tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62371730586388997702024-03-12T18:45:10.014-05:00SpriggletPaulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-61755347610242271352011-03-10T08:43:00.002-06:002011-03-10T08:56:04.114-06:00A welcome relief. . .They say you should use your brain - stay busy - stay active - do mentally challenging tasks - to help keep alzheimer's from taking over in your old age. I don't know if that's accurate or not, but at this point in my life, a little alzheimer's would be a welcome relief . . .Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-57209659294743001242011-02-28T13:16:00.001-06:002011-02-28T13:19:29.617-06:00I'm so vain. . .So last Thursday, David emails me toward the end of the day to let me know that we were invited to a fundraising event on Saturday evening for the Paris YMCA. I replied right back saying ‘What’s the dress code – and be sure to ask someone who actually knows!”. His reply was semi-formal. So I did the semi-formal thing – black cocktail dress, stockings (and that's another whole story), black shoes, pearl necklace, etc. The whole 9-yards so to speak. I wanted to do my nails too, but rather than go spend the money (AND take the time) for a manicure, I went to Wal-Mart and bought these fake French-manicure nail tips. Just getting them on was comical, but I will say that they looked REALLY nice. And all day yesterday, I had compliments about how nice my nails looked! I was feeling a little special (translated - VAIN!!!) I’ve never had nail tips like this before, and typically when my nails get very long I clip them back because they interfere with typing, writing, picking my nose, etc.!!<br /><br />At any rate, I come to work this morning and open the drawer to get the orientation laptop out and popped a nail off. THAT ticked me off because now my nails don't look so nice. Tough luck, must proceed with the day and laugh, right?! Orientation goes well, and I return to my desk. I open a drawer to get something, and POP goes another nail and I laughed out loud. By this time, I had told Twon and Tonya that ‘vanity has its price’ and was laughing about my poor fingernails.<br /><br />Just a few minutes ago, the office is full of people because there are two interviews going on at the moment, and I went to get something out of my purse. . . POP goes the third nail and by this time, I’m just thankful that I wear glasses so that I don’t blind myself as the fake nail tips go flying about the room!!!<br /><br />So much for vanity. I’ve tried to pop the rest of them off (so that my hands don’t look so. . . STRANGE), but of course now that I WANT them off I’ll need a pry bar and gasoline, turpentine, or some other highly flammable solvent to dissolve the glue. Glad I didn’t spend a lot of money on THIS manicure!!!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-9421876206950481222011-02-19T19:56:00.008-06:002011-02-19T21:09:00.503-06:00A Quiet Week. . . OR QUITE a Week . . . :)<p>In the past week, I've been :</p><ol><li>on an airplane (with my 'not-so-very-nice thoughts' toward those people who bring carry-on luggage that is WAY too big to fit in the overhead bin)</li><li>ridden in a 15- passenger van (whose driver was in a REALLY big hurry!!)</li><li>in a taxi cab (whose driver was in an even bigger hurry and drove with the windows down for some odd reason)</li><li>on 4 different train trips (with my newfound friends!)</li><li>crammed in a mini van taxi with 10 other people (how long has it been since you said 'How many people can we get in a . . . . ? This was for a 5-minute/$30 ride to the hotel after midnight, and when we asked the driver how much to take us to China Town - ~1.5 hour ride - the next night, he cracked up and said NO WAY!! Go figure!!)</li><li>on the subway (VERY scary - not to mention dirty, smelly AND frightening)</li><li>in a limo with 11 other people (EVEN scarier - I seriously doubted the wisdom of this decision but it's a loooong story!!)</li><li>on top of the Empire State Building (AWESOME - thanks Katie for being our tour guide!)</li><li>to Italy (Little that is. . . and had the most awesome Chicken Marsala for dinner - REAL Itlalian food - quite possibly "THE best thing I ever ate" and I took a picture so that David could see it!!!)</li><li>almost to China (Town that is . . . I chose NOT to go the additional 2-3 blocks just to buy a cheap 'knockoff' Coach bag from a trailer down a dark alley)</li></ol><p>Many of these antics happened after spending most of the day <em>safely</em> 'otherwise engaged' at the Adecco Training Center!! It was a great week that I'll never forget, spent with some awesome and incredible people who were total strangers on Tuesday afternoon, but who turned out to be great friends!!! </p><p>On Wednesday evening, I told the group that I'd like to split off from them and have dinner with Kate who lives in NY, and had agreed to get me back to the train station and safely on the right train. These 'total-strangers-turned-friends' informed me - NO WAY are we leaving you. We came together, we leave together!!! I was secretly very glad, because the experience later that evening of 10 people trying to find the right train 'home' was quite intimidating and the hour-long ride back to Long Island (and the taxi-ride to the hotel) would have been a.) VERY scary; b.) VERY scary; and c.) VERY scary without my friends!!</p>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-902608668283278072010-11-26T16:27:00.003-06:002010-11-26T16:48:20.540-06:00A Loooooooong Day. . . .Never ever ever have I gotten (grammar??) out of my warm cozy bed at 4:30 a.m. when it's 16 degrees outside to go shopping. . . until today! What fun! We left the house at about 5:00 and shopped until I couldn't take it any longer. The girls would have continued, but when I looked through the doors at Target and saw only a sea of people I said, 'Girls, I've got nothin' left' and I went to the car. OK OK OK - so I went to the food court instead and watched the people while, the rest of the group finished their shopping. <br /><br />Then we went home (back to Paul and Marcia's) and had left over dressing and corn bake for breakfast. THEN a nap - and ah say ah say - aaahhhhhhhh!!!<br /><br />Happy Black Friday!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-61710210838230169532010-11-24T08:46:00.003-06:002010-11-24T09:06:40.408-06:00'Deer' Ella. . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVSlgMZ6_rlvZqa756nJ8Z633ygVVAbqcvaUkOtoXwJ_2Hk0kOm1OJCx2drmOySshoTitGJih3zpERaxfn1Tr5sKz1K04RRUUTTksy9DnjyAQsuyqI28DOfRt7aJGNMcO1g0LHz6iRcXT/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543132613245885346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVSlgMZ6_rlvZqa756nJ8Z633ygVVAbqcvaUkOtoXwJ_2Hk0kOm1OJCx2drmOySshoTitGJih3zpERaxfn1Tr5sKz1K04RRUUTTksy9DnjyAQsuyqI28DOfRt7aJGNMcO1g0LHz6iRcXT/s320/DSC_0035.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I'm sorry that your 'deer' Grammy won't see you this Thanksgiving. Grammy went deer hunting last night and the hunt was successful (unfortunately). I got an 8-point buck. Grammy's 'weapon of choice'. . . ??? A '2-doubleaught-8 Saturn Aura' . That 'deer' little mishap, combined with the bad winter weather that Old Man Winter is sending to Minot has caused Grammy to change her plans my 'deer' little sweet girl.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I hope you have a wonderful first Thanksgiving 'deer' little Ella. Give Mommy and Daddy hugs from Grammy, Grampy, and Uncle Caleb! We love you Sweet Baby Girl! NOTHING will keep us apart for Christmas! Stay safe and warm this weekend. XXXOOOXXXOOO to all of you!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>(We love you too, Nathan and Ruthie!!!)