My sweet Loretta is back. Loretta the Laptop has been sick and at the doctor since Monday. Five days is a long time for an addicted person like me. Hello, my name if Michele, and it's been five days since I last logged on. In the spirit of full disclosure, we do have another computer in this house. I did use it a very few times, but I had to be a bit sneaky. Somebody, who shall remain nameless, doesn't like me to use the desktop for facebook, blogs, pinterest, etc. because unnamed somebody uses it for work and doesn't want to take any chances. Apparently, I am a true wildcat on the computer. All of those mommy blogs and mason jar pins are just so dangerous. (I should probably confess somebody's concerns might have something to do with the virus Loretta came down with earlier in the week ~ maybe he has a tiny bit of a case.) Anyway, she's home. I can quit singing "Near...far...wherever you are...I believe that my heart will go on".
Why is it I can think of 92 things I want to blog about when I don't have access to Loretta? Then I forget them all. I do have a few things I want to talk (write) about, so I'll be back soon. I'm sure you're on the edge of your seats...
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
The Jury Is Still Out
The jury is still out on whether I'll actually have to serve on an actual case, but I AM currently serving on jury duty for the first time ever. So far all of the cases scheduled for January have been settled out of court or been dropped for some reason. I have to call again on Monday afternoon to see if I have to report next week. Keeping up with which days and times to call has been the most stressful part so far! If you forget and fail to report, they can fine you $500. I find that interesting since they only pay you $11 a day to be there. I have to stay on jury duty for three months which is through the beginning of April. After this "term of service" (doesn't that sound very Presidential or something), I won't be called again for at least two years. I've certainly learned a lot already about how the court systems work. I guess we'll see how things unfold over the next three months!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
A Lantern In Her Hand
I followed the advice of Sarah over at Clover Lane and read A Lantern In Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich. If you read her blog, you have probably already heard about this book. It is historical fiction set in the late 1800s. It's so hard to even imagine the hardships of that time. We are so spoiled with modern conveniences! Reading about the life of Abbie (the main character) made me so very thankful for all of our blessings. The book was actually written in 1956. The writing was very interesting since it was written by someone who was actually born in the 1800s. I highly recommend it!!!
*WARNING* I cried multiple times while reading...but keep in mind I cry over everything so you will be fine. Probably.
Here are a few quotes that I particularly loved:
"Afterwards they went out on the porch and Abbie held the little girl on her lap. She cuddled her up and put her wrinkled cheek against the child's firm one. Oh, why didn't mothers do it more when they had the chance? What were clubs and social affairs and freedom by comparison? And what was freedom?"
"You know Grace, it's queer but I don't feel narrow. I feel broad. How can I explain it to you so you can understand? I've seen everything....and I've hardly been away from this yard. I've seen cathedrals in the snow on the Lombard poplars. I've seen the sun set behind the Alps over there when the clouds have been piled up on the edge of the prairie. I've seen the ocean billows in the rise and the fall of the paririe grass. I've seen history in the making....three ugly wars flare up and die down. I've sent a lover and two brothers to one, a son and a son-in-law to another, and two grandsons to another. I've seen the feeble beginnings of a raw state and the civilization that developed there, and I've been part of the beginning and part of the growth. I've married...and borne children and looked into the face of death. Is childbirth narrow, Grace? Or marriage? Or death? When you've experienced all those things, Grace, the spirit has traveled although the body has been confined. I think travel is a rare privilege and I'm glad you can have it. But not every one who stays at home is narrow and not every one who travels is broad."
I especially love the following quote about home. I'm so thankful for my childhood home, and that Mom still lives there. When we bought the house we live in now, we knew that it probably wouldn't be our "forever" house. Chances are our next house won't even be our "forever" house. I remind myself often that home is where your family is and not a physical building. That helps me to not get too caught up in the worry that my own children will not have that ONE home to always go back to where ALL of their memories were made. They will likely have several homes. I know it's ok! Brian lived in many houses while growing up and he's just fine (or so he says). He also isn't nearly as sentimental as I am about these things... Oh well!
" It was the only old home the children had ever known. There ought to be a home for children to come to, and their children, a central place, to which they could always bring their joys and sorrows, an old familiar place for them to return to on Sundays and Christmases. an old home ought always to stand like a mother with open arms. It ought to be here waiting for the children to come to it, like homing pigeons."
I hope you'll consider reading this book especially if you like historical fiction at all. If you do, let me know! I'd love to hear your thoughts!
*WARNING* I cried multiple times while reading...but keep in mind I cry over everything so you will be fine. Probably.
Here are a few quotes that I particularly loved:
"Afterwards they went out on the porch and Abbie held the little girl on her lap. She cuddled her up and put her wrinkled cheek against the child's firm one. Oh, why didn't mothers do it more when they had the chance? What were clubs and social affairs and freedom by comparison? And what was freedom?"
"You know Grace, it's queer but I don't feel narrow. I feel broad. How can I explain it to you so you can understand? I've seen everything....and I've hardly been away from this yard. I've seen cathedrals in the snow on the Lombard poplars. I've seen the sun set behind the Alps over there when the clouds have been piled up on the edge of the prairie. I've seen the ocean billows in the rise and the fall of the paririe grass. I've seen history in the making....three ugly wars flare up and die down. I've sent a lover and two brothers to one, a son and a son-in-law to another, and two grandsons to another. I've seen the feeble beginnings of a raw state and the civilization that developed there, and I've been part of the beginning and part of the growth. I've married...and borne children and looked into the face of death. Is childbirth narrow, Grace? Or marriage? Or death? When you've experienced all those things, Grace, the spirit has traveled although the body has been confined. I think travel is a rare privilege and I'm glad you can have it. But not every one who stays at home is narrow and not every one who travels is broad."
