Home Again After a Good Trip

We are back home, safe and sound, and (hopefully) in our right minds! We pulled in last night, mid-evening, after a 10-1/2 hour trip. It felt very good to be home, although we really enjoyed our time in Montana with my dad, our daughter and son-in-law, and our two grandkids.

There seemed to be something extra special about this time of visiting with our "kids". There were lots of fun times with all of them, in various ways -- sometimes all of us together and sometimes just us with our grandkids. Sherry and I also found the opportunity to get off by ourselves for lunch out and grocery shopping for Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving day was a wonderful time of fellowship and family fun for all of us, and especially good for Sherry and I in the kitchen as we prepared the meal together.

We stayed at my dad's house and did lots of running back and forth between his house and our daughter's house. It was especially nice to have Larry with me this time, since most of my trips over to Montana are done all by myself. I could tell that Dad was really enjoying having Larry there this time. I was totally surprised by him having a new lady-friend in his life! After a little nervous trepidation, I found that I really like her, and actually enjoyed our times together. But I must admit it was also a bit strange for me to be "double-dating" with my dad and his "girl-friend" -- and to realize that I was the married one, rather than my dad!

We have lots of happy memories of this visit! On our last day there we woke up to a brand new world! The ground was completely covered by a fluffy white blanket, and the trees were decked out in beautiful winter-white finery as well, obviously just waiting for Christmas to arrive! What a cheerful sight to the eyes of those who rarely see snow in our little part of the world. (We get lots of rain and gray skies, but rarely are we treated to snow.) Later in the day, we enjoyed lots of snow play with our "kids" in the yard that used to belong to my parents, and now belongs to our "kids". It's wonderful to see that place full of exhuberant life and noisy fun, with lots of love and laughter.

Originally we had planned to travel home today (Sunday), but by Wednesday morning the weather forecast began to sound really bad for traveling--looking worse and worse in the coming days, so we made the decision to hit the road on Saturday morning and give it our best shot. Saturday morning we woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland with about 5-6 inches of fresh new snow on top of what was new the day before! Knowing that several people were committing to pray for our safety, we stocked our car with provisions for every possible emergency situation, put ourselves in God's care, and set out at 9:15 A.M.

The drive through the mountains looked like a beautiful wintry scene straight out of a Christmas card! It was truly a magnificent, magical, winter wonderland with lots of snow on the ground and the trees all thickly flocked in glistening, fresh whiteness! The snow plows were out in full-force, trying to keep up with all the white stuff that continued to fall while we were driving. Traveling through the mountains, we saw several cars that had slid off the road, even into guard rails. One car was upside down, way off to the side of the road. It was a bit unnerving to see all that, but God kept us safe, and the trip only took us about an hour longer than usual.

We went to church this morning and then out to lunch afterwards. Our weather is rather blustery today, so we've decided to hunker down and just veg for the day! We'll both enjoy a day of total relaxation.

Wow! What a wonderful week it was!

Thanksgiving Time

Tonight I post from my daughter Sherry's house in the Big Sky Country (Montana). Grandma and Grandpa have had the privilege of spending the evening enjoying our grandchildren while their parents are attending a Young Life Staff meeting for the entire Bitterroot Valley region. We're here for the whole week to share a Thanksgiving celebration with them.
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We left home yesterday morning (Saturday) at 6:00 A.M. and made the 10-hour drive, arriving here at 4:30 P.M. While here, we stay at my dad's place (about 13 miles away from our grandkids' home). Since my dad is out hunting (haven't seen him yet), we have spent all of our time with the kids (the grown up ones and the little ones). We visited with them for the evening (last night), went to church with them this morning, went out to lunch after church, and then back here to their house.

