What's up?

Hi all of you! Christmas was good! I loved having all of you here -- including Danny and Betsy via the internet. It wasn't the same as having you here in person, but at least we got to see and talk to you. I'm so glad we have that option now.

We spent christmas day with Grandma at her house. Jean and Lisa were there, too for dinner. Later Dave and his Lisa, and then Kris and her family came (they had been at Bruce's sister's). Paul got there just a little before we left to come home and watch a movie.

Since everyone has gone back home, Daddy and I have been busy getting things done around here. Daddy has built me storage shelves in a couple of places, and has gotten his shop and garage more organized.

Today the Semraus are coming to dinner at our house and we'll all go to a movie together. Tomorrow we plan to go visit Grandma Borovec and spend a night, and the next night we're thinking of being with Beth and Matt and the group they are going to have in their home for NYE. (We'll talk to you about that soon, Beth).

Next Tuesday Barby is arriving and I'll pick her up at the airport and after we've spent some time together here, I'll take her to Roseburg. So you see, we're keeping busy.

Right now I need to go cut Daddy's hair....

What's up with all of you now?

Christmas and politics

Hey guys, Christmas break is here!! I can't believe it, if I can only get my tests graded, I'll have 3 weeks of freedom to relax and explore Singapore!

I've made multiple mentions of an attempt at video feeds being shared so we can actually watch each other openning presents. . . Haven't heard anything in response though. . . You are all getting together on Thursday the 23rd, correct?

Also, I just ran across this site, use it as you wish:

Buy Blue hopefully you will use it against the ideals of the website that put it up. . . oh, and Kimmie, you are going to have to get to work repainting Starbucks!!

Love you all, Merry Christmas!!!!

Here, Here!

Yes, I am here, but have been way busy this week. This morning my ladies' Bible Study is having a Christmas brunch and ornament exchange here, so I gotta run, but wanted to leave you with these:

Here's a modern twist on an 80's classic- Transformers Unite!

And check this link out to see something truly amazing.

Cookies Anyone?

Today I went to a ‘cookie exchange’ – something I’ve heard of before but never attended. Everyone was to bring at least 3 dozen homemade cookies and then take as many as they brought in different cookies. There were 15 or 20 ladies there and that many different kinds of cookies. I took 2 ½ dozen of one kind of cookie (thumbprints), and 4 dozen of another kind (almond glazed sugar cookies), so I came back with 6 ½ dozen assorted cookies. Of course we did more than trade cookies, too. We nibbled a few cookies, drank cider or coffee, sat and visited and got to know more about each other. The hostess had prizes for a few people (the one who brought the cookies made from the oldest recipe, the one who had been married the shortest time, the one who has the next birthday). I didn’t get any of those. But she also makes really nice decorations, etc., and had a tree there that we were each to take an ornament from. So I got a cute tree ornament, too. It was a fun time. And now I have cookies!! Yummy cookies…. But they’re for Santa…. But you may have one (maybe…. If there are any left when you arrive! ‘Sorry, Danny and Betsy. I’m sure they’ll be gone before you get here!)
Tonight is home group, and we’re having a potluck dinner. I’m taking carrot casserole.
Tomorrow Daddy’s class is having a party here in the afternoon. That should be fun (I hope). That’s after I help at the school in the morning helping kids get into costume for dress rehearsal. The play is tomorrow night, and your Daddy is going to be the grandpa. He sits in a chair with a lot of kids around him, and reads to them. (When I was at the school this morning they were in the hall getting ready to go in for practice, and Daddy told the kids around him, “Oh, look. Here comes Grandma!” One of them said, “Hi, Grandma!”
So see! I AM a grandma!!
Tomorrow is also the last day of school this year. Christmas is just around the corner! ‘Don’t know what we’re doing for our anniversary. We had plans to go to the coast that day with the Perrys, but he has to work out of town, so we’ll have to figure out something else.
Hey, is anyone out there reading this? We haven’t heard from any of you for awhile.
Say something, please!
Love you!

Love from home

It has been too long since I’ve said anything here. So today I’m back! My hurt finger is better now, so it doesn’t hurt so much to type. It’s still weak, and it still gives me sharp pains when I move it the wrong way – like yesterday when I forgot and tried to snap my fingers – Oooooh! That hurt!!

Can you believe Christmas is so close? Two weeks from yesterday you’ll all be here for our Christmas and fondue (except for Danny and Betsy, who will be here in my heart anyway. We’ll sure miss you two!) Then two weeks from today the whole Kjosness clan will be here at our house, too. I’m looking forward to it all. I’ve been busily decorating throughout the house and am planning for food, etc.

Last evening Daddy and I were talking and heard a vehicle spinning it’s wheels and went out to see a pick-up trying to pull a van or something out of the park. It seems that the van had been driving across the lawn there and because of the recent rain, it got stuck. The police came and then let the guy’s friend with a 4-wheel-drive pick-up try to pull him out. That was a big mistake, because they made a huge mess of the park lawn. I talked to a park employee this morning, and he’s been working all day on trying to fix the mess. He wasn’t happy with the way the policeman handled it. They picked the mushiest area of the park to do the pulling through. They should have gone back the way they came instead of chewing up new ground. Sometimes trying to fix our mistakes makes a bigger problem than the original ‘mistake’…. I’m sure glad God can clean up our messes when we bring them to Him.

Tonight we have a church staff party to go to, and are supposed to bring an ornament for exchange. They say we’re going to pray over the ornaments and the homes they will be going to.

I need to get on with wrapping, decorating, etc. and need to figure out what we’ll eat tonight. We cleaned up the left-overs last night, so I have to start new tonight….

I love you all.
May the Reason for the Season fill your hearts with Joy!!

Xanga

Just wanted to let you guys know about Xanga.com that I have recently started my own website on - Andy, Kimmie, and Danny already have their own sites on there. My address is http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=JoannRenee Woot.

A Weekend in December

Last evening Mama and I went to a dessert theater in Springfield in which Christi was the leading lady of a comedy (Doc's Holiday) - it was enjoyable. Bruce, Kris, and family + Gary, Anne, and Mike + Grandma were also there. This morning we found a Christmas tree and hope to have it in tomorrow afternoon. This evening our home group is having a Christmas get together. Next week is a school staff progressive dessert on Tuesday, Friday evening a school/church staff celebration at our pastor's home, and Saturday a practice plus dinner for the church choir. And so it goes this time of year . . . I also have about 50 videos and a dozen or so DVD's to get listed on ebay (if you see any you want, you can get free shipping! Check out hiskidman on ebay to see what's up - I'm hoping to get them listed in the next few days).

Kinda interesting how Tim is getting caught up with double posting!

Hope you all are having a good weekend! God bless, Dad

back again

well, i've finally found my way back to the blog. i guess i was just using the wrong user name or something...
for an update, i'm in my own apartment now. i moved in about 2 weeks ago. so far i haven't had any troubles with the neighbors, so i guess it won't be as uncomfortable as i thought.
i'm down to the last week before finals, which means all the projects and papers that i've been ignoring are due...no sleep for the procrastinator!
mcdonald's is good, no real news on that front.
heather and i are getting along famously, but no news there either...
oh! i am michael, the archangel, in the children's musical at new life this year...vastly exciting...
i've also been attending covenant life fellowship, which is pastored by dave york, for those of you who know him. i am learning a lot there, and i am also involved in 2 Bible study-type groups through the church.
well, i need to get back to my homework, so i will continue this later.
love to all
7-of-10 (timmy)

Heather says Hi!

Dynamite!

Hello my beautiful family...

I realize that it's probably too late for some of you, but for those of you not yet done shopping for me, I would absolutely love to have Napoleon Dynamite on DVD (it comes out December 21st).

Well, it's frosty and fun in Newberg...I bet Bethy and Matt got some snow this weekend (I'm so jealous). I've taken three applications to the Starbucks in Sherwood, and I'll take one more before giving up, but I just got done talking to my old boss at the Underground who is willing to take me back (but I have not committed to anything as of yet because I'd much prefer Starbucks employment).

Kisses and frostiness!

Timmy's List

comforter
clothes that make me look amazing
shirts - medium
pants - 36/32
old/new books
Mp3 player
cool decks of cards
slightly known music (cool stuff I don't know)
DVDs:
Gladiator
Road to Perdition
any from "Trigun" cartoon series
(try Sam Goody type stores
Return of the King (extended)
Software for burning Mp3 cd's (I have no idea where to find or how expensive this is)
antennae for a 93 chevy/geo prizm

HELP, BETHIE!!!

hi...this is NOT your mother. this is robin goodfellow (aka timmy). i am having trouble with the blog. evidently, if you let it set for a few months without additions, it closes all your blog links but not your account. i speak from personal experience. i would appreciate it if you would send me another invitation so i can start anew. i know that you said that i only get 3 tries, and i know that i've used all of those up, but PLEASE have mercy! i am on my knees (figuratively) begging you! thanks. i knew i could count on you.

timmy

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to my wonderful family!

As I sit here in our apartment, drying off from my swim and getting ready to go to our friends for Thanksgiving dinner, I can't help but think of you guys and what will be going on there in 12 hours:

Piling into the cars and driving to Castle Rock
Arriving before the rest of the family and getting the first helpings of the finger foods
Greeting other family members
Sampling different Sparkling drinks!
Separating to eat at the kids table (or adults table)
Putting olives on your fingers
Stealing the olive dish from the adults
Maybe putting some licorice in the olives??
Becoming impatient waiting for dessert
Playing frisbee
Talking til late
Resting in the hot tub
Opening Christmas presents!
Playing ActiVision

I will miss them all!

