YEAH! India's office closed at noon, so her dad drove in to town to escort her home in the blizzard. It was so bad, she couldn't even see his pick up driving right in front of her. Yes, it's that bad. And yes, Noah's basketball game was cancelled, as well as all other games that were scheduled and most of the businesses in town. And the entire county is under a no-travel advisory. Roads will be closing soon, I'm sure. And this is only the first wave of the storm. The really bad stuff is supposed to come tomorrow! What?! Can you say, "Antarctica?" What were our ancestors thinking??? Oh, yeah. That whole free land thing. Whatever happened to that, I wonder?
So, we are here, all together, fire glowing brightly while all we can see outside is pure white. (I kind of feel like I'm in a padded room . . . maybe I am! aaahhh!)
Anyway, I imagine we'll break out the Clue game, and Catan, maybe Canasta, catch an episode of Psych on the computer and more than likely, consume masses amount of food. Hey, it IS a snow day, you know.
So - THANK YOU GOD that we are all together and we are safe.
Guess I didn't need those worry beads after all . . .
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Reflections . . .
Here it is, the day before the last day of the year. Can you believe it? Where has it gone? It's been one of those years I am glad to have over, I have to say. Milestones, like India turning 18, Ezra turning 13, the boys qualifying to go to the state swim meet, Noah finally growing into his big feet - those are fine. But my sister's death, a flooded basement, a flooded yard, Gary's winged-out back, too many blizzards to count, too many times stuck in the snow or mud - those we could have done without.
BUT - even through all that - junk - God is still God and he knows what he's doing and everything is for a purpose - even if I have to reassure myself of that sometimes. Cause when you're in the middle of it all - that's when it's the hardest. When you come out of it and look back, it doesn't seem so bad. Well, usually. My sister's death - I'm still in denial about that . . .
And here I sit, typing away, looking out at what started the day as an ice storm, which has now blossomed into a full fledged blizzard, with 38 mile an hour winds, and blowing and drifting snow. It's downright UGLY. It wouldn't be so bad, if we were all home - safe and snug together in front of the fire - I'd say - bring it on! But no, India is in town at work - which stinks. So - as my aunt would say, "Gotta get the worry beads out." See, back in the day, another aunt of mine would have a little stone she kept in her purse, and when she was worried or upset, she'd take it out and rub it. Perhaps out of nervousness, perhaps because she was ubber superstitious, perhaps she was just a little strange - I'm not sure. But the worry-bead aunt was (and is) much too sophisticated for a mere pebble in her purse. No, she had to go all out and make it a decorative necklace with several beads to rub. Talk about your worry! Me - I try not worry too much (quit laughing, children) - well - I try to turn it into trust. Into our heavenly Father. And just pray. I said I try. I didn't say I was very good at it.
But as for today - Noah was supposed to have a basketball game out of town. Well, I'm waiting for the email stating the cancellation for that one any minute. That's life here in the north. Sure, we schedule our lives down to the hour, but there isn't a winter yet where a single schedule's ever been kept. It's already been blown a few times this winter, and it's not even January.
So - to occupy our time stuck in our little hovel - we have a whole host of things we like to do. We eat, we play games, we eat, we read, we eat, we watch a movie on-line (while eating) - or we sit mesmerized as Ezra makes origami things. Right now, he's got a 'peace crane' he made hanging from the ceiling. He's also make an entire chess set, several 3D shapes and animals, viking's hats, and other creatures we're still not sure what they are. Yes, he has a book, but most of the stuff he's just made up himself. That's just freaky. But it's fun.
Hey, when the weather's like this and you can't go play outside - you have to be creative.
Well, the heavy snow is starting to come down. And I can barely see the trees in front of my house. The roads are drifting over and even the cats are hiding. Rats. I wish India had called in sick or something.
Um, Aunt Betty - about those worry beads . . .
