Things I learned over Christmas

1. I'm old.

2 .Don't give children presents in come in boxes bigger than the child.

3. Be sure to supervise aforementioned child, especially if child is excited.

4. Don't play Apples to Apples with a bunch of cousins that are 10 years younger than you.  You will answer a lot of: what's this, who's this, and can you simply questions.

5. Don't plug too many crock-pots into one outlet.

6. Aforementioned action will result in a fuse being blown sending the entire basement into darkness.

7. If aforementioned fuse blows it is a good idea to have a flashlight.

8. Since most people don't carry flashlights around with them it is helpful to be in a room with 30 people. 20 of which have cell phones.

9. Singing "Silent Night" with 30 people while holding up aforementioned cellphones is fun.

10. Cousins grow up too quickly...

11. It takes 3 cousins to figure out how to get the DVD player to work when there are 3 remotes.

Questionarre I was talking to Debi and Lydia about

1. Put Your Itunes on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write that song name down no matter how silly it makes you look.
4. Tag Your friends! (or not.)
(I found 2 of these quizzes so I put a quiz together with questions from both. I know som e ofthe questions are goofy, but it's just for laughs...)

1. How are you feeling today?
Suppe - Poet & Peasant - Overture - Janos Sandor - Hungarian State Opera Orchestra 

2. Will you get far in life?
Silver Arrow - Robin Hood Soundtrack

3. How do your friends see you?
She'll Be Coming Around The Mountain/What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor/Yellow Rose Of Texas/It's A Long Way To Tipperary/ Glory Glory Hallelujah/ Oh Susanna (medley) - Andre Rieu Orchestra


4. Will you get married?
Will Of The People - Amazing Grace Soundtrack

5. What is your best friend’s theme song?
Auld Lang Syne - Chris Bathgate

6. What is the story of your life?
Just In Time - Bobby Darin

7. What was/is high school like?
10,000 Miles - Mary Chapin Carpenter

8. How can you get ahead in life?
Live - Nicole Nordeman

9. What is the best thing about your friends?
Violin Concerto in E Minor  Movement 2 - Felix Mendoelssohn

10. What is in store for this weekend?
Pirates of Penzance Finale - Simon Gallaher (boy am I going to be tired by Monday morning....)

11. To describe your grandparents?
Parliament - Amazing Grace Soundtrack


12. How is your life going?
You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban

13. What song will they play at your funeral?
Marian's Punishment - Robin Hood Soundtrack

14. How does the world see you?
When I Look At You(reprise) - Scarlet Pimpernel

15. Will you have a happy life?
Act 3 Prelude - Richard Wagner

16. What do your friends really think of you?
The Sheriff's Plan - Robin Hood Soundtrack

17. How can I make myself happy?
He Hideth My Soul - Kathryn Carpenter

18. What should you do with your life?
Overture - Scarlet Pimpernel (I should become the Scarlet Pimpernel, COOL!!!)


19. Will you ever have children?
It Is Well With My Soul - Kathryn Carpenter 


20. What does your mum think of you?
Completely - Ana Laura

21. What is your deep dark secret?
How Beautiful - Twila Paris

22. What’s your personality like?
He's My Brother - Robin Hood Soundtrack

23. Which song will be played at your wedding?
Courting - David Arnold (Amazing Grace Soundtrack)

24. If someone says "Is this okay?" U say

What Ought We To Do? - Pirates of Penzance

25. How would you describe yourself?
No More - David Arnold (Amazing Grace Soundtrack)




26. How do you feel today?
A Dance Around Memory Lane - Oren Lavie (Prince Caspian Soundtrack)


27.What is your life's purpose?
Stay Frederic Stay - Simon Gallaher (Pirates of Penzance)


28. What do your friends think of you?

Amazing Grace - Kathryn Carpenter

29. What do your parents think of you?
I've Got the World On a String - Michael Buble


30. What do you often think about?
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need - Anne Martindale-Williams


31. What is your life story?
Blaze Away - Andre Rieu Orchestra


32. What do you want to be when you grow up?
No Way Out - Robin Hood Soundtrack


33. What will you dance to at your wedding?
Butterfly Kisses - Jeff Carson


34. What will they play at your funeral?
Just A Closer Walk With Thee - Kathryn Carpenter


35. What is your biggest fear?
Where's the Girl? - Scarlet Pimpernel


36. What is your biggest secret?
Marian's Theme - Robin Hood Soundtrack - (Apparently I am Maid Marian and I should be the Scarlet Pimpernel.... interesting....)

39.What do you think of your friends?

