Following up on Jess's idea...here is some info about the town I was born and raised in.
Champaign is a city in Champaign County, Illinois, in the United States. The city is located 135 miles south of Chicago and 124 miles west of Indianapolis, Indiana. Though in many respects Champaign is still a farm community, it is notable for sharing the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with its sibling city of Urbana. Thanks to the university and a number of well known technology startups (see below), Champaign is often referred to as the hub of, or at least a significant landmark of, the Silicon Prairie.
As reported in the 2000 U.S. Census, the city was home to 67,518 people. The city held a special census in 2007 that showed that its population had grown to 75,254.[1] The mayor is Gerald Schweighart, whose term will expire in 2011.
Champaign was founded in 1855, when the Illinois Central Railroad laid its rail track two miles west of downtown Urbana. Originally called "West Urbana," it was renamed Champaign when it acquired a city charter in 1860. Both the city and county name were derived from Champaign County, Ohio.
On September 22, 1985, Champaign hosted the first Farm Aid concert at the University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium. The concert drew a crowd of 80,000 people and raised over $7 million for American family farmers.
In 2005, Champaign-Urbana (specifically the University of Illinois) was the location of the National Science Olympiad Tournament, attracting young scientists from all 50 states. The city also hosts the state Science Olympiad competition every year. The University of Illinois is next expected to host the National competition in 2010.
[edit]
Famous people from Champaign
Bonnie Blair, olympic gold-medalist speed skater
Bob Richards, olympic gold-medalist pole vaulter
Bill Geist, CBS News correspondent
Matt Herges, major league pitcher
Michael H. Kenyon, nicknamed the "Enema Bandit"
Alison Krauss, bluegrass singer
Ludacris (Christopher Bridges), rapper
Vashti McCollum won a U.S. Supreme Court case against religious teaching in public schools; her son Dannel would later be a mayor for Champaign three terms
Poster Children, rock group
Jerry Sanders Founder and former CEO of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) W. J. (Jerry) Sanders, graduated from the U of I's Electrical Engineering Department (now Electrical and Computer Engineering Department) in 1958.
Lewis Hastings Sarett, inventor of synthetic cortisone
REO Speedwagon, rock group
James Tobin, laureate of the Nobel prize in economics(1981)
George Will, political columnist
Col. Lee Archambault, Astronaut (University of Illinois)
Commander Scott Altman, Astronaut (University of Illinois)
Jimmy John (Founder of restaurant Jimmy John's)
Starcastle, rock group
Hum, space rock/alternative rock group
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Hey there Delilah
I love this song! I never knew that it was written specifically about a girl named Delilah.
From the TODAY show.....
"As a nationally ranked runner and an Olympic hopeful, Delilah DiCrescenzo is used to being chased — but by other athletes, not by pop singers from Chicago. But, she said on Wednesday, she doesn’t mind the attention the chase has brought her. “What I really hope through all of this is that it spotlights track and field, and it gives the sport a face, which is really important to us athletes in an Olympic year,” the woman who inspired Song of the Year nominee “Hey There Delilah” told TODAY co-hosts Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer on Wednesday.
It’s been a long chase both for her and for Tom Higgenson, lead singer for the Plain White T’s, who wrote the song five years ago after being introduced to DiCrescenzo by a friend. Higgenson was smitten and even though she had a boyfriend, he told her he was going to write a song about her.
“I thought he was just being flirtatious and leading me along,” the 24-year-old athlete told Lauer and Vieira. “I had a boyfriend at the time, so I really didn’t believe him.”
Higgenson and his band played the song for years at club dates and concerts, and it became a favorite with their fans. But it wasn’t until last summer that it broke out into the mainstream and began climbing the charts until it was the nation’s top single. That was when Higgenson performed the song on TODAY and told Ann Curry the story of unrequited love that had inspired it.
DiCrescenzo, meanwhile, remained all but anonymous. A graduate of Columbia University, she had returned to her native Chicago to work. A good but not great runner in high school and college, she gave the 3,000-meter steeplechase a try in 2006 and found that she was good enough in the grueling race to think about trying to make the Olympic team this year. To pursue that dream, she moved to Conshohocken, Pa., where she trains full-time while working as an assistant track and cross-country coach at Bryn Mawr.
She kept casually in touch with Higgenson, mostly through e-mails and instant messages. When the song was nominated for a Grammy as Song of the Year, he called and invited her to come to the Feb. 11 ceremony with him. With her boyfriend’s blessing, she accepted and found herself in the spotlight.
She said it’s something of a relief to go public with her identity and to clear up any confusion about her role in a love song whose lyrics seem unequivocal:
Hey there Delilah, I’ve got so much left to say
If every simple song I wrote to you
Would take your breath away, I’d write it all
Even more in love with me you’d fall, we’d have it all.
“I knew it was fictionalized, and I’m glad that I finally get the opportunity to say I do have a boyfriend and it is romanticized,” she said. “The song means so much to so many different people. I’m just happy that it’s had so much success, and I don’t mind playing along with it.”
Her boyfriend, who did have bouts of jealousy when the song came out, is also relieved. “He’s a lot happier now that I get a chance to clear up the confusion,” she said. “He’s been a good sport through the whole thing.”
She hasn’t gotten a dress for the occasion yet. “I’ve been concentrating on my training for the Olympics,” she admitted. Her event, the steeplechase, is contested over hurdles and a water hazard. For the first time at this year’s Olympics, it will be run by women as well as by men, and DiCrescenzo will compete in the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in June. The top three finishers at the trials will go to Beijing in August.
Asked by Lauer which would be more exciting, seeing Higgenson win the Grammy or making the Olympic team, DiCrescenzo chose to be diplomatic.
“I want both,” she said.
From the TODAY show.....
"As a nationally ranked runner and an Olympic hopeful, Delilah DiCrescenzo is used to being chased — but by other athletes, not by pop singers from Chicago. But, she said on Wednesday, she doesn’t mind the attention the chase has brought her. “What I really hope through all of this is that it spotlights track and field, and it gives the sport a face, which is really important to us athletes in an Olympic year,” the woman who inspired Song of the Year nominee “Hey There Delilah” told TODAY co-hosts Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer on Wednesday.
It’s been a long chase both for her and for Tom Higgenson, lead singer for the Plain White T’s, who wrote the song five years ago after being introduced to DiCrescenzo by a friend. Higgenson was smitten and even though she had a boyfriend, he told her he was going to write a song about her.
“I thought he was just being flirtatious and leading me along,” the 24-year-old athlete told Lauer and Vieira. “I had a boyfriend at the time, so I really didn’t believe him.”
Higgenson and his band played the song for years at club dates and concerts, and it became a favorite with their fans. But it wasn’t until last summer that it broke out into the mainstream and began climbing the charts until it was the nation’s top single. That was when Higgenson performed the song on TODAY and told Ann Curry the story of unrequited love that had inspired it.
DiCrescenzo, meanwhile, remained all but anonymous. A graduate of Columbia University, she had returned to her native Chicago to work. A good but not great runner in high school and college, she gave the 3,000-meter steeplechase a try in 2006 and found that she was good enough in the grueling race to think about trying to make the Olympic team this year. To pursue that dream, she moved to Conshohocken, Pa., where she trains full-time while working as an assistant track and cross-country coach at Bryn Mawr.
She kept casually in touch with Higgenson, mostly through e-mails and instant messages. When the song was nominated for a Grammy as Song of the Year, he called and invited her to come to the Feb. 11 ceremony with him. With her boyfriend’s blessing, she accepted and found herself in the spotlight.
She said it’s something of a relief to go public with her identity and to clear up any confusion about her role in a love song whose lyrics seem unequivocal:
Hey there Delilah, I’ve got so much left to say
If every simple song I wrote to you
Would take your breath away, I’d write it all
Even more in love with me you’d fall, we’d have it all.
“I knew it was fictionalized, and I’m glad that I finally get the opportunity to say I do have a boyfriend and it is romanticized,” she said. “The song means so much to so many different people. I’m just happy that it’s had so much success, and I don’t mind playing along with it.”
Her boyfriend, who did have bouts of jealousy when the song came out, is also relieved. “He’s a lot happier now that I get a chance to clear up the confusion,” she said. “He’s been a good sport through the whole thing.”
She hasn’t gotten a dress for the occasion yet. “I’ve been concentrating on my training for the Olympics,” she admitted. Her event, the steeplechase, is contested over hurdles and a water hazard. For the first time at this year’s Olympics, it will be run by women as well as by men, and DiCrescenzo will compete in the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in June. The top three finishers at the trials will go to Beijing in August.
Asked by Lauer which would be more exciting, seeing Higgenson win the Grammy or making the Olympic team, DiCrescenzo chose to be diplomatic.
“I want both,” she said.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
In memory of a great man...
Today, we celebrate this man with either a day off of school or work, no mail, and no banks. I'm attaching the speech that we all associate with him. We have come along way since this speech, but we still have so much more to go!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
music man
probably one of my favorites...this is from the 2003 version with matthew broderick and kristen chenoweth...love this scene!!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Weigh In...week 2
Still a loss, but not as much as I would have liked. But like I said...a loss is a loss!
0.6 lbs, which brings me to 4 lbs total! I talked with the people there and got some ideas from my sister, so I just need to work on those for next week! :)
Since I did have a loss, I treated myself to a cinnamon melt and a yogurt parfait! First time to McDonalds in almost 2.5 weeks! :-) The cinnamon melt was a splurge but the parfait wasn't too bad at only 3 points. Plus, I got some dairy and fruit out of the deal!
0.6 lbs, which brings me to 4 lbs total! I talked with the people there and got some ideas from my sister, so I just need to work on those for next week! :)
Since I did have a loss, I treated myself to a cinnamon melt and a yogurt parfait! First time to McDonalds in almost 2.5 weeks! :-) The cinnamon melt was a splurge but the parfait wasn't too bad at only 3 points. Plus, I got some dairy and fruit out of the deal!
Friday, January 18, 2008
TGIF!
The title says it all...this week has been CRAZY!!!
This weekend is a three day weekend thanks to Martin Luther King! Tomorrow, I have my WW meeting, which I'm a little nervous about...I hope to see a loss. A few times this week, I was under my points for the day, but I wasn't hungry. I'm going to have to ask about that. Then, I was eating, but it was late at night. The next morning, I felt like crud.
After the meeting, I'm heading to my sisters and will be having a sleepover with the nephews! :) My sister has a girls night out and my bil is working until Sunday morning.
I'll try and update what I hear from Weight Watchers!
This weekend is a three day weekend thanks to Martin Luther King! Tomorrow, I have my WW meeting, which I'm a little nervous about...I hope to see a loss. A few times this week, I was under my points for the day, but I wasn't hungry. I'm going to have to ask about that. Then, I was eating, but it was late at night. The next morning, I felt like crud.
After the meeting, I'm heading to my sisters and will be having a sleepover with the nephews! :) My sister has a girls night out and my bil is working until Sunday morning.
I'll try and update what I hear from Weight Watchers!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Oh, the Places I've Been....
