Just a little anxious

I was just getting ready to upload this entry when I changed my mind. I sounded like an idiot, jumping from here to there with my thoughts. The new job does have me anxious. I always have a hard time with change. I think that many of us do, but we all adjust. I know that I have some new skills to learn. I often get impatient with myself, wanting everything to happen 'RIGHT NOW'.

I really do not have much to say, I have enjoyed our drives in the country and around town this past week. Tessa has become accustom to that late evening drive. (I have to admit I have too!) The weather has been so hot, the lawns are looking rather sad. If you look really hard though, there is beauty all around you! I might not have the time to write much, but I will want to share my photos with you. The one in this entry is of some of us at the Reynolds Parade. I really wonder what Alicia was trying to take a photo of, her eyes are definitely NOT on the target! Till next time...

TOO FAST

I am so sad to see this week end. John has been home with me and I get rather spoiled when that happens. The project we started is finished for the most part. Today, we will be going to Reynolds for the parade and to spend some time with Alicia. Monday, I start my job for real. I hope it goes ok, for I am a little nervous! Have a great weekend!

Typo's

My darling Husband has brought it to my attention that I have made some mistakes in my previous entry. My response is, I DO NOT CARE!  I guess you will all have to just read between the lines. I wonder if nature is going to give us another show tonight? Good Night!!

July 25, 2007

This day started out with me thinking, oh no, here we go again! Another project that will be stress full and have John and I pickering back and forth. We both knew it was going to be blazing hot and figuring out a new skill is not easy. We gather our supplies and then John started to cut the cement backer board. I was not allowed to really help with this. If any of you know me, you know it was killing me to not be able to give a helping hand. I know when I do this, John just rolls his eyes and really wants to be left alone. We laid out the center tile to see how the pattern would be. A little disagreement occrued, but all was resolved with the discovery we were short on a couple pieces of tile. We returned the excess and brought home what we needed. John mixed the mortar and I proceeded to start laying the tile. I really wish we could have smoked right through that little entry way. I could not believe how tired I ended up and John decided that once we used up the mortar that was mixed we would stop till morning. We had most of the whole tiles laid. Tomorrow we will be doing quite abit of cutting. Allan, our neighbor has a cutter and was gracious enough to let us borrow it. He has been by a couple of times to see our progress, so far he has approved of how we are doing everything. It is always nice to get the opinion of someone that has had some experience. Tessa has spent the day playing with different friends. It really is a nice feeling to end the day tired and realize that you have actually done something to make you tires. I pray that your day went well! John has all the photos from this experience and eventually I will get on that computer to put some up for you to see. If you are just dying to see before I am able to, go to his Flickr and check them out! Till next time...

July 24, 2007

This will be a quick entry. I have just not been getting on this computer and letting John work on his photos and such. We started a little project that involves the front entry way. I will eventually share photos that will speak volumes. I will say this, "Lord, HELP US!" Hope you are all having a great week! Till next time...

July 22, 2007

We have just gotten home from a trip back into time. I wish there were more photos from that period in my life to help me remember some of who I saw on Saturday. Susan and Aaron were there to help me remember, but for some it was impossible. The tour of the college was wonderful. I was so amazed by all the different changes. Where the girls dorm was, is now the boys. South Hall, old men's dorm, is now the library. Susan and I laughed as that was one part of the school we rarely ever went into. We did not have the need for the classes we were taking. The women are now in Gilliand Hall, which I believe was one married housing. I wish we could have seen one of those rooms. I did find my old door but so many changes make it look nothing like it did when I went to school there.

I really do hope they do this again and can find more of the alumni. I had wished to see many more faces from that time period. Susan has given me a few photos she has from that time period for me to scan and save with what I have. We look so young, and I guess in reality we were. I was only 17 when I first left home for LRJC. I have not seen all the photos John took, so I know that I will have more to say later.

Tessa seemed so pleased by getting to sew with Julie and then writing and printing on the computer. She thinks I need to have a sewing machine like Grandma's. If any of you know me, you know that is NOT happening. Sewing is not my favorite pastime. I am just so grateful that Nakita and Tessa were somewhere safe while we were out having some fun.