</div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-83113748670400223002010-11-24T08:30:00.004-06:002010-11-24T08:46:05.999-06:00How NOT to hunt deer. . .<div align="center">Pictures of my deer . . . </div><div align="center"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543124384318874482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5EmQz3yRw9TEK-StAJsh2vnu5XbUqzkyts6BYmUBk5WTT1o4yhyphenhyphenz0KI4qqj3_kWNBAMn-zdf-BiBJgTiiSStpffWFj3ICS9qMkIyDGqy5DQv6uOlMvJ_a_mKaVzuz916A9xLOm78Yxy7/s320/My+deer+-+head+shot.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkIkVRnr1EtgPU8tAqLbq4s6bfjuS3J_nparJuGMj-gT7twM1kUlHzHgIbELlx5ZX98XolSygDuRiUE7waZtq0jkWSOvzOo5MNolhTmro_w6W7Crn4PLyBf-3CL1n9BInU0inF7wAy_MX/s1600/My+Deer.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543124381275640034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkIkVRnr1EtgPU8tAqLbq4s6bfjuS3J_nparJuGMj-gT7twM1kUlHzHgIbELlx5ZX98XolSygDuRiUE7waZtq0jkWSOvzOo5MNolhTmro_w6W7Crn4PLyBf-3CL1n9BInU0inF7wAy_MX/s320/My+Deer.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Pictures of my car. . .</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543125428080395090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRUAzNtR9dgzieb7WMBZVKHoYoCX4HZt_mDqcH0aX1NChyphenhyphenNPQbrMNnaDUtQvrkohUEGWSSZzdWv663kLJECR_FHDcQzuqMPF1S3hNMjlbeqalH7iNp6vmG-4lGa2cYE0UQ18NpK4d7avu/s320/2010+11+23_3015.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543125457050966690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNc2nBAHZ3SGFh7-IH2aAO57cJWiQnXFqVwDO_91UxIC8ltPd6aQJA7wOWaUJ8nPD6AtFEY9br1hMUa-h0ZFQgPAcHeora78QJqzx6px5iQRz8iCtNqNooU9QEbm3zHpX-u-4yduhy-mG/s320/2010+11+23_3016.JPG" /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-15551250972432432032010-09-23T05:47:00.004-05:002010-09-23T20:26:41.521-05:00I'm Perplexed. . . and Scared!!I think one post every 5 months is sufficient. Isn't it? For some reason lately, posting on my blog has been on my mind a lot. I think I'm going to take the advice of a new friend, and break up with Facebook, and focus on my blog. I might stay friends with Facebook, but only to post a link to my blog 'ramblings'.<br /><br /><br />At any rate, I am starting a new study called 'Perplexing Proverbs' by Susanne Scheppmann from Proverbs 31 Ministries. The first day introduces the study with Proverbs 1:1-6 - "<em>The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young - let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance - for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise." </em><br /><br /><br />All these years, I've been perplexed by trying to gain knowledge and finally I learn that all I had to do was look to the Book of Proverbs. WOW!<br /><br />Proverbs 1:7 - <em>"Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."</em><br /><em></em><br />I think I'm going to like this study!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-72642903129073914652010-04-14T20:57:00.004-05:002010-04-14T21:57:08.300-05:00I can see clearly now. . . (the rain is gone!)<em>But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God!" </em>Psalms 31:14 <br /><br />Awhile back, less than 2 months ago, I started a new job. And I hated it. That's right, I hated it. I know that's a fairly strong word, and if Caleb were to say he <em>hated</em> something I'd probably have some stern words for him. In fact, one day I sent DSH (Dear Sweet Husband) a brief email message that said, <em>"Loathe! 'Nuff said!" </em>That's how I felt about my new job.<br /><br />My heart was set on teaching, and while I knew that I lacked any significant classroom experience I needed to do something besides sit at home waiting on the phone to ring for the occasional substitute teaching job. So I took a job. And I learned a LOT, but I wasn't very happy. I had applied for a teaching position, and was hopeful! VERY hopeful! And I prayed since January, "God if you want me to teach, please make my lack of actual classroom experience irrelevant. Just put me where you want me, God!"<br /><br />Several weeks passed, and one day my phone rang. Believe it or not, I got an interview for the teaching position. I went for the interview, and felt really good about how it all went. I was absolutely certain that God was working everything out for me. In the meantime, a friend recommended me to a recruiter for a HR position. The recruiter called me, I went for an interview, and I received a job offer. Still certain that God was taking care of that teaching position for me, I took the HR job knowing that it would get me out of what I considered a bad situation, and also knowing that I loved HR for several years and could see myself working HR again!<br /><br />One day my phone rang. And when I answered, I was notified that the teaching position that I wanted with my entire being was offered to someone else. And they told me that while I had nterviewed well and my references spoke well of me, it boiled down to. . . <br /><br />Wait. . .<br /><br />Wait for it. . . <br /><br />Classroom experience!!!<br /><br />WOW! Did I <strong>hear</strong> that right? Well, I could certainly apply for another open position because after all God surely hadn't gotten that right, had He? And so for just a few days, I struggled with the rejection and the death of a dream!! (Yes, I'm getting a little dramatic here!) But then, I began to pray again - thinking of that scripture that suggests we praise God in ALL things. And I praised God for taking care of me. I thanked Him, but I was honest and told Him that I was a little sad at how it had all turned out - forgetting that I was about to start a great job in a field that I love. (Honestly??? I cried! But I think/hope God was OK with that!!)<br /><br />And then I began to think about what I had prayed for several weeks - <em>If you want me to teach, I know that you'll make the lack of actual classroom experience irrelevant.</em> I TRUSTED God to do what He knows best - to put me where He wanted me. <br /><br /><strong><em>Could</em></strong> it be that the lack of substitute teaching jobs was God's way of pushing me back into the work force?<br /><br /><strong><em>Could</em></strong> it be that the reason I was so unhappy in the first position was that God was nudging me towards, and preparing me for the position that He'd had in mind for me all along?<br /><br /><strong><em>Could</em></strong> it be that God really DOES know what He's doing? Hmmmmmm. . . <strong>There's </strong>a thought!<br /><br /><em>The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to Him in song. </em>Psalms 28:7<br /><br />I may not actually give thanks to Him <strong>in song</strong>, because even though I really like to sing and I sing really loud when I'm in my car (alone), I'm fairly certain that DSH and Caleb probably get tired of hearing me sing! But my heart truly does leap for joy, and I will praise Him for answered prayers and for allowing me to see it so clearly!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-32052809925685938052010-03-30T05:24:00.002-05:002010-03-30T05:42:07.100-05:00In The Beginning, God created . . .<em>". . . And God said, "Let there be lights. Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them mark off the seasons, days, and years. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” And that is what happened. God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the sky to light the earth, to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day. " Genesis 1:14-19</em><br /><br />Last night David called me on his way home from town to tell me look out at the moon as it was just coming up. I stepped out on the back deck to see an absolutely gorgeous, orange, full moon shining through the trees. I stepped out again later and it was coming over the the tree tops - full, bright and incredibly beautiful. At midnight, I woke up and noticed how bright the bedroom was, so I decided to step out the front door. As I stood there in the crisp cold air, it was so peaceful and quiet, and I marveled at the beauty of God's beatiful handiwork!