Friday, November 30, 2007

Blu Domain is counting down to Christmas with a visit with hot shot photographers.
Here are the questions they ask all the photographers!


I thought I'd pose the questions to you....all of my hot shot commenters :o)




My name...
My website.....
I hail from ....

1. All I want for Christmas is....

2 My favorite holiday cocktail....

3. My favorite holiday party hors d'oeuvre....

4. The average price I spend per gift....

5. My favorite gift to give during the holidays ....

6. Something overrated about the holidays ....

7. Something I must have before Christmas ....

8. One thing I always do during the holidays ...

9. Where I love to shop for the holidays .....

10. A holiday tradition I have ....

11. One thing you won't find me doing during the holidays...



There.

That should keep you occupied until I return this afternoon.

I am all prayed up so things will either go more smoothly this morning at rehearsal,
or it will all fall apart and I will be tested again.


All I know is, Katie is still sleeping so I haven't yelled at her today.

And that's a really good start ;o)


**********


The Packers lost and Brett is hurt.

10-2 is still a great season.

I heard last night that thirteen wins buys you a week off before the playoffs.

That is the goal now.

Ten days until the next game.

Knowing Brett, he will be fine by then.



Thanks for the emails and comments during the game.
That was fun!



**********


Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.

~Christina Rossetti

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Brilliant and Encouraging

Why did I say that???

The red shirt was found on the steps.

Katie was told to take it up to her room about a week ago.

When I woke up this morning, I started looking for it to lay it out with her black pants and black socks and her black shoes.

Everything was found but the red shirt.

Poor girl was awaken by a huffy mommy. At 6:30.

And things got worse and worse.

Finally after tearing apart her room and my room,
we headed down the stairs.

There on the steps, mostly hidden by hubbies folded sweatpants, peeked the red shirt.
(He leaves them on the steps for connivence.)

The shirt hadn't make it all the way up the stairs.

So I shall blame Katie and then my husband.

Because I like to blame him for everything.

He likes that too....NOT.

But see....I blame myself mostly. I am not organized enough and I shouldn't expect a seven year old to keep track of important red shirts, and if I kept a neater house and watched less tv and drank less pop....this would not be happening......






Lost things
Lost things
Where do you go?

Why are you hiding,
when we need you so?

Come out
Come out
or I'll lose my mind.

It's time to go,
and it's you we must find.

Lost things
Lost things
Where do you go?

Why are you hiding,
when we need you so?








There. How's that for brilliance?

So here is my poor little girl.

She forgives me for my rant.

My rant was worse then the losing, don't cha know.

But, she still loves me, even tho I still feel quite unlovable.

DSC_5990


*******

The Packers play tonight.

This is a very big game.

The Pack is 10-1 and the Dallas Cowboys are 10-1.

Go Pack Go!


The game is not on regular television. It is being shown on the NFL network.
Milwaukee and Green Bay get to see this game for free as they are considered 'home' markets.
We are not. Although, I happen to think all of Wisconsin is the home market for the Packers.
Patrick will go and watch at work, where they have set up Satellite tv especially for this game.

I will go if I can....but it's not looking too promising.

I enjoy listening on the radio anyway....so that will be fine.



*********


I need to remember this....


"Thank you, Lord, for the work You have assigned me. I take it as Your gift;
I offer it back to You. With Your help I will do it gladly, faithfully."


Why didn't I start my day with THAT prayer????


Heaven help me.



Encourage one another,
Donna
Morning...

my plans to blog have been hijacked....

by a missing red shirt.

A red shirt that must be worn for dress rehearsal.

Let's just say....

there was lots of drama (me)

lots of tears (Katie)

a found shirt after 30 minutes

and one racing heart.


I should be quieted down by late morning and have a moment to post something

brilliant and encouraging.

We'll see you then.



Deep

Breath.

Donna

Wednesday, November 28, 2007





So happy for Helio and Julieanne!

What a tremendous surprise.

I wish the show would announce how close it was, because I just know it must have been super close.

Melb and Maks were wonderful and amazing and I was wishing they would have tied :o)

Oh man! And how about Sabrina's final turn on the dance floor! She showed who really should have won!
Wow!

( You know there is wonderful chemistry between the couples when you want them all to marry one another.
Yeah. Hopeless romantic.)

Fun times.


*******

Pinky is clean and smells and looks wonderful.
Thank you all for the great stuffed animal cleaning advice.
I just tossed her in the regular wash inside a pillow case!

All clean :o)


*********


I am faltering on the calendar idea.
I uploaded and prepared 10 pictures the other day.
And now I can't remember where I put them or how I did it.

Honestly, when I learn something brand new on the computer, I forget the steps so easily.

And then I am scared the quality won't be very good. Seeing the pictures on the computer screen is very different than printing them off. I have not been 100% satisfied yet.
Oh the stress. I don't know if it's worth it.
I would just die if the pictures were too light or off.

So I will try one more time today to figure it out...and see if I am willing to take the chance.


Plus, Ree has a calendar out that looks really nice and deluxe and the price is right......

***********

Sunset November



We had a really amazing sunset last night.
No photoshop necessary!
Or should I say yesterday afternoon...
This is the view from our back yard.




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

Before

sooc
Before photoshop editing.




