2013 Goals

snapshot of my desktop

Instead of new years resolutions, I make new years goals. That way if I don't meet them, I can just bump them up for next year. I met some of 2012's, and some of them are still on this years list. Oh well, it's like my to-do list, if something stays on too long, I just throw away the list. I'll let you see this years so you'll know what to expect on my blog.

• Pray for at least 5 minutes in a row everyday
• Evangelize regularly
• Exercise my torso and shoulder
• Go to Africa
• Be an exemplary employee
• Help out at least once a month at the Mennonite Sewing Circle
• Successfully complete the Perspectives course
• Pray at the abortion clinic at least once a month
• Spend time with my family
• Read through the Bible
• Sew up flannel from Grandma Cook's 
• Improve my unicycle skills and attend at least one tridge meeting during the year
• Get married
• Help out around the farm
• Learn more Spanish
• Be a part of church activities
• Save money to buy a field
• Have fun!

I'm plenty glad to have God know what's in store for the year, and me to be surprised. Check back later and I'll let you know how it's going. 

Niece

 When I got home from work on Thursday night, I was met by my nieces and family. I love to come home to smiles. Kaelyn and I put together this horse puzzle. As we were doing it she cuddled up beside me and said, "I like to come to your house."

Earlier in the week I told Nessa, you are my niece. She giggled and said, "No, I'm Nessa."

Christmas in Woodbridge

Some of my co-workers complained when they heard that our assigned Christmas tree was the short one with colored lights. I on the other hand, was pleased. Most everybody knows that I like color in my life. I felt blessed when God sent the tree with colored lights to Woodbridge (my neighborhood.)

Our tree was borrowed for a weekend to be in Santa pictures, but then it came back and spent the rest of the holiday with us.

Several weeks ago, I made play-dough, Kenda brought cookie cutters, and we had ornament-making-day. We poked holes with drinking straws and left the "cookies" out to dry. Several days later I cut yarn loops and the residents knotted them. Then we took the ornaments and they hung them on the tree. It was such fun. 

Only one resident neglected to follow my instructions, and ate the dough. She said it wasn't too bad, but I took it away from her before she had a chance to take another bite.

It was a wonderful Christmas tree. My residents all have dementia and by this time they have forgotten what it was like to make and decorate with our play-dough ornaments. But Woodbridge is like that. Sometimes it is best not to remember everything we've done.

Kayak

Amy and I took a December kayak trip. We didn't get started very early in the day, so we went upstream for awhile before letting the current take us back.

The dock was out, but we found a rock to help us clamber out of the river. Good thing we have already had some practice.

West Side

This past weekend Aaron, Lauren-Mae and I went over to visit with our friends on the west side of the state. One of the super fun things about their church group is the little kids. Even though there were many Aunts and Uncles around, I still managed to hold the newest baby. The VandeZandes are dandy friends.

Another fun thing, or shall I say character, is Galen!

Christmas

Did I ever tell you that I like to make Christmas gifts?

Preschooler

I've just been realizing that I love preschool activities. I guess that is probably why I get on so well working with my dementia residents.

Today I tried making chocolate pretzels. Very easy, and I wished I would have had some little hands to help me. Since I didn't well, the pretzels are all in nice lines, and only a few of the ingredients went missing during action.

arrange unwrapped chocolate kisses a top pretzels

pop them in the pre-heated oven

easy directions so far

press M&Ms into the chocolate

cool, package and put in Christmas baskets

Of course, I'm sure they won't all make it to the Christmas baskets.

Now I think I'll go make some playdough.

Tutu

Naomi and I stopped at a craft shop and found the idea for a dress up tutu.

cut tulle into 2" strips

loop around elastic band

continue all the way around

all done!

Snowflakes

I tried a new pattern last week. And it worked!

Here are the snowflakes I crocheted.

 The pattern said "we used the traditional sugar/water starch." 

Good thing it went on to tell me what that was. 

Equal parts sugar and water. Heat but do not burn.

Water and starch.

Immerse the snowflake in water. 

Then dunk the flakes into the room temperature 

(it cooled nicely while I took my afternoon nap) starch. 

The wet mess is then pinned to paper and left to thoroughly dry. 

