We have one daffodil in bloom! It is so beautiful. All the others want so badly to fully come up but, alas, we have had two days straight of sideways rain, unrelenting wind and gray skies. That sideways rain is REALLY annoying me this year. I don't know why. I'm so tired of seeing it out my kitchen window, as I do dishes. My son said, simply, "Don't look at it." Hmph. Easier said than done. But ...
This post was going to be a rant (seems I'm annoyed at a lot of little things this week) until I read Sue in Japan's post. Now, how can I possibly complain about life's little daggers when she's over there, an ocean away, dealing with relocation, future decisions, being apart from her husband, etc. Her post talks about their situation but also lists her blessings. What a great focus and a reminder to me that I have NOTHING to complain about! Thanks for that gentle nudge, Lord!
So, if I'm not going to complain, how can I redirect this post? O.k., I'm happy that I'm able to post this morning. It's been tough trying to make time to blog/comment. My husband doesn't get home from work until 7 or 8, so I do like two dinners every night, then we have coffee (our daily bonding time) then it's dishes, read to Carmen, and bed time. Morning seems to be the only time for me on the computer and I feel guilty, like I should be doing something more important. For now, I will try to take a few mornings a week, that should be enough to do what I need to do and not feel like I'm neglecting other things. I miss keeping up on my friends' blogs!
Chad has starting playing euphonium again. A blessing (for him) and a curse for us with ears. Practice can be, um, painful. He makes up for it with his continued piano practice, which is lovely. Carmen has refused to pick up her recorder or try any other instrument. Sigh. That girl. I don't know. She's a puzzle. It's not required that all of our children play an instrument but we feel it's an important learning skill. Suggestions, anyone?
So, I will try not to look at the sideways rain today. I'll look at the lovely daffodil, proudly facing my window. Nice of it to do that instead of facing the street. I do need to drive Chad across the Columbia River over to Ilwaco (the tiny town in WA that houses the museum he works in) but I'll try to focus on the car ahead of me and not the rain. Sometimes the weather is different over there - who knows, maybe the sun will show its face! One can hope.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Daffodils (almost) and Mysteries
Spring is trying to make its appearance, in the form of daffodils pushing up their slender leaves through the soil, refusing to bow down to the torrents of rain and wind.
Rain ... rain ... wind ... rain ... thunder/lightening ... wind ... oh, yes, and hail
Yes, this is springtime where I live. Today we felt the air wasn't quite so biting cold, even with a high of 50 degrees. However, the night sky was beautiful. Pink sunset, fluffy clouds. And then, 2 planets, the Dog star and Orion in all its glory. Followed by more rain.
All this is an attempt to distract me from what I've been listening to on the radio. As well as daily life annoyances/difficulties. Keep looking at the daffodils, they show courage in the face of adversity.
A bright spot ... my kids were happy to receive a shipment of Boxcar Children books that arrived a few days ago. We all enjoy reading these little mystery stories. I still read to Carmen every night and had been reading Laura Ingalls Wilder for years. We recently switched to Boxcar Children which is good as it broadens her reading horizons. A bit sad as I miss Laura just a little. But, really, I'm happy to read something I haven't memorized! These books are fun and easy reading. And there are a lot of them. I'm afraid the kids will want us to order more when these have been read! A box of books is a great way to perk up an otherwise cold and dark, rainy day. Nicely timed!
In addition: Please pray for Sue and her family, in Japan. They have left their home for a safer place, as they feel they are in danger. Pray that her husband can join them soon. Pray for their safety. Please, also, pray for the people of Japan. Thanks!
Rain ... rain ... wind ... rain ... thunder/lightening ... wind ... oh, yes, and hail
Yes, this is springtime where I live. Today we felt the air wasn't quite so biting cold, even with a high of 50 degrees. However, the night sky was beautiful. Pink sunset, fluffy clouds. And then, 2 planets, the Dog star and Orion in all its glory. Followed by more rain.
