Our Blizzard Pictures

Blizzard continued......

Speaking of southern friends, Steven, are you ok? Do you need Jeff to come get you? By the way, this is NOT something that your Swiffer Wet Jet can handle. Try your dirt vac.

The Blizzard of 2007

We're having a blizzard! Yay! Evidentally the winds are blowing at just the right speed, the visibility is just bad enough and the snow is coming down fast enough that this can be called the "Blizzard of 2007". It's all very exciting, except for the fact that I am alone here in the house with Jack, and although we are "snowed in" (snicker, snicker) there is no one to share it with! Aunt Gigi, get in your little car and head this way! Ha! Just kidding. There is talk that Jeff's plant will close, in which case he will get to come home and be snowed in with us. I say this all a little tongue in cheek, because when we lived in Wisconsin, I can remember driving 40 minutes away to go to church in much the same weather, but no one called it a blizzard. We do have the 4-wheel drive truck that will get us just about anywhere we want to go, so we're hardly snowed in. So I guess we're perfectly safe and the only exciting thing that might happen is that our power may go out, in which case, we'll just start the wood-burning stove and sit in toasty warmness. Our conference guests DID make it to the church this morning, but they may not be coming back! G-Poo has graciously offered for them to stay there if it becomes necessary.

I will say, though, that we had a little bit of excitement Sunday morning, when we woke up with no heat! It seems that when we had our dog, Neo, he chewed a hole in the hose that is hooked to the sump pump. Well, the hose froze outside and backed the water up and it was spraying out the hole onto the side of the house. We had a huge ice patch on the side of our house and it was covering up the intake vent to our furnace! So Jeff had to go out and chip the ice and fix the hose and now we're all nice and warm.

I hope that you are all staying indoors today, and that my southern friends THANK GOD that he allows them to live in such warmness.

It Just Kept Snowing

We received our second significant snow of the season today in a very short amount of time. In just a few hours we watched the snow pile up on the birdhouse and the deck railing, and I couldn't help but measure it. It actually snowed a little bit more after I measured, but I don't think the increase was very great. So, all in all we got somewhere between 4-5 inches in about 4-5 hours. Not a bad day's snow! This was the second day in a row that Jack and I were stuck in the house (yesterday was because of the cold and because Jack HAS a cold), so to help pass the time we played with our new camera.....as you should be able to tell by all the pictures.

Mix Match Jack

White Wood

I'm not huge on poetry, but I have a favorite poet that I love, I think mostly because his poems are about nature, and every day sort of things. There are no lofty ideas, just beautiful word images. My favorite poet is Robert Frost, and among my of his works are "Birches", "Two Roads Diverged In A Yellow Wood", and "Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening". I am privileged to live in an area where there are beautiful trees around my home. When it snows I am always reminded of my favorite Robert Frost poem.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village, though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it's queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there's some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Itchy....the aftermath

It's Saturday morning now and I woke up extremely groggy after sleeping soundly all night. Jeff got up and made me coffee and got Jack out of bed so that I could wake up slowly. It appears that the hives are gone, although I still have a couple places that feel a little itchy. So, hopefully that adventure is over and we can move on to something more fun--like pancakes for breakfast! Yay! Have a great day!

The Itchy And Scratchy Show

I spent all day judging a music competition at our school. It was great--I got to get out, see people, have adult conversation, and picture my little Jack as one of the students playing their instrument in competition. G-Poo watched Jack for me. All in all it was a great day. When I went to get Jack I noticed that I was itching a little bit around the straps of the cami that I was wearing under my sweater. I didn't think much of it because I have kind of sensitive skin and sometimes my clothes make me itch if I've been in them all day (oh come on, YES, I wear clothes all day, but you know what I mean!). Anyway, I came home and Lee came over for dinner and a movie. We were watching Batman Begins (very cool movie that I had not yet been able to see all the way through) and I really started itching. Now it was worrisome because I had changed my clothes hours ago. I went in the bathroom and was shocked to find what I believe to be hives all over my shoulders, neck, legs, and I can only imagine my head as well, since it is also itching! The red dots have grown into large welts now as I am writing this. Jeff and Lee are on an emergency run to Walmart to get me some Benedryl. All I can think is that I've gotten in to something that I am very allergic to and it has given me hives. I am also sneezing a lot, but that could be totally unrelated.

