The Week

Y’All!!! Abby started her new JOB! Oh yes she did! She went in to her orientation on Monday and then HR sent her right on over to her elementary school to get cracking!

She has helped out a second grade teacher every morning this week and she has already made some friends! And nothing says I love you better in 2nd grade than ART! I was loving the wheelchairs.

I am going to tell Mrs. Abby for the rest of her life that she is “spechil”! We even ran into one of her little students at Meijer yesterday! And Ab had just been telling me how naughty that same little girl had been that day! TRUE STORY!!!!!

Some priceless Snapchats. Honey’s impersonation our poor little Katie, RIP. He has it perfect, I have to give him credit.

I just had to post this of my Aunt Phyllis, I heart it SO bad! BUT DON’T TELL HER!!!!!!! She thought it was so funny!

This is the second batch of nuts I have roasted lately. Honey and I snack on nuts a lot and there is always concern that the nuts you buy have undesirable ingredients in there. The first were good, just a salty roasted combo. These are sweet and spicy.

Pretty good, but could be sweeter AND spicier. Will see what Honey thinks. I did put an extra squirt of liquid Stevia and it could have been a double squirt IMHO.

Mousey and I have discovered that Aldi has purty good chocolate! Someone was hormonal on our last trip.My faves are dark orange almond and dark chili. The dark 85% is alright, but I guess 85% is not my favorite cocoa/sugar ratio.Good prices at Aldi, I must say!!!

The Weekly Sy here. Our cuddle bunny is LOVING the cooler temperatures! He spent the entire evening inside my fleece last night. Here he is modeling his pretty tummy. It’s almost impossible not to bother him in this pose. Sweet stripes and giant bunny foot=bothering.

Have a fine weekend!

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Nine is Fine!

Medium Goomba turned 9 earlier this month! We are all wondering how that can be???? When did our little friend get SO B.I.G.? He is a much neater eater as well!

Well, it has happened and we all gathered to celebrate another year. Nine is totally fine!

Cousins along with The Good Eater, Goomba’s new best friend.

We convened at his house for pizza, salad and of course, birthday cake and ice cream.

Make a wish!

Beeve and The Ab-Cat, Grandpa and his best friend, Mrs. H.

It’s a strange thing when the kids start to read their own cards!

Stacey, the Ab-Cat and Aunt Phyllis, watching the present opening.

Honey and Uncle Bob.

Grandpa and Mrs. H. I showed her and Aunt Phyllis the Snapchat filters, they make everyone laugh. I would show you them here, but they might not forgive me. Ever!

Abby had insight on Goomba’s presents this year and he loved them! He had been admiring her corkboard this summer and couldn’t wait to use his!

It was a grand evening!

Happy Birthday my Friend, many more!!!

Stuff and The Weekly Sy

I have a list today, little schnibbles of info for documentation. You know how it is. This here blob is my memory bank.

We are in the throes of fall up here in The Mitten. It was glorious yesterday, even if it did rain all the live long day.

When I was coming home from buying supplements at the natural path doctor last month, I saw 2 new stores in an Ann Arbor strip mall. Homegoods, which is exciting for them but we have one of those in our town, and Steinmart! The only Steinmart I have ever seen in our neck of the woods was several hours away, near Kalamazoo. Or Battle Creek. Or somewhere off of I-94 on our way home from South Haven last summer!

I texted my friend Marilyn, who actually lives in Ann Arbor, and asked her if she was aware of this new development, because I have heard her say she likes to frequent this establishment when she travels down south. She was not aware! But she is NOW! She said it opened last week and she has now been 3 times! I heard a rumor that the manager already recognizes her! 

After our conversation last week, this was in the mail when I got home that day! Well, you don’t have to twist my tail too hard to get me to visit! I mentioned it to Jip yesterday at BSF and she said she had received the same coo-pin! I pointed out that we had to get on over there because it expired on the 23rd and it was already the 20th. We decided to go right after class, as we are not ones to take for granted a good coo-pin!

