Friday, April 2, 2010
What we did on our anniversary
so that a year from now I can look it up and remember...like I just did last year's.
Bob scheduled the day off. On Wednesday, March 31--we went to Bible Study after eating steaks for supper that were kinda tasteless when we got the call from James and Amber that James will be deployed in late June, early July. Our thoughts and prayers are with Amber, as the rumor/warning came true, and they will spend their first anniversary on different continents/time zones/hemespheres.
Thursday morning, April 1st, we enjoyed coffee, banter, being lazy---I pulled little pancakes out of the freezer for our breakfast. Bob thought they were so cute. I think the technical term for them is silver dollar sized. Then some steak and peas and a very ripe avacado for lunch, after Bob shaved my legs and we took congratulatory calls from Suzanne. The only card this year was from my folks--I will have to kid Barbara. With facebook, email, twitter---the card industry has to be hurting. I hate buying expensive cards, and like to make my own. But, I barely send out birthday cards anymore, let alone anniversary cards.
We enjoyed Pastor Mark Driscoll's message from Mars HIll Church on legalism. He has so much fun with the crazy traditions people protect in their religions. The "no picnicing" sign at the site where Jesus fed the 5,000 is the ultimate in irony. Fun to hear Pastor Mark Driscoll laugh! And to learn about the danger of legalism and anit-legalism: the crowd that won't lift a finger 'cause Jesus said it is finished. What a wide range of extremes---to folks who make rules about the rules.
And we heard Pastor Tommy Nelson's latest---it was finally up from last Sunday. And the live Brietbart TV. I did a little laundry. Now I know why some people go to a hotel or take a trip on their anniversary---to get away from the laundry, cooking, dishes, and anger when something on the news ticks you off.
James and Amber got here about 10:30pm. Bob had just enjoyed another Twilight Zone adventure. And we had watched the news and heard the dire weather warnings for "Good Friday". What a strange name for the day. Stock market is closed. But, the place putting the new bumper on our toyota is open---and supposidly will have the car done today.
The pollen count is breaking new record highs---and we have had the windows open 24/7 for days...and when you run your hand across the counter, it feels gritty, and there is a green dust on the cars. Rain approaches from the west. Hopefully, it was wash the air.
I spent the day with Suzanne on Tuesday, and gave her the knitted dishrags I had made up. Five more now are ready for her.
Bob and I did a McDonald's run for supper last night---frappes sounded good. I ordered one of each (mocha and caramel). They are very sweet. Bob and I went to a McDonald's on our honeymoon---so I should have requested McDonaldland cookies---the little animal cracker cookies from our honeymoon.
Next year, our anniversary will fall upon a Friday. But, it will not be anywhere near Easter, and I wonder if James will still be in Afghanistan on our 33rd??!!
This blog has become my diary. I use it to look up what happened as my memory ain't so good anymore. I am so thankful for Bob humoring me by taking a day off work and just being with me. Shaving my legs and trimming my toenails---why, its a homemade spa experience. And with a huge bowl of cuties (clementine oranges) so sweet they taste like candy, and a game of Scrabble where I laid down: SUBROGATION, I think Bob had a good time, too. He won the Scrabble game by 26 points.
the top picture is a possom. ...a possom walking away along the phone cables over the crepe myrtle tree... Bob caught and released two cats...so the animal in the trap/cage is a cat...in the second picture
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
DFW National Cemetery
Yesterday, I drove my friend over to the DFW National Cemetery. She had never seen it. It was super windy and warm, but I finally got to examine the crests on the granite tables along the walkway by the lake. My friend pointed out that there is not a RANGER one. There is space for more, so maybe we need to push and support one.
If your husband is a vet, retired or active duty---one of your benefits is the right to be buried at a National Cemetery. The DFW one opened in 2000. And it is beautiful with rolling hills of mesquite trees. The above ground stones have a cross or not, name, rank, where they served, and a space at the bottom for one short line. If the wife is buried there, too, then her info in engraved on the back. So, from certain angles---it looks like a field of women.
How to fit: killed by an arrogant cell phone driver ? or text-er ?
Every where we drive now, on every road, these idiot drivers think they can drive and talk on the phone at the same time. Murderers. Arrogant murderers. Some can barely drive---and my husband pointed out that they probably learned how to drive playing video games.