After

lessons
This is the view inside the house. Katie's learning cursive.


Lightroom b&w
Had to share the black and white version.
I heart Lightroom black and white.


*******

It's Wednesday, so let's play....

What's Worse Wednesday!

Christmas Shopping or Shoveling five inches of snow.

What's worse?



See you in the comments!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Cocktail Party Personality



My brother in law Paul is a really special guy! The third son in the family.
He loves his family.
(Especially his big brother, Joe.)

Paulie has Williams Syndrome.

He lives and works in his hometown where he frequents the fire dept., Barnes and Noble and the candy machine.
He loves Coke like I love Diet Dr. Pepper.

He likes his meat soft and his tv loud.
He is extremely gregarious.
If he doesn't know you....he would like to meet you.
Especially if you are a bus driver.


So Paulie came to town for the big wedding last weekend.

He sat at our table for the reception and was uncharacteristicly quiet.

Until the toasts.

Up he jumped.

He told the groom to be good to the bride.

Then he told two jokes.

The same two jokes he told at Matthew and Melinda's wedding.

The one I can kind of remember went like this;

In marriage, don't forget that there are three rings;

the engagement ring

the wedding ring






and the suffering.


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

Dinner was yummy and we were on to the dancing and karaoke.

The dj handed out booklets with songs. We all poured over the lists looking for just the right song to try.

Then I spotted it.

The perfect song for Paul.

(He has a very nice baritone and sings Jesus loves me from time to time in church.)

Ring of Fire by Paul's hero Johnny Cash.


I asked Paul if he knew the song and would like to sing it...well of course he knew the song...it's one of his very favorites.

Patrick searched and scrounged for a pen or pencil to write Paul's song and name on a slip of paper.

Thirty minutes later Paul's name was called and he approached the mic.

Confident and cool, he perfectly belted out his song.

He even added dramatic flourish on one of the lines.

Even more impressive when you know that Paulie can not read.

Everyone stood and smiled and cheered.

His beloved mother smiled down from heaven.

So happy and proud were we all!

I have forgotten what every one else sang that night.

But I don't think any of us will ever forget Paul's song.


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


Who will win Dancing with the Stars.

Seems everyone faltered.
The free style dances were in my snotty opinion. BAD.

The finale is TWO HOURS long.

Isn't that just ridiculous????

Sabrina was better than all three of them 'put tugether".

I am still not over that.

And I tried to vote for one whole hour....and never got thru.

So...we shall see if the doll loving Marie fans and gazillion Osmonds all over the nation are able to hand the Disco-Ball trophy to their girl.

(No, I'm not bitter, really)

I have been disappointed two times in a row with the winners.

Emmit beating my Mario and Apolo beating my Joey.

It seems only fitting that Marie will beat my Helio.


Stay tuned....I'm sure the show will be a long drawn out snooze fest until the last five minutes.


And by the way, ABC is making so much money on this show...don't you think it is only right that the Celebrity should be given a million dollars for the charity of their choice.

I mean, come on!


********

Nylons are a thing of the past, don't cha know.

20071124_1579
The girls play a little game of....
who has whiter legs,
on the way to the wedding.


Encourage one another,
Donna

Monday, November 26, 2007

Today is our 27th Anniversary.


Shania Twain - You're Still The One

(When I first saw you, I saw love.
And the first time you touched me, I felt love.
And after all this time, you're still the one I love.)

Looks like we made it
Look how far we've come my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we'd get there someday

Bridge:
They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong

Chorus:
(You're still the one)
You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're the one I want for life
(You're still the one)
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night

Ain't nothin' better
We beat the odds together
I'm glad we didn't listen
Look at what we would be missin'



I'm so glad we made it
Look how far we've come my baby...



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


My husband is not too sentimental, so I don't think he would choose a song for us.
But I think this one says it.

What I do know and I want to share today on our anniversary, is that marriages can be healed.

Terribly broken marriages can be healed.

I am sharing this because over the weekend I spoke with a woman who has been married 37 years and we talked about having a long marriage. As we discussed how it was worth it to work thru the difficult times I realized that those of us who have 'made it' perhaps don't share the good parts. That it really is worth it.


To be respectful, I will not go into details, but I can say that our marriage was pretty broken at one time.
Hanging by a very thin thread.

The reason we are still married;

Faith in God and what He wants for us.
Patrick's commitment.
My commitment.


While God was always there, our commitment wavered.


When Patrick was determined to quit. I was determined to stay.

But miraculously, when I was ready to quit. Patrick was determined to stay. Very determined.

If this hadn't been the case....we wouldn't be together.


And the blessings we would have missed.

We would not have had Katie.
We would not be growing older together.
We would not be growing in the Lord together.

We would have missed out on so many laughs and kisses and hugs and days.

I know that Patrick loves me, now, so much more than we were young.
He has grown gentle and kind and accepting. He is a different man.

I know that I love Patrick more than I ever loved him before.
I have grown less critical, more forgiving, and lots more loving.


Somehow. God healed out hearts.
He grew more love in them.

I didn't think it was possible.
But it's true.



Seems we had to go thru the dark night first in our marriage.
Now we are experiencing beautiful rays of light.