<br /><br />And He did it just because He loves us! Thank you God!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-13662142101802644442010-03-20T06:05:00.007-05:002010-03-20T07:53:58.666-05:00I Wanna Thank You . . .. . . thank you for bein' a friend. . . I wanna thank you . . . Thank you for bein' a friend!!!<br /><br />We all have friends. We all - more than likely - have many friends. We go to dinner, play cards, take walks, go to the movies, go on vacations . . . I think you get the point . . . we spend <em><strong>time </strong></em>with our friends.<br /><br />I know that some of your friends, are those whom you can call - in the middle of the night if necessary - to pray <em><strong>with </strong></em>you when something terrible has happened. Or perhaps they pray <strong><em>for </em></strong>you when you are so burdened that you simply cannot pray. Those are the friends who know your plans - they know what you're doing throughout the week (and feed your cat when you're gone), they know what your kids are doing (and would spank them for you if it was necessary), they know what you're having for dinner tonight (which is good 'cause often times even I don't know that!), they know your deepest, darkest secrets (and you know they won't judge you). They know what makes you laugh, what makes you cry, what makes you do the 'happy dance', what you like for dessert (<strong>anything </strong>wth cherries)!<br /><br />Good friends will come to your house, sit at your kitchen table, and share their hopes and dreams with you. They might even ask for your opinion now and then! And once they've asked, they'll take the time to listen. They seek, listen to, and (sometimes) even take your advice when given humbly, and with compassion and genuine concern. They don't stomp their foot, and go away mad. They may have to ponder your words for a time, or they they may never see your point of view at all. But the sweet thing about that true friendship is that you know they still love you no matter what! True friendship begins with the journey of "Give-and-Take" on "Two-Way Street".<br /><br />Abraham had a relationship with God that was just like the one I've described above. But it didn't happen without Abraham putting some effort into it - without taking the time to <strong><em>know</em></strong> God. Of course, God knows everything there is to know about us - the aches, pains, joys, and sorrows - the number of hairs on our head - the number of days in our life. Even so, He created us to be in a <strong><em>relationship</em></strong> with Him and He wants us to <strong><em>know Him</em></strong>.<br /><br />Abraham<strong><em> knew </em></strong>God so intimately, that <em>'God convened His heavenly council at Abraham's tent and shared His plans for Sodom and Gomorrah with him.' </em>WOW - God actually came and had coffee with Abraham. And then, God actually listened to Abraham and . . . well, you know the story about how Abraham proceeded to <em>argue</em> with God about sparing Sodom and Gomorrah if 'so many' righteous people could be found. Abraham had the audacity to ask God not once, not twice, but SIX times to spare the cities from complete destruction.<br /><br />Abraham knew that he risked God's anger by continuing to ask, but he also knew that they were good enough friends that he could beg forgiveness for his brazen behavior, and approach God with humility, and genuine concern and compassion for the people. Abraham and God <strong><em>knew</em></strong> one another. They talked together. Abraham <em>listened to </em>and <em>obeyed</em> God, and consequently God shared his plans with Abraham (and I like to believe it was over a cup of coffee or possibly a glass of iced tea!) And then God spared the lives of a few righteous people from the destruction of Sodom.<br /><br />I don't mean to imply that we can change God's plans. But we might find it easier to <em>hear Him</em> and <em>obey his will for our lives</em>, if we <strong><em>knew</em> <em>Him</em></strong> better. I think I'll fix another pot of coffee this morning, and spend some time getting to know my Friend better!!!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-74478352089810579062010-03-12T05:14:00.004-06:002010-03-12T05:42:31.448-06:00A Very Special Blessing . . . and Bittersweet News. . .<strong>The Special Blessing: </strong>On Wednesday night, I was sitting in the Fellowship Hall at church telling some friends about Nathan who is now stationed in Minot, North Dakota. The way I understand it, he had a conversation with a female officer on Tuesday morning that went something like this:<br /><br />Her - 'Aren't you the Airman with the wife and new baby?' <br />Him - 'Yes, Ma'am.' <br />Her - 'Have you seen that baby yet?' <br />Him - 'No Ma'am'.<br />Her - 'Here are some papers. Fill them out, and get out of here.'<br /><br />(It took a <strong>woman</strong> to make that happen!! Sorry guys!)<br /><br />He told us later that it took him about 15 minutes to complete that paperwork, pack up his car, and hit the road. He drove 18 hours, and arrived in the wee hours of the morning to see his favorite girls - Ruthie and Ella. I heard that reunion was very special.<br /><br />As I told this story though, Simon Wood ran over to me, and wanted me to pick him up - which I did. He threw his arms around my neck, laid his head on my shoulder, and hugged me as if we were the best of friends. It made me think of our Little Ella doing the same thing someday, and I nearly cried.<br /><br /><strong>The Bittersweet News: </strong>When I was talking with Nathan on the phone an hour or so before all of this, in addition to telling me how sweet it was to finally see his Baby Girl, he also said that <strong><em>they</em></strong> were all leaving on Saturday to return to Minot. And while we knew Ruthie and Ella would join him there soon, it's all happening so fast. Rather than fly up to meet him after they've found housing, she's going to drive back with him on Saturday. (I honestly don't think they can stand being apart any longer!)<br /><br />And so here they are this morning. Asleep in the spare bedroom. They came for dinner last night, and were too tired to drive back to Alton so they spent the night. Ruth said, 'That's OK, isn't it?' <strong>OF COURSE it's OK!!!</strong> <br /><br />But it just delayed the inevitable departure. And I'm very sad this morning because in just a couple of hours (or less) we'll tell them all goodbye for awhile. And now I can't type for the tears. . .Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-44399915467260529322010-03-03T20:34:00.002-06:002010-03-03T21:00:04.826-06:00Complaining. . .Do you have pet <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">peeves</span>? Well, I do. One of my pet <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">peeves</span> is a messy bed. I make the bed every morning before I leave the house, and I generally <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">insist</span> that Caleb make his bed too. When the bed is not made right or rumpled up, I will ALWAYS straighten it out, sometimes even going so far as to re-make it before I get in it to go to sleep. There have been times, when my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">DSH</span> (Dear Sweet Husband) has gone to bed before me (and might even possibly be asleep before I come to bed) and I will make the bed over him just to get everything straightened out before I can get in! He's really good at putting up with me during those times!