BUT - even through all that - junk - God is still God and he knows what he's doing and everything is for a purpose - even if I have to reassure myself of that sometimes. Cause when you're in the middle of it all - that's when it's the hardest. When you come out of it and look back, it doesn't seem so bad. Well, usually. My sister's death - I'm still in denial about that . . .
And here I sit, typing away, looking out at what started the day as an ice storm, which has now blossomed into a full fledged blizzard, with 38 mile an hour winds, and blowing and drifting snow. It's downright UGLY. It wouldn't be so bad, if we were all home - safe and snug together in front of the fire - I'd say - bring it on! But no, India is in town at work - which stinks. So - as my aunt would say, "Gotta get the worry beads out." See, back in the day, another aunt of mine would have a little stone she kept in her purse, and when she was worried or upset, she'd take it out and rub it. Perhaps out of nervousness, perhaps because she was ubber superstitious, perhaps she was just a little strange - I'm not sure. But the worry-bead aunt was (and is) much too sophisticated for a mere pebble in her purse. No, she had to go all out and make it a decorative necklace with several beads to rub. Talk about your worry! Me - I try not worry too much (quit laughing, children) - well - I try to turn it into trust. Into our heavenly Father. And just pray. I said I try. I didn't say I was very good at it.
But as for today - Noah was supposed to have a basketball game out of town. Well, I'm waiting for the email stating the cancellation for that one any minute. That's life here in the north. Sure, we schedule our lives down to the hour, but there isn't a winter yet where a single schedule's ever been kept. It's already been blown a few times this winter, and it's not even January.
So - to occupy our time stuck in our little hovel - we have a whole host of things we like to do. We eat, we play games, we eat, we read, we eat, we watch a movie on-line (while eating) - or we sit mesmerized as Ezra makes origami things. Right now, he's got a 'peace crane' he made hanging from the ceiling. He's also make an entire chess set, several 3D shapes and animals, viking's hats, and other creatures we're still not sure what they are. Yes, he has a book, but most of the stuff he's just made up himself. That's just freaky. But it's fun.
Hey, when the weather's like this and you can't go play outside - you have to be creative.
Well, the heavy snow is starting to come down. And I can barely see the trees in front of my house. The roads are drifting over and even the cats are hiding. Rats. I wish India had called in sick or something.
Um, Aunt Betty - about those worry beads . . .
Thursday, December 23, 2010
New teeth . . .
We just came off a month of mouth fun. First, everyone went to the dentist and got our teeth cleaned. That was fine, but when India went - during the cleaning, the girl actually moved one of her teeth! I'm still not quite sure how that happened, but after 2 years of braces, she was having none of that! So back she went to the orthodontist to get that fixed. Then I finally went in to get my teeth fixed from when I had braces years ago. And just yesterday, Noah got braces put on (complete with bright, green bands). He's got the longest haul - 16 months of bother. I have 5 months and India has 5 weeks. My goodness the $$$!! I think we just paid for Doctor Van Laecken's next vacation - or two - or three.
And so - I have come to a realization. If anyone wants a career that helps people really feel better about themselves, that makes you a nice living, and one where you can retire early - go into orthodontics. The guy who put India's braces on just few years back is already retired - and he's in his mid-fifties. Not a bad gig if you can get it. Maybe you could be an ortho doc in some third world country and spread the gospel while fixing people's teeth. Or, right here in the states - maybe on the Indian reservations or poor inner city areas - you know - just go there for a few days a month or something. mmm - just a thought.
Well, smile everyone and show those pearly whites! We have much to smile about. :)
'I waited patiently for YHWH and he inclined unto me and heard my cry. He brought me also out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon the rock and ordered my goings. And he hath put in my mouth a new song of praise unto our God: many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in YHWH.' Psalm 40:1-3
And so - I have come to a realization. If anyone wants a career that helps people really feel better about themselves, that makes you a nice living, and one where you can retire early - go into orthodontics. The guy who put India's braces on just few years back is already retired - and he's in his mid-fifties. Not a bad gig if you can get it. Maybe you could be an ortho doc in some third world country and spread the gospel while fixing people's teeth. Or, right here in the states - maybe on the Indian reservations or poor inner city areas - you know - just go there for a few days a month or something. mmm - just a thought.
