Thursday, November 30, 2006
The Obituary
THGGM comes from a very interesting family, which is putting it mildly.
That he is the person he is today is a glowing example of the grace of God.
For two years before her death we lived next door to THGGM's grandmother. This was wonderful for Oldest Son, as she adored him much as she did THGGM. This was not true of the rest of us. Thankfully, Daughter and Youngest Son have little to no memory of her.
Family dysfunction is nothing new.
THGGM's grandmother only liked sons and grandsons. This might have had something to do with having lost her first baby, a boy, whose booties and silk bonnet lay forever protected in my cedar chest. Her next oldest son died 26 years ago. I remember his funeral clearly, as I was pregnant with Oldest Son, who developed a severe case of the hiccups during the service. The jumping of my stomach caused THGGM and I to cover our laughter by pretending we were overwrought with grief.
The daughters all live on, marching into old age. One, at least, carrying on the trait of not liking girls.
THGGM's grandmother died. Nobody believed she ever would. She lived with congestive heart failure for over thirty years. She continued to rule her family from her grave. One very hot summer day after she died, THGGM was chatting with his mother. She was telling him of the very long list of things she had to accomplish in this heat. One of them was "water the flowers at grandma's grave". He asked her why she didn't just NOT do that one. She looked at him aghast and in horror said "she would KILL me if I didn't go today". THGGM thought this was peculiar, but I'm not so sure she wouldn't have.
Anyway, back to family dysfunction...
THGGM's grandmother finally did die. There was no funeral. She did not want one. But, there was an obituary in the paper.
It read like this "THGGM's Grandmother went to be with her Lord on..."
Well. ONE of the sisters did not like this. She did not agree with it. She was outraged. She called her pastor, who assured her that a woman so mean could not possibly have gone 'to be with her Lord'.
The next day, the Obituary read "THGGM's Grandmother passed away on..."
This sort of sums up the family.
I always like to imagine what must have happened when the Grand Rapids Press arrived in heaven.
"Sally, you were sent here by mistake. Thankfully for all of heaven and eternity, your oldest daughter has brought this to our attention, so you can just go to hell."
Thankfully, her oldest daughter doesn't rule heaven.
The grace of God is truly an amazing thing. No one is worthy of it. No one.
Yet, it is available to everyone. Even if your daughter doesn't think you deserve it.
That he is the person he is today is a glowing example of the grace of God.
For two years before her death we lived next door to THGGM's grandmother. This was wonderful for Oldest Son, as she adored him much as she did THGGM. This was not true of the rest of us. Thankfully, Daughter and Youngest Son have little to no memory of her.
Family dysfunction is nothing new.
THGGM's grandmother only liked sons and grandsons. This might have had something to do with having lost her first baby, a boy, whose booties and silk bonnet lay forever protected in my cedar chest. Her next oldest son died 26 years ago. I remember his funeral clearly, as I was pregnant with Oldest Son, who developed a severe case of the hiccups during the service. The jumping of my stomach caused THGGM and I to cover our laughter by pretending we were overwrought with grief.
The daughters all live on, marching into old age. One, at least, carrying on the trait of not liking girls.
THGGM's grandmother died. Nobody believed she ever would. She lived with congestive heart failure for over thirty years. She continued to rule her family from her grave. One very hot summer day after she died, THGGM was chatting with his mother. She was telling him of the very long list of things she had to accomplish in this heat. One of them was "water the flowers at grandma's grave". He asked her why she didn't just NOT do that one. She looked at him aghast and in horror said "she would KILL me if I didn't go today". THGGM thought this was peculiar, but I'm not so sure she wouldn't have.
Anyway, back to family dysfunction...
THGGM's grandmother finally did die. There was no funeral. She did not want one. But, there was an obituary in the paper.
It read like this "THGGM's Grandmother went to be with her Lord on..."
Well. ONE of the sisters did not like this. She did not agree with it. She was outraged. She called her pastor, who assured her that a woman so mean could not possibly have gone 'to be with her Lord'.
The next day, the Obituary read "THGGM's Grandmother passed away on..."
This sort of sums up the family.
I always like to imagine what must have happened when the Grand Rapids Press arrived in heaven.
"Sally, you were sent here by mistake. Thankfully for all of heaven and eternity, your oldest daughter has brought this to our attention, so you can just go to hell."
Thankfully, her oldest daughter doesn't rule heaven.
The grace of God is truly an amazing thing. No one is worthy of it. No one.
Yet, it is available to everyone. Even if your daughter doesn't think you deserve it.
Labels: memories
Monday, November 27, 2006
Shiny Brite
.jpg)
I simply LOVE how this looks!
Ever since I first saw it in a 'Home Companion' magazine, I have been slowly collecting what I would need.
The box, the ornaments collected a few here and there, and a few left from THGGM's grandmother's collection of Christmas things complete the picture.
I'll try to get a better picture when the sun is shining, but it just occurred to me a few minutes ago that I quite possibly had everything now. I have seen these in the box for close to twenty dollars. Gathering it all at a snails pace is much cheaper, and more fun!
If I can get a nice squared picture, I will use them as Christmas card fronts.
That would make THGGM happy, as he is in fits over my messes on the dining room table. It took me all day to make the front of four cards of another design only to decide that I do not like them. Not at all. Not even a teensy little bit.
It seems that over the years I totally forgot just how frazzled one gets when trying to accomplish great things while doing even greater things, like trying to make a baby happy.
Happy THGGM and happy Baby Boy are more important to me than cutesy Christmas cards. But, I must be honest and admit that cutesy cards are way up there on the list!
Labels: Christmas, my corner of the world, things to make, thrift and antique shopping
When True Complexity Is Gained
To the tune of "T'is a Gift to Be Simple"
'Tis a curse to be complex,
'Tis a curse to think too deep,
'Tis a curse to day dream and at night not fall asleep,
And when we find our self in a state of unrest,
It will serve to remind us that simple gifts are best.
When true complexity is gained,
To bow and to bend?, that would cause to much pain,
To think, think, will confirm what life's about,
'Til by thinking, thinking we figure it out.
(everyone join in on the chorus!)
'Tis a curse to be complex,
'Tis a curse to think too deep,
'Tis a curse to day dream and at night not fall asleep,
And when we find our self in a state of unrest,
It will serve to remind us that simple gifts are best.
When true complexity is gained,
To bow and to bend?, that would cause to much pain,
To think, think, will confirm what life's about,
'Til by thinking, thinking we figure it out.
(everyone join in on the chorus!)