I'm stumped. I have to say that I don't think this has ever happened to me, and it's, well, a little unsettling. I just hope that Jeff wakes up if Jack gets up in the night. I guarantee after I take a full dose of Benedryl, I won't be hearing anything. Scratch 'ya later!

Jack in the shop

Jeff has been out in the shop a lot of nights lately, working on a cargo trailer that he is using for this summer's "Hand Up Housing" (a church based community ministry that I'll explain more about later). He's been building shelves and putting all his tools in a tidy fashion. Total bliss for Jeff. He has had the wood burning stove going which makes the shop all nice and toasty and, frankly, he could be out there for hours and hardly even register the passing of time. Jack and I went out to visit him and check on his progress. I brought Jack's little "pushy cart" in the hopes that he would play with it instead of with the dirty stuff in the shop. Side note: Jack loves his little pushy cart. He piles his toys on top of it and pushes it all around the house. He doesn't need it to walk, he just likes to PUSH it. Jeff thinks that he needs some kind of cargo trailer of his own. Anyway......we were visiting daddy and all was going well......until he had to cut something with his saw. It made a big noise and Jack was very frightened. For the rest of the evening he clung to me and made very sad faces. Jeff was disappointed that he was so scared of the saw, but I assured him that as a true Gray he would soon get over it. At any rate, here are some pictures of the evening.

Bathtime With Jack

Jack loves his bath. As soon as you ask him if he wants to take a bath he heads for the bathroom and throws open the shower curtain. He loves to watch the water run in, and he likes LOTS of toys in the water with him. The only problem is that sometimes he, well, poops in the water. I know, those of you with children are nodding your heads in agreement, and those of you without children are cringing and gagging. When Jack does "muddy" the water, I will frequently send out the poop alarm and daddy will come running. It takes two of us to right the world. One of us takes Jack, dries him off and gets him dressed while the other takes care of the bathtub and all the toys. Inevitably it is Jeff who gets bathtub duty, but he really is so good at it. He gets everything out of the tub and into the bucket. Then he sprays antibacterial Scrubbing Bubbles (the BEST thing ever invented), and then the toys go in to the dishwasher to be sanitized. We work pretty well as a team, especially when Jeff does all the hard stuff! Ha!

Jack is actually in the bath right now and I am hoping that he does not somehow "sense" the topic of this blog, because daddy isn't home at this moment and I'd have to do the whole thing by myself! Thank you, honey for always being such a servant.

I hope everyone's day has been a good one, and lacking any poop emergencies!

A Trying Day

Yesterday was a very discouraging day for this mama. Jack woke up at 5:30 a.m. and refused to go back to bed. It seems that he truly woke up on the "wrong side of the bed". He was cranky and fussy all day long. He had no physical ailments that I could see, but he was throwing tantrum after tantrum all day long. Around 5:00 I finally called my friend, Laurie, for some advice. It seems that her first son was also what we would call "a strong-willed child". Her son is now 13, and although he is not perfect, I see definite qualities in him that are strong, positive, desirable qualities. He is a born leader. He is quick to make a decision and go with it. Kids his age and older follow his lead easily. All very good qualities. Laurie assured me that she had to discipline him consistently everyday no matter how tired, how discouraged, or how little she felt like doing it. It was a great encouragement to me, and at the same time, it was hard news to hear. Although I knew that it was the right answer, it is daunting to think that those wonderful qualities that Caleb possesses, and that Jack could very well someday possess, depend heavily upon my comittment to guiding him, my consistency in disciplining him, my patience with him, and my desire to do what is right no matter how I feel. Wow. What a responsibility. I'm not sure that I'm up to it. I just keep reminding myself that no trial is given to me by God that I am incapable of handling. No matter what Jack does, I know that I can handle it, because if I couldn't, then it wouldn't be happening! That IS a great comfort.

