Her mind changes like the wind

All week long we had planned for my daughter's friend to come over after school and spend the night. Then all of a sudden, Christina wanted to spend the night there, because her friend had invited another friend, and that friend couldn't spend the night here, because her parents didn't know us. But I told Christina that she couldn't spend the night at her friend's because she had spent the last two weekends there, and I'd like to have her home. Finally we agreed that she could hang out with them, but come home to sleep at night (without her friends).

So, I drove her over to her friends, and three girls came down the hill to jump in the car. Apparently they all need a ride to the restaurant where they planned to eat. So, I dropped them off, instructing Christina to call when they finished. About 90 minutes later, they called from a nearby Walgreens, saying they were ready to be picked up. This time there were five of them (Christina, the original 3 girls, and a boy.) I dropped them back off at the original house, where parents were home after the dad was able to get in the vehicle in which he had locked his keys.

Christina calls again. Can she go to a party with her friends. No. More begging. Finally we agree that she can go to Powerhouse, a Christian Friday night hangout for teenagers. Tim picks her up at 11, and she is safe, happy and tired. And so are we.

Till next time,


Suzi

The sun is shining--for the briefest moment.......

Today has been a continuation of clouds and rain. Our BSF teaching leader said the other day that the cloudy nights we've been having have kept the flowers warmer and protected at night, so that many of them are still alive.

As I'm typing now, the sun is peaking through. Temperatures are supposed to be in the 60s and 70s--maybe we'll even get up to 80. It's still supposed to be rainy, but the warm temperatures help.

We're dealing with some teenage stuff right now--trust issues, disagreements, etc.. The gloomy weather seems to dampen my spirit too. So, I'm glad God has sent the sunshine for a few moments, and I'm listening to some encouraging Christian music, too. In a couple of days, (tomorrow night?) we'll turn the clocks back so the mornings will bring sunshine earlier. And soon, the days will be getting longer. Hope is on the way, and it's not a president, its faith in the Lord and thankfulness for the gifts he gives us while we struggle through life.

Till next time,

Suzi

Beauty on a gloomy day

It's raining. It's overcast. Generally speaking, it's yucky outside. But even though sunshine often lifts my mood, I will not be downcast by the weather conditions.

Instead, I choose to look for color in the gray-ness. God has provided a wonderful pallet for our eyes in this fall season. As Raven and I walked with my umbrella, we noticed all the wet, fallen leaves with their varying hues. Instead of picking up only after what Raven left behind (and I discarded), I chose some brightly colored leaves to bring home with me. I picked up a fiery red maple leaf, along with a speckled red and yellow one, and another maple with a red, yellow and orange pattern. A bright yellow maple leaf was added to my collection, along with a similarly colored cottonwood leaf. I decided to add two more cottonwood leaves to my collection--a green one that had fallen as well as a brown one.

The rain is absolutely pouring down as I type now. I'm glad Tim has his cube van so he can easily walk inside to get the tools he needs for the day. I know he's been enjoying the beauty of this season, too, because he has documented pictures of leaves on his blog. I look out the window and I see the sunshine yellow remains of my large hosta contrasting with the gray day.

It's a bit harder to see beauty when difficult circumstances cloud our path. But I know the God who created the glorious seasons will help me through the teenage years my children are passing through. Like the falling leaves, this too shall pass. I'll collect the good memories that I can and learn from the harder ones, like a collection of leaves--ranging from green to brown.

Till next time,


Suzi

Plans change

Well, yesterday was supposed to be a leisurely day at home, but Tim called to ask if I could help clean up a job--which would take about an hour. I should have known it would be much longer--there were rooms in the basement and on the main floor that needed sweeping, scraping cleaning and tossing. I scraped the floors, got on my hands and knees to mop them, only to discover that cleaning floors with a dirty rag only leaves a dusty residue. Finally I got things to a somewhat presentable place, about 2 1/2 hours later. I hadn't had lunch, but a late breakfast saved me. I was tired and sore, but felt I had accomplished something good--something that had helped Tim and Luke (who had studying to do and painting at his new home).

