Free Friday

There aren't really any flowers yet. I'm just hopeful.

Don't you just love a day off? And a day off when the weather is finally in full spring mode, to boot! Someone asked me what I did with my day. My answer, nothing of importance, but emminitely relaxing.


Took some pictures


Worked out on the computer


Took a couple of walks


Went for lunch with my husband


Talked on the phone


Took a nap.





Listen, can you hear it? Spring's sweet cantata. The strains of grass pushing through the snow. The song of buds swelling on the vine. The tender timpani of a baby robin's heart. Spring. -Diane Frolove








Tomorrow will be another beautiful, long awaited spring day but I will be working the day. So I don't feel bad that I could enjoy this one.

The Common Day

Not much in the way of news here today, but I did promise that I would put up pictures of the finished bathroom and so here they are. We have to do the floor now since the vanity doesn't fit in exactly like the old one anymore, but this is a great improvement if you ask me! And by way of a bonus here is what's for supper tonight! Just leftovers, but oh my they smell great. Hope your supper meal is as delicious!

Knowing the Will of God

I have been reading an interesting book by an author I think highly of- Gerald Sittser. It's called "The Will of God as a Way of Life" Too bad the book isn't mine, I could underline to my heart's content, but this way I have to take notes...and remember. What is the Will of God? How can I know it and do it? I remember having many heart felt serious discussions with a family member who was agonizing over what the will of God was. And this person needed to know NOW! I remember stumbling and fumbling around with my advice not wanting my words to get in te way of what might really be God's will. But I asked, Well, suppose you do XYZ. And it turns out that wasn't really God's Will. Do you think that that will be the end of all possibility of God ever being able to use you again? It can't happen! And here I come to this book and find an even easier answer. Sittser says that the only time we really have to know and do God's will is the present moment. That involves doing what He clearly commands: Loving God with heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbors as ourselves. So then, whatever choices or plans we pursue...and there are many of those-it will be His will because we have surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ and follow Him alone. Wow! How incredibly important, then, to have developed habits that build up that spiritual life in us! What incredible importance then, that our 'ambitions' not crowd out what is truly important. That the busyness of our lives not shove out habits of quietness and listening (to those who know and love us most)

Thinkin' about Summer

I ripped off the March calendar page today, and am met face to face with April! Surprising how quickly the pages of my life get torn off. Even though this winter has gone on endlessly (witness, more snow this morning, ugh.) I thought I would spend a few minutes daydreaming about our summer. Camping and vacation time has got to be one of the best parts of those 3 short months. So here's what we're thinking right now:

May 11-15 we're off to Phoenix for Mother's Day.

May 15-17 Tulip Festival here in OC (EVERYONE COME VISIT!)

June 19-21 Camping trip to the Root River with our small group and any extras that care to

July 11-13 Camping trip to Windom, Mn with Donaldsons and whoever can join us

Aug. 8-13????- Camping to Hayward, Mn. (that might actually be the 13-17)

Aug. 28-Sept. 6 Vacation to Colorado

Now those are formal dates, but there are still plenty of weekends in between that we could fill up with camping. We haven't been canoeing on the Upper Iowa in a year or so, and we defnitely need to do that. We would also love to explore Michigan! As long as we have a great reason to travel up there we must. Since it seems I am endlessly thinking about this, I'm sure you'll hear about it again.

Happy Monday

These are some more City shots. We were able to visit the downtown Minneapolis Public Library. Now that's quite the place. Definitely worth the visit.

So I am thinking of April Fool's, which, despite the snow will be tomorrow no matter what the weather happens to be.....I need some good trick's for the day. Who out there has a great Foolish trick to share? I think you should. I need to lighten things up for people in general. My great sock tying trick won't work at the library!

Home Again Home Again, Lickety Split! Conference Stuff:

Well, we made it home safe and sound and I have even recovered somewhat from my four and 1/2 day absence. The dog was alive. The new bathroom sink in! (sometimes it does pay to leave for a bit) It was a fun conference and I definitely learned lots. I have lots of fodder to think and write about on my other blogs now. (what? you didn't know I had OTHER blogs? Yes indeed. Some day I'll share their addresses with you) I have had a nap and I think I am caught up and will actually be ready for the work world tomorrow. Isn't it interesting the things we learn about each other when we live in close quarters for awhile?! I'm always assessing what close quarters with me must be like! Did I snore, talk in my sleep, get up too early, eat too much, whine too much or worse? You know it's really hard when you're trying to please everybody. How did I get into that habit? UGH.

Did I tell you that at this conference I got to hear John Wood who is a founder of roomtoread.org which is an organization trying to get books into the hands of 3rd world country children in their own languages as well as to especially educate girls. Cool story. (on my other blog) I also learnd about gaming in libraries, programming for senior adults, cool new technology for the library, google tools, readers advisory tools AND we got to see the cool new Minneapolis Public Library! way cool. This makes me excited.