Monday, February 28, 2005

My favorites



Cate Blanchet looked elegant in this lovely dress. Her little purse matches her sash. She won my best dressed last year when she was expecting a wee one. The lady has style and class.



Young Natalie Portman looked 'ancient' in her Grecian theme gown. But I especially liked her hair and makeup.

Many women wore dresses that were mermaid-like and very tight around the knees. Poor (ha ha) Renee Z. had to take baby steps out to the microphone because her dress was so tight.

The women looked just right this year.

The men...just okay.

And Johnny Deep can just be thankful that Spike Lee showed up this year....cause without Spike Lee's goofy outfit and horrendous glasses, Johnny Deep would have taken worst dressed.

Ya shoulda seen Spike Lee's little black velvet fez. Ugly.

And Johnny...is that what they are wearing in France?

_________

The show was pretty dull...
The music was terrible. The five nominated songs were boring and poorly executed. Beyonce sang three of them and all I could think of was, 'is she the best singer they could find?'

Chris Rock, the host, was funny. But Sean Penn took offense at Rock's jokes about the lack of "real movie stars" and stood up for the dissed actors and actresses.

I think that kinda took the wind out of Rock's sails.

At least there was a little drama. Thanks Sean :o)

The show ended at 10:30!!! That was one to one and a half hours shorter then it usually runs! So the producers shortened the show...that's for sure...but somehow they took out a lot of the fun too.

Next year they need to work on putting some fun into the show.

I'm available for a consultation :o)

Back to real life, home and family, where I will accomplish all of my daily tasks with joy.... in my black skirt and black and white checked blouse, a little mascara, and bare feet.

Have fun!

And encourage one another,
Donna

Sunday, February 27, 2005

Glamour-puss....NOT

I am about as far from glamorous as a person can get!

But I just love a fashion show.

So even though I have not seen ONE of the movies that are up for the Academy Awards tonight... I will be watching!








I can't resist.

Saturday, February 26, 2005

Donna's House of Beauty





I didn't want to do it.
But Emma and Katie urged me to do it.
The tears before combing finally got to us all.
So, so long to your long baby hair, little Katie Gracie.

Snip, snip, snip.

I have the detached pony-tail saved in a box, just like I saved favorite dresses and a hand full of passys.

Growing up is good. It is a little hard on mommy, tho.

But this haircut has made Katie feel all light and sassy.

And free from the dreaded snarl.

__________

Do you have a hair-cutting philosophy at your house?
I do and I don't. I want the girls to look feminine but other than that I don't exert much influence.

But I haven't really been challenged in this area.
I have told Emma that I'd rather she not dye her hair...it is such a pretty color now.
And I don't think she is dying to do that...
And there is no fear of shaving of her head...
So we're okay there too :o)

I had to have a pixie when I was a little girl. I did not get to choose my hairstyle at all. I just remember my mother saying,
"When you are old enough to take care of it yourself you may have long hair."

Can you remember the sound of the scissors on your forehead? I can!

Oh my...I just remember...we would get perms once in a while!

Esther's House of Beauty

The smell of those Toni perms was hideous.
And I think the results were hideous too!

It is no wonder that all the girls in my high school had long straight hair...
we were recovering from the pixies and perms.

And spoolies!

Does anyone remember spoolies? Cindy got to curl her hair with spoolies.
They were little rubber spools that one would wind the hair around to curl.
She must have been the only one with hair long enough to do this.
Lucky Cindy.


Do you have hair rules at your house?
Any funny hair memories?

Do they still know how to cut 'the pixie'?

And yes...I had my hair cut like Dorothy Hamill when I was a freshman in college.
Aunt Betty just loved it :o)

Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday, February 25, 2005

Friday Five: The Hope Chest

Well how about that! I have won a prize. Carmon from Buried Treasure sent word that I have won third prize in the Azanou blogathon prize drawing.

The prize is a copy of Rebekah Wilson's book The Hope Chest:A legacy of love.

"A hope chest. What is it and what should be placed inside? Are they too old-fashioned for today's modern families? These questions and many more are answered in this wonderfully insightful book. Written by a mother of seven, Rebekah Wilson covers areas of the hope chest most people have never before considered. Using excerpts from by-gone era's, quotes from today's busy mothers and the authors research and enthusiasm for the topic, the author has provided her readers with encouragement, insight and many areas for heartfelt consideration. Many people have heard of the hope chest, but few know the unique value of creating one. Not only do the material items in the chest provide value, but the skills learned while creating items offers a lifelong heritage rarely found today. Whether the items are handmade or specially purchased, or whether they are family heirlooms or a childhood treasure, each item provides a unique legacy for the owner. If you have considered starting a hope chest for someone you love, this book is a wonderful place to start..."


And just this week Noel recommended putting away some of my knitting in a hope chest...and I thought, 'what a great idea!'

So of course this brings me round to the Friday Five :o)

1. Did you have a hope chest?
2. Did your mother?
3. What would you like to have in your imaginary hope chest from your parents?
4. What handiwork could you teach your child that would benefit them in the future?
5. List three books you would place in your child's hope chest?

You know, my boys left home first...
They each took along their handmade quilts, down quilts, pillows and the photo albums I made for them.

I guess I will have to wait and read to book to see where the boys stood in all of this...perhaps they got livestock when they left home :o)

Just by starting today and placing special items aside you are creating a hope chest. Your hope chest may start out as a shoebox and grow into a larger roomier box.
-Rebekah Wilson


Imagine the possibilities.

