Happy non-birthday Mark!

Today is Mark's non-birthday. Or maybe tomorrow. You see, he was born on February 29, 1988. He wasn't supposed to be a leap year baby--his due date was February 17. If I had been smart, and taken the advice of one of my doctors, I would have scheduled a c-section earlier, because his older brother was born by c-section. But I wanted to try a "normal" delivery, and.........ended up having another c-section anyway, which followed several hours of labor.

Mark was born blue, since his heart tones dropped during labor. The doctor whisked him out in 7 1/2 minutes from the time he decided a c-section was necessary. He was almost 10 pounds--the biggest baby in the neonatal intensive care unit. We stayed in the hospital for almost a week, then he came home, and except for several ear infections in his preschool and elementary years, he's been healthy ever since.

Happy Birthday Mark. You're a great kid, always willing to do whatever anyone asks or needs. You have a quiet, gentle spirit, and we appreciate your hard work and good attitude. It's hard to believe it's been 17 years since you were born, but we've cherished every day we've had with you. We love you!

Till next time,


Suzi

PS Happy birthday (her birthday is really today, Feb 28) to our Bolivian daughter, Carla. She changed our lives and captured our hearts when she entered our home five years ago as a 17-year-old. Feliz cumpleaños Carla! We miss you and pray all is well in La Paz!

Tomorrow is the big party

It's always a bit of a challenge planning a birthday party for Mark. He was born on February 29, so three out of four years he doesn't even have a real birthday. And, quite a few members of the Nelson clan are involved in tax preparation this time of year, so Sundays are about the only day we can get together to celebrate.

This year, I thought I'd have a brunch after church. Mark loves breakfast foods. And, one of Tim's brothers has their small group meeting Sunday nights (we do too, for that matter), and Tim's parents also have Sunday night small group.

This seemed a perfect plan. Maybe even Jeff could come (but turns out he'll be down at the tax office by then). Turns out Sister-in-law number one has an open house that day (she's a realtor). Turns out sister-in-law number two (Jeff's wife) has a birthday party with her kids from noon to two. Turns out Tim's parents have been invited out after church tomorrow.

But.......even though the realtor sister-in-law can't make it, her husband and their three kids will come. Even though Tim's brother Jeff can't come and his wife has a party from noon-two, they will come after their party. Even though Tim's parents were invited elsewhere, they remembered their commitment to Mark's party and will be here.

I even have to make sure Luke, our oldest son, will make it. He did tell me he doesn't have other plans.

At least I know I can count on Raven to be here. He'll be attempting to sniff all the plates, will bark when people arrive, and will probably end up hanging out in a bedroom or office till company leaves. Poor dog. He's the faithful, dependable one, and he gets confined.

Better go--gotta clean house and get groceries........

Till next time,


Suzi

Conference time

Tim was able to join me for conferences with the kids' teachers yesterday, so that is always helpful and beneficial. I am continually amazed at the dedication of private school teachers who work for little pay and put up with a lot just to educate our kids and help them along the right path. I'm really grateful for each one of them, and for the suggestions they gave us to help Mark and Christina do even better in school.

Tim went over to his mom's to run tax returns on the computer after conferences. I crashed fairly early, and didn't hear him when he got home. I guess he and Christina talked about school after he got home for about an hour.

I'm so blessed to have partners in raising these teenagers--teachers, and especially my husband. I know I'd do a lousy job alone!

Till next time,


Suzi

Short work day

Today will be a short work day, and maybe not only because I'm leaving early to attend the kids' school conferences--it's snowing this morning--just enough to mess up traffic. I will seek to enjoy the beauty with a smile and listen to uplifting radio as I drive in, grateful that I have a vehicle that doesn't break down. (we hope)

The kids don't have school tomorrow, although I have to work. I think Christina will be in charge of the house and the dog, as Mark will probably work with Tim. And, depending on how conferences go, maybe they'll spend some time hitting the books........

