For the first time in a long time, I actually surprised Will with his Birthday present. There have been so many times that I have bought, made or planned his present and he guesses what it is. I have even gone so far as to put a small thing in a huge box and he still knows. This time he did not guess. Boy am I proud of myself. Before you think that it's because I gave him hints, or he snooped, it's not. He just knows my mind and guesses.
Since we turned our garage into an apartment for our friends, Will has had no place for his tools. He has tools strung out all over creation. It's not really his fault because we just poked them into any available space. We are forever searching for a certain tool that we need. I say "we" because of few of them, I use quite often too. He has often lamented that he does not have a place for his tools. I decided to fix his problem for his birthday.
I asked my Dad to help me. We built an outdoor workshop for him. Well, Dad did most of the work, but I helped. I am a good "board holder" when you are sawing, nailing or measuring. We built it at Mom and Dad's house and then brought it out here in sections to put it together yesterday for the birthday boy. My Mom helped too. We had fun!
It's a small shed with shelves and a workbench. It opens up so that it is a work center ahead of you, but you do not enter the building. It works sort of like a pantry cupboard with a desk area. He can close the whole thing up and lock it with his project still on the work bench. There is room for pretty much all of his tools, aside from the air compresser and who knows maybe that will even fit. There are many possibilities for storage, including outdoor garden tool storage on the sides. I'm proud of my Dad for making my idea come to life.
I'm pretty sure Will is tickled. I asked him last night if it was an ok birthday present and he said it was. I know that it means more work for him as we still have to paint it and shingle it, but I think that in the long run it will come in very handy.
As for the bear story. I went out yesterday morning and the melting snow still had a couple of his foot prints in it. I took a picture of it. Then last evening Will, the kids and I all went out to see if we could see where he crossed the road or any other signs. There were prints there from the large pad on his foot. Scary, awesome business.
I'm off to work.
Have a great day!
Happy Birthday Will.......you're old.
dea
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
The POWER of MOM
Yesterday was a busy day. We went to church in the morning (after I read the clock wrong and was ready to walk out of the door an hour early). Jessalyn is still on her trip and Jacob didn't feel well, so it was just Will and I. We even managed to get there on time. It was a great service, filled with happy people. What a way to start a day.
We came on home and checked on Jake, who was still sleeping and did not wake up until 1:00 pm (the first time). He had a drink and snack, took his cold meds and went back to bed until almost 4:00. Then he stayed up until 7:30 and went back to bed. I know he was sick, because most of the day he did not even feel well enough to play a video game. Now that's sick!
Will and I spent the day picking up wood at my sister's house. They had cut down a large Oak tree and an Ash tree. Firewood for us. Two truck loads. Then we helped Dad take some stuff out to our friend's flea market. No sense keeping it around the house. Stood around and talked a minute and then were going to go back and get a load of manure for my garden (for the weeds). Ran out of time so we came on home.
Will talked to his folks for awhile, as we had been playing "phone tag" with them for a week or so. They laughed alot, so it must have been good. I tried to catch up on all the shows that we had recorded on the tv with our T*vo. I try to sit down once a week and catch up. Most times I don't get it all watched and finally give up. So far for some reason we are addicted to the King Crab fishing people on the one show and now they have started up a new one about Alaska. This one is where 4 groups of normal people are taken to Alaska to set up household and they have to survive for 3 months in different settings. Quite interesting. Will and I watch together and have decided that we would do things much different than they do in most situations. They had a show like this a couple of years ago, where people had to act like wagon train settlers in a valley and prepare for the winter. We were hooked. I think both Will and would like to have had the chance to do something like that, BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. Not forever, just long enough to say that we did it. Now we're probably too old.
Now....for the power of Mom. Will was tired so he went to bed. I stayed up for a while, too tired to sleep. I decided to take the dog out one last time before heading to bed myself. I grabbed Will's light cannon (something like 3 million candles bright, whatever that means). I take that out with me because I have a very big BLACK dog and you cannot see him in the dark unless there is a full moon. The only thing that you can see are his teeth and unless he's running you don't see those very often. Of course when he runs back to you out of the dark night, it can scare the crud out of you too. He's not there-He's there!
Anyway, my dog, my light and I go outside. I hear something over to my left and Sam's dog Tater starts just throwing a fit. I walk around the corner with my light thinking that there are deer there. I round the corner to see a BEAR there. He see's me with my light cannon and turns and runs. I am not making a fishing story up when I tell you that he was taller than my waist and his butt was over three feet wide. I am SO glad that he was scared of Mom and her cannon, because I forgot every bit of advise that people have ever given me about what to do if you see a bear. Maybe I don't want to go to Alaska.
I turn to grab my dog to make sure that he does not try to protect me from the bear, as I'm running towards the back door. No worries there. Mr. black dog has beat me to the door and is wanting in. There are Monsters in our back yard and he wants inside. Little fluffy dog in his kennel is trying to get to the bear, but I think that was all a show. I think that if he had not known that he was safe with his bluff because of the fence, he would have been with Sam at the door. THAT WAS A BIG, BIG BEAR!