I especially love the following quote about home. I'm so thankful for my childhood home, and that Mom still lives there. When we bought the house we live in now, we knew that it probably wouldn't be our "forever" house. Chances are our next house won't even be our "forever" house. I remind myself often that home is where your family is and not a physical building. That helps me to not get too caught up in the worry that my own children will not have that ONE home to always go back to where ALL of their memories were made. They will likely have several homes. I know it's ok! Brian lived in many houses while growing up and he's just fine (or so he says). He also isn't nearly as sentimental as I am about these things... Oh well!
" It was the only old home the children had ever known. There ought to be a home for children to come to, and their children, a central place, to which they could always bring their joys and sorrows, an old familiar place for them to return to on Sundays and Christmases. an old home ought always to stand like a mother with open arms. It ought to be here waiting for the children to come to it, like homing pigeons."
I hope you'll consider reading this book especially if you like historical fiction at all. If you do, let me know! I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Just Some Honest Thoughts
"We are not doubting that God will do the best for us. We are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be'. ~ C.S.Lewis
I came across this quote about six months ago. It really hit home with me. As someone who has struggled with worry issues throughout my life, which really just boils down to trust and control issues, this quote expressed how I feel. I DO believe that God is in control. I DO believe that He loves me and is really quite crazy about me. I DO believe that He knows what's best and works all things together for our good and His glory. I truly don't doubt those things. So why do I worry? Why is it still so hard for me to trust at times? In my pitiful little human mind, what I think is best is rarely what He KNOWS is best. Sometimes what's best is painful and I may never understand....so I must choose to trust.
Anybody else relate?
I came across this quote about six months ago. It really hit home with me. As someone who has struggled with worry issues throughout my life, which really just boils down to trust and control issues, this quote expressed how I feel. I DO believe that God is in control. I DO believe that He loves me and is really quite crazy about me. I DO believe that He knows what's best and works all things together for our good and His glory. I truly don't doubt those things. So why do I worry? Why is it still so hard for me to trust at times? In my pitiful little human mind, what I think is best is rarely what He KNOWS is best. Sometimes what's best is painful and I may never understand....so I must choose to trust.
Anybody else relate?
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year!
"There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind." ~ C.S.Lewis
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Well It's Officially Official!
Greetings & Salutations,
I would like to officially announce that I am officially on Christmas break as of NOW (well, actually as of about 5 or so hours ago). I am also officially finished with my Northeast State official obligations for this semester. I have also officially notified Northeast State that I will officially not be teaching any courses next semester in order to officially save my sanity. Because (sorry I started this sentence with a preposition Staci) I officially need to let something go. So I officially did. The (official) End.
I would like to officially announce that I am officially on Christmas break as of NOW (well, actually as of about 5 or so hours ago). I am also officially finished with my Northeast State official obligations for this semester. I have also officially notified Northeast State that I will officially not be teaching any courses next semester in order to officially save my sanity. Because (sorry I started this sentence with a preposition Staci) I officially need to let something go. So I officially did. The (official) End.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
An Update of Sorts
1. I finally got my Christmas cards addressed!
2. All of the kids presents are wrapped and under the tree!
3. I still have quite a few presents to wrap, but that's ok.
4. This week is insane at school. We have Christmas Around The World going on in first and second grade. So that means Monday-Thursday I have a different group of kids every afternoon to teach all about Christmas in Australia. Merry Christmas mates!
5. I was also CRAZZZZZZEEEEEEE enough to schedule elf day, reindeer day, Grinch day, party day, AND Polar Express day for this week.
6. Oh, and we still have to cover all of the "regular" stuff too for math and literacy.
7. And a writing assessment
8. And first grade literacy night at school
9. I also have to make about thirty batches of cracker candy (that might be a slight exaggeration).
10. And food for the faculty luncheon.
11.And cookies for the Bible study cookie swap. I decided to skip this one.
12. Sheldon the Elf has managed to move to a new location every night of December except one. We still aren't sure why he stayed in the same spot for two days. Some of the reasons being considered are:
A. He can see a lot from way up there
B. He was tired and needed to rest for the night
I'm sure it was one of those...
13. I'm looking forward to Christmas break! I'm sure I'll get all caught up on everything, my house will be spotless, and I'll blog every day. (insert sarcasm here)
14. Well, I'm off to make Grinch juice and attach little tags to green candy canes. Gotta go, buffalo!
2. All of the kids presents are wrapped and under the tree!
3. I still have quite a few presents to wrap, but that's ok.
4. This week is insane at school. We have Christmas Around The World going on in first and second grade. So that means Monday-Thursday I have a different group of kids every afternoon to teach all about Christmas in Australia. Merry Christmas mates!
5. I was also CRAZZZZZZEEEEEEE enough to schedule elf day, reindeer day, Grinch day, party day, AND Polar Express day for this week.
6. Oh, and we still have to cover all of the "regular" stuff too for math and literacy.
7. And a writing assessment
8. And first grade literacy night at school
9. I also have to make about thirty batches of cracker candy (that might be a slight exaggeration).
10. And food for the faculty luncheon.
11.
12. Sheldon the Elf has managed to move to a new location every night of December except one. We still aren't sure why he stayed in the same spot for two days. Some of the reasons being considered are:
A. He can see a lot from way up there
B. He was tired and needed to rest for the night
I'm sure it was one of those...
13. I'm looking forward to Christmas break! I'm sure I'll get all caught up on everything, my house will be spotless, and I'll blog every day. (insert sarcasm here)
14. Well, I'm off to make Grinch juice and attach little tags to green candy canes. Gotta go, buffalo!
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