Till next time,


Suzi

Missing missions

Tomorrow my nephew Daniel is leaving for Peru on a missions trip. We are praying for him and know that he will have a wonderful experience, and be changed even more than he hopes to change the circumstances of those he will minister to.

I am envious, because I have a heart for missions--especially in Ecuador where I was a short term missionary twice--for a summer in 1978 (college days) and in February of 1998. But I know God has missionary work for all of us no matter where we are--and we just need to look around us for opportunities to be used of him.

God bless you, Daniel--we will be reading about you on your mom's blog and check out the missions blog you have started as well.

Till next time,


Suzi

The Longest Day/My Husband, My Hero/One is the Loneliest Number

Yesterday was a long day. It started out well enough--no school for the kids, so I didn't have to get up quite as early to make sure they were up and getting ready after my walk. Christina had spent the night at her cousins, as she was going to babysit there. Mark was planning to work with Tim, so I knew Tim would make sure he was up.

Raven and I enjoyed our walk in only semi-darkness, and the sun had made a full appearance when we got home. I got ready for work and headed out the door. Since it was a holiday, things weren't too crazy at work, partly because there was no mail to deal with.

I was heading out the door for home, brought my lunch bag and purse with me, and started off. Tim and the kids were home, so I was looking forward to a nice evening.

Just as I was struggling with traffic, about 10 minutes from the office, my check engine light came on. I couldn't really tell what the problem was at first, because traffic was already slow, but then I realized I couldn't accelerate. I was able to get off on the shoulder and somehow managed to make it to the next exit. Thank goodness for cell phones and my husband at the other end. He got me to a late-night service station and I went in for a diagnostic test.

Turns out that my TSP sensor wasn't working properly. (I know, I didn't know I had a TSP sensor.) Apparently that is something that keeps the accelerator pedal working properly. So, they called around to find a part. No luck. Then Tim told me to have them try the Toyota dealership down the street which is open till 11. They were not sure it would be worth the call, because they said Toyota had only service open, not parts, but they did call and found that parts was open after all. That was the good news. The bad news was that they did not have the TSP part.

So, Tim did some more checking and found that Toyota city on the north end of town had the part. If he could get it down to the south end of town, where I was, by 9:30, they could install it and I could be on my merry way.

While I was waiting for Tim, I went next door to Perkins for supper. They seated me at a booth, which seemed very large for one person. I missed my husband. I watched as other families and friends came in for social meetings, but noticed two older gentlemen came in separately and sat alone at their respective booths as well. I had just spoken to a man at work who had lost his wife in 2004, and was donating all her things to charity. He had read about the Salvation Army's website. I was able to print out a list of items from the site with estimates on value of personal items for him. I imagined how hard it must have been to part with so much and to have to be dealing with her loss all over again as he faced the tax season and collected paperwork.

After I finished my meal and was walking back to the station, Tim pulled up in his white cube van, looking to me like a knight in shining armor. He had the part! We went inside, and they promised to have it ready in an hour. Tim hadn't eaten yet (although I had a turkey breast in the crockpot at home), so he had some broasted chicken at the service station/convenience store.

I could tell Tim was tired from all the running around he had done, so I sent him back home and I continued to wait for the truck to be finished. Finally at 10:20 pm, it was finished. About 90 minutes after they started. I was grateful for the lady who had been there earlier who had purchased a People magazine, read it cover to cover, and offered it for my pleasure, which I read from cover to cover. (I wished I had asked Tim to bring a Bible down!)

Anyway, I paid the bill ($161.87) and got a free carwash for my ordeal. I went out to the carwash and found I had misaligned the tires, so I had to back up and start over again. It was nice to finally be through the wash, clean as a whistle, and back on the road. Of course, I got turned around at the unfamiliar exit ramp, and ended up heading east instead of west, but I got myself straightened out. I arrived home to find Tim sound asleep and the kids finishing up homework. Christina had cleaned the house and it looked spotless. Mark was struggling through Spark notes of Huck Finn's last chapters--he had been hoping I'd be home to read to him. I wished he had come down to keep me company and I could have spent the four hours at the station reading Huck Finn instead of about the latest twist in Michael Jackson's misfortunes.

