I'm getting excited for Saturday!
For a few months now, I've had a thought rolling around in my head to organize a local blogger get together but never quite got it together.
After a nudge from Debbie earlier this spring, the ball finally got rolling.
So far there are six of us meeting for breakfast Saturday morning at White Pines Lodge, near Oregon, Illinois.
If you're a blogger or a blog reader and I didn't contact you, you are more than welcome to come.
Just let me know in the next day or two so I can include you in the reservations.
Hope to see you on Saturday!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
I think he liked it.
I think he liked it. As soon as we spread it out, he knew right where to "drive" his truck.
Even Daddy and Uncle Joe had to play on it.
Even Daddy and Uncle Joe had to play on it.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
DONE with four days to spare
My posts have been pretty quiet on the quilting front but I haven’t been just sitting around watching trains on YouTube, ya know.
Gotta love that little foot propped up on the desk :) .
In fact, I’ve been busy since there is a special little boy who’s going to be two years old on Saturday and is crazy about the movie Cars.
So what does a quilting Grandma get said young ‘un for his birthday? A Cars quilt of course,complete with appliquéd roads to drive those cars on!
We saw this saying on a plaque while we were on vacation. I knew as soon as I saw it that it was going on the back of this quilt!
And yes, his birthday isn’t until Saturday, but I’m not spoiling the surprise. Mom & Dad have already seen it and he’s still too little to look at my blog, so I’m safe.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
A sure sign of nice weather
Last week while visiting our son's family in a town near here, we took a walk to the park with the grandkids. I had to smile when I saw the scene below.
What a typical small town midwestern scene, especially now that the weather has turned nice again.
Tired of being cooped up in the winter and field not quite started yet, it's a bunch of local farm boys just hangin' out.
Notice the mode of transportation for most of them. You would think we live in the midwest or something, wouldn't ya? And what is it about backing in to the parking spot? We used to do it all the time too. Maybe it was to show our 'new driver' expertise using reverse. :)
It sure brought back memories for me of growing up in small town Illinois. On nice evenings, we would all congregate in town. The location varied but we'd all find each other somehow. It didn't take long as the town only had a pop. of 1200. We would sit and shoot the breeze for hours it seemed. It's howgossip news was heard and weekend plans were made.
Did you have a favorite hangout when you were growing up? What was the common mode of transportation where you were from?
What a typical small town midwestern scene, especially now that the weather has turned nice again.
Tired of being cooped up in the winter and field not quite started yet, it's a bunch of local farm boys just hangin' out.
Notice the mode of transportation for most of them. You would think we live in the midwest or something, wouldn't ya? And what is it about backing in to the parking spot? We used to do it all the time too. Maybe it was to show our 'new driver' expertise using reverse. :)
It sure brought back memories for me of growing up in small town Illinois. On nice evenings, we would all congregate in town. The location varied but we'd all find each other somehow. It didn't take long as the town only had a pop. of 1200. We would sit and shoot the breeze for hours it seemed. It's how
Did you have a favorite hangout when you were growing up? What was the common mode of transportation where you were from?
Monday, April 12, 2010
THIRTY!
See these two young ‘uns…
30 years ago today they said “forever” to each other.
A lot of memories have been made during that time for sure.
My parents celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary not long after we were married. I remember being at their party and thinking oh my gosh, that was an eternity to spend together. It’s all perspective isn’t it?
These 30 years have literally flown by. They’ve not been without problems but the good times definitely outweigh the bad.
It’s amazing how fast life goes by when you're blessed to live with your best friend.
Love you baby, I thank the Lord for you everyday!
Here’s to our next 30!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Spiritual downs and ups!
I’ve been back and forth on whether I should write this post or not. I don’t like to write “downer” posts but have really been feeling maybe someone else needs to hear this. If for nothing else, to realize they are not alone.
Sit back, grab a cup of coffee and relax as this could get a little long.
Let me preface it with this statement…in NO WAY is this meant to be a “please feel sorry for me” post. It’s a post about a spiritual journey I’ve been on these last few months.
It started last fall when I could feel some major burnout creeping in. It seemed there was always something I HAD to do. Everyone wanted a piece of my time and me being a giver, gave, gave and gave some more (of my time, that is). In the end, I didn’t own any of my own time.