Oh, can't forget the pebbernauders (I know I spelled that wrong) bouncing them off the ceiling before catching them in your mouthes!

Have a great Thanksgiving! Right now I am thankful for all the Thanksgiving memories!



Oh, I thought of another thing that I want for Christmas: Pebbernauders!!!! Lots of them!

Love you much, pass the love around for me!

Some possibilities...

Howdy y'all!

The new job at Best Buy goes well. Presently, I don't see myself getting full time hours. I am scheduled for only 13 hours next week, so it seems I am right in staying active in the search for full time work. Gotta love it.

I am listing a few possibilities for your Christmas shopping. I only like to make a list all in one sitting, so I have waited until I had the time to do so. Here it be...

--The Star Wars trilogy on DVD (Widescreen format specifically)
--the book Oregon Place Names & Their Meaning (or something to that effect :)
--any Simpsons season on DVD from season TWO onward
--classic Nintendo games like: The Legend of Zelda or Metroid or Super Mario Bros. 3
--We could really use some spending cash for while we're in Chicago.
--I still like old historical books, especially local histories.
--a decent set of screwdrivers
--any clothing w/ Oregon Ducks logo(s) on it
--The Ewok Adventures on DVD (coming soon)
--maybe even some kind of interesting documentary-type DVDs
--Best Buy/Target gift cards are cool too.

I reckon that's all folks. Can't think of anything else. I leave you with a Christmas "poeddle."

Tis the season
No. Not spring
We talkin' summer?
No we're not!
Fall, is it?
Well, it is...

...the wrong season.
Is it winter?
No, not at all.
I've guessed all four!
There is one more.
Whatever do you mean?

Please, pass the salt.

List Additions

I thought of a few more things I wouldn’t mind getting for Christmas:

Nice coasters
Plant stand
Wind chimes with pretty sound

And the Lemax village houses that I listed earlier, the ones I like are the ones with lights on them.

Of course you have the freedom to get me something other than what I’ve listed, too. I’m sure there are a multitude of things that I would enjoy that I haven’t thought of….

Enjoy the season, all of you. I love you!
Mama

Ow-eee!

Just thought you all should know that I tripped in our hallway on Monday, and in catching myself I hurt my hand pretty badly (fortunately it's my left hand). I waited until Wednesday afternoon to go to the doctor for an x-ray. By then it was swollen and a bit discolored, and it still hurt to use that hand at all. The finding is that I have an 'aclusion fracture' at the base of my middle finger. That sounds worse than it really is, I think. As I understand it, the ligament that holds the bones together was torn, so there is some separation there. The x-ray showed a small line that looks like a crack in the bone, but I'm not sure about that. Anyway, I have to wear a splint on my finger for 3 weeks. It doesn't hurt much as long as I have that on, but it sure makes some of the things I do difficult! It's going to be hard for me to NOT take it off occasionally to make 'doing' easier!

FYI –PTL!!

I have a Praise the Lord report: I think I’ve told a couple of you, but you may not all know that the migraine head-aches I was having every 3 or 4 days aren’t happening anymore. I had a couple from our church pray for me, and have been head-ache free since then. It’s been over a month – October 8, to be exact – since I had a migraine! Praise the Lord!!

What Heaven Might Look Like

Here is what I wrote...

When I think of Heaven, a picture instantly comes to mind. It is a painting I must have seen as a child, of a golden path winding through a lush, English cottage-style flower garden. On the path is Jesus dressed in a white robe walking hand-in-hand with a little girl also wearing white. I imagine the air smells sweet and tropical, and the temperature is perfectly right so that I will be neither hot nor cold. I know that all believers will be there, but I have always imagined that we would all look similar- ethereal souls radiating light, I guess. And all of us loving and caring for each other, but without individuality- a little like the Borg that Chris mentioned last week, except without metal body parts. I know that Heaven will be light- a pure, radiant light emanating from God Himself. I know that there will be much worship and rejoicing around the feet of God, and that I’m supposed to have a mansion there, but I have a hard time imagining what either will be like. I have always hoped that my mansion would be in the middle of a huge forest, with trees like you see in the old logging photos, as big as houses, or maybe that my mansion will be IN one of those huge trees. But the part that I have thought about the most is the singing. I imagine we will all have beautiful voices, and will sing sixteen part harmony choruses for at least the first thousand years, spontaneously composing worship songs to God.

Untitled

Kim and I both know what your dream means, Danny.
Don't we, sister? Quick, go bite a pillow!

For Danny

The Meaning of Chocolate

Joann being kidnapped – you probably feel like it’s been a long time since you saw her, and you just want to see her again. The fact that she was a chocolate cake probably indicates deep down what you really think of her. You think she is too good to be true – she’s so sweet and good to look at that you know she must even taste good. You’ve probably always been jealous of the attention she gets from everyone else, feeling like you probably look like meatloaf next to her yummy gooeyness. (Let me set your mind to rest on this one. Nobody really sees either one of you as something to eat!)

Or it could mean that you have been eating too many sweets, or NOT eating sweets enough so you’re craving them.
Could it be that you miss chocolate and you miss your family?

Heavenly Homework

Heaven

“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him..” I Corinthians 2:9

I am so limited in what I can imagine about Heaven. I know it will be wonderful. I’ll see my Jesus and walk and talk with Him. I’ll see my loved ones – in perfection—the way God intended for us to be. I think the things that are important to me now will seem so insignificant there, except of course the relationships I’ve built and the people I love.

Gold streets – what can that be like? Is the gold like ours? I have a feeling it will be far superior to earthly gold. Gates of pearls and ‘precious stones’ will be commonplace, beautiful, but not overly valued like they are here.

No crime, no fear, no greed or selfishness, no sickness or death, no pain, no shame or embarrassment, no intimidation, no separation, no forgetfulness.

Sometimes I picture a huge golden throne with God (I’ve never been able to imagine what He looks like) sitting smiling at His people. I am part of a huge crowd, with people as far as the eye can see, and we’re all gazing in awe at our Heavenly Father and bowing before Him, knowing the inconceivable truth that He knows me by name and loves me beyond my imagination.

I think there will be things for us to do, and we’ll enjoy whatever it is. I think there will be times when I will get to have private and wonderful conversations with Jesus. I’ll meet my guardian angel and be amazed at the things he tells me about what was going on here.

I’ll get to see my Daddy and my brother again, and my grandparents, etc.. I’ll meet the baby that I carried for such a little time and then ‘lost’. I’ll meet Mary and Adam and Eve and Abraham and Ruth, Esther, Peter and all the disciples, Paul. I’ll see dear friends and family, and I’ll meet a host of others I’ve never heard of – saints from around the world and from every generation….

(It would be interesting to read this again after I’m in Heaven. I’d probably laugh at myself for even trying to describe it!)

Heaven, Chocolate Joannies, and video downloads

Beth - I've been trying to come up with a vision of heaven . . . I think that is a bit like trying to envision this life while still in the womb - so far beyond the present experience to make it beyond our current means of expression. I guess I expect it to be a very full place - full of experiences of all good kinds, definitely not sitting around on clouds doing nothing. Though I expect it to be lacking tears, sorrow, and sin, I expect a full existence of emotion and fulfillment with lots of worship with Jesus.

As to the meaning of the giant chocolate Joann . . . I interprete it this way (my first fling at being a 'Joseph' or a 'Daniel' and interprete dreams) - - - - you are now far away physically from your dear beloved and only 'baby' sister who you have loved much more so than you have realized. She has been 'kidnapped', taken from you by your new location. But God wants you to know that though you are separated at present, when the time comes for a reunion, it will be a tremendous and sweet time, illustrated by the delicious chocolate cake - a time so great that all thought of the past separation will be totally overshadowed by the joy of reunion. (an alternate interpretation has Joann changing from a rain/snow/ice/fog woman to a sun worshipper who follows Odd's example and becomes brown like a chocolate cake, but I thought that idea a bit of a stretch).

Danny - thanks for the Christmas list. I'm not sure what to think of the video hookup idea. I'm sure it is possible, but not sure I'm techy enough to make it happen. Once we get some of the house updates done, and we've had a chance to reevaluate our financial situation, perhaps I'll pick some techy brains locally and see if it's a doable thing.

We had 17 family members here yesterday - worked out well and was a good visit. After 12 for dinner, Dave came late (from the Duck's game, a loss to UCLA) with a lady friend named Lisa (his insurance agent!) plus Tate and Bryce, followed later by Rachelle. It was good to visit. Dave's friend Lisa seemed nice and could be someone who will work out for him, or not. Time will tell. If it's still a going thing by the end of the year, then perhaps it will stick. Mama and I are both feeling that it is too early to make any predictions or establish any hopes or fears. Wouldn't hurt to pray for them, though - Lisa has a 16 year old daughter who is going through some struggles with mom's 'conservative' expectations of her - daughter (Aubrey) thinks she should have much freedom, mom thinks doing well in school is more important than 24/7 social life daughter wants to have. Lisa seems to be handling the situation well, daughter is in a place of having to make some serious choices . . .

Another full week ahead - hope to have heating system up and working, attic insulated, bathroom shower finished, and help Paul and Jeanne move to their new mobile home they purchased. Hope your week goes well also! God bless!!! Lots!!!!

