There was a Mystery...During the Dinner

Well, I admit to not enjoying the
feeling of being out of control.

It makes me "cranky".

We had made a last minute stop in at
the church on Thursday Evening to set
the heat to come up at 2pm on Friday
so we could set up without freezing.

When I arrived on Friday...there were
lights on in the building and it was
55 degrees cold. Since it was dark Thursday
evening, I know we turned all of the lights
off. Someone was just a tad too helpful
thinking we didn't mean to have the heat on.
They must have turned it back and forgot
to turn off the lights as they left....sigh.
I could not figure
out how to override the programmed
thermostat. So we set up quickly...




and left.

After talking to Warren, I thought I
knew how to get the heat to work, so
I headed back over. While I was able
to do it...It didn't really get warm
enough....frustration #1.

When Sue and Georgia arrived to help
set up they decided to plug in a large
heater. I went in another room and plugged in
a hot plate. Poof! No power in the room
we were using as a base to serve from.
Everything was already in this room.
There was no where better place to set
up.

I thought it was just a fuse and that we
would be able to simply re-set it. Nope!
Therein lies the mystery. All during the
dinner that part of the building remained
dark and we served in the dark. We did have
to run from one end of the building to the
other to various crockpots to complete the
orders.

After the dinner...the guys worked on the
problem a little more...lights! I don't know
what the problem was other than a test to my
sanity. So, while I tried to arrange this
whole evening so there would be no mystery
for me...no go. Big mystery!

Anyway...the meal was a hoot!

Kelly and her family provided great entertainment
while we compiled the requested menu items for
each diner.

It was painful sometimes. There
was one poor soul who ordered a knife, a napkin,
a fork, two drinks and a chocolate cookie. It was one
of Mrs. Rabe's Youngers. I was so glad we had
already decided to put everything out when we had
finished serving.

Everyone else was so happy for that as well. They were
all comparing what they had. Someone else's Battery,(Asian Salad)
looked better than their thermostat,(Peppered Beef Jerky).

It was fun.

I am glad we did it, in spite of the issues with the
heat and lights.

This was Chelsea yesterday making flat tires.





I had found the cookie part of an Ice Cream Sandwich made of a huge Oreo.
We mixed up a filling for it from Cream Cheese, Peanut Butter,
and Confectioner's sugar. It was so scrumptious!
These became our flat tires.
The Fudge Cookies filled
in the same way were "good tires".

Other menu items were...
Bucket Seats - Cheesy Potato Soup
Transmission - Fried Chicken Tenders
Bugs on the Windshield - Banana Pudding Dessert
Sludge in the Oil - Pecan Pie
Defroster - Chili
Hub Caps and Lugs - Hot dog in a bun
Jumper Cables - Ham and Cheese Sub
Lube and Oil Change (synthetic)- Pork BBQ
Lube and Oil Change (conventional) - Chicken BBQ
Coolant - Flourescent green gatorade
Washer Fluid - Water
Wrench - Fork
Wiper Blade - Napkin

So you can get the idea anyway.

Chelsea and the Rabe Girls were our servers.

Using Georgia's large trays they carried the orders to the
Fellowship Hall.

The flash doesn't allow you to see how very dark it was in this room
as Sue and Georgia filled trays.


Here Emily waits for her next delivery.
So far I see a Grease monkey and calipers.

I was the runner.
Getting anything that was hot from whatever part of the building
we had been able to plug it in.
Sue, in the red, is recuperating from knee replacement surgery.
This was the biggest thing she has done, other than her
therapy since the operation.
She was definitely tired and hurting by the end of the
evening.
It was nice of her to care enough to be sure she was
there...but...she would not sit down. Stubborn Woman!

I am sure that at some point during the next couple of
days Mrs. Rabe and Kelly will post some of their pictures.
While we were busy, I know some pictures were taken.

Have a blessed Saturday...

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

The Mystery Menu Dinner....and an Unexpected Find

Note: I added to the title of this post so that the visitors from
The Inspired Room's Mr. Linky will know they are in the right place
for this week's unexpected or imperfections of life posts. No worries.
When things aren't exactly as we had hoped we can make the best of
it and...laugh!


Today, after our lessons are done
we will drop Mikey off at work and
begin preps for the Mystery Menu
Dinner. It is going to be so much
fun. I don't remember looking so forward
to an event in a very long time.

It sounds like there will be about eighteen
guests. I have been working with my friend,
Sue, to prepare the menu. It is so cute!
The one above is the prototype that I showed
Pastor Mike Wednesday night. There are some
errors on it...but you can get the general idea.

Kelly and her family, from Cozy Comforts, will
be entertaining the guests as they wait for thier
dishes to be served. Should be great.

Each person will be choosing six items from the
menu. We will serve with a flourish...there will
be much ooohing and ah-ing...and then laughter.
At least that is how I anticipate it.

My Mother-in-law told me of one of these that
she attended years ago where a very conservative
woman, after receiving her order and not getting
a spoon, retrieved one from under her shirt. Hmmm
funny. I wonder what else she had up there...It
created many laughs and great memories for those
in attendance at that meal. I hope we have fun too.

