Truth be told, I think about blogging a LOT, nearly every single day.
There are a lot of things I want to share, it's just that life is so busy right now... but...
I have decided to try and make it a priority.
There are so many funny, satisfying, happy things to mention that sometimes I just don't know where to start.
So, I think I will start with the Flannel Panel, today, after church.
Let me get my thoughts together.... and go worship.. and I shall return.
xoxoxox
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Her Perspective/ Joseph and His Coat
I should know by now that trying to read one's mind is futile, and especially one belonging to our eight-year-old daughter.
Our kids are not thrilled with the Sunday School classes at our church, so we usually just go to the Worship/Sermon part of church. I read Bible stories to my daughter at night to make sure she gets the foundations into her little psyche.
She went to bed sad one night because her brother, who is her good friend, was mean to her. The story I read that night was about Joseph, and how he was sold into slavery by his older brothers. She was VERY attentive to this story. More so than usual, I would say.
I waited until morning, and said, "Honey, you seemed very interested in the Joseph story last night. Were you thinking about selling your brother into slavery?".
I was certain I was on to her wishes.
She looked at me innocently and said, "Oh no, Mommy, I was not thinking that at all. I was thinking, I bet they will sell me, because I am the youngest."
And she was serious. My goodness, it was a good reminder to pick her little brain for her thoughts. Now she knows her brothers are not going to be allowed to sell her into slavery, but my mind and heart did wander to China...and around the world...where this does happen on a regular basis.
Oh, thank you Lord, for our freedoms in this country. I must not ever take them for granted! Thank you for little hearts and minds, and please help me be mindful of her fears and needs. Amen.
Our kids are not thrilled with the Sunday School classes at our church, so we usually just go to the Worship/Sermon part of church. I read Bible stories to my daughter at night to make sure she gets the foundations into her little psyche.
She went to bed sad one night because her brother, who is her good friend, was mean to her. The story I read that night was about Joseph, and how he was sold into slavery by his older brothers. She was VERY attentive to this story. More so than usual, I would say.
I waited until morning, and said, "Honey, you seemed very interested in the Joseph story last night. Were you thinking about selling your brother into slavery?".
I was certain I was on to her wishes.
She looked at me innocently and said, "Oh no, Mommy, I was not thinking that at all. I was thinking, I bet they will sell me, because I am the youngest."
And she was serious. My goodness, it was a good reminder to pick her little brain for her thoughts. Now she knows her brothers are not going to be allowed to sell her into slavery, but my mind and heart did wander to China...and around the world...where this does happen on a regular basis.
Oh, thank you Lord, for our freedoms in this country. I must not ever take them for granted! Thank you for little hearts and minds, and please help me be mindful of her fears and needs. Amen.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
What Could It Be?
A lot of idle time has been spent in my brain, analyzing this situation.
I am searching for an answer.
What could it be?
I am searching for an answer.
What could it be?
- Letting go of past hurts
- Middle-aged hormones
- Four very good-hearted, healthy children
- A loving husband
- Having immense grief, then learning to let it go
- A wonderful town full of interesting, cultured, polite people
- A Goodwill always full of vintage goodies
- Peace from God
- Snow that falls like we are in a snow globe
- Gentle sunshine and pretty sunsets
- The mostly fun process of house-hunting
- A friendly loving home
- A supportive family back home
- Loving friends all around the nation
- A cute, funny cat
- A condo that is warm and cozy
- The view of the gorgeous Allegheny River every day
- Books
- Historic homes on every street
- Facebook/Pinterest/Blogs
- A fun business where I get to help people AND aid in adoptions
- Obvious aging making me appreciate every moment
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Reason #4 Unexpected Traditions
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Look at this pretty wrapping paper! Patterns of traditional ribbons and candy, a lovely pink and red paisley, and a modern blue and green pattern of muted Christmas lights.
Why oh why would this be Reason #4 to love my town?
Well, these patterns are printed on the BACK of the last page of the newspaper. So, free wrapping paper! Some of my local friends scoff and would never use it. I smile, and wrap away with this free paper. :)
I am going to find out how many years the paper has been doing this. Colored ink is expensive, right? So it is a gift. And if you could see all the elderly in my town, you can bet at least some of them appreciate it.
Isn't it just a quaint little custom? Perhaps it thrills me a little too much, but that is how I roll. Love you!! Hello Aunt Martha!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
#3 Reason to Love my Town
Remember, you have journeyed with me to my little Pennsylvania town. It is tucked into the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and is hugged by the great Allegheny River. Steeped in history, I can see four flags flying outside of my window, representing the four entities whom have owned this territory: The Seneca Nation, The French, The British, and now, The United States of America.
So, we are on Reason #3 that I love this town.