Borrowing an idea from Jess, thought I would put my list together of where I have lived throughout my life. I'm not as traveled as she is though...I've never left the state of Illinois!
1. Champaign, IL - I was born there in 1977 and lived there until we moved in 1989.
2. Schaumburg, IL - moved there in 1989 and lived there until Bill and I were engaged. We got an apartment about 6 months before we were married in 2000.
3. Rock Island, IL - lived there between 1995 and 1999, while I attended Augustana College.
4. Plainfield, IL - First place where Bill and I lived. Were there from 2000-2003.
5. Oswego, IL - Moved there in 2003 and stayed there until we moved in 2006.
6. Schaumburg, IL - Moved back to our hometown. We both grew up in Schaumburg so it was nice to be back home.
1. Champaign, IL - I was born there in 1977 and lived there until we moved in 1989.
2. Schaumburg, IL - moved there in 1989 and lived there until Bill and I were engaged. We got an apartment about 6 months before we were married in 2000.
3. Rock Island, IL - lived there between 1995 and 1999, while I attended Augustana College.
4. Plainfield, IL - First place where Bill and I lived. Were there from 2000-2003.
5. Oswego, IL - Moved there in 2003 and stayed there until we moved in 2006.
6. Schaumburg, IL - Moved back to our hometown. We both grew up in Schaumburg so it was nice to be back home.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Random Questions
What is the highest and lowest that you typically will set your heat at in your home?
During the winter, we keep the heat anywhere from 65-68. It may seem cold to others, but being in a third floor apartment, the hot air rises from the other two floors. I also love the feeling of being a little chilly and cozing up with a blanket (and dh of course)
During the summer, we keep it cool as well. I can’t stand being hot or overheated!
How much do you typically spend on groceries per week?
I’d say about $50 a week, but it depends. We just shop a little bit here and there…so it’s hard to add up.
What is your favorite kind of bread? Do you eat the ends/heels of a loaf of bread? Or do you toss them?
My new favorite is Weight Watchers 100% Wheat Bread! LOL Normally, we just go for the generic brand at whatever store we are at.
Are you hoping to have any more children? Or for those of you who haven't had a child yet, are you hoping to start a family soon?
I can honestly say that my answer changes from day to day on this one. I love kids and I want to have children, but, dh and I are still pretty selfish and we still struggle with just the two of us. I don’t know if adding kids into the mix is a good thing at this point...but ask me tomorrow!
Have you read anything good lately? I'm always on the hunt for a good book to read.
I don’t read as much as I should. It’s not that I hate to read, I just don’t make the time for it. And when I do read, I either fall asleep in 5 minutes or I stay up TOO late because I can’t put it down.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who are always complaining, but not willing to change their lives or situations.
Have you ever bought something from the Home Shopping Network, or the like?
I think I’ve bought scrapbooking stuff and I also bought the Tae-Bo videos way back when.
Do you prefer paper or plastic bags at the grocery store? Why?
I tend to prefer paper, but mostly end up with plastic. We end up resuing them for the garbage can in the bathroom or carrying our lunch “stuff” in.
During the winter, we keep the heat anywhere from 65-68. It may seem cold to others, but being in a third floor apartment, the hot air rises from the other two floors. I also love the feeling of being a little chilly and cozing up with a blanket (and dh of course)
During the summer, we keep it cool as well. I can’t stand being hot or overheated!
How much do you typically spend on groceries per week?
I’d say about $50 a week, but it depends. We just shop a little bit here and there…so it’s hard to add up.
What is your favorite kind of bread? Do you eat the ends/heels of a loaf of bread? Or do you toss them?
My new favorite is Weight Watchers 100% Wheat Bread! LOL Normally, we just go for the generic brand at whatever store we are at.
Are you hoping to have any more children? Or for those of you who haven't had a child yet, are you hoping to start a family soon?
I can honestly say that my answer changes from day to day on this one. I love kids and I want to have children, but, dh and I are still pretty selfish and we still struggle with just the two of us. I don’t know if adding kids into the mix is a good thing at this point...but ask me tomorrow!
Have you read anything good lately? I'm always on the hunt for a good book to read.
I don’t read as much as I should. It’s not that I hate to read, I just don’t make the time for it. And when I do read, I either fall asleep in 5 minutes or I stay up TOO late because I can’t put it down.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who are always complaining, but not willing to change their lives or situations.
Have you ever bought something from the Home Shopping Network, or the like?
I think I’ve bought scrapbooking stuff and I also bought the Tae-Bo videos way back when.
Do you prefer paper or plastic bags at the grocery store? Why?
I tend to prefer paper, but mostly end up with plastic. We end up resuing them for the garbage can in the bathroom or carrying our lunch “stuff” in.
Monday, January 14, 2008
In honor of a good friend....
a little men bashing for the day!
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth - at least that's what they say - he created the birds of the air and the beasts of the field and he looked at his creation and he saw that it was good...
and then God created man and it's been downhill ever since.
Dr. Miranda Bailey
Grey’s Anatomy
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth - at least that's what they say - he created the birds of the air and the beasts of the field and he looked at his creation and he saw that it was good...
and then God created man and it's been downhill ever since.
Dr. Miranda Bailey
Grey’s Anatomy
Sunday, January 13, 2008
thank goodness it's temporary...
but dh is working the third shift over the next few nights...HATE sleeping by myself...UGH!
another lazy day
haven't had one in awhile and this one felt good. i had church in the morning, with our handbell choir performing. both groups did REALLY well!
our new organ ROCKS...i could have listened to it for hours! especially since the guy who was playing it just is a wonderful musician as well! (also not bad on the eyes as well)...too bad he's gay :-( lol
so yea, our church is an open and affirming church, we means, we basically accept all who come through our door. we have several members of the gay community (couples and singles) as well as a few members of the transgender population. still not 100% comfortable with the whole transgender way of life, but the people who we have are amazing, so it's good.
sorry...rambled there for a sec.
ugh...i need another day off! lol
our new organ ROCKS...i could have listened to it for hours! especially since the guy who was playing it just is a wonderful musician as well! (also not bad on the eyes as well)...too bad he's gay :-( lol
so yea, our church is an open and affirming church, we means, we basically accept all who come through our door. we have several members of the gay community (couples and singles) as well as a few members of the transgender population. still not 100% comfortable with the whole transgender way of life, but the people who we have are amazing, so it's good.
sorry...rambled there for a sec.
ugh...i need another day off! lol
Saturday, January 12, 2008
lazy saturday...
i had these aspirations this morning to get so much done...and........
i didn't do a damn thing!
I had my first WW weigh-in...I lost 3.5 lbs! I had planned on going into to work, but chose to come home and be a couch potatoe. Watched a chick flick and napped...just started a load of laundry for tomorrow...
i may try the working thing again tomorrow...we'll see!
i didn't do a damn thing!
I had my first WW weigh-in...I lost 3.5 lbs! I had planned on going into to work, but chose to come home and be a couch potatoe. Watched a chick flick and napped...just started a load of laundry for tomorrow...
i may try the working thing again tomorrow...we'll see!
Friday, January 11, 2008
TGIF
Thank goodness it's Friday.
This week was weird and long...probably because it's the first full week after the holidays.
Nothing big going on this weekend...just relaxing! Going to my second meeting tomorrow at WW and I'm hoping to see a loss!! I've been really good about my points this week!
Have a good weekend everyone!!
This week was weird and long...probably because it's the first full week after the holidays.
Nothing big going on this weekend...just relaxing! Going to my second meeting tomorrow at WW and I'm hoping to see a loss!! I've been really good about my points this week!
Have a good weekend everyone!!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
A new blog
Of course I'm still going to keep this one, but come on join me on my weight loss blog.
Last Saturday, I joined Weight Watchers. Several friends and family have had success on this and it's about time I start myself!
Last Saturday, I joined Weight Watchers. Several friends and family have had success on this and it's about time I start myself!
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
I Rule!
To quote my brother-in-law...lol
Why do you ask...well, i'll tell you!
last night, we had a "oh so fun" church meeting. we've been dancing around a particular issue for two months and we are getting no where quickly. our pastor majorly lacks leadership skills...she likes to "major in the minors". it's been very frustrating and the negativity in that church is at an all time high.
so, this meeting started out the same discussion...finally, i had the nerve to speak up and guess what....WE MADE PROGRESS!!
One of the ladies told me last night "you are your parent's daughter".
once again, say it with me now...i rule!
Why do you ask...well, i'll tell you!
last night, we had a "oh so fun" church meeting. we've been dancing around a particular issue for two months and we are getting no where quickly. our pastor majorly lacks leadership skills...she likes to "major in the minors". it's been very frustrating and the negativity in that church is at an all time high.
so, this meeting started out the same discussion...finally, i had the nerve to speak up and guess what....WE MADE PROGRESS!!
One of the ladies told me last night "you are your parent's daughter".
once again, say it with me now...i rule!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
scrapbook goals for this year
i'm the nerd who sets goals for how many pages I want to create this year as well as books i would like to work on...so here goes for 2008 (5 years since I started scrapping by the way!)
*Finish 2006 scrapbook (almost done...just a few pages left and need to organize)
*Finish 2007 scrapbook (still have about 20-25 pages left for this book)
*Complete Gansch Family Reunion scrapbook (we've done a family reunion on gma's side of the family since 1987...Gma had everything in photo albums, including the magnetic albums (shudders)...want to get that into a book for all to share!
*Start on work on scrapbook from birth-high school.
*Re-do Disney Honeymoon Album (this was one of my first books...VERY basic and they have come out with cool stuff since!)
*Make a book for Bill and his sister with their family pictures
My page goal for 2008 is 150 pages...I've already done 35!!
*Finish 2006 scrapbook (almost done...just a few pages left and need to organize)
*Finish 2007 scrapbook (still have about 20-25 pages left for this book)
*Complete Gansch Family Reunion scrapbook (we've done a family reunion on gma's side of the family since 1987...Gma had everything in photo albums, including the magnetic albums (shudders)...want to get that into a book for all to share!
*Start on work on scrapbook from birth-high school.
*Re-do Disney Honeymoon Album (this was one of my first books...VERY basic and they have come out with cool stuff since!)
*Make a book for Bill and his sister with their family pictures
My page goal for 2008 is 150 pages...I've already done 35!!
Monday, January 07, 2008
Quotes from favorite TV Shows...
I also have Facebook and they have fan pages with quotes and trivia...thought I would share some favs of mine...
Gilmore Girls
Rory: Hey, who are the rosary beads for?
Lorelai: They're mine.
Rory: What do you need rosary beads for?
Lorelai: They're cute.
Rory: They're for prayer.
Lorelai: Well, pray they match my blue suit?
Rory: They have just upgraded you to a queen-size bed, Jacuzzi tub, junior suite in hell!
7th Heaven
Matt: What's wrong with Luce?
Mary: God hates her.
Matt: Still? You'd think after 13 years he'd move on to someone else.”
Grey's Anatomy
Meredith: "O,o on the table keep me draped, too many people have seen me naked already. I'd like to keep whatever dignity i have left. McSteamy, MCSTEAMY! Whohu!"