Well, smile everyone and show those pearly whites! We have much to smile about. :)
'I waited patiently for YHWH and he inclined unto me and heard my cry. He brought me also out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon the rock and ordered my goings. And he hath put in my mouth a new song of praise unto our God: many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in YHWH.' Psalm 40:1-3
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Good old terra ferma . . .
Back on solid ground. Yippee! There is a reason they label freaks like us white-knuckle flyers. The poor woman who sat beside me was getting a bit worried I was going to rip the arm rest right off the seat. I didn't. (Well, maybe just loosened it a tad) It's one thing to go through the long lines, the searches, the security checks, the x-rays, the bad food, the long walk to the gate, the waiting, the bad food, the toxic fumes - and then to have to actually get inside this metal paper-towel tube filled with 50 strangers sitting shoulder to shoulder loaded with hundreds of gallons of gasoline hovering above the ground at 34,000 feet in the air and to be expected to 'sit back and enjoy your flight' - they've got to be kidding.
Did I mention I'm not a big fan of flying??
No. Carolina, however, was lovely. The people, the food, the weather - nice mini-vacation. India got to spend time with her college friends, which were a super bunch I must say, we got to square dance (sorry to the two guys who drew the short straw and had to dance with me - but thanks - it was great fun and you were very gracious about it), we hung out at the mall (I went to the wrong one and spent and hour getting lost), we toured the Billy Graham Library, and we ate well. So all in all, it was a grand time and it was worth it.
The boys faired well while we were away. Chef Noah made some awesome meals and has threatened to take over my job as head cook. Rats. Why couldn't he have mastered the fine art of proper toilet cleaning instead? Now there's a job I wouldn't mind giving up.
We missed the big blizzard that shut down roads and airports and canceled events and closed shops. I wasn't too sad about that, I can tell you. It was nice to see holly trees/bushes, to walk on grass without Ugg boots and without having to buck 40 mph winds. Um, why is it we live up here again . . .
Well, we do. And we are back and back into the swing of things. Noah has his first basketball game tomorrow (God willing), India started her new job, Noah's getting braces, and the swimming and dancing and shoveling and freezing continues. But, we're all together and that's the most important thing.
So, even though it's 15 degrees and it's snowing - again - I'll take it. It's better than hiding under the seats in an airplane. Not that I actually did that of course. Good grief.
Well, I might have thought about it for a second. Or two. Or ten . . .
Did I mention I'm not a big fan of flying??
No. Carolina, however, was lovely. The people, the food, the weather - nice mini-vacation. India got to spend time with her college friends, which were a super bunch I must say, we got to square dance (sorry to the two guys who drew the short straw and had to dance with me - but thanks - it was great fun and you were very gracious about it), we hung out at the mall (I went to the wrong one and spent and hour getting lost), we toured the Billy Graham Library, and we ate well. So all in all, it was a grand time and it was worth it.
The boys faired well while we were away. Chef Noah made some awesome meals and has threatened to take over my job as head cook. Rats. Why couldn't he have mastered the fine art of proper toilet cleaning instead? Now there's a job I wouldn't mind giving up.
We missed the big blizzard that shut down roads and airports and canceled events and closed shops. I wasn't too sad about that, I can tell you. It was nice to see holly trees/bushes, to walk on grass without Ugg boots and without having to buck 40 mph winds. Um, why is it we live up here again . . .
Well, we do. And we are back and back into the swing of things. Noah has his first basketball game tomorrow (God willing), India started her new job, Noah's getting braces, and the swimming and dancing and shoveling and freezing continues. But, we're all together and that's the most important thing.
