tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61041514698148102412024-03-13T11:12:00.487-07:00Grammie's Awards - and MoreRandom thoughts about children, grandchildren, travel, and life in general from the perspective of an elder...Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-34667539026465799412012-03-10T07:37:00.002-08:002012-03-10T07:37:17.933-08:00Leisure vs Work: Lessons Learned?My week of keeping a log of my leisure time vs work time is just about up -- and what have I learned? One thing -- that sometimes leisure and work get a bit muddled, especially since I don't have a typical 9 to 5 job, in which I have to get up and go someplace....except when I'm teaching a course, and that's a different story. It was much more clear cut when I "worked" at the hospital. I *went* to work, I *worked* and then I came home. What happened after getting home - a lot of times that was work too...typical mom/wife types of things related to keeping the home and the children taken care of. <br />
<br />
I'm list and goal and accomplishment oriented. And unless I cross things off the list -- significant things, like finishing a lecture or getting a load of paperwork done -- then it almost seems as though the day just slipped by without anything being done.<br />
<br />
When I'm lecturing/teaching -- that is Work! But a very enjoyable sort of work. I really love getting up in front of a group and teaching. I enjoy putting lectures together and working on my powerpoints -- finding just the right pictures to illustrate what I'm talking about. I enjoy the interaction with the participants and many times I learn things from them that I wouldn't otherwise know.<br />
<br />
So, much of what I did this week I labeled as work -- as it was -- preparing for our course next week, getting some lectures done, getting all the paperwork done that goes along with the administrative role of my part of the business. Interspersed was time spent on Facebook -- but much of that relates to the Business of Breastfeeding which is my work. Also communicating back and forth via e-mail with my two colleagues in LEC. So being on e-mail is also work. <br />
<br />
I had wonderful conversations with my sister and my husband about work and leisure and how we were brought up as children to view leisure -- mostly with suspicion...that if you "indulged" in leisure, it somehow was equated with laziness, unless Everything Else Was Done. <br />
<br />
My leisure activities -- that I really consider leisure involve reading -- novels are really leisure. Crossword puzzles that I've just begun to thoroughly enjoy -- thanks to Tim & Annabel. The occasional computer game. And notice that those are all solitary activities! Hmmmm.... Other things I would consider leisure -- eating out. And probably my favorite activity of all, having my family around and eating dinner on the deck in the summer time, spending an hour or so after we have finished, just hanging out and talking. Being with my family any time may involve work, but I think it is so pleasurable, it has to be leisure.<br />
<br />
I discovered I really enjoy my work, so it's hard to look at it as *work*. And I still feel guilty when I take an hour during the day (I didn't, but I imagined it) to read a book. I'll need to work on that!!<br />
<br />
I think if I add "read for an hour" or "do Monday's crossword puzzle" to my list of things to do, perhaps I'll feel as though I've accomplished something....<br />
<br />
Something to think about!!<br />
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<br />Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-72867376720824952192012-03-07T11:10:00.001-08:002012-03-07T11:10:34.127-08:00Leisure -- Is It A Woman vs Man Thing?I started thinking about leisure in the context of men and women yesterday, and couldn't decide if it is easier for men to take leisure time or for women? Not in my family -- my Bob seldom takes a moment of what I would term leisure...he always has some sort of iron in the fire, and is either doing something around the house or at his desk. The only TV he watches is the news -- and the only two TV programs we watch if we don't go to church on Sunday night is 60 Minutes and the Amazing Race. <br />
<br />
Think about those a minute. What does it say about our ability to just kick back? Both are competetive....<br />
<br />
But I had to Google and find this which I think may say it all:<br />
***********************************************<br />
<br />
I'M GOING TO BED.....Men vs Women<br /><br />Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom
said, "I'm tired, and it's getting late. I think I'll go to bed".<br /><br />She
went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day's lunches. Rinsed out
the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for supper the following
evening, checked the cereal box levels, filled the sugar<br /><br />Container, put
spoons and bowls on the table and started the coffee pot for brewing the next
