good news

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets the name of the LORD is to be praised.

Psalm 113:3

I was instructed to keep this news under my hat a few weeks ago. But since 'certain people' blabbed it all over facebook over the weekend ~smile~I feel free to announce that:

Grandbaby #3 is due to be born in September!

So happy.

It is too soon to tell whether Josh and Sadie will have a baby brother or sister, but my fingers are itching to make a baby quilt as soon as we find out what kind!

Saturday sites

Today there is a fabric sale at my favorite quilt shop (I did not see her commercial on the Super Bowl - it aired earlier in the day; but I did watch the Super Bowl with her and she was rooting for the Packers too!).

I'm gonna have to head up there (Mom, want go with?) cause I spotted this adorable little dress. Sigh. I've been working on a Christmas cross stitch forever now. Time for a little break from that so I can work on some Sadie-size dresses.

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What are gas prices like in your area? When we returned from Illinois on Sunday a gallon was$2.98. The next day $3.07 and the next $3.21. Yikes!

So, if you need some money saving inspiration check here and here.

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Hope you have a great weekend. We have lots of little projects to attend to here. Enjoy!

Heigh* Ho Silver...and Away!

The time had come.

We had gotten a lot of good years out of it (8 on our watch).

And a lot of good miles (120,000 on our watch).

The mini must be sold. *sob* Lots of good trips and great memories.

Pat listed it on Craig's list. The first call came within 60 SECONDS followed by 4 more in the next hour. We kept all their numbers in case the first people didn't work out. Then we deleted the listing so the phone would stop ringing.

We have sold many things on Craig's List. Our jeep, a desk, a piano, some fishing equipment....The secret to our success? Besides prayer? (main secret).

Pat is a genius with words and can sell you the shirt off your back.

He started the ad with 'Retired couple selling well-maintained 2000 Town and Country Van...'. Now, doesn't that make you feel safe? I'm not sure if he used the words 'gently driven' , but he could have (except for the years when Daniel was still home ~smile~).

The first couple came with cash in hand. Yay, cash! They felt so safe that they left their baby with me while they test drove the car. Who does that in this day and age - leaves their baby with a complete stranger? He sure was a cute little guy - four months old - big dimples. We had fun while Mom and Dad were out putting the mini through its paces.

Up until now, this young couple with four children had been going places in two cars. They were anxious to be able to fit their whole family in one car.

They bought it!


We had been shopping (correction- Pat had been shopping) for a new car for a l-o-n-g time. There are some pretty, shiny new cars with very attractive lease arrangements out there. We test drove, we pondered, we prayed. We almost bit the bullet.

But one day Pat realized that one place our brand new shiny car would frequent would be boat landings and fishing piers. Pat does not currently have a boat, so he fishes from the shore. The cars in these parking lots are not shiny and new. A shiny, new car is just begging to be 'keyed' at locations such as this.

In fact, the very next day, Pat was admiring a shiny, new Subaru parked outside the gym. A lady joined him and said, 'I'd be afraid to drive a car like that...I had a shiny new car once and it got keyed parked right outside the courthouse!'

Confirmation.

So, our 'new' car is not a 2011. Instead it is a 2000. But it has 100,000 fewer miles on it than our mini did. We procured it from a nice retired couple. It is well maintained and has been gently driven.

They are the kind of people you would feel comfortable leaving your babies with. In fact, we have.

