Old Friends Meet Again

Easter Sunday entailed a beautiful church service, and hours drive, visits to two sides of my family and then the drive home. Busy day, as holidays often tend to be. My mom's side of the family is my Grandma M, who had heart surgery last summer and has a chaotic household right now. We had dinner there, and tried to visit as long as we could. Then we went to the nursing home to visit Grandma K, my father's mom. She has been in the nursing home since falling and having a heart attack in December. She lived alone in a cottage on a lake for the last 17 years. She has recovered nicely and realized that she was becoming too isolated, so she is selling the cottage and on a few waiting lists for assisted care facilities. We are all thankful for that.

Our visit with her was special. She lead us to the community room which was empty. Good thing, it was mom, dad, myself, DH and our two children. We chit-chatted until a slight, grey-haired woman came in pushing a wheel chair carrying an even older woman.
The younger of the two smiled and bent down close to my grandmother and smiled, "Barney," (my grandmother's middle name is Bernice and for some reason every one's always called her Barney), "Do you remember me?"

My grandmother was unsure, "no, I'm sorry."
"I'm Kathy!"
"Oh, yes!!" Grandma was faking recognition, but I didn't realize it at this point. She did the polite thing and introduced Kathy to everyone in the room. When she got to my dad, Kathy said, "You must remember my brothers."
My dad replied, "Please tell me your last name again."
When she said her last name, I could see recognition in both my dad and my grandmother. Grandma grabbed this ladies hand and said "Yes, yes! From up the road!"

They were neighbors forty-five years ago, and this lady, and her brothers, were school mates of my father.

My grandmother turned to lady in the wheelchair. This woman was aged, and didn't even seem to realize anyone else was in the room. She was staring intently at an Easter card she held in her hand. "Who do you have here?", Grandma asked Kathy.

Kathy smiled tenderly and said, " This is my mother. She may not know you today. She is studying the card she just received from the church service." Kathy spoke up louder, "Mama. Mama?"
"Yes." the woman replied in an almost angry sounding voice.
"Mama, we are in the nursing home and this is Barney __________. Your neighbor from ________ Road."
I do not exaggerate when I say this woman's continence changed from night to day. She smiled and said hello and even named people and places from years ago. And Grandma was just tickled pink.
I sat there trying not to start a blubberfest! It was just too beautiful! I'm still not used to this "circle of life stuff", watching my family age. I must remember to find the beauty in it.

~Blessings

He IS Risen!

You may contemplate the Resurrection of Christ. You may not.

I read a post today that basically called "religion" a myth and so on. Everyone is entitled their opinion. The post went on to say that if God were real, He would not and could not as a Father, send his Son to die for a bunch of horrible people. (I am not quoting the post perfectly, just giving the generalities). A loving mother or father would not do that. The author was correct. The majority of us right-minded humans could not send our children to die for anyone else.

The Bible says Gods ways are not our ways. His ways are higher and mightier and He has wisdom that we can not even contemplate. He is so much above us, so perfectly love. He knew He had to send the sacrifice so that we could all have the chance to be with Him if we chose. He knew the outcome of sending Jesus to die.

I am not eloquent. I'm not trying to convince the author of the fore-mentioned post, or anyone else. I am just proclaiming my love for God. He knew what He was doing. Yes it hurt, yes He is good and I will forever praise Him.

I love people, and blogging and my love is no less for those who don't agree with me.

Just wishing you all a Blessed and Happy Easter/Resurrection.

Well, It's a Fine Day!

A day off, what did I do? Well I'm happy to tell ya, not much! I baked with DS this morning...
Nice little Blueberry coffee cake from Paula Deen's Just Desserts cook book. I vacuumed, I puttered. I took some pictures of some stuff:
A little bell from the thrift shop


A vintage calendar, like to find the pattern or directions used to make these into bags.


Great little table cover...love the pompom trim. I think I'm saving this for when I redo my bedroom.

Love the print,

A cute panel that couldn't be left behind.


Well, you know I needed more books! But WHO could leave BAMBI behind! I didn't even know it was a novel! 1929 was it's printing at it has darling illustrations. I have added it to my must read list! Poetry books never get left behind! The others are new; sewing ideas just don't pop into my mind. I need inspiration and detailed instructions!






Whew, well that's all for today. Must mop tomorrow morning. Then I think I'm ready to sew, and maybe put some surprise packages together!!
~Blessings!

