Friday, February 29, 2008
A Rather Full Friday
The sound of the snowplow working in the street woke me up this morning. The light coming through the top edge of the curtains was much brighter than it should have been. The longer days approaching Spring, and reflection of the snow made it hard to judge the when.
My heart jumped to high alert as I reached over for a glance at the alarm clock.
Fifty minutes past the time I should be up and getting ready for a job.
No—Wait. Today is School Improvement Day! No Classes!
Regular staff have to be at work, getting all the strategy ready for students to be taking the State Assessment Tests next week. No need for a TA Sub, though.
I settled back in under the blankets, arms above my head under the pillow.
Oscar was cuddled in between my feet, but Mahalia decided that 50 minutes was long enough to be waiting for her breakfast, so she jumped up on the bedside table and began stroking her paw on my bent elbow. When it didn’t move again, she bit it. Not enough to break the skin, but enough to pay attention.
Oh Yeah, I should be getting up and taking my turn in the bathroom.
Husband did have to get ready for work soon.
He said I could shovel the driveway this time.
I puttered around the kitchen. The dishes from yesterday were still in the sink and on the counters, but I had plans for doing laundry, so the dishes would wait.
Our 18-year-old water heater is getting cranky.
The first load was churning while I fixed some ramen noodles for breakfast. With my fork poised over the bowl all too often, I wrote a list for errands and groceries. I try to plan driving the car as little as possible, and avoid being near the university between classes when the pedestrian population multiplies.
The carrier brought the mail early today. Well, maybe it was his usual time, but these days, I’m not often home to see him. The pile included a handwritten letter from my youngest sister. She doesn’t do e-mail, but still, handwriting on sheets of paper seems like a bit more than needed. Ah well, to be a receiver of old-fashioned manners is appreciated. All is fine back in the Valley.
On the last page, she makes a request would I please make hats for her and her husband? even saying their color preferences.
They really like the hats I gave to Mom.
Can ya tell she’s the youngest and that I’ve let her have her way all our lives? I’ll call her later and give her a time frame. Right now, I’m busy with projects for the Mennonite Relief Sale in a couple weeks.
I shoveled the newest inch of snow off the walks and driveway. The way the sun was shining, they would be dry after awhile.
My errands were to the church building, two places that sell yarn (and I made a purchase at each, not that I need more yarn, but the colors on Clearance were calling), the thrift store (got a ‘new’ sweater, cat food bowl, and gift bags with handles), Kroger to fill my prescription and get groceries.
By the time I got home, my foot was aching and my tummy growling. Leaving the house at 10:45am and returning at 4:40pm makes for a long day.
I realized I had not eaten a thing since the ramen noodles.
First time in quite awhile I forgot to eat! I did it all too often in my teens and 20s.
A nice surprise when I got home was that son Chris had loaded and run the dishwasher. The counter was clear so I could set down the groceries!
He’s got a real full weekend ahead, something to do with guitar music and school. He had to cancel all his teaching sessions for the second Saturday this month.
After putting away all the cold stuff, I came over to call Husband and ask how much he would want for supper. He said all he had for lunch was chicken soup and a piece of bread, so a more substantial supper is called for.
I had purchased ground buffalo meat, but had forgotten to return to the bread aisle for buns. I checked the 6 day old buns on the shelf and didn’t spy any mold, so a honkin’ big sandwich with real meat made for a fine supper.
Today’s third load of laundry is just about done in the dryer.
Then comes a nice rerun of the tv show NUMB3Rs, so I’ll sit down with crochet hook in hand.
Here’s hopin’ you and yours have a nice weekend!
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Friday, February 22, 2008
One Chore Partway Done
On the way home from breakfast, I drove north on Main, then stopped at the Mobil station to fill’erup.
When the nozzle went Thunk, I absent-mindedly pulled it out of the car then hung it back up, closed the gas cap and door,
walked around, got in and started the engine.
As I was putting on my gloves, I noticed the needle in gas gauge did not move all the way to the F at the top.
I backed up a bit so I could look at my purchase, still reading on the pump.
$17 and change 5.76 gallons
No way would that fill the car, not when the price is $3.169 per gallon.
I figure the pump must have parts frozen, and no way was I gonna go through the routine again too soon.
