tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75318727430191284512024-03-13T06:27:50.287-05:00Linda's Life LinesCreate in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-7009701401336738132012-05-17T15:51:00.000-05:002012-05-17T15:51:07.177-05:00Storms<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">A few weeks ago,
we experienced a huge storm. The wind blew, the rain brought flash flood
warnings, thunder cracked and shook buildings while lightening split the night
sky. I heard none of it. I was sitting in a darkened auditorium completely
enthralled with our local high school spring play “Beauty and The Beast.” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">It started me
thinking about how can we insulate ourselves against the storms of life. Storms
that include a man in a suit standing in the front of an auditorium telling my
co-workers and me our jobs were being eliminated. It’s a storm when one hears
the words “the treatment isn’t working and the cancer is growing.” Knowing you
will never see your 25-year-old son again is a heart-breaking storm. When you
hear “the prognosis is not good.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">It’s impossible to
keep ourselves as oblivious to life storms as I was to the thunderstorm that
swept through our area, but where is our protection? Recently I was reading how God give beauty instead of ashes. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: magenta;"><strong>.... to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mouring, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of rightesouness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:3).</strong></span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>You have kept track of every toss and turn through the sleepless nights. Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book. (Psalm 56:8)</strong></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: black;">Storms of life still hurt, they send us reeling , we are not oblivious to them, but God holds all of those tears and hurts in a bottle and so I hold onto the faith that he will turn those ashes into beauty. </span></span><br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-32749698778086370272012-04-18T19:11:00.000-05:002012-04-18T19:11:23.673-05:00A New FamilyAfter the disappointment in the nest box, the bluebirds have found a new place to make their home and start a family. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-BcdNCAdak/T49X9PBdXcI/AAAAAAAAAVo/X-CYy00ydtU/s1600/blog+pics+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-BcdNCAdak/T49X9PBdXcI/AAAAAAAAAVo/X-CYy00ydtU/s320/blog+pics+010.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I took this picture yesterday and when I looked tonight, there were three eggs. Busy, busy.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-1177558397363289962012-04-15T08:56:00.004-05:002012-04-15T09:03:28.921-05:00Life in the Wild<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">I love having my windows open in the morning waking to the sounds of the birds chirping and singing. As I continue to attract birds to my yard, there are three types that I would love to have visit - bluebirds, orioles and hummingbirds. Very briefly I saw an oriole in the past and I spotted a hummingbird here and there, but they have not visited my yard in great numbers. Mark built me this great oriole feeder that will hopefully help the orioles find their way to my yard. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vZVtSqkHEeg/T4rOEI3XvxI/AAAAAAAAAVA/6A50ZREl3zI/s1600/blog+pics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vZVtSqkHEeg/T4rOEI3XvxI/AAAAAAAAAVA/6A50ZREl3zI/s320/blog+pics.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">I have been delighted to find bluebirds in my yard and, once again, Mark built some nice little houses for them and I set out a dish of raisins, cranberries and mealy worms. We have been rewarded with at least one bluebird couple (there may be more, but we haven't been formally introduced). The bluebirds had built a nice little nest in one of their houses and there were 3 eggs, but then "something" got to them and broke up all the eggs. I am relieved to see that they have not left our yard and we are keeping an eye on the other house we have for them. I wish I knew how to keep their nest safe. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlkqONAdSJQ/T4rQtEko_tI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/-leSTn4BacY/s1600/blog+pics+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlkqONAdSJQ/T4rQtEko_tI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/-leSTn4BacY/s320/blog+pics+009.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> My little camera does a pretty decent job of capturing these guys, but I would love to have one that would really show off their beauty. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Here's another visitor we had one afternoon: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XklWiVwF81I/T4rR-2mFtvI/AAAAAAAAAVg/oV0sfZDU3nA/s1600/blog+pics+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XklWiVwF81I/T4rR-2mFtvI/AAAAAAAAAVg/oV0sfZDU3nA/s320/blog+pics+003.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">and a couple of raccoons the size of medium sized dogs who did not get their picture taken. I just told them to go play in the street. It's tricky attracting the delightful creatures you want in your yard versus those you would like to go somewhere else, but it's been a fun hobby and hopefully the orioles and hummingbirds will find their way here as well. </span></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-82481516992388752482012-04-12T11:14:00.000-05:002012-04-12T11:14:36.760-05:00Love Is In The AirAll winter, I have fed the birds that come into my yard and I have been able to watch the variety of birds that visit my feeders. . <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xoSrSddzAB4/T4b9T2eBqvI/AAAAAAAAAU4/kJ8jkd5BzzM/s1600/blog+pics+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xoSrSddzAB4/T4b9T2eBqvI/AAAAAAAAAU4/kJ8jkd5BzzM/s320/blog+pics+005.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>I have had a lot of success with cardinals. In the winter, Mrs. Cardinal would stop by the food and would eat a little bit and always be on the lookout for, I think, Mr. Cardinal. Then Mr. Cardinal (the little man above) would swoop in and Mrs. Cardinal would have to leave the food and fly away. Well this spring, I have seen an entirely different scene with the cardinals. Mrs. Cardinal still leaves the food dish when Mr. Cardinal stops by, but instead of flying to a tree further away from her cardinal food, she will walk along the rail of the deck where he can defnitely still see her. When she gets past him, she will look over her shoulder to see if he's noticing her and then she flies right next to him showing off her graceful flight and shiny feathers. He, of course, pretends not to notice her at all. And then both are gone, perhaps building a home or doing whatever it is that cardinals do, like lay eggs or something. Ah yes, spring love in my own backyard.