All Houses Have Secrets - Northanger Abbey Soundtrack

Why do I live in Wisconsin again??

Today the high was 44. It is currently 10. But with the wind chill, it feels like -10. They are predicting it to get as low as 1 overnight with a wind chill of -21 and only up to 9 with a wind chill of -7 by tomorrow night. On the bright side, a lot of snow melted, on the not bright side. The ground is frozen solid and there are puddles of ice everywhere....

This one is for David

Overcoming Discouragement Part 3

I thought for the final article instead of doing small segments on a few different things I would just list out things that helped me.

Let's start with:
Don't lose the paper with the notes for your article on it.  Yep, I  lost my notes.... so... I'm going to leave you with 2 things I remember off the top of my head.

1) Don't keep it all to yourself.  If you are struggling, talk to someone about, encouraging yourself is not always the answer.  Don't hold it in!  Talk to someone, it does wonders!

2) Know and remind yourself that people care about you.  This was actually a pre-overcoming one that I realized.  A few days after I really had victory over the discouragement, we went to my grandparents house.  I had posted part 1of Overcoming  Discouragement on my regular blog as well as IDD.  And my grandparents had read it.  My grandpa was of course worried about me.  But then, he started talking to my sisters and I and just encouraging us to keep doing what we are doing, and walking with God, etc.  I tell you what.  I love grandpa so much, he encouraged so much in those 30-some minutes.  When we left, I felt so loved, appreciate, taken care.  I was so... hyped is the best word I can come up with.  Know that someone loves you.  It makes a world of difference in your life.  I love going to my parents house, cause you see, the second I walk in the door at least 2 people say "hi", 2 little children from all corners of the house shout "Katie's here!" and throw themselves at my legs and I get a kiss, hug and an "I love you" from mom.  They care about me, think about me, love me, care what is happening in my life.  And you know what, for what it's worth.  Not only does God love and care about you, but we care you.  My fellow Bloggers and myself care about you.  Each and every single person who reads the blog.  That's why we are here.  If we didn't care, we wouldn't be writing.

I found this today and thought it was adorable.  So, I thought I would share.

Words on a Page - Meme

I've been tagged by Emma and Joanna at A Banner of Crimson

Here are the rules...  

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages)
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence
4. Post the next three sentences
5. Tag five people.

The top book on the closest stack of books is Vienna Prelude by Brock and Bodie Thoene.  I highly suggest their books.

6. For a long time, Murphy stood alone on the wet cement and stared off where he had last seen the aircraft bucking and rocking on the air currents. 

7.  He expected to see the bright burst of an explosion as the conclusion for his news dispatch.
8.  Instead, a more distant bolt of lightning arched toward the ground, and for an instant, Murphy thought he spotted the tiny aircraft as it but a wake through the tempest.

End of the chapter, that worked out well...


I tag:
1) Rebecca at flowershopgirl
2) Lydia at A Walk in the Rain
3) Joe at SouthPaw in the House
4) Moriah at My Wacky Blog
5) consider yourself tagger :)

afore mentioned song

I have no idea what happened to the song that was supposed to be in the last post. Here it is again.

Overcoming Discouragement Part 2

The very first lesson I learned about overcoming discouragement happened on Sunday morning during praise and worship.  I can't remember what we were singing, but I was feeling down and couldn't bring myself up to a place where I could truly glorify God and praise Him.  Then we started singing a song, and I feel something in me leap.  And a little bit of light shown into my darkness.  And I got excited, I reached out to God and he poured strength into me to give me the ability to truly praise him in song.  I distinctly remember standing up front with the musicians and playing my violin and this joy just filled my soul and I could only think about God and his love and mercy, and everything that He had done for me.  I was happy I wasn't discouraged and all I could think about was praising God.  For days afterward if I at any point felt discouragement creeping in I would just start to sing, or hum, or if I was at work or somewhere like that, just think the song.  The discouragement will flee.  Why, well... because when you are praising God and your thoughts and totally turned on Him, there is no opportunity for the devil to get his foot in the door.  This is what I wrote during that time.

God never wants us to be down trodden.

It's amazing to me how you can go for a day, or days, or a week or even weeks on end feeling down trodden and searching for answers.  Pleading with God for somethig; and anwswer, encouragement, whatever it is that you need.  And then you get to a place where you start praising the Lord, giving Him the glory and honor, and just telling Him that you love Him.  And in that moment of time all your cares go away.  You suddenly no longer care about the problems, the searching, the pleading for an answer.  Suddenly, you no longer care.  It flees your mind and all you care about it God.

