The drama of moving mom and dad to Brett and Kerri's has begun. The details don't really matter, but I have decided that we (my siblings and I) are all trying as hard as we can to accomplish the move with out offending mom and dad or each other. And then, not to be offended ourselves by the actions of another.
I am helped by two things mom tried to teach us. The first is: if you are hurt by the actions of others, realize that it was probably not done maliciously. The actions could be thoughtless and unknowing, but usually not deliberately hurtful. The second thing mom always said was that we are all doing the best we can given the circumstances. So give others the benefit of the doubt.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Grandfathers
John and I went to visit Martha today. We brought her lunch from Cafe Rio. With 1:00 church it is hard to leave again after we get home, so Saturday afternoon works better to go see her. Plus it gives John a reason to stop working in the shop.
I was cleaning the computer room the other day and came across a picture of John's grandfather, Ernest Valentine Lingard, in what looked like a World War I uniform. It's a really cool picture, kind of sepia toned. When we were at Martha's today she told us that he was in the Candian Calvery. I assumed it was a United States uniform. I had forgotten he was from Canada.
John didn't really know his grandfather that well. His Grandmother Rachel died of a heart attack when she was in her late 50s and his grandfather remarried. When John was growing up his grandfather spent most of his time with his new wife's family. She died soon after we were married. At her furneral John was really suprised at all the good things her children and grandchildren had to say about Grandfather Lingard. John said it was like they were talking about a completely different person that the grandfather he knew. I have often thought how sad that was. Our grandchildren will never have to say that they didn't know their grandfather very well. John is a fabulous grandfather.
I was cleaning the computer room the other day and came across a picture of John's grandfather, Ernest Valentine Lingard, in what looked like a World War I uniform. It's a really cool picture, kind of sepia toned. When we were at Martha's today she told us that he was in the Candian Calvery. I assumed it was a United States uniform. I had forgotten he was from Canada.
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| Some people say they can see Chris in this picture, especially the nose and mouth. |
John didn't really know his grandfather that well. His Grandmother Rachel died of a heart attack when she was in her late 50s and his grandfather remarried. When John was growing up his grandfather spent most of his time with his new wife's family. She died soon after we were married. At her furneral John was really suprised at all the good things her children and grandchildren had to say about Grandfather Lingard. John said it was like they were talking about a completely different person that the grandfather he knew. I have often thought how sad that was. Our grandchildren will never have to say that they didn't know their grandfather very well. John is a fabulous grandfather.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Chris, Meg, Shelley and Presidents Birthday Weekend
Chris, Meg, Ezra, Travis and Maggie were in town for their annual President's Day ski weekend. With three kids the weekend has been pared down to one day of skiing (with Thomas and their friends Rachel and Travis) and two days of family. They stayed with her mom, but came to Shelley's birthday party on Saturday (I suggested it was a no-brainer) and then to dinner on Sunday. I told Chris if they could squeeze in dinner with us I would make him his birthday lasagna. Megan hasn't forgiven me for making Chris lasagna and trifle every year for his birthday. Too many layers. So she made him trifle and I got to make lasagna.
We had a beautiful snow storm Sunday morning with about six inches of snow. Ezra couldn't wait to go out and play in the snow.
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| Ezra, sitting in the swing, thinking about the snowball fight he is going to have with his mom and dad and Joey. |
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Love Those Babies Quilt
I made this quilt using fabrics leftover from baby quilts, recieving blankets and baby projects. The fabrics are so cute and bring back great memories of each baby I made something for, especially the quilts for Ezra, Ian, Lily, Travis, Maggie and Molly.
The only fabric I bought was this great minke owl fabric for the back.. It is soft and cuddly and makes me smile.
My mom bought some "Hello Kitty" fabric for a quilt back for a quilt I made for Erin Caldwell. Jayne and I told her it was too tacky to use and got another back.
Because I didn't want to buy any fabric for this quilt I decided to use the "Hello Kitty" fabric for the binding. I hope no one can tell. The kitties look like white blobs, right?????
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wait on the Lord
Shelley sent out an email on this scripture: Psalms 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
She commented “I am not very good at waiting on the Lord being the impatient soul that I am. I loved "be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart" and found comfort there but I was wondering if any of you have any good suggestions on how to wait on the Lord? David mentions it twice in one short verse so it must be important.”
I found it interesting that the comments were from the nieces and nephews. Waiting on the Lord must be something that we have to learn early and then do often throughout our lives. Erin E, Kaitlyn and Cade all defined the verb ‘to wait’. Erin said: “when I think of wait I think of to be still. To wait for an anwser and to have patience.” She made the analogy that as she serves the Lord she is waiting on Him like a waitress waits, and does everything he asks of her by following the commandments. Kaitlyn looked up the definition and found “to be in readiness for-or-to attend upon, especially as a sign of respect. “ Cade answered from Brazil: “it´s interesting because in Portuguese they use the word -esperar- which means to hope, so I hope in the Lord instead of wait. For Taylor waiting on the Lord is tied with trusting the Lord. What wise words from our next generation.