I felt like moping and complaining, but I realize that Tim has to be a craftsman and a custodian every day in his mostly remodeling business. He goes from two to three jobs a day, and rarely asks me to pitch in.

I'm blessed to have a wonderful husband who provides for our family and who, for the most part, allows me to stay at home. Next time he needs my help, I'll try to have a more joyful and grateful heart.

Till next time,


Suzi

A day at home

Today is a day at home. The last week has been full of appointments to the doctor or dentist, with pretty good results (hopefully my cracked filling with not result in the need for a crown........). The Women of Faith conference was exhilarating, yet exhausting at the same time.

I need to finish up my Bible study and check in on Christina, who is home sick for the second day in a row. It's funny how she doesn't feel well in the mornings, but by noon or later she's doing pretty well........

So, I'll work on my study, take care of my sick girl, and rest up for the rest of the week. Only one week till elections!

Till next time,


Suzi

A wild weekend with 18,000 women

Women of Faith was a wonderful experience this weekend. My sister Cheri arrived with about 16 of her northwoods (Wisconsin) friends for a fabulous time at the St. Paul Xcel Energy Center. I did my best to navigate us from their hotel to St. Paul, but I'm used to coming from a different direction, so we had to make a quick exit crossing a couple lanes at one point, but we eventually made it to our seats and enjoyed the worship and teaching experience.

All of the women who spoke had amazing stories of hope to tell us--stories of how God had worked in their lives despite incredible pain. One of the women did vignettes, sometimes hysterically funny, other times heart wrenching, but always there was the message of hope through the laughter and tears.

The music was amazing, too--and it was quite an experience to join in song with thousands of other women, praising and worshiping God together. We came from different parts of the midwest and Canada, from different denominations, some came who did not even know Christ. But we all heard the message of hope that only Jesus can give--that the wounded healer knows our heart's cry and our suffering and can show us light in our darkness.

Till next time,


Suzi

Women of Faith

Today my sister will arrive with 16 friends for the Women of Faith conference. I am looking forward to a time of fellowship with these new friends and hearing the word of God from amazing women, and worshiping with thousands of other women in the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

But before that, I need to get Mark off to camp for the weekend, go in for a doctor's check up, tidy up the house, make sure Christina gets home from a friend's and take the dog out.

Then I plan to relax and enjoy (that is, after I help these northwoods ladies negotiate city traffic and find parking at the convention center).

It should be a fun-filled day! Tomorrow, I think I'll have Tim drive us.......

Till next time,


Suzi

Visit to the dentist

I had my teeth cleaned this morning, so even though I'm a bit hungry, I hate to take that first bite and ruin that smooth clean feeling that comes with that scraping and polishing.

I haven't had a cavity in awhile, but I wondered if something was amiss when I experienced some discomfort on my #3 tooth (I just learned that today--it's a top right molar). It has a filling, and I guess it's cracked. Hopefully it's not too bad--if it is, we are looking at a crown. (Can you say, how deep are your pockets?) If not, I'll just get a filling.

However, I did have another new cavity--in a tooth that has been cavity free for 40 some years or whenever the permanent teeth came in. It isn't very big, but since it's right in front of a molar, it is rather visible, being on the bottom (I'm sorry, I don't know the number of this tooth.) . But I think I will splurge (don't tell Tim!) and get a tooth colored filling. Besides the appearance factor, tooth colored fillings don't take up as much space as I understand it. Anyway, it sounded better.

Mark had some fillings filled today, but I guess he has three more to go. At least he doesn't need another root canal. I did schedule him next week for a tooth cleaning, because in all of the hoopla of his root canal a few months ago, we never checked into getting his teeth cleaned, which has been four years in the waiting.

Luke and Christina are also due for a cleaning. They are on hold for now, at least until Tim reads this and I'll see if he's still conscious.

Anybody out there who likes teeth, you should go into dentistry. I think you can have your mortgage paid off in a couple of years and be set for life.