Thanks, Mom and Dad!
~~~~~~~~~

*could also be spelled Hi. :)

I hesitate to mention this...

but I got to play in the dirt yesterday. A beautiful day - temperatures in the 60's.

Don't worry Northwoods friends. The geese are flying your way and spring will arrive in your neck of the woods soon.

Yesterday was just a weeding day. But soon I'll be planting greens, peas, radishes and carrots.

In anticipation of this:

guest teacher

We have a guest. The lovely KimmeeSue is staying with us while Mom and Dad have run off to play.

KimmeeSue is a daddy's girl. Most decidedly so. She loves to walk with Dad. She loves to be outside with Dad. She loves to play with Dad or just lay at his feet.

She tolerates us.

She will certainly walk with us when we walk, but during most of her stay, she is on the front porch looking toward the entrance of the subdivision watching for their return.

And so KimmeeSue teaches me. To walk with my Heavenly Father. To sit at His feet. To spend time with Him.

And eagerly await His Second Coming.

"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness,

which the LORD, the righteous Judge,

will award to me on that day-and not only to me,

but also to all who have longed for His appearing. "

II Timothy 4:8

date night with Daddy

Sadie is a lucky girl. Her daddy is not afraid to take an eight month old to a Father/ daughter banquet (course Sadie only got to eat sweet potatoes and peas...).

The theme was 'the 50's' and since Grandma is a product of the '50's she was conscripted to make a poodle skirt.

Since Grandma wasn't born yesterday...she didn't make a skirt. The felt required for a proper poodle skirt is not practical - or washable. Plus - this was a rush job. So she bought a cute ruffled skirt and appliqued a poodle and leash onto it.

Closer inspection reveals that Mommy found a cuter poodle applique (I found a big one at Malwart, but Mommy apparently found a right-sized one). Good job, Mommy!

Doesn't she look adorable ('yes' is the correct response). And happy!

And not to be outdone, big brother Josh is very 'GQ'.

Stylin'!

If only I'd known...

There were so many things I learned about Eileen these past few weeks since her death. Things I wished I’d known sooner, things I would have discussed with her or done with her.

We have known Eileen for less than two years…meeting her a few months before the kids got married in July of 2009.

Pat did a wonderful job of officiating at Eileen’s service. He received many nice comments- some wondered if he is a pastor (he’s not). Pat was very well-prepared and GOD granted him freedom from back pain and clarity of thought during the message. It was very good.

About 250 people were in attendance; proof of Eileen’s impact on many lives. We learned about her sense of humor, her strength, her love of family.

And although I did not get to know Eileen as well as I wanted to, I see her character and her traits being carried on by my daughter-in-love Michelle. Michelle spoke briefly at her mother’s funeral. She was composed, warm, witty and wise. Her mother would have loved to have heard what she had to say.

I loved to hear what she had to say.

Thank you for your prayers for our family over these last several weeks.

We are so grateful.

Tuesday

"If I die on a Tuesday," she said, "could you be here by Saturday for the service?"

We assured her that we could.

She did not want to inconvenience anyone...if her service were on a Saturday, then most folks wouldn't have to take off work. A servant's heart-always thinking of others.

Yesterday the call came. On a Tuesday. Eileen's two year battle with cancer is over. She is in the presence of her loving Heavenly Father.

We are sad. Rejoicing for Eileen's sake, sad for us and especially sad for our precious daughter-in-love Michelle. She is Eileen's daughter.

We would appreciate your prayers for the family.

"But we do not want you to be uninformed brothers, about those who are asleep,that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope."

I Thessalonians 4:13

~~~~~

No posts here for the next few weeks. I'm sure you understand.

in case of emergency

just a reminder that winter doesn't last forever

Stuck on Lakeshore Drive in Chicago during a near record breaking snowstorm?

Stuck in Cairo in the midst of demonstrations, rioting and looting?

What would you do?

Do you ever think of worst case scenarios and wonder how to prepare for them?

True confession: I do.

I'm kind of amazed at our new national hero, great grandmother, Mary Thornberry. She was armed and dangerous in her downtown Cairo apartment during the worst of the rioting. A cane, a knife, a rolling pin and boiling water. Never would have thought to fend off thugs with those weapons. What a woman!

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To be prepared for emergencies, here are some helpful tips:

Emergency supplies for a car kit.

And here are FEMA's recommendations for supplies to have on hand during a disaster. Didn't see a rolling pin on the list though.

Thinking of emergencies reminded me of a day long ago. Daniel and his buddy Steven were involved in the AWANA Olympics. I took them to the event at a school in a nearby town. It was Saturday morning and kids and parents were waiting in eager anticipation of the big event.

Daniel and Steven were out in the main area just off the gym. There is a glass case in this central area. Enclosed is a realistic woodland scene with taxidermied animals native to the Northwoods. The boys were admiring all the 'cool' animals in the case while I was chatting with a friend.

All of a sudden the fire alarm went off. I looked around for the kids only to find them next to the fire alarm. You know, In case of emergency - PULL.

Well, the boys were in first grade...homeschooled...unfamiliar with the ways of 'real' school...and just learning how to read. I won't say who PULLed the alarm, but it wasn't my kid.

We had to evacuate the school....even though we knew there wasn't a fire.

It took a long time to get back to the AWANA Olympics.

It took an even longer time for Steven to live down his part in the chaos (the sign said PULL, he was just being obedient).

title's back in title town

and sew on

I wish I was a more accomplished knitter. I would so make this adorable ensemble for our Sadie Beth.