John has this week off, and I will not go back to my new job till next week. I have not really said much about this new job. I will tell you this, it is close to the house, I get to sit and work at a computer and get paid for it. Could it get anymore perfect!? I have the feeling, I will not feel like getting on the computer after having worked on one most of the day. Time to close and see what everyone else is doing. How was everyone's weekend? Till next time...

Should I be scared?

I am not one of those that believes in superstitions. Now, if I was, I think yesterday would have been a really bad day. I was going about the business of trying to be the good wife and housekeeper. My trip upstairs always puts fear in me, thinking "What am I going to find today?"

I had actually started to do some work in Miss Tessa's room. I am really not sure how I ended up switching gears and wondering into the bathroom. It doesn't really matter, because I did! It has this little window, and I thought, "It will only take a few minutes!" WRONG! I was putting it back together after washing the pains when the unthinkable happened. IT FELL OUT AND FELL TO THE GROUND! My heart sank to my toes, and I went out to see how bad it really was. I am ever so grateful for my day lilies. They cushioned the fall for most of the window. The part that broke was the part that would NOT go in like it should. I spent the next hour cleaning up glass of Al's driveway, IN THE SUN, and trying to get all the shards out of my rocks. The little neighbor boy came by to see why this crazy woman was trying to vacuum her rocks.

The rest of the story, later that night I am sitting at the computer when I hear this sound in the bathroom. I asked, "What happened!" John replies, "I broke the mirror!" I could do nothing but laugh. So ends the day in the Williams household. I sure hope that this day goes better for us. How are all of you doing? Till next time...

Senior Driver

Senior Driver

The other day I went up to a local Christian bookstore and saw a "Honk if you love Jesus" bumper sticker.


I was feeling particularly sassy that day, because I had just come from a thrilling choir practice followed by a powerful prayer meeting, so I bought the sticker and put it on my bumper.

I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection just lost in thought about the Lord and how good He is, and I didn't notice that the light had changed.

It is a good thing someone else loves Jesus; because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed.

I found that LOTS of people love Jesus Why, while I was sitting there, the nice man behind started honking like crazy, and he leaned out of his window and screamed, "for the love of God, GO! GO!" What an exuberant cheerleader he was for the Lord.

Everyone started honking! I just leaned out of my window and started waving and smiling at all these loving people.

I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love. There must have been a man from Florida back there , because I heard him yelling something about a sunny beach.

I saw another man waving in a funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air. When I asked my teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant, he said that it was an Hawaiian good luck sign or something.


Well, I've never met anyone from Hawaii , so I leaned out the window and gave him the good luck sign back.


My grandson burst out laughing; why even he was enjoying this religious experience.

A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards me.


I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had changed.
So I waved to all my sisters and brothers, smiled at them all, and drove on through the intersection.


I noticed I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed again, and I felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared, so I slowed the car down, leaned out of the window, and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away.

Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks!

Share Grandma's letter with your friends.

Calling in Sick

Cat Lover or Not, this is hysterical! We've all had trouble with our animals, but I don't think anyone can top this one:

Calling in sick to work makes me uncomfortable. No matter how legitimate my excuse, I always get the feeling that my boss thinks I'm lying.

On one recent occasion, I had a valid reason but lied anyway, because the truth was just too darned humiliating. I simply mentioned that I had sustained a head injury, and I hoped I would feel up to coming in the next day. By then, I reasoned, I could think up a doozy to explain the bandage on the top of my head. The accident occurred mainly because I had given in to my wife's wishes to adopt a cute little kitty.
Initially, the new acquisition was no problem.

Then one morning, I was taking my shower after breakfast when I heard my wife, Deb, call out to me from the kitchen.
"Honey! The garbage disposal is dead again. Please come reset it."
"You know where the button is," I protested through the shower pitter-patter and steam. "Reset it yourself!"
"But I'm scared!" she persisted. "What if it starts going and sucks me in?"

There was a meaningful pause and then, "C'mon, it'll only take you a second." So out I came, dripping wet and butt naked, hoping that my silent outraged nudity would make a statement about how I perceived her behavior as extremely cowardly.

