. I am not sure WHAT I will be doing. Something baby-ish. Last week I cleaned out Corynn's closet and organized it. I plan to move her dresser in there (it is narrow and high) to make some more room for the baby. Today I will work to clean out the dresser, sort through clothes that don't fit anymore and consolidate-freeing up a drawer or two for any clothing I might receive for Peanut. No. I haven't even STARTED re-doing that dresser for Peanut. And due to certain circumstances, may not for several months.
Which brings me to my next topic. BIG changes for the Newmans. I can't really go into anything just yet but opportunities MAY have arisen to make a dream for our family come true. Nothing is for certain but for the last week I for one (as I know Matt has been also) have been fervently praying for wisdom in seeking His will for our lives. It is hard to pray for something you want so badly, while tempering your prayer with "Thy will be done". Certainly I know, as does Matt, that God has a perfect plan for us and all will be revealed in His perfect time. I contine to pray for guidance and wisdom for such a life-changing decision. There is much to seek out if this is 'a go' including perseverence, strength, guidance, wisdom, self-control, faith, and trust.
If this opportunity is NOT the Lord's will I FERVENTLY pray that Matt and I are blessed with a content spirit. That we are given an extra ounce of strength to endure what lay ahead and the patience to seek out the Lord's perfect timing for our lives. Faith to trust in God's promise to care for us and a thankful spirit to truly appreciate the gifts that we have been given so abundantly. I pray that we will continue to rise up-and not be brought low with dispair, anger, or a feeling of injustice.
I would appreciate it if you all would keep us in your prayers in the coming weeks as we are in the midst of some very life-changing opportunities. May we seek out the Lord's will for our lives without bias or selfish ambitions. Praise God we can lean on Him!
Now. I am off. The dark gray clouds bursting with rain we awakened to this morning have since disappeared, revealing a BEAUTIFUL blue sky. The only thing lingering from the early morning storm is the wind. Which makes NOW the perfect opportunity to try to 'capture' wind on my camera. A challenge I suppose I am up for! Off I go!
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
The Good Morrow
I wonder by my troth, what thou and I
Did, till we loved? were we not weaned till then?
But sucked on country pleasures, childishly?
Or snorted we in the seven sleepers' den?
'Twas so: But this, all pleasures fancies be.
If ever any beauty I did see,
Which I desired, and got, 'twas but a dream of thee.
And now good morrow to our waking souls,
Which watch not one another out of fear;
For love, all love of other sights controls,
And makes one little room, an everywhere.
Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have shown,
Let us possess our world, each hath one, and is one.
My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,
And true plain hearts do in the faces rest,
Where can we find two better hemispheres
Without sharp North, without declining West?
Whatever dies, was not mixed equally;
If our two loves be one, or, thou and I
Love so alike, that none do slacken, none can die.
~John Donne
Did, till we loved? were we not weaned till then?
But sucked on country pleasures, childishly?
Or snorted we in the seven sleepers' den?
'Twas so: But this, all pleasures fancies be.
If ever any beauty I did see,
Which I desired, and got, 'twas but a dream of thee.
And now good morrow to our waking souls,
Which watch not one another out of fear;
For love, all love of other sights controls,
And makes one little room, an everywhere.
Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have shown,
Let us possess our world, each hath one, and is one.
My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,
And true plain hearts do in the faces rest,
Where can we find two better hemispheres
Without sharp North, without declining West?
Whatever dies, was not mixed equally;
If our two loves be one, or, thou and I
Love so alike, that none do slacken, none can die.
~John Donne
Monday, February 13, 2006
Hubney's B-day and one sick little pipsqueak
(Do translate: Hubney is a cross between HUBBY and HUNNY)
Today is Mattie's Birthday!!!!! He is 29 years old-still such a young pup despite his lead on me by SIX years (temperarily). He always gets an 'extended' birthday. It always works out that way. Friday we had dinner at his parents' house, yesterday had his birthday cake, and tonight we are going on a kid-free date (except for Peanut who has ASSURED me s(he) will be polite and quiet through dinner.) . With Matt's birthday being the day before Valentine's Day-it is neat because we will be killing two birds with one stone as far as 'dinner' is concerned-without the Valentine's Day rush! :-) The Lord has blessed me abundantly with such a wonderful man and I am constantly amazed by the Lord's goodness and mercy towards me in bringing him into my life. I could not ask for a better husband or father and regardless of how many years we have together, I will always be in awe of the blessedness of having been given the chance to be together-even just a moment. The celebration of another year is a gift to him from our Maker but a gift to me as well. So really, I guess I am getting a present too. The most wonderful one of all.