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-62826540546437651132012-03-30T15:45:00.000-05:002012-03-30T15:45:58.892-05:00The Hills Are Alive<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;">My hillside is waking up after sleeping all winter. We didn’t cut anything down last fall and it was looking quite scraggly. So we, okay Mark, went out and chopped all the dead stuff down. We decided to just leave it out there and not clean it up as sort of a mulchy, organic, hopefully helpful environment for all the new growth. I can see that the crown vetch and I will continue to wage battle against one another. There is a newer plant out there and although I have seen it in the past, it is much more abundant this year. I was pretty sure it was something that did not belong there, but when I see so much of one type of plant, I always have hope that it's going to bring me joy. But no. I pulled one up and brought it to my neighborhood Earl May and they assured me it was a weed that would never amount to anything. So I have my work cut out for me out there. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;">At first, I was a bit dismayed that my nemeses seemed to have a head start on everything else, but then I realized I could see them and start working on them before the other plants got bigger and filled everything in. So I took a look and I warned them .. "I will get you my pretty." Except they aren't so pretty and they are tough little *#@*!. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;">After a nice rain last night, it will be the perfect time to get out there with digger in hand this weekend and work on removing some of those unwanteds and check how everything else is going. I'm also starting to plan my garden, which always proves to be an adventure. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;">Weeds beware!</span>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-45052954811238034872012-03-23T11:50:00.000-05:002012-03-23T11:50:11.100-05:00Pinterest Pick of the Week<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;">Like about a gazillion other folks in Internet Land, I have become more than a little interested in the ideas on Pinterest at <a href="http://pinterest.com/">http://pinterest.com/</a>. First of all, I think it is very cool that the mind behind this idea is Brian Silbermann, a DSM native along with his Yale college buddies who I guess are not DSM natives, but still.... Young Mr. Silbermann’s parents are ophthalmologists here and I truly believe that having the opportunity to receive an extra measure of intelligence genes can lead to good things. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">But here is my favorite Pinterest find this week -- homemade laundry soap. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Here is the recipe and some other fun things on this young mom's blog someone might find interesting: <a href="http://beingcreativetokeepmysanity.blogspot.com/2010/11/homemade-laundry-soap.html#comments.">http://beingcreativetokeepmysanity.blogspot.com/2010/11/homemade-laundry-soap.html#comments.</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I had never heard of Fels-Naptha soap, but it was right there in the laundry aisle of my local Hy-Vee. I don't have a food processor so I had to shred this stuff with one of those hand graters. That was the most difficult part and I do believe there is a tiny sliver of finger skin in my laundry soap. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The cost of this was around $17.00 and after using it for a couple weeks, here is what I have left: </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JDGIAcMnLvI/T2yf7xn2UII/AAAAAAAAAUg/0S4nEdvQU3s/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JDGIAcMnLvI/T2yf7xn2UII/AAAAAAAAAUg/0S4nEdvQU3s/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Of course we are a 2-person household so it doesn't go quite so fast as it would have, say 10 or even 15? years ago. Laundry day at our house is when the sun is shining and there is a hint of a breeze. On this day, however, there was more breeze than just a hint. Phew, just glad my clothes didn't blow into the next county. This picture does not even give justice to the strength of the wind that day. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9tkf0CtJddc/T2yjUuofXkI/AAAAAAAAAUw/uVys5uTbguw/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9tkf0CtJddc/T2yjUuofXkI/AAAAAAAAAUw/uVys5uTbguw/s320/013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;">I have to confess this all makes me feel so Laura Ingalls Wilder :). <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;">Happy Friday. <o:p></o:p></span>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-51672760683751014252012-03-20T17:26:00.002-05:002012-03-20T17:50:10.897-05:00Love ThisI found this mom's blog today. She explains so beautifully what I want for my daughter and I wanted to share it. This is just a part; to read the rest of it go here<br />
<br />
<a href="http://veronimitch.blogspot.com/2012/03/mothers-dream-in-pen-and-ink.html">http://veronimitch.blogspot.com/2012/03/mothers-dream-in-pen-and-ink.html</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Now I see her bent over her drawing, and I realize: this is what I want for her. The </span><a href="http://veronimitch.blogspot.com/2012/03/mothers-dream-in-pen-and-ink.html#" id="_GPLITA_4" in_rurl="http://www.textsrv.com/click?v=VVM6MTMyMzc6NDpmcmVlOjgyNGE5ZDc0MDA0YWMwMGVkMmQ3OTE3YTYzY2U2NDQ3OnotMjEtMjMzMjI6dmVyb25pbWl0Y2guYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29t" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="Powered by Text-Enhance"><span style="color: blue;">free</span></a><span style="color: blue;"> time I give the kids, my determination not to schedule their lives any more than the public school already does, and the ready availability I make of art materials - these have become a habit that reveals a purpose. I want her to have the chance to throw herself into something she loves just because she loves it. I want her to know the thrill of leisure time spent lost in what fascinates, because too soon she will be grown and her leisure time will all but disappear.<br />
<br />
I want to give her the gift of love. Not just the love I feel for her, but the love she discovers for something else.<br />
</span><span style="color: blue;">Since she was born, we have made up stories for each other. My stories for her and her sisters are often princess stories, fairy tales that begin "Once upon a time" and end with "happily ever after." But I don't make marriage the happy ending. Some people long to get married and never get to, and if my girls have that life, I do not want to add to their heartbreak by building in them the belief that marriage is their mother's expectation for them. Instead, my princesses have something they love to do, - flying kites, raising dragons, digging tunnels - and the happy ending comes when they find a way to do that thing for the rest of their lives.<br />
<br />