Mark: "O, so thats what your callen me now, McSteamy."
Meredith: "Yeaaa, but i don't think your suppose to know that!"
Mark: "Hows my favorite dirty mistress?"
Meredith: "Haven't you herd now, Im an adulterous whore."
Gilmore Girls
Rory: Hey, who are the rosary beads for?
Lorelai: They're mine.
Rory: What do you need rosary beads for?
Lorelai: They're cute.
Rory: They're for prayer.
Lorelai: Well, pray they match my blue suit?
Rory: They have just upgraded you to a queen-size bed, Jacuzzi tub, junior suite in hell!
7th Heaven
Matt: What's wrong with Luce?
Mary: God hates her.
Matt: Still? You'd think after 13 years he'd move on to someone else.”
Grey's Anatomy
Meredith: "O,o on the table keep me draped, too many people have seen me naked already. I'd like to keep whatever dignity i have left. McSteamy, MCSTEAMY! Whohu!"
Mark: "O, so thats what your callen me now, McSteamy."
Meredith: "Yeaaa, but i don't think your suppose to know that!"
Mark: "Hows my favorite dirty mistress?"
Meredith: "Haven't you herd now, Im an adulterous whore."
Sunday, January 06, 2008
is it january....
or is it april?!?!?!
today, we hit temps in the 50's or 60's...the snow that we had on the ground from Monday and Tuesday....gone. Below zero temps and windchills...gone. That part I'm ok with, but I miss the snow....only because the ground is muddy and disgusting. Throw in a cloudy day and i just want to be a couch potato!!
today, we hit temps in the 50's or 60's...the snow that we had on the ground from Monday and Tuesday....gone. Below zero temps and windchills...gone. That part I'm ok with, but I miss the snow....only because the ground is muddy and disgusting. Throw in a cloudy day and i just want to be a couch potato!!
I need another weekend!!
Because the other got away from me!
Yesterday was a scrapbook day (which I needed)...thanks to DH for "letting" me go. Not that he wouldn't let me, but he knows that I enjoy it and he supports me, so it's all good!
Today was church, which started our new schedule. afterwards, came home and had lunch and a quick nap (it felt like 5 minutes). Then, we headed over for an engagement dinner with Melissa and her fiancee and the meeting of the families! It was a nice evening. Mel and Kev are buying a house just down the street from us, so YEA, they will be close!
time for bed...work tomorrow...blech
Yesterday was a scrapbook day (which I needed)...thanks to DH for "letting" me go. Not that he wouldn't let me, but he knows that I enjoy it and he supports me, so it's all good!
Today was church, which started our new schedule. afterwards, came home and had lunch and a quick nap (it felt like 5 minutes). Then, we headed over for an engagement dinner with Melissa and her fiancee and the meeting of the families! It was a nice evening. Mel and Kev are buying a house just down the street from us, so YEA, they will be close!
time for bed...work tomorrow...blech
Saturday, January 05, 2008
already on a roll with my scrapbooks
5 days into 2008 and i have completed 35 pages!! WOW.
The first 20 pages were an 8x8 for my SIL. Late Christmas gift for a scrapbook of her pets! She's had a collection of cats and dogs over the years...so this will be a place for her to put the pictures in!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrappyjenn/sets/72157603624817660/
This evening, i went to a crop at archivers and got another 15 pages done!! WOOHOO!
The first 20 pages were an 8x8 for my SIL. Late Christmas gift for a scrapbook of her pets! She's had a collection of cats and dogs over the years...so this will be a place for her to put the pictures in!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrappyjenn/sets/72157603624817660/
This evening, i went to a crop at archivers and got another 15 pages done!! WOOHOO!
Day One...
Of Weight Watchers. I tried doing it online last spring/summer after seeing my sister's results...but no luck. I need to face the music and go into the meetings. Also, I signed up for Discovery Health's National Body Challenge which equals a free eight week membership to Bally's Total Health!
I'm just hoping for a healthier me! I'd like to see me under 200 lbs, but one day at a time!
I'm just hoping for a healthier me! I'd like to see me under 200 lbs, but one day at a time!
Friday, January 04, 2008
What's Your Name Hidden Meaning?
| What Jenn Means |
 You are fair, honest, and logical. You are a natural leader, and people respect you. You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries. You are rational enough to see every part of a problem. You are great at giving other people advice. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. |
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
100 Things About me...Part 1
Items 1-20
|
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
1 post down...365 to go...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Hope the start of 2008 has been good to all of you so far and that everyone had a nice NYE.
Two of my friends came over for a night of ice cream and alcohol...yea, don't ask about the combo, we didn't do it at the same time! :) Hubs went to bed early, as he had to work this a.m. at 6...yuck.
just relaxing in front of the fire watching the rose bowl! GO ILLINI!!
Hope the start of 2008 has been good to all of you so far and that everyone had a nice NYE.
Two of my friends came over for a night of ice cream and alcohol...yea, don't ask about the combo, we didn't do it at the same time! :) Hubs went to bed early, as he had to work this a.m. at 6...yuck.
just relaxing in front of the fire watching the rose bowl! GO ILLINI!!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
In 2008, be it resolved to...
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy . Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.
Remember this motto to live by:
"Life should *not* be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, 'WOO HOO what a ride!'"
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy . Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.
Remember this motto to live by:
"Life should *not* be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, 'WOO HOO what a ride!'"
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
ABC Fun
Found this on Sarah's blog from a few years ago...
A is for age: 30 (gulp)
B is for birthday: October 15
C is for career: Customer Service for a test publishing company
D is for your dad's name: David
E is for essential items to bring to a party: Camera
F is for favorite song at the moment: Home by Daughtry
G is for favorite game: Apples to Apples
H is for hometown: Schaumburg
I is for instruments you play: flute, piano, oboe and handbells
J is for jam or jelly you like: strawberry or grape
K is for kids: no kiddos yet...but i like connor for a boy and liliana for a girl
L is for living arrangements: apartment with hubby
M is for mom's name: Nancy
N is for name of your crush: Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Ty Pennington
O is for overnight hospital stays: for my thyroid removal and follow up radiation treatment
P is for phobias: Bugs!
Q is for quotes you like: We put the fun in disfunctional!
R is for relationship that lasted the longest: Husband, married for a little over 7, together for almost 10 and have known each other for almost 18 years!
Best friends w/April since we were in kindegarten
S is for sexual preference: I'll take anything ;)
T is for time you wake up: between 6-7am
U is for underwear: Yes, i wear underwears!
V is for vegetable you love: Broccoli w/cheese
W is for weekend plans: celebrating mil's and gmas birthdays
X is for x-rays you've had: teeth (a couple times) and chest (during surgery)
Y is for yummy food you make: fudge, fruit pizza
Z is for zodiac sign: Libra
A is for age: 30 (gulp)
B is for birthday: October 15
C is for career: Customer Service for a test publishing company
D is for your dad's name: David
E is for essential items to bring to a party: Camera
F is for favorite song at the moment: Home by Daughtry
G is for favorite game: Apples to Apples
H is for hometown: Schaumburg
I is for instruments you play: flute, piano, oboe and handbells
J is for jam or jelly you like: strawberry or grape
K is for kids: no kiddos yet...but i like connor for a boy and liliana for a girl
L is for living arrangements: apartment with hubby
M is for mom's name: Nancy
N is for name of your crush: Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Ty Pennington
O is for overnight hospital stays: for my thyroid removal and follow up radiation treatment
P is for phobias: Bugs!
Q is for quotes you like: We put the fun in disfunctional!
R is for relationship that lasted the longest: Husband, married for a little over 7, together for almost 10 and have known each other for almost 18 years!
Best friends w/April since we were in kindegarten
S is for sexual preference: I'll take anything ;)
T is for time you wake up: between 6-7am
U is for underwear: Yes, i wear underwears!
V is for vegetable you love: Broccoli w/cheese
W is for weekend plans: celebrating mil's and gmas birthdays
X is for x-rays you've had: teeth (a couple times) and chest (during surgery)
Y is for yummy food you make: fudge, fruit pizza
Z is for zodiac sign: Libra
Friday, December 28, 2007
Busy weekend
Tomorrow, we are heading out to the inlaws to celebrate mil's birthday. Then, we're heading back towards home and going out to dinner with grandma and the family. Grandma is 90 on Sunday...so it's dinner tomorrow night and church on Sunday. We'll have cake and coffee after church on Sunday!
Then, a half day at work on Monday and it's partying for New year's with my friends marcy and nancy. Dh is going to cook us spaghetti!! I'm looking foward to it!!!
Then, a half day at work on Monday and it's partying for New year's with my friends marcy and nancy. Dh is going to cook us spaghetti!! I'm looking foward to it!!!
Crockpot Apple Crisp
Ingredients:
6 cups apples, sliced
4-6 ounces 100% apple juice
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
1 cup dry quick cooking oats
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup whole-wheat flour
4 tablespoons trans-fat free butter spread
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4-1/2 cup chopped toffee bits
Directions:
Combine apples and apple juice in crockpot sprayed with non-fat cooking spray. Use a teaspoon to spoon peanut butter over apples. Combine remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl until crumbly. Sprinkle over apples. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours
6 cups apples, sliced
4-6 ounces 100% apple juice
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
1 cup dry quick cooking oats
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup whole-wheat flour
4 tablespoons trans-fat free butter spread
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4-1/2 cup chopped toffee bits
Directions:
Combine apples and apple juice in crockpot sprayed with non-fat cooking spray. Use a teaspoon to spoon peanut butter over apples. Combine remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl until crumbly. Sprinkle over apples. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours
Picture fun!
I've been playing with Microsoft Digital Image Suite...thought that I would share some of my "creations"
Bored...
It's so quiet around work this week. We thought that we were going to be slammed with getting everything in before the end of year, but it seems like we're in a good position.
I'm actually bored and fighting to stay awake. It was nice the first day, but now I'm fighting to stay awake!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
What's yours Theme Song?
| Your Karaoke Theme Song is "Since U Been Gone" |
 You are a very expressive and genuine person. You're not so emotional that you wear your heart on your sleeve - but you're not afraid to show how you're truly feeling. Whether you're singing along in the car or singing on stage, your favorite songs make you get a little carried away. You're definitely the type most likely to dream of becoming a rock star! You might also sing: "Livin' La Vida Loca," "I Will Survive," or "Hollaback Girl" Stay away from people who sing: "I'll Make Love to You" |
Recipe for my Personality
| The Recipe For Jenn |
 3 parts Understanding 2 parts Intellect 1 part Moxie Splash of Mania Finish off with a little umbrella and straw |
Blog 2008!
In November, I participated in NaBlPoMo, where you had to post every day in the month of November.
I'm going out on a limb here....in 2008, I'm going to attempt and post EVERY SINGLE DAY!
Anyone care to join me?
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Merry Christmas to all my blogger friends!
I realize that it's the day after, but I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas, no matter how you spent it!
Last week I was in a holiday funk. We had some friends who are in the midst of a little bit of bad luck and it was difficult getting into the spirit of Christmas because of their current struggles. Thursday and Friday, I finished up the last of my shopping and frankly, I'm ok with it. I'm not a big shopper, who needs to start in June...that's just not me. I make out a list and I am able to get it done in just a few hours.