Last night he got to open ONE present (he ALWAYS opens a present before the actual day. His puppy pleading just does me in every time.) and it happened to be the one from Corynn...a box of Lucky Charms. No. Not generic. NAMEBRAND. SUPER special.
Corynn and I stopped by his work today and delivered a Happy Birthday balloon for him. We are now anxiously awaiting his return home from work because as I type-his present is waiting for him in the middle of the living room. AHHHHH. The suspense is KILLING me (and I already know what it is!) :-)
Yesterday I stayed home from church for the first time since Matt and I have been married. On Saturday Corynn had a fever. I never take her temperature because I am not one to freak out about illness or run to the doctor every five seconds. But she was SO hot I broke out the thermometer for the second time in her life. It read 104.5. Woah. I kind of freaked out then. Matt was gone all day on Saturday-leaving me without a car so I did what anyone would do. You make due with what you have. I put her in a lukewarm tub and let her airdry, I gave her tylenol, dressed her in cooler clothes, and prayed. I had to FORCE her to eat icecream. Sunday wasn't much better but the temperature had dropped to 102 something. She would feel better for a while after the Tylenol but would quickly crawl in my lap to 'sleep on Mama'. She would just lay in my arms, completely limp and snuggled in, murmuring and wimpering in her sleep. It brought tears to my eyes. As I stroked her eyebrows (just something I do) I got choked up thinking about how sweet she is and how sick she was feeling. It is so hard to see a little one struggle so hard with illness. And I was so thankful for 1) That I live in an age where there is Tylenol...a quick fix for a high temp. I thought of living 'back in the day' when you just had to wait and struggle and work so hard for so long before any change was evident. I am so glad I live in today's age and we have a means to quickly reduce a fever. And 2) Corynn has been such a HEALTHY girl ever since she was born. I can count on one hand the number of times she has been sick and I have NEVER had to take her to the doctor for it. This was by far the worst she has ever been. Today, after TWO days of eating NOTHING-she ate a whole sandwich for lunch. She looks pale and has rings under her eyes-and I am sure she has lost some weight, but she is eating little bits now and drinking lots of fluids-and her temperature is nearly back to normal. Praise the Lord for the watchcare of his little children!
I will leave you with a few photos I have been meaning to post-and one from last nights' homemade birthday dinner. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day and thank the Lord for your lover-he is the best gift of all.
Today is Mattie's Birthday!!!!! He is 29 years old-still such a young pup despite his lead on me by SIX years (temperarily). He always gets an 'extended' birthday. It always works out that way. Friday we had dinner at his parents' house, yesterday had his birthday cake, and tonight we are going on a kid-free date (except for Peanut who has ASSURED me s(he) will be polite and quiet through dinner.) . With Matt's birthday being the day before Valentine's Day-it is neat because we will be killing two birds with one stone as far as 'dinner' is concerned-without the Valentine's Day rush! :-) The Lord has blessed me abundantly with such a wonderful man and I am constantly amazed by the Lord's goodness and mercy towards me in bringing him into my life. I could not ask for a better husband or father and regardless of how many years we have together, I will always be in awe of the blessedness of having been given the chance to be together-even just a moment. The celebration of another year is a gift to him from our Maker but a gift to me as well. So really, I guess I am getting a present too. The most wonderful one of all.
Last night he got to open ONE present (he ALWAYS opens a present before the actual day. His puppy pleading just does me in every time.) and it happened to be the one from Corynn...a box of Lucky Charms. No. Not generic. NAMEBRAND. SUPER special.
