The Bear visited the orthopedic specialist today who confirmed that he did indeed sustain a hairline fracture to his ankle. But the good news is that he can still play basketball with the aid of a special brace.
Actually, we all left the doctor's office in smiles: The Bear because he realized just how close his basketball season came to ending before it began; we, his parents, because he got the kind of chewing out from the medical staff that every parent gives their child for some sophomoric behavior that has a tendency to aggravate at best and cause possible harm at worst but that the child ignores because he thinks his parents are ______(choose your own adjective - we've all been there).
The Bear isn't the kind of boy that wears his pants so low that the waistband is down around the knees. No, nothing like that. His clothing problem is his choice of footwear. The doctor brought his flip-flop wearing days to an immediate end. It seems that shoes are designed to protect feet. Who knew? Well, we did, but parents don't count so we offer a debt of thanks (and several hundred dollars) to the doctor who spelled it out so clearly.
That's the breaks. Thankfully, the one on the ankle wasn't more severe.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Take Ten in '10 Week 44 Reading Schedule
Bible Reading Schedule for November 1-7, 2010
Monday, November 1st
Joel 1-3
Psalm 77
Tuesday, November 2nd
Amos 1-3
Psalm 78
Wednesday, November 3rd
Amos 4-6
Psalm 79
Thursday, November 4th
Amos 7-9
Psalm 80
Friday, November 5th
Obadiah
Psalms 81, 82
Saturday, November 6th
Jonah 1, 2
Psalms 83, 84
Sunday, November 7th
No reading. Complete any that were missed.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Going For Broke
What is the aversion males have with oral communication? Or is it just teens in general that hate filling their parents in on any of their life's details? Unfortunately for me, I've got a male teenager as a son and I suspect those two qualities have made one lethal combination. I find out the oddest things at the oddest times and sometimes I find out the most important things at the most inopportune times.
I related last week that The Bear hurt his ankle during basketball practice. We found out today that his ankle has a hairline fracture and he will need to see an orthopedic specialist.
Why are we just now seeing the doctors when the injury happened ten days ago? Blame it on that ol' communication problem! The gist of the conversation immediately following the injury went like this:
Him: "Someone tossed a basketball at me, I didn't see it coming and I twisted my ankle. It hurts."
Me: "Did you sprain it?"
Him: "Yeah."
(End of conversation.)
As a consequence, his father and I packed his ankle and foot in ice until the swelling went down. Then we soaked it in witch hazel and wrapped it in an Ace bandage. He used crutches for three days before proclaiming himself well.
And he seemed well for a couple of days until too much exertion made his foot swell to epic proportions. We removed the bandage, packed it in ice again, and put him back on the crutches.
Oh, yeah. And we left town to attend a Bible conference. That's where the part about finding out important things at inopportune times comes into play.
At dinner Wednesday evening one of the preachers struck up a conversation with The Bear about the injury. Details spilled out of the kid that I was hearing for the first time! The basketball that was thrown? It hit him directly in the inner ankle. That twisted ankle? More like he fell and landed on top of his twisted ankle!
The preacher asked him if he'd had an x-ray taken? Nope. And he hadn't seen a doctor either. As the man turned to stare at me I felt like the worst mother on the planet!
Our dinner partner went on to discuss The Bear's future college years. Specifically, he asked if he has a career major in mind. He doesn't.
I just hope he doesn't choose the area of "communications."
I related last week that The Bear hurt his ankle during basketball practice. We found out today that his ankle has a hairline fracture and he will need to see an orthopedic specialist.
Why are we just now seeing the doctors when the injury happened ten days ago? Blame it on that ol' communication problem! The gist of the conversation immediately following the injury went like this:
Him: "Someone tossed a basketball at me, I didn't see it coming and I twisted my ankle. It hurts."
Me: "Did you sprain it?"
Him: "Yeah."
(End of conversation.)
As a consequence, his father and I packed his ankle and foot in ice until the swelling went down. Then we soaked it in witch hazel and wrapped it in an Ace bandage. He used crutches for three days before proclaiming himself well.
