I'm finally figuring out how to post some of these pictures from last fall. This one is a princess who stopped by for help after her carriage turned into a pumpkin (see it there, behind her?)
Monday, February 27, 2006
The Princess
I'm finally figuring out how to post some of these pictures from last fall. This one is a princess who stopped by for help after her carriage turned into a pumpkin (see it there, behind her?)
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Tired Mom's Talents
I am reading a good book called The Worn-Out Woman. I feel like it really applies to me because I have been exhausted all week. It seems staying up til 2 a.m. out at the coast (shocking, what those moms do out there!) wore me out and I caught the next bug that came down the chute and fought a low-grade fever and fatigue all week.
Anyway, before I sound like the old Yoder circle letter (the part about my ailments, I mean, not going to the coast and staying up late...can't imagine Aunts Ennie and Lyddie and Edna ever trying that....) we return to the book and an intriguing thought.
The authors claim that much of our exhaustion is due to working in areas that we are not good at. If we focus on serving where our talents and interests lead us, we will be a lot more energized.
That resonates with me, since nothing energizes me like speaking to women's groups and I am very thankful for the opportunities I get to do so. I also like to sew, and listen to people, and read, and email. I would be thrilled if I would be called on to serve in only those areas.
However. What about the fact that Ruth just had a baby and I know good and well that I should call and sign up to take a meal in but that sort of thing looks like this huge task to me? I am not good at planning menus, and I find it nearly overwhelming to come up with a menu, make the food ahead of time, put it in transportable containers, and deliver it. To people like my friend Rita, this kind of thing is second nature. And she packs it all in a pretty basket and tucks in an adorable little bouquet for good measure. But to me it looks as daunting as writing the Smucker circle letter does to my SIL Bonnie (who happens to be awesome at planning menus and cooking).
I have a feeling this book is kind of like Wild at Heart and lots of others, good in its basic philosophy but not quite realistic about the actual world we live in and the duties that face us every day. I can't imagine a day when I will never be expected to cook or sing or choose gifts for someone.
Quote of the Day:
"Right now there's about 1,537,000 seconds til Amy comes home. When you post it on your blog--if you write it tonight let's say at 7:00--by that time it'll be down to, uh, let me think, like 7000 seconds lower. Actually more than that, like 8000."
--Ben, the technical math guy
.
Anyway, before I sound like the old Yoder circle letter (the part about my ailments, I mean, not going to the coast and staying up late...can't imagine Aunts Ennie and Lyddie and Edna ever trying that....) we return to the book and an intriguing thought.
The authors claim that much of our exhaustion is due to working in areas that we are not good at. If we focus on serving where our talents and interests lead us, we will be a lot more energized.
That resonates with me, since nothing energizes me like speaking to women's groups and I am very thankful for the opportunities I get to do so. I also like to sew, and listen to people, and read, and email. I would be thrilled if I would be called on to serve in only those areas.
However. What about the fact that Ruth just had a baby and I know good and well that I should call and sign up to take a meal in but that sort of thing looks like this huge task to me? I am not good at planning menus, and I find it nearly overwhelming to come up with a menu, make the food ahead of time, put it in transportable containers, and deliver it. To people like my friend Rita, this kind of thing is second nature. And she packs it all in a pretty basket and tucks in an adorable little bouquet for good measure. But to me it looks as daunting as writing the Smucker circle letter does to my SIL Bonnie (who happens to be awesome at planning menus and cooking).
I have a feeling this book is kind of like Wild at Heart and lots of others, good in its basic philosophy but not quite realistic about the actual world we live in and the duties that face us every day. I can't imagine a day when I will never be expected to cook or sing or choose gifts for someone.
Quote of the Day:
"Right now there's about 1,537,000 seconds til Amy comes home. When you post it on your blog--if you write it tonight let's say at 7:00--by that time it'll be down to, uh, let me think, like 7000 seconds lower. Actually more than that, like 8000."
