Turning leaves. They make a beautiful ground cover for the ugly mud that comes with autumn rains.
Snow. It covers up the leaves that are turning to slime.
Cold weather, 'cause it makes me thankful for warm clothes, and warm beds, and warm houses, and warm food, and warm kittens to cuddle with.
My family. They help me treasure the small things in life.
Mom. She always has good advice for me.
Our country. It really is the Greatest Nation on God's Green Earth.
Friends. But who isn't thankful for their friends?
Enemies. They help me keep life in perspective.
Wood stoves, despite all the work.
Dogs. At least they keep the coyotes away.
Church. My church is the very BEST church in the WORLD.
My pastor. He always has the right sermon at the right time.
The new Foundations class. It's like our House for my Name class with no pressure.
Little kids. I just love 'em. They remind me that I used to be like that. Can't wait to have my own.
Messes. The feeling of satisfaction I get after I've cleaned them up.
Capitalism. And all those people who live to produce the things that I can't or won't produce for myself.
Problems. If we didn't have them, there would be no need for solutions.
Books. There are few things better than a comfy chair by the fire with a hot drink in one hand and a good book in the other.
Music. I honestly could not survive without music.
My senses. I know I don't always take full advantage of them, but I sure am glad they're there when I need them.
Indoor plumbing. And I thought the kings and queens of old lived in luxury.
Learning. As Mark Twain said, "I never let schooling interfere with my learning."
Sledding. Saucer trains are the best.
Opportunities. Too bad I don't take advantage of all the ones that come my way.
Food. Most all real food is good.
Freedom, and our fathers who fought for it.
This is just a start...
Friday, November 26, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
The Story
Kyle said he was trying to decide the level of violence we could handle. We said, "Oh, lots of violence! And suspense and action and adventure of course. Oh and romance..."
So he launched into a story of three friends named Dan, Melinda and Steve, in a small plane headed for a vacation somewhere in the south pacific (I think), when the gages (sp?) of the plane went out. And it was night. And foggy. So they couldn't see anything, until it was too late. Plane crashed on a sandy beach, tearing off wings on its way and erupting into a ball of fire. Luckily, the three were alive. They climbed out of the wreck and in a daze wandered around looking for something to build a fire because they were cold. Which was weird. During the rest of the night, they heard strange sniffing and scratching noises that kept them all wide awake. In the morning, they found large paw prints around the perimeter of the light cast by the fire. The picked up pieces of the plane and moved the fire closer to the plane. Melinda went to pick up a wing that was partially in the thick jungle at the edge of the beach. As she grabbed hold of it to pull it out, it pulled back. She tried again, and it pulled back again. And then it jerked out of her hands and was swept away into the jungle. She ran back screaming to the guys and told them that the wing was gone. Creepy.
They were hungry so the decided to go wading in the shallows to look for clams and such. The were fishing around in about knee-deep slightly murky water, when Steve said, "Something touched me!" They wondered what it was, but kept looking around. Then he said, "Something touched me again." They were starting to get a little nervous when Melinda said, "Something touched me too!" They didn't stay long after that, but splashed to shore quickly. When the got back to the plane, Steve glanced down at his leg, because he felt pain and saw that what felt like a burn was quickly becoming a gaping wound. They quickly ripped his shirt into strips and bound up his wound. Here Kyle suggested, "I might add that Melinda was holding holding Steve's hand the whole time." We all erupted in sighs of contentment.
They eventually decided that they really needed food and despite the dangers of both the sea and the jungle, they decided they would go into the jungle rather than get attacked by acid eels or something. So Dan and Melinda started off into the jungle armed with spears from young saplings they had stripped. Steve waited in the plane with his spear. After a while he looked up into the gloom because of the fog, and saw two red eyes staring at him...
So he launched into a story of three friends named Dan, Melinda and Steve, in a small plane headed for a vacation somewhere in the south pacific (I think), when the gages (sp?) of the plane went out. And it was night. And foggy. So they couldn't see anything, until it was too late. Plane crashed on a sandy beach, tearing off wings on its way and erupting into a ball of fire. Luckily, the three were alive. They climbed out of the wreck and in a daze wandered around looking for something to build a fire because they were cold. Which was weird. During the rest of the night, they heard strange sniffing and scratching noises that kept them all wide awake. In the morning, they found large paw prints around the perimeter of the light cast by the fire. The picked up pieces of the plane and moved the fire closer to the plane. Melinda went to pick up a wing that was partially in the thick jungle at the edge of the beach. As she grabbed hold of it to pull it out, it pulled back. She tried again, and it pulled back again. And then it jerked out of her hands and was swept away into the jungle. She ran back screaming to the guys and told them that the wing was gone. Creepy.