I ran inside to tell Will. Woke him up. Sorry honey but too bad! He was not properly enthusiastic about it, so I called the only other people that I know are awake at that hour. Will's parents. They were impressed even if he was not. His only comment was "I wish I'd seen it, sorry I missed it". He should have been amazed at the power of Mom! I chased away a bear with a flashlight! Ok, so I know I just startled him and he ran, but boy am I glad he was running the other way!
Now this morning, we have over an inch of snow on the ground. It won't last long. Rain is supposed to start soon. Oh joy, more rain. Oh well, I'm not working today (I have to pick Jessa up from her trip) so at least I won't be standing in the rain.
Have a great day!
dea
We came on home and checked on Jake, who was still sleeping and did not wake up until 1:00 pm (the first time). He had a drink and snack, took his cold meds and went back to bed until almost 4:00. Then he stayed up until 7:30 and went back to bed. I know he was sick, because most of the day he did not even feel well enough to play a video game. Now that's sick!
Will and I spent the day picking up wood at my sister's house. They had cut down a large Oak tree and an Ash tree. Firewood for us. Two truck loads. Then we helped Dad take some stuff out to our friend's flea market. No sense keeping it around the house. Stood around and talked a minute and then were going to go back and get a load of manure for my garden (for the weeds). Ran out of time so we came on home.
Will talked to his folks for awhile, as we had been playing "phone tag" with them for a week or so. They laughed alot, so it must have been good. I tried to catch up on all the shows that we had recorded on the tv with our T*vo. I try to sit down once a week and catch up. Most times I don't get it all watched and finally give up. So far for some reason we are addicted to the King Crab fishing people on the one show and now they have started up a new one about Alaska. This one is where 4 groups of normal people are taken to Alaska to set up household and they have to survive for 3 months in different settings. Quite interesting. Will and I watch together and have decided that we would do things much different than they do in most situations. They had a show like this a couple of years ago, where people had to act like wagon train settlers in a valley and prepare for the winter. We were hooked. I think both Will and would like to have had the chance to do something like that, BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. Not forever, just long enough to say that we did it. Now we're probably too old.
Now....for the power of Mom. Will was tired so he went to bed. I stayed up for a while, too tired to sleep. I decided to take the dog out one last time before heading to bed myself. I grabbed Will's light cannon (something like 3 million candles bright, whatever that means). I take that out with me because I have a very big BLACK dog and you cannot see him in the dark unless there is a full moon. The only thing that you can see are his teeth and unless he's running you don't see those very often. Of course when he runs back to you out of the dark night, it can scare the crud out of you too. He's not there-He's there!
Anyway, my dog, my light and I go outside. I hear something over to my left and Sam's dog Tater starts just throwing a fit. I walk around the corner with my light thinking that there are deer there. I round the corner to see a BEAR there. He see's me with my light cannon and turns and runs. I am not making a fishing story up when I tell you that he was taller than my waist and his butt was over three feet wide. I am SO glad that he was scared of Mom and her cannon, because I forgot every bit of advise that people have ever given me about what to do if you see a bear. Maybe I don't want to go to Alaska.
I turn to grab my dog to make sure that he does not try to protect me from the bear, as I'm running towards the back door. No worries there. Mr. black dog has beat me to the door and is wanting in. There are Monsters in our back yard and he wants inside. Little fluffy dog in his kennel is trying to get to the bear, but I think that was all a show. I think that if he had not known that he was safe with his bluff because of the fence, he would have been with Sam at the door. THAT WAS A BIG, BIG BEAR!
I ran inside to tell Will. Woke him up. Sorry honey but too bad! He was not properly enthusiastic about it, so I called the only other people that I know are awake at that hour. Will's parents. They were impressed even if he was not. His only comment was "I wish I'd seen it, sorry I missed it". He should have been amazed at the power of Mom! I chased away a bear with a flashlight! Ok, so I know I just startled him and he ran, but boy am I glad he was running the other way!
Now this morning, we have over an inch of snow on the ground. It won't last long. Rain is supposed to start soon. Oh joy, more rain. Oh well, I'm not working today (I have to pick Jessa up from her trip) so at least I won't be standing in the rain.
Have a great day!
dea
Saturday, April 26, 2008
It's garden time again.
Well, at least it's plowing time again. Will bought a tiller last year, so this year he can really till my garden well. It will help with the weed crop too (although as I always say, I grow a garden so that I can grow a new crop of weeds each year). With food prices the way they are, I am hoping that my garden will suppliment family and friends food supply. I'm growing about everything that I can think of, even okra. My Aunt Joyce would be proud of me, she always grew the best okra. Deep fried okra is wonderful and I love to put okra in my gumbo's especially my veggie gumbo. The only thing that I'm not planting is sweet peas. I have some sugar snaps, but real sweet peas take so much work for what you get. It's just easier to buy the can.
I bought strawberry plants yesterday and about 30 roots of asparagus. That is why Will is plowing so early. I have to get them into the ground. Of course both crops will not be producing anything until at least next year and it will take the asparagus about 4-6 to get really established, but you have to start somewhere.
Jessalyn is in Washington DC right now. They are on their second day of sightseeing. I hope that she is having a great time. They leave Washington tomorrow for Gettysburg. I wish I was with them. Gettysburg is one of the most awesome places that I have ever been to and I would love to go back. She will be home Monday after that whirlwind trip. I took the day off so that I can go and pick her up. They are not sure what time they will get in. Most parents whose children have gone before say that they come in exhausted and just colapse into bed. I imagine she will be the same way.
