Violin music starts.....now

It feels like a Monday.

I have 7.5 bundles of work to do.....about 9 hours of work, if I"m lucky, Hannah and Katie are being more high maintenance than usual, and I for some reason planned a "quick" meal for today that required me to take the skin off of a chicken before placing in the crockpot, which I"ve never attempted before. How do I have time to post this blog, you say? Well, I have a few minutes before I put them both down for a nap, hoping that they are playing hard enough to earn a few more minutes of naptime.

I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday.

Huh?

More crazy gardner stuff:

1. 6 more losing lottery tickets- they are also postmarked from Providence, Rhode Island, just like last time

2. I think all this guy wants is a catalog, but here's what he wrote:
"If I order Don't Nothing if it isn't ordered By me. I so it will Be burned in a Fire. Some Cause Trouble in Pasture. If I had Got your Book (for Seed and Plants) Theair is Few Seed I would liked to had. But We (My wife & I) live only 60 road Miles From Fort Waldon Florida Or 76 Miles From Panama City. We Plant Some of the Seed you have in the last week of the year. And Some Up and Almost Reedy to Ploon. The Pear Start (This 2-2-06) to Bloom Sundy 1-29-05 Send new Book 1-12-06. Unless Seed Go Up."

Dear Vanilla Ice,

Awhile ago, a good friend of mine made this great mix CD with which for me to run. She included your hit, "Ice, Ice Baby". Now, I've heard you'd like to forget those days, just like I'd rather not admit I listen to this kind of music genre, but I have to tell you, at mile 5 your song was the wind beneath my wings. Thank you. I no longer will be ashamed of you and I will learn the words to this song so I can rock out at the next karaoke party. That is my pledge to you.

Your not-so-secret fan,
Krista

Those crazy gardners

Here's my two recent favorite pieces I've recieved in the mail:

1. a small slip of paper stating, "FREE 'MARK OF THE BEAST' C.D. TELL THEM A FRIEND. 1-800-643-4645"

2. 5 scratched lottery tickets...no order, no note, no nothing....What was the scenario that brought someone to do this? Any suggestions?

I wrestle with the aching question, "Why does God allow suffering?" I'm finally reading what so many of my friends have found a refreshing look on Christianity. I have to say, I needed to read this months, if not years ago. I'm only through the first section, so more posts to come!

"If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. A world of automata--of creatures that worked like machines--would hardly be worth creating. The happiness which God designs for His higher creatures is the happiness of being freely, voluntarily united to Him and to each other in an ecstasy of love and delight compared with which the most rapturous love between a man and a woman on this earth is mere milk and water. And for that they must be free." --C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

As you all probably know, today is the anniversary of the Challenger explosion. For my generation, this is probably the first memorable event that we seem to remember where we were when we heard about it.

I was one of the many students who watched the launch live on tv. For weeks (it seemed), we studied, read, & heard about this event. Remember Weekly Reader? The 4th & 5th grade classes crammed into the hallway to watch the Challenger. I remember feeling shock and disbelief. Is this for real? I kept waiting for the announcer to inform us that this launch was the trial run or something. My memory is pretty cloudy, but I don't remember discussing it much in class. The teachers were pretty stunned as well, and I think they just tried to move on with the day.

Even before the launch, a lot of attention was focused on Christa McAullife, the first teacher to participate in space travel. Science was never my favorite subject....very boring....how can you understand such "hands-on" concepts by merely reading a textbook? Anyways, even though I didn't consider myself good at science, I had an immediate connection to this teacher because she was the only other person I knew who shared my name. Kind of a silly reason, but I felt I held a special bond with her that none of my classmates would understand. Because of this, I wanted to go to Space Camp and be the next "Christa" to join a space mission.

Well as you know, this hasn't happened yet. But this anniversary reminds me of my past dreams and desire to do something significant. (I also wanted to be the first woman president.) My dreams have somewhat changed....maybe reality has just set in. I want my life to be less about me and more about loving and serving others. (But I keep getting in the way.) But the little girl in me every now and then yearns for something big to happen......

