Saturday, July 31, 2004

All In

We had so much fun playing Texas Hold 'Em last night!

Have you heard of this game?

I hadn't...but it seems to be all the rage.
I have seen it played on Bravo and my son tells me they play all night at college. (Ah...that explains it.)



The best part of playing any game for me, are the laughs.

*Calling all English Lovers*
Help me with the above sentence. I typed it. I re-read it. I like having 'are the laughs' at the end. But it sounds a bit wrong. Should it be 'is the laughs'? That sounds wrong to me also.

'Laughs' is the subject, 'are' is the verb and 'part' is the direct object, I think?

Too often I write by 'ear' and not by rule.

If you were grading my sentence, would it have red marks all over it?

Blue Moon

It's tonight!

Blue Moon
1.The second of two full moons occurring in the same month.
2.The third full moon in a three-month calendrical season that has four full moons.

Tis the witching hour of night,
Orbed is the moon and bright,
And the stars they glisten, glisten,
Seeming with bright eyes to listen
For what listen they?
John Keats (1795 - 1821)

Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday, July 30, 2004

Friday Five

1. If you could live in any city in the world, where would you live and why?
2. If you could speak any language fluently, what would it be?
3. When was the last time you rode a ferry and where did you go?
4. What was the longest plane ride you've ever taken?
5. If you discovered a country, what would you name it?

-Thanks to www.livejournal for sharing their Friday Five!

Foreign Language

Do you teach your children a foreign language?
What language did you choose?
At what age do you begin?
Do you already know how to speak the language you are teaching?

I teach my children Latin and Spanish. They have all had just one year of Spanish at home (Calvert Spanish) and many years of Latin. I will probably start Katie with Latin Flash cards when she is in 3rd or 4th grade.
I began with flash cards in Latin and Greek when Emma was in Kindergarten, Matthew 4th and Patrick Jr. 7th.

I know a little Spanish. I am slowing learning Latin.
We are currently using Henle Latin.



Sora shared some cute poems at her site this week.

Latin is a dead tongue,
Dead as dead can be.
First it killed the Romans,
Now it's killing me.


One month until school starts!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Thursday, July 29, 2004

Amy Dacyszyn knows her stuff!

Amy Dacyczyn is the author of the Tightwad Gazette.  Below she describes why she became a 'compulsive tightwad.'

"The change occurred when I got married and began to pursue my dream. I had always wanted large family and a rural pre-1900 New England farmhouse. I had a crazy notion that I could have both without the two-income/daycare frenzy that has become the norm for the modern American Family."

"To fine-tune our spending I became a student of thrift. I routinely calculated such things as the cost of drying a load of laundry, or the cost savings in cloth diapers, or the cost difference of making food from scratch versus buying convenience foods."

Her plan and diligence worked.

Her dream was realized. Their family of eight moved into that farmhouse in 1989.

Amy's 10 Painless ways to save $100 this year.



  1. Purchase 10 articles of clothing at thrift shops and yard sales this year instead of paying department store prices.
  2. Hang four loads of laundry per week instead of using your dryer.
  3. Once a month make a pizza from scratch instead of having one delivered.
  4. Write a good letter instead of making a monthly long distance phone call.
  5. Reduce your soda consumption by four cans per week
  6. Bake one batch of bread (two loaves) per week.
  7. Save $50 each on two children's birthday parties by making homemade decorations, cake, wrapping paper, and one present.
  8. Reduce your smoking by three cigarettes per day.
  9. Reduce your whole milk consumption by two gallons per week, substituting dry milk in cooking, homemade cocoa mix, and in half-and-half for drinking.
  10. Pack four inexpensive school lunches per week.

___________

While the kids eat lunch at  home...Matthew and Patrick Sr. take sack lunches to work.

I suppose I can drink less Diet Dr. Pepper...suffer...suffer...

I don't think anyone in our house wants to drink dry milk...but perhaps I will make my own cocoa mix in the fall!

I have a very easy homemade pizza crust to share...stay tuned :o)



Here is a fine example of a garage sale outfit for my little Katie Gracie. 
Good as new...Gymboree...Total Cost $3.00.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Wednesday, July 28, 2004

The Pool



We had such a great, summery, day yesterday.
The girls and I met some friends at a swimming pool in the afternoon.
Katie mingled, I chatted and Emma tanned.

