I've started a new project that I am fairly excited about. For years, I have wanted my Mom to record her life somehow. After several attempts, I've finally hit on a solution that works for both of us. Awhile back, my kids and I came up with several questions for my Mom to answer and I sent them to her. Now that she's had time to come up with answers, my plan is to call her on my land line and take dictation, typing her answers on my computer as she speaks. This is not new to me, as I was a transcriber in a medical office before my first baby was born. I don't know why I didn't think of it before!
I assured my Mom that we didn't have to spend a long time on the phone, just take a few questions at a time. We started last Tuesday and in just 20 minutes, I got a page and a third. Tonight, I went over what she said and edited it. I'm writing it from her point of view which can be confusing but I think it will sound best that way. If we can do this once a week, it won't take too long. It was fun and interesting to hear her talk about her family and my Dad. Some things I knew about and others I didn't.
Mom turned 82 today, bless her heart. She was a farm girl in Arkansas until her family moved to California when she was 11. If she had stayed in Arkansas, she never would have met my Dad and, therefore, I wouldn't be here. Interesting.
I'm looking forward to our phone interviews.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Birthdays in Winter
Middle son, Alec, turned 14 last week. The kid is taller than me, taller than his older brother - and he's not done yet! He's at that in-between age, part boy, part young man. We got Alec a new guitar for his birthday and he was really thrilled, having outgrown his beginner guitar. I love it when Todd gives Alec a guitar lesson. A nice time for them both, I think. Alec has a lot of great qualities about him, but he's a hard kid to encourage without spoiling. I'm afraid I haven't done a good enough job in that area. Sigh. Got to work on that.
Carmen will be 11 this Monday. We bought her a pink ukulele and I can't wait for her to unwrap it! I just couldn't resist when I saw it at the music shop in town. They had about 10 ukuleles hanging on the wall, each a different bright and beautiful color. I think they're made in Hawaii. I want one for myself, in fact. Mother's Day gift, anyone? Hope she's not afraid to try playing it. I have been teaching her piano, using the same books that Chad's instructor used with him. She definitely has the talent and rhythm, I feel, and she has developed much greater patience in the past few months. I hope she stays with it.
Having two birthdays so close after Christmas is kind of a bummer but it is what it is. It's gotten easier now that the kids are older. Todd will actually get Carmen's birthday off this year which will make it even better!
Carmen will be 11 this Monday. We bought her a pink ukulele and I can't wait for her to unwrap it! I just couldn't resist when I saw it at the music shop in town. They had about 10 ukuleles hanging on the wall, each a different bright and beautiful color. I think they're made in Hawaii. I want one for myself, in fact. Mother's Day gift, anyone? Hope she's not afraid to try playing it. I have been teaching her piano, using the same books that Chad's instructor used with him. She definitely has the talent and rhythm, I feel, and she has developed much greater patience in the past few months. I hope she stays with it.
Having two birthdays so close after Christmas is kind of a bummer but it is what it is. It's gotten easier now that the kids are older. Todd will actually get Carmen's birthday off this year which will make it even better!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
A Very Late Birth Notice
I'm used to watching a rush of rain water flowing down the street. It's quite another thing to watch rain water flowing UP the street - courtesy of the heavy winds we are getting today. Rain blows east and then west all within a few seconds. It doesn't know which way to go. I know the feeling.
I can't help but write about yet another coincidence I encountered last weekend. Alec had ordered an item online and had been waiting for it for several weeks. A box arrived last Friday and I put it aside, thinking it was one of the items that I had ordered, with Alec's birthday approaching. At the time, I remember thinking it was a bit big for anything I had ordered but then I forgot about it. Anyway, on Saturday, Alec tracked his package online and found that it would be delivered at 3:30 on Saturday. We all picked times that we guessed it would REALLY be delivered and when those times came and went, he was a bit disappointed. And then, I remembered that package delivery from the day before (duh!) Yes, it was his package, after all! What joy was felt in the household!
So, I was going through the newspaper that was used as packing material since I find newspapers from other places interesting. This was a newspaper from a tiny town in Minnesota, filled with Norwegian names, very much like our town (lots of Scandinavian influence here). My eyes happened to fall on a section of the paper devoted to happenings 70 years ago. And there it was ... an article saying, "Mr. & Mrs. D. Cheney were blessed with a baby boy, as reported in 'The Astorian Budget', in Astoria. Mr. Cheney is well known in our town."