Corynn and I stopped by his work today and delivered a Happy Birthday balloon for him. We are now anxiously awaiting his return home from work because as I type-his present is waiting for him in the middle of the living room. AHHHHH. The suspense is KILLING me (and I already know what it is!) :-)
Yesterday I stayed home from church for the first time since Matt and I have been married. On Saturday Corynn had a fever. I never take her temperature because I am not one to freak out about illness or run to the doctor every five seconds. But she was SO hot I broke out the thermometer for the second time in her life. It read 104.5. Woah. I kind of freaked out then. Matt was gone all day on Saturday-leaving me without a car so I did what anyone would do. You make due with what you have. I put her in a lukewarm tub and let her airdry, I gave her tylenol, dressed her in cooler clothes, and prayed. I had to FORCE her to eat icecream. Sunday wasn't much better but the temperature had dropped to 102 something. She would feel better for a while after the Tylenol but would quickly crawl in my lap to 'sleep on Mama'. She would just lay in my arms, completely limp and snuggled in, murmuring and wimpering in her sleep. It brought tears to my eyes. As I stroked her eyebrows (just something I do) I got choked up thinking about how sweet she is and how sick she was feeling. It is so hard to see a little one struggle so hard with illness. And I was so thankful for 1) That I live in an age where there is Tylenol...a quick fix for a high temp. I thought of living 'back in the day' when you just had to wait and struggle and work so hard for so long before any change was evident. I am so glad I live in today's age and we have a means to quickly reduce a fever. And 2) Corynn has been such a HEALTHY girl ever since she was born. I can count on one hand the number of times she has been sick and I have NEVER had to take her to the doctor for it. This was by far the worst she has ever been. Today, after TWO days of eating NOTHING-she ate a whole sandwich for lunch. She looks pale and has rings under her eyes-and I am sure she has lost some weight, but she is eating little bits now and drinking lots of fluids-and her temperature is nearly back to normal. Praise the Lord for the watchcare of his little children!
I will leave you with a few photos I have been meaning to post-and one from last nights' homemade birthday dinner. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day and thank the Lord for your lover-he is the best gift of all.
Friday, February 10, 2006
I've been Tagged.
Hello out there in cyberspace. I got tagged for the first time ever, so at the end of this post are my answers to that tag. This will probably be my last post until after Valentine's Day. Maybe not. Depends of several variables. Matt's birthday is on Monday so tonight we are going out to his parents' house to celebrate his and his twin brothers' birthday. We will most likely stay late and then come back home because he is leaving me for an all day excursion to PennState. I want to be home so I can finally get my sewing done. I will be stranded, so that is a good motivation! On Sunday, MY family will celebrate his birthday after church.
Yesterday I spent the day 'in town' at JoAnn Fabrics for some sewing supplies and then at various other stores for surprises of the birthday and Valentine's Day type. I came home with a headache. I can only stand so much time uptown. You know? I sure hope Matt likes his presents. I think he will like Corynn's most of all. :-)
One of these days I am going to post something of some substance. I haven't done anything 'meaningful' in a while so I figure it is about time. Just need to figure out my topic of choice.
In the meantime, I guess I have to get out of here and start doing something. I don't know what. There are things I 'should' do and things I don't WANT to do-and they all seem intermingled today. Can't I just take a nap?
Four jobs I have had in my life:
1~The YODA of babysitters...(I brought a bag of games and crafts with me each time and ALWAYS cleaned to house and did dishes while I was there...yeah, I admit-I was worth every penny!)
2~Store Manager of a craft/furniture store (for nearly 7 years)
3~Office Assistant and speaker to Corning Community College's Success Center
4~In-home Health Aide
Four movies I can watch over and over: I love so many movies-but my brain is acting out. I can only think of one...
1~A Mirror Has Two Faces-mi favorito
Four places where I have lived:
1. Lafayette, IN
2. York, PA
3. Elmira, NY
4. Little Meadows, PA
Four TV shows I love to watch:
We don't even get the 'free channel' so I haven't watched the tele outside of movies in a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG time.
Four places I have been on vacation
1. Mexico (our honeymoon)
2. Virginia Beach (before baby #1-my very first beach experience!)
The rest of the 'vacations' of my life have revolved around visits with family...
3. Indiana
4. Canada
Four websites I visit daily
I don't visit anything daily because I am not on daily. ;-)
Four of my favorite foods
1~Nachos
2~Candy:of any kind
3~Wegmans Subs
4~Pizza
(Yeah-these are my favorite foods. Healthy eater, huh??? I didn't say we eat them all the time. Although-candy might fall into that category too...)
