Memories

This morning's task was before me.  Papers were sorted and filed.  I even used dusting spray on the desk!  The best part of all, though, was in moving some "stuff" around (you know, the stuff that multiplies on vertical surfaces while you sleep!) and finding a lovely treasure.

To some, it would need to be tossed in the trash.  There's really no monetary value in it.  It's a small tri-fold photo frame that had been sent to my grandmother when my first 5 children were young.  Then it was sent back to me when grandmother had passed.  And I could not get the photos out!  They are stuck to the glass as stuck as stuck can be.  And I am not one who can toss away a photo that I love.  And each of these photos I really do love.  And I am sure that I have the same photos in an album in another room... but, they are not framed and they weren't sent to grandmother and well... Did you know you're not supposed to start sentences with "and"?  And I know you are not supposed to start sentences with the same word over and over, too... And I am pretty sure there must be a rule regarding putting so many dots in between sentences.  I think I pause longer at the end of a sentence... hmmm... (You did know that I am Queen of Dots, right?)

The photos were a great interruption during this morning's desk cleaning venture.  I love these children so!

In this photo, Shasta is to the right in a "Mary Poppins" dress that I made for her.  That was one of our favorite family time movies when she was little.  She had not lost her top baby teeth yet.  To the left is Rebekah, sitting there reminding me that her hair took forever to grow... Shasta's hair was always down her back and Rebekah's just sat on top of her shoulders for years.  And what a blondie she was.  Gosh, I just want to hug her once more!  There's little Julie in the middle of it all... with all that character shouting out "Merry Christmas!".  She was born with such a vibrant personality!

Around this same time, I made Shasta a lovely dress and this was one of the photos where she wore it.  Moms can always tell when a smile is "put" on and when it is coming out from the heart and while this smile seems "planned", I love the profile!!

Then, there were my boys!!

Here is Stephen and Nathan.  What adorable little fellows.  Stephen was always the kind, gentleman as a boy.  Nathaniel was more of the "look over your shoulder and see what you can get away with" kind of boy.  They were both SO endearing.

So, I sit and enjoy some sweet recollections.  Going back to days when they were babes nursing in my arms.  Recalling the giggles and grins.  Thinking back to some of those very tired afternoons when just as I was falling asleep for a nap, one of them would get into trouble and I'd make myself get up and teach them... wishing I could just ignore that they needed a reprimand... but, knowing that helping them learn to get along and obey was more important than my bit of sleep.  Wishing for a day in each of their little lives to go back and kiss their cheeks, read them another story, sing to them.  Thankful that I have each of those precious memories.

Some days that is all that we have... a beautiful memory to hold on to.  I'll take it!

And since I know that today is here for me to live fully, I will now brainstorm for some grand plan to make today a beautiful memory that will be cherished as well...

Do you have a beautiful memory today?  What will you do to make today's day memorable?  If you are home with young ones, perhaps lunch on a blanket in the yard?  Story time with piles of pillows in the living room? Let me know!

Just about half way there...

About 19 weeks ago I picked my daughter up from work and she asked if we could stop by the store on the way home for "something".  I was suspicious.  The next day she asked if, when I delivered lunch to her work,  I would come in.  Now I absolutely knew.  She was expecting.  I hugged her for a long time and repeated what had been spoken to me 20 years ago, "The most important thing for you to do is to love that baby."

Of course there are concerns that every parent has... when will she get married?  Will that be the right choice for the long-term future?  When will she get a car?  What about jobs, paying bills and living in her own place? 

But, first, there had to be lots of hugs.  And anti-nausea "prego-pops"! 

It's easy to focus on the negative sometimes.  Other times it's easy to focus on the positives and not take a realistic look over the big picture.  So, I've been trying to find the balance.

