I resolve...

I resolve to keep my eyes on Jesus throughout the 2006. I will do so by letting everything I say be good and helpful. I pledge to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry; and to fix my thoughts on what is true, honorable, pure, lovely and admirable. Primarily, I give my word to pray about everything rather than worrying.

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that hinders our progress. And let us run the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.

James 1:19
Dear friends, be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry.

Philippians 4:6, 8
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
And now, dear friends, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Ephesians 4:29
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.



I resolve to offer my body as a living and holy sacrifice. I pledge that whatever I eat or drink or whatever I do, I will do all for the glory of God.

Romans 12:1-2
And so, dear Christian friends, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don’t copy the customs and behaviors of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.

Corinthians 10:31
Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God.

Family Pictures

Christmas is the season of family pictures. I love to get the whole family together for a photo to freeze time. I have a hard time thinking about it with my family now as so many have gone on to heaven. The last family picture for us was in 1995 at my youngest sister's wedding. Since then we have lost (and God has gained) my sister, a niece, a nephew and my mom. Since 1995, we have gained 14 new members through birth and marriage. Our next family picture will be taken in Heaven.

So my advice is to treasure every moment you have with those you love. Some of the ones we lost were long illnesses where we became weary, but we had the time to say what needed to be said. Others were sudden, here one moment and with God the next. Say what must be said and never go to bed angry. You may never have another chance to say, "I love you" or "Please forgive me."

That being said. I wanted to include a picture of DH's family. We were all together on the Monday before Christmas to celebrate Christ's birth. DH and I are in the top row. I am wearing an aqua shirt and he is to my left, wearing a blue shirt.

Thursday 13 Things about ME!

One ~ God and Savior, Jesus Christ, in which I believe
Two ~ Big Bothers
Three ~ Dogs owned in my life, Buster, Juneau and Casey
Four ~ Sisters
Five ~Age when I visited Disneyland for the first time
Six ~ The 6th of 7 children
Seven ~ Number of children in Mom’s family
Eight ~ Won my first camera by selling Christmas cards
Nine ~ Years ago that my oldest sister died of melanoma
Ten ~ Age when I became an auntie for the first time
Eleven ~ Number of children in Dad’s family
Twelve ~ Age when I was baptized
Thirteen ~ Age when I realized life was never going to get any easier

Our First Baby

Juneau

5/10/94 - 12/29/04

Only with the help of our troops...

I found this article through The Political Clock. I am amazed it was actually on CNN.com. Please take the time to read it. We have truly the most amazing military in the world--tough, loyal and compassionate.

Natural Food Diet Tip...

So, for lunch today it was some crackers and cheese ball. Take a minute to look at a cheese ball. This particular one is a mixture of, I think, three cheeses—cheddar, jack and something else I cannot identify. You take spoiled milk products and roll it all together in a ball. When the goo sets, it gets rolled in shaved nuts or something of the sort. When the time arrives to eat, the lump gets set on the table next to crackers and such with a sharp utensil stuck in it. A group of revelers gathers around and mmms and ahhs as they slather it on the crackers and chow down. What I find so strange is that if any one of the people found spoiled milk in the fridge, they would toss it out or feed it to the pigs, if they have any. (The pig thing is a whole ‘nuther story!) Yet the fact that it is left far longer than simple spoiled milk and then rolled in stuff, makes it a treat. I really don’t get it, but I love a good cheese ball, actually cheese in any form is delicious.

In writing this I may have found a great diet tip for the new year. Say that I think about my food in its natural form. Growing up we raised chickens for both eggs and the meat. Eggs aren't so bad. The shell doesn't get eaten after all. But there was a reason mom didn't make fried chicken for a couple of weeks after the killing time. Now, beef liver is even worse to think about. It’s an organ that aids in digestion and removes waste products and worn-out cells from the blood. Ewww! How about…

You know, I think I'll go have another orange, before I do anymore thinking about this. However, the diet angle might just work...

Five Things

I decided to take both Cheryl's tags and run with them so here is the second.

What was I doing 10 years ago?

Working as a team leader in an Alzheimer’s Day Program, living in a mobile home park (miss the house, not the neighbors!), had one dog (Juneau, American Eskimo), married and had 22 nieces and nephews

What was I doing 5 years ago?

Had just changed to working for the same small software company as DH and was doing tech writing and customer service and sales, my mom had her first cancer surgery, had 2 dogs (Juneau & Casey), still married

What was I doing last year?

Working as the Assistant Administrator of an assisted living and memory care community, spending the first Christmas without mom, Juneau died, still married and had 1 great nephew

What was I doing yesterday?

It was Christmas read the previous post!