So I have 2 questions for you:
1. Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
2. What were/are your dreams?

random thoughts

1. This new "immune-boosting tablet" called Airborne....the commercials are crappy, but what I really don't get is their choice slogan: "The one created by a teacher and trusted by millions." I'd much rather ingest chemicals developed by a teacher rather than someone in, let's say, the MEDICAL profession?!

2. My work for a landscaping company has begun again. So... tis the season for crazy rants from gardeners around the country. First rant of the season: "Here I am. The greatest man on earth except God and Jesus." No kidding.

3. Toddler: I think I can now say Hannah has moved from babyhood into the exciting world of being a toddler. She is not as cooperative as she once was. (Please, no "I told you so's"....I"m not in the mood.)

4. Why is making a menu for the week so overwhelming to me? I've completed more difficult things, so why does this seem difficult? Other moms I"ve talked to claim it's easy. Rachel Ray does it everyday in 30 minutes! I'm not convinced.

That's all for now. Sorry if this sounds a bit whiny. I'll post something more positive later.

more lists...

I haven't posted in a very long time and still don't have much to say of significance. But one of my friends posted this list, so I thought I would too.

Four jobs you’ve had in your life:
1. delivered newspapers
2. Steak n' Shake waitress
3. 4th grade teacher
4. stay at home mom

Four movies you could watch over and over:
(I don't usually like to watch a movie more than once, but here are some I enjoyed a few times)
1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the old one)
2. Office Space
3. My Best Friend's Wedding
4. Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Four places you’ve lived:
1. Gering, Nebraska
2. Lincoln, Illinois
3. Indianapolis
4. Normal

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. American Idol (new season next week!)
2. Saturday Night Live
3. Arrested Development
4. Seinfeld

Four places you’ve been on vacation:
1. Mt. Rushmore & Flinstone's Village (don't laugh, it was way cool for a young Nebraska girl)
2. Road trip along the California coast
3. Yellowstone National Park
4. Mexico

Four web sites you visit daily:
1. dooce.com
2. illinoise.net
3. igaff.com
4. cefcu.com

Four of your favorite foods:
1. nachos
2. pizza
3. ice cream
4. chicken fingers

Four places you’d rather be:
1. on the beach in the Carribean
2. in the midst of runners on race day
3. cuddling with Hannah after her nap
4. in the car on a road trip

Four albums/artists you can’t live without:
(I'm not sure I want to admit the strange variety of what I like....)
1. John Mayer
2. U2
3. Kelly Clarkson
4. Dave Matthews Band


Four magazines you read:
1. US Weekly (yes, I'll admit it!)
2. The Pantagraph....not a magazine, but that's about all the periodicals I read
3.
4.

Four cars you’ve owned:
1. 88 Dodge Colt
2. 98 Eclipse
3. 03 Honda CRV
4.


What about you?

Your 2005 Song Is

Beverly Hills by Weezer "My automobile is a piece of crap My fashion sense is a little whack And my friends are just as screwy as me" You breezed through 2005 in your own funky style!

What Hit Song of 2005 Are You?

Purple.....the new size 0

My mom, sisters and I went to a boutique today. A salesperson greeted us, explained their philosophy on sizing, then handed us a reference card. This boutique believes that every woman should celebrate and accept themselves, so instead of numbers being used to indicate your size, they use colors. So the reference card showed that purple was the smallest, followed by green, and so on.

This reminded me of a professor who told her future teachers to avoid red when grading papers because red communicated negativity and lowered self-esteem. So...if I use purple, will purple become the new red?

I'm not sure the boutique or the professor thought this through.

Update

For a while now, I've struggled with anything to blog about. But before the few of you who read this give up on me, here's an update:

-Currently we are in Omaha celebrating my youngest sister's graduation from Occupational Therapy school. She's a Doctor now! We are also cramming in Christmas and wedding dress shopping in these few days.

-My grandma and mom got sick when we first arrived, then the next day I got it. Nothing like having the flu in someone else's home.

-Our living conditions are cozy....see Isaac's blog

More to come....