A lot has happened in 19 weeks... she and her fiancee have a car now.  He got a very good job, great pay and benefits.  They even moved into a very small apartment.  No, this is not what I would pick for her.  But, I respect that she is an adult on her life path... and I respect that she doesn't want a shotgun wedding.  The next several months, though I will excitedly anticipate having a grandchild, I will pray earnestly that her decision to marry will be sound and will have a commitment of a lifetime and that each of them will choose to seek God and His ways and give their lives wholly to Him. 

Shasta reads a lot.  She devoured the "What to Expect While Expecting" book.  She religiously keeps track of what drinks and foods are good for the baby and what to avoid.  She is about to start the "What to Expect the First Year" book and she is nervous about taking care of a newborn.  Her heart is full of love for this little one.  She is a terrific cook and knows how to clean "for real" (my term when I mean that we do not clean half way!) and she is so very excited.  She has great plans for her own future... plans to take some college classes and I know that while she will enjoy motherhood and it will be difficult, she will still have dreams for her own future.  And this mom (me!) will be here to listen, advise and cheer her on.  She will hear enough negative out there. 
This little giraffe play Brahm's Lullaby:

She came by a few days ago and spent the night here at home and we went together for the ultrasound.  I had been having a "boy" vibe the past week.  She had a couple of "it's a boy" dreams.  We were counting the hours.  I was so excited to peek at my grandchild no matter what the sex was!  It was beautiful to see the bottoms of his feet.  Cute little "footprints" right there!  And to see him wave arms and legs.  Looked like he had fingers in his mouth at one time!  We laughed when it appeared that he sneezed... knowing he isn't breathing, but that's just what it looked like.  And he tried to keep his legs crossed and hide the plumbing... but the doctor had a few tricks to get him to roll over and we saw... the doctor said "99.9999% sure this is a boy". 

Jaden Michael is the name at this time... I say that because sometimes Chris isn't really, really sure he wants that to be the name.  I told them they have to decide for real, because if grandma wants to make something personalized with his name, grandma doesn't want the name changing!

And the cutest thing!  My dad and his dear wife didn't want to know the sex of the baby... they wanted to be surprised.  So, Shasta put on her facebook, "If you want to know the sex of the baby, go to this site".  It's an adorable baby site she has worked on.  Well, then dad knew that we all knew... and he gave in... he had to know, too!

Thank you to all who have given such beautiful comments and prayers.  When most of your friends and family are Christian, and your unwed daughter conceives, you don't hear very many, "Congratulations!"  There is a bit more of a somber feel to it.  But, there is beauty in knowing that God is sovereign.  He made Shasta and He has made her son... in the womb this child has been fashioned by a great God.  He has an eternal purpose.  Now... just about 20 more weeks to go... which is very good... 20 weeks to cover with prayer.

Because turning 41 shouldn't just feel good... it should look good, too!

Last week, after getting 3 inches cut off the ends of my hair, I thought I'd have fun playing with it and straighten it... and I couldn't go through all that trouble and not take a few pictures... and since it happened to be close to my birthday, I thought I'd share. 

I never fret over what age I am.  It really means nothing to me.  One day doesn't suddenly seem so much more different than the day prior or after when it comes to age.. but time does move forward and suddenly age does creep up on you... and me... the only time I notice it is when I have a stiff back and discover that the wrinkles on my forehead are beginning to look like deep canyons.

Recently I was reading several people's comments at a forum I enjoy and they were talking about the joys of being in your 40's.  There was one sentiment that kept recurring.  When you are in your 40's you don't sweat the small stuff anymore and you don't care so much what others think of you... you just LIVE.  I believe in caring what others think as it pertains to some significant issues in life, but I think the main idea is that when you reach your 40's you are a lot more secure and solid in who you are... you have learned some big lessons and you know what is important and what can slide on by. 

Today on my birthday I am enjoying each comment that I receive at my facebook page.  I stop and think of those who are sending love my way and I appreciate the family and friends that are in my life.  One friend I have known for 31 years!  Another I met the first day of college and she is one of the closest people to me in my life.  How wonderful to know that whatever you say, however you feel, you are safe with somebody... to know that they love you no matter what.