Jake had a room full of cousins last night. Since Jessa's gone, he decided that he would take advantage of the situation and enjoy friends. It was ok with me. I threw together some homemade pizza and we all pigged out.
Today it's supposed to be cooler than normal, so I'm not sure what we'll be up to after I get home from work. I had planned on painting Jessalyn's room and maybe that will work. I had hoped to get it done while she is gone. What a suprise for her when she gets home.
Will's birthday is Tuesday so we'll have to do a birthday dinner and presents. I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do about that. He works on his birthday and church is the next night. We might have to hold off for Thursday. I think the kids will want to help with the cake.
Well, not much else going on, just work.
Have a great day!
de
I bought strawberry plants yesterday and about 30 roots of asparagus. That is why Will is plowing so early. I have to get them into the ground. Of course both crops will not be producing anything until at least next year and it will take the asparagus about 4-6 to get really established, but you have to start somewhere.
Jessalyn is in Washington DC right now. They are on their second day of sightseeing. I hope that she is having a great time. They leave Washington tomorrow for Gettysburg. I wish I was with them. Gettysburg is one of the most awesome places that I have ever been to and I would love to go back. She will be home Monday after that whirlwind trip. I took the day off so that I can go and pick her up. They are not sure what time they will get in. Most parents whose children have gone before say that they come in exhausted and just colapse into bed. I imagine she will be the same way.
Jake had a room full of cousins last night. Since Jessa's gone, he decided that he would take advantage of the situation and enjoy friends. It was ok with me. I threw together some homemade pizza and we all pigged out.
Today it's supposed to be cooler than normal, so I'm not sure what we'll be up to after I get home from work. I had planned on painting Jessalyn's room and maybe that will work. I had hoped to get it done while she is gone. What a suprise for her when she gets home.
Will's birthday is Tuesday so we'll have to do a birthday dinner and presents. I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do about that. He works on his birthday and church is the next night. We might have to hold off for Thursday. I think the kids will want to help with the cake.
Well, not much else going on, just work.
Have a great day!
de
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Go Green ! (Not what you think..)
I know that it is Earth Day. Even g**gle talks about it. I believe in conserving what we have for the most part and even do what I can, when I can, but the green I am talking about is spring!! The weather is finally warm enough to have green grass. The trees are turning all sorts of greens and yellows, which is quite appropriate when you are in Packer country. Then you add in a little bit of red as buds come out on some things and that works too because the Wisconsin Badgers have red as one of their colors. I think it works out pretty good, if you ask me.
I have enjoyed standing outside and listening to the frogs sing. There are Canadian geese all over and the Sandhill cranes keep flying over calling to each other. The song birds are back and all around me are signs that spring is here. The only bad thing about it is that some bugs are back too. Yuck.
Jessa leaves Thursday for Washington DC on her safety patrol trip. She is so excited. We have everything ready to pack. We will finish that tomorrow. I don't know if she will sleep tomorrow night or not. I hope that she has a wonderful time.
Saturday night Jacob had his cousin and his friend over. Was that ever funny. Here this big room I have was filled up with bodies all spread out on the floor playing video games. One of the boys actually walks into the kitchen and kisses me on the top of the head and says Good Morning Mom. What a hoot. I'm tall aren't I? I always thought that I was. Now 5'9" is not feeling very tall. Between them and the boats they call shoes, there was not lots of space left over for anything else, but the dog was sure that he would fit in the pile. Of course he did, as he piled right onto the top of all of them. They really had no choice in the matter. He just took up his half out of the middle. Poor Jessa was outnumbered, but she waded right into the fray and watched them play. What a hoot!
Not only am I not feeling as tall as I did before, I now feel much older. Do you realize how old the Indiana Jones movies are? The new one comes out this next month and we are looking forward to it, but I actually had to special order the previous ones for the kids to watch. They had never seen them before. They are over 20 years old! Where does time fly?
Add to that the fact that we are starting to plan a trip for the whole family to take for my parents 50th anniversary. This is in a couple of years, but when you are working with this many different schedules, you have to start early. Anyway, I was born on my parents 4th anniversary. This is really scary stuff here!!!!
How did this happen? I know that it took me 30 years to make it all the way through all of the years of school even though I was 17 when I graduated. Now it's only taken 10 since then, but somehow they just had our 25th class reunion this last summer. Blink and it's gone.
They're even remaking songs that were popular when I was young. I am listening to songs that I know the words to with my kids and they are amazed that I know the song. I had to explain that this is not the first time around for these songs. One of them is the theme from the tv show Miami Vice. That was a long time ago... those are my college years. The babies I took care of while in college are now parents.....oh boy....
Well, time to get ready for bed. I remember the days when I could stay up until 2:00 am and still get up for work the next morning feeling fine. Now I pray that I can stay awake until the kids go to bed. Where did it all go?
On that note, I think I'll go to bed and probably dream about nursing homes for cryin' out loud.