So, even though it's 15 degrees and it's snowing - again - I'll take it. It's better than hiding under the seats in an airplane. Not that I actually did that of course. Good grief.
Well, I might have thought about it for a second. Or two. Or ten . . .
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Talk about your Manic Monday . . .
Not to be curmudgeon, but yesterday was a Monday through and through.
First off, at 4 am, I hear the toilet running. Which means the water tanks are out of water, which means we have no water in the house. I fix the toilet (it's a sticky flusher), wake Gary to turn off the pump and pray that the tanks will fill up so we can shower. Then I try to go back to bed to sleep. It wasn't happening.
At 2:00 we drive to the dentist and got delayed by a train. They're swamped, Noah gets in late and there's a mix-up about ex-rays, procedures, blah, blah, blah. So Noah's late to basketball practice - not good. So, by the time it was India's turn at the dentist, she was really running late, not to mention we had the same mix-up with ex-rays, procedures, blah, blah, blah - all over again. Meanwhile, as I'm driving back to the dentist to settle the bill, (I literally had to flee without paying cause Noah was so late) the pickup stops. I mean, it was running, but not moving. I had well over a half a tank of gas, but when I pushed the gas peddle - nothing. I'm only going about 5 miles an hour, just coasting. So, I literally coast to the dentist - finish up there and try to coast my way to the mechanic's. It's a good thing our town is pancake flat, or I would have been in big trouble!
I talk to the mechanic and he says he can't look at it til tomorrow afternoon. Splendid. So I wait til Gary can leave work, walk to the dance studio, pick up India's car and drive over. Now, I'm late picking up the boys from the Y, I am late to talk with the swim coach about our bill and swim stuff and since it's now nearly 5 o'clock, it's too late to pay for the licence for our vehicles and get to the post office and do 1/2 the other errands I needed to do. I was starting to get a wee bit frustrated.
Gary finally gets to the shop and hops in the pickup to check it out. And what do you think happens? That's right - it works just fine. Of course. He's Gizmo. You know - the guy in the comics - the guy who whenever there's a computer problem, he comes in, sits down and suddenly the broken thing that was just happening, stops happening and everything works just fine?? Yeah, that's Gary. It always happens with computer stuff, car stuff, appliance stuff, printer stuff . . . you name it. And so now of course he thinks I'm delusional. (not the first time) But that's not where it stops. NO. We drop off the car for India, and I can't lock the doors. Seriously. I hit the driver's side lock, they lock and instantly they re-open, like some little imp is lifting up on the lock right after I lock it. (it's as if I can hear him snickering in the back seat) I keep trying and trying and it just keeps happening. Okay, now I'm starting to wonder if there's something wrong with me. Like something metaphysical is going on or something. Hey, I thought, I did have ex-rays last week - maybe I'm radioactive. (or maybe it's just my electric personality. . . okay - maybe not) But it was starting to freak me out a little, I have to tell you. But can you guess what happens next? Yep. Gary simply walks over, flips the lock and of course all the doors lock and don't 'magically' unlock. Now I'm really getting paranoid.
So I sit there, forehead on the steering wheel, wallowing. Come on, God, I say. Enough!
Then it hits me. I really do have a choice here. I could milk this for all it's worth and complain as to what a woeful day is plaguing me, how terrible and utterly horrible things are and such. Yeah, I could. (and did inside, a little - I have to admit) But, then I suck it up and say out loud, oh, good grief. It could be worse. And you know, it really could be. WAY worse. I mean, just think how way worse it could be.
Just then, Gary hops in the pickup and says, after getting the doors on the Honda to stay locked, See - things are looking up already! (always the optimist, eh?!)
I had to smile. Yeah, these little Monday annoyances are just petty when you think about it. A bit stressful in the moment, but in the scheme of things, not exactly catastrophic. So, I chose to grin and sigh and thank God that these are my problems at the moment. Everyone of them buggy by themselves, taken together just plain aggravating, but in the context of eternity, completely and totally trivial.