It's always a special treat when we get to spend time with them, but the real fun began when the parents left about 5:00, leaving us in charge of supper time. Sherry told us all the quick, easy supper options that were available, but the kind of supper I had in mind was not to be found in the refrigerator, or in the pantry, or in any of the kitchen cabinets. We bundled up and drove to one of the nearest small towns (about 13-15 miles away), and there we dined at the Dairy Queen, enjoying a delicious vegetarian meal -- everyone got to choose whatever type of ice cream dessert they wanted. While we ate we had a fairly serious discussion about what a healthy meal we were having:

1. Dairy - ice cream made from milk (a good source of calcium)
2. Vegetables - chocolate/fudge toppings made from beans (cocoa beans); vanilla flavoring also made from beans (vanilla beans)
3. Fruit - bananas, cherries, strawberries, pineapple toppings
4. Grains - ice cream cone

Yes, we are good grandparents, and just love the job of caring for our grandchildren!
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Overheard in the bathroom at church this morning:

Little girl (6 yrs. old) talking to her grandma: "I really like using the big one (toilet stall) because sometimes I have to do a potty dance, and in the big one I have a lot more room to dance around!"

(Yup--that's my little Elli!)

Anyone, anyone ?

I'm just wondering . . .
Does anyone ever look at this blog to see if there's anything new here,
or if I'm still on break?

I've taken quite a long break. I've thought about returning to blogging, but I'm wondering . . .
Does anyone ever look at this blog to see if I'm still on break, or if there's anything new here?

If anyone is still looking, checking, reading . . . please let me know. Thanks!

Blogger on Break

Blogger on Break

Books

A few days ago I was "tagged" by another blogger to give my responses to the following list:

1. One book that changed my life
2. A book you've read more than once
3. One book you would want on a desert Island
4. One book that made you laugh
5. One book that made you cry
6. One book you wish had been written
7. One book you wish had never been written
8. One book you are currently reading
9. One book you've been meaning to read

Sorry to disappoint anyone who might have been waiting to read my responses to that list, but I really don't have any interest in answering that line of questions. Yesterday I finally decided that I might at least give it a try, but as I started to think through it (and actually started to do some writing on it), I quickly realized that my first thought (of not doing it) was where it would remain. I love to read, and do read a lot, and have read countless good books over the years, but I don't retain much memory of what I thought about each book, or what the titles were that impressed me in any particular way. Plus, rarely do I have only one answer to those kinds of questions, even if I could actually remember any that I would want to comment on. So, I have chosen to decline the "tag".

However, in that same vein of thought, yesterday I did one of my favorite things to do . . . I spent a very long time browsing through books at the local Christian bookstore, and came home with four books. There are many different types of books that I enjoy reading, but the list below represents some of my most favorite type of leisurely reading:

The Zippered Heart (Healing for the Secrets We Hide Inside), by Marilyn Meberg
I'm always interested in anything she writes, and have read some of her books. This is one I've seen before (probably at one of the "WOF" conferences), and thought about buying it, but didn't. Now I'm eager to start reading it, but it will have to wait until I've finished the one that was the real reason for me to go to the bookstore yesterday.

Found (Book number three in "The Firstborn" series), by Karen Kingsbury
Karen is my favorite author of Christian inspirational fiction. I've read most of her books over the last few years. The only ones I have chosen not to read were Tuesday Morning and Beyond Tuesday Morning (a series that was based on the true story of what happened on "9-11" in 2001). I just couldn't put myself into that scene again. This "Firstborn" series is actually a series that followed up on another series (called " The Redemption Series") that I really, really enjoyed. I've been waiting a very long time (since last November) for the third book in this "Firstborn" series. In the meantime, she wrote two other novels, of which I have read one: Like Dandelion Dust, and found it very good, as usual. Last night I began reading Found, and got about half way through it. I had to force myself to put it down and go to bed!

Moments of Grace (Stories of ordinary people and an extraordinary God), by Nancy Jo Sullivan
I haven't read anything by this author before, but I love to read stories of how people's lives are touched by God in wonderful ways.

Treasures for Women Who Hope (a compilation of personal stories of well-know Christians), by Alice Gray
Alice is one of my favorites! I've been personally touched by her life (at a ladies retreat many years ago), and I have read many of her books. Most of her books are simply what this one is -- encouragement from the lives of others' personal life experiences, which is actually one of my most favorite types of reading.