And he seemed well for a couple of days until too much exertion made his foot swell to epic proportions. We removed the bandage, packed it in ice again, and put him back on the crutches.
Oh, yeah. And we left town to attend a Bible conference. That's where the part about finding out important things at inopportune times comes into play.
At dinner Wednesday evening one of the preachers struck up a conversation with The Bear about the injury. Details spilled out of the kid that I was hearing for the first time! The basketball that was thrown? It hit him directly in the inner ankle. That twisted ankle? More like he fell and landed on top of his twisted ankle!
The preacher asked him if he'd had an x-ray taken? Nope. And he hadn't seen a doctor either. As the man turned to stare at me I felt like the worst mother on the planet!
Our dinner partner went on to discuss The Bear's future college years. Specifically, he asked if he has a career major in mind. He doesn't.
I just hope he doesn't choose the area of "communications."
Monday, October 25, 2010
No More Smooth Sailing
A couple of weeks ago I heard John MacArthur say that when he isn't in the middle of a trial he gets worried because he knows one is on the way. Instead of thinking, "Wow! There's a pessimistic thought!" I remember thinking, "Uh-oh! This fair sailing weather is going to be changing soon!" Experience has taught me that MacArthur was right.
I hadn't long to wait for the foul weather to find our boat and end all smooth sailing. Hurricane season hit about a week ago.
I hadn't long to wait for the foul weather to find our boat and end all smooth sailing. Hurricane season hit about a week ago.
- The little gusts began blowing when the Princess sent me a message last Sunday saying Fen was developing a cold and that she was keeping him home. Before the week was out his cold had grown into a full-blown illness of high fevers, vomiting, and lethargy. After a horrible week he is now on the mend and I feel certain we'll eventually get that awful smell off of the car seat upholstery.
- Pastor Dad mentioned that he felt like he had a kidney stone. So far he hasn't had enough pain to warrant a call to the doctor but I've been on alert. Who knows when it might decide to move again and if the pain will become unbearable? He has been drinking, drinking, drinking lots of water and homemade lemonade. That's all we know to do to help it on its way.
- The Bear twisted his ankle at basketball practice and spent several days propped up in the easy chair playing video games. It has been tough on him but he's bearing this burden well. :) He's not real fond of crutches, though. We started wrapping his ankle and foot in an Ace bandage after the swelling went down so now he has begun hobbling around on 2 legs instead of 4.
- Then there's Polly. I don't even want to tell you about the knock-out punch a bedside table gave her so I'll steer you to Karen's rendition of the events here. I'll just add that my blood ran cold when I answered the phone and my daughter calmly petitioned, "Mom, can you come down? I've got a bit of an emergency." I didn't stop long enough to ask about the nature of said emergency. I just complied. I've used the analogy before of the Grinch sliding down Mount Crumpet to describe what the winding road is like between our house on the hill and their house in the valley when there is snow on the ground, but now I can honestly say that no snow is required for the analogy to apply.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Just A Reminder . . .
Monday noon is the last day to leave a comment below or here telling me that you're going to send $1 to a rescue mission of your choice in order to be eligible for the drawing. I understand this is a slow economy and that we all desire to remain anonymous, but really people . . . you can't afford a dollar? How hard could it be to put a dollar bill in an envelope, add a stamp, and mail it to the mission of your choice? Leave off the return address and they'll never know it was you! It couldn't be simpler! And yet, it would mean so much.
The Association of Gospel Rescue Missions website (found here) has a clickable map (found here) where you can find missions in your state/province that would love to receive $1 from you!
You'd better act soon, though, because I'm getting very attached to the wooden tile and jar candle! I've purposely not dog-eared this copy of the book but will do so soon if no one responds. The wooden tile with the Bible verse on it could become the perfect addition to my Thanksgiving decor and so could the candle. The book promises to help me make better use of my schedule as I plan for the New Year (which isn't as far away as you might think!) So if you'd like to have these (they'll all be sent to one person) make a commitment to send $1 to an organization who will use it to feed the hungry and tell them the Gospel of Jesus Christ instead of buying yourself that soft drink or candy bar that you don't need anyway.