Today I am looking up songs that I love and trying to put them on my playlist... My very favorite, #1 song of all time is One More Time by the Katinas.  You'll have to look that one up on your own, it is not available with the playlist that I am using.  It's beautiful.  I shared "Something Beautiful" when Victor had his birthday.  I Will Be Here is close to my heart.  I can rarely hear it without fighting tears.  It means more than I can express and it goes beyond marriage... to me it is God's song for me... knowing that HE loves me beyond measure.  I cannot find my favorite Rebecca St. James song to share, but did find a lovely one to put on the list.  I sang two of her songs over and over one year...  "Like the river that runs to the sea, the oceans speak of you love for me..." and the lyrics for the other one have slipped my mind, but I will remember and share them, too, because they are that great.  Another special song was written about me!!  Imagine that!  I don't know how the songwriter knew so much about me, but he nailed it!  Gimme That Girl!  It's a match. 

Because my birthday hits mid-week, I will get some housework done, but I will do it super fast so as not to spend that much time, run one load of laundry, take a son for his immunization booster, and shoot a video for a science project and put it on you-tube for his teacher... but, I WILL find a couple of "half hours" and take in a deep breath and be thankful for life.  I know that God made me on purpose.  I know that I am alive on purpose.  God has an eternal plan at work.  Praise be to God!

He had nothing. Nothing but faith.

This year I've been reading through the Bible, cover to cover.  It started when I was inspired by others who were following the "read the Bible in 90 days" plan.  The idea of reading through so quickly and consistently seemed great... I thought it would all flow together and mean so much more by reading larger chunks of scripture.  And I had a great start.  In no time at all, it seemed, I had read Genesis through Deuteronomy.  But, I slowed way down when I got to I and II Samuel.  Then the printout that showed how much I should read each day was slid into a drawer so not to remind me that I had fallen from the 90 day plan!  But, I kept reading... and enjoying stories of old.

One night, alone with Victor, I was reading out loud about when Solomon took over the kingdom of Israel following King David's death.  There's no gentle way to discuss this... there were a lot of killings of David's enemies.  One enemy after another was put to death.  And there was such action!  So, my 11 year old boy was really enjoying Bible story time!  He had a play sword in hand, raised it up and called out, "Kill him!"  Oh dear... like I said, there's no gentle way about that passage of scripture.  Sometimes there's just not a gentle way about life... it gets messy... people get hurt... we don't like it.  But above all of the circumstances, there is a God who is ordering each breath and heart beat, who has a redeeming love for mankind, a God who is sovereign.

There have been many times I have questioned why dark times hit in life.  Was this God's will?  I have often times wondered, "Really?  Why does life have to hurt so much?  Why does everything seem so hard?"  And I  longed to be on someone else's path... mine was too painful... and I, sadly, focused on what I had lost or what I never had.

Then last week I had made my way to I Kings chapter 17.  It is simply amazing how that one chapter spoke to me.  Elijah lived at a time when prophets were many times killed by the king because the king didn't like the message from God that the prophet delivered!  We don't know about Elijah's upbringing, that I can tell, but we read that he served the Lord, the God of Israel.  I liked that verse.  I think of myself as a person who serves the Lord.  I have prayed many times, "God, take my life and use me to make a difference in others' lives.  Show me how to live for you."  So, I was eager to read about Elijah's experience! 

Elijah gave King Ahab a message that there would be no rain for a few years.  And God sent Elijah to a ravine next to a stream to hide out... to keep Elijah safe... and sent birds to take him food.  Here is where I wonder.  Was Elijah raised in a God-fearing home?  Did they worship God together?  How many people in Israel were there living for God?  Did they encourage each other?  Just a couple of generations back, weren't most people in Israel following God?  How come so many turned to follow false gods?  God had promised to bless them and give them peace in the land if they would stay true to Him and follow his commands.  Why would they trade that blessing for a curse?