I went to bed, only to find I couldn't sleep. I got up, went to the computer, and read some blogs. Then I crawled back under the covers, laid next to Tim's fist (he told me this morning that he was trying to hold onto me, not punch me) and fell asleep.

Today promises to be uneventful. I am so glad to have my Tundra Truck running so I can go to the grocery store today and Bible study tomorrow (they originally thought it might not be ready till tomorrow!).

Till next time,


Suzi

Quick blog

I'm running a bit late today--I let myself sleep in since I didn't have to get the kids up for school today (President's Day). Traffic shouldn't be too bad since it's a holiday, but it still could be a busy day at work.

More later--I'm out the door!

Till next time,


Suzi

A perfect ending to a busy week

Friday wasn't such a bad day at work, except that mid-afternoon I got a phone call saying a good friend of ours was possibly having a heart attack. Turns out Steve is going to be okay, although he did have a stint put in. His heart muscle is good. He and his wife Jeanne have eight children, ranging in age from almost two to about 22. Steve is about 49, young to be having heart trouble, so we were very relieved to hear that he is doing better, and may even leave the hospital today.

Otherwise, it was a relatively quiet day at work, so I got caught up on some record keeping and other paperwork. Seems like things always pick up after 4, though--I suppose people getting home and wanting to take care of tax stuff before the weekend. So, I ended up working till 6 or so. Tim called, and we decided to meet at a new fine dining restaurant in downtown Robbinsdale, Thistles. Mark joined us, and Christina was out with friends. So the three of us enjoyed delicious meals. I had French onion soup and chicken Caesar salad, Tim had a shrimp pasta dish with Caesar salad, and Mark had a chicken fettucine dinner.

It was nice to sit and relax and enjoy really excellent food. The waiter brought out samples of the dessert selection, and we decided we would all split the cheese cake, which turned out to melt in our mouths--not heavy at all. Tim even had to bring home some of his dinner--probably a first in a very long time for him.

Today I have a bit of a cold, so I'm trying to take it easy so I can gear up for another busy week. Four weeks down, eight to go.....

Till next time,


Suzi

Friday, fun day?

It's Friday--coming to the end of a busy week. It's been crazy at work at the tax office, with people anxious to get the refunds they are receiving, phones ringing with questions, more appointments, tax questions, people coming and going for appointments and picking up tax returns, paper work, computer work, computer lock ups and problems etc.

Tim came down to the office last night about 4:45 to run some tax returns on the computer there. We both left about 7--he ended up going to his mom's to do some more computer entry on her tax returns. Dinner was late--ham that had been in the crockpot all day with corn. We ate, let the dog out, watched a little TV, emptied the garbage and collapsed into bed.

Today we do it all over again........but tomorrow is Saturday!

Actually, I don 't want to be wishing my days away, and I enjoy the work I do. I know several people who are looking for work, and here I am, blessed with work when I'd really rather be home. Seems we're never satisfied.......

Till next time,


Suzi

Going hither and yon

All right--yesterday morning, as I mentioned, Mark was home sick, so I hurried to walk Raven and then take Christina to school. After that, I came back home, blogged and went off to Bible study. I got home, was relaxing a bit before my planned trip to the grocery store, when Tim called to ask if I could work at the office. Our son Luke normally works Wednesday afternoons, so Dawn, the office manager and my sister-in-law, can leave and get home in time to get the kids to church. But Tim needed Luke's help with drywall yesterday all day. So, I agreed to fill in, and raced to the gas station, the grocery store and the office.

Turns out I was at the office till 7 pm. Fortunately Christina was at a friend's till 8:30, so that worked out okay. Mark was feeling better, and he and Christina went off to school together this morning. I stopped at my mother-in-law's (also an accountant) where Tim was working at her computer, inputing her tax returns. I had picked up some dinner for Tim and myself, and finally dragged myself home by about 9, after picking up Christina.

Today I think I am only going one place--to the office, all day. But you never know.......