Labels: poetry smoetry
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Weekend Update
Last night I had the strangest dream. In my dream I was working. Every time I went into a different room, the lights did not work. I thought this was odd. I found my friend Fred working on the problem, but whenever I said anything to him, huge sparks would fly up and he would say in his very 'Fred' way of talking. 'Now Judy, I can not fix this if you keep talking to me'. So, I left Fred, but kept tripping over things in the semi-darkness. I found so much stuff that I needed to throw away, but it either was too heavy for me to lift, or there wasn't any room in the dumpster for it. People kept coming up to me and saying 'You need to throw this away.' And, I would reply all sadly and near tears . 'There isn't any room to throw anything else away!'. Geesh. Dream people are so hard to bear sometimes. Anyway, I was telling a friend about this dream today, when it occurred to me that this dream is just the story of my life. Of course, I'm sure that most of it had to do with the fact that we have had major outages on all of our Christmas lights. Like, for instance, the pre-lit tree that refuses to light on the top. Then there's the small tree with the lights out all willy-nilly, and, the front porch lights with a section totally out.
It is a well know fact that I have to get rid of a lot of my stuff. Yet, on an even deeper level, the dream was true. Very true. 'Much to ponder' true. It seemed as if the entire night were this one dream. All about fuses being blown, doors being locked that should not have been locked, my keyes would not work, nothing was where it should be, and every door I did manage to open, opened upon a new and interesting scene.
I woke up to discover that I had forgotten to take my medication. If I disrupt that cycle even a teensy little bit, my dreams are all over the place. A normal dream for me is more like this - I open the refrigerator to discover that we have no milk. That's it. The entire dream.
THGGM and I went out for breakfast after church. We rarely do this. After breakfast he went to Home Depot to buy lights to re-light the top of our pre-lit Christmas tree. He dropped me off at Michaels where I bought a $1.99 garland, some ribbon, and Elmer's glue. 
I had to beg a bit, but he did consent to going to ONE antique mall. I found some vintage Christmas tree balls for 1.00 a bag. They were nicely worn and made me happy. I also found some Christmas tree shaped tin jello molds. I think they would make cute soap molds, if perchance I ever make soap. Which isn't likely. But, I like to be prepared. (This is why I have so much stuff. I am prepared for everything, except my actual life.)
I had to beg a bit, but he did consent to going to ONE antique mall. I found some vintage Christmas tree balls for 1.00 a bag. They were nicely worn and made me happy. I also found some Christmas tree shaped tin jello molds. I think they would make cute soap molds, if perchance I ever make soap. Which isn't likely. But, I like to be prepared. (This is why I have so much stuff. I am prepared for everything, except my actual life.)THGGM had already alerted our family members not to expect a meal here today. He basically warned them to stay away. He is a wise man.
Simply because we were decorating for Christmas. We tend to become rather tense and ornery when we do this. We usually fight. I'm happy to report that we did pretty well today. Although, this has not been the case in years past.
So, it seems our "Our First Christmas - 1978" will hang on our tree for another season, and beyond.
Labels: my corner of the world
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Little By Little
Today I feel like I am at least making some progress. My trees are all where I want them to be, although they are still naked.
I spent a lot of time on the light in the dining room.
For several years the window held all of my glassware, but I missed the 'kid' look, so am looking for some place safe to store my glassware
.
.This year I am going for the isolated vignette look.
THGGM is in charge of the mantle. At first, I did not like it at all. I almost cried. But, it is growing on me. Although, I do keep tweaking it, and hoping that he doesn't mind.
I supposed that after 28 years of marriage, not having the same taste in Christmas decor isn't the worst problem we could have.
My plans were to make a lit Christmas village out of empty creamer cartons. THGGM is not a crafty guy. He was not at all impressed with this idea.
Labels: Christmas
One Month Until Christmas
Friday, November 24, 2006
Please, I'm Beginning You, for Your Sake, Not Mine!
Our newspaper publishes a section of Thanksgiving 'wishes' every year. Does your newspaper do this?
People write in a 'wish' for themselves or someone else. Other people fulfill these wishes as they can.
I didn't have a chance to sit down and read them yesterday. We bought the paper on our way 'up north' for Thanksgiving yesterday.
Today I made some time to sit down with this section of the paper and read them.
It is the most depressing thing.
I can never quite decide if I love reading these or if I hate it. I think it depends on the condition of my heart and how nasty of a hormonal situation I am in at the time.
I poured myself a strong cup of coffee and sat myself down.
If nothing else, reading these wishes reminds me that I have much to be thankful for.
But, it also causes a rise in my blood pressure.
I'm FULL of opinions. FULL.
Many, if not most of the wishes seem reasonable.
Some should be edited because of how insanely stupid the wish makes the person writing it seem.
Now, I realize that there is a point at which it is necessary to respond to needs without moralizing how the person got into the situation they are in. Really. I have messed up enough to know this. But, there is a point at which helping is no longer 'helpful'. Finding that point cannot be achieved by reading a 'wish' in the paper.
If I were a teacher, I would sit my class down and we would study the wishes. Then, we would delve back in time to as close to the precise moment where life went wrong for this particular individual. We would discuss ways which we could avoid this sort of thing from happening to us in the future.
Then, we would take a page from the phone book, and call each person listed. The message would be simple. STOP BEING STUPID.
Really. I've done stupid things, and more than likely I will do stupid things again. Maybe not yet tonight, but surely sometime tomorrow. As the sparks fly upward.
Truly, I admire the 'wish writers' who asked for help with something. I love the ones written by children asking for something for someone else.
But, if you think that the biggest need in a child's life is the latest technology to appear under the tree at Christmas. Well, you just need to stop being stupid.
Next year, I am sending in a wish.
A wish everyone can help with.
STOP BEING STUPID.
People write in a 'wish' for themselves or someone else. Other people fulfill these wishes as they can.
I didn't have a chance to sit down and read them yesterday. We bought the paper on our way 'up north' for Thanksgiving yesterday.
Today I made some time to sit down with this section of the paper and read them.
It is the most depressing thing.
I can never quite decide if I love reading these or if I hate it. I think it depends on the condition of my heart and how nasty of a hormonal situation I am in at the time.
I poured myself a strong cup of coffee and sat myself down.
If nothing else, reading these wishes reminds me that I have much to be thankful for.
But, it also causes a rise in my blood pressure.
I'm FULL of opinions. FULL.
Many, if not most of the wishes seem reasonable.
Some should be edited because of how insanely stupid the wish makes the person writing it seem.
Now, I realize that there is a point at which it is necessary to respond to needs without moralizing how the person got into the situation they are in. Really. I have messed up enough to know this. But, there is a point at which helping is no longer 'helpful'. Finding that point cannot be achieved by reading a 'wish' in the paper.
If I were a teacher, I would sit my class down and we would study the wishes. Then, we would delve back in time to as close to the precise moment where life went wrong for this particular individual. We would discuss ways which we could avoid this sort of thing from happening to us in the future.
Then, we would take a page from the phone book, and call each person listed. The message would be simple. STOP BEING STUPID.
Really. I've done stupid things, and more than likely I will do stupid things again. Maybe not yet tonight, but surely sometime tomorrow. As the sparks fly upward.