Going to the pool is the epitome of summer fun.

Can you imagine our town DOES NOT have an outdoor pool?
And the whole town of Madison DOES NOT have a public pool!

It really cramps my style.

*Opps...I just remembered my New Years Resolution not to complain...

*Get thyself to a pool more often!

Fellowship

Last winter I attended a Mom's Support/Bible Study at the church we attend. One of the leaders held a family get together at her home last night.
She had a great idea for the meal.

Assemble your own Cobb Salad.

We all brought chopped ingredients and Melissa supplied the lettuce, yummy grilled chicken and dressings. (She also had a lovely basket of bread and muffins and cute, colorful cupcakes)

Isn't that a great idea?

I was so happy to be able to go as a family. It's kinda hard to roust the big guys out of the house on a 'school night'.

Katie mingled, I chatted, Matthew, Emma and Patrick Sr. met some new people, tossed the football and threw a few water balloons.

It brings to mind Garrison Keillor's description of the folks at Lake Wobegon.

"Where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking and all the children are above-average."

Wish you were here,
Donna



Tuesday, July 27, 2004

Monday Night at the Movies

We watched Starsky and Hutch last night. Pretty funny...great music!

Did anyone really watch that show when it was on the television in the 70's?
We didn't.

While I'm not fond of cop shows...never have been...not even Hill Street Blues or NYPD Blues, I do love Medical Dramas.
Don't ya miss St. Elsewhere, Chicago Hope, and Marcus Welby?

Sweet Poems for your little ones to memorize.

The Cow

The friendly cow all red and white,
I love with all my heart;
She gives me cream with all her might,
To eat with apple tart.

She wanders lowing here and there,
Any yet she cannot stray,
All in the pleasant open air,
The pleasant light of day;

And blown by all the winds that pass
And wet with all the showers,
She walks among the meadow grass
And eats the meadow flowers.
-Robert Louis Stevenson

Bed in Summer

In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle light.
In summer, quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.

I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up people's feet
Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?
-Robert Louis Stevenson

Encourage one another,
Donna

Monday, July 26, 2004

Get in the habit of faith instead

I have worried myself into a tizzy in the past. I am learning to trust God and live a more peaceful life now. A little booklet by Kenneth E. Hagin has been great source of encouragement to me.

*I just looked and I shared a portion of this in January. But this issue has popped up again in the lives of those close to me. So I will share it again...and those who know me, know I am prone to repeat a good anecdote, anyway. *wink*

"Some of you are holding onto cares and anxieties. You're still fretting...You're "stewing". And others are possibly boiling over with anxiety, care, and concern.

What God wants you to do is turn it over to Him. No, I didn't say it was easy, especially if you've been in the habit of worry for a long time. Get in the habit of faith instead.

Say,"Lord, I'm putting it into Your hands. I'm going to turn that over to You. I refuse to fret anymore, I refuse to be unduly concerned anymore about this. I refuse to be full of care. You said to cast all on You because You love me; You care for me affectionately and You care about me, watchfully, and I thank You for it.

"It's in Your hands, Lord. It's in Your hands from this moment on. I rest on You. Thank You, Master."

Mr. Hagin recommends doing this every time you wake up filled with worry.
He tells of many Pastors who have dealt with this same problem and have learned to cast their burdens upon the Lord. He has seen it work.
I have too.



One other thing I did was type out a favorite scripture and tape it on the wall next to my bed. It was the last thing I saw before I closed my eyes and the first thing I saw every morning.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jer 29:11

I may have felt like I was being harmed...but God can not lie...He does NOT have plans to harm me. Whew, that's a relief.

Cast your cares,
Donna

Sunday, July 25, 2004

Eating In

Here are a few of the things I make for dinner when we hit one of those weeks/months. First, I take a good look in the cupboard to see what I can use up.

Last night we had spaghetti, pineapple chunks, toast, cottage cheese and milk.
There are left overs.

We will have meatloaf and fries, bacon and eggs, hamburgers, cod nuggets and fries and chicken of some sort this week.

Soup, hot dogs and 'stuffed' baked potatoes make very inexpensive meals.

*Buy ice cream and eat it at home. Big savings.
We spent nine dollars on three cones a few weeks ago!

*I try to buy cereal only when it is under $2.25.

