If the shoe fits~

I have a favor to ask. Can I have your shoes?

Our patients at Kingswood Hospital are often indigent and homeless. Believe it or not, several times a month we admit people without a pair of shoes. A single pair of shoes. While they are in the hospital, they are often comfortable wearing hospital issue socks with the treads on the bottom. In fact, this is sometimes all they can tolerate if they have been walking bare footed for a long time. Yes, sometimes they have been walking barefoot for days on end and show up at our doors with blisters, wounds and callouses.

If you can't imagine it, this is the time when you stop reading for a minute to tell God thank you.

When it is time for discharge, the plan is often a bus ticket to a shelter. Sometimes they don't actually go to the shelter because their homeless lifestyle is all that they are familiar with. Plus, shelters put you out every morning and you line back up in the evening hoping to get a bed...no guarantees. Think about that and then think about it without a pair of shoes. And think about it during the Michigan winter.

So when they are ready to leave the hospital, we need to give these guys a pair of shoes. Our staff donates a lot of shoes and clothing for our patients but there never seem to be enough shoes. High heels and dress shoes make up a good portion of the stock in our clothing closet. This is great for people who are trying to get a job interview and gain control of their lives. But not all that helpful if you are going to walk the streets of Detroit and sleep in a door way.

Do you have any shoes that are in decent shape that your family doesn't wear? If you could consider giving these shoes to our patients, you will make an incredible impact on a simple human need.

I have seen staff take the shoes off of their own feet and go home in stocking feet because there were no appropriate shoes in the right size for their patient.

I have seen staff go home to get their kid's shoes to bring back to a patient.

I have seen staff take up a collection to buy a pair of shoes because all of our ideas ran out.

I have seen a patient cry as he laced up a pair of used tennis shoes. I've also seen a man who had to wear women's shoes for discharge, it was all we could find.

I'll come get your shoes. You can mail them to me. You can drop them at the hospital. You can even send me a check to buy shoes if it suits your fancy. While you are going through your closet, cold weather clothing and jackets are appreciated too.

Please.

Thanks.

^{Luke 12:7}
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

I loooove~

1. I loooooove Autumn.
2. I looooove my new LL Bean clogs.
3. I looooove old movies.
4. I looooove coffee.
5. I looooove a clean house.
6. I looooove laughter.
7. I looooove Scentsy.
8. I looooove flannel pajamas.
9. I looooove my anniversary gift (that remains in lay-away.)
10.I loooooove you!

I (and my elbows)

Thanking the Lord this morning that I awoke an hour before my alarm went off feeling well-rested. What a difference that makes to my outlook on the day. I had a hard time falling asleep but as in all things, God is teaching me. What I'm learning is that I have to turn my brain off. You'd think with all the thinking I do I'd be accomplishing some remarkable things! It's astounding to me how hard it is for me to lay my head down and put my brain into neutral. Also astounding, once I do so I fall asleep within minutes instead of the average of 2 hours (seriously) it usually takes me.
I am experiencing what was once guessed tobe an ulcer; stomach upset and burning. Also suspecting I have fibromyalgia. Argh! I've teased about fibro because its existence is often doubted in the medical community. But having 16 of the known 18 pressure points is hard to ignore. I know I know I know, everything I am talking about is stress-related. And after several days of begging God to get me out of it I am sensing that this season is one where I will learn to be victorious in it.
My Gramma loved her family and that love was usually expressed in what was an overprotective attitude. We were coddled, never go to school or work with the sniffles. Being told, with love, that we were not strong enough to endure this or that challenge. That influence stays with me. What was love mis-expressed has a tendency to be a lack of my own confidence in my ability to deal with life today. That's not a good feeling. And since she is gone I will also say, it is not a good message to children. I still want to over-protect my own kids but the Holy Spirit helped me see the error in the good intentions a long time ago so I bite my tongue and encourage them to take a deep breath and face the hard things in life. Face them because we can. And what a gift it is to look back with pride and forward with confidence when you feel strong and able.
I would suspect that some of that influence could explain why my stress responses are so visceral...poor sleep, head aches, depression, body aches...Hmmm. The good news is that Jesus is not just savior but redeemer. He fills the cracks in our walls so that we can stand. So yes, this morning my elbows (how ridiculous) and neck hurt. My stomach is a bit burny. But I won't turn around and crawl back into bed. I'll go out with praise on my lips for the restful night I had and send the message to the enemy that I (and my elbows) will go to work and one day at a time, I (and my elbows) will gain victory.
Inside of this mortal skin I know I will always experience aches, pains and stress. That doesn't mean that I can't cope, Christ will strengthen me.
I can do all things.

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head~

Ahhh, the long awaited day off! Of course, lately the day off is just a work-at-home day to catch up and prepare for the week ahead. No, I'm not complaining. On the to do list: cookies for a friend's son's birthday (M & M mini cookies in the oven.) A pan of lasagna by request of the men folk will be made shortly for dinner tonight. A pot of Italian chicken soup ala the Pioneer Woman also to be made for tomorrow's dinner with a big loaf of crusty bread and shaved Parmesan cheese. Changing the bed linens, dusting, laundry, etc.
It's cloudy and rainy in the Mitten this morning. No complaints about that either. I'm still in my jammies and taking the day slowly. Whatever doesn't get done won't get done. I need to make a grocery store run later but even that can wait if I don't want to venture out.
Due to work demands, I've had to pull out of the Scarf Sisters reunion. That caused a tear fest when I found out and another one when I e mailed my mom and a third one when she e mailed me back. You'd think I'd be dehydrated! I'm not all that much of a cryer usually.
Anyway!
I ordered my L L Bean clogs and picked up two cute new sweaters, so it's not all gloom, despair and agony on me. I've commissioned Kelly to be our 25th anniversary photographer. I'm considering a shorter hair cut. And my cookies smell really good!
Have a great Monday!

Esther 8:16
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

Wonderfulnesses

1. My partner at work, Natosha (pictured at left demonstrating proper use of a papoose restraint.) I seriously could not face the daily grind without her.

2. My anniversary present! Don't got it yet but when I do, you will be the first (or third or fourth) to know.

3. My dog.

4. My home my home my sweet sweet home!

5. Good hair days.

6. OK, this is a crazy one, but I have gained lots of weight but not all of it back. I don't like the extra weight but I still know there's a different me inside of here than the one who weighed 260 pounds. That's wonderful.

