Happy Birthday Mike!

It is Mike's birthday!

Yippeeeee!

Wooooo Hooooo!

April 13th is one of the happiest days of the year for me!

Yea, sure, that was the day my beloved was born and all that.

Yep, I'm so very glad he was born.

Here's the deal, though.

For eight M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E weeks

each year, I am older than Mike.

Being the funny guy that he is, he 

reminds me over and over and over 

that I am the elderly one.

That's not a very gentlemanly way for him to behave

but you are likely not too surprised by this if you read

about his obnoxious behavior here.

Mike didn't appreciate that post.

He was downright pouty about it.

After that post he forbade me,

yes,

FORBADE 

me,

from ever mentioning his name or using his photo on my blog again! 

Oopsy!

Anyway...

Let me be serious for just a second...

Mike is thoughtful and caring.

Mike is a man of deep integrity.

Mike has a tender heart.

Mike makes me laugh.

I have a deep respect for this man, my husband, but

when he forbade me from using his photo, I had to go back

through old photos to choose some of my favorites.

Relax.

He'll forgive me; he wears a cross...

 ...and he's so handsome.

My Cup is Overflowing

I was going through old photos again tonight. I came upon this one...

I think I was just trying to get photos of the drops of water hanging on that evergreen tree. They were sparkling and pretty. I didn't get any very good close-ups on those drops so I was disappointed with this photograph. However, looking back now, I really like it. There, in the background, the sun was putting on a pretty good show and I wasn't even paying attention to it! I was just focusing (pun intended) on my disappointment over the little drops photo I'd planned.

I wonder how much else I miss in life, what kind of  beauty do I overlook, just because my plan hasn't always gone perfectly? I have some things in my life that have not gone exactly as I thought they should, but in the background of my life, there is so much beauty, so much abundance. 

One of my goals recently has been simply to live a life of more gratitude. I've been given so much, a loving family, useful work, great friends, more than enough food, a home that surpasses my needs, and so much more. My cup is overflowing.

The Mean Pastor and Our Spray Bottle

Sometimes, when I don't know what I want to blog about, I look through photos to see if I can find something I think you should see. This is one of those times. Let me give you  some background information first.

It started with Bode.

Bode is naughty. Sometimes he is really naughty. Oh sure, he is sweet and lovable and all that, but he can be really, really naughty. My first tendency is to holler at him when he is doing something he should not, like eating plastic things. As it turns out, hollering does not much affect this particular canine.

Then, we were told about the spray bottle. Maria and Eric taught us about use water for discipline purposes, I think. They found it very effective for keeping their bassett hounds from jumping up on them. Apparently we are too cheap to get more bottles so we use the one I keep for ironing clothes. Let'a get real. It doesn't see that much action by the ironing board anyway.

The spray bottle works great on Bode! All I usually have to do is hold it up  for him to see it and he settles right down. However, I often can't remember where we last set it down, but that's another story.

Anyway, this post isn't really about Bode. It is about Mike. My dear, sweet, saintly (ha!) husband uses it more often than he should! And he doesn't just use it on the dog. When I took this photo, he was threatening me with the squirt bottle! That just isn't right, is it? He doesn't just threaten us, either. I have lost count about how many times I've felt the startling cold, streaming bullet as it was aimed at my.....  self. He even shoots his sweet little granddaughters with it! I'm not kidding; he is ruthless!

Maybe you shouldn't mention this to people in our church. It might blow his pastor image!

In a Hurry

I have been rushing around so much lately! Like pretty much everyone else I know, I'm always complaining that I am more busy than I should be. Of course, it is no one's fault but my own. The problem is, there is just soooooo much I want to do!

One thing I've noticed about myself when I get too busy is that I start making silly mistakes. Do you do that?

For instance...

Like I've told you before, I have a job where I am on the phone a lot now. As it so happens, I often have to leave phone messages for patients to return my call. I don't really know why they let me do that job because really, leaving messages is not my best thing. Something about knowing I'm being recorded just kind of puts my brain on hold. Well, one day I was leaving a message and I don't think I was sounding too bad until I left my call back number. All of a sudden I realized I had just given the number for the patient to call back. As I was looking at her paperwork at the time, and instead of giving my number, I asked her to call her OWN number! THEN, I giggled. That always sounds professional, don't you know.