Our young friend has started a new blog. Resolved to make all of her daughters' clothing, she is off to a great start. I'm sure I can find some inspiration here for clothes for Sadie.

And speaking of sewing...are you watching the Super Bowl on Sunday? And rooting for the Packers?

Well, H & R Block recently came to a small town near here. A town named Greenback (significant name). They re-did tax returns for volunteers in this small town. They were able to get some money back for many residents. And for one resident they were able to get $5000 back!

She has become the subject of a commercial for H&R Block. Perhaps you have seen one? They are playing nationally - in fact, last I heard she would be in 5 commercials - one airing during the Super Bowl.

So...if you are watching the Super Bowl, pay attention to the commercials. And if you see an H&R Block commercial you will probably see Terri from Mountain Creek Quilt Shop .

I know her.

(If you come visit me, I'll take you to meet her too! Her shop is super cute.)

in which she brags on her grands

48 hours is not enough time to spend with one's grandchildren.

I was a bad grandma and didn't bring my camera; assuming Uncle Nathan would take pictures and I could upload them on to my blog at his house. See what I get for assuming?

Let me assure however, that they are cute, cute, cute.

Sadie, who is a mama's girl, was just starting to warm up to me when we had to leave. She has such a sweet temperament. She loves to smile and laughs out loud at her brother and her daddy. She crawls quite well now and is content to play with Fisher Price little people for long stretches of time. The combination of two lower teeth and dimples make for a charming and disarming smile.

It will be hard not to spoil that one.

Josh, who is now 2 and 3/4 years old is a bundle of energy. I had forgotten how much energy little boys that age have. Always on the go. Always looking for something to do.

He is a whiz at putting puzzles together - even puzzles geared for ages 3 and above. He can count to ten - except he always leaves out the number 7.

When you tell him he's cute, he says, "No, I Josh."

Kristi bought him a deck of alphabet flash cards. If you spread them and ask him to pick up a certain letter - more often than not- he can do it.

Genius, I tell you.

He calls me gamma. Or maybe gumma. I like that.

He loves to go to church. Please, LORD, may he always feel that way.

My grands? They're the best!

in which (almost) nothing went according to plan

You know how, when you take a trip, you map out the days and make plans for what will happen each day?

We do that too, but I'm thinking of giving up on that tactic. It doesn't work.

Here were our plans for the weekend:

• fly into O'Hare and be picked up by Nathan
• spend a wonderful afternoon with the kids and grands
• go to church together and sit all in a row worshipping the LORD
• visit a loved one who has only been given weeks to live
• bring much comfort to her
• have lots of time with the kids, laughing, talking, eating, maybe a little shopping
• go home Tuesday refreshed

Here is what really happened:

• flew into O'Hare and were picked up by Nathan
• spent a very short afternoon with the kids and grands - Sadie was fussy and Kristi was concerned about taking her to church. Pat and I stayed home from church with Kristi and Sadie while Nate, Michelle, Jon and Josh went to church.
• our visit with our loved one who is terminally ill was a great comfort to us. As is often the case, those who are coming to minister are usually the ones being ministered to by the dying person. What a great encouragement to see her faith, her peace, her acceptance. And to learn more of her life of service.
• She wants Pat to officiate at her 'celebration of life' service when she steps into heaven. Pat has never done this. It is humbling; but also a great responsibility and honor.
• Nathan came down with Noro virus. We were only at their house for less than 48 hours-24 hours of which he was very sick in bed. :(
• Michelle checked the weather Sunday evening. Lo and behold a blizzard warning effective at about the time of our departure.
• United Airlines was offering waivers for ticket changing fees to travelers who would switch their tickets ahead of time.
• Instead of flying out on Tuesday afternoon, we left for O'Hare at 3:40 AM Monday morning. Nathan was still too sick to take us; thankfully Jon was willing and able.
• We arrived home, not refreshed, but exhausted.
• We missed a whole extra day +of being with the kids and grands.
• Jon and Kristi headed home a day early too, Josh ended up getting sick 5 minutes before they arrived home.

Plans? LOL.

But we are always blessed to be with our kids and this trip held an extra blessing that we were not expecting. I remember listening to a woman with terminal cancer long ago. She said she felt sorry for the rest of us who are also terminally ill - only we don't know it.

We do live our lives differently when we realize that we will not be here on this earth forever.

Please pray for our dear E. during these final weeks (according to her Dr.) of her life. She is a very special lady and is teaching us how to live.