In my sidebar you will find some "links". The most prolific and most updated would be the Link to my Sister-in-the-Lord Rachel Hauck. She writes Christian "chic lit". (For those of us who might not understand, I don't mean the chewing gum.) She has a heart for the Lord that is easy to perceive, especially when you read how and what she writes.
Her Husband is also quite the extraordinary man of God, though I have not met him yet, he occasionally will guest write on her site with scriptural insights. He's pretty good at pointing out the things we often miss. I haven't seen Rachel in way too many years but I feel I still know who she is by the way she writes. I have never met her husband but from what he has written I would like to.
Rachel herself has just recently posted to her site about the things we do and say that are unique to us and people will recognize as being "Will-like" or "Rachel-like" or (and of course you knew this was coming:) Christ-like. All too often we don't recognize how even the very little things we do can leave an impact on someone. They may not even realize that it was you that made that impact; Or we can leave an impact on someone we haven't even met.
You will find another link to Claire Frosts webpage (also in my sidebar). She also has a heart after God. It's amazing how that can stick out and draw us to it like a moth to a flame. Drawn to the Father and Drawn to those who feel the same pull we do. Claire has an infectious enthusiasm that has a dramatic effect on those around her. Having been drawn to her husband Seth by his Heart for God, she has "Ruth-like" left her home and friends in Australia to live here in the cold of Wisconsin. Through Claire, those of us who are blessed to know her, we get to see our own lives with new eyes.
We get to see the pleasures we either take for granted or have forgotten to take at all. We also get to see how serious we take the things we probably shouldn't. Spend time with Claire and you will learn to smile at yourself.
Claire's site has a side bar with links on it as well. If you have noticed my guestbook and commentator on the right, she (her site) is where I got the idea from. Only, hers is blue and she has a different name for it that might shed some light into her personality: "My beautiful blue buzzing babble box". C'mon! with a name like that you HAVE to try it right? (As opposed to my dry "commentator" title) Well, with her links page and through her babble box I have become aware of Naomi or "Nomes" as she is sometimes called. The way of her comments intrigued me, so I visited her sites. Naomi seems to possess both a Christian maturity and an appreciation for this life. As if she understands the part about when God was done with creation He saw "...that it was Good". Too many of us Christians are looking to the next life so much we have overlooked this one. Or worse, we look on this one as to be endured as opposed to actually "living it". The apostle Paul -while under house arrest- acknowledged that to "...live is Christ and to die is gain". Certainly heaven is a far better place, but this life can be fun too when you are living for Jesus.
Anyway, Below you will find some of Naomi's artwork, to find more just click here. It's well worth the trip! You will find links for her pages on Claires site as well or you can copy and paste: http://naomisartwork.blogspot.com/ Let me know what YOU think!
May the Lord Bless you and keep you and Give You Peace!
Will.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
They're alive!
The kids are feeling better. Before they were too sick to fight. Now they are well enough to argue. Other mothers will understand that gauge of wellness. It is a strange feeling to have your two children in a room for 3 days and never hear one argument. Jessa is about two days ahead of Jacob, but his fever broke last night, so he's coming along. I think that she will go back to school tomorrow. I'm not sure about him, but I think he will try it.
On Friday it was almost 50 degrees!! That melted most of the snow and left a very hard crust on top. It also left black ice everywhere. I ended up falling on my duffer on the mail route. It's suprising how quickly you can get up, even at my age, in order to make sure no one sees you laying there. Thank God it was me that fell though. I have many old people on my route and 4 of them are "hardships". That means that I hand deliver their mail to a box by their door or in their porch. The place that I was delivering mail to when I fell is to the home of a lady in her 90's. I hate to think of what would have happened, if it had been her falling. Most carriers think of hardships as a terrible thing, but I would much rather this type of thing happen, than to have them fall and possibly hurt themselves badly.
On my way home I stopped in at Mom and Dad's to check out some stuff for them. They are at my brother's house and Dad needed to know some stuff. Well, I shoveled the walk for them (and Dana), put the shovel on the porch turned around to step down and BANG there I went on my duffer again. No good deed goes unpunished, I guess. Last night and today, I'm dealing with the bruises. Why couldn't I have really landed on my backside. At least my behind has plenty of padding to break my fall. I do not have fat knees! Why does a person have to hit their hands and knees and then fall backwards?