Four places I would rather be right now
1. dancing
2. In Mattie's arms
3. sleeping...
4. swimming in the sunshine
Four others I tag:
Maybe this will make me a tag breaker, but I am going to leave this open for whoever wants to do it. :-)
Yesterday I spent the day 'in town' at JoAnn Fabrics for some sewing supplies and then at various other stores for surprises of the birthday and Valentine's Day type. I came home with a headache. I can only stand so much time uptown. You know? I sure hope Matt likes his presents. I think he will like Corynn's most of all. :-)
One of these days I am going to post something of some substance. I haven't done anything 'meaningful' in a while so I figure it is about time. Just need to figure out my topic of choice.
In the meantime, I guess I have to get out of here and start doing something. I don't know what. There are things I 'should' do and things I don't WANT to do-and they all seem intermingled today. Can't I just take a nap?
Four jobs I have had in my life:
1~The YODA of babysitters...(I brought a bag of games and crafts with me each time and ALWAYS cleaned to house and did dishes while I was there...yeah, I admit-I was worth every penny!)
2~Store Manager of a craft/furniture store (for nearly 7 years)
3~Office Assistant and speaker to Corning Community College's Success Center
4~In-home Health Aide
Four movies I can watch over and over: I love so many movies-but my brain is acting out. I can only think of one...
1~A Mirror Has Two Faces-mi favorito
Four places where I have lived:
1. Lafayette, IN
2. York, PA
3. Elmira, NY
4. Little Meadows, PA
Four TV shows I love to watch:
We don't even get the 'free channel' so I haven't watched the tele outside of movies in a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG time.
Four places I have been on vacation
1. Mexico (our honeymoon)
2. Virginia Beach (before baby #1-my very first beach experience!)
The rest of the 'vacations' of my life have revolved around visits with family...
3. Indiana
4. Canada
Four websites I visit daily
I don't visit anything daily because I am not on daily. ;-)
Four of my favorite foods
1~Nachos
2~Candy:of any kind
3~Wegmans Subs
4~Pizza
(Yeah-these are my favorite foods. Healthy eater, huh??? I didn't say we eat them all the time. Although-candy might fall into that category too...)
Four places I would rather be right now
1. dancing
2. In Mattie's arms
3. sleeping...
4. swimming in the sunshine
Four others I tag:
Maybe this will make me a tag breaker, but I am going to leave this open for whoever wants to do it. :-)
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Nine More Weeks...
And the countdown begins.
This week is going to be busy, busy, busy. Aye carumba!
Tonight we are having company over. They are vegetarians. I have only two good vegetarian dishes and both have been used on them so now I have to come up with something else. I was thinking quiche but they are bringing salad. That doesn't really go together, does it?!?! ;-) One thing I will make for sure is fruit salsa and cinnamon sugar tortilla chips. Del-ish. Actually, I made it LAST night for supper and it was such a hit, I thought-hey, round TWO! ;-)
Another night this week we are having Matt's parents over for supper-they are bringing a twin bed that Linda bought over for Corynn. Just giving it to her! I am not used to such generosity!!! I don't hardly know what to say!
Thankfully, by some fluke, I had bought some twin bed sheets for Corynn this summer at a yard sale for $1.00. They are flannel, and I think I bought them in order to make flannel nightgowns for her. Thankfully, I didn't or she wouldn't have had any sheets to go with the bed! So yesterday I spent probably four hours down in the basement, searching out those sheets, the cradle bedding, and maybe a blanket or comforter for the twin bed. (Which we don't have....) Along the way I got side-tracked looking at baby stuff, looking for some of my maternity clothes (the summer ones. I found a few 3/4 length sleeved pastel shirts which I took out-I am SO SICK OF WEARING BLACK AND RED!), and being in awe of our massive store of STUFF.