They were hungry so the decided to go wading in the shallows to look for clams and such. The were fishing around in about knee-deep slightly murky water, when Steve said, "Something touched me!" They wondered what it was, but kept looking around. Then he said, "Something touched me again." They were starting to get a little nervous when Melinda said, "Something touched me too!" They didn't stay long after that, but splashed to shore quickly. When the got back to the plane, Steve glanced down at his leg, because he felt pain and saw that what felt like a burn was quickly becoming a gaping wound. They quickly ripped his shirt into strips and bound up his wound. Here Kyle suggested, "I might add that Melinda was holding holding Steve's hand the whole time." We all erupted in sighs of contentment.
They eventually decided that they really needed food and despite the dangers of both the sea and the jungle, they decided they would go into the jungle rather than get attacked by acid eels or something. So Dan and Melinda started off into the jungle armed with spears from young saplings they had stripped. Steve waited in the plane with his spear. After a while he looked up into the gloom because of the fog, and saw two red eyes staring at him...
Trinity Teens
Last night was the first Trinity Teens gathering of the school year. We went to the Hawes in Quincy and had a blast. Sukey and I went with the Eiferts and sang our lungs out the whole way to I'm Yours, Sink or Swim, Baby (Bettye's request), Hey Soul Sister, Waka waka, Wine Red, The Lions Roar, etc. Some of my favorites. :D
We started off a little late because Gretha was having credit card issues, but the Bargers waited for us. Dad, Samuel, Thomas and Levi went in our car with Samuel driving...wonder how that went?
When we got there, we found a pile of kittens at the door! We all "ooed" and "aaed" (sp?) appropriately and picked them up. I haven't held a kitten in a long time, so I was surprised at how small and soft and warm they were...:)
We greeted the host's and headed out to the back yard and the bonfire. There we sat on bales of hay around the fire and sang psalms and listened to Mr. Hawes talk on contentment. There were three men, each with a different trial, all of whom thought that their neighbor's trial would be easier for them to bear, so the all switched. Within 24 hours, the were all back to their own trials. Everyone is equipped with the patience they need for their own trials. No wonder we have our trials instead of someone else's.
After the lesson, we had S'mores. I had burnt marshmallows though, because I don't like S'mores, and I couldn't brown it nicely this time. :(
We tried to play capture the flag, but I got tagged and sent to jail, so I went up in the tree house (which was right next to the jail) and hung out. Then Gretha came by and I called her up, and we had a very good heart-to-heart talk. The kind that are best had in the semi-darkness of night in a tree house.
Then we were interrupted and kicked out of the tree house by the general public and scurried over to the fire to mumble about our misfortunes to Kyle who was sitting there with the dogs. After a while we voted for him to tell us a scary story. As he sat staring into the fire, we audibly wondered what the story would be.
We started off a little late because Gretha was having credit card issues, but the Bargers waited for us. Dad, Samuel, Thomas and Levi went in our car with Samuel driving...wonder how that went?
When we got there, we found a pile of kittens at the door! We all "ooed" and "aaed" (sp?) appropriately and picked them up. I haven't held a kitten in a long time, so I was surprised at how small and soft and warm they were...:)
We greeted the host's and headed out to the back yard and the bonfire. There we sat on bales of hay around the fire and sang psalms and listened to Mr. Hawes talk on contentment. There were three men, each with a different trial, all of whom thought that their neighbor's trial would be easier for them to bear, so the all switched. Within 24 hours, the were all back to their own trials. Everyone is equipped with the patience they need for their own trials. No wonder we have our trials instead of someone else's.
After the lesson, we had S'mores. I had burnt marshmallows though, because I don't like S'mores, and I couldn't brown it nicely this time. :(
We tried to play capture the flag, but I got tagged and sent to jail, so I went up in the tree house (which was right next to the jail) and hung out. Then Gretha came by and I called her up, and we had a very good heart-to-heart talk. The kind that are best had in the semi-darkness of night in a tree house.