Donna

Thursday, February 24, 2005

Gates

Christo and his Gates

I wouldn't even think about The Gates if it weren't for David Letterman mentioning them every night. He asks all of his guests if they have seen them...and then goes on to mock The Gates and their color: saffron.

Personally, I think the Gates are a special treat for the eyes in Midwinter and that they urge people to discuss art and beauty.

Is it Art?
Are they beautiful to you?

The sincerest form of flattery...
Crackers



Now...that's funny!

Saffron just might be the perfect color for The Gates.
What do you think?

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

MSNBC has a poll...

Should Terri's husband be allowed to remove her feeding tube?

I was shocked to see that 70% have voted 'yes'.

Let them know what you think.
Birth:it never gets old

My nomination for Best Picture of the Year

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

I am honored to attend the birth of Peter and Jeaneen's little boy in a few weeks. This is baby number five for them and they are very good at the birthing thing! Jeaneen is actually very good at the whole baby thing! She looks fabulous when she is pregnant and her babies are almost always over ten pounds! Peter is a doting and loving husband and father. They are a great family!

I am the official birth photographer :o) I pray that I can take even ONE beautiful photo for them. I would love to make a powerpoint for them...hey...I wonder if Mr. Fairbanks (from the movie above) makes videos for other people as well as for himself. Sounds like a business in the making.


Thank you Thicket Dweller for finding that very cool baby story :o)

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

Today I will be thinking about the preciousness of life.
Terri Schiavo is at the mercy of the courts and her husband.
She has not done anything wrong. But her husband wants her dead.
She is inconvenient to him.


Please join in and pray for a miracle today.

More about Terri Schiavo.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Donna

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

I'm in love.



With this yarn.



and this child of course :o)

I have never loved a yarn so well.
The colors woo my eyes and it is springy.

It is hand colored, homespun from Hello Yarn.
It will take all of the self-control I can muster to resist buying more yarn.

I have knit this into a scarf twice...taken it apart and knit a little into Katie's acorn hat.

I may end up like my grandmother...knitting the same yarn over and over again.
It's just so beautiful to me.

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

I am actually passing along a forward...can you believe it?
Well this one made both Emma and I chuckle so I thought it was worth it.
Rock Stars Rewrite their lyrics....

Herman's Hermits - Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker

The Bee Gees- How Can You Mend a Broken Hip

Bobby Darin - Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash

Ringo Starr - I Get By With a Little Help from Depends

Roberta Flack - The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face

Commodores - Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom

Leo Sayer - You Make Me Feel Like Napping

The Temptations - Papa's Got a Kidney Stone

Abba - Denture Queen

Helen Reddy - I am Woman, Hear me Snore

Willie Nelson - On the Throne Again

So silly.

My favorite is Splish, Splash I was havin' a flash :o)

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


Any ideas for something small to knit?
Katie can only wear so many hats.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Monday, February 21, 2005

Five Interviews

MamaT of Summa Mama's Fame;

1. Did you go to college? If so, where?
2. Why is Texas better?
3. What book do you recommend to others the most?
4. Do you have a pink flamingo on your front lawn?
5. If you could magically appear in a movie, which one would it be and why?
(that is Carmon's question, but I love it and have to use it too)


Chris of Puppdaddy fame;

1. Has it stopped raining yet?
2. What is your dream car/motorcycle?
3. Best thing about staying home with the pups?
4. Biggest surprise in being a stay at home dawg?
5. If you could magically appear in a movie, which one would it be and why?


Dana of Hiddenart fame:

1. Who is your favorite author?
2. What cookbook do you use the most?
3. How do you express your artistic side?
4. Do you have a green thumb?
5. If you could magically appear in a movie, which one would it be and why?

Julie D. of Happy Catholic fame;

1. I think you work outside the home, what type of job is it?
2. What is your favorite dinner dish?
3. Have you ever taken a cooking class?
4. Who's funnier Homer or Miles?
5. If you could magically appear in a movie, which one would it be and why?


Kim of The Upward Call fame;

1. So how do you like being 40?
2. Do you prewrite your long blog entries?
3. If you could see one musician/singer in concert, who would it be?
4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
5. If you could magically appear in a movie, which one would it be and why?

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


Now, answer on your website and post these instructions there, to continue the game:
1. Leave me a comment saying “interview me.”
2. I will respond by asking you five questions.
3. You will update your blog/site with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
(Write you own questions or borrow some :o)
Interview Game

One part of the celebrations going on over at Carmon's blog is this interview game...

Here are the questions that Carmon has asked me to answer.

1.Which is easier to raise? boys or girls?
2. What is the biggest challenge of having older children?
3. What's the best place you've ever gone on a vacation?
4. Fiction or non-fiction?
5. If you could magically appear in a movie, which one would it be and why?


1. The sex of the child doesn't have much to do with the ease of parenting here at our house. It has everything to do with the child's personality. My compliant children have come in both sexes and my challenging children have come in both sexes :o) The compliant ones have made life easy for mommy. The challenging children have brought me laughter and personal growth.

2. The biggest challenge has been letting them make mistakes.
I want to make everything right...But have found that does not teach them to do it for themselves.

3. Florence, Italy.

4. I can't choose. I love books from both categories.

5. If I could magically appear in any movie, what would it be?
An American in Paris. I would dance with Gene Kelly alongside the river.
It would be heavenly.