My stories whisper that I want them to find a vocation in life, a calling that satisfies something deep in their soul, whether that is marriage and motherhood or something else.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">And I think of that when I tape her new drawing to the kitchen wall (our </span><a href="http://veronimitch.blogspot.com/2012/03/mothers-dream-in-pen-and-ink.html#" id="_GPLITA_2" in_rurl="http://www.textsrv.com/click?v=VVM6MTQyNTI6NjgwOmZyaWRnZTpjZDIzNzg0OTgwZGZlYzRiMjI2YjA4ZmE0N2E2ZDgyOTp6LTIxLTIzMzIyOnZlcm9uaW1pdGNoLmJsb2dzcG90LmNvbQ%3D%3D" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="Powered by Text-Enhance"><span style="color: blue;">fridge</span></a><span style="color: blue;"> ran out of space long ago), wondering if this will be her lifelong love, or if she is still waiting to meet it. </span>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-2689622977109055742012-03-20T15:27:00.031-05:002012-03-20T15:51:50.610-05:00Tuesday's Recipe<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mark and I don’t go out to eat at a restaurant very often, which isn’t my idea, but instead I have taken this opportunity to try new recipes and avoid having the same darn thing all the time. Mark is pretty good about my experimental cooking. He isn’t effusive in his praise of the latest creation, but he doesn't run to the bathroom to throw up either. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tuesday will be my recipe of the week day and here's one for Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup that I found on <a href="http://allrecipes.com/"><span style="color: blue;">allrecipes.com.</span></a> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6rRV6fifcOg/T2jrRSkIJoI/AAAAAAAAAUY/BJnggupud4o/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6rRV6fifcOg/T2jrRSkIJoI/AAAAAAAAAUY/BJnggupud4o/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">1 chopped onion </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">1 (16 ounce) can chili beans</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">1 (15 ounce) can black beans</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">3 whole skinless boneless chicken breasts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">shredded cheese (optional)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">sour cream (optional) tortilla chips (optional). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">crushed tortilla chips (optional)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Place the onion, chili beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer and diced tomatoes in a slow cooker. Add taco seasoning and stir to blend. Lay the chicken breasts on top of the mixture pressing down slightly until just covered by the other ingredients. Set slow cooker on low heat, cover and cook for 5 hours. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Remove the chicken breasts from the soup and allow to cool long enough to be handled. Shred the chicken breasts and put it back in the soup and continue cooking for 2 hours. Serve topped with shredded cheese, sour cream and crushed tortilla chips if you want. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Pretty eazie beazie, not too much that is eazier or beazier, and quite delish. </span></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-29863513226666240052012-03-19T10:32:00.001-05:002012-03-19T13:54:05.104-05:00Precious Days<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What a great couple of days I had with Cody and Elizabeth. As always, time slipped away too fast, but the time we had together was great. It was a relaxing visit with no agenda so we were able to do some things we like to do. Highlights: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No visit to Des Moines is complete without spending some time in the shoe department of the Von Maur department store. I'm not sure if any of us bought anything, but Von Maur always has the most fashionable and latest shoe styles. We stopped at Jordan Creek, <a href="http://www.jordancreektowncenter.com/">http://www.jordancreektowncenter.com/</a> for some more browsing and then </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">lunch at On The Border, <a href="http://www.ontheborder.com/">http://www.ontheborder.com/</a>, another must-do when Cody and Elizabeth are in town. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The next day we decided to check out some local places that I had heard about. First was the Cheese Shop of Des Moines. I will definitely be back here to do some more cheese shopping, <a href="http://thecheeseshopdsm.com/">http://thecheeseshopdsm.com/</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9qGTh3knes/T2cyl4x511I/AAAAAAAAAUM/M5OBbs-pZYQ/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9qGTh3knes/T2cyl4x511I/AAAAAAAAAUM/M5OBbs-pZYQ/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Elizabeth checking out the vast array of the deliciousness of cheese. We explored the Roosevelt area a little further and then headed for West End Archetectural Salvage, <a href="http://www.westendsalvage.com/">http://www.westendsalvage.com/</a>. If you are a repurposer or a reuser, this is basically an old grocery warehouse filled with 3 floors of high priced (I believe I can safely say over-priced) junk. I like to look at something and try to visualize where it was used before and what the people were like who had this particular item. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We were able to do some hanging around home, watch a lot of basketball and monitor our pool picks closely and then before I knew it, it was time for them to leave. I have so much fun when Cody, Elizabeth Carson or Carissa are around and then when they are gone, I just miss them so much. We have some family events coming up that I am eagerly anticipating. Can't wait. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-11985135073765859022012-03-13T12:18:00.000-05:002012-03-13T12:18:16.709-05:00Recycle, Reuse or Repurpose<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lately I have been intrigued by the idea of repurposing. My mom has long been at the very top of reusing and repurposing. After she finishes a loaf of bread, she washes up the plastic bag and reuses it. I am not quite at that level, but I do wash up and reuse my Ziplocs. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lp_tn6xi5gY/T198jsnWZQI/AAAAAAAAATg/OmRAv7tvJZA/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lp_tn6xi5gY/T198jsnWZQI/AAAAAAAAATg/OmRAv7tvJZA/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Here they are in my cupboard just waiting for their next use. There is usually a little pile of Ziploc bags ready for washing under my sink that will not get a picture here. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So I guess there is a difference between recyling, reusing and repurposing. Give us a definition you are saying? Okay ....</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Recycle: To put or pass through a cycle again, as for further treatment. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Reuse: To use something again, often for a different purpose and usually as an alternative to throwing it out. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Repurpose: To use or convert for use in another format or product. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To me, reuse and repurpose are somewhat similar. But here is an idea for repurposing that I found probably on Pinterest. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1WwAeWSBY4/T19JiSk0ZTI/AAAAAAAAASk/6lqi-uQk2D8/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1WwAeWSBY4/T19JiSk0ZTI/AAAAAAAAASk/6lqi-uQk2D8/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This is deliciousness in a bottle and how I have my coffee without paying the high Starbucks price. No, it's not quite as good, but it works for me. Anyhow after I finish the White Chocolate Carmel Latte, I get the bottle all cleaned up and use it in a variety of ways: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I3CRaaTipZc/T19JhW_0hpI/AAAAAAAAASc/Xtd6FP5zUgI/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I3CRaaTipZc/T19JhW_0hpI/AAAAAAAAASc/Xtd6FP5zUgI/s320/002.