*I make my own Kool-Aid and add the sugar myself. This is so much cheaper than jugs of Hawaiian Punch :o)

*Hang two loads of laundry a week. This will save $100 a year. Ten loads=$500!

*Have fun with this life style. Check and see what freebies your local community has to offer. You may find many fun and interesting things to do that you wouldn't have thought of doing before.

*Interlibrary loan has saved me at least $500 dollars this year!
This week alone I have borrowed books recommended by MFS and Samantha.
I love my library!

Free and Easy

We have a wonderful opportunity every Wednesday night in the summer here in Madison.

Concerts on the square.

Folks come out to listen to the Madison Chamber Orchestra on the lawn in front of the State Capital.



It is a glorious thing to do.



PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS FOR AUG 4th

Copland Suite from Billy the Kid
Mancini Ohio Riverboat
Anderson Promenade
Sousa Wisconsin Forward Forever


Doesn't that look wonderful!

Let me know what clever and yummy things you do this week as you serve your family in a wise and frugal manner.

Thank you for encouraging me!
Donna

Saturday, July 24, 2004

Back in the saddle again...'

In more ways than one I need to tighten my belt.
Budget and diet.

Two weeks off due to vacation was a bit too much. I gained three of my hard lost pounds. I will be charting and measuring and counting points this week with renewed enthusiasm. I CAN do this!

Likewise with the budget...

I will be back to shopping wisely, and cooking in, and staying out of the knitting store. It is easy to slip into the devil-may-care spending ways. Oh so easy.

Want to join me? It can be fun to be frugal...really!



Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday, July 23, 2004

Five Favorite Meals

Yesterday I took dinner to a mom with a new baby.
I took Chicken Noodle Soup, Cinnamon Swirl Bread, Lettuce and Ranch dressing and homemade cookies.
The last time I sent a meal to a friend, I sent Chicken Noodle soup too.
I think this will be my standard 'shut-in' meal.
I won't have to think about it, torture over it...just make it.

What are your favorite things to send to friends who need a meal?
What do you make for your family for breakfast?
What do you make for your family for lunch?
What do you make for your family for dinner?
What is your best dish?

Donna's Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

4 chicken breasts
4 chicken bouillon cubes
1-2 stalks of celery
a little onion
some carrots
medium egg noodles
Water, up to the top

Put everything but the noodles in the crockpot.
Cook all day. One hour before serving, shred the chicken and toss in a big hand full of noodles. Finish cooking and serve.

*Parsley would be nice...if I ever had it in the house.


Comments

Did you ever notice when you visit my archives that the comments say (0)?
Well...the comments are all still there.
They are a great source of fun for me and if you are like me, click on the Zero and enjoy.

Ken Jennings, the Energizer Bunny of the Jeopardy World

He keeps going and going and going....
Read all about it.

I have been watching Jeopardy for 20 years. Being a five day champion is a big deal.
Such a big deal that they have perhaps 20 or 30 in a year (total guess)...then along comes Kenny.

If and when he wins today he will go home for summer hiatus and come back in the fall to play some more. (Jeopardy is taped two days a week, five games a day.)

Astonishing!

Don't forget the Friday Five.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Thursday, July 22, 2004

****Update****
O.k. so you're not in the mood for long posts....somehow I had a feeling that would be the case.

So here is a picture for your viewing pleasure....yeah sure :o)

Introducing, my littlest sister, Janet (frequent commentor and all around great gal)
I'm the one with the saggy-lid-hiding Walgreens glasses.




-Island Cafe in Minocqua


Encouraging post from the Well Trained Mind Board

Thanks to Janie for passing this along. The author is a Headmaster of a Christian school and this article comes from his school newsletter.

I have re-read it many times and it has given me much hope.

Head Lines
By Sam Cox

“Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:13).

"Sometimes our children exasperate us, and for many the middle-school years are the most trying of all. The parents of an eighth-grade boy once received a progress report that I recently read. Please allow me to cite portions of it and see if you note any similarities with your child. The assistant headmaster wrote that this 13-year old young man was not “in any way willfully troublesome,” but “his forgetfulness, carelessness, unpunctuality, and irregularity in every way, have really been so serious, that I write to ask you, when he is at home to speak very gravely to him on the subject.” The administrator went on to write that the young man, “I am sorry to say, has, if anything got worse as the term passed. Constantly late for school, losing his books, and papers and various other things into which I need not enter,” and that “he is so regular in his irregularity that I really don’t know what to do; and sometimes I think he cannot help it.” The parents were warned that their middle-school son would likely be “unable to conquer this slovenliness,” and that “he will never make a success” in later school years. He acquired “such phenomenal slovenliness” that school officials were quite alarmed, and the young man had “such good abilities, but these are made useless by habitual negligence.”