Till next time,


Suzi

Under the wire

Today Mark is sick with a sore throat. He hasn't been sick yet on a Wednesday (or a day I'm working, for that matter), so I had to scramble, because I had to get Christina to school myself (Mark usually drives them both to school) and still get through my morning routine before going off to BSF.

So, I quickly fixed Tim's lunch. Christina was already up and in the shower, so that wouldn't be a problem (getting her out of bed, that is). I raced around to get ready for the walk with my dog Raven, and headed out the door, iPodless (didn't have time to get it set up--plus I think the battery needs charging).

Raven and I scurried along--I was watching the clock the whole time. We ran into a friend I hadn't seen in awhile--she's the one with the chicken Rottweiller I blogged about before. I carefully went up a hill to avoid a dog encounter, but we were still able to greet each other and even exchange a few pleasantries since the dog's couldn't get a good view of one another, being shorter that we were and blocked by the slope. (I was at the top of the hill.)

Anyway, I got home to Christina, who had just been complaining to Tim that I'd make her late, and then she said she wasn't quite ready. Tim just laughed. I made her sandwiches and we whisked out the door.

I got home in time to take a shower, give Raven his vitamin, and now blog! I'm actually a bit ahead of schedule--so now I can relax a bit and enjoy the rest of the morning at Bible study.
Hopefully Mark can rest too and be better by this afternoon. Tomorrow, back to work! We'll see what transpires tomorrow morning....

Till next time,


Suzi

Tuesday afternoon blogging

It seems like Tuesdays have been "late blogging" days. Normally I try to blog right after my morning walk, but other things have been creeping in. Today I had a doctor's appointment--he said my blood sugar level was not too bad (7.5, dad)--although I know it could be lower. He said this time of year numbers are often higher, and I could work on lowering that over the next few months.

My cholesterol level was great--115 for overall cholesterol! Blood pressure was up a bit, but my readings at home have been pretty good. He was very pleased with my kidney function, my liver and thyroid tests were excellent too.

While I was waiting in the doctor's office, Tim called to ask me to pick up some cornerbeads for him. So, I ran his errand before blogging. I also stopped at two banks before heading home.

Now I can clean up the kitchen and take a survey of the refrigerator and cupboards to determine what we need from the grocery store. Hopefully I will be home in time to greet the kids as they arrive from school and hear all about their "boring" day.

So much for taking it easy on my day off.......

Till next time,


Suzi

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is valentine's day! My husband wrote a beautiful poem on his blog to mark the occasion. We had our small group over last night, and everyone pitched in to help vacuum and clean. I baked two cherry pies as a sort of tribute to my mom and remembering all those good February cherry pies we have enjoyed in the past. Someone said it was the best cherry pie they had ever eaten! I also baked heart shaped cookies, and Tim and the kids helped frost them.

Last night God sent a beautiful blanket of white to cover up some of the ugliness that's been visible with the snow melting. It shouldn't affect traffic too badly--it snowed about 2-3 inches, but it has stopped now and the roads are mostly plowed. It is supposed to melt today anyway--highs are predicted in the upper 30s.

The blanket of snow and the color red be sport of this day remind me of the covering of Jesus' blood for our sins. Maybe some of you have seen the e-mail circulating with John 3:16:

The best valentine of all:

"For God so loVed the world,
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosoever
Believeth In Him
Should Not perish,
But have Everlasting life."

Happy Valentine's Day--may you enjoy the greatest gift of love--Jesus!

Till next time,


Suzi

(I couldn't get all the capital letters in VALENTINE to line up, but you get the idea. (L) )

Saturday is here to stay--well, for one day.....

Saturday is here! I have rested reasonably well, I have walked the dog, and we are enjoying warmer temperatures. Today there are joggers out and about--I think there may be a race coming up, although maybe not for awhile unless it's an indoor race of some kind. Several people traveled in packs, and Raven and I tried to accommodate them as they passed. One jogger even through Raven a dog treat as he passed.