Saturday, we headed into the city to spend Christmas with my side of the family. My BIL made awesome pizzas...YUM! We opened up gifts with my parents, grandparents, sister and her family. The kids were so excited about presents and were able to quickly tell which presents belong to them!
Sunday, I had stopped by Grandma's to deliver her Christmas gift. Later that evening, dh and I went out to the movies and saw National Treasure...GOOD! After we got home, we finished wrapping Christmas gifts for the inlaws.
We got up on Christmas Eve and headed out to Plainfield...spent the afternoon with my inlaws, just relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet! Later in the evening, we went over to dh's aunt and uncle's house and had Christmas with them. I drank a little too much (me like white russians!) and sang along with American Idol on playstation. All in all, it was a fun night!
Yesterday, we woke up at Bill's parents and ate breakfast before heading downstairs for presents. I got the game called Apples to Apples, a new flatware set, some CDs and DVDs, some gift cards!
I can't believe that it's over so fast. This Friday, we have our last performance of our cantata and Saturday and Sunday will be birthday celebration weekend with Grandma and MIL! Fun fun fun!!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Musical Monday...part two...
Just because I can't decide!!
Maverick: "She's lost that loving feeling."
Goose: "She's lo..."
[catches up]
Goose: "No she hasn't."
Maverick: "Yes she has."
Goose: [objecting] "She's not lost that lo..."
Maverick: Goose, she's lost it man.
[walks off]
Goose: [to Mav] Come on!
[to himself]
Goose: Aw sh... I hate it when she does that.
Maverick: "She's lost that loving feeling."
Goose: "She's lo..."
[catches up]
Goose: "No she hasn't."
Maverick: "Yes she has."
Goose: [objecting] "She's not lost that lo..."
Maverick: Goose, she's lost it man.
[walks off]
Goose: [to Mav] Come on!
[to himself]
Goose: Aw sh... I hate it when she does that.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
scrapbook for the nephew
Here is my christmas present for my 3 year old nephew...still have a few more pages left to do!!
Advent Devotional; December 8-14th
December 14
The Prophets of Advent - Isaiah
Kenneth L. Samuel
We often think that radical change cannot occur without great upheaval. In the minds of sixth and seventh-century Hebrews, the paradigm for social change was the violence and subjugation imposed on them by their belligerent neighbors, the Assyrians and the Babylonians. But the prophet Isaiah was sent to speak to the people about the advent of another kind of radical social change. Isaiah’s vision of revolution would not be marked by
aggression, dislocation or intimidation. The tone of this revolution would be set by the “Anointed One”—the one sent by God to usher in the radical revelation of God’s new
order. What would this revolutionist emissary need to stop the old order and begin the new? A mighty army? Military prowess? A commanding presence? Jesus, the greatest revolutionary humanity has ever known, had none of these. In fact, his spirit was so humble and his manner so meek that “he would not break a bruised reed nor extinguish a smoldering wick.” Still, the revolution he inspired refuses to die and will never be defeated. It is a revolution that grows by the forces of faith and conquers through the supremacy of selfless love.
Prayer: God grant us the power of faith, so that we may accomplish radical changes in
your Name. Amen.
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice. Isaiah 42:3
December 13
The Prophets of Advent - Jeremiah
Kenneth L. Samuel
Seventh-century prophet Jeremiah heralded news from God that the people of his day
did not want to hear. The Word of the Lord is like surgery: before it can cure us, it must
first cut us. Jeremiah’s contemporaries had grown so complacent and cocky in their
spiritual iniquities and social injustices that they refused to deal soberly with the advent of
God’s judgment. They thought that if they denied it, it would not come to pass. Advent gives each of us a chance to prepare for new seasons in God’s reign. But our resistance to change can force us into dangerous denial and retreat. Deeply afflicted by the intransigence of his culture, Jeremiah retreated into his own denial. He thought that by denying his vocation to speak in the name of the Lord, he could absolve himself of all responsibility and live a carefree life. He did not realize that the price we pay for denying the calling of God upon our lives is our own health and wholeness. It was the “fire in his bones” that burned him back into his prophetic role as herald of God’s new season. The seasons of God cannot be averted and the calling of God cannot be ignored. The only questions are: Are we prepared for the changes? Are we willing to act as the change agents of the stillspeaking God?
Prayer: Lord, in this season of Advent, prepare us for the seasons ahead; and make us
faithful heralds of your unfolding Grace, through your Son, who was, is, and is yet to
come. Amen.
But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my
heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed I cannot.
Jeremiah 20:9 (NIV)
December 12
Be a Star
Donna Schaper
She didn’t get to be an angel in the pageant, she had to be a star. Her mother talked her into the role she had to play. Her mother was also overjoyed that, when the play was over,
she had loved being a star. How had the turn happened? “The angels had to sing. I just had to stand there and shine.” Sometimes fire is more light than heat. Sometimes it just shines, and in its shine, we find our unexpected joy. Often when we do get what we thought we wanted, we don’t like it. Often, also, when we don’t get what we wanted, we find that what we get is great. Serendipity abounds and so does the shining.Light 12, Darkness 11, and the game continues.The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5
Prayer: O God, let us be a part of the shining light.Amen.
December 11
The Fire in Our Bones
Donna Schaper
Someone I’d never met said, “Well, you always used to bring the portable microphone to the rally.” Part of me was offended. Another part of me was honored: My church always used to give more than it could afford. What a bargain: To be able to give more than you can afford. It releases the fire shut in our bones. In many third world countries, people offer you a piece of jewelry for a price that is a third of the price you would pay in the United States. First they gave us a ridiculously low price. Then we (sometimes) bargain them down. Sometimes I like to pay the U.S. price. It releases the fire shut in my bones.
Prayer: Let us show that another economy is possible. Amen.
...there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones: I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. Jeremiah 20:9
December 10
Light One Candle
Donna Schaper
There is a beautiful story recounted every Christmas in the forests of Provence in southern France. It’s about the four shepherds who came to Bethlehem to see the child. One brought eggs, another bread and cheese, the third brought wine. And the fourth brought nothing at all. People called him L’Enchante. The first three shepherds chatted with Mary and Joseph, commenting on how well Mary looked, how cozy was the cave and how handsome Joseph was in it. What a beautiful starlit night! Finally someone asked, “Where is L’Enchante?” They searched high and low, up and down, inside and out. Finally, someone peeked through the blanket hung up against the crib into the crèche. And there kneeling at the crib was L’Enchante. He stayed the entire night in adoration. Another response, beyond silence and action, to the call from the wild is enchantment. Simple enchantment. It is what we can see in just one candle.
Prayer: Let us find a little enchantment in one candle. Amen.
. . . and the life was the light of all people. John 1:4
December 9
Christmas People
Donna Schaper
There is an eternal rift between the Christmas “quick” people and the Christmas “slow”
people. The quick people put up their tree the day after Thanksgiving, mail their cards,
and savor an entire month of the holiday, prepared and pretty. The Christmas slow people
are more classical in their approach: they celebrate Advent. They are not upset that we
don’t sing Christmas carols until Christmas. The tree goes up close to the actual day; the cards may not get out until February. These are the crock pot Christmas keepers; the others are the frying pan type. Some of us are bi—we like Christmas so much that we do a both/and. We fill up the whole month with slow preparations. We keep the fire going all night long. We take the long way home.
Prayer: Help us, O God, to set the world on fire, one stick at a time. Amen.
Go forth and set the world on fire. St. Ignatius of Loyola
December 8
Flame
Donna Schaper
The word “flame” has a bad rap. Many relate it to people who either dress or behave ostentatiously. Humility might be its opposite: here we dress and behave invisibly,
without calling attention to ourselves. Oddly, this text advises a combination. It calls
us to flame humbly. The admonition for a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline, is a
delightful combination of quiet and noise. As we await Advent, we might try dancing this fire
dance. We might find a way to speak powerfully and quietly at the same time. We might practice “infant” behaviors.
Prayer: Fan into flame the smoldering ashes of our spirits and let us be a vigorous
flame, not just in short Advent but in long time. Amen.
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God... For God did not give us
a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. II Timothy 1:6-7
The Prophets of Advent - Isaiah
Kenneth L. Samuel
We often think that radical change cannot occur without great upheaval. In the minds of sixth and seventh-century Hebrews, the paradigm for social change was the violence and subjugation imposed on them by their belligerent neighbors, the Assyrians and the Babylonians. But the prophet Isaiah was sent to speak to the people about the advent of another kind of radical social change. Isaiah’s vision of revolution would not be marked by
aggression, dislocation or intimidation. The tone of this revolution would be set by the “Anointed One”—the one sent by God to usher in the radical revelation of God’s new
order. What would this revolutionist emissary need to stop the old order and begin the new? A mighty army? Military prowess? A commanding presence? Jesus, the greatest revolutionary humanity has ever known, had none of these. In fact, his spirit was so humble and his manner so meek that “he would not break a bruised reed nor extinguish a smoldering wick.” Still, the revolution he inspired refuses to die and will never be defeated. It is a revolution that grows by the forces of faith and conquers through the supremacy of selfless love.
Prayer: God grant us the power of faith, so that we may accomplish radical changes in
your Name. Amen.
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice. Isaiah 42:3
December 13
The Prophets of Advent - Jeremiah
Kenneth L. Samuel
Seventh-century prophet Jeremiah heralded news from God that the people of his day
did not want to hear. The Word of the Lord is like surgery: before it can cure us, it must
first cut us. Jeremiah’s contemporaries had grown so complacent and cocky in their
spiritual iniquities and social injustices that they refused to deal soberly with the advent of
God’s judgment. They thought that if they denied it, it would not come to pass. Advent gives each of us a chance to prepare for new seasons in God’s reign. But our resistance to change can force us into dangerous denial and retreat. Deeply afflicted by the intransigence of his culture, Jeremiah retreated into his own denial. He thought that by denying his vocation to speak in the name of the Lord, he could absolve himself of all responsibility and live a carefree life. He did not realize that the price we pay for denying the calling of God upon our lives is our own health and wholeness. It was the “fire in his bones” that burned him back into his prophetic role as herald of God’s new season. The seasons of God cannot be averted and the calling of God cannot be ignored. The only questions are: Are we prepared for the changes? Are we willing to act as the change agents of the stillspeaking God?
Prayer: Lord, in this season of Advent, prepare us for the seasons ahead; and make us
faithful heralds of your unfolding Grace, through your Son, who was, is, and is yet to
come. Amen.
But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my
heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed I cannot.
Jeremiah 20:9 (NIV)
December 12
Be a Star
Donna Schaper
She didn’t get to be an angel in the pageant, she had to be a star. Her mother talked her into the role she had to play. Her mother was also overjoyed that, when the play was over,
she had loved being a star. How had the turn happened? “The angels had to sing. I just had to stand there and shine.” Sometimes fire is more light than heat. Sometimes it just shines, and in its shine, we find our unexpected joy. Often when we do get what we thought we wanted, we don’t like it. Often, also, when we don’t get what we wanted, we find that what we get is great. Serendipity abounds and so does the shining.Light 12, Darkness 11, and the game continues.The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5
Prayer: O God, let us be a part of the shining light.Amen.