--Ben, the technical math guy
.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Superwomen
I have friends who are seriously "into" Karen Kingsbury, so when someone sent me some information about her the other day, I clicked onto her website to read more.
This woman looks to be about my age (or younger) and like me she lives in the Pacific Northwest, has six children, and writes.
But there (sigh) the similarities end. I have been writing officially since 2000 and am publishing the second edition of my first book. She, in contrast, has been writing fiction since 1998 and has published over 30 books, one of which is #1 on the Publishers Weekly bestseller list. And she homeschools those six children.
Thirty books! How on earth does this woman do it?
Back when I lived in Canada and had three small children, I would read of such superwomen and think, "Yeah, but I'll bet she has running water."
Now, I have lots of running water but I still don't accomplish much in comparison to Karen Kingsbury and plenty of others. When I read about them, I find it paralyzing rather than inspiring.
I guess there's a good reason the Bible says it's not wise to compare ourselves among ourselves and measure ourselves by ourselves.
I'll bet Karen Kingsbury has a maid.
Quote of the Day:
"May I scratch your back?"
--Steven, trying to be a gentleman like the one brother in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Emily and I finally figured out that the brother had actually said, "May I escort you back?" and then we laughed so hard poor Steven probably despaired of ever being a proper gentleman.
This woman looks to be about my age (or younger) and like me she lives in the Pacific Northwest, has six children, and writes.
But there (sigh) the similarities end. I have been writing officially since 2000 and am publishing the second edition of my first book. She, in contrast, has been writing fiction since 1998 and has published over 30 books, one of which is #1 on the Publishers Weekly bestseller list. And she homeschools those six children.
Thirty books! How on earth does this woman do it?
Back when I lived in Canada and had three small children, I would read of such superwomen and think, "Yeah, but I'll bet she has running water."
Now, I have lots of running water but I still don't accomplish much in comparison to Karen Kingsbury and plenty of others. When I read about them, I find it paralyzing rather than inspiring.
I guess there's a good reason the Bible says it's not wise to compare ourselves among ourselves and measure ourselves by ourselves.
I'll bet Karen Kingsbury has a maid.
Quote of the Day:
"May I scratch your back?"
--Steven, trying to be a gentleman like the one brother in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Emily and I finally figured out that the brother had actually said, "May I escort you back?" and then we laughed so hard poor Steven probably despaired of ever being a proper gentleman.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Feminine Fun
Last night I came home from our annual ladies' retreat at the coast. I feel like Matt when he came home from Bible school: "Man, I have so many good stories, but I can't tell any of them."
The sun shone, the waves rolled, we let our hair down and laughed and laughed and laughed.
Friends like these are a gift from God.
Quote of the Day:
"I think there's something wrong with a woman who likes snakes because God 'put enmity between thee and the woman.'"
--Arlene, a woman after my own heart
The sun shone, the waves rolled, we let our hair down and laughed and laughed and laughed.
Friends like these are a gift from God.
Quote of the Day:
"I think there's something wrong with a woman who likes snakes because God 'put enmity between thee and the woman.'"
--Arlene, a woman after my own heart
Friday, February 17, 2006
Bloggers Meeting
We had an interesting bloggers' lunch a few weeks ago. From left--CountryGal101, CrazyMotherof4, Mrs. Darling, myself, and StumpyBabe.
Photo credit: The By-log's mom.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Amy in Yemen
Amy just posted about her time in Yemen. Sample paragraph:
Driving through town, we had seen lots of women who were wearing, instead of the traditional black, a distinctive navy-and-red-patterned cloth. Aunt Becky explained that it was a style that they only wore there in Mahweet, and Dana decided that she wanted some to use for tablecloths. So on the way back to the motel we stopped at a clothing shop to try to find some. Someone had put a 10-year-old boy in charge of this store, and he could not understand what we wanted. Aunt Becky tried and tried to explain, but he still didn’t get it, despite the fact that I’m sure he sees at least fifty of them every day. That’s a guy for you. Anyway, we went back to the motel, and asked the manager, and he sent someone to get some, so Dana did get hers eventually.
