What did I do with this past week?

Monday night: As is my habit when I don't have plans for the evening, I tied up a few extra loose ends before leaving the office around 6PM. Once the Corolla is homeward bound, it's all "eyes on the prize" of pulling into the driveway. My list of "debbie-do's" was sabotaged by the arrival of my next Netflix rental and the fact that I skipped lunch and was hungry. Fast forward to 11 PM when I crawled from my big blue tv chair into my bed. It was not easy to fall asleep because of a phone call from earlier in the day. Brenda left me a message saying that their birth mother had gone into labor and she and Scott were on the way to the hospital. (Fast forward to Wednesday when Landon James comes home!)

Tuesday: I love to go to work early on Tuesdays. Entering the building is safe because the men have a prayer breakfast and the building is busy but my office is not. Jackie called during the day and set up an evening out. I will get to spend tonight with Jacque Cousteau, underwater explorer.

Wednesday: The phone rang just as I started out the door to go to work. It was Mrs. Coleman saying that Mr. Coleman had agreed to sell the house. Ahhh, the ball is now rolling again. Smiling to myself, I wonder where mom will spend Christmas 2008. (For those of you who do not know, Mom is considering moving into the duplex attached to mine.)

Sad start to the work day. Our Minister of Music is leaving. Many things worked together to move him to a church close to where his mother lives. She has been widowed just over a year now and she has had many serious health challenges in that time. The staff wept and prayed together as he shared. It was a sweet time of fellowship. God used the news to encourage me in regards to Mom moving to Daytona.

I was in the church nursery after work. We only had one baby and that makes the time go slower. Our Minister of Music has two teenagers embedded in the student group and the students were told tonight. So was the choir. After the nursery, I head home to escape into a favorite tv show. (It's "So You Think You Can Dance." Of course, in the Fall I will pick up a few of my old favorites.) It has already started when I get home but don't you love that DVR.

Thursday Night is for Ben 10: Alien Force. But first, I dropped off a spaghetti dinner for Landon James and his family. I got to take his picture and hold him. He's perfect!

"Ben" and Ihad a good night. He ate all his meatloaf and mashed potato so he got to have a push up popsicle for dessert.

On the way home, I filled up for $3.82 a gallon. I heard on Good Morning America that ever dollar the price of oil goes up or down, the price of gas fluctuates two and a half cents. That means with the recent $16 drop in oil prices, we should see a .40 drop in the price of a gallon. Hate to say it but somebody's figuring is a little off.

Friday at 2PM, I had an appointment to get my hair done. I was ready for some pampering! My stylist (who is also my friend) treated me to a hand massage. Very Nice!

At 4:30 I was due back in the nursery for the Sunday School Conference. I was the only adult but we had only 9 preschoolers scheduled and two teenage certified babysitters. As it turned out, friends joined friends and there were 4 teenage girls on Friday night and 6 all day Saturday. The girls did a very good job of entertaining the children.

After Ashley lead a lively discussion around the book "Burt and Ernie's Adventures with the Letter A" the girls decide the next "Book of the Month" will have to deal with how Big Bird treated the number 9.

Meanwhile, Andrew ponders career choices: FARMER.......

or BUILDER!

His sisters have the medical field covered. It takes two to treat this critically ill patient. Doctor, Doctor, this case calls for the flapulater! STAT!

Tyler is trying out a few different configurations on his latest archtectural project.

Saturday was long but a wonderful day. I was scheduled to be at the church at 8AM but before I clocked in I went to the Penney's Door Buster Sale at 7AM. I took my new shower curtain to match towels. Towels regularly costing 7.99 were on sale for $3.33. I picked 7 different colors, something I have always wanted to do! I still have to check a few more places to match an orange in the curtain but I love what I bought and what I paid for them.