You MUST go to Laurie's blog (link on the left) and add your 2 cents! Very funny. Men, you need to defend yourselves.

Is this MY problem?

So I'm checking out at Target, trying to buy some cough syrup for my poor, sick girl, when the girl behind the register asks me, "Can I have your birthdate?"

Knowing somehow this is part of the prevention of drug production, I gladly say, "Sure. 3-28-75."
Entering birthdate. Pause.
Girl suspiciously looks up at me and says, "I'm sorry it says your birthdate is invalid."

What can happen in 1 year

My Birthday Girl

Hannah,
I can't believe it's been a year. I know you won't remember all that has happened, but you have brought so much joy to our home since your arrival. You are such a happy girl. Your smile brightens up your whole face....we love to make you smile. But Schaeffer is your favorite, he's pretty much the only one who can make you belly laugh.

Right now, you are sooo close to walking. You love to push and steer the walker, but are even happier when we walk you around the house. You are fairly content entertaining yourself. Actually, your face lights up when I put you in front of a mirror. I wish I knew what kind of conversation you were having with yourself. Maybe it's some sort of pep talk. But I sure wish I got as excited when I did the same thing. There's probably a lesson in that somewhere.

Your independence pokes through every now and then. Sippy cups are a new discovery and you REFUSE to let us help you learn how to use it. I mean, what kind of parents are we to not allow you to be the first child in history to find a way to drink your juice from the bottom of the cup? I mean, your dad and I just might have the next DaVinci or Einstein on our hands! Let her work, people!

There's so much to say and for which to be thankful. I'm not as eloquent (look it up, sweetie) as your daddy, but I've never loved as deeply and wholeheartedly until you entered our world. I hope I honor God in the way I care for you as you grow. I may fail you at times, but I want you to know that I am always for you and not against you. I will be here to listen, comfort, and share in all that you experience.

Happy Birthday, my baby. May God bless you with many more.
Mom

Remembering to be thankful

for a roof over our heads
for sitcoms....especially Seinfeld reruns
for nail clippers in various sizes: baby, finger, toes
for a gas grill
for warm, steamy showers
for scented lotion
for baby wipes
for the Diaper Genie
for our beautiful patio and the hands that built it
for the Sunday morning newspaper
for Swiffer dusters and the Swiffer vac
for a warm house....well, warm enough, anyways
for celebrating my girl's first birthday
for chocolate cake and frosting
for a reliable car
for Internet at home
for blue jeans and sweatshirts
for the smell of bacon and fall candles filling the house
for hot chocolate with marshmallows melted on top
for comfy pajama pants
for thought-provoking books
for a loving, supportive family
for the colorful view of fall from our street
for Vickie, who rarely complains and does little things around the house, like dishes, bathrooms, filling soap containers,
supplying me with chocolate
for Isaac, who teaches me how to laugh at myself
for Hannah....her beautiful, telling eyes, the way she wrinkles her nose when she laughs, her independent spirit
for God's grace in my flawed life

a typical day w/ my medal

show off

Is it bad to want to wear my marathon medal around so people know I finished even though I make fun of people who do this? I mean, I only wore it from the finish line to the hotel. I need to get more use of it, right? Well, you'll see. Pictures will come, I promise.

regretting my words...as usual

After realizing I need to get out of the house a little more, this week I went to Mom to Mom, a couple hours each week, where moms get some time to socialize...and other stuff, I'm not sure what yet. Each mom is assigned a "care circle." The leader of my group asked us to tell a little about ourselves. Now, you all know me, when I'm given unscripted time to say whatever, I tend to put my foot in my mouth. I confessed to a table of moms that lately I have been BORED. (silence) bored, yes, people, she's bored.....great way to make friends, huh?

the blahs

I wish I
were skinnier,
loved reading more than tv,
were a better wife & mom,
didn't care what everyone thinks of me,
loved to be in the background, not needing pats on the back,
could swallow my pride with ease,
could efficiently manage money.

I wish all my words were funny, thoughtful, wise, and constructive.

I wish I
were more thoughtful,
had more discipline,
were more productive,
had more confidence.