A Picture for You Today

I was out picking apples minding my own business, and heard .... this ....

Nice, huh?

And then I heard a little chicken say that the sky is falling - I just may believe him today.

Super Cool

This incredible machine was built as a collaborative effort between the Robert M. Trammell Music Conservatory and the Sharon Wick School of Engineering at the University of Iowa.

Amazingly , 97% of the machines components came from John Deere Industries and Irrigation Equipment of Bancroft Iowa ; yes, farm equipment!

It took the team a combined 13,029 hours of set-up, alignment, calibration, and tuning before filming this video but as you can see it was WELL worth the effort

It is now on display in the Matthew Gerhard Alumni Hall at the University and is already slated to be donated to the Smithsonian.

My Top 20 Updates For You

I have 5 loads of laundry waiting to be folded, and here I sit - in front of the computer. Why? Because I love you. Wait, there's more. I'm going to give you a little update by a list instead of rambling on about EVERYTHING, even though I know you're all speed-readers.

1. There were 6 gallons of milk in my fridge last week.
2. I get a weekend away with my husband ALONE in Colorado next weekend. Flying out Friday at 6:15am. NO children, wellll, almost no children. But no diapers and messes and bibs and nap time really means no children, doesn't it?
3. The mulching stage in the garden is almost complete. We were almost on time.
4. The dishes are also piling up quickly. I guess when I run out of plates or silverware I will get motivated enough.
5. We signed up for Netflix.
6. I have a lack of spiritual excitement lately.
7. I am in love with my new diaper bag.
8. I get to go scrapbooking Friday night!
9. I find that if I separate my daycare kids during nap time, they sleep for at least another hour and a half - how? Well, I asked them in a very casual moment in their day. It seems the younger one would wake up in the middle of nap time and jump on his brother. Amazingly, it wakes him up, and then down they both come to have their fruit snacks.
10. I have had 3 root beer floats this week.
11. I feel the beginning of an addiction for the smoothies at the local gas station - you know, the one that sells bananas? You have a choice of 3 flavors, grab it from the freezer, and put it under the blender thingy. Too good!
12. We have 10 apple trees.
13. I bought a cookbook an inch and a half thick with apple recipes. 25 cents....
14. I love garage sales.
15. I have 2 Christmas gifts wrapped already.
16. My husband has won once out of the last 2 weeks in our cribbage battles.
17. Bought a new cribbage board. Plastic. holds the pegs and cards inside when you fold it down in half. 10 cents
18. I just noticed where the fire extinguisher is just now. We've lived here 2 and a half months.
19. I also just noticed how many of these start with the word "I". Nooooo, it's not all about me! Where's your proof?
20. And my final update for you.....I smelled a skunk this morning. Harry just may feel like putting his second one to rest soon.

Nothing that would make Oprah, so that's good news, but since I've been an aweful blogger, there ya' go.

Wordless Wednesday - Sisters

My Kissin' Girl

Melts my heart. At naptime and bedtime, I sit next to Tiffany's crib and read a story from our Disney book. She usually falls asleep somewhere at the end. Her favorite thing to do as I'm reading, though, is poke her little head up and pucker up through the bars. So I give my baby a kiss, and she lays back down with her baby and her bottle with a little twinkle in her eyes.

I pray I never forget that.

Any Dad

Please visit www.IowaFathers.com for more information

You Are Not Alone

Stacy Jean

I know I know. How long since my last blog? Well this is why:

6 pounds, 14 ounces. 10 little fingers, 10 little toes. Loves to eat, loves clean diapers, can't stand being cold and anything to do with gas. Gets countless kisses from my big sister, seriously - countless. Loves sleeping in Mom or Dad's arms. Love my moby wrap. Love to be held.

Come hold me.

Daddy's Little Girl

They have such a big responsibility, don't they? They are the playmates, the taste-testers, the experimenters. They are the providers. "Daddy" is the protector. I remember growing up in that reality - my dad protected us for as long as he could (or had to) hold on to us. There is a question I would like to share with you today.

"What is a dad's primary role - teacher, protector, provider, pal, or disciplinarian?"

