What a Widow Wants

You'd think that doing a day of heavy yard work for a complete stranger would be no fun. Well, honestly, to get myself out of the bed, I did have to re-focus a little bit because it did not sound like fun at all. But we had been imploring and cajoling our group of young marrieds for weeks:

"Remember the charge given to us in James 1:27 -- 'Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows...'"

A sweet widow from our church had asked if anyone would mind helping her clear out a few fallen limbs from her yard. We put a date on the calendar and waited to see who would participate...

As truck, after car, after truck pulled up her street that fine, freezing morning, our widow covered her mouth and began to cry. I had to fight back a few tears myself because I didn't know what to expect. There were over 20 happy faces that came willing and ready to work! Thank God for that because there were more than 'a few limbs' involved. When all was said and done, some manpower and a couple of chainsaws...

 

...turned into this.

 

And an acre of thick leaves and overgrown vines and shrubbery...

 

...turned into this.

 

We were exhausted. And at church the next morning we were all laughing at how sore we were! Laughing. Which was just more of what we'd had from the day before because, guess what? It was FUN!!

Here It Comes...

 

I snapped this picture about a week before Halloween. Those of us standing around were shaking our heads and talking about how ridiculous it was to start the Christmas commercialization already. Yep. Uh-huh. The secret, though...

...is that I really like it! I was way ahead of these guys, actually. I was told by the bigger person in our house not to get our own decor out but I really want to. I've been listening to Nat King Cole on the sly. I have a few gifts that Santa has already entrusted me with. I bought a pretty, festive sweater in case anyone wants to invite me to an early party. I've been wearing my pj pants with ornaments on them. I've got it bad.

The downside to this is that by December 1st, I'm done.

For now, though, you can shake your head at me, tell me my pumpkins are still on the front porch, and remind me its not even Thanksgiving. SO ridiculous! :)

A Different Costume

 

I should have seen it coming. After all, I heard the snipping very loudly. Remember the look on Josh's face last year in his costume? We were so creative and received so much praise for the lego-man we made him into, but he never looked excited about it. Months ago I asked him what he wanted to be this year. He never had a response. All my clever ideas sounded boring to him. Finally, he came clean -- he didn't want to dress up. He wanted to pass out candy.

I slowly and reluctantly adjusted to the thought and imagined, this time, how cute it would be for him and Greg to do it together (usually, that's Greg's job). But last night we were informed in no uncertain terms that passing out candy was his gig ALONE! Greg and I had to just about appear not to live here at all. Snip, snip.

We conceded. I hid in the shadows and listened to every kid get greeted by my son with lots of adoration. He let them each pick their favorite candy out of the bowl and sent them off with the friendliest, "Happy Halloween!" It was sweet. He was great. I was proud. Guess his costume this year was a young man. Snip, snip...

 

He consented to me taking this one picture, which was very generous of him. Then it was back to the shadows. The snip, snip? Of course it's that ol' apron string...

How To Start A Fire

1. Carefully assess the situation

 

2. While one man is rubbing sticks together, the other man should secure deer head.

 

3. Not a bad idea if someone intercedes for firestarters.

 

4. Score justly. (100 pts. possible)

 

Good Friends + No Kids = Woo Hoo!

I'm saying that but, of course, we missed our kids terribly. That's not to say we had no fun! No, indeed. A few days with our friends, Mike & Amy, at our favorite spot was another cherished entry in the mental scrapbook of memories. The weather was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L, the food was scrumptious, the company was inspiring (and hilarious), and we were worn out from lots of great hikes -- in that very gratifying way. It's nice to have friends whose idea of a good time together isn't doing too much or too little...

It was just right!

 

 

 

 

It was such a blessing to get away! Thanks, Mike and Amy, for being like family. Can't wait to do it again!

The 4th Grade Dirt Pile

Every fall a wonderful family from our school class hosts a big bonfire and chili cookoff out at their place. They have what every kid dreams of -- acreage, ponds and streams, a basketball barn and (best of all) a gigantic pile of dirt. You wouldn't believe how much these monkeys look forward to this event.... mostly because of the dirt. We parents kinda don't look at what goes on up there. It cramps their style. I understand. Most of childhood existence has to be so micromanaged now, that the fun of being totally let off the leash is rare and starved for, don't you think? Joshua did push one girl off the hill in the attempt to be king, but now (after a little talk) we know that's not very chivalrous of a would-be king...

See what you learn from the dirt pile?

 

And these are the most amazing Moms I know! What's my mug doing in this picture, I scratch my head and wonder? I'm telling ya, what these Moms do with their time, and what they sacrifice for the education of their kids is inspiring. I just sit in their presence and listen to their wisdom most the time. Makes my head spin...

 

Thank you so much Travis and Becky! You're pretty cool. Oh yeah, and so are all you Dads! Got 'Dirt Pile 2011' already on my calendar.

'For Sale or Lease'

 

I kid you not, that's what the sign says on this "structure". I know times are tough, but I had no idea our hungry builders had taken to cutting these kinds of corners. So sorry the picture's not clearer. Greg doesn't always feel its as urgently necessary as I do to ensure material for photographic commentary.:)

And yet another reminder of how countrified we're getting? On a recent trip to Tulsa, we were strolling on the sidewalk in the center of downtown and Joshua asked (in awe), "Are we in New York City?!?". Poor child.