<br /><br />Do you have little things in life that irritate the . . . well, irritate you a LOT? I do! People who tailgate me when I'm driving the speed limit - or faster - get on my nerves! People who insist on inflicting their opinions on me make me crazy (possibly because it conflicts with my own opinion!)<br /><br />Do you find yourself venting to your friends about something that's really bugging you? I do! In fact, just this evening at church, I vented to a good friend about . . . well, about something that I probably shouldn't post on my blog for the whole world to see! Suffice it to say, that I was fairly animated in my description of this particular problem.<br /><br />And then we went to our Wednesday night Bible study group - Cultivating Contentment. The focus of this evenings lesson was - yup! You you guessed it - COMPLAINING. It really hit me hard tonight. I've spent my entire day complaining - mostly to myself because I was stuck in my little office (which really isn't little at all) trying to get some things figured out. I even <em>talked</em> to myself today - frequently! And then I went to church, and continued to complain about things to my good friend, which could be considered 'inflicting my opinion on others. . . ' (see <em>irritations</em> mentioned above.) UGH!<br /><br />And as we finished our lesson tonight, I suggested that we take time this week to be more grateful and content because things could be so much worse! If we take time to consider someone <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">else's</span> circumstances, we might find it easier and more gratifying if we attempt to lift another person up to the Lord, instead of complaining and whining because things don't seem to be going our way! <br /><br />I'm thanking God tonight for a good outcome - a <em>not guilty</em> verdict - for a friends son whose been on trial this week. I'm thankful that God heard the prayers of many people on behalf of the England family. I'm very thankful that many people took the time to lift them up to our Heavenly Father, asking him to watch over them and to give them peace and comfort during these past tough weeks and months. I'm thankful for a great big wonderful God who loves us! <br /><br />And I'm complaining less as I head off to my nice neat bed! Good night!!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-85628290112661617942010-02-09T08:16:00.003-06:002010-02-09T09:38:49.534-06:00Acid is . . .. . . caustic, corrosive; it cuts; perhaps if we tasted it, we would find that it is bitter.<br /><p>I looked up sarcasm in the thesaurus and I found the following words: </p><blockquote></blockquote><p><em><em>corrosiveness, causticness, cut, bitterness</em></p></em>The definition of <em>SARCASM:</em><br /><ol><li><em>a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed at or against another individual (Webster)</em></li><br /><li><em>a form of 'wit' that is marked by the use of sarcastic language and is intended to make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule (dictionary.com)</em></li></ol>Under the guise of humor and camaraderie - or just plain ignorance - we use various forms of sarcasm with our friends and nearly always get a laugh. And our kids are watching and listening. We often laugh when we hear a small child say some 'off-color' word because it's 'cute' coming out of their mouths. We ignore the horrible truth that more than likely they heard it first from an adults mouth. And our kids are watching and listening!<br /><br />We're even sarcastic in our remarks and comments on Face Book because it's funny and it makes people laugh. And comment. And if we get lots of comments, we REALLY think it's funny. But in reality, all we're doing is mocking some-thing or some-one. I'm as guilty as the next person!<br /><br />But then we send our kids off to school or out with friends, and we implore them to be polite, respectful, nice. "Behave, and mind your manners," we say as they walk out the door! And then we get angry when we learn that our child delivered some remark that was filled with 'acid' - delivered to cause pain or humility to someone else.<br /><br />What I find most disturbing though, is that our kids often don't even understand how their remarks can be hurtful to others because they hear it so often from the adults in their lives (who laugh at one another), and they do what they've learned because they were watching and listening! Today, I am angry with myself for my own bad behavior, and for the sarcastic remarks that I use routinely not only to my friends, but also to family.<br /><br /><br />I looked up sarcasm in the concordance of my NIV Bible, and found scripture references to the mockery of Jesus during his trial. It makes me feel sick that my mocking words and remarks are no better than those used on my Saviour before he was killed. <br /><br />I also found a blog post title <em><a href="http://www.gospel.com/blog/index.php/2009/10/02/on-the-need-for-christian-civility/">The need for Christian Civility</a> </em>that was very interesting and worth some thought. Starting today, I'm on a mission to remove the 'acid' from my voice, to be civil or be still, and <em>HOPE </em>that my kids are still watching and listening!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-73632096383493643272010-01-17T08:46:00.003-06:002010-01-17T08:52:06.998-06:00I'm an addict . . .<div align="center">I can't quit looking at pictures of our Sweet Little Baby Ella. </div><div align="center">I've decided to inflict my addiction on all of you . . . </div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427720990620497394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGB9BY4oi9j9jGBU3qgNksCVPYOU7n5LwzxJ_sTgYeDU22-DmJGcCqKSqNIk6X-U45BmCN36TF12yqGozjXPO8loENSRpWSwGfR26FBp8W5Ii-mvOms-Ak-nocQhHhcrvqvgaN1959oTAT/s320/DSCN0168.JPG" />Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-72733245252955185622010-01-16T16:19:00.006-06:002010-01-16T17:21:50.884-06:00Now Starring. . .<div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. . . the One . . .</span><br /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. . . the Only. . .</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#993399;"><em>Ella Renae Sprigg</em></span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">6 lbs 3 oz</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">20 inches long</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I've posted some pictures below of the newest member of our family.</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">She is positively adorable.</span> </div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427481229712853586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPFLLQSnQuxZAXsXg04XqIWunwIHXbN40c1hTP-OyzGCygloHEADNSKx6J-XAcWXYtPDWJa4GiqQjSn983D-St_YH4GvkPlBSaVqDpmBl4oOnA6CLATm7iI0qVVod56chS8IQ7oWDokT3/s320/DSCN0181.JPG" /> <p></p><br /><p align="center">. . . her Momma is beautiful too!!!</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427472150918665058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6s5FD1QNl_LtkXgMi5g29SYaZQ6HXbDpmIAEAIcPZYqeP-Z_LTYn8r9VZ1PnC4wcalotroEpfPRyaL-ezW3GcgU6SEglAfgqpF3R-MVhyphenhyphencvMWeqwq88OvkEG_N6cvdwKPpUTm5Kw9ZRp/s320/DSCN0184.JPG" /> <p align="center"> And her proud Pappa (even though he can't be here right now!)