Driving through town, we had seen lots of women who were wearing, instead of the traditional black, a distinctive navy-and-red-patterned cloth. Aunt Becky explained that it was a style that they only wore there in Mahweet, and Dana decided that she wanted some to use for tablecloths. So on the way back to the motel we stopped at a clothing shop to try to find some. Someone had put a 10-year-old boy in charge of this store, and he could not understand what we wanted. Aunt Becky tried and tried to explain, but he still didn’t get it, despite the fact that I’m sure he sees at least fifty of them every day. That’s a guy for you. Anyway, we went back to the motel, and asked the manager, and he sent someone to get some, so Dana did get hers eventually.
Schrock Follow-up
It has now been over three months since the tragic accident that took the lives of Jeff and Carolyn Schrock’s five children.
A few weeks ago Carolyn stopped in with her new baby, a dark-haired cutie that looks like Jeff. I had a thousand questions to ask her but hardly knew how to articulate them, or if they were appropriate. "Go ahead, just ask, it’s ok," she said calmly.
"How is it now?" I said, a bumbling way of asking, "Does life go on? Is your soul scarred forever? Is there any beauty in that land of grief in which you now live?"
She said, "There is grace. I feel like Job. He said,’I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee.’ This is how different my life is: we went to Goodwill yesterday. Well. What was there to look for at Goodwill? We bought Jeff a pair of shoes, and then what? That was it."
I told her, "You and Jeff have earned this enormous credibility. For the rest of your lives, when you talk about God, people are going to sit up and listen."
On a slightly different note, you may recall I wrote about the man who lost five children in a fire and concluded that his friend who lost his children through divorce had actually had it harder.
Some time ago a woman told me, "I just want to affirm what you said about a divorce being harder than a multiple death. Two years ago I lost my brother, his wife, and their daughter in a car accident. And then my sister’s husband left her. And that has been much, much worse than the deaths. It just goes on and on." She paused, tears in her eyes, and shook her head. "It has been hell."
Everyone go hug your spouse and children.
Quote of the Day:
"My grace is sufficient."
--God
A few weeks ago Carolyn stopped in with her new baby, a dark-haired cutie that looks like Jeff. I had a thousand questions to ask her but hardly knew how to articulate them, or if they were appropriate. "Go ahead, just ask, it’s ok," she said calmly.
"How is it now?" I said, a bumbling way of asking, "Does life go on? Is your soul scarred forever? Is there any beauty in that land of grief in which you now live?"
She said, "There is grace. I feel like Job. He said,’I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee.’ This is how different my life is: we went to Goodwill yesterday. Well. What was there to look for at Goodwill? We bought Jeff a pair of shoes, and then what? That was it."
I told her, "You and Jeff have earned this enormous credibility. For the rest of your lives, when you talk about God, people are going to sit up and listen."
On a slightly different note, you may recall I wrote about the man who lost five children in a fire and concluded that his friend who lost his children through divorce had actually had it harder.
Some time ago a woman told me, "I just want to affirm what you said about a divorce being harder than a multiple death. Two years ago I lost my brother, his wife, and their daughter in a car accident. And then my sister’s husband left her. And that has been much, much worse than the deaths. It just goes on and on." She paused, tears in her eyes, and shook her head. "It has been hell."
Everyone go hug your spouse and children.
Quote of the Day:
"My grace is sufficient."
--God
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Valentines Day
Paul’s dad was always a bit romantically challenged, especially with events like Valentine’s Day. His sons tend to be a bit the same way as you can see over at the Bubbling Teapot.
This year I decided to make it easy for Paul and I bought this adorable set of tools (hammer, pliers, etc) with pink handles. I gave it to Paul and told him to give it to me for Valentine’s Day. So he did, along with a homemade card full of nice affirming words, which is what I really wanted anyway.
But then he really outdid himself and ordered a rose delivered to Emily at school. She was absolutely ecstatic and smiled the rest of the day, she said. She also said it means so much more to her because she knows it went totally against her dad’s practical, frugal nature to do this for her.