By the way...as I was headed downstairs to get the
menu, I spotted this.



Do you think I should be concerned?

((laughing))

It is going to be a crazy day!


♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Computer Dependency

Warren and I have found another way to save
time using the computer. We are now watching
our favorite shows online. All you have to
do is wait until the show has run and sometime
the next day many networks will post those
shows.

One thing that is very important here is not to
talk to any of your friends who watch these shows
until after you have seen it...they will "spill the beans"
and tell you everything. lol

We have a couple of shows that we like to watch, but
don't allow the kids to watch with us...24,
Lost. Well, last season we could not remember
to watch Lost, but this year, with the ability to
watch it online we have gained the ability to
see an "Hour long" show in just 42 minutes!

OK, so that's not that a big deal...but to miss the content
of all of those nasty commercials! Love that!

I find that we are becoming more and more computer
dependent. I check flight schedules if I know a
loved one is flying...the weather...school schedules,
that way I know whether I should start our work earlier
so the kids can go out and play with the neighborhood
kiddos - no snow days here...e-mail friends whenever
possible rather than picking up the phone...Making up
my lessons for homeschool co-op - both the research and
the word precessing....My Financial Business and real-time
information.

Yes, I am on the computer a lot!

How about you? Do you find that the computer helps
your life to be simpler? Do you wish you weren't so
dependent on it?

I will not likely stop using the computer for the
things that save me time. Research, school projects...
No, at this point I think I am still OK with the amount
that it is used. However, it is something I am keeping
in mind.

Have an awesome day!
♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Chelsea's Blog and Helpfulness

Our 13 year old, Chelsea,
has been working on her blog.

It is cute.

I love the poem she wrote.
It is about her garden...or
more specifically a plant in her
garden.

The chocolate dessert she made
last night was soooo good.
You can see a picture she took
of it in her latest post.

She has also been busy learning
to be a great homemaker. I have
come home from meetings to find
the living room all picked up,
the bathroom cleaned and laundry
in various stages of completion.

All day yesterday, she got the
laundry caught up...the lesson
of today is that more laundry is
about to appear in the laundry room.

It just keeps on coming. You are never
really done when it comes to laundry.

It thrills this Mommy's heart to see
my little girl growing into a Godly
young woman.

We are about to begin a Mother/Daughter
Bible Study... at her request.
I am looking forward to this.

Thanks for indulging me in a little
Chelsea post today.

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Prayerful Thoughts and Decisions

This past week has been one of much reflection
in my heart. I have been trying to decide which
of the many activities and endeavors to continue
with and which to let go.

I love that I can help others go on Mission Trips
with the candles. I do not love the lack of
storage and the fact that I must use our kitchen
to do it. This week I will pay my former business
partner back, in full, the investment she made to
get us started. Then I will be in a position of
deciding to keep, close or attempt to sell the business.
Hmmm....It weighs on me.

There are things about our Homeschooling that I am
going to change. Some that I thought would be an
easy decision and please my husband were surprisingly
not what he would recommend. So, I will listen to him
and keep seeking his guidance. In the meanwhile I must
readjust my thoughts and wonder what is in store for
the future...Good thing I talked to him before just doing
what I thought would please him...yikes! That was close!


I must, must keep giving these things over to the Lord.
It is hard. I want a resolution. I want it now.
However, I have learned one thing over the years.
The Lord's timing is rarely the same as ours.

Our Pastor is so good at "Waiting on the Lord".
Sometimes to the point of distraction.
It has been eye-opening to this "do-er" to watch
the Lord open doors, close doors and make His will
obvious in the life of our Pastor and our church.

Even so, I will gratefully accept your prayers for
this impatient Child of God, as I seek His Will.

These things are not big...in light of eternity...
however, they are distractions from my family and
my work for Him.

Hope your day is stress-free...I know that in most
cases it is not.
We carry burdens...we ponder a lot!

I'll be thinking about you. Thanks for the notes on
the Sunday Post about Unspoken Requests. You remain
on my mind and in my prayers!

Blessings!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

I Was a Wild Woman....not!

I felt a little crazy, though.

It was dark and cold.

No one else in the car.

I was headed...bowling on a Sunday night!
Yes, I was!
And it was FREE!

No one else in our house was willing
to go with me, but my friend Jana and
her family were going, Grandpa Bob, of
Creekside Cottage fame, and
a couple of Grandgirls too.

In Warren's defense he is recuperating
from a cold and wasn't feeling up to going.

So, we met up at the local bowling alley...
just a half an hour from here...I drove in the cold
and the dark...all alone in the car.
The radio played what I wanted it to play...
This never happens when the kids are in the
car with me...

I guess you could consider the evening fun.
The friends were great.
My bowling was absolutely terrible.
So sad.
So very, very sad.

However Grandpa Bob had a very good game
and Miss Lindsay made sport out of bowling
very well. Hmmmmph!