This song has really been an encouragement to me during my recent struggle.  It reminds me to press on and thank God all the time even when things aren't going the way we want or wish they would.  To thank for Him life, food on the table, friends and family.  You get the idea.

Another Question, a green question

Why do think encourage you to "bring your own bags! Save the environment!"  And then hand you a receipt a mile long??

What's wrong with that picture?

Yes, I'm in a random, wierd mood... sorry....

2 random things one of which I need you to answer for me :)

#1 - There is a guy who comes through Drive Thru at DQ about 3 times a month.  When we greet him he always responds by saying "Stand By".  And every time I smile and try not to laugh.  It completely tickles my funny bone!  I want to answer, DQ flight 14847 standing by!  I don't, but I want too :)  On the bright side of it.  No matter what kind of day I'm having it never fails to make me smile :-)

#2  The one I want you to answer.

Joe started telling me this morning about a CCM song he wanted me to listen too.  I said o.k. and then somehow we got talking about how I don't really like CCM.  To me it's mostly all on one plane and there isn't much depth to it.  Not ALL CCM, just most of it.   Then he decided to tell me that he thinks classical music is only pretty music and there isn't much depth to it.  I just stared at him.  He didn't just say that to me!  Yes, he did and he meant it.  So I asked him:
"What about Handel's Messiah?" 
"Well,... that's different Mozart wrote music with depth to it."
"Joe, Mozart didn't write Messiah, Handel did, and you know that!"
"Oh, right Handle."
"No Joe, Handle." 
"Anyway, Mozart wrote Operas.  Messiah is like that." 
"Messiah is not an opera!"
"But it has words!!....   Oh, and I like Minuet in G."
"Messiah is NOT an opera.  Minuet in G, huh, o.k. who wrote that?"
"ummm.. .Mozart?"
"No, try again."
"Ummm..........."
"Bach. Is Mozart the only composer you know!"
"No! I know Mozart, and Handle, and Bach."
"Classical music has lots of depth to it!  What about Beethoven's 5th Symphony!  Or Dvorak's New World Symphony!! Everything Bach wrote has LOTS of depth to it!!!  You don't know what you are talking about!  And I think you are just egging me on so we are done with this conversation!"
"I'm not egging you on Katie! I'm serious. I don't think classical music has depth to it!  It makes for good sountracks!"
At this I told him he would understand more when he got older and that classical music does have depth and is real music!
Classical music not have depth! Pshw!

But then I started thinking... does classical music not make sense to people because it doesn't have words??? So, here is the question, and I would REALLY appreciate any answers.  Do you think classical music is merely pretty?  Do you think is has depth?  Do you know really enjoy/understand it because it doesn't have words?
O.k. guess I meant questions... anyway... answer away!

TEA BASKET GIVEAWAY!!!

 

 Click picture to be redirected to giveaway

Wanna win a quilt??

No, I didn't make it... haven't had much time for that reecently...

Click below!

Memory Verses per a 2 year old

Sarah Beth was over this evening for a while.  After I while I decided I would try and teach her a memory verse.  She has so many things memorized, things like songs on songs on songs (which is good), books, people's first and middle names, what town and state she lives, stuff like that.  Then she has other things memorized, the Indiana Jones Theme, the names of Major League Baseball players.... So, I decided why not try a Bible verse!  She could memorize Bible Verses.  So, I started with an easy one, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  That didn't go over to well, to many big words, it started coming out as In the beginning, umm... earth!" I figured "Jesus Wept" wouldn't make much sense so we did "Rejoice Always" instead.  That went over fine. So we went on to something a little harder, "Little Children keep yourselves from idols, Amen."  She caught on to that one right away, she go the "Little Children" part and the "Amen" part.  The middle part went like this:
"Little Children... umm.... buy candy!"
"No, try again."
"Little Children... umm... keep your tomatoes, Amen!"  Followed by a huge smile cause she was SURE she had it right.  She still says tomatoes, but sometimes she says idols... we'll just have to keep working on it.