Christmas list

OK, thought I would update our Christmas list, I included the things from before as well. Love you all!

Jigsaw puzzle (750 piece plus)
DVDs:

• Mulan
  
• Bug's Life
  
• Lion King
  
• Veggie Tales, Sumo of the Opera
  
• Anne of Green Gables and Avonlea
  
• The Lord of the Ring (singular ring, as in Andy's DVD, we have a friend who is planning to produce "The Pilgrim's Progress", we thought he would enjoy your production.)
  

Books:

• Ted Dekker. . .Blink, any other
• Lord of the Rings Trilogy
• The Princess Bride
  

The Board Game Settlers of Catan

• There are also expansion packs that would be fun to add:
• 5+6 player pack
• Knights + Cities
• Seafarers
• Probably other expansions as well.

An electronic reader

• I am hoping to find something that I can use for a Bible
• I want to be able to have a small Bible to carry with me that will allow me to have it and read it in weird places (walking to school, riding the bus, etc.)
• It would be good if it had a battery that could be charged like a cell phone.

Another note

We got a webcam the other day. I was thinking it might be kinda fun if we could work out a time that we could watch you guys open your gifts from us (they are coming in a package to Junction City) via the internet, and then you could do the same as we open yours. Of course, this would require one of you to have a webcam. . . Or maybe Daddy's video camera could feed live to the internet. . . Not sure. Easiest would probably be to get an instant messenger program with video capability. . . Just some ideas. What do you all think?

Daddy list additions

This morning I went with others from our church to help widows and elderly with odd jobs. One of the main jobs was cleaning leaves, etc. from gutters and found how helpful a power blower can be, so thought I'd add it to my list, though I'm sure they are a bit spendy - even a corded one would probably be OK. I could also use a new bathrobe - the one I have is a bit short for my modesty and doesn't wrap around as much as I'd like.

Grandma, Jeanne and Lisa, and Kathy are here at present. More to come later, with lots of food! God bless to all!

I Dream of Joann

Betsy and I just returned from a vacation trip to Sibu, Malaysia with two other couples from the school. A small island off the eastern coast of Malaysia (only 20 acres!) It was a very relaxing time, a much needed vacation (the first time off since school started. I don't have to go back to school til Tuesday, so I have a couple more days to relax still.

While there we basically watched the waves, played in a much too warm ocean, ate, and slept! Last night after dark we trekked to one of the secluded beaches. Our hope was to see baby sea turtles hatching and heading to sea. It was a bit dark and all we had were a couple of cheap flashlights that burnt out after about 20 minutes of use. It also started to rain as we got there. Needless to say, no turtles were found! It was fun though. Then last night I had an interesting dream. I would like to share it with you all and see what you think it might mean:

I don't know the details, but I remember one of you, probably Mama, coming to me and saying that I could go see Joann. Joann had been kidnapped, but they were allowing us to visit her one at a time. I went into the room she was being held and found it to be the social room at a church and ladies were preparing for some event. I walked across the room, and there Joann was lying on a table. She was a very delicious looking chocolate cake! I said hi and began to talk to this cake that was my little sister. I remember her starting to respond, but then the dream was over!

Please, if you could, what do you think this could mean???

Remodeling News

What a week this has been! I've had a guy here everyday working on the shower in the bathroom, and yesterday and today two guys have been working on getting ready to install the new furnace. They've cut heat ducts in the floors and put the ducts under the house. Basically I've really felt like my home has been invaded! But it's all for the better. I was glad to see them leave today so I could start getting things cleaned up for the family gathering we're having here tomorrow. (My siblings and their families and Mama and Kathy will be here for potluck dinner and visiting). The bathroom remodel is almost complete. Andrew will be back Monday for a short time to do some finish work. But the furnace men will be here probably all day Monday and Tuesday (and maybe more? I'm not sure how long it will take for them to finish).

Anyway, next time you all see the house, it will look different -- especially you, Danny and Betsy since you've never seen it! (I should try to get some pictures sent to you so you can picture where we live).

Love and hugs to all of you!
Mama

Christmas Lists

Marie

Okay, here’s my list:

Bells
Music Boxes
Zip-up blanket to sit in
Porcelain Christmas Village houses and figurines to go with them
(Jerry’s has some I really like: Lemax houses, shops, etc.)
Record Player
Quilt Hanger
Nice looking warm jacket to wear with slacks, etc.

Jim

Daddy told me he wants a belt. (I told him I was sure he’d get at least one if he didn’t add more to his list!) Hopefully he'll add some more things soon.

Love you all!
Mama

Another Assignment

Our fellowship group is getting ready to read through Randy Alcorn's new book, Heaven. It will probably take us a year to finish it, since we only read a chapter a week. Our beginning assignment is to write a paragraph off the top of our heads about how we view Heaven. Then, at the end, we will do it again. I thought it would be fun to read what you all think Heaven will be like! I have already written mine, but am not going to post it yet, because I don't want to contaminate your thoughts. Take five minutes or ten or whatever over the next few days and jot down your thoughts, then sometime Sunday-ish, post your paragraph.

November

While the valleys have been socked in with fog, it has been gloriously bright and sunny here at my mountain home. Not that I don't like the fog, I just couldn't imagine a better time for that crisp & cold, bright weather than this, my favorite month. The grass has crunched beneath my feet each morning on my trek to the barn, a white, frosty sound under my rubber farm boots. And the colors in the afternoons have been magnificent bright azure in the sky, emerald grass dotted with pumpkin, ruby, and topaz leaves.

But I have been too busy to enjoy the season other than brief glimpses out the window. For I have been creating crafty things to sell last weekend and this at local craft bazaars. Things such as vintage quilt block pillows and button ornaments and reproduction samplers. After this weekend, I will be glad for it to be all done and on to the next thing!

Starting Monday, I will be filling a temporary part time position while a staff member at PRC is off on a month long leave of absence. This has the potential to turn into a permanent part time position in the future.

Joann, I had a hard time reading "Pulling Teeth", demonstrating your ability to write descriptively. But honestly, after having gone through the experience like five times myself, I really didn't need to be reminded! "Grandma Borovec", it made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me wonder at your sanity, writing something so macabre. But then I remembered your obsession with road kill (speaking of which, check out this photo. Beware, it is not for the faint of heart! Look closely, and you will see why). Ah, but reading "Burnt Toast" restored me to a positive state of mind, a place I would like to stay, thank you very much!

Your dad the mole . . .

After school today I came home and crawled around under the house - putting foam insulation on the hot water pipes to save on heat. Wasn't too bad a job, but glad it's over. Then mama had a good meal and now computer time! A friend from church is at work on the bathroom, putting a shower in the main bathroom. He may finish tomorrow. Also tomorrow mama has ladies coming for a craft time - she has no idea how many will show up . . . and then this weekend we have her siblings and families coming for a potluck. I guess it will be the normal group that would come to grandmas in times past - Kathy will be down from Centralia, Anne (don't know if any family will also come), Jeanne and Lisa (Paul works), David and a friend named Lisa (not sure if the boys are with him this weekend), and grandma and Holly/Megan/Caleb - Bruce and Kris will be hunting and may or may not be back. I'm just finishing the first quarter at school and have grades to do - extra work, but get an extra day off to do it.

Hope all is well for you all - keep it touch as you can. God bless,

Hmm...

I don't know about Sandy, Milwaukie, Junction City, or Singapore - but it's been nonstop fog here in Newberg since yesterday morning...and I love it! All of the red and orange and yellow leaves in varying shades moistened by the fog - it's a visual wonderland!

So, I've noticed that this blog is pretty empty...I got my brakes fixed (thanks Daddy). No one responded to my poems, I'm curious about your opinions - for educational purposes. I'm about to go insane with crazy projects coming up and a severe lack of social life and funds, but I just turned an application in to the Sherwood Starbucks and I'm going to pester them until they give me a job (Kimmie said she'd call them and tell them to hire me as well:).

I'm dying to see Disney's The Incredibles, but alas, I'm frightfully busy and trying to be a bit more frugal seeing as I'll be paying off loans by this time next year (Yikes!). Am also slightly peeved that Timmy and Heather are probably coming to Fox after I've graduated...if I didn't know better I'd think they were avoiding me! But I know that mon petit frere t'adores moi. C'est la vie.

And I'm off to pursue another miscillaneous project or meeting or the cheat or something.

Time Changing

Yes, we are now 16 hours ahead of you, no worries about daylight savings here! And we tend to be out a lot, so when you call we aren't here. . . This Saturday one or both of us will be out of the house all day, but at this point I think we will be around Sunday afternoon/evening. Probably an early morning call (6am your time) would work on Friday, or maybe the same time Saturday, though I'm not sure how late we will be out on Saturday evening. If you called Sunday at 3pm that would be good as I would be up getting ready for school. In any case, if you send an email letting us know when you plan to call we can let you know if we'll be here, and we can try to make sure we are!

Love you lots and look forward to talking to you!

Wednesday evening in Junction City

Jeff and grandma came and went - we got lots done and are ready for the heating guy to start next week. He may finish by Friday, or could go into the next week, then a bit of a wait for the inspection and turning on the natural gas. Grandma had a nasty red scar covering the upper left quarter of her face - doctor said it's shingles and gave her some medication. Shingles can hang on for several weeks - we're praying hers will be gone much quicker, especially before Thanksgiving.