Now, leave a comment here after the beep.
BEEP!
The Association of Gospel Rescue Missions website (found here) has a clickable map (found here) where you can find missions in your state/province that would love to receive $1 from you!
You'd better act soon, though, because I'm getting very attached to the wooden tile and jar candle! I've purposely not dog-eared this copy of the book but will do so soon if no one responds. The wooden tile with the Bible verse on it could become the perfect addition to my Thanksgiving decor and so could the candle. The book promises to help me make better use of my schedule as I plan for the New Year (which isn't as far away as you might think!) So if you'd like to have these (they'll all be sent to one person) make a commitment to send $1 to an organization who will use it to feed the hungry and tell them the Gospel of Jesus Christ instead of buying yourself that soft drink or candy bar that you don't need anyway.
Now, leave a comment here after the beep.
BEEP!
Take Ten in '10, Week 43 Reading Schedule
Bible Reading Schedule for October 25-31, 2010
Monday, October 25th
Daniel 1, 2
Psalm 70
Tuesday, October 26th
Daniel 3, 4
Psalm 71
Wednesday, October 27th
Daniel 5, 6
Psalm 72
Thursday, October 28th
Daniel 7, 8
Psalm 73
Friday, October 29th
Daniel 9, 10
Psalm 74
Saturday, October 30th
Daniel 11, 12
Psalm 75
Sunday, October 31st
No reading. Complete any that were missed.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
In Tune With The Young'uns
My son has grown a lot in the past couple of years. A lot.
He's taller than I am and weighs more than I do. Well, we'll pretend that the last part is true. To find out for certain we'd have to weigh each of us and compare the values. I have no problem putting him on a scale but I break out in a cold sweat just thinking about getting on one myself. So in the interest of pseudo-science we'll hypothesize that he weighs more than I do and we'll test that theory someday when I'm able to fit in a size 8 dress again. Which will never happen so don't hold your breath! (I tried holding mine but it didn't help much.)
My point is that The Bear is almost all grown up now. Even when I call home and he answers the phone I often pause while trying to figure out 1. Who is this man answering the phone? and 2. What is he doing in my house? He sounds a bit like his dad but I don't usually confuse them. And often his dad is sitting right beside me when I make the call.
It is a known fact that I don't always relate well to grown ups. But babies? Well, babies are another matter entirely! Give me a baby and a rocking chair and I'll sing sweet little lullabies until the infant either goes to sleep orI do cries for his/her mama and I hand over the child to be fed.
I have many songs in my repertoire, but when The Bear was a baby most of my selections came from the Kenny Loggins lullaby CD. We bought that particular one because the room that Princess and her baby brother shared was decorated in a Winnie the Pooh theme and the song "Return to Pooh Corner" went along so well. (See how sophisticated we were? Even the mood music in our nursery coordinated with the decor!) :)
The Bear's favorite song from the album was "All the Pretty Little Ponies." When he was small, I sang that song a lot. One member of the newest generation of family rockers, Fen, likes "Rainbow Connection" the best. On the days that he's here I cuddle him and sing it.
During Lulu's recent visit the family came over to our house to play board games one evening. I took the opportunity to try out my technique on the newborn Lili in the adjoining room. Not too long into my mini-concert I heard The Bear yell, "Stop it!" Thinking, of course, that this expostulation was meant for one of his fellow-gamers, I ignored him and went on singing.
"Stop it!!!" he shouted again with more force!
"Who are you yelling at?" I demanded. (Okay, you caught me! When my brain is otherwise engaged in singing and rocking I am unable to form a proper grammatical response to annoying interruptions.)
"You!" he informed me.
"Me?!" I'm not about to sign a recording contract or anything but I didn't think my singing was that bad!
"Yes, you! You're singing those lullabies and they're making me drowsy!"