December 11
The Fire in Our Bones
Donna Schaper
Someone I’d never met said, “Well, you always used to bring the portable microphone to the rally.” Part of me was offended. Another part of me was honored: My church always used to give more than it could afford. What a bargain: To be able to give more than you can afford. It releases the fire shut in our bones. In many third world countries, people offer you a piece of jewelry for a price that is a third of the price you would pay in the United States. First they gave us a ridiculously low price. Then we (sometimes) bargain them down. Sometimes I like to pay the U.S. price. It releases the fire shut in my bones.
Prayer: Let us show that another economy is possible. Amen.
...there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones: I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. Jeremiah 20:9
December 10
Light One Candle
Donna Schaper
There is a beautiful story recounted every Christmas in the forests of Provence in southern France. It’s about the four shepherds who came to Bethlehem to see the child. One brought eggs, another bread and cheese, the third brought wine. And the fourth brought nothing at all. People called him L’Enchante. The first three shepherds chatted with Mary and Joseph, commenting on how well Mary looked, how cozy was the cave and how handsome Joseph was in it. What a beautiful starlit night! Finally someone asked, “Where is L’Enchante?” They searched high and low, up and down, inside and out. Finally, someone peeked through the blanket hung up against the crib into the crèche. And there kneeling at the crib was L’Enchante. He stayed the entire night in adoration. Another response, beyond silence and action, to the call from the wild is enchantment. Simple enchantment. It is what we can see in just one candle.
Prayer: Let us find a little enchantment in one candle. Amen.
. . . and the life was the light of all people. John 1:4
December 9
Christmas People
Donna Schaper
There is an eternal rift between the Christmas “quick” people and the Christmas “slow”
people. The quick people put up their tree the day after Thanksgiving, mail their cards,
and savor an entire month of the holiday, prepared and pretty. The Christmas slow people
are more classical in their approach: they celebrate Advent. They are not upset that we
don’t sing Christmas carols until Christmas. The tree goes up close to the actual day; the cards may not get out until February. These are the crock pot Christmas keepers; the others are the frying pan type. Some of us are bi—we like Christmas so much that we do a both/and. We fill up the whole month with slow preparations. We keep the fire going all night long. We take the long way home.
Prayer: Help us, O God, to set the world on fire, one stick at a time. Amen.
Go forth and set the world on fire. St. Ignatius of Loyola
December 8
Flame
Donna Schaper
The word “flame” has a bad rap. Many relate it to people who either dress or behave ostentatiously. Humility might be its opposite: here we dress and behave invisibly,
without calling attention to ourselves. Oddly, this text advises a combination. It calls
us to flame humbly. The admonition for a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline, is a
delightful combination of quiet and noise. As we await Advent, we might try dancing this fire
dance. We might find a way to speak powerfully and quietly at the same time. We might practice “infant” behaviors.
Prayer: Fan into flame the smoldering ashes of our spirits and let us be a vigorous
flame, not just in short Advent but in long time. Amen.
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God... For God did not give us
a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. II Timothy 1:6-7
Advent Devotional: December 3rd - December 7th
I've been slacking off...so I'm posting them all at once!
December 7
The Baby Grew Up
Martin B. Cobenhaver
This passage is a reminder of who it is we await in this season. During Advent we tend to focus our anticipation on the sweet baby Jesus because, as every parent knows, we can see in an infant almost anything we want to see. And, besides, everyone loves a baby. This passage, however, reminds us of the mission of God’s anointed one, the Messiah.
When we read this passage during Advent it is a reminder that the baby grew up. He taught,
he challenged, he provoked, he healed, he liberated. We are never very good at letting babies grow up to the point where they have their own ideas and confront us with their own lives. A baby tends to turn things upside down and can be a bit of a challenge to have around. In the case of the baby Jesus, that is nothing compared to the ways in which the adult Jesus can disrupt and challenge us. Is it any wonder, then, that when Jesus read this passage at his home synagogue in Nazareth and said that the prophet was talking about him, the people who had known him since he was a baby chased him out of town?
Prayer: O God, as I anticipate the birth of the babe in Bethlehem, never let me forget that he grew up. In this season may I be better prepared to follow him as teacher,Savior and Lord. Amen.
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent
me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty
to the captives, and release to the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1
December 6
We Will Be Changed
Martin B. Copenhaver
The prophet declares that when the Messiah comes all of God’s people will be changed That is the promise. It is also the challenge. Most of us resist change. A woman gave her mother a sampler with the inscription, “Prayer changes things.” When she asked her mother why she never hung it up, her mother confessed, “I don’t really want things to change.” We may want things better, but not really different. We want a fresh start, but without having to give up
old ways. We want to be free from anxiety, but without giving up our need to control things. We want the world to be at peace, but we don’t want to change our old way of acting in the world to achieve peace. We want to help those in need, but without having to give anything up. Who really wants to change? Only those who recognize that the one we await, Jesus
Christ, brings change and that we not only have to undergo change to receive his promises, change is itself the promise. We will be new people. And that is not bad news. Actually, it is the Good News.
Prayer: God of transformation, help me to embrace the change you bring in my life.
Help me to await change, not as the disrupter of peace, but as the bearer of peace, not
as a source of discomfort, but as the way to surer comfort. Amen.
Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever. They are the
shoot that I planted, the work of my hands, so that I might be glorified. Isaiah 60:21
December 5
The Challenges of Waiting
Martin B. Copenhaver
Advent is a season devoted to waiting. It is a time when we celebrate waiting, honor those
who waited for the coming of the Messiah, and seek to learn something about how we might join them in waiting for the Spirit of Christ to be born again in our midst. But waiting is difficult for most of us. In this era of instant gratification, as the world is put in fast forward, even our limited capacity to wait has diminished still further. It seems as if, among all the things we no longer have time for, we no longer have time to wait. As challenging as it can be to wait, however, certainly it is preferable to the alternative. Those who have ceased to wait generally are those who live without hope. When all that you see around you is all there is to be, then there is no need to wait. But there is also no hope of progress, movement, revelation or transformation. To wait is to be open to the future. To wait is to be open to God.
Prayer: God, you know that I can find it challenging to wait. So teach my heart to
wait. Or, to put it another way, please give me the gift of hope. Amen.
The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light
to you by night; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your
glory. Your sun shall no more go down, or your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will
be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. Isaiah 60:19-20
December 4
Christmas as a Surprise Party
Martin B. Copenhaver
In a way it is unfortunate that we always celebrate Christmas on the same day of the year, because that makes the coming of Christ seem almost predictable. But Christmas is more like a surprise party. For centuries God’s people awaited the coming of the promised one. Then, when it happened, most people missed it. They were watching the ceremonial gates and he snuck in the servants’ entrance. God is always sneaking into our lives when we least expect it, and where we least expect as well, even at the darkest time of year, in a forgotten corner, as a baby with milk on his breath. We never know when the Spirit of Christ will appear and so we never know when the party is about to begin. A bumper sticker warns, “Jesus is coming, so look busy.” As we await the coming of Jesus, however, we are not to look busy, we are to be busy with the Lord’s work. Even though Christmas is a surprise party,
we are still expected to prepare for it.
Prayer: O God of surprises, may I have an eye for the unexpected places you may turn up in this season, in places as unlikely as a baby born in a forgotten corner of the world. And since you always seem to appear when and where we least expect it, may I be ready to see you and celebrate your presence at any moment. Amen.
Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your
borders; you shall call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. Isaiah 60:18
December 3
Different Kinds of Waiting
Martin B. Copenhaver
We often associate waiting with passivity and, indeed, some waiting is passive. But also there is active waiting, expectant waiting. A girl who stands on a street corner waiting for the bus to arrive will experience one kind of waiting, a passive waiting. That same girl on the same corner hearing the sound of a parade that is just out of sight will also wait, but it will be a different kind of waiting, full of expectation, a waiting on tiptoe. A fisherman may find it burdensome to wait for spring to arrive and fishing season to begin, but once he is fishing, he does not find it a burden to wait for the trout to rise to his fly, and in some ways the waiting itself is delicious. The difference is that one kind of waiting is passive and the other is active. In the dead of winter the fisherman can do nothing but passively wait for time to pass. At the pool of his favorite trout stream, however, a fisherman’s waiting is filled with accomplishing all the many things he must do, all injected with a sense of anticipation. Obviously, our Advent waiting is to be more like this, full of expectation, a waiting on tiptoe.
Prayer: O God, who waits for us ever more faithfully than we wait for you, may our waiting for you in this season be full of a sense of eager anticipation. May we wait actively, on tiptoe, for the fulfillment of your promises. Amen.
For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord
will arise upon you, and the glory will appear over you. Isaiah 60:2
December 7
The Baby Grew Up
Martin B. Cobenhaver
This passage is a reminder of who it is we await in this season. During Advent we tend to focus our anticipation on the sweet baby Jesus because, as every parent knows, we can see in an infant almost anything we want to see. And, besides, everyone loves a baby. This passage, however, reminds us of the mission of God’s anointed one, the Messiah.
When we read this passage during Advent it is a reminder that the baby grew up. He taught,
he challenged, he provoked, he healed, he liberated. We are never very good at letting babies grow up to the point where they have their own ideas and confront us with their own lives. A baby tends to turn things upside down and can be a bit of a challenge to have around. In the case of the baby Jesus, that is nothing compared to the ways in which the adult Jesus can disrupt and challenge us. Is it any wonder, then, that when Jesus read this passage at his home synagogue in Nazareth and said that the prophet was talking about him, the people who had known him since he was a baby chased him out of town?
Prayer: O God, as I anticipate the birth of the babe in Bethlehem, never let me forget that he grew up. In this season may I be better prepared to follow him as teacher,Savior and Lord. Amen.
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent
me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty
to the captives, and release to the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1
December 6
We Will Be Changed
Martin B. Copenhaver
The prophet declares that when the Messiah comes all of God’s people will be changed That is the promise. It is also the challenge. Most of us resist change. A woman gave her mother a sampler with the inscription, “Prayer changes things.” When she asked her mother why she never hung it up, her mother confessed, “I don’t really want things to change.” We may want things better, but not really different. We want a fresh start, but without having to give up
old ways. We want to be free from anxiety, but without giving up our need to control things. We want the world to be at peace, but we don’t want to change our old way of acting in the world to achieve peace. We want to help those in need, but without having to give anything up. Who really wants to change? Only those who recognize that the one we await, Jesus
Christ, brings change and that we not only have to undergo change to receive his promises, change is itself the promise. We will be new people. And that is not bad news. Actually, it is the Good News.
Prayer: God of transformation, help me to embrace the change you bring in my life.
Help me to await change, not as the disrupter of peace, but as the bearer of peace, not
as a source of discomfort, but as the way to surer comfort. Amen.
Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever. They are the
shoot that I planted, the work of my hands, so that I might be glorified. Isaiah 60:21
December 5
The Challenges of Waiting
Martin B. Copenhaver
Advent is a season devoted to waiting. It is a time when we celebrate waiting, honor those
who waited for the coming of the Messiah, and seek to learn something about how we might join them in waiting for the Spirit of Christ to be born again in our midst. But waiting is difficult for most of us. In this era of instant gratification, as the world is put in fast forward, even our limited capacity to wait has diminished still further. It seems as if, among all the things we no longer have time for, we no longer have time to wait. As challenging as it can be to wait, however, certainly it is preferable to the alternative. Those who have ceased to wait generally are those who live without hope. When all that you see around you is all there is to be, then there is no need to wait. But there is also no hope of progress, movement, revelation or transformation. To wait is to be open to the future. To wait is to be open to God.
Prayer: God, you know that I can find it challenging to wait. So teach my heart to
wait. Or, to put it another way, please give me the gift of hope. Amen.
The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light
to you by night; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your
glory. Your sun shall no more go down, or your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will
be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. Isaiah 60:19-20
December 4
Christmas as a Surprise Party
Martin B. Copenhaver
In a way it is unfortunate that we always celebrate Christmas on the same day of the year, because that makes the coming of Christ seem almost predictable. But Christmas is more like a surprise party. For centuries God’s people awaited the coming of the promised one. Then, when it happened, most people missed it. They were watching the ceremonial gates and he snuck in the servants’ entrance. God is always sneaking into our lives when we least expect it, and where we least expect as well, even at the darkest time of year, in a forgotten corner, as a baby with milk on his breath. We never know when the Spirit of Christ will appear and so we never know when the party is about to begin. A bumper sticker warns, “Jesus is coming, so look busy.” As we await the coming of Jesus, however, we are not to look busy, we are to be busy with the Lord’s work. Even though Christmas is a surprise party,
we are still expected to prepare for it.
Prayer: O God of surprises, may I have an eye for the unexpected places you may turn up in this season, in places as unlikely as a baby born in a forgotten corner of the world. And since you always seem to appear when and where we least expect it, may I be ready to see you and celebrate your presence at any moment. Amen.
Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your
borders; you shall call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. Isaiah 60:18
December 3
Different Kinds of Waiting
Martin B. Copenhaver
We often associate waiting with passivity and, indeed, some waiting is passive. But also there is active waiting, expectant waiting. A girl who stands on a street corner waiting for the bus to arrive will experience one kind of waiting, a passive waiting. That same girl on the same corner hearing the sound of a parade that is just out of sight will also wait, but it will be a different kind of waiting, full of expectation, a waiting on tiptoe. A fisherman may find it burdensome to wait for spring to arrive and fishing season to begin, but once he is fishing, he does not find it a burden to wait for the trout to rise to his fly, and in some ways the waiting itself is delicious. The difference is that one kind of waiting is passive and the other is active. In the dead of winter the fisherman can do nothing but passively wait for time to pass. At the pool of his favorite trout stream, however, a fisherman’s waiting is filled with accomplishing all the many things he must do, all injected with a sense of anticipation. Obviously, our Advent waiting is to be more like this, full of expectation, a waiting on tiptoe.
Prayer: O God, who waits for us ever more faithfully than we wait for you, may our waiting for you in this season be full of a sense of eager anticipation. May we wait actively, on tiptoe, for the fulfillment of your promises. Amen.
For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord
will arise upon you, and the glory will appear over you. Isaiah 60:2
Advent Devotional - December 2nd
December 2 A Promise Already Fulfilled
Martin B. Copenhaver
Here, as the prophet Isaiah anticipates the coming of God’s anointed one, the Messiah, he speaks in the present tense, as if the promise has been fulfilled already. It is a remarkable statement of trust. The prophet is affirming that when we wait for one of God’s promises to be fulfilled we can speak of it as if it is already accomplished. This confidence is based on two things we know about God: God cannot lie and God has the power to make good on God’s promises. So when God has promised something, it is as good as done. The coming of God’s anointed one first was a promise fulfilled in the heart of the prophet, awaiting fulfillment in history. When we await the coming of Jesus in Advent the order is reversed: the promise of the coming of God’s anointed one has already been fulfilled in history and awaits fulfillment in our hearts. Arise, shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.Isaiah 60:1
Prayer: O promise-making, promise-keeping God, help me in this season to rest in your
promises with the confidence of one who sees them as promises already fulfilled in the
birth we anticipate. Amen.
Martin B. Copenhaver
Here, as the prophet Isaiah anticipates the coming of God’s anointed one, the Messiah, he speaks in the present tense, as if the promise has been fulfilled already. It is a remarkable statement of trust. The prophet is affirming that when we wait for one of God’s promises to be fulfilled we can speak of it as if it is already accomplished. This confidence is based on two things we know about God: God cannot lie and God has the power to make good on God’s promises. So when God has promised something, it is as good as done. The coming of God’s anointed one first was a promise fulfilled in the heart of the prophet, awaiting fulfillment in history. When we await the coming of Jesus in Advent the order is reversed: the promise of the coming of God’s anointed one has already been fulfilled in history and awaits fulfillment in our hearts. Arise, shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.Isaiah 60:1
Prayer: O promise-making, promise-keeping God, help me in this season to rest in your
promises with the confidence of one who sees them as promises already fulfilled in the
birth we anticipate. Amen.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Monday, December 03, 2007
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Christmas Letter
So, I was looking around at various church websites to get some ideas in regards to expanding ours and I came upon a sermon. One sermon was talking about the story of Jesus' birth and in it was a humorous Christmas letter. I can't help but share...ENJOY!
Dec. 25, 0001
It’s been quite a year for us. Maybe you’ve heard the news already through an angelic visitation (does that happen to everyone or just to us?), but we have a baby boy who’s just celebrating his first birthday. Things didn’t quite work out the way we hoped—Mary got pregnant before our wedding day and I almost called the whole thing off. But this guy Gabriel (he said he was an angel) convinced me this was part of God’s plan, so we stayed together and eventually tied the knot.
The timing could have been better: just when Mary was ready to deliver, the Emperor decided the whole world should be registered (more unnecessary government bureaucracy if you ask me), so we had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Old Bessie (our donkey) has a few miles on her, so we were pretty nervous about the long trip, but it had to be done. Poor Mary was really uncomfortable in her ninth month, and then—wouldn’t you know?—so many people had come back home to Bethlehem that we couldn’t find a place to stay. Guess I should have called ahead for reservations, but we were pretty busy praising God and trying to wallpaper the nursery. At least we knew it would be a boy!
I knocked on the doors of all my old classmates (it was great to see all of you again, by the way), but no one had an extra couch. We finally had to settle for a stable, and let me tell you it made Motel 6 look like a palace. I will say the ox and ass were a welcome change from Grandpa Zach’s snoring. Don’t tell Grandma, but we had to use a manger for a crib when Jesus was born. Just when we thought things were settling down, a pack of local shepherds showed up and---you guessed it---more angels. Then there was a lot of singing (woke Jesus up, just when we had gotten him to sleep) and then the shepherds went out telling everybody about our baby. Mary kept hoping no one would come and visit us while we were still in that stable that smelled to high heaven. A few weeks later we made the 10-mile trip to Jerusalem so Jesus could be presented at the Temple, and I have to say Simeon and Anna did a beautiful job giving him a blessing. Finally I got back to work at the carpenter shop in Galilee, and there were a lot of orders waiting—you all know how crazy Passover can be.
I don’t have time to tell you about a bunch of wise men who came along later, because right now we’re packing again---this time to go to Egypt. It looks like we may need to hide out for awhile thanks to Herod and his administration. The good news is we were able to trade in Bessie for a hybrid—much better mileage and plenty of room for the baby in back. If things continue this way for us, I think somebody should write a book!
Love, Joseph, Mary and Jesus
The story of Christmas is a divine comedy.
Dec. 25, 0001
It’s been quite a year for us. Maybe you’ve heard the news already through an angelic visitation (does that happen to everyone or just to us?), but we have a baby boy who’s just celebrating his first birthday. Things didn’t quite work out the way we hoped—Mary got pregnant before our wedding day and I almost called the whole thing off. But this guy Gabriel (he said he was an angel) convinced me this was part of God’s plan, so we stayed together and eventually tied the knot.
The timing could have been better: just when Mary was ready to deliver, the Emperor decided the whole world should be registered (more unnecessary government bureaucracy if you ask me), so we had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Old Bessie (our donkey) has a few miles on her, so we were pretty nervous about the long trip, but it had to be done. Poor Mary was really uncomfortable in her ninth month, and then—wouldn’t you know?—so many people had come back home to Bethlehem that we couldn’t find a place to stay. Guess I should have called ahead for reservations, but we were pretty busy praising God and trying to wallpaper the nursery. At least we knew it would be a boy!
I knocked on the doors of all my old classmates (it was great to see all of you again, by the way), but no one had an extra couch. We finally had to settle for a stable, and let me tell you it made Motel 6 look like a palace. I will say the ox and ass were a welcome change from Grandpa Zach’s snoring. Don’t tell Grandma, but we had to use a manger for a crib when Jesus was born. Just when we thought things were settling down, a pack of local shepherds showed up and---you guessed it---more angels. Then there was a lot of singing (woke Jesus up, just when we had gotten him to sleep) and then the shepherds went out telling everybody about our baby. Mary kept hoping no one would come and visit us while we were still in that stable that smelled to high heaven. A few weeks later we made the 10-mile trip to Jerusalem so Jesus could be presented at the Temple, and I have to say Simeon and Anna did a beautiful job giving him a blessing. Finally I got back to work at the carpenter shop in Galilee, and there were a lot of orders waiting—you all know how crazy Passover can be.
I don’t have time to tell you about a bunch of wise men who came along later, because right now we’re packing again---this time to go to Egypt. It looks like we may need to hide out for awhile thanks to Herod and his administration. The good news is we were able to trade in Bessie for a hybrid—much better mileage and plenty of room for the baby in back. If things continue this way for us, I think somebody should write a book!
Love, Joseph, Mary and Jesus
The story of Christmas is a divine comedy.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
12/01/07 Advent Devotional
December 1
Invitation
Quinn G. Caldwell
What if John was laughing when he said, “the kingdom of heaven has come near”?
What if what he meant by that wasn’t that the end of time, with fire and judgment
and your ultimate doom, was at hand? What if what he meant was that God’s realm,
God’s biggest dream, God’s fondest hope for us and all that we might become was drawing so close that it was about to break through into this time and place? Would it sound different to you? Would you live differently because of it? Would you understand why the people went to the desert to be dunked underwater by a wild man? What if “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” isn’t so much a threat as an invitation worth accepting?
Prayer: Come, God, come. Break into our world. Transform it. Transform me, that I
might be the way of the Lord, and that through my life, your creation might come a
step closer to the completion you dream of for it and for me. Amen.
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent,
for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah
spoke when he said,
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.’” Matthew 3:1-3
Invitation
Quinn G. Caldwell
What if John was laughing when he said, “the kingdom of heaven has come near”?