More than most elections, this one had lots of good results (from my perspective). I'm thankful for that, but not so much so for the cold I seem to have picked up - I came home a bit early to rest and found the power off in our area due to a tree falling over a power line. So I bundled up in blankets and still shivered! Must be a bit of fever with this one. Hopefully I'll be OK for school tomorrow.

Hope all is well with you all - Danny/Betsy: we are attempting to find the right time to call - our last few efforts found you away from home. Are you now 16 hours ahead of us since we went back to standard time?

God bless!

Visitors Coming!

If all is going as planned, Grandma B. and Jeff are now on their way south to visit us. Jeff will help me do some prep for the coming furnace install, Grandma visit with mama. I guess Grandma is having some trouble with 'shingles' and has little energy, but thought she could handle the trip. Now the question is, do I let her read Joann's poem about her? Mama and I got a good 'hoot' over it, but not sure if Grandma would like knowing her story has become a 'blogger legend' in poetic form . . . perhaps we'll have Jeff read it and give his opinion as to whether to show it to Grandma.

Have a great day! I'm off school today as the gym gets set up for the annual Harvest Party tomorrow evening.

God bless to all

More ideas...

Just remembered, I also want:

Five O'Clock People - The Nothing Venture and
Batboy: the Musical CD's...

You'll probably only be able to find them online through ebay or half.com

"Burnt Toast"

This one is a little more pleasant than the last two...woot.

"Burnt Toast"

Oh the crunchiness of leaves!
like jumping on burnt toast
or munching stale tortilla chips.

Dangerously charcoal skies
compliment crimson trees,
like the day I first tasted
hot apple cider, curled up
with Ma and Pa Ingalls,

waiting for twilight –
the ideal time to don
my ratty old Converse
and appease the crisp leaves
beside the driveway –

dying to be crunched.

"Pulling Teeth"

Here's an experience that at least the three sisters can share...maybe Daddy too? I'm hoping the rest of you will be able to understand a little better this experience and the rest of us will feel a little remembered pain:)

"Pulling Teeth"

Toes curled, stomach held taut,
fingers frantically grasping clinical arms –
“Towards me, a little – perfect.”
His finger rests on half numb lips,
like kissing a perfect white balloon.

“Love cuts like a knife”
ironically blaring over the screaming
whirs and hungry vacuum sucking
the water spraying an unfeeling chin.

The smell of rancid infection –
of too much food stuck for years
beneath the silver head of that molar,
now burning – like wet pavement
behind a fast food restaurant.

Mind over matter.
Gradually the pushing and pulling
become undulating waves on a beach.
Rubber gloves become lips – a mysterious
fantasy man leans in, creaking…

…creaking…CRACK!
Worse than fingernails on the blackboard.
A mighty twang from somewhere near
the cheekbone, like pulling a long hair
from the back of the throat.

For weeks a funky mucous flavors
the mouth, but
try as you may,
the mystery and the molar
are shattered, gone.

"Grandma Borovec"

Here's my darkly comedic poem written after I read William Stafford's poem about a similar experience:

"Grandma Borovec"

Clara’s ancient fingers grasp the shovel
hovering over the rounded belly
of the dead opossum resting resigned
in the rusty wheelbarrow – surely
they won’t last a day on their own.

Flea-ridden, squinting eyes, squirming,
caught in the innocent pouch
of their late mother’s rigid flesh.

Clara remembers her own pregnancies.
Six of them – weighing down her petite
five-foot frame with their tiny demands,
restless sleep, and beginning tap steps.

Long after her first husband succumbed
to Lou Gehrig’s, her second was crushed
by his tractor, and she found him
much like this opossum –
pregnant with life, but unable to finish
mowing the last acre. But there –

whack! – will be – whack! – no –
whack! whack! – prolonged agony –
whack! for these tiny – whack! – beings.
Whack! whack! whack!

But sleep will elude Clara –
envisioning the pious lives those
‘possums could have lived
had their mother survived
to wean them and teach them
how to scuttle across the road
without getting whacked.

Christmas Christmas!

Well, I'm busy as ever...and typing is such a hastle...sorry! Short update is: donated blood today...the lady bruised my arm; the whole in my mouth is gradually becoming less of a chasm and more of a plain; I'm directing a ten minute play for my directing class; I'm leading a serve trip the third week of my Christmas break to the Seattle area; I'm writing lots of poems for my writing poetry class...of which I will post three for you...Here's my preliminary Christmas list:
Fun Socks (as always)
Black and white Converse high-tops with red stitching and red on the inside (size 7 1/2 mens)
DVD's:
Fiddler on the Roof
Sound of Music
Anne of Green Gables (and the rest)
Muppet Christmas Carol :)
Napoleon Dynamite (if it comes out in time)

That's all I can think of for now...
here comes the poetry...
BWAH HA HA!!!

Junction City Happenings . . .

It's been awhile since my last post, so thought I'd add what I've been up to . . . let's see - lots of projects to do, a few done. On the done side - attic fans properly exhausted so insulation can be added, hole cut in concrete footing wall for adding natural gas heating to the house (I'm doing some of the prep work to save money - the contractor comes Nov. 9th to start the job, then attic insulation on Nov. 19th, unless I decide to do that myself with some help), cleaned up garage with mama's help so that 'Jewel' now fits, put up extra TV antannae to improve reception, trimmed tree and chopped up branches and took to recylce center, put in a bathroom vent fan, put mirror over the mantle, measured for piping to natural gas furnace and water heater, and installed futon in 'den'. To do list is longer and growing - but it's sort of fun doing these things and it keeps me out of trouble. My brother Jeff and grandma B. are coming Friday - Jeff is helping do some of the prep work before the heating contractor arrives. They go home Saturday.

My class at school is going well - we went to a pumpkin patch last Friday - had a damp hay ride, watched a catapult throw a pumpkin, paraded through the pumpkin patch, chose a pumpkin and some gourds to take home, and explored the 'hayflower' - an outline of the actual size of the Mayflower made with bales of straw, including a center area built up to represent the inside part of the ship - makes one appreciate the tight quarters the Pilgrims had to spend over two months enduring. This coming Saturday is the Harvest Party.

Mama's trying to put together a family get-together for her sisters and brother at our place before Thanksgiving. I'll try to let you know when/if it works out so you can join us if schedule allows.

Tim doesn't have consistent internet use, so will update what I know about him - he is currently homeless, staying with a friend until an apartment opens up. It appears he will be in a studio apartment next door to Jaden Hurtienne. Due to Jaden's current reputation, that could be a challenge for Tim, but he's hoping it will work out OK.

Time for church so I'd best go for now. We are and will be praying about the job possibilities, Andy - such as the UPS one on Wednesday. I've heard they are a fairly good place to work as far as pay and benefits are concerned. Marie once worked for them for a short time.

God bless to all!!!!

Lentil Soup!!

I made it today for the first time since January ’03, and it tasted as good as ever! (Remember how good it is, Danny?!) It just seemed like a good thing to have on this rainy, cold Saturday. When I told Jim that I was thinking of making it and asked him if it sounded good to him, to my surprise, he answered, “Yuck!” I said “Really?!!” and he laughed and said not really, but since we don’t have any kids around to say it, he said it for them!
What a guy!!

Job Interview

I have a job interview with UPS on Wednesday morning. Wish me lunch. :-)

Funny

Make sure your sound is turned up, and that you have a recent version of Windows Media Player installed, then watch this commercial! If your computer is slow to download and shows you glimpses of this commercial as it does so, don't watch! It is much funnier if you see it all at once and for the first time. Enjoy! :)

Blessings and Fun!!

First off, THANK YOU DANNY FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST. This is a good place for all of us to post that. Let's all start working on it (me, too!)

If you talked to Beth, she could tell you that I don’t sound like myself. I caught a cold that has left my voice lacking something. Sometimes I squeak, and sometimes the voice doesn’t want to come out at all. Other times it’s almost normal, but not really…. I also have a cough that’s pretty bad at times, and other times it doesn’t bother me at all. What a blessing this has been! Yes! I meant to say that! I haven’t felt sick, but I didn’t feel like I should be around people – especially baby Isabella. So I haven’t been able to go into Eugene to help Grandma with her babysitting job. That means that I’ve been able to stay home and get some things done around here! I’ve loved it! Of course there are still things to be done, but I’ve made some major progress. Today I even put up my Fall decorations.

Tonight (Wednesday) we had home group here at our house. It was sort of a housewarming for us. It was fun! So I spent the day cleaning and baking, etc. There were 13 people here including us, and it was very comfortable, with room for more. We visited and ate after everyone had a tour of the house. Then we had worship and prayer time. They started that with a prayer of blessing on our house and us. They also gave us a nice potted Mum and a bowl of chocolates (M-m-m :^). We really enjoyed the evening.

I have to tell you that this home group has one guy in it who plays the guitar and leads worship. He also brings a box full of percussion ‘instruments’ – like shakers (one looks like an apple), bongos, a hollow gourd with grooves on the side that you run a stick up and down, etc. Well last night I got out my own instrument…. The alligator from Papua New Guinea! Danny and Betsy will remember giving that to us. Up to this point it’s just been a decoration, but I actually played it last night! Fun! Can you imagine that?!

I love you all and pray for you always. I know you're all busy, but it would be good to hear from some of you silent ones.