<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 236px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427479780722263250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZm5WlJ5RWjCwIKRfHTKYOl8n1iqd6c7l3awVedgLZc1ruTJzGSWvKmXcog_HxtOG0y_Y7da5UNh81PC2O0v2i2iyGmblbZy2nZ2iYPTWgsPIi_JuERStU1of01QJ1J06vC8N2LtO7K1w/s320/Nathan.jpg" /></p>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-23056341883118036962010-01-10T20:22:00.008-06:002010-01-11T12:25:48.179-06:00Whooo Whoooo Whooooo . . .I love to stand at the patio door and watch the birds. Sunday afternoon, as I stood in my favorite spot, I saw Kim the Cat stalking something in the woods. He ran up a tree, and something flew away. It was a strange looking bird and blended in with the trees reallly well. It flew to 3 different trees before landing far enough away from Kim, but within easy range of my camera. This is what I saw..........<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I couldn't believe he looked right at me!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425306443423175778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSFSgw3agHNFtaqSCtyHcD8Z10leKVXQfkUDJ22SNCnp8PqA9xJbTK-dYeu5V2G2_NmJ5ZnsG-fSm2ZhD-UJHpnO04hjcA2d03Cp9EnRbYYGVsPm8D5s8AV2JSbo_UjCUVe_h2elFX0XZ/s320/100_0160.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center">He blends in so well with the tree that it's hard to see him.<br /></div><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425540746167350690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTngMkaTJa-kRYdyjGymWgeWbQPHgMNknNf_4ABEZjqv89hcIIHqgk6MxgXFQAGsdi5l31x0yEL0y13N31RoVfhKrK8iNjrxTLsEcxjF53I3xFdfk9n3F7E1hwn26mshd2b9HRB0ntbi8E/s320/100_0156.JPG" /></p><p align="center">You can see how close he was to the deck in this picture - he's clinging to the tree right in the center of the frame.<br /></p><p></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425541959015896258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbd5gQetqmp6flf9-aneN51xaKBT0db4_Y9152tQD40sivwNDGyeM1OhqDQaeixT_h9m8wiSiqVeWHZq6zjlOQdNbzJatDXIfgZbrrTNhzPIZys2TQwzKf-5Matf8tpPhuOe_zxHUUZZU6/s320/100_0164.JPG" /><br /><p align="center">And then, he was tired of me..... </p><br /><p></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425543160271482530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_-nOCP86goBJKtXrHAucgO8YBWl-hfzUsG0alAAlAScFyhQIKqoABV9bzBUostXAkP5Jp0nVe9W5gbXOLwF1BGF58g3eMKIbiaFRTN95w4ScRunLdhDCjyXFkwtt5hhJnt33v31jNitv/s320/100_0168.JPG" /></p><p align="center">And these are only a few of the pictures that I took! This was so awesome. </p><p align="center"> </p>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-60487904447350683582010-01-01T09:29:00.004-06:002010-01-01T09:48:19.258-06:00Saying Goodbye........... to 2009 was easy. <br /><br />... to Nathan was hard.Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-20021692601909326632009-10-21T14:21:00.003-05:002009-10-21T14:35:24.631-05:00TEN 'Positive-ly' Random Thoughts........<ol><li>The leaves outside my patio door, are just beautiful!</li><li>I have 3 batches of cookie dough in my fridge!</li><li>October is going by at a nice, slow pace!</li><li>I have 17 dozen cookies in my freezer (and the 3 dozen mentioned above will soon join them!)</li><li>Tomorrow (Thursday, October 22) is Paul Boyer's 50th birthday!!</li><li>The day after tomorrow (Friday, October 23) is Marsha Loftis' 40th birthday!!</li><li>Caleb still has his tonsils today - OK maybe this one wasn't so positive, but we had to reschedule because the flu bug has been so terrible. Doc didn't want to take any chances.</li><li>The ladybuygs are swarming... which means it's a warm day outside.</li><li>The apple and pumpkin pies that I made yesterday are 1/2 gone - which means my family loved them.</li><li>I have a wonderful family!</li></ol>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-4198613980530089792009-09-16T07:35:00.005-05:002009-09-16T12:50:20.341-05:00Finding your Wings<div align="left">I was driving home from an awesome 'closing' of a Great Banquet weekend on Sunday evening and reflecting on how God can do so many amazing things in our lives when my phone rang. It was 'My Boy' - Nathan! He called to tell me how excited he was about leaving the next day for the Air Force. His words......... 'Mom, I can't tell you how excited I am. I am beyond excited - I'm ecstatic. This has been my dream for years, and I'm finally seeing it fulfilled.'<br /><br />So it took him a few years to get to this point, and I am a very proud momma today! For many years, I've prayed for my boy to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. He's married now, and they're expecting their first child - a GIRL!!! - in January. A baby that he may not see born because he'll be gone to Tech School. I know, I know - this happens in the military ALL the time. But knowing that doesn't make it any easier.<br /><br />There is a song by Mark Harris on the radio called 'Find Your Wings', and every time I hear that song, I think of Nathan. (We could apply this thought process to any of our children!) I've pasted some of the lyrics below.....<br /><br /></div><div align="left"><em>It's only for a moment you are mine to hold.</em></div><div align="left"><em>The plans that heaven has for you, will all too soon unfold.</em></div><div align="left"><em>So many different prayers I'll pray, for all that you might do.</em></div><div align="left"><em>But most of all I'll want to know, you're walking in the truth.</em></div><div align="left"><em>And if I never told you, I want you to know, as I watch you grow...</em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em>I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams.</em></div><div align="left"><em>And that faith gives you the courage, to dare to do great things. </em></div><div align="left"><em>I'm here for you whatever this life brings. </em></div><div align="left"><em>So let my love give you roots, and help you find your wings. </em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em>It's not living if you don't reach for the sky. </em></div><div align="left"><em>I'll have tears as you take off, but I'll cheer as you fly. </em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em>I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams.<br />And that faith gives you the courage, to dare to do great things.<br />I'm here for you whatever this life brings.<br />So let my love give you roots, and help you find your wings<br /><br /></em>So many times I've heard this song, and thought about Nate and how I hoped that one day he would find his wings, and follow the plan that God has for him. I know that he did that when he married Ruthie, and I know that God has a very special plan for that little baby girl that will be born in January. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I've always known that God has a special plan for Nate - as he does for each one of us. And it makes me so proud to hear Nathan say that he is finally fulfilling a dream that he's had for many years. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Not long after we ended our call on Sunday night, this song played on the radio. And I thought that it must be that God was smiling on us at that moment, and confirming that His plan too, was being fulfilled!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-40364283539982301982009-09-14T08:15:00.001-05:002009-09-14T08:18:13.379-05:00To the tune of 'Where, oh where has my little dog gone..... (sort of!!)Why oh why can’t I sleep at night? Why oh sleep, can’t I find?<br />It’s only because I am all ‘ate up’ – with all that’s been on my mind.<br /><br />The oldest is off to the ‘ole Air Force, his wife is shedding a tear.<br />Their baby is due in late January – will Nate, or won’t Nate be here???<br /><br />Husband is off to work at his job, youngest is off to his school...