I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength! Phil. 4:13

I've Been Tagged

a: available or single? Neither. I am happily married.
b: best friend: Jeff!
c: cake or pie: Pumpkin pie
d: drink of choice: Starbucks White Mocha, Coke products
e: essential item I use every day: Huggies wipees
f: favorite color: green
g: gummy bears or gummy worms: Neither--Sour Patch Kids
h: hometown: Dwight, Illinois
i: Indulgence? White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks
j: January or February: February
k: kids and names: Anne-marie Violet, 12, Bryan Joel, 12, Jack Douglas, 1
l: Life is incomplete without....: God and my family
m: marraige date: February 25, 2005
n: number of siblings: 2
o: oranges or apples: Neither....although I do like those little mandarin oranges
p: phobias or fears: Spiders...just read my archives
q: favorite quote: Don't really have one. Favorite verses: 1 Peter 1
r: reasons to smile: Jack's kisses
s: season: Summer and early fall
t: tag three or four people: Let's see...Michelle, Jessica, and Jeff
u: unknown fact about me: I was born with a birth defect--cleft palate
v: vegetables you don't like: Tomatoes and celery
w: worst habbit: whining
x: Hey, there's no x!
y: favorite food: anything ethnic....chinese, mexican, greek, italian......
z: zodiac: Taurus

First Kiss

Today Jack went to a new babysitter's house. I had an appointment to have my hair done and I called my friend Katrina to see if she would be willing to watch Jack. Katrina's daughter, Sophie, is 18 months old and absolutely beautiful. She has the MOST striking color of red hair that I've ever seen. I took Jack over and was a little nervous that he would cry when I left. However, Sophie came right up to him and tried to give him a hug! It was so sweet. So I told Jack, "Sophie's giving you hugs and kissies". When I said "kissy", Sophie pulled her pacifier out of her mouth and puckered up at Jack. He smiled at her and looked at me, and I said, "Jack, she's giving you a kissy". So he opened his mouth and leaned in! And that was Jack's first kiss (other than me and dad and grandma poo and Sissy and Aunt GiGi). He got along great with Sophie, and Katrina said that he didn't cry once! It felt great to know that I could leave him somewhere and just relax knowing that he was well taken care of. Of course, that's how it always is with G-Poo! I have to admit though, as happy as I was that he liked Sophie, a little sadness entered my heart at the thought that he will one day want to kiss another girl more than me! Good thing that a LONG way off!

The Boy Loves His Dad

So far Jack and Jeff have survived their stomach flu incidents. Yes, that's right, Jeff got it too, again. Unbelievable that I have NOT gotten it, especially in the light of the fact that both Aunt GiGi and Grandma Poo have fallen to it as well. I guess we'll just keep praying.

On a much sweeter note, yesterday Jack was very excited that his da da was here when he woke up. He followed Jeff around (as he usually does) like a little puppy. However, Jeff had to leave, so he sneaked out the back door, thinking that Jack didn't see him. A few minutes later I noticed that I hadn't heard from Jack, so I went looking for him. The best way to find him is to yell, "where's momma?" and do a little fake scream. He will generally answer me back with a little fake scream of his own. He did this time too and I could tell that he was somewhere in the kitchen. Rounding the corner I found him with his back against the back door, coat in hand. When he saw me he smiled and said, "Da Da".

If that wasn't sweet enough, when I called Jeff on his cell phone to tell him, he got all choked up and said, "Promise me that you'll blog about that so I'll never forget it".