Have a great day. Especially all of you who are older than me!
dea
I have enjoyed standing outside and listening to the frogs sing. There are Canadian geese all over and the Sandhill cranes keep flying over calling to each other. The song birds are back and all around me are signs that spring is here. The only bad thing about it is that some bugs are back too. Yuck.
Jessa leaves Thursday for Washington DC on her safety patrol trip. She is so excited. We have everything ready to pack. We will finish that tomorrow. I don't know if she will sleep tomorrow night or not. I hope that she has a wonderful time.
Saturday night Jacob had his cousin and his friend over. Was that ever funny. Here this big room I have was filled up with bodies all spread out on the floor playing video games. One of the boys actually walks into the kitchen and kisses me on the top of the head and says Good Morning Mom. What a hoot. I'm tall aren't I? I always thought that I was. Now 5'9" is not feeling very tall. Between them and the boats they call shoes, there was not lots of space left over for anything else, but the dog was sure that he would fit in the pile. Of course he did, as he piled right onto the top of all of them. They really had no choice in the matter. He just took up his half out of the middle. Poor Jessa was outnumbered, but she waded right into the fray and watched them play. What a hoot!
Not only am I not feeling as tall as I did before, I now feel much older. Do you realize how old the Indiana Jones movies are? The new one comes out this next month and we are looking forward to it, but I actually had to special order the previous ones for the kids to watch. They had never seen them before. They are over 20 years old! Where does time fly?
Add to that the fact that we are starting to plan a trip for the whole family to take for my parents 50th anniversary. This is in a couple of years, but when you are working with this many different schedules, you have to start early. Anyway, I was born on my parents 4th anniversary. This is really scary stuff here!!!!
How did this happen? I know that it took me 30 years to make it all the way through all of the years of school even though I was 17 when I graduated. Now it's only taken 10 since then, but somehow they just had our 25th class reunion this last summer. Blink and it's gone.
They're even remaking songs that were popular when I was young. I am listening to songs that I know the words to with my kids and they are amazed that I know the song. I had to explain that this is not the first time around for these songs. One of them is the theme from the tv show Miami Vice. That was a long time ago... those are my college years. The babies I took care of while in college are now parents.....oh boy....
Well, time to get ready for bed. I remember the days when I could stay up until 2:00 am and still get up for work the next morning feeling fine. Now I pray that I can stay awake until the kids go to bed. Where did it all go?
On that note, I think I'll go to bed and probably dream about nursing homes for cryin' out loud.
Have a great day. Especially all of you who are older than me!
dea
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Handy Little Chart! (Thanks Greta!)
HANDY LITTLE CHART
God has a positive answer:
God has a positive answer:
| YOU SAY | GOD SAYS | BIBLE VERSES |
| You say: 'It's impossible' | God says: All things are possible | (Luke 18:27) |
| You say: 'I'm too tired' | God says: I will give you rest | (Matthew 11:28-30) |
| You say: 'Nobody really loves me' | God says: I love you | (John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 ) |
| You say: 'I can't go on' | God says: My grace is sufficient | (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15) |
| You say: 'I can't figure things out' | God says: I will direct your steps | (Proverbs 3:5- 6) |
| You say: 'I can't do it' | God says: You can do all things | (Philippians 4:13) |
| You say: 'I'm not able' | God says: I am able | (II Corinthians 9:8) |
| You say: 'It's not worth it' | God says: It will be worth it | (Roman 8:28 ) |
| You say: 'I can't forgive myself' | God says: I Forgive you | (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1) |
| You say: 'I can't manage' | God says: I will supply all your needs | (Philippians 4:19) |
| You say: 'I'm afraid' | God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear | (II Timothy 1:7) |
| You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated' | God says: Cast all your cares on ME | (I Peter 5:7) |
| You say: 'I'm not smart enough' | God says: I give you wisdom | (I Corinthians 1:30) |
| You say: 'I feel all alone' | God says: I will never leave you or forsake you | (Hebrews 13:5) |
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
I will always remember the April 16th..
...The day I taught my son how to shave.
I was kind; I didn't use a dull ragged razor.
I thought about it, but the truth is even I don't use a razor (blade) myself.
I use an electric razor. I had an extra so I gave it to Jacob.
He may have to eventually move to a regular blade razor though; He actually has thicker facial hair than I do! Really, I only had to shave once every two to three days until I was over 30! I suspect it won't be that long until Jacob has to shave every day.
Jacob is 15 and has needed to shave for over a year now. I've been putting it off, out of pride; I don't think I needed to shave until I was 17 and I wouldn't say I really needed to shave then!
I don't think anyone in my family can grow what would be called a "great" beard and mustache. Usually one or the other but not both. (Some claim they can, but for a GREAT beard I'm thinking of "Grizzly Adams" full and groomed.)
The men in my family all have spots on their faces that the hair just won't grow. I myself, have often said I can grow a great goatee' because all I have to do is stop shaving. Other than a few stragglers nothing grows on the side of my face.
I do have to note here that while I say I grow a great goatee', My wife on the other hand hates it.
See, it's those "bare spots". She can't stand that the hair on my chin doesn't "connect" with the hair on my lip.
The point is moot though.
My wife is ticklish.
Any facial hair on my part causes my wife to bust out laughing when I kiss her.
Not the reaction I'm going for, if you get my meaning...