It was all fun and games until it was time
to drive home at 11-ish! Somehow everything
seems more ominous when you are alone... and the
temperature is in the low teens. When you have
left the cell phone at home. You begin praying
that the tires won't blow out and that the engine
stays happy!

I learned that this is one time of the
day that the Amish buggies don't even attempt
to get off to the side of the road for you.
Not much traffic...
you can go around, they must be thinking.
I don't blame them...the edges of the road are
rough...but I do wish the buggies
were better lit.
I get afraid for them.

All was well.

Before I know it there will be more of these times
where I flit off by myself for this or that because
the kids will be happily living their lives from
some other base...but until that happens I think
I will enjoy their presence...a lot!

Not their music, mind you...
but their presence!

We all watched Prince Caspian Saturday evening.
I loved it!
Even so, though, I just kept looking around the
room soaking in the togetherness!

Ever been there?
Gotta love it!

Just a few short years ago it seemed the parenting journey and
the frustrations of little ones would never end. I know, they
are not supposed to be frustrating but sometimes they are...really.
When you have passed the stomach bug around and around...or the
creativity and scissors meet in really bad places.

Fleeting!
The time we have with them.
Fleeting!

But for last night...I was a Wild Woman!
Almost. Not really.
Sigh.
♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Unspoken Prayer Requests

Many times I sit in church
and silently pray for requests
that I am concerned about...
or that others may be burdened
with. Sometimes these things
that weigh on our hearts are so
hard to express that we just lift
them before the throne of God ourselves.
We don't feel able to share with others.

Today, I would like you to know
that I am praying for your unspoken
requests.
Isn't it wonderful to know that our
Heavenly Father knows these things without
our even telling Him?

But, it is also good to bring them to
Him and lay them at His feet.

If your heart is breaking over family issues,
or you are suffering from a debilitating disease
and feel that everyone is tired of hearing about it.
Maybe you are at a sad place in your marriage...or
there is not enough money to pay the mortgage...

Tell Jesus!

Sharing with friends, if you are able, is good.

Sharing with Jesus is even better!

I will be lifting up prayers for those deepest
needs that often times go...

...unspoken!

Psalm 66:20

Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

Psalm 102:17
He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

An Award

Many thanks to Carol at Carol's Heirloom Collection
for this beautiful award. I have been attempting to
translate it in Google Translator but have not had
much success. Every now and then it gets a word.

However, the main point seems to be that it is
for loving mothers and grandmothers.

Therefore I will pass this on to Deanna,
who is a great example to me of teaching and training her children,
Melissa,who so recently gve birth to boy #2... Kelly, a Mom by way of adoption...so very special and such a dedicated woman...Alicia, see note below, and Tracy, who cannot post without including two of her favorite people on the planet. This is a good thing!

Thanks ladies for sharing your many stories and
obvious love of your children.

Alicia, I am not rushing things...you became a mother
the moment you conceived.
I can't wait until you can hold little Cayden in your
arms rather than your womb.

However, the loving and
caring for that little boy happened as soon as you knew
he existed! You will be an awesome "hands-on" Mom!



♥♥Becky K.♥♥

I Was Tagged!

Tracy got me!

These questions aren't so intrusive
so I will answer them...

Six names you go by:
1. Becky
2. Mommy
4. Rebecca
5. Candle Lady
6. Mrs. K.

Three things you are wearing right now:
1. Sweatshirt that says "There's Snow place like home"
2. Jeans
3. My watch-which was my Father-in-laws. I love it!

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. This candle order to be finished!
2. A clean kitchen floor.

Three People who will fill this out :
1. You?
2.
3.

Four things you did last night:
1. Ate at Olive Garden
2. Talked with my husband.
3. Tried to start a new book.
4. Fell Asleep


Two things you did today:
1 Taught the kids.
2. Made candles


Two things you ate today:
1. Toaster Strudel
2. Wrap

Two people you last talked to on the phone:
1. My Mom
2. a bank

Two things you are going to do today:
1. Finish candle order
2. Go to Bible Study

Your favorite beverages
1 Water
2. Iced Tea
3. Raspberry Lemonade

I'm not going to pick three...if you would like to do this...
have fun! Let me know...


♥♥Becky K.♥♥

A Lovely Dinner and a Long Snooze

Last evening I had a dinner date.

It was with my husband...of course!

We ate at The Olive Garden.

It was so nice to decompress from the
day together with no extra input from
the peanut gallery. Now, understand,
that our peanut gallery is comprised
of the best peanuts that ever were...
but sometimes a couple just needs time
to chat.

Such was the case last evening.

He tried the new dish that I so wanted
to order. I just couldn't bring myself
to do it. I know that I love the Chicken
Parmesan and thought I would like the
sausage and stuffed pasta...but...wimpy me
ordered safely.

I was thrilled when Warren ordered the other
dish. Now I would get the best of both worlds.
I knew he wouldn't refuse me a taste.
I just knew it!
And I was right.

