"Chop Ice?!"

I like white Christmas'.  I like to see the snow cover everything; it creates a new world outside.  Winter started on December 22.  Winter is to be cold outside (cold meaning below 32 degrees).  Winter means having to chop ice for the animals and mornings that are so cold they take your breath away.

I remember a conversation I had with a friend at college while eating one time.  "Wait, wait, wait! What do you mean 'chop ice'?" He questioned.  "Uh . . . The water for the animals freezes and we have to chop it, then shovel it out and give them fresh water  [He's looking at me with that blank look when someone has absolutely no idea what you're talking about]. But sometimes the water hydrant is frozen, so you have to get hot water and pour on it before you can get the water to come out [I think that's where I really lost him]." I tired to explain this to Jordan slowly, thinking he would have a 'light bulb' moment and realize what I was talking about.  But he just sat there and gave me a blank look.  The rest of the conversation went something like this: "I take it you've never had an animal outside during the winter . . ." I said slowly.  "No. No, I haven't. My dog is an inside dog."  He's still looking at me, a bit dumbfoundedly. (Is that a word?  I think I just made it one.)  "That's so fascinating! I never knew people had to do that!" Jordan finally exclaimed, when he 'came to'.

I don't have any recent pictures of snow and cold weather, so here are a few pictures of past winters.

My dear sister, Janel.

Yes, we were ice skating in the pasture.

Trash bag sledding in WV with college friends.  Good times!

I hope you all had a wonderful little Christmas, like I had.  It was different without Janel and her sweet, little family.  Plus we didn't have any snow; on the contrary, it was in the 40's outside.  It looks like the new year will be ushered in with warm weather also.  

A hill I loved to look at while attending college.

May you all have a blessed new year, full of learning new things and good times, as we are given one day at a time to bring glory to our Lord!

Finishing Touches

We remodeled the upstairs of our house about ten or eleven years ago.  However, we never got the doors up for the bedrooms or bathroom.  Instead, we put up muslin curtains across the doorways.  That is the way we lived for the past 'few' years.  We were use to it;  it was livable.  But today, that changed.  A man came and put the doors up for us.  I could have cried because I was so happy.

Aren't they beautiful?!  I still cannot get over the fact that we have doors now!  We still need to put the baseboard trim and window trims up; hopefully it won't be another ten years!

Aboard Ship

 Due to a sudden interest in WWII and relatives that were in the war, I found a letter that my great uncle wrote to my grandpa.  Here it is, in it's original form:

Dear Lloyd,                                                               Aboard Ship  Dec. 1, 1945
I have been thinking for a quite a while about something that I want to keep a secret from Betty and everybody back home.  I will write and tell you about it and I want you to keep it a secret from everybody.  I may get a leave very shortly to come home, and I want to surprise everybody.  I will be able to get a leave but It may not be long enough to get home on.  If I don't get enough time to get home on I won't take any leave at all and stay on the ship.  The reason Im telling you is that I especially Don't want Betty to know it.  I didn't know it enough ahead of time and Instead of saving my money I have been sending it home to Betty.  Instead of having Betty send me the money I am going to have you or Dad send me enough to get home on and then I'll pay you back as soon as I get home.  After I know how many days leave Im going to get I write you if I know ahead of time, long enough to write to you.  If I don't have time to write I'll send Dad a wire and he can wire the money back  I'll tell you how much I need and where to send it to after I find out more about it.
If I don't get the chance to write and instead send a wire you explain it to Dad and keep it a secret as much as possible.  I might have enough money to get home on now, but it will be lot cheaper to buy a round trip ticket.
If I know enough ahead of time so I can write to you, you catch Dad some place by him self and tell him what I want the money for and I'll tell you how to send it.  Don't let Russel know about it because he can't keep it a secret.
So Long for Now.  Hope to see you soon.
Sincerely 
Brother Dick
Donald E.

USS Harwood D.D. 861
San Francisco Calif. 