I started painting in one of the apartment bedrooms last night. I also did some more taping and gooping. I only did the stuff that I could reach though. When I climbed the ladder and my knee gave out, I decided that the ladder was not a good idea last night. Today I hope to finish taping gooping and do most of the painting after church. The whole area is small enough that most of my time is spent moving the construction materials that we need out of the way so that I can do an area. Then after I finish, I have to move the stuff again to do another area. Time consuming, but worth it.
We hope to finish painting and put down the carpet tomorrow. Then Tuesday we will move them over. Lots of stuff we will still need to finish, but they need to be out of where they are by the end of the month. That will give them a couple of days to clean. It's going to be a huge adjustment for all of us, but I think that it will work out fine in the end.
Peggy and I are planning on working on quilts among other things. She and I have enough material saved between us that we could probably make about 100 or more quilt tops. Kind of scary isn't it? I just love planning quilts, but have only had the chance to make a couple due to lack of an area to do them and the time to finish them. I plan on changing that soon. Need a quilt?
Well, time to get ready for church.
I hope you all have a blessed, safe day!
On Friday it was almost 50 degrees!! That melted most of the snow and left a very hard crust on top. It also left black ice everywhere. I ended up falling on my duffer on the mail route. It's suprising how quickly you can get up, even at my age, in order to make sure no one sees you laying there. Thank God it was me that fell though. I have many old people on my route and 4 of them are "hardships". That means that I hand deliver their mail to a box by their door or in their porch. The place that I was delivering mail to when I fell is to the home of a lady in her 90's. I hate to think of what would have happened, if it had been her falling. Most carriers think of hardships as a terrible thing, but I would much rather this type of thing happen, than to have them fall and possibly hurt themselves badly.
On my way home I stopped in at Mom and Dad's to check out some stuff for them. They are at my brother's house and Dad needed to know some stuff. Well, I shoveled the walk for them (and Dana), put the shovel on the porch turned around to step down and BANG there I went on my duffer again. No good deed goes unpunished, I guess. Last night and today, I'm dealing with the bruises. Why couldn't I have really landed on my backside. At least my behind has plenty of padding to break my fall. I do not have fat knees! Why does a person have to hit their hands and knees and then fall backwards?
I started painting in one of the apartment bedrooms last night. I also did some more taping and gooping. I only did the stuff that I could reach though. When I climbed the ladder and my knee gave out, I decided that the ladder was not a good idea last night. Today I hope to finish taping gooping and do most of the painting after church. The whole area is small enough that most of my time is spent moving the construction materials that we need out of the way so that I can do an area. Then after I finish, I have to move the stuff again to do another area. Time consuming, but worth it.
We hope to finish painting and put down the carpet tomorrow. Then Tuesday we will move them over. Lots of stuff we will still need to finish, but they need to be out of where they are by the end of the month. That will give them a couple of days to clean. It's going to be a huge adjustment for all of us, but I think that it will work out fine in the end.
Peggy and I are planning on working on quilts among other things. She and I have enough material saved between us that we could probably make about 100 or more quilt tops. Kind of scary isn't it? I just love planning quilts, but have only had the chance to make a couple due to lack of an area to do them and the time to finish them. I plan on changing that soon. Need a quilt?
Well, time to get ready for church.
I hope you all have a blessed, safe day!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
20 degrees and bugs everywhere!
The Donaldson house has become "virus central". Jessalyn came home with it and imediately had to share it with her brother. Now they are both extremely ill and miserable. It is like having stereo speakers on either side of me groaning. Thankfully they are both being very good natured about it. Not like when they were little and didn't understand. Back then they just were pitiful. These days they at least try to be helpful by not complaining too much. Now I'm feeling pretty cruddy so I'm hoping that I don't get it. I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO BE SICK!!!!!