All this is an attempt to distract me from what I've been listening to on the radio. As well as daily life annoyances/difficulties. Keep looking at the daffodils, they show courage in the face of adversity.
A bright spot ... my kids were happy to receive a shipment of Boxcar Children books that arrived a few days ago. We all enjoy reading these little mystery stories. I still read to Carmen every night and had been reading Laura Ingalls Wilder for years. We recently switched to Boxcar Children which is good as it broadens her reading horizons. A bit sad as I miss Laura just a little. But, really, I'm happy to read something I haven't memorized! These books are fun and easy reading. And there are a lot of them. I'm afraid the kids will want us to order more when these have been read! A box of books is a great way to perk up an otherwise cold and dark, rainy day. Nicely timed!
In addition: Please pray for Sue and her family, in Japan. They have left their home for a safer place, as they feel they are in danger. Pray that her husband can join them soon. Pray for their safety. Please, also, pray for the people of Japan. Thanks!
Friday, March 11, 2011
We Are Fine
The tsunami warnings ran all day but our town wasn't told to evacuate. The towns of Seaside and Cannon Beach (15 and 25 miles south) were evacuated, however, and that was where all the focus was. Schools were closed to act as shelters. People were awakened at 2:00 a.m. by neighbors and local officials, knocking on doors to spread the news. These coastal communities had full tsunami training and practice just a few years ago - what terrific timing! Everything went very well, lots of tired people at the end of the day I'm sure. I am very thankful that nothing happened in our area. There was damage to the southern OR coast and down parts of the CA coast, however. Minor, compared to Japan.
We were very saddened by the news we were hearing all day on the radio. Prayed all day for a blog friend in Japan, found out just now (nearly midnight) that she and her family are fine. Please pray for Japan.
I'll tell you how we found out about the earthquake. Once a week, a Portland cardiologist drives out here to the coast to work in the office Todd works in (Todd's usual cardiologist works just 4 days/week.) Todd got a call from his boss in Portland, saying that this visiting physician wasn't coming due to the tsunami alert. What? We turned on the radio and listened to local news alternating with national news. It took awhile to get the whole story. So, Todd got the day off. An unexpected blessing, since he's been putting in 10-hr days for the last couple of weeks. He ended up taking our boys to the orthodontist for me, only to return home because the office was closed - again, due to the tsunami alert.
So, what do we do with our day? Of course, we head over to an estate sale that we learned of due to the people driving up and down our street, looking for the right address which is nearly impossible in our extremely old town with crazy streets that begin and end at random (now, there's a sentence for you.) Astoria is the oldest settlement west of the Rockies and the town kind of spreads out over a peninsula and up and down the hills.
Later, I had to drive Chad to his volunteer job at the museum over the river and into another coastal community in south Washington state. Like in other coastal towns, the tsunami evac route signs are posted along the main street - these signs took on new meaning for me today. We called ahead to make sure the museum was open, just in case. While crossing the 4-1/2 mile bridge over the river, we both studied the place where the river and the bay converge (called the bar) and meets the ocean, about 10 miles away. Did the tide look lower than normal? Who knows.
Oh, Alec got his top row of braces put on last week. He has had discomfort but is so excited to see his front teeth already beginning to line up. He's really proud and excited - we are excited, too. He'll have to wait to get the bottom braces on, since the office was closed today. I'm sure he didn't mind too much!
Thanks for thinking of us today. Chad got a bit frightened, thinking our area would be hit by an earthquake, too. We did a lot of talking. I told him to talk with the people at the museum about where one should go during an earthquake. I said that all you can do is try your best to be prepared and then sort of forget about it. Ignorance breeds fear, is what I like to say. I grew up in Southern California where earthquakes were part of our lives. I NEVER got used to them and shook with fear whenever we had one. It was awful. I was so glad to move up here where earthquakes were not so common. And do you know, just a couple of weeks after our move, we had an earthquake here? I couldn't believe it! Since then, I think there have only been two that I've felt but they've been talking about a "big one" for years. You can't sit and worry about it. It's hard to comfort a child (or a teen) sometimes but I did my best and reminded him that God is always with us, no matter what. No matter what.