But, back to Elijah... There he was, following God, sent out by a stream in a ravine.  He didn't have a mattress.  Or a house.  Or animals.  He had nothing but his faith, some water and food brought by birds.  What did he do during the day?  Did he get impatient?  Did he care about material things?  He had nothing!  Nothing but faith.  And I felt a stirring in my heart.  Many times in my life I felt like I had "nothing".  Dreams were broken.  Hope was nearly non-existent.  Although I could look into the eyes of my beautiful children, my heart was crushed by dark times.  There was a time I felt my faith slipping.  And God sent a stirring inside my heart just when I needed it and people joined beside me on my path to help get me through... But, I didn't like it.  Not one bit.  So, I sat staring at page 410, taking in that Elijah served the Lord.  And he had nothing.  And the water dried up, so God sent him to a widow and worked a miracle of provision so that they would eat daily and their needs were met.

I have no idea if I am articulating what went on in my heart last week good enough... I guess I am finding peace in contentment yet again.  Giving my dreams and goals to God, knowing that He will help me on the path that I am on.  Knowing that if I have nothing in the worlds eyes, I have faith.  In the end, that is all that matters.  And when I feel myself slip into self pity, when I look at my path and wish that I had a different one... I can remember Elijah.  Did it ever occur to him that he had nothing?  Did he want a home or animals?  Did he have a sore back when he woke up?  What mattered to him?   Well, I do know the answer to that... to him what mattered was to serve the Lord, the God of Israel.

And, so, to finish this post of my musings, I keep hearing Rebecca St. James' singing in my head, "At the end of the day, You alone will remain".  No matter what our different paths are, in the end, He will remain.  That's all that truly matters. 

Something beautiful

When I can take a bit of time (usually for me that translates to... a lot of time... it's the "technology" that trips me up...) I will get a music list on here and have some of my favorite songs.  One that I would pick to put on it first would be Something Beautiful by the Newsboys...

Recently I've had two "something beautiful"s.  The first is my youngest child turning 11. 

I love his innocence.  I love his wit.  I love his determination.  I love the beauty in his eyes.

Okay, so that is really a "nerd"  photo opp... But, I do love his eyes!

Happy Birthday, my dear one.  Sometimes I still get the "so full my heart could burst" moments with him... but, as he matures and grows more independent, those change to "mom is very proud".  My heart could still burst, but the strong emotion changes a bit.  I don't really know how to articulate it... But, a few years back Victor had a red, shiny heart.  It was small and plastic.  He kept it in his pocket.  A few times a week he would come up to me and hand it over, saying, "Mom, here's my heart... You keep it for me."  And I would keep it in my pocket, treasuring the feel of it.  Sometimes he would come back and ask, "Can I have my heart back?"  Other times I would find him and say, "Hey, Victor, here's your heart!"  It was something beautiful.

Although I think I may have mentioned it in a previous year's birthday... a few years ago when I would drop him off at school each morning, he would get out, shut the door and look for eye contact, holding up his hands in sign language, signing "I love you".  I signed back to him.  That was something beautiful.  Then he would turn, run a few steps and stop and look back once more and sometimes sign it again.  One day I noticed that he would sign and run off and not stop and look back for me.  My heart lurched.  And then the day came when he stopped signing, but he would shut the door, look for my eyes and wave.  This past year he began grabbing his backpack, opening the door with a quick, "Bye, mom!" and out he went, without looking back... very often.  Sometimes he will stop and look for my eyes.  Something beautiful.  I know he will continue to grow up... I hope that these memories are etched into his soul like they are in mine.  I hope some day he will have these times with his own child and know it is something beautiful.

And my other something beautiful today was prayer day at church.  The dimly lit sanctuary.  The glow behind the cross.  Sitting so quietly without distraction.  Pouring my heart out to my God.  Knowing that in all my life, He has been there and is faithful.  Giving to God, yet once again, my life... offering it up for His purpose, not exactly knowing how that will play out... but knowing full well that I am called to honesty, integrity and to pour out His love through me and my life choices... and that when I make mistakes, He will turn them into something useful.  Something beautiful.