Work on the apartment goes on. We are trying our best to get everything done so that we can move Peggy and Amanda in next week, but I don't know. Dealing with the kids has really thrown a monkey wrench into it. I am going to work out there today. The main thing to do now is tape and goop. I have 2 coats on most of the rooms, but need to finish off some. Then the third coat is the final coat and the most fun. It is a decorative technique that I invented by accident and love it. It really makes the walls look like they are the old fashioned plaster from the victorian age. It will fit in with the rest of the house then. After the gooping is done we can work on painting and then the carpet. There will be no doors on the bedrooms when they move in, but that's no big deal. Doors will come. We just need to get them in there and set up. Then we can start organizing schedules etc.
Amanda has a dog named "Tater" who is very cute, very quick and very smart. I'm sure that Sam will love having him around. We just have to work on getting Tater trained to command as he is very lacking in that area. I don't want Sam to "forget" all that he knows, so Tater will have to learn it. Speaking of Sam, he sure is miserable without the kids. He just lays there with them quietly. Of course I take him out to play, but Momma doesn't run like the kids do. I don't think I'm as much fun. I make him do all the work. He sure misses his kids!
Well, time to go and do laundry. We seem to be having lots of it lately. I cannot imagine why. I think that I am going to make a pot of chicken soup today and see if the kids can keep it down.
Have a great day and stay safe!
Work on the apartment goes on. We are trying our best to get everything done so that we can move Peggy and Amanda in next week, but I don't know. Dealing with the kids has really thrown a monkey wrench into it. I am going to work out there today. The main thing to do now is tape and goop. I have 2 coats on most of the rooms, but need to finish off some. Then the third coat is the final coat and the most fun. It is a decorative technique that I invented by accident and love it. It really makes the walls look like they are the old fashioned plaster from the victorian age. It will fit in with the rest of the house then. After the gooping is done we can work on painting and then the carpet. There will be no doors on the bedrooms when they move in, but that's no big deal. Doors will come. We just need to get them in there and set up. Then we can start organizing schedules etc.
Amanda has a dog named "Tater" who is very cute, very quick and very smart. I'm sure that Sam will love having him around. We just have to work on getting Tater trained to command as he is very lacking in that area. I don't want Sam to "forget" all that he knows, so Tater will have to learn it. Speaking of Sam, he sure is miserable without the kids. He just lays there with them quietly. Of course I take him out to play, but Momma doesn't run like the kids do. I don't think I'm as much fun. I make him do all the work. He sure misses his kids!
Well, time to go and do laundry. We seem to be having lots of it lately. I cannot imagine why. I think that I am going to make a pot of chicken soup today and see if the kids can keep it down.
Have a great day and stay safe!
Friday, January 19, 2007
Winnie the Pooh Ear Muffs!
Deanna somehow managed to avoid all the Christmas
pictures, so I snapped this one when I caught her wearing
winnie the pooh ear muffs.
Below you will find a group of pictures for your viewing
pleasure. Enjoy!
Will.
Black and White.
Deanna in Black; in the White snow;
playing with Sam the Black dog and
his Black and White soccer ball.
Hey! Where'd my Garage go???
My garage door used to be where the new door and
windows are now. This new little apartment (for
lack of a better word) is still under construction.
If you will excuse the mess, I'd be glad
to give you the tour...
C'mon in!
Through the front door into the main living area.
If you need it, the bathroom is the first door there to the left...
That won't actually be a bathroom for some time yet, but it
is set up to be one.
Come into my parlor...
...Said the spider to the fly... Just to the left inside the
door is a little kitchenette. I didn't get a picture but
there really isn't much to see yet anyway.
Behind doors 1, 2, & 3...
The three doors at the back of the main living area.
The one to the immediate left and the door in the middle
lead to the two bedrooms. They are really, really small
but should be comfortable.
Utility room
This is through the door to the right at the back of the
main living area. It's a little (tiny) utility room which
will have a small (tiny!) work area on top of the
freezer. This means I will have to keep it clean if I want
to get anything out of the freezer. The back door leads
to our back patio.
Main living area
From the Utility room looking towards the front door.
Yeah, it's kind of junky at the moment but it's still a
construction site. Those cabinets on the ground have
been hung around the corner to the right in the
kitchenette.
Ooh Dark!
This is before I enhanced the pic above. It's not really
that Dark in there but I liked the contrast with the
snow falling down outside. It gives you an idea of the
view.