They had lots of pretty things but I ended up buying what I thought I would; another pair of my favorite pants by Bandolino. I bought a pair last year in Florida and wore the H.E.C.K. out of them. Hence the need for a new pair.

Jip bought a super cute long flowy vest and a cute new jacket. We were satisfied customers.

Honey sends me multiple Snapchats a night. I always wonder what his coworkers think he is doing? Cause you know he is giggling whilst making the weird faces!

Speaking of the Snapchat, Mousey sent me this amusing one. No delicate flowers at our house.

Our week started in the 70-80s and is finishing in the 50s. Pure Michigan.

The Boy and The Dane are coming for Thanksgiving!!!! From Washington state!

The Ab-Cat is still waiting to start her job. She has been fingerprinted and is now awaiting a call from HR. I hear that department can be problematic. She is chomping at the bit over here, ready to START!!!!

As bad as Abby wants to start, Mousey wants to be DONE with school! She is a weary girl. December cannot come soon enough.

I leave you with The Weekly Sy. Our pal is always pretty cuddly, but even more so when the temperatures cool off a little. Then he wants to nap on you for hours.

Crashed on his Grandma. Perfectly loverly when he is asleep!

Have a pretty fall weekend!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Hi Guys, thanks for stopping by for another Wednesday Hodgepodge! If you would like to join us click on the button below and head over to Joyce’s and link up.

1. What would you say is your strongest sense?

Mousey and I were just discussing this on the way home from running some errands yesterday. We have both been blessed/cursed to have a very good sense of smell. We were saying that scented lotion is just TOO MUCH, even if you like the scent when you put it on it is almost always too much after a while. Some perfume can really give me a sick headache. We had been sniffing candles while we waited in line, and I could not get those sniffs out of my nose until I sneezed! I stay away from certain stores because of the smell. Honey says I have the nose of a hound dog.

Those were some of the bad examples of having a good sense of smell, some of the good ones are just bathed children, lilacs and peonies, delicious garlicky food, Christmas trees, pumpkin/spicy smells and baking desserts!
2. Do you believe in the idea of a ‘sixth sense’? Why or why not?

Is this like a gut instinct or intuition? I would say that is the Holy Spirit and I certainly do believe in that! Sometimes you are led in one way or another that would not make sense to others, but you know it is the right decision because of the peace you feel in your heart and mind.
3. When do you most feel like a slave to time? Explain.

Drawing a blank here.
4. Have you ever worked in a restaurant? How would you rate the experience? If you could own a restaurant what kind would it be?

I have worked at 2 restaurants in my life and they both had their pros and cons. The first was Friendly’s and that was mostly a fun job working with other friends my age. Plus, ICE CREAM!!!! We got to eat all of the mistakes too! The downside of that experience was we were super busy and really had to hustle, and sometimes young families and big groups were not very generous about giving a tip. We also had 2 nice male bosses and a woman boss who was all of the stereotypes of a bad lady boss rolled into one. Unfair, played favorites, generally witchy.

The second time was at a German restaurant when we lived in Canada. Still had to hustle, but WAY better tips!!! Good food, very nice owner and another witchy woman to contend with! I heard that place burned down. Probably caused by the Dragon Lady.

Honey has frequently said he would like to have some sort of restaurant. His latest idea is for only a breakfast and lunch shop. Bagel sandwiches. When the bagels are gone, you hang the closed sign on the door and go fishing!
5. Ever traced your family tree? Share something interesting you learned there.

Some of my cousins have done this and they discovered something SHOCKING!!!

Our people were Mennonites when they came to this country in 1732!!!!! I blogged about it here. Yes, this could have been me and all my Girl Cousins!

Another interesting fact was that 2 of the original 3 brothers left Pennsylvania and travelled to Hoover’s Gap, Tennessee. There was evidently a Civil War battle there and I read about it on Wikipedia! I guess they named the area after themselves after changing their name from Huber to Hoover.