First the bad news. We were very concerned to move here. There is a lot of information on-line about the schools. Population has been decreasing for the past decade, resulting in several neighborhood schools closing. You know how sad that makes a neighborhood, right? There has been a budget crunch, and it seems more schools need to be closed. This is a very large county, with 5 high schools, all in the same school district. To bus some of the rural kids in to the city would cost a lot of time and money. No one likes to bus kids that far. The schools have to raise money for sports and uniforms. There's just not a lot of extra $$, and the future isn't looking any better.
We almost didn't move here because of the schools. Our system in Arkansas seemed to have an endless supply of $$.
But, you hang around town long and here is what happens: you meet a mom of an MIT grad. You see a Harvard sticker on a lady's car window. You hear of the Notre Dame grad doing well. Etc. Etc.
It seems the education here is really good, despite the money woes.
So, reason #3 is that the schools are good. They may not be what they used to be, but they are solid and will help my kids get where they want to go.
It is a good feeling.
So, we are on Reason #3 that I love this town.
First the bad news. We were very concerned to move here. There is a lot of information on-line about the schools. Population has been decreasing for the past decade, resulting in several neighborhood schools closing. You know how sad that makes a neighborhood, right? There has been a budget crunch, and it seems more schools need to be closed. This is a very large county, with 5 high schools, all in the same school district. To bus some of the rural kids in to the city would cost a lot of time and money. No one likes to bus kids that far. The schools have to raise money for sports and uniforms. There's just not a lot of extra $$, and the future isn't looking any better.
We almost didn't move here because of the schools. Our system in Arkansas seemed to have an endless supply of $$.
But, you hang around town long and here is what happens: you meet a mom of an MIT grad. You see a Harvard sticker on a lady's car window. You hear of the Notre Dame grad doing well. Etc. Etc.
It seems the education here is really good, despite the money woes.
So, reason #3 is that the schools are good. They may not be what they used to be, but they are solid and will help my kids get where they want to go.
It is a good feeling.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Reason #2
There is another reason I love Warren.
To many, this would seem trivial, small, and valueless. But to me, it happens almost every day and is fun.
I walk daily around town, and I FIND PENNIES!! Pennies on the sidewalk by the river. Pennies outside the mall. Pennies at the grocery store. All are on the ground, as if the tooth fairy dropped them, or fairies sprinkled them.
It was happening so frequently, that I figured it must be a "Warren thing". I asked a teenaged friend about it, and he said, "Oh yes, it is a Warren thing. I think the elderly people drop them for little children."
So, there you go. Guess I should just walk on by the pennies. ;)
To many, this would seem trivial, small, and valueless. But to me, it happens almost every day and is fun.
I walk daily around town, and I FIND PENNIES!! Pennies on the sidewalk by the river. Pennies outside the mall. Pennies at the grocery store. All are on the ground, as if the tooth fairy dropped them, or fairies sprinkled them.
It was happening so frequently, that I figured it must be a "Warren thing". I asked a teenaged friend about it, and he said, "Oh yes, it is a Warren thing. I think the elderly people drop them for little children."
So, there you go. Guess I should just walk on by the pennies. ;)
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Warren (Warn)
Come with me on a little journey to my new town, Warren, Pennsylvania. I hope to tell you, over the next few weeks, of the many reasons I love Warren. (By the way, many locals pronounce it "Warn"...which is cute.)
"Founded in 1795, the City was named for General Joseph Warren, a distinguished patriot. Supported in the 19th and 20th centuries by the oil and lumber industries, wealthy barons left a legacy of over 600 extraordinary structures. These structures represent 25 different styles of architecture and may be viewed on a self-guided tour of the tree-lined Registered Historic District. At 28 blocks, the Historic District is one of the largest in the state."
--- from the city website.
Did you catch that? OVER 600 extraordinary structures??
We first drove into Warren on a snowy evening in February. It felt like a dream. Italianate architecture on one side, a house that looked like a castle on the other, with a Pennsylvania farmhouse just a block away....oh, Lawdy, I felt my heart beat increase!!
Here is a photo of the city municipal building, or city hall.
This my friends, is Reason # 1 that I love my town. Because every errand, every day, every time I leave the house, the historic structures are there speaking to me. They say welcome, please preserve me, and keep this town going! What speaks to you when you leave the house? Not voices, ok, not REAL voices? Hahahaha! See you soon with Reason #2.
"Founded in 1795, the City was named for General Joseph Warren, a distinguished patriot. Supported in the 19th and 20th centuries by the oil and lumber industries, wealthy barons left a legacy of over 600 extraordinary structures. These structures represent 25 different styles of architecture and may be viewed on a self-guided tour of the tree-lined Registered Historic District. At 28 blocks, the Historic District is one of the largest in the state."
--- from the city website.
Did you catch that? OVER 600 extraordinary structures??
We first drove into Warren on a snowy evening in February. It felt like a dream. Italianate architecture on one side, a house that looked like a castle on the other, with a Pennsylvania farmhouse just a block away....oh, Lawdy, I felt my heart beat increase!!