I got so excited! What are the odds of this newspaper with this article being sent to someone in Astoria? Someone who actually finds these coincidences interesting? I have read a good book about the newspapers of our town's past, including "The Astorian Budget", so I know of the now-defunct paper. I got out the phone book to see if there were any Cheneys still in Astoria. There are two couples living in Tillamook, about 75 miles south of us. Tillamook is famous for the cheese produced there, lots and lots of cows, and I recommend Tillamook Swiss, it's the best! Anyway, I haven't contacted them though I'd really like to. Imagine, it could be a brother or uncle or something. If it were me, I'd want to have the article, just for historical significance. Should I call them? What would YOU do?
I can't help but write about yet another coincidence I encountered last weekend. Alec had ordered an item online and had been waiting for it for several weeks. A box arrived last Friday and I put it aside, thinking it was one of the items that I had ordered, with Alec's birthday approaching. At the time, I remember thinking it was a bit big for anything I had ordered but then I forgot about it. Anyway, on Saturday, Alec tracked his package online and found that it would be delivered at 3:30 on Saturday. We all picked times that we guessed it would REALLY be delivered and when those times came and went, he was a bit disappointed. And then, I remembered that package delivery from the day before (duh!) Yes, it was his package, after all! What joy was felt in the household!
So, I was going through the newspaper that was used as packing material since I find newspapers from other places interesting. This was a newspaper from a tiny town in Minnesota, filled with Norwegian names, very much like our town (lots of Scandinavian influence here). My eyes happened to fall on a section of the paper devoted to happenings 70 years ago. And there it was ... an article saying, "Mr. & Mrs. D. Cheney were blessed with a baby boy, as reported in 'The Astorian Budget', in Astoria. Mr. Cheney is well known in our town."
I got so excited! What are the odds of this newspaper with this article being sent to someone in Astoria? Someone who actually finds these coincidences interesting? I have read a good book about the newspapers of our town's past, including "The Astorian Budget", so I know of the now-defunct paper. I got out the phone book to see if there were any Cheneys still in Astoria. There are two couples living in Tillamook, about 75 miles south of us. Tillamook is famous for the cheese produced there, lots and lots of cows, and I recommend Tillamook Swiss, it's the best! Anyway, I haven't contacted them though I'd really like to. Imagine, it could be a brother or uncle or something. If it were me, I'd want to have the article, just for historical significance. Should I call them? What would YOU do?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Rain/Snow/Apples/Babies
There are many times I am thankful to live on a hill. This is one of those times. Apparently, in counties all around us, the rain has wreaked havoc on the landscape, causing flooding severe enough for governments to declare that overused phrase "state of emergency" wherever necessary. We are fortunate not to have all the ice and snow that our northern friends in Washington are having. I guess it's really bad up there right now. We had our snow over the weekend and, boy, did our kids have fun! Chad built a 7-foot snowman with Carmen and Alec assisting. It loomed large in our front yard and we were all sad to see the rain reduce it to a basketball-sized lump of snow. The kids' muscles were sore for several days - playing in snow is hard work, after all!
It was wonderful to watch the blizzard-like snow fall for a few days. But then the rains came, warming things up a bit. Two nights ago, it rained so hard that it flooded the rain gutter just outside my window. Sounded like the kitchen faucet running at full blast - all night long. It's amazing to watch the rain flow down the street in great sheets. We are not in danger of any mudslides, either. No, our hill is pretty well situated for this weather, as far as I know, and I am thankful.
All this cold weather has made it nice to stay in and read or play games. Our newest game was sent as a gift from Todd's sister - Apples To Apples. I have heard of this game through homeschool channels for years but never thought to buy it. We have played it a lot since Christmas. All five of us played for several hours straight on New Year's Eve. While I do get tired after awhile, I am impressed at how much our kids have learned from this game. It's all about adjectives. Some of the subjects in this mod version of the game are things I'd rather not know more about (man cave, anyone?) but even these subjects launch us into discussions about the world that we might not otherwise have.
The adjective thing, however, is what is so great (to me, anyway). Every time a child has to think of an adjective, it's a mini-grammar lesson. Painless learning. I love Mad Libs for the same reason. Carmen knows a lot more about grammar than I do, just from doing Mad Libs. She'll correct me if I give her the wrong word (an adjective instead of an adverb, for example). How cool to have your 10 year old know more grammar than you!!
On a completely different note, my extended family grew by two these past few months. A close cousin of my husband's had her first baby, Adell Rae. I love this cousin and her husband and I'm so happy for them. Adell will need heart surgery to repair a hole in her heart but it sounds like the doctors are confident the surgery will be routine. I'll be praying anyway! My oldest sister's daughter (Zana) had her second child, a boy named Thomas Marshall. What's cool about Zana's son is that his middle name is my step-dad's last name. Grandpa Marshall was the only grandpa Zana knew, since my dad died when Zana was a toddler. She was very close to my Mom and step-dad when he was alive and has honored him with this baby's name. She also named her first child Isabella Daphne, after my Mom (Daphne). I am so thrilled and proud of Zana for her decision to carry on these family names. Zana and her husband are a great couple and very much into caring for their family. It is wonderful to know these babies have been born into wonderful families that will love and care for them!