Anyway, the day after tax returns are due here in the U.S. is the day I will always remember as teaching my son to shave. It really is a milestone as a parent. That kid I often (and lovingly) call a "little twerp" isn't so little anymore. I'm still taller at the moment but not by much. I'm still stronger, but not by much, I'm still... Well, you get the idea. Yeah, this is definitely a good time to put more effort into creating memories for my kids. And us too!
The sun is shining and the temperature is 63 degrees with A LOT OF WIND. Still, it's nice to be outside picking up all the stuff the Wind has blown over (like my fence, sigh). So, I better get to it.
By the way, If ever your curious about the weather in central Wisconsin don't forget we have the link on the lower right that is set up for the weather forecast for Warrens. Oh, and Hey! I installed some counters the other day instead of a new address book. (just comment in the cbox marked address book to let us know you were here!) Let me know what you think!
Numbers 6:24
Will.
I was kind; I didn't use a dull ragged razor.
I thought about it, but the truth is even I don't use a razor (blade) myself.
I use an electric razor. I had an extra so I gave it to Jacob.
He may have to eventually move to a regular blade razor though; He actually has thicker facial hair than I do! Really, I only had to shave once every two to three days until I was over 30! I suspect it won't be that long until Jacob has to shave every day.
Jacob is 15 and has needed to shave for over a year now. I've been putting it off, out of pride; I don't think I needed to shave until I was 17 and I wouldn't say I really needed to shave then!
I don't think anyone in my family can grow what would be called a "great" beard and mustache. Usually one or the other but not both. (Some claim they can, but for a GREAT beard I'm thinking of "Grizzly Adams" full and groomed.)
The men in my family all have spots on their faces that the hair just won't grow. I myself, have often said I can grow a great goatee' because all I have to do is stop shaving. Other than a few stragglers nothing grows on the side of my face.
I do have to note here that while I say I grow a great goatee', My wife on the other hand hates it.
See, it's those "bare spots". She can't stand that the hair on my chin doesn't "connect" with the hair on my lip.
The point is moot though.
My wife is ticklish.
Any facial hair on my part causes my wife to bust out laughing when I kiss her.
Not the reaction I'm going for, if you get my meaning...
Anyway, the day after tax returns are due here in the U.S. is the day I will always remember as teaching my son to shave. It really is a milestone as a parent. That kid I often (and lovingly) call a "little twerp" isn't so little anymore. I'm still taller at the moment but not by much. I'm still stronger, but not by much, I'm still... Well, you get the idea. Yeah, this is definitely a good time to put more effort into creating memories for my kids. And us too!
The sun is shining and the temperature is 63 degrees with A LOT OF WIND. Still, it's nice to be outside picking up all the stuff the Wind has blown over (like my fence, sigh). So, I better get to it.
By the way, If ever your curious about the weather in central Wisconsin don't forget we have the link on the lower right that is set up for the weather forecast for Warrens. Oh, and Hey! I installed some counters the other day instead of a new address book. (just comment in the cbox marked address book to let us know you were here!) Let me know what you think!
Numbers 6:24
Will.
Monday, April 14, 2008
We went on a QUEST!
When Jacob was little he always called adventures by a special name "beeventures". Don't ask me why but he kept it up for years. Now when we are going to go do something I immediately think that we are going on a beeventure. Yesterday we did.
For those of you who have not picked up on our whining...the weather has been terrible. For cryin' out loud it keeps SNOWING!!!! It's supposed to be in the 60's all week. I bet it still could find a way to snow. Will just told me I sound a little bitter, I AM. Not really, but it is frustrating. I have so much to do and warm weather is pretty much required. Warm for me is anything above 50.
Yesterday was still yucky. Warmer and the sun was shining. but still cold enough that working outside was not high on our list. So we decided that it was a perfect day to do something with the kids. I am all about "making memories" this year. Too many people have died lately for me not to get the hint and realize how precious my family and friends are. It has especially been "brought home" for Will and I that our children are getting older and will not be around and underfoot as much anymore. Even now, Jake will decide to stay at home or do something with his friends instead of us. That is a good thing because he is showing his independence, but it is also hard to see my baby grow up.
So last year at a silent auction, I bought almost $800 worth of tickets for attractions at Wisconsin Dells. I got all of them for like $72. What a deal! There are 4 passes each to the attractions. I looked through them Saturday morning and Will and I decided to take the kids to one of the indoor attractions and beat the summer crowds. We were going to suprise the kids and just take them after church. Then Jake started telling us the plans that he had and the suprise was over. We told them what we had planned and he changed his plans right away.
Then his cousin called and asked him to stay the night. He decided to do that, but still wanted to come with us.
So we went to church and had a great time. Bill "speachified" a great, great lesson. I had been bugging him about a third part to the two that he had already spoken in a series. He graciously (or possibly out of self-preservation) answered my request with a follow up to my questions. I cannot say that his answers to my questions were a suprise, but that does not make them any easier to do. Kind of like cooking..... you want the directions to be as easy as heating a hotdog in the microwave and what you end up with is cooking a 7 course meal. The meal tastes so much better and is more filling, but the hotdog sure would have been easier. If you get a chance listen to the "false gospels series" at LSFW.org it will be worth it.