Christmas list

WOW, this is weird thinking of doing Christmas lists! It is way too warm to be thinking about Christmas! Though today as I was getting on the elevator to head to work I had the short thought that I was forgetting my coat! It has been a gray day with scattered rain today, and this morning it just looked like a cool winter morning back there. It sure didn't feel like it though!

Well, anyway, Mama asked for Christmas requests and I thought I would just post it here so all could see! This way I can edit it easily too!

The Board Game Settlers of Catan

• There are also expansion packs that would be fun to add:
• 5+6 player pack
• Knights + Cities
• Seafarers
• Probably other expansions as well.

An electronic reader

• I am hoping to find something that I can use for a Bible
• I want to be able to have a small Bible to carry with me that will allow me to have it and read it in weird places (walking to school, riding the bus, etc.)
• It would be good if it had a battery that could be charged like a cell phone.

We'll add others as we think of them!

Life is Good!

Hello everybody! It’s been awhile since anybody added anything here. ‘Guess it’s my turn to speak up, huh? Today I got to stay home and work on getting more things settled here. I loved it! I dug into the garage first and moved a few items of furniture into the house, put some things by the stairs to go up into the attic, and started a garage sale box. Then I had to do some work in my bedroom – putting away some of the things I had brought in. At 2:30 I went out into the glorious sunshine and walked over to the school – just for the fun of it! I hung around with my honey for awhile, then rode with him to a local bank (we’re considering moving our banking to a bank here instead of having to go into Eugene to make deposits, etc. But there are no credit unions here, and we don’t like the bank policies, so I guess we’ll stay at the Eugene credit union for now. I go into Eugene a couple of times a week anyway to spend time with my mom, so I can do the banking then.)

When we got home, your dad helped me move the old radio into the living room, then we worked on collecting limbs that he had cut off our tree yesterday. He’ll have to make a trip to the recycle center in Eugene tomorrow to get rid of it. We’ll have a van full! He also has a full garbage can of grass from mowing the lawn.

After a dinner of soup (which was NOT the best soup I’ve ever made!) I sat in the den (on our new Futon) and flipped channels while he played with the antenna to see where we get the best reception. We now have two antennae, and get about 18 channels. Several of those are duplicates, so we’ll be eliminating the weaker ones when we have the time for that.

Tonight I cut up pears to dry and have them in the food dryer now. And now I’m thinking of all of you. I pray for you always – was praying for Joann this morning at 8:45 when she was supposed to be at the dentist having an extraction done. I hope that wasn’t too terrible for her! I pray for all of you for God’s protection, provision, wisdom, blessing and joy in your lives.

Tomorrow I plan to go shopping with Grandma and Aunt Kris. Grandma has been babysitting Isabella 4 days a week – Monday through Thursday. It’s been a good diversion for her, I think, but it gets to be a bit much for her to be alone all day with her. So on the days that Kris is working, I try to go in for awhile to help. Of course I love getting that opportunity, too. Isabella is a sweet and very cute baby. It’s fun. I wouldn’t want to do it every day, though.

Yesterday I had 3 lady friends from church come have lunch with me. We had Chicken Salad Honolulu, and they all loved it. After we ate, one of them was talking about how someone had asked her if she ever thought of dying her hair. She’s about my age, but has gray hair. So we got my blonde wig out and put it on her. It was the same length as her hair, and she styled it like her own hair, then went back to work at the church office. The rest of us went along to see people’s reactions. It was quite funny!

Now you know what I’ve been doing lately. How about all of you? What do you do with your days?

I love you all. Mama

Ode to Kim

Boss of her world and drama queen too,
When she was born she was squalling its true.

But she soon gained control of all life forms around,
those that were brought and those that were found.

With dimples and charm she walked into our lives
demanding a right to a bite of our pies.

Now that she's grown we can honestly say,
Our lives are much brighter since Kim came our way.

Happy Birthday sister dear!

Happy Birthday Kimberly Joy Shire!!

A very merry unbirthday to us, to us, a very merry unbirthday to us, to us. . .

But. . .
Happy birthday, oh happy birthday
May the new year for you be one of joy
Happy birthday, oh happy birthday
I hope you enjoy a brand new toy!

Happy Birthday Kimmie!!

(PS Imagine me totally making up the words and tune as the song goes on!!)

Parting is such sweet sorrow . . .

Just got back from Roseburg - the house is now empty, the garage almost so (Tim has some stuff there to move when his new place is ready). The new owners will probably have it rented out soon. Tim is planning on getting a studio apartment from Mike Hurtienne (I taught two of his kids) - it needs some painting then Tim can move in. For now he is staying with a friend. I completed another McMahan's fall parking lot sale with help from a friend on week nights and Tim for a bit most nights. I'm a bit groggy this evening but hope an early to bed night will help. Had a very full van coming back from Roseburg - some firewood, a garbage bag full of Tim left overs, my McMahan's 'stay all night' stuff, 18 gallon cans of flour (left from Y2K 'just in case' preparations), a recliner (I actually paid money for this item!), a small roll of carpet, a new printer for the computer, and three 'rescues from the dumpster' items - a glider/rocker, a black metal + cushion swivel recliner with footstool, and a cute little table (3 foot diameter) - all need some repair, but may be available if you want and we can't figure out where to put them.

Pray for Tim - he seems to be doing good, but moving out of his only house of remembrance, starting school, finding and moving to a new place, finding time for his lady friend, hanging in with McD's, helping dad at McMahan's, etc. has stretched him some. Also we need wisdom concerning a heating system - had another contractor here today who had some different perspectives from previous ones, complicating our decision.

God bless! Hope to hear from you soon. You are in my prayers.

Five O'Clock

I believe that Kimmie owns "In the Bleak Midwinter" and I have a burned copy of the album, plus I constantly run into Pat (mandolin/violin/back up vocals) from Five O'Clock People so I could see if he has any copies if Kimmie doesn't still have hers.

I just wanted to send this thank you to all that were and were not able to make my birthday party for the amazing gift! I haven't had time to set it up yet or get chemicals, etc., but I'm so excited about the developing equipment and the opportunity to use it at my leisure once I understand how it all works.

Happy Birthday Mommy Afternoon

You know the mournful tune:

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,
Sin and Crying in the air,
People dying everywhere,
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday.

Or, How about this one:

A Happy Birthday to you, A Happy Birthday to you,
Every day of the year, May you feel Jesus near,
A Happy Birthday to You, A Happy Birthday to you,
and the Best Year you ever HAD!

Danny may have been the first to give greetings, but mine is the first you will see when the page is opened. Tee hee!

Five O'Clock People

Anyone have their recording called "In the Bleak Midwinter"?

Poetry

What talent! What inspiration!
Thank you all for your poetic contributions.
If only we could have seen work
from the minds of the eldest and the youngest,
our blog would be complete.

Happy Birthday!!!

I just wanted to be the first to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! to my little sister, and I know I'm first, because it isn't legal for any of you to say it yet!!! So, Joann, just imagine a horribly off key tune singing:

"Happy birthday to yooooou
happy birthday to yooooooooooooou
happy birthday dear joanny pooooooooooo
happy birthday tooooooo yoooooooooooooooou!!!"

Love you lots, hope your day is special!

Will it, or Won't it?

Therefore I was inpired
Because some clouds perspired
To author an epic poem
From within my humble home.

Do you remember when . . .
. . . Oops. I dropped my pen.

Daydreams of Puddles

Most people get Spring fever;
most people gaze at the fresh sun
and begin daydreaming
of ice cream and puppies.

I'm not most people.

Water cascades past the window,
mingling with leaves -
I smell the musty pages
of twenty-five copies of "Davita's Harp."

I can't focus.

I'm standing on a hillside
with Marianne Dashwood;
I'm jumping in puddles,
muddy from head to toe.

I twirl. A wet twirler.

Mmmmm....rain.
Books. Tin roofs.
Jane Austin. Coffee.
Splashing. Wet. Wet. Wet.

Pooh!

The rain, rain, rain
Came down, down, down
In rushing, rising rivelets,
'Til the river rushed out of it's bed,
and rushed right into Piglet's!

Poor Piglet, he was frightened
With quite a rightful fright!
And so in desparation
A message he did write.

He placed it in a bottle,
and it floated out of sight....

Rain

It's hot...
Then it's not!

Get set
to get wet!

Rain invaded our space
Like a slap in the face;
With a dark, stormy squall
Suddenly came the Fall!

Grass

In the spring
I like to mow
At first, that is, but then,
The grass it grows
And grows and grows,
And I mow and mow and mow.
I dread it so, I dread it so!

Late summer;
I finally rest
From that horrible chore,
The grass it stops
To grow and grow,
I don’t have to mow, mow, mow.
I love it so, I love it so!

But this year
Is all awry,
Late rain came quite soon
The grass won’t stop!
It grows and grows!
And I mow and mow and mow.
Oh whoa is me, oh me is whoa!

The Rain, The Rain - Ahhh The Rain

The teacher on his stool was
Reading of Mary Slessor to the class.
Their attention wander does
Drenching rain has come - alas.

How to keep them listening
When pouring down rain comes.
Tis only Oregon weather showing this-a-thing
Driving to cover all the bums.

As usual the rain slackens
At least temporarily.
But soon the sky again blackens
Rain storm Agnes returns apparently.

All wet things must end it seems
Until they come again to visit.
Students return to their dreams
If rain pours again, they may miss it!