7. Autumn is my favorite.

8. Greenfield Village is right around the corner.

9. Daboyz. I like 'em.

10. The Mr.

Notes from a woman who is boring and tired but has a great husband who makes her smile and who gets better at making her happy every year~

Friday Friday Friday...
Off this morning, working this afternoon and then working the weekend. Good grief!
I feel like I don't have a whole lot to blog about because lately it would only consist of me whining about work overload. Frankly, even I don't find that interesting!
So what else can I tell you about?
I got a mani last night.
The Mr. surprised me with tickets to Haunted Weekends at Greenfield Village. Love that guy.
We are planning our anniversary trip. Our plans to go on a cruise are on hold for a bit, finances only go so far. That's ok. I think we'll head back to the Lake Michigan Coast for a few days. No complaints!
Donny is going to the groomer today because he smells like a farm dog.
It's cold in the Mitten! I kinda like it. Used the fireplace last night, I think we'll build an outside fire this evening and snuggle up for a bit.
On Monday I am changing my bathroom to Autumn accessories, and yes, I find that very exciting. I am also making cookies for a friend at work whose son's birthday is Tuesday.
I am making my LL Bean's order today! Stand by for updates.
And that pretty much catches you up on Sara's Life. Happy Friday :)

Good evening~

How quickly my days off seem to pass, this one already drawing to a close. I did all of my chores today including two batches of cookies. The oatmeal scotchies are in a gift bag to take to work, a birthday treat for a friend. Milk chocolate & peanut butter chip for the men folk to enjoy with tall glasses of milk as they watch football this evening.
I did a little rearranging of furniture, can't say I improved on matters but a new view is nice for a change. I also brought out a few of my Autumn knick knacks. Fresh sheets wait on all of the beds. The coffee pot is ready for the morning and scrubs are pressed and waiting.
I am a happy football widow because this time of year I scramble into bed with a book or to watch old movies while daboyz and the Mr. watch sports. As you know, I don't mind a little alone time.
As I walk through my home, evening breezes in the windows and pumpkin spice candles on the tables, I'm happy and sad. Happy for this wonderful place and sad that I have to spend so much time away from it. Allow me a melancholy moment, a little envy for those women who did not rush out the doors with travel cups of coffee in the mornings. I'm sure they weren't perfect but there was a lot of good in those old days.
So off I go through the little rooms of this old old bungalow and enjoy the final hours of this day off. How quickly they go by!
And how lovely tomorrow morning will be, when I wake up to this wonderful place. Even if it is for just long enough to grab my travel cup and head out the door.

Image: http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.231763957.jpg

At home~

Oh what a beautiful morning! Cool & crisp, a specialty in the Mitten. Sunshiney. And the cherry on top-I am off today. I do hereby declare this "rest my mind day!"
I have housework to do today and then I am going to make oatmeal scotchies for a friend's birthday. I'm very likely to end up at some point laying on my hammock with a book.
I find myself today filled with thankfulness for my quiet little house. I realize that not everyone has a refuge, not everyone even realizes they need one. So many people are continually frazzled and art of homemaking has almost become extinct. People have become so over-scheduled that the care and nurturing of the rooms we live in has become another chore on the list instead of the pleasure it should be.
I'm thankful to have been descended from women who loved home and family. I'm blessed that I was taught by example to build a place for soul renewal. I believe with all of my heart that this is also part of what holds our family together, we all gravitate here because it's the best place we know.
So off I go with a silly smile to change my sheets, do my laundry and dust the furniture.
What a great day is in store!

Deliver us from evil

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV0BVZG1j7E

You don't have to watch the whole video, just give it a few moments.Do you hear the crickets? The whistles?Those aren't crickets or whistles. They are PASS alarms, they sound when a firefighter stops moving for 30 seconds.

Psalm31
¹ In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. ² Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. ³ Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. ⁴ Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. ⁵ Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.⁶ I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the LORD.⁷ I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. ⁸ You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.⁹ Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. ¹⁰ My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. ¹¹ Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends— those who see me on the street flee from me. ¹² I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. ¹³ For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life. ¹⁴ But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.” ¹⁵ My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. ¹⁶ Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. ¹⁷ Let me not be put to shame, LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent in the realm of the dead. ¹⁸ Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. ¹⁹ How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. ²⁰ In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues.²¹ Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege. ²² In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.²³ Love the LORD, all his faithful people! The LORD preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. ²⁴ Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

A time for pumpkins and a time for hoodies~

About this time every year as summer rolls away and Fall rolls in, there are a few things that I need to do.

Neeeed.

First I clean and straighten the house, for this is always step one.

Then I go into the basement and pull out my Autumn decorations. I don't have a lot. I have just a few items that I inherited when my Grandma Trent passed, a little ceramic ghost and pumpkin. A door wreath. I start changing my home scent items from summery crisp florals to Autumny (yes, I know the word is Autumnal.) Cinnamon, clove and apple scents. Mmmm. Pretty soon I go looking for just one or two new items to add to my Fall collection and these must be inexpensive. Don't ask me why, it's just a rule. Garden Ridge or Hobby Lobby or Big Lots. Target is out of the budget range.

Slowly slowly my flowers are cleaned away and my house plants come indoors. The lawn furniture piece by piece is covered and stored leaving just a few chairs around the fire pit that will last us until it's just too doggone cold and then we'll move inside for fireplace fires.

I usually stock my pantry with decaf hot drinks for the evenings after dinner...orange spice tea, chamomile, hot cider...

I nest nest nest until my house is the coziest place in town and happily await cold crisp days and bright sunshine and jeans and sweatshirts. I usually receive an LL Bean catalog around this time and here, I break my Autumn budge. I treat myself to $100 worth of LL Bean stuffs. Last year I got a red barn coat and duck shoes. This year? Well, I don't know. I haven't looked at the catalog yet. But the LL Bean portion of the tradition might explain the Big Lot requirement!

It's a slow process, usually taking a few weeks because I want to draw it out, I enjoy every moment. The initial cool days that trigger the instinct are always temporary and Indian Summer shines down on a house filled with pumpkins and Indian corn. That's ok. It's how I do what I do. When I do it.

Does Autumn bring any changes to your perspective?

Home

We're home from a whirlwind trip to Alabama last weekend. We left Thursday night, drove halfway and stopped for some sleep. Back on the road Friday morning and into Alabama at about 2:00 p.m. We showered, took a nap and met our friends for dinner and had a great time walking around town and catching up.

On Saturday morning we attended the final interment for the Mr.'s dad. He is laid to rest in the family cemetery behind Fairview Baptist Church next to his grand parents, parents and family members who have gone before him. After the burial service we went out to lunch at the restaurant where Ben celebrated his 80th birthday just 4 years ago. Those memories were gone a year later.

Sunday morning we attended the annual Smith Family Reunion at the Fairview City Hall. As you can see, the city hall is as humble as this small southern town. We had a blessed afternoon of seeing the surviving siblings of the oldest generation as well as meeting family Dean had never known before. If you are blessed to have descended from a God-loving family, you know how wonderful it is to sit around and listen to the stories of his provision through generations. Ben had always asked the blessing and this year, Dean was asked to say a few words about his dad and say grace.

After lunch it was back on the road for 6 hours. Spent the night in Elizabethtown, Kentucky and hit the road in the morning to arrive in the Mitten Monday afternoon. Mac had done his laundry and kept the place straightened! My mom had provided him with chicken paprikash and chicken noodle soup to aid in his recovery from strep and he had settled in and enjoyed his time at home (he's his mother's son.) I threw a few loads of laundry in, unpacked and we had pizza for dinner with daboyz.

The early Autumn coolness is kind of nice to come home to. I love Autumn, first of all. And somehow it felt like turning a corner to another season...Ben is buried back home where he wanted to be. Dean's mom is doing well living with his sister. Our boys are happy and blessed. We settled in last night with a cup of hot tea and a fire in the fireplace (yes, it is that chilly!)

Good trip, good to be home.