Anyone up for a Smorgasbord?

When I was about 10 my family frequented a buffet restaurant for the "smorgasbord".  I loved that word!  It was fun to say it... smorgasbord... and the past couple days have felt like a little of all sorts of things... which is what a smorgasbord is!

We had the end of the first school week.  I had an out of town financial meeting that went very well.  And there were a few breadsticks thrown in for good measure.  The painting job in my bedroom (including the ceiling!) was completed, too!

I am really pleased with the "non white" selection that I made... it's called natural.  It's hard to judge the color by the pictures because of lighting and all... it is a light tan type color.  The white trim looks great with it... I think. 

Then there was a spontaneous trip to get $1.00 ice cream, followed by a random jaunt through the park, where I had a jumping-out-of-the-swing contest with Clayton.  I really thought about soaring out of that swing seat at the highest point... then some good sense came over me and I acted a bit my age... hey, at 40 I really don't want a broken arm or leg.  I am ashamed to say that I left my camera at home... there were so many great photo opportunities there!! 

This morning I surveyed the bounty from my garden and made up a double batch of zucchini.  That's the easy part... everyone will eat that.  Now the hard part will be hiding the yellow squash in some recipes.  Even if I batter and fry it up and make it quite unhealthy the kids make faces...

Today's events included a lunch out with my daughter, Bek, cleaning inside a cabinet under a sink, wiping down some nick-nacks that had been taken down during the paint job... and taking a half hour to rest... then heading out to the library to get some household organization and interior decorating books.  See what finishing a paint job will do to you?  Be warned!!

Tomorrow the smorgasbord will continue... I will attend church, do laundry, sit and ponder the yellow squash dilema and then scour those library books for some ideas for a household color scheme and window treatment options.  And somewhere in there I'll have to get groceries and plan out this weeks school week, because when I am done enjoying this weekend's buffet, Monday will be upon us.

Today I guest blogged at

http://rmooney-on-the-moon.blogspot.com

Ron has recently started a blog and is a hobby photographer on the verge of being professional.  I hope he posts more often because he does some great work!  I added in some of my own favorite shots with my camera.  Enjoy and may you find beauty in your day!

The First Day of School 2010-2011

Yep, that's right.  Where we live, the school district got this fabulous idea (my guess is from working parents who were having to pay for childcare all summer... and I've heard from many working moms who agree with that...) that summer should be about 6 weeks long and the school year should have 3 two week breaks.  I don't like it one bit.  I say, "Give the kids their summer back!"  But, that's just me.  I love summer!!!  It seems like we were just getting the hang of a lazy summer day and it was time to pack up the back packs and check shoes and socks...  And with this school schedule, just as the boys get in the hang of homework and teacher's expectations and start really making some progress, they are derailed with a two week break.  But, there's nothing I can do about it, so...

Off to school they went.  Doesn't he look thrilled?  He actually was very excited.  And I just heard him say, "I can't wait for the second day of school!" 

Memories came flooding back to me today.  The house was so quiet and still.  I homeschooled for 15 years and do not regret that one bit... Year after year, I started school when I was ready and usually the end of August.  I remember...

Shasta picking up Jemima Puddle Duck, reading it to herself and the light went on and she exclaimed, "I can read!"  She had been reading her kindergarten readers and word lists for weeks, but that day she knew for herself that she could read!

Rebekah... she didn't really get taught to read... she just knew how!  That was easy.  But, a year or so after she had been reading, while working on spelling she called out, "Hey, mom! I get it!  Phonics is reading!"  Well, kind of... yeah... that'll do. 

Stephen... we sat day after day repeating the alphabet and sounds... but, my favorite school memory was sitting down with our nature book and I'd point out things on the page and read captions to him.  It went like this:     Mom:  This is the flower's pistol
          Stephen:  "You mean this is the pistol?"
          Mom:  Yep, that's the pistol.  And this is the stamen.
          Stephen:  "You mean this is the stamen?"
          Mom:  Yep, that is the stamen...
And it went that way several days a week for that school year.  And my heart was so full of love for him!