Dahlias

POSTED BY MAMA ON DADDY'S COMPUTER:

The deal closes on Grandma's house tomorrow at 5 PM. We still have a few things to get out of the garage and patio, but most of it's done. I'll sure be glad when we don't have that responsibility anymore. I've spent a lot of time there the past two weeks since we moved here, so I haven't been able to get as settled as I would like by now. It IS sad, though saying good-bye to my Daddy's house.... I miss him a lot. He was a special man, and a good dad. (Right now I'm wearing his plaid pajama pants, and they're really warm and comfortable!) Today I was at the house with Grandma doing some more sorting and moving of things. Everything is out of the house -- it feels very empty and lonely! Before we left, I went out to the garden and picked a huge bouquet of Daddy's dahlias. He was famous for his beautiful dahlias. I remember him growing them when I was a girl in Mossyrock. He really liked them and knew how to take care of them so they were always pretty. I'll miss that, too. Anyway, for the next week or so, I'll have his flowers around my house. I did transplant one of his dahlias here when we moved in. Hopefully it will do well here and I'll have a little of him here, too.

I love you all and pray for you every day. Take care of yourselves!
Mama

Rainstorm

Drip, Drop, Drip
The rain begins to fall
Flash, Crash
Thunder greets the ears
Rat-a-Tat-Tat
The rain becomes a wall
Squish, Squish, Squish
My clothes are drenched straight through!

Pentarambeture

Each member of the family is asked to submit a poem. The theme is to be how you feel about the early rain we have had this summer/fall. No other rules apply, although with an English teacher in the audience, you had better get your pentarambeture right! :)

Your Beautiful Faces Are Back!

There! I fixed it! Well, actually, the error was on the part of my internet provider. They recently switched servers, and in the process, my account was left disconnected or something like that, so the photos I was hosting weren't able to show themselves.

Notes and News

Good to hear from you via blog and phone . . . we continue being busy. Mama divides her time between unpacking boxes at home, helping empty grandma's house, and various other projects such as helping with school decor. Both Roseburg and Eugene houses move closer to closing - both could closed around the 20th. Looks like I will be in Roseburg some - next weekend mama and I will probably go down to see what all needs to be done before closing plus help Tim process his needed move, then the next two weekends I will be doing the McMahan's fall parking lot sale (a friend will do the weekday part). It will keep me busy and out of trouble a while longer! Yesterday I took Tim to Washington - his dear little Honda steamed up on him and ended up needing nearly $2000 worth of repairs. He was advised by the trusted mechanic that it might not be worth it to put that much money into the car, so I remembered that Jeff (my brother) had an extra car. After several calls, it was decided that Tim would get Jeff's car, a 1993 Chev. Prizm. It looks quite similar in color and style to the one mama and I have and seems to run well. We're not sure what will become of the Honda yet.

In case you haven't gotten it yet - our new home phone is 541-998-8477

I'd best go - lots to do this afternoon yet! God bless to all . . .

Can't Wait Until Summer's Over!

Between a trip to Eugene to help with the moving last week, an estate sale that I am preparing with Matt's sister, and trying to keep up on all the produce coming from my garden, I have been way too busy. Life is too short to get caught up in the details! But I finally have a day to myself today to try to gain some peace of mind and get some laundry folded and leave a message for my family. :)

I enjoyed my time in Eugene, and even had the privelege of setting up Mama's teacup cupboard- finally she has a place to display her treasures and they look beautiful!

The estate sale, I was surprised to find, is in the same complex where Kimmie and Andy live- just across the street and up a little. So I have popped in for an unannounced visit and twice caught Kimmie in her unmentionables! She was kind enough to feed me a sandwich yesterday despite my bad manners.

I already have 10 jars of beans canned and in the pantry. After yesterday's endeavors, I now have 18 more jars cold packed and ready to be processed this morning. It is so rewarding to know that our labors truly do help with the grocery bills!

Okay, that is enough for now. Sorry about the missing photo background. I am having difficulties with my hosting software apparently. I will work on it at some future time so we can once again see all our glowing faces in one place.

This is sad!

OK people, we need to see some more posting here (I know I am as much to blame as the rest of you) the only posting since August 20 has been from our parents! How is everyone doing? What can the rest of us be praying for? (That is something I would love to see as I pray for each of you in the mornings and would love to have some specifics!)

Anyways, things are going well here. We are in the fourth week of school right now, spiritual emphasis week. If you look at my page there are a bunch of updates of things that I have been doing. Hopefully Betsy will add some tonight or tomorrow.

Please be praying for me in the way that I impact students. I'm still trying to figure out which of my students are believers and which aren't. Pray that I will be a good example to all of them! Pray also that I will be able to clearly explain things to the students and to show them how to work the math problems. Most of the students have a firm grasp on English, but the Korean students are somewhat weak in English and struggle to understand when I'm having to explain some of the geometric proof terms!

Love you all!!!

Oh, and how about you all post a picture or two! (If you haven't figured this out yet, try Hello. It is a great little program for posting pictures, I use it when posting pics to my blog.)

The MOVE

Mama and I are now official Junction City residents. We did the move yesterday and spent the night in the new house. Grandma stayed at Kris and Bruce's. As far as we know, both the Roseburg and Eugene house sells continue to move along - both should close around the 20th. Lots of things to be put in place at the new house, but that will get done in time. I start school with students on Wednesday. At this point I have 17 - 9 fifth and 8 sixth. The number could change the first week of school. At present I am back at grandma's house watching Husky football and doing some interneting.

God bless and be ye safe and prosperous!

More News from Eugene

It's been a busy week! I went to my first day of school on Monday and came home to news that grandma and mama had signed a deal for sale of grandma's house. It appears to be an OK deal that is scheduled to close Sept. 21, though that is rather fast. We plan to move the big items for both grandma and ourselves this Friday/Saturday, then have a few weeks to deal with the smaller items and clean up the place. The buyers are a young couple with three children, about age 14, 5, and 2. There may be some items available after grandma and her 'kids' have a chance at what's left - we'll try to keep you informed. Our offer in Roseburg is moving along OK also.

Day one at school went well. I have 16 in my 5th/6th class so far, with at least two more possible. Preparations are going well so far.

God bless you all!

Done Deal in Roseburg?

Mama and I went to Roseburg and signed a counter-offer on the house. Since it is much the same as the original offer, we expect it will be accepted today. If all goes well, it will close Sept. 30 (Joann's Birthday!). We ended up with two offers that were about the same. We chose one because it came in first and our agent knows the people and is more confident it will go through. If not, we can fall back on the second offer, unless they move on to something else quickly.

I start school today - work week. Also will be moving 'stuff' into the new house, then Friday/Saturday moving grandma and ourselves (with help) into the new places. Again, keep grandma covered in prayer - it will be a hard emotional move for her.

God bless!!!!!

Good News! (maybe, hopefully, sort of . . .)

We have an offer on the Roseburg house (sorry, Tim, but you may not have the house to yourself for long . . . ). It seems to be a good offer that we will probably accept unless something changes our mind. Mama and I know the lady from the couple who made the offer - she was head of the Roseburg foster care program when we had Ricky. They want the house as an investment - would use it as a rental. Mama and I will go to Roseburg Sunday afternoon to talk to our agent about the offer details and decide whether to accept or counter. No news about grandmas house except it will be put on the regular multiple listing this week - it has been basically a by-owner with agent assist up until now. Probably several agents and lookers will come by next week.

Our new house has much of our 'stuff' in the garage and shop area. The storage unit is empty, the new 'den' has been painted, the carpets shampooed, the bugs bombed - now a bit of cabinet clean-up and cabinets can be 'loaded'. We may be moving next Friday/Saturday, moving grandma to Kris's (pray for her - that will be a tough one for her, leaving this house) and moving us to Junction City. We hope to have Bruce and Dave and families helping - perhaps a few others if we ask for more.

Time to go - God bless you all and thanks to God for moving the situation along in Roseburg!

Eugene update

The purchase of the Junction City house is now final and the garage and shop room are filled with 'stuff' (thanks for the great help, Andy and Kim!). Mama and I plan to paint a room tomorrow and have the carpet cleaned on Friday. More visits to the Roseburg and Eugene houses for sale, but no new offers. Keep praying! God bless - Dad

Moving Right Along!!

August 21, 2004

Today (Saturday) Daddy went to the school to help paint in the morning. Grandma and I went to Kris and Bruce’s and worked on getting Grandma’s rooms ready. Dave was there, too, and helped Bruce moved all the remaining furniture to the upstairs, the garage and/or the living room. Then Jim arrived and Dave left. Bruce and Jim took the carpet out of the bedroom, and then we all started working on taking off the wallpaper. It was a real chore since there were two layers of paper and the bottom layer was adhered so well to the wall that it took hours to get it off. But finally the walls were clear. The next step is that Kris and Bruce will wash all the walls and then get someone to come tape the corners in the bedroom (seems it was never done), and maybe texture in the family room since the top is textured, but the bottom of the walls are not textured. Then Grandma and Kris will have to go pick out paint so that can be done. Next Monday the carpet is supposed to be installed, and then it will be ready for Grandma to move in….

THEN we can move ourselves to Junction City! As far as that goes, we’re hoping to sign papers and get the deal closed on Monday so we can start unloading the storage unit (into the garage until the house is ready for everything), get in and wash cupboards and maybe get the carpets shampooed before we move everything into the house. We’re not sure if shampooing is necessary, but when we see it again without anything in the house, we’ll be able to tell. It would certainly be easier to do it before we put the furniture in.

