Remarkably Random Ramblings and Ruminations

This week has been INSANE and all I can do is just start pulling stuff outta my brain and putting it on paper so I can get a blog done.

Last Saturday was my birthday party. I’m 60. Had a GREAT time of food, fun and fellowship. Had a little too much wonderful Mexican food and MAYBE too much vodka, but that’s what it’s all about, right?

Tuesday was Bible study group. I love my group. It’s a place of complete safety. I can dump all my troubles in the middle of the floor and get it all prayed over. And the same goes with everyone else in the group. We prop each other up.

Wednesday was Advent service and Marv, Thea and I did Coventry Carol for offering. Love that haunting tune and have an awesome arrangement for it.

Thursday was a final (so I thought) shopping foray for Christmas stuff. Got things wrapped that needed wrapping and waited for the final things Marv was bringing home so I could prep the two packages that needed to be mailed. THEN I found out that I made a MASSIVE mistake when I paid the mortgage last month…eek. Got it rectified today.

AND made what I HOPE is the absolute FINAL foray to Walmart for things my MIL wants to give my nieces two girls for Christams. So other than food shopping, I do believe I’m done…so NOW you can stick a fork in me!

Keeping It Simple

With everything else going on (as usual) things are starting to get very hectic and I think I’m heading for burn-out. We got the tree up late this year, and for the last week all we’ve had on it is the lights it came with. And it looks very pretty just the way it is. I considered leaving it that way, but know I will enjoy having ornaments on it.

I decided on a different approach this year. I had Marv put the garland on last night, before any ornaments are on the tree. Usually, the garland is the last thing. This way, the ornaments will go where they will definitely be seen, rather than hidden by garland. I also had Marv take down ONE box of ornaments, and that will be the ones we put on the tree. Period. I have 3 other huge bins of ornaments and just couldn’t face going through them all.

I also considered not putting up the Manger this year. We did a different placement of the tree and there really is no good spot for the manger in the front room. Then I hit on the idea of putting it in the hallway on the bookcase where my kitty car cookie jar is. The hall nightlight is right above that shelf and I think it will look kinda like the Star of Bethlehem shining above the manger. I might even look for a special light to plug in there.

I already feel more like getting into it all. It just won’t be as much as in previous years.

I also decided NOT to make Christmas cards this year. It would be more of a job than a joy. So everyone is getting store-bought cards this year. I love sending and receiving cards and would never cut that activity out, I’m just giving myself a bit of a break this year.

There. I will put up some ornaments later and set up the Manger. And then sit and think about what this whole season is about. We were given a magnificent gift from God, and we need to really ponder that.

Dec 2013 Book Report

Haunting Jordan by P.J. Alderman

First book in a fun little series. Jordan escapes from the spotlight of her husband’s murder in L.A. and buys an old Victorian house in the state of Washington to restore. It comes complete with ghosts. Who want their own murders solved. I look forward to more from this writer.

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Deadly Heat by “Richard Castle”

The latest in the Castle series. In this one, Nikki closes her mother’s murder case and prevents a bioterror event. These are such well-written books, and a delight to read.

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Addams Family Values by Todd Strasser

This book was written from the screenplay of the movie. I loved the movie, and this book was lots of fun.

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UnEnchanted by Chanda Hahn

This was a free ebook, and I didn’t realize it was the first one of a series. It was a good story though, and came to a good conclusion, so even if I don’t get more books from the series, it’s OK. Mina Grimes is very unlucky. It gets even worse when she finds she is the descendant of one of the Grimm brothers and must solve “fairy tale” stories or die. This is a YA paranormal book. Good read.

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Finding My Father by Rod McKuen

I always loved his poems and songs back in the day. I stumbled across this autobiography at a sale. The book was written when Rod was in his 40s and searching for info on his birth father. Lots of poems included in the work, some from his past writings and some that were written especially for this book. Lots of pictures, too.

Sitcom Dads

Did you ever wonder what some of the TV sitcom dads did for a living? I’m talking about ones from my childhood and teens. Most of the action of the shows took place amongst a family setting, with little mention of Dad’s occupation. There were a few obvious exceptions. Everyone knew that Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) was a sheriff, and Darren Stevens (Dick York/Dick Sargent) was an ad man. And some did have reference to the job. I decided to do some sleuthing and this is what I found:

Henry Mitchell (Herbert Anderson) from “Dennis the Menace” was an engineer for the Trask Corp.

Jim Anderson (Robert Young) from “Father Knows Best” was an insurance agent.

Steven Douglas (Fred MacMurray) from “My Three Sons” was an aeronautical engineer. I do recall some episodes where he came home with some large rolled-up papers under his arm.

Ward Cleaver (Hugh Beaumont) from “Leave It To Beaver” had some kind of office job.

Mike Brady (Robert Reed) from “Brady Bunch” was an architect. And I remember some references to this job.

Martin Lane (William Schallert) from “The Patty Duke Show” was managing editor of a newspaper.

Bentley Gregg (John Forsythe) from “Bachelor Father” was an attorney.

Bill Davis (Brian Keith) from “Family Affair” was a civil engineer.

Don’t you feel smarter now? You’re welcome.

The Facebook "Poke"

When I first got on Facebook, I thought the “poke” deal was superfluous and didn’t pay a lot of attention to it. Then a friend mentioned about praying for someone each time they “poked” that person.

I liked that. I liked that a lot!

I stopped just returning pokes whenever they happened. I started praying for the person I sent a poke to. So if I get poked and don’t return it right away, it’s because I’m busy and want to wait until I have the time to truly THINK about that person and pray for them.

Sometimes it will be several days and I’ll have several pokes to answer. I will stop or finish whatever I’m doing on FB and sit there and really pray before returning the poke.

Another friend called me a good “poker pray-er”. I like that, too…

Our First Date

When Marv moved up from southern California back in the summer of 1974, the first thing he did was find the local Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. We didn’t “meet” until the annual church picnic in September. After that, we would chat at coffee hour after the services. Our first date was November 15. There was a concert at the college with Dr. Bowman on harpsichord and Dr. Mallory on violin. Dr. Bowman was always fabulous, but this was the first time I’d heard Dr. Mallory. Amazing violin work!

Anyway, the date progressed, yada yada yada, we got engaged on the anniversary of our first date, and the next thing you know, we’ve been married for 37 years…

Today marks 39 years since that date. Must’ve been some date, huh? *wink wink*

I LOVE MY HUSBAND!!!

Book Report November 2013

Guideposts has put out a new series of Christian novels called The Blue Hill Library Series. They involve a young widow with two small children who inherits her great aunt’s house and renovates it into a library for the town. 

These books follow Anne as she tries to put her life back together after the death of her husband, deal with 2 kids and a huge renovation. So far I have really enjoyed the first 3 books of the series. What is interesting is that all the books have the author listed as “Emily Thomas”, but that is a pen name for different people who write the books. Here are the titles:

Nowhere to be Found

Shadows of the Past

Unlocking the Truth

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The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

This was a delightful YA paranormal book that my eldest granddaughter lent me. Elizabeth is your typical teen going through all the changes most teens go through. Her generous heart lands her a dream job in a very unusual library, full of magical things. They all have to do with the fairy tales of the Grimm brothers. The writing is excellent and the story was a real adventure.

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I Know I Am, But What Are You? by Samantha Bee

Ms. Bee is a comedienne on The Daily Show. I’ve never seen the show, but her writing is hilarious. This book comprises of biographical essays. I originally got the book from the Dollar Store strictly to use as an altered book, but got drawn into the writing. I’m still going to alter the book, but I really enjoyed the essays.