Ah! I've still got the touch! He may be bigger than I am now but he'll always be my baby!
He's taller than I am and weighs more than I do. Well, we'll pretend that the last part is true. To find out for certain we'd have to weigh each of us and compare the values. I have no problem putting him on a scale but I break out in a cold sweat just thinking about getting on one myself. So in the interest of pseudo-science we'll hypothesize that he weighs more than I do and we'll test that theory someday when I'm able to fit in a size 8 dress again. Which will never happen so don't hold your breath! (I tried holding mine but it didn't help much.)
My point is that The Bear is almost all grown up now. Even when I call home and he answers the phone I often pause while trying to figure out 1. Who is this man answering the phone? and 2. What is he doing in my house? He sounds a bit like his dad but I don't usually confuse them. And often his dad is sitting right beside me when I make the call.
It is a known fact that I don't always relate well to grown ups. But babies? Well, babies are another matter entirely! Give me a baby and a rocking chair and I'll sing sweet little lullabies until the infant either goes to sleep or
I have many songs in my repertoire, but when The Bear was a baby most of my selections came from the Kenny Loggins lullaby CD. We bought that particular one because the room that Princess and her baby brother shared was decorated in a Winnie the Pooh theme and the song "Return to Pooh Corner" went along so well. (See how sophisticated we were? Even the mood music in our nursery coordinated with the decor!) :)
The Bear's favorite song from the album was "All the Pretty Little Ponies." When he was small, I sang that song a lot. One member of the newest generation of family rockers, Fen, likes "Rainbow Connection" the best. On the days that he's here I cuddle him and sing it.
During Lulu's recent visit the family came over to our house to play board games one evening. I took the opportunity to try out my technique on the newborn Lili in the adjoining room. Not too long into my mini-concert I heard The Bear yell, "Stop it!" Thinking, of course, that this expostulation was meant for one of his fellow-gamers, I ignored him and went on singing.
"Stop it!!!" he shouted again with more force!
"Who are you yelling at?" I demanded. (Okay, you caught me! When my brain is otherwise engaged in singing and rocking I am unable to form a proper grammatical response to annoying interruptions.)
"You!" he informed me.
"Me?!" I'm not about to sign a recording contract or anything but I didn't think my singing was that bad!
"Yes, you! You're singing those lullabies and they're making me drowsy!"
Ah! I've still got the touch! He may be bigger than I am now but he'll always be my baby!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Pardon Me, But My Ignorance Is Showing
I recently finished researching, writing, printing, and binding my first book. Let me clarify that I'm not sure if this qualifies as an actual book or not. When I think of "book" I think of one of those volumes sporting a stitched or glue binding and not 8.5 x 11 inch sheets held together by a cute plastic comb. I've been working for years on one that will qualify and mere months on a quick genealogy project compiled for members of my family. But we'll call it a book for lack of a better designation.
We borrowed the cutting/binding machine from my alma mater, a small local liberal arts college where one of my former professors is now the academic dean. He became curious and asked if he could have a copy of the finished product. Pastor Dad delivered one today.
When next I saw my husband I asked if he knew why the dean was interested in it. "Oh, yes," came his nonchalant reply. "He said that first he is going to read it and then he is going to use it in one of his classes."
"WHAT????"
"Yeah, he said that this is exactly the kind of project he needs to teach proper researching and paper-writing skills."
Yikes! Since this enlightenment I've been thinking about a few of those stupid grammatical errors I discovered during the course of production(you know, the kind that your eyes just automatically gravitate toward as you glance down, but that you missed during your 400+ proofreadings) and that my former professor is going to be READING this and USING IT AS AN EXAMPLE IN A COLLEGE CLASS.
I sure hope that the man who has access to my college transcript doesn't suddenly feel compelled to lower any of my grades.
But if he likes it, there's the matter of a grade that I earned in one of his classes that could use a bit of help. Perhaps we might consider this delayed make-up work?
(Just don't read some pages too closely.)
