You Are Orange Tea

You are a down to earth and humble person. You pride yourself on being pretty happy. It's easy for you to be content. You know what matters most in your life, and you focus on those things. You are a bit on the shy side. You prefer to think rather than talk, and you mull things over in your mind for a while before acting. If someone asks you a question, they'll get an honest and thoughtful response. You give great advice.

What Herbal Tea Are You?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - PIE-OLA

Please answer these five questions about pie:
1) Are pies an important part of a holiday meal?
Not necessarily. For Thanksgiving, I make a Pumpkin Mousse dessert
that doesn't require any baking and is lighter and easier to eat
than a heavy, dense pumpkin pie. With just the 2 of us at Christmas,
an apple crisp is easier and smaller. I do miss the mincemeat pie
I used to bake at Thanksgiving when I served at the church where
they made excellant mincemeat. Topped with vanilla bean ice cream
and served warm it was so delicious.
2) Men prefer pie; women prefer cake. Discuss.
Maybe it's the chocolate in the cake that appeals to women.
Give me a good chocolate chip or chocolate oreo cookie over cake or pie
any day!
3) Cherries--do they belong in a pie?
I suppose they do. Used to have cherry pie on Washington's B-Day
at the SAR luncheons. If any fruit pie is more gooey than contains fruit -
Ewewww...count me out. Ditto for Cool Whip/Whipped Cream desserts.
Yuck.
4) Meringue--if you have to choose, is it best on lemon or chocolate?
You mean a baked meringue shell? Or like chocolate cream pie?
Make mine French Silk!
5) In a chicken pie, what are the most compatible vegetables? Anything you don't like to find in a chicken pie?
Peas, carrots, leeks, asparagus, broccoli, and corn. Leave out the
potato pieces.

QUIET ON THE HOME FRONT -
It is quiet, too quiet this Thanksgiving morning. We have not wrestled with a slippery heavy turkey, washing and cleaning it, seasoning it, stuffing it and putting it in the oven.
There are dishes that aren't being used and still in the cabinets. The china, the silverware, and the crystal reside in their usual resting place.
The dining room table doesn't sport its fall cloth and is full of items still waiting to put away from where I dropped them on my trips home. The crowns from Christ the King Sunday are still on the table.
There are no warm smells emmanating from the oven or the sizzle of the turkey roasting, or from the stuffing and stock made the day or two before. There are no potatoes to be scrubbed and peeled, no cheeseball and crackers, no sweet potatoes to be microwaved.
It is quiet, all too quiet for Thanksgiving. There is a deadness which reflects the deadness in our lives. And I miss the hustle and bustle, and the getting ready, and the smells wafting through the house, and looking forward to receiving the company of family.
It is quiet, all too quiet, this year.

ADVENT -
In this dark night, it seems as if this entire past year has been an Advent that keeps continuing...I'm ready for the coming...of new life to born into our lives. But we are still waiting...hoping...praying...trying not to lose heart...or hope. This extended waiting has dulled us, wearied us. We started out expectantly, anticipating this new thing God would bring to us or bring us to. It has yet to happen.
Yet, another disappointment with an interview that went nowhere for LH.
I am still living an hour from home. Still freezing on the cold days and nights, relying on space heaters for a little warmth, still hauling laundry back and forth and clothing changing from summer to winter, and groceries every week.
It will last longer. I am thankful for serving this good community of faith and thankful we have a small income coming in from me.
But this waiting is hard...and doubt creeps in. And I wait for God to break in into my life again...filling me...being close to me. I am ready or so I think, to move on, to begin anew and again...God apparently still has some work left do with my spirit and in me.
And so we wait...awhile longer...but not too much long...dear God.

MONDAY MARATHON -

Have pretty much gotten the bulletin and liturgy ready for the First Sunday in Advent - this coming Sunday! I worked on it last week already and trying to work ahead.
Still am working on the sermon, prayers and kids' sermon - which will be a series of boxes within boxes - 5 of them each wrapped in different Christmas paper with a bow. There will be a tag on each bow - do not open until the next Sunday! Thankfully, we had to order a new big fry pan from major on-line retailer and it came in a nice big box. The smallest and last box that will get opened on Christmas Eve has a cutesy nativity scene. (not necessarily my style but cute for the kids). There's bit of prep work involved in this but it builds the anticipation over the weeks.
Now, if I just had my sermon done with sermon title, that would be great.
Have one pre-surgery visit to make this afternoon. So, I will get it done hpefully today, so that I can begin working on the next two weeks of Advent.
The secretary will be taking vacation in the middle of December and I really have to have things in place.
I think I will be pretty worn out come Christmas. Since I have to commute in on Friday, Dec. 24th (my normal day off) and then commute back on Sat. evening for Sun. Dec. 26th, I have graciously been given Monday, Dec. 27th off. Thanks be to God.
Well, back to the old keyboard in Word and praying for more inspiration!