Sighing loudly, I squatted down and stuck my head under the sink to find the button. It is the last action I remember performing.
It struck without warning, and without any respect to my circumstances. No, it wasn't the hexed disposal, drawing me into its gnashing metal teeth. It was our new kitty, who discovered the fascinating dangling objects she spied hanging between my legs. She had been poised around the corner and stalked me as I reached under the sink. And, at the precise moment when I was most vulnerable, she leapt at the toys I unwittingly offered and snagged them with her needle-like claws. I lost all rational thought to control orderly bodily movements, blindly rising at a violent rate of speed, with the full weight of a kitten hanging from my masculine region.

Wild animals are sometimes faced with a "fight or flight" syndrome. Men, in this predicament, choose only the "flight" option. I know this from experience. I was fleeing straight up into the air when the sink and cabinet bluntly and forcefully impeded my ascent.
The impact knocked me out cold.

When I awoke, my wife and the paramedics stood over me.
Now there are not many things in this life worse than finding oneself lying on the kitchen floor butt naked in front of a group of "been-there, done-that" paramedics.
Even worse, having been fully briefed by my wife, the paramedics were all snorting loudly as they tried to conduct their work, all the while trying to suppress their hysterical laughter......and not succeeding.

Somehow I lived through it all. A few days later I finally made it back in to the office, where colleagues tried to coax an explanation out of me about my head injury. I kept silent, claiming it was too painful to talk about, which it was.

"What's the matter?" They all asked, "Cat got your tongue?"
If they only knew!
Why is it that only the women laugh at this?

Black Forest Dream Dessert

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoon sugar

1/2 cup cold butter

1/2 cup flaked coconut

1/2 cup chopped walnuts, tasted

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 cup confectioners' sugar

1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided

1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling

1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1-1/2 cups cold milk

2 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix

chocolate curls, optional

In a bowl, combine flour and sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in coconut and walnuts. Press into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.

In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar; beat until smooth. Fold in 1 cup whipped topping. Spread over crust. Top with pie filling; cover and chill.

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixed for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Whisk a small amount of pudding into melted chocolate, return all to the pudding, whisking constantly. Pour over sherry filling. Chill for 2 hours or until set.

Just before serving, spread remaining whipped topping over dessert. Garnish wit chocolate curls if desired. Yield: 12 servings.

Never Say to a Cop

1. I can't reach my license unless you hold my beer. (OK in Texas)

2. Sorry, Officer, I didn't realize my radar detector wasn't plugged in.

3. Aren't you the guy from the Village People?

4. Hey, you must've been doin' about 125 mph to keep up with me. Good job!

5. Are You Andy or Barney?

6. I thought you had to be in relatively good physical condition to be a police officer.

7. You're not gonna check the trunk, are you?

8. I pay your salary!

9. Gee, Office r! That's terrific. The last officer only gave me a warning, too!

10. Do you know why you pulled me over? Okay, just so one of us does.

11. I was trying to keep up with traffic. Yes, I know there are no other cars around.. That's how far ahead of me they are.

12. When the Officer says "Gee Your eyes look red, have you been drinking?"
You probably shouldn't respond with,"Gee Officer your eyes look glazed, have
you been eating doughnuts?"

July 17, 2007

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

Rides, Rain and Mud!

Yesterday was the last day the fair was in town. The weather was not great, but Tessa was able to go on a couple of rides with her friends. The adults were treated to a demo derby. I really felt sorry for the guys that had to try and do this in all the mud. I wonder what it would have been like if the cars could have actually made some traction instead of sitting and having their tires spin.

They kept having these contests to see which side of the stadium was the loudest. I had not realized just how loud Tessa could scream. I was happy to see her enjoying her time. She really did not want to come, but occasionally I would see a smile. I need to close now and get some work done around here. Till next time...

Do you need to find a smile?

If you are feeling down and need a smile, go here to find it!

The Tree

One of our favorite past times is taking the camera and going for a drive. John took us into East Grand Forks, and that is where we found this tree. IT is the mature version of our very large twig planted in the back yard. I just hope ours turns as beautiful as this one. Till next time...

July 15, 2007

Does this sound like me?

Faithful Realist

The rest of the description is here. I think I must have answered some of the questions wrong? Till next time...