We borrowed the cutting/binding machine from my alma mater, a small local liberal arts college where one of my former professors is now the academic dean. He became curious and asked if he could have a copy of the finished product. Pastor Dad delivered one today.
When next I saw my husband I asked if he knew why the dean was interested in it. "Oh, yes," came his nonchalant reply. "He said that first he is going to read it and then he is going to use it in one of his classes."
"WHAT????"
"Yeah, he said that this is exactly the kind of project he needs to teach proper researching and paper-writing skills."
Yikes! Since this enlightenment I've been thinking about a few of those stupid grammatical errors I discovered during the course of production(you know, the kind that your eyes just automatically gravitate toward as you glance down, but that you missed during your 400+ proofreadings) and that my former professor is going to be READING this and USING IT AS AN EXAMPLE IN A COLLEGE CLASS.
I sure hope that the man who has access to my college transcript doesn't suddenly feel compelled to lower any of my grades.
But if he likes it, there's the matter of a grade that I earned in one of his classes that could use a bit of help. Perhaps we might consider this delayed make-up work?
(Just don't read some pages too closely.)
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Don't Just Give . . .
Clip art copyrighted by Bobbie Peachey,
http://webclipart.about.com
Get!
October is breast cancer awareness month. I've made several donations already toward finding a cure: I've spent money for certain items because retailers announced that part of the proceeds would go toward treatment or research; I've even eaten ice cream just to help raise money for a cure! (It's a sacrifice, but one that I'm willing to make.) :)
After giving a few more dollars to another vendor yesterday, it dawned on me that I haven't done the one thing that I really should do in the fight against breast cancer:
I haven't had a mammogram recently!
I intend to correct that error quickly by calling tomorrow and scheduling an appointment.
And if you're a woman over 40 years of age or a younger woman who comes from a family with a history of breast cancer I strongly urge YOU to schedule your mammogram promptly, too.
It's just one more way you and I can help fight breast cancer!
And if you're a woman over 40 years of age or a younger woman who comes from a family with a history of breast cancer I strongly urge YOU to schedule your mammogram promptly, too.
It's just one more way you and I can help fight breast cancer!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
A Life Well Lived
Just last week I celebrated my birthday. Even though I am no longer a child I still celebrate. I went so far as to remark on Facebook that there are only 49 years until my 100th birthday so my friends should mark their calendars now: October 10, 2059.
Was I being flippant? Not at all. I'm aware that I might not live that long and I'm not too worried about it one way or the other. I'm ready to go whenever. But I'm not in any hurry!
Amid the joking last week we mentioned a dear lady with whom many of us are acquainted. She would reach that 100 year milestone next October. But it wasn't just her longevity that made us marvel, it was the way she lived life.
I want to be just like her when I grow up.
I've only known this lovely lady for 11 years but I've known members of her family since I was in high school back in the mid-'70s. We discovered that I'd sat near her niece in the clarinet section in band. And then there's a man that we love from our first pastorate in Indiana over 30 years ago. The man is her nephew! Small world!
But it gets better.
This dear lady's family tree now intersects ours. My grandson, Fen, is her great-great grandson!
Given the fact that many events have been happening in rapid succession recently it would be no surprise if someone as young as Fen got the idea that our family parties every weekend. And I'm pretty sure that the social calendar on the other side of the family has been just as full as ours!
Actually, I know that to be true.
This weekend was to be their family's party celebrating Fen's great-great grandma's 99th birthday. And celebrate they did, but not as they hoped. They laid her body to rest today. Oh, she's still celebrating and so are they in a manner of speaking, but whereas she REALLY knows how to celebrate they can only celebrate a life remembered. Her faith became sight but they only see through a glass darkly right now.
As I thought back to my birthday celebration last weekend, I couldn't help but think about the things that we said. I'd like to share them in her honor. This is my tribute to a beautiful woman who knew how to live life to the fullest.
To her dear family, my prayers are with you as you remember the life of your wonderful mother/grandmother/great grandmother/great-great grandmother. May the peace that passes understanding comfort your hearts.