Overcoming Discouragement Part 1

The last few weeks have probably been the most roller coaster-y weeks of my life.  You see, the devil decided that I should take a long walk down Discouragement  Lane.  The only thing is, God didn't want me down there and frankly I wasn't to happy about it either.  So, I've been up and down, in and out of discouragment quite a bit lately.  Now, you are probably wondering why on earth I'm telling you all this.  Well... I'm telling you this because through those weeks God gave me some wonderful tools to overcoming discouragement.  I'd learn the lesson, use the tool and be happy for a few days, successfully using the new tool I'd received.  Then a few days later the devil would figure a way around my new found happiness and I'd head down Discouragement Lane again.  After repeating this a few times I began asking God why?  "Why are letting me go through this?  Why didn't the first tool work for good?"  God felt so far away and I kept asking why? "Why were you so close some may times recently only for me to turn around and wonder where you went?  I know you didn't leave me, but why am I going through this.  Where are you this time, I need the next tool, I'm trying to learn what you have for me, but I'm lost I need your help!!!" For a while, I didn't have an answer, then one day a quote popped into my head, and I didn't understand it.  It just kept coming over and over thinking "It was then that I carried you."  My finite mind didn't understand that that was my answer.  God was telling me that he was there, in fact he wasn't far from me at all.  He had scooped me up in His strong arms and was safely and securing carrying me back to happy territory :-)

So, hopefully over the next few weeks I will be imparting those tools to you.  God gave me the opportunity to learn and have the experience of using the tools, and hopefully they will be an encouragement and tool for you to use as well.  Not that you should be discouraged, but just in case, I'll give you a few tips to help you along the way.

So until next week I'll leave you with the last thing God gave me.

"It was then that I carried you."

and all I could do was grab ahold of that and say "O.k. Lord I'm trusting that you are carrying me."

Lover's Waltz

*sigh*  This is gorgeous! I'm buying this music ASAP!  Now I just have to find someone to play it with me....

Whatever you do

Don't buy these.

There are terrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!






Terribly addicting that is......

Did you know?

The Bâtiment des Forces Motrices (Swiss Opera House) is situated in the middle of the River Rhône. Constructed in the 19th Century, it was originally meant to be a water pumping and hydroelectric station. One can still spot two turbines in the lobby of the establishment.

Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

2 (8oz) packages Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup White Sugar
1/2 t. Vanilla Extract
2 Eggs
1 (9inch) Prepared Graham Cracker Crust (I didn't have a graham cracker crust so I used a regular crust and it worked o.k. I think a graham cracker crust would be better)
1/2 cup Pumpking Puree
1/2 t. Ground Cinnamon
1 pinch Ground Cloves
1 pinch Ground Nutmeg
1/2 cup Whipped Topping

Preheat oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla.  Beat until smooth.

Blend in eggs one at a time.

Remove 1 cup of batter and spread into bottom of crust; set aside.
Add pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to the remaining batter and stir gently until well blended.

Carefully spread over the batter in the crust.

Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until center is almost set.

(I doubled the recipe. It only makes one pie.)

Allow to cool, then refrigerate for 3 hours to overnight.  Cover with whipped topping before serving.

The Random Thoughts of a Tired But Wide Awake 24 year old

It's 12:40 and I am wide awake, and I have no idea why.  I had a cup of coffee at 5:00, so that's not the problem..... I have a headache so I went to bed early and just read for a while.   Finished my book (first book I've actually finished in months! YAY!!!!)  and proceeded to lay there for long enough that I finally just got out of bed.  And here I am, posting in my blog.... that's all...  I have a concert at 7:30 tomorrow, I guess it's today now... so I really should be getting some sleep... oh well....

I'm missing my friends.  My local friends.   The ones I never see and rarely talk too.... I miss them the most, because I know they are here and close and I  could see them more, but I don't.  I hate the concept of time and conflicting schedules.

Still haven't figured out exactly what I should do tomorrow.  I have to work from 9 - 2.  Pick up flowers at 3:30.  Teach from 3:45 - 4:45.  Rehearsal from 5 - 6:15.  Call time is 7.  Concert at 7:30.  So I have 45 minutes to eat, change, do my hair and makeup.   I keep trying to figure out what I can do between 2 and 3:30 that will help me later.  Maybe do my makeup, then I will only have to freshen it up later... *sigh*  the trials of looking nice.....  I want a new concert dress.  I tried one on a few years ago that looked awesome on me.  Except, it was $100, sleeveless, and the bodice was too low.   And it was probably a little too slinky for me.  But it I could fix those things I would have bought it.  It made me feel good.  Sleeveless isn't a big deal to me.  I wouldn't have a problem wearing it, if it wasn't a performance dress.  Sleeveless and performing don't make for a good professional appearance..... I like the dress I have now, it's just that sometimes I wonder if it makes me look a little blah...

What do you think?


I guess I'll go back to bed, hopefully I can sleep this time...