Till next time,


Suzi

My doctor, my friend

It seems as I get older I meet a lot more people with something-ologist or at least -ist at the end of their job titles. Yesterday was the cardiologist. Tomorrow will be the dentist, who hopefully will not send me to the endodontist (I don't think there is a toothologist, although there is an orthodontist. Still no ologist that I can think of in the dental industry.) I will also visit the gynecologist and next month see my endocronologist. At some point I'll go back to my regular doctor, but not before I see a radiologist (or someone in a related field for a mammography).

Yesterday, my heart exam went very well. My heart rate got up to 160 (they want at least 140) on the treadmill, and the heart looked good on the screen. (I have to say, I kept looking for a baby there, since my last ultrasound was when I was pregnant with Mark!) These two young ladies who very capably assisted me with the testing (one put electrodes all over me and monitored me on the treadmill, the other did the echocardiogram) looked like they were just out of high school. I almost asked them how old they were, but didn't want to offend them. They must have been very capable, though, the doctor was pleased with their work and they were very good to me.

I think I have lived long enough to have an "ologist" title at the end of my job description. How about "momologist" or "wife-ologist"? Homemaker-ologist? Friend-ologist? Cookologist? Writerologist?

I know--I have the perfect title: blogologist. It fits. It sounds good, and even mysterious for those outside the realms of cyberspace. I like it.

Till next time,


Suzi, blogologist

Back to the heart doctor

Today I'm going in for my stress test--I guess the full name of it is stress echocardiography test (treadmill with echo). I have avoided caffeine for the last 24 hours, won't have anything to eat or drink for two hours before my appointment, and reduced my insulin intake (I suppose to avoid hypoglycemia). I am wearing the sweats and tennis shoes I wear on my walks, so I'm ready.

My instruction sheet to prepare for my appointment says plan 60 to 90 minurtes for your treadmill or stress echo test. I hope I'm up for the challenge. I have been using my gazelle glider, but I'm sure that's not quite like starting slow on a treadmill and working up faster and faster.

I hope I get a good grade--or at least past the test. I'd probably do better if it were a written exam........ but I'm not worried (too much!).

Till next time,


Suzi

Back at home

Tim is back. And the boys are back too. They had a great time at the retreat this past weekend, in spite of the cold. Luke braved the elements to play paintball, while Tim and Mark spent a lot of time playing board games or Risk indoors. A human foosball tournament took place, as well as target practice with clay pigeons and paintball. So far we haven't heard that anyone mixed up the paintball and target practice guns!

The seminars were really great, according to the guys, the food at camp is always good, and I guess I wasn't the only wife who packed goodies. There was so much food that the pie I had baked was not discovered until the guys cleaned up their room to pack for home.

Christina and I enjoyed the weekend, too--shopping at the Mall of America, going out to dinner with friends, and attending church together. We also packed a lot in, so I'm going to need to catch up around here today.

It was so fun to have the guys back home, and Tim and I spent a long time catching up on just the two days we were apart. It's good to get a little break--and I think we realize how much we appreciate each other. So it's even better to come back together again and express our gratitude for each other and the pretty good team (albeit far from perfect!) we make.

Welcome home honey. I know you're glad to be back, but probably already dreaming about next year's men's retreat.

Till next time,


Suzi

The boys are gone

Tim and the boys left last evening for a men's retreat at Covenant Pines, our church's Bible camp. I'm hoping Luke and Mark have a great time with their dad and the other men who I'm sure will serve as mentors for them this weekend. It's cold--highs only in the 40s, and I hope they have enough warm clothes, as I'm sure they'll participate in the paintball outing this afternoon.

Most of all, I hope it's a time for spiritual refreshment and renewal. The boys haven't been involved in a Sunday school class or youth group since our former church ended two years ago. (We're now attending a new church plant that doesn't yet have a youth program.) Now Mark is going to a Christian school, so he is getting a lot of good teaching there, but Luke doesn't have that, as he's now on his own and attending a community college.

I'm sure I'll have an update of their weekend in Monday's blog. Meanwhile, Christina and I are going to enjoy a girls' weekend and hit the Mall!