USS Harwood D.D. 861

 One day this week, mom had me look up her Uncle Harold who fought in WWII.  I found an article that said Uncle Harold wanted to be in the navy when he was drafted, but they would not take him, due to fact that he wore glasses.  So he ended up in the army, in the 80th Division, with the Blue Ridge Division.  Long story short, they were in the Battle of the Bulge.  And can you believe it?!  Uncle Harold saw Gen. George Patton several times!  Uncle Harold was on foot while Gen. Patton rode in a jeep. Because of Coronal Harold's supreme action during a battle that ended in a whole Nazi battalion being destroyed, he was awarded the Bronze Star!

  Don't you just love family history?!  I don't think I will ever get tired of studying my family.  

Due to my sudden interest in WWII, I  decided to try to achieve 'the look' of the 1940's by putting my hair up and wrapping a handkerchief around it. 

I don't look like Minny Mouse, do I?

Turned out pretty good, I think!  Now all I need is some red finger nail polish and lip stick, a pair of ladies vintage overalls, and I'm ready to go work on some B-24 bomber, while I listen to Bing Cosby, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra on the radio.

P.S.  The soundtrack for Pearl Harbor is great to listen to as you read this post.  

Pearl Harbor

Mom, dad and I watched the film Pearl Harbor last night.  Wow!  What. A. Movie!  I enjoyed the first part.  The scene where Rafe gets hit in the nose with the wine cork struck my funny bone and sent me into a snickering fit for a minute or two.  Even now, to think back on it brings a smile and giggle.  Poor guy.  I'm sure it really hurt.

My sister said she had a hard time watching the part where Danny and Rafe are trying to help get the trapped sailors out of the ship, especially when they are holding hands and the water starts to bubble up.  I sat there, almost spellbound by that scene.  I don't know what it is about it that captivates me . . .

I did not like all the battle scenes, nor the shots filmed under water or from in the planes.  They were so . . . real(?) . . . I was afraid I would get motion sickness.  I could not breath too well with all the underwater shots; I severely dislike large areas of water that is deeper then my knees. 

 I was able to watch the battle scenes without crying.  But at the end when it showed Danny's little son with the flowers, a tear or two escaped.   It reminded me of my little niece, Natasha.  I wonder how tall she is now.  I miss her sweet little hugs.  And her laugh.  And the way she points at anything and everything as she says "Da?" 

 Due to watching Pearl Harbor I am full of questions, regarding war.  I have dug out some of the history books mom kept, in hopes of finding answers.  I asked dad about the war when he got home from work today.
"Why didn't Grandpa get drafted?"  "He was going to be, but somehow they [the government] found out that I was on the way, and he didn't have to go." Dad answered.
Grandpa had four brothers, so I started asking about them. "What about Uncle Russel?".  "He had heart problems, so he couldn't go."
"Uncle Dick was in the navy; was he drafted?"
"Yah, he was drafted.  The ship he was on came this close [help up hands less then a foot apart] from hitting a mine and getting "poof" . . . blown up."  That was a new piece of news to me! 

 I admire the men who went through that horrible day.  I am thankful for their sacrifice, both then and now.  They do so much to protect us and keep us free . . . seems like we don't do enough to pay them back.

P.S. Aren't the actors handsome?

A Brother

Today while I was doing the dishes at work I dreamed of what my older brother would be like, if I had one.  I know, it's a little silly to think of what a person would be like, but it is one of the many things I think of during the hour and a half of dishes (twice a day) I do at work.

So here is a list of what my brother, Timothy Lloyd would be like:

• Tim (that's what we'd call him) would be two years older than me. (24, but that's the same age as Janel . . . hm . . .  maybe they'd be twins.
• He would be over six feet tall (it runs in the family).

The best picture of Grandpa (Lloyd) and Dad I have on my laptop.

• He would have been home schooled, and then gone to a little college in the hills that teaches chain saw carving. (That's his hobby.)
• His first job would have been working at Tractor Supply, and that's when he started listening to country music (which mom doesn't really like).
• He would have "real" muscles from working on a farm; lifting hay/straw bales, cutting wood, building fence, milking cows, etc.  (Fake muscles are the kind one gets from working out at the gym.)
• He would play the trombone, piano and guitar.  He would be able to sing tenor and bass.
• He would have brown hair (styled like Anthony Perkins hair in Friendly Persuasion) and blue eyes.  

One of my favorite movies!

• He would have a farmers tan, but next year he'll roll his sleeves up.
• We would go to Civil War reenactments together,  (he would drive) and I would take pictures of him with my camera hidden underneath a handkerchief.

Zoar Ohio 2011

• He would be a man of his word, and have a firm hand shake.
• He would be a 'meat and potatoes' kind of guy.
• He would be a gentleman.
• He would protect his sisters.
• He could be a prankster at times.
• He would not be embarrassed to learn ball room dancing.
• He would have a fun and easy going personality; 'easy to get to know' kind of guy.
• A devout Christian, who does not make any decision without praying about it. The Lord is first and foremost in his life. 

Tim would fit in really well with dad and Daniel (brother-in-law).

• He would be well groomed and neatly dressed when going out.
• He would be left handed. :)
• He would not be perfect.
• Timothy would be my brother.

I could go on and on about my brother. But unfortunately, Timothy only lives in my dreams.  I had better wake up and get back to real life.

The End.

God's Day Off

The past few years, I have always thought I should not ask the Lord for anything on November 24th.  Instead, I would just thank Him.  This year I put the idea into practice.  On Wed. I was wondering how I would be able to make it through a whole day without asking the Lord for anything. "Maybe I should just do it for half of the day." I thought.  But Thanksgiving day came and I woke up with nothing but thanks and praise in my prayer time.

I read some of the Psalms where the author is praising and thanking the Lord for His goodness, His love, and kindness.  Normally, I would pray "Lord, please help me through this day.  I know it's going to be a long day, so I ask for the strength to get the work done in a way that is glorifying to You."  But that morning my prayers went something like this: "Thank You Lord for how You will help me through today.  Thank You that I am able to go to work and be a blessing to those around me.  I thank You for my family and I thank You for how You will be with Janel and Daniel as they are away from home this year."  

On my eighteen minute drive home from work around 7:20 p.m., I was still full of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord.  I was amazed at how He had helped me at work and that my co-worker who normally acts quite rude to me was somewhat nice to me.  I was a bit surprised that I had (almost) made it through a whole day of not asking anything from the Lord. I was almost in tears because of how gracious the Lord had been to me. 

I had no idea how much I ask for things until I didn't ask for anything for a whole day.  When I realized this, I felt like a needy person.  I was humbled.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Music for my Life

One time my (then) 15 year old cousin mentioned the following question, while we were playing a round of Bible Trivia:

"Wouldn't it be neat if there was background music for our lives?"  

I have thought of Rebecca's rhetorical question over the past few months.  If there were background music for my life - the happy times, the hardships, the questioning times, the quiet times, the waiting times, the exciting times, the funny times - there would be quite (may I repeat: quite) a variety!

There would be Classical (full orchestra and piano, very little Strauss please!), Celtic, hymns, Nickel Creek, Ohio State marching band, The Kings Brass, Appalachian Bible College choral, northern and southern songs from the Civil War, some songs from the 1940's - 1970's,  patriotic marches, the Boston Pops orchestra, the theme song from The Walton's, and soundtracks from Gods and Generals, Fiddler on the Roof,  Pride and Prejudice, Little Woman (by Thomas Newman), Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story,  Man from Snowy River,  Return to Snowy River, The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian, and Ladies in Lavender (one of my all time favorite soundtracks!).

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I hope you all have a blessed day!  There is SO much to be thankful for!  This year will be a bit different for my family; my sister, her husband and 18 month old daughter moved to Panama (the country) last week.  Because they will be gone for three - six months, we had our Thanksgiving meal last Sunday.  I am glad we had it last Sunday because I have to work on Thanksgiving day at the nursing home, in the kitchen.  Mom, dad and I talked it over and decided that mom will eat with her mom (she's in an assisted living) and dad will come and eat with me (when I'm done serving the residents).  It will not be a 'traditional' Thanksgiving for us, but that's OK.  It is good to move out of 'tradition' every now and then and be different.  (Insert song "Tradition" from Fiddler on the Roof: " . . . how did this tradition get started? I will tell you:  I don't know.")

 

I am thankful that I live where I can see the sun set and the moon rise. (Insert hymn This Is my Father's World and For the Beauty of The Earth) I'm thankful there is color in the world.  I'm thankful for my parents, my sister and her lovely little family.  I'm thankful I can hear.  I'm thankful for music.  I am thankful for the hard times in my life that make me grow. (Insert hymn Day by Day and It Is Well) I am thankful I grew up and live on a farm. (Insert Flight of The Bubble Bees) I'm thankful I can feel things; like my niece's little hand in mine when we pray. 

I am thankful that I am saved by a King who loves me so much, He died and rose again for me.  I'm thankful that He loves me too much to leave me alone.  I am thankful He had promised to meet all my needs, according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19)  I am thankful that He has a plan for my life.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

(Insert hymn Count Your Many Blessings and Come Ye Thankful People)

Joy of my life

I would like to introduce you to the Joy of my life.  She is less than three feet tall, weighs less than 35 pounds and is eighteen months old.  

Little Munchkin was born at home.  She came a week or so earlier than we expected.   I was having a very bad day at college because I found out I had to re-write a whole paper.  I called home to vent a little bit.  But mom did not answer.  So I called my pregnant sister,Janel.  The phone rang and rang; no one answered.  I resorted to emailing both mom and Janel.  Then my phone rang.  "Has Daniel (Janel's husband) called you?" Mom asked.  Mom ended up telling me the news that Natasha Marie had arrived.  One would think that a first time Aunt would be smiling from ear to ear with delight.  I was the opposite.  Not that I wasn't happy - I was! However, I still had about two weeks of college left before someone could make the six hour drive down to bring me home for the summer.  I sat on my bed and cried.  After I got off the phone, I looked at my roommate and said "I'm an Aunt!"  She smiled and said "Would you like to go out for dinner?"  Roommates know just what to do when you've had a rough day!  (Love you, Julie!)

I made it home a few weeks later, and saw my little niece when the new, young family arrived at church.  I had happy tears in my eyes, which made everything blurry.  "What do you think of her?"  Janel asked.  I cannot remember exactly what I said but it was something along the lines of "I can't see her." 

Natasha has grown a lot since that first day I met her. 

This little girly loves books and shoes.  Let me re-phrase that:  She loves books and is obsessed with shoes!

If your shoes are setting around, they may walk off without you.

How can you not love a face like that?

She melts my heart.

I love you Natasha Marie.  So much! <3

When Clothes Speak

I'm sure there are girls out there who, like myself, do not have a brother, but wish they did.  One of the reasons I longed for a brother was to have him advise me on what clothes to wear and how to wear them in a manner that will help men keep a pure mind and heart.  I found this article tonight and would encourage my fellow brother-less friends out there to read it.  (Even if you do have a brother, it would be interesting to see if his thoughts blend or clash with the article.)  Years ago I came across Alex and Brett Harris' wonderful modesty survey results; it has been a tremendous help to me! 
So if you have nothing to do for the next two hours, I suggest you hop over to the above sights and read with an open mind.

Death: a part of Life

My great Aunt passed away last week; the funeral was this week.  I was not very close to Aunt Isabelle at all.  But because she was my Grandpa's sister, it made me think about Grandpa.  He died two years ago, in January, just a little over three months after my Aunt died, who I was very close to.  I don't understand death.
I work at a nursing home, in the kitchen, so I don't get to know the residents like the nurses do.  But I still get sad when I clock in and find out we have one less mouth to feed.  What makes the heart stop beating?  I can understand if a person has cancer, like my Grandpa.  But what about Aunt Isabelle?  Yes she was 91 years old, but she didn't have cancer. What caused her heart to stop beating?  Mom always says that death is a part of life.  But I still don't understand it.

I have gone to funerals ever since I can remember.  I have been to more funerals than weddings.  I've been to more weddings than baby showers.  In my mind that says the worlds population is dying off faster than they can get married and have children.  (This could be a real problem, you know.)
But then maybe I understand why some people are not getting married.  I felt such loss after my Aunt died of Cystic Fibrosis, and left behind a devoted and loving husband and three daughters.  And I still see the emptiness my Grandma feels, after a husband of over 50 years is no longer with her. 

Why spend so much time getting to know someone and then they die?  I thought after my Aunt died.  Why put someone through so much hurt and pain?  I really struggled with thoughts like that after my loved ones passed on.  But over the years, I've realized that it's easier to go through life building relationships, instead of avoiding then.  Why did God create Eve if He thought Adam was fine by himself?  "The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him.' " Genesis 2: 18  And then there is the advice of Solomon: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" Ecclesiastes 4:9-10  Solomon also says: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17  Yes, it is better to have friendships, than to walk the road of life alone.  And yes, death is a part of life.  But God is there, in the happy times and the sad times; there are lessons to be learned in both.

There was a poem in Aunt Isabelle's remembrance card and I really like it:

Miss Me - But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me,

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.

 Why cry for a soul set free? 

Miss me a little - but not too long

And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that we once shared.

Miss me - but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take, and each must go alone.

It's all a part of the Master's plan, a step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart, go to the friends that we know.

And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.

Miss me - but let me go.

Little Again

Do you ever wish you could be little again?  Back when you could fit on mommy's lap when she read to you.  Back when you cut out models from the JCPenny catalog for paper dolls.  Back when you went over to friends houses and played house under the bushes.  Or made a fort in the back woods with your sister.  Or went swimming in the cow's water trough.  And helped daddy make a birthday cake for mommy (we ended up putting one Tablespoon of salt in, instead of one teaspoon).  Or went hunting for craw dads in the creek bed.  Or when your little hand got lost in daddy's big hand.

Remember making houses under the dinning room table by throwing a blanket over the table?  (The older I got the more I hit my head on the bottom of the table, then it wasn't fun anymore.)  Remember wanting dresses that you could twirl in?  (I think I watched too much of Bobby and Sissy dancing on The Lawrence Welk show.) Remember when you wanted to wear matching clothes?

Do you remember when you were little, and you never thought you'd grow up?  I never thought my sister would get married.  It was one of those things that you always dreamed about, but it would never come to pass.

But it did.  

 

A few years later, my sister had a baby.  (That was another event that was only to be dreamed about.)  I love that  little girl that belongs to the Lord, and my sister and her husband! 

(She really loves her Aunt. :)

 

          I don't really mind being grown up now.  But there are times when I just want to be little again.  

Now, if you will excuse me, I'm off to find an old catalog, in search of new paper dolls.  

And dream about things yet to happen.

I spy

I was just looking through my pictures from the Zoar Civil War reenactment this summer.   I was studying the following picture and noticed (for the first time) the young boy to the left of the flag.  Is he surprised at the final volley of shots by his band of brothers?  Or is he hollering something to his friend?  Or, perhaps he is a little drama king . . . ?

Whatever the case, I think this young lad is rather cute.

Ah!  (Gasp) You don't suppose he saw me taking a likeness of the Boys in Blue and was posing for the camera, do you?!

A cozy day

Here I sit, on a very rainy Wed. writing my first blog post.
Mom is shopping, and dad is at work, so I have the house to myself.  Everything is so still and quiet, except for the rain hitting the east window sill, and the tick-tock of the grandfather clock behind me.  Due to the overcast skies, the house is rather dark.  I have a candle on the candle warming pad, which makes the house smell like a rustic/country gift shop.  I love days like today.
So until we meet again, I hope you all enjoy this 'coffee cup with a good book' kind of day. :)