Chocolate Storm Dessert

Chocolate Storm Dessert 

(recipe courtesy of Krista )

42 Oreos (16oz.)
1 cup melted Butter
2 packages Instant Chocolate Pudding (3.9 oz. pckgs)
8 oz. package softened Cream Cheese
3 cups Milk
1 - 16 oz. package Cool Whip

Finely crush cookies.  Reserve 1 cup for topping.  Mix remaining cookies with butter and press on bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 9x13 inch pan.

Mix cream cheese and half of the whipped topping.

Spread onto the cookie layer and chill 30 minutes.  Mix chocolate pudding with milk for 2 minutes.

  Chill for 30 minutes.  Spread pudding over cream cheese later.  Chill for 1 hour.  Spread remaining whipped topping on top.  Spring with reserved cookie crumbs and chill over night for best results.

The Mountain and the Valley

We have all experienced times of exaltation on the mountain, when we have seen things from God's perspective and have wanted to stay there.  But God will never allow us to stay there.  The true test of our spiritual life is in exhibiting the power to descend from the mountain.


The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God.  It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God - that is where our faithfulness is revealed.

~Oswald Chambers

I miss sewing!!!!!

Name Analyzer

So, facebook has an application that will do a name analyzer.  I'm in a random mood so I decided why not!

What do you think?

Is it accurate?

Hello all!

Just wanted to mention that I am still alive, just haven't had anything to blog about recently.... I have picture for a chocolate recipe that I want to post, one of these days I will get them uploaded.  And I am going to make pumpkin cheesecake next week, so I'll try and post pictures and a recipe of that as well....

See you all around!

More Sarah-isms

Cashier at Wal-Mart "Well hello there! How are you?"

Sarah B. "Good."

Cashier "How old are you?"

Sarah B. "2 (holds up 3 fingers) but soon I am going to be 20!"

Fall is Here

I don't know what the weather is where you are, but here in the midwest Fall is definitely here.  The leaves are starting to turn those beautiful reds, yellows, and oranges.  AppleFest was a couple weekends ago and cider is starting to pop up for sale all over.

Fall is my favorite time of the year.  I love the cool crisp weather.  The smell of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and apples in the air.   I actually enjoy wearing sweatshirts and fall coats.  Every year my family takes a trip an hour north to a small town simply full of of apple orchards.

We pick up a supply of apples. 

 Eat apple cider doughtnuts *yummy!* 

 visit Dudley

attempt a corn/sunflower maze

and all around have a glorious time!

Right now

I'm sitting at my computer doing magazine work and watching Road to Avonlea,
I'm wearing a long skirt and a sweater. 
My chilly feet are now tucked inside fuzzy socks. 
Next to me on the desk the lamp is giving off a warm homely glow and steam is rising from a fall green tea cup perched next to an appetizing piece of shortbread. 

I love cool weather.

So, here's the deal

I have an itch. 

I've never had it before.

It's a writer's itch.  The itching in my fingers to write, to type something worthwhile and enjoyable.  Even just blogging would do the trick, the only thing is, I have nothing to write about....

I don't care what people think, homeschoolers are smart!

Every Tuesday and Thursday mornings Joe comes down to DQ and cleans the ice cream machines for me.  And he usually talks my ear off the whole time.  This morning he said, "Without Googling it, can you name all of the 7 Dwarfs?" 
I got all 7 after a hint on the last one.  Which got me thinking, why are we quizzing each other on the Seven Dwarfs?  So, I asked can you name the 13 Canadian Provicences? 
He can now :-) 
So, we started into the 50 States, 43 Presidents, he can also quote most of the Gettysburg Address and the Preamble to the Constitution (which half-way through turned into the Declaration :)) But he knows most of it :-) And that's just the beginning, we could have gone on for hours!

And who says homeschoolers aren't smart!

Sarah B isms

I just came home from M&D's.  Sarah B was walking around singing "Battle Axe is fallen, that great city is fallen"...  Took me a few minutes to figure out where she came up with Battle Axe...  It gave me a good laugh!


You probably have to know the two songs to entirely get it.... The song she was trying to sing was "Babylon is fallen..."  but instead of Babylon, she was inserting Battle Axe from the song Ye Are God's Battle Axe.

License Plate Fee

Wisconsin raised the price on their license plate renewal... I believe they raised it $25.  Anyway, it now costs $75. I hate money.

I love it!

 

Courtesy of http://www.mccainblogette.com

What about Katie?

This is being posted on the IDD Blog so I might as well post it here too :)

Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.
~Victor Hugo

Sadly, I don't know a piece of music that will aptly describe my life.  So, I will attempt to do it with words instead....