Back to School prayer~

Gracious Heavenly Father,
Once again we send our children out into the world. We know it's a place that won't love them like we do and won't always encourage them to love you. But Lord, greater are you in them than what they will face in the world. We ask you to place a hedge around their physical bodies and give them safety and strength. Guard their hearts from doubt, fear and emotional attacks of the enemy. Give them wisdom and minds that always seek you in what they are being told and let them learn to compare the information they receive with your word. Give them victories that they can praise you for. Give them failures that will teach them to be humble but not break their spirits. Give them friends who love you that they can learn to serve you along side of. Give them teachers who follow you. Bless the buildings they will sit in and the people they will be with.
Father, if there is any person, adult or child, out there who might intend harm toward these precious kids; stop that plan now in the name of Jesus Christ. Put a barrier in front of that intent of destruction before it can materialize. Expose those individuals that they might be helped and saved from themselves.
Finally my Savior, I ask that you would lay a cloak of peace and joy around our children. And do a good work in us as parents that we might become worthy of this great gift you've placed in our hands.
Thank you God; for kindergartners and high schoolers and college students who will love you with their whole hearts and live lives to your glory.
In Jesus name.
Amen.

1. Arrived safely in Alabama Friday afternoon.
2. Had dinner and then walked around town with Jerry & Heather, friends we last saw about 25 years ago. So wonderful!
3. This morning having coffee in our hotel room and then headed to the Mr.'s dad's interment around 10.
4. Speaking of this hotel room, it's very nice.
5. Speaking of the coffee, it's not as good as mine at home.
6. Speaking of home, I like it there better than anywhere else.
7. Mac has strep.
8. Remember that dress? I am wearing it today.
9. Number 7 seems very random.
10. Have a great day!

Leaving the Mitten for minute~

Leaving in just a few minutes for Alabama. Actually leaving for a mani and from there, to Alabama. This is the weekend we are interring the Mr.'s dad so we'll drive there this evening and back Sunday.
My hospital which usually has 3 full time day shift managers has been pretty stressful the last few weeks. One of the managers resigned and my usual partner has had lots of days off for good things...moved into a new house, got engaged and started the doctoral program at U of M! That has left lil' old me running the place alone and getting ready for our survey by The Joint Commission (google that if you have absolutely nothing more interesting to read, like the back of a shampoo bottle.) Our inspection will be next week. And we are in hyper mode because they changed our designation so there's lots of different new things to think about.
ANYWAY, I've told you all of that.
I have a new boss named Cheryl. Cheryl is a serious boss nurse type person. Nobody works harder than she does and she works really hard. Today she looked at me and said, "What are you most concerned about with the Joint Commission?"
And I said, "I"m just so fried. Seriously, I can't even organize my thoughts enough to tell you what I'm worried about."
And she said, at noon, "Go home."
As in, she would run the place for me. As in she could see how exhausted I am and it mattered to her. As in, "You've done a great job and I noticed."
I didn't actually leave until 2, it's never that easy to leave early. But still. I haven't had a boss like that in a long time.
So I'm going to get a mani and then I intend to recline my seat and let the Mitten fade in the rear view mirror. In fact, my boss has given me a directive to stop all hospital thoughts until Tuesday. In fact, she said if the inspectors aren't there until Wednesday, I am to stay home on Tuesday and relax.
I'm nothing if not a good employee. ;)Image: http://cdn.dailypainters.com/paintings/road_trip_in_my_chevrolet_terraplane_9cc8a0380dfa44c09f27c613ea85e403.jpg

Through a window pane darkly~

I've always been an early to bed early to rise person. That's one of the reasons I loved my last job, my hours were 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Up at 5 and in bed by 8 p.m. and that worked just fine for me. If you've been around here a while you are familiar with my crawling into bed with a book habit and I don't even require the sun to have set to decide it's time to end my day!
Well lately I've been under quite a lot of stress at work (the most in my work life thus far) and feeling like I'm burning the candle at both ends. Naturally, knowing God has my life in his hands I've countered the weariness with prayer. Praying for restful sleep. Praying for more energy. Praying for more insight to do my job better. Praying for patience and peace. All good prayers. But last week God decided to go over my head (ha!) and provide for my needs in a different way. Every night this week I have stayed up until almost 11:00 p.m.! Good grief! Unprecedented! And not awake in bed staring at the ceiling awake, I'm quite familiar with that. No, awake and watching TV or reading or relaxing NOT IN BED awake.
Did you know that was even possible? I didn't. I always though it was if not illegal, immoral! LOL.
After a day or two of this not tired at 8 p.m. business I started to think about the situation. After all, with the increased stress of work I should be more tired earlier, right? Then I realized, with those extra 3 hours an evening I am finding myself less frazzled. This new schedule means when I get in the door at 6:00 p.m., I don't feel like I have an hour and a half to iron clothes for the next day, make dinner, straighten the house and do whatever other stuff needs doing. I can actually sit down for a half hour and unwind and then get up and make dinner. I can iron later in the evening, after I have enjoyed my meal and relaxed a bit.
The Mr. and I are big fans of DVD or DVRed TV series and usually if I make it through a single episode I'm on my way to bed as the credits roll. He's been surprised as I've said, put another one on, and another and let's just finish this disc tonight. In fact, a few times he's gone to bed before me!
I asked God to do a whole list of things to get me through my days and he went and chose a different answer. An answer I'd never thought to have requested because it just isn't who I am. By the way, I'm not more tired in the morning for my later nights. That proves the Holy Spirit is in this.
I'll admit it took me a few nights of laying in bed until after 11 p.m. I finally got up one night and crept through my sleeping house to sit in the family room by the big windows feeling the crisp night breeze and soaking in the secret sights and sounds of my night time back yard. The wind chimes that I often tune out during the noisy day was clear and sweet. Hmm. This is actually kind of nice, this middle of the night. Almost worth being awake for and certainly superior to laying in bed staring at the wall.
Have you ever had to call tech support for your computer? Sometimes in order to fix the problem they will have to take over your computer by remote. As you sit there you'll see your cursor skipping around the screen and clicking here, opening that and minimizing this until everything comes back to your control but now it's fixed and working again. Before the tech guy takes over though he will tell you he's going to do it and sometimes I kind of hesitate to let him. Seems invasive or something. But it's the only way and it works every time.
This 3 hours of evening time reminds me of that. Younger in Christ I would have said I have insomnia from stress, I would have taken something to make me sleep. I would have dragged about day after day more exhausted and more worn out and begging God for sleep. Now, I don't have to make the conscious decision to follow God or even to try to figure out where he is. My spirit has found it's own life, that which is truly me now responds more quickly to the Holy Spirit. Now I am less afraid of change and more apt to wonder, could this be God?
Every evening that I feel the lack of sleepiness I will stay awake. I'll watch another episode of The Closer or I'll sit by my big family room windows and watch the dark corners of my yard as the evening breeze rustles through the leaves. I'll feel less driven to hit the back door running to get everything done because I just learned I will be granted not only energy and strength but time and probably a whole lot of other ways to get through life that I've yet to discover.
When the answer to your problem seems to be in direct opposition to what you know yourself to be; that might be the very moment you will begin to see through the glass a little less darkly.
As for me, the darkness has become light.