Yesterday I worked a long day, starting with an educational deal-y-o at 6:30 a.m. It was about 5:00 p.m. when I rushed into our house. I needed to cook something for a quick supper as I had a meeting to attend after dinner. I try to have a good plan in place for such instances but last night, I did not. I threw open the fridge door, hoping to find something yummy that perhaps I'd cooked while sleep-walking the night before. No such luck. What I did find, though, made me laugh.

Apparently, when cleaning up the night before, I'd felt our plastic wrap needed to be kept chilled.

Maybe I should slow down just a bit.

Family Time

Sunday at Church

Today was a special day at church.

We had a children's program, which meant there

were a lot of parents there with a lot of cameras.

That also meant I could take photographs freely.

I love Sundays.

I love being at church.

I am there an hour early to 

practice singing

on the worship team. 

It is one of my favorite times of the week!

Our son-in-law, Eric, sings on the Worship Team with me.

I love that.

He also plays bass guitar.

He also plays drums.

Not all at once, but he is certainly one talented guy!

Cordelia was in the program and couldn't have been sweeter. She told us she felt a little scared but she enjoyed it. I loved that she waved to me during the program.

Maria and Elise were enjoying it all.

Apparently Cordelia's star power was blinding to Elise.

 It was easy to take photos of my man.

I made it look like I was just taking pictures of the children.

I'm pretty sneaky that way.

Sam always, always arrives late for church.  Always.

He was pretty surprised when I turned and snapped his photo!

And here she is, our favorite little performer!

That face always makes me smile!

Aaron Shust - My Hope Is In You

My hope is in God. In this life, I know I will face trials. People I love will die. I will die. Someone who is not a Christian may look at this video and have a hard time understanding how it goes with this song about hope. They may think their hope was in vain. I don't think so. I believe their hope is in God, in their faith that this life is only a tiny part of our existence and when we go to be with him, our hope will be fulfilled.



Did you notice the song in the hymn book?  I thought you might like to hear it also. These guys are truly talented and listening to this song really has the power to bring me to a state of peace. Music can do things like that, you know. I hope you will listen all the way through.

My Day

First of all, the results are in. We had a tie on my poll from yesterday. The winning categories were knee highs with dresses and mittens on strings. I'm quite saddened to report that no one, not anyone, voted for socks with sandals. That was my personal favorite but whatever.

Anyway.

Today was a long but nice day. I had a productive and pleasant time at work. I finally started feeling caught up so took a longish lunch with a friend. Mike and I were at a wedding rehearsal at church after I got off work. Technically I guess that means he was still working, doing his pastor thing you know. I, however, just enjoyed watching all the people doing their thing. Then, I got to eat yummy food. It was all good.




The best part of this day, however, came with a buzz.

My phone buzzed, that is.

I had a photo message from Maria that made me smile at the cuteness.




Folks, it just doesn't get any cuter than this!

Socks, Mullets and Mittens

Here are the deep thoughts I was having this morning, all involving fashion. Yes, that's right. I've been using precious brain time considering fashion. These are deep, deep thoughts people.

First of all, what is so bad about socks with sandals? Yes, I know you are supposed to make fun of people when they do that. I realize it is a major, major fashion mistake to pair socks with sandals. However, sometimes it would be the smart thing to do. For instance, you may start your day off in cool weather and those socks would be just what your little toesies needed. By mid-day, all you have to do when it gets hot outside, you just remove socks and once again, you are comfortable. It seems much more sensible than having to choose between packing extra shoes or being uncomfortable part of the day.

I have a confession. Once, when Mike & I were on vacation in St. Louis, I was wearing sandals all over town and I ended up with blisters. My sandals were the most comfortable choice for all the walking we were doing, so I wore socks with my sandals. Well, I reasoned that I knew no one there but Mike, and he wouldn't care. I'm not sure he would've even known that was a fashion no-no. Before leaving on that trip I sprayed on a tan and tried dying my hair red (for the St. Louis Cardinals). What does that have to do with this topic you ask? Well, the red in my hair dripped out whenever I got wet. The spray tan was smearing and streaky. I already looked pretty awful so who would notice a little pair of socks? Anyway, my feet were very happy from then on... so there!

Second, what is so bad about a mullet anyway? Could there be a more versatile hairstyle? It would really be ideal for someone like me. When my hair is long, I think I want short hair. When my hair is short, I want long hair. With a mullet, I'd always have my way! Also, in windy Wyoming, I could have the fun of feeling hair down my back (it is a wonderful feeling...sorry if you've never had that) without the front blowing all in my face. Just think about it before you judge someone wearing a mullet next time.

Of course, I'm only kidding about all of this... or am I?