I was born, to my parents delight, not on Halloween but on November 1st, 1984.  I was born the 3rd of what would eventually be 9 children.  (Rebecca "Dr. Jak" is my oldest sister, she gave a good family overview earlier so check it for more info).  Ever since I was little I've been one of those people who throws themselves 110% in everything.  By the time I was 8, my parents were asking God what they needed to do for me.  Asking Him to show them how He needed my to funnel my intense nature.  And God spoke that they were to get me a violin.  Now, we weren't rich, so it was a big deal that I got a violin and lessons and all.   And just like any normal child, I didn't appreciate it then, I didn't want to practice, take time out of play for work.  So, my mom informed me that if I didn't start practicing and earn the privilege of lessons that I would lose the privilege.  Well, I didn't want to lose that privilege, mostly I didn't want to lose the one thing I had that my sisters didn't so I went to work and faithfully practiced.  And I have never regretted it.

The winter of 97 we moved from Colorado to Dad's hometown in Iowa. It was strange in the beginning moving to a smaller town.  Driving to the grocery story in less that 10 minutes was a novelty and I soon realized that I was a country girl at heart.  The move brought about what is one of the best things to ever happen to me music-wise.  I started taking lessons from a woman in town who really helped me develop a love for music.Since that time there were 2 things that I knew I wanted to do.  I wanted to be a violin teacher and I wanted to play in a symphony.  Be able to impart the beauty of music to others.  I tell my students that music is like a story book, and the musician is the one telling the story.  For the past 4 years I have been teaching violin lessons.  I started with one student and now have a grand total of 10.

You might remember Rebecca (my sister) mentioning that our parents own the local DQ.  Well... that has been my one and only job.  I started there the week after we bought it and here I am eight and a half years later I'm still plugging along.  I started out as an employee and am now a shift leader and cake decorator. 

I took one year of college at the local state university.  I was going for a degree in music performance. God told me to stop going full time a couple of years ago and since then I have only taken a few classes.  My work schedule and time conflicts with the classes I need to take have inhibited my from finishing my degree.  I'm hoping to some day be able to finish it over the internet or by correspondence.

Besides work and teaching, I keep my schedule full with work for a children's magazine, doing odd tech support job for my family and volunteering for more than I have time to do.

In my occasional spare time I enjoy:
Sewing
Quilting
eating chocolate
doing nothing
playing with my baby brother and sister
hanging with the rest of my family
and enjoying meaningful and hilarious conversations with my sister

And if I really have spare time!
reading
cross-stitching
history
photography

Hope I didn't bore you all too much ;-)

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Did you know?

Luke can mimic the batting stance of approx 15 major league baseball players.  He showed them all to us during the boring half of football game on Saturday.  It's quite entertaining!

Sarah Beth and Me in the Dells

Today

I am going on a mini vacation.  Dad and Mom are taking us all to the Dells with them for the Country Kitchen Convention.  Except we don't have to attend the meetings.  So, we are going on a boat, probably going to the water park, and hopefully sleeping in :) but I'm not counting on that one, especially considering Luke and Sarah will be sleeping in the adjoining room :)  Then tomorrow night Grandma and Grandpa are taking Rebecca and me to the Fireside Dinner Theater to see the Collingsworth Family.  All in all it appears to be an interesting and eventful 2 days.

I want to travel the world

Lately I've been missing Washington D.C. seeing everything new.  Learning so much about so many different aspects of life, history, science.  I want to go back.  But not just to D.C.  I want to go to Virginia and see Mount Vernon, Boston to see where the Declaration of Independence was signed.  To fly the ocean and see England, Chatsworth, Buckingham, and Big Ben from closer than an airplane window.   I want to see the Berlin wall and the Louvre in Paris.  Ireland and it's beauty.  The music houses of Viennam the Parthenon in Rome, to glide the streets of Venice in a gondola. To walk the streets of Jerusalem and see the Sydney Opera House.  I want to take a buggy across Prince Edward Island and see the beauty of Canada.  I want to see how the rest of the world lives, to see the universe God created.  Hey, I'd even go to the moon, I'd love to be gravity less!  But, since that's not exactly a possibilty I would settle for parachuting!  I suppose I shall just have to settle for a day and a half in Wisconsin Dells... maybe I can save money and take a bigger trip later.  I wonder, if I saved all my teaching money at $10 a lesson, how many lessons would I have to teach to actually make the trip worthwhile..... at least 300..... maybe I should settle down with a couple of history books....

What is economic fairness??  I'm just curious....

So, I made Steph do something for me

Take some pics of me so I could get a new profile picture.

Which do you like better?