Julie!  Oh, my!  Talk about easy!  She was determined from shortly after birth that Stephen wasn't going to learn anything without her!!!  She watched and listened to everything and just joined in. 

Nathaniel was similar to Julie.  When we started kindergarten, I would start a sentence and he would finish it.  It didn't take too long and I realized that he could just skip ahead to where Julie and Stephen were.

Each spring I would get this bug... I would have to pore over homeschooling magazines and catalogs and plan out the next year and what we would be using.  And summers were filled with bikes and toddler pools and sprinklers... gardening... and little unit studies.  Because my children behave best when they have a schedule. 

I remember teaching Joseph and him sitting with Bob Books, trying his best.  He was such a sweet little student.  Today he started middle school... 6th grade.  Reading was very hard for him to learn and something he still needs a boost of confidence in, but I am so excited to share that based on his past test scores and teacher recommendations, he was one of about 20 students that were selected to take part in a before school math class, which will accelerate him and have him take full on algebra in 7th grade.  This momma's proud!!!

And Victor.  I remember him in Learning Circle.  He loved going to Learning Circle!  They would do arts and crafts and listen to stories and play games.  Where did that little guy go?  Today he started 5th grade and is the top of the elementary school.  His eyes just danced today.  He might look sober in pictures, but in life, the boy has been all smiles and stories.

Clayton is top of the middle school... 8th grade and he and Joseph love their independent bike riding to and from school.  I see the common "social life is very important" theme going on with him.  He had a terrific summer with lots of personal growth, as he tore off his grandparent's roof this "summer" and spent many days working for others.  That was very good for him... teen boys need physical activity and this boy needed the boost of work with success and praise.

Cody started at the middle school today, too.  He has such a desire to get back in the swing of school and friends and I could see him set his mind to giving his best today. 

So, I spent those many years homeschooling... staying at home, raising my kiddos.  And I remember scratching my forehead at those parents who were so excited to send their children back to school.  And before I had put mine into public school, I remember this great commercial on tv.  There he was.  The dad with the very happy look on his face... strolling down the aisle with a shopping cart to the music, "It's the most wonderful time of the year..."  And I laughed and laughed.  Because even though I love having my kids around me, I also understand the humor of that... and I really like some quiet time, too!  That commercial comes to mind now every first day of school.  I missed the children a little... for a couple minutes... then I got busy working on a painting project, then a phone call, then some time online, then worked in the garden... and I absolutely loved picking up a couple of them from school and hearing all about their day.  I wont mention all the papers I had to fill out or sign...

The rest of you, please go enjoy the rest of summer... you probably don't have school starting right now!  I'd better get to dinner and run to buy more groceries and get these boys cleaned up for another day of learning and growing...

(This is a joke... Victor wanted to take a picture in his school clothes in a clean spot of his bedroom, which has been recently invaded by an older sister, so I said, "Go stand in the corner there... it's clean."  So, he stood int he corner!  Such a literal character, he is!)

On Being Me and Looking forward to New Years!

Yes, it's the end of July and I am thinking about New Year's Eve... Why?  Well, I've been doing a bit of self reflection.  Recently I fell prey to the comparison game.  I've been more than a bit hard on myself. 

As a young teen my dad took me to the New Year's Eve services at church.  We would gather and think about the previous year.  What did we do well?  What would we change?  What would we like to do differently in the coming year?  And for a girl like me, who loves lists, that started a yearly exercise I have continued most of my life.