What if what he meant by that wasn’t that the end of time, with fire and judgment
and your ultimate doom, was at hand? What if what he meant was that God’s realm,
God’s biggest dream, God’s fondest hope for us and all that we might become was drawing so close that it was about to break through into this time and place? Would it sound different to you? Would you live differently because of it? Would you understand why the people went to the desert to be dunked underwater by a wild man? What if “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” isn’t so much a threat as an invitation worth accepting?
Prayer: Come, God, come. Break into our world. Transform it. Transform me, that I
might be the way of the Lord, and that through my life, your creation might come a
step closer to the completion you dream of for it and for me. Amen.
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent,
for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah
spoke when he said,
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.’” Matthew 3:1-3
Friday, November 30, 2007
TGIF!!
I can't believe it's the weekend already. So not complaining but still hard to believe!
Anyone else watch Dancing with the Stars! I'm so SO SO excited that Helio and Julianne won. I would have been upset if Marie Osmond won...because she would have won on her popularity alone. I can't wait till next season.
Anyone of my listeners know how to dance ballroom dances? Although I am a major chicken, I kinda would like to learn some of them...It would be fun...I think. LOL
Here is a little video of their final dances...including the freestyle dance!!
Anyone else watch Dancing with the Stars! I'm so SO SO excited that Helio and Julianne won. I would have been upset if Marie Osmond won...because she would have won on her popularity alone. I can't wait till next season.
Anyone of my listeners know how to dance ballroom dances? Although I am a major chicken, I kinda would like to learn some of them...It would be fun...I think. LOL
Here is a little video of their final dances...including the freestyle dance!!
Advent Devotional...Day 8
November 30
OfWindows and Doors
Quinn G. Caldwell
When we were young, if I walked through the living room and accidentally blocked
her view while my sister was watching TV, she would snarl from the couch, “You’d
make a better door than a window.” Not so with John the Baptist. Of course, it
could have gone differently than it did: John had had a miraculous birth, was full of the Holy Spirit, had the respect of the people and the fear of their leaders. He could have proclaimed himself history’s goal, and the people would have followed him. Instead, he made of his words, his actions, and his life windows through which the people could see the Realm of God and the coming Messiah. Are there ways in which you—or your church—have been acting as if you, and not Jesus, are the end toward which history is tending? As Advent nears, how might you be more like a window through which the world can see the coming Christ?
Prayer: O God, in you I have become great indeed. Help me to remember that the greatness with which you have gifted me is for your service alone. Make me transparent for the Gospel, a window through which all who meet me glimpse your goodness. Amen. As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Luke 3:15-16
OfWindows and Doors
Quinn G. Caldwell
When we were young, if I walked through the living room and accidentally blocked
her view while my sister was watching TV, she would snarl from the couch, “You’d
make a better door than a window.” Not so with John the Baptist. Of course, it
could have gone differently than it did: John had had a miraculous birth, was full of the Holy Spirit, had the respect of the people and the fear of their leaders. He could have proclaimed himself history’s goal, and the people would have followed him. Instead, he made of his words, his actions, and his life windows through which the people could see the Realm of God and the coming Messiah. Are there ways in which you—or your church—have been acting as if you, and not Jesus, are the end toward which history is tending? As Advent nears, how might you be more like a window through which the world can see the coming Christ?
Prayer: O God, in you I have become great indeed. Help me to remember that the greatness with which you have gifted me is for your service alone. Make me transparent for the Gospel, a window through which all who meet me glimpse your goodness. Amen. As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Luke 3:15-16
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Advent Devotional...7
Odd Things
Quinn G. Caldwell
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. Mark 1:4-8
Camel hair, locusts, the desert: make no mistake, John the Baptist was a distinctly odd man. Then again, prophets tend to be at least a little bit odd, for the God for whom they speak tends to do some pretty odd things--like entering history as a human being. So we Christians do a lot of odd things of our own. We sprinkle water on ourselves and call it salvation, we share meals and believe that God sits at table with us, we proclaim that the poorest and most broken are dearest of all, we seek to create peace amid war, we proclaim that our flawed and broken churches are the very body of God in the world. Make no mistake: these are not things that the world considers normal. And yet they are the stuff we are made of, the signs we're known by. They are the way God continues to speak to God's odd people.
Prayer: O loving creator of all things, help me to live as St. Paul urged: help me to be in this world but not of it. By the grace of my baptism, make me odd to every way of the world that is not yours. Give me the strength to live less as a product of this world, more as a citizen of your coming realm, and so let me participate in your turning the one into the other. Amen.
Quinn G. Caldwell
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. Mark 1:4-8
Camel hair, locusts, the desert: make no mistake, John the Baptist was a distinctly odd man. Then again, prophets tend to be at least a little bit odd, for the God for whom they speak tends to do some pretty odd things--like entering history as a human being. So we Christians do a lot of odd things of our own. We sprinkle water on ourselves and call it salvation, we share meals and believe that God sits at table with us, we proclaim that the poorest and most broken are dearest of all, we seek to create peace amid war, we proclaim that our flawed and broken churches are the very body of God in the world. Make no mistake: these are not things that the world considers normal. And yet they are the stuff we are made of, the signs we're known by. They are the way God continues to speak to God's odd people.
Prayer: O loving creator of all things, help me to live as St. Paul urged: help me to be in this world but not of it. By the grace of my baptism, make me odd to every way of the world that is not yours. Give me the strength to live less as a product of this world, more as a citizen of your coming realm, and so let me participate in your turning the one into the other. Amen.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Say Merry Christmas!
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a " Holiday ".
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday !*
To Speak up or stay silent
let me first say that 95% of the time i enjoy my job...it's not *stressful* and the higher ups don't expect you to be perfect. If you make a mistakes, they don't scold you for it, but they help you to fix it.
now, some of the people i work with really drive me crazy. they constantly complain, stating that they have the most work out of all us and that nobody cares. UGH! first off, we ALL have heavy loads...sometimes more than others. but, i don't know how many times i've offered to help her and i get nothing. i hate the fact that this person is being SUCH a martyr...do i say something to my boss??? the negative attiude this person provides can really stress me out!
now, some of the people i work with really drive me crazy. they constantly complain, stating that they have the most work out of all us and that nobody cares. UGH! first off, we ALL have heavy loads...sometimes more than others. but, i don't know how many times i've offered to help her and i get nothing. i hate the fact that this person is being SUCH a martyr...do i say something to my boss??? the negative attiude this person provides can really stress me out!
Advent Devotional...Day Six
All Things are Possible
Quinn G. Caldwell
"Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord... he will be filled with the Holy Spirit." Luke 1:13-15
An angel comes to Zechariah and announces an unexpected thing: he and Elizabeth, here in their old age--what some might call their declining years--are to have a son, a miracle of a boy, filled with the Holy Spirit, born for the rejoicing of the people and the purposes of God. Understandably, he responds with disbelief. But what is unexpected for Zechariah is nothing new for the God that caused creation to spring into being at a word, who birthed the whole people of Israel from barren Abraham and Sarah. Much has been made of "the decline of the mainline churches" in recent years. The membership numbers do point in an unhappy direction, and many have come to expect an equally unhappy future. But our God is the God of unexpected things in surprising places, the one who makes new life to spring unexpectedly from old bodies. And we are a people learning to expect the unexpected.
Prayer: Come, God, come. Open me to your Spirit moving in me and in my church. Teach me to expect the new life--the miracles--you are nurturing even now in the deep places of my life. Amen.
Quinn G. Caldwell
"Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord... he will be filled with the Holy Spirit." Luke 1:13-15
An angel comes to Zechariah and announces an unexpected thing: he and Elizabeth, here in their old age--what some might call their declining years--are to have a son, a miracle of a boy, filled with the Holy Spirit, born for the rejoicing of the people and the purposes of God. Understandably, he responds with disbelief. But what is unexpected for Zechariah is nothing new for the God that caused creation to spring into being at a word, who birthed the whole people of Israel from barren Abraham and Sarah. Much has been made of "the decline of the mainline churches" in recent years. The membership numbers do point in an unhappy direction, and many have come to expect an equally unhappy future. But our God is the God of unexpected things in surprising places, the one who makes new life to spring unexpectedly from old bodies. And we are a people learning to expect the unexpected.
Prayer: Come, God, come. Open me to your Spirit moving in me and in my church. Teach me to expect the new life--the miracles--you are nurturing even now in the deep places of my life. Amen.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Advent Devotional...Day Five
The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. Isaiah 40:5
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward all. Luke 2:14
William Green
All flesh. What part of "all" don't we get? God's embrace isn't for some flesh, but all flesh. We'll never meet a person whom God doesn't love. And yet we continue to construct walls that divide us--walls built on gender, race, class, religion, sexual orientation, and whatever else that distinguishes us from one another. Advent is a good time to look again at the "walls" that divide us. We can't celebrate the coming of Jesus without letting them crumble. What are these walls for you? Consider some "walls" that, at first, may not be obvious. Isn't tolerance a wall when it's a substitute for respect? Isn't being nice a wall when it's avoidance of difference? Isn't good will a wall when it's limited to conviviality and agreement?
Glory to God is peace on earth, good will toward all--and the angels are not going to take care of it for us. This is not a matter of following rules but of honoring relationships--with strangers as well as kin, with enemies as well as allies. When we honor others as ourselves, then, and only then, can we celebrate Christmas, finding in Jesus the love that welcomes us all, and brings us to our best.
Prayer: "Born all people to deliver, born a child, you came to reign! Born to rule on earth forever, come, be known to us again." Amen.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward all. Luke 2:14
William Green
All flesh. What part of "all" don't we get? God's embrace isn't for some flesh, but all flesh. We'll never meet a person whom God doesn't love. And yet we continue to construct walls that divide us--walls built on gender, race, class, religion, sexual orientation, and whatever else that distinguishes us from one another. Advent is a good time to look again at the "walls" that divide us. We can't celebrate the coming of Jesus without letting them crumble. What are these walls for you? Consider some "walls" that, at first, may not be obvious. Isn't tolerance a wall when it's a substitute for respect? Isn't being nice a wall when it's avoidance of difference? Isn't good will a wall when it's limited to conviviality and agreement?
Glory to God is peace on earth, good will toward all--and the angels are not going to take care of it for us. This is not a matter of following rules but of honoring relationships--with strangers as well as kin, with enemies as well as allies. When we honor others as ourselves, then, and only then, can we celebrate Christmas, finding in Jesus the love that welcomes us all, and brings us to our best.
Prayer: "Born all people to deliver, born a child, you came to reign! Born to rule on earth forever, come, be known to us again." Amen.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Advent Devotional - Day Three
Your troubles will not overwhelm you... the hard trials that come will not hurt you. Isaiah 43:2
The church is always tempted to give easy answers to hard questions. Jesus did not say he was the answer. He said he was the way (John 14:6). As Maya Angelou put it in one of her poems, "When I say 'I am a Christian'/I'm not shouting 'I am saved.'/I'm whispering 'I get lost'/ That is why I chose this way.... " Faith is not the absence of doubt--or of heartache--but the willingness to be honest about it. A good way to prepare for the coming of Christ is to acknowledge heartache and doubt. In a Christmas card, stables glow, the cows don't smell, and it always looks soft for the baby Jesus. But Jesus was born in a real stable. There was no room in a more pleasant place. And so with us. Jesus becomes real, not simply amid warmth and happiness, but during hard times. And what turns out to matter more than answers is the assurance that we're not alone, there's nothing so strange about us--and we're on the right way.