It was good...but I am glad I stuck with my
original favorite. It will take something
pretty special to ever get me to order anything
else. We just don't get to the Olive Garden
often enough for me to make that kind of a change.

I also bolstered up the courage to order Tirimisu.
This was not because I doubted whether I would like
it or not. It was because there was the question of
how I might feel after stuffing one more thing into me.

I felt great!
Love that stuff...
speaking of stuff...I was stuffed!

Came home....
Changed to PJ's...
Crawled in bed to read....
and stay warm, it was cold!
Asleep by 8:30!

Woke up all refreshed at 5:00 am
this morning!

And here I am!

What did you do last evening?

I'll soon be posting an award that I
received. I just have a little
translating work to do first.
Curious?
Good!

See you tomorrow!
♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Terri's Giveaway...

Something to love about blogging...

Friendships!

Where else could a homeschool
Mom in Pennsylvania become friends
with an Elementary Principal in
Missouri?

Terri is a great lady and a wonderful
encourager. I hope you'll take some time
today and go over here to check out
her blog, Lakewood Manor, and sign up
for the 400th Post Giveaway. Please tell
her I sent you...I'll get more chances...

Now, I want to answer a question from Terri
from a few posts back. She wanted to know more
about a Mystery Menu Dinner.

Some Mystery Menu events go so far as to call the
silverware by other names so you don't know what
utensils you will use to eat your food...but I
don't think we will go that far.

I think we will just give the food interesting names
that have to do with an automotive theme.
There are three girls and a Grandma who have volunteered
to serve. A couple of us will know the menu while others
will make specific dishes.

There will be just two courses...main and dessert.
However, they will be interesting.
I will be able to be more specific after the event
so as not to tip off those who read here... and are
scheduled to attend.

Thanks for asking, Terri.

Now, everyone get over to Lakewood Manor and sign
up for that collection of Valentine Themed Goodies!

Have a blessed day!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Breakfast with a side of Memories

Chelsea is at a sleepover.

The boys are still asleep.

Fox News is interviewing Franklin Graham.

I am just about to dig in to a sweet
and intentional breakfast.

Normally, if I eat breakfast it is
a bowl of cereal. That's it! No
frills...that is fine. I have never
enjoyed breakfast.

However, this morning I wanted to
show you the cute little plate
that I purchased at the Pfaltzgraff
Outlet when they closed. Actually,
I got five of them at 49 cents each.

Love them. They are heavy and gorgeous!

On my way through the kitchen I passed
the chocolate Chip muffins that called
to me from the discount section of the
Supermarket yesterday.

So...seeing that the muffin is likely a
bit dry some tea was in order.

This teacup was one of my Grandmother's.
She has been gone to Heaven for eighteen years
already. Hard to believe. I had just found out
I was expecting Jonathan and had written her a
letter to tell her. Very shortly after that
an aneurism took her. So, while she never got
to meet him in person...that letter, so uncharacteristic
for me...made her very happy. It was easy to spot
on her desk as Mom was sorting things out.

So, this morning I will sip Celestial Seasonings
Perfectly Pear White Tea...from this cup...
and think of my sweet, gentle Grandmother.

The yogurt...well, it is good for me!
No ancient memories...just some time
at the store with my three children yesterday.
Mikey really wanted some yogurt.
Who knew that fruit on the bottom was his fav?
Well, I do now.

Better get going before the tea gets cold.

Hope you have a special day today.
Take some time for a few precious
memories and enjoy!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

THE FOX AND THE HOUND

A Photo Story











"Woof!"




...and back into the safe woods!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Historic Day

Today we say goodbye to one strong man.

We say hello to another.

But, you know, this is not the point of this post.
I simply wish to compare historic days.

This pales in comparison to the day that is coming.
The day in which we will meet our Creator.
The ONE who sits on the throne.
The ONE who made us...
and all that is around us.

The song at the top of the playlist says it best...
I Can Only Imagine...

Are you listening?

I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see when your face is looking at me.
(Chorus)
Surrounded by your glory what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus? Or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence? Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all?
Imagine, I can only Imagine
(Verse 2)
I can only Imagine all creation bowed down
The whole universe saying your name out loud
I can only imagine all our broken lives
Resurected in the healing light
(Chorus)
Surrounded by your glory what wil my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus? Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence? Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, I can only Imagine
(Chorus)
Surrounded by forgiveness what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus? Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence? Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine oh I can only imagine
I can only, I can only, I can only imagine
I can only imagine, Just imagine
I can only imagine, Imagine.


Wow!
That will be a Historic Day!

A day that will begin the rest
of forever!

In HIS presence!
Just imagine...

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Frosty Morning in Lancaster County

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Preparing for a Mystery Menu Dinner

Being in a Family Integrated Church
there is a challenge to keep things
shaken up and different.
To do activities that will be fun for,
and include, all ages.

I tend to be the one to put the social
calendar together,
with input and suggestions
from others.