Truly, I admire the 'wish writers' who asked for help with something. I love the ones written by children asking for something for someone else.
But, if you think that the biggest need in a child's life is the latest technology to appear under the tree at Christmas. Well, you just need to stop being stupid.
Next year, I am sending in a wish.
A wish everyone can help with.
STOP BEING STUPID.
Labels: and she rants...
For My Friend, Joyce
This is MY ugly sweater.
I bought it at a thrift store three years ago.
I used it for 'puppy training' my darling granddog. 
He never did learn to not jump up on me, hence the many catches.
He never did learn to not jump up on me, hence the many catches.
Instead of buttons, it has funky hooks, but is missing one.
I don't know "Grace", but if she actually did take the time to exclusively style this I am sure she would have been horrified to see what this poor sweater has been through.
I don't know "Grace", but if she actually did take the time to exclusively style this I am sure she would have been horrified to see what this poor sweater has been through.
Sadly, my granddog died very unexpectedly in April. but, I cannot bring myself to get rid of the ugly sweater!
Joyce is having an 'Ugly Sweater' party at her house tonight. I will not be there, as Joyce lives in Winnipeg.
So in honor of Joyce's birthday, I present as requested, my Ugly Sweater.
I'll be wearing it tonight.
Labels: my corner of the world
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Beppe's Boy
.jpg)
I am thankful for so many things..jpg)
Baby Boy is one of them.
.jpg)
I spent the day with almost all of my family.
.jpg)
On no other Thanksgiving has Baby Boy been in attendance (visibly, anyway).
.jpg)
So, on this Thanksgiving night, I am especially grateful to God for sending this little boy to our family.
Other years I have listed many many things I am thankful for.
This year, I am still thankful for all of those things, and even more.
And, Baby Boy.
Labels: baby boy
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
T'was the Night Before Thanksgiving
There is just something SO exciting about Thanksgiving Eve. My pumpkin rolls are cooling, waiting for me to 'slightly unroll and spread on cream cheese mixture'. I have never mastered the 'slightly unroll' but each year it seems to work out.
The pecan pies are ready to go. THGGM and I tried one to make sure it was good. It was.
THGGM is making a corn bread stuffing recipe he found in a cookbook I bought at Taste of Home. So far, it tastes very good, and I do not like stuffing. This one has sausage, onion and apple in it.
THGGM left to pick up Youngest Son at the airport. He didn't fly anywhere. Just rented a car to drive to Toronto to pick up his cousin. He failed to consider just how they would get home from the airport. Or, how tiring it is to actually drive more than 12 hours in one day.
Next up is preparing the ham.
All that's left to do in the morning is peel the potatoes. THGGM is going to do that also. Apparently, he has been watching Tyler Florence and is going to do something special to the potatoes. I have relinquished potato peeling due to my bum wrist so I have forfeited my right to have potato opinions. Not that I mind.
Happy Thanksgiving Eve!
Labels: my corner of the world
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Oh, How I Love Books!
I found this book on eBay.
It is 100 years old.
The pictures are wonderful.
If it wasn't that I read the short story "The Machine Stops" for a journalism class I took, I would never leave home and would do ALL of my shopping on line.
But, I did read it. This was before home computers were available. I could so easily become the woman in that story. If you are on the computer a lot (according to your family, not according to you!) you MUST read "The Machine Stops".
And in my less than humble opinion, everyone should read Stevenson.
I am amazed at the condition of this book, and the extremely fantastic price I got it for.
The illustrations are beautiful.
Labels: reading
Attempt Number Two
Arghh.
I tried adding some bits from old postcards.
And, I remembered all of my Scrabble letters.
Actually, I do like this glitter more, although it doesn't look at all like the picture. It's much more subtle.
I did add a bow.
But. I think I'm done with these.
Time to bake pecan pies and pumpkin rolls!
Labels: things to make
What Is It?
I made this with stuff I have in my art room.I cannot decide if I like it or not.
Help me.
It's the front and back of an old hymnbook.
I decoupaged "Silent Night" to the cover.
Glued a ribbon at the top, between the covers and did the same with gold fringe along the bottom.
Red star glitter surrounds it.
That's a wooden lamb in the corner.
I tied a pair of bells in the top corner.
I thought that would be enough, but it needed a little bit more, so I added the bow.
So, what's the verdict? Is it good, or is it...
not good?
Labels: things to make
Sunday, November 19, 2006
The Weekend That Was
.jpg)
I've been working a bit here and there trying to do my Christmas decorating.
I am easily side tracked by ideas.
I found a glass globe and of course had to find a way to make it interesting. So, I added an old plastic ornament of a skier. glued that to a baby food jar (oh, to think i ever had to go hunting for those!) and some batting, which is terribly hard to maneuver - it wants to 'drift' but I don't want it to, and I keep getting my hand stuck in the globe with the plastic ornament glued to the baby food jar. Since this picture I have pulled out some of the batting, and now I think it needs a more natural looking wool batting, so I will have to dig deeper to find that.
The baby food jar holds it all up nicely on a small wreath, which sits on a cake plate which is surrounded by a little bit bigger wreath. I love the vintage garland. The Rudolph I found in Wisconsin. He isn't really old, he just looks it (maybe his mother got lost for an hour and a half and it caused him to age ten years). 
I have been extremely fatigued lately. But, I recovered significantly late this afternoon and THGGM and I went out for awhile. I wanted to load up on Christmas magazines so I can get even more ideas for table top vignettes.
While we were out I found these two choir boys. Did anyone ever BURN these? I could not.
I've always been thankful that I wasn't born the oldest girl in a Scandinavian family , because having to be Santa Lucia and wear a flaming crown on my head every Christmas morning would be enough to keep me up the other 364 nights of the year worrying about my entire head going up in flames.
And I wonder why I'm always tired (wait a minute. i don't wonder why. i know why).
Labels: my corner of the world
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Baby Boy had his first professional haircut this morning.
He thought it was a great experience.
It looks really cute, too!
He looks more and more like his daddy every day!
Labels: baby boy
Friday, November 17, 2006
Tired and Whiny
Yes. That's me. Tired and Whiny - the double whammy. But, tired and whiny though I be, I have this cool fabric!
My sister and brother-in-law came into town today. It was my sister's birthday yesterday, so we celebrated by going to all the places we went to every Thursday in the summer. Only this time, we brought her husband.
We went to lunch at Hunan (he had only experienced Hunan through our left-overs) and to our two favorite thrift stores. I found two board books for Baby Boy, and two "Wee Sing" books, which I guess would be for him, but I bought them for me because I need to add some more songs and rhymes to the song and rhyme pool.
I found some more tiny aqua Christmas tree balls and a few craft items. And, this funky piece of fabric. It is rather large. To photograph it I draped it across the giant footstool that has taken over our living room. It totally covered it, and hung down on the floor on both sides.