Here is a photo of the city municipal building, or city hall.
This my friends, is Reason # 1 that I love my town. Because every errand, every day, every time I leave the house, the historic structures are there speaking to me. They say welcome, please preserve me, and keep this town going! What speaks to you when you leave the house? Not voices, ok, not REAL voices? Hahahaha! See you soon with Reason #2.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
October!
It is October 20th, and I can't believe I haven't blogged yet this month. I am sorry. So much is happening, and it is all good. I do want to record it all right here. But, my days slip away so quickly.
Here are some things on my mind this month.
1. Moving East has been awesome and has opened a whole new culture for me. For the most part, I have navigated it quite well, with the occasional faux pas that makes me laugh for days. Here is an example. So, I am working the concession stand with a fellow soccer parent who happens to be what I call "Eastern Chic". Pennsylvanians just have a way about them of dressing in Eddie Bauer, having extremely lovely manners, and in general, just so gosh-darn gracious that it is a joy to be around them. This gorgeous man and I were talking about our kids, and sports, and college. He seems very athletic, so I asked, "Did you play soccer in college?". I heard him answer, "No, I rode." And I said , "Rode what?". For some reason, motocross was going through my head, but I just couldn't see this guy riding motocross. He says with a sweet smile, "No, I rowed, as in rowing." Ohhhhhhhh, now I see. The COOL suave EASTERN sport of rowing.
I laughed then, and I am laughing now. It is really just a tiny thing, but it cracks me up.
2. The education for the children seems quite wonderful. They are learning and seem to have very skilled teachers. I feel extremely blessed to be in this school system. There are big decisions that need to be made regarding consolidation, and there is not a lot of extra funding for activities, but it is a great place to be.
3. Clay left today for Germany and Slovania. He is doing research on a huge project he will oversee here in the next year. He said he felt guilty about leaving us. This after years of traveling. I do hope he is able to relax and enjoy. I think he is quite blessed to travel like he does!
4. I am going to start a list of the things I love about Warren, PA. In fact, I may just blog about my list. What a fun place!
Much love to you and yours!
Here are some things on my mind this month.
1. Moving East has been awesome and has opened a whole new culture for me. For the most part, I have navigated it quite well, with the occasional faux pas that makes me laugh for days. Here is an example. So, I am working the concession stand with a fellow soccer parent who happens to be what I call "Eastern Chic". Pennsylvanians just have a way about them of dressing in Eddie Bauer, having extremely lovely manners, and in general, just so gosh-darn gracious that it is a joy to be around them. This gorgeous man and I were talking about our kids, and sports, and college. He seems very athletic, so I asked, "Did you play soccer in college?". I heard him answer, "No, I rode." And I said , "Rode what?". For some reason, motocross was going through my head, but I just couldn't see this guy riding motocross. He says with a sweet smile, "No, I rowed, as in rowing." Ohhhhhhhh, now I see. The COOL suave EASTERN sport of rowing.
I laughed then, and I am laughing now. It is really just a tiny thing, but it cracks me up.
2. The education for the children seems quite wonderful. They are learning and seem to have very skilled teachers. I feel extremely blessed to be in this school system. There are big decisions that need to be made regarding consolidation, and there is not a lot of extra funding for activities, but it is a great place to be.
3. Clay left today for Germany and Slovania. He is doing research on a huge project he will oversee here in the next year. He said he felt guilty about leaving us. This after years of traveling. I do hope he is able to relax and enjoy. I think he is quite blessed to travel like he does!
4. I am going to start a list of the things I love about Warren, PA. In fact, I may just blog about my list. What a fun place!
Much love to you and yours!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Amazing website for book lovers.
Let's say you are crazy about old books, or old graphics and art in old books.
Let's say you do own some, but you would like to see more. Maybe you have a child who is an artist who might be inspired by antique art, or you like to read old fairy tales to your children.
Well, have you seen this website?
http://archive.org
It is an online archive of books, ENTIRE books, many of them old. Some you can download to a Kindle, for example, or in a pdf.
This pic is from "Old French Fairy Tales", written and illustrated by a 19-year-old in the early 1800s. If you can't find me, I may be lost on this site, as art and literature take me to a place I want to stay. Let me know if you use this site and find anything wonderful.
Let's say you do own some, but you would like to see more. Maybe you have a child who is an artist who might be inspired by antique art, or you like to read old fairy tales to your children.
Well, have you seen this website?
http://archive.org
It is an online archive of books, ENTIRE books, many of them old. Some you can download to a Kindle, for example, or in a pdf.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Why You Should Not Move Here
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3 cast iron claw feet. I can see it holding a Chinoisserie-style pot.
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| 2 green flower pots, 5 hangers |
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| 4 trivets with Hebrew on back, GREAT book about hand lettering styles |
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| 3 hardbacks, green train case PLUS a king-sized, sage green bedspread. ALL for $5.25 at a Fire Department Yard Sale! |
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