Matthew and Shelley spent some time visiting with us today. Matthew thinks he is hiding from us! Terry stayed home today, so it was a fun time playing with Matthew and eating lunch together.

Valentine's Day 2008

I enjoy Valentine's Day more than Terry does. He says it is a "Hallmark" holiday and so he rebels at that. Now I don't really care if it is a "Hallmark" holiday - if it is one, it is a good one! After all, what is wrong with remembering the special "love of your life" on one day of the year? Of course, then there is the birthday, anniversary, Sweetest Day, etc. Maybe he is right! Terry usually gets me a card and takes me out to eat for Valentine's Day and this year was no different. I got him a card and made him cookie bars in a heart shaped pan. Then I decorated it with red frosting piped around it. It was very messy to use! Anyway, what I usually feel that I'm missing from Terry is the sentiment. He just doesn't get into it. He is much more romantic at obscure times (I usually can't predict when it will be) and doesn't like a day designated to be a romantic day.

Last night we went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I didn't get any pictures because Terry would have thought I was nuts, so I restrained myself. We had been there before and only returned because we had a gift certificate to go there from Shari and Mark. It is a nice place, but very expensive!! Their smallest steak is $32.95! That is with NOTHING else! And we did get other things - don't worry! We did have a nice time and the food was very good. But I always leave there thinking of the children in Africa who are hungry when we just spent over $100. for one meal for two!!

I actually LIKE Valentine's Day. It makes me stop and think about how grateful I am to have Terry. Although he is certainly not a romantic, he is my best friend and I love him. He is always there for me and doesn't judge me - just loves me for who I am. We have been married for thirty-six years and I can't imagine what it would be like if he didn't come home at night or if didn't have him to talk to every night (and sometimes a couple times during the day). I am very thankful that the Lord has allowed us to be married all of these years (through thick and thin - and I don't mean my weight!). We have a lot of history together and a lot of memories! :)

Silly Pictures

Tonight I have been fooling around with my new computer trying to learn how to edit pictures with it.  I am so computer challenged that it takes me hours to learn something new on the computer. Terry reads computer books to learn new things, but when I try to read them, I end up reading the same sentence over and over and still not comprehending what to do!! Well I learned that the picture editing is pretty cool on an Apple. I had to use pictures of myself because I haven't been able to copy the pictures from my PC over to the Apple yet.  With the Apple, I can sit in front of it and take a picture of myself!  Here I am at about 300 pounds. Also did you know that I am a twin? It was fun to fool around with it - I still know so little. :(

Library Party

When approached by the idea of a "library party" by our head librarian, I was a little skeptical. But the party happened on Saturday and was a great success! We had about 20-25 kids. They were divided into three groups to hear a story, paint and decorate a library bag for the books and videos that they take out, watch a short magic show, tour the children's area of the library, fill out a form for a library card and then search for books and DVD's to borrow, and then have a snack. It was a great success and the kids that came really seemed to have a good time. I learned not to be afraid to try something new! It is good to have people who can come up with new ideas - which is partly what the body of Christ is all about.

Only a Car!

I am writing this as much for myself as for others who will read it. Sometimes writing something down solidifies it in my brain.

This is a picture of our Jeep. The lease on the Jeep is up as of today, and Terry and I returned it to the dealer. I didn't think that I was attached to it until that moment when we had to give over the keys. It has been a wonderful car - very reliable and fun, but safe to drive. But it has been an expense that we could do without. We have a Ford pickup truck, which we plan on getting back on the road tomorrow, and a Buick Century, which is older, but doesn't have many miles on it. So, we are fine, right?

Why is it that we get so easily attached to "things"? It often happens before we consciously know it - and we're hooked! I am reminding myself of the verses in Matthew 6 that say, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

So it is time to let go of the car and just appreciate what the Lord has so graciously given us. He has given us so many "things" to enjoy, but more than that, we have our families, our church family, and more than that, we have his love even when we don't deserve it. (Which is always!) Thank you, Lord, and keep reminding me of these verses that I need to take into my heart and live by every day.