1

2

3

 

4

No official word yet

But after a talk with a symphony member yesterday I have it on good authority that I did not get a spot in the symphony.  I'm still hoping that maybe I made the substitute list.
Yes, I am sad, no I'm not going to stop playing.  I'm a little upset in that I don't think that I was given a fair audition.  I'm going to talk to my teacher about it.  I'll never say anything to the symphony officials about it.  But, maybe that's how auditions go.... we'll see.... otherwise, I'll just keep working, there's always next year.

9/11/2001

Forget?

Never.

The moment I saw the pictures on the television is forever etched in my memory.  And with that memory is the memory of the immediate fear that gripped my soul.  Which was followed by a complete peace that can only come from God.  The world was gripped with terror, but I was not afraid.  Words like war, bombs, hijacking, had little effect on me, whatever was to come couldn't faze me, my God is real.

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, 

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." 

~ Philippians 4:7

New Look

What do you think??

New background

New profile picture

Yesterday I auditioned for the Dubuque Symphony.  I won't know for a few days whether or not I made it.  Waiting is VERY difficult!!  I played o.k.  they were running behind and I had to wait over an hour past my audition time to actually audition.  They stopped me before I got to the end of my solo, and the best part was coming up :(  Both of the rooms I was in were COLD! I don't play well when I'm cold. My heart was thumping very loudly.  That's all.  I'm kinda in zombi mode.....

Memories

On August 6th my Great Grandma went to be with the Lord. She was 88 years old, and the last of my Great Grandparents.  You see, I am one blessed person.  I, up until 10 years ago, had 4 sets of grandparents.  My dad's parents, my mom parents, and both sets of my mom's grandparents.  Some people never meet their grandparents let alone great grandparents.  I did.  The thing is, when I heard that my grandma had died, I was at work.  I went right back to work, hoping it would keep me from crying and my mind off my grandma.  It worked, kinda.  You see, I didn't cry, but I certainly thought about grandma a lot. In fact, I thought about all my grandparents.  Memories of them came flooding in.  The last time I say each of them.  Special moments we spent together.  I kept remembering the smile my dad's dad gave me only days before he died.

A few days later, I was at my Gr. Grandparents house, going through her things.   They lived by a river, and there was water in the basement earlier this year.  They were still working on cleaning things out and we needed to get it finished.  We laughed and cried, memories abound in that house, they lived there for 45 years.  The house abounds with memories of them.

A few Saturdays ago all the family was supposed to meet at the house, to help clean up and then divvy up possessions.  There were so many things that meant something to one or the other, or all of us. It's amazing how one of the many unique toys they collected would bring back a score a happy memories.

The funny thing about all of it, was that after the fact, it got me to thinking.  Thinking about all the material things that exist in a person's life. The things that, before they are a person's possession, they are meaningless.  But once they become an owned possession they are important.  They become priceless, and to friends and families a door to memory lane.  What things do I own that will someday be a priceless treasure to someone else?  Make the most of today, and treasure the memories of yesterday.

Did you know?

They card you when you buy bottled air?  I've decided that  I don't want to know what they do with it.

Should I get one???

So, right now

sitting in my refrigerator are 3 very delicious looking chocolate cakes!!!!

Too bad they're styrofoam, cause I would LOVE a piece of one!

Today in my life

Can you successfully blow up and tie a balloon?
Yep

What was your last purchase?
violin strings

Does anyone like you?
Sure my family and friends

Have you made anyone laugh while they were crying lately?
Yep, Sarah, it's easiest when she's fake crying.

Are you easily amused?
Definitely

Do you sleep on your side, stomach, or back?
umm... back mostly, I think, I don't know, I don't watch myself, I'm sleeping!

Have you ever liked somebody and never told them?
my lips are sealed ;)

What did you do Saturday?
Today, I did a million things.  I finished the K4K comic, typed up music for the wedding,  drove to Leadmine, played in a wedding, drove to DBQ, helped make food for Stephi's bachelorette party, participated in the party,  drove home, when to Mom and Dad's, checked my email, wrote a blog post, put my laundry, went to bed.

Do you trust all of your friends?
ummm... most of them.

Morning or night person?
night person, I could be a morning person if I had to be.

Are you taller than 5'5''?
yes

Would you rather have love or money?
love

Do you have a best friend that knows you inside and out?
no

Last person you watched movies with?
Stephanie and Rebecca

Do you hide your emotions?
yes

 Do you prefer to take showers at night or in the morning?
Whenever I had time.

If you could either float on the moon, or snorkel in the ocean, which?
Both!! Probably the moon, I'm not a big water person.