Activities I enjoyed doing were put very much on the back burner. I could feel myself starting down a slippery slope of not finding much joy in life which is unlike my typical self. I am mostly a glass half full person. It was even hard to find joy in this winters New Orleans mission trip. It had turned into one more thing on the to-do list. Again, very much unlike me.
Adding to that overwhelmed feeling, in the last six months…
a good friend had surgery for recurrent breast cancer,
a DIL’s father passed away,
another friend was diagnosed with leukemia,
another DIL lost two grandmothers inside of three months,
my sister had surgery for recurrent breast cancer after ten years of remission,
a SIL has undetermined thyroid nodules and
just last Friday morning, we attended the funeral of another friend (49 yrs. old) who was diagnosed just under three weeks ago with Stage IV uterine and lung cancer.
I could feel myself getting more and more down. Add to that an incredibly gloomy, snowy winter and then top it off with being menopausal. Yup, emotions & hot flashes have been running rampant. Life in general was overwhelming me.
We rarely miss church but two weeks ago I really, really didn’t want to go. I had to convince myself I should. So off we went, albeit grudgingly for me. Why is it when we go with an attitude of defiance is when we really need to hear what's going to be said the most? Could it be Satan trying to keep us away? Duh, Lori, ya think so?? Sometimes I’m a slow learner.
The message that particular Sunday was on being enlightened and centered around Paul and what and how he prayed when he was imprisoned. He was in a dire situation but he continued to be optimistic and prayed thanksgiving and encouragement over his people.
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”
Ephesians 1:15-16
When Paul was imprisoned as he looked up at night, he could more than likely see stars through the bars in the window to his cell. Paul chose to see the stars instead of the bars between him and the stars. He was thankful in his situation and even prayed for others and gave thanks for them.
I was incredibly convicted about how I had been looking at the bars and not the stars these last few months. The mountain of bad things happening either to myself or those I care about that I had been seeing is barely a mole hill for our God. So why was I taking on the burden of all these things instead of handing those cares over to Him, our Heavenly Father who is willing to take on all of those worries for me? I was limiting myself in living because of my limited view of life. I need to live in light of my calling not entwined in my circumstances.
The message was definitely the “God whack” I needed or maybe a proverbial kick in the pants. During the response time part of our service and after prayer, I instantly felt a new sense of peace and hope that I’d sorely been missing these last few months.
This past Easter weekend our church did spontaneous baptisms during our Easter services. Our church is a multi-site church and at our campus alone almost 100 people were baptized during the five services that were held. I organize the volunteers to help with the baptism so I was present for all five services and felt to see all of those people publicly make a statement of faith as they entered the waters of baptism. That was exactly the positive, uplifting shot in the arm that my tired soul longed for.
I accepted Christ as my savior at a youth retreat when I was 16 and was “sprinkle” believer baptized in a very formal ceremony in the country church I grew up in. This church was nice church but never really “me.” Clapping was not allowed and you absolutely never raised your hands in praise. It was a very old school church. Our current church is most definitely not old school.
The church we are at now is a Bible believing, life applicable, hand raising, clapping, contemporary worship type church which practices total immersion baptism. There is something so significant to me about the old person going down in the water and a new person coming up from it than what I experienced being sprinkled.
As I said, I was believer baptized at 16 but it was not a joyful occasion for me. I remember being scared to death to be up in front of church with all of these extremely formal people watching me. I was petrified I would say or do something wrong.
I had been thinking about being re-baptized for awhile and this weekend seemed like the right time for me. What better day to be baptized and receive the peace of a life living for Christ than Easter Sunday.
Baptism is making a public profession of our faith. When I did it in our old church I never felt joy in it. I had never publicly professed my faith at this church we’ve attended for the last ten years now. I felt an urgent need to profess my faith in front of this church family. I can’t express the feeling of joy I had stepping in to the pool with my husband and two wonderful friends by my side(thanks Dana & KD for getting wet with us!), Pastor Glen praying over me and my husband and friends baptizing me. What a joyous time! Definitely worth a war hoop and a hand-raise!
I’m still surrounded by “life problems.” They didn’t go away but God gave me my groove back ;) as I finally released everything to Him. I know He can handle all of these things way better than I can begin to(again, I'm a slow learner) as long as I continue to turn these burdens over to Him. I'm a work in progress and need to continue to release that control and resist the urge to handle it on my own. I'm definitely a work in progress!
Thanks for listening.
Sit back, grab a cup of coffee and relax as this could get a little long.