As I was scheduling January and February,
moments before printing out copies,
I decided that a Mystery Menu Dinner could
be fun. I've never been to one...but I
figured that if I were one of the planners
I would be sure that I got something wonderful
to eat so all would be well.

Selfish, I know!

Anyway, that being a given, I made the
proposal and have received numerous offers
of help. Apparently others have that same
bone of selfishness in them...tee-hee.

So, our theme will be Automotive.

There are two full time mechanics in our
church and several men who love all things
mechanical. The menu will be made up this
week and dishes to be made will be assigned.

I think this will be FUN!

So, I think I may order "A Radiator Flushing
Special" with "A Side of Transmission Fluid".

Or perhaps..."The Tire Change" and "A Bucket of
Sprockets"...

Who knows??
But it will be good!

I'll let you know how it goes.
It is scheduled for the end of
January.

Have a great day!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Sanctity of Life Sunday

Honoring the value
inherent in human life.

Whether it is the
unborn baby...



For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:1-16



...or the sick and elderly

Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old. Proverbs 23:22



You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:32

All have value in the
eyes of God, the creator.

Blessings on your Sunday.

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Throw on an Extra Blanket!

Whew! It is cold out there!

***ETA*** The title is Dutchy Grammar..
You know like "Throw the horse over the
fence some hay!" It was intentional...just
saying...so you don't go, "Huh?"

Back to the post!

I have noticed a theme as I pass
bedroom doors in our house. There
are extra blankets on the beds.

This is good.

It makes for warm sleeping conditions.

When the wind howls and the heat pump
groans outside your window, that
extra layer of fabric does the trick
nicely!

All of the animals are active and
playful today. I think it helps them to stay warm.
One of the foxes was running around in the field
this morning...unfortunately I was
running Mikey to work and couldn't
stay to watch.

Yesterday, when Mikey was riding his
dirt bike over there, the fox was really close.
Mikey fell in love with it and is now a
devoted fox watcher. He said it is absolutely
beautiful up close.

Our cats are playing which is driving the
dogs crazy. I am not sure if they want to
play too, or just think it is wrong for the
cats to play...

Anyway...Beaux, Warren's Mom's Cat is sitting
outside our back door teasing Chloe. They are
staring at each other.

Chloe all warm and cozy...Beaux wearing his
luxurious black fur coat.

So this is the craziness happening around
our neck of the woods.
If it cold where you live...
Throw on an extra blanket...and enjoy
the warmth and comfort that it gives!

Have a Happy Day!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Teaching Children is a JOY!

Our Homeschool Co-op began our second semester yesterday.

I cannot tell you how much joy I receive from taking information
and breaking it into digestible pieces, mixed in with fun and
passing it on to children.

If you are an educator you already know what I am speaking about.

My 4-6th grade music class is a hoot!

I have decided to teach them about composers since there is so
much rich material available. I also love to act out a role and
it is fun to give them the information through another person's
eyes.

Yesterday we studied Franz Schubert of Austria. I pretended to
be one of his very dear friends, with a very strong and vocal
personality, and told the children all about Mr. Schubert. I did
confuse them intentionally when I handed each child either a shoe
or a "Bert" on a piece of paper and had them find another person with
a match at the beginning of class. They were a bit confused...exactly
as I had hoped. However, it should be a good mental image of his name.

As for my other class, the audience is a bit harder to read.
I am teaching a comedy class to the Jr and Sr Highers. They
are going to find out that being a comedian is a skill. I am
anxious to see if any of them do the homework I assigned. I
asked them to come back next week with a list of "tools" comedians
use in their line of work. Things such as exaggeration, sarcasm,
props, real life...

I love these kiddos so much!

It is a blessing to have this opportunity
to spend time with them.

O.k. and speaking of teaching children...mine need to
be getting started on their work. So...I am off!

But before I go...Congratulations to Melissa, Geoff and
Elijah Gill on the birth of Ethan Gill late last evening!
I am so happy for you!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

New "to us" Van!

No more Green Van!

The Lord has blessed us with a new
"to us" van that comes with no loan!

We knew that our van had issues that
needed to be fixed before our long trip
that is coming up next month. So we were
perplexed about whether we wanted to spend
the money to fix it or see if all of the
talk about this being the time to buy a car
was true or not.

We have had green vans since the kids were
small. Not a big deal...the color doesn't
matter, right? Well....

Last Saturday we made a trek about 40 minutes
from home to a dealership to check out some
things that Warren had spotted on Vehix.com.
As we got to looking there was a nice one with
DVD player...important to Chelsea...that had
a smaller price tag than the rest. We asked
to drive it. The salesman backed it out of the
spot...at this point I said to Warren..."It is so
green, I don't think I can do that. Please tell
him we might as well not bother."

Can you believe it?

I can't believe I did that either.
But Warren told him we just could not
buy another green van. He put it back.
Then we test drove a cherry red van.

Here's the story though...It drove just
like a green van! From the inside it
felt just like it! I was so disappointed.
I was so sure that a red van of a 2008 vintage
would feel different somehow....

We left without making a purchase.