We were very saddened by the news we were hearing all day on the radio. Prayed all day for a blog friend in Japan, found out just now (nearly midnight) that she and her family are fine. Please pray for Japan.
I'll tell you how we found out about the earthquake. Once a week, a Portland cardiologist drives out here to the coast to work in the office Todd works in (Todd's usual cardiologist works just 4 days/week.) Todd got a call from his boss in Portland, saying that this visiting physician wasn't coming due to the tsunami alert. What? We turned on the radio and listened to local news alternating with national news. It took awhile to get the whole story. So, Todd got the day off. An unexpected blessing, since he's been putting in 10-hr days for the last couple of weeks. He ended up taking our boys to the orthodontist for me, only to return home because the office was closed - again, due to the tsunami alert.
So, what do we do with our day? Of course, we head over to an estate sale that we learned of due to the people driving up and down our street, looking for the right address which is nearly impossible in our extremely old town with crazy streets that begin and end at random (now, there's a sentence for you.) Astoria is the oldest settlement west of the Rockies and the town kind of spreads out over a peninsula and up and down the hills.
Later, I had to drive Chad to his volunteer job at the museum over the river and into another coastal community in south Washington state. Like in other coastal towns, the tsunami evac route signs are posted along the main street - these signs took on new meaning for me today. We called ahead to make sure the museum was open, just in case. While crossing the 4-1/2 mile bridge over the river, we both studied the place where the river and the bay converge (called the bar) and meets the ocean, about 10 miles away. Did the tide look lower than normal? Who knows.
Oh, Alec got his top row of braces put on last week. He has had discomfort but is so excited to see his front teeth already beginning to line up. He's really proud and excited - we are excited, too. He'll have to wait to get the bottom braces on, since the office was closed today. I'm sure he didn't mind too much!
Thanks for thinking of us today. Chad got a bit frightened, thinking our area would be hit by an earthquake, too. We did a lot of talking. I told him to talk with the people at the museum about where one should go during an earthquake. I said that all you can do is try your best to be prepared and then sort of forget about it. Ignorance breeds fear, is what I like to say. I grew up in Southern California where earthquakes were part of our lives. I NEVER got used to them and shook with fear whenever we had one. It was awful. I was so glad to move up here where earthquakes were not so common. And do you know, just a couple of weeks after our move, we had an earthquake here? I couldn't believe it! Since then, I think there have only been two that I've felt but they've been talking about a "big one" for years. You can't sit and worry about it. It's hard to comfort a child (or a teen) sometimes but I did my best and reminded him that God is always with us, no matter what. No matter what.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Inspiration
Well, it looks as if I've taken to blogging once a month. Besides other more pressing matters keeping me away from the computer, I find myself, once again, uninspired to write. Except ... a few days ago (maybe, Friday) after I waved goodbye to my husband as he headed up the hill toward town. I stood looking out the kitchen window, marveling at the snow that covered the ground. And the trees. And the rooftops. It was so pretty, I found myself describing the scene in my head. Words! An idea! I almost ran to turn on the computer but, alas, I needed to get ready for the day. I was hoping I could remember my thoughts at a later time but I could not.
I grow weary of simply recording the events of our lives. Yes, it's important to me to remember these times, knowing how quickly my kids grow. But I want more from my writing. I must remind myself that there is a season for all things. This is the season of growing and teaching my kids, of watching my husband blossoming in a new position in the medical field, a position important to the community. A time of wondering how much longer I'll have my mom around to talk on the phone with. And me, approaching (and probably beginning) the stage of life that cruelly reminds us our child-bearing years will end someday soon. Not that I want more kids but it's still nice to know I possibly could.