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Image: http://madewithloveuk.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/dscf4681.jpg?w=1024&h=768

The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and give you peace.

Numbers 6:26

Yes, I'm still here!

1. Wow what a long week!
2. This chick needs the weekend.
3. Making chicken lemon rice soup for daboyz.
4. Going in search of those perfect blank sandals and earrings later today.
5. Moving slowly and enjoying the morning.
6. My head hearts.
7. Got my hairs & nails did this week.
8. I'm getting another manicure next week before we leave for Alabama so I got red this time. I couldn't stand it for more than a week but it's a sassy change for me!
9. Are you watching the new PW cooking show today?
10. Please pray with me for my friend Shawna. She has been experiencing incredible pain that the emergency room and her own docs can't treat.

Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.
^{Isaiah 33:17}

A list that is really a story

1. We are going to Alabama Labor Day weekend for Dean's dad's interment.
2. I, with great fear & trembling, have been online shopping for an appropriate sun dress type dress for the occasion.
3. I, with great amazement and hallelujahs, found the perfect dress at the first store to which I went to! (That particular sentence structure is just for Deb.)
4. It is a sundress that is cut in such a manner as to allow one to wear, ahem, such foundational garments as one might require.
5. It is black, sapphire blue and green floral and rather a vintage cut. It is even lined!
6. Empire-ish waist and full skirt.
7. It is good for twirling.
8. I am not going to twirl at the memorial service.
9. I don't think so at least.
10. Now I am in search of fabulous black sandals and sparkly earrings.

My current favorite song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wUbK2EssfQ&feature=share

Good night sweetheart, good night.

Oh my, what a lovely day this has been. I cleaned this sweet little house top to bottom, put new smell-goods in my Scentsy warmers and de-Donnyed the furniture with Febreeze. Seven loads laundered, dried, folded and put away. The windows wide open for those late summer breezes that are too short-lived here in the Mitten. Clean linens on all of the beds and since I did that all-nighter last night, mine is calling to me already.
We went out to dinner, just the Mr. & me. Mac is working a double and Jay will be over later. Kind of nice having the old guy all to myself for a minute. Picked up a new coffee grinder which I have just put to good use and my coffee pot is all ready for the morning. It's even been cool enough to light the candle on my kitchen table! Ahh, the simple pleasure of a clean house and a peaceful heart.
As we left for dinner I noticed those neighbors are no where to be seen, they who kept me up half the night. But their back yard is strewn with tossed-about lawn furniture and a nice shiny keg laying on its side. I think I should probably keep my eye out for an opportunity to let them know that their partying (I'm sure completely unbeknownst to them!) took its toll on our house's ability to sleep. Ultimately despite the delicious evening breezes we had to shut our windows just to sleep. I like to think they would be a little sorry, that maybe they won't do it again. Then again, if they don't care and aren't a little sorry; I'm not so sure I want to know.
So, good evening neighbors. I'm headed for a nightgown & a book and praying for enough sleep to make up for two nights since it's back to the alarm clock in the morning.
G'night.

Image: http://images.arcadja.com/zilzer_gyula-woman_reading_in_bed~300~10188_20090807_NULL_1620.jpg

Wishing for quiet~

I'm moving slowly today, worked the weekend and then laid in bed until 1:00 this morning listening to partying neighbors. I will never understand the nature of someone who blasts a radio with 20 of their closest friends yelling and laughing and talking when they live in a neighborhood. You have to know you're disturbing your neighbors...and on a Sunday night? As much as I love my home, I find myself thinking that I need a plan to move out and to a more rural area when we retire. That's discouraging to me because this is the home I want to live in for the rest of my life. But the reality is, it isn't likely to become quieter as the years go on.
So poor me, I was awake most of the night and then overslept this morning until 9:00 so I already feel like my day is whizzing by. And I'm tired!
Enough of that!
The weather in the Mitten is beautiful, my windows are open and those neighbors have quieted down (I'd like to go over there and blast some Southern Gospel music into their hang-over hibernation!) Wait, I said enough of that...
The weather is beautiful and I have some housework to do so I should get motivated and put things in order because I see a nap in my afternoon. With the lovely temperatures and sunshine I might just have that nap in my hammock outside. I will have to make the most of this day off since I'm working next weekend too. The good thing about Monday off is that I'm guaranteed a quiet and empty house and a chance to spend my time as I please. As much as I love my family, they are at work and at the moment I don't miss 'em!
Hope all is well in your neighborhood!

Update: Housework done, everything back to bright, shiny and smelling good! One more load of laundry & a long shower next. A moment of silence please, as my coffee grinder has died. After that long shower it's off to Bed, Bath & Beyond with my 20% off coupon to get a new grinder. That nap might not happen after all.

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the well of salvation.

Isaiah 12:3

Image: Old Faithful, Ansel Adams

1. Treated myself to a new perfume, Beautiful by Estee Lauder. Reminds me of the talcum powder floral scent of my gramma.
2. Going to work in a minute. Blah.
3. I have no motivation to clean this house and it's really pretty disgusting at this point. Feel free to come over and clean while I'm gone.
4. I love Ulta.
5. I love Smashbox mascara, which I got at Ulta along with my new perfume.
6. Thinking of going shorter with my hair.
7. I also got a free rolling bag with my mascara and perfume at Ulta because I have an Ulta rewards card!
8. I have developed the need for naps in the past two weeks.
9. I could sit here smelling myself all day, I smell quite nice.
10. Gotta go to work or I won't have a job and therefore my Ulta time will be a thing of the past.

U of D? Oh mercy!

Here I am, checking my FASFA status, requesting transcripts and putting in applications. Here I am because the time has come to once again go back to school. I often wonder if the Lord will ever be quite done squeezing my square self through round holes. When I graduated from nursing school in 2004 with an associates degree I was pretty satisfied with my accomplishment and oh so happy to be a registered nurse. Got my first nursing job in the specialty field I had hoped for and on day shift to boot! Two years in my boss asked me to apply for the position of clinical coordinator (sort of a super charge nurse), and I got the job. Specialty field, day shift, no weekends! Arrived at my goal weight after four years on Weight Watchers with a great job.

Two years later I was recruited for a new position, nurse manager. Same health care organization at a different facility. Managers have at least a bachelor's if not a master's degree. Long shot, impossible, why not give it a try...just for kicks? Well, I got the job. Associates degree and four years total experience I was now running a speciality unit. And frankly, a little less in love with my job. But I couldn't pass up the opportunity and I know it was a blessing from God. Square self, round hole once again.

This new phase of life brought greater stress and new responsibilities as well as a kick in the pants that I really had to get my bachelor's degree. Of course, the best laid plans are often the most difficult. I gained weight with the combination of new stress, desk job, perimenopause and oh did I mention the Mr.'s parents moved here from Alabama needing our care?

Large square self, small round hole.

And I really must go back to school. My career has found its deadend without it and I am in jeopardy of my position should someone start insisting on enforcing the bachelor's/master's degree requirement. Not to mention I make less money than other people doing the exact same work. After a year of chasing my tail...this program or that? This school or that one? I have a new boss who has helped me reach the best decision and used her authority to gently insist I get moving on it. Bachelor's degree of nursing program. University of Detroit Mercy. Roughly 3 years if I take 2-3 classes per semester. The money? Well, God will provide it if it's his will. And sure enough, it's starting to look as if he will be doing just that.