When we first moved in here, our landlady was kind enough to offer us use of the basement. I assured her we would only need a corner. Yeah. We have now extended ourselves into her half as well. This summer I am having a HUGE yard sale. We do NOT need all that stuff! Goodness! We need space and money MUCH more. And Matt's goal is to get us out of this apartment by next winter so we don't have the winter bills. That means, I REFUSE to haul this junk to whereever else we may go. Especially since our next move may be a trailer. And trailer=NO storage at all! There are about six boxes of books down there-mostly school books that I am thinking of just tossing. We haven't missed them in the two years we have been here-we don't even know what is IN them. If we open them, then I KNOW Matt will start seeing things he 'can't live without' so it might be safer just to put them out in the garbage-unopened. I don't know if I am that brave or not.
Along with the company we are having-I am going to meet Mom tomorrow to get a few things, give a few things, and hopefully, have her return some library books for me. Then toward the end of the week, I have to make a big 'ole shopping excursion. Jo Ann fabrics is stop #1, to purchase some much needed supplies. Stop number 2 is to the used book store to see about a price on some books I want to get rid of...and then it is off to who knows where to find something spectacular to get for my hunny for his birthday (Feb. 13th)
I was unable to get him what he really wanted-so now I am racking my brains for something SPECIAL. I always enjoy surprising him with things he REALLY wants but would never buy for himself or expect from me. I have always been really good at it, but this year I am at a loss. I need to spoil my darling though. That is just the way I am. You would not believe the stress I am putting myself through. He assures me that just making him his favorite cake is the most special gift ever...but, MAN. I would hate myself if that is all I did for him. So-the pressure continues to mount in my head and in my heart. Poor guy. If only I had all the money in the world to get him his greatest desires. He certainly deserves it.
Speaking of Matt-he is heading off for Mexico from February 27th-March 11th. That is only a few weeks before my due date so I am kinda nervous. Not to mention the fact that we will be apart for 13 nights! I don't know WHAT I am going to do without him. Probably put myself into labor because I am so stressed.
On a wonderful note: Matt is at this very minute getting our taxes done. We are anxiously awaiting our tax return-however much it may be. Not many people view tax time as a GOOD time, but with how LITTLE Matt makes and how MUCH is taken out, we always wind up with money back. Sometimes it is good to be poor! ;-)
Finally, I leave you with a link to a site a friend sent to me. I thought some of you might like to look through it-especially you, Jen, since you were looking for activities for playgroups. Hope you all find it as useful as I. (And thanks, Becky, for sending it to me!)
Fun Indoor activities
Have a good week.
(PS~ This past week I got a lot done with scrapbooking-I am nearly caught up with scrapbooking all my past photos!!! I also organized and went through duplicates and set some aside for Corynn and gave others to people then trashed the junkie pictures. That was a major goal of mine-to finish old pictures so I can keep afloat of new baby photos soon. I would be even closer to being finished by now if it were not for the fact that I ran out of glue and photo mount stickers!
My hope for this week and weekend is to get a bit of sewing done. I will post pictures of what I accomplish later next week. I would like to FINALLY make my apron (to match Corynn's), to make a few quilt squares and hotpads, and to extend my pant legs. Muy importante. I may even try to make one of those funky pant leg jean skirts out of the pair of jeans I will be cutting up to extend my regular jeans. We'll see. I also want to de- and re-hem the pair of Matt's suit pants. I botched the job up and need to redo it so he can wear it!
This week is going to be busy, busy, busy. Aye carumba!
Tonight we are having company over. They are vegetarians. I have only two good vegetarian dishes and both have been used on them so now I have to come up with something else. I was thinking quiche but they are bringing salad. That doesn't really go together, does it?!?! ;-) One thing I will make for sure is fruit salsa and cinnamon sugar tortilla chips. Del-ish. Actually, I made it LAST night for supper and it was such a hit, I thought-hey, round TWO! ;-)
Another night this week we are having Matt's parents over for supper-they are bringing a twin bed that Linda bought over for Corynn. Just giving it to her! I am not used to such generosity!!! I don't hardly know what to say!
Thankfully, by some fluke, I had bought some twin bed sheets for Corynn this summer at a yard sale for $1.00. They are flannel, and I think I bought them in order to make flannel nightgowns for her. Thankfully, I didn't or she wouldn't have had any sheets to go with the bed! So yesterday I spent probably four hours down in the basement, searching out those sheets, the cradle bedding, and maybe a blanket or comforter for the twin bed. (Which we don't have....) Along the way I got side-tracked looking at baby stuff, looking for some of my maternity clothes (the summer ones. I found a few 3/4 length sleeved pastel shirts which I took out-I am SO SICK OF WEARING BLACK AND RED!), and being in awe of our massive store of STUFF.