Was I being flippant? Not at all. I'm aware that I might not live that long and I'm not too worried about it one way or the other. I'm ready to go whenever. But I'm not in any hurry!
Amid the joking last week we mentioned a dear lady with whom many of us are acquainted. She would reach that 100 year milestone next October. But it wasn't just her longevity that made us marvel, it was the way she lived life.
I want to be just like her when I grow up.
I've only known this lovely lady for 11 years but I've known members of her family since I was in high school back in the mid-'70s. We discovered that I'd sat near her niece in the clarinet section in band. And then there's a man that we love from our first pastorate in Indiana over 30 years ago. The man is her nephew! Small world!
But it gets better.
This dear lady's family tree now intersects ours. My grandson, Fen, is her great-great grandson!
Given the fact that many events have been happening in rapid succession recently it would be no surprise if someone as young as Fen got the idea that our family parties every weekend. And I'm pretty sure that the social calendar on the other side of the family has been just as full as ours!
Actually, I know that to be true.
This weekend was to be their family's party celebrating Fen's great-great grandma's 99th birthday. And celebrate they did, but not as they hoped. They laid her body to rest today. Oh, she's still celebrating and so are they in a manner of speaking, but whereas she REALLY knows how to celebrate they can only celebrate a life remembered. Her faith became sight but they only see through a glass darkly right now.
As I thought back to my birthday celebration last weekend, I couldn't help but think about the things that we said. I'd like to share them in her honor. This is my tribute to a beautiful woman who knew how to live life to the fullest.
- She got older but she never got old. When she feared becoming a burden to her children she found a nursing home and went there to live. Stories were told of those going to visit her being told that she could only give them a few minutes because she was scheduled to be at the game room, beauty parlor, etc.
- Her mind was sharp all the way until the end. She knew each one by name, all the way down to her youngest grandchild, Fen.(I know the mental faculties were not her own doing, but some who have them don't use them well. She did.)When the family was called to her bedside this week she took names! She wanted to know where certain individuals were and when they would be there.
- Her family was her greatest joy. She attended every bridal or baby shower that she could. It was her delight to be the matriarch sitting benignly in the wheelchair while her multi-generational brood frolicked around her.I loved watching her at these events.
- She knew how to suffer without being insufferable. I don't remember hearing her complain about any regrets or struggles. Did she have them? Sure she did! She outlived a husband and a dear daughter but she was of that hardy breed that accepts the sorrows as well as the celebrations with grace and dignity.
- She knew her hope was in her Savior.Jesus paid for her sins. She trusted Him.
To her dear family, my prayers are with you as you remember the life of your wonderful mother/grandmother/great grandmother/great-great grandmother. May the peace that passes understanding comfort your hearts.
Take Ten in '10, Week 42 Reading Schedule
Bible Reading Schedule for October 18- 24, 2010
Monday, October 18th
Ezekiel 36, 37
Psalm 60
Tuesday, October 19th
Ezekiel 38, 39
Psalms 61, 62
Wednesday, October 20th
Ezekiel 40-42
Psalms 63, 64
Thursday, October 21st
Ezekiel 43, 44
Psalms 65-67
Friday, October 22nd
Ezekiel 45, 46
Psalm 68
Saturday, October 23rd
Ezekiel 47, 48
Psalm 69
Sunday, October 24th
No reading. Complete any that were missed.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Sweet Pea as Big Sister
Sweet Pea is our third granddaughter. Until a couple of weeks ago she was the youngest child in her family. But Sweet Pea recently became the Big Sister to Lili. Her parents had prepared her for this change in status because after being their youngest for three-and-a-half years they anticipated some adjustments.
Sweet Pea seemed to relish the change from being The Baby to being The Big Sister. And as a casual observer I think I can say that the transition has gone smoothly overall. But Lili was only hours old when it became clear that Sweet Pea had harbored some false notions about what her benefits would be as Big Sister.