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - THANKS FOR THE UNEXPECTED

1. I am thankful that Dad B is still with us, at least for awhile longer.
And as long as he is not in pain or suffering.

2. I am thankful that Jett is still with us, at least for awhile longer
and as long as he is not in pain or suffering.

3. I am thankful that I still have an interim position at least through
the New Year, although the church is ready for a new pastor.

4. I am thankful that we still have a roof over our heads and food on
our plates and heat.

5. I am thankful that I won't have to do any dishes Thanksgiving Day, as
this is one of only a couple years when I am not hosting Thanksgiving
dinner. It saddens me greatly. But we will be going out to eat for
a turkey dinner with my SIL's and visit my FIL.

PREMATURE -
Although my FIL is terminal, apparently yesterday was not the day he was to join the Church Triumphant and Eternal. When LH arrived at the hospital, the medication had begun to work and FIL was awake, although unable to talk with a tube in his mouth.
LH had a good visit with his Dad and read him his mail.
He drove back there again today to see him and to complete some legal/financial business.
We are on the alert, however, knowing that FIL could go at any time in the near future. I doubt that FIL will ever get back to his apartment or drive again. I pray that I will get a chance to see him one last time when we go to visit on Thanksgiving Day.
This is one of very few times, when I will not have had FIL and SILS for Thanksgiving with turkey and trimmings. We will miss the leftover turkey, homemade stock, and the greys will miss those things as well.
Life intervenes and what was a tradition of us hosting Thanksgiving will change this year and who knows what the future will bring?
As for now, I will be content to just see FIL one last time.

Feeling Far From Where I Need to Be -
more physically than existentially. My FIL has been in and out of the hospital and nursing home these past three-four weeks. He was moved back to the hospital on Sunday and LH got the call from SIL that FIL's breathing was getting shallower. LH took off at 2 pm for the 1 1/2 hour drive to his home town and to see his Dad probably for the last time. It has come far more quickly than any of us in the family would ever have anticipated. Three weeks ago, he was driving and living in his apartment, but the disease has caught up with him, a man who never drank much alcohol his whole life, gets cirrhosis. Go figure. It was last Thanksgiving when we noticed that he was walking slowly and not as steady, when he was not as sharp as normal. He went to the doctor shortly afterwards and they discovered his ammonia levels were high. He didn't get diagnosed til May. He's been doing real well with no indication that the end would be this unexpectedly quick.
I want to be with LH and his family. I so feel for them and fear for them. They will be lost without their Dad, who supported the girls, and the twin boys. LH and older brother were not supported in any way. It will be a tangle and quite the unfolding.
My heart and spirit, and me just want to be with LH, to have gone with him, to be with him in his grief. And I am an hour away with obligations. In this tender time, I await to hear from LH. It will be a very sad Thanksgiving this year and sad Christmas. A family in grief and LH and I separated by the need for an income. My prayers and spirit are there with LH and his sisters and his Dad. I never got say to say good-bye to him or see him one last time.
In the meanwhile, I finished my sermon and prayer, newsletter article for December, Session agenda, and mileage for Oct. Too bad Session is tomorrow night. I won't be able to leave to be with LH.
This being away from home is so difficult at times. But I know that God is with them all. And may FIL's passing be peaceful.

WINTER'S REST -
Thankful for the Indian Summer we had last week, I was able to cut down the Siberian Irises for the winter and pull out the Chinese Lanterns. There are still some roots and they will come back next year again. I still have one set of Irises to cut down as the leaves weren't yellow/brown enough yet.
I pulled some extraneous grasses and throw some cow manure down on both perenial beds.
I laid the flower beds to rest for the winter with a touch of sadness. But I was glad to give back (some nutrients) for all the beauty and joy the flowers gave to me all spring, summer and fall. The flowers deserve a long rest and I will begin to look forward to spring when one by one they will greet me again with their colored faces. Wherever we may end up, I hope that the next owners will enjoy them as much as I have. The provided food for bumblebees, honey bees, and even the finches who ate their seeds.
Jett visited the vet on Friday and got his bandages removed. His left elbow looks the best it has since the end of May - yes, a bit bald but healing well. Soon, soon, he will get the air donuts off his neck and really be free and enjoy the remaining weeks, months of his life. He deserves that and as many chest rubs as he wants whenever I am home for my days off.
For now Jett can rest better and the flowers too.

RGBP'S WINTER'S ON THE WAY FRIDAY FIVE:

When it is cold outside:

1. What is your favorite movie for watching when curled up under a wooly blanket?
While You Were Sleeping - romantic comedy

2. Likewise, what book?
Whatever is on hand that I am reading. Really like The Ladies' No.1
Detective Agency serie by Alexandar McCall Smith. Have to wait til
spring for the next installment.


3. What foods do you tend to cook/eat when it gets cold?
Mince and Tatties, Fondue, Raclette, and Meatloaf. Green bean
casserole with spaetzli and ham bits in it. And let's not forget,
Lasagna Florentine (with spinach) and Cocquilles St. Jacques.