I had this Bible verse on the wall next to my bed for about three years. When I woke up I could read it.
I believed that God was telling me something.


"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."

Jeremiah 29:11


His plans for us are such a blessing.

We are very thankful to be married to one another.

Our future is full of hope.




May you find this an encouragement,

Donna

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Beautiful Wisconsin

Beautiful Wisconsin
Yesterday Morning



*********



Movies with a dream......

I think I love them.

Last night The Family Man was on, and I was able to watch the last hour of it.

I spoke of this movie last year on our anniversary.

It is the movie where the couple say the important words, "I choose us."



As I sit here this morning wondering if I like this type of dream sequence movie, I am listing the movies that use this plot style in my head.

Immediately I think of Peggy Sue Got Married.
Which I like a lot despite Nick Cage's oddball performance.

And then there is everyone's favorite It's a Wonderful Life.

The Wizard of Oz used a dream sequence way back in 1939.

Who doesn't love Big with Tom Hanks. (who by the way has a Myspace page, for real)
We jut love Tom Hanks at our house.

And the sweet and fun Thirteen going on Thirty with the equally likable Jennifer Garner.

Now this list is quite a nice list of really good movies.

Can you think of others?



***********


Hey!

I forgot to do the Friday Feast yesterday!!!
It didn't feel like a friday to me, I guess :o)

Let's do the Saturday Six!


1. What is the temperature, right now, where you live?

It's 26 degrees here.


2. What movie do you want to see next?

I think we will go see Enchanted. It looks good.


3. Salty or Sweet?

Chocolate covered peanuts.


4. Gift card to Starbucks or Barnes and Noble?

Bookstore please.


5. When you blow out your candles, what do you wish for?

World Peace


6. What is the secret to a happy marriage?


See you in the comments!

Encourage one another,
Donna

My creation

Friday, November 23, 2007

20071122_1514

It's just not as easy as it looks!

I am not at all interested in shooting wedding photography,
I am interested in shooting couples. (Engagement shoots)

They look so fun and relaxed and romantic.

This however was my lame attempt of shooting Matthew and Melinda snuggling....

As you can see, it is not what I was going for.

I suppose taking pictures of a couple during the Packer game is a less than perfect set up :o)

And the fact that Matthew isn't too comfortable being all lovey dovey with his honey in front of his mother....

but other than that....
it makes me laugh to look at it....and for that alone, it is blogworthy.

Here are three amazing wedding/engagement photographers.
They are rock stars in my eyes.

If you have some time today, visit their sites.

They are really inspiring!

Jessica Claire

Anna Kuperberg

The Blog is Found


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


And speaking of the Packers....

10-1

That is unheard of!!!

And we like it!


I predicted a run to the Superbowl way back in Sept.
Oh yes, I did.

Remember, I was trying to entice the boys to move back to Wisconsin???

Yeah. I called it.

I win.

Nothing.

bummer.


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

I stayed up late last night to catch up on my missed television shows.

Grey's made me cry and cry.
I love that Ava showed up.

And I tell ya....superb acting on Bailey's part.


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


One more bad thanksgiving photo.

I tell ya.....turkey and photography just don't mix at our house.

20071122_1517.jpg-2
But nail biting and Packer games, apparently do.


Happy day of eating leftovers!

Encourage one another,

Donna

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Thanksgiving Day

a poem
a song
a prayer
a blessing
a picture



Forefather’s Day
by Edgar Guest

Look back three hundred years and more:
A group upon a rock-bound shore,
Borne by the Mayflower o’er the sea,
Pledged hearts and lives to liberty.

They were the few we hail with pride
Singing: “Land where our fathers died,”
Daring to die that this might be
Forever: “Land of the noble free.”

At Plymouth Rock they could not know
How far their shadows then would go,
That freedom (as today we sing)
From every mountainside should ring.

“Our Fathers’ God to Thee” I pray
That we, devoted as were they,
Who sing: “Long may our land be bright”
Shall cherish: “Freedom’s holy light.”


**********


We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.



***********

Lord, we give You thanks for all that You in Your mercy have given us to be and to do and to have.
Deliver us, Lord, from all greed to be and to do and to have anything not in accord with Your holy purposes.
Teach us to rest quietly in Your promise to supply, recognizing that if we don't have it we don't need it.
Teach us to desire Your will--nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else.
For Jesus' sake.
Amen

~Elisabeth Elliot


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

20071122_1485


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


Blessings on this day of Thanks giving.

May your hearts be light
your burdens, shared
and your soul, ever thankful.

Love,
Donna

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

I'm off to take my stress test in eight minutes.

I just wanted to let you know why I wasn't posting this morning....

I know you all worry when I'm not here bright and early.

So just think of me all out of breath and red faced with thingys stuck to my body....
that's what I'll be doing this morning.


Why not play "What's Worse Wednesday" .....


What's worse; waiting in a long line or scrubbing the kitchen floor?


ttfn,
Donna


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

Update!

Hey! I'm home already! It's 10:30 and I'm home already.

I think I went on the best day ever to do a stress test.
I was in and out in two hours....one hour shorter than expected!

I didn't even feel the iv go in.
Which was sweet!

The treadmill wasn't bad at all.