Sick Again

Some time in the night Jack woke up and made a coughing noise, cried for a few seconds, and then went back to sleep. I didn't think much of it. I woke up and listened to make sure that he was sleeping again, and then went back to sleep myself. This morning when I picked him up out of bed, I noticed that he had corn in his bed. This was puzzling. He did have some corn chowder for dinner last night and I thought, somehow he has squirreled away some of his dinner and now it's in his bed. This is what you think when you've been awake for one whole minute. So I gave him his bottle and laid him down in my bed, thinking that I would just investigate the corn thing later. He finished the bottle and sat up and started talking to me. I don't know exactly what he said, but just after he finished telling me this long baby talk story, he threw up all over my bed!

So we are doing the whole "vomit schedule" (drinks of water a little bit at a time). He's not as bad as last time, thank you God! He did fall asleep in my lap this morning, a highly unusual occurrence since most of the time he will not actually sit in my lap. And after trying some toast and some water, he is sleeping again. He is playing ok and not too cranky, but I have had him quaranteened in the living room just in case he hurls again.

So, things are not as mommy would have planned for the day, but hey, this is what childhood is like, and I love taking care of my precious baby! Hopefully he will feel much better when he wakes up from his nap. I think I shall take the opportunity to take a much needed shower, since I was in the bed when he threw up! Mmmmmm......yummy!

Courtesy Post

Do you ever find yourself posting "just to post". Well, this is what is happening today. I don't really have anything significant to report. I just feel bad for those that check my blog day after day and there is nothing there.

Today was, well, just a regular day. Jack and I went to Lafayette this morning so that I could go to my ladies bible study. Jack cried the whole time for poor Margie. Then we went straight to Grandma Poo's house so that Jack could take a nap. I needed to go to the store, but had no desire to take a crying child in to do my shopping. So Jack took a nap while I watched foodnetwork. When Jack woke up we went to Culver's because the flavor was Peanut Butter Supreme. I was very excited. However, it was less than I expected--not enough peanut butter flavor. Jack ate the bun off my burger and some cheese curds and helped devour my one scoop of custard. He was very happy then so we went to the store. By the time all that was done, we were more than ready to go home. Home we went, where Jack refused for a solid hour to fall asleep in his bed. So he got up and had some supper and a bath. Then daddy came home and we spent some time with him before Jack went to bed at 7:30 p.m. So here we are. Daddy is working out on the treadmill, I am posting while my supper finishes cooking, and if Christ doesn't come in the next ten or fifteen minutes we are probably going to eat our dinner!

There you have it. I posted. Sorry folks, but this is as exciting as it gets.

The Castners

One of the cool things that happened over the holidays was that my sister and her family came for a visit. Not too unusual for the holiday's, right? Well, that might be true if she didn't live in Chile! She and her husband and 4 children are missionaries and they were home on furlough. I have this tiny picture of them because I have yet to scan the big one they gave me. Anyway, if you're interested in hearing about them, or know them and want to check up on them, you can visit Michelle's new blog The Castner Chronicles.

Here's a bigger one for you. I believe this was taken in Chile before they came home.

Lunch date

Today I had a lunch date with my little man. He is absolutely the BEST guy (besides daddy) to go to lunch with because he loves going out! As soon as I asked him this morning if he wanted to go bye-bye in the car, he went right over to the door and tried to open in (that would be the door to the garage where the car is parked). So we got our coats and shoes on and went to the mall. That is where we usually we go, because it is just easier there. I take the big stroller and all of our stuff fits inside.

So, we had lunch at Panera Bread. Jack loves Panera. I always get him the same thing: a pumpkin muffin. All his very own. And he eats the whole thing. I got soup and a sandwich and we were good to go. Jack always attracts attention wherever we go, so there is never a dull moment. Today the lady next to us was laughing at him because he was sooooo excited when he saw his muffin. She said, "my he's happy about that muffin". And I replied, "He's had one before so he knows it's his". He was laughing and clapping his little hands and making his little gobble gobble noise with his lips. So cute. After that we walked around the mall to the play area. Jack loves the little play area. I took his shoes off and let him go! He ran all around with his hands up in the air, laughing and cackling. Then he got back in the stroller and took a little nap! Perfect! I walked around some more and got a new pair of jeans and a sweatshirt for dirt cheap at JC Penney! Jack woke up and we loaded in to the car and came home. What a wonderful day! The little munchkin is taking a quick nap now and daddy is on his way home. Hope that you all had a great day!