(somehow, the unicorn picture that should be right here is missing! i HATE when that happens because it throws everything off. those pesky mythical unicorns just cannot be trusted!)
I cannot imagine what I will do with this, but I liked the colors and figured there must be SOMETHING I could make for Baby Boy out of it. Or, just for fun I might recover the footstool with it.
Anyway. By evening I was too tired to move. THGGM got pizza and picked up some Christmas magazines for me.
It might be wise for me to record where I put the stuff I bought when I take pictures of it for my blog. Looking into my archives has made me say more than once "Oh, yeah. I bought that. Now what did I DO with it?"
Oh. I also found another doll for my dollhouse. For 25 cents. That made me happy.
So to sum it up, I'm tired, I'm whiny, my shoulder aches, my eyes are itchy, my wrist is sore, two fingers and my thumb on my left-hand are numb, my blood sugar is high, but I have many blessings to count, which I will do after I claw my way from the edge of despair up the stairs past the screaming kitty and into bed with THGGM who has decided that he would snore like a roaring lion again, just for fun it seems. I will grab my fabulous new-to-me Elziabeth Goudge book, remove my glasses and lay the book on my nose and will read until I cannot see anymore.
And then, I will count my blessings. Most likely, I'll still be tired, I'll still be whiny, my shoulder will still ache, my eyes will itch even worse, my wrist will still be sore, my fingers and thumb will continue to be numb, my blood sugar will climb, but I will be reminded of how truly blessed I am.
Labels: my corner of the world
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Thursday
For years I have said to THGGM, "It is ALWAYS Thursday!" I don't know why. But, it is.
After a pleasantly busy weekend and a tiring beginning of the week, today was like a breath of fresh air.
Baby Boy came. And, he was the Baby Boy of old. Happy Happy Happy.
My mom came, and she was MY MOM. When I mentioned this to my dad, he said that he had especially noticed this to be true yesterday also.
Baby Boy spent a delightful hour walking back and forth between his Grandma and Beppe (me). He looked up right into my mom's eyes and said just as plain as day GRAND - MAA. He easily calls me Beppe now. Although, he did have a rather long conversation with Great Grandma that ended with him shaking with glee.
He also gets all quivery when we say something that he understands. He doesn't particularly like to have his diaper changed, but if I ask him, he shakes with joy because he knows what I said. It is really funny.
Before my mom and dad left, we gathered around the giant footstool and finished off the Steenstra's St. Claus Cookies. We will make a little Frisian Hollander out of this boy. I suppose there is more to it than having a Beppe and eating St. Claus Cookies, but those are good places to start.
The Elizabeth Goudge book I won on eBay came today. "The Heart of the Family". I do hope it is good. I've been reading Gladys Tabor's "Stillmeadow Season's", but I just finished up Autumn, so it's a good time to start something new.
Then, I'll be piling up the Christmas books.
Tonight, I realized with deep sadness that we no longer have a VCR. It broke with a horrible video in it that I abhorred. My four year old friend had been watching it over and over and over and I was never so happy to have a tape break in a machine in my life! But, now I cannot watch all of the old familiar taped Christmas specials. I probably have all of them that I really want on DVD, but I was surprised EVERY year by the fantastic pizza specials, and the advertisements for old things that look new!
My Christmas boxes have been dragged out of the attic by THGGM. It's a bit early, even for me. Now, if THGGM could only remember where he stored the Christmas CDs...
After a pleasantly busy weekend and a tiring beginning of the week, today was like a breath of fresh air.
Baby Boy came. And, he was the Baby Boy of old. Happy Happy Happy.
My mom came, and she was MY MOM. When I mentioned this to my dad, he said that he had especially noticed this to be true yesterday also.
Baby Boy spent a delightful hour walking back and forth between his Grandma and Beppe (me). He looked up right into my mom's eyes and said just as plain as day GRAND - MAA. He easily calls me Beppe now. Although, he did have a rather long conversation with Great Grandma that ended with him shaking with glee.
He also gets all quivery when we say something that he understands. He doesn't particularly like to have his diaper changed, but if I ask him, he shakes with joy because he knows what I said. It is really funny.
Before my mom and dad left, we gathered around the giant footstool and finished off the Steenstra's St. Claus Cookies. We will make a little Frisian Hollander out of this boy. I suppose there is more to it than having a Beppe and eating St. Claus Cookies, but those are good places to start.
The Elizabeth Goudge book I won on eBay came today. "The Heart of the Family". I do hope it is good. I've been reading Gladys Tabor's "Stillmeadow Season's", but I just finished up Autumn, so it's a good time to start something new.
Then, I'll be piling up the Christmas books.
Tonight, I realized with deep sadness that we no longer have a VCR. It broke with a horrible video in it that I abhorred. My four year old friend had been watching it over and over and over and I was never so happy to have a tape break in a machine in my life! But, now I cannot watch all of the old familiar taped Christmas specials. I probably have all of them that I really want on DVD, but I was surprised EVERY year by the fantastic pizza specials, and the advertisements for old things that look new!
My Christmas boxes have been dragged out of the attic by THGGM. It's a bit early, even for me. Now, if THGGM could only remember where he stored the Christmas CDs...
Labels: my corner of the world
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
He's Not Sorry
Well, well, well.
We have entered a new phase at our house.
A glasses snatcher is on the loose.
He is a wily little fellow with extremely fast and sticky little hands.
He doesn't stop with just the glasses either.
Earrings, watches, even moles.
Anything that doesn't 'please' his visual palate.
Maybe he is just getting revenge on Grandpa for those industrial strength cowlicks he inherited from him.
Labels: baby boy
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Good Morning, My Corner of the World
Watching the coffee shoppe wake up, while drinking my home brew (whatever happened to be on sale).
Reminds me of an Edward Hopper painting.
Labels: my corner of the world
Monday, November 13, 2006
What Footstool? I Don't See Any Footstool!
Some families have an 'elephant' in the living room that no one dares talk about. I have 'the footstool'.
Why, yes. It's lovely.
But, it takes up the entire room!
Now, let me back up.
We had a wooden 'blanket chest' which nicely held about half of all the board games we have.
Once Baby Boy decided he would shock us all and start walking, it became obvious that it would have to go. Four pointy corners he could bang his darling little head on.
So, enter the supersized footstool. Today, while seated on the love seat, I could not even see Baby Boy on the other side of it.
He likes it. It came from his living room, so it doesn't scare him (like it does me).
To him it is a giant drum he can walk around.
I wish it opened up. I get excited thinking of all the stuff I could hide in there.
But it doesn't.
(yet. i seem to recall that we have a hacksaw in our bedroom...)
Labels: my corner of the world
Ahhh. Now I Can Think.
Baby Boy took a nice long nap this afternoon, and woke up happy!
While he slept, I took pictures of a few of my weekend thrift store finds.