Till next time,


Suzi

Appointments

Yesterday I decided it was time for me to call to make some medical appointments that were long overdue. Besides, I didn't know how long it would take me to get in to see various doctors, and I wanted to do it before the end of the year (insurance reasons) and also before tax season starts.

So, I made my calls, never dreaming how quickly I could get in. Monday I already have scheduled an eye exam, and Tuesday a stress test with the cardiologist. Wednesday is Bible study day, so I didn't put anything else on the calendar that day. Thursday and Friday the kids are off school for Minnesota Education Association (MEA) teacher conferences, so Mark and I are going to the dentist at 8 am on Thursday (Mark has six cavities that have needed filling. I'm going for a check up and to check on some slight discomfort in a tooth.) Friday, I'm going for my yearly (twice a decade?) "woman's" exam. Then Monday the following week will be a mammogram, which I haven't done in four years.

I didn't expect to get so much done in one week, but I'm glad it will all be behind me soon. And the bills shouldn't be too bad (we won't talk about the dentist, where we have no coverage), because I've already maxed out my insurance.

Now, if only I could get that flu shot........

Till next time,


Suzi

The cowardly lion can still frighten

Raven and I walked today through the carpet of leaves that has fallen the last couple of days. I don't know if the trees have peaked here or not--I'm always sorry they fall so quickly to the ground--I'd love to enjoy their spectacular colors for weeks and weeks. It reminds me of the beautiful spring apple and cherry blossoms on the trees--these are only present for a week or maybe two. Then the spring rains come and they fall to the ground.

As we came near the end of our walk, we passed a yard where Raven has been intimidated by a black lab puppy and a bold, back-arching, hissing cat. So, I wasn't too surprised when he started barking at something in the yard.

Well, it wasn't a cat, dog, rabbit or squirrel. It wasn't even a falling leaf that sometimes spooks my German shepherd mix dog. It was a lion. A plastic, yellow lion on wheels--left outside by a toddler who abandoned it there. It wasn't even fearsome looking, but to Raven, it must have been ..........I don't know. Maybe he realized it was harmless and was just barking his usual hello. I'll have to see what he does next time we pass by, if his lion friend is still in the yard.

Till next time,


Suzi

Summer's end

We enjoyed a week of temperatures above normal here in Minnesota, basking in the sunshine and enjoying the beauty of the fall colors. Today is supposed to be the beginning of a cold stretch, with temperatures below normal. I leaves are carpeting the ground, the sun hasn't appeared yet today, a cool wind blows as rain drizzles down. Raven and I hurried on our walk this morning, grateful that we weren't in a cold downpour, yet happy to be back home nonetheless.

I love the changing of the seasons, even though we complain about the cold or the rain. I can't imagine living somewhere where every day is the same, weather-wise--or worse, that the summers are unbearably hot. Give me cold, snowy days for a season, and I'll watch them from my window as I sip my sugar free hot chocolate till the ground thaws once again.

And remember, with winter's advent, the days will be getting longer again.

Till next time,


Suzi

The death of a whale van

It may be the end of the line for our "whale" van--the Chevy G-20 full size van that has taken us on many a camping trip, hauling our trailer across the miles, from Illinois to Wisconsin and throughout Minnesota. It has hauled numerous young adolescents from church to home. It has been to the grocery store a dozen times every month, and served me well as I work in Bloomington during tax season--a 30 minute trip (one way) in good weather.

Now it may be time to retire it. We just went on our last camping trip of the summer, and took it in to get serviced. It had an oil leak, which we hoped was minor, but would turn out to be a major repair. We found out that the gas tank is leaking also. And, of course, we knew that the air conditioner needed recharging twice a summer to make it through the Minnesota humidity of July and August.

It's taken many an exchange student to and from, it's traveled to our church camp and even to Tennessee in the winter. It's transported our family to and from church every Sunday.

Now we only have two children living at home, instead of the four we had when Luke was at home and we had an exchange student. Mark drives pretty much everywhere he needs to go, including taking his sister to and from school.