Now, if you would like to play along...I am offering to "interview" the first five people who leave me a comment requesting me to do so.


1. Leave me a comment saying "interview me".
2. I will respond by asking you five questions (not the same as you see here).
3. You will update your blog/site with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.


And Awaaayyyy we go...
Party time-Carmon's house



Katie and her friend in their party hats :o)


The first blog I ever read was Carmon's over at Buried Treasure.

That was over three years ago...

Today she is celebrating her one-thousandth blog!

If you have never followed a link before...today is the day to try it.

Besides the witty and interesting entries Carmon will post today she is gathering funds to help pay for a young Azanou's eye surgery.

Thank you Lord for giving us such a wonderful sister-in Christ.


_____________

In my heart I long to be most like Oseola.
Southern Miss is proud to be the recipient of Oseola's faithful generosity.


Oseola McCarty: Profile
1908-1999
The late Oseola McCarty's life wasn't always easy, but it was always full of dignity, simple living and faith. After leaving school in the sixth grade to care for an ailing aunt, she spent the next 75 years earning her living washing and ironing clothes, and saving her money. McCarty, who never married and who rarely left her home except for weekly trips to the grocery store, appeared on every major TV network and was written about in most national publications. She gained notoriety upon donating $150,000 to the University of Southern Mississippi. "I want to help somebody's child go to college," she said. Her gift endowed the Oseola McCarty Scholarship. "I'm too old to get an education, but they can." When asked about her ability to save so much money she says simply, "I didn't buy things I didn't need, The Lord helped me, and he'll help you, too. It's an honor to be blessed like that."


That kind of self-less giving inspires me.
It encourages me to do better.
To want less.


Romans 12:4-8

4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.


According to the grace given,
Donna

Saturday, February 19, 2005





A CHILD'S HYMN
Charles Dickens

Hear my prayer, O heavenly Father,
Ere I lay me down to sleep;
Bid Thy angels, pure and holy,
Round my bed their vigil keep.

My sins are heavy, but Thy mercy
Far outweighs them, every one;
Down before Thy cross I cast them,
Trusting in Thy help alone.

Keep me through this night of peril
Underneath its boundless shade;
Take me to Thy rest, I pray Thee,
When my pilgrimage is made.

None shall measure out Thy patience
By the span of human thought;
None shall bound the tender mercies
Which Thy Holy Son has bought.

Pardon all my past transgressions,
Give me strength for days to come;
Guide and guard me with Thy blessing
Till Thy angels bid me home.


Big words and big thoughts for a child's hymn but I like it nonetheless.
I hope you enjoy your Sunday.

Bid Thy angels, pure and holy,
Round thy home their vigil keep.

Donna
I'm all stuffy




This painting is called Seamstress by Carl Larsson. If you would like to see more of his work click here.

I like the quality of light and color in Larsson's paintings. I also like his subject matter, women and children.

So since I'm all stuffy and my head is fuzzy and I can't think straight this morning, just like Kathleen Kennedy's in You've Got Mail, all I can manage is a lovely picture and a link.


____________


Thank you for sharing yesterday!
Don't you love sharing your baby stories?
They were touching.

But Kim did make me laugh with her advice to expecting mothers,
"Don't listen to baby stories!"
Ha

Good advice Kim :o)

I'm going to go sit under a big blanket now and watch television and try to forget my cold.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday, February 18, 2005

Baby Story Friday Five




Janet proposed this Friday Five but she left the details up to me.
We could all tell very long and wonderful/horrible tales of our birth experiences...but let's try to keep it relatively short, but with as many exciting and interesting details as possible :o)

1. How old where you when you had your first baby?
2. How big was your biggest baby?
3. How small was your smallest baby?
4. How long was your shortest labor?
5. What advice do you give mothers-to-be?
bonus
6. Share with us your favorite birth story.


I was twenty-four when I had Patrick Jr.

He was our largest baby. 7 lbs and 12 oz. He had red hair just like his father.
I thought I would never have another child because of the difficulty of the birth.

Our smallest baby was Katie Gracie. She was only 5 lb. 6 oz. The nurse delivered her.

My shortest and best labor was with Matthew. We arrived at the hospital at 12:15 and Matthew was born at 12:54. (At 11:30 I wasn't sure I was in labor. Now that's the way to do it)

My advice is to relax. I tend to hold tight, in fear, I think. But as soon as I relaxed the babies came.

I guess my favorite birth experience is when Katie came flying into the world.
One little adjustment by the nurse on duty and Katie was on her way.
Nurse:Don't push!
Me: I can't help it!
Katie: Waaaa

Katie had the cord around her neck and this birth taught me the most about God's providence and timing.

(I can't leave Emma out altogether. I took demerol and so it's a daze...but I was very delighted to have a little girl)


_______

Our Matthew hurt his ankle playing basketball on Tuesday night. He will go in for an X-Ray today. Please pray for the doctors and nurses and techs to do their best. And please pray for healing....and no surgery.

_____________


I will be gone all day today...I look forward to reading your fabulous comments at the end of the day!

he he he who he he he who

Encourage one another,
Donna

Thursday, February 17, 2005

Poppy Seed Bread

You should see the recipe card that I have this recipe written on. Let's just say that it looks well loved!

You will need to grease and flour two bread pans and preheat the oven to 350.