My dad says Protector without a doubt. He was. My husband says Provider without a doubt. And he is. I remember my dad most as a protector AND teacher, though. He would teach ethics every day of our lives, and continues to do so. Maybe the answer changes as your children grow and their needs change. But what a neat role to play - Daddy. All the diaper changes, late night rocking when Mom is at the end of her rope, the games to keep them occupied while dinner is cooking, the hugs and kisses, and the Snack Man role they get to play. Thanks to all you dads, whichever is your favorite role in your children's lives. We appreciate you.

Ponderisms

I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes.

The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.

Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.

Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to?

How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?"

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him?

ALL OF US COULD TAKE A LESSON FROM THE WEATHER. IT PAYS NO ATTENTION TO CRITICISM.

Wordless Wednesday - Ahh, the Honeymoon.

Wordless Wednesday - Have a glow worm type of day!

Christmas Tag

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial (borrowed from Mom and Dad)

3. When do you put up the tree? Anytime during December.

4. When do you take the tree down? Depends on how long I want to sit on my bum and drink hot chocolate and use the excuse of staring at the tree to be lazy. ;)

5. Do you like eggnog? yes, but only AE - 1/2 milk, 1/2 nog - not a big fan of the Milk Nog.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A vantriliquist doll named Howdy Doody.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? yes, but I confess - it's not out this year, and it was a dollar, which is why it's in my Christmas tote, cuz it looks like it was a dollar.

8. Hardest person to buy for? The possibilities are ENDLESS when you're talking about gag gifts. Those take the most thought. I'm WAY behind this year.

9. Easiest person to buy for? Whoever I'm done with already. :)

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Peacock feathers - that was just mean.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Charlie Brown Christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? The very first garage sale in April-ish. Gotta love garage sale Christmases!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Uh, is file 13 recycling? That's right where those peacock feathers went.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mom's soups.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I would love white, but hopefully we'll get those at Clearance time this year for next year. This year the "purple" looks like pink. And a little blue set.

17. Favorite Christmas song? I LOVE THEM ALL! All I want for Christmas has been one I always have to turn up when I hear.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? both

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? yep

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? whichever the whole family can be there for - maybe we'll start a new tradition and a "set" rule next year to follow.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? People (myself included) forgetting to spread joy and cheer.

I tag: Angela and Melanie

Wordless Wednesday - Naps aren't always good.

Thankful

I was listening to the radio the other day and they were talking about missionaries and being overseas "roughing it" (sorry if anything was understood wrong here - I was changing diapers and wondering if lunch was burning as I listened). One woman met a 10 year old girl, her younger sister, and older brother. Their mother had passed away - she was a prostitute. The middle girl does everything she can to provide for her brother and sister, working in an all day factory job for next to nothing in profit. Their home has no washer/drier, fridge, sink. . . . beds. . . . light . . . extra clothing, you get the picture. They have an outhouse 3 blocks from their home. 3 blocks. No "toilet" closer than that.

This woman asked how much it was to build an outhouse onto their home. 24 US dollars. She gave them the money and weeks later received a photograph in the mail with the 3 children with their new addition onto their home in the background . . . and they were smiling. This had changed their life. 24 dollars. Now, I can't help but shed tears when I think of what one of those families would do for the uncontaminated water that goes down my kitchen drain every day - from rinsing dishes before they go into the dishwasher. Running water for 10 seconds just to wait for it to get warm. . . that would be unheard of. They might not even have dishes to clean. And here I sit in a heated home with food in the fridge if I get hungry and a healthy husband and children. Not to get you down today, but why aren't we over there living that life? Why do we think we are entitled to everything we think we want? They were excited about a toilet for cryin' out loud! New clothes, fruit snacks, calendars, microwavable lunches, and heaven forbid us having to park in a full parking lot and walk 200 feet into Kohl's in the cold weather to Christmas shop for our healthy loved ones. We have vehicles to drive, resources of any sort, helpful neighbors, people that pray for us, and give us gifts on our birthday because we are loved.

How can I look at my surroundings and still have one ounce of unthankfulness? I spent 24 dollars on gas the other day. Groceries. McDonalds (although it's been a couple months). I'm a little torn this holiday season. How can I teach my children to possibly begin to fathom everything they have when I have trouble with it myself?