Not pictured are the four shirts I found for myself, and a bunch of books I thought someone I know might be interested in.
Isn't this a charming apron? I love the "Dick and Jane"ish fabric.
And, this fabulous little suitcase was at an antique mall we went to.
It is very light weight, and extremely clean on the inside.
I just LOVE old suitcases, as they make such excellent storage. When you have as much junk as I do, that matters a lot.
The inside is SO nice!
Before I find things to store in it, I think I'll make a Christmas display in it.
Or, not. 
This great old shelf...
What to do with it...
It's in Baby Boy's toy closet while I try to decide.
I have a white table that I think it might fit on, and would make for great shelves for me if it does.
Labels: thrift and antique shopping
I'm Having a Day Like This Also.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
So Sweet!
I could watch Baby Boy sleep for hours.
Although, he doesn't sleep for hours.
At least not at my house.
Labels: baby boy
Baby Boy Hands
Sunday Nap
Saturday, November 11, 2006
This Is SO Amazing!!!
Click on the link below, and you will be brought to my blog, in Spanish!
Even the links to my Plethora and Inky Fingers blogs are translated.
This is so amazing to me.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=es&sl=en&u=http://judyh58.blogspot.com/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=2&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DIS%2BANYBODY%2BHOME%26hl%3Des%26lr%3D
Even the links to my Plethora and Inky Fingers blogs are translated.
This is so amazing to me.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=es&sl=en&u=http://judyh58.blogspot.com/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=2&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DIS%2BANYBODY%2BHOME%26hl%3Des%26lr%3D
Labels: defies catagorizing
Friday, November 10, 2006
Recipe for Picture Holder
Pour buttons into shallow dish.
Add snapshot.
I found this idea in a magazine, although if I recall, she used dried beans.
I used buttons.
Mostly, because I have more of those than beans.
They hold up wallet size snap shots very well.
Labels: things to make
Things I Want to Make
Waxed paper snowflakes for French door
Clothespin angels from my new Christmas book
Four shadow boxes, spelling H O M E
A lit Christmas village made from creamer cartons
Crochet basket-weave scarf
Photo Christmas tree balls
Solder photo jewelry pins
Polymer clay pins
Many sets of rubberstamped note cards - MANY
Hand-drawn Christmas cards
Totally touchable ornaments for Baby Boy's tree
Felt pins
Felt toys
Felt runner for coffee table
(felt overwhelmed writing this...)
Clothespin angels from my new Christmas book
Four shadow boxes, spelling H O M E
A lit Christmas village made from creamer cartons
Crochet basket-weave scarf
Photo Christmas tree balls
Solder photo jewelry pins
Polymer clay pins
Many sets of rubberstamped note cards - MANY
Hand-drawn Christmas cards
Totally touchable ornaments for Baby Boy's tree
Felt pins
Felt toys
Felt runner for coffee table
(felt overwhelmed writing this...)
Labels: things to make
Thursday, November 09, 2006
My Dad
Today, my dad asked me if I wanted to hear a funny story.
I said "YES!".
Then, he added that he wasn't sure if it was funny, or scary.
"Do tell!" was my response.
It seems that my 80 year old father and my 79 year old mother fell into a deep sleep Sunday afternoon after my sister and brother-in-law left their house.
They didn't wake up until 6:00.
They woke up at 6:00 PM.
But my dad thought it was 6:00 AM. Shocked that they had both slept all night in their clothes, he woke up my mother, they got dressed, and had breakfast.
They also took all of their morning pills.
Then, they left the house at the usual time to go walking at the mall.
He thought it seemed odd that the light at Porter and Burlingame was blinking.
He thought it was odd that it wasn't as light as it was Saturday morning when they left the house at the same time to go to breakfast at church.
They both thought it was odd when they got to the mall and there weren't any cars there.
They thought it was supremely odd that the doors at the mall were locked.
It wasn't until they returned home on what they thought was a very dark holiday of some sort that it was actually just Sunday night.
My dad asked me not to tell anyone.
I assured him. "Oh, I won't tell 'anyone', I will tell EVERYONE!"
I'm still not sure if it is a funny story, or scary.
I said "YES!".
Then, he added that he wasn't sure if it was funny, or scary.
"Do tell!" was my response.
It seems that my 80 year old father and my 79 year old mother fell into a deep sleep Sunday afternoon after my sister and brother-in-law left their house.
They didn't wake up until 6:00.
They woke up at 6:00 PM.
But my dad thought it was 6:00 AM. Shocked that they had both slept all night in their clothes, he woke up my mother, they got dressed, and had breakfast.
They also took all of their morning pills.
Then, they left the house at the usual time to go walking at the mall.
He thought it seemed odd that the light at Porter and Burlingame was blinking.
He thought it was odd that it wasn't as light as it was Saturday morning when they left the house at the same time to go to breakfast at church.
They both thought it was odd when they got to the mall and there weren't any cars there.
They thought it was supremely odd that the doors at the mall were locked.
It wasn't until they returned home on what they thought was a very dark holiday of some sort that it was actually just Sunday night.
My dad asked me not to tell anyone.
I assured him. "Oh, I won't tell 'anyone', I will tell EVERYONE!"
I'm still not sure if it is a funny story, or scary.
Labels: my corner of the world
Oldest Son
Oldest Son from a very early age wanted to know things.
I used to work very hard to stay ahead of what it was he might want to know.
After THGGM and I completed our wills, I thought it might be comforting for him to know what would happen to him if we were to both die.
(Normal people probably see a problem with this already, but rarely do I have the 'normal' response to anything.)
I knew that it was comforting to ME as a child to know that my parents intended to leave me with my aunt and uncle (whose lovely home is pictured at www.judyh58a.blogspot.com) if they were to both die. Unless, of course, my sisters were old enough to take me. This put me in a conundrum of wishing that if they were going to die anyway that I would at least get to live with someone who wasn't always complaining that I was breathing on them.
So, I calmly and matter-of-factly explained to Oldest Son that if daddy and I were both to die at the same time, he need not worry, as he would go to live with our dear friends Fred and Betty. They were also the parents of three of his favorite people, so I was sure it would all be good.
And, it was. Being the sort of child who liked to have things settled well in advance, he pondered it for a bit and seemed just fine with the arrangement.
A couple of days later, he asked me for Fred and Betty's phone number. He wanted me to write it down for him. Of course, I thought he wanted to call his friends to arrange to play.
Silly me. I asked "Why?".
In all seriousness, he responded. "I need to know their number in case you and daddy die, I will have to call them to come pick us up."
It put a picture in my mind of THGGM and I laying prone, stricken by who-knows-what, and Oldest Son gathering up his younger siblings, calling Betty to come get them, and calmly waiting while seated on suitcase on the front porch.
Somedays, a parent can disappoint a child just by living.
I used to work very hard to stay ahead of what it was he might want to know.