You Are a Smart American

You know a lot about US history, and you're opinions are probably well informed. Congratulations on bucking stereotypes. Now go show some foreigners how smart Americans can be.

Are You a Dumb American?

July 11, 2007

This morning started with a trip to the dentist. I was shocked by how fast Tessa was in and out. I was told that they had used laughing gas on her. I had to smile as we had just had a conversation about this in the past week. Tessa had wondered what the mask thing that was used on Mariah to get her teeth filled. Tessa told me that she was so relaxed she did not need the gas. I wonder if she was relaxed before or after it was given.

I am so loving this weather, cool with sun and the occasional rain burst. I still am very entertained by the wildlife just outside my dining room window. This little pair of squirrels are just so CUTE! I took this photo through the window not so good, but you can still seem them together on this branch munching away.

Tessa went upstairs and all was just too quite. I finally checked on her to find out she had fallen asleep. She says "I stayed awake very late reading!" I have a feeling that will be a very hard habit to break once school starts again. She thinks as long as it is summer she does not need to keep regular sleeping hours.

I was realizing that soon it will be time to start looking for school supplies. I really must say I am not ready for that, as the laid back atmosphere of summer is what I like the most. I wonder what it will be like when I do not have any children in school anymore. Will summer hold the same feeling for me, or will it just become three more months that run on and on?

I received this ad in the mail today for these lilies that grow as tall as a person. The stalks are 4" in circumference and they say can hold up a bike. Can you imagine how pretty that would be? It is at times like this when I wish I had more space to put flowers. Well, time to close before I put all of you to sleep! Till next time...

Lemon Raspberry Muffins

I have more raspberries that I can eat, hence the hunt for a recipe. These are good and pretty easy to make. Enjoy!
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup half-and-half cream
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened raspberries
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, combine the eggs, cream, oil and extract. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in raspberries.
Fill greased jumbo muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 400 degrees for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm. Yield: 8 jumbo muffins.
Sixteen regular-size muffin cups may be used; bake for 18-20 minutes. If using frozen raspberries, do not thaw before adding to batter.

Issues

Tessa tells me to get over my issues. I want to get over them, but find myself facing life with trepidation. I have a serious lack of faith and trust. The way we all seem to treat each other leaves me with a serious bad taste in my mouth. I always want to keep every one happy, but being a peace maker is really exhausting. I would rather just go and hide my head and let the world spin on by.

Tell me, is there anything more important than family? I don't think so, so it hurts when there are conflicts. I have one, it is going to be coming on a year, and I have NO idea how to fix it. I am told repeatedly to make the first step. Now would someone tell me what to say!?! I hear of the hurts, and I allow myself to feel them. I can imagine how bad to loose something that you wait for all year. I remember being told if you don't do this you can not do something. I worked my butt off to accomplish the required task. I was NOT going to miss out on camp. It was the one thing I looked forward all year, to this day it is still my favorite memories of childhood. Mom, you can stop thinking you were a bad mom. You know this would motivate me to mow the lawn, the dreaded of all jobs back then!

Alicia and Gregg are back home. They came by yesterday to show us the photos they took on their trip last week. I loved seeing all the photos of the mountains and waterfalls. I want to go on a trip like that again. Tessa keeps reminding me that she has not done all the things her big sisters did.

I am sitting here wondering if what I have just written will in some way upset or irritate. It is NOT my intention, just speaking what is on my mind. Right now, I should be finding all the different questions I have been asked on Skype funny, for me it just shows the sad state our world is in. It is way to perverted for my taste. I have lost some of the innocence I first had when I entered this internet world. I think I have just shown how much my mind can wonder, it hops from one subject to another. Poor John has to put up with this every day. I guess I need to close as supper time fast approaches. I hope all is well with everyone! Till next time...

7-7-07

Happiness keeps You Sweet,
Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Failures keep You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!

Someday

Our backyard has been seriously lacking in shade for a few years. A wind storm a few years back too all our large trees out. What was once completely shades is hotter than Hades on a day like today. There is NO shade at all. Tessa looks at this 'little twig' and shakes her head. I choose to look at the possibilities and God willing, it will make the backyard an enjoyable place to be in the evening. This is a Weeping Cut Leaf Birch. Till next time...

