Happiness Causes Pain

In my "Anniversary happiness", I have caused another one pain. I did not intend for that to happen, but it did happen.  In my sharing of joy, another was faced with the realization of heartache. It was like salt in a wound.  I had placed a link to my Anniversary post on my facebook page, but I have since removed that link.  The happiness of others, while you, yourself are in the middle of heartache, is just to painful to see.  I care very deeply for my friends and causing them further pain is not on my agenda.  I'd rather keep silent and share my joy within the walls of my home. I'd rather silently share my joy with my husband and children.

I can totally relate and I harbor no ill feelings.  I'd rather remove something than to make a dear one suffer silently every time it is seen. I pray for the happiness of my friends.

Birthday Snow

Snowing... not YET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm a tiny, tad bit upset!!!!!!

Only 4 days to go!

It must now snow!!

Snow before my birthday, it must, must, MUST!!

Or my entire birthday will be a bust, bust, BUST!!

I cannot have a brown and dreary day of birth!

Pretty white snow fills me with mirth!

Even in Berkeley, God made it snow;

My Momma took pictures of my face all aglow.

This December Baby, happy is not!

For without snow on the ground, her temper is hot!

Flakes, be they small,

Flakes, be they big,

Flakes keep this girl doing a happy jig!!

Bring on the flakes!

Let me get my scoop.

My happiness while shoveling will throw you for a loop!

Candles out, I will blow;

But, only if he makes it snow.

Eat birthday cake, I will not,

Unless it snows quite a lot!

Well ... cake I will eat, even for a little,

snowflakes of white, on the ground all a glitter.

Come on snow! You know you love it here!

On the ground around my house, you have nothing to fear!

Fall down fast!

Let the winds blow!!

This December Baby is not happy without snow.

Secret Santa Strikes Again....

Tonight my Secret Santa riddled me again.  This time the clues were a little harder! I actually had to ask the Boss Man if he had any ideas!

The first riddle was on my locker: "To begin this week's journey  you must travel North and there you will Sea, that I intend to send you round and round to discover what your Secret Santa gift will be.

So, in our library there is a mural on the NORTH wall of an underwater sea scene.  I'm looking over there - nothing.  I look under the globes in that area - nothing. I look and look. My co-workers look and they are also stumped.  I give up. My shift was about to start. I figure I'd try again during my break.  However, during my break I couldn't make any headway, so I wrote a poem to my Secret Santa asking for help:  Dear Secret Santa, Much to my chagrin, another clue you must give me, so I can re-begin. North I look, but all I Sea, are underwater creatures and toys for puppetry. Round and round I looked, and dizzy I became; Another clue you must give, so I can play the game! Oh Dear Secret Santa, what is your name?

Finally, I mention it to my boss and he asked me the obvious questions, "Do we have books on the North Sea?" (not here) "Did you look under those two globes?" (nothing under them)  Then, he mentioned that we also have one more globe in the library! I didn't know we had ANOTHER globe, so off I go, in search of my next clue.  Sure enough - taped on the North Sea was my next clue.

"My hope is not for you to feel you have been schooled, but rather to have some fun, if only just a little. Please do tell me Am I Tyra, driving you crazy with my riddle?" (italics and underscore mine to show you.)  It takes a bit. I'm a homeSCHOOL mom, so I look in the homeschool section - nothing. The clue was on the globe by the SCHOOL yearbooks, so I look up my yearbook - nothing.  We have lots of little decorative things out right now, as well as a display of tiny or LITTLE buildings for those tiny village displays. So, I look for a LITTLE school in those areas - nothing.  Yup, I was going round and round!!  It turns out that a co-worker realized that the type was different for 'Am I Ty' in my riddle is the name of the LITTLE SCHOOL, named AMITY (in our district)! We happen to have a huge quilt display from AMITY SCHOOL hanging upstairs, so off I go in search of my clue.  Yup! There it was, safely pinned to back, non-damaging to the quilt I might add!!!