4. What do you like to do if you get a "snow day" (or if you don't get snow days, what if you did)?
Take a nice long nap and get caught up with laundry, etc. Enjoy the
company of the greys and bake chocolate chip cookies.

5. Do you like winter sports or outdoor activities, or are you more likely to be inside playing a board game? Do you have a favorite (indoors or out)?
Inside is more my speed. Although, I do shovel snow, if it's not feet
deep and not on our inclined driveway. Typically, I enjoy a game of
Scabble or on my own - Woerterwuerfel (Scrabble with 13 dice).
Scattergories or even Monopoly if there would be more than just
LH and I.

INDIAN SUMMER -

From his pipe the smoke ascending
Filled the sky with haze and vapor,
Filled the air with dreamy softness,
Gave a twinkle to the water,
Touched the rugged hills with smoothness,
Brought the tender Indian Summer
To the melancholy north-land,
In the dreary Moon of Snow-shoes.
— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Hiawatha 1855

We get to enjoy a bit of Indian Summer this week with warmer, milder temps, vibrant azure blue sky with no clouds and unrestrained sunshine.
It is both beautiful and glorious. A gift of grace to savor, which I will.

STEWARDSHIP GEMS -

1. The most expensive vehicle to operate is the grocery cart.

2. The greatest surprise of Mary's life was receiving a dollar on her
fourth birthday. She carried the bill around the house and was seen
sitting on the stairs admiring it.
"What are you going to do with your dollar?" her mom asked.
"Take it to Sunday School," replied Mary promptly.
"To show your teacher?" asked her mom.
"No," she said. "I'm going to give it to God. He'll be as surprised
as I am to get something besides pennies."

Did You Know That...
- a person who was given a bible as a child or youth is likely to
increase their annual gift by $221/year as an adult

- a person who reads the bible daily gives $545 more a year on
average than those who do not read scripture regularly

- Jesus spoke about money and possessions more than any other
subject (and that includes prayer!)

The single most reliable indicator of a person's giving is church attendance. Those who attend worship twice or more a month give 2-4 times more generously than those who attend sporadically.

Thought these gems might be of interest to you.

JETT UPDATE:
Well, after our visit with the Vet, I feel a little better. Jett's prognosis remains the same, but he may be with us for a month, or three or even eight months. Hard to say since we are not going to have extra x-rays and scans done, nor or we opting for chemo, which may only prolong his life by a month or two more at great expense nor will we ever amputate his right front leg or any leg. We will love him, monitor his quality of life and when the day comes, we will let him go in peace to cross Rainbow Bridge.
I think just knowing he could be with us for a while yet, made it easier for me.
I also remind myself that every year that Jett has been with us has been an extra year in his life that he may never have had. So, many greyhounds are destroyed when they can no longer race or win races and bring in money. It's a nasty business when you have so many wonderful hounds with so much love to give whose lives are cut short because of a money-making industry. So, there is that consolation that Jett will have had a real home full of tasty treats and morsels in his dish, a yard to run in just for fun, comfy couch and love seat with pillows to rest his head, kisses and chest rubs that make him feel good, all kinds of fun toys and a chance to be a regular dog with people who love him and care for him. That's not bad to have a second chance at life. I wish he could be with us for at least a couple more years, but that is highly improbable. So, we will take it day by day and week by week. That's all any of us can do anyway. One day at a time as God graces us with it and to be thankful for that day, and live it with love.

Friday, November 05, 2010Revgalblogpal Friday Five: It Is Well With My Soul Edition


We lead privileged lives.


True, some are more privileged than others but the fact that we are communicating right now via technological devices puts us in the privileged category.


There are many perks in my life for which I give thanks and then there are some that make everything right in the world during the moment I am enjoying them. I'm wondering what a few of those things - five to be specific - are for you.


IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL:
1. When I am at home with LH and the greys - giving the greys neck
scratches and chest rubs.

2. When I have some Swiss milk chocolate and a glass of cold skim milk.

3. Each week when I talk with my sister.

4. When I am at home with God, in sync, and love flows freely into
me.

5. Sleeping in my own bed with duvet and pillow and LH.

THE PHONE CALL YOU DON'T WANT TO GET -
LH just called to say he spoke with the Vet and the pathology report came back. Jett has hemangiosarcoma. My handsome, refined, elegant 9 year old grey is terminal as it is an aggressive cancer. This is the first grey we had to have cancer and the first dog I've had to get cancer. We will do what we can to keep him comfortable for as long as possible. We'll find out more at our Vet appointment on Friday. I can't see putting Jett through more just to prolong his life by an extra month or so. He's had a hard enough time of dealing with this surgery. I had feared it might be a cancer, but I was hoping the earlier blood test that was negative for cancer was true.
LH is still looking for a position, mine will be ending by the end of the year, no income, no health insurance, and now this, losing our beloved Jett. It is more than I can bear...