Monday, August 28, 2006

Birthday Bash Progress

We are a small family and so big splashy gatherings are not our forte.
At present, I have pretty much completed the scrapbook/photos with LH brother's comments and a few of mine sprinkled in. The lame b-day ditty is in progress and nearing completion.(Hurray!!!) The cake and balloons will be ordered Friday. Some cleaning and vacuuming on Thurs. after dinner when LH is at a meeting. Can't make it too sparkling, he'll get suspicious. LH keeps pestering me about the sun, moon and stars cheese packs in the fridge. I keep responding that they're for the holiday, for us.
Still wondering how to defrost the extra pound of Italian sausage for Sat. evening dinner without him seeing it in the fridge. (Maybe the bottom crisper drawer). Restaurant reservations have been made for Sunday dinner. My sister and bro-in-law will be arriving in time for Sat. dinner.
Party favors made - mini clear plastic beer mugs filled with yellow M & M's and cotton ball top. (LH's favorite beverage).
Still to do: 1. Wrap his presents.
2. Finish lame ditty.
3. Grocery shop for company (breakfasts, lunches)
4. Find bobble Hula Girl I bought, which I stuck away
right before vacation, thinking he'll never look there.
I've been through every bag and box in the basement
and haven't been able to find it in two weeks. I should
never hide things. I do it so good, I can't even find it
again.
5. Make sure I have all the decorations in one place.
6. Clean off kitchen table. Last thing to do on Sat.
He'll know something's afoot when the kitchen table
no longer has mail, newspapers, Presbyterians Today,
and The Outlook, stacked on it.
I'm trying my best to be calm and nonchalant about this weekend.
Hope I succeed in surprising him and LH not getting bent out of shape about being surprised. It's all in good taste and fun. Hope LH enjoys "Cruisin' into the 50's"!! Just too bad I couldn't locate a Hot Wheels car in a 1956 model. Now, if I could just finish that "The 50th Birthday Inquisition" (otherwise known as lame b-day ditty) I would feel so much better.
BACK TO SCHOOL FRIDAY FIVE

1. What is your earliest memory of school?
That would be walking across the street with my sister to school.
Playing duck-duck-goose during recess.

2. Who was a favorite teacher in your early education?
I don't know that I had a favorite. I liked most of my teachers,
except for third grade, Mrs. Cox. My 7th grade teacher, Mrs.
Jelnick was really nice. Mr. Bepko was a hoot, a navy man with
buzz cut. We played a game called railroad. You didn't ever want
to be the caboose, so you had to learn lines from Shakespeare or
who said the line and various others bits of trivia.

3. What do you remember about school "back then" that is different
from what you know about schools now?
No computers!!! Slapping erasers together out the window to clean
the dust chalk off of them. Our parents believed the teachers over
their kids. If you got in trouble in school, there was more to come
at home.

4. Did you have to memorize in school? If so, share a poem or song
your learned?
Well, the Times Table. The Pledge of Allegence.

5. Did you ever get into trouble at school? Were there any embarrassing
moments you can share?
I've done embarrassing things my whole life!!!!!
First grade: The teacher has had it with us. Tells us not to talk until
the bell rings. One boy walks up to the front to use the pencil
sharpener. On his way back to his seat, he whispers a question to me.
Being dutiful, I answer his question. Teacher is furious. I plead that
I only answered the question. Teacher said, I should've remained
quiet. I get sent to stand in the corner with flaming red cheeks of pure
mortification. Try to cool the burning cheeks on the cold walls. Vow
not to speak of this at home. My girlfriend's sister is my sister's best
friend. She tells her sister who tells my sister who blabs it to my
folks. Yikes! I get a talking to. What happened to the boy who spoke
first and asked the question - zip, nada, nothing!!!! And the teacher,
was also my Sunday School teacher. I became very quiet in the class
room from that time on through Seminary and beyond.