The New Years' Blues

Well, I've got the blues. And NOT for Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Every time Anne and Bryan go home Jeff and I have a couple days of moping around, but this time has been particularly hard. I think that it must be because they actually moved over the break to Georgia and we've never seen their house or their school or anything. Everything is new for them, and although they were excited to be starting a new chapter in their lives, there was also some understandable nervousness and fear about this new place. I think that it transferred to me, because watching them get on that plane to go home was pretty hard.

I find myself in somewhat of a "gap". A lot of my readers will remember a similar blog posting by a good friend of mine about being in the gap. There are several situations happening in my life that I know are of God, and yet it requires patience and waiting. In my heart I know that I am prepared to wait, it's just that sometimes the waiting is, well, kind of boring. After the excitement of Christmas and the plateau of New Year's Eve, I find that my house is a mess, Jack is sick with a cold or teeth or both, Jeff is frantically working on a video editing project for church that is due in a couple of days, and I am left to myself with my melancholic thoughts. I am very thankful for my friend Gaylene, who is working her butt off on my eliptical as I write this, because she is always around to help cheer me up. I am also thankful that my husband has such a servant's heart and is doing so much to serve in the church. I think I need a party or something, you know? Any body want to come party with me? I was looking at all the fun pictures from my friend G-knee's party and that just depressed me even more! So maybe I just need to invite all of my readers to come and hang out with me, k? I'll see you around 7! I don't have any cool video games but I can make some great appetizers!

Comin'?

For Anne and Bryan

"More Than I Can Say" --Twila Paris

The One who makes the children is watching from above
He placed you in a family so that you could know His love
A mother and a father to hold you here on earth
But he was with you long before the moment of your birth
And if you don't have a mother He will sing you lullabies
And He'll be right beside you everyday
When you're all alone at night in bed
If you feel like crying it's okay
He will wipe your tears away

He loves you more than I can say
And He is always taking care of you
He loves you more than I can say
And more than I can say He hopes
That you will love Him too

The One who hears the children has known you from the start
He placed you in a family so that you can feel His heart
A mother and a father to keep you safe and warm
But he was with you long before the day that you were born
And if you don't have a daddy He will be your father too
And He will always keep you in His sight
When it gets too dark to see ahead
And you can't find your way it will be alright
He will be your guiding light

He loves you more than I can say
And He is always taking care of you
He loves you more than I can say
And more than I can say He hopes
That you will love Him too

Happy 2007

A time for reflection...... Not always my favorite thing. New Year's Eve has been a bittersweet time in the past. This year feels different, though. If you look back to my post from one year ago, you'll sense the bittersweet, the desire to somehow hold on to something past. This year instead of looking back with sad nostalgia, I look back with utterly thankful heart. My life is absolutely wonderful. Even with my daily struggles with Jack, and the regular wear and tear of living in a world that is not my true home, I feel that each day is a miracle for me. I feel, in a way, like someone who has come back from the brink of the grave to find life more colorful, more lively, more worth living than ever before. The past is past, and so often in life, hurtful memories begin to fade until only the good ones remain. I rest in the knowledge that my past loved ones are, I believe, in much better places in their lives than ever before, and for that I am truly thankful. We can all be humbled and brought to our knees for the "grace heaped upon grace" from a forgiving, loving Father.

May your New Year begin with a prayer of gratefulness, and may you sleep long and lingeringly in the morning (since I'll be up with my energetic 13 month old son). Happy New Year, dear ones!