And last, let's talk a bit more about the sock situation. I have a lot of nice socks, fun socks, really. A friend once gave me a pair of Betty Boop socks that featured a nurse holding a syringe and saying, "Bottoms up!" I once wore them when I went in for a colonoscopy. Get it? Bottoms up?  OK, let's move on. That wasn't really what I was thinking about.

Socks... knee socks in particular... This morning I wanted to wear these cool socks with my pants and my orange sweater.

But guess what? With my pant leg down, no one could have even seen the orange so they'd just be left wondering why I was wearing pink socks with my orange sweater. So, I was thinking... why can't adult women wear knee high socks with their dresses? I have lots of fun pairs of them and no one gets to enjoy them. I'm sure they'd be interesting conversation starters, don't you?

Also, after a winter of always looking for my gloves or mittens, I'm wondering why adults don't keep them on strings through their sleeves like we used to do for little kids? Sure, little kids might get caught on the strings and choke, but we're grown-ups. We could handle that, couldn't we?

So, there you have it. My deep thoughts are now your's as well. I'm wondering which of these fashion ideas you'd most like to see be made acceptable? Let's take a poll to find out. I've put the poll up on the side of my post. I've never done a poll before so I hope someone will play along. You have until tomorrow evening to let your voice be heard! Look up toward the top on the right hand side for the "ballot sheet".

Wyoming Winter 9/27/2013- ?

This photo was taken September 27, 2013.

It is certainly not the first time we've seen snow in September.

It is actually kind of fun to get that early snow; it is exciting anyway.

Of course, the week after this photo we got the 

snow that broke half the trees in our town.

That wasn't fun.

It was terribly sad.

This next photo was taken today, April 2, 2014

Snow is not nearly as exciting in April!

It is tiresome.

This afternoon it changed to bouncing sleet.

That was a little bit fun, but really,

we are all wondering when we'll finally

get to close the book on this one.

We're starting into our 7th month!

I didn't really mean to take my own photo when I was getting

my Kindle out to take the above photo.

It did kind of capture my feeling about the continuing snowy weather, didn't it?

So, Winter, it has been fun.

It has been memorable.

I don't want to be rude but someone needs to tell you,

YOU ARE WEARING OUT YOUR WELCOME!

It's time to rest in peace.

Project Happy Room

Remember how I told you I put something funny on my door at work every day as part of making that office a happier place to be (Project Happy Room)? Maria has been helping me find little funnies from time to time. This one is gross, but too funny to pass over.

I had this one on my door Monday.

And this one is just cute, don't you think?

You're welcome.

Uncle Sam and Cordelia

One of the joys in my life is watching my boys play with their nieces. Last night, Sam and Cordelia were having a grand time. Sam's bigness compared to her smallness made for a sweet scene. Cordy's giggles and smiles were contagious. I just enjoyed watching (and snapping photos). I know some grandmas and a certain girlfriend (Hi Alaysha!) who will enjoy the photos as well.

Making Silly Memories

Sunday evenings at our house are all about family, dogs, little kids, toys strewn about, noise, food and often a lot of silliness. I'll show you.

Betty wasn't really as sad as she looks.

Really, she was pretty happy because at

Grandma and Grandpa's house 

she gets lots of snuggling.

Remember that last Sunday we took Laura out for dinner 

to start off her birthday week?

We fancy ourselves to be her family-away-from-family.

Anyway...

Maria made a cake for her this Sunday.

She deserves a week-long birthday!

If you are trying to figure out her age according

to the candles you see, you may as well give up.

It made sense to me, but likely no one else.

I'll just say, she's still a sweet young thing.

 We were happy that Sam came by.

We still miss him but he is doing well out in the world as a grown-up.

Elise was getting pretty excited to see the cake come out. 

She kept asking for frosting.

But then, this happened...

For some reason, it really upset her to see Maria cutting the cake.

Not to worry, though. A little frosting took care of that problem.

Apparently Mike thought the frosting on her nose was a look

that would enhance his handsomeness.  

Because we all looked over to see him quietly eating his cake, 

with his nose decorated like Elise's.

Next, Maria joined the movement.

Then, the birthday girl got into the act.

Sam said they were weird but...

Cordelia and I didn't want to be left out!

Since I started this blog, I most certainly

have taken a lot more photos than I ever did before.

I wonder, will these photos help us maintain memories

of ridiculous times like this?

I hope so.

It's really these little, silly moments that make up

family memories, don't you think?

Do you want to share any silly moments from your family life?