Then we were interrupted and kicked out of the tree house by the general public and scurried over to the fire to mumble about our misfortunes to Kyle who was sitting there with the dogs. After a while we voted for him to tell us a scary story. As he sat staring into the fire, we audibly wondered what the story would be.
Monday, November 1, 2010
A New Day
Yesterday was Refomation Day/All Saints Day/All Hallows Eve! Woke up bright and early (5:45am is EARLY), to get ready and get everything together because we (choir peoples) had to be at the church at 7:05am to set up and rehearse and robe for the Service at 8:00am. I tell you, I voted for the 11:00am service time! But no, everyone preferred to get up in the dark ('cause it's closing in on winter) and go to church in the fog (because that's what it does in the winter) and arrive in the cold! Anyways, even though we got up early and ready shortly after, we were STILL Tardy (that was our Third tardy this term...) but since I'm the Attendance Keeper, I'm the only one who knows that...I'll confess sometime (I'll tell you tomorrow, Melanie!). But everything went really well. Melanie did FABULOUSLY, and we did pretty good too. I was sweltering in my robe. Usually I'm really hot, but this time I was really, really hot. Like, sweltering! (pretty good word, huh?)
I actually studied for a while before the Feast! Rewrote a couple pages of econ notes. :D And I did my laundry...and then I decided at the last minute to go dressed up as a Wandering Minstrel...I had my clunker boots, leggins, a tunic, a cloak, and my (very necessary for a minstrel of any kind) instrument. A Ukulele. Missing two strings. Doesn't stay in tune. Didn't have if half the time because all the kids "wanted a turn." I prolly embarassed my whole family with my strummings. But it was fun! Yes, it was fun. Then we went to the Hall's house and watched a Martin Luther film (not a documentary!) and decided I wanted to learn the 95 Theses so I printed them all out and going to hang them up in the bathroom...
On Saturday, Becky and I went to the Library to study. I worked on econ with another econ student. And then Melanie called to invite us to dinner since we were parentless that evening. Of course we said we would come because we think the Halls are nice. Turns out the parents did end up getting home around then, so they came to dinner too. We ate food! And then we had dessert! But I don't want to talk about dessert, because dessert is associated with an awkward moment on my part...:( But then we went outside and ran around and played Hide-and-Seek...unsuccessfully.
Wednesday and Thursday were really bad days because I got really bad test results back. And I had to decide if I was going to keep going like this and almost certainly fail one or both of the classes I was struggling in, or drop one, or the other on, by Friday because Friday was the last day to drop a class.
And then on Friday I decided to drop a class, and was very traumatized, because it was the first time I ever had to do that. But after I dropped it, I was soooo relieved! :D
I am writing very spontaneously and out of order...But if you read this listening to music it can be better. It sounds better when I'm listening to music...listening to L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole right now..:D
I actually studied for a while before the Feast! Rewrote a couple pages of econ notes. :D And I did my laundry...and then I decided at the last minute to go dressed up as a Wandering Minstrel...I had my clunker boots, leggins, a tunic, a cloak, and my (very necessary for a minstrel of any kind) instrument. A Ukulele. Missing two strings. Doesn't stay in tune. Didn't have if half the time because all the kids "wanted a turn." I prolly embarassed my whole family with my strummings. But it was fun! Yes, it was fun. Then we went to the Hall's house and watched a Martin Luther film (not a documentary!) and decided I wanted to learn the 95 Theses so I printed them all out and going to hang them up in the bathroom...
On Saturday, Becky and I went to the Library to study. I worked on econ with another econ student. And then Melanie called to invite us to dinner since we were parentless that evening. Of course we said we would come because we think the Halls are nice. Turns out the parents did end up getting home around then, so they came to dinner too. We ate food! And then we had dessert! But I don't want to talk about dessert, because dessert is associated with an awkward moment on my part...:( But then we went outside and ran around and played Hide-and-Seek...unsuccessfully.
Wednesday and Thursday were really bad days because I got really bad test results back. And I had to decide if I was going to keep going like this and almost certainly fail one or both of the classes I was struggling in, or drop one, or the other on, by Friday because Friday was the last day to drop a class.