Jack's Gift To Momma

Momma, because I drooled on your laptop and broke your mouse and ate your up arrow key, daddy suggested that I buy you your own laptop so so that we don't have to share anymore! I hope you like it. Daddy helped just a little bit but it was all my idea.

I love you momma.

Sincerely,

Jack Jack

\

Super Cool Gifts For Super Cool Kids

This year we decided to take a leap of faith and give the kids cell phones. You can tell by thier reactions that we hit the nail on the head! Mom is a good gift picker!

Grandma Overload, Warning!!! Uncensored!!!

Need we say any more?

Christmas At Grandma-Poo's House

Today was Christmas! Well, to be more exact, it was Christmas at Grandma Poo's house. We had a great time eating yummy food and opening presents. We all got really great stuff, but I have to admit, I was completely astonished to see this beautiful red Kitchen Aid mixer all for ME!!!!!! I'd like to think that Santa knew that I was a good girl this year, but it was really Grandma and Gaylene in cahoots with one another! Ohhhhhh, I can't wait to use it!

Catching Up

This is the sight that greeted me one morning last week. My dearest friend, Gaylene, made us a cornucopia of Christmasy sweets! If that wasn't enough, I about split my sides laughing at the note attached to the wrapping. "Pace yourself". HA!!!!

I know that this picture is a little late, but it is of me in Indy the night that we went to the Symphony Orchestra.

Jack's One Year Old Pictures

Our Day

We are all together again! Yeah! Anne and Bryan are here, and we are having a great time. Our first order of the morning on Monday was to take Anne to the doctor! She got off the plane coughing and didn't stop. Her asthma was really bothering here and she was having trouble sleeping, so we decided that a trip to Dr. Thomas wouldn't hurt. He agreed that her cough was definitely asthma related, so we started the Advair again and also an anti-biotic "just in case". She seems to be doing much better and slept until almost 10 a.m.

Bryan has set up camp in the living room with the game cube, which delights Jack to no end since he loves anything with buttons. Plus, it's a very amusing thing to watch Bry play video games. All I can say is that I'm glad that there is a long cord to his controller because it allows him to do all kinds of crazy antics while he is playing. Right now he is playing "Tony Hawk Pro Skater" and he has some crazy cheat that slows it down so each jump is in slow motion. It drives me crazy! I want Tony to just freakin' land already!

Jack has been ecstatic to have them home. He loves it when Anne takes his hands and runs with him down the hallway. He laughs the whole way. And he loves to sit with Bry in the floor and play with the toys. Both of the kids are really good with him, and, at least for now, are not irritated by his desire to touch everything they have! I'm sure that will wear off!

Today we are going to go see daddy and have lunch with him, then it's off to Wal-mart! These kids like to eat bagels for breakfast and I don't have any.

Have a great day!

Ahhhhhh, The Single Life

I am currently blogging from my hotel in Indy. I have a Starbucks coffee nearby (I almost said "in my hand" but then I realized that wasn't really true and I wouldn't be able to type if it were), I have had 9 hours of completely uninterrupted sleep, my sweet baby is being lovingly cared for by his grandmother, there is a fireplace with a lovely fire, my husband is asleep in our hotel room, and I......I am alone. Sigh..........

Jeff and I went to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Christmas Show and stayed overnight in a hotel because A & B are coming today!!!!!!! So Grandma Poo is watching Jack-Jack! It is the first time since he was born that we have been an hour away from him all night. I did really well last night, but I am starting to go through withdrawals this morning. It's not at all out of fear for him that things aren't going well. Good grief, he's safer with Grandma than he is with me! She knows infant CPR and probably doesn't have to look up the number for the Poison Control Center (by the way, Steph, what IS that number?).