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I had a box of kosher salt that sprung a little leak in one of the corners and was becoming a source of frustration in that I don't need to clean up little salt particles every day. So wah lah, kosher salt in my coffee creamer jar. Here's another one: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KzmXQmmBqQQ/T19JjHaj8BI/AAAAAAAAASs/MfSLzDgyZTE/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KzmXQmmBqQQ/T19JjHaj8BI/AAAAAAAAASs/MfSLzDgyZTE/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A perfect little watering device for my herb seeds and my African violet that is overflowing its pot. Not too much water, not too little, juuuuuust right. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I think you could these creamer containers for little noodles. Oh but I can see this could be a perfect container for rice. So there we are, I think the options are endless and that, my friends, is repurposing. Or maybe reusing. Anyhow it's re'ing something. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-4575466037130829312012-03-11T07:53:00.003-05:002012-03-11T07:58:15.103-05:00What's The Plan?<span style="font-family: Verdana;">On December 1, 2011, Lori was going to come up from Fairfield and we were going to meet in Pella. At the last minute, I had to bail on her because we were having a meeting at work and it was too important to miss. I told Lori, dang it all, it looks like I have to go to this meeting or lose my job. Well the meeting was to tell us that Iowa Health was outsourcing all transcription statewide and our jobs were being eliminated. Merry Christmas from Iowa Health. We were all hired by the outsource company and I took that job, but actively (can we say now nearly desperately?) searching for something else. I knew this company wasn't right for me when we were told by our supervisor that we wouldn't get any time off for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's. Okay, that's fun. As it looks now, I will work every holiday this year and that's not my style. So it's been an interesting ride I've been on for the last couple of months. I have had the same job for 20+ years, but now I'm starting to think about what kind of job would I like to have? What would make getting up and going to work a joy? Here are a few thing I've come up with. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Everything I <em>want </em>to do, I am highly unqualified for. I think greenhouses and landscaping businesses are really fun places to hang out so I sent an application to TimberPine, one of my favorite nursery/landscaping/greenhouse places and the application asked if I had experience with a skidloader, heavy equipment, landscaping, etc. and I'm like well no, but I like plants and gardening and I love to talk about it. They haven't called me yet. I would like to learn to sew so I asked Mary, my friend, who owns a quilt shop if she needed someone who didn't know a thing about sewing, but was friendly and nice and she didn't really answer me. So I think that was a no. I talked to Nancy, the lady who owns my favorite yarn/knitting store and told her I was available, but since every time I go in I ask for advice, she didn't make me an offer on the spot either. Lori is an interior decorator and that would be a really fun job, but I'm struggling to get my own house spiffied up and unfortunately I have no clue about decorating. I would like to be a secret shopper. I want to go on trips for Midwest Living and write about all the cool places I visit. Freelance writing would be interesting although after reading this, some might think Really??? I like the elderly and sick people, something might come up there. Most importantly, I would really like a job with a lot of vacation time because I have a lot of places to go. Anyone out there got anything for me? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I do have confidence that God has a plan for me and I rely on Jeremiah 29:11:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Personally, I can't wait to see how this all turns out. </span>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-10477173840674158792012-03-09T14:16:00.006-06:002012-03-09T21:26:47.065-06:00Time To Write AgainI sort of have a love-hate relationship with this blogging business. I do like to write, but it's hard work and it doesn't always flow together so great. So I'm not going to overthink this thing; I will just try to write about my pretty ordinary life that I happen to love and document some memories. <br />
<br />
I have to thank my friend, Lori there in Fairfield, for encouraging me to write. Her kind words got me thinking and here I am. Now that I've started, I really hope I don't stop. No, I REALLY hope I don't stop. I'm like a New Year's resolution -- Great intentions, but the follow doesn't always happen so with a deep breath and look of resolve I'm stepping off the easy path and into Blog World.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-51491392350198914602011-09-07T09:27:00.008-05:002011-09-07T09:51:35.081-05:00Don't Be Content to Just Staple<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This fall, I am undertaking a new challenge, a new adventure. For the past nine years the women's group at our church has been in the very extremely capable hands of our Pastor Susan Watson. At the end of our Women of the Word (WOW) year last year, I felt God nudging me to become more involved with this group. I was sure Susan could use some help making copies or stapling papers together so I sent her an e-mail asking if she could use me in any way. Meanwhile she felt God nudging her to get me more involved, but in a much different way. She asked if I would be willing to be involved more with programming and become really involved in all aspects of WOW. It wasn't what I expected, but after meeting with Susan a couple times this summer and now with our kick-off less than a week away, I'm filled with anticipation and excitement of where God will take this ministry. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I do not look at this move as taking over this program, but rather I feel that I am partnering with Susan. Ecclesiastes 4:12 tells us: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">(New Living Translation). I see Susan and I as 2 strands and adding God, WOW becomes a strong cord that is not easily broken. </span></span></span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Once again, God taught me a lesson through this. So often when we think of things we can do to further the kingdom, we think about copying or stapling, but God says, "oh child, I have something so much bigger, so lean on me in faith and see what I can do through you."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'm encouraged by Susan's confidence in me to partner with her, we have some amazing ladies with incredible gifts and I'm looking forward to seeing what God is going to do through us. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Much love, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px;"><b><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85713/lindat/e361aed8d6922b39f1a65d4a11be72f3.png" border="0" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></span></a></b></span></span></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-38194710346673790762011-08-31T11:26:00.018-05:002011-09-02T16:42:44.527-05:00An Aching HeartThis past March, my cousin Dan and his wife, Jane, lost their 24-year-old son, Thomas. I can't comprehend losing a child, I just can't wrap my head around the pain and hurt of that. I had such a feeling of loss when my dad passed away, but that is still the natural order of things. Losing a child is not. I struggle to understand how the God who loves us, also allows such pain. Now as Jane and Dan go on, they enter the season of "firsts."