"Somehow I feel as though you are dragon your feet, your gift awaits you. You want it, do you not? Shall I light a fire under you to make you move?  Must I tell if you are cold or if you are hot? Come on now my friend, I beg of you to give this all that you have got!"  Again, to the Children's section I go!  There is a dragon paper machie there.  Yup, under the dragon's butt was my next clue!

"Well now, you silly goose, surely you didn't think that that was the last clue? To put it simply as I can, that would not, could not be true. Please tell me you are not thinking of sitting down? It is clear as black and white that this game is not through. Only a few riddles for you to solve and a gift will be given unto you."  Off to the Children's section!! There's a stuffed goose there!!

"It would be a cardinal sin for you to quit now. I know that you have red that this is something I will not allow."  I have NEVER seen a cardinal in the trees in the Children's section! NEVER!! I even just put up and re-adjusted some decorations in those tree branches!! I think the cardinals were JUST RECENTLY added...  Anyway, one of my co-workers said, HEY!!! There's a cardinal on that branch! - we look - nothing.  Hmmm... so we look in the other trees, sure enough!! There's another cardinal on the shelf, by the tree, in the Children's section!

"My creativity is running low and it is time to rein you in my deer. I will hang around a little longer and share a tiny bit more Christmas cheer, and before I put a cap on all of our fun, one last clue will, for you, appear."  You guessed it, I'm in the Children's section and there is a capped reindeer hanging around!

"Don't delphin to this one too deeply. Sometimes it is okay for the pun to be so easy to sea. The porpoise for these riddles is to reveal to you gift number three."  Once again, the north wall of the Children's section is a painted mural of an underwater sea scene, complete with dolphins.  We looked everywhere at the first clue, but we look again. I'm a bit short, so a taller co-worker helps me out -  nothing. A patron made a HUGE stuffed dolphin and then gave it to us. We can't keep him out all the time though because he is so big that the kids like to sit on him and jump on him, etc.  So, we keep him by us in the back. He's a great conversationalist! I asked him what he thought of all of this Secret Santa stuff - much to my delight, he raised his head to talk with me and revealed my gift!! Such a sneaky helper that guy!

Secret Santa gift  hidden under dolphin.

 

The tag on the bag says, "Passing Through Once Again to Odor You to Have a Very Merry Christmas."

So, I wrote a new note to my Secret Santa: 

Dear Secret Santa, 

Much to my chagrin,

Help was really needed,

Before I could begin.

Your first clue so hard, the wrong North I did look.

All I could sea,

Were underwater creatures and toys for puppetry.

Help from several friends, did I need.

Then I took off with amazing speed.

Paranoid I now be,

Wondering if poop and stink is how you remember me!

So much fun to play your game,

Oh, Secret Santa, what is your name?

Okay, here's where the gamer gets tricky!! At 6:15-6:30 I happened to take my break.  I go into my locker, get my chips and eat.  Nothing spectacular in my locker, just my junk and the Christmas presents that I'm hiding there so my kids can't find them.  When I leave for the night, I go into my locker to put my name tag there and lo' and behold is a gift bag from my Secret Santa!!

Gifts that were mysteriously placed in my locker WHILE I was at work!!

I don't know if you can see it all, but there is a scarf - I wear scarves all the time!  Chocolate, gel pens for the artsy in my fartsy and a unique bird cage on a necklace.  I love unique jewelry. Tonight I happened to be wearing another necklace with a Silver bird cage. This bronzy one will work out WONDERFULLY with my collection of unique necklaces!  Love it!  I added a handwritten note to my last Secret Santa poem saying that I LOVE the necklace!

I have had one person in mind the whole time, but during this game, no one is to be trusted!!!

17 months to 17 years

I find it just incredible that you are 17 years old.

I swear that not too long ago, your foot was as long as my thumb. 

Your tiny round head fit in the palm of my hand. 

We swayed to the music of Sting so you could fall asleep.

Our first home was a second story apartment.  It was cozy and warm.