In the driveway, the gauge reads that I have just over a half tank of fuel.
Better than nothing, but it means I’ll have to stop again sooner at the gas station.
I can remember when putting in $5 of gas at a time was all we could afford.
Have a Good Day! I don’t have to be at work until Noon. Half day Friday is nice.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Farewell for my friend Martha
In the last six weeks I have sent out 3 sympathy cards, and personally attended 3 memorial services.
Today was one of them, for my friend Martha Dyck, who was 98 years old, and ready to move on to heaven.
Waiting for her there were family members, especially her son in 1984, and husband Walter in 1996.
this picture of Walter and Martha was taken by my own husband in 1984
a copy of it was on the display table at the back of the church during the visitation
A rather eerie feeling this morning, as I watched Walter’s oldest son stand from his seat, walk to the podium, adjust his papers. And his voice, echoing in the very same church sanctuary.
He is about the age now that Walter was when I met him. Their grandchildren are almost my age, and time seems to slip or freeze as I glance at faces around the room.
Genetic traits carry on ever so surely.
There are stories aplenty about my friends. Most folks who knew them have stories of their own to tell, about acts of kindness, advice for a blended family, of baking tips or gardening help.
Martha told me once in awhile that she loved to hear me read out loud. A couple times when I went to visit her at the nursing home, I took along a little story or letter for an excuse to read to her.
This week has passed in a blur. I do remember that I made a request of my son to please return my cd of WICKED to the box in the living room. I got to listen to it as I was doing the ironing. My iron has an annoying characteristic (as required by law) to shut off and cool down after a certain length of time.
When I have 8 shirts, 4 pillowcases, 4 cloth napkins, 3 boxer shorts to unwrinkle, well, this little lawful respite—-eerrggh.
So anyway, during the cool down, I came over to my computer and got the message from Evelyn that her mom was gone. And WICKED was just about to the end, the part where Glinda and Elphaba have met quietly as old friends to pass along some much needed forgiveness.
and the words spoke directly to my heart
FOR GOOD
from the soundtrack of WICKED(Elphaba) I’m limited
Just look at me - I’m limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn’t do, Glinda
So now it’s up to you
For both of us - now it’s up to you…(Glinda) I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew youLike a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good(Elphaba) It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You’ll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend…Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you(Glinda) Because I knew you
(Both) I have been changed for good
(Elphaba) And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the thing I’ve done you blame me for(Glinda) But then, I guess we know
There’s blame to share(Both) And none of it seems to matter anymore
(Glinda) Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood(Elphaba) Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood(Both) Who can say if I’ve been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better(Glinda) And because I knew you…
(Elphaba) Because I knew you…
(Both) Because I knew you…
I have been changed for good.
Rest in Peace, Martha.
We’re gonna miss you.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Thursday, February 14, 2008
A Broken Bookmark
My crochet thread in Dark Pansy colors, newly ordered from the Peaches and Creme website arrived on the front porch in a terrible snowstorm.
It’s like a teaser for Spring, the colors.
The first things I made from it were bookmarks.
One with straight edges for the daughter of a friend, whose favorite colors are purple and gold.
The other, a crocheted cross to tuck into a sympathy card for the mother of a son passed away too young, just a few years older than my own. I hadn’t seen the kid since he was in high school, and from reading his obituary, it looked like he was getting his life on track.
As is my custom, I got the bookmarks wet and stretched them out on a cardboard, with straight pins to hold them flat in place. This makes them dry into a position ready to go into a book.
The cross stretched too far.
With closer inspection, I come to the conclusion that I wove in a tail of the thread, then clipped it too close, which nicked the actual crocheted stitch. Getting it wet and tugging on it caused a whole bunch in the center to loosen.
That cross pattern is a real bear to follow and get it to looking good. I didn’t have the fortitude to make another too quickly, so I decided to make another straight one from a pattern I carry in my head cuz I’ve worked it so often.
Anyway, I’m glad to have found a good website for cotton thread and yarn, and it’s all Made in the USA.
And for those folks who so often admire my work,
this is picture proof that I still do have goofs.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Pie from a worthy cause
There’s always some kind of worthy cause out there wanting some attention. Our family has some favorite projects, but I always have a soft spot and usually open my wallet for young folks. The old saying about old people know more about being young than young people know about getting old is getting recognized by me on a daily basis.