<br />
<br />
<br /><div>In June, Dan and Jane had their first extended family vacation without Thomas, a tradition they have celebrated for many years. I received a text from Dan's sister asking me to pray for Dan and Jane as it was the week for this family vacation. At the time, we were on our way to Ohio and literally at a standstill on I-80 on the south side of Chicago. I had my ipod with me and put on some praise music to prepare my heart to pray for Dan and Jane. As I sat there, offering prayer for Dan and Jane, I looked outside of the window and there on the side of the road were some birds looking for something to eat. They would pick up little white pieces, realize they were only little stones and spit them back out. I don't know if there was any food out there, but they were persistent in looking for it. As I watched them, I was reminded of Matthew 6:26:
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b>Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?</b></span></div>
<br />
<br /><div>I know God loves Dan and Jane, I know He is holding them close, I know He understands their hurt because He suffered the same thing with his own Son. Dan and Jane are an inspiration, they live out Jeremiah 29:11:</div>
<br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><b></b></span></div>
<br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><b>For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. </b></span></div>
<br />
<br /><div>Despite pain and hurt, they continue to praise God and seek Him and God has blessed them with hope and a future with the birth of a granddaughter, Emmaline. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div>Recently, I heard this song on the radio and the words touched me as I pray for Dan and Jane and how they continue to show what it means to live a life of faith. <span style="COLOR: rgb(32,32,32);font-family:LucidaGrande;font-size:12;" class="Apple-style-span" >
<br />
<br /></div></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(32,32,32);font-family:LucidaGrande;font-size:12;" class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /><div>
<br /><blockquote style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 15px 0px 25px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px" class="lyrics">
<br /><p style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><b>We pray for blessings
<br />We pray for peace
<br />Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
<br />We pray for healing, for prosperity
<br />We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
<br />All the while, You hear each spoken need
<br />Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
<br />
<br />Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
<br />What if Your healing comes through tears
<br />What if a thousand sleepless nights
<br />Are what it takes to know You’re near
<br />What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
<br />
<br />We pray for wisdom
<br />Your voice to hear
<br />And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
<br />We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
<br />As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
<br />All the while, You hear each desperate plea
<br />And long that we'd have faith to believe
<br />
<br />Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
<br />What if Your healing comes through tears
<br />What if a thousand sleepless nights
<br />Are what it takes to know You’re near
<br />And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
<br />
<br />When friends betray us
<br />When darkness seems to win
<br />We know the pain reminds this heart
<br />That this is not, this is not our home
<br />It's not our home
<br />
<br />Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
<br />What if Your healing comes through tears
<br />And what if a thousand sleepless nights
<br />Are what it takes to know You’re near
<br />What if my greatest disappointments
<br />Or the aching(s) of this life
<br />Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
<br />And what if trials of this life
<br />The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
<br />Are Your mercies in disguise</b></span>
<br />
<br /></p>
<br /><p style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663300;"><b>--Laura Story--</b></span>
<br /></p>
<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85713/lindat/e361aed8d6922b39f1a65d4a11be72f3.png" /></a></div></blockquote></span></div>
<br />Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-2732772894992813632011-08-30T18:10:00.001-05:002011-08-30T18:12:11.457-05:00One More Thing About GardeningI forgot to mention in my previous post, that I got a beautiful canteloupe from my garden. Except I didn't plant any canteloupe. Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-33198308774279391412011-08-30T10:11:00.014-05:002011-08-30T18:09:49.929-05:00Lots To Learn About GardeningThere is so much talk these days about eating fresher and better foods and more and more people are growing their own food. When I was young, growing up in Sheboygan Falls, we had a huge garden and, as a child, I remember helping to maintain it. But it doesn't appear that much of what I was taught stuck with me. I do remember my mom canning vegetables in the kitchen with the whole place all steamed up and the noisy rattle of her pressure cooker. We did not have air conditioning and I am wondering how hot was that? <div>
<br /></div><div>So this year I decided that I try planting a garden and I did learn a few things: </div><div>1. Gardening sounds like a lot more fun in April than July. </div><div>2. Put your garden close to a water source. </div><div>3. Know what you want before you plant the plant, i.e., tomatoes/peppers.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>So armed with little knowledge, I went and bought some tomato and pepper plants, got some bean seeds from Target and researched what I needed to do to get healthy raspberry bushes.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>My beans started out looking like I was going to have an ABUNDANT crop. I bunny proofed them with cayenne pepper and something else and that seemed to work so well I was starting to wish I had shared some of them with the bunnies. The first and even the second time I picked them, I had beautiful beans. So my friend, Betty, came over and helped me can them.</div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Fxfhm57uBA/Tl0BEkN4BsI/AAAAAAAAAQU/fGZcRMM8tOY/s200/DSCN1734.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646670685745448642" /></div><div>I haven't tried these guys yet so the jury is still out on how they taste. But so far, so good. But then something started to happen to the beans. The leaves looked terrible and I would get itty bitty beans that stayed itty bitty. So I think lesson #2 would have helped that. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Next, tomatoes. I don't like to eat tomatoes as just tomatoes. I like salsa, I like ketchup, I like to use tomato sauce for various things. So I went to a plant place and told them exactly what I wanted to do with the tomatoes and I could tell they were really just helping at this place and weren't exactly sure what I needed any more than I did. But off I went with my tomato plants and this is what I have:</div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-In8G2ni2saU/Tl0CldS9rWI/AAAAAAAAAQc/L2_KbXIB6VM/s200/IMG_0018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646672350335053154" /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Seriously, I would need like a million of these to make a couple batches of sauce. And they're yellow. I want red tomato sauce. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>For my salsa recipe, I needed some hot green peppers and some sweet green peppers. On my plant I'm getting little red peppers. About one every other week. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>The raspberries ..... I'm overwhelmed by all the "advice" I found by googling "care of raspberries." I did get about 16 raspberries this year though, more than last year, and I understand it takes a while for them to really get going so maybe I'm heading in the right direction. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Since I ask people who are more experienced gardeners than me, which is everyone who has a garden, I'm getting some good advice. I learned I should look for "paste" or "beefsteak" tomatoes for my sauce and where to get paste tomatoes. Thanks, Brenda, for your recipes and your good advice on preserving. I'm already planning my garden for next year keeping in mind that August has been a lot cooler than July. </div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-87631175239324961982011-08-30T09:28:00.008-05:002011-08-30T10:08:14.363-05:00The End of the Hillside Season<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZM-S2ISNwyM/Tlz2kevwnzI/AAAAAAAAAP8/PHFLk6A_MDg/s1600/DSCN1717.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZM-S2ISNwyM/Tlz2kevwnzI/AAAAAAAAAP8/PHFLk6A_MDg/s200/DSCN1717.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646659139404865330" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVs7dO8J9Pk/Tlz1oU65azI/AAAAAAAAAP0/1ybNmEkChwo/s1600/DSCN1716.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVs7dO8J9Pk/Tlz1oU65azI/AAAAAAAAAP0/1ybNmEkChwo/s200/DSCN1716.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646658105975073586" /></a>