Prayer: "Redeemer come! I open wide my heart to you; here, Christ abide! Let me your inner presence feel; your grace and love in me reveal." Amen.
The church is always tempted to give easy answers to hard questions. Jesus did not say he was the answer. He said he was the way (John 14:6). As Maya Angelou put it in one of her poems, "When I say 'I am a Christian'/I'm not shouting 'I am saved.'/I'm whispering 'I get lost'/ That is why I chose this way.... " Faith is not the absence of doubt--or of heartache--but the willingness to be honest about it. A good way to prepare for the coming of Christ is to acknowledge heartache and doubt. In a Christmas card, stables glow, the cows don't smell, and it always looks soft for the baby Jesus. But Jesus was born in a real stable. There was no room in a more pleasant place. And so with us. Jesus becomes real, not simply amid warmth and happiness, but during hard times. And what turns out to matter more than answers is the assurance that we're not alone, there's nothing so strange about us--and we're on the right way.
Prayer: "Redeemer come! I open wide my heart to you; here, Christ abide! Let me your inner presence feel; your grace and love in me reveal." Amen.
freerice.com
http://freerice.com/
For each word you get right, they donate 10 grains of rice through the United Nations to help end world hunger!
I donated 110 grains of rice...with a little help from an online dictionary though!
For each word you get right, they donate 10 grains of rice through the United Nations to help end world hunger!
I donated 110 grains of rice...with a little help from an online dictionary though!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
I'm Ready for Christmas!!
Now that Thanksgiving has passed and we're eating turkey leftovers...
I AM READY FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!
I don't believe in getting any Christmas decorations out until Thanksgiving has passed.
I've updated my blogger page and myspace to get in the holiday spirit.
One month from today is Christmas Eve...YIKES!!!
I AM READY FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!
I don't believe in getting any Christmas decorations out until Thanksgiving has passed.
I've updated my blogger page and myspace to get in the holiday spirit.
One month from today is Christmas Eve...YIKES!!!
Advent Devotional - Day Two
Fear not, for behold I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. Luke 2:10
Seventy-six times from the beginning to the end of the Bible we find the words, "Fear not!" Almost always this accompanies great blessing, as at the birth of Christ and on Easter morning. Along with so many others in Scripture, the shepherds and those first at the empty tomb come upon something wonderful--and are told not to be afraid.
How often fear and joy work together in our lives. Something especially good happens to us--and we wonder when the other shoe will drop. Someone says the 'yes' we've wanted to hear, and we wonder whether we can really believe it.
Perhaps it's like the story of the boy who loved Mister Rogers and Captain Kangaroo. He was thrilled when Mister Rogers announced that the two would finally meet. But when that day finally came, after a minute of watching his two heroes together, he quietly left the room. Puzzled, his father followed him and asked why. "What is it? Is something wrong?" The boy looked up and said, "It's too good. It's just too good."
Are we prepared to believe there's such a thing as something too good not to be true? In the spirit of Advent, let's get ready!
Prayer: "Born all people to deliver, born a child, you came to reign! Born to rule on earth forever, come, be known to us again." Amen.
Seventy-six times from the beginning to the end of the Bible we find the words, "Fear not!" Almost always this accompanies great blessing, as at the birth of Christ and on Easter morning. Along with so many others in Scripture, the shepherds and those first at the empty tomb come upon something wonderful--and are told not to be afraid.
How often fear and joy work together in our lives. Something especially good happens to us--and we wonder when the other shoe will drop. Someone says the 'yes' we've wanted to hear, and we wonder whether we can really believe it.
Perhaps it's like the story of the boy who loved Mister Rogers and Captain Kangaroo. He was thrilled when Mister Rogers announced that the two would finally meet. But when that day finally came, after a minute of watching his two heroes together, he quietly left the room. Puzzled, his father followed him and asked why. "What is it? Is something wrong?" The boy looked up and said, "It's too good. It's just too good."
Are we prepared to believe there's such a thing as something too good not to be true? In the spirit of Advent, let's get ready!
Prayer: "Born all people to deliver, born a child, you came to reign! Born to rule on earth forever, come, be known to us again." Amen.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Devotional Day 1 - Expecting the Unexpected
Expecting the Unexpected
William Green
My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. Isaiah 55:8.
What do you expect? More of the same? Do you worry about the worst--or anticipate the best? Or do you just quit thinking about it? Advent is about getting ready for good news. This means repentance: turning from our ways to God's ways, giving up reliance on ourselves alone. This is an act of hope. It's a joy not a job because it involves something to look forward to! It's anticipation: expecting that goodness and mercy far greater than our own are waiting to be born anew for us and in the world. This "good news" seems unrealistic. But God's ways are not our ways. And God's love is stronger than the toughest trouble, surpassing what we can figure out. When we demand that life fit our rational expectations we put ourselves in charge: instead of trusting God, we play God. Whether what we face is beautiful or ugly, tragic or fortunate--or anywhere in between--all this is the grist of grace, the cradle of Christ... the means whereby love again becomes real for us. We can expect to be surprised.
Prayer: "Come, O long expected Jesus, born to set all people free; from our fears and sins release us; grant us your true liberty." Amen.
William Green
My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. Isaiah 55:8.
What do you expect? More of the same? Do you worry about the worst--or anticipate the best? Or do you just quit thinking about it? Advent is about getting ready for good news. This means repentance: turning from our ways to God's ways, giving up reliance on ourselves alone. This is an act of hope. It's a joy not a job because it involves something to look forward to! It's anticipation: expecting that goodness and mercy far greater than our own are waiting to be born anew for us and in the world. This "good news" seems unrealistic. But God's ways are not our ways. And God's love is stronger than the toughest trouble, surpassing what we can figure out. When we demand that life fit our rational expectations we put ourselves in charge: instead of trusting God, we play God. Whether what we face is beautiful or ugly, tragic or fortunate--or anywhere in between--all this is the grist of grace, the cradle of Christ... the means whereby love again becomes real for us. We can expect to be surprised.
Prayer: "Come, O long expected Jesus, born to set all people free; from our fears and sins release us; grant us your true liberty." Amen.
Advent Devotional
I'm getting these daily devotionals starting today all the way until Christmas Eve. I'll be sharing them here for my wonderful audience! :)
Black Friday
It's black friday and I am staying home! LOL No way am I going to be out in the stores..especially being so close to woodfield. I'm been doing some browsing online for stuff...maybe I'll buy a few things. We'll see...
anyone shopping today?
anyone shopping today?
Joke from my nephew...
"What does the smoked turkey say?"
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"cough cough....gobble gobble....cough cough"
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"cough cough....gobble gobble....cough cough"
Grateful Friday
I'm SO VERY grateful for yesterday.
I'm grateful that my grandmother finally got to meet her "granddaughter-in-law". My cousin met his wife while they were in basic in California. She was sent over to Korea before my cousin was, so she didn't get a chance to get home when he came home for a graduation celebration. They were married in Hawaii last summer and Gma wasn't strong enough for the trip. When my other cousin got married this summer, she wasn't able to get time away from the military. My sister and I (along with our families) hadn't gotten a chance to meet her either, so I was looking foward to it as well.
I'm grateful that Grandma is still thriving. Her physical body may be working against her, but her mental state is excellent. A few months ago, I wondered if she would be able to make it to this day or make it to her 90th birthday, which is next month. I know that not everyone is as lucky as I am, so I know that my time with her is limited. She could last another 10 years or she could be gone next year.
Not to mention it was my husband's "bird day" yesterday...that's what my nephew said..LOL
I'm grateful that my grandmother finally got to meet her "granddaughter-in-law". My cousin met his wife while they were in basic in California. She was sent over to Korea before my cousin was, so she didn't get a chance to get home when he came home for a graduation celebration. They were married in Hawaii last summer and Gma wasn't strong enough for the trip. When my other cousin got married this summer, she wasn't able to get time away from the military. My sister and I (along with our families) hadn't gotten a chance to meet her either, so I was looking foward to it as well.
I'm grateful that Grandma is still thriving. Her physical body may be working against her, but her mental state is excellent. A few months ago, I wondered if she would be able to make it to this day or make it to her 90th birthday, which is next month. I know that not everyone is as lucky as I am, so I know that my time with her is limited. She could last another 10 years or she could be gone next year.
Not to mention it was my husband's "bird day" yesterday...that's what my nephew said..LOL
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thankful Thursday
What a wonderful day we had! A few bumps along the road, but I am thankful that we were all able to get together.
I got to my parents around 11:30...Mom and Dad did an awesome job getting the house together. I helped preparing a few of the dishes for cooking. Around 12:00 my sister, BIl and the boys arrived. Dad brought Grandma over about 1:00...we have discovered a new way for her to get up the stairs, since that is such a struggle for her. BIL brought over one of his lounge chairs that they used last week. She sits in the chair and they carry her in that way.
Shortly after, my aunt and uncle showed up with all of their family. My poor uncle was in pain with kidney stones. I left around 2:00 to pick up Bill from work. When we got back, I discovered that my aunt and uncle left along with my cousin and her husband to take uncle to the ER. Heather and her hubby came back so they could enjoy the dinner w/us. My mom said a wonderful prayer that almost made me cry, I was choking back the tears.
We had tons of food, lots of fun!! My aunt and uncle came back later and while the stone was still there, he was feeling better because of good pain medicine. After dinner, we did pics with the whole family and then had dessert...there were 3 or 4 pies, strawberry pretzel salad AND birthday cake!
Wonderful day!
I got to my parents around 11:30...Mom and Dad did an awesome job getting the house together. I helped preparing a few of the dishes for cooking. Around 12:00 my sister, BIl and the boys arrived. Dad brought Grandma over about 1:00...we have discovered a new way for her to get up the stairs, since that is such a struggle for her. BIL brought over one of his lounge chairs that they used last week. She sits in the chair and they carry her in that way.
Shortly after, my aunt and uncle showed up with all of their family. My poor uncle was in pain with kidney stones. I left around 2:00 to pick up Bill from work. When we got back, I discovered that my aunt and uncle left along with my cousin and her husband to take uncle to the ER. Heather and her hubby came back so they could enjoy the dinner w/us. My mom said a wonderful prayer that almost made me cry, I was choking back the tears.
We had tons of food, lots of fun!! My aunt and uncle came back later and while the stone was still there, he was feeling better because of good pain medicine. After dinner, we did pics with the whole family and then had dessert...there were 3 or 4 pies, strawberry pretzel salad AND birthday cake!
Wonderful day!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Wednesday's post...a little late
This so reminds me of my nephew...cute kid...but he dances just like this!!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
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