Pretend Air Show

When I was babysitting for Matthew yesterday afternoon, he suggested that we play Air Show, one of his favorite things to do with me. Matthew has been to a couple of Air Shows because he has a grownup cousin who is one of the Thunderbirds! Elizabeth is their PR person who travels with them and makes all of their arrangements. Matthew loved the air shows that he has been to although they were a bit loud for him. He remembers everything about them and has collected many small planes to use in pretend air shows.

So we lined up the airplanes for viewing, the little people drove their cars up into the parking garage and used the elevator to come down to the show. They walked among the airplanes admiring them all, and then all of the planes performed. (including Jay Jay, the airplane) Some even flew upside down like the real ones do. It was very loud!! Then the little people gathered for lunch around the umbrella table before picking up their cars in the parking garage. After they left, Matthew decided that the planes could also park in the parking garage and use the elevator! Who am I to argue with that? :)

Playing With a New Computer

Terry decided that he was tired of going back and forth from his computer at work (an Apple) to his laptop computer. (also an Apple) He was always forgetting to copy things from one to another, so he decided to give me his computer and just use his laptop. He could also use the computer when he wanted to at home. Terry tells me that Apple Computers are awesome. Well getting used to an Apple after using a PC is very difficult and I can't do much yet. One thing that I did learn is that the computer has a camera. A person can sit in front of the computer and take a picture of himself. (Which I did!) It was fun, but I couldn't seem to get the picture onto my blog without getting an error message. I can't seem to fix it. I am computer challenged to say the very least -there is a lot to learn. I took a picture without my glasses because I have never seen what I look like without them - I am thinking about laser surgery, but I have worn glasses for 49 years and I wanted to see what other people would see. I just went to my PC (which is still hooked up) and found out that the picture worked! (I used the one with glasses) I'm still amazed at what computers can do! Anyway, I'm so glad that God sees the inside and loves us no matter what the outside looks like - the outside is getting old!

Back to Work

Last week I went back to substitute teaching which I haven't done in about ten years. I did it to earn some extra money, but now I'm not sure that the money is worth it! Things surely have changed since I was in an elementary school! Of course, subs don't usually get good lesson plans. They are usually quickly done and something that can be carried out easily. BUT, they are usually boring plans that don't interest the kids. I was told that substitute teachers must carry out the teacher's plans, so I was stuck with them. The kids were hard to handle and their names!! - I didn't even recognize some of them as being names of boys or girls! IIlyia - a boy, Jazmin - a boy, Verrin - a girl! And they are insulted if you can't pronounce it or remember it. I came home very tired and ready to just quit both days I subbed. But I decided to try it again this week to give it a fair chance. I went in with a good attitude both times and both times came home discouraged and very exhausted. But maybe those experiences were just a fluke! I hope! I know that the Lord can get me through and help me to be uplifting to the kids that I have in class. They are so needy! I'm not promising anything yet!

Grandpa and Grandma Babysit

         Last Saturday night Terry and I got to babysit for Matthew together. It had been a while since we had done that. Shelley and Bob were going out on a "date". :) So Terry and I had the pleasure of having Matthew all to ourselves. We had fun playing with trains, going grocery shopping with fake food, etc. Grandpas will go to any length to get a laugh as you can see when Terry put the track on his head. The only problem is that he can't stay awake long enough for Matthew to notice him. He actually fell asleep on the couch when Matthew turned his back for just a minute! Matthew was a little disgusted and tried to wake him. The really good thing about having grandparents take care of you is that they let you eat white sugar donuts!! Mmmm!! Grandpa said he could have a chocolate one after he finished the white one, but Grandma put the cabash (?) on that! After Grandpa fell asleep again, Grandma was the one who got to get Matthew ready for bed and then cuddle with him while reading ALOT of books. I wouldn't trade that time for anything! He is my sweetie.

Our Son-in-law, BOB

It has recently been pointed out to me that I have left a very important person out of my blog so far. (Although I did mention that I have two very special sons-in-law!) So anyway, I want to say a few things about one of the very special sons-ln-law now. God just seemed to drop Bob into Shelley's life quite unexpectedly at a crucial time in her life. When they fell in love, it happened fast (maybe on the phone from Florida! - he called her while she was with us on vacation and they talked for hours) and things progressed quickly after that. We are so happy that they have a happy marriage - they seem to treat each other in a very loving way and Bob obviously loves his wife and son! We appreciate him so much not only as a son-in-law, but as a friend! :)