<br />This year, my hillside was the best it has been since I started this project. Oh, yes the weeds are still abundant and there are still "holes" that need to be filled, but the plants were bigger and more abundant than they have ever been. I was disappointed that their bloom faded so quickly. I don't know if the hot, Really hot, dry weather in July hurried their demise or if that's just their life span. I also see that this will never be a tidy flower garden. I don't know what the first pioneers saw as they entered into Iowa, but plants die as others bloom so there are always plants that have lost their bloom and dying mixed in. <div>
<br /></div><div>Unfortunately, I had to neglect it quite a bit during July as temperatures were in the high 90's, but felt like 120! That's just not for me, but with the return of tolerable weather, I have been able to get out there and I am pleased to say that I Think I am conquering the vetch that I have been battling since I started this project. Oh there's still quite a bit of it out there but it has gone from 95+% to I would say less than 50.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Here is a little flock of butterflies that landed on a spot where we had just watered, I think looking for some relief from hot and dry.</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajpao_4bCD0/Tlz4JSgdkII/AAAAAAAAAQE/pNf6WvmIoFY/s200/IMG_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646660871286263938" />
<br /><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>I also see a lot of these little guys a I'm out pulling out the weedy business and trying not to destroy their habitat. </div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-25ixCKriwlQ/Tlz47vqn4aI/AAAAAAAAAQM/nrh8PcihMcQ/s200/IMG_0016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646661738106970530" /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>When I was down at the Farmer's Market a few weeks ago, I learned about <a href="http://monarchwatch.org/">monarchwatch.org</a> and I ordered a monarch waystation to plant next spring which will be perfect for one of those "holes" I was talking about. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>My hillside slopes towards the back of our property so hardly anyone sees it. My sister-in-law Cindy told me it's too bad I can't throw it up like a table cloth and reverse it. My neighbor recently told me they could see it from their house, but it was too bad no one else could. In a way it is too bad, but earlier I have talked about how it's a sanctuary, my place of rest and peace, my place of worship and while it would be nice to share it, I think I'm fine with it just the way it is. </div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-76737386531122217132011-08-30T09:27:00.004-05:002011-08-30T18:08:03.150-05:00Football and Me<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">I am fascinated with football. I don't watch American Idol, Cake Boss, The Bachelor, even missed the Golden Globes, but during the fall and well into winter, there is usually a football game on my TV. I watch the NFL Network, ESPN and pregame shows. I read Packers.com and packersnews.com. While I can pay attention to all of football, clearly the biggest part of my football heart belongs to the Green Bay Packers.
<br />I think it started when I was about 12 or 13. I remember Sunday afternoons sitting in the room we called the "den" of our family home watching Bart Starr, Ray Nitschke, Paul Hornung, Vince Lombardi, et. al. on our black and white TV. While we watched, I remember my dad explaining how you had four chances to make 10 yards, but if you didn't make in 3, you usually had to kick the ball to the other team. He taught me that you got 6 points for a touchdown and then an opportunity to get another point by kicking it through the uprights. He very patiently taught me the rules of football. After the Packers were victorious once again, he would change the channel to another game and I would ask him who we were for in that game. He always told me we didn't care. He also taught me that "The Bears, oh the Bears they play dirty." To this day, I think the Bears play dirty, but I don't think the Packers have ever made a dirty play in the history of the franchise. Packer football during my high school years in the early 70's was very different. Gone were all the greats and also the wins. My dad would hold his newspaper in front of his face like he wasn't really watching, but down came the paper quickly when something didn't go right. But by then Packer football had become a part of my DNA and so I suffered through the 70's and 80's and then Brett Favre made Packer football exciting again, then down again and earlier this year, Aaron Rodgers joined Bart Starr and Brett Favre in leading the Packers to another Super Bowl win.
<br />Now we really days away from beginning another season and to say hopes are high for the Packers doesn't begin to describe the Packer Fever raging through Packer fans. So let the games begin and GO PACK GO!</span>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-9850117004553640242010-08-06T10:50:00.013-05:002010-08-06T11:29:28.001-05:00Hillside Update<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0znVkm-mYxs/TFwy9N2iwzI/AAAAAAAAAPY/zIHZabrRQgg/s1600/CIMG0319.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502328872011744050" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0znVkm-mYxs/TFwy9N2iwzI/AAAAAAAAAPY/zIHZabrRQgg/s200/CIMG0319.JPG" /></a> Last year, I started my wildflower hillside which, what I believed, was an incredible success. This year, it looks completely different and I think it may have taken a step backwards. It started out beautifully in the spring, all blues and purples and then the pink coneflowers began to bloom. However, the weed situation is appalling and I think the crown vetch is winning the battle for space. One thing I did notice is that last year I had quite a few thistles that I pulled out and I have not seen any of those this year so maybe I did win that war. Now the coneflowers are fading and I am not seeing the black-eyed susans blooming like I did last year.<br /><div><br /><div>I'm not sure why it doesn't look as good as it did last year, but I have a couple thoughts. One is that it has rained so much this summer and most of these plants are considered "drought tolerant." Does that mean they don't like a lot of rain or that they are able to survive with our without rain? I do note though that the rain beats them down and so they are on their side rather than standing up straight and they don't seem able to get back up. Their blooms seem way to heavy for their stems so they just can't get themselves picked up again. </div><br /><div>Another reason could be that I have just not spent the time out there like I did last year. This is a very different year from last year and that was where I found my solace with everything that was happening in my life. The need for that has diminished. It's hot, it's humid and lots of rain seems to bring lots of mosquitoes and they nearly chase me back inside as soon as I get out there. With all the rain, things pull up easily, but everything is all mixed together so it's hard to always pull what I don't want. The roots are far away from where I see the plant and all too often I don't get to the root. I would like to see it from underneath, I think it would be a massive network of roots like subway tracks. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Clearly this continues to be a project. I may be too late, but this fall when things have died back a bit (especially the mosquitoes), I hope to spend more time out there pulling those plants that aren't what I want to see out there. Then next spring before it gets hot that's where I will be hopefully able to recognize which plants stay and which ones have to go. And so it continues. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-15699473130967915672010-07-23T21:43:00.010-05:002010-07-23T22:35:50.278-05:00My Internship and Other Surprising Things That Really Weren't SurprisingIn her book "Cold Tangerines", Shauna Niequist says this: "I just turned thirty and I'm finally willing to admit something about life, or at least about my life and it's this: I should have written in pencil. I should have viewed the trajectory of my life as a mystery or an unknown. I should have planned lightly, hypothetically and should have used words like "maybe" and "possibly." Instead, every chance I got, I wrote in stone and Sharpie. I stood on my future, on what I knew, on the certainty of what life would hold for me, as thought it was rock. ..... Now when I think about the future, ..... I try to write in pencil."<br /><br />I'm older than 30, actually quite a bit older, but even though I should know better, things still change when I least expect it. I was reading this book while I was in Ohio with Cody and Elizabeth and I had my month of June written in stone and Sharpie. After working out detail after detail, I had everything in place and ready to do my medical assistant internship at Aultman working alongside Elizabeth. The only detail I had not covered was to ensure that all the T's had been crossed and the I's dotted between Kaplan and Aultman. They weren't and I was in a somewhat of a bind. I had seven weeks to get in a little less than 160 internship hours and the one thing I did not have -- time -- is what it was going to take to get everything coordinated and ready for me to get to work. I was able to do some observation hours and to this day, I wish my plans had worked out. This was the kind of clinic I want to work in, this is the patient population I like the best. But observation was not going to help me with the skills I needed and I realized I would have to come back to Iowa and finish up here. I was able to get in touch with a couple clinic managers I knew and found two clinics where I could obtain the hours and skills I would need.<br /><br />As I was looking at finishing school and what my finanicial obligation would soon be, it was in my head that I would get a part-time job in an office as a medical assistant in addition to my transcription job. One problem. I don't like working in offices. My internship was an extremely short-term situation and I could barely think about going in and staying for the.whole.day. I know that I don't like to work in an office, that's why I love my transcription job working from home. So I'm finding God bringing me back to why I went back to school in the first place. It's to do free clinic work and mission trips. While Aultman wasn't a free clinic, it did have a large population of uninsured, and I think that's why I liked it there. So while that doesn't help much with the financial obligation, I can see God opening some doors to give me the desires of my heart, but for now I'm going to write it in pencil.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-5917897660844127542010-07-03T14:47:00.005-05:002010-07-03T15:01:00.745-05:00I Did It, I Actually Did It.It's true, I did it, I actually did it. At a time that I should be thinking about retirement, I went back to school instead and now I am so close to being finished, I can very nearly touch it. I just finished up 160 hours of internship which was more challenging than I anticipated for many different reasons. I was able to use the skills I had learned in class and learned some things about myself along the way, for example, that I do not ever want to work in a doctors office. So what am I going to do with my new diploma? I have no idea. But, I believe that God will use it and me and I'm looking forward to finding out what that is going to be. For now, I am going to just enjoy spare time and the opportunity to get back to doing the things I have missed doing in the past year. Then perhaps landscape design.......?Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-81622179295945459362010-01-06T19:17:00.004-06:002010-01-06T19:43:38.326-06:00The Nature Quest ContinuesAs I've become more interested in nature with a desire to leave more positive effects on the environment, I decided this winter I was going to be faithful in feeding the birds in my yard. We fed them sporadically last year and had been rewarded with a few interesting birds coming to visit us. This year I put up a few more feeders, I got one from my mom for Christmas and every other day I go out to fill them up. My dad made me a birdfeeder out of a birch log with holes in it that I actually have to make a "bird pudding" to put in it, but that is the feeder that empties quickly. Whether it's because we have about 30" of snow or because the birds know of a good eating spot, we have been able to attract an abundance of birds this year. There are blue jays, cardinals, little red-headed woodpeckers, finches and cute little chubby birds that I'm pretty sure are chickadees. Brenda said she looked out her window and saw deer eating out of her birdfeeders. I'm glad I haven't had that problem, the birds keep me busy enough with filling the feeders.<br /><div> </div><div>I have wanted to get pictures of the birds because there are so many different kinds, but, guess what? When I go out there with my camera, they fly away. I could sit out on my deck like I loved to do in the summer, but like I said, 30" of snow and temps up to a high of O degrees, doesn't make me eager to sit out there waiting for the birds to come back so I can take their picture. I guess I'll have to be content with watching them from my window. </div><br /><div>One of my birdfeeders is out on my hillside and as I look out there, it's such a strange feeling when I think about all the time I spent out there last summer and all the color that was out there. My gardening flip flops still sit by the back door of our basement. I did get a picture of my winter hillside:</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423804442164284930" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0znVkm-mYxs/S0U5Z1JjTgI/AAAAAAAAAPI/lt-Joof9xgY/s200/Winter09+188.jpg" /><br /><div>I'm eager to see how it is going to look in the summer. I hope my flowers have multiplied abundantly. I have plans for some things to add out there. For Christmas, again, my mom got me some butterfly cups so I hope to attract more butterflies. I would like to make a path around the hillside (or maybe part of it this year) and steps through the middle. I have not had a whole lot of success attracting orioles and hummingbirds so I hope I can create an environment that will be inviting to them. I've been so blessed by seeing God's creation in my backyard. What a gift this has been. </div><div>Much Love, </div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85713/lindat/e361aed8d6922b39f1a65d4a11be72f3.png" border="0" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-36240090357349163752009-12-28T18:35:00.004-06:002009-12-28T19:06:20.704-06:00Firsts and LastsIt occurred to me recently that I am in a Season of Firsts. Since my dad passed away in July, I have gone through summer and fall and well into winter. Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone. These are our first holidays without my dad.