It was wonderful to watch the blizzard-like snow fall for a few days. But then the rains came, warming things up a bit. Two nights ago, it rained so hard that it flooded the rain gutter just outside my window. Sounded like the kitchen faucet running at full blast - all night long. It's amazing to watch the rain flow down the street in great sheets. We are not in danger of any mudslides, either. No, our hill is pretty well situated for this weather, as far as I know, and I am thankful.
All this cold weather has made it nice to stay in and read or play games. Our newest game was sent as a gift from Todd's sister - Apples To Apples. I have heard of this game through homeschool channels for years but never thought to buy it. We have played it a lot since Christmas. All five of us played for several hours straight on New Year's Eve. While I do get tired after awhile, I am impressed at how much our kids have learned from this game. It's all about adjectives. Some of the subjects in this mod version of the game are things I'd rather not know more about (man cave, anyone?) but even these subjects launch us into discussions about the world that we might not otherwise have.
The adjective thing, however, is what is so great (to me, anyway). Every time a child has to think of an adjective, it's a mini-grammar lesson. Painless learning. I love Mad Libs for the same reason. Carmen knows a lot more about grammar than I do, just from doing Mad Libs. She'll correct me if I give her the wrong word (an adjective instead of an adverb, for example). How cool to have your 10 year old know more grammar than you!!
On a completely different note, my extended family grew by two these past few months. A close cousin of my husband's had her first baby, Adell Rae. I love this cousin and her husband and I'm so happy for them. Adell will need heart surgery to repair a hole in her heart but it sounds like the doctors are confident the surgery will be routine. I'll be praying anyway! My oldest sister's daughter (Zana) had her second child, a boy named Thomas Marshall. What's cool about Zana's son is that his middle name is my step-dad's last name. Grandpa Marshall was the only grandpa Zana knew, since my dad died when Zana was a toddler. She was very close to my Mom and step-dad when he was alive and has honored him with this baby's name. She also named her first child Isabella Daphne, after my Mom (Daphne). I am so thrilled and proud of Zana for her decision to carry on these family names. Zana and her husband are a great couple and very much into caring for their family. It is wonderful to know these babies have been born into wonderful families that will love and care for them!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Something Funny's Going On
The day after Christmas, I heard my 13 yr old son giggling in the living room. No, actually he was guffawing. I'd never really heard anyone guffawing so I was curious as to the cause. He was reading Cristina's book "No School Today". After that, the thing snowballed. When Alec wasn't reading it, I spied Carmen curled up in the corner of the sofa, intently reading and giggling herself silly, the way 10 yr old girls do. And then Chad could be heard, laughing hysterically now and then, eventually bringing the book into the kitchen to share with me, a habit he started years ago with anything he is reading. The book stayed on the kitchen table just long enough for Todd to read a bit. Then it disappeared. I've actually been able to hold it twice, once in the photo on my last blog and two days ago, I picked it up long enough to read 3 strips but got called away to another distraction. Sigh. But that's o.k.
Because I think everyone in this family has shared nearly every comic strip with me at some point in the the last few weeks. It has been so fun, hearing my kids laughing at what they see as themselves sometimes. They are fascinated with these mini stories about homeschool kids, living a lot like we do here. And they absolutely love the cat references, perhaps because we don't have any animals outside of fish tanks. Lines from Toby and his dinosaur are also a favorite, being recited over and over, and laughed at.
Cristina's book has definitely been a highlight with our kids (thanks, Cristina AND Todd!) I'm sure I'll get to read it all someday soon ... when I can find it.
Just wait. When she comes out with Volume 2, I won't let anyone else touch it until I'm done reading it! (There's incentive for you, Cristina!)
I did, however, get to start one of Paula's books and immediately got wrapped up in the story line. Again, I didn't want to put it down but had to (chores were waiting). It's too bad life gets in the way of good reading!
Because I think everyone in this family has shared nearly every comic strip with me at some point in the the last few weeks. It has been so fun, hearing my kids laughing at what they see as themselves sometimes. They are fascinated with these mini stories about homeschool kids, living a lot like we do here. And they absolutely love the cat references, perhaps because we don't have any animals outside of fish tanks. Lines from Toby and his dinosaur are also a favorite, being recited over and over, and laughed at.