3 C. flour
1 1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 t. baking powder
3 eggs
1 1/2 C. milk
1 1/3 C. cooking oil
2 1/4 C. sugar
1 1/2 T. poppy seeds
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1 1/2 t. almond
1 1/2 t. butter flavoring

Mix on medium for two minutes.

Cool 5 minutes and glaze.

1/4 C. orange juice
3/4 C. white sugar
1/2 t. butter flavoring
1/2 t. almond flavoring
1/2 t. vanilla

Bake for 1 hour. Check @ 50 minutes.

Stir together and pour over warm bread.
This makes a sugary crust on the outside of the bread.

Cool-remove from pan-wrap.

This is very sweet and could be considered dessert--or not :o)
I happen to love almond flavoring.
I think I prefer it to chocolate. I would never buy a chocolate croissant. But an almond croissant is perfection.

Which do you prefer? Do you love chocolate above all else?
Hey, I know how to start a conversation! Chocolate, coffee, shoes...

**Denise K, I was happy to hear you liked the Italian Restaurant salad!
Thanks for letting me know.

***Dana--blogging trick #1
When at a loss for words, share a recipe.


Encourage one another,
Donna

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Dopey goes to the voting booth





Yesterday was voting day here in our little corner of the world. The Superintendent of schools and two building referendums.

I was urged to vote by two emails I received. Both emails included links (that did not tell me much) But I think I spotted something that mentioned the republican was very friendly to homeschoolers.

So off I skipped to the library to vote. I thought I will just vote for the person that has --Republican written next to his name.

Imagine my surprise and horror when I looked at the ballot and party affiliation was not listed! Oh no....who do I vote for?

I guessed. I think the guy had a name that started with 'U'

Ah, the democratic process. Guessing.

Well no matter. The incumbent won by 75% and not by one vote.

Phew.

Word to the wise....

If you want me to vote for your guy...just tell me the dude's name.


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

I know a few of you watched the dog show last night.
Who did you like?

For those of you who missed it, the German Shorthair Pointer won.
Fine looking dog.
Strike a pose and hold it!

What is your favorite dog breed?

I am leaning toward the Golden Retriever because they seem to be loving dogs...don't want to terrorize my friends ever again.

From Cindy Y. in the comments;

Was Cooper a Tibetan Terrier? He seemed MUCH larger than the dog in the picture. My only memory of ever being afraid of a dog in my whole life is connected with your Cooper. Do you remember the time that I brought Christmas cookies to you one night. . .and then as I walked into your house I tripped on your threshold and fell in Emma's general direction? Cooper must have thought I was lunging at her and. . .well, I thought my life was over. . .me on the floor and Cooper coming at me snarling.

He was very protective. And he was pretty. But he never liked me, did he?


He didn't like anyone :o(


So if I ever get a dog again, my number one concern will be, is this a gentle, friendly dog.


Dopey,
Donna

P.s. When I was little and I would show my father my report card, he would say, "'D' is for dandy."

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Look who is in the running for Best in Show!
Oh I am so excited...I don't think a Tibetan Terrier has been in the running for Best in Show at Westminster in a long time, if ever. Isn't that a cute dog?




We had a Tibetan and it was a bad experience for us (boo hoo) but I still love the breed and will be cheering for this little dog.


Here is the scarf I knit for Mary, our hero, at the bank.



We took it to her yesterday and she was thrilled.
It was knit with Linie 43, Punta. So very soft!

Katie is dressed for Valentines day :o) She made valentines for all of us and we cut out little hearts which she taped all over the house.

********

I have been blessed with a group of women to knit with. Lynn and Corrine from the Well Trained Mind message boards and two other moms, Teri and Helen. The whole meeting fell into place so nicely and we had such fun! They are all great ladies and I look forward to getting to know them all better....and to knit of course.

We met at a local yarn shop/coffee shop on Saturday.
(Yup, Saturday, just like you,Noel!)

I can't tell you what a blessing this little gathering was to me.
An answer to prayer really.

***********

So if you love dog shows, don't forget the finale of the Westminster tonight on USA.
My dog wanting is coming on strong.

I say, "Oh, look how pretty!"
My beloved says, "They're all pretty."

Encourage one another,
Donna

Monday, February 14, 2005





Have fun making your own candy hearts :o)



This song makes me chuckle. Especially the last two lines.
A little warning...it is slightly risque for young readers.



You drive me crazy
Hello darlin'.
I been gone for awhile.
Come on in and see me,
I ain't wearin' nothin' but a smile.
Just when we should be kissin',
seems like we fuss and fight.
You say you don't know why,
and I say I don't know why.

You drive me crazy,
with all the things you do and do not do.
Umm, I love you so much,
I'm gonna drive you crazy too.
Is it the way you look right past me,
with your hands upon your hips?
Is it the little twinkle in your eye,
or the snear upon your lips?

You drive me crazy,
with all the things you do and do not do.
Umm, I love you so much,
I'm gonna drive you crazy too.

You shoulda married someone,
a whole lot more like you--
drink coffee in the little cafes,
and you could go out shopping too.

I shoulda married someone,
who likes to camp and fish,
and make love for two days straight,
And you say, "don't you wish".


You drive me crazy,
with all the things you do and do not do.
Umm, I love you so much,
I'm gonna drive you crazy too.

I love to sit beside you,
when the storm is past,
and we don't know what happened
but there's sweet peace at last.