Our New Yellow door:
Pardon all the construction materials
but thats the new door we bought for
half off. It will be painted. You
can't tell it, but in real life the
Yellow is SCREAMING at you.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
working and Working!
Please forgive us. We are SO Very, Very, Busy! I know we should post more and we are working on it. Also, I really want to post more pictures this year. Every one seems to enjoy those most. I'm not sure why, but who am I to argue? I actually took a couple Thursday at Jessa's Musical.
They had kids from the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades together, doing a sort of "SNow Business" broadway style musical. It was really really cute and I've seen some High school shows that weren't as good. I was impressed. Anyway there are a couple of pics from that but they are still on my camera. When I can get a couple of minutes and some energy I'll post them.
Speaking of Snow business, we are finally getting some. We still arn't too sure how much, but I'll let you know. Right now we just have a "dusting" but it's still coming down and we could get as much as 8 inches or more; probably not, but we could. If we do, then you know I Have To Post pics! I don't know what it is about the snow that makes me love to photograph it so much, but I do.
We have been working really hard in the new apartment -and no I haven't taken any pics of that, but I will! I promise! If the Lord is willing of course!
Dave and I have been working everyday that I have been off of work and the days I've been at work he has been working on it by himself! The walls are up and drywalled and the electrical has been run. Dave installed two of the four electric heaters. We have two small wall mounted units with fans and two baseboard type. The one wall mount is actually for our sunporch, which up until now has been unheated.
Dea is supposed to start "tapin' and goopin' " tonight (thats what she calls spreading joint compound on drywall. It works.) because her dad wants to start hanging cabinets tomorrow.
Let me say a few things about that. The cabinets and the doors and alot of the construction material, is stuff we have literally had lying around. Dave and I have been absolutely marveling at how God has been moving in our lives -literally for years- to provide us with the things we needed to pull this off. It is hard to explain properly in this small place but God has really been opening our eyes to how He has been moving us towards this for such a very long time. There have been a couple of times I've wondered if I was doing the right thing and God was right there to give me peace.
Honestly, we have a couple of great friends with beautiful hearts that have a need for a place to stay. I have space. This isn't genius at work; or rather it is, but it's God's genius, not mine. I simply made the offer and it was like God said YES! yesyesyesyesyesyes! The rewards have been amazing and I am grateful.
Isn't that the way of it? We offer Him our pitiful gifts; mostly worthless when compared to Him, but He accepts it and accepts it with enthusiasm! Our simple little gift is already returning to us pressed down and overflowing. God is Good. All the Time.
You know, as gratefull as I am for the physical blessings He's giving, for me, I treasure the times when he actually lets me "see" His workings. It just doesn't get any better.
Nuff Said for now. May you see His workings in your life More and More Amen!
Will.
They had kids from the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades together, doing a sort of "SNow Business" broadway style musical. It was really really cute and I've seen some High school shows that weren't as good. I was impressed. Anyway there are a couple of pics from that but they are still on my camera. When I can get a couple of minutes and some energy I'll post them.
Speaking of Snow business, we are finally getting some. We still arn't too sure how much, but I'll let you know. Right now we just have a "dusting" but it's still coming down and we could get as much as 8 inches or more; probably not, but we could. If we do, then you know I Have To Post pics! I don't know what it is about the snow that makes me love to photograph it so much, but I do.
We have been working really hard in the new apartment -and no I haven't taken any pics of that, but I will! I promise! If the Lord is willing of course!
Dave and I have been working everyday that I have been off of work and the days I've been at work he has been working on it by himself! The walls are up and drywalled and the electrical has been run. Dave installed two of the four electric heaters. We have two small wall mounted units with fans and two baseboard type. The one wall mount is actually for our sunporch, which up until now has been unheated.
Dea is supposed to start "tapin' and goopin' " tonight (thats what she calls spreading joint compound on drywall. It works.) because her dad wants to start hanging cabinets tomorrow.
Let me say a few things about that. The cabinets and the doors and alot of the construction material, is stuff we have literally had lying around. Dave and I have been absolutely marveling at how God has been moving in our lives -literally for years- to provide us with the things we needed to pull this off. It is hard to explain properly in this small place but God has really been opening our eyes to how He has been moving us towards this for such a very long time. There have been a couple of times I've wondered if I was doing the right thing and God was right there to give me peace.