In 2009 I reviewed my 2008 list of goals for the new year and simply crossed out 2008 and wrote 2009 above it... Well, many of the items in my categorized lists were fairly general...
        *Get more involved with the children's schools
        *Learn a few new recipes for dinners
        *Read my Bible more consistently

But, other items that I wanted to work on were a bit more personal...
        *Wear make-up more often
        *Find new hair styles
        *Dress up more
       
I remember feeling that I had failed because the things I "needed" to work on in the coming year were the same things I had wanted to work on the previous year.  I don't think I made a written list for 2010, but I did mentally go through the same self evaluation process.

Now, I don't think it's all that bad to reflect and set goals.  In fact, I love to do this!  But, when you combine that with the comparison game, it's not very helpful to how you may end up feeling about yourself.

For example, it's great to set a goal of budgeting wisely each month of the year... but to add to that the pressure to get "nice" things like "so and so" has... or to live a life that you don't have... I stopped appreciating what I had and felt disappointed.

To set a goal to take care of yourself is terrific!  But to add to that pressure to spend a lot of time with make-up and hair products daily when you just don't enjoy that... I started groaning inside... that's just not me.

To want to serve tasty, good food is wonderful!  But, to pressure yourself to be more like Rachel when your main goal in the kitchen is to get in and out quickly...

You see?

So, enough of it!  I began a new self evaluation process.  I decided to find out and accept who I am.  What makes me special and unique?  I don't need to be a career woman.  I don't need to focus on hair and make-up days on end.  I don't need to spend a lot of energy specializing on recipes...

Who am I?

I am an appreciator of peace... I am a daughter who accepts and loves her parents... I am my kid's mom and I am crazy about each of them... I am Betty.  I only like putting on make-up for special days and that is just fine... my husband thinks I am adorable!  I hate cooking, but I can turn out some delicious food anyway, thank you, it just cannot take up a lot of my time!  I love summer dresses and pretty shoes, but don't get me started about getting cold!  I enjoy waterslides and roller coasters.  I've never been a career woman, but I've taught my children to read and read many books out loud to them (oftentimes with an English accent when necessary... totally necessary when reading Chronicles of Narnia!).   I may not have a large, beautifully furnished home, but the sun sets just as lovely for me and the great white owl and her babies flew over my back yard just last night!  Music?  Oh, yeah, I like it lots... along with photography and writing.

So, you can be you.  I'm going to be me.  And I'm going to take hold of each day with a passion... searching for the beauty in it... and striving for Emerson's version of success:

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

And this next New Years Eve?  I am going to celebrate being me and being given another new year to live life!

So, leave me a comment.  Tell me a few words or phrases that let me know who YOU are.  What makes you unique?

Good-bye for now, Kay

This afternoon I was shocked... stunned and very heartbroken.  One of my besties from choir passed away last week.  There was no warning.  I want so badly to get an email that says there was some mix up and that she is still with us.  I want more time.  I am not ready to say good-bye and I have no choice.

The night she came into choir practice and sat next to me, we just clicked.  I loved her wit, which is something I run low on most of the time.  I loved the laughter in her eyes.  Instantly.  We hardly knew each other and the choir director, Karla, asked which prayer group she should be in.  Quickly reaching over and smacking her thigh, I whispered, "Say you want to be in mine!"  She didn't even know my name yet and called out, "I want to be in hers!"  Karla then asked me, "Which one are you in?"  Now, I was new and didn't know many people's names, so I pointed across the room and said, "I'm in hers!"  And, fortunately, our group leader was paying attention and said, "Mine!"  And so, each week at choir, we would pray together.  She prayed for my children and met most of them and spoke to them so sincerely.  We sang Good Friday night with the choir and then we sat near each other during prayer time.  When it was over and we stood up, she stuck out her hand, shook Scott's hand and said something like, "You've got excellent taste... I just love your wife." 

Kay set a lovely example for me.  She was a servant in heart.  I imagine that for some time now, I hope a very long time, I will look for ways to serve and think of her.  I hate thinking of walking into choir and her not being there... it breaks my heart.


Thank you for praying for the family of Kay.