Well, then we ran around getting Jacob, getting gas, getting pain killers ( another story for another day) and then finally left for Wisconsin Dells. We headed straight for Cr*ck*r B*arrel. We had good food and a great time, although Jake was pretty tired because the boys did not sleep all night because they were playing video games. So he was pretty wiped, but we still had a good time.
Then we headed for this place called Wizard Qu*est. We had a great time. They give you these questions and send you on a quest for the answers in the four realms; wind, air, earth and fire. Let's just say we had a good time, but we are not brilliant. You have to find hidden rooms, hidden clues, ride down slides, climb through tunnels etc. It was fun but we were not quick enough to make the 90 minute deadline. Next time we'll whoop it though. When we were done we took a walk up the main drag of downtown Wisconsin Dells. I haven't done that since I was about 8. Will and the kids have not even been downtown that I know of. We topped it all off with a walk along part of the bluff that overlooks the river. They have made a scenic walk there that I would love to come back and walk down when the fall color is around.
All in all it was a lovely day. I enjoyed it very much. We plan on trying out the unlimited miniture golf tickets next month. Then there are passes to 4 different boat rides for the river which has very beautiful rock "bluff" sides on it. I also have passes to 2 or 3 adventure amusement parks and one amusement/water park, as well as to a water skiing show and robot exploratory. They are good for 2008, so we are going to get in some fun as well as work.
Saturday at work the florist delivered beautiful flowers for Will and I from Mom and Dad Donaldson. They are wonderful! There are peach roses, yellow tulips, deep wine colored snapdragons and my favorites purple iris's among others. It was a huge suprise and I was the envy of every woman there. Of course all the men just groaned when they saw them, because they thought they were from my hubby. Guilt....they all know that Will treats me better than they treat their wives and they know that I spoil Will rotten which makes them jealous. I rub it in quite often when they are complaining about their spouses and I tell them about mine. What a grin! Of course Will and I have been together for 18 years now and most of them have to add up all their multiple marriages to get that many years. I think Will and I to them are kind of something they don't quite understand, but the real secret is that we made our vows to God, before we made them to each other. That puts a whole different spin on things.
Well, time to get kids ready for school and then head off to save the world from "mail" again. Hope you all have a blessed day!
dea
For those of you who have not picked up on our whining...the weather has been terrible. For cryin' out loud it keeps SNOWING!!!! It's supposed to be in the 60's all week. I bet it still could find a way to snow. Will just told me I sound a little bitter, I AM. Not really, but it is frustrating. I have so much to do and warm weather is pretty much required. Warm for me is anything above 50.
Yesterday was still yucky. Warmer and the sun was shining. but still cold enough that working outside was not high on our list. So we decided that it was a perfect day to do something with the kids. I am all about "making memories" this year. Too many people have died lately for me not to get the hint and realize how precious my family and friends are. It has especially been "brought home" for Will and I that our children are getting older and will not be around and underfoot as much anymore. Even now, Jake will decide to stay at home or do something with his friends instead of us. That is a good thing because he is showing his independence, but it is also hard to see my baby grow up.
So last year at a silent auction, I bought almost $800 worth of tickets for attractions at Wisconsin Dells. I got all of them for like $72. What a deal! There are 4 passes each to the attractions. I looked through them Saturday morning and Will and I decided to take the kids to one of the indoor attractions and beat the summer crowds. We were going to suprise the kids and just take them after church. Then Jake started telling us the plans that he had and the suprise was over. We told them what we had planned and he changed his plans right away.
Then his cousin called and asked him to stay the night. He decided to do that, but still wanted to come with us.
So we went to church and had a great time. Bill "speachified" a great, great lesson. I had been bugging him about a third part to the two that he had already spoken in a series. He graciously (or possibly out of self-preservation) answered my request with a follow up to my questions. I cannot say that his answers to my questions were a suprise, but that does not make them any easier to do. Kind of like cooking..... you want the directions to be as easy as heating a hotdog in the microwave and what you end up with is cooking a 7 course meal. The meal tastes so much better and is more filling, but the hotdog sure would have been easier. If you get a chance listen to the "false gospels series" at LSFW.org it will be worth it.
Well, then we ran around getting Jacob, getting gas, getting pain killers ( another story for another day) and then finally left for Wisconsin Dells. We headed straight for Cr*ck*r B*arrel. We had good food and a great time, although Jake was pretty tired because the boys did not sleep all night because they were playing video games. So he was pretty wiped, but we still had a good time.
Then we headed for this place called Wizard Qu*est. We had a great time. They give you these questions and send you on a quest for the answers in the four realms; wind, air, earth and fire. Let's just say we had a good time, but we are not brilliant. You have to find hidden rooms, hidden clues, ride down slides, climb through tunnels etc. It was fun but we were not quick enough to make the 90 minute deadline. Next time we'll whoop it though. When we were done we took a walk up the main drag of downtown Wisconsin Dells. I haven't done that since I was about 8. Will and the kids have not even been downtown that I know of. We topped it all off with a walk along part of the bluff that overlooks the river. They have made a scenic walk there that I would love to come back and walk down when the fall color is around.