After THGGM and I completed our wills, I thought it might be comforting for him to know what would happen to him if we were to both die.
(Normal people probably see a problem with this already, but rarely do I have the 'normal' response to anything.)
I knew that it was comforting to ME as a child to know that my parents intended to leave me with my aunt and uncle (whose lovely home is pictured at www.judyh58a.blogspot.com) if they were to both die. Unless, of course, my sisters were old enough to take me. This put me in a conundrum of wishing that if they were going to die anyway that I would at least get to live with someone who wasn't always complaining that I was breathing on them.
So, I calmly and matter-of-factly explained to Oldest Son that if daddy and I were both to die at the same time, he need not worry, as he would go to live with our dear friends Fred and Betty. They were also the parents of three of his favorite people, so I was sure it would all be good.
And, it was. Being the sort of child who liked to have things settled well in advance, he pondered it for a bit and seemed just fine with the arrangement.
A couple of days later, he asked me for Fred and Betty's phone number. He wanted me to write it down for him. Of course, I thought he wanted to call his friends to arrange to play.
Silly me. I asked "Why?".
In all seriousness, he responded. "I need to know their number in case you and daddy die, I will have to call them to come pick us up."
It put a picture in my mind of THGGM and I laying prone, stricken by who-knows-what, and Oldest Son gathering up his younger siblings, calling Betty to come get them, and calmly waiting while seated on suitcase on the front porch.
Somedays, a parent can disappoint a child just by living.
Labels: memories
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Why I Have a Headache
Okay, so beating on pans with wooden spoons was my idea.But I thought he would tire of it.
He never did.
I did, rather quickly, I might add.
I did not have the headache until after he played through his repertoire of several dozen original compositions.
He didn't feel much like napping today.
I did.
Of course, I waited until he went home.
This is my second migraine this week.
Not that I'm counting.
Labels: baby boy, my corner of the world
Surprise! I Bought a Book!
Okay. So there is nothing surprising about my buying a book.
What is surprising is that I paid full price for it.
I discovered it awhile ago while poking around at Barnes and Noble.
I liked it so much that I went back to look at it again, and try to remember certain things so I could make them at home.
But, my memory isn't what it used to be, so I bought it.
And I am so glad I did!
I want to make these clothes pin angels!
I have everything for them.
Now I'm just waiting for the time to make them!
Baby Boy has not been cooperative with my projects. (can you hear him, vocalizing in the back ground?)
I also love this!
Somewhere I still the the box of 'innards' to those 'never burn down' candles that were popular a long time ago.
I plan to use the innards, and a galvanized bucket.
I don't have the stuff for this look, but I do like it!
I'd tell you about this, but someone is being a whiny pants.
So, buy the book.
I LOVE it.
Labels: Christmas, things to make
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
I Voted!
It's All Happening So Fast!
Yesterday, Baby Boy thought it was about time he gave crawling a try.
He has always prefered standing, or laying on his back holding toys over his face.
Well, when he got home last night, his mommy was all excited to show his daddy how he could crawl...
...he decided to be even MORE impressive, and take four steps on his own instead.
It appears not to be a fluke, as he has been doing it all morning.
I saw him take six steps.
Now he is sleeping very soundly. All this excitement as worn him out.
Me too. Wasn't he JUST born???
Labels: baby boy
Monday, November 06, 2006
Peaceful Beauty
If you would like to see the beautiful, peaceful home we stayed at while on vacation last week, you can catch a peek of it on my Plethora blog, www.judyh58a.blogspot.com
My aunt is my decorating inspiration. Her home reflects the wonderful person that she is.
I think I have about 14 posts up now, with more to come.
My aunt is my decorating inspiration. Her home reflects the wonderful person that she is.
I think I have about 14 posts up now, with more to come.
Labels: vacation
Will Crawl for Crackers!
Baby Boy had something very exciting to show grandpa today! He can crawl!
We have been waiting for this day. Baby Boy prefers to stand. If he wants something, he points and says 'NAH!'
But, today he just decided that he must do what is expected of him.
I kept moving around the room with a sleeve of crackers.
He figured it out.
We figured he would, someday.
Labels: baby boy
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Seriously Now
I have completed week one of my diet, which I have entitled the:
A Doughnut Is Not Worth Dying For Diet
I don't even like doughnuts, but I ate one last Monday morning. I didn't want to. It was stale. But, it was there and I ate it. Actually, there were FOUR doughnuts, but Daughter ate one, and Nephew Chris ate the other two. I forced him to. Told him he had to do it to save my life.
I haven't had anything with measurable sugar in it since.
Just for the record, that means I did NOT eat ANY Halloween candy. No peanuts mixed with candy corn. No pumpkin cut-out cookies. Nada.
My cousin gave me a One Touch Ultra2 that I can use to record my blood sugar levels and store them on my computer.
They aren't good. My blood sugar levels, that is.
I have been CLOSELY monitoring myself. So much so that it hurts to use the keyboard, as I have been stabbing myself a great many times per day.
So this is what I can report after one week:
It doesn't appear to matter what I eat. How often I run up and down steps. How many 'happy thoughts' I fill my brain with.
My blood sugar levels seem to be totally at the mercy of my hormones. And presently they are not merciful girls.
When I want to sleep, they say 'NO! Stay up and read!' So, I listen to them. Then, when I want to get up in the morning, they say 'NO! Stay in bed and sleep!'
I try to get them to give up caffeine and they say 'NO! We need caffeine so we can stay up late and read!' So, I give them caffeine and yet they still will not shut up! All night long, they jump around inside my brain saying wonderful things like 'do let's be worrisome and frightful and keep this woman on the edge of sanity!'
Tonight the merciless girls got together. One of them must have remembered that it had been awhile since a truly noteworthy headache had been passed out to me.
'Let's give her an headache tonight!' - one cried with delight! 'Oh, do let's!' - cried her demented sister.
They called all of the merciless sisters and told them to put on their spikiest heels and to dance their most rhythmic dance upon my hapless brain - while singing "American Pie".
And now I know why my blood sugar rises while I sleep.
It's the merciless girls. They are up all night sipping margaritas, mainlining koolaide, snorting white sugar and most likely sniffing glue.
I've tried ignoring them, hoping they would go away.
But whenever they go away, they nail all of the windows shut and turn up the thermostat.
And to think we used to be such good friends.
A Doughnut Is Not Worth Dying For Diet
I don't even like doughnuts, but I ate one last Monday morning. I didn't want to. It was stale. But, it was there and I ate it. Actually, there were FOUR doughnuts, but Daughter ate one, and Nephew Chris ate the other two. I forced him to. Told him he had to do it to save my life.
I haven't had anything with measurable sugar in it since.
Just for the record, that means I did NOT eat ANY Halloween candy. No peanuts mixed with candy corn. No pumpkin cut-out cookies. Nada.