The death of the whale van is just another transition in our life that keeps changing, downsizing. On to the next step.

Good-bye dear van. We move on to the next stage with sadness, yet many fond memories of ye.

Till next time,


Suzi

A perfect weekend, or the lost was found

Wow! This weekend was incredible--the weather was gorgeous as we headed southeast to Whitewater State Park to enjoy our last camping trip of the season. The nights were cool and crisp, and the days were sunny and in the 70s.

We weren't too sure the trip would go so well when as we traveled to our site and when we first arrived. We forgot to fill our reserve tank with water, but were able to do so at a gas station in Rochester. We had some trouble hooking up our battery, and the back up battery died as soon as we hooked it up. Tim went to let Raven out of the van, and, startled by the five dogs at the campsite across the road, Raven bolted into the darkness of the surrounding roads and woods. Mark finally found him several minutes and about 1/2 a mile away, trotting toward him and his flashlight as though nothing had happened.

The kids went to bed and Tim and I went to his parents' site. Tim's brother had not yet arrived, and concerned that they may not have good directions, we took them in our van and drove until we could get a good signal to call them from my cell phone. They were still over an hour from arriving, but we were able to give them directions to their site. (It turned out they didn't get in till 1 a.m.)

Tim and I went off to bed, but I couldn't fall asleep until 2 because the people with the five dogs were up drinking and talking loudly till that time.

Saturday dawned, crisp and beautiful. We headed with Tim's parents to the breakfast down the road prepared for by the Model A Club organizers. (Tim's dad owns a Model A, and the club sponsored an event near our camping location, complete with food for our families.) We enjoyed a late breakfast (everyone else was out on a Model A tour through Amish country) of omelets and pancakes that tied us over until supper.

Saturday afternoon we relaxed and Tim, Mark, Christina and I decided to go horseback riding. It was a lovely day, and we rode through open fields and woods, enjoying the beauty of the fall colors and the fun of riding. Christina has been begging to go horseback riding since our trip to southern Minnesota over Labor Day, so this worked out wonderfully well.

In the evening, we enjoyed a pig roast with the Model A group. The entertainment was by the Froiland Family, a bluegrass family who entertained us with old-time bluegrass, gospel and patriotic songs. They have two children, a boy 17 and a girl 14. The boy played the fiddle like nobody's business, and the girl was amazing on guitar. She played so hard and fast that she broke a string early on in the concert. The mom played bass fiddle, and the dad played the banjo. The father had handcarved wooden covers to the guitars, as well as an ornate lion's head on the top of the bass fiddle. They also played cowbells, a saw, and bicycle pumps. It was an amazing night, and their love for music, family and God was very evident.

Back to the horseback ride--Tim discovered after he dismounted that he had lost his checkbook on the trail. The guide told him to come back tomorrow--he'd keep an eye out for the checkbook on the morning ride. Meanwhile, Tim went to the campground where we'd bought the horseback riding tickets to find out what check number was written so he'd know how many checks he'd lost. At the campground, we discovered a room full of old carriages, and later brought Tim's parents back for a self-guided tour.

Well, Sunday came too soon, and we had another wonderful breakfast, this time eating around the fire in a big smokestack fireplace in the middle of the room. We packed up and headed out, first stopping at the horse barn to inquire about Tim's check. As we drove up, I said, "I bet they found it." Sure enough, we pulled in, and the guide was there. "Are you the gentleman who lost his checkbook?" he asked. He was standing there talking to a couple who had just been on the ride. She had discovered the checkbook not far from the stalls! Grateful, Tim took the checkbook and also got directions for a shortcut back to the Twin Cities.

I could write a lot more about the hawks we saw circling, how our battery died before a cold night, but we were able to find a plug in to save the day, the wonderful nature center, etc. etc., but I'll stop now. Hopefully Tim will post some pictures on his site soon. Cold weather will set in soon, but we'll always have the memory of the beauty of this fall weekend.