When we first moved in here, our landlady was kind enough to offer us use of the basement. I assured her we would only need a corner. Yeah. We have now extended ourselves into her half as well. This summer I am having a HUGE yard sale. We do NOT need all that stuff! Goodness! We need space and money MUCH more. And Matt's goal is to get us out of this apartment by next winter so we don't have the winter bills. That means, I REFUSE to haul this junk to whereever else we may go. Especially since our next move may be a trailer. And trailer=NO storage at all! There are about six boxes of books down there-mostly school books that I am thinking of just tossing. We haven't missed them in the two years we have been here-we don't even know what is IN them. If we open them, then I KNOW Matt will start seeing things he 'can't live without' so it might be safer just to put them out in the garbage-unopened. I don't know if I am that brave or not.
Along with the company we are having-I am going to meet Mom tomorrow to get a few things, give a few things, and hopefully, have her return some library books for me. Then toward the end of the week, I have to make a big 'ole shopping excursion. Jo Ann fabrics is stop #1, to purchase some much needed supplies. Stop number 2 is to the used book store to see about a price on some books I want to get rid of...and then it is off to who knows where to find something spectacular to get for my hunny for his birthday (Feb. 13th)
I was unable to get him what he really wanted-so now I am racking my brains for something SPECIAL. I always enjoy surprising him with things he REALLY wants but would never buy for himself or expect from me. I have always been really good at it, but this year I am at a loss. I need to spoil my darling though. That is just the way I am. You would not believe the stress I am putting myself through. He assures me that just making him his favorite cake is the most special gift ever...but, MAN. I would hate myself if that is all I did for him. So-the pressure continues to mount in my head and in my heart. Poor guy. If only I had all the money in the world to get him his greatest desires. He certainly deserves it.
Speaking of Matt-he is heading off for Mexico from February 27th-March 11th. That is only a few weeks before my due date so I am kinda nervous. Not to mention the fact that we will be apart for 13 nights! I don't know WHAT I am going to do without him. Probably put myself into labor because I am so stressed.
On a wonderful note: Matt is at this very minute getting our taxes done. We are anxiously awaiting our tax return-however much it may be. Not many people view tax time as a GOOD time, but with how LITTLE Matt makes and how MUCH is taken out, we always wind up with money back. Sometimes it is good to be poor! ;-)
Finally, I leave you with a link to a site a friend sent to me. I thought some of you might like to look through it-especially you, Jen, since you were looking for activities for playgroups. Hope you all find it as useful as I. (And thanks, Becky, for sending it to me!)
Fun Indoor activities
Have a good week.
(PS~ This past week I got a lot done with scrapbooking-I am nearly caught up with scrapbooking all my past photos!!! I also organized and went through duplicates and set some aside for Corynn and gave others to people then trashed the junkie pictures. That was a major goal of mine-to finish old pictures so I can keep afloat of new baby photos soon. I would be even closer to being finished by now if it were not for the fact that I ran out of glue and photo mount stickers!
My hope for this week and weekend is to get a bit of sewing done. I will post pictures of what I accomplish later next week. I would like to FINALLY make my apron (to match Corynn's), to make a few quilt squares and hotpads, and to extend my pant legs. Muy importante. I may even try to make one of those funky pant leg jean skirts out of the pair of jeans I will be cutting up to extend my regular jeans. We'll see. I also want to de- and re-hem the pair of Matt's suit pants. I botched the job up and need to redo it so he can wear it!
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Our Valentine Cookies. We made three trays to give away-one to a lady at Matt's work who has been helping, one for the office staff, and one for my sister. And we still have a whole tin for ourselves. I never used to like sugar cookies all THAT much, until Abby shared her frosting recipe. Now I can't get enough of them!
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
I'm a Zebra and more Nonsense
There is much to be thankful for these days...
~A different perspective~
Today I am wearing an ugly black and white striped turtleneck I got at a yard sale this summer to match the too-short black pants I am wearing while my jeans are in the wash. When she saw me, Corynn said, "Look Mama! You a ZEBRA!" Yes. Yes, I am.