Honestly, we have a couple of great friends with beautiful hearts that have a need for a place to stay. I have space. This isn't genius at work; or rather it is, but it's God's genius, not mine. I simply made the offer and it was like God said YES! yesyesyesyesyesyes! The rewards have been amazing and I am grateful.
Isn't that the way of it? We offer Him our pitiful gifts; mostly worthless when compared to Him, but He accepts it and accepts it with enthusiasm! Our simple little gift is already returning to us pressed down and overflowing. God is Good. All the Time.
You know, as gratefull as I am for the physical blessings He's giving, for me, I treasure the times when he actually lets me "see" His workings. It just doesn't get any better.
Nuff Said for now. May you see His workings in your life More and More Amen!
Will.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Does anyone have a good duck recipe?
I stopped at our local super store the other day and found a GREAT deal. They had all of their frozen smoked turkey breasts(bone in), smoked whole turkeys, ducks and frozen gooses (Yes I know that the technical term is geese, but I only bought the one, not a whole flock). Anyway, all of them were on sale for 25 cents a pound. They needed the room and knew that there would not be much of a market for them after the holidays. So........I bought a BUNCH! When you can get a 5 pound smoked turkey breast for $1.25 you take advantage. Besides they have an expiration date of May 2008 on them. I spent right around $23 and saved about $190. I filled a good portion of the freezer. Now I am prepared for those days when we end up with 10 or more people to feed , which happens often. The only problem is, I have never cooked a duck in my life. They were too expensive. So I am asking if anyone has any good duck recipes?
I taught the upstairs Sunday School class yesterday. Usually I teach a smaller class downstairs that is covering basics. They really get DEEP upstairs. When they asked me in front of people, I could not turn it down, but I really wanted to. They said it was "stretching myself". Funny-they weren't the one teaching. I had these big plans to teach something that I had been working on in my own mind for a while. No dice. I ended up teaching a lesson that we had been working on in our other class. I have not heard much feedback, I think that I scared them. It was interesting, but I will stick to my little class and leave the big one for the others.
I took the day off work today. I have been so busy with everything for a couple of months now. Think back to how busy your days are during the holidays and then add working at the Post Office to them. I need to regroup and function here at the house without anyone else here. I love my family, but sometimes, I need to be able to just work at my own pace without anyone else around. Of course the minute I said that the things that everyone else needed me to do started piling up. I don't mind though, I guess.
The weather here has been not the typical January weather. Many years at this time it is -30 windchill factor. The other day it was 54 above. Weird. We all keep laughing because our friend Seth married our friend Claire who is from Australia and has been waiting for snow. She's still waiting. I think it would be nice for her if we could get a day of snow that piled up a good 8 inches or so. I know my kids would love it!
You've heard of "cabin fever", well I've got "travelin' fever". I am my parent's daughter after all. With my job, traveling was just not an option before. I was on call 6 days a week and if you didn't work you didn't get paid. Now I earn annual and sick leave. I can take a day off and still get paid. What a concept! I am ready to do a little traveling, except that we have an apartment to finish, house to finish, yard to work in etc., etc., I don't see much hope for it before I go to the Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism in March. That will have to be my big splurge for awhile. I look forward to it each and every year. I learn so much. What an experience! I guess that my travelin' fever will have to wait some more, but I can dream can't I?
Well, time to get Jessalyn up for school. Jake is all ready. Once they're gone......I can regroup. Have a blessed day!
I taught the upstairs Sunday School class yesterday. Usually I teach a smaller class downstairs that is covering basics. They really get DEEP upstairs. When they asked me in front of people, I could not turn it down, but I really wanted to. They said it was "stretching myself". Funny-they weren't the one teaching. I had these big plans to teach something that I had been working on in my own mind for a while. No dice. I ended up teaching a lesson that we had been working on in our other class. I have not heard much feedback, I think that I scared them. It was interesting, but I will stick to my little class and leave the big one for the others.