My legs weren't one bit tired but my heart and lungs were working hard by the end.

I did have to take my bra off but got to wear a hospital gown.

So the jiggling wasn't too noticeable....I don't think.

And that's what I worried about, ya know.

The staff (I'll call em staff cause I really don't know titles) said I did well.
That I was tough.

So that's good.

And the talkative woman who did my IV said that even tho they can not tell you results....
if you get to go home...that is a very good sign.

So yay.

I am home and enjoying a refreshing pop :o)


To answer the what's worse...

I really don't like to wait. It brings out the worst in me. Although I was a champ while waiting to see The David in Florence.
We waited for three hours. One woman left after two hours...she couldn't do it. I'll bet she would rather scrub the floor.

But since I scrub the floor on my knees....I kinda hate it.

Do those swiffer things work?

I think I am going to buy one this afternoon.

When I go to the grocery store to buy those forgotten graham crackers.

Happy Day before Thanksgiving.

Traveling mercies to those of you on the road.


Encourage one another,
Donna


UPDATE AGAIN********

My Dr. called with results from this mornings stress test.

My heart looks strong and perfect!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

DWTS

I thought last nights show was very entertaining!

While I can not stand the clothing Helio is forced to wear, I think his partner is perfection...and Helio is superb!
He really does remind me of Fred Astaire. His footwork is delicate.
He's light in his Capzios.

Jenny danced her best dance last night, wearing that pretty gold, fringed dress.
I think she does difficult steps, but I think her partner does not have the flair for choreography like his sister does.
I don't usually care for their dances. And I don't think it's Jenny.

MelB and Max are so fun to watch. He is just a hottie. (Did I say that outloud?)
Last night when they fell over....he asked her if she was okay.
Did you notice that?

And then there is Marie.
Funny Marie.

I know she really stepped it up last night. And her dances were good....
But I think it is time for her to go.
She should be happy that she is the most poplar person on the show...
and leave the dancing to MelB and Helio.

And those are the two that should be in the finals.

It just wouldn't be right to have Marie or Jenny in the finals.

***Ducking for cover now....


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


I went shopping for Thanksgiving supplies yesterday.

And who should we meet, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, but Lynn and her two little boys.

Bell ringing is their family tradition.

Here is the link Lynn sent me.

Ringbells.org

Check it out.
You can register on line to ring bells.

It's so easy...I just did it.

Dec. 4th, 2:00-4:00

Fun.

Our first time ever :o)


***********

Le Garage Band Studio



It was foggy yesterday and I had a hunch the light might be nice for a quick photo shoot.
I snapped seven shots of the girls just before we drove off to Emma's job.

Due to some skin issues, I went black and white and "aged" with these.


sisters





20071119_1426


Aren't they sweet to BEAR with me :o)

I'm two lucky.
There such good girl's.

he he




I will be making four pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving.

Will you have pie?

What is your favorite pie?



Encourage one another,
Donna

Monday, November 19, 2007

Are you taking a Christmas picture this year?

Do you do that?

Do you send pictures of your whole family? Just the children?


I have sent a picture for 24 years.

20071119_1415

This is our first.

Oh my goodness.

Wow.

This year with Matthew married and Patrick so far away and not in any recent picture I am toying with just a picture of the girls.

I am having a hard time leaving the boys out. (and Melinda too :o) )

And if I get a picture with everyone who comes to the wedding on Saturday...well....it's everyone except Patrick Jr.

That just seems cruel. Patrick Jr. is not the kind of guy who would care.

But I do.


So those of you, who have gone before me, and I know there are not many....since I am the old timer around here....

What do you do, when your family grows up and moves away?







Here is a picture I took of Katie yesterday afternoon.

She wasn't too thrilled and kept complaining.

I love it.


20071118_1410.jpg-3

Warm wishes and Christmas blessings.



I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet...
But this takes planning.
So bare with me :o)


What do you think?

Advice please.

And, no, I am not planning on using that solo picture of Katie.
I was just practicing.


Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again. ~Henri Cartier-Bresson



Encourage one another,
Donna

Sunday, November 18, 2007

An Afternoon with Thelma and Louise: Wisconsin-Style.

Too much fun
Due to rain and teeny snow flurries, Lynn and I headed for the yarn store instead of the wide open spaces and the country church tour as originally planned.

Lynn has a great eye for color and couldn't help herself; immediately started rearranging yarn.

Staging

20071117_1348

Being the crazy spontaneous chicks that we are, we finished our drinks, jumped in the car and headed to Mt. Horeb.
Lynn's home town and site of her very favorite store.

I had an idea for the calendar.


clogs
The most colorful clogs


20071117_1360
How I love twinkly lights.
Love em to pieces.


Off we went in the near dark to find a country church.

Vermont, Lutheran Church

This church is tucked in so nicely on a country lane.

But what is that? A truck.

You mean we don't have this spot all to ourselves?

Hunters, we presume.

Oops. We forgot our blaze orange.

Church graveyard

Vermont, Wisconsin

Louise

Time to head home.

What fun we had!
Lynn and I laughed and chuckled our way thru the afternoon.
We are in our own little world of friendship and laughter when we are together.

Thelma and Louise- without the crime and the explosives and driving the car off a cliff.