Reading is definitely is one of my most addictive favorite things to do! Once I start a book, I can hardly pull myself away from it until it is finished! I go through "spells" with reading. I'll spend lots of time reading for several weeks, and then take a complete break from it when I realize what an all-consuming hold it has had on my time and attention. It's also like that when I start the project of making a quilt, which is why I don't make very many quilts (have sewn only five quilts in my lifetime--so far).

Speaking of addictive activities that I enjoy, I also enjoy working/playing at the computer, and, of course, blogging is one of my favorite things to do on the computer -- that, plus computer games such as FreeCell and Sudoku. (Yes, I am one of those nuts who got caught up in that new game craze called Sudoku.)

But, speaking of blogging, as I was, sometimes I think I'd like to take a break from blogging. Sometimes I run out of ideas or thoughts for a new post, and think, "Why don't I just give this up?" I've done that before, only to start into it again after I've had a break from it. So, if someday you realize that you haven't seen anything new here for awhile, just figure that I'm in that spot once again, that I just don't feel like continuing with it, or just can't think of anything that is really worth all the time and effort that I put into it, or maybe I've started a new quilt, or maybe I'm spending all of my time with good books to read.

Reading a good book is a very good use of my time! Maybe someday I'll work on giving my answers to that list I mentioned at the beginning of this post . . . nah! It just ain't gonna happen, so don't hold your breath waiting for it!

Big Surprise!

What an incredible surprise I had this afternoon! When my phone rang, I glanced at the caller I.D. screen, and could scarely believe my eyes!
I thought, "This can't be real...it just can't be true...how could this name be on my caller I.D.??? I was in such a state of shock I almost didn't answer the call, and I was sure it couldn't possibly be who it said it was. Finally, I picked up the handset, and said almost timidly, " h e l l o o o ? " Yup, sure enough--it really was him -- RALPH SUTERA . . . one of the Sutera Twins, of the Sutera Twins Revival Fellowship Ministry!

Talking to him this afternoon gave me such an incredible surge of joyful excitement. The Sutera Twins ministry is a very special part of my life story, so I will always have great enthusiasm and excitement when I think back on that time in my life. That was in 1972! God did amazing things in my life, and in the life of my husband, and in our lives as a family, as a result of being involved with that ministry experience many years ago. Maybe someday I'll write the story.

Getting a phone call from Ralph today, all these years later, is such a wonderful highlight for me! We had a really nice phone visit this afternoon--almost like talking to a long-lost special relative! Plus, he put me in touch with a lady from one of my old churches back in Michigan -- a lady I have fond memories of and great respect for, who is their ministry secretary. I have sent an email off to her, and I have no doubt she will probably fall off her chair when she gets it.

I still can't believe he called me today! The last time I experienced this kind of "high" was when I found myself standing beside Tommy Smothers, in a small circle of people at one of my husband's business conferences. I had no clue who I was standing next to until my husband began introducing me to everyone who was already standing in the little group, talking, before I joined them. He began the introductions with the person to our left, and worked his way around the circle, naming each person. When he got to the person who was standing right next to me on the right side, he said, in the same casual manner, and this is Tommy Smothers. (He had already told me that Tommy Smothers was to be the featured entertainment at the conference, and would be on-stage after dinner one night.)

Who is Tommy Smothers, you ask? Well, if you have to ask, you are probably much younger than I am. He is a one of the well-known "Smothers Brothers" duo, who had their own TV show back in the late 1960's. They were big name stars who performed hilariously funny, musical comedy routines, plus made some "records", and continued to be popular professional entertainers for many years.

Fun With Fotos

It's amazing what you can do with photo enhancement--using computer programs designed to "fix" fotos. In the group of sunset pictures shown below, the first one is the original--taken this past Sunday night.
(It is the same picture shown in the blog post just before this post.)
Last night, just for the fun of it, to see how I could change the photo,
I enhanced it, using a program called "Picture It" (by Microsoft).