So I transferred my nursing degree from good old Henry Ford Community College to U-D Mercy and applied for FASFA so that I could then apply for scholarships. And as silly as my 33 year old self thought it was to go back to school, my 44 year old self is downright cranky! Oh, I like school and I actually get a lift out of the idea. I feel re energized and yes, even a little proud of myself for diving back in. But seriously, seriously, seriously; when am I gonna be done with trying to figure out the next phase of my life? Can I ever just be where I need to be and be done with it? Apparently not! I'm not only going back to college but I'm going back to college 50 pounds overweight. Which brings me to the next point, I have got to lose weight. Gonna check WW online because getting to meetings just isn't working with my life at the moment. I told myself at 33 that I was on a mission to accomplish certain things by my 40th birthday. I guess we are on the 50th birthday mission plan now.

Once I start the RN BSN (Registered Nurse Bachelor's in the Science of Nursing) program, I must complete it within 6 years. Well look at that, I will absolutely have to be done by my 50th birthday. I'm almost afraid to ask what the 60th birthday goal is. I could venture a guess, master's degree? Does that round hole seem smaller to anyone else than it did a few minutes ago?

I was talking to God about it all and not that I mind going to classes but I just want to be done! You see, I thought that the point was the degree itself. Now it seems I may be in a different school altogether. In the flesh I am going for an advanced nursing degree but in the spirit I think God is doing a different kind of education. Learn to live in the process, to enjoy the moment, to embrace the day. Stop looking for the finish line. Oh how I want to see the finish line! But I will submit to the season and the lesson at hand. Take this class now. No pressure about completion. Do this now. Let the next thing come next.

Let the tension go and live in this day that the Lord has made.

And let the square peg rejoice and be glad in her round hole.

Ahhh

The air conditioning is off and the windows are open!

That is all.

Politics~

I don't like politics, don't like to discuss 'em, don't like to watch 'em, don't like 'em. Because of that and my belief that the United States depends upon the individual right to disagree I rarely express my opinions. But...
At the risk of using less than pretty language, it's time for us to grow a pair. We've taken "judge not lest ye be judged..." and turned it into the politically correct excuse to stop thinking, acting and standing for something. I may not be standing on street corners engaged in political debate but I'm pretty sick of it all. I'd rather see people (especially Christians) think and pray and be passionate and wrong than be surrounded by a bunch of panty wastes. I'm not even sure what a panty waste is, but I know it's wimpy and I know that wimpy is usually laziness and fear combined.
I don't like offending people. I really don't. But I do have a brain and spirit and heart with which to reason therefore my instincts bear as much potential for rightness as anyone's and those with a spirit-led mind should be able to speak their conviction. And now, I step out of the no offense zone to share my thoughts.
Casey Anthony murdered her daughter and the jury screwed up. I don't buy the notion that they really and truly wanted to convict but there just wasn't enough evidence. Bull. There was sufficient evidence but we are so afraid of judging (lest we be judged) that we can't figure out the difference between reasonable doubt and needing to see it on U Tube to believe it. Sometimes you aren't going to see something for yourself and yet you can engage that mass between your ears and figure it out anyway. It is my business, by the way. My country. My justice system. My business.
Barack Obama is president because God said so. I don't like him, I don't trust him, I don't think he is influenced by Christ and I believe he is capable of ushering in the end for America. I did not vote for him and I nearly puked as I pulled the lever that would have put Sarah Palin in line for the presidency. But God never lost control.
Speaking of Sarah Palin, she's an airhead. During a 20/20 interview as she was running for VP, she was unable to identify historic events as they pertained to her philosophies and she took several seconds to finally state that her favorite magazine was "Running Today", as in jogging -not for president. She makes ridiculous statements like she can see Putin from her kitchen window and then decides identifying herself as a rough riding Alaska outdoorswoman makes her the choice for the leader of the free world. I believe President Obama is president because a lot of people were terrified of Palin as V.P. I can't say I blame them.
The mess we are in economically was created by we the people. We the people who are approved for a mortgage UP TO $500,000 and take it to the max. We the people who never stop drinking Starbuck's and buying Coach purses as we demand funding for our children's college education. Yes, retirement funds were stolen. Yes, jobs were lost. What has that got to do with people who did not lose their jobs, aren't retired and sit around pointing a finger at George W.Bush for their lack of a savings account?
And W., the last president I voted for with a true feeling of trust. His mother Barbara Bush said she believed that he was the United State's Moses, that God had called him to do the hard thing and that she believed he was God's man and that she also believed that he would work and struggle and never reach the promised land. Wow. I voted for him in his second term as well but it was with sadness. It was knowing we needed him, the cowboy, the arrogant, the tough guy who was not interested in popularity. We needed him to finish the work God had for him. The work that may have been the last battle of one nation under God before we became one nation under gods. Like King David, President George Bush had to be the warrior but in being the warrior, he was single-minded in battle and his time of usefulness had to end.
I love George W. I love the fact that when he was in Florida and the secret service whispered in his ear that the towers had been hit, you can see a look of rage pass over his face. I love the fact that when he was back in Washington being briefed he said, "I just need to punch something, to kick somebody's ass," as he slammed his fist into his hand. That's the anger I felt, that I feel. I don't want a president who says, judge not...when we have been attacked. I don't want to hear about opening our arms wider to prove we are diverse as we embrace our murderers.
P.S., please, if you must be a bigot and feel the need to be a loud one; stop calling yourself a Christian. You are making it very hard for the rest of us to be taken seriously. You are a great part of the reason the left wing feels they have to pull so far to the left to balance out the fools with loud voices sitting to the right.
Judge not lest ye be judged....now read the rest of Matthew 7:1-6. Don't judge unless you're ready for the same standards to be applied to yourself. Take the 2x4 out of your eye so you can see clearly how to remove the sawdust from someone else's. Make yourself right before you presume to have the wisdom to draw conclusions.
Then go back to the Old Testament for a minute. God created a government of judges, the people demanded kings against the Lord's wisdom and God told them that their kings would abuse their power to trample the people under their feet. So we cried out for kings. And we said judge not. And we got used taking the coward's path of no opinion and thereby, no responsibility. But we are oh so very responsible. The Christian who will not judge is the one who cannot discern. No wonder we set murderers free and think hyperbole is courage.
I think that's it for now.
God bless America. God save America.

Sunday

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7

Rambling thoughts~

1. I have all the ingredients for my favorite espresso cake and no particular reason to make it...dangerous.
2. I also have requests at work to send banana bread with Mac, that I can do.
3. PF Chang's for dinner yesterday, tummy upset today.
4. Have you ever made a frittata? Lucinda Scala Quinn promises it's easy.
5. Do you know how to spell frittata? I don't think that's correct.
6. Go to work, clean the house, do the laundry, go to work...I need a diversion.
7. I keep promising myself to find a good massage clinic around here and forgetting until my next "hunched-over-a-desk-for-10-hours" back ache.
8. I would like the temperature to cool down just enough for me to actually be able to sit outside after work.
9. I feel like I need about 3 days of utter complete silence & aloneness to recharge.
10. Better make the most of this weekend!