I love pushing "Check Spelling" and having it tell me "No misspellings found". Something I'd love to tell my high school typing teacher. Boy, she was sure an inspiration. She was to be feared. I totally respected her. In my yearbook, she wrote, "You have a talent that will serve you well", speaking of my typing skills. I never was able to tell her just how prophetic her words were. Typing was my life for years, and I owed her a great deal for that.
Who have you inspired? Think about it. It could be years ago or yesterday. Or tomorrow.
I grow weary of simply recording the events of our lives. Yes, it's important to me to remember these times, knowing how quickly my kids grow. But I want more from my writing. I must remind myself that there is a season for all things. This is the season of growing and teaching my kids, of watching my husband blossoming in a new position in the medical field, a position important to the community. A time of wondering how much longer I'll have my mom around to talk on the phone with. And me, approaching (and probably beginning) the stage of life that cruelly reminds us our child-bearing years will end someday soon. Not that I want more kids but it's still nice to know I possibly could.
I love pushing "Check Spelling" and having it tell me "No misspellings found". Something I'd love to tell my high school typing teacher. Boy, she was sure an inspiration. She was to be feared. I totally respected her. In my yearbook, she wrote, "You have a talent that will serve you well", speaking of my typing skills. I never was able to tell her just how prophetic her words were. Typing was my life for years, and I owed her a great deal for that.
Who have you inspired? Think about it. It could be years ago or yesterday. Or tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Thankful in February
February ... Todd's new job has been going very well. We are so happy for him! He is a different man. And we love having him home every night. We are so thankful.
Alec had a nice birthday on the last day of January. Carmen's birthday was last Sunday and her day was nice, too. Valentine's Day always gets tucked in behind her birthday but we somehow manage to show a little more love to each other around here on the 14th.
So, all the birthdays are done (for now) and we are all adjusting to Todd's new schedule ... well, sometimes I'm still surprised to see him come home for lunch which he can now do one or two days a week. Next on my agenda is taxes (yikes!) and Alec will be getting braces put on near the end of the month.
I'm kind of weird in that I actually enjoy doing my taxes although I hate them at the same time. I love research and that is essentially how I view completing my tax forms. I have a good tax program to use which has made things much easier than it used to be. Back when we had our own business and had renters in a second home, it was a lot of work. Now it almost seems like I haven't done enough when everything is complete.
Enough about taxes. My baby is 10 - that is so amazing to me. And for Alec to be 13 is hard to believe. When I see my boys together, they look so tall - giants! When I look around at the dinner table, I am so thankful for my family. It's one of those "How did I get here?" moments.
Alec had a nice birthday on the last day of January. Carmen's birthday was last Sunday and her day was nice, too. Valentine's Day always gets tucked in behind her birthday but we somehow manage to show a little more love to each other around here on the 14th.
So, all the birthdays are done (for now) and we are all adjusting to Todd's new schedule ... well, sometimes I'm still surprised to see him come home for lunch which he can now do one or two days a week. Next on my agenda is taxes (yikes!) and Alec will be getting braces put on near the end of the month.
I'm kind of weird in that I actually enjoy doing my taxes although I hate them at the same time. I love research and that is essentially how I view completing my tax forms. I have a good tax program to use which has made things much easier than it used to be. Back when we had our own business and had renters in a second home, it was a lot of work. Now it almost seems like I haven't done enough when everything is complete.
Enough about taxes. My baby is 10 - that is so amazing to me. And for Alec to be 13 is hard to believe. When I see my boys together, they look so tall - giants! When I look around at the dinner table, I am so thankful for my family. It's one of those "How did I get here?" moments.
Monday, January 17, 2011
More About January
I was hoping January would be a month of rest, after all the holiday business. What WAS I thinking?!
Alec's birthday is at the very end of the month which means I need to order his gifts early enough to get here. Right after Christmas, the last thing I want to do is buy more stuff! Our shopping is limited where we live so online is the way to go, especially since he has such eclectic interests. Carmen's birthday follows two weeks later so I generally try to get all the shopping done at the same time. She says she really doesn't need anything which is fine but on her birthday, I'm sure she'll want to open something!