Hang up and drive!
If your husband is a vet, retired or active duty---one of your benefits is the right to be buried at a National Cemetery. The DFW one opened in 2000. And it is beautiful with rolling hills of mesquite trees. The above ground stones have a cross or not, name, rank, where they served, and a space at the bottom for one short line. If the wife is buried there, too, then her info in engraved on the back. So, from certain angles---it looks like a field of women.
How to fit: killed by an arrogant cell phone driver ? or text-er ?
Every where we drive now, on every road, these idiot drivers think they can drive and talk on the phone at the same time. Murderers. Arrogant murderers. Some can barely drive---and my husband pointed out that they probably learned how to drive playing video games.
Hang up and drive!
crikey
Every time we have purchased a car, I have pushed for the full maintenance package. With rent car. My dear husband saith that we could save money by renting the rent car ourselves when we need it. Well, Toyota was not up front about how expensive maintenance costs. Every five thousand miles when you bring it in for an oil change---they push and threaten and cajole for petty yet expensive crap to be done like change out the brake fluid, change the AIR filters, etc. But, they send you nifty coupons in fliers saying---oil change---just $26.
Well, I insisted on the "just the oil change" for $26 and found out that does not include checking ANY of the fluids. Toyota you are losing me.
And when a ford 150 backed into our bumper in Lawton and tore a hole in the bumper skin, the insurance companies went round and round about us needing to pay our deductible, and half, and half of the rental for two days, even though the gal admitted today, it will take four---again. Damn them. Should have gotten the silly rent car. Subrogation? Really? It will be up to us to go after the other insurance company for reimbursement? (save that word for Scrabble: subrogation)
Next time we buy a car---the maintenance is more important than the damn car. Go for the full package, and the rent car no matter what----because it only runs $750 and we have paid that out in the first three oil changes!!! And make the insurance company pony up on the rent car---and pick you up and deliver you. There are so many idiots talking on their cell phones, and texting while driving, that it is just a matter of time....
Just sayin'
later---Bob pointed out something I want to remember: the current debate about healthcare is often carjacked by the argument that by law we have to buy car insurance. Yes, but we don't use our car insurance for an oil change or tune up. Car insurance is for emergencies, wrecks, and when your car is damaged in a hail storm. And with car insurance, you get to choose your deductible. Our current deductible is $500. Health insurance should be for calamities, but some people want health insurance to cover routine office visits. And a "co-pay" is usually no where near $500.00
Well, I insisted on the "just the oil change" for $26 and found out that does not include checking ANY of the fluids. Toyota you are losing me.
And when a ford 150 backed into our bumper in Lawton and tore a hole in the bumper skin, the insurance companies went round and round about us needing to pay our deductible, and half, and half of the rental for two days, even though the gal admitted today, it will take four---again. Damn them. Should have gotten the silly rent car. Subrogation? Really? It will be up to us to go after the other insurance company for reimbursement? (save that word for Scrabble: subrogation)
Next time we buy a car---the maintenance is more important than the damn car. Go for the full package, and the rent car no matter what----because it only runs $750 and we have paid that out in the first three oil changes!!! And make the insurance company pony up on the rent car---and pick you up and deliver you. There are so many idiots talking on their cell phones, and texting while driving, that it is just a matter of time....
Just sayin'
later---Bob pointed out something I want to remember: the current debate about healthcare is often carjacked by the argument that by law we have to buy car insurance. Yes, but we don't use our car insurance for an oil change or tune up. Car insurance is for emergencies, wrecks, and when your car is damaged in a hail storm. And with car insurance, you get to choose your deductible. Our current deductible is $500. Health insurance should be for calamities, but some people want health insurance to cover routine office visits. And a "co-pay" is usually no where near $500.00
Monday, March 29, 2010
Our 32nd anniversary is coming up !
We were married on April Fools Day. 1978. It was a fun wedding. We look back with fond memories. From this distance, we even look back and ponder: who were those people? All of my belongings fit in a small U-haul trailer pulled by a gray Dodge bearing bald tires.
We married in Houston as the azalias were blooming, and drove slowly back to Savannah where Bob was stationed. The azalias continued to bloom along the gulf highway, through Tallahassee, where we stopped to see friends we knew from church and buy a set of tires.