Till next time,

Suzi

Off to Whitewater

Today we leave for our final camping trip of the season, this time at Whitewater State Park. We've never been there before, but are looking forward to this weekend with Tim's parents and his brother Jeff and family. There will be a Model A show, which is the occasion for our going, since Tim's dad has a Model A. We will be "roughing" it, since we didn't sign up soon enough to get water and electric (so we'll be running off our battery, gas, and using our pump from our water reserve).

It's always nice to get away. I don't know if we'll see a lot of color changes in the leaves in this extreme southeast corner of Minnesota, but it's supposed to be lovely weather-wise--highs in the 70s. So, we don't need to worry about air conditioning or maybe we won't even need heat at night.

More details on Monday after we get back.

Till next time,


Suzi

A gathering of the guys and my sister's 50th!

This morning my husband Tim, my son Luke, Tim's brothers Greg and Jeff, my father-in-law Jim, his brother Danny, and Jim and Danny's cousin Warren all gathered at a popular breakfast place near our home.

It was three generations of drywall tapers (and Danny and Jeff, who are accountants). I realized that my walking route for that morning took Raven and me just behind the restaurant, so we stopped by to see if we could catch anyone. Sure enough, Tim & Warren were just arriving, and Luke soon pulled up, followed by Danny, Jim & Greg. Jeff is more of a night owl, but I'm sure he came soon after we left to continue our walk.

I'm so grateful to these men, for their love of family, hard work, and recreation as well. Warren and his brother Lowell (who for health reasons could not attend the breakfast) started a drywall taping business, and they taught my father-in-law their trade. Now my sons are pretty proficient at stringing tape and throwing mud on the walls too.

What a great legacy they leave. And, speaking of legacies, my sister Cheri turns 50 today! Please link to her site here and leave a birthday wish on her comments. She's had a tough past couple of weeks, since her mother-in-law passed away. She and her husband are tackling the long, bittersweet chore of going through all her personal things, including many papers, cards and notes. Please keep them (Pat & Cheri) in your prayers.

And celebrate life today! Happy, happy birthday Cheri--I hope you have a terrific day filled with laughter and fun.

Till next time,


Suzi

Running out the door.....

This morning I left on my walk with Raven before the kids and Tim were out the door. I said my good-byes, so I didn't feel badly about leaving them--they are quite capable of getting ready by themselves. But when I got home, I found Christina's lunch still sitting on the counter. Hopefully, Mark made and took his own lunch. I'm surprised Christina hasn't called me yet. Fortunately, I am planning to go to BSF this morning and their school isn't too much out of the way.

I'm planning to go to a homiletics seminar at BSF this afternoon, then pick up Christina at school so Mark can drive to join Tim at work. Mark is low on cash now, and again, it won't be too far out of the way for me to stop back to get Christina.

Sooooooooo--I'm off!

Till next time,


Suzi

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign........

As Raven and I go walking every morning, it is interesting to notice all the political signs popping up in people's yards. It seems like there are more signs this year than last--more people are concerned about the election coming up next month (four more weeks!) and are expressing their views.

As I passed by the lady's house (referred to in my blog, The Old Lady and the Pee), I noticed a new Kerry/Edwards sign. I was careful to steer Raven away from it (she had placed it not far from where he had done his business. I will make no further comment.)

On the corner that has always sported three Wellstone! signs, there are now only two Kerry/Edwards signs. By the way, Wellstone was a Minnesota senator who died tragically in a plane crash two years ago just before the election. I was never a supporter of his political views, but he was a man of conviction, a family man, and even listened to his opponents and took time to have real dialog with them.

Some people take advantage of their wide lots and post two of the same political sign. Or, they put their signs to the very edge of their yard, which must be irritating to their neighbors who may have differing views.

There are lots of Bush/Cheney signs out there too. Last week we went to a parade in a nearby suburb (the number of Republicans seems to grow as you go farther out in the suburbs) and saw a small Kerry delegation followed (many floats behind) by a large semi-truck filled with Bush supporters.

It's interesting to be in a swing state this year, as Minnesota has traditionally voted for the democratic candidate. Kerry, Bush, Cheney, Edwards and their families have all visited Minnesota and I think will continue to until election time.