The Barred Owl

Why is today's post about a barred owl....also known as the rain owl, wood owl, striped owl, and the eight hooter (not to be confused with the eight footer), but most often referred to as the hoot owl. The main reason is that my room mate saw one as she was mowing a friend's yard on Saturday and got some amazing pictures. (Shelly's pictures were unavailable, these are from the internet.) I saw a Barred Owl myself last February and was so amazed I turned the car around to get a longer view. The adult owl is 17 inches tall with a wingspan of 44 inches. It is the only typical owl of the eastern United States which has brown eyes; all others have yellow eyes.
Recent studies show suburban neighborhoods can be ideal habitat for barred owls. Using transmitters, scientists found that populations increased faster in the suburban settings than in old growth forests.

OK, if this sounds a little like a quote from wikopedia, it is. I don't know much about Florida birds but what I've seen is beautiful and plentiful. I pass high rise osprey nests every day on the way to work. There are several varieties of huge cranes, not to mention anhinga and cormorant.

I don't know that I will ever be interested enough to be a birder like by room mate, Shelly, but I can still appreciate God's amazing handiwork.

Ben 10: Alien Force

Almost every Thursday night, I become 15 year old Gwen Tennyson (the redhead). Gwen is half alien and can manipulate natural energy to create shields, tentacles and powerful blasts from her hands. My 4 year old buddy becomes Ben Tennyson. Ben uses an Omnitrix to become one of nine alien heroes. Even though we have to imagine him, we are often joined by Kevin. Kevin is a streetwise bad boy and is a former nemesis of Ben. He can turn his body into any solid substance he touches. Secretly Kevin has a crush on Gwen. But he'd never admit to it. The three of us recreate adventures seen on Ben 10: Alien Force.

Last Thursday night, "Ben" and I spent little time (in comparison to previous weeks) as Gwen and Ben. We put together 5 large floor puzzles and during dinner we watched some of "Camp Rock" on the Disney channel. We played until designated times on the clock, when we got the necessities done (dinner and bedtime) When bedtime was announced, "Ben" cried because we had not spent enough time as our cartoon counterparts. We discussed choices and I made a mental note to remind him at the beginning of the evening. With very few exceptions, Ben has always been easy to put to bed. I lay on the bottom bunk for a while.

"Ben" and his family are an important part of my life, so you will be hearing more in the future. The adventures of Ben and Gwen are sure to continue!

One Going, One Coming

I received an email today informing us that the India team had arrived safely. Only Sandi is missing her luggage and that is promised to arrive soon. Flexibility is always key on a mission trip and the India team did not even get off the ground before they were put to the test. They had a day's delay in Chicago and a ten hour layover in India. However, it is good to know they have reached their destination.

Meanwhile, it is just a few short hours before the Kenya team is back on Florida soil. They have been delayed as well and must take a later flight from Dulles to Orlando. That means my boss will be back in his office sometime tomorrow. I wonder what he will think of the "improvements" I made in his office :OS

Tea for Two (Hundred)

Tonight. my church family will have a hot dog supper in the park. I am making the tea and lemonade. I received my tea training from Joy Fellowship luncheons and my lemonade training from VBS. You never know when this knowledge will come in handy.

The Remote Possibility...

I was in Walmart when my cell phone rang. I did not recognize the number, but I answered it, prepared to hang up on yet another final warning that my vehicle warranty would soon expire. Turns out it was Ahmad, calling from Bright House cable. I have basic cable (18 of the first 20 channels) and Road Runner (because my room mate has to have it for work) Ahmad was offering standard cable (108 channels) for an additional $5 month. For how long? This price is guaranteed for one year. I asked if I could call him back and I wrote down his number, in spite of the Walmart announcer interrupting my efforts.