20071117_1388

Sunday Blessings!




Update:

From Evan Almighty

God: Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?


Pretty good, huh?



Encourage one another,
Donna

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Rounding the corner to Thanksgiving week....

How are your Thanksgiving plans coming along?

Katie just did our decorating.

She stuck plastic decals on the windows.

20071117_1317

When I was younger, I would have thought this was just too unclassy to do.
Now. I just don't seem to care.
It makes Katie happy and really who am I trying to impress?

So, bring on the stick on decorations ;o)


***********

My biggest planning issue is where shall everyone sleep?

It won't be ideal for everyone....

But, I'll do the best I can.


**********

We also have a big exciting wedding next Saturday.
I'm sure it will be elegant and the music will be perfect....
and the reception looks like it will be loads of fun.

There will be Karaoke!

I have never done karaoke.
I have never been to a place where anyone was doing karaoke.

Only seen it on television.

Emma is amazed by this.
She thinks when I was a young whipper snapper I would have loved me some karaoke.

And she's right, it seems to be just the sort of thing I would LOVE.

But, um, we had disco.

Karaoke had not made it's way to America yet.

So I am looking forward to it.

I am 99% sure I will not sing.



........Oh my man, I love him so.....he'll never know, all my life is just a spare, but I don't care.....


Name that tune.


(I hear from a Japanese friend that one must have ONE song they can and will sing at karaoke.)

That is the song that popped into my head.

I'll let you know what happens. :o)


Do you or have you sung karaoke?

What is your song?

**********

DSC_1492.jpg-2

I spruced this picture up a teeny bit.
I applied two techniques I learned in photoshop this month.
It's coming along.


**********

Lynn and I are going on a grand tour of country churches this afternoon.

Doesn't that sound like fun!

I'll show you what we find tomorrow. I'm sure I won't be able to keep the pictures to myself until Monday.

Happy weekend!

Rest Up, you've got a big week ahead of you :o)


Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday, November 16, 2007

Friday's Feast


Appetizer
What was your first “real” job?

Soup
Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?

Salad
Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…

Main Course
What values did your parents instill in you?

Dessert
Name 3 fads from your teenage years.



Oh! I like these questions a lot!

But, I can not answer them yet.

I will be gone all morning but when I come back this afternoon, I will answer the Feast and I surely have a hoot reading your answers!!!


******


Emma will be coming along to Flame this morning. The theme in Art class is India. Emma will come and speak and wear her punjabi. Katie will wear her punjabi too :o)

I will help with drama even tho my voice seems to have taken a holiday.


Back in flash....

Encourage one another,
Donna

Thursday, November 15, 2007

With Grateful Memory


We thank Thee, Lord, for the glory of the late days and the excellent face of Thy sun.
We thank Thee for good news received.
We thank Thee for the pleasures we have enjoyed and for those we have been able to confer.
And now, when the clouds gather and rain impends over the forest and our house, permit us not to be cast down;
let us not lose the savor of past memories and past pleasures;
but, like the voice of a bird singing in the rain,
let grateful memory survive in the hour of darkness.

~Robert Louis Stevenson




For All Good Gifts

We plow the fields, and scatter
The good seed on the land,
But it is fed and watered
By God's almighty hand.

All good gifts around us
Are sent from heaven above;
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord,
For all His love.

~Matthias Claudius





I think of my life, my actions,
our children,
as those fields,
those seeds,
that land.

I must remember that God is there.

It's not just about me being the perfect mom.

It's about Him.

And I'm so glad He is bigger than me.

When our children are grown....

He is still working, He is still present, He is still loving.

Still.


******


20071114_1268.jpg-2

Encourage one another,
Donna

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Yesterday afternoon, I drove, got lost, then finally found my way, to a classically beautiful white church on Pleasantville Rd.

I remember seeing it 25 years ago.

The road was a desolate-two-lane-hilly-farmland road.

The church was in it's own little grove off trees surrounded by a cemetery and a rod iron fence.

I remember it, just so. Like the rugby striped sunset.

Some things stick.

This beautiful church stuck.

So yesterday I thought I might try a Dec. picture of the country church.

But first you must know. The hilly country lane is now filled in with big Mc Mansions.. The road has been widened and paved and lights have been added right in front of the church. I knew this before I went. I just hoped I would be able to stand back and take a picture of the church wihtout the wires and lights and street traffic.

As I neared, I saw a Bronco pull up and park right in front. And then I noticed the bottom half of all the windows were boarded up. The man headed to the cemetery. And I just made a U-turn and headed home.

There is a certain amount of luck when it comes to photography.
This photo was not meant to be. For me.

I hope the windows are being repaired.

Last I knew the church was still being rented for weddings and such.

I would hate to see it fall into ruin.





(I just googled it. It is a Registered Historic Place. First German Lutheran Church, Middleton)




When I got home, I begged Katie for a picture or two.



20071113_1196.jpg-3

This was Emma's sweater!

Janice and Emma were twins back in 1994. Emma wore this sweater with little red leggings, Janice wore it with white leggings :o)

Emma and I went to Seattle to visit Janice. We went to see to Maurice Sendak Nutcracker. I also remember going in a coffee shop....for the first time ever.


Katie is in my garage-studio.