This week there was more research and more
discussion. I was tempted to push to just
keep the old van and put the money into it
to make it dependable. Warren was pretty sure
he did not want to do this.

He decided that there was a dollar amount that
he would spend in cash and with our trade in...
no more...to see how much vehicle we could get
for that money. No loan...Newer car!

We had owned a Mazda MPV many years before. It was
our favorite family vehicle ever. So I started to
search. We found two within driving distance that were
about $2,500 to $3,000 over our pre-determined amount.

I called.

I explained what we were willing to spend, what we had to
trade. That what we had to spend was cash and that we would
not be financing any of it. Warren was a big help here because
when one of them started trying to tell me how it would be just
a tiny payment he said, "No loan!" and walked out of the room.
This allowed me to say that my husband had just said no and meant
it.

This salesperson immediately agreed to talk to his manager and
get back with me.

He did...and he did!

Last night we went to this dealership.

Drove the van.

Debated a while.

Purchased the 2003 Mazda MPV for $5,000 plus tax and
tags. It has a warrantee and road service/tire
replacement package included.

If you are in the market for a vehicle
I can recommend looking now.

We were told that if a car has been on the
lot for more than 60 days...it has to go.

You can really make a deal on these vehicles.

I am thankful for my husband's leadership in this
car purchase. I am also thankful for God's provision
for our family in this way.

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Mixing Things Up!

Vee, at A Haven for Vee wrote
a post yesterday that spoke
to me. It was about not putting
things off. Those things that
just kind of bug us. Decorating
choices and decisions that are
small and easily dealt with that
are so easy to think we will
get around to it later.

Reading that post made me think
of this.



The corner which so recently held our
Christmas Tree and which was now terribly
bare. The art had not even been returned
to its place on the wall. This was partially
because I have not decided whether I want to
put it all back exactly as it was. There had
been a shelf with little knicknacks under the
picture. It may return at some point...

I love this picture. It is so dear.



As a child we lived near a creek and I spent
many a day playing in the water. I am sure that
I never looked that cute...but it is a very
memory inducing picture nonetheless. The dog
in the picture looks a lot like our Brittany
Spaniel too. Different ears... but the right
colors...

The other main change that took place at Christmas
time was that we had given away a pair of huge speakers
that had served as a place to set my large brass lamp.

So, I began thinking about what I could use for this
purpose. I tried the Scrapbooking Cupboard it was too
short and wide. But...it looks nice under the window.
So it stayed there.

I have a pair of round tables that had been put away
when the dogs were puppies. They and the cats were
always knocking them down. I decided to see what that
would look like, hoping that a couple of years of age
would have settled the dogs down.
We will see...they already knocked it down once this
morning...the cats think it is a great place to hide...
this excites the dogs and they charge!

I know they look innocent...but don't believe it!
Kimmy was resting calmly last evening...
right next to a sleepy Tidbit on the chair
nearby.

Had I told you that the puppies' toenails had made a few holes in the couch cushion so Mom and I made a cover for it...that is why the seat and the rest of the sofa are a bit different. It is a great Flexsteel sofa, I was not ready to give it up. The upholstry fabric was just $3.49 a yard at a local dry goods store. It has held up very well. At some point I might get around to making matching throw pillows for across the back of the sofa.

So...long story short...because of this corner we had the
entire living room pulled apart, vacuumed it well, dusted
and rearranged. Mikey freshened up the plants, Chelsea sorted
school papers and Jonathan returned some items to Grandma's
house. They all worked steadily for at least an hour.

The change is nice and cozy...I think!









If you were really paying attention you noticed that I did not place my brass lamp on this table. I had purchased this bronze lamp with stained glass a few years ago for the family room downstairs. It was not being used. However, I happen to love this lamp so I brought it up and tried it here. Love it!

I will bring out my other round table today and work on the corner on the other side of the entertainment center. It has traditionally been the corner which held dog crates. Most recently Chloe's little house. Kimmy has moved downstairs. Now, Chloe has moved back to Chelsea's room. We will see how that works out. I am thrilled to have no dog crates...at all...in the living room! Anyway all of that because I still need a home for that beautiful brass lamp!

And this whole project at this time because dear Vee issued that challenge to not have these things picking at your brain.

It was fun and I am thankful for the input and help from my children.


♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Fun Cookbooks!

I guess you know that our family
makes regular trips to the library.

What a wonderful resource!

I cannot possibly afford or
justify the purchase of the
many books we go through in
the course of a year. And
then to have to store all of
them would just be crazy!

You may have noticed a new listing of books
on my sidebar. I am adding the books
as soon as I begin reading them.
So being on this list is not an endorsement
or suggestion that you would like
them. It is just fun to see how
many books get read this year.
It is also serving as an incentive
for me to read a variety of
authors and styles.

Yesterday I picked up two very nice
cookbooks. The What Can I Bring
Cookbook.
This is so neat!
The recipes are varied and there are
suggested entire menus for various types
of events. This one I recommend!