<br /><br />Thanksgiving isn't a holiday that I usually go home. This year my mom went to my dad's cousin, John and his wife Vonnie, and they filled candy bags for the Salvation Army. This is something my mom has done for several years, but this was the first year she did it without my dad. I was home for Christmas and this was the first year my dad wasn't at the head of the table and saying the prayer before our Christmas dinner. December 31 was my dad's birthday. This is the first year, I will think about him, but won't send a card or try to think of a gift for him. On January 1, we will begin a new year and things will happen in 2010, we'll have happy times and perhaps some not so happy times, but it's the first year my dad won't be a part of any of it.<br /><br />Firsts aren't always bad, in fact many are good. I remember the first time I held my children, I remember their first words, their first steps, their first day of school, their first athletic endeavors. But this particular Season of Firsts is one I never wanted to happen. Karen Kingsbury has written a children's book called "Let me Hold You Longer" about "lasts."<br /><br />So often we don't realize when we are having a "last." A couple weeks ago, Cody, Carson and Carissa were all home and as we were eating dinner, Cody made the remark that it had been a long time since our dinner table looked like it did that night. I remember all of them being there for dinner, but before this particular meal, I don't remember the last time it was the five of us at the dinner table. I remember the kids' first days of school, I took enough pictures to document the events, but I don't remember very many of their last days of school. When was the last time they sat in my lap while I read them a story? When was the last time I fed them? Or gave them a bath?<br /><br />I have thought about "lasts" now for a while. Last summer as Noah and Brianna played in their brand new pool, I sat on the deck with Nancy and their neighbor, Fran, who has been in the neighborhood my whole life. On Christmas Eve last week, Fran passed away suddenly. I realized that night on the deck last summer was my last conversation with Fran. I never asked her about her life or her growing up years or how she met her husband. I realize that maybe every event, every encounter should be treated as a "last."<br /><br />"Let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last." ("Let Me Hold You Longer" by Karen Kinsgbury.<br /><br />Love Every Moment,<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85713/lindat/e361aed8d6922b39f1a65d4a11be72f3.png" /></a>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-85897319395243982042009-10-16T18:37:00.001-05:002009-10-16T18:39:14.806-05:00Good OneMark sent this to me from school and I liked it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">*Ducks Quack - Eagles Soar*<br />No one can make you serve customers well....that's because great service is a choice.<br />Harvey Mackay, tells a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point.<br />He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey .<br />He handed my friend a laminated card and said: 'I'm Wally, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement.'<br />Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said: Wally's Mission Statement: To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment....<br />This blew Harvey away. Especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!<br />As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said, 'Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.' My friend said jokingly, 'No, I'd prefer a soft drink.' Wally smiled and said, 'No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice.' Almost stuttering, Harvey said, 'I 'll take a Diet Coke.'<br />Handing him his drink, Wally said, 'If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated and USA Today..'<br />As they were pulling away, Wally handed my friend another laminated card, 'These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio.'<br />And as if that weren't enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him. Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. He also let him know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts...<br />'Tell me, Wally,' my amazed friend asked the driver, 'have you always served customers like this?'<br />Wally smiled into the rear view mirror. 'No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day.<br />He had just written a book called "You'll See It When You Believe It". Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. He said, 'Stop complaining! Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'<br />'That hit me right between the eyes,' said Wally. 'Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.'<br />'I take it that has paid off for you,' Harvey said.<br />'It sure has,' Wally replied. 'My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it. You were lucky to get me today. I don't sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can't pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action.'<br />Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab. I've probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it. Whenever I go to their cities, I give the m a call. The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all the reasons they couldn't do any of what I was suggesting.<br />Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles.<br />How about us? Smile, and the whole world smiles with you.... The ball is in our hands!<br />A man reaps what he sows. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up... let us do good to all people.<br />Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar.<br />Have a nice day, unless you already have other plans.</span>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531872743019128451.post-21065641950940957682009-10-16T09:55:00.018-05:002009-10-16T16:17:44.571-05:00Loops in Life<div style="text-align: left;">The other night as Elizabeth and I drove home after her brothers' football game, we were talking about how we liked seeing things that didn't go together. As we were talking and our toes were actually starting to warm up after watching the game on a chilly night, we met a car pulling a boat. Like a boat that people ski behind. We laughed about how we were talking about contrasting things and there was a boat on a cold night. Who has a boat out after 10 p.m. when the temperature is barely 30 degrees?</div><div><br />This picture is one of my all-time favorites. I took it when we went to Rocky Mountain National Park in July 2005. I like it because Carissa and Elizabeth are in summer clothes and behind them are the mountains with snow.<div><div></div><br /><div></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 135px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0znVkm-mYxs/StjiSVhIFDI/AAAAAAAAAPA/X7VyYwCPZpk/s200/sc00c7a232.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393309358417777714" /><div></div><div>I see this sight a lot as I drive around the area where I live. </div><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393306882499322386" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0znVkm-mYxs/StjgCOAKohI/AAAAAAAAAO4/tm_zTGvnZ_U/s200/Etc.+276.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393306628183390818" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0znVkm-mYxs/StjfzamhemI/AAAAAAAAAOw/qtWS4-1Ke8M/s200/Etc.+274.jpg" />I stood in the same place and took these pictures. On one side of the road, are houses and a very tidy neighborhood. Then I turned around and took a picture of a farm.</div><div><br />Sometimes something just seems odd. I think that may be why I find hospitals such interesting places. You find the joy of new life there and the sadness of a loved one leaving life. I'm kind of fuzzy on the details of being at the hospital in Sheboygan when my dad was there, but if I recall correctly, I think the birthing unit was on the same floor as the ICU where we watched over dad. People hear bad news, people hear good news. All in the same place. </div><div><br />I'm not sure this post has a point, it's just one of those things I like to think about and look for. Kind of like an oxymoron. You stop for a moment, puzzle over it a bit and then realize you have just been given a little gift.</div><div><br /></div><div>Watching for surprises,</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85713/lindat/e361aed8d6922b39f1a65d4a11be72f3.png" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174877982618646310noreply@blogger.com0