Now, 32 years later, our anniversary falls upon a Thursday---right before Good Friday, so Bob is taking off and we will have a five day weekend! Bob will be teaching Sunday School, and I have a list of things to bring for the Jews for Jesus presentation Easter Sunday as our speaker will give the Jewish Passover clues.
The oak trees are blooming pollen strands and leaves---a yellowish green color appears on the trees even blocks south out my window. A white cat patrols the back yard--stark white against the green grass in the yard of cut lawn. Soon the leaves on the trees will shrowd the houses and shade the yards on our street. For six months of winter we can see two blocks away at roofs and windows through stark spikes of bare branches. For the other six months, hail storm preventing, we have the lush leaf cover like a covered bridge down our street of old trees...many over fifty years old.
Last night was our church's small Lord's Supper celebration. The church secretary made chicken, potatoes, and green beans for the supper part, and set pitchers of grape juice and chopped flat bread at tables that sat eight. It was let every preacher preach something night, and the sad story read by a friend whose daughter was the most reluctant helper this year. Much eye-rolling, and sighing, and body language bespeaking her teenage years. In contrast with the recently adopted baby boy sucking on his toes being literally bounced by his momma at our table....too much drama for my old bones. I sure wish Bob would DO a Lord's Supper celebration for a Sunday School lesson. Walk us through one without the loud music, without the actual food, but with just the tiny cup of grape juice, and unleaven bread...just the teaching visuals Jesus talked about.
As a little girl, our church did the Lord's Supper as a salute, with a sermon and time of prayer for silent confession. Jesus said to do this until He comes back proclaiming His death and resurrection. Paul spends a lot of time discussing the groups doing it wrong.
Jesus chose the Passover for that first Lord's Supper, and repeated the breaking of bread and sharing the cup in their presence after His resurreciton. So, in our Christian tradition, we believe Jesus changed Passover into something more often. Something simple. Understanding Passover is important to see where He came from, and how He became our Passover. Weekly, monthly, yearly---a time to remember, and renew, and regroup. Kinda like an anniversary? Married 32 years, a Christian some 44 years.
later---noon I checked out an ALDI--a new grocery store. strange place of boxes where you have to pay for a cart?? yikes. no thank you. across the street is the nicest Tom Thumb---better variety, better meat, produce, and no charge for either size cart.
2pm---listen' to Mark Steyn on Rush today. snacking on guacamole for lunch, with raspberries, carrot juice and two fortune cookies left over from yesterday. I live like a queen ! these raspberries are as big as the thimble berries of the Upper Penninsula.
We married in Houston as the azalias were blooming, and drove slowly back to Savannah where Bob was stationed. The azalias continued to bloom along the gulf highway, through Tallahassee, where we stopped to see friends we knew from church and buy a set of tires.
Now, 32 years later, our anniversary falls upon a Thursday---right before Good Friday, so Bob is taking off and we will have a five day weekend! Bob will be teaching Sunday School, and I have a list of things to bring for the Jews for Jesus presentation Easter Sunday as our speaker will give the Jewish Passover clues.
The oak trees are blooming pollen strands and leaves---a yellowish green color appears on the trees even blocks south out my window. A white cat patrols the back yard--stark white against the green grass in the yard of cut lawn. Soon the leaves on the trees will shrowd the houses and shade the yards on our street. For six months of winter we can see two blocks away at roofs and windows through stark spikes of bare branches. For the other six months, hail storm preventing, we have the lush leaf cover like a covered bridge down our street of old trees...many over fifty years old.
Last night was our church's small Lord's Supper celebration. The church secretary made chicken, potatoes, and green beans for the supper part, and set pitchers of grape juice and chopped flat bread at tables that sat eight. It was let every preacher preach something night, and the sad story read by a friend whose daughter was the most reluctant helper this year. Much eye-rolling, and sighing, and body language bespeaking her teenage years. In contrast with the recently adopted baby boy sucking on his toes being literally bounced by his momma at our table....too much drama for my old bones. I sure wish Bob would DO a Lord's Supper celebration for a Sunday School lesson. Walk us through one without the loud music, without the actual food, but with just the tiny cup of grape juice, and unleaven bread...just the teaching visuals Jesus talked about.