Let me preface it with this statement…in NO WAY is this meant to be a “please feel sorry for me” post. It’s a post about a spiritual journey I’ve been on these last few months.
It started last fall when I could feel some major burnout creeping in. It seemed there was always something I HAD to do. Everyone wanted a piece of my time and me being a giver, gave, gave and gave some more (of my time, that is). In the end, I didn’t own any of my own time.
Activities I enjoyed doing were put very much on the back burner. I could feel myself starting down a slippery slope of not finding much joy in life which is unlike my typical self. I am mostly a glass half full person. It was even hard to find joy in this winters New Orleans mission trip. It had turned into one more thing on the to-do list. Again, very much unlike me.
Adding to that overwhelmed feeling, in the last six months…
a good friend had surgery for recurrent breast cancer,
a DIL’s father passed away,
another friend was diagnosed with leukemia,
another DIL lost two grandmothers inside of three months,
my sister had surgery for recurrent breast cancer after ten years of remission,
a SIL has undetermined thyroid nodules and
just last Friday morning, we attended the funeral of another friend (49 yrs. old) who was diagnosed just under three weeks ago with Stage IV uterine and lung cancer.
I could feel myself getting more and more down. Add to that an incredibly gloomy, snowy winter and then top it off with being menopausal. Yup, emotions & hot flashes have been running rampant. Life in general was overwhelming me.
We rarely miss church but two weeks ago I really, really didn’t want to go. I had to convince myself I should. So off we went, albeit grudgingly for me. Why is it when we go with an attitude of defiance is when we really need to hear what's going to be said the most? Could it be Satan trying to keep us away? Duh, Lori, ya think so?? Sometimes I’m a slow learner.
The message that particular Sunday was on being enlightened and centered around Paul and what and how he prayed when he was imprisoned. He was in a dire situation but he continued to be optimistic and prayed thanksgiving and encouragement over his people.
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”
Ephesians 1:15-16
When Paul was imprisoned as he looked up at night, he could more than likely see stars through the bars in the window to his cell. Paul chose to see the stars instead of the bars between him and the stars. He was thankful in his situation and even prayed for others and gave thanks for them.
I was incredibly convicted about how I had been looking at the bars and not the stars these last few months. The mountain of bad things happening either to myself or those I care about that I had been seeing is barely a mole hill for our God. So why was I taking on the burden of all these things instead of handing those cares over to Him, our Heavenly Father who is willing to take on all of those worries for me? I was limiting myself in living because of my limited view of life. I need to live in light of my calling not entwined in my circumstances.
The message was definitely the “God whack” I needed or maybe a proverbial kick in the pants. During the response time part of our service and after prayer, I instantly felt a new sense of peace and hope that I’d sorely been missing these last few months.
This past Easter weekend our church did spontaneous baptisms during our Easter services. Our church is a multi-site church and at our campus alone almost 100 people were baptized during the five services that were held. I organize the volunteers to help with the baptism so I was present for all five services and felt to see all of those people publicly make a statement of faith as they entered the waters of baptism. That was exactly the positive, uplifting shot in the arm that my tired soul longed for.
I accepted Christ as my savior at a youth retreat when I was 16 and was “sprinkle” believer baptized in a very formal ceremony in the country church I grew up in. This church was nice church but never really “me.” Clapping was not allowed and you absolutely never raised your hands in praise. It was a very old school church. Our current church is most definitely not old school.
The church we are at now is a Bible believing, life applicable, hand raising, clapping, contemporary worship type church which practices total immersion baptism. There is something so significant to me about the old person going down in the water and a new person coming up from it than what I experienced being sprinkled.
As I said, I was believer baptized at 16 but it was not a joyful occasion for me. I remember being scared to death to be up in front of church with all of these extremely formal people watching me. I was petrified I would say or do something wrong.
I had been thinking about being re-baptized for awhile and this weekend seemed like the right time for me. What better day to be baptized and receive the peace of a life living for Christ than Easter Sunday.
Baptism is making a public profession of our faith. When I did it in our old church I never felt joy in it. I had never publicly professed my faith at this church we’ve attended for the last ten years now. I felt an urgent need to profess my faith in front of this church family. I can’t express the feeling of joy I had stepping in to the pool with my husband and two wonderful friends by my side(thanks Dana & KD for getting wet with us!), Pastor Glen praying over me and my husband and friends baptizing me. What a joyous time! Definitely worth a war hoop and a hand-raise!