I took the day off work today. I have been so busy with everything for a couple of months now. Think back to how busy your days are during the holidays and then add working at the Post Office to them. I need to regroup and function here at the house without anyone else here. I love my family, but sometimes, I need to be able to just work at my own pace without anyone else around. Of course the minute I said that the things that everyone else needed me to do started piling up. I don't mind though, I guess.
The weather here has been not the typical January weather. Many years at this time it is -30 windchill factor. The other day it was 54 above. Weird. We all keep laughing because our friend Seth married our friend Claire who is from Australia and has been waiting for snow. She's still waiting. I think it would be nice for her if we could get a day of snow that piled up a good 8 inches or so. I know my kids would love it!
You've heard of "cabin fever", well I've got "travelin' fever". I am my parent's daughter after all. With my job, traveling was just not an option before. I was on call 6 days a week and if you didn't work you didn't get paid. Now I earn annual and sick leave. I can take a day off and still get paid. What a concept! I am ready to do a little traveling, except that we have an apartment to finish, house to finish, yard to work in etc., etc., I don't see much hope for it before I go to the Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism in March. That will have to be my big splurge for awhile. I look forward to it each and every year. I learn so much. What an experience! I guess that my travelin' fever will have to wait some more, but I can dream can't I?
Well, time to get Jessalyn up for school. Jake is all ready. Once they're gone......I can regroup. Have a blessed day!
Monday, January 01, 2007
2007!
Happy New Year!
Below you will find some random pictures from our Christmas. They will include Deanna's Sister Dana and their Mom and Dad: Dottie and Dave. Of course, Jacob and Jessalyn are featured and you will find one of me. Deanna, somehow managed to evade the camera this year. I'm still not sure how she managed that.
I actually started our new year on a good note. I got up early this morning and took down all of our Christmas lights. I took the ornaments and lights off the Christmas tree and hauled it out to the burn pile. I think this is the first time that our Christmas decorations were put away before Spring.
I did try to get some pics of the Christmas lights on the house but I couldn't get them to come out right. So you will just have to use your imagination but there were more than 15 sets of lights on the house and fence plus eight sets on the Christmas tree.
I think I have found the 2nd most efficient way to store Christmas lights, Shopping bags. small plastic shopping bags. They are cheap, easy to get, and work pretty good. I put each set in its own bag and then all the sets fit in their own box. There is a little untangling when you get them out again but not much. You only have to untangle one set at a time. It works for me but I know everyone has their own technique.
---Oh, the best way to store lights? Don't. Those mini lights are pretty cheap. Especially if you do what Dea and I do. We buy them the week after Christmas. But when you are as stingy a person as I am...
We spent the last couple of weeks turning the Garage into living space and it is coming along nicely. I will try to get a couple of pictures of that too when I get a chance. Until then, May the Lord Bless you with ALL the Fruits and Gifts of His Holy Spirit!
Will.
Below you will find some random pictures from our Christmas. They will include Deanna's Sister Dana and their Mom and Dad: Dottie and Dave. Of course, Jacob and Jessalyn are featured and you will find one of me. Deanna, somehow managed to evade the camera this year. I'm still not sure how she managed that.
I actually started our new year on a good note. I got up early this morning and took down all of our Christmas lights. I took the ornaments and lights off the Christmas tree and hauled it out to the burn pile. I think this is the first time that our Christmas decorations were put away before Spring.
I did try to get some pics of the Christmas lights on the house but I couldn't get them to come out right. So you will just have to use your imagination but there were more than 15 sets of lights on the house and fence plus eight sets on the Christmas tree.
I think I have found the 2nd most efficient way to store Christmas lights, Shopping bags. small plastic shopping bags. They are cheap, easy to get, and work pretty good. I put each set in its own bag and then all the sets fit in their own box. There is a little untangling when you get them out again but not much. You only have to untangle one set at a time. It works for me but I know everyone has their own technique.
---Oh, the best way to store lights? Don't. Those mini lights are pretty cheap. Especially if you do what Dea and I do. We buy them the week after Christmas. But when you are as stingy a person as I am...
We spent the last couple of weeks turning the Garage into living space and it is coming along nicely. I will try to get a couple of pictures of that too when I get a chance. Until then, May the Lord Bless you with ALL the Fruits and Gifts of His Holy Spirit!
Will.
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