It has the best light.

I can name my business after it.

Booshay garage.

No.

Garage Booshay.


That's it.

Class. All class.


**********

20071113_1192
Here's my pretty new computer.

Look. I haven't put pictures on the walls since Lynn and I painted in May.

I have a thing about putting pictures on the walls.

I don't know why.

I would not win any decorating awards, that is for sure.



And who knew Marie Osmond was so popular???

Are you voting for her? Tell the truth.


All together now....

Paper Roses,
Paper Roses....


Encourage one another,
Donna

Tuesday, November 13, 2007





Alert reader and friend Stephanie sent me this link a day or two ago.

She knew I would enjoy the vocabulary game, and I think you will like it too.

And there is a bonus feature to expanding your word power, this group is sending rice around the world!

Check out their FAQ when you go over to play to see if it is something you can have fun with and help with.


Now I will be honest.

I will tell you my typical score so you can try to beat me.

This shant be too hard.

My high has been 40.
I hover around 39 sometimes as low as 37.

But I am not ashamed. The words are big.

he he

Play Here


I can't remember how to make a click on banner to go right to the website.
If you know and want to tell me. Send me an email. Okey dokey.

(My email is on the right side of the page)



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


The sky was stiped blue and orange this morning.

The first thing I do when I open my eyes every day is look out the window.

It was breathtaking.


Big orange ruby stripes.


In a moment, it started to fade.

It was so striking. I will remember it always.



**********


Hey! We saw two movies last weekend.

Blades of Glory and Holiday.

Blades of Glory was juvenile and goofy. And well, if you have seen it, I just want to say I have never seen my husband laugh harder than he did when the coach showed the video of the Iron Lotus and the woman's head gets chopped off and bounces along the ice.

Like I said juvenile.



I liked Holiday very much.
My sisters and daughter said I would.
And I did.

Chick flick.


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

Who will go home tonight in DWTS???

It should be Marie or Cameron.

IMHO


How great was Helio and Juliann?

(When he was wearing the yellow zootsuit)

Did you see that kiss? Was Juliann suppose to fall on the floor that hard?

No matter. It was exciting and fun and technically difficult!

Yay.

I tried to vote for an hour and only got busy signals.
So I guess that is good. I hope.


********

Thank you all so much for the fun interaction in the comments.

Getting know you all makes this endeavor such a blessing :o)


Encourage one another,
Donna

Monday, November 12, 2007

Thank you for the feedback concerning the calendar.

I will definitely create one and post the linky-poo here for anyone interested.


The slight hand up is the December picture and well....all the techie stuff I need to learn.

But it's good for me. Both things.

Be creative.

Learn.

Keeping my gray matter young.

For sure.


Katie and I went down to Paoli to look at all the Christmas pretties at my favorite gift shop.

Katie came along in the hopes of getting some cheese curds.


Here is why I love this store;

dream sink
I go to visit this sink.

I accidently focused on the blue sled-like thing.

But you get the drift.

That sink. I have been loving for about five years.

Gorgeous.

Warm and festive and sparkly.

what color!

I actually bought something.

I am a terrible shopper. I never buy stuff.

My ornaments are quite old and dusty.

Now I have one of these beauties.

december 2

Enchanting.


Actually. I bought two ornaments, a candle and thank you notes.

Shopping Spree.


Last night while we were watching The Amazing Race my husband asked me if I had just taken my shoes off????

"No. ........ I think it's the candle."

Sweet!


And speaking of The Amazing Race. The Asian gentleman is driving me nuts.
He just may be the King of the Blameshift.

His poor daughter.

They (he) can not be gone soon enough.


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

And then we watched our Packers kick Viking patootie!
The Pack has found a running game!
Yay!

8-1

Go! Pack! Go!


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


And then Katie donned the St. Somebody hat she made in art class.
(Kris, come and tell us about this hat in the comments please. Kris is the art teacher :o)



St. Lucia?






I happen to adore this hat.


St. Silly


You know you want one too, now, don't you???


Encourage one another,
Donna

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Weekend.


I was wondering if anyone would be interested in a Quiet Life calendar?

I have pictures picked for every month but December.
I have a few ideas tho.

Let me know in the comments if you would be interested.

I think the price would be about $15.00.


********
20071110_1130

How do you clean a stuffed animal?

Katie has a pink poodle that has gotten quite dirty and dingy looking.

Believe it or not, I have never in all my days had to launder a stuffed creature.

Help please :o)


*********


The skin cancer on my back is GONE!

I went to the dermatologist yesterday morning and she said it looked great. All gone.

The Efudex cream worked.

Hooray!

Thank you Lord.

The rest of my skin looked fine....

Except I think I shocked the dear woman with the dryness of my skin.


She encouraged me over and over to use cream.

You may call me Flakey now....it's official.


*********

With a prayer (Love incarnate)
Stuart Townend



WITH A PRAYER You fed the hungry,
With a cry You stilled the storm;
With a look You had compassion
On the desperate and forlorn.
With a touch You healed the leper,
With a shout You raised the dead;
With a word expelled the demons,
With a blessing broke the bread.

Love incarnate, love divine,
Captivate this heart of mine
Till all I do speaks of You.