I don't have standard cable for 2 reasons: 1) I can't stomach the cost. Standard cable runs around $60/month , I currently pay $17. 2) What to watch and when? I could easily be addicted to the Food Network, Home and Garden, and Animal Planet channels. Where would the time to watch that stuff come from? TV, even in it's most constructive format, can become a hole you pour your life into. In the end, I decided to take advantage of the promotional offer. I was explaining my decision to Robin over lunch and she understood the"kid in a candy shop" position I was putting myself into. The pendulum might swing pretty close to insanity the first few times I hold the remote in my hand. After a while, when I see that real life is much, much better than reality tv, the pendulum will swing back toward normal. If not, I have put in place an accountability partner that will help me pull the plug.

Ok, I think this is the most transparent I have been on my new blog. We will now return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Grumpy?

Carol and I share the same cat-a-day calendar.

Yesterday, the cat of the day was "Dancer" (pictured left) I emailed Carol and said, "Dancer looks like I feel." I was grumpy. Being grumpy is one thing - being grumpy for no good reason is another!

This has been an interesting summer because I have had more free time than I am used to. My Friday night babysitting family cancelled until September and my Thursday night family has been out of town almost every other Thursday night. The closing of the Seaside Music Theatre Summer Season freed up at least one night a week as well. Have you ever thought that all you needed to conquer your world is more free time, then when you have free time the cruel reality (pardon the dramatics) is that you don't make the best use of it?

Ok, back to the basics:

1) I am incredibly blessed. I love my job, my friends, my family, my health.

2) I am called to be refreshing and encouraging to my family (this includes you, church family) In fact, focusing on others rather than yourself is a sure cure for the gloomies.

3)Set attainable goals for each evening off and see what a sense of accomplishment will do for the grumpies. I am a firm believer that accomplishment breeds accomplishment (How's this for an attainable goal: spend one evening a week with a friend!)

GRUMPIES, BE GONE!

Hot Cross Buns

I love my Sunday afternoons between church services. I always plan to straighten out my life. I settle comfortably in my office to clean off my desk or finish up a pressing project. Today, I set my sights on updating my Day Runner (all in one wallet/organizer/roladex/you get the idea...) I couldn't find any coffee until an errand sent me strolling by Susanne's office and there, in front of her office door, were two piping hot airpots of coffee. Why were they there? Finally, I decided they were left over from the New Member class held that morning and available for my consumption. (Insert happy dance here) I worked through the alphabetical address section of my organizer but stopped to call and play catch up with two long distance friends, Becky and Beth Ann ( I did eventually make it past "b") Both friends are doing well and we had wonderful, encouraging conversations.

My evenings in the week ahead are unscheduled with the exception of Wednesday (church) and Friday, when Carol and I are going to go to see Mom. I'm looking forward to that. I am going to set some very specific goals for the week and see what I can get done. I'll share my progress if I can do so without putting everyone to sleep.

Oh, the bunny picture has no personal significance whatsoever. I just thought it was a fun bun pun. :O)

City Island Farmers' Market

I love this place. You have to go early but that is part of the fun. I put my purse in the trunk, $15 to $20 in my pocket and I carry a big empty beach bag. When my money is gone or my bag is full, it is time to go home. The bottom picture is of my purchases for the morning, totaling $11.75: huge cucumbers 3/$1, all that yellow squash and zucchini for $5.25. The apples were $2 but one of them rolled out of the picture, onions and mushrooms and tomatoes totaled $3.50. I could have gotten a seedless watermelon for $3 but I still had a half in the frig.

For the rest of today, I am going to work on the computer, clean the house and eat some watermelon. Life is good!

Look Out, Baby Brother!

At the same time a family makes plans to bring home baby brother, his older sister played an unplanned starring role in the preschool VBS choir on Parent Night. When asked why she stood out so far in front of everyone, Lia responded that her teacher said that would be a good place. (After all, she is one of the smaller preschoolers.) Big brother Lucas also made mom and dad proud by particpating in the presentation. Lucas is on the far right in the third picture.

My tank runneth over....