Saturday, 09 February was a Coffee House and Silent Auction to help the church’s Mennonite Youth Fellowship to raise funds to go on a trip next summer. I’m not clear as to whether the trip is for missions or conference, but having some fond memories of being on a bus with a whole bunch of friends, I like to give other kids the same treatment.
While at the Registration table, I was asked to sign my name on a list, then was given a card with a number written on it. This was to be my bidding mark for all the items I wanted own.
This was supposed to bring on the ability to be Anonymous, but as the dollar bids added up and we could see who was hovering near certain items, the idea of being nameless was no longer possible.
I strolled through the area glancing at certain items, studying others. A pair of binoculars looked interesting, but I don’t know enough about lenses to be able to judge.
I almost called Husband at home, but he’s still under siege from ‘flu germs and mentioned he would go to bed early.
I was on my own for this, on a budget of a week’s allowance.
I wrote my bidding number and the minimum dollar amount on 3 different items, then made my way over to the dessert and drinks area. Dropping my first $5 into the Donations basket, I knew I might have to give up something in the auction if I were to stay within my limits.
With a piece of apple pie and some good coffee in front of me, I sat down to watch the action.
Every few minutes, I went over to check my items. The scrubbies were soon out of my willingnesss to spend more on them, leaving me to focus my attention on a mixed fruit pie baked in the kitchen of one fantastic lady, and a bag of cotton yarn whose colors have been discontinued.
The yarn was actually a shrug to me, I have lots of yarn.
Until I saw who else kept upping the bid by a dollar every time I wrote down my own.
Now, it was personal. Remember, all money was going to a worthy cause.
And the pie.
There were several pies there. I wanted the one with the filling of rhubarb/strawberry/raspberry.
Longer story short, I came home with the yarn and the pie.
I had to spend $7 over what I had intended to, which means I won’t buy a latte on Wednesday.
This was more fun, in so many ways.
Chris got home about 10 minutes after I did. I told him there was a pie baked by E B on the counter. After he hung up his coat, he went and cut a slice for himself. By then, I was on the couch, crochet hook in hand.
There was quiet for a couple minutes, then he came over and leaned in the doorway to the living room, plate in one hand, fork in the other.
“How much did this cost?” was his question.
“Half my allowance…” I replied.
He took a bite, chewed slowly, then swallowed.
“Worth. Every. Penny” he said.
This morning in church, I told E B what Chris had said.
She was quite pleased that we are enjoying it.
The events of the evening brought in around $4400.
Looks like the MYF will be having a fine time on their trip.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
ps My donation of 3 crocheted bookmarks had a high bid of $10 for all of them, and the potholders went for $6 a pair. One home-cooked meal for 8 went for a little over $200.
A different pie had a high bid of $21.
What a great evening of fun with some nice people.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Still a Germ Battle going on
So far, the youngest son has not been slowed down by ‘flu germs, tho I think they’ve decided to have a second run with me. I can hardly get the sound of words to leave my mouth, and folks on the phone have a difficult time understanding me.
Although Husband returned to work yesterday, I had to tell computerized SubFinder to go away until another day.
This means I have missed what could have been an entire week of job opportunities.
Today is a ‘at home’ day. I’ve got cleaning to do.
Laundry piled high, and it’s full of that particular stink of illness and fever and phlegm.
Fourteen pillowcases—I did not know the linen cabinet had so many. I guess all the purchases at yard sales paid off, we were able to change them at regular intervals.
There was a report in the paper about how many patients were at clinics and medical facilities.
Apparently, this ‘flu was overlooked by vaccinations, and hit people of all ages and throughout the county.
I sure hope you and other Dear Ones are not in its path.
The weather and gunslingers are wreaking havoc enough.
Stay Comfy. Drink Plenty of Fluids.
Don’t lose your gloves.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Bookmarks Done, had to wash away germs
these are going to the MYF Silent Auction on Saturday night
for other boring details about my week off sick…..
More Bookmarks Done, had to wash away germs... below the fold
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Writing for the Book Meme
The weather today is sunny, with the glare on the snow quite blinding.