<br />I’m looking for jobs, I work on projects, I scurry about like a fool….<br /><br />The economy stinks, the job market is down<br />I think I’ll just go and lay down………..<br /><br />My mind just swirls the whole night through, it swirls and goes round and round<br />And then that darned clock goes beep beep beep beep<br />And suddenly I’m sleeping quite sound.<br /><br />But the coffee is brewing, and my Bible is calling….<br />And so starts another great day!!!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-39287157508508788872009-09-01T08:39:00.008-05:002009-09-01T11:37:43.026-05:00The end of civilization........ as I knew it!This is QUITE long!!<br /><br />We went to Canada on a fishing trip the first week in August with my 'little' brother and his family (Steve is 6' 6" and there's really nothing 'little' about him!) It was a fun trip, but we were 1.5 hours from civilization.... we WERE in the middle of NO WHERE. It was beautiful..... but it was NO WHERE!!! In fact, 50 minutes of the 1.5 hours from town was down a 10-mile dirt road that was curvy, hilly, rocky, and full of holes.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiSsSGoVfKo7NIDw-2UKYpPs16UjAuL_cf7fFPWOjSNGNPeMO9dircFDsDoIQCFA_Nb6nd3GLIeeDWwDbDdg_IttlVaf4AJpkXV2chDzsz9rONXbPaObJ30oRHCOeDgJEvURFUPxDOGxN/s1600-h/Aug+08+2009_0745.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376525292448703746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiSsSGoVfKo7NIDw-2UKYpPs16UjAuL_cf7fFPWOjSNGNPeMO9dircFDsDoIQCFA_Nb6nd3GLIeeDWwDbDdg_IttlVaf4AJpkXV2chDzsz9rONXbPaObJ30oRHCOeDgJEvURFUPxDOGxN/s320/Aug+08+2009_0745.JPG" border="0" /></a>The road into the camp looked something like this picture. We passed a sign not a little further along that said, 'ATTENTION: The road is no longer maintained beyond this point", and we laughed!! You can see that the weather is nearly as bad as the road - even though it looks bright out, it was very gloomy and rainy. That's my brother and his family in the truck ahead of us pulling a fishing boat.<br /><br />And even though we were travelling VERY slowly, and being VERY careful, we dropped the trailer with the 4-wheelers in the road, when the hitch pin broke because the road was so rough. Thank goodness for safety chains, and the fact that we were only creeping along on a dirt road instead of the highway just a short time earlier. When we got out to see what was wrong, the Canadian National Bird (mosquitos) descended like starved, crazed, maniacs.<br /><br />Steve was already around another bend in the road, and didn't realize for some time that we were no longer following. There was nothing that we could do alone, as it was a very heavy trailer, and the tools were with Steve. So we left the trailer in the middle of this narrow, hilly, curvy, rocky, holey road, and went to catch Steve. We found them trying to back up to find us which was complicated by the rather long fishing boat that he was pulling. Steve hopped in the truck with us, Caleb went with Aunt Honey, they went to camp, and we went back to see if we could fix the trailer/hitch. We were able to fight off the crazed blood-sucking mosquitos, rig the hitch, re-hook the trailer, and continue the trip to camp - still about 5 miles away.<br /><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">It was late Saturday evening when we finally got in, and we immediately began to realize that the supplies we picked up earier - before we left civilization - were not going to last until the end of the week. Plus there were other things that we realized we needed - maybe I should say WANTED. SO, late Sunday afternoon when we finished supper, David, Steve, and 2 of the 3 kids (Bonnie and Boyd) went fishing. Aunt Honey, Caleb, and I decided to make a run for supplies thinking that after this we'd be set for the week - except for a trip to town to fix the hitch for the trip home. No one wanted to miss out on the fishing for the rest of the week, so we left the camp at 7:50 p.m. - daylight - gorgeous weather. Bill, the camp owner was outside as we drove away from the camp, and I thought he gave us a strange look, but didn't really think too much about it. </div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">It took us almost an hour to get to the main highway to Dryden (aka Civilization) another 40 miles away. We got to town about 9:30 and soon realized that Wal-Mart was closed.... Safeway was closed...... and another grocery store that I can't remember the name was closed. We found a store called 'Extra Foods' which sort of reminded me of Sam's Wholesale in a way. By now it is full dark... and pouring down rain... We couldn't find any shopping carts - just the baskets that you use when you only need a few small items - but certainly not potatoes, produce, 2 cases of COKE, bottled water, large quantities of bug spray in addition to what I already had, etc. - much too bulky AND heavy to carry in one of those small baskets. Having been to Canada (aka the Wilderness) before, DSH (David) tried to get me to buy some of these items the previous day, but I really thought we were getting enough to carry us through the week. For instance, he suggested that I buy 2-3 cases of bottled water instead of one, but I assured him that I wouldn't have a problem drinking the filtered lake water at our cabin. HAHAHAHAA!!! It was yellowish, and cloudy........ and I couldn't hardly drink it. I hate it when that happens!! </div><div align="left"><br /> </div><div align="left">Anyway, come to find out, carts are for 'rent' at the 'cart corral'.... outside...... in the dark... in the pouring rain.... Not wanting to pay for a cart, Aunt Honey grabbed a basket, and said she'd just fill it up, set it next to the check-out counter, and then grab another basekt. I needed - I WANTED a cart..... I found the cart corral ..... in the dark.... in the rain....and tried putting my coin in the slot sort of like the strollers at the mall which are generally inside.... in the light... where it isn't raining.... Alas, I only had a 'toonie' which is a $2 Canadian coin and the cart corral only takes a 'loonie' - which is $1 Canadian coin. Back into the store.... change for my 'toonie'...... back to the cart corral.... in the dark... in the rain........ can't figure out the stupid coin slot.... in the dark... in the rain... I might add here, that Canadian parking lots are NOT well-lit like American parking lots. I was afraid - very, very afraid - SERIOUSLY - and wanted to ask that guy in the car that just pulled up how to make the stupid cart corral release it's captives, when I spied an escaped cart - NOT in the cart corral, took it captive, and ran to the light........ (I'm not very good with strangers, and I don't much care for dark parking lots..... Yes, I have issues.)