I look forward to seeing most of you soon. I love you! Mama

Invite

Bethie, I'm getting an account set up for Betsy, but can't give her access to this page (I don't think) without you sending her an invitation email. Please send one to her: flight_following@yahoo.com

Thanks!

To the rest of you, there will be more to see on our site later this evening, we are going to be uploading some more pictures and information!

Love you all tons!!
Danny

A MOVING UPDATE

The appraisal of the Roseburg house went well ($140,000), so my loan official said all looks good, that he would know for sure if the loans pass the second approval tomorrow, and that closing would probably be next Wednesday or Thursday (August 25th). Since that doesn't leave us much time for moving before school starts on Monday the 30th, I'm hoping they will let us start moving boxes, etc. into the garage by this Friday - I will know more by Wednesday.

We had at least two very interested couples come to the open house. One couple came both days and the second day were measuring, etc. to see if they could make the house work to their desires. We're hoping to hear of an offer today - the couple who did measuring had already sold their home, so could be good buyers. Mama and I will talk about the Roseburg house and may adjust the price to reflect the appraisal - we'll work that out later today.

Hope all is well - we've been thinking of you, Danny, as you start school. Will try to call at an appropriate time soon to hear about it.

GOD BLESS!

So Tired!

Saturday the 14th started out at 3am for me. We had loaded everything Friday night, but still had to get up, pack a lunch, and be in Aurora by 5am for dealer registration. It was a long, HOT day selling antiques with Jen (Matt's sister), and Lori (a friend). We had fun with each other, but unfortunately, the shoppers this year were what we call "tag flippers". In other words, there were lots of people looking, but very few buying. All told, I only profited around $250 after countless hours of preparation, and an 18 hour day. I think I would have much preferred to spend that time in Junction City for Norwegian Day! But at least now my focus can turn to other things, like mowing the lawn and catching up on laundry. Hopefully soon I will be travelling to Eugene to help with the big move!

Eugene update

This is an update from the one earlier today - you may want to read it first.

The young couple did make an offer on grandma's house, but it was low with too many contingencies, so our agent recommended we not accept and we followed her advice. Perhaps they will be able to make a better offer, but I'm not sure they are able. We hope the ads in the paper and the open house will bring more and better offers. Dad (on mama's computer)

NEWS from EUGENE

No big news on the real estate front, which is to some extent good news. As far as we know the purchase of the Junction City house is moving along - I was told that if all goes well, we could close in a week, or perhaps early in the following week (Aug. 24 or so). I'm hoping to start some moving next weekend with the main move Aug. 26 -28, depending on helpers schedules. The Roseburg house has no news other than a few more showings and two people who have expressed interest to the current renters. I hope to get the results of the appraisal today and hope it will be in the $130,000+ area. The Eugene home has a sign and brochures in front - about 30 of the brochures have been picked up. We have an ad going in the Saturday and Sunday register-Guard and have an Open House Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 PM. A young couple came to see the place last evening and seemed interested, but we haven't heard back from them. We'll see how the Open House goes, then re-evaluate our direction - perhaps go with the Multiple Listing Service, which means a much higher cost to sell.

This week is the Scandinavian festival in Junction City. Mama, grandma, Kris and kids went on Thursday and since Saturday is Norwegian Day, hope to return some then. So far I've gone frisbee golfing instead . . .

Hope all is well - would love to have you come to the Sandinavian festival and our Open House! But perhaps waiting until we move would be better . . .

God bless!

Off to Indonesia

Hey guys, just saying hi! We are heading to Indonesia for two days tomorrow and Thursday with the staff for part of the orientation. We're pretty excited!

News Connections

Check registerguard.com for the article I told you about. The article was in Sunday’s paper. There was also an article in the same paper is called “The Blog Connection”, which is interesting in light of White-House-on-an-Acre. You can get into the archives for seven days without charge. After that there is some sort of charge. I don’t know how that works. I guess the library here has newspaper archives, too – as far back as the 1950’s, and they probably don’t cost anything.

Mama

HOUSES AND THINGS

I love the picture, Beth! I didn’t take any group pictures, and would love a copy if you would email it to me.

(This is my second time to write this. I had a nice long message done and lost it! I hate it when that happens!!)

For all of you, check out http://www.oip.net/10788 to see Grandma’s house that just got listed today. Some of the pictures aren’t very good. I emailed some better ones that I took to the realtor today. I think she will change some of them.

So, as you can see, life goes on. I’m trying to get the clutter around here to a minimum since the house is on the internet, and people could be wanting to see it as soon as tomorrow. There was an article in The Register Guard today (8-8-04) called, “Seller’s market Sizzles” about the housing market in Lane county. (You can probably access it if you want to). It’s interesting and encouraging, though the realtor told us it was sensationalized. Things are happening, but its not always like they said. We’ll see what happens on this place.

We could be moving in two weeks if things go as our banker tells us they might. So the focus now is getting things packed and ready to go. At least that is one of the focuses for this week. The other one is helping Kris get her place ready for Grandma. If we move in two weeks, she will too. Today Kris, Grandma and I went looking for carpet and paint. Kris and Bruce have moved a lot of their things out of the family room and the bedroom for Grandma, but there are lots of things to accomplish if the floors and walls are to be done before she moves in (which is the plan).

Grandma has mixed emotions about the whole process. She hates to leave this place, but knows that staying here alone isn’t an option (for several reasons). She doesn’t begrudge us the opportunity to have a place of our own, but isn’t excited about it. I’m trying to be sensitive to her feelings and am not showing my excitement about our new house. But I AM excited! After living here for a whole year (we moved in August 15 last year) it’s going to be so nice to have our own place and our things! It’s also going to be so nice to have a place big enough that all of you can visit at the same time!! Hopefully it will feel like home to all of you, too. (I have to admit, though that it’s also hard for me to leave this place knowing that it will be sold. There is still something of my Daddy here, you know.)

I love you all!
Mama

Changes

Okay, if you scroll all the way down to the bottom, you will not only find some new additions to the menu (which is now out of the way!), but you will be able to see the family photo in all of its glory. Keep checking that menu and the links within it- you never know when I might change things. :)

REAL ESTATE plus CALLING DANNY UPDATE

Before getting to the housing news, a bit about calling Danny . . . we worked through a couple of 'bugs' before finally getting through. We bought a $20 + $2 processing fee card with 667 minutes - it's the last of four on Danny's link to phone card sites. We chose it because of no maintenance fees and other better side issues. If you get one, you call an 800 number, then add your pin, then dial 011-65-6274-9387 (this is a change from the number Danny put on the blog - one digit was wrong on the blog).

I'm thinking of becoming a real estate salesman! Not really, but with three deals going, it gets interesting! We received good news on the Junction City house - both the main loan and the 'bridge' loan have gone through. Just need an OK appraisal on the Roseburg place and all is go - that should be done in the next 10 days. After that, we should get a better idea of a closing date and move time.

As far as the Roseburg house is concerned, it is being shown a few times this weekend plus the renters know someone who has looked at the house and may be interested - would be nice to get the right person to see and want it soon . . . our renters will be moving in mid-September, so a buyer would be nice so it isn't empty and draining our resources.

We just listed the Eugene house this morning - it is a partial listing where the agent will help do a deal, but it is not on multiple listing yet. If we can sell it without full agent pricing, we save mom about $8,000. If no quick deals, we will go to full pricing.

Guess that's about all for now. Hope to have some good news about the housing situations soon. We'd love to show off the new place if you come down - we took some friends plus Tim and mom to see it this weekend.

God bless to all!

Pictures

Hey all, check out my site for a bunch of pictures! (and don't forget to start from the bottom!) Love you all!

A very merry unbirthday...

...to all of you, but especially to Danny whose birthday I missed because of my silly computer and it's retarded battery:(

I'm keeping busy at work and spending my free time catching up on reading, movies, and trying to make some sense out of the thousands of pictures floating about my little apartment. I love you all and really want some blackberries right now, but unfortunately we only make coffee here, not berries:(.

Happy Birthday, Danny!!

We tried to call you today, but I guess your phone isn't hooked up yet. Maybe tomorrow? Anyway, at the time I'm writing this, we haven't seen August 3 yet, but you are already half-way through it. You know since you were born in the States, you really shouldn't celebrate your birthday there until August 4 anyway! That's when we'll be celebrating it.

To all of you... Daddy and I will be going to the coast with Kris and her kids and Grandma tomorrow. It's a good way to get Grandma doing something else on that day. It could be a hard one for her.

Things seem to be progressing on the house front. 'Nothing new in Roseburg, but paperwork being signed on the Junction City house, though we're still waiting for final approval of our financing. We have a realtor working on things here in Eugene, too, but are waiting to see if my cousin, Sheri will be able to buy it before we actually list it. We told her we need to know by the end of the week. So if they can't do it, it will be listed next week.

Lots of Love to all of you!! Your Mama

Welcome to the 21st century!!!

Hey Timmy, welcome to the 21st century!!!  Good to see you finally made it here!  Things continue to go well, though I'm looking forward to having email at home and not having to come to the school for access!  Hopefully within the week. . .