And then on Friday I decided to drop a class, and was very traumatized, because it was the first time I ever had to do that. But after I dropped it, I was soooo relieved! :D
I am writing very spontaneously and out of order...But if you read this listening to music it can be better. It sounds better when I'm listening to music...listening to L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole right now..:D
Sunday, October 10, 2010
10/10/10
I just had to post something today...for to celebrate the significance of the 10ness. :D I missed posting this at 10:10 am because we just got home from church.
Today we are having the Tracy's and the Ulrich's for dinner, and Mr. Tracy is going to talk about his WWII experiences.
We had a new thing at church. It's called something "edibles." Lots of tasty sugary stuff, that I refrained from! I only had a apple and oatmeal muffin, even though there was a large selection of doughnuts and such...
I had a nice chat with Anna today. We talked about college and such.
Today we are having the Tracy's and the Ulrich's for dinner, and Mr. Tracy is going to talk about his WWII experiences.
We had a new thing at church. It's called something "edibles." Lots of tasty sugary stuff, that I refrained from! I only had a apple and oatmeal muffin, even though there was a large selection of doughnuts and such...
I had a nice chat with Anna today. We talked about college and such.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
John Dryden
I was walking through the library, and found a book of John Dryden's poems. I opened it (it just happened to be the chapter on his satirical and didactic poems)to inhale the old-book-smell, and came across this poem. Here is a taste:
Shimei-Slingsby Bethel-the Republican sheriff of the city:
"But he, though bad, is followed by a worse,
The wretch, who heaven's anointed dared to curse;
Shimei-whose youth did early promise bring
Of zeal to God, and hatred to his King-
Did wisely from expensive sins refrain,
And never broke the Sabbath but for gain:
Nor ever was he known an oath to vent,
Or curse, unless against the government.
...During his office treason was no crime,
The sons of Belial had a glorious time:
For Shimei, though not prodigal of pelf,
Yet loved his wicked neighbors as himself.
I had never read John Dryden before and I thought this interesting. My favorite, was line 7-8...
Shimei-Slingsby Bethel-the Republican sheriff of the city:
"But he, though bad, is followed by a worse,
The wretch, who heaven's anointed dared to curse;
Shimei-whose youth did early promise bring
Of zeal to God, and hatred to his King-
Did wisely from expensive sins refrain,
And never broke the Sabbath but for gain:
Nor ever was he known an oath to vent,
Or curse, unless against the government.
...During his office treason was no crime,
The sons of Belial had a glorious time:
For Shimei, though not prodigal of pelf,
Yet loved his wicked neighbors as himself.
I had never read John Dryden before and I thought this interesting. My favorite, was line 7-8...
Monday, October 4, 2010
Week Three
I'm sitting here in the upstairs library computer lab, right next to the new tutor center, listening to Beirut and working on my accounting homework. And blogging. It's been a week since I last blogged,and a lot has happened since then.
Monday night I went to my night class (accounting), and mostly listened to what the teacher was saying, and partly having silent laughter fits with the two women next to me...Bad.
Tuesday we had the Gathering (first of the season) and Mrs. McEachran gave her testimony. I held Austin! He's getting so big..and TALKING. He has picked up this new habit of imitating everyone when ever they cough or sneeze. He's good at it too. Had me worried for a sec, until his mom explained it to me. Then we had choir practice. I think it went well. Melanie was GREAT! :) We got lots of new music to work on. I sort of lived up to my new title as Choir Librarian/Chief Musician's Assistant and helped set out and organize the music, and then put it back. :)
Wednesday I went to the last half hour of the first Campus Crusade meeting, after my night class. There were not many people there, just Mr. and Mrs. Fitch, a woman and her daughter, Marcus, and me. We talked about the parables of Jesus, and their interpretations. I also talked to Nancy Howard (my Eng 201 teacher) about being a Write Lab Tutor. She seemed really excited and said she would hire me in an instant, IF I had Work Study....:( But since I don't, she will get back to me this Thursday to see if she can hire me.
Thursday I went to Bridget Byington's baby shower. She is such a cute little baby! Everyone who spoke gave some helpful insight (I thought) to Mrs. Byington and it was a very welcoming and laid back atmosphere. Mrs. Gildehaus told Mrs. Madson that I babysat (babysitted? no..), so I got a babysitting job for Saturday night babysitting the Madsons.