First, I clicked on "Levels Auto Fix", which automatically changed the color tone to a much bluer looking picture. Then I did some manual adjustments to the "brightness" and to the "contrast" levels, for both pictures of the two different color tones. Here's the enhancement results:



Our lives are like original pictures that sometimes need a little adjustment. When we realize that we are not happy with the way we look, or are feeling "down and out" emotionally, wouldn't it be nice if we could just click on "levels auto fix", and be quickly transformed into our best look and feel? What if there was a little gadget we could run over our bodies and click on the bad spots (i.e. face, hair, mind and heart)? Presto! Instant transformation of all that's not quite right!

Transformation of people doesn't occur that easily or quickly. The only real solution I have found is to let God make the changes that He wants to see in me. As He puts His finger on the bad spots, and says, "Jeannie, there is a problem here", it's up to me to say, "Okay, Lord, go ahead and make the necessary transformation." Sometimes that process hurts a bit, but the kind of changes He desires to make in me, will always be worth the hurt. He always knows what's best for me, and He knows the best way to do His work in me. I'm glad I can trust Him for that.
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Today Larry and I are celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary.
We've seen God do a lot of change in our lives over 37 years of marriage. Things are far different today for us than when we first began this lifetime partnership. The experiences we have shared (both wonderful and difficult) have served to deepen our care for each other and to cement our love for each other. Our differences have served to provide richness and contrast, and to give us greater understanding of (and for) each other. We are enjoying the benefit of a higher quality of life as we have begun to learn the true meaning of the word "love".
Enhancement to the portrait of our marriage has been a gradual process, through trial and error--continual try & try again.

If I had it to do all over again . . . . . I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to make the same choice I made at 19 years old. Larry is the man I would still choose to spend my life with.

My anniversary message to the man I married 37 years ago:

"I knew you were special the first time we met,
and though time has brought changes, I'll never forget
all the sweet things you've done, and the "firsts" that we've shared,
all the times I've been happy just knowing you cared.

Through the years, as a husband, a partner, a friend,
you've been someone on whom I know I can depend,
someone kind who will help any way that he can,
and I'm proud to be married to that kind of man."

Love, Jeannie

Sunset After a Gorge-ous Weekend Away

We spent the weekend (three glorious days) out in the Columbia River Gorge. "Home base" was at The Dalles, Oregon (about an hour and a half away from home), but our gallavanting included both sides of the river--along the southern border area of the state of Washington, and the northern border area of the state of Oregon.

In addition to sight-seeing, we toured several museums, (including the famous Maryhill Museum), plus some very old homesteads. We also visited the Maryhill winery where we enjoyed wine-tasting and listening to a little light jazz combo under the grape arbor. Plus, we found time for swimming and relaxing around the pool at our hotel.

It was a wonderful time away, with perfect weather (warm and sunny)--just the way we like it!

"A Girl Named Jeannie Annette" - My Life Story

A new idea popped into my head during the past weekend--perhaps a crazy thought! I may be biting off way more than I want to chew, and I may come to regret starting such a project . . .

I've decided that perhaps it's time to tell my story. Perhaps you are interested--perhaps you are not. However, I have decided to make an attempt to tell it, for my own reasons, if not for anyone else's benefit. So, I have started a separate blog, just for my autobiography. I have no idea how long it will take me to complete this story, or if I will ever finish, but at least I will make an attempt to do it.

Last night I wrote the first chapter. If you are interested in reading it, click on the link: "A Girl Named Jeannie Annette". If you plan to continue reading as I continue writing, I would suggest that you save the url (website address) in your list of "Favorites". For your convenience, I have also added a link to it, in the sidebar of this blog (near the bottom).

A Great Weekend!

On Saturday afternoon Larry and I went hiking in the gorge -- the super gorgeous Columbia River Gorge that stretches for miles and miles, encompassing several hours of driving through unsurpassed, magnificent natural beauty. There are several huge waterfalls within a 30-45 minute drive of our house, so we chose that area to do a little hiking and sight-seeing--an area that we never tire of seeing. Click here to see pictures.