OK, we now have a phone number!  (We don't have the phone hooked up until at least Monday, but we do have the number!)  It is: 6374-9387.  The country code is 65.  So, now you have a phone card you can buy and a phone number you can call!  Look forward to talking to you next week!  Just make sure you think about the time difference!  Take your time, add 3 hours, then change from AM to PM (i.e. I'm writing this at 2:40 pm, but it is 11:40 pm for you.)

Love you all!

newbie...

i'm in! i finally made it! i kept getting bad invitations, but beth and i worked it out and now i'm IN!

let's see here...what do i write? well, there's not too much new for me, except my two-and-a-half week vacation, which has started beautifully! i left the house on tuesday morning, stopped at the parents for a few hours, and spent the night at joann's new apartment. yesterday, i got some free coffee from the underground and left for beth and matt's. we did some work on the bridge matt is building across the creek (beth and i painted while matt was sawing logs). so far, so good.

of course, any time away from mcdonald's is a major blessing. i mean, i like my coworkers, at least most of them, most of the time, but the job is wearing me down because it feels like i'm the only one working while everyone else is chatting...which is the main reason that i'm thinking of moving on. please be praying for me as i'm dealing with that issue, as well as with my lodgings when the roseburg house sells.

um...oh! kim and andy...like i said, i'm at beth and matt's, and i have some stuff i would like to get to you before i go back...give me a call, email, or blog and we'll work it out.

well, i probably should cut this short before it gets too long... 

timmy

The OTHER house on Kalmia

The contingencies between getting the Junction City house or not seem to be going away, making the purchase increasingly a 'done deal' . . . a friend from church who is a contractor went through the house with us today and seemed very impressed with the construction - commenting 'they don't make them like this today'.  Our loan person verified that the loan process seemed to be going through OK and didn't think there would be a problem, though our income to expense ratio was marginal until the Roseburg house sells.  I'm increasingly wanting that 'domino' to also fall to simplify the entire situation.  We did commit to buy two items from the sellers today (the sellers were at the house while our friend and I looked the place over) - the awesome, unique clock mama may have mentioned to you, and the dining room table and chairs (an upgrade in quality from the one we've had - if you or someone you know is interested in our former table + perhaps the chairs - not sure if we'll keep some chairs - let us know).  We have a tentative closing date of Sept. 7th, but it will probably be a week or two sooner.  We would love to have help doing some moving - I'm guessing possibly the week of August 24 - 28th or so.  We'll be sure to let you know when we know more. 
On another front . . . we may have a realtor come give an idea of value on grandma's house this evening, plus a cousin of Mama's may come to see if this is the house they want to buy - they have expressed interest in the past and want a better look.   It's hard for grandma to go through these steps - separating from the house and yard, going through 'stuff' (grandpa's clothes, etc.) to prepare for a change . . . she needs lots of support.  Next Tuesday could be a tough day also - grandpa's birthday.  Kathy says it was a hard day for her when Don's birthday came . . . Perhaps a phone call to gramma now and then just to say HI would be very good this next few weeks.  She will be moving to Kris's as we move to Junction City.
S0 . . . pray for grandma, for the Roseburg house to sell, for Timmy finding the right new lodging for after the house sells, for the purchase in Junction City to go well . . . thanks.

oh yeah...

...and I love the adjustments you made to the template Bethy...it's much easier to see the background now and the words of the titles aren't quite so foreboding...three cheers...woot, woot, woot...

Blueberries for Sal...

Okay, so I know that none of you remember that book, but I do.  It's been a tiring, but good past few weeks with work and camp...I finally get a day off on Friday, but then I work again on Saturday.  Oh well...summer is winding down and then my days will be full with school and work will be much less demanding.  On Monday I went out to Sandy and picked blueberries with Bethy, Kimmie, Andy, and Kathy...mmmm....then we got Matt and went to Calamity Jane's - which was a very fun place - I tried to get Andy to order the Honey Lovin' Jimmy Carter Peanut Butter Burger, but he went for something a little more traditional.

Timmy stopped by my apartment yesterday, so we watched a movie and had pizza and then he came by the Underground this morning to mooch free coffee before he went to Beth and Matt's.  I'm so excited that they accepted your offer, Mama and Daddy...I can't wait to see the place...let me know when you're going to move well in advance so I can get some time off of work to come help (I'll be gone from August 26th until the 31st though because of camp at Wildhorse Canyon). 

I'm off to see the wizard...the wonderful wizard of Oz...

A Home Again!

Today we made an offer on the house in Junction City, and they accepted it!!  Now if everything goes well with the 'bridge loan' we applied for on the Roseburg house, we'll have a house again.   We could be moving by the end of August!

Glad to hear that things are going well for Danny and Betsy.  Lots of love and prayers for you... for everybody else, too.  I love you all!  Mama

Hey family!

Hey guys, just a quick note to drop in! Bethie, the site is ok, but I don't read it very well in Netscape. Is it just me, or does it need some revamping? I guess it is just a Netscape thing because when I look at it in Internet Explorer it looks fine. In Netscape the sidebar appears before and of the posts!! You might try to fix that, or if I have time I might look at it later. I'm thinking you probably missed a closing tag somewhere. . .

Any ways, things are going well here. We will be moving in to our own apartment on Saturday, and should have a phone number soon thereafter so that you all can call us. (If you haven't seen it already, there is a site with cheap phone cards linked from my website!)

I love you all lots, now I must sign up for phone and try to bring S$5000 (Singapore dollars) from the US to Singapore!

Adjustments

I made a few adjustments to the layout, based on feedback from Daddy & Mama. I hope this sharpens things up for you!

Speaking of adjustments, I am glad to read that Danny & Betsy have found an apartment, and are almost green carded. I hope that you don't forsake our family blog for posting only on yours! :)

Feedback

I love the background picture!  I don't remember seeing it before, and would love to see it in person....    As for the rest of the design of the Blog, I like it, too, but I think I liked seeing more of it on my screen.  Maybe the font (especially of the titles) could be smaller or tighter?  Anyway, whatever you do with it is okay with me.  I enjoy having this spot to keep in touch with all of my kids.  Thank you for making it available to us, Beth!

I'm on my way out to the garden to help Grandma with the dahlias. It hurts her to see them so neglected.  Grandpa took such good care of things out there, and that's why it was always so pretty for all of us.  Anyway, they need to be 'dead-headed' and staked up.  We want to get out there for awhile before it gets too hot....  Daddy is planning on mowing this morning, too.  Later today we hope to get together with a man that Daddy met from our church.  He works at a bank and is going to help us figure out if there is a way to buy the house in Junction City before our Roseburg house sells.  The J.C. house was just reduced in price, so it might be easier for us to get it, but it would be easier for others, too. 

Also today we'll be babysitting Isabella for a couple of hours this morning.  She's so cute, and is a good baby.  So Grandma and I look forward to the opportunity of holding her, etc.

Love to all of you,  Mama

Feedback Please!

I want to know what you think about my creative skills! Tell me what you think of the new blog design. You can also check out my other blog to see another design I created.

Frisbee golf on a hot day

This is for the frisbee golf lovers in the family - I went out to the local course about noon today.  On my second time around the course, I threw five discs then chose the best one to finish with.  After 8 holes I had an even par (24) with one to go.  The first four throws on the last hole were good - two within about 30 feet of the basket.  The last throw, using my putter, hit the base of the basket and stayed under it!  I was feeling really good to get a 26 - then as I was walking away to the car, one of the two guys following me hit a hole in one on the hole I'd just finished!  He was really excited - yelling, etc.  Guess I can't blame him.  So I went home and took a cool shower to deal with the heat - it was about 103 degrees today in Eugene.  God bless to all!

I'm Back!

Well, the beach day was a blast and camp was awesome, but I'm back again at work for 7 straight days (ickey!).  I ended up singing on the worship team at camp this year which was so amazing.  There were 15 girls in my cabin plus Teresa Skinner (who was almost like a camper:).  Among the campers in my cabin were Jenine Hurtienne, Robi Bonebrake, Iris Graham, along with several other girls who go to UVC that I have never met before. 

Good to hear from you Danny & Betsy!  I'll chat at you more later (when I'm not supposed to be getting back to work:).

Time Lapse

This is funny- because of the Singapore time difference, even though Danny wrote his blog question first, it is posting after mine in time order. I think that I will take editor's license and go in to manually change his times to match ours each time he blogs on the Whittaker page.

A-Blogging We Will Go

I am so glad that I started this thing! Danny- go to your template page and scroll down until you find the sidebar content. You will see how they created the titles- duplicate this, but call it "links" or whatever, and then use this text:

TheWhittakerTimes

as a template for as many links as you want.

Okay, so that didn't work. It recognized the link text and created a link! Um, I figured it out by looking at other templates and just copying the info into the template that I liked. It really is fun to figure out html! I am in the process of creating an entire blog template of my own (no easy feat to this html beginner!). Expect the unveiling sometime soon...

New blog!

Hey all, I just wanted to let you know that we are going to be doing our webpage via the blog.  So, here is our site.


Oh, Bethie, how did you add the links to the page??

We love Danny and Betsy!

'So glad to hear from you Danny.  Thanks for writing so promptly.  'Glad you and Betsy got there safely.  We're praying for your settling time.  I know you have lots to do and to get used to -- including changing your sleep times, etc.  We're looking forward to hearing how your trip went and what you're seeing and doing.  We're all thinking about you and praying for you.  We love you.  Mama for the whole family.