Adding to this is the reality that my husband has gotten himself a new job. Yes! It's true! The story is long about all the twists and turns of life at our local hospital. My son, Chad, and I are seriously thinking of writing a book about all the nonsense (we'll change the names of the victims, naturally). Chad has a great title for it. Anyway, Todd has finally been freed of it all and starts his new job on Alec's birthday (great timing!) Sadly, he has to spend two days of training in Portland on Alec's birthday and the day after, which is a bummer for us but we are so happy for Todd that it doesn't really matter.
He applied for this job back before Christmas. They said they would begin the interview process after the first of the year. It was hard to wait, and wait, but then they called to say he was one of the finalists. We waited two more days and (drum roll, please) they called to say, "You're the winner!!"
Not really, but that's what it felt like. When Todd came into the kitchen, after that phone call, I looked at him, dying of curiosity. All the kids ran in to hear the news. Then he said he got the job! It took a bit to sink in. And then tears (me, not Todd!) We are all so happy for him. Looking forward to a normal schedule for him and us. No more nights or weekend work. Finally. Praise the Lord!
I really kept this job in God's hands. I just kept praying for God's will. If it wasn't what was best for Todd or our family, then so be it. But I'm so glad God answered our prayers the way he did. I'm very proud of Todd. It's a new position with a new heart doc in our area, part of a huge hospital network so there is security in that. Once you get into a hospital system, you can transfer easier to other hospitals in that network which would be helpful if we move in the future. It's a blessing.
And, of course, a new job calls for new scrubs. That's the fun part for me! Too bad Boden (see last post) doesn't make nurse's scrubs!
Alec's birthday is at the very end of the month which means I need to order his gifts early enough to get here. Right after Christmas, the last thing I want to do is buy more stuff! Our shopping is limited where we live so online is the way to go, especially since he has such eclectic interests. Carmen's birthday follows two weeks later so I generally try to get all the shopping done at the same time. She says she really doesn't need anything which is fine but on her birthday, I'm sure she'll want to open something!
Adding to this is the reality that my husband has gotten himself a new job. Yes! It's true! The story is long about all the twists and turns of life at our local hospital. My son, Chad, and I are seriously thinking of writing a book about all the nonsense (we'll change the names of the victims, naturally). Chad has a great title for it. Anyway, Todd has finally been freed of it all and starts his new job on Alec's birthday (great timing!) Sadly, he has to spend two days of training in Portland on Alec's birthday and the day after, which is a bummer for us but we are so happy for Todd that it doesn't really matter.
He applied for this job back before Christmas. They said they would begin the interview process after the first of the year. It was hard to wait, and wait, but then they called to say he was one of the finalists. We waited two more days and (drum roll, please) they called to say, "You're the winner!!"
Not really, but that's what it felt like. When Todd came into the kitchen, after that phone call, I looked at him, dying of curiosity. All the kids ran in to hear the news. Then he said he got the job! It took a bit to sink in. And then tears (me, not Todd!) We are all so happy for him. Looking forward to a normal schedule for him and us. No more nights or weekend work. Finally. Praise the Lord!
I really kept this job in God's hands. I just kept praying for God's will. If it wasn't what was best for Todd or our family, then so be it. But I'm so glad God answered our prayers the way he did. I'm very proud of Todd. It's a new position with a new heart doc in our area, part of a huge hospital network so there is security in that. Once you get into a hospital system, you can transfer easier to other hospitals in that network which would be helpful if we move in the future. It's a blessing.
And, of course, a new job calls for new scrubs. That's the fun part for me! Too bad Boden (see last post) doesn't make nurse's scrubs!
Friday, January 7, 2011
2011
Well, it's a new year. The Christmas decorations are put away, the house is back to normal, our school schedule has begun again. And the rain has come.
Just a normal beginning to a Northwest January.