On Sunday afternoon we met our friends, Jim and Sara, for supper at Island Café -- one of our most favorite eating spots on the river -- totally outdoors, at the end of a dock in a marina. After that, Larry and I went to the "monster truck" show at the Clark County Fair (in Vancouver, Washington, where we used to live) . . . because I LOVE IT!

It's where we get to watch and holler as trucks run an individually-timed race through a very rough, dirt obstacle course, full of big bumps, deep ruts, and a water pit. They recklessly speed their way through the muck and mire, sometimes going airborn, sometimes getting stuck, sometimes hitting the humongous logs that outline the course, sometimes flipping over, and often getting seriously damaged--such as burning up an engine, breaking tie rods, losing a rear axle, blowing out the clutch, smashing or popping out windows, totally destroying tires...you name it--it happens! Smoke billows, dust and mud goes flying, vehicle parts come lose and flap around (or fly off), or get dragged until they drop off. Tow trucks are needed frequently, and the emergency crews (ambulance and fire truck) stand by, waiting to jump into action.

Last night's show was not a disappointment! An all-time record was set -- there were four roll-overs! YESSSS! Such excitement...such a wild and crazy adrenalin rush! Amazingly, no one gets hurt (usually). Only one vehicle caught fire last night, and all the drivers survived their mishaps. The crowd (including yours truly) yells and screams and frequently jumps to their feet, loving every minute of the crazy excitement, as we sit on the edge of our seat just waiting for the next awful thing to happen!

I don't know what gets into me, but I just cut loose and go nuts with gleefull, frenzied abandon! I guess the deeply hidden-away "red-neck" in me gets a chance to break out of her cage for one wild evening, once a year! And, now, after admitting to that less-refined side of me, I shall go play the piano--returning to the more dignified and lady-like person that people usually assume me to be. Ha!

Life's a Dance

A song has been playing in my head, ever since writing the post that I wrote earlier today (see below or click here).

"Life's a dance you learn as you go--
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow.
Don't worry 'bout what you don't know--
Life's a dance you learn as you go!"

I don't know how to go about putting into practice all that I wrote about it this morning. It seems like a tall order (a hard "dance" to learn), but it's something I want so much to put effort into. So, I guess I'll just have to learn as I go.
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Here's the song: Life's A Dance
(From the album "LIFE'S A DANCE", by John Michael Montgomery)

When I was fourteen I was falling fast
For a blue eyed girl in my homeroom class
Trying to find the courage to ask her out
Was like trying to get oil from a waterspout
What she would have said I can't say
I never did ask and she moved away
But I learned something from my blue eyed girl
Sink or swim you gotta give it a whirl

Life's a dance you learn as you go
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow
Don't worry about what you don't know
Life's a dance you learn as you go

The longer I live the more I believe
You do have to give if you wanna receive
There's a time to listen, a time to talk
And you might have to crawl even after you walk
Had sure things blow up in my face
Seen the longshot, win the race
Been knocked down by the slamming door
Picked myself up and came back for more

Life's a dance you learn as you go
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow
Don't worry about what you don't know
Life's a dance you learn as you go

First Rule of Blogging

I haven't felt much like posting anything on my blog for awhile, but while I have been refraining from it, my mind has been pondering this dilemma:

• Is blogging really a worthwhile use of my time?
  (I'm not totally convinced it is.)
  


• Is blogging sometimes used to fling out thoughts and opinions that should really be kept within one's own private space?
  (Yup, I'm totally convinced of that because of some things I've read on blogs.)



• Is it possible to speak one's mind without offending someone else? (maybe not)



• Would it be worthwhile to try?
  (Yes, I truly believe it would be worth putting effort into.)



• Why? Because I do care whether I offend others by speaking my mind. (Sometimes it's necessary to speak my mind on something that might seem abrasive or offensive to the listener, but usually that can be done, and should be done in private conversation.)