My cousin gave me a One Touch Ultra2 that I can use to record my blood sugar levels and store them on my computer.
They aren't good. My blood sugar levels, that is.
I have been CLOSELY monitoring myself. So much so that it hurts to use the keyboard, as I have been stabbing myself a great many times per day.
So this is what I can report after one week:
It doesn't appear to matter what I eat. How often I run up and down steps. How many 'happy thoughts' I fill my brain with.
My blood sugar levels seem to be totally at the mercy of my hormones. And presently they are not merciful girls.
When I want to sleep, they say 'NO! Stay up and read!' So, I listen to them. Then, when I want to get up in the morning, they say 'NO! Stay in bed and sleep!'
I try to get them to give up caffeine and they say 'NO! We need caffeine so we can stay up late and read!' So, I give them caffeine and yet they still will not shut up! All night long, they jump around inside my brain saying wonderful things like 'do let's be worrisome and frightful and keep this woman on the edge of sanity!'
Tonight the merciless girls got together. One of them must have remembered that it had been awhile since a truly noteworthy headache had been passed out to me.
'Let's give her an headache tonight!' - one cried with delight! 'Oh, do let's!' - cried her demented sister.
They called all of the merciless sisters and told them to put on their spikiest heels and to dance their most rhythmic dance upon my hapless brain - while singing "American Pie".
And now I know why my blood sugar rises while I sleep.
It's the merciless girls. They are up all night sipping margaritas, mainlining koolaide, snorting white sugar and most likely sniffing glue.
I've tried ignoring them, hoping they would go away.
But whenever they go away, they nail all of the windows shut and turn up the thermostat.
And to think we used to be such good friends.
Labels: and she rants...
Mute
I do not watch much television. My favorite show is on PBS, so it isn't interrupted by pesky commercials.
But I have watched enough TV recently to know that I cannot stand ANYBODY who is running for ANYTHING right now.
Have they no manners?
I would not talk about a temperamental dog the way candidates talk about each other.
Enough already.
And...
Quit filling my mailbox with stuff I haven't asked for.
Quit filling my in-box with e-mail I didn't ask for.
Just stop. Stop it. I cannot take it anymore.
As a mother, I want to send them all to their room until they can behave and talk nicely.
So, from now until Wednesday, the commercials will be muted.
And, I will make up what is being said.
At least I'm having fun with that.
Sort of my own little Mad TV.
But I have watched enough TV recently to know that I cannot stand ANYBODY who is running for ANYTHING right now.
Have they no manners?
I would not talk about a temperamental dog the way candidates talk about each other.
Enough already.
And...
Quit filling my mailbox with stuff I haven't asked for.
Quit filling my in-box with e-mail I didn't ask for.
Just stop. Stop it. I cannot take it anymore.
As a mother, I want to send them all to their room until they can behave and talk nicely.
So, from now until Wednesday, the commercials will be muted.
And, I will make up what is being said.
At least I'm having fun with that.
Sort of my own little Mad TV.
Labels: and she rants...
Saturday, November 04, 2006
My Thrift Shopping Finds
Be still my heart! TWO books by Abraham Kuyper. Both in Dutch.
They had dozens of Dutch books today. If there are more on Wednesday when books are half price, I will get a few more.
(although, i do not know why.)
I thought this book looked interesting. I collect black books. Thumbing through it, I could tell it's a New Testament, but I could not venture a guess as to what language it is.
I thought this book looked interesting. I collect black books. Thumbing through it, I could tell it's a New Testament, but I could not venture a guess as to what language it is.
When I got it home, a slip of paper fluttered out. On it was written two words. Eskimo Bible.
And, more letter blocks for Baby Boy! 
I found all these stamps and the 'still in the wrapper' Versamark ink pad for $2.00.
I found all these stamps and the 'still in the wrapper' Versamark ink pad for $2.00.
I have WAY to many stamps. I only wanted the paint pallet stamp, so the others were a bonus.
I also bought a children's book written by Pearl S. Buck titled "Matthew, Mark, Luke and John". It's about four homeless Korean boys.
Another thick envelop of iron-on transfers for embroidery was added to my slowly growing collection.
Labels: thrift and antique shopping
Friday, November 03, 2006
I Have Views on Such Things
Something in the news has sparked my tired brain today. I will not tell you what. As it will be easy enough to figure out.
Many many years ago THGGM belonged to a group of guys who met together on a weekly basis. THGGM became good friends with one of the guys.
This man was one of those people who had a very respectable job, so was considered a respectable person, by virtue of his job, not by virtue of his virtue.
Having a respectable job pushed him to the top of committees at the very large and very respectable church in the city in which he lived.
This put the respectable job holder into contact with many many others thought respectable due to their respectable jobs and their respectable bank accounts.
And, caused him to become an elder in the respectable large church.
Because of this, he got to know a large number of other men thought to be very respectable. Some of them were. I knew some of them. Some of them were, well, not respectable at all. And this by anyone's standards not just my own narrow minded ones.
Now, for the rest of the story, let me clarify. THGGM knows the man who is in the respectable position due to his respectable job and his respectable bank account. The next man I am going to mention was a very close friend of THIS man. Not THGGM. He never met him.
And, so the story goes on...
THGGM's friend kept talking to THGGM about this friend of his. We will call him Paul. Paul moved up rather quickly into a paid staff position. Paul was very good at what he did. Paul was loved and admired everywhere he went. Paul was the 'it' person. But THGGM's friend knew a very different Paul.
In reality, Paul was a sinful human being just like all the rest of us. But, Paul did not know this. He adored the praise. Paul even said horrible things about the people around him - very condescending and mean, and the people didn't notice because they loved Paul so very much. To them, he could do no wrong.
I had a very good friend at the time who was one of the people who worshiped at Paul's feet. If Paul even spoke to her, she would have a glow about her and would feel the need to share every word of what Paul had said to her. The name 'Paul' was constantly being dropped into the conversation, even though she didn't know I knew who Paul was.
Are you still with me?
THGGM used to tell me that he could not understand how someone living such a phony life as Paul's could go undetected. How had he gained such 'favor with those in authority over him'?
Years past. THGGM would occasionally talk to his respectable friend when he met him at his respectable job. ALWAYS the conversation of his friend came around to Paul. How long could the deceit last?, he would wonder. How does one work so closely with people, and never be found out? How could these respectable men work together for YEARS and never know anything about each other, other than just how respectable their job is and how respectable their bank account grows.
Several years later, THGGM and I were sitting together at church one Sunday night. It was mentioned in the form of a prayer request. The simple fact that Paul had 'fallen', and could we pray for the leaders of this respectable church who were in shock.
I was shocked by how long Paul lasted. Years. And all those people closely associated with him never knew his heart. How sad is that?
And it makes me wonder. Oh, it makes me wonder MANY things...