I’m still surrounded by “life problems.” They didn’t go away but God gave me my groove back ;) as I finally released everything to Him. I know He can handle all of these things way better than I can begin to(again, I'm a slow learner) as long as I continue to turn these burdens over to Him. I'm a work in progress and need to continue to release that control and resist the urge to handle it on my own. I'm definitely a work in progress!
Thanks for listening.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
This weeks random dozen
I’m participating once again in this weeks random dozen over at
What a fun bunch of questions this week.
1. How do you feel about the marshmallow Easter Peeps?
I don’t eat them anymore since I’ve cut out a lot of sugars but used to love them. They were my favorite Easter candy and were best when they were either frozen or the package left open so they were tough.
2. Chickens are notoriously nervous creatures. When you are nervous, what is the best way to calm down?
laughter
3. People say, "April showers bring May flowers." Do you enjoy Spring rains?
As long as I don’t have to be out in it, I love a good rainy day once in a while. Note I said once in awhile not a weeks worth of them.
4. When I was randomly flipping through TV channels this week, I saw a show in which tattoo parlor employees received tattoos of a co-worker's face on their bodies. I can't imagine having a portrait of a colleague tattooed on me. But if someone forced you to receive a portrait tattoo (face only) of anyone, who would it be? Why?
If I was absolutely forced, it would have to be a picture of Jesus Christ.
5. Would you rather have a tattoo (any kind) or a nose ring?
Honestly I wouldn’t want either. I think we’re going to be a strange looking bunch in the nursing home someday with tattoos with stretch marks and wrinkles in the middle and piercing scars.
6. Do you have any special plans for Easter?
I’m helping with all of our Easter services at church. We have typically have 4 but they’ve added one for Easter. We are doing spontaneous baptisms and that’s the piece I am helping to facilitate. We did this last year as well. What an incredible moving event!
7. Cadbury Eggs or Reese Eggs?
Neither
8. What was the last thing/person you took a picture of?
My grandbabies on Sunday. Isn’t that what all grandmas are supposed to do? We have one that cooperates and one that sees me with the camera and turns away. What a stinker!
9. What book are you reading now, or what was the last one?
Waiting for Morning by Karen Kingsbury
10. What do you think is the most difficult task when it comes to Spring cleaning?
Washing windows! Probably not the most difficult but a job I absolutely detest. No matter how hard I try there seems to always be a streak or two and by the next morning, they’re dirty again.
11. How many pairs of flip-flops do you own?
2 pairs and I really don’t wear them much other than to slip on quick. Unfortunately, I’m getting older and need more support than what they offer me.
12. Which color makes you happiest?
Orange! Some day I’m going to have either a vehicle or motorcycle in that great metallic burnt orange color, doggone it!
What a fun bunch of questions this week.
1. How do you feel about the marshmallow Easter Peeps?
I don’t eat them anymore since I’ve cut out a lot of sugars but used to love them. They were my favorite Easter candy and were best when they were either frozen or the package left open so they were tough.
2. Chickens are notoriously nervous creatures. When you are nervous, what is the best way to calm down?
laughter
3. People say, "April showers bring May flowers." Do you enjoy Spring rains?
As long as I don’t have to be out in it, I love a good rainy day once in a while. Note I said once in awhile not a weeks worth of them.
4. When I was randomly flipping through TV channels this week, I saw a show in which tattoo parlor employees received tattoos of a co-worker's face on their bodies. I can't imagine having a portrait of a colleague tattooed on me. But if someone forced you to receive a portrait tattoo (face only) of anyone, who would it be? Why?
If I was absolutely forced, it would have to be a picture of Jesus Christ.
5. Would you rather have a tattoo (any kind) or a nose ring?
Honestly I wouldn’t want either. I think we’re going to be a strange looking bunch in the nursing home someday with tattoos with stretch marks and wrinkles in the middle and piercing scars.
6. Do you have any special plans for Easter?
I’m helping with all of our Easter services at church. We have typically have 4 but they’ve added one for Easter. We are doing spontaneous baptisms and that’s the piece I am helping to facilitate. We did this last year as well. What an incredible moving event!
7. Cadbury Eggs or Reese Eggs?
Neither
8. What was the last thing/person you took a picture of?
My grandbabies on Sunday. Isn’t that what all grandmas are supposed to do? We have one that cooperates and one that sees me with the camera and turns away. What a stinker!