So, I survived Manic Monday and laughed in the devil's face. I have so much to be thankful for and I need to focus on that instead of all these little ticky things. Besides, they all got solved, and no there was no harm done - except to my self-control - or lack thereof.
So - smile! Some things - most things - just aren't worth getting so worked up about. (I'm telling myself)
And besides - now it's Tuesday! :)
First off, at 4 am, I hear the toilet running. Which means the water tanks are out of water, which means we have no water in the house. I fix the toilet (it's a sticky flusher), wake Gary to turn off the pump and pray that the tanks will fill up so we can shower. Then I try to go back to bed to sleep. It wasn't happening.
At 2:00 we drive to the dentist and got delayed by a train. They're swamped, Noah gets in late and there's a mix-up about ex-rays, procedures, blah, blah, blah. So Noah's late to basketball practice - not good. So, by the time it was India's turn at the dentist, she was really running late, not to mention we had the same mix-up with ex-rays, procedures, blah, blah, blah - all over again. Meanwhile, as I'm driving back to the dentist to settle the bill, (I literally had to flee without paying cause Noah was so late) the pickup stops. I mean, it was running, but not moving. I had well over a half a tank of gas, but when I pushed the gas peddle - nothing. I'm only going about 5 miles an hour, just coasting. So, I literally coast to the dentist - finish up there and try to coast my way to the mechanic's. It's a good thing our town is pancake flat, or I would have been in big trouble!
I talk to the mechanic and he says he can't look at it til tomorrow afternoon. Splendid. So I wait til Gary can leave work, walk to the dance studio, pick up India's car and drive over. Now, I'm late picking up the boys from the Y, I am late to talk with the swim coach about our bill and swim stuff and since it's now nearly 5 o'clock, it's too late to pay for the licence for our vehicles and get to the post office and do 1/2 the other errands I needed to do. I was starting to get a wee bit frustrated.
Gary finally gets to the shop and hops in the pickup to check it out. And what do you think happens? That's right - it works just fine. Of course. He's Gizmo. You know - the guy in the comics - the guy who whenever there's a computer problem, he comes in, sits down and suddenly the broken thing that was just happening, stops happening and everything works just fine?? Yeah, that's Gary. It always happens with computer stuff, car stuff, appliance stuff, printer stuff . . . you name it. And so now of course he thinks I'm delusional. (not the first time) But that's not where it stops. NO. We drop off the car for India, and I can't lock the doors. Seriously. I hit the driver's side lock, they lock and instantly they re-open, like some little imp is lifting up on the lock right after I lock it. (it's as if I can hear him snickering in the back seat) I keep trying and trying and it just keeps happening. Okay, now I'm starting to wonder if there's something wrong with me. Like something metaphysical is going on or something. Hey, I thought, I did have ex-rays last week - maybe I'm radioactive. (or maybe it's just my electric personality. . . okay - maybe not) But it was starting to freak me out a little, I have to tell you. But can you guess what happens next? Yep. Gary simply walks over, flips the lock and of course all the doors lock and don't 'magically' unlock. Now I'm really getting paranoid.
So I sit there, forehead on the steering wheel, wallowing. Come on, God, I say. Enough!
Then it hits me. I really do have a choice here. I could milk this for all it's worth and complain as to what a woeful day is plaguing me, how terrible and utterly horrible things are and such. Yeah, I could. (and did inside, a little - I have to admit) But, then I suck it up and say out loud, oh, good grief. It could be worse. And you know, it really could be. WAY worse. I mean, just think how way worse it could be.
Just then, Gary hops in the pickup and says, after getting the doors on the Honda to stay locked, See - things are looking up already! (always the optimist, eh?!)
I had to smile. Yeah, these little Monday annoyances are just petty when you think about it. A bit stressful in the moment, but in the scheme of things, not exactly catastrophic. So, I chose to grin and sigh and thank God that these are my problems at the moment. Everyone of them buggy by themselves, taken together just plain aggravating, but in the context of eternity, completely and totally trivial.