You were tiny enough to sleep on our chest.  You slept that way alot with your Daddy.

You were sick alot until I finally took you out of daycare.

Daddy and I worked opposite of eachother from almost day 1.

We bought our house so you could have grass and a sandbox to play in.

You were so happy and small - you "sat" on the real estate SOLD sign under a big maple tree.  Benny was there too, but we didn't know that yet.

You fit inside the laundry basket -- with laundry still in it!

We were all yours for 17 months... and then we added baby brother to keep you company.

17 months to 17 years.

Time flies when having fun - and we certainly do have loads of fun!

Youth For Christ

I have prayed my way into being a Mentor Mom for the Teen Pregnancy program for Youth For Christ.

It means that I would help a young mom - ages 13-21 (give or take) get to the meetings. I also help support her in stressful new mommy situations. I can also encourage her spiritually.  Mostly, I am just her friend and someone to talk to.

These young ladies typically do not have good relationships at home, that's where YFC comes into play.

Prayerfully, I will meet up with "my girl" tonight and we can start working on a friendship.  I'm anxious-excited. Kind of like being the new kid on the block again!

Regardless, I have prayed for the young ladies that I could possibly be matched up with. So, even if I am not a good match for them, the good Lord already has a match for them.

*** UPDATE:  I am back from the meeting. I have to admit that it isn't what I thought it would be. It was not what I expected.  It seems that all of the girls have a support system already in place; some are married; some have more than one child and they planned for that; only a tiny handful of them needed a ride.

My girls - one probably won't come back. Her child is at an age where it didn't work out for him. Poor little sweetie.  The other girl liked it and may want to go back, but she has a really good support system - she really only needs me for the ride. Which is alright, I can still do that for her and be her friend.

I Love It When...

 

I love it when it snows!

11/2011

I love it when it snows. When I was 6 years old, we lived in Berkeley. On this particular day of memory, it was my birthday. I remember praying and praying for it to snow and Blessings upon Blessings, the Good Lord made it snow that day.  I even have the photo to prove it.  My Momma took the picture of me. I was smiling the biggest smile ever.  Mom was on the phone with Gramma Wille who was in Wisconsin.

So, here I am today, back in Wisconsin. It's November 9th, 2011 and it snowed. Not just a little poor showing of snow either! It snowed big, huge soft flakes that stick to every eyelash, limb, wire and blade of grass.  It was completely wonderful.

I was and remain wonderfully happy.

Enuf Mopey Me

I choose HAPPY!

So, I updated my music selections. I know it IS a bit early for Christmas, sorry Wal-Mart, but I like Christmas music. It makes me happy.

My Mom played lots of Christmas music and she encouraged my desire to listen to it!  We were without a lot of things, but Mom tried her hardest to make Christmas nice and cozy.

Thanks Mom!  I hope you enjoy my music picks.

It snowed in Wisconsin ~

I am supremely happy!

Night Snow in Wisconsin

2010

Full of Joy

November is one of my very favorite months.

There is still a touch of autumn. We can still enjoy wonderful temperatures. Scarves, long-sleeved t-shirts and God's colors are still around.

The great (low) humidity levels mean GREAT curls! The sky is a wonderful clear blue that we can't see during summer.

November is not nearly as busy as September & October. November is a wonderful way to wind down the summer months and begin to relax. November is a great reprieve before the holiday rush.  My Mom would call it my "Putzy-down-time".  She is so right.  November is the beginning of my time to putter around the house. The gardens are done. The canning is done.  My wool socks come out of hiding and the blanket throws are refluffed and tossed on the couch and chairs. 

I can snuggle down deep into the corners with my Sophie girl curled in the crooks of my knees. Her nose buried under the blanket trying to stay warm.  Leo Kitty comes a pattering around, looking for a warm snuggle and a cozy spot to hide.

November is pie month at our house. More pies are baked in November than at any other time in our family.  Would you like a slice of pie and a cuppa warm creamy something?  We often enjoy that together as a family.  One pie lasting only a day in our house.

