Stories my father told me

Absolutely none. Is it a "guy" thing that they don't remember their childhoods, or any past about them? But I don't recall ever hearing any stories that my father told about his growing up years. None whatsoever. I don't know what kind of teen ager he was. If he was the light of his mother's eye or a pain in her neck. I regret not really knowing my father. Perhaps I just didn't listen, and my brothers or sister heard the stories that i missed. But here's what I do know:

He missed his high school graduation because he entered the navy at the end of WW2

He had a gang of highschool friends that were lifelong . This group had class reunions every single year! Even I knew his H.S. buddies.

He loved practical jokes, bowling, fishing, dancing, cards, his wife and his kids. (not necessarily in that order.)

He would have been 80 this past summer. He was gone too soon. We missed a lot.

Stories my mother told me

My mother was working with the men long before it was fashionable. Driving the tractors, working in the fields (even I had to do that. I had to scramble for excuses. There were a few. ) Every hand was important! So she worked at a part time job in town AND some of the farming back in those 50's and 60's when most women were worrying about teas, and fashion and chatting across the back fence. But women's lib hadn't happened and I think she got taken advantage of more than once! Like the time she was hauling the grain into town and had to wait in a long line to get her truck unloaded. By the time she got back to the place she'd been hauling from all the guys were gone!! (read everyone but her) They'd left for lunch. Without her. Seems no one thought a mere grain hauling, truck driving woman might need to eat to. Well, she could probably fix it herself.... Still, I would have thought chivalry wouldn't have been quite dead yet.

Life without coffee????

I've given up foods for lent in the past (even stuff I really like, i.e. chocolate, pop, french fries) I've dieted and been on a I-will-not-eat-that because I'm trying to lose weight sort of thing, but I've never had to give up something for my health. UGH. Worse. It's caffeine. Someone told me there was still decaffinated coffee out there, not to worry. I really think i could go without caffinated pop, but I really really think I'm going to have trouble giving up that pick me upper that I have first thing in the morning. I decided not to tell Ron because I would probably hear no end of it from him, just in case I decide to ignore the suggestion. For now, of course, I have to finish the caffinated coffee I have in my cupboard (only 1 more day left) and then I have to decide. It's supposed to help eliminate the problem I'm having with cysts in my breasts (and these pesky ultra sounds, doctor visits I keep having. They're expensive, insurance or not!) But I have to tell you, there's more reasons to drink coffee than just the flavor! I love the energy it gives me. I really love the energy it gives me. So, I have to make up my mind. I'm thinking I could switch over gradually and maybe I won't notice. What do you think?

Christmas pictures

This year I put together a video log of our 2007 year. For those of you who know us and would enjoy seeing some of the "best" of our year check out this site at Picasa. I had so much fun putting this together and I am glad to share it with you. I will eventually put it up on the side! Thanks for going along with us, for your prayers, your support and your encouragement. We love all of you so much and have learned and grown from every single one of you!

Survival tips

Ok I've noticed that the holiday busy i ness has started and I'm going to offer some suggestions to help you all stay stress free:

• Have your husband do it (gift wrap, run errands, clean, whatever you can talk him into!)


• De-emphasize the food and drink stuff - it helps if you eat a bit before you get to that party.


• Don't forget to exercise. Can you believe we need 3 hours planned out for the week, at least.


• Don't watch so much TV. Turning it off would be good. Remember the writers' strike has really limited our choices anyway.


• Don't forget to donate to charity (extra food, toys etc.)

Hopefully by mid December I will still remember this stuff. Oh wait, I'm making a note and pinning it up where I can see it, that should help. I want to enjoy December.

What the Wind blows in

I am in a cold spot when I sit at my desk. It's probably a good thing. I have to get up and go out into the library once in awhile! Imagine. But today, I noticed the worst cold was blowing in from outside still attached to all the people as they walked in! There was the college student who came in with a thin winter coat on. He'd ridden his Bike into the north wind from school 6-8 blocks away! Yikes. Against the wind. He said his tears were even frozen! My co worker sat at her desk with her ear muffs on for quite awhile before she headed home. She was getting them prepared I guess. There were red, runny noses. Red faces, wind blown hair, and every person complained about the wind. Every person was bundled up against the wind with hats, heavy coats, gloves and scarves. Just like the story of the sun vs. the north wind I think I could love winter if it weren't for that darn wind! But undoubtedly I will be longing for that summer sun until I see it again!

Happy Birthday Phinehas Cooper

Phinehas celebrated his 1st birthday with a party on Saturday. A party that we were really looking forward to, but missed entirely because of a nasty bug...the flu. Yuck. All I can say is may you not get this one! It hung on through part of Sunday but by then the partying was over. No pictures of the happy birthday boy...Oh wait! I took a bunch on Thursday. Good thing. And his real birthday isn't til this Wednesday, so we won't have missed it by too much anyway. It's hard to believe how much he's changed and grown until you look at his pictures. He doesn't look like the same kid! Ha! And the gains he's made...I heard his first word when he stayed with us a few weeks ago: cheese. That's so funny, because those two boys are such cheese lovers. Of course, he's very precocious. I'm not the only one who thinks so, though I haven't heard that term being used by anyone outside the family. Oh well, they don't know him like we do!