6. What did your childhood bedroom look like?

I wish I had a picture because I don’t have very strong recollections about it. The wallpaper had flowers with a lot of colors; green, yellow, orange, pink. I think it had orange shag carpet because who didn’t have shag carpet in the 70s? I had that white girl furniture with the gold edging. I remember I had an am radio and listened to CKLW!
7. Anyone who knows me knows I love_______________________?

My family. Kitties. DaVinci sugarfree chai tea. Jesus. 
8. Insert your own random thought here.

Today is our 31st wedding anniversary!!!  I surely did pick a winner! We could not have predicted our life, but I would not have wanted to go through it with anyone but Honey. Another stage is looming. Retirement is in about a year, and we are discussing what this is going to look like for us, it’s fun to dream about what we would like to do! We know it will involve serving the Lord, and hopefully travel, a growing family, and eventually a move. Honey would like to add fishing, golf and time to do anything besides work!

Here’s to the next 31!!

Redeemed the Day

We had a very moving day last week. Our oldest daughter has been looking for employment for a very L.O.N.G. time now.  Many applications, interviews and dashed hopes later, she was still looking.

Over a year ago she had a conversation with a woman sitting behind us at our church. You know, the little meet and greet they have you do before everyone sits down? This woman knew Abby from when she volunteered in the 2 year old Sunday school classroom and had her two children. She asked what Abby was doing and she replied she was looking for a job. The lady said she worked at a local elementary school and they sometimes had openings for para-professionals, and she should go online and apply. Abby thanked her and did just that. Nothing came of it but it caused Abby to look more closely at these opportunities and apply.

About a year went by and Abby ran into this same gal again and she asked if Abby had ever found employment. She said she had not and the gal said she was now the principal of an elementary school and she knew of several jobs in her building, and Abby should apply! So she did! She had 3 interviews at 3 different schools, and the third one was at the school of the woman from church.

In between all this there was a lot of praying and “pretend” interviews, trying to help her do the best she could. She was nervous and trying desperately not to get her hopes up because she had certainly been there before. She went on the first interview, felt it went well but was not chosen. The second one went about the same and they said they would let her know the next day. She didn’t hear anything that day. The day after that interview she went to another interview at the church lady’s school and she actually did the interview! They talked for a while and then the principal started going into some detail about the job. Abby told me later that she thought it was a LOT of detail for an interview, but then the woman told her she had the job! ABBY WAS SO EXCITED!!!!

The principal then took her on a tour of the building and just generally gave her a warm welcome. As they passed one of the classrooms, Abby noticed a familiar name on one of the doors, it was a woman named Amy who had tutored her for several years when she was in elementary school! Amy was way more than a tutor, she was a really sweet friend to our girl, an encourager, a pal and she even used Abby as a mother’s helper for her boys when she needed to get some work done at home. The principal said they should go in and say hello! Amy was SO surprised and very happy to see her former student again after so many years! Another bonus to working at this school!

When Abby came home from her interview she tried to be casual and act like it was just another meeting, but she couldn’t keep it up for long and we were all SO EXCITED! I was, as usual, trolling for details and as the whole story came out I was overwhelmed by God’s goodness to our Girl!!

All of this happened on October 7, a date that left a mark on our family 21 years ago. That was the day that the kids and I were in the car accident that caused Abby’s injury. For many years the day was marked by a deep sadness, the grief of the year seemed to be gathered into one rolling wave that swept over on that day. I have blogged quite a bit about how this time of year is difficult and God has used the outpouring of words as a healing thing, the date has lost its power over me. But Guys, it could not be a coincidence that the Lord chose this day to provide something that Abby desperately wanted and needed! It wasn’t random that He chose that day to rain down the blessing of a job, after applying for YEARS. We have prayed that God would intervene, that He would provide for her, that He would incline hearts to her, to see that she was capable and had worth. It was a kiss on the cheek from a really good God, and we are thankful. He has redeemed the day!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Hi Guys, it’s good to be back at the Hodgepodge! My thanks to Joyce, who has a LOT going on these days and still made time to host our little gathering!