The time and temperature lady on the phone says it is 36oF. I coulda said it’s above freezing without pressing any buttons, because I can hear the water dripping in the downspout on the other side of this corner wall.
Yeah, I’m sure the Groundhog has seen his shadow.
Over at Diane’s Place, she wrote up the answers to some memes she had been tagged with, all in one sitting.
I have decided to take the one in the middle and use up some time I might otherwise treat more productively.
The Book Meme
1) One book that changed your life:
First on the list would be the Holy Bible because of all the time taken to memorize verses for Sunday School and church camp, sitting through sermons, services and meetings, hearing my mother’s quotes (often mis-quotes).
I didn’t read it all the way through for my own self until I went to a church-affiliated college and took Bible Surveys classes. The professor there certainly helped me with putting written words into perspective.
A book I read for leisure when I was 15, and caused my whole world to tilt, is Speak Now by Frank Yerby. There are a few copies for sale on AMAZON as Collector’s items, but I already have a nice hardback on my shelf.
The book is about how a black man, Viet Nam veteran, musician, and a white woman, daughter of a Southern gentleman, meet and help each other through the strife of the 1960s, then fall in love after a ceremony at the magistrate’s office.
2) One book that you have read more than once:
Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse in Hideaway Island
was oldest son Joey’s favorite book when he was a toddler.
Every night, for 9 bedtimes in a row, we read that book.
although in this picture, the book we were reading is Little Lost Bee by Joan Kapral, another toddler favorite
Ya see, after 9 nights in a row, I could not bear for even ONE. MORE. TIME. to see the dear sweet Mickey loafing in his hammock.
So, I hid the book. I put it up on the top of the chest of drawers, under the dresser scarf.
The boy went searching all over the apartment, looking under his own bed and even under Daddy’s pillow.
He never suspected that Mom was the one who took it away.
May I be forgiven before I am lowered into my grave.
I brought it out the next morning, and we read it before breakfast. And yes, it was read more than 10 times because its tattered and taped pages turned again with two more sons and a whole bunch of childcare younguns.
3)One book you would want on a desert island:
In Every Tiny Grain of Sand by Reeve Lindbergh because of the nice mix of comfortable quotes, the illustrations of 4 artists
4) One book that made you laugh:
Have Spacesuit, Will Travel by Robert Heinlein, the part where the boy and the dad are discussing the needs and future of son’s education. Deciding the high schooler’s class schedule, the dad blurts out “Beetle-trackings!”
5) One book that made you cry:
there’s a whole list I could use to fill in this one, I tend to read when I’m already depressed; trying to escape this life situations, I guess.
First book that comes to mind is The Golden Hawk by Frank Yerby a most wonderful book about sailing ships and gold treasure and family connections.
I probably should not have been reading it in 7th grade Study Hall because it was not “age appropriate” but mostly because there was this really sad part where the lady professes her love and our handsome blond-haired pirate Cristobal Gerado knows he cannot return her affections, and I had to dig around in my purse for a tissue, and Mark Ogden and Gary Misenhelder both noticed, so they smirked with their 7th grade boy faces.
There’s also a copy of this book on my shelf.
6) One book you wish you’d written:
Good Harbor by Anita Diamant which is about a couple women who are best friends, and that aura is captured so nicely with these written words.
I read it when I was in the middle of my 40s, right at a time when I realized that girlfriends and sisters mean having a wonderful and necessary relationship.
7) One book you wish had never been written:
can’t think of an actual Title, but there are several textbooks about children’s education and/or teaching requirements that are a waste of good paper
8) One book you’re reading:
I just finished a trio of books written by Amy Hest, about a girl named Katie Roberts, whose soldier father died in the war and her mother remarries so they move from New York City to a ranch in Texas.
I haven’t decided if they will stay on my shelf or I will find some tweener age girl to give them to.
9) One book you’re going to read:
there’s a whole pile of waiting books on my night table, and another at the end of the hall, and some behind me here on the bookshelf. It would be safe to say that eventually I’ll pick up a book written by Barbara Delinsky or David Baldacci or Dr. Seuss.
Iffen you want to copy the leading questions and write something, then feel free.
And you can always go on over to Diane’s and see what she’s been up to.
~~love and Huggs, Diane