This is not the picture I intended for today. I planned, for weeks, to have a picture of the departing Kenya Mission Team. Jim and Peggy, Chuck and Arlene, Sylvia, and my boss, Cliff, left the church parking lot at 7:50 this morning. I really wanted to be there to see them off. I woke up early and laid in bed trying to rest until the last minute. I finally gave up and got up to get my shower and head to the church. I have been "fixing" a constant drip from my toilet tank by turning off the water when the toilet was not in use, fulling intending to get it taken care of as soon as the team left. This morning, when I turned the valve, it popped and no amount of turning would shut the water off. Lesson Number One: be sure you know how/where to turn the water off. With the toilet running full force, I threw on a dress over my pajamas and raced around the outside of the house. (I forgive you for chuckling at the mental picture I am creating.) Finally, I called my retired friend who has done light electrical and plumbing jobs around my house. He came to my rescue and we found the valve cover overgrown and buried in dirt. (They now measure your water use electronically.) Meanwhile, I had gone back and discovered as long as I kept firm pressure on the valve beside the tank the water stopped flowing. George diagnosed the problem and left to get parts and tools. We made a plan to leave the house unlocked. I closed Precious (the cat) up in the bedroom and headed to work.

My tank overfloweth... This was one of those "choose your attitude" moments. I was upset with myself. I couldn't find my tool box, then I couldn't find the main water valve. Why had I let this go? Even after the repair was in progress, I was scattered. I was pulling out of the driveway when I realised I didn't have my phone. Went back in to find my phone and left my keys. Oh, my word! Can you believe people leave me in charge of their children? Ok, Stop. Take a deep breath. Remind me, Lord, that no detail of my life goes unnoticed. Remind me, Lord, of my value in your eyes. Remind me, Lord of how mightily you have blessed my life with family, friends, and yes, even posessions that have to be taken care of. Yep, my tank overflowed this morning, but my life is continually overflowing with your goodness. Thank you, Lord.

Returning to "Normal"

This Friday, July 11, Steven Curtis Chapman will perform his first live concert since the death of his youngest daughter, Maria Sue Chapman. The concert is in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and will be followed by concerts in Michigan (July 12) and Nebraska (July 13) . I have checked on the family almost daily by visiting their website and reading Jim Houser's blog. Jim is responsible for the "day to day management of Steven." I have provided the link here but it comes with a caution: take a kleenex with you and go when you have time to spend reflecting as Jim speaks for the Chapman family.

May 28, 2008: "So, how are they doing? It is unanswerable... but I'll say this... I see them holding on to the Gospel better than you could imagine or hope for, just as you might think they would. Today, the room is quiet, the talk is somber... but occasionally you'll see a smile. Once in awhile, you might even hear a light laugh. Hope never left, and hope is just starting to show itself again, in small ways. There is still profound sadness. There is still deep concern for some in the family and how they will chart their way out of these dark days. But, there is a Savior, they are sure of it, I hear them talking about it. Heaven is real. It's real-er than ever to this close knit family.

Sadness with hope.
A wedding cake picked out today, hope with sadness.

a little girl crying missing her sister, sadness with hope.

basketball practice and carpool and lasagna from friends for dinner.

The new normal is not much fun right now."

http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/jim/

It's A Boy!

Scott and Brenda, Lucas and Lia, had a special Independence Day celebration when they received their referral and pictures of their little boy from Vietnam. His name is Cat Thanh Nahn and he was born April 22, 2008. The family must wait for the US to do their investigations and paperwork so it will be 2-3 months before they can travel to Vietnam to bring him home. Everyone is very excited!

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

The schedule wasn't "business as usual" at FBC this morning. We had a patriotic emphasis in the worship service and then SS was to be held off campus - each department will choose their own time and place. I invited all of my toddlers over to my house but none of them are allowed to drive so they had to go wherever mom and dad are going. Bummer! So, I am going to work on a few things in my office and then head over to see Zoe. She has a pool AND cable tv!