I'll continue to be an observer of signs until election day, and then I'll be a participant at the voting booth in November. If the signs are any indication, the polls will be a lot more packed than they were in the primaries last month (I didn't see anyone else voting when I went then.)

Till next time,


Suzi

Apple betty vs apple crisp

Well my sister has now enlightened me. I have a recipe for apple betty from her site, as well as one for apple crisp. So, thanks Cheri, I have made apple betty (just last evening) and put the last piece in Tim's lunch today. This despite the fact that Mark had a late night visit to Krispy Kreme on Saturday night and brought home a few remaining goodies. And despite the fact that I also made banana bread. So, your apple betty recipe is a hit in the Nelson home.

Oatmeal is what is added to make apple crisp, and orange juice is also eliminated in the apple crisp recipe.

Today I'm going to see a cardiologist for the first time. Maybe he will tell me that I can no longer make such delicious concoctions, or at least not eat them. But I know I well never be able to make anything with margarine. Not as long as my watchful husband with the sensitive taste buds is around to eat anyway.

But butter has gotten a bad rap lately, I think. So, I'll bake away and try to get in a few more minutes on my Gazelle glider.

Till next time,


Suzi

Fun with football

Last night Tim and I went down to see our kids' school's football team play. We got their toward the end of half time, so unfortunately we missed seeing the dance team, but we did hear the band --that our son Mark plays tenor saxophone. Mark wore his hair up in his mohawk for homecoming weekend, and so far he has not been kicked out of school. It was easy to spot him, and nice to see that he has been making new friends after only a month. Christina was busy flitting around the bleachers--whenever she passed anywhere near us, Tim did his best to try to embarrass her. (All in good fun, of course).

I'm pretty sure West won--we left two minutes before the end to beat traffic. We had come back from behind and even scored a safety in the last few minutes of play. It was a chilly night after a rainy day, but I had come prepared with towels (in case the bleachers were wet) and a blanket. I still shivered, but it was all part of the snuggly fun.

The kids were so nice, too--it was great to enjoy a football game and not hear any cursing or coarse talk.

Today is the Plymouth parade, and Mark and the school band are planning to march in it. The sun is shining, but the temperatures are still in the forties. Hope Mark doesn't freeze his fingers off! I'm sure he'll be easy to spot today too--somehow he manages to sleep with his mohawk in tact. (Hopefully it will come down soon. Hopefully he will cut his hair soon!) In the mean time, I'll enjoy seeing him and his sister participate in school events. After all, we've already got one out the door, and time goes by so quickly.......

Till next time,


Suzi

The cupboards are not bare

A few days ago my sister blogged about keeping her cupboard stocked in case of emergency--as people are perhaps more likely to do since Y2K, hurricanes, and terrorism threats. She also pointed out that, even though it is good to be prepared, we need to store up our treasures in heaven, not earth.

I agree with both principles--stocking up and storing treasures in heaven. Unfortunately, my stock is not as organized as hers, and I don't necessarily stock up when I see good deals.

My pantry is my security. When it is overflowing, I feel that we will not starve. However, there is a possibility of starving (well, not really) because it is sometimes impossible to find food in there because it isn't organized too well and sometimes I buy things that I already have because I can't find a particular item until days later when I realize I have three!

My husband tried to remedy this problem for me a few years ago when I was laid up with a sprained ankle and helpless to stop him. He had built big, deep pantry shelves for me when we first moved into our house. But now, he and our oldest son cut away at the shelves, making them "L" shaped, so they would be easier to access.

But they also hold less stuff! Hence, the overflow.

However, my real problem is organization. I need to go through the pantry, get rid of old stuff or give stuff to the food shelf that is good but I am not likely to use or need, and make sense of the clutter. Oh dear. Now that I have written this on my blog, do I really have to tackle it? I guess I will if my husband reads it........but he's been busy organizing his own office. So, I guess I can't hide any food in those spacious shelves he has now in his new haven.....

I will update you if the pantry situation improves.

Till next time,


Suzi