That first shock came when she discovered that she would still be required to sit in a carseat. She thought that this is something big sisters do not do because her two big sisters do not sit in them anymore. True, Tigger has a booster seat, but it is definitely not the 5-point harness system like Sweet Pea requires. So while Sweet Pea has graduated to the back of the minivan due to her elevated family status she has not graduated to a booster seat due to state laws.
Other of Sweet Pea's "Big Sister" misconceptions have come to light. The most humorous - to me, anyway - involves something that happened when she was sitting with me in church. Yes, when Sweet Pea sits with Gram (that's me) I feel that I must stay on the alert. Remember the myriad rubber balls and their suction cup and light displays from earlier this year? See here for that story.
On this particular Sunday night our church was holding communion. At such times it is not unusual for either Sweet Pea and/or her sister(s) to be sitting with me as their mother sits in the front where she can hastily get to the piano for the closing hymn and their daddy sits behind me with whatever of his offspring are not beside me. On this particular night only Sweet Pea was in my row.
As the unleavened bread was served I saw a shocked look on Sweet Pea's face as the plate bypassed her. She was decidedly not pleased. By the time the cups were passed I was aware of the mounting storm forming so I opted to hold my cup in my hand and risk a spill as opposed to my usual manuever of putting it in the cup rack ahead. I feared I would open my eyes from prayer to find an empty vessel at the appointed time if I did.
By now Sweet Pea was overly indignant and the storm broke. She stood up, turned around to face her daddy, and with hands on her hips demanded in a loud whisper, "Why can't I have it now? I'm a big sister!!"
I asked the Lord to forgive me for my undignified giggles but I suspect that He was engulfed in a few of His own.
Sweet Pea seemed to relish the change from being The Baby to being The Big Sister. And as a casual observer I think I can say that the transition has gone smoothly overall. But Lili was only hours old when it became clear that Sweet Pea had harbored some false notions about what her benefits would be as Big Sister.
That first shock came when she discovered that she would still be required to sit in a carseat. She thought that this is something big sisters do not do because her two big sisters do not sit in them anymore. True, Tigger has a booster seat, but it is definitely not the 5-point harness system like Sweet Pea requires. So while Sweet Pea has graduated to the back of the minivan due to her elevated family status she has not graduated to a booster seat due to state laws.
Other of Sweet Pea's "Big Sister" misconceptions have come to light. The most humorous - to me, anyway - involves something that happened when she was sitting with me in church. Yes, when Sweet Pea sits with Gram (that's me) I feel that I must stay on the alert. Remember the myriad rubber balls and their suction cup and light displays from earlier this year? See here for that story.
On this particular Sunday night our church was holding communion. At such times it is not unusual for either Sweet Pea and/or her sister(s) to be sitting with me as their mother sits in the front where she can hastily get to the piano for the closing hymn and their daddy sits behind me with whatever of his offspring are not beside me. On this particular night only Sweet Pea was in my row.
As the unleavened bread was served I saw a shocked look on Sweet Pea's face as the plate bypassed her. She was decidedly not pleased. By the time the cups were passed I was aware of the mounting storm forming so I opted to hold my cup in my hand and risk a spill as opposed to my usual manuever of putting it in the cup rack ahead. I feared I would open my eyes from prayer to find an empty vessel at the appointed time if I did.
By now Sweet Pea was overly indignant and the storm broke. She stood up, turned around to face her daddy, and with hands on her hips demanded in a loud whisper, "Why can't I have it now? I'm a big sister!!"
I asked the Lord to forgive me for my undignified giggles but I suspect that He was engulfed in a few of His own.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Celebrations That Just Don't Quit!
I haven't blogged much recently, but that isn't because I haven't had anything to blog about. It's because I've had too much to blog about and very little time in which to do it.
The out-of-the-ordinary events:
All of that on top of the usual stuff which consists of:
The out-of-the-ordinary events:
- A new granddaughter that we're calling "Lili" on the blogs (although I kinda think of her as "Ladybug" for some reason).
- Taking food to a couple of new moms and a woman who recently returned home from the hospital following surgery.