Last year, at Christmas time, I joined Netflix. I chose the one-at-a-time unlimited plan which means for 8.99 plus tax, movies show up one at a time in my mailbox. I watch them at my convenience, put them back in the mailbox and voila! another movie appears. The selection is amazing and the turnaround time is never more than three days (I mean I put return movie in the mail on Monday, I receive my next selection on Wednesday.) I can't really say I have been adventurous in my selections: I've seen newer movies like No Reservations and 27 Dresses. Neither one of those were remarkable but my curiosity was satisfied. I'm working on seeing every Jane Austen movie, PBS and Hollywood versions. I keep a list of all the movies I've rented and rate them 1 to 5, There has been only one movie I didn't watch past the first 10 minutes (rating 1) but several I would like to own (rating 5) Martian Child with John Cusack is one of the movies I purchased. Based on a true story, it is about a widower who adopts a 7 year old boy who believes he is from Mars. I can't promise you there is absolutely no profanity but there is no sex and that is a refreshing change.

Akeelah and the Bee is another movie I would recommend. Akeelah prompted me to put Spellbound, a spelling bee documentary, on my list. I haven't seen it yet so I'll have to get back with you on that one.

Anyway, if Zoe has a dvd player, I am going to watch August Rush this lazy Sunday afternoon. I hope you holiday weekend was a good one.

Happy Independence Day!

8:30 AM: Poured myself a delicious cup of French Caramel flavored coffee and headed over to see Callie.

10:00AM: Met with Pam Evans, friend and professional decorator, to get her opinion on the tile I have chosen for the floors. Although the darker tile is prettier, Pam agreed that it is too dark and much less versatile than my lighter choice. Ok, I think we have a winner!

12:30 PM Headed out to the barn where friends keep their English Pleasure show horse. "Rock" lives and trains in another part of the state but has been here recuperating from an injury. He is a huge sweetheart and, under the supervision of his owners, I was able to help give him a bath. I really enjoyed being around him. It kind of scratched a childhood itch to know all about horses.

2:30ish Just as the dark clouds were rolling in Robin and I left the barn, picked up some "lunch" and came back to my house. We planned to watch the movie Amazing Grace but we ended up talking and had a really sweet time of fellowship.

5:00 PM Packed an activities bag for myself and headed over to spend time with Zoe. Got some luvin' and heard fireworks. Made me think about Breanna Horn in Korea. It is weird to spend your Independence Day in another country. (Though not as weird as spending Thanksgiving in another country.)

Meet Zoe, The Love Cat

Zoe, on the other hand, is not content to sit on your lap. She wants to snuggle into your chest...so she can rub her head against your face and your neck and maybe get a little nibble on your ear. You massage her and she, in her own way, returns the favor. After a good rub down, she would have a little nibble (note the order: love is more important than food) and a nap on the ottoman but she would come back for another massage any time I gave her a sideways glance.

Zoe has an adorable square shape to her - as long as she is tall - but it's her bunny tail that makes her irresistible.

I will miss both these girls when their families return.

Callie, The Lap Cat

Meet Callie, The Lap Cat. I was privileged to feed, scoop and provide lap time for one purrrfectly lap-o-licious calico while her humans where gone. While I executed an under the chin massage with one hand and cautiously held a warm cup of java with the other, we exchanged catty comments about the current events on the early morning news show.

"Man shall not live by bread alone...."

Well, we all know that VBS is so much more than a sucessful snack supper. It is more than picture frames made with popsicle sticks or a necklace made with dried pasta. I was struck with the number of volunteers of all ages working to make VBS happen. But the bottom line is creating an environment conducive to impressing Scripture and Biblical truth into the minds and hearts of our children. Kids are like sponges! Teach them the salvation story in song and they will know it forever. God promises us that His Word will not return void. Today, a senior adult quoted a verse to me that she learned in Vacation Bible School. I wonder if her VBS teacher realized what a powerful investment she was making.