</div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Remainder of shopping is rather uneventful, except for the freak who was following me in the grocery store (the guy in the car who just pulled up in the dark and rainy parking lot who I considered asking for help). At last, our shopping adventure is complete....... but we still have to drive back to camp, and we have absolutely NO way to call the guys because there is NO cell service. HA - and we thought we'd returned to civilization. So we head back out of town for the 30 mile trek to our favorite dirt road... in the dark.... in the rain! We drove.... in the dark.... in the rain.... for what seemed like an eternity until I wondered out loud if we'd missed that dirt road. </div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Before we left camp - almost 3 hours ago - I had noted the time and the mileage, and then again when we reached the road to civilation.... you know - pavement! What I did NOT do was note the mileage when we LEFT town to return to the wilderness. We had driven a few miles around town trying to find an open grocery store so I had a general idea, but wasn't exactly sure how far we had come from town, and so I wasn't sure how close we were to our road. Of course, in the dark.... in the rain... everything looked VERY different from our trip in the previous day. We originally (about 3 hours ago) thought this was going to be an uneventful drive to and from town. After all, it was quite simple - drive out to the paved road (Canada 17).... turn left.... go to town.... get groceries.... Dadgummit - WHERE IS THAT ROAD??? (REMEMBER - DARK - RAINY)</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">We agreed to go 10 more miles and then turn around, when suddenly we began to see signs for 'Melgund Road 9' and 'Melgund Road 5' - roads that we recognized, and knew paralleled our dirt road so we knew we were OK. Have I mentioned that we did NOT have cell service, so we couldn't call our husbands, NOR could we call the camp office to have them relay to the guys that we were OK. By this time it's about 10:30.... and it's dark.... and it's raining.... and I have to admit.... I was just a LITTLE BIT nervous. Just then we saw the sign for 'Borups Road' - OUR dirt road!!! Ahhhhh - back to the wilderness!</div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">I told Aunt Honey to drive slowly (as if telling her was even necessary), because we certainly didn't want to find ourselves off the road, or hitting a moose, or messing up a tire, etc. We agreed that should any of that happen, we were not leaving the vehicle.... because it was dark... and it was raining... and because we knew eventually SOMEONE would come looking for us. When we finally made it back to the camp at 11:45, there were 2 husbands and 1 Camp Owner VERY happy to see us, and happier still that they didn't have to come look for us. It was VERY dark..... and it was STILL raining.... but quite honestly, I was VERY happy to be safely back in the wilderness!!!</div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Come to find out, had we stopped to inquire, we would have learned that Dryen, Ontario rolls up the sidewalks about 4:00 on Sunday afternoons! UGH!</div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-69592218953523174042009-08-25T08:40:00.002-05:002009-08-25T09:00:22.543-05:00Hornets & Cats ..... OR Hornets & Just about anything else they don't like........We were out in the yard the other evening about dusk. Kim the Cat was acting like his usual crazy self - running around here and there, climbing this tree, jumping down, running across the yard and climbing that tree. When he gets like this, he looks like a psycho kitty running around. I saw him ran up the tree and 'land' on the branch with the hornets nest. I was saying to Caleb that this wasn't going to be good, when suddenly he jumped out of the tree, shot across the yard as fast as lightening with his ears laid flat on his head, and disappeared around the corner of the tree.<br /><br />Honestly??? I cracked up. I know that doesn't sound very compassionate, but honestly....... it was hilarious!! He was no where to be found until sometime later when I saw him on the deck acting as if nothing had happened.<br /><br />Even though he didn't appear to be bothered, I have to wonder if the hornets fought back! He likes to TRY and mess with the hummingbirds too - but they can't sting!!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-69481544695501056162009-07-21T08:56:00.013-05:002009-07-21T10:42:48.225-05:00The Birds & The Bees..... and the Cat!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhtPd-5vprJ-ToGipHQk6drHg6SvdsqohfLBbADKlrcPHP66ZEelQ8tK9ofDBhw3bqMuja66tg_YHlK8jphpc02swXbHd6bSbqHEmaG5FmWVy60XbC7_65hM2IzSRFraxe51HiI3HY5IQ/s1600-h/Orphaned+Robin.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360914127721718514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhtPd-5vprJ-ToGipHQk6drHg6SvdsqohfLBbADKlrcPHP66ZEelQ8tK9ofDBhw3bqMuja66tg_YHlK8jphpc02swXbHd6bSbqHEmaG5FmWVy60XbC7_65hM2IzSRFraxe51HiI3HY5IQ/s320/Orphaned+Robin.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yesterday afternoon, Caleb came running into the house to tell me that he'd found a baby bird in the yard that had fallen out of its nest - he could hop, he could chirp, he couldn't fly. His life was in grave danger from Kim the Cat (who by the way thinks he's a mighty hunter but we all know differently.)<br /><br />Caleb asked me if we could put it back in the nest. So, being the good Mom that I am I ventured out to see what I could do! We soon discovered that the nest Baby Bird appeared to have fallen from - the same nest where a Robin was hovering and anxiously chirping - was approximately...... ummmmm..... 20..... 30....... feet up in the tree - WAY out on a limb that we could never get to. I might add that not only did Caleb want to keep the bird, but he wanted me to take it to the vet. That's where I drew the line........ sorry, but that's just a little over the top and it was at that point that I tried to explain the 'circle of life' to Caleb. Work with me here.... after all, it's just the nature of 'things' to fall out of nests, and get eaten.... by a cat, or a snake, or any other manner of critter that might venture out of the woods. I mean - seriously!!!<br /><br />I recalled seeing an empty nest in one of our smaller trees, and also recalled that we had baby birds in one of our pine trees a couple of years ago. In fact, I saw an empty nest in the pine tree not too long ago. Instead of going straight to the pine tree though, I began to search through our smaller trees where I thought I might find another nest within reach.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnLOfgdodRV3d0Z6-gQRizof_jtxTJIdMu26lfPQ_pxn46SMurvQez_jYACIv1_-0PjaHM9DzNeDarvUVo3a765F2EanjkvCAqZc8sHqrLO6Le9zmTXbtE1n1g-i3-r5D5gNhKN6A_e3A/s1600-h/Hornet+Tree.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360917483183299730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnLOfgdodRV3d0Z6-gQRizof_jtxTJIdMu26lfPQ_pxn46SMurvQez_jYACIv1_-0PjaHM9DzNeDarvUVo3a765F2EanjkvCAqZc8sHqrLO6Le9zmTXbtE1n1g-i3-r5D5gNhKN6A_e3A/s320/Hornet+Tree.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is the tree where I <strong><em>hoped</em></strong> I could find an empty nest in which to place "Baby Bird-with-a-broken-wing-can't-fly-but-only-chirp' bird. (The same bird that I WON'T take to the vet.) There's an empty nest in there somewhere, I just know it. As I searched, I found yet another somewhat 'small-ish' surprise!!!<br /><br /><br />I found a nest....... but it wasn't empty. It was small-'ish'...... but it was most definitely <strong><em>NOT</em></strong> empty.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGP6VLFY1AHPv4TjkRGImWx_fBZahLhhfO7e-aci05_CeCZClchq6hVC_QMMC_jGgkf2HglIhCMuqdHjaxOO9r81xjFRDKVeiVn6kbFw_LBG4Q-TqPiraZVjRnIAm1BaA6cuDkJximrufY/s1600-h/Hornet+Nest.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360919715517356082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGP6VLFY1AHPv4TjkRGImWx_fBZahLhhfO7e-aci05_CeCZClchq6hVC_QMMC_jGgkf2HglIhCMuqdHjaxOO9r81xjFRDKVeiVn6kbFw_LBG4Q-TqPiraZVjRnIAm1BaA6cuDkJximrufY/s320/Hornet+Nest.JPG" border="0" /></a>YES, Dear Friends, THAT is a H-O-R-N-E-T-'s nest........ in our FRONT yard. The same yard where our grass grows, and we mow it occasionally. The same yard where the previously mentioned kid (Caleb) and friends play FREQUENTLY - DAILY!!! The same front yard where there were 6 kids played last week, in and around said tree playing baseball, hillbilly golf, swinging from the branches (or trying to). SCARY!!!