We'll be alright for awhile,
and someday we'll be free,
and even if we both still look puzzled
let your face be the last one I see.

-Greg Brown



Please join in and share your favorite romantic love song, poem of love or romantic comedy. And if you have lived a truly romantic moment (like kissing on top of the Eiffel Tower) let us all ooh and aah right along with you !

One of the most romantic things I have seen in the movies is at the very end of Groundhog Day and Bill Murray finally wakes up on Feb. 3 and says to Andie MacDowell,



"What can I do for you today?"

**********

I personally feel warm and fuzzy when my husband takes me out to a lovely dinner and when he cleans the carpet. :o)

How about you?

Encourage one another,
Donna

p.s. bbaker, I'm yours.

Sunday, February 13, 2005

Delighting in You


O Lord, renew our spirits and draw our hearts unto Yourself, that our work may not be to us a burden but a delight; and give us such a mighty love to You as may sweeten our obedience. O let us not serve You with the spirit of bondage as slaves, but with cheerfulness and gladness, delighting in You and rejoicing in Your work.
--Benjamin Jenks



If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.
My Father will love him, and we will come to Him
and make our home with him.

--John 14:23

Yesterday I was looking at the way two sisters responded to their parents discipline.
I was thinking today how I have many times responded to our Heavenly Father in much the same way as I did with my earthly parents.

I may not fuss and rebel outwardly but the fighting and discontent dance in my head.
My sister Janet and I call this 'having a party in our heads'.
Sometimes it is a pity party, sometimes it is a party of doubts and fears.

But God is good to give us His word and to show us His true impeccable character.
And understanding more about God's Character is what has truly brought me around.

Believing that God's love for us is great, that He has plans for us, and that He desires to see us grow thru our struggles, is what helps me have a more obedient heart.

Create in me a clean heart O God,
Donna

Saturday, February 12, 2005

Regrets, I've had a few...

I did fight with my mom, and she died in October of my Senior year. We had a great talk and I remember a nice weekend right before she died though so I don't "hate" myself for fighting with her...I was just more rebellious than my other perfect sisters
Sister Sue


By the way, Sue...I was not perfect or even good when I was a teen. My unkind thoughts were inside my head. So even if I didn't tell Mom and Dad how angry or disappointed I was by a rule or situation the rebellious thoughts were there...inside my head.

I think I was too afraid to talk back.

I wanted to get along.

So even tho I didn't fight outwardly with our parents, I have regrets too.
Regrets like not choosing a nicer Mother's Day card.

"These are all too nice for Mom."

Ugh.

Haunts me a little.

But I can and do overcome those guilty feelings, as I know you do too, by remembering that we were just young girls...

Hopefully we have grown and have matured and have become wiser over the years.


I, too, have a good memory with mom and dad the week before they died.
I am thankful for those gentle, sweet memories of our parents from our teen years.

I know our children will have many more good memories than bad ones...just like we do!

Real life is bumpy. It is imperfect.

The idealism of youth can be rough on parents.

From Parenthood

[Gil has been complaining about his complicated life; Grandma wanders into the room]
Grandma: You know, when I was nineteen, Grandpa took me on a roller coaster.
Gil: Oh?
Grandma: Up, down, up, down. Oh, what a ride!
Gil: What a great story.
Grandma: I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn't like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it.

Grandma exits to wait in the car.
Gil rolls his eyes.

Karen: I happen to LIKE the roller coaster, okay? As far as I'm concerned, your grandmother is brilliant.
Gil: Yeah if she's so brilliant why is she sitting in our NEIGHBOR'S CAR?


I sure hope our children 'happen to like the roller coaster' too.
Because our life has definitely NOT been a merry-go-round.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday, February 11, 2005

Senior Year in High School Days

This survey is going around the blogosphere...and I know it is really long...but oh my goodness it is just too much fun to pass by.

That's me in the middle.




What year was it?
1975 Wheaton Central High School

What were your three favorite bands or performers?
Bto, Beach Boys, Carly Simon

What was your favorite outfit?
This was in the day when one had to wear dresses to school :o)
I loved wearing my pep uniform. Orange and black skirt, white turtle neck with black knit vest with a cute little tiger on it, white socks and saddle shoes. I wore this almost every Friday for three years. I have always liked wearing the same thing over and over.


What was up with your hair?

Long and straight.

Who were your best friends?
Karen, Diana and Jeanine

What did you do after school?
Cheerleading practice.
Walk home.
Eat snack.
Watch television.

Where did you work?
I didn't work

Did you take the bus?
No

Who did you have a crush on?
Phil Russell (Chicago Black Hawk #5)
Mike, Derrik, Tracy, Dave....
I was boy crazy.

Did you fight with your parents?
No

Who did you have a CELEBRITY crush on?
Phil Russell,
Sylvester Stallone when he made Rocky.

Did you smoke cigarettes?
Absolutely Not!

Did you have a 'clique'?
Yes and No
I was named Most Friendly at my High School so that tells you that I got along with everyone, but I spent a lot of time with the Cheerleaders.

Admit it, were you popular?
I guess?
I was also named Most Courteous.
I wanted to be named Most Beautiful or Most Talented.

Who did you want to be just like?
Ginger Rogers

What did you want to be when you grew up?
Tap Dancer
Mother

Where did you think you'd be at the age you are now?
Married with Children


If it is way too hard to answer all of these...just pick out your favorite Five Questions that tell us some fun things about yourself.