Cristina's book has definitely been a highlight with our kids (thanks, Cristina AND Todd!) I'm sure I'll get to read it all someday soon ... when I can find it.
Just wait. When she comes out with Volume 2, I won't let anyone else touch it until I'm done reading it! (There's incentive for you, Cristina!)
I did, however, get to start one of Paula's books and immediately got wrapped up in the story line. Again, I didn't want to put it down but had to (chores were waiting). It's too bad life gets in the way of good reading!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Happy New Year (and a shameless endorsement!)
Why is this woman so surprised?
She's just unwrapped a gift from one of her children: A kitchen towel set wrapped around a book by one of her talented blog friends! And that's not all ...
I unwrapped another ...
and another!
The first book is a compilation of comic strips by my blog friend jugglingpaynes (Cristina) and her book is available on Amazon. I was intending to make the purchase after Christmas but my husband beat me to it ... and completely caught me off guard! This is Cristina's first book but she has been writing for a long time, homeschooling is the theme and, boy, can I relate to so many of her ideas!
The second and third books shown are by Paula Vince, my published author blog friend in Australia. Her books are available through her web site appleleaf (at left). I have all of her books now, I think, and am so happy Todd thought to order them for me. Her books are thoughtfully written and take the reader right into the story and the fictional characters. When I read one of her books, I don't want it to end!
I am so excited and proud of these two awesome women and wish them great success in their respective fields of talent. This is not a paid advertisement - I just wanted to share my joy. Thank you, Cristina and Paula, for helping my Christmas to be all the more blessed!
She's just unwrapped a gift from one of her children: A kitchen towel set wrapped around a book by one of her talented blog friends! And that's not all ...
I unwrapped another ...
and another!
The first book is a compilation of comic strips by my blog friend jugglingpaynes (Cristina) and her book is available on Amazon. I was intending to make the purchase after Christmas but my husband beat me to it ... and completely caught me off guard! This is Cristina's first book but she has been writing for a long time, homeschooling is the theme and, boy, can I relate to so many of her ideas!
The second and third books shown are by Paula Vince, my published author blog friend in Australia. Her books are available through her web site appleleaf (at left). I have all of her books now, I think, and am so happy Todd thought to order them for me. Her books are thoughtfully written and take the reader right into the story and the fictional characters. When I read one of her books, I don't want it to end!
I am so excited and proud of these two awesome women and wish them great success in their respective fields of talent. This is not a paid advertisement - I just wanted to share my joy. Thank you, Cristina and Paula, for helping my Christmas to be all the more blessed!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Mercy
Chad had his final exam, came home and promptly came down with a cold. He was kind enough to pass it on to his siblings a few days later. We lost a whole week there but we are back on tract, my shopping is done and I'm determined to mail out cards this Monday. Oh, Chad passed his class with an 'A' and if I sound impressed, relieved and proud, I am. This being his first college class, his first class ever, he's only 16 and he didn't do any extra credit - we really didn't know how he'd do. But I am proud of him, unashamedly. He never missed a class, participated in discussion and turned in all assignments on time. Wrote his first essay ever and got a good grade which gave him confidence to do all the rest. Now, he'll take the winter term of this history class but, unfortunately, it is being phased out in spring. We are all so glad for him.
I got a wake up call a few days ago. I drive to a tiny little town across the river in Washington twice a week, taking Chad to his volunteer job at a museum. Yes, I do speed some of the time, the highway takes us through a lot of field/farm land with mostly tourists driving along the coast. Last Thursday, I happened to be driving alone to pick him up and I wasn't paying attention to my speed. I was actually listening to a Christmas song on the radio, trying to figure out if it was Bobby Darin singing. There was no one on the highway in front or behind me but I rounded a corner and of the two cars that passed me, one was a highway patrol. Lights flashed. I slowed down to see if he'd turn around and he did. As he came up behind me, I pulled off as best I could (there was a hill to my right). I didn't panic like I have in the past. I just looked wide-eyed as a young officer (trooper hat and all) approached and asked if I knew how fast I was going. Just then, a pick up truck whoosed past, way too close to the officer. I pointed to the truck and said, "Not THAT fast!" He asked if I knew the speed limit there, I said 50-55 (I wasn't that certain, the speed changes several times on this route. When he told me I was doing 63 in a 50 zone, I was surprised and apologized. He asked if I was just not paying attention and I told him the truth - that I was "listening to the radio, trying to figure out if it was Bobby Darin or not". He didn't laugh but I'll bet he wanted to. He asked for my license and proof of insurance. I had my license, of course, but my proof of insurance was expired last month - I did, however, have my husband's car's proof of insurance and it was still good and on the same policy. I knew I had put my new card in my car but couldn't find it. Anyway, while I was looking for the right card, the officer watched another car speed past and said, "That driver has a suspended license. I'm going to let you go but I want you to be more careful." I said I would and thanked him for his compassion. He took off and I let out a big sigh. Mercy. Thank you, Lord.