<br /><br />If you look closely, you can see a couple of the little 'bees' swarming in and out. I tried not to get too close, but I had to get some pictures. I've hopefully got a better picture with the telephoto lens on my 35 mm camera...... (Yes, Chris - the one that I still have to get the film developed!!) I'll share better pictures later.<br /><br />Baby Bird now resides in THIS tree! Just a few feet away from the Hornet's, but probably not nearly high enough to protect him from snakes, cats, and any other manner of critter that may venture out of the woods.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPhCvZ9u9i0VBD2s2-icEBFVtfPBCVes-F-b19yi9cPE7zURwbq0Zo0f62iG5XtVYnRBBLeJazr-NF24cRkAWS3SWPg58KsRRFdjxfp9KMX14g4znXnOa7LcxdSfbaIDUepbsQdGslq4W/s1600-h/Orphaned+Bird+Tree.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360922876563009842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPhCvZ9u9i0VBD2s2-icEBFVtfPBCVes-F-b19yi9cPE7zURwbq0Zo0f62iG5XtVYnRBBLeJazr-NF24cRkAWS3SWPg58KsRRFdjxfp9KMX14g4znXnOa7LcxdSfbaIDUepbsQdGslq4W/s320/Orphaned+Bird+Tree.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p>Oh, and here is a picture of the 'mighty hunter' - Kim the Cat, lounging on a concrete ledge that drops approximately 20 feet just behind him. Just 'hangin' around mind you!!!</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeEua5AaVe0z6LO8MocdwfyVftW6g1OO80-7JpojwaXWnTMDXNkamShyphenhyphen2997lj9gf-E3_PxT6YlHBM-8-Apn_L-70HzpD3hFSIHatOfhjloy0ukVtmnpcb8RKLaDbBmjhepRVSSiIYuPF/s1600-h/Jul+20+2009_0225.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360928449273414050" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeEua5AaVe0z6LO8MocdwfyVftW6g1OO80-7JpojwaXWnTMDXNkamShyphenhyphen2997lj9gf-E3_PxT6YlHBM-8-Apn_L-70HzpD3hFSIHatOfhjloy0ukVtmnpcb8RKLaDbBmjhepRVSSiIYuPF/s320/Jul+20+2009_0225.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnLOfgdodRV3d0Z6-gQRizof_jtxTJIdMu26lfPQ_pxn46SMurvQez_jYACIv1_-0PjaHM9DzNeDarvUVo3a765F2EanjkvCAqZc8sHqrLO6Le9zmTXbtE1n1g-i3-r5D5gNhKN6A_e3A/s1600-h/Hornet+Tree.JPG"></a>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-70951418414119962692009-07-11T07:21:00.002-05:002009-07-11T07:46:27.114-05:00It's really quite simple....<strong><em>Psalms 147:10-11 - He takes no pelasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the Lord's delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.</em></strong><br /><br />On Sunday night, I was praying with Caleb before bedtime and then just like every other night, I prayed for all of our kids - for health, protection, for all that they need. And I prayed, 'God please provide a job for Nathan. Please??' Nothing more - just that simple prayer. Because I've felt so discouraged recently for him.<br /><br />The phone rang about noon on Monday. It was Nathan. We hadn't talked in a few days, and I knew that Ruthie had her first 'official' doctor's appointment that day. So when I heard his voice on the other end, I was certain that he was going to tell me something about the baby. I can always tell in the tone of his 'hey Mom' what his mood is like and this time was no different. He was excited!! He called to say that he had a job. <br /><br /><em>'But let me tell you the rest of the story, Mom! Last night I was praying and telling God that I had tried to do too much on my own and I was sorry for not looking to him for that guidance and direction that I needed. I asked him to please help me find a job. And this morning, a company that I had interviewed with called to offer me a position!'</em><br /><br />He was so excited about it, and he called to share that with me. And then we praised God!! He did call me later to say that they had been to their doctor appointment, but couldn't hear the baby's heartbeat yet because it's too early. Rats!<br /><br />The verse from Psalms is a good reminder of how much God loves us - not for anything that we do - in fact nothing we do can make him love us any more than he already does! Simple childlike faith and hope..... it really is quite simple, and yet we make it so difficult.<br /><br />I hope and pray that you have an awesome day.<br /><em><strong></strong></em>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237173058638899770.post-17794177141014363922009-06-17T08:24:00.008-05:002009-06-17T08:54:21.762-05:00'Cat-birds' and cars.......I love my cat. 'Kim the cat' is very loveable, he's a great mouser, he's very loveable, he's a great mouser.... Sounds like I am trying to convince myself.<br /><br />Seriously, I love my cat because most of the time, he makes me laugh when I see him climb a tree after something that caught his eye - a bug, a leaf blowing, not necessarily a bird.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialsoEt5lLNLM94O4wGh84wq2vQJN5Dv9-xTt8e7Zoz1VfPkENco2fvv-J59GnK5ZWmIO93g0cF8u2WfNp9K4TRpv5hrGVlgcToFZGGhmk_e69DEp8znfeTxx4km9qxKLuddIdOaWCEGmZ/s1600-h/Jun+05+2009_0008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348288594248803330" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialsoEt5lLNLM94O4wGh84wq2vQJN5Dv9-xTt8e7Zoz1VfPkENco2fvv-J59GnK5ZWmIO93g0cF8u2WfNp9K4TRpv5hrGVlgcToFZGGhmk_e69DEp8znfeTxx4km9qxKLuddIdOaWCEGmZ/s320/Jun+05+2009_0008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He's just a little freaky sometimes though, and I get so cracked up watching him. I took a picture of him a week or so ago with my 'old-fashioned' camera - the kind that you have to take the film to be developed. I love that old camera. He was sitting on top of a blue-bird house that we have in the yard. (I'll scan and post it later.)<br /><br />Unfortunately, the blue-birds no longer use it because the squirrels chewed the opening out so that they could take up residence, and then a huge black snake took up residence. David opened the door of the birdhouse one day to see if there might be a blue-bird nest, and the snake fell out on him. Good thing it happened to David, because I wouldn't have lived to tell that story.<br /><br />Anyway, I love my cat. Until he does something like this.......<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8B94PVYp8QeVum9gWFTdBIgHAQGz1PPaFTt5kPUlGWRJtM_q83d9zwGga0_F4qqejQ_cUIkqcn7S2y_m2_UOS9uByU3ywK0ZaRQZRis6gfUAXCGp3d1UcZoih9Aup0RHrpxf266I-LUem/s1600-h/Jun+16+2009_0102.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348290763989974082" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8B94PVYp8QeVum9gWFTdBIgHAQGz1PPaFTt5kPUlGWRJtM_q83d9zwGga0_F4qqejQ_cUIkqcn7S2y_m2_UOS9uByU3ywK0ZaRQZRis6gfUAXCGp3d1UcZoih9Aup0RHrpxf266I-LUem/s320/Jun+16+2009_0102.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In this photo, he almost looks proud of himself. I wanted to throw a bucket of water on him, but that would have created the need to wash the car, and I wasn't really that motivated. Besides that, when he saw me coming he would have jumped off and ran away. In truth, I wasn't really motivated enough to try to sneak up on him to throw water.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItkJXIUcYutQi1g3Kl1Q_ZCrjZB0pPhEiLVHjmojVnRE_U55Oi-BxyWGhe6H0_JGWSAafG6JRFBYEmDO_RwKemByNBguxI2k_wBBR7vy5SSEv0qq72W_6nk1A4mLF8J60P1p3LArPLgGZ/s1600-h/Jun+16+2009_0101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348291257514809362" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItkJXIUcYutQi1g3Kl1Q_ZCrjZB0pPhEiLVHjmojVnRE_U55Oi-BxyWGhe6H0_JGWSAafG6JRFBYEmDO_RwKemByNBguxI2k_wBBR7vy5SSEv0qq72W_6nk1A4mLF8J60P1p3LArPLgGZ/s320/Jun+16+2009_0101.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh well, another day maybe! I looked a lot like the cat soon enough..... but only in my recliner!!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588202629264096388noreply@blogger.com0