All in all it was a lovely day. I enjoyed it very much. We plan on trying out the unlimited miniture golf tickets next month. Then there are passes to 4 different boat rides for the river which has very beautiful rock "bluff" sides on it. I also have passes to 2 or 3 adventure amusement parks and one amusement/water park, as well as to a water skiing show and robot exploratory. They are good for 2008, so we are going to get in some fun as well as work.
Saturday at work the florist delivered beautiful flowers for Will and I from Mom and Dad Donaldson. They are wonderful! There are peach roses, yellow tulips, deep wine colored snapdragons and my favorites purple iris's among others. It was a huge suprise and I was the envy of every woman there. Of course all the men just groaned when they saw them, because they thought they were from my hubby. Guilt....they all know that Will treats me better than they treat their wives and they know that I spoil Will rotten which makes them jealous. I rub it in quite often when they are complaining about their spouses and I tell them about mine. What a grin! Of course Will and I have been together for 18 years now and most of them have to add up all their multiple marriages to get that many years. I think Will and I to them are kind of something they don't quite understand, but the real secret is that we made our vows to God, before we made them to each other. That puts a whole different spin on things.
Well, time to get kids ready for school and then head off to save the world from "mail" again. Hope you all have a blessed day!
dea
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
I need a.....
weekend to recover from my weekend. Things have been so busy around here lately, especially this last weekend, that we are all in a "fog". As I mentioned before my Uncle Lloyd died and this last Saturday was his memorial celebration. It was bittersweet and wonderful.
I think Lloyd would have been the first one to be amazed at how many people came. He was one of those people that showed people the love of God just by living his life. He always loved. Always. The church was filled to overflowing with people young, old, all denominations, people who had not been to a church in years, people that had not seen him in years, people that went to high school with him and came from all over the country. It was a great testiment to a man that never would have wanted that much of a fuss made over him.
Of course his favorite part would have been a toss-up between the food and the singing. There were lots of both. Our family really, really loves to cook and really, really loves to sing. We fed almost 200 and still had lots of food left. Then we all went to sing upstairs and had a great time.
To end the memorial service, the Oakes family sang the Doxology as is our tradition at every family get together. It was beautiful. There were so many of us and it just rang through the church and out into the street where the overflow was. Hard to sing when you are crying, but beautiful.
During the gospel sing, our group the Dads & Daughters sang. It was so hard with a huge chunk of us missing. Lloyd was so, so important, but he would have been the first one to tell us to get up there and sing. We think maybe we should call ourselves the "Leftovers" now. It was hard, but I"m so glad that we did it.
Jessalyn had her Regional Spelling Bee last week and CAME IN FOURTH!!!!! We are so proud of her. She was up against 8th graders the last 3 rounds and when it was all over the top three were 8th graders and our little 5th grader had done great!
Last week our family bathroom toilet "blew up". Well actually, it just was ripped out of the floor and broke the seal (we won't go into how that happened). Anway, it happened at night on Tuesday night. I heard water running about 9:00 pm and went in to find water all over. Will and my Dad spent the next two days switching toilets around. The new one that we had planned to put in the family bathroom would not fit, so we put that one in the master and moved the master's toilet to the family bath. Then they replaced the old vanity with a new one since the old one needed it and the water damage had pretty much finished it off.
Now both bathrooms have different toilets and because of the different placement, I now have to paint both bathrooms again. I was hoping to get away with not painting the one, but no such luck. Oh well, this way it will be beautiful with new carpet, fixtures, paint and ceiling. I guess it will all work out in the end.
The weather was beautiful all weekend with highs near 70. Now it's in the 40's and raining with snow. I sure am tired of cold weather. Really! I got to weed one of my flower gardens the other day. My tulips, iris, lillies, crocus and ground cover are all up. I was really getting into this spring thing and now....snow. Ick.....
One more thing. We have been having some great sermons at our new/old church the Livingstones Fellowship. Will and I first went there when we moved up and left when we started the new church down the street. Actually the Livingstones started the Warrens Baptist church. My Dad always says that the Warrens Baptist Church is probably the only Baptist church started by an Assembly of God Church. There was a need and Uncle Lloyd helped my Dad and Dennis (who were the co-pastors) start that church. It was a strange, but great experience.
Now, we are back at the Livingstones. They have an active youth group and some fantastic teaching. I am enjoying NOT playing the piano, although I miss it. I get to sing more often now too. The kids love it there and I am feeling renewed. (For more information on that part see Sept. 8, 2007 in our archives). God has brought me through a hard, hard time in my life. I cannot say that I am completely out of it. There are still lots of questions that I'm seeking answers for. Still things that I have to work daily to forgive in myself and others.
Have you noticed that sometimes when you make the decision to forgive others, you have to keep forgiving them daily for the same thing because being human you drag it up again? Each time you see the person you remember the transgression (even though you don't want to) and then you have to go through the process of forgiving again. Forgiveness is a choice that you have to keep making, although with time, it does seem to get easier. I am looking forward to the day that I can remember the forgiveness first instead of the transgression. Does that make sense?