Ten Words

Ran into a great blog with this on it. "Alexandra Stoddard, in her book Feeling At Home, said '...write down the ten word symbols that tell who you truly are. Don't think. Your subconscious does all the work. Be there to record what emerges from the deepest recesses of your heart. This may be one of the sweetest moments of your entire life. Try it, and see for yourself how you feel.'"

I thought it would be neat to try, so here goes:
1. Behind
2. Comfortable
3. Games
4. Groceries
5. Kids
6. Wife
7. Stories
8. Accommodating
9. Surrendering
10. Peaceful

Try it out.

Today.

Okay, I just made Spiced Pumpkin Tartlets. They are AWESOME! I hope they make it to craft night tonight. I'll have to limit myself to 3 . . . or 5 would be okay I guess.

Went grocery shopping today and spent $35.25 on groceries. Not bad. The egg nog won't last long, either. Mixed with mostly milk - new craving. OH! Wanna know my brand-spanking new craving? The Farting Goat has chicken wings. Breaded. Chubby Style. Yum. They are the best when the sauce hasn't gotten to the breaded part yet and it's still crunchy. I'm hungry.

I sit here at my kitchen table with the curtains open watching the big heavy wet drops of snow fall all over my van. Maybe I should get a scraper this year, eh? Nothing like waiting for the first big snowfall, Amie. Good work.

I need to go gather my crafting things for tonight - I'm bringing Olivia (7) if she wants to go - she loves being crafty and I don't let her do it near enough. She can have tartlets and hot chocolate with me. . . right after she clears off my van. I'm not really that mean. . . well, unless I can make some sort of game out of it - then her brother can join in.

What's that about?!

Harry is taking me up into the air once in a while and it looks really high up. I'm not deathly afraid of heights or anything, but we always manage to get back on solid ground before I get too scared. But not this time. The hugest tree I've ever seen. He thought it would be fun to go that high. So he takes me in his arms and up we go (how, I don't know - so don't ask). Sidenote: love his arms. Moving on ... err ... up, that is. I am freaked out. I have no idea how high he's going, but he's looking pretty excited to be going up so high. I start mimmering and feel a little sick, and finally get out the words (this is when the person at the bottom of the HUGE tree looked like an ant and I could see the top of the tree), "okay, that's high enough!".

He says, "Okay, here we go!" And I am not kidding you, I feel a lump in my belly move all the way up to my throat and I'm hanging on by the end of his shirt at this point for DEAR LIFE. We are ziplining to the ground. Not a straight down fall, but going at about a 38 degree angle... F-A-S-T. I scream the piercing kind of scream all the way down to the grass. Seemed like eternity to get there. Oh, the lovely grass. Didn't hurt to land. Then instead of beating him with any energy I had left, I kissed him - a lot.

Then his pocket made noise. Why? His grandma was calling his cell phone. Thank you Grandma for waking me up. I go into the kitchen feeling a panic in the depths of me and still trying to open my eyes. Harry is leaving for work and laughs at my plea for life at 5:30 am. Please don't do that again, honey! Poor guy. He's endured me actually hitting him when I wake up becase I was so furious by what he did in my dreams. Poor, poor guy. My constant vivid dreams are rarely a good thing. So needless to say, I will not ever - in - my - life go parasailing thank you very much. I'll be the ant by the tree.

Beef - meister

Why am I "Beefy"? I'm so glad you asked.

1. I love cows.
2. I am a black belt in TaeKwondo.
3. I love cow print anything.
4. I broke the push-up record in our school at 135 . . . and no, not on my knees.
5. I collect cows.
6. They just started calling me Beefy.
7. Moo.

Not that it's a compliment to be called a cow.

MOOOooooving on. Haven't had a whole lot to post about lately. Same old mess, same old "could use a little extra money" thing, same old "getting bigger" speech (and yes, I'm pregnant Mel), but I am very happy to report that my scrapbooking retreat is LESS than one week away now! :) I'm very excited, but will be WAY excited when I get all packed up and ready for it. My sister is coming with me, did I mention that? I'm stoked! Is that a word? That's all I got today.

Paul Harvey's On-Air Prayer

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance."

"We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good," but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!"

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, "The Rest of the Story," and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called "One nation under God."