The other cookbook is The Farm to Table Cookbook.

The art of Eating Locally.
You may remember that this is a "pet subject"
of mine. Shopping and buying locally.
Supporting the local economy!
The recipes in this book, are overall,
a bit involved for my daily cooking
style but there are some recipes
that I can see doing for special
events. Some recipes use vegetables that I
only look at curiously as I walk through
the local Farmer's Market.
Who knows, I just might try them this spring.

If you get a chance to check these books out,
I think you would like them.

Have a "crazy good" day!
We'll be doing the same!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

The Fun is In the Details

Church was good yesterday.

Unfortunately, some weren't able to
make it because of illness, or in one
case recovery from surgery...
so we missed them...BIG TIME!

But, the music went well, Mike's
message and the theme of the service
was about not worrying.
If God cares about the sparrow,
we sang that song, how much more
does He care about us.

It was about trusting Him,
with the economy...
with our every day details
of life...
in all things!

It was very good.

There was even a real life
object lesson when one of our
men became ill during the service.
While he was evaluated by Georgia,
who is a nurse, and she felt he was
not having a "heart episode" still
our minds kept wandering to him.

It struck me how we were given that
real life lesson in how hard it is
to stay focused on The Lord. So many
distractions and legitimate concerns.

It is so good to know that our Heavenly
Father knows about all of these things.
He also cares about anything that touches
our lives.

After church we came home to a little fun.
I picked up some Chinese food and Mom brought
some homemade ham and bean soup with corn bread.
I had been thinking about it this week and had
thought how fun it would be to use Warren's Great
Grandmother's Teapot and teacups to serve some
authentic Chinese Green Tea we had received as
a gift.


This is a photo of that teapot taken at our Christmas Tea not long
ago.

In one way it was not a big deal.
In another hearing the family ooh and
ahh about the table, and how pretty it was,
reminded me that details do make a difference!

It is my nature to blast through life...just
doing as much as possible. I hope that 2009
is the year that I make a real effort to pay
attention to details. To make regular events
special. I have learned so much from many
fellow bloggers. Some of you have mastered
this skill and I love reading about it.

O.k. so sometimes I roll my eyes...but...deep
inside I am ready for this change. I'll keep
you up to date on this.

The other thing that made me realize there is
still hope for me was that I actually began
going through our photo files and deleting
photos that were blurry or otherwise unnecessary.
Since beginning to blog a little over a year ago
I have had a tendency to take a lot of pictures.

They are in need of being organized and thinned down
significantly. This is one of the joys of having
Dad's laptop. I can do this while watching the Eagles
win...or the Steelers win! Even the Baltimore Ravens
won but I wasn't watching that game. It is shaping up
for an interesting Super Bowl for those of us on the
East Coast.

Anyway, the theme of this post and of my goals
for this year...
Paying attention to details,
Organization of many things in my life,
and making a concerted effort to trust that
God is always caring about me and mine.
To leave the worries with Him.

Of course, I want to lose weight, get
more healthy and all of those good goals
as well, but I think that may come as a
by-product of slowing down.

Just some wandering thoughts this morning.

A little inspiration for you...Terri, at Lakewood
Manor, asked for
some decorating advice last week and then put
it into action. You should see how that turned
out! I think she was so wise to think about how
the advice she received fit into the likes and
dislikes of she and her husband and did not just
make changes because someone said so. The end results
are great!


Blessings on your day!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

It is sleeting...no snow! However You Should See this...

Kelly is so funny!

Yes, I do love Penn State and
I love that she did
this post.

Too cute!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Still Waiting!

What a disappointment!

There is no snow or any precipitation
happening outside right now.

Now, I do believe that we will get
something today...you can smell it in
the air...but will it be snow? Ice?

When will it come?

The moon had a huge ring around
it last night at 11:30 pm,
as we came home from
Bible Study.

Sigh....

And I was so ready!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Stay safe!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Looking Forward to Snow

We are supposed to get 4-6 inches of the white fluffy kind of snow overnight tonight!

This is the way to get it, not that ice...
and not during rush hour in the work week.

I'll still have to take Mikey to work, but that is just fine.
He can always walk if we cannot get out of the driveway.

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Gray Beauty

Yesterday's ice on the Dogwood.


The clouds were low yesterday
and the house felt all tucked in.

This would have been perfect had
we no where to go.

However, our two short trips out
of the house made us appreciate its
warmth and comfort all the more.

Of course that squishy walk across
the back yards to Georgia's would
have been more wisely accomplished
by way of the road. My shoes are
a mess and I nearly went down on the
way over.

But turkey and mashed potatoes were
calling...We are very spoiled...
we know!

Then an evening tucked in by the fire
watching a great movie called
Head of the Class.

Georgia has been after us to watch this since
she first saw it a couple of months ago.

It is a Hallmark Production about a man with
Turrets Syndrome who wants nothing more than to
be a teacher. Sounds simple enough...it is very
well done and moved all of us.

Sometimes gray days are good days.
Yesterday was one of those.