At least we are not freezing and there are no weather delays in these parts. We are expecting some snow this weekend but probably nothing much, if any. I appreciate living where I do in the winter, raining or not. The older I get, the less I can take freezing temps. Oh, sure, if I gained perhaps 30 pounds, I might be able to keep warm but I'm not that desperate. I just wish they made more fashionable Arctic clothing. Todd prefers to see me in sweaters but, darn it, it's hard to find women's clothing that is warm enough for me without making me look frumpy. I've been saying this for years: They make men's clothing warm, well-sewn and long-lasting. Always. Women's clothing isn't meant to last long or be warm. I'm sure there are exceptions but I probably can't afford them. Well ... wait a minute. Todd did buy me a yak sweater from a German company for Christmas. It was made in Mongolia of undyed yak wool. It's beautiful browns, striped on one side and reverses to an interesting weave on the other. A hat and scarf came with it. And it is warm and beautiful. It sheds like a yak would but that's no surprise. However ... we can't afford to have a drawer full of yak sweaters. Now I know how those Mongolians survive those cold winters.
So, o.k., MOST women's clothing isn't warm or made very well. Even Boden (sorry Johnny) tends to wear out after a few washings on delicate with delicate soap and lay flat to dry care. If you don't know about Boden, Johnny Boden is the humorous owner and spokesman for his British clothing company of fabulous clothing and great catalogs. I love them but I wish they lasted longer. Perhaps I wear them too much. They are worth every penny, though. Boden clothing makes me feel young and pretty. Eddie Bauer clothing (Seattle, Washington origin) is actually made better (most of the time) but it's more Northwestern type stuff - flannel, hike-worthy, rugged stuff. Definitely different from the Boden London style. I like them both, depending on my mood. Does anyone care about any of this?
Sorry, I've completely forgotten why I sat down to write except that I knew I needed to move on beyond my Christmas post. Hope I didn't keep you from something vastly more important!
Happy New Year!
Just a normal beginning to a Northwest January.
At least we are not freezing and there are no weather delays in these parts. We are expecting some snow this weekend but probably nothing much, if any. I appreciate living where I do in the winter, raining or not. The older I get, the less I can take freezing temps. Oh, sure, if I gained perhaps 30 pounds, I might be able to keep warm but I'm not that desperate. I just wish they made more fashionable Arctic clothing. Todd prefers to see me in sweaters but, darn it, it's hard to find women's clothing that is warm enough for me without making me look frumpy. I've been saying this for years: They make men's clothing warm, well-sewn and long-lasting. Always. Women's clothing isn't meant to last long or be warm. I'm sure there are exceptions but I probably can't afford them. Well ... wait a minute. Todd did buy me a yak sweater from a German company for Christmas. It was made in Mongolia of undyed yak wool. It's beautiful browns, striped on one side and reverses to an interesting weave on the other. A hat and scarf came with it. And it is warm and beautiful. It sheds like a yak would but that's no surprise. However ... we can't afford to have a drawer full of yak sweaters. Now I know how those Mongolians survive those cold winters.
So, o.k., MOST women's clothing isn't warm or made very well. Even Boden (sorry Johnny) tends to wear out after a few washings on delicate with delicate soap and lay flat to dry care. If you don't know about Boden, Johnny Boden is the humorous owner and spokesman for his British clothing company of fabulous clothing and great catalogs. I love them but I wish they lasted longer. Perhaps I wear them too much. They are worth every penny, though. Boden clothing makes me feel young and pretty. Eddie Bauer clothing (Seattle, Washington origin) is actually made better (most of the time) but it's more Northwestern type stuff - flannel, hike-worthy, rugged stuff. Definitely different from the Boden London style. I like them both, depending on my mood. Does anyone care about any of this?
Sorry, I've completely forgotten why I sat down to write except that I knew I needed to move on beyond my Christmas post. Hope I didn't keep you from something vastly more important!
Happy New Year!
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