Monday, August 21, 2006

A CROWNING MONDAY

Nice way to start the week (actually my week really started yesterday, Sunday) with getting a temporary crown. I arived at the church office hoping I wasn't drooling all over. Now that the novacaine is wearing off, I feel some pain. Maybe, today is not a day to do a lot of talking!!!!
Aside from visiting the sick and homebound, working on our Blessing of the Animals service for this coming Saturday (before The Fair) and each Sunday service and sermon, I am also planning a Birthday Dinner Celebration for LH who turns 50 in Sept. I was to put a ditty together and it has fallen woefully short of even low expectations. Back to the drawing board. Still have to put the scrapbook together with reflections from his siblings and order the cake.
Fortunately, we bought 1/2 case of champagne when we traveled to Princeton in February for a Con Ed class. It is very good champagne and doesn't give me a headache like some, it is real champagne and tastes wonderful and bubbly. So a bottle can go in the fridge over Labor Day Weekend when my sister and bro-in-law fly in Saturday. So far it is all secret and the surprise intact until 1 week from Sat. I keep hoping I won't let something slip out like, "Let's make that when S and H are here!"
He hates surprises. He has guessed many of his Christmas and birthday presents with an uncanny ability to suggest getting some item which I already purchased as his gift. He has already guessed one (a DVD). How utterly like him to say, "I see this movie is finally out on DVD, maybe we should get a copy." Then I have to say, "Yes, I know, but don't go ordering it off of Amazon." And then he knows. One year, we both gave each other the same DVD. Two like minds!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday afternoon I spent on Presbytery work with a congregation. Not a good situation, but the process was hopeful and empowering, and it was rather well-received. I feel for the congregation and even the pastor (who needs much professional help). Thank goodness we have such a gifted and competent EP.
Well, back to planning liturgy and working on my animal sermon.
I may be a bit sketchy in my blogging with all before me.
Just hope the pain won't get too excruiating as the day wears on.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

DINNER DATE

In the midst of my 11 hour day yesterday, LH calls and suggests that he come down into the country for dinner at the Renowned Dariette here in town. I gave an enthusiastic "yes"!
The problem with commuting to church is not being able to go home for lunch or dinner. So, I pull some 10-12 hour days and hardly see LH or The Boys (my sweet pair of Greys who hang all over me when I eventually do get home too tired and drained to do much of anything).
So, my dear LH drove down and picked me up at the church where the Bloodmobile was in progress. I saw his car pull in and joyfully announced that my Dinner Date had arrived! We drove to the Dariette, ordered our less than healthy meals and sat down on at a picnic table beneath a tree. It was a lovely evening about 78 degrees with blue sky, sunshine and a slight breeze. We ate and talked and watched the traffic on the HWY. Every once in while a horse and buggy would go by; more than I have seen in awhile. After our sandwiches we went up to order dessert - chocolate soft serve for me, vanilla-chocolate twist soft serve for LH. The ice cream is really good and this place enjoys quite the reputation for its tasty treats.
What a grace to be able to share dinner together! How good it was not to eat alone and to see LH. I know he felt the same. Although, I suspect that he didn't really want to eat a microwave dinner!!!!!!!
Too soon, I had to leave to lead the worship service at the Retirement Home and LH went home to feed The Boys.
A nice little interlude in an otherwise long and busy day and something to savor in my day.

Monday, August 07, 2006

BOOK MEME

I've been tagged to share 10 things about books. So here it goes:

1. One book that changed your life?
Hmm...they all touch and change my life. One that stands out
is Praying Our Goodbyes by Joyce Rupp. Although most of what she
wrote was not new, it was the way she put it and I appreciated the
prayer exercises in the very dark time of my life.

2. One book that you've read more than once?
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Just re-read it a couple
years ago. One of my favorites as well as the movie.

3. One book you'd want on a deserted island?
Naturally, the Bible. However, if I could have a book besides the
Bible, perhaps, the collected works of Mark Twain would be
entertaining and engaging.

4. One book that make you laugh?
Lake Wobegan and it's sequel by Garrison Keillor.

5. One book that made you cry?
Ragman and Other Cries of Faith by Walter Wangerin, Jr. His
writing moves me and resonnates with me like no other. And he
is just as authentic and genuine in person as in his writings.

6. One book you wish had been written?
All The Things They Don't Teach You In Seminary!

7. One book that you wish had never been written?
I'm not sure. Probably, instructions for building bombs.

8. One book you're currently reading?
A Light From Heaven by Jan Karon.

9. One book you've been meaning to read?
Which one? I've a whole stackful!!! One is The Deeper Journey, by M. Robert Mulholland, Jr.

10. Now tag 5 people to do this Book Meme.
Since I'm not sure how to do this, please bear with me.
Sighh...since I don't know how to link here are my tags:
Cheesehead in Paradise, Quotidian Grace, Will smama, Hazelnut Reflections and Lutheranchik. Hope you all can join in.

Bonus: One book I just finished reading?
The Hidden Messages in Water
by Masaru Emoto
One book I need to read?
How to do this webring stuff!!!!