I am content and full of joy.

Where I Work

Part of the back area

A view of both floors on the East side.

This shows the Teen Area

&

Part of the Non-Fiction Area

The other half of the East side

Part of the Children's Area

Do you see the twinkle lights in the tree branches?

Another part of the Children's Area

My Church

Don't Kick the Dog

A Ricky quote that made us laugh... and then pet Sophie.

"I sense a presence of stupidity in the room."

"Oh wait, it's just the dog."

LOL "awww... it's alright Sophie." pat pat pat

It's The Most Wonderful Time, Of The Year

Ah-haaa! You started singing the Christmas song didn't you? 

I meant Autumn. I love Autumn!  I love the smells of the leaves and fires burning.  The sounds of the leaves falling and crunching under my shoes as I walk.  I can hear the chipmunk scurry along. The sky is so much clearer and more blue than during the hazy humid days of summer.

Pumpkins, golden fields, crisp mornings, hikes on the trails that don't make me sweat profusely.

Great hair days on which my curls are just WONDERFUL and well-behaved.

Cinnamon apple smells and tastes. Cobblers, ciders, punch, apple donuts with cinnamon sugar sprinkles.

Farmers' Markets with bulging baskets, boxes, trunks and truck beds.  Flea markets with baked goods from the Amish.

My husband's birthday. My oldest son's birthday. Thanksgiving.

Such joy, peace and serenity.

The next school year.

We have started our next hs'ing year.

You are a Sophomore and a Junior - 10th grade.... 11th grade.... I could hardly believe what my hand wrote. I really had to think.

It feels like just a few months ago that I took those precious Kindergarten First Day of School photos.

My heart is rejoicing and breaking all at the same time.  I am happy for you and for me. I am proud of you and me and your Dad.  I am breaking apart inside because this is a stage of my life also.  A stage that is ending.

I am also afraid of the future because I don't remember what I did before we hs'ed you. I don't remember life without reseaching and organizing fun school things!  I am afraid of the completion - of the done-ness. Afraid of the feeling of empty. I am afraid of not being useful!

What will I do with myself?

April 18, 2011 - 15 years old



Strawberry Poke Cake
This cake was for the day before your birthday.
We celebrated with Great Gramma Wille.



Tyra, Ben, Rick, Matt
Our Fondu FEAST
15 different items!



Some of the yummy Fondu items.



Handsome young man at 15 years.
Got you a new MP3 player.



Goofy Boy!!!
Triple layer cinnamon cake.
Tried to make it look like a mushroom...
or something!
This cake was for at our house.
For the DAY OF your birthday.



Can you hear me now? What did you say??!!

We just bought Benny a new MP3 player for his birthday. I told him to open it up to make sure I bought the right one.  Upon trying to read the foreign language directions, he said, what Matt interpreted as: "Three whores and an empty dwarf."  Which was REALLY supposed to be: "...durante al menos tres horas antes del primer uso."  We have no idea really what that says specifically, just a general idea based on the English directions.

Anyway!! Benny tried. Matt said, "WHAT!!!???" Benny smacked Matt. Ricky almost chocked on his cake roll. I laughed hysterically.

Serenity

My joy, peace, calm, serenity.

2009

Warm Oranges ~ 1985

When I lived in California with Dad and his family, it was 1984/1985. I met Mario for the first time. I spoke with him for the first time. He was 3 years old by the time I knew about him. I think Dad tried to tell me, but my Mom never let me know. I loved Mario so much. He was so cute! Claudia had three other children, Anthony, Greg and Shauna. Me the oldest and Mario the youngest. (By-the-way, I got the orange tree photo from lovethatfeeling.com, they were very nice and said I could use it! ~ special thanks to them!~)
It was when we lived on Poplar Street in Vacaville that we had an orange tree and a lemon tree in the backyard. Claudia and I sang a song for the lemon tree. It went like this: Lemon tree, very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet, but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat. But the flowers did smell beautiful in the Pacific breeze.
Our orange tree, now that was something! That tree was taller than the ranch-style home we lived in! The oranges were bigger than softballs, but smaller than volleyballs.