The iPod situation is a bit troubling as the weather improves--my earphones fall out when I remove my hood. I probably need headphones in good weather, and earphones in cold.

Today I hope to get the house cleaned up--it's been awhile since it's had a thorough going-over. I'm also hoping to bake some valentine's cookies and maybe even a cherry pie, since our small group is coming over tomorrow night, and it is valentine's weekend. I remember my mom's cherry pies in February--for Valentine's day and George Washington's birthday. ("I cannot tell a lie. I did chop the cherry tree down."--GW, sometime in the 1700s.

Last night we had dinner at Old Country Buffet, and I had a little taste of cherry cobbler. Now I'm inspired--by the memories of last night as well as my mother's desserts. Look out kitchen, here I come!

Till next time,


Suzi

It's Friday!

I am so happy it's Friday! I will be even happier when it's Saturday! Working three days a week is tiring for me. I suppose people get used to it, and I used to work full time, but that was before kids, dog, etc.......

Last night Christina made a wonderful spaghetti dinner for us. Of course, I was the last one home, and Tim had already left for his mom's to run some tax returns on the computer. I didn't even talk to him all day till he got home at 10 pm and I was ready to crash. He had a very busy day, too--doing a kitchen demolition he was not expecting to do, calling two guys to help at the last minute, and spending the whole day at that job, then coming home to no wife, and off to his mom's.

Saturday morning he's doing drywall and in the afternoon he'll be at his brother's (where I work) to help run tax returns there. Sunday we're having our couples night for our Bible study--so that may be our Valentine's celebration.

We should probably plan to celebrate Valentine's Day after tax season.........

Till next time,


Suzi

Thursday, work day

Today I'm starting is my first Thursday to work in a string of Thursdays till April 15. I don't know how other moms work full-time! It's hard to get stuff done in two days during the week, never mind that I'll have the weekend off. (I'm also working Mondays and Fridays.)

We are planning to have people over for Bible study on Sunday night, so that will motivate me to get things done around the house on Saturday. Christina is planning to make spaghetti dinner for us tonight, so that will help a lot. I remember when my mom worked when I was in high school I'd sometimes help by making tuna noodle casserole.

Even mac and cheese sounds good after a long day at the office. Thursday dinners should be interesting. Tuna Thursdays, anyone?

Till next time,


Suzi

A fine new blog

My dad has started over with his blog, since we were having so much trouble setting up his profile. You can still link to him at the sidebar ("My Dad's blog") or by clicking here. His new title is "Along Cemetery Road"--which is the street they live on. I'm hoping he'll do some reminiscing about his youth and share some fun stories--he has an amazing sense of humor.

Meanwhile, life in Minnesota continues at a fast pace. Today I'm off to BSF and I'll try to get some things done around here before I go to work tomorrow. We got a light dusting of snow overnight and then this morning a bit too, so that will probably make travel more difficult, but it is whitening things up after our major melt last weekend.

So, out the door I go, but not before I'll check to see if my Dad has any more new pearls of wisdom...


Till next time,


Suzi

Do I need to get up at 5 am every day?

Well, it is now almost 1 pm and I am finally blogging. Today is my "day off," so I treated myself by letting myself sleep till 6:30, then waking the kids, then crawling back under the sheets till 7 to make sure they were really up and to make Tim's lunch. Raven and I had a quicker walk than normal, because I needed to get to the hospital lab for my quarterly blood draw. (At least my reward for that is free parking.) Also at the hospital, I had to give another kind of specimen. Since they are remodeling the lab area, the bathroom facilities for this procedure are down the hall. I had my coat and Bible (to try to catch up on my "homework" for my study which is TOMORROW and I'm way behind.....) me. The lab technician/nurse? let me leave my coat on a hook and pointed down the hall to the specimen place.

So, I carefully did what was needed and started back to the lab room. A new patient was in there. I had been hoping to just slip in and place the said item in a plastic bag that awaited it, but this patient was in a wheelchair in a small room with another person who was there helping her. So, the lab person, passed the bag to me via the helper person, and I put the contents in the bag and passed it back. Would a blood sample have been less unseemly? I don't know....

