+ 0 - 0 | § ¶Arbor Day
Friday was Arbor day. Usually that comes and goes in my life without notice, but this year was a bit different. See, at work, they decided that it was a great idea to get everyone outside and do some major work around the campus. So we did! We had t-shirts and everything! (That's why we're all wearing bright green- it wasn't my choice!) It was fun to be outside on such a gorgeous day and to do some good, old fashioned physical labor with my co-workers! The area just outside my office was what I worked on and now looks beautiful! (Also, fyi- I was a team leader and therefore had to wear the bright orange bandana to set me apart- also not my choice!) I got to paint my door red! Cool, huh? Anyway, I got sorta sunburned and was totally exhausted by the end of the day! We worked hard! I went to Karen and Juanito's for a last minute cookout and it was fun! Here's a funny picture of me, Karen and Karla! Then I came home and fell asleep by 9:00!
+ 0 - 0 | § ¶some pics of my days!
I've really been meaning to write....really! I've even taken (procured, in some cases- thanks Karen!) some pictures to post! But life has been full and I just haven't prioritized writing! I'm sure I'll keep apologizing to all of you loyal readers, but thanks for checking regardless!
So, what have I been doing? Well, on Tuesday after work I went with Karen and her kids to the gardens to picnic and walk. It was totally fun! What started out as a sort of cold, grayish day turned into a sunny, not quite warm day! My allergies were quite horrendous though. Grr...allergies. Then, I went to babysit for Russ' kids (I worked with Russ at Crossroads). They were totally easy to watch- cute and fun! But...they also have a cat. So, between the pollen outside and the dander inside I was a mess by the time I left!
Then Wednesday was Administrative professionals day...and I am apparently and administrative professional! I got flowers and a plant (we'll see how long it lives!) and they had a little reception at work to honor us! It was nice to be appreciated for all the behind the scenes stuff I do. Then I had a very yummy dinner at Tami's house before d-group- thanks Tam!
We played family feud at d-group and it was hilariously fun. It was leaders vs. students and the surveys- you know, "survey says"- were from the 80's!!! Woo hoo! Except that when I had to name a store that you'd find in a mall guess what I said? Really you'll never guess. I said, "um...um...um...(this took up 2 of the 3 seconds I got to answer once I buzzed in- and of course I buzzed in, because who can't think of a store in the mall, even dating back to the 80's- I practically lived at the mall in the 80's!) um...um...Ladies something?" DUH!!! Ladies something? What is that?!? Apparently I'm not the quickest under pressure! Anyway, for some reason that question was disqualified and so I was able to redeem myself by answering something else not nearly as memorable. In the end the leaders won, but it was close!
bored yet?
+ 0 - 0 | § ¶sad me...
So have I told you about how old men make me sad? Well, I went to Meijer to pick up a few things and as I was leaving, there was a little, old man at the door saying, "thank you for shopping at Meijer". I seriously had to hold back tears as I walked to my car! I wondered about his life and if this is what he imagined for himself back when he was young. I wondered if he lives alone and if this is the only human contact he gets. I wondered if people are mean to him, or worse yet, just ignore him. Does he need to work to survive financially and this is the only job he can get? Are the other employees kind to him?
Now, none of this is to say that I don't have a soft spot in my heart for little old ladies, I just think they are more social than men and tend to have a larger circle of friends which doesn't thin so quickly as they get older. And I think that their expectations for themselves are different. It seems like men lose more than women as they get older. Does that make any sense? Anyway, it just really makes me sad.
I held back my impulse to go hug him and just smiled at him and said, "goodbye". I guess all I can really do is try to be kind and appreciate his work and not look at him with pity. Maybe he's happy.
+ 0 - 0 | § ¶He is risen!!!
So, I realize that is sort of a dorky easter picture, but it's cute, isn't it?!? It's a cookie that I got for being on a committee at work and I figured it looked sort of easter-y and expressed the thankfulness I have that Jesus is alive and well!
In other news, I heard from Tommy that Beth is still doing ok. She is off the ventilator for now and has been taking tiny amounts of milk through a tube. And, in his words, "she dirtied her wee nappy" which is excellent b/c it means she is digesting and processing the food! There is still a long road ahead for their family- things can change so quickly, but for now they are rejoicing over the little steps and each hour that they get with their sweet girl. Please keep praying for them all.
I guess that's it for now. Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!!!
+ 0 - 0 | § ¶old friends and memories...
This past weekend I spent some time with my 2nd family. That's them up there. We took a walk in the brisk, sunny afternoon, ate a totally yummy dinner (with turkey that you bake in a bag that I was amazed by!), drank tea and talked, and finally ended the night with a Remington Steele episode :) I love them like crazy and felt so at home with them, even though it's been a long time. I used to spend hours at their house when I was in high school and college. Pastor (that's his name to me, you see!) was my pastor when I lived in Detroit. He'll always be my pastor at heart! Lorie, his wife, was a second mom. She was always around for a cup of tea and comfort when I needed it. I also babysat for their kids, Jeff and Kristen. They were like the little brother and sister I never had. I always knew the whole family would be there for me if I ever needed them, even if we didn't see each other or talk for a long time.
Last year, on March 24 (Kristen's birthday) Jeff died tragically in an avalanche in Colorado where he lived with his wife, Renee. This is us in Colorado the last time I saw him. It's still hard to believe he's really gone. I have a bunch of pictures that I'll post sometime soon and I'll share some memories of Jeff, sort of as a tribute. But for now, here are a couple more from my weekend: Kristen and me, and one of Lorie, Kristen and me! Thanks guys for loving me and accepting me into your family!
bored yet?
+ 0 - 0 | § ¶please pray!
I got a call last night from Tommy, telling me that Gillian had her baby. (My Scottish pal, who married an Irish lad last summer and now live in N. Ireland) She wasn't due until mid July, so this little life is only 1lb. 4oz. It's a little girl, named Bethany Grace. What happened was that she wasn't getting enough nutrition or oxygen inside Gilly, and they made the decision that it was safer to take her early- she was only at 26 weeks. Tommy just kept saying, "she's so little". So, for all of you who know Gillian and even for those who don't, please pray for them and for wee Beth.
+ 0 - 0 | § ¶40
40 is an important number...when Noah built the ark, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights...the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years...Jesus was in the desert for 40 days being tempted by Satan...U2 has a great song called 40 taken from Psalm 40...and...I am now officially getting 40 hours in Human Resources! Woo hoo! I've been waiting for a few months for the new budget to get approved and if finally did and they kept my extra 8 hours a week in! That's just good on so many levels- my position really requires 40 hours/wk. to do a good job and stay on top of things, and I won't have to worry about where the extra money or hours will come from in the future! See, I've been working the full 40 in the office for the past few months on an interum basis since there's a lot of transition right now, but very soon things were about to change and I wasn't assured those extra hours. I haven't been excessively worried about it, but it does feel really good to know I'm secure in my job. So, this week, especially, 40 is a great number!
bored yet?
+ 0 - 0 | § ¶cute kids...
I babysat Houston and Katrina the other night. We had pizza. (in case you couldn't tell!) They are incredibly cute! I don't have a whole lot more to say, except that being with little kids brings out the "wierd" in me sometimes! They don't think you're crazy for singing a made up song off key, or pretending to be a stuffed puppy that is crying and howling because the cars crashed, or dancing like a goofball all around the room! They just think you're fun!