That was a good place to leave it for my three 12 hour days at work.

pinned to the ironing board

When I came back I was overjoyed to find my snowflakes a success.

Not easy, but quick to make and fun to give.

Saddle Making

Three hours of work,

Two "leather" jackets,

One tennis racket,

A jar of bells from JoAnns,

And one shiny belt buckle,

TA DA

The adjustable stirrup uses the jacket cuff and 1/2 the front snaps of the jacket.

I wanted a baseball bat for the horn, but the tennis racket sufficed.

Spoiled

Some people think I live a spoiled life.

What do you think?

My Mom washes my clothes.
My Dad changes the oil in my car.
My Brian takes me out on the weekends.
My Libby makes me treats to eat.
My Logan helps me with my bright ideas.
My Naomi gives me back rubs.

They take out the garbage, do the grocery shopping, prepare the meals, fix the house, pay the bills plus...

When I get home from work there is always someone to meet me.
When I get sick there is always someone to pamper me.
When I get mad they all know how to deal with me.
When I am happy they all know how to make me happier.

The people I take care of at the nursing home remind me to enjoy life while I'm young.
I tell them "I'm trying to."

Saturday

One of the problems with working three 12-hour-shifts in a row is that the next day

(while other people are doing fun things like building barns)

I have to take naps.

Good thing they worked on it all day long. That way I did get to help on the last two trusses.

Without Complaining

On Sunday Pastor Jimmy Lang gave us an exhortation regarding complaining. I for one needed that. I'm pretty well versed in the line of complaining. It is so easy to see and feel things to complain about: work, life, pain, friends, family, cars, the weather and circumstances. I do have things that "get-me-down" but I need to remember that complaining and murmuring is wrong, in fact it is sin.

May I learn to stop the sin of complaining and remember to give thanks in all circumstances.

Duvet

At long last Naomi and I finished the duvet we started last year. It belongs to the pink guest bedroom.

Want to come try it out?

Meet Hank

A one-of-a kind-frog

notice the eyes

• A friend at the toughest times
• He has great eyes
• A stick to your side type of personality
• Blends in nicely

blending in

• A pick-me-up kind of guy
• Always there when you need him
• Smiley guy
• Comfortable to be around

trying to be a pick-me-up-personality

right when I need him

• Very friendly and easy going
• Good looking
• Loves kids
• Likes a good party

comfortable to be with

loving kids

• Easy going
• Loveable
• Quiet
• Caring

party guy

• The kind of frog this princess wants to kiss! 

Great minds shop alike

Julie and I went shopping for a bridal shower. We did not go shopping together, but we did end up buying the same thing!

One of our friends is registered at Kohls. I'm not used to shopping there and didn't know how to find anything. I did find the kitchen area. Then, with my wish list in hand I searched for the 6qt mixing bowl. After going round and round the same display cases, I still couldn't find it. However, I did see some really nice baking sheets. The wish list said that 1-of-2 was still remaining. Little did I know that the other 1-of-2 item had been purchased by my sister.

Ha! Great minds shop alike.

Fulfilling the great Commission

On Saturday night there was a short commissioning service for Julie.

Julie played the piano for the last time.

Boo Hoo. Following the great commission is sad sometimes.

You can follow her blog click here to see what she is doing.

Did you make that?

 "Did you make that?"

Sometimes my co-workers wonder where I get my scrubs. Then once they learn that I sew them, they get super impressed. I try to down play it by saying stuff like, "Oh, it's not that hard." or "Yeah, but my sisters can really sew." 

This is one of my latest creations. 

I took the pictures by myself in a dark room, so that gives me a good excuse for the not-so-great quality.

the Called

God doesn't call the qualified.

He qualifies the called.

LAZY-T

Friday was our church's annual Lazy-T camp out.

The sun set was glorious and the weather was almost perfect. Especially for me since I came home early and didn't have to sleep in the cold bunks.

Tom, Turbo and Tony took us for a lovely hay ride. We rode through the woods and watched the sun go down as the moon came up. It is sensational.

Unfortunately my cell-phone camera doesn't have zoom. The trees were stunning dressed up in their fall colors. Do other states have such amazing fall backdrops?