Paul wondered if I was jealous that he did more for Emily than me. I wasn’t. To see him investing in our daughter this way was a lavish present for me as well.
Quote of the Day:
"God loves us so much that he sent us snow for Valentine’s Day!"
--Jenny. Yes, it snowed yesterday, enough to leave a skiff of white on the ground
This year I decided to make it easy for Paul and I bought this adorable set of tools (hammer, pliers, etc) with pink handles. I gave it to Paul and told him to give it to me for Valentine’s Day. So he did, along with a homemade card full of nice affirming words, which is what I really wanted anyway.
But then he really outdid himself and ordered a rose delivered to Emily at school. She was absolutely ecstatic and smiled the rest of the day, she said. She also said it means so much more to her because she knows it went totally against her dad’s practical, frugal nature to do this for her.
Paul wondered if I was jealous that he did more for Emily than me. I wasn’t. To see him investing in our daughter this way was a lavish present for me as well.
Quote of the Day:
"God loves us so much that he sent us snow for Valentine’s Day!"
--Jenny. Yes, it snowed yesterday, enough to leave a skiff of white on the ground
Monday, February 13, 2006
Music and Words
I have a hard time understanding the words when I listen to music. This is just one of the many oddities of mine that my sister would exclaim over, back in the day, along with the fact that I could never manage to sew straight darts in dresses and I didn't laugh out loud very much in social situations.
Back then my brother, who was cool and rebellious, would listen to John Denver every so often. I "heard" one phrase from his songs as "I'm sorry to believe in you." It didn't make sense to me but hey, poetic license and all that, and how many country songs actually made sense all the way through?
Fast-forward about 25 years, when I picked up a John Denver tape at a garage sale and discovered that I really liked his music. His voice is amazing and his music is actually music, as opposed to the wispy, breathy stuff on KLOVE. (Yes, Amy, I KNOW not EVERY song on KLOVE is breathy and whiny and SOME are real SONGS.)
Anyway. I was listening to this in the car the other day, and there was that "Sorry to believe in you" song again. What, he was sorry he ever believed in this relationship or what?
Suddenly, after all these years, it hit me that he's actually saying, "I'm sorry to BE LEAVIN' you." Duuuhhhhhhhh.
Note to my sister: I am still odd and I still can't understand the words very well.
Quote of the Day:
"Emily and Stephanie Smucker are two amazing new authors. They live in Harrisburg, Oregon, and spend their days reading, writing, and doing schoolwork. Emily has written numerous other books such as The Asthma Story and Little Miss Jenny. This is Stephanie's first book."
--the authors' bio in The Princess, the Ballerina, and the Evil Uncle
Back then my brother, who was cool and rebellious, would listen to John Denver every so often. I "heard" one phrase from his songs as "I'm sorry to believe in you." It didn't make sense to me but hey, poetic license and all that, and how many country songs actually made sense all the way through?
Fast-forward about 25 years, when I picked up a John Denver tape at a garage sale and discovered that I really liked his music. His voice is amazing and his music is actually music, as opposed to the wispy, breathy stuff on KLOVE. (Yes, Amy, I KNOW not EVERY song on KLOVE is breathy and whiny and SOME are real SONGS.)
Anyway. I was listening to this in the car the other day, and there was that "Sorry to believe in you" song again. What, he was sorry he ever believed in this relationship or what?
Suddenly, after all these years, it hit me that he's actually saying, "I'm sorry to BE LEAVIN' you." Duuuhhhhhhhh.
Note to my sister: I am still odd and I still can't understand the words very well.
Quote of the Day:
"Emily and Stephanie Smucker are two amazing new authors. They live in Harrisburg, Oregon, and spend their days reading, writing, and doing schoolwork. Emily has written numerous other books such as The Asthma Story and Little Miss Jenny. This is Stephanie's first book."
--the authors' bio in The Princess, the Ballerina, and the Evil Uncle
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