5 yummy things I like:
Dark Chocolate
My sister-in-law’s frosted sugar cookies
Chips and onion dip
Pepsi!
My DH

5 things I know by heart:
SS Number (and DH’s, too)
Driver’s License Number
Childhood Phone Number
Many, many hymns
Psalm 1 and other assorted verses

5 Things I do if I had lots of money:
Start a foundation for victims of sexual abuse by protestant church leaders
Start college funds for all my nieces and nephews
Travel the world!
Visit my family since we are spread out throughout the US
Take a variety of classes just to learn stuff

5 places I'd escape to:
Maui
The Oregon Coast
Noord Holland in the springtime
My bed!
Childhood

5 Favorite TV shows:
Grey’s Anatomy
Bones (although the books are much better)
Mythbusters
Monk
Amazing Race

5 Things I would never wear:
A nose ring
A mohawk
Leg warmers (Can you believe they are coming back?)
A swastica
I am sure there are a lot more, but my brain went dead!

5 Things I enjoy doing:
Reading
Hiking
Learning
Beading
Suprising others by doing the unexpected

The Day After...

DH & I enjoyed a quiet Christmas day. It wasn’t “traditional” by any means, but it is ours. As we pulled into Burger King for Christmas Dinner, I wondered if we were pathetic or very comfortable with ourselves. From there we headed on to his sister’s for a few hours. The kids were excited to show us their loot. Spending time with them was relaxing. I love just hanging out with them, the kids are loving and kind and Jen and Mike are easy to be with. The expectations are low and everyone can just be themselves.

The best part of the day is that I was able to spend it with DH. I go on and on about him, but it is all true. He is the light of my life and my rock. I thank God everyday for bringing him into my life.

Birthday of a King

In the little village of Bethlehem
There lay a child one day
And the sky was bright
With a holy light
O'er the place where Jesus lay.

Alleluia
O how the angels sang!
Alleluia
How it rang!
And the sky was bright
With a holy light '
Twas the birthday of a King.


Humble birthplace
But O
How much God gave to us that day!
From the manger bed what a path has led
What a perfect holy way.


Alleluia
O how the angels sang!
Alleluia
How it rang!
And the sky was bright With a Holy light
'Twas the birthday of a King.

Amberglen Business Park

We headed out to a duck pond in Beaverton this afternoon for a walk. I only had my camera phone with me so it isn't a great picture. But my DH & Casey look great as usual. Casey is unimpressed by the geese and ducks. He is more interested in checking out where any other dogs have been and in marking his territory.

The park has a large pond with fountains and waterfalls connecting them. There are dozens of ducks and geese here year round. (No hunting, Pirate!) There are several signs posted to not feed them, but as we were leaving a family came and did just that. The kids went running as the ducks waddled up a quacking. It was reminiscent of watching a bunch of little girls running away from little boys with bugs—loving the attention, but not sure which was more gross, the boys or the bugs.

Thursday 13

13 Good Things:

Sunrise in Hawaii
Sleeping late
Walking in the snow
Playing with little ones
Reading a good book
Sisters & Brothers
Nieces & Nephews
My Doggie, Casey
Holding hands (and what it can lead to…)
Bubblegum Candy Canes
Cell Phones (Yes, they are good things!)
Good Hair Days
Being married to the most amazing man in the world!

Five weird things about me!

I took this from Cheryl, even though I wasn't tagged, oh, well!

• I change my hairstyle whenever there is a change in my life. BTW, just chopped it off last week!
• I try to beat the check-out person in saying, “Have a nice day!” The look on the face is so worth it.
• I cannot do only one thing at a time. I have to play on the computer while watching a movie, pace when I talk on the phone and other such things.
• I have the characteristics of both the oldest and the youngest child, although I am the 6th of 7 children.
• At the age of 38, I still don’t know for sure what I want to do when I grow up!

Time for a change...

Yep, my blog looks completely different. Well, get over it. I like change, so there. Enjoy the change and check out some of the links to my favorite blogs. They are all clean and family friendly. So for those I visit often and you are not on the links list, well you may have some things my beloved nieces and nephews should not see. Get over that, too!

Do you ever wonder?

That your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy
has come to make you new;
the child that you delivered
will soon deliver you?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
will calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know that your baby boy
has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby,
you kiss the face of God!
Oh Mary did you know?

Oh Mary did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear
the dead will live again.
The lame will leap; the dumb will speak
the praises of the Lamb.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy
is Heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping child you're holding
is the great I Am!

Mary did you know?

Lake Oswego Lights

This evening we joined a volkswalk through Lake O neighborhoods to view the lights. It was so cold that we just went the 4K walk. They are expecting a low of 24 F tonight, but I would have said it was -24 with the wind chill. During the next couple of weeks, we will probably not have regular "weekly hikes" so we will fill in with whatever we can.

Another Exciting Day

Saturday was another exciting day in the family. My niece, Jessica, was married in South Carolina. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend. She was a beautiful bride!