I think 1975 was the last time I had a tan, too!
For those of you who didn't have a Senior Year...I know of three of you :o)
Tell us about your Junior year! I think some of my memories come from my Junior Year anyway :o)

A happy childhood can't be cured. Mine'll hang around my neck like a rainbow, that's all, instead of a noose. ~Hortense Calisher, Queenie, 1971

Memory... is the diary that we all carry about with us. ~Oscar Wilde, "The Importance of Being Earnest"

Join in the remembering,
Donna

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Food for thought and nourishment

Italian Restaurant Salad

8 c. lettuce, Romaine and leaf
3 tomatoes
1/2 c. shredded carrots
1/2 c. mild banana peppers
1/4 c. black olives
1/4 c. parmesan cheese

Dressing:

3 T. olive oil
2 T. red wine vinegar
2 t. lemon juice
1 t. salt
1/2 t. sugar
1/2 t. oregano
1/4 t. pepper
2 cloves garlic

The parmesan cheese is sprinkled right on the lettuce. The dressing is poured all over the whole salad before serving.

This is an amazingly delicious salad!
Some say it is like Olive Garden. But I think it is much better :o)





I remember liking this poem when I was a child. I think it played a big part in my thinking, don't you? :o)


THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT.

BY JOHN G. SAXE.

It was six men of Indostan,
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the elephant,
(Though all of them were blind,)
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.

The first approached the elephant,
And, happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl
"God bless me! but the elephant
Is very like a wall!"

The second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried: "Ho! what have we here.
So very round, and smooth, and sharp?
To me 'tis very clear,
This wonder of an elephant
Is very like a spear!"

The third approached the animal,
And, happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up he spoke:
"I see," quoth he, "the elephant
Is very like a snake!"

The fourth reached out his eager hand,
And felt about the knee:
"What most this wondrous beast is like
Is very plain," quoth he;
"'Tis clear enough the elephant
Is very like a tree!"

The fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: "E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most:
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an elephant
Is very like a fan!"

The sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Than, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
"I see," quoth he, "the elephant
Is very like a rope!"

And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right
And all were in the wrong!


Encourage one another,
Donna

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

Gather the kids around

Einstein the Bird

Thank you Lois for this fun link.

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

Would you like an excellent mitten pattern?
Look what I found.
Click here.

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

The Amazing Race was so exciting! Yes, the wrong team won. But they were good racers!

It was especially fun to see our old stomping grounds! Beautiful Chicago!
The Old Watertower and Gino's East!

Very delicious pizza! Yum!

One thing that cracked me up was the fact that teeny, tiny Rebecca could eat like a linebacker.

What a great show!


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

Have I told you how cool Emma's guitar teacher is? He is a human jukebox!
Last night as Emma and I were driving to guitar lessons at John's home we heard BTO Taking Care of Business on the radio.

ME: Ooooo...listen to that guitar! I'll bet John can play that.
Let's ask John to play it.

Emma:You ask him, mom.

When we get there I peek my head in the music room and say,
"Hey John, can you play taking care of business?"

He picks up his guitar and starts right in...John starts singing...I start singing...the two teens in the room just look on, grinning...

Oh, don't we know how to have fun!

Last week, I had Emma take in Neil Young's The Needle and The Damage Done song. I wanted Emma to learn it because the guitar is very pretty.

Listen

BUT the words are not very nice, at all. The song is about heroin. (So I suggested to Emma that we write different lyrics) As usual John knew the song and he and Emma were playing it by the end of the lesson.
She is a quick study.
He is a musical savant.

When John and Emma come out of the music room to find Brooke and I knitting...that was all the inspiration John needed.

Needles....Knitting needles...

A knitting song is now in the works. Sung to a lovely Neil Young melody.

Do you think Neil would approve?

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

Ash Wednesday Blessings.

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me:for my soul trusteth in Thee.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

tasty morsels

I don't know if you all have a chance to read all of the comments.
Wisdom abounds in the haloscan comments box here at Quiet LIfe;

Makin' the dream happen, one God-given struggle at a time,
Ann holyexperience.blogspot.com

The attitude does make a difference, so very much. When Charles and I married, one of his brothers told him after the ceremony, "When I get married, I want to marry someone who looks at me like Dy looks at you." I thought that was funny at the time, but it's true- it's all in how you look at it. Life isn't always perfect, but it's up to us how we choose to view it, and how we are going to look at it- at one another- at the opportunities that come our way.
-Dy

I am so thankful to the Lord for the joy He has given me, TRUE, PURE, JOY that I didn't know until He saved me.
-Janet

Envy will quickly destroy a happy attitude towards life and right now I am very envious of those pink and green mittens!!!
Janice

We've been talking alot about positive attitudes and grateful hearts here. We're all a little homesick and out of sorts but working hard at blooming where we are planted.
-Corrine

I've been feeling as though I'm missing out on a lot of things (like extended family) living up here. I will work on the positive attitude and grateful heart today.
-Cindy


Of course I love the comments about my knitting too :o)

Thank you for taking the time to share.
Sincerely.

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

Katie came out of the bathroom yesterday and said,
"The toliet is making a sound like a snake."

Now that you mention it, it does hiss. :o)

rattle...rattle...rattle

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

The Amazing Race Finale is on tonight.
Emma has guitar lessons right smack in the middle of the show.
We do not have a VCR.