~Hot Air~
I got a dehydrator for Christmas so that poor machine has been blowing hot air for the past two days non-stop. My first batch of goodies were orange slices to string on gingerbread garland. Now I am working on the tasty treats. I have made lots of banana chips and apple slices...which are all gone. Corynn calls them candy-which they are remarkably similar too. Today I will be doing MORE banana, apple, AND pineapple pieces. Fresh pineapple is my very favorite fruit-so I will only be drying a little bit of it. I can't give up too much of that fresh juicy goodness! I am going dried fruit crazy.
~Pins for Rolling~
Matt surprised me last week by coming home with a rolling pin he had made for me on the lathe. Today we will celebrate his sweetness by making some sweetness of our own. SUGAR COOKIES!
~Sap~
Today is February 1st so today marks the beginning of our Valentine Tree. We are doing something a bit different this year (last year we just decorated it with flowers and sparkly stuff). This year, every day (until Valentine's Day) Matt and I will be writing something we love about each other in a folded Valentine and hanging it on the tree. On Valentine's Day, we will read them all. Of course, Corynn is not to be left out. Matt and I will take turns writing HER Valentines. Sappy? Yes. I am positively oozing with it.
~Niavity~
At the closing of my Dad's birthday party-Corynn got to take home a goldfish in a fishbowl (they were the table centerpieces). She named her Abraham, since FATHER ABRAHAM is now her theme song. Well. Two days ago, Father Abraham got tired of trying for many sons. Matt got home with the fish food (we had been feeding him cracker crumbs...) just as Abraham was floating on top taking his last few breaths. He sprinkled the food in, hoping to energize him at the last minute. The food just laid on his eyeballs. So-poor Abraham got to go on a trip. Now, everytime Corynn goes Potty she says "Abraham sleeping. Papa FLush him" with a wrinkled nose. And that is that.
~Number Two~
I am happy to announce that last week Corynn kept her panties DRY for four days straight. The weekend set her back a bit and she has had a few accidents since-but over all...she is doing SO well. She wears 'big girl panties' all day now. I still have to watch her for number 2-but yesterday she told me she had to go potty and she did it herself. NumberTWO! BY herself! YIPPEE! I still put pull-ups on her when we go places, but taking her to the potty before we leave and as soon as we get there has helped the 'outing accidents' diminish too. Sweet success!
~Belly Buttons~
Finally, I have to write about Peanut's antics the other day. SO sweet. I was laying in bed and for about 10 minutes, Peanut was playing with my belly button. Just my belly button-nothing else. S(he) was rubbing it and pushing on it and just monkeying around. Matt saw it too. It was so cute to see Peanut PLAYING. In utero.
And finally....
~Story Time~
~A different perspective~
Today I am wearing an ugly black and white striped turtleneck I got at a yard sale this summer to match the too-short black pants I am wearing while my jeans are in the wash. When she saw me, Corynn said, "Look Mama! You a ZEBRA!" Yes. Yes, I am.
~Hot Air~
I got a dehydrator for Christmas so that poor machine has been blowing hot air for the past two days non-stop. My first batch of goodies were orange slices to string on gingerbread garland. Now I am working on the tasty treats. I have made lots of banana chips and apple slices...which are all gone. Corynn calls them candy-which they are remarkably similar too. Today I will be doing MORE banana, apple, AND pineapple pieces. Fresh pineapple is my very favorite fruit-so I will only be drying a little bit of it. I can't give up too much of that fresh juicy goodness! I am going dried fruit crazy.
~Pins for Rolling~
Matt surprised me last week by coming home with a rolling pin he had made for me on the lathe. Today we will celebrate his sweetness by making some sweetness of our own. SUGAR COOKIES!
~Sap~
Today is February 1st so today marks the beginning of our Valentine Tree. We are doing something a bit different this year (last year we just decorated it with flowers and sparkly stuff). This year, every day (until Valentine's Day) Matt and I will be writing something we love about each other in a folded Valentine and hanging it on the tree. On Valentine's Day, we will read them all. Of course, Corynn is not to be left out. Matt and I will take turns writing HER Valentines. Sappy? Yes. I am positively oozing with it.