I'm doing my best to obey the speed limit, all the time now. God has been merciful to me twice. When we first bought my Prius, I got stopped by an officer on the drive home from the dealer (50 miles from our home) because I was speeding, trying to keep up with Todd who was in his car ahead of me. At that time, I explained to the officer I was trying to keep up with my husband (it was nighttime). She let me go with a stern warning to be more careful. That was 3 years ago. I never want to be pulled over again - and I want to be a better example to my children. I'm so glad they weren't with me last Thursday, they usually are. God is good.
We've had Advent nearly every night with nearly perfect attendance. Some nights we dissolve into laughter, with our own personal versions of certain Christmas carols. Sometimes we sing a carol with another carol's tune. A few times have ended with disciplinarian actions. But most of the time it's been very enjoyable and everyone has fun and the Bible reading time is special. We add the fourth candle tomorrow night. Carmen has been the most interested in Advent, reminding us when we were about to forget and making sure when we need to add the next candle. She wants all the songs sung the right way, etc. I love how much interest she's taking in Advent. It wasn't always like that.
If I do not post before Christmas, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I really appreciate those of you who still visit, even though I blog so infrequently. You are and have been my friends for quite some time now and I really appreciate each of you. Have a wonderful Christmas season and Happy New Year! God bless!
I got a wake up call a few days ago. I drive to a tiny little town across the river in Washington twice a week, taking Chad to his volunteer job at a museum. Yes, I do speed some of the time, the highway takes us through a lot of field/farm land with mostly tourists driving along the coast. Last Thursday, I happened to be driving alone to pick him up and I wasn't paying attention to my speed. I was actually listening to a Christmas song on the radio, trying to figure out if it was Bobby Darin singing. There was no one on the highway in front or behind me but I rounded a corner and of the two cars that passed me, one was a highway patrol. Lights flashed. I slowed down to see if he'd turn around and he did. As he came up behind me, I pulled off as best I could (there was a hill to my right). I didn't panic like I have in the past. I just looked wide-eyed as a young officer (trooper hat and all) approached and asked if I knew how fast I was going. Just then, a pick up truck whoosed past, way too close to the officer. I pointed to the truck and said, "Not THAT fast!" He asked if I knew the speed limit there, I said 50-55 (I wasn't that certain, the speed changes several times on this route. When he told me I was doing 63 in a 50 zone, I was surprised and apologized. He asked if I was just not paying attention and I told him the truth - that I was "listening to the radio, trying to figure out if it was Bobby Darin or not". He didn't laugh but I'll bet he wanted to. He asked for my license and proof of insurance. I had my license, of course, but my proof of insurance was expired last month - I did, however, have my husband's car's proof of insurance and it was still good and on the same policy. I knew I had put my new card in my car but couldn't find it. Anyway, while I was looking for the right card, the officer watched another car speed past and said, "That driver has a suspended license. I'm going to let you go but I want you to be more careful." I said I would and thanked him for his compassion. He took off and I let out a big sigh. Mercy. Thank you, Lord.
I'm doing my best to obey the speed limit, all the time now. God has been merciful to me twice. When we first bought my Prius, I got stopped by an officer on the drive home from the dealer (50 miles from our home) because I was speeding, trying to keep up with Todd who was in his car ahead of me. At that time, I explained to the officer I was trying to keep up with my husband (it was nighttime). She let me go with a stern warning to be more careful. That was 3 years ago. I never want to be pulled over again - and I want to be a better example to my children. I'm so glad they weren't with me last Thursday, they usually are. God is good.
We've had Advent nearly every night with nearly perfect attendance. Some nights we dissolve into laughter, with our own personal versions of certain Christmas carols. Sometimes we sing a carol with another carol's tune. A few times have ended with disciplinarian actions. But most of the time it's been very enjoyable and everyone has fun and the Bible reading time is special. We add the fourth candle tomorrow night. Carmen has been the most interested in Advent, reminding us when we were about to forget and making sure when we need to add the next candle. She wants all the songs sung the right way, etc. I love how much interest she's taking in Advent. It wasn't always like that.
If I do not post before Christmas, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I really appreciate those of you who still visit, even though I blog so infrequently. You are and have been my friends for quite some time now and I really appreciate each of you. Have a wonderful Christmas season and Happy New Year! God bless!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