♥♥Becky K.♥♥

It is not One Fox!

The kids and I were deep into our
math yesterday when the phone rang.

It was my mother-in-law next door.

She said how she hated to interrupt
but if I would look out my front window
I would see two foxes.

Sure enough...there they were.

So sweet.

Later I was outside with the dogs
and the foxes were barking.

We realize we have heard them before
but didn't know that was what it was.

I talked to the one I could see and
it stopped and looked at me.

Then began to bark again.

Too awesome!

My new goal...to get great pictures of
these beautiful critters.

On a different subject...
Thank you for your prayers for
Sue. Her knee replacement
surgery went well.

I look forward to seeing her soon.

You...Have a wonderful day!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

The Fox, The Turkeys and More...

Sunday morning was one of those
days that the harder we tried to get
out of here the more things got
in the way...

It was my turn to make breakfast
for church, there was music to go
over once we got there, it was Fellowship
Meal so I had a crockpot of chicken to
prepare and take...and I was determined to
get our church directory done and
distributed that day.

Kelly and I had been working on it and
it was finally at a point that I could
finish it up.

So...I needed to leave early and get over
to the church to set up the breakfast
and run through music.

I figured I would work on the directory
after the fellowship meal...we always end
up there most of the afternoon anyway.

Of all mornings, Mikey did not set his
alarm so he did not get up when he usually
does. We had to wake him, so he was off by
at least a half an hour.

I tried to call the Moms to see if one of
them would bring him with them but there
was no answer on either of their phones.

So, we began to load up the car and I
gave him instructions to catch up with one
of the Grandmas before they left and catch
a ride.

Suddenly Chelsea was talking to my Mom who
was in the field, across the street with her
dog, Bear. I turned to ask her about Mikey
and all of a sudden, that fox, was running behind her.

I don't know if it had been running along behind
she and Bear the whole time or if it had been
sleeping in the field and they woke it up.
But, whatever the case it was really close.

We are so glad that Bear did not see it because
he would not have hesitated to go after it...
he did that before but when there was a larger
distance separating them and the fox got away.

This fox is so pretty.
It does not appear to be ill in any way.
But, it doesn't seem to have that fear of humans
that I think it should have.

That was Sunday!

Yesterday I was working on some vacation plans
for sometime next month and the phone rang.

It was my neighbor Ellen.

She told me to come look in the field
across the street and tell her if these
were wild turkeys.

I took these pictures as they crossed in
front of my house...


Ellen pulled right up beside them but they did not change course.
They just kept going in their line across the field.




As I came back into the house, Ellen shouted that I had better
post these on the blog...so here you are, Ellen.



So, I can't wait to see what is next...

A Bear?
Mountain Lion?
We've had deer.

You never know...It is NEVER dull
here. Never!

Last night we and the Moms met at my Mom's
house for Chinese and vacation planning.

It took hours but it was fun.

Having all of these animals makes it interesting.

We will be going in shifts so that there is
always someone here to take care of all of
our cats, dogs, and chickens.

If it were one or two it would not be such a
big thing...but with a combined three dogs, five
cats and four chickens between our three houses...
It really doesn't help that our Kimmy is anti-social.
I don't know if I totally trust her.
She has a grudge against Mrs. Rabe and has snapped
at her. Scary!

So, anyway, we are very much looking
forward to some time
in Sunny Florida next month.

I have big plans to get back to St. Simon's Island in
Georgia on the way...and then a first time trip to
St. Augustine! Love history and old buildings!!!!

There are many family members to visit while we are there,
as well. So that had to be figured in to the planning.
Our kids are more excited about seeing their second cousins
than they are about the beach or the Kennedy Space Center.

We plan to skip the major money traps like Disney World and
Sea World. We have nothing against them except the price tag
and the reports we have gotten from others that you really have
to dedicate days to them and we just need to make this
trip as economical
as is humanly possible.
Thankfully, the gas prices have dropped very nicely...

Are you making vacation plans this year?
If so...what are you thinking of doing?

Any good suggestions for things we should do
or see while in Florida?

Have a great day!
If you think of it you could
pray for my friend, Sue, who is
having a knee replacement surgery
today...she is a sweetie and will
be out of commission for the
next few weeks.
♥♥Becky K.♥♥

An Honor...and a Kindred Spirit

Yesterday I noticed that there were
extra visitors from A Haven for Vee.

Kelly was here with me and we were looking
at the sitemeter for another reason.

I got curious...then I went to Vee's wonderful
blog. I was so pleased to see that she had
posted not just about my playlist but about
my very favorite song on the list.

I recently moved I Can Trust Jesus down farther on the
list ...it was at the top...because I
know how tiring it can be to hear the same song
every time you open a blog. I didn't want to
wear it out.

Thank You, Vee, for featuring this song.
It is exceptional and I love that you
picked up on that!

Blessings!



♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Worship

Just one of God's handcrafted creations.

Photos taken at the Virginia Living Museum a couple of years ago.


♥♥Becky K.♥♥