Christmas Ships

Tonight’s volkswalk was along the Willamette River in Downtown Portland. Each December, boats decorated in lights travel on the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. This walk corresponded with the boats, so we were able to see the lights of the city as well as the boats. It was a lot of fun, but definitely cold. Okay, not as cold as Minnesota, but there was ice on the walkway, so there!

The “Made in Oregon” sign is a Christmas landmark in Portland. Each year the deer becomes Rudolph with a red nose. The other photo is of the city’s Christmas (believe it or not , the land of the liberal still uses that term) tree in Pioneer Square.

Making a profile change...

I am honored to make a change in my profile. The 35 nieces and nephews is now 36. My great-niece, Hannah Marie, was born on Monday, December 5th. She weighed in at 7 pounds 7 ounces and is 20 inches long. Congratulations, Amanda & Nick!

Weekly Hike

This week was an 11K (6.8 miles) volkswalk in the Bethany area. It actually went right past Avamere at Bethany, where I worked for a while. There were 14 homes in the process of getting lights put up and many others with the lights ready to go at dusk. We wandered through neighborhoods, greenways and past a golf course. In the background of this photo is a putting course.

Okay, I'm ready...

I really have not been able to start thinking about Christmas. This may seem early, but I am usually ready the end of October. This year with 13 weeks of unemployment and some other stuff going on it has been really difficult to anticipate all the get togethers. Yesterday, my husband put up the Christmas lights on the house. I returned home from running errands and there they were. I had to smile. I love Christmas lights. They add life to an otherwise dark and dreary evening. To me, they are like the star that led the wise men to the newborn King of Kings. And last evening, the lights led me to the joy of the season. Now, I am ready to celebrate Jesus' birthday and the giving and receiving it brings.

A Walk in the Park

After a deluge yesterday, the weather was a bit better today. We went on a 10k volkswalk that led through a number of venues. It began on a wood chip path then passed by the skate park and into a quiet neighborhood. From there we walked through a greenway and on a boardwalk through a wet land. (The leaf covered boardwalk was slicker than snot on a slug slimed doorknob.) It ended by walking through a business park after walking through the 1986 Street of Dreams with mansions surrounding a private lake.

Happy Thanksgiving!

There is so much to be thankful for again this year. It becomes so easy to deal on the losses that we forget the simple things we do have.

I am thankful for:

• The certainty that I will see those I love who have gone to Heaven before I
• The colors of a sunny day and the rain that brings the colors to life
• Family~99% of the time
• The unconditional love of a dog
• The man who is the love of my life

Rose City Golf Course

We have had such an amazing fall. Saturday dawned bright and beautiful with barely a cloud in the sky. After a couple of false starts, we ended up at the Rose City Golf Course for our weekly hike. A path circling the course afforded views of the greens and fairways with colorful deciduous and evergreen trees. In the distance, Mt. Hood rose into the sky overseeing the valley. The path was deep with leaves fallen from the trees making a crunching sound with each step. The joy of kicking through them made me give an impish grin as I recalled the fun of jumping into piles of raked leaves as a child. And so, another moment of joy to share and to carry one through the rough patches.

Fanno Creek Trail

One cannot really call this a hike; after all, the trail is asphalt and several feet wide. However, it is called the Fanno Creek Trail, so we will go with it. There have been some comments from the Midwest on the green we still enjoy. The area will be green through most of the winter, unless we get a bit of snow. We haven’t had a hard frost yet and the wind has not picked up, so the leaves have stayed green longer this year as well as staying on the trees longer.

Hoyt Arboretum

We went back to Hoyt Arboretum this afternoon and followed a map which led to trails that I haven’t been on before. Amazing or not, I have been on most of them even though there are nearly 50 miles of trails in the arboretum and connecting Forest Park. Hoyt Arboretum is home to 1,100 species of trees from around the world on 185 acres within the Portland city limits.

Angel's Rest

The weather is clear and bright today, so we headed out to the Columbia River Gorge to one of our favorite hikes, Angel’s Rest. Just a quick trip out I84 to Bridal Veil and the trail head. It was busy today; every Oregonian was taking advantage of the dry, sunny day before getting stuck in months of rain. Casey was his usual excited self as we got ready to head up the trail. It is amazing that a 13# dog that is 12ish has so much energy! I had forgotten that the trail to Angel’s Rest is 2¼ miles UP! It is an elevation change of 660’ and I felt every foot of it. The truth is the burning glutes are so worth it when you get to the edge and look both up and down the gorge. It is incredible. The Gorge is beautiful from any angle, but from this viewpoint one can see how vast it is. How great is God that he not only created such beauty, but also a way for us to view it.

Weekly Hike

A while back, my husband and I would go for a hike each weekend. We would then send a photo of something we saw along the way to friends and loved ones. We have begun to do so again. This time I will also share them with whoever happens on this site. Today, the choice was a small state park within Portland, Tryon Creek State Park. It has a combination of asphalt and hard packed dirt trails that meander through a wetland area. It is under a canopy of trees, both evergreen and deciduous. Soft moss covers much of the trunks and the sun peaked slightly through the treetops and the clouds.

I'm back...

So, I am back finally. Since my last post, I have left a stressful job and been on vacation. So, it is getting a bit easier to see the bright side of things again. (Especially, since I got a couple of good leads for a new job today!)

Fall colors have always been one of my favorite things to see. The changes happen every year just like I expect them. Yet the views are so spectacular, I find a new thrill with each turn of the path. That is definately a good thing!

E-bay

Okay, so I like ebay. Actually, I am totally hooked on it! I can find all sorts of things that I never new I even wanted. Really, I never knew that I wanted that sculture from ancient Rome. However, I wouldn't buy the thing even if I could afford it. Where would I put it and what would I do with it? I suppose I could just sit and look at it, but that doesn't sound like much fun.

Really Funny Stuff

So this afternoon, following a 60 minute wait for a five minute doctor's appointment, I have been reading other blogs. It was a good afternoon for a laugh! Take a look at this one, it is great. I love the male perspective of marriage, but the whole baby thing is really true. There are some really funny looking infants out there that parents think are gorgeous!

Bad things turned good

• Being on hold FOREVER, but having a really helpful person pick up at the other end
• A dreaded meeting that turns into a positive visit with happy clients--twice in one day

Today's Top Five

• Hugs and the mom sound
• Dark Chocolate
• Books on CD
• Accomplishing a priority
• Closing a deal

I'm back!

Sometimes I get started on something new, then life happens and I am drawn away for a while. At that point, I tend to stay away and not return. The last week has been crazy. I figure I worked about 70 hours. The State Survey team appeared for our survey, staff quit, 4 people moved in and a number of people called for information. All of these are good things, in one way or another. I needed to remind myself of that several times between crying jags. All in all, it was a topsy turvy week!

As for a list of the positives during the week, here are a few:

• Sunny days
• Tillamook's Marionberry Pie Ice Cream with a waffle cone
• Making people smile!
• Crazy cards from crazy sisters!
• Flowers from my husband
• Still loving my job (and still having my job!)

Commuting

My commute is 17.5 miles of country road. It is really nice to have a quiet time to work the day through my mind and not deal with a bunch of traffic. This morning as I was finishing the last few twists and turns, when a doe slowly stepped out to cross the road. She lifted her nose in the air and tentively stepped into the road and carefully made her way to the slope on the other side. There was no one coming behind me so I was able to slow to a crawl and watch as the doe silently made her way.

She seemed to dance as she walked. A ballerina slowly completing a series of coreographed moves across a stage as the other dancers faded into the background and swayed with the music much as the trees did in the breeze. I wanted to leave my car and my worries to join her in the dance and move only with the wind.

It only lasted a few moments, but it is a relaxation I can feel even at the end of the day.

Sometimes it's harder...

Today I spoke with my sister, Melanie, and mentioned that I needed to come up with something positive to write about today. After all, my goal is to find something positive in every day. Today it is a bit more difficult to find. Don't get me wrong--there are still many positive things about my day--but it was also a day of going in circles and not accomplishing a task. Yet, even as I write, I remember that I did cross the priorities off my list today. So, why am I whining. I still succeeded in several tasks, I listened to my staff and encouraged some, enjoyed dinner with my husband and still took the time to discover my hair is long enough to put up again. Therefore, by writing each day, I am stopping for a minute and thinking about the little things that make a positive life.

1. 90 degree days (Yes, that's a good thing!)
2. Puppies
3. Jeremiah 33:3
4. An incredible group of staff to work with!
5. Brothers with Birthdays (Happy Birthday, Dan!)

Good Things & Not So Good Things

Good Things:

1. Peanut M & Ms
2. Ice Cold Pepsi
3. Laughing at work
4. Driving with the windows down
5. Talking to my sisters

Not so Good Things:

1. Down Computer Networks
2. Drive Through Windows
3. All Company Retreats (Maybe it will be on the good things list, once it is over!)

Simple Weekends...

1. Hot, sunny summer days
2. A good book (even if I have read it several times!)
3. Walking the dog at dusk
4. Ice cream with marionberries (Oregon Blackberries)
5. Holding my husband's hand
6. Clean, fresh sheets

Here goes...

I spend so little time really sharing in the day to day of life that it is time to do so. So if you wonder what my life is really like, this is it. They say that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Howerver, in my realm, all work and no play makes for a very tired weekend. It is definately time to create a more exciting weekend by not working as many hours and sleeping the weekends away!