1. What would you say is the best and worst thing about moving house?

The best thing? Well I am looking at this as a good move to a beautiful new place, so there is that. It’s always nice to have a new and different home.

The worst? Going through all of your STUFF!!! This next move for us is going to be a purge-fest. We have 31 years of life we need to sort through, with huge amounts to get rid of!
2. What’s moved you recently?

An old friend passed away on September 29th and her funeral was last week. Watching her family rally around her, and manage all of her care in her last days was very moving. Her funeral was a celebration of a life firmly grounded in her Christian faith. Our pastor spoke touchingly of her desire to live a life of caring for and serving others, while loving her family well. I was moved.

3. Do you feel your life is moving forward, backward, or is on hold? How so?

A little bit moving forward, a little bit on hold. Time is marching on, I see the changes. Kids grown, graduations, a wedding, life changes. But we are also a little on hold. Honey will be retiring in about a year or so and it feels a bit like we are on pause until we get there. We are anticipating some changes, we just don’t know what they will look like!

4. On the move, move mountains, get a move on, it’s your move, or bust a move...which phrase best applies to some aspect of your life right now? Explain.

I feel like I need to get a move on with this blog!! For goodness sake, I have been a poor blogger this summer! I think I have just gotten out of the habit. I have busy mornings so I need to make sure I get to the computer in the afternoons or evenings. If I don’t, it appears I don’t blog. At ALL!
5. What song makes you want to get up and move?

Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake! Dance, dance, dance!
6. Your favorite snack to grab when you’re ‘on the move‘?

Probably mixed nuts. They are pretty portable.
7. What one accessory makes your house feel like home?

Hmmm, our kitchen table or the couch. We gather there.
8. Insert your own random thought here.

Maybe I have been on the move a little bit. The weather has gotten a little cooler here in The Mitten.  I switched over my summer/winter clothes and I made a pretty big dent in getting rid of our potted plants. Hung the fall wreath on the front door and hauled out all the pumpkin and fall decorations. That feels like victory to me!

Thanks for stopping by, have a good week!

Some Celebrations

I am a little bit backed up here, but I figured I would just get on it or else it’s going to be Christmas before I know it. Of course that is an exaggeration, but it WILL be Halloween in about 10 minutes.

I still have to show you some pictures from Jip the Farm Dog’s son’s wedding, but my computer did a bit of maintenance and it has decided to never let me open a picture in email again. Hater. I may have to ask children for some tech support and that is never a pleasant thing. They have forgotten that it was I who taught them how to use the potty.

I had a birthday. While Abby did take me out to lunch that day after church, we have not officially celebrated. Mousey was out of town and Honey had a golf scramble. My sister-in-law Stacey made me a yummy cake! She and Beeve, along with Medium Goomba brought it over on the day so that was very nice! Here is my 54 year old self!

Girl Cousin Lindsay was in town from Florida so we could celebrate her and her baby girl, who will be arriving in December! Aunt Phyllis threw a sweet little shower where there was a LOT of pink happening!

 

YUM.

t

This was a cute idea. I narrowed it down to three suggestions.

Lindsay received lots of nice things, sweet little outfits, lots of tutus and many books for her baby girl’s shelves. We can’t wait to meet the little miss!

We celebrated our first small group meeting last Friday with a get together. We made pizzas and Honey tried his hand at an antipasto salad. It was pretty darn good! We start Priscilla Shirer’s Armor of God study this coming Friday.

Ok, it’s a start.

Potent Quotable

Michelle’s husband Mark posted this on Facebook Thursday.

Earlier this evening Michelle went home to be with the Lord. We are deeply saddened but overjoyed knowing she is with Jesus. We want you all to grieve yet not forget to celebrate with her!

You will not be forgotten Friend, and we will see you again.