Hello?

Oh baby I'm tired. I have a new boss and she is awesome, really she is. After two years of less than inspiring leadership it's refreshing and rejuvenating to remember again why I love my job. Why I'm proud of being a nurse. I work in a psychiatric hospital that is under the Henry Ford Medical Group which is the physician's network in the Henry Ford Health System. It's a great company and probably the most stable in Southeastern Michigan at the moment. The Behavioral Health department is expanding and regionalizing and new opportunities are coming along to create and imagine what mental health care could be. In case you weren't aware, psychiatric care is the pits. Not the care we give specifically, but the care and resources available to the mentally ill are something that we should be ashamed of as a nation. But we're working on that as a health care organization and that's exciting for me.
My former boss was a nice enough guy. But he had his eye on a job out of state and basically spent two years making his resume shiny enough to move one and that resulted in, well, a less than inspiring and often exhausting work environment.
Remember when I said I was tired? Well I am, but I'm not exhausted. There is a difference. Exhausted is when you are so worn out your brain is fried and your muscles hurt and there isn't enough rest in the world and stuff just isn't fun. I've always liked work and it's always been fun. Well, other than 2009-2011.
I'm tired because we've had marathon meetings confronting the things that need attention immediately and making goals for next week, next month, next quarter, next year. And meetings about figuring out individually what we want to do with our careers and what we have to do to get there. And more than a few "back to the drawing board" moments. And just when you think good grief, I'm tired!; the third manager in our trio resigned yesterday. That's ok, she has found another position and I'm happy for her if she's happy. BUT that means more meetings and back to the drawing board moment.
I'm starting work around 8 a.m and today I got home at 6:45. Eating at my desk, lunch meetings. Looking up and realize shift change happened at some point and I never noticed.
But it's ok. I'm re energized on the inside even if my outsides are tired. So I hope you haven't abandoned me because I do visit you daily and miss you.
If you need me, get yourself admitted into a psych hospital. I promise, we're making great changes. :)

~Sunday

But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. Psalm 71:14

10

1. What a looong week!
2. New boss at work.
3. She has some long overdue plans that make that long-work-week worth it.
4. Last weekend at work was the pits, this weekend is hereby declared stress free and relaxing.
5. I wish the temperature and humidity would lighten up just a bit so we could turn off the air and enjoy some fresh air.
6. Going to make Mac a pan of banana bread to take to work.
7. I need to steam clean my family room carpet, that may become a honey do for next Friday.
8. In the mood to try some new dinner ideas; recipe hunting in old magazines.
9. One of my best friends is buying a new house and I am going to be her interior decorator. She doesn't know this yet.
10. My friend's sister (Amy Ahonen) is still missing. Please continue to pray and consider posting her info or liking her Facebook page to get the word out. Three weeks ago yesterday she disappeared.

White ware~

See all that white dinner ware? I love that. Target has an entire aisle of white dinner ware that I may just go look at today without the Mr. The Mr., you see, dislikes all white dinner ware. He likes saturated colors, jewel tones. So when I'm at Target in the white ware aisle, he is shuffling his feet and looking around and in general, irritating me. We currently have very colorful dinner ware that, I will admit, is pretty. But I only cooperated with the colorful plates because colorful plates will chip and then have to be quickly replaced at which point I would appeal to the Mr.'s frugal side and mention him having chosen the last set and then I'd start my white ware collection in no time at all.

That was about 3 years ago. Why won't these plates chip? I'm not gentle with them. And they were not expensive. In fact, they are Target plates which we got on clearance. They certainly should not be holding up this well!

Let's talk about white ware.

If it chips, it is not going to be as obvious. It is flexible for every season and holiday. It's classic and farm housey. Finally, it lends itself to one my favorite decorating principles...it's mixy matchy. You can add pieces from thrift stores, antique shops and department stores and it just gets better and better. You are not committed to a kitchen color scheme. It's perfect really.

Unless the Mr. bought some colorful Target plates 3 years ago that refuse to chip.

Argh!

So today I have no particular plans and certainly a few things that truly need doing but I am beckoned to the white ware aisle at Target where I spotted a large white ceramic pitcher. I neeeeeed that pitcher. I am thinking it is probably a little over-priced at the moment because it's a new addition to the collection but I neeeeeeeed it. I want to put it in the middle of my kitchen table and fill it with flowers.

White ware.

Talk amongst yourselves...

Finding Amy Ahonen

In lieu of my usual Saturday list, please take a moment to pray for my friend Annette's sister Amy Ahonen.

Amy has been missing for two weeks from the Denver, Colorado area with no leads as to her whereabouts. All that is certain is that she did not disappear willingly. Her jeep was found on the side of a road unlocked with her purse, cell phone and keys under the seat. You can visit the Amy's search web site at www.FindAmy.org Facebook search for Amy Ahonen. If you would consider copying her picture and information to your blogs and facebook pages that would be a great blessing as someone somewhere surely knows something and the more exposure Amy's story has the better.

I hope you will join me as we pray for Amy's return and for her family as they go through this unimaginable heartache. Thank you.

New every moment~

If there is any advice that I'd say will benefit anyone, it's embracing the philosophy of new beginnings. This is another one of those God laws that all of creation obeys whether intentionally or not. With just a little bit of looking, it won't be hard to find scripture after scripture about new beginnings...new every morning, renewing of the mind, all things are made new. I love that every moment of every day can be a fresh start. I also love that with the mind of Christ we have this new beginning super power, this incredible wisdom to see new beginnings all around us. By new beginnings I mean opportunities for redemption. When I'm at my best, I find endless details to redeem from mundane or even discouraging to exciting, comforting and sweet.
Don't make this too complicated, that's the first rule. Think of the ultimate new beginning, salvation. Could it really be any easier? Rule number one of fresh starts is to remember who does the real work...God. Not the overwhelmed me trying to figure it out, good grief! Dependent upon my own creativity and motivation and energy we'd be in serious trouble. God's law is that the universe is in continuous redemption. Don't believe it? Leaves fall, the ground becomes dormant and then from gray mud and gray skies and cold winds tiny green shoots start pushing through...new beginnings. Heat waves dry out the ground and then rain falls. We could call the process of the redemption of man a complicated thing but when you come right down to it, it's accomplished in the blink of an eye and even without spoken words. It's the nod of the soul that redeems us.
Go find your new beginning today. I'm not really talking about changing careers or losing 100 pounds, although that's pretty awesome. But I think that finding the finer opportunities are even more awesome. The sleeping in on a day off just for the luxury of it and letting yourself do it. Or the getting up early on a day off to make the most of a quiet slow morning. The straightening of the living room before you sit down with a bowl of popcorn and a movie can do wonders to renew a tired mind.
Last night I was worn out and sweaty and headachy after work. I took a long shower, gave myself a mini pedi, used some wonderful lotion, crawled into bed in a fresh nightgown at 6:30 p.m. with a library book. Silly and simple but it started my tired mind and body over. This morning I feel rested. I could have just easily crawled into bed skipping all the in-between but the details made it nicer.
How many new beginnings can you find today? It's really just the law of redemption working over and over and over.

The meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace & prosperity.

Psalm 37:11

10 somethings

1. Today is Hunky (Hungarian) Fest (Festival) day
2. Tomorrow is my mom's birthday celebration
3. Dean's biopsy was negative
4. Gonna be a warm weekend but I'm not complaining
5. Got a new stack of library books, always makes me happy
6. Got my hairs did this morning
7. Had plans to make a Hungarian hazelnut cake last night but didn't get to it.
8. I am planning a butterfly garden, probably for next year
9. At the risk of sharing TMI-I kinda look forward to menopause
10. Prayer request: since his attack on June 11, Mac has developed migraines. Please join us is praying for his complete healing.

Weirdos. Skillets. Etc.

Six days Up North.
Colonoscopy escort.
Library & yard work.
Back to reality tomorrow tomorrow. I know it's time and I'm happy to report that I've matured enough not to dread the end of vacation. Have you ever been one of those people who started every happy day with the countdown until it would be over? The Sunday night, 12 more hours, 10 more hours, 8 more hours and the weekend is over...I've done that. No more. I live in the moment as much as possible. It doesn't come naturally but with practice, intentional purposeful "nowness," I am getting the hang of it. A surprise bonus of the right mindset is when you enjoy the moments of rest and fun they can do the refreshing they are supposed to do, give you a jump start back into the workaday world. When you live in countdown mode you never put yourself into refreshing mode. That's my wisdom for the day. :)
Today I slept very late, which I don't normally do. It was my last-day-of-vacation gift to myself. I made waffles for breakfast and ate on the back porch taking my time with my coffee. The Mr. & I went to Lowe's where I got a pot of impatiens to replace a container shrub that wasn't flourishing and I bought some succulents. I love succulents only I prefer to call them weirdos because they are so, well, weird. And if I tell Dean I want 6 succulents he has no idea what I'm talking about but when I say I want 6 weirdos he knows exactly.
It makes perfect sense to me.
I dug out my rescue cast iron skillet which was far rustier than it was in my imagination. Dean thought it was unsalvagable but by definition, aren't these things supposed to be indestructible? Well I spent an hour scouring it with sand paper, sea salt & lemon and coffee grounds until low & behold it started looking like a person could actually cook in it! I rubbed oil into the surfaces and it's now baking in a low oven and I predict a beautifully seasoned skillet ready for my multiple skillet creations I've only recently realized I need to make. And that my friends, made me very happy.
For dinner the Mr. made smoked chicken breasts with some wood chips the neighbor gave us and I used 4 leftover baked taters to make twice-baked potatoes and we rounded it out with a fresh garden salad. My garlic chives, fresh from the garden, were delicious on the potatoes by the way!
Dinner is done, I have a stack of library books just picked out today and I'm shortly off to crawl into bed with a book and a very peaceful and well-rested heart, mind and body.
As I've said before, if you are looking for the boring details of a very simple life you've come to the right place. Rest assured that pictures of my new weirdos and impatiens are yet to come as well as updates on the skillet and the bannock I will be making (served with real butter and honey.) Come on by for a warm slice of bread and a cup of coffee any old time.
It's simply lovely over here!

Where the go lytely went~

Many of you will be shocked to learn that I can be a little, ahem, intolerant. This is only because I am so often the only one who is right about stuff. It's a heavy burden.
I married someone who is, ahem, not usually right about stuff. It's a heavy burden.
The Mr.'s mom is not the "everything in its place" type. Well that's not altogether accurate. Everything in its place means everything within arm's length. Everything not within arm's length is someone else's concern. This means if she needs the phone and it's across the room, someone else needs to fetch it. In order for this system to work, she has created multiple piles of various things like papers, pens, magazines, etc. that surround her chair in the living room. What does this have to do with the Mr., myself and Go Lytely? Well, I'll tell ya.
Some things, no matter how far removed we are, remain with us from our childhoods. For me, it is the belief that stuff has a place and as long as you are walking past an item, you need to pick that item up and put it away. Kitchen cleaned at night. Earrings not left on end tables after work. Mail sorted, junk mail pitched and the rest organized somewhere and that somewhere not being the kitchen table. Etc.
The Mr. simply cannot grasp this simple and right way of doing things. It is a forever battle. He believes the kitchen table is the God-anointed receptacle of all things. He believes that if he will need his lunch box on Monday it makes perfect sense to leave it on said kitchen table from Thursday until Monday when he will need it again saving him the seven steps to the hook that I have designated for it, that hook being the right thing.
So the Mr. leaves crap, I mean stuff, everywhere every day. And I go along meekly and humbly picking it up. All sweetness and light, that's what I am.
There are a few specific occasions in which the putting away of stuff and straightening of the home is of epic importance. When one leaves for work in the morning. When one is going into the hospital. When one is going on vacation. I am sure you see the theme as you are all people of reason and right-thinking such as I. The point is that when one comes home, one prefers to enter a well organized and pleasant place. It's only right.
Well, the day we left on vacation I had worked and then come home to pack and prepare to leave that evening. After everything was loaded into the car and the beds neatly made with fresh sheets (this is also important if one is to be right), I went through one last time to clear off the stuff that the Mr. had spread on every available surface.
Home we came and finally it was time to start the dreaded colonoscopy prep.
"Where's my procedure stuff?" says the Mr., refusing to say colonoscopy.
"I don't know what you're talking about." says me, refusing to answer a question as vague and silly as this. How could a person loose a bowel prep kit? Not. My. Problem.
"I can't find it. What do I do?" says he.
"Find it." says me, ever patient.
"Did you throw it away?"
"I don't believe I would have thrown your colonoscopy bowel evacuation prep kit away."
"Are you sure?"
"Pretty sure. Where was it when you last saw it?"
Now friends & neighbors, brace yourselves.
"I left it right here," points, "on the END TABLE IN THE FAMILY ROOM."
"You left it on the end table?"
"Yes."
"That's stupid and ridiculous."
"It's not stupid. I was reading the instructions before we left."
"So you decided that the best possible place for a colonoscopy bowel evacuation prep kit was on the family room end table?"
"Yes. That way I could find it. Do you think you threw it away?"
"Well, I don't recall throwing it away but considering you left your colonoscopy bowel evacuation prep kit in the family room, I may very well have."
"Why?"
"Because giant jugs of laxatives do not belong on the end table in the family room."

Off goes the Mr. to check the garbage and sure enough. He's irritated at me for throwing it away but obviously it was the right thing to do. In my defense, I did not specifically throw away his Go Lytely so much as pick up a large white bag that did not belong on the end table as I was straightening up before vacation. I don't even recall throwing it away but I'm sure it was me since he subscribes to the aforementioned "everything in arms length" theory. Which is wrong.
So he retrieved his bowel prep and all was fine and dandy in the end.
And I do not apologize for throwing it away.
I say, "Stop leaving your stuff all over the freaking house and I will not be forced to throw your stuff in the garbage."
Amen. Over & out. Selah.