Anyway, things are not so stormy in my life any longer and I am thrilled to be going into a new chapter of renewal with God. I am learning so much daily and then on Sundays the sermons seem to be just what I need the next week. If you get a chance check out the web site http://www.lsfw.org/ and listen to some of the sermons. They are all very good, but I especially needed the ones on Satan back when Bill shared them and lately we (Will and I both) have enjoyed the reminder about false gospels. Things you already know, but seem to "let slide" or just don't think about. Very good, very interesting and very thought provoking. I think I probably drive Bill crazy with my "ok so that's how that goes, but now what "or "but now what if.".. questions. Anyway, if you want to get your thought process going, check it out. I guarrantee that you will find something in there to make your mind work. I'M LOVING IT!!! What a way to spend a mail route....thinking about Sunday's sermon and how it applies to my life. I am looking forward to going to church on Sundays and that is a great feeling.
Well, time to get Jake on the bus and Jessa ready.
Have a blessed day.
dea
I think Lloyd would have been the first one to be amazed at how many people came. He was one of those people that showed people the love of God just by living his life. He always loved. Always. The church was filled to overflowing with people young, old, all denominations, people who had not been to a church in years, people that had not seen him in years, people that went to high school with him and came from all over the country. It was a great testiment to a man that never would have wanted that much of a fuss made over him.
Of course his favorite part would have been a toss-up between the food and the singing. There were lots of both. Our family really, really loves to cook and really, really loves to sing. We fed almost 200 and still had lots of food left. Then we all went to sing upstairs and had a great time.
To end the memorial service, the Oakes family sang the Doxology as is our tradition at every family get together. It was beautiful. There were so many of us and it just rang through the church and out into the street where the overflow was. Hard to sing when you are crying, but beautiful.
During the gospel sing, our group the Dads & Daughters sang. It was so hard with a huge chunk of us missing. Lloyd was so, so important, but he would have been the first one to tell us to get up there and sing. We think maybe we should call ourselves the "Leftovers" now. It was hard, but I"m so glad that we did it.
Jessalyn had her Regional Spelling Bee last week and CAME IN FOURTH!!!!! We are so proud of her. She was up against 8th graders the last 3 rounds and when it was all over the top three were 8th graders and our little 5th grader had done great!
Last week our family bathroom toilet "blew up". Well actually, it just was ripped out of the floor and broke the seal (we won't go into how that happened). Anway, it happened at night on Tuesday night. I heard water running about 9:00 pm and went in to find water all over. Will and my Dad spent the next two days switching toilets around. The new one that we had planned to put in the family bathroom would not fit, so we put that one in the master and moved the master's toilet to the family bath. Then they replaced the old vanity with a new one since the old one needed it and the water damage had pretty much finished it off.
Now both bathrooms have different toilets and because of the different placement, I now have to paint both bathrooms again. I was hoping to get away with not painting the one, but no such luck. Oh well, this way it will be beautiful with new carpet, fixtures, paint and ceiling. I guess it will all work out in the end.
The weather was beautiful all weekend with highs near 70. Now it's in the 40's and raining with snow. I sure am tired of cold weather. Really! I got to weed one of my flower gardens the other day. My tulips, iris, lillies, crocus and ground cover are all up. I was really getting into this spring thing and now....snow. Ick.....
One more thing. We have been having some great sermons at our new/old church the Livingstones Fellowship. Will and I first went there when we moved up and left when we started the new church down the street. Actually the Livingstones started the Warrens Baptist church. My Dad always says that the Warrens Baptist Church is probably the only Baptist church started by an Assembly of God Church. There was a need and Uncle Lloyd helped my Dad and Dennis (who were the co-pastors) start that church. It was a strange, but great experience.
Now, we are back at the Livingstones. They have an active youth group and some fantastic teaching. I am enjoying NOT playing the piano, although I miss it. I get to sing more often now too. The kids love it there and I am feeling renewed. (For more information on that part see Sept. 8, 2007 in our archives). God has brought me through a hard, hard time in my life. I cannot say that I am completely out of it. There are still lots of questions that I'm seeking answers for. Still things that I have to work daily to forgive in myself and others.
Have you noticed that sometimes when you make the decision to forgive others, you have to keep forgiving them daily for the same thing because being human you drag it up again? Each time you see the person you remember the transgression (even though you don't want to) and then you have to go through the process of forgiving again. Forgiveness is a choice that you have to keep making, although with time, it does seem to get easier. I am looking forward to the day that I can remember the forgiveness first instead of the transgression. Does that make sense?
Anyway, things are not so stormy in my life any longer and I am thrilled to be going into a new chapter of renewal with God. I am learning so much daily and then on Sundays the sermons seem to be just what I need the next week. If you get a chance check out the web site http://www.lsfw.org/ and listen to some of the sermons. They are all very good, but I especially needed the ones on Satan back when Bill shared them and lately we (Will and I both) have enjoyed the reminder about false gospels. Things you already know, but seem to "let slide" or just don't think about. Very good, very interesting and very thought provoking. I think I probably drive Bill crazy with my "ok so that's how that goes, but now what "or "but now what if.".. questions. Anyway, if you want to get your thought process going, check it out. I guarrantee that you will find something in there to make your mind work. I'M LOVING IT!!! What a way to spend a mail route....thinking about Sunday's sermon and how it applies to my life. I am looking forward to going to church on Sundays and that is a great feeling.
Well, time to get Jake on the bus and Jessa ready.
Have a blessed day.
dea
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