Friday I went walking around the campus with Gretha, and we talked about spankings and modesty, and everything in between. It was quite a conversation. That evening, Sukey and I went to the Halls and had a delicious dinner and watched Dicken's Nicholas Nickelby. Great movie. Got home around 12:30...had to do dreadful outside chores as penance.
Saturday I did my penance, and then *did my homework*. Then I went to the Madsons to babysit. Boy, was that an experience. Ben really lived up to Mr. Halls nickname for him, "Benergy". They must all be professional photographers by now, with all the videos and pictures they took with my camera...:P They were actually pretty well behaved. :D I got home around 11:30.
Sunday We got up at 6:00 to be ready to leave at 6:45 to get to church at 7:15 to be on time to practice the prelude. After church I detained Gretha and Anna talking about what we talk about...but I think they were okay with being detained. :D On the way home, I drove a stick for the FIRST time, and only killed it ONCE. I thought that was pretty good for a first time ever. Then we had Pastor Gene and his wife to dinner for our Face-to-Face meeting. We had a delectible meal. And then Pastor read from the book called "Stuff Christians Like". And then we went on a walk to the top of our hill. Then we came back for dessert and watched Grandpa cut the character tree that was in the corral in half. It's going to be an archway for the bridge.
And today, Monday. The start of the third week. Worked on acct. hw. Went to Econ. Worked on acct. hw. Went to Choir. Went to precalc. Saw it was cancelled. Again. Worked on acct. hw. So far.
Monday night I went to my night class (accounting), and mostly listened to what the teacher was saying, and partly having silent laughter fits with the two women next to me...Bad.
Tuesday we had the Gathering (first of the season) and Mrs. McEachran gave her testimony. I held Austin! He's getting so big..and TALKING. He has picked up this new habit of imitating everyone when ever they cough or sneeze. He's good at it too. Had me worried for a sec, until his mom explained it to me. Then we had choir practice. I think it went well. Melanie was GREAT! :) We got lots of new music to work on. I sort of lived up to my new title as Choir Librarian/Chief Musician's Assistant and helped set out and organize the music, and then put it back. :)
Wednesday I went to the last half hour of the first Campus Crusade meeting, after my night class. There were not many people there, just Mr. and Mrs. Fitch, a woman and her daughter, Marcus, and me. We talked about the parables of Jesus, and their interpretations. I also talked to Nancy Howard (my Eng 201 teacher) about being a Write Lab Tutor. She seemed really excited and said she would hire me in an instant, IF I had Work Study....:( But since I don't, she will get back to me this Thursday to see if she can hire me.
Thursday I went to Bridget Byington's baby shower. She is such a cute little baby! Everyone who spoke gave some helpful insight (I thought) to Mrs. Byington and it was a very welcoming and laid back atmosphere. Mrs. Gildehaus told Mrs. Madson that I babysat (babysitted? no..), so I got a babysitting job for Saturday night babysitting the Madsons.
Friday I went walking around the campus with Gretha, and we talked about spankings and modesty, and everything in between. It was quite a conversation. That evening, Sukey and I went to the Halls and had a delicious dinner and watched Dicken's Nicholas Nickelby. Great movie. Got home around 12:30...had to do dreadful outside chores as penance.
Saturday I did my penance, and then *did my homework*. Then I went to the Madsons to babysit. Boy, was that an experience. Ben really lived up to Mr. Halls nickname for him, "Benergy". They must all be professional photographers by now, with all the videos and pictures they took with my camera...:P They were actually pretty well behaved. :D I got home around 11:30.
Sunday We got up at 6:00 to be ready to leave at 6:45 to get to church at 7:15 to be on time to practice the prelude. After church I detained Gretha and Anna talking about what we talk about...but I think they were okay with being detained. :D On the way home, I drove a stick for the FIRST time, and only killed it ONCE. I thought that was pretty good for a first time ever. Then we had Pastor Gene and his wife to dinner for our Face-to-Face meeting. We had a delectible meal. And then Pastor read from the book called "Stuff Christians Like". And then we went on a walk to the top of our hill. Then we came back for dessert and watched Grandpa cut the character tree that was in the corral in half. It's going to be an archway for the bridge.
And today, Monday. The start of the third week. Worked on acct. hw. Went to Econ. Worked on acct. hw. Went to Choir. Went to precalc. Saw it was cancelled. Again. Worked on acct. hw. So far.
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