The show last night was very good and extremely reminiscent of my days with the MSO. It was funny because we ended up coming in the back way to the Hilbert Circle Theatre at about 7:40 (show time at 8:00), and we ran into some musicians with their instruments entering the building! 20 minutes before the show! That is SO like a professional musician. These Christmas programs are cake for them and I doubt that they even did much practicing for it, if any. I was very impressed with their orchestra--it was really good--and seemed much smaller than Milwaukee's. The stage was teenie weanie! Especially compared with MSO, and they didn't have a chorus, rather they had guest singers that formed a sort of small ensemble. They were good, especially a lady named N'Kenge. I can't even describe it. She is definitely somebody and I know I've seen her on TV before. She has an unbelieveable range and is able to sing many different styles without blinking an eye. At first I thought she was singing the low alto parts, because of the solo that she did (was very low) but then by watching closely during the group numbers I discovered that she was actually singing the first soprano and was SKYING. Very cool.

Well, I guess it's time to go wake up my hubby and get this show on the road. They're going to kick us out of here in an hour or so. Too bad. I like it here. Oh, did I mention that there is a plasma screen TV just about my head? Man, this place has everything!!!!

Have a great day, and my apologies to all you choir members out there that are currently at the 3 hour Saturday practice for the cantata. Ooopsie!

City vs. Country

For the past decade or so I have owned cats. My first ever cat was Hero, and I loved her greatly, but alas, she had a tragic fault. Tragic for me, that is, because I could not have a cat that wanted to pee everywhere, and I do mean everywhere. So Hero left me for (hopefully) some elderly person who did not mind the smell and greatly benefited from her sweet nature and love of snuggling. At least that is what I try to tell myself since she was taken to an animal shelter. After Hero came Dala, or Queen Amidala, as I named her. I felt that her beautiful looks required a regal name, and being the Star Wars fan that I am, I felt that Amidala suited her. "Dala" was a great short name too. I have a picture of her, and if I can find it, I'll post it, but after going through several hard drives, my pictures are a little scattered (just another thing on my list of "things that I need to do"--organize my digital pictures). Dala was very quiet and very sweet. When we got her, she had spent the last few weeks being traumatized by 3 large hunting dogs and so she was very skittish. It took her a while to settle down, but she did, and was a great cat (and still is I believe). There were a series of kitties along the way, and I forget their order, but homage must be paid to them. Pika was a great kitty, but we gave her up to a nice family in our church, then there was Ringo, he was a foster kitty and was later named Stu, much to our disappointment. I hope I'm not forgetting anyone. And then came Nutmeg. Nutmeg was supposed to be "my" kitty, because I picked her out (even though Dala always was and still continues to be my favorite). She was awful cute, just a few weeks old when we got her, and looked as though she had gotten her tail stuck in a light socket. She was GREAT fun growing up. However, something happened in her tiny cat brain that I can't quite figure out and she turned into an orange and white demon. And cats like that usually live for a very long time, so I'm sure she is still demonizing her current owner. I had to give Dala and Nutmeg up because I was moving to a place where I couldn't have cats, and though it was sad, I believe they are loved and taken care of as though they were family. This brings to me to my current status as cat owner. When I married Jeff, I inherited his two cats, Bart and Callie. Bart is an orange and white Tom and Callie is a petite little Calico. Callie is the mommy of Bart. I was ecstatic to again be in possession of cats, but I quickly learned that this was a new breed of feline. These two cats were "outdoor" cats. I'd never had one. Mine had all been very civilized (exluding Nutmeg) indoor kitties who licked their paws and sat in patches of sunshine on the carpet. However, Bart wouldn't know a litter box if it bonked him on the head, and although Callie truly believes in her heart that she is an indoor cat, her taste for live animals completely keeps her off the list of "animals that I will let sleep on my bed". At first I was mortified at their behavior. I had never before been "offered" a dead mouse on my front porch step, but Callie faithfully feeds her new "mommy" (me) and proves her love and devotion on a regular basis. The first time I opened the door and saw a dead, decapitated mouse (she loves the heads) I recoiled in horror until I saw Callie standing by, meowing and rubbing her tail around on the door as if to say, "It's all for you, mommy (except the head, of course, must keep the best part)." So I begrudgingly said my thankyou and asked Jeff to "please get rid of that dead mouse". Somewhere along the way, though, I began to see that these cats were truly the way that God made them and were only acting out their natural instincts. Now, when I see a dead mouse, I wholeheartedly thank Callie (she's the only one who brings them to the door) and say "What a good mouser you are!" She is truly showing her appreciation for me in a way that my other cats never did. I know that this seems to be a non sequitor post, but it was just kind of swimming around in my head this morning as I watched this drama unfold in my back yard. I took pictures of it, mostly so that Grandma Poo could see what a good kitty Charlie is! Charlie is Grandma's kitty that we let go outside when she broke her leg, and I have enjoyed having him here very much. He has his moments of wanting to come back inside, but I don't think he would give up the joy of catching his own live chipmunk for a sofa, so he stays outside and is very happy to do so. Go, Charlie! Go, Bart and Callie! What good kitties you are! Now, if only I had a little doggie........