Do you think you'll be married in 5 years?
I should hope so!

Third text in your inbox? from who?
no one, I don't have a text package

Have you been to New York City?
I was across the river from NYC at the Statue of Liberty.  I was in JFK airport, does that count.

Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Rebecca

Do you need to say anything to anyone?
probably

What were you doing at 7am?
Sleeping!! YAY!

What do you think of your number 3 on your top friends?
I don't have Top Friends

Can you legally drink?
yes, but I don't.

When is the last time you saw your mom?
10 minutes ago

Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?
Whatever

Have you ever been in an ambulance?
No

Do you hold grudges?
yes, but I shouldn't

Do you sing obnoxiously in the car?
I sing in the car, but I hope it's not obnoxious.

When was the last time you had butterflies in your stomach?
couple days ago

Are you watching TV?
No, we only get 2 channels, fuzzy and blue

In the next 10 days I will be or need to

• play in 2 weddings
• set up the music for the first wedding
• 2 rehearsals 
• teach 7 violin lessons
• set up wireless internet at Country Kitchen
• make and decorate the cake for the 2nd wedding
• finish 1 K4K article about camp
• put together the Polly Wally and Billy Bean comic for the next K4K
• work 6 days
• Bachelorette party
• find shoes to wear with my dress to the wedding
• my violin lesson
• duet rehearsal
• prepare for symphony audition
• write 2 IDD blog posts
• and a thousand other things that I can't squish into my brain at the moment
  

The Pledge of Allegiance

Red Skelton tells the story of his teacher, Mr. Laswell, who explained the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance, word by word.

"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"

~I~
me, an individual, a committee of one.

~Pledge~
dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.

~ Allegiance~
my love and my devotion.

~To the flag~
our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!

~United ~
that means that we have all come together.

~States~
individual communities that have united into 48 great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.

~And to the republic~
a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

~For which it stands, one nation~
one nation, meaning "so blessed by God"

~Indivisible~
incapable of being divided.

~With liberty~
which is freedom; the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation.

~And Justice~
the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.

~For all~
which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the
Pledge of Allegiance...

UNDER GOD

Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer and that would be eliminated from schools too?

God Bless America!

We interrupt this busy life to bring you an annoucement

I'm auditioning for the Symphony!

*aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh*

Prayers would be appreciated.  I have 3 weeks to prepare and the first 2 are going to be VERY busy doing this other than getting ready.  I'm also getting nervous already, and that bad.  I don't do well when I'm nervous.  It could be good in the fact that it will push me to practice more and be more efficient in my practicing, but it could also mess me up good.

So, anyway, back to your regularly scheduled busy life.

Little Friends

Sarah Beth absolutely LOVES her people! And she has lots of friends.  At camp she had quite a lot of fun playing with Josh and Elisa.  At some point she decided that Josh was younger than her and she needed to take care of him.  She's just being her normal motherly self :)  These pictures are all courtesy of Kristi.

                                 

Come to Jesus

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

What's new in my life

I actually have time to breath!!!!!!!!!

And I am sitting here uploading pictures from camp.  That's about it. 

Oh!  We have our first ripe tomato!  Grown by yours truly!!

This is me today

Sorry, not exactly interesting....

Today I am

Exhausted

Because Dave asked

and I'm obligatory, sometimes.

This is how I feel today.

Hot and Sweaty

and Thoughtful

What do you do?

When you have 13 flowergirls all dolled up and ready to go. 

And the wedding doesn't start for another 45 minutes????

Why send in the troops of course!

 

 

I'm home!!!!

Did you miss me??

Today, this is how I feel

Well, minus the hat and the army uniform.

I need some advice

I would really like a book to read that I could sink my teeth into.   I've tried several books.  But, they've all been unsuccessful.  Any ideas are welcome!

What the flag means to me.

A couple of times a week we drive 22 miles to the nearest town, to attend church.  About halfway there the highway cuts straight through a hill.  And on top of that hill, right where everyone can see it flies an American flag, Old Glory, the symbol of our nation's freedom.

It wasn't until a couple weeks ago, when the flag was suddenly gone, I realized that I loved the flag, more specifically that particular flag, flying majestically on top of that particular hill, where it reminds thousands of people every day of their freedom and the great country we live in.  I still involuntarily glance up expecting the flag to still be there.  It's not.  Instead I remind myself that I live in a great country and that the flag still waves from my heart.  I thank God for the country I live in, the foundation on which it was laid and the men and women who work and fight to keep America free.  Keep the flag flying! And may God Bless the U.S.A.