Time to Reflect

That is what Easter should be, time to reflect. Think about what our Savior has done for us. I need to slow down and do this for myself. I am grateful for the time off. Thursday, Friday then the weekend. It won't be totally peaceful, but I am hoping for a little rejuvenation. I had to go to the chiropractor yesterday for the first tie in 13 years. My neck and shoulders hurt horrible and I had a head ache for 2 straight weeks. This past week I finally realized I wasn't still battling the flu, but the book bags I carry and high-heeled shoes on my feet were taking a toll. Oh, the relief! I was giddy today and my class thought I was nuts, but HEY! It was the first time I've been headache free for a while, and I appreciated it! I found out I only have a ten dollar co-pay so I'll keep up a schedule with the chiropractor for at least a while.

I need time away from the classroom too. Seeing what these children go through and realizing how little we can do has also taken it's toll on me. I guess I want to fix them all, and it's not possible. I've tried to watch other teachers and professionals and learn the ropes and one of the biggest things I've seen is that their hands are tied and they have to shut down that part of their heart that says "this isn't right!" Monday is a conference day and the aides have a training course entitled "Everything you wanted to know about being a teacher's aide/assistant and were afraid to ask". My building principal made a point of telling me I needed to be there, so I'm afraid they will get into the "this is reality and we are just here to help them get the most out of education" speech. That may just discourage me more. This is my job though, and their are aspects I love. If and when it's time to move on, God will let me know. He always has. In the mean time this will grow and stretch me more.

So, what am I going to do with my time off? Clean. I know two things you could tell me. First of all, if I kept up better all the time, I wouldn't have to spend a day off cleaning. Or, from the other side of the fence, it's your day off, SEW! Well, the first thing just isn't gonna happen, so I must do some cleaning tomorrow. And curiously, I feel so tired and burnt out that cleaning seems the only thing to do! A good old fashioned scrubbing to get the anxieties out! My daughter is going on a retreat (please play for safety, esp traveling) so in the afternoon I need to pick her up some snacks, pick up her friend and drop them off at church. Then another chiropractor appointment. Friday, may be more of a sewing day, then in the evening we are going to a hockey game. Saturday, DS and I are doing some holiday baking. Chocolate swirl cheesecake bars and homemade moon pies are on the menu. Sunday we travel to Grandma's for Easter dinner after church.

How's Grandma doing? Physically, she is doing well. Mentally she is sad and tired. Her last letter to me was so depressing. She lives with Grandpa, my Aunt and my cousin. Grandpa has never been a nice man, my Aunt is an alcoholic, and my cousin (+ two of her children) is into drugs and partying and has medication she won't take. Put them all in the same house and they fight and bicker and who knows what all! My mom has looked into trying to ease the situation, but legally she can not unless Grandma cooperates, which she won't. My family dreads going there, but we do each holiday for Grandma. What else do I do?

Back to happier things. I have lots of pictures to take tomorrow. I've been thrifting, and crafting and have received goodies in the mail to share.

Here's one of DS. His team won the SuperBowl and Grandma ordered him the championship shirt and hat! (PLEASE! Ignore the mess behind him!! ;O)
See you soon!
~Blessings

Time for a Rest

We got a lot of snow this past weekend, probably the most of all winter. This picture is not of last weekend though, oh no, my batteries were dead! My DD once again filmed herself until she sucked the life out of my camera!!! Gotta love those kiddos.

Long week. It's been a soap opera in our classroom. Did I sign up for this? I don't know. Two of our students were "dating", "going out", whatever you call it. Boy very verbally abusive to (insecure, naive) girl, girl's mother alerted. Two months later, "stuff" hits the fan as it is rumored they were doing inappropriate things on the bus. Yuck. We're ALL interviewed...what did YOU know? WHEN did you know it? And so on. I know this happens all the time in school, well maybe not IN school, but at this age-level. It just was so complicated with allegations of manipulation and bullying. I pray this girl learns to like herself and trust the God Who made her, only then will she not put herself in a position to be so used and put down.

So I'm ready for a little R&R. Time to lose myself in some quilting, or fun with my family. (Thank God for my family!) Easter break is short this year, just Thursday and Friday next week, but I'm looking forward to it. I need down time.

On an uplifting note, spring IS in the air. A foot or more of snow may have covered us last weekend, but the sun is feeling warmer and the birds are singing. It can't be long now!

~Blessings

The Winner IS....

Patty @ http://morningramble.blogspot.com/ ! Patty, just email me your addy and I'll pop it in the mail Monday! Thank you all so much for leaving comments and joining in the fun. It was my first blog giveaway and I really enjoyed it; so much I will definitely do it again! I found more great blogs to visit, and I hope you all will come back to visit me from time to time!



By the way I was going to do this real cute with my son taking pictures of me doing the drawing wearing an apron my sweet friend Carrie made me....but the batteries in the camera were dead...lol! Oh, well!



Have a lovely weekend! And keep thinking spring all though this is what it's like here: