It's A Small World After All

I was stumbling around on the internet highway this morning and I found a first cousin that grew up 1 and 1/2 miles from me on the farm.  After reading only a few sentences on his blog, I came to realize it was more of a God thing than a stumble.

Best post election thoughts on President-elect Barrack Obama that I've read to date.

 Click here.

I'm refilling my cup and hanging out over there this morning with an old cousin and hopefully new friend.

10 ...

...and nine, eight and seven, 6 & 5 & 4--

The countdown's getting lower every day.
And you can bet I'm gonna post a picture each and every one of the 9 business days left.

So much to write about ... so little time.

Also, ya gotta love havin' the iPhone/Pod/Camera along on a walk.

Breathe

Don't let your eyes get used to darkness

The light is coming soon.

Don't let your heart get used to sadness

Put your hope in what is true

No matter how the wind may blow

It cannot shake the sun

Lay your sorrows on the ground

It's time to come back home.

When the future seems uncertain

Like the coming of a storm

Your loving Father carries his children

When they can't walk anymore.

Words & Musib by JJ & David Heller

So much to tell you about ... but first things first.

Go here and download this album (for free, although you can donate)

JJ Heller

Is it me, or is this not beyond beautiful songwriting and performing?

Happy 16th Birthday to my nephew Austin!

Thanks to cityfarmer's facebook album for 2nd photo. 

Talk to ya later ... hopefully today.

October 8 & 9

Figured out through the comment grapevine that yesterday was Victoria's birthday.
Hope your day was a happy one. Come over anytime.

Happy 26th Anniversary to Ruth & David! Too bad we can't all celebrate at a Chicago baseball stadium. Maybe next year.

Let the Redwing Games begin.

Applesauce! The Midwest '08 Tour

And Now Autumn ...

You can pick your friends … family is—well—family.
And that is all right with me. I’ve kinda been away from the blog for a bit. I don’t know how I feel about it. But that is neither here nor there. Speaking of here or there, in the last month or so I’ve been mainly there. There being at my sister’s.
Ahhhh. Sisters. I have two and I birthed two. You’ve heard mostly of the birthed sisters here on this site. But let me talk of the other two for a bit. We are extremely alike and drastically different. And that’s a really good thing.

 I Corinthians 12 speaks of the body (physically and spiritually) as being one whole part, yet many different members. We all need each other and can’t function without the others. We all have strengths and weaknesses. What if the body was just one giant hand? Or eye? How could we hear?

 What if family members were all exactly alike? BORING.
Having said all that, I’m not sure what my life would have been like without the constant companionship of Joy and Ruth. I’m thinking, kinda lonely and uninteresting.
Sometimes when I see my daughters give each other the 'eye' about something silly mom has said, done, or blogged about—I recall our own childish, girlish, sisterhood. But those antics are for another post another day. (Although, by the looks of me in the puppy picture, I can get pretty excited when life stuff happens and I’m around my sisters.)
Joy and Ruth have been through the health mill in the last couple years, and I’m sure they would agree with me that it’s been more than physical. Having spent quite a bit time with them, as of late, I can attest to healing in all aspects.
Their reactions to the biggies have inspired me to carry on. I’ve become a stronger person because of what they have been through. How does that work? They have shown me diligence, consistency, and spiritual tenacity, in ways that make me way more excited than even a wagon full of puppies.
Right along with a sort of unspoken healing between grown women there has also been a ton of fun.
Ruth, 

The White Sox game was an awesome treat for Mark and I. It was good to hang with you guys, sit in the skybox/7th row seats and just enjoy God’s creation and the All-American pastime. Thanks for that day and for the next weekends’ bed and dinner party hostel. Time in your home always refreshes and gives me generous helpings of your grace and hospitality. The sushi wasn’t bad either. Thanks again for letting me crash your party. It will be fun to watch as you three embark on this driver’s license-empty nest-solid-surface-decision time in your lives. God bless you as  continue to honor Him, each other and others.
Joy, 

Words do not come easy here. I’ve been blown away by your solid strength in situations that scream human melt down. I’ve been buoyed by your laughter when I knew you wanted to cry. I’ve seen growth in character when it would have been easy to throw yourself a massive pity party. But my faith is bolstered the most when I realized that you would have remained strong, even if the healing hadn’t come. That’s true trust and only comes from keeping a relationship with the Author of your faith. Even though the circumstances weren’t the greatest, I am thankful they demanded we spend those days together.

Even in all their wedding glory, the last couple of summers haven’t afforded us much time as far as relationships go. Just as in the puppy picture, I’m excited to be entering this whole new season of our lives together as sisters friends.

Let’s get a bunch of stuff on the books before we have to play the widow card.

55 on 9-11

Me from the north suburbs of  Chicago:  "Happy Birthday old man!"

Mark from the computer desk at 5435:  "Yeah, I'm 55 like an old speed limit."

Meloo turns 22

I try to picture through hazy lens

Hope, at the least, a busload of friends

Soon she’ll embark yet another tour

Longest separation but we’ll endure

Song, dance and a heart to mentor

Keeping others front and center

Far off places, adventures unknown

Often so busy she can’t even phone

Never lacking in strong self esteem

Travel the world living her dream 

Home is not where her heart belongs

Life is fulfilled while singing her songs

Sending prayers, transferring finance

She’ll figure out when it’s the last dance

Our hope as she performs on life’s stage

Happiness and peace will fill every page

Go ahead leave, on yet another jet plane,

Entertain, and try your voice to maintain

Teach and learn, 'round the world roam

If only in your heart stay close to home.

Happy birthday Tootse!

Phone home.

I love you,

Momma

Happy Anniversary Ben & Annie

Rehearsal over sun was setting, baptism waters washed away

Flying down the giant zip lines, friends forever no cliché

When the sun rose o're the hill on that summer day, at last

Plans had all been set and the waiting now had passed.

Handsome groom by the gazebo in his black and white costume 

Something blue was the hydrangeas and their glorious perfume

Here comes the bride in gorgeous dress, and even prettier smile

Log chapel in the pines then all eyes turned upon the isle.

They shared communion, Triune worship with prayers lifted

Candles danced, trumpet sounded and soon the mood had shifted

Let’s get this party started, tasty buffet and full dance floor

No-see-um bugs and soggy lawn; things we chose to just ignore. 

Wagon limo, outdoor awning, hearth campfire, twinkling lights, 

Friends and family clinked, then raised their glasses to new heights

Everyone caught in the moment, and then asked if they could stay

Toasts brought tears and tons of laughter, at the camp along the way.

Two years have passed since your story started writing

Looking upward, working hard, hearts forever keep uniting

Can you feel the love tonight? Review your strong foundation 

Keep on dancing at the party of your wedding celebration.

Happy Anniversary Jen & Tony

A year ago today by fields of their dream

Serving each other their mantra and theme

Following Jesus they washed one another's feet

There on the farm the vows were complete

Echoing from the barn music spoken that day

They danced on the land and remembered to pray

Daisies, sunflowers, grandparents united

Lingering lightening bugs even got excited

One year ago on a brisk summer's eve

They set out on their jouney with fatih to believe

God sent His blessing; a new love would grow

White lights decorated each soy bean row.

In sickness, health and hurdles unknown

Traveling together, hearts that have grown

Learn from the past, press onward in union

God bless as you build a stronger communion.

Now home by the river, keeping time in season

Hind sight helps them afford greater reason

Anniversary demands a stronger persuasion

Watch dvd and remember a happy occasion.

So Darlin'

No one can say we didn't dance ~

I Can't Say Pontaluna

Once upon a time in a family land where there were no nieces, nephews, or grandchildren, my sister had a sweet little baby girl.
I instantly fell in love and they reluctantly let me babysit. Well why the heck wouldn't they be reluctant? This child was too little to live, but I didn't want to be the one to tell my sister.

But live she did, and by live I mean LIVE.
Ang collects life, not just life's moments, but life itself.
Everyday.



I've been sequestered upstairs all morning rifling through scrapbooks. It was the summer of '75. Life was good. I had a brand spankin' new Canon TX(wish I still had it) and baby Aidan Angela was the perfect model.

I have a ton of pictures (anyone want an iChat folder full?)celebrating the June/July birthdays on the porch, the driveways, Winona Lake, and DeerPark Funland, but---I kept coming back to this one ...




Can you say legacy?
I hope your day is filled with nothing but more memory making moments. You deserve it.
Happy Birthday Honeyween.
(One of the made-up words spoken about at Ang's mom.)



Keep writin' upon the doorposts.

The title? One time, as newlyweds, Grover and I were babysitting the under 2 year-old Angela. We found it quite astonishing that she could repeat almost any word we threw at her. So we bombarded her with our proficient vocabulary and she repeated them all in perfect dictation. I'm sure the little thing was thinking she might have to say every word in the English language but we pressed on, "Can you say Pontaluna?"
She sighed and may or may not have rolled her eyes. In a tone that sounded similar to; hey-guys-this-is-gonna-be-the-last-one she proclaimed with disgust but spot on accuracy,

"I can't say Pontaluna."

Our stories will be forever intertwined and for that I consider myself to be the quite fortunate Aunt

In The News

Extra, Extra, read all about it here ...

We'll Always Have Paris

I think that possibly

Maybe I'm falling for you

Yes

There's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you

I've seen the paths that your eyes wander down 

I want to come too 

I think that possibly

Maybe I'm falling for you

No one understands me quite like you do 

Through all of the shadowy corners of me 

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much 

All of the while I never knew 

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much 

All of the while I never knew 

I think that possibly

Maybe I'm falling for you

Yes

There's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you

I've seen the waters that make your eyes shine 

Now I'm shining too 

Because

Oh 

Because I've fallen quite hard over you

If I didn't know you I'd rather not know

If I couldn't have you I'd rather be alone

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much 

All of the while I never knew 

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much

All of the while I never knew

All of the while

All of the while it was you

You

You

You

Been playing on  the new mac today.  Calm down, it's my day off.

So, I'm positive you're wondering what the title has to do with the video and what the video has to do with--well--anything.

 

Let me explain, as if it will help.  Basically, it's just a montage since the last montage.  My life isn't crazy exciting right now, and it's fine by me.

 

First of all it's Bastille Day in France (rhymes with Dance). We've been watching the Tour de France (rhymes with sconce or kinda like Martin Short's character "Franck" would say it in Father Of The Bride). 

I have weddings on the brain. I've helped Jen photograph 7 out of the last 8 week-ends. I'm thinking of becoming a wedding planner.  Seriously, I could boss help so many people.

  

Secondly--actually, wedding talk was second This is third:  I usually whine reiterate when we reach the 1/2 way mark. And today I heard a cicada so consider this post my annual I-can't-believe-we're-on-the-backside-of -summer.

Lastly, Landon Pigg's Falling In Love In A Coffee Shop is my new favorite song. It's not really about the house, the tree, the city, the camper, the homestay, the sold cottage, or the homestead. It's about the memories collected there. I've decided that there's no use crying about uprooted trees.  It wasn't the tree, anyway.  

It was you.

Family Tree Huggers

Happy Birthday to my brother Ron (July 8), pictured here with his lovely daughter, Ariel Janae.

Yesterday (July 7) Happy Birthday to my BIL, Don. Pictured here practicing the reading for his son's wedding ceremony.

Also, Happy Birthday (July 7) to my SIL Ardy and my sister Ruth (May 2)
Pictured here with the MOG (me) at the Springhill Wedding.

My son Ben,July 1, pictured here with the love of his life, Annie.  Springhill Wedding

My son Tony, May 3, pictured here with his bride Jen (my daughter) and pug Franklin (my grandpuppy)

Farm Wedding '07

My SIL Deanna,May 12, and my nephew Joel, May 9, hamming it up at Farm Wedding '07.

My BIL David, April 14, getting ready to cut up the dance floor with his son Austin at Farm Wedding '08.

Melissa (daughter in Japan for the summer) and her friend, my adopted daughter, Mary (just arrived back to California from Germany.)

Their birthdays are not nearby, but while looking for the above pics, I stumbled upon this one and couldn't resist.

If you head over to the Wedding Links:

Springhill Wedding and Farm Wedding '07 courtesy of T-Rock (my friend) at Vision Photography.
All other weddings courtesty of Jennifer Grace Photography (my daughter)
Make sure to check out Jen's latest Wedding: Derek & Michelle on Mackinac Island.

Coming Soon: Blogging With About The Characters.

Link-a-lot

I remember well, the exact time and place when I began to write in earnest ~  Benjamin Grahm
I know he doesn’t like a lot of fuss, but I kinda feel like it’s my writing birthday, too.

Ben,
Congratulations on your recent award winning movies from the 48-hour film festivals.
The movie Home proves my leaving a legacy post exactly. It has the texture of a professional movie trailer.
Have a great day and I hope you get your pie and eat it too.
Love, Mom

 

Because of my new friend over at, Confessions Of An Apron Queen

here's more breaking of my self-imposed blogging rules.

My Bucket List

Visit our Australian friends

Rent a house in Tuscany

Write a book

Publish a book

Start and operate a camp for troubled families

Own and restore a vintage travel trailer

Travel by train; here and/or abroad

Help in Africa

Spend Christmas in New York

Ride on a big rig run with my brother

Visit Paris with my husband

Live simply

Simply live

Tag. You’re it.