As a sheep before the shearer
You were silent in Your pain;
You endured humiliation
At the hands of those You’d made.
And as hell unleashed its fury
You were lifted on a tree,
Crying ‘Father God, forgive them,
Place their punishment on Me.’

I will feed the poor and hungry,
I will stand up for the truth;
I will take my cross and follow
To the corners of the earth.
And I ask that You so fill me
With Your peace, Your power, Your breath,
That I never love my life so much
To shrink from facing death.

Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2002 Thankyou Music




Love incarnate,

love divine,

Captivate

this heart of mine

Till all I do

speaks of You.



That is how it is sung.


I heard this for the first time yesterday.
It has become my new favorite.

Do you sing this song in church?


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

That's all for now.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday, November 09, 2007

The blended Fridays Feast




Appetizer
Which snack do you like to get when you go to the movies?

Soup
What year did you start using the internet?

Salad
What was the last television show you watched, and was it good?

Main Course
Name something you are picky about.

Dessert
List 3 things you would like to receive as gifts this upcoming holiday season.


We got the computer and internet in 1995ish.



"This thing is a fad", I said to the baker.




And although, I know it is a very bad stronghold in my life....

I am picky about which way to go...in the car.

My pride rears it's ugly head...and I know, I know the best way to go.

And if you don't go that way. My head just about explodes.

Sometimes I can sit quietly.

But not usually.

(My husband doesn't really care about which way is fastest. He likes to avoid....oh, I don't know....
It is the cross I must bear.)



Which reminds me of a GREAT quote from Broadcast News.



Paul Moore: It must be nice to always believe you know better, to always think you're the smartest person in the room.
Jane Craig: No. It's awful.




I recommend Broadcast News.
Albert Brooks is brilliant in it!!!

Every word he says is perfectly written and played!



***********


I fiddle with files of pictures that I took BP (before photoshop)

Sometimes they can't be helped.

Sometimes they CAN.

Here are two faves from last night's adventure in editing.

brother and sister

Emma's friend Jon and his younger sister.
isn't she beautiful.


prom fun

Do you think they had fun??

And yes, I'm still on my quest to prove that beauty runs rampant in our fair state!



Gotta skeedaddle!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Thursday, November 08, 2007

I received another new CD in the mail yesterday.

The Best of Stuart Townend Live...

Buy it here



Stuart's blog




This video represents very well what the CD is like.

It's a sing along :o)


********


Oh! I have some really great news.


Emma went before a judge last night to "fight" her ticket.

I have never been to this kind of court. When I get a speeding ticket, I know I deserve it and pay up.

But the ticket Emma and her friends got was worth contesting.

On Sept 19th, Emma and three other friends were talking in a park parking lot.

They were just sitting there talking.

No smoking or drinking or vandalism.


The police gave them each an eighty dollar ticket for being in the park after hours.

I was outraged.

No warning.

Just an $80.00 ticket.


Who knows this rule?

What a ridiculously high fine for basically loitering.


So we went to fight it.

Emma didn't really want to go. It's a scary thought.
A judge.
The unknown.


I asked her if she would like me to come along.

"Yes, please" she said.

We got there early and Emma wrote her name on the sign in sheet.

As we watched the proceedings it was clearer and clearer that Emma's fine was way too high for what they did.

People were guilty of doing very serious things and they were not paying much more than $80 dollars.

There was hope. I thought.

Emma went up 11th.

The judge read her violation and asked her if she had anything to say.

Quietly she said, she did not know the rule, and that they were not drinking or smoking.

The judge asked if anyone else was at court.
One other friend went up to stand before the judge with Emma.

(Another friend was there also....but left ten minutes earlier-to go to Bible study!)


The judge said that ignorance of the law does not make it okay. (Which is actually in the Bible....but I still don't agree :o)


BUT, he would hold the tickets 'open' for six months.
If the violators didn't have any non-traffic issues for six months, these tickets would be thrown away.

No loitering, no spitting on the sidewalk, no drinking or smoking marijuana.

Fine.

No fine.

Hooray.

Happy day.


As we pulled into Culver's parking lot, I reminded Emma,

"Now Emma, remember....no spitting on the sidewalk for six months!"


Encourage one another,
Donna

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

I went to the clinic this morning for the blood test.

There was a man talking loudly on the cell phone in line and in the waiting room.
I was extremely irritated! Cringe.

It was worse than having blood drawn and being in a long line of traffic the whole way to the clinic.


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


What's Worse Wednesday?

Loud person on cell phone?

or

Having blood drawn?


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

But in the car, I listen to sweet guitar playing and tender words from John Mayer.



"The Heart Of Life"

I hate to see you cry
Lying there in that position
There's things you need to hear
So turn off your tears
And listen

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good

You know, it's nothing new
Bad news never had good timing
But, then your circle of friends
Will defend the silver lining

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good




And I brought my camera and took the long way home.

20071107_1069


20071107_1075

20071107_1085

20071107_1084

Some of those look really nice blown up.
Click on them and you will be sent to Flickr.
There you can enlarge them to have a good look.


What a beautiful world we have been blessed with!



Encourage one another,
Donna

Don't forget to answer the "What's Worse Wednesday?" question.
It just may become a new feature :o)

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Extra Extra!