I asked Claudia if we could eat them, she said we could. So, I climbed up on the picnic table and picked oranges for all of us. We ate them fresh off of the tree. They were the juiciest oranges - the sweetest and they were sun-warmed. It was wonderful! The best oranges I've ever eaten.

Here in Wisconsin, we don't get to grow orange trees, nor do we get to experience fresh oranges off of the tree that are sun-warmed. That's why I wanted to include this memory in my blog.

Hiking ~ 2006 to present

We first started taking you hiking in 2006. We went to Door County and hiked down the cliffside to the water below. We even took along our Golden Retriever, Jazzy. She loved it as much as the rest of us! When we arrived at the water's edge, we found a huge teepee made out of drift wood logs. The teepee was approximately 15' tall and at least 15' at the base. It was awesome! We all sat inside of it. We've tried to find it since, but no such luck.

Today, we went hiking at Devil's Lake, Wisconsin. We hiked the East Bluff Trail. This time we took our Golden Retriever, Sophie. Jazzy wasn't far from our thoughts, however. We knew that she wouldn't have been able to make the hike. We used up all of Jazzy's Fun Energy since 2006 and had to put her down. However, today we thought of her and knew that, had she been younger, she would have had fun hiking with us. But, to the present, Sophie did a wonderful job. Many people, I'd say 98% of the people that came across us hiking, would stop to say hello to Sophie. They'd ask if she had enough water. They'd give her a pet, call her a good girl or say, "Hey buddy, you're up here too?" She did well with the other dogs - actually, I think all of the dogs were so worn out that they didn't have enough energy to even sniff butts!! One little cutie white fluffy poodle type was being carried. I said to Sophie, "Don't get any ideas, I'm not carrying you." The other owner just laughed and laughed. Sophie wanted to go first and picked the trail for us most of the way. There was one time where we were on a switch-back and she thought she could just jump down and get to me. In doing so, she almost slipped off of a huge boulder.

The trail we took today was absolutely beautiful. There happened to be lots of people hiking today, but it wasn't annonyingly crowded on the trails. We even saw a blind man and his family making their way on the trail. I imagine most of the people were on the beaches and in the picnic areas. Being a holiday weekend - Memorial Day combined with great weather, it's no wonder that Wisconsin most popular State Park was jam-packed full today!

Going up to Door County last week, we bought an annual State Park sticker so we could hike at Penninsula State Park both last week and again in October when we go on vacation. We decided to use our State Park sticker every weekend that we can this year, to get our money's worth. However, I think we will be using it mostly at Devil's Lake and then Penninsula the most. We'd like to get you to Governor Dodge this year. That's a favorite because it also has waterfalls. There is one more state park that I know of, with waterfalls, but it's waaay up near Superior - an 8 hour drive; we'd need to spend the night somewhere to get in some hiking.

Both of you are so funny! You've both asked for ibuprofen since we've gotten home. Sophie's feet were so hot!! We got out her little pool and let her cool off - it was funny when she sat and cooled off her pooky - could almost hear her body go. psssssssssshooo as she cooled down. But Dad and I are good, once we got some cold iced drinks at the Kwik Trip in Baraboo, we were good to go.

We all had a really good time. Hiking is one of the things that we all like to do. Whether we are in Wisconsin, Montana or California, hiking has always been our favorite activity. Thank you boys for the wonderful day! Remember to thank Dad for driving!

Last weekend we went to Door County to find our autumn cottage. We hiked at Penninsula State Park. That was alot of fun too. We went on the Eagle Trail. Sophie did really good there. I really like that trail because of the rocky climb and the cool temperature. Also, it goes down to the water! Since Rick just got his Temps the day before, we had him do all the driving in the Park. He did a great job and got some good practice in!