I had been planning to blog right after the lab visit, but Tim left his phone at home. Fortunately, he was working with Luke, who has a cell phone too. Luke called as I awaited the lab appointment--at least the phone didn't ring in the specimen room. Anyway, Tim asked me to bring a ladder, since I'd be bringing his phone anyway. It was in the lean-to at a 6-foot height (on a special shelf--kinda hard to explain), but I managed to get it down after some fanagling. (Is that a word?) I did wonder if I would be discovered if the ladder hit me in the head and I fell unconscious on the floor of the lean-to, which has a separate entrance and is behind our garage. Would anyone miss me--would they be able to find me? Would they ignore my welt on the head and think I was having a diabetic reaction as they noted my bandaged arm? But I digress (as usual).

I dragged the ladder to my Tundra truck and finally got off to meet Tim and Luke. No other incidents. I decided, as long as I was out, I'd stop at the grocery store on my way home. Hence the late blogging.

Now I need to shower (I know, I went to the grocery store WITHOUT A SHOWER OR MAKEUP--ewwwwwwwww) and then pick up some ink and labels at Office Depot. Then it will be time to get supper ready.

Maybe I should be like my sister Cheri who rises to walk her dog at 5 or 5:30 EVERY DAY. Then, if things come up unexpectedly, she's at least had her shower in. I think her children rise up and call her blessed, too. ;) It is my hope that I can have one day or even hour where I might in some small way resemble the Proverbs 31 woman.

I'm sorry, am I rambling? This is what happens when you blog in the afternoon.......will I get up earlier tomorrow? Perhaps.....but as tax season is now in full swing, I value my sleep when I can get it........

Till next time (morning time!),


Suzi

My Dad is Blogging!

I am so excited! My dad has started his very own blog! We are still working out a few kinks--because I helped him set it up, his profile is still reading with my personal information. If anybody has help out there, let me know. We've gone to edit profile and tried to resave his own settings, but so far no luck. I haven't given up yet, but the main thing is now he can post and comment on blogs,so I'm hoping to hear a lot more from him about life in central Tennessee with my mom and their little dog, KimmeeSue.

Welcome, Dad--thanks for putting up with our nagging to start internet writing!

Till next time,

Suzi

To Sir, With Love

Raven and I were almost home this morning. We had encountered 4 dogs--one schnauzer type dog at pretty close range, but no one was injured, and I think no feelings were hurt. I had enjoyed Rebecca St. James on the iPod, after I finally figured out how to keep the earplugs in without my usual hat on (it's supposed to be 50 degrees here again today--woo hoo!)

But Rebecca was done singing. Raven was chomping at the bit, knowing his breakfast awaited him at home. Then I heard a voice call out, "Sir!"

Even though I was wearing my black coat, hood up, I thought, "they can't be calling me. I'm definitely a "Miss"--well, at least a "Ma'am." I'm less than 5 1/2 feet tall. Plus, I was wearing my furry topped black boots.

I rounded the corner, and a car with an older couple pulled up next to me. "Can you tell us how to find Broadway?"

I answered with my very best feminine voice. "If you want to find Broadway, you may be 60 years too late. I think they are only interested in actors in their 20s and 30s--ones with good eyesight who can distinguish between the sexes--never mind that they may be bundled up in black and walking a German shepherd type dog." (is that a masculine thing to do?). (Perhaps I was mistaken for a short, resurrected Johnny Cash.)

Well, I didn't' really answer this way. I told them that West Broadway Ave. was straight down the road, at the second traffic light. They thanked me and were on their way.

I'm going out now to buy a bright pink coat with lace. Since it's warm out these days, I'll wear a short skirt and pink tennis shoes and frilly socks.

I'll be Ma'am to everyone I encounter. Old and young alike. If I don't scare them all off.