So, I survived Manic Monday and laughed in the devil's face. I have so much to be thankful for and I need to focus on that instead of all these little ticky things. Besides, they all got solved, and no there was no harm done - except to my self-control - or lack thereof.
So - smile! Some things - most things - just aren't worth getting so worked up about. (I'm telling myself)
And besides - now it's Tuesday! :)
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Sunshine deprivation . . .
Okay, so this is day 74 without seeing the sun. Well, maybe not quite 74, but it feels like it. It's 19 degrees as I type, it's lightly snowing, and the boys are out chopping wood. Tis the season . . .
Busy week, this was. Ez had yet another Mathcounts competition and got first place. He's 3 for 3. Not bad.
Then Ez and Judah had a swim meet and did really well. They both made a state time and cut time in most events. The bonus: it was the annual candy cane meet, in which, if you get first in your heat, you get a candy cane. Judah got two and Ez got one. Not a bonus: they tasted terrible. They weren't your traditional, and might I add - normally flavored peppermint, but some lab-induced, sugar-laden, chemically-colored, frankenfood. Yuck.
And also this week, basketball has started up with a vengeance. Noah's had two-a-days and he's just not used to it. Ez and Judah have been swimming two days a week at 5am for a couple months now - so they are a bit more conditioned to those early morning hours. Noah, on the other hand, would sleep til noon if we let him, thus, he's having a little more difficult time in adjusting. Well, we better all get used to it - we have three more months of this craziness!! AAAHHHHHH!
By the way - anybody want any cats? We have 6 that we would gladly part with. They sit there so nice and cute in front of the door, but then as soon as the door opens a crack, they turn demonic and pounce inside like maniacs. And then like maniacs ourselves, we scream (well - I scream) and we run around the house chasing them down to throw them out. Not only that, they crawl on the screens outside and paw at the windows as if we're going to let them in. Now, we love them because they kill the mice, but they are supposed to be barn cats and stay in the barn - well - except for the fact that we don't have a barn. But we have an old garage and a horse shelter with a tack room and an old chicken house that is converted to a play house that they have access to. So there. Anyway, we have 6 lovely garage/tack room/chicken house cats - just in time for the holidays. Any takers??
Busy week, this was. Ez had yet another Mathcounts competition and got first place. He's 3 for 3. Not bad.
Then Ez and Judah had a swim meet and did really well. They both made a state time and cut time in most events. The bonus: it was the annual candy cane meet, in which, if you get first in your heat, you get a candy cane. Judah got two and Ez got one. Not a bonus: they tasted terrible. They weren't your traditional, and might I add - normally flavored peppermint, but some lab-induced, sugar-laden, chemically-colored, frankenfood. Yuck.
And also this week, basketball has started up with a vengeance. Noah's had two-a-days and he's just not used to it. Ez and Judah have been swimming two days a week at 5am for a couple months now - so they are a bit more conditioned to those early morning hours. Noah, on the other hand, would sleep til noon if we let him, thus, he's having a little more difficult time in adjusting. Well, we better all get used to it - we have three more months of this craziness!! AAAHHHHHH!
By the way - anybody want any cats? We have 6 that we would gladly part with. They sit there so nice and cute in front of the door, but then as soon as the door opens a crack, they turn demonic and pounce inside like maniacs. And then like maniacs ourselves, we scream (well - I scream) and we run around the house chasing them down to throw them out. Not only that, they crawl on the screens outside and paw at the windows as if we're going to let them in. Now, we love them because they kill the mice, but they are supposed to be barn cats and stay in the barn - well - except for the fact that we don't have a barn. But we have an old garage and a horse shelter with a tack room and an old chicken house that is converted to a play house that they have access to. So there. Anyway, we have 6 lovely garage/tack room/chicken house cats - just in time for the holidays. Any takers??
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