- An evening in a corn maze.
- A family reunion in another state.
- Lisa at home for a too short (weekend) visit.
- My birthday.
- Pastor Appreciation Sunday.
- The first couple of weeks of a Bible study that is being held in my home.
- Proctoring a test for a local adult education student taking online classes from a distant university.
- Finishing the writing and publication of our family genealogy. Remember those two books I was writing. That number is now down to one. Hallelujah!
- Following my Cincinnati Reds. I'm proud of them even if they didn't get any further in the playoffs than they did. (I'm old enough to remember the ups and downs of the 1970s and the Big Red Machine. There's still next year!)
All of that on top of the usual stuff which consists of:
- Teaching 2 classes at a homeschool co-op (Ohio History for the 4th-6th graders and Apologia Physical Science for the 7th-8th graders). I love it!!!!
- Teaching my own homeschooled student. Sure, I love that, too. :)
- Still writing a book. . . A more complicated book. . .
- Political involvement. Oh yeah, I'm not sitting this one out. Tea, anyone?
- Completing the sorting and cleaning of all the nooks and crannies of our house. Rarely does a charitable organization get a negative response these days when requesting cast-offs.
- Feeding the Bear: to be repeated almost hourly. When not feeding him, I'm shopping for things to feed him.
- Transporting children to and from taekwondo lessons.
- Diapering, feeding, swinging, and playing ball and/or games with any of my 5 grandchildren whenever possible.
- Working in the church office.
- Keeping the church nursery on Wednesday nights while the children/teen ministeries are being held.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Take Ten in '10, Week 41 Reading Schedule
Bible Reading Schedule for October 11 - 17, 2010
Monday, October 11th
Ezekiel 22, 23
Psalms 51, 52
Tuesday, October 12th
Ezekiel 24-26
Psalms 53, 54
Wednesday, October 13th
Ezekiel 27, 28
Psalm 55
Thursday, October 14th
Ezekiel 29-31
Psalm 56
Friday, October 15th
Ezekiel 32, 33
Psalms 57, 58
Saturday, October 16th
Ezekiel 34, 35
Psalm 59
Sunday, October 17th
No reading. Complete any that were missed.
Monday, October 4, 2010
No Tricks. . . Just Treats
This month I have chosen organizations that feed and shelter the homeless as the Ministry Matters project. This is the time of the year when missions are gearing up to feed large crowds around Thanksgiving. We have two missions in our area City Gospel Mission and Fairhaven Rescue Mission that we know about personally. As a teenager, my youth pastor took our youth group to the City Gospel Mission so that we could participate in ministry there. Later, this same youth pastor opened Fairhaven Rescue Mission.
Although either of these rescue missions is worthy of donations, this month I will not specify that the donation be sent to either of these missions. Perhaps you have a homeless shelter or rescue mission in your area that is in need of your support. If that be the case, please leave me a comment stating that you will be sending a donation to the rescue mission of your choice and you will then be entered in the drawing for the following prizes:
One winner will receive the following:
- A 20 oz. jar candle by Empire Home. The scent is called "Fall Festival" and it smells wonderfully cinnamon-y
- A 5.5 inch square, free-standing or wall-hanging wood plaque by P. Graham Dunn with Psalm 107:1 painted on it.
- A book by Cindy Sigler Dagnan entitled "Who got Peanut Butter on My Daily Planner?
"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:34-40
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Take Ten in '10, Week 40 Reading Schedule
Bible Reading Schedule for October 4 - 10, 2010
Monday, October 4th
Ezekiel 7-9
Psalm 41, 42
Tuesday, October 5th
Ezekiel 10-12
Psalm 43, 44
Wednesday, October 6th
Ezekiel 13-15
Psalm 45, 46
Thursday, October 7th
Ezekiel 16, 17
Psalms 47, 48
Friday, October 8th
Ezekiel 18, 19
Psalm 49
Saturday, October 9th
Ezekiel 20, 21
Psalm 50
Sunday, October 10th
No reading. Complete any that were missed.
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