But the biggest one is this:
Why do we allow people to be given so much power? Many many people were totally shattered to find out that Paul was a great big phony. But, aren't we all in a sense great big phonies? Can't we just admitted it, and refuse to let people elevate us to heights it would kill us to fall from?
Am I shocked when Christians fall? I'm not shocked that they fall. Mostly, I'm shocked by how long it takes them to fall.
And, if they break when they fall, all the better. Not because I want to point and laugh. Okay, so maybe for a minute I do. But, then I remember that until we break we will never know what is in us. When we break, what's in us comes pouring out.
I'm done with respectable looking trappings.
What I have learned about living life as a Christian is that the longer one goes on in life, the WORSE one sees the condition of ones heart. What I confessed as sin as a young Christian almost seems silly now. Truly, Christianity does not make me feel better about myself. What it does is show me on a daily basis just how depraved I am. And, how I'd better remain in a broken state, or nothing of Christ will be able to pour out of me.
So, I won't point and stare at the fallen.
But I will say 'to hell with respectability'.
Stay broken. Let the love of God flow out of the cracks.
Many many years ago THGGM belonged to a group of guys who met together on a weekly basis. THGGM became good friends with one of the guys.
This man was one of those people who had a very respectable job, so was considered a respectable person, by virtue of his job, not by virtue of his virtue.
Having a respectable job pushed him to the top of committees at the very large and very respectable church in the city in which he lived.
This put the respectable job holder into contact with many many others thought respectable due to their respectable jobs and their respectable bank accounts.
And, caused him to become an elder in the respectable large church.
Because of this, he got to know a large number of other men thought to be very respectable. Some of them were. I knew some of them. Some of them were, well, not respectable at all. And this by anyone's standards not just my own narrow minded ones.
Now, for the rest of the story, let me clarify. THGGM knows the man who is in the respectable position due to his respectable job and his respectable bank account. The next man I am going to mention was a very close friend of THIS man. Not THGGM. He never met him.
And, so the story goes on...
THGGM's friend kept talking to THGGM about this friend of his. We will call him Paul. Paul moved up rather quickly into a paid staff position. Paul was very good at what he did. Paul was loved and admired everywhere he went. Paul was the 'it' person. But THGGM's friend knew a very different Paul.
In reality, Paul was a sinful human being just like all the rest of us. But, Paul did not know this. He adored the praise. Paul even said horrible things about the people around him - very condescending and mean, and the people didn't notice because they loved Paul so very much. To them, he could do no wrong.
I had a very good friend at the time who was one of the people who worshiped at Paul's feet. If Paul even spoke to her, she would have a glow about her and would feel the need to share every word of what Paul had said to her. The name 'Paul' was constantly being dropped into the conversation, even though she didn't know I knew who Paul was.
Are you still with me?
THGGM used to tell me that he could not understand how someone living such a phony life as Paul's could go undetected. How had he gained such 'favor with those in authority over him'?
Years past. THGGM would occasionally talk to his respectable friend when he met him at his respectable job. ALWAYS the conversation of his friend came around to Paul. How long could the deceit last?, he would wonder. How does one work so closely with people, and never be found out? How could these respectable men work together for YEARS and never know anything about each other, other than just how respectable their job is and how respectable their bank account grows.
Several years later, THGGM and I were sitting together at church one Sunday night. It was mentioned in the form of a prayer request. The simple fact that Paul had 'fallen', and could we pray for the leaders of this respectable church who were in shock.
I was shocked by how long Paul lasted. Years. And all those people closely associated with him never knew his heart. How sad is that?
And it makes me wonder. Oh, it makes me wonder MANY things...
But the biggest one is this:
Why do we allow people to be given so much power? Many many people were totally shattered to find out that Paul was a great big phony. But, aren't we all in a sense great big phonies? Can't we just admitted it, and refuse to let people elevate us to heights it would kill us to fall from?
Am I shocked when Christians fall? I'm not shocked that they fall. Mostly, I'm shocked by how long it takes them to fall.
And, if they break when they fall, all the better. Not because I want to point and laugh. Okay, so maybe for a minute I do. But, then I remember that until we break we will never know what is in us. When we break, what's in us comes pouring out.
I'm done with respectable looking trappings.
What I have learned about living life as a Christian is that the longer one goes on in life, the WORSE one sees the condition of ones heart. What I confessed as sin as a young Christian almost seems silly now. Truly, Christianity does not make me feel better about myself. What it does is show me on a daily basis just how depraved I am. And, how I'd better remain in a broken state, or nothing of Christ will be able to pour out of me.
So, I won't point and stare at the fallen.
But I will say 'to hell with respectability'.
Stay broken. Let the love of God flow out of the cracks.
Labels: and she rants...
Thursday, November 02, 2006
My Thursday People!
My Mom and Baby Boy had a great time playing together today.It was snowing furiously in the afternoon, so we all piled on the couch to watch it out the front window.
There were a few moments when we couldn't even see across the street!
Baby Boy LOVED watching the snow fall.
Mostly he loved playing 'peek-a-boo' with his great grandma.
Labels: baby boy
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Twenty Five Cent Hardcovers
I must confess, I went to the thrift store tonight. I did this even though I haven't put away my treasures from vacation yet.
Yesterday, everything was 50% off. I didn't go.
Today, hardcover books were 25 cents. I found these three.
"The Chosen", because you actually cannot have too many of this book.
"The Story of a Bad Boy" because it is green, and, isn't that an interesting title? I figure if the book isn't any good, I could always use the cover as a scrapbook of sorts. It would be fun to alter! And, I have known a few 'bad boys' in my day.
"Poems for Enjoyment" I could not pass up. As an added bonus, it does have some green on it. It is a book very true to it's title. I've been reading it for the past hour, and it has been extremely enjoyable.
Those were my great finds.
I also found a glass candle stick, a little taller than the ones I have holding up my 'gazing balls'. So, now they are nicely staggered (see inky fingers at http://www.judyh58b.blogspot.com/).
That isn't all. I also bought a wooden rack that used to hold finger puppets for sale. Now, I only have three finger puppets, and do not really need a rack for them, so I will be searching for another use for it. It folds flat, so I can take my time looking. If nothing else, it will nicely hold thread.
I always find the best ribbons at this thrift store. I found a spool of velvet-ish red ribbon. I might just wrap it around a small tree 'garland style' for Baby Boy.
A good time was had by me.
Labels: thrift and antique shopping
Baby Boy Is Ten Months Old Today
This means that I have been a grandma for 10 months.
Wow.
Seems like only yesterday.
Today, Baby Boy said his first word to me. This is besides calling me 'bum-bum'.
I handed him a block, and he clearly said 'Block!'. Then he said it again, and again, and again (i have a lot of blocks!).
I am working to get him to call me 'Beppe', a lovely Frisian word for grandmother.
He prefers 'bum-bum'.
Labels: baby boy