Princess Tessa

Tessa was supposed to be cleaning, but got a little side tracked. I had to laugh when I saw this taped on the stained glass window on the way up to her room. Does it put a smile on your face? Till next time...

Cherry Vanilla Mini Muffins

I made these today, made a mistake but they are still great. Tessa can really agree with that as she has ate too many to count. Enjoy!

1-2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1 cup (8 ounces) vanilla yogurt

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup maraschino cherries, chopped

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, beat the egg, yogurt, butter and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in cherries.

Fill greased or paper-lined miniature muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 400 degrees for 13-15 minutes or until a tooth-pick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Yield: about 2-1/2 dozen.

Don't Mess with Kids

7 reasons not to mess with children.

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah". The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?" The little girl replied, "Then you ask him".

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, "I'm drawing God." The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honour" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?" Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?" Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white." The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. "Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.' A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."

A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face." "Yes," the class said. "Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?" A little fellow shouted, "Cause your feet ain't empty."

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE . God is watching." Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."

July 5, 2007

It would seem that nature did not like the competition. The fireworks were just ending when the lightening and rain started. How was your 4th? Till next time...

Tessa's Pick

Tessa wanted this to attract hummingbirds. It has not really worked yet, but it is an interesting flower to look at. Till next time...

July 2, 2007

Girly glitter comments from www.GirlyTags.com

July 2, 2007

My last evening with Julie for who knows how long. She was gracious enough to play games with Tessa. The look on her face showed what a sacrifice it was. We did not find anything on tv to watch. She had brought along the series 'Firefly'. I really am not sure how long either of us will be able to stay awake. I don't know when she will be back to stay with us. The earliest will be in August and I don't even want to think how close to school we will be then. In case I don't get to write before the 4th. HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! Till next time...

July 2, 2007

From Austin, Texas, where stupid criminal Paul Greer walked into a bank and demanded money from a teller. He got his cash and on his way out a magazine in the bank lobby caught his interest. Instead of stealing it also, he sat down on one of the bank's comfy sofas and began reading it. He continued to read while bank employees called the cops. He was still engrossed in the magazine when the police arrived. If he enjoys Field and Stream that much he should subscribe!

I needed a bit of humor this morning and found this in a little paper John always picks up free. I must say, people continue to amaze me. Till next time...

July 1, 2007

Friday morning, Alicia, Mariah and I were on the road by 7am. I am so grateful for that portable DVD player so that she would watch movies all the way to the cities. It was a time for Alicia and I to catch up. I did not want her to get sleepy and I had to try and stay awake. We reached the city by noon, but went to the wrong terminal first. GRRR! It took us 45 minutes to get back to the right terminal and while doing that her gas chime came on. If you know me well, that is enough to cause me to PANIC. She just laughed and said she could drive for 20 miles on that. I just wonder how long it will last in this traffic jam?

We finally had Chris and Mariah had her Dad. The drive to find the motel and then Mall of America was a bit hairy. We were all so hungry after not eating all day. I know that Alicia had a very hard time saying goodbye. We thought we had missed rush hour. NOPE! I felt so bad for her as she has a clutch and had to constantly keep shifting as he barely moved for an hour and a half. I was so worried we would not be able to stay awake. A bit of caffeine and non stop chatter, every minute brought us closer to home. I was never so happy to see my house. I knew that I had no plans for saturday. Alicia on the other hand, had another day of riding in the car. They were leaving for a weeks vacation to South Dakota and Wyoming. I hope that they have a great time.

Julie is here for part of the weekend. The last weekend of her Pracs study. We took her to the Golden Corral again and then a quiet afternoon at home. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Hope you have all had a great weekend and are ready to face a new week! Till next

Rhubarb Nut Bread

1 Egg

1 1/2 Cup brown sugar

2/3 Cup liquid shortening

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. vanilla

2 1/2 Cup flour

1 1/2 Cup fresh rhubarb, diced

1/2 nuts

Mix above ingredients and put in 2 greased and floured loaf pans. Sprinkle topping (see below) over top and bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.

TOPPING:

1/2 Cup sugar

1 tbsp. butter