~Niavity~
At the closing of my Dad's birthday party-Corynn got to take home a goldfish in a fishbowl (they were the table centerpieces). She named her Abraham, since FATHER ABRAHAM is now her theme song. Well. Two days ago, Father Abraham got tired of trying for many sons. Matt got home with the fish food (we had been feeding him cracker crumbs...) just as Abraham was floating on top taking his last few breaths. He sprinkled the food in, hoping to energize him at the last minute. The food just laid on his eyeballs. So-poor Abraham got to go on a trip. Now, everytime Corynn goes Potty she says "Abraham sleeping. Papa FLush him" with a wrinkled nose. And that is that.
~Number Two~
I am happy to announce that last week Corynn kept her panties DRY for four days straight. The weekend set her back a bit and she has had a few accidents since-but over all...she is doing SO well. She wears 'big girl panties' all day now. I still have to watch her for number 2-but yesterday she told me she had to go potty and she did it herself. NumberTWO! BY herself! YIPPEE! I still put pull-ups on her when we go places, but taking her to the potty before we leave and as soon as we get there has helped the 'outing accidents' diminish too. Sweet success!
~Belly Buttons~
Finally, I have to write about Peanut's antics the other day. SO sweet. I was laying in bed and for about 10 minutes, Peanut was playing with my belly button. Just my belly button-nothing else. S(he) was rubbing it and pushing on it and just monkeying around. Matt saw it too. It was so cute to see Peanut PLAYING. In utero.
And finally....
~Story Time~
Story 1: Rich Mrs. Bob-Tail
At number two the Warren,
lived Mrs. Bob-Tail Bun,
with all her little rabbits
frm Flap, the eldest son,
right down to tiny Topsy
who was the youngest one.
She'd scarcely any money,
her shoes were very worn,
her aprons all past mending
because they were so torn,
yet Mrs. Bob-tail Bunny
was not a BIT forlorn.
"I always feel quite happy,"
said Mrs. Bob-tail Bun
to Mrs. Leslie Long-ears,
who lived at number one,
"We've JUST enough to keep us,
and life is full of fun!"
"My dear," said Mrs. Long-ears
to Leslie that same night,
"Poor Mrs. Bob-tail Bunny
is really not quite right!
She talks of being happy,
yet looks a perfect sight!
"She has that tribe of children!
She's poor as she can be,
Her clothes are SO old-fashioned,
her boots you ought to see!
I'm glad I'm rich!"
But Long-ears said, "Listen, dear to me
"Though Mrs. Bob-tail Bunny
may scarcely have a cent
she's better off than we are,
I know just what she meant.
She has what we have NOT, my dear
-A great store of Content!"
At number two the Warren,
lived Mrs. Bob-Tail Bun,
with all her little rabbits
frm Flap, the eldest son,
right down to tiny Topsy
who was the youngest one.
She'd scarcely any money,
her shoes were very worn,
her aprons all past mending
because they were so torn,
yet Mrs. Bob-tail Bunny
was not a BIT forlorn.
"I always feel quite happy,"
said Mrs. Bob-tail Bun
to Mrs. Leslie Long-ears,
who lived at number one,
"We've JUST enough to keep us,
and life is full of fun!"
"My dear," said Mrs. Long-ears
to Leslie that same night,
"Poor Mrs. Bob-tail Bunny
is really not quite right!
She talks of being happy,
yet looks a perfect sight!
"She has that tribe of children!
She's poor as she can be,
Her clothes are SO old-fashioned,
her boots you ought to see!
I'm glad I'm rich!"
But Long-ears said, "Listen, dear to me
"Though Mrs. Bob-tail Bunny
may scarcely have a cent
she's better off than we are,
I know just what she meant.
She has what we have NOT, my dear
-A great store of Content!"
Number 2:
Said the Robin to the sparrow,
I should really like to know
why these anxious human beings
rush about and worry so...
Said the Sparrow to the Robin,
"Friend, I think that it must be
that they have no Heavenly Father
such as cares for you and me.
~Elizabeth Cheney
Said the Robin to the sparrow,
I should really like to know
why these anxious human beings
rush about and worry so...
Said the Sparrow to the Robin,
"Friend, I think that it must be
that they have no Heavenly Father
such as cares for you and me.
~Elizabeth Cheney
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