Flinging out my personal vendettas into public reading space--without first giving careful consideration to what I say and how I say it--is, I believe, inconsiderate of those who read what I write. Taking my audience into consideration is important to me. (I realize that bloggers will never know who their entire audience is, but we do know the ones we list in our blog links.) My goal is to lift up whatever is right and good (as I see it), but surely that can be done in a way that is not rude and disrespectful toward others who may disagree with my point of view. It just seems to me that, somehow, there must be a way to avoid being overtly offensive, or inconsiderate of the feelings of others.

This world is becoming more and more self-centered and inconsiderate of others. I see it and hear it all around me constantly -- "ME FIRST--regardless of what anyone else thinks or feels." What has happened to human kindness and respect for others? What has happened to exercising restraint, and caring more about the feelings of others than the right to do and say whatever one feels and thinks--with no thought given to how it will be received by others?

I've pondered this subject for a long time--both in the blogging world and in the real world -- the lack of sensitivity and consideration shown in what is sometimes said (which often prompts an equally insensitive and inconsiderate response). We tout our own right to freedom of expression, as though it doesn't matter if anyone is offended or hurt by what we say. When I was in elementary school I was taught that my freedom stops at the end of someone else's nose. In other words, I may have freedom of speech, but I do not have the right to hurt someone else by what I say. Oh, I am so guilty on this count! How often have I said something that hurt someone else, and then defended my right to my own opinion--and to say whatever I think! Freedom of speech and the right to my own opinion does not give me the right to be rude and disrespectful toward others. How I'd like to be able to take back some things I've said! How I wish that others would also realize the need to carefully rethink what they've felt free to say! Oh, what awful pain we can so carelessly cause to others!

These thoughts came into sharp focus this morning when I read the following bit of wisdom:

"First Rule of Blogging (in my world):
Don't hide behind the anonymity [of blogging] to say things that would hurt, or slander anyone. Be kind, be honest, but be respectful!"

That so clearly summed up what I've been thinking and feeling lately. It was written by another blogger as a comment on her young daughter's blog. I've just recently started reading "Super Mom" and find it really worthwhile. This morning I also read her daughter's blog, and was quite impressed! This 13-year old girl has insight way beyond her years!

As I pondered all of this stuff this morning (giving thought to writing about it), it occurred to me that when I point my finger at someone else, there are three fingers pointing back at me--because there isn't a one of us (including me) who isn't guity of being inconsiderate of someone, sometime. But, I want to make an attempt to turn a corner here, and start thinking more about how I can put into practice what I have just said. I want to be one who at least tries to make a difference in this inconsiderate, self-centered world, rather than just accepting the current trend of indifference toward what anyone else thinks or feels. Yup, change has to start with me--today.

Puppy-sitting

Well, I've gone from spending a week with my grandkids, to spending my week taking care of a neighbor's puppy. Puppy-sitting is a little like baby-sitting, except I'm only on duty every 3 hours.

Daisy is her name -- peeing is her game! Yes, she pees every time I get her out of her kennel. I guess she's so excited to see me (or to get out of her kennel), she just can't wait till she gets outside. I dont know--maybe she thinks she is supposed to pee for me as soon as she steps outside the kennel--right there on the floor, in front of her kennel.
(Won't her "parents" have a big surprise when they see what she has learned to do while in my care.)
Well, she is a little cutie -- just a soft and curly little blonde furball -- a cockapoo (part cocker spaniel, part poodle). Our day with her starts at 6:00 A.M. Actually, I should be honest here and admit that Larry has the early morning duty. I get to spent about an hour with her every 3 hours after that. Our last time on-duty is 11:00 P.M. Then she has to wait for our attention until 6:00 A.M. the next day.

This has been a good thing for me. It has convinced me that I really don't want a puppy, no matter how much I think I do. No matter how cute and sweet they are, and how much fun they are to play with -- puppies are a lot of work!