As the young man was enrolled in a boarding school, his mother wrote her son a letter of admonishment following the note from the assistant headmaster. In her letter, she related to her son that “you make me very unhappy—I had built such hopes about you & felt so proud of you--& now all is gone.” She continued that, “My only consolation is that your conduct is good & that you are an affectionate son—but your work is an insult to your intelligence.” Furthermore, “if you would only trace out a plan of action for yourself & carry it out & be determined to do so—I am sure you could accomplish anything you wished.” There was more advice to come. “The next year or two,” she warned, “& the use you make of them will affect your whole life—stop and think it out for yourself & take a good pull before it is too late.” In a letter back to his mother, the young Winston Churchill admitted his laziness, yet his initial response was not to change his ways, but rather, he began to take up smoking and other “bad habits” (letters found in Martin Gilbert’s Winston Churchill). Ultimately, however, Winston Churchill did mature, becoming arguably the greatest statesman of the past century, a top-flight historian and journalist, and one of the most significant historical figures of western history.

So, do we throw in the towel when our children exasperate us? Understanding that there are various stages of development that all of us must go through, and even these stages come from God can be helpful. As a staff, we are committed to joining hands with you, the parents, in shepherding your children through the difficult school years. All of us need persistence in raising these fine young people that are your children, and we must continue to monitor behavior, academic performance, attitude, work ethic, spiritual growth and development, and share with one another what seems to work or not. Most important of all, we need to cover our parenting—and our teaching—with prayer. We need to remember the words of Winston Churchill’s assistant headmaster, along with recalling that C.S. Lewis was a confirmed atheist until age thirty-one, that Franklin Graham rebelled against Christ’s teachings until adulthood, that Albert Einstein was placed in a class for the mentally retarded when in grammar school, and that “this, too, shall pass.” Our jobs as parents and as teachers are not easy ones, and our children are not perfect. And yet God has purposefully chosen each one of us for the task, and I thank Him daily that He has. And, regardless of how our children ultimately succeed or fail academically or professionally, let us recognize God’s unique plan for their lives, and that His ways are perfect."

I know this is very long...but it is worth copying and printing and reading!

Encourage one another,
Donna


Wednesday, July 21, 2004

To do list.

1. Register Matthew's new car and get Temporary Plates.
2. ummmm


Do you remember this song?

Artist: Nat King Cole
-peak Billboard position # 6 in 1963
-Words by Charles Tobias and Music by Hans Carste


Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer

Just fill your basket full of sandwiches and weenies
Then lock the house up, now you're set
And on the beach you'll see the girls in their bikinis
As cute as ever but they never get 'em wet

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
You'll wish that summer could always be here

Don't hafta tell a girl and fella about a drive-in
Or some romantic moon it seems
Right from the moment that those lovers start arrivin'
You'll see more kissin' in the cars than on the screen

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer....


*If you'd like to hear this song (and who wouldn't)
click on the red words above and page down to song #16.

I was very surprised that this song is sung by Nat King Cole.

Matthew's Car



Is there a car blessing out there?
Matthew's car is a 1987 Honda Accord.
It has a little over 200,000 miles on it!
Hey, but everything is working and I'm praying it's going to be a wonderful first car for Matthew.

He says the air is very cold and the radio is great.
What more do you need?

Encourage one another,
Donna

Tuesday, July 20, 2004



 
Sacrifice of my efforts.
 
...but see how divine Providence has come to my aid. God gives me the grace to remain unattached to all these affairs, so that my spirit remains always free. I leave their successful issue to his paternal care, so that nothing distresses me. Often things go all right and I give thanks to God; sometimes everything goes wrong, I again bless his holy name and offer him the sacrifice of my efforts. Once this sacrifice has been made, God arranges everything.
 
- Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence by Fr. J. P. de Caussade, S. J.
 
Mama T shared this quote today and I think it is one of the best things I have read in a while.
 