TMZ is reporting that:

"They only recently went public with their relationship -- but are "Dancing with the Stars" partners Sabrina Bryan and Mark Ballas already engaged?"

I just watched the video of Sabrina and Mark and they say, yes they are engaged.
Sabrina flashed a ring.

It could be a tease/joke.

Sabrina said the date for the wedding was August 2008!

That's the scoop!

I don't know if it is true!
But I had to pass if on :o)
Just being Katie.



Can this picture be saved?



Lets talk about lactose intolerance. Shall we?

I would like to know if you have it?
If you know any one who has it?

What are your symptoms?
How long have you had it?



I think I have this malady.

I have been feeling poorly.
Funny feeling in my chest.

Usually becomes worse after eating. Even a small amount.


So I went to the Dr. yesterday. It feels like it's my heart.

So I tell the Doc my symtoms and she kindly takes everything down.

My blood pressure is perfection, my pulse is perfection, my heart sounds just right.


She think it's tummy troubles.

But she is wise to say that there is no messing around with this kind of feeling so I have an EKG (and I chat about Greys with the cute young tech) and tomorrow I will go in for a battery of blood work and next Thursday I get to take a stress test!

Have you taken a stress test?

Should I get a sports bra?

Did you see Katie Holmes jogging in the NY Marathon without a bra? Her poor boobies.

Did you hear the woman's winner of the NY Marathon just had a baby ten months ago?


So by Next Thursday we will rule out heart problems. It's so unlikely, but it's best to be safe.

Which has me wondering if the full feeling I feel in my chest is really from a bloating tummy for lactose intolerace.


House!

House!

What do you think?



I feel perfectly at ease about all of this. So don't worry your sweet little heads.

But yesterday, I was so uneasy, I asked Emma to drive me to the doctor's and played scenes from Beaches in my head.


And anyway, who is the wind beneath your wings?



Encourage one another,
Donna

Monday, November 05, 2007

We went to the animal fair....


and it was pretty, um, flakey.


And it wasn't really an animal fair. It was the greater Madison dog fair.

I heard about this event Sunday morning on the news and thought it would be so fun to go and see all the different breeds and to ask questions.

We couldn't go in the morning, church, you know, and the Packers were playing until after three so we would go then.
If I could garner any interest.
Believe it or not, Katie was not interested.

Emma was, however. She has some fierce dog wanting going on.
Me, not as much, but I just love to look at all the pretty pooches.


Well, we drove up to the Alliant center and paid our 5.00 for parking. The man at the booth said it would cost seven dollars each for us to get in. ( I didn't believe him. Besides, it was 3:50, I had a hunch)

We walked right into the room without paying.
This was good.

But the bad news was, the show was mostly about selling stuff to you for your dog.

We don't have a dog. So we were not interested in any of that stuff.

And 60% of the dogs were gone already.

Emma has a soft spot for English bulldogs. There were none to be found, although, we saw French Bulldogs, American Bulldogs and Boxers. We had a nice chat with a young woman from the Wisconsin Bulldog Rescue organization.

It sounds like a good way to go to get a pure breed dog.
Can you imagine almost all of their dogs are found as strays?


I was on the lookout for a cute little Corgi. We saw a big funny looking Corgi, but no cute little Corgi.


Ah well. I still don't think the time is right for a dog in the house.

Some day.

But not quite yet.







Tell us about you dogs.

Breeds, names, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

And if you want, you can tell us about your cat, too.



Happy Monday, friends!


Encourage one another,
Donna

Sunday, November 04, 2007

The Sunday Edition.

Extra! Extra!


Heads up Amazing Race lovers.

CBS is bringing back The Amazing Race a few months early.

It starts tonight at 7:00 central.

Central...it's what I know.


Just wanted to give you all a heads up!






findings

Saturday, November 03, 2007

The Daily Katie.

20071102_1045



********



I have been thinking of Elisabeth Elliot lately.

Tammy's comment in the comments yesterday caused me to pick up one of her books of essays.
I have three of her books in the basket next to the computer. Along with a little flip calendar of hers that sat on my window sill for years.
It is worn and says in red letters : You Are Loved

Here is the November 3rd entry;

Christianity teaches righteousness, not rights.
It emphasizes honor, not equality. A Christian's concern is what is owed to the other,
not what is owed to himself.
Discipline: The Glad Surrender, p. 85

"Owe no one anything
except to love one another."

Romans 13:8


********


Here are two small poems from Elisabeth's book Secure in the Everlasting Arms;


Help me to live this day quietly; easily;
To lean upon Thy great strength trustfully;
restfully;
To meet others peacefully, joyously;
To face tomorrow confidently, courageously.

~unknown



Elisabeth tells a young housewife this;

Our love will fail, our heart will balk, we will fret. But our very powerlessness is the place where His power is manifested,
where His all-sufficient grace is given.

The trivial round, the common task,
Will furnish all we ought to ask--
Room to deny ourselves, a road
To bring us daily nearer to God.



And you know, that is my prayer for my children and my loved ones in need. I pray...draw then near God.

Draw them near.

I do not know what circumstances are best to help grow them.
What God is doing in their lives.

But I do know it is always the best place to be.

Near to God.


Encourage one another,
Donna