Till next time,


Suzi

Vet visit

Today Raven went to the vet. It is always a rather harrowing experience, because he hates the slippery floors there, and he always barks at other dogs that are anywhere near us (and of course, there are other dogs at the vet!) I almost shut the door in his face because I thought he was right behind me as we came in. I brought along a blanket to put down between mats, so he could walk across it, or, if need be, be dragged across the room. (Not easy with a 55 pound German shepherd mix!)

He seemed to have an ear infection before we came, but the doctor said they looked pretty good. While we were there, I had his rabies dog tag replaced (who knows where the old one is), his toenails clipped (a pet-i-cure? I know, baaaad joke……) and his anal glands expressed. (I won’t go into that one—you can google for more info if you like.) I also had a printout done to show our local city officials to prove that he is updated on his vaccinations so I can get a new city tag for him to wear. All dogs and cats in our town are supposed to be licensed (so are all bicycles, for that matter…..)

So, Raven is good to go, cleaned out and trimmed up a bit. We even got vitamins to help his coat look shiny and prevent flaking and itching. Hopefully we will not need to visit again for several months. It’s a nice thing to have done, but not a real fun experience for pet or owner.

Till next time,


Suzi

The value of life

Last night we met with an investment person about life insurance. We have life insurance now, but we are coming to the end of our ten-year renewal, and are considering something else.

We'll probably increase Tim's benefits, because he is the main wage earner and I'd be totally lost without him in many ways, but one significant one would be his income.

In the event of my demise, however, not as much replacement income would be needed as I don't have that much to replace. The kids are all old enough to manage pretty well, so we wouldn't have day care needs or expenses.

I won't be able to switch life insurance, because of my pre-existing diabetes. This bugs me, because I'm healthier now with the medications, exercise and dietary knowledge than before I was diagnosed with this "disease." But our new life insurance man is going to work with our old policy and manage things for both of us.

It's good to be prepared--death will eventually come to us all. But as we sign papers and talk about investments and preparations, I know that ultimately we are in God's hands. He is in control, and he will be the one to care for Tim if I'm gone first or me if Tim's gone first. Of course, maybe we'll both be alive till Jesus comes, and be caught up to heaven with the other believers. This would be my preference......

But our times are in God's hands. We can prepare and we are to live each day as if it is our last or as if Jesus were to return in an hour. I'll make plans, but I'll also focus on life, especially the new life of our newest niece, Emilee Brianne. She was born on Sunday, January 30. She is a cutie, and my brother and his wife are very proud of her and all of their children (Emilee joins two brothers).

Life. Live it, love it, treasure it.

Till next time,


Suzi

Tasting and talking

I like taste tests. Of course, it is always fun to go and get paid to write down my opinion of a certain food or be in a discussion group for a new product, but my favorite tests are those where I go and all the proceeds go to church.

It's good to meet with others from church outside the regular worship setting, and this time we were raising money for missions trips. I saw some old friends that I haven't talked to or seen in months, and it was fun to catch up.

Plus, it's fun to go and eat something yummy. But we are sworn to secrecy, so I can't tell you what product it was........you'll just have to wait till it hits the store shelves. Hint: we live in the land of General Mills........

Till next time,


Suzi

Taking the challenge

I am a creature of habit. I don't vary my life or schedule too much, and I don't particularly like change, unless I'm sure it is going to be fun.

So, yesterday morning, as I was planning how to get to work during a snowfall, I decided to take my husband's suggestion and take the parkway rather than the highway.

I was a little nervous, because a few years ago when I encountered bad weather and took the parkway, I ended up skidding over to the wrong side of the road when a car approached. Fortunately, they were able to stop when I was unable to do so.

So, yesterday, I took the curves slowly. I enjoyed the beauty of the snow-lined roads, trees, and even a tubing hill (for snow sliding with innertubes). I managed to make it back to the freeway, beyond the bottleneck part, and the rest of the ride to work was smooth sailing.

I'll have to make more moves like that in my life--just subtle adjustments here and there that may be out of my comfort zone, but for my ultimate good. I might enjoy the view along the way, and even take advantage of time spent wisely.

Till next time,


Suzi