Courage is the next logical step to waiting on (serving, hoping in, and trusting) the Lord. It takes courage to acknowledge we cannot do everything we need to do to return to our Father in Heaven alone. We have to rely on Him. We need to let go of our pride, ask for help and then wait. When we courageously turn things over to the Lord our problems are not magically solved, we still need the courage to continue, doing all that we can and having faith it will work out. I often have to tell myself “Be still and know that [He] is God.”
The scripture Kaity used sums it all up: But they that await upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31) If we have the courage to wait on the Lord, He will strenghten us and give us heart to carry on.
She commented “I am not very good at waiting on the Lord being the impatient soul that I am. I loved "be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart" and found comfort there but I was wondering if any of you have any good suggestions on how to wait on the Lord? David mentions it twice in one short verse so it must be important.”
I found it interesting that the comments were from the nieces and nephews. Waiting on the Lord must be something that we have to learn early and then do often throughout our lives. Erin E, Kaitlyn and Cade all defined the verb ‘to wait’. Erin said: “when I think of wait I think of to be still. To wait for an anwser and to have patience.” She made the analogy that as she serves the Lord she is waiting on Him like a waitress waits, and does everything he asks of her by following the commandments. Kaitlyn looked up the definition and found “to be in readiness for-or-to attend upon, especially as a sign of respect. “ Cade answered from Brazil: “it´s interesting because in Portuguese they use the word -esperar- which means to hope, so I hope in the Lord instead of wait. For Taylor waiting on the Lord is tied with trusting the Lord. What wise words from our next generation.
Courage is the next logical step to waiting on (serving, hoping in, and trusting) the Lord. It takes courage to acknowledge we cannot do everything we need to do to return to our Father in Heaven alone. We have to rely on Him. We need to let go of our pride, ask for help and then wait. When we courageously turn things over to the Lord our problems are not magically solved, we still need the courage to continue, doing all that we can and having faith it will work out. I often have to tell myself “Be still and know that [He] is God.”
The scripture Kaity used sums it all up: But they that await upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31) If we have the courage to wait on the Lord, He will strenghten us and give us heart to carry on.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
How Could I Be So Lucky?
I had Valentine's day dinner all planned out this year. I would make clam linguine with mushrooms and shrimp, roasted asparagus, crusty Spanish bread and a molten chocolate cake for desert. Yum. So I got home from the office and started the bread. I felt just the tinsy beginning of a headache, but not bad. I used my last Maxalt yesterday so was hoping it wouldn't get worse. I went to the store while the bread was raising. By the time I got home I knew dinner was not going to happen, but felt maybe I could finish the bread and make the molten chocolate cake. Fresh bread and chocolate is still a pretty good Valentine's dinner. Alas, by the time I got the bread shaped and in the oven, I knew the cake wasn't going to happen either. Dang.
But then mom called and said she and dad got chicken from Maddox and it was too much for her and dad and wondered if I would like some. I gratefully said yes; at that point I just wanted something for John to have for dinner. When the bread came out, I knew we wouldn't eat both loaves so I thought I could at least manage to walk a loaf down to Lisa Sappenfield so her family could enjoy the hot bread. When I got home Lisa called and said "I should have given you some of my Dr. Pepper ribs so we both could have ribs and fresh bread for dinner." (She has been promising me her Dr. Pepper ribs for months).
Although it wasn't the perfect Valentine's Day dinner I had planned, I did feel loved. John got home and was more concerned for me than a romantic dinner. He got to eat yummy ribs and bread for dinner. I have left over chicken for dinner tonight. Roark brought me some Maxalt. And John made me this marvelous book case for Valentine's day. How could I be so lucky?
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Stress Slob
The week before last I cleaned the laundry room and pantry. Last week I cleaned the frig. This week I cleaned under all the sinks (with the help of my new steam cleaner). Next week, who knows. Every time I visit my daughters-in-law I vow to be cleaner and neater. They are so good about picking things after their children. Especially Erin. She picks up several times a day and especially at night before the kids go to bed. And her house isn't cluttered! I wish I had done that, but for what ever reason, it was beyond me.
I finally identified one reason I am not as neat as I would like. I am a stress slob. As soon as something comes up that is out of the norm, I don't pick up after myself. Before I know it, clothes are tossed on chairs, papers are left on counters and the house is littered with shoes, (I once picked up 5 pairs of shoes in the great room, all mine,) dust bunnies are taking over the world and the pantry and laundry room are disaster areas.
The holidays are over, life is back to normal and I am climbing out of my self induced clutter. Maybe this time I can follow Erin's example and keep on top of things. Until the next crisis.
I finally identified one reason I am not as neat as I would like. I am a stress slob. As soon as something comes up that is out of the norm, I don't pick up after myself. Before I know it, clothes are tossed on chairs, papers are left on counters and the house is littered with shoes, (I once picked up 5 pairs of shoes in the great room, all mine,) dust bunnies are taking over the world and the pantry and laundry room are disaster areas.
The holidays are over, life is back to normal and I am climbing out of my self induced clutter. Maybe this time I can follow Erin's example and keep on top of things. Until the next crisis.
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