Bad Mother: Waaaaaa, I want to watch the Amazing Race. Waaaaa. (envision Lucy)
Good Mother: Time for guitar lessons, dear.
Thinking Mother: Honey, how much does a VCR cost??? Tivo?
Frugal Mother: Do you have a VCR at work?
Hero Husband: Yes there is a VCR at work. I'll bring it home for you.
Happy Mother: Thanks honey! Happy, happy, joy, joy.

And so ends another thrilling chapter of Life with Donna.

Here's hoping you can find just the right balance today.
Meeting everyone's needs can be a tricky deal :o)
And in my case, a VCR is a very good thing.

Encourage one another,
Donna


Monday, February 07, 2005

finished objects




Pair two of the Koigu mitten experience. Koigu is a delight to knit with.
I love the color play.
I think I will try a pair of socks with Koigu next. It is merino wool but it feels like cotton.




Just finished this ribbon scarf. It is a little shiny in person. This was made as a fashion scarf not a warmth scarf.
What do you think?

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

Last night I happened upon the most glorious wedding story on the Food Network. It was Paula Deen's wedding. She was joyful and funny and beautiful. Her life looks like a dream....a movie...and that could have fooled me when I was a young girl, but this old girl noticed something very important. Paula Deen and her sons work very hard. Very very hard.

It all looks so lovely and dreamy but it is not the whole story.

And it is not true of any person you will ever meet. Everyone struggles, even if it doesn't look like it...the trials are there.

So what makes a person glow like Paula Deen? It is her attitude. Her positive, live it up attitude.

I used to be a dreamer.

I'm not so much of a dreamer anymore...but the hard work and struggles are what make the good times even gooder :o)

I think I can create my own little dream world right here in Wisconsin. It may not be warm, oceanside, glorious Savannah. But, ya know, I think the dream is 90% attitude anyway!

Positive attitude + hard work + grateful heart = a sweet life.

I'm off to live it up, in my own way!

Encourage one another,
Donna

p.s. Hey Matthew!!! I didn't forget you, son! Happy 20th Birthday!!!
We love you!

Sunday, February 06, 2005

Respite

Jean and I had a lovely visit yesterday.
When she arrived we hugged in the driveway. Twice. Once for Diane @ Circle of Quiet.
Thanks Diane :o)

We talked about blogging and why we are enjoying it so much.

We jumped in the car and headed to Barnes and Noble.

I spotted a darling picture book called Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes.

Very cute.

"It was Kitten's first full moon.
When she saw it, she thought,
There's a little bowl of milk in the sky.
And she wanted it."

A bowl of milk in the sky. Isn't that clever.

And then I bought myself a copy of French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating For Pleasure
by Mireille Guiliano

Jean carried around a handfull of books and then showed restraint and bought only one :o)

We headed to Whole Foods and had lunch. I had a Curried Chicken salad and Jean had Sonoma Chicken Salad. They were both delicious!
Jean brought in her new copy of Rod and Staff 8th grade English and we discussed English, Act, PSAT scores, protein and diets.



We had a little time left so we visited the fancy-schamcy knitting store.



We oohed and ahhed and felt yarn and imagined the possibilities.

Alas it was time to head home, to meet up with Jean's family.

I am so thankful we meet at The Well Trained Mind message board.
We have so much in common...it's really a pleasure to spend time with her.

One funny---

As many of you know, Jean has many cats and kittens on her farm. She knows and loves cats. Maggie our very sassy cat came downstairs to check Jean out. Jean quietly bent down to greet Maggie. Jean gently scratched Maggie's ears.

Maggie looked at Jean. And hissed!

Nice cat!

Wishing you all such a lovely visit with a friend.
Minus the sassy cat.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Saturday, February 05, 2005

It's rubbing off

Introducing the newest blogger in the family--

Emma @ Iridescentglow

Emma is funny, she doesn't make a big production out of things. In fact this morning I was surprised to see the post and picture she put up yesterday.

It's a knitting picture. Does that entice you to take a peek? tee hee

Now I know most of us older ladies won't be spending a whole lot of time reading teen blogs BUT I know there are a few young gals who read this blog--a hem--
Laura and Elizabeth-- and you might enjoy Emma's take on things.

**********

Today Jean of Well Trained Mind/Fairview Farm/Shades of White fame is making it to town.
Patrick said he will take care of Katie so Jean and I will be able to bum around Madison. I think this visit will include lots and lots of talking, a books store and Whole Foods...and I may request a visit to a knitting store because I am finishing up another pair of mittens and I will be projectless.

It's going to be a very nice Saturday!

I'll take my camera---you can all come along!

See you later!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday, February 04, 2005

Friday Five--Meet Up

Joanna sent a great list of Friday Five ideas a few weeks back.
Thank You!

We haven't done one like this is a while--

*Share with us five historical figures you would like to meet and why.

_____________


Just like Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure!

Did anyone see that movie?

It's become a favorite around here. Bill and Ted go back in time (in a phone booth) and collect famous figures for their Senior project. Among others they bring home Socrates and Joan of Arc. Socrates they call So Crates and Joan of Arc they call Miss Of Ark.
It's very silly but fun.


Mr. Ryan: Who was Joan of Arc?
Ted: Noah's wife?


Bill: Be excellent to each other.
Ted: Party on, dudes.


Looking forward to some unique and informative comments today!

Be excellent to each other,
Donna

Thursday, February 03, 2005

Mutts





I am a mutt. Not a spiritual mutt. A religion mutt.