9. What book are you reading now, or what was the last one?
Waiting for Morning by Karen Kingsbury
10. What do you think is the most difficult task when it comes to Spring cleaning?
Washing windows! Probably not the most difficult but a job I absolutely detest. No matter how hard I try there seems to always be a streak or two and by the next morning, they’re dirty again.
11. How many pairs of flip-flops do you own?
2 pairs and I really don’t wear them much other than to slip on quick. Unfortunately, I’m getting older and need more support than what they offer me.
12. Which color makes you happiest?
Orange! Some day I’m going to have either a vehicle or motorcycle in that great metallic burnt orange color, doggone it!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday question of the day...
Wow, I just realized when I went to post this that I haven't posted anything since last week's question.
I've had a post rolling around in my head but so far haven't been able to formulate it into words and then whether to even post it. Life has been a series of bad news for a couple weeks now and not sure quite how much to share or to share it at all. So I'm still thinking on that one.
On to happier thoughts and Mondays question.
What "screams" Spring to you?
Is it just one thing or are there many?
Is it when you see the first robin? We had our first one in the yard on Saturday.
Is the first daffodils? I've never had great luck in growing them so I wait until they come up here on campus to pick a bouquet with permission of the groundskeeper of course. ;)
What about that first thunderstorm of the season? I'm not a huge fan of storms but I do like to hear that first one of the year.
I don't think I can pinpoint one thing.
A few of my favorite signs are...
I've had a post rolling around in my head but so far haven't been able to formulate it into words and then whether to even post it. Life has been a series of bad news for a couple weeks now and not sure quite how much to share or to share it at all. So I'm still thinking on that one.
On to happier thoughts and Mondays question.
Is it just one thing or are there many?
Is it when you see the first robin? We had our first one in the yard on Saturday.
Is the first daffodils? I've never had great luck in growing them so I wait until they come up here on campus to pick a bouquet with permission of the groundskeeper of course. ;)
What about that first thunderstorm of the season? I'm not a huge fan of storms but I do like to hear that first one of the year.
I don't think I can pinpoint one thing.
A few of my favorite signs are...
- the first morning I can hang laundry on the clothesline when my fingers are practically froze. Oddly enough, I love that! I even love it better when I take it down and it smells so wonderful.
- or that first day I can open all the windows and air winter air and germs out of the house.
- or when I drag the porch and deck furniture out of storage and put it in place.
- or when the crabapple trees are blooming.
- and last but certainly not least -- that first motorcycle ride!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday question of the day…
I’m a gadget girl.
Phew, there, I finally said it. (relief)
Confession sure is good for the soul. :)
There isn’t much I like better than finding a new, fun gadget or tool, especially for the kitchen (see yesterday’s post). My new butter bell is the bomb!
Do you like gadgets?
Do you have a favorite?
Maybe a new gadget discovery?
Please share, pretty please?
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The two best things since sliced bread
Who knew? I must live in the dark ages that I never knew about these two little inventions before.
Well, I finally crawled out from under my rock and am in heaven! Heaven, I tell ya!
My two new favorite things…
A butter bell. Weird concept but it works! You take this little crock and
fill it a third of the way with cold water and fill the bell portion with butter.
Yes, I said butter, real honest to goodness butter. I still stand behind the thought that a little bit of real butter is way better for you than the junk that most margarines are made out of of. 
We’ve been using it this way for two weeks now and not gotten sick yet. I was brought up that most everything goes in the refrigerator so this is really thinking outside the box for me.
The result – soft spreadable butter every time. No more microwaving the butter to soften it only to have it turn to liquid and run all over.
I suspect these have been around for years. I’ve probably just been under my rock but am loving this “new” invention now.
The second new discovery of mine which I know has been around for a long time although I never “got it” is the 1/4” foot for a sewing machine. Wow! What a difference!
I’ve sewn for years but this little baby takes the headache and stress out of sewing that’s for sure, especially quilting. On the right side of this lil ol’ sewing presser foot is a metal guide to butt your fabric up against as you sew and wallah you have a nice, even, straight 1/4” stitch!
I’ve always went by the mark on the plate of the sewing machine and would get crooked semi-straight 1/4” seams. Problem solved now. I use to dread topstitching because it always looked messy. No more with this handy, dandy gadget!
The result – beautiful 1/4” seams!
If you don’t have either one or both of these items, they are a must have for sure!
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