If you look very closely, there is a small chipmunk being stalked here.

Bart helps close the gap.

Charlie is triumphant!

Christmas Time Has Come!

I have finally gotten my Christmas decorations up! This is really the first year that I've put much thought into it in my new house. I can't even tell you what I did last year. I honestly have no recollection of even putting up or taking down the Christmas tree. I know that we did have one, but I can't remember when I put it up! Things were kind of blurry last year since Jack was only two weeks old at this time last year.

I was kind of at a loss about where to put the Christmas tree. I was afraid that if I put it upstairs in the family room Jack would tip it over. So I ended up putting it down in the basement living room. It seems a little bit out of place amongst the big screen TV and movie posters, but all in all it looks quite good there. Anne and Bryan will be happy because that is where they like to be and they can help me make sure that Jack stays out of the tree. Once again, I am so thankful for my husband, for this beautiful home that he has shared with me, for our children and our church. Life sure is good.

Did You Know?

You experienced mothers out there will probably laugh at me for this one....

Last night Jack, Daddy and I played really hard before Jack went to bed. He was all sweaty and panting, so I gave him a good drink before taking him upstairs. Then at 2:30 p.m. he woke up (probably because of the extremely rare 3 hour nap he took in the afternoon), so I gave him an 8 oz. bottle and put him back to bed. I could tell when I gave him the bottle that he was wet, but I have learned that the best way to keep Jack UP in the middle of the night is to change his diaper. So I figured he'd be wet through when he woke up in the morning. In the middle of the night this is something that a tired mommy can certainly live with (and sleep on). So, at 8:00 a.m. this morning I went and picked up my baby from his crib. He was very happy and smiley - not at all bothered by his wet pj's. I first realized something was a little "off" when I put my hand on his foot as we were coming down the stairs and it was, well, squishy. I thought that a little odd, and had a puzzled expression on my face as I laid him down and unzipped his pj's. Apparently, some diapers (at least Luv's do) EXPLODE when they become completely saturated! Did you know that?!? There was this pile of jelly stuff on his tummy and down his legs into the footies of his pj's. I wasn't really sure how to clean it up. I took his pj's off and put him in the bathtub (which REALLY made him happy since it is rare that he gets a bath in the morning), and got out the vaccuum cleaner. Yes, honey, I used our vaccuum to suck up the saturated pee jelly from our son's diaper. I didn't know what else to do! I tried using the broom and the dustpan, but it didn't get it all, and some of it spilled out on the carpet that we JUST had cleaned. So, I swept it up. There, it's done. I'm sorry if I've ruined our vaccuum, but, who knew? Did you?

Not Sure I Agree

I'm A Midwestern Girl

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland   "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The South
Philadelphia
The Northeast
The Inland North
The West
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

December 1st!

Currently, this is the scene out of my picture window.

Yippeee! Let it snow!