On the way to Awana at the Baptist church, Emma hit the nail on the head when she said, "We're mutts."

In the last 25 years we have been members and/or attended Lutheran churches, Methodist churches, Presbyterian, Orthodox Reformed, Evangelical Free, Non-denomination, Baptist Churches and the Catholic Church.

Gee, I hope I am not leaving someone out.

My beliefs have not changed. Just the pew I have been sitting in.
For a long time I was deciding where we would go to church. Now my husband is taking the lead and he feels drawn to the church of his youth, the Catholic church.

Sometimes I feel like I am on the religion roller coaster. Is believer's baptism or infant baptism the right choice? Is the bread and the wine a symbol or is it truly the blood and body of Christ? Calvinist...Armenian...Dispensation...postmillennialists...

Yikes.

And you know what I have decided; I can't decide.
I have read books and books on these subjects. I have read the Word of God.
I have read the wonderful, passionate, Reformed, Baptist and Catholic blogs--and I think they all have excellent arguments for what they believe.
I respect the great theologians who have stood their ground for what they believe.
I respect my friends who know what they believe and can back it up with the word of God.
After hearing it all. I just can't decide who is right.

And I really do wish we had a church home. I really really do. But we don't right now.

I know the Bible is true. I think the Apostle's creed to be a good reflection of the things I believe. I believe in the Trinity and the Virgin birth and the resurrection. And I believe Jesus is God.

And I believe these things are all that matters.
And without Jesus I am nothing. He is the alpha and the omega.

So here I sit on the religion fence.

I think I am here for a reason. I'm not sure what.

But, goodness gracious, these churches all have so much more in common than they have differences.

There have been faithful, Godly people and pastors at every one of the churches I have attended.

They have all been a blessing to us.
And we have, when allowed, been able to be a blessing to them.

So that's where I sit. The mutt on the fence.

A very respectful, Bible believing, God-lovin', mutt on a fence.

Donna

Wednesday, February 02, 2005

It's easy, try it!

In November I happened upon a bloghost called Blogspirit. It is another free host like blogspot. But it has some very nice and easy features. For instance one can create their own photo galleries.

Click here to see what I came up with.

Pretty cool, don't ya think?

This could be used as a on-line photo album you could share with your family and friends.


Also I have a recipe blog which I created on blogspot. I have a link to this on my sidebar; Recipes I have know and loved.

You can find that here.

This is very easy to do and I think your children would love it if you saved your recipes for them.

*********

Camy called me yesterday afternoon to tell me she had a double batch of Esther's spaghetti on her stove! Isn't that just the coolest thing? She used some of her own canned tomatoes--I'll bet it was delicious.

Camy is a friend I met at The Well Trained Mind message board. She has been a true gift from God. (You know I say that God will give you the friends He wants you to have) Well Camy is a bright, loving, fun, thoughtful, sister in Christ and she is just such a gift!

Camy and her husband have seven children-number seven is currently in her tummy :o)
They have five boys and one girl---with twin boys being their first---really just the opposite of our family :o)

Our father would have loved all of those football lovin' boys! He always wanted a baseball team of his own! Instead he got six girly girls and one big tall son who was not too interested in sports.

We never really felt that our father would exchange us for boy...but...



When we would go out to eat at those Paul Bunyan places where you get to eat all you want--it drove him nuts that we would fill up on the donuts (that the restaurant placed on the table before your meal came) and not eat a ton of food.

His dream was to coast into a Paul Bunyan's with nine big strappin' boys and get his money's worth!!!

We can all dream ;o)

Anyway back to Camy...feel well today! I hope the vitamins in the spaghetti gave you some much needed energy. Thanks for letting me know you tried our mom's recipe.

She would be so happy you liked it! She was a very young bride with very limited cooking skills but she became a wonderul, wonderful cook!

Encourage one another...just as you all encourage me--daily,
Donna

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

Culture Shock

I am reading Janet Austen: A Life by Claire Tomalin.

I am in culture shock. My ideas of life and culture from this time period all come from Jane Austen's and Charles Dicken's books/movies. Well now that I think of it Bronte too.

We see women left without means regularly in all of these author's books. It was not uncommon. Tomalin recalls this very thing happening to Jane's own grand-mother and great grand-mother.

I thought the state of respect people have for one another was bad now. Well, it was just as bad two hundred years ago. It's all so complicated as I think about it.

I imagined things to be much better in the past.

The children in the Austen family were nursed by their own mother for three months and then sent away to live in the village with a wet-nurse for the next year and a half. Now that is outrageous to me.

I thought women leaving their children when they were babies was a new custom.

Turns out children have been treated poorly for centuries. (of course they didn't think it was treating them poorly)

Now think of this---the children in our generation are being treated more fairly and with more concern, love, books, advantages then any generation ever before.

And well, it seems children have just gotten wilder.

Is it the lack of a Christian Worldview?
A lack of those boundaries which were standard in previous generations?

I know we are a world full of sinners but perhaps there is nothing to reign in our society now. Whereas there was a least a moral standard of right and wrong that permeated most of society in the past.

Well where am I going with this?

Nowhere really.

I'm just finding it all very eye-opening.

Did you ever read that in the Middle ages they hung the children up on hooks to keep them out of trouble?

What a world.

Better get back to minding my own business. The business of loving those around me and keeping my hands busy.

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands...." 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Encourage one another,
Donna