As a little girl, our church did the Lord's Supper as a salute, with a sermon and time of prayer for silent confession. Jesus said to do this until He comes back proclaiming His death and resurrection. Paul spends a lot of time discussing the groups doing it wrong.
Jesus chose the Passover for that first Lord's Supper, and repeated the breaking of bread and sharing the cup in their presence after His resurreciton. So, in our Christian tradition, we believe Jesus changed Passover into something more often. Something simple. Understanding Passover is important to see where He came from, and how He became our Passover. Weekly, monthly, yearly---a time to remember, and renew, and regroup. Kinda like an anniversary? Married 32 years, a Christian some 44 years.
later---noon I checked out an ALDI--a new grocery store. strange place of boxes where you have to pay for a cart?? yikes. no thank you. across the street is the nicest Tom Thumb---better variety, better meat, produce, and no charge for either size cart.
2pm---listen' to Mark Steyn on Rush today. snacking on guacamole for lunch, with raspberries, carrot juice and two fortune cookies left over from yesterday. I live like a queen ! these raspberries are as big as the thimble berries of the Upper Penninsula.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday
March 25th. wow.
http://www.wunderground.com/US/Region/US/2xpxVisSatellite.html
There is snow on the ground in Dalhart, Texas. Clouds that do not move in the water vapor loop weathermap online.
Our oak trees are wearing earrings. Long strands of pollen.
Our disgusting cat is licking old throwup off the outside window sill. Said cat has a bowl of food and a bowl of fresh water, but she would prefer to be pitiful. Our birds can't get to the bird feeder because of where said cat is perched.
One cat. Cat for sale. Its going cheap.
http://www.wunderground.com/US/Region/US/2xpxVisSatellite.html
There is snow on the ground in Dalhart, Texas. Clouds that do not move in the water vapor loop weathermap online.
Our oak trees are wearing earrings. Long strands of pollen.
Our disgusting cat is licking old throwup off the outside window sill. Said cat has a bowl of food and a bowl of fresh water, but she would prefer to be pitiful. Our birds can't get to the bird feeder because of where said cat is perched.
One cat. Cat for sale. Its going cheap.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Another funeral yesterday
We attended another funeral yesterday. Our third one for this year. Bob's boss's boss's wife. The preacher kept talking about himself..."the last time I..." or "when I talked to her on the phone..." and the wonderful things she did --made her sound like wonderwoman. I am sure she was, but get to the Gospel. He should have read John 3:16 first. And when a preacher says he has never had this request in all the funerals and services like this (celebration of life) I was mighty suspect---the sinner's prayer? Seriously? Well, buddy, I prayed it. That God would keep me from killing you for such a poor sermon. Without the Gospel first, and Jesus as the Reason and the Power, it is all for naught.
A picture of her would have been nice. It has been twenty years since I had seen her face to face. Thankfully, no body. No empty shell. No cadaver. Thank You!
At our first funeral this year, there was a box, a small wooden box of ashes, made to look even smaller by the casket size flag. At our second funeral, the embalmed body and the family touching it, and adding things to it, was such a contrast. Yesterday, no body, no casket, no picture, no urn. Just words. Pretty flowers, and directions where to send donations in her name. The dear lady organized it all herself. Each one that got up to speak said they had been so tasked. She was organized. I liked the not-sung-very-often verses from Amazing Grace. I appreciated her courage for bringing them out into the open, and into the light of day.
So, when you plant my body in the ground, or scatter my ashes upon the wind, speak the Gospel FIRST. The rest is wood, hay and stubble.
A picture of her would have been nice. It has been twenty years since I had seen her face to face. Thankfully, no body. No empty shell. No cadaver. Thank You!
At our first funeral this year, there was a box, a small wooden box of ashes, made to look even smaller by the casket size flag. At our second funeral, the embalmed body and the family touching it, and adding things to it, was such a contrast. Yesterday, no body, no casket, no picture, no urn. Just words. Pretty flowers, and directions where to send donations in her name. The dear lady organized it all herself. Each one that got up to speak said they had been so tasked. She was organized. I liked the not-sung-very-often verses from Amazing Grace. I appreciated her courage for bringing them out into the open, and into the light of day.
So, when you plant my body in the ground, or scatter my ashes upon the wind, speak the Gospel FIRST. The rest is wood, hay and stubble.
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