Many of the principles I hold very high are evident in that one lovely quote;
 
God is in control.
He cares for us.
He is gracious.
We are to be thankful.
We are to be obedient.
We are not to worry.
 
Doing thus leads to a free spirit.    Unburdened. 
 
Is it hard for you to believe? 
 
I think it is freeing and I am so thankful that God thinks my measly efforts good enough. 
We have a gentle, wise, loving Father.
 
Encourage one another,
Donna
 
 
 


Monday, July 19, 2004

well trained mind
Moo 
 Jean in Wis called me yesterday afternoon.  She was sitting on a new swing on her back porch.  As we spoke I could hear cows mooing in the background! 
 
Me: Jean, I can hear the cows mooing!
Jean:  Yes, the kids are weaning some of the calves and we seperate the babies from their mothers.   The moms and their babies call back and forth for hours. 
 
Isn't that amazing.  Some animals make horrible mothers....looks like cows are tender mommies :o)



Links
 
Has anyone learned how to add links with this new blogger 'dashboard'?  I just tried to make a link to Jean at Fairview and have wasted 1/2 hour.  Please send me some pointers if you have figured this new thingy out.
Thanks.
 
Photos
 
If you would like to see what life on a farm is like click on Jean's link over at the sidebar!
 
Buried Treasure
 
Carmen over at Buried Treasure (click on sidebar link) is playing book tag again today. 
I can't wait to see the list of favorite Bible books.
 
Ya want to do WHAT?
 
Tommy Thompson was on the news this morning saying that he believes the government should set up programs to battle obesity.  Give me a break!!!!
This is total insanity.  If we think government interference is bad now....imagine that they want to tell us what to put in our mouths!
 
First, seatbelts then cigerettes and now food. 
 
Gee I wonder if big brother will be low carb, no sugar, no fat, no fast food or will they count our calories for us?
 
I want my freedom back! 
 
Please just leave us alone! 
 
Encourage me about this...what can we do to stop the big fat government?
 
Donna 
  

Sunday, July 18, 2004

A few simple words have made my day...
 
My husband just remarked how much he hated running all those errands after work for the few days I was gone. 
Well Bless my soul...he does appreciate what I do :o)
 
Daily
 
True love is but a humble, low-born thing.
And hath its food served up in earthen ware;
It is a thing to walk with, hand in hand,
Through the everydayness of this work-day world,
Baring its tender feet to every roughness,
Yet letting not one heart-beat go astray
From beauty's law of plainness and content-
A simple, fireside thing, whose quiet smile
Can warm earth's poorest hovel to a home.
-James Russell Lowell
 



Encourage one another,
Donna

Saturday, July 17, 2004

Hi Friends!!!
 
Look at this font.  Whoa...somebody at blogger has been busy :o)
 
I can even type in color!  Woohoo....
 
How have you all been?
 
I took a quick peek at all of my favorite blogs and boy o' boy have you guys been busy bloggers.  I will have such fun reading this week.
 
We had a wonderful time in Minocqua!
 
We talked and reminisced, roasted marshmallows and made smores.  There was waterskiing, pontoon boating, jet-skiing, deer spotting, and fudge eating. 
We saw many bald eagles, blue herons, a family of muskrats, a fawn and a big turtle. 
The children played in the water, the sand and the dirt...and the trampoline.
 
My sister's cottage is now fondly called Camp Nancy.

Emma learned to waterski and got up on the first try.  She really enjoyed it!



'Look ma, one hand!'

We sure ate a lot!

All of us girls took a turn cooking for the whole gang. 

We had barbecued pork,  brats (of course), Tex-Mex Dinner, Fried Chicken at the Country Club (family style) and Hot Italian Beef.   

Then of course ya have to eat fudge and bear paws, dine at the Island Cafe and have a great Greek Salad, and go to Bosacki's for a hot fudge Sunday. 

And the gals from the South were quite enamored with Culver's.  ( A hamburger joint with delicious frozen custard.)

Told you  we ate a lot!  Yikes...back to counting points.

Collecting Photos

I didn't take enough pictures.   Guess I was in the moment :o)



What a blessing to have such a big, happy family!

Encourage one another,

Donna



 



Saturday, July 10, 2004

Good Morning and So Long for a Week

'So Long': Where does that come from?