Love your friends and family with all your heart,

Betty

From Old Boats to Funny Cars - Our Day at Infineon Raceway

We surprised my dad with a trip to the raceway to watch the dragstrip racing.  I had never been before, but this is something my dad watches as often as he can on tv.  He remembers back in about 1958 when the cars broke 150 mph.





When we arrived and began looking around, my dad enjoyed checking out this car...



But, the bigger attraction was the pit.  One of the top racers that my dad watches is John Force.  He has a daughter, Ashley Force, who races, too.  I'd heard all about them the previous day, so it wasn't a surprise when dad wanted to hang out at their pits.

Here's dad admiring Ashley Force's pit.

It was cloudy and cold in the morning.  Trust me.
Here's John Force's pit.



Today dad says that his favorite part of the day was getting to see, hear and smell John Force's car get fired up in the pit.  Let me tell you, the experience did involve all of the senses!!!  It was my first introduction to "nitro", which is some such substance that is used instead of gasoline.  The first video is him getting into the car, the second is him starting it up.  It's not high time entertainment, but it was quite a time!

(John Force signing autographs)

Before we sat down to watch the races, we visited other pits.  Here he is in a funny car that Toyota had out.

There we sat with glasses on for a virtual road race experience.

Here is Antron Brown's dragster.

And here he is, chasing down Antron himself, for an autograph.



The most expensive seats were the stadium seats... but they were farthest from the actual starting line and race!

To get to our seats, we had to go under the track itself, through a tunnel.

Our seats were right up from the starting line!
There are a few classes of vehicles that race... the sportsman cars, the dragsters and the funny cars. 
To begin, when the track is prepared, the cars come out, two at a time and burn out... it has something to do with warming up the tires... makes a bit of noise and smoke...


So, after they burn out and back up they inch forward to the invisible starting line.  For dragsters, this is a time where their back tires are feverously brushed off.  For the funny cars, this is where the top is raised and something taken out of the engine area that is put in to stop it from going fast during the burn out...

Here's a look at the stadium from our seats.

Here is a sportsman stock car.

Here is a dragster.

Here is a video of two dragsters racing... one is by a man who has been number one for many years.  He is Mr. Schumacher in the US Army dragster.


Now, here's a tip.  You should not eat peanut butter cups during races.  No, no, no.  Trust me.  The taste of nitro-burnt rubber-chocolate and peanut butter do NOT mix!  Blech!

Whenever there was an oil spill or anything flew off a tire or an engine, the races came to a halt and clean up crews were on the scene.  I learned that there is this thing called a gasket.  It is between the head and the engine.  There's a spark plug in the head and there are pistons.  I am pretty sure the pistons are mobile!  So, sometimes a piston might make a hole in the gasket and oil and "stuff" go out all over the place.  Stick with me, here, because it gets exciting!  Gaskets help the engine not blow up when the spark ignites the fuel!  And I hear that sometimes gaskets blow up  for other reasons.  And so something like this must have happened because some "things" blew off a dragster and out went the clean up crew.  A talented motocycle stunt rider came out and entertained the crowd while we waited for the clean up to finish.  I found the following announcement to be more humorous than the stunt rider:  "If parts (ones that blow off the race-car) land facing the same direction that they were in to begin with (at the start of the race) then you are not disqualified."  Wow, I don't know who came up with that rule, but I bet the driver was relieved....

I would now like to say:  SILLY BOYS....RACING'S FOR GIRLS!
Here's a video of a lady racecar driver simply smoking out the opponent!  She is sponsored by In-N-Out.

And here's a video of Ashley Force (she's a girl, too!) smoking her opponent!
Here are some miscellaneous photos... This is one of John Farce's older cars.

These cars were in the "nostalgic" tent.

Here is the jelly belly car!!!  It comes with a display container full of bagged jelly belly samples!

These were dragsters in the nostalgic tent.

And here is John Force's car getting towed out to the starting line-up area.

Here is Ashley Force's car with the hood up!  Her car is the farther of the two...

 

I hope you have enjoyed hearing about my day at the raceway!