Image:http://www.galacticmu.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/dsc_9765.jpg

Tuesday's plans~

Update: The doctor removed 4 polyps, 2 raised and 2 flat, during the Mr.'s procedure. They have been sent for biopsy with results expected next week. Other than that, he tolerated everything well and we even stopped for dinner on the way home. Now we just wait for the good report!

Good Tuesday Neighbors!
Today I remain off work although I refuse to call it a "vacation" day, despite my employer saying it is. It is in fact....
COLONOSCOPY DAY!
Aren't you glad you stop by here? Actually it's not my colonoscopy day, it's the Mr.'s, which is why I can make fun of it. The poor guy's been "going lytely" all morning. And since he's indisposed, he is unable to prevent me from sharing his experience. By the way, someone I work with calls this procedure a "colonapostrophe." I'm just hoping it's not a coloncatastrophe. See how much fun this can be when it's not your actual colon?
Although the Mr. is not yet 50, his doctor decided to go ahead and do the procedure a few years early because both his dad and grandfather had prostate cancer. All giggling aside, these screening tests available to us are truly a miracle and a blessing. If you love your family and the people who love you, get those screenings!
So I am the designated driver for this afternoon's event. This morning we are staying close to home, for obvious reasons. The weather here is already 80F and muggy. I had my first cup of coffee and smoothie on the back porch but I wimped out and came back inside for the air conditioning which has been running nonstop lately. We had a storm system move through our town yesterday afternoon and there were a lot of downed trees and power lines. One family's home burned to the ground just a few minutes from our house, another's garage burned. A woman was injured when a tree fell on her. My goodness, Lord help them. You won't hear any complaining from this girl inside her air conditioned house.
Finally, I crave, I need, I die for bannock. Have you had bannock? My dad used to make it in the 70s, it's a kind of Native American fry bread although I suspect that South American cultures have something similiar. It's made in a cast iron skillet and of late, I have been craving, needing and dying for a reason to use my cast iron skillet. If you are wondering when I last used mine...the answer would be never. I claimed two, a large and small one, from my Grandma Trent's basement when she passed. For some reason, I think of them as having been my Great Grandma Vada Trent's skillets. This may be completely untrue...mom please confirm.
So those are Tuesday's plans. What's up in your neighborhood?

home~

Yes, we are home from vacation. We had a wonderful relaxing time and as always, it's good to come home. As I loaded my dishwasher and threw my laundry into my first floor washer I thought, it really is good to be home! Although far from rustic, the cottage does not have every amenity of home and after a week of being chief cook and bottle washer (and loving every minute), I have a renewed appreciation for modern conveniences. :)

We have nothing exciting to report, in other words, vacation was a complete success! We stayed up late, slept in and just let the real world melt away for a while. On Thursday we took a picnic lunch to Clear Lake State Park, which was so beautiful. Definitely going on the list for future trips. We kept it simple, hoagies on fresh bakery bread made with deli meat and topped with fresh tomatoes, sprouts, lettuce and onion. A bag of chips, tater salad and cookies or angel food cake for dessert topped off our simple meal. Then we laid on a blanket reading and took a few dips into the lake when we got too warm. The Mr. & Mac played horseshoes and we headed back to the cottage after about three hours. Truly a great afternoon.
Evenings were spent around the campfire or playing cards & board games. Target shooting and reading were the main activities. The menfolk made a menu list which I happily obliged (diets and time constraints forgotten for a while.) Tacos, lasanga, burgers & hot dogs on the grill and lumberjack breakfasts like thick bacon on biscuits with scrambled eggs and jack cheese... On our last evening we got a pie from the local hot spot, The Old Depot...banana cream to be specific. Mm mm mm.
All of the linens have now been laundered and returned to my folks for their trip North in a few weeks. Mac is back to work and I'm headed back a little later this week. Life is turning back into the same old same old but that's ok. The same old is pretty good.
We'll be celebrating our annual Hunky Fest with our Hungarian family this Saturday and our mouths are already watering thinking of the delicious stuffed cabbage, chicken paprikash and all of the other Hungarian goodies that not only feed our bellies but our souls. On Sunday we'll have my mom's traditional birthday Armenian feast...shish ka bob, pilaf, salad; here at our house with the family gathering again to enjoy good food and one another's company.

Well, I'm back online and so I guess that means back to the real world. I can't say I've missed it but it ain't all that bad either!

And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.

Isaiah 4:6

Image: Up North 2011

Up North for the Fourth~

As you read this, I will be awakening in Northern Michigan and having a cup of strong black coffee on the porch swing. Ahhh. We wait all year for this. In fact, I'm writing this on Sunday and scheduling it to post on Monday because by the time Monday actually happens I will be far from all things tech not to mention the ever-present reachability that so wears me out. Many people have asked what it is we do Up North. Well...
We go to my parent's cottage for a week.
We eat a lot. Big breakfasts are required by law.
We have campfires at night and roast marshmallows. Then we just sit there in the dark quiet feeling very small and safe and peaceful.
We read, we play board games, we watch old DVDs that we only watch during our summer vacation, but we watch them every year. Funny Farm, Major Payne...
We sleep and sleep. We catnap until bed time.
We swim, we take Donny to the lake and watch him swim.
This year we are taking a picnic lunch to Clear Lake State Park.
Basically, we reduce our world to a little cottage and just the four of us and a hound dog. It's been this way every July 4th week since the boys were tiny and now we know we are in the final years. One of these days one of daboyz will announce he's not coming Up North. But not this year.
So enjoy your Independence Day wherever you are, with love from Lewiston, Mi.
Image: Downtown Lewiston, 1966. It's pretty much the same!
http://www.waterwinterwonderland.com/images/townviews/large/Lewiston.jpg

~Born free, bought with a great price

^{Acts 22:28}
And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

10 updates~

1. Working the weekend.

2. Leaving for vacation late Sunday evening!

3. One week Up North.

4. Housework & laundry done.

5. Somehow I managed to make my appointment to get my hairs did right in the middle of my vacation. Gonna have to reschedule.

6. Got a new bathing suit...surprisingly I am pretty happy with it.

7. Gonna try to hit the Target for a beach cover-up.

8. Gotta stop by the folks for the Up North linens.

9. I intentionally left several tasks to do at work this weekend which I hope will make the time fly.

10. Attitude is everything and it's a choice.

Image: Donny laying in his "hot hole."

Cappuccino spice cookies~

This recipe comes from The Cookie Cookbook and I must say that everything I have made from this book is excellent. PS I got one of them cookie dough scooper things...what a wonderful invention! As you can see, I upped some of the ingredients for a richer, spicier cookie.

2 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee granules (I use 1 tablespoon)

1 tablespoon boiling water

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla (no imitation please!)

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I use a full teaspoon)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg or ground cloves (I use 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg)

3 cups double chocolate or semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Dissolve coffee in boiling water.

2. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, coffee and vanilla; beat until well blended.

3. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg in medium bowl. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating at low speed until well combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

4. Drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool on cookie sheets 1 minute. Remove to wire racks, cool completely.

Makes about 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

Cappuccino Spice Minis: Prepare dough as directed; drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 375F about 7 minutes or until set. Makes about 7 dozen mini cookies.