We are headed to the Northwoods for a big ole' Glyman Girls Get-together!
We have not all been together for five years. There are a few new little girlies added to the group since then. And all the other kids have grown five years worth.

Hugs and kisses and big time misses to Cindy...our sister who isn't able to make the trip.


Katie and I are soooo excited! Emma is a much more sedate kinda girl.



Dh and Matthew will come up for a few days to fish and golf and go for a boat ride or two.

I will miss you all.

"The loons...the loons..."

Encourage one another!
Donna

Friday, July 09, 2004

Stolen Friday Five

At this moment, what is your favorite ...

song -Amateur by Aimee Mann Listen here
food -Bagels Forever salt bagel with cream cheese and olives
tv show -Jeopardy
scent -clean clothes
quote -"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."-Abraham Lincoln
drink- Diet Dr. Pepper

Once you get to Aimee Mann's website click on Movies, go to the second page, click on the photo that says Amateur. I heard this song on an episode of Ed and couldn't figure out who the artist was singing the pretty song. Two nights ago I was watching Picture Perfect with Jennifer Aniston and Jay Mohr and they played a bit of this song at a touching part of the film...so I hopped over to www.imdb.com and found the answer to my question.


I just found the Abraham Lincoln quote this morning.
My friend Jeaneen had a mother like Mrs. Lincoln! That quote's for you Jeaneen :o)

I aspire to be more like them.

Enjoy this beautiful day!!!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Thursday, July 08, 2004

Quick Update

Ethan is home and resting up.
He awoke in the middle of the night and quickly started acting like himself. (Bossing the nurses...says his mom)
All of his tests came back normal.
He will go back for a check up tomorrow.

Ethan's dad was very grateful for the little bit we were able to help.
We watched little one year old Amelia as her mommy went off in the ambulance with Ethan.

It's amazing how quickly young children can feel like aliens to you when you haven't been around one in a while. (Plus we have just met this family...the poor mom couldn't even remember my name)

Amelia toddled around so sweetly...our sassy cat hissed at her...and I really had to wrack my brain as to what to feed her.

She has four teeth so she had a bagel :o)
and some applesauce...

We quickly had to put everything UP and guard the cabinets.

Emma and I are pretty quick studies. hehe

But thank you all for your prayers...

I believe in the power of prayer. I believe God can and does heal us; physically, spiritually and emotionally.

And it is especially powerful when we pray with others.

"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst."
-Matthew 18:20

*********

Does anything help with those nasty mosquito bites on the eyes?
We don't have any benedryl in the house...



************

All in All

O God, immortal, invisible, I remember with gladness and thanksgiving all that Thou has been to this world of men:
Companion of the brave:
Upholder of the loyal:
Light of the wanderer:
Joy of the pilgrim:
Guide of the pioneer:
Helper of labouring men:
Refuge of the broken-hearted:
Deliverer of the oppressed:
Succour of the tempted:
Strength of the victorious:
Ruler of rulers:
Friend of the poor:
Rescuer of the perishing:
Hope of the dying:

Give me faith now to believe that Thou canst be all in all to me, according to my need, if only I renounce all proud self-dependence and put my trust in Thee.
-John Baillie, A Diary of Private Prayer

Ah..it's that trust issue again.

Trust. 'Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.'
-www.dictionary.com

Trusting,
Donna



Wednesday, July 07, 2004

Prayer Request

The little boy across the street was taken to the hospital yesterday at noon.
He was having a convulsion.
He has not woken up yet.
At 9:30 last night he went for a MRI.

Please pray for Ethan.

His parents are scared and worried.

Heal me, O Lord and I shall be healed; save me,
and I shall be saved; for thou art my praise.
Jeremiah 17:14

For He will give His Angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:11



Gracious God,
Source of all healing,
Hear our prayer.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Tuesday, July 06, 2004

Glitch

Hey all! Are you having problems opening this and other blogspot pages?

I have been having problems all weekend.
Clicking the refresh button usually works for me...
How about you?

**********

Well, from following the links at Samantha's page and reading and taking a quiz last night I have discovered I am a Libertarian.

"Individualism. Libertarians see the individual as the basic unit of social analysis. Only individuals make choices and are responsible for their actions. Libertarian thought emphasizes the dignity of each individual, which entails both rights and responsibility."
-Mr. David Boaz



Ya know I have always thought minding my own, living the quiet life, and being responsible for myself was the American way. But I guess most American's are happy to have someone else do the 'looking after...the taking care of...the keeping track of...for them.

I say 'most' because this is the way our country is run...and most of us have gone along with it.

Not that I know what can be done about it.
I just realize there is a 'label' for the way I think.

Are there problems inherent in this way of thinking, of running a country???
I don't know that yet?

I really can't imagine the country will change. Folks like getting their free stuff and like when someone else takes care of their messes...and children and elderly parents...

New ideas for this aging brain. Hey! New ideas keep the brain young!
I feel so spry this morning :o)

********

We had so much fun playing Yahtzee last night!

I was a little beleaguered at the thought of watching ANOTHER Law and Order, so my husband stepped out of the box and suggested we play Yahtzee.

It was great fun! Lotsa laughs :o)

My kind of night.

Note to self* Must play games together more often.

I like backgammon but have not found another family member fond enough of this game to play it with me.

Katie is big on 'memory' lately. She is learning to lose gracefully. ( Although we make sure she wins much of the time :o)

***Ken Jennings is still winning on Jeopardy!

That's all folks...

Encourage one another,
Donna

Monday, July 05, 2004

Olympic Trials

Last weekend my nephew Charlie went to the United States Gymnastics trials.
He cheered on the American girls....
And got his picture in People Magazine!
With Pamela Anderson!




Pretty funny, huh?

***********

Here are a few, big, showy things I would like to do some day.

I would like to see the Rose Bowl Parade in person;
the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,
Fireworks in New York or Washington D.C.

Stand atop the Empire State Building,
walk along the Appian way, touch the Parthenon
and walk the land of Jane Austen.

Just for starters :o)

What big showy thing would you like to do?

Just for fun,
Donna

Saturday, July 03, 2004

How to wear a t-shirt by Marlon Brando




On the Waterfront is the One to see.



This is the way I will remember Marlon Brando; young, passionate, manly.

Nuff Said.

__________

The Declaration of Independence


When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Paragraphs one and two.

__________

Our founding fathers were amazing thinkers...don't you think?

I feel very blessed to have been born in America.
The term 'embarrassment of riches' comes to mind.
The 4th of July is a good time to remind ourselves and teach our children about our incredible country. Yes, there are plenty of problems. But the good parts are truly good!

We don't deserve it!

God Bless America,
My Home Sweet Home.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday, July 02, 2004

Friday Frivolity

slippers
Slippers- happy, sweet, and adorable, you are well
loved by everyone. People cannot help but like
you. You love to be surrounded by people that
love you, who- in your case- is anyone. Without
people, you become upset and rather depressed
to most people's disbelief. To them, you are
always are happy, or have the appearance of
being happy even when you aren't. [please vote!
thank you! :)]


What Kind of Shoe Are You?(new and updated results!!)
brought to you by Quizilla

Happy...Sappy...That's Me!

They had to be slip ons!

My most favorite pair of Dr. Scholl's





Goofy Six Flags Dancin' Man

There is a Six Flags Amusement Park commercial with and old man dancing to funny, catchy music.

I think it is a woman.

The feet are very small. And the movements are very quick.

Anybody know? Care to guess?


So a few questions for ya...

Do you like Amusement Park Rides?

What is your favorite ride?

What is your least favorite ride?

What is your favorite 'Fair' food?

Will you go to a park this year?


Fascinating stuff, I know.

Whatever.

It's summer!

Thursday, July 01, 2004

Katie's Room




Well, here they are. I am happy with the result. They are an inch longer than I anticipated. But it's ok.



My sisters will recognize the dresser. It was in Sue and Nancy's bedroom growing up.
I love having hand me downs :o) It is in perfect 'road show' condition...never been touched up!

*************

Play Ken Play

He is still winning!

*************

Elizabeth from A trip to the woodshed has an interesting method for training her children. She calls it Tomato Staking. It basically means to keep her child very close to herself.

Blog-sistah MFS has explained that she also keeps her girls close to her at challenging times of the day.

***UPDATE***Link to MFS's article about helping her children get along with one another.

My Katie has been having problems with socialization lately. She basically screams bloody murder when she is not getting her way or is frustrated with the neighborhood children. I guess she still needs her momma to help her learn this task of getting along. So when she is outside, I will be too.

Each child is different...don't cha know.

Encourage one another,
Donna