morning.<br /><br />She then put some wet clothes in the dryer, put a load of
clothes into the washer , ironed a shirt and secured a loose button.<br /><br />She
picked up the game pieces left on the table, put the phone back on the charger
and put the telephone book into the drawer.<br /><br />She watered the plants,
emptied a wastebasket and hung up a towel to dry.<br /><br />She yawned and
stretched and headed for the bedroom. She stopped by the desk, wrote a note to
the teacher, counted out some cash for the field trip, and pulled a text book
out from hiding under the chair<br /><br />She signed a birthday card for a friend,
addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery
store.. She put both near her purse.<br /><br />Mom then washed her face with 3 in 1
cleanser, put on her Night solution & age fighting moisturizer, brushed and
flossed her teeth and filed her nails..<br /><br />Dad called out, "I thought you
were going to bed."<br /><br />"I'm on my way," she said<br /><br />She put some water
into the dog's dish then made sure the doors were locked and the patio light was
on.<br /><br />She looked in on each of the kids and turned out their bedside lamps
and TV's, hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks into the hamper, and had a
brief conversation with the one up still doing homework.<br /><br />In her own room,
she set the alarm; laid out clothing for the next day, straightened up the shoe
rack. She added three things to her 6 most important things to do list. She said
her prayers, and visualized the accomplishment of her goals.<br /><br />About that
time, Dad turned off the TV and announced to no one in particular. "I'm going to
bed"<br /><br />And he did..without another thought.<br />****************************Thanks to Rome NewsWire Forum*************************Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-7288220590713404052012-03-06T07:50:00.002-08:002012-03-06T07:50:39.453-08:00More on LeisureI'm on day three of this keeping track of my leisure time....did fairly well on Sunday, which, after all, is supposed to be a day of rest anyway. Not so well yesterday. I did count our life group meeting as leisure time because it is something I want to do, enjoy doing, and counts for something besides work. <br />
<br />
But one of the things I discovered on Sunday -- and yesterday -- was that when I think about doing something just plain old enjoyable, like reading a novel, I get a bit twitchy. Like I'm not *allowed* for some reason. That I should be doing something productive. And I've been trying to analyze why.<br />
<br />
Partly, I think, it was the way I was brought up. I need to check with my sisters about this, but there was something inherently not acceptable about just being lazy, as my parents would have put it. We were generally supposed to be doing SOMETHING. Homework, housework, practicing our music, whatever....but sitting around and reading (yes -- my favorite form of leisure) was to be left until after all the real work was done. <br />
<br />
During nursing school and college there was very little leisure time -- homework was always there; I remember saying things like, "If I can only make it until Friday, then I'll be OK"...or, "If I live through all I have to do this weekend, I'll survive." Somehow, we still managed to make our fun, most likely at the expense of our sleep.<br />
<br />
Even after I got married, there was always something. It started by realizing that Bob was getting his master's, and since I had nothing to do on Tuesday nights, I may as well go for mine as well. And then I started teaching in the school of nursing which meant there was always something to do in the evenings and on weekends as we spent hours grading care plans and other papers. And so it went....<br />
<br />
And now I work out of my home, and as anyone that has a home business knows, that work is never finished. There is always something more to be done. <br />
<br />
So -- perhaps this week will help me learn that leisure is not only OK, but it is good. And that I need more of it. <br />
<br />
So does Bob. <br />
<br />
After all, God rested on the 7th day.....Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-26369106596469711252012-03-04T11:21:00.000-08:002012-03-04T11:21:01.725-08:00Work vs LeisureWe are beginning a new series in our Adult Community at College Church in Wheaton led by Leland Ryken -- kickoff being this morning with an interesting quizlet, given in true Wheaton College Professorial style. Upshot of the whole thing was that Lee wanted some volunteers to keep a log of leisure and work time this week, and then report on it next Sunday morning. No one volunteered, however Ned & Linda Gulbransen were volunteered -- and then someone behind me (I didn't see who, but I have a good idea) volunteered me.<br />
<br />
So, I'm thinking about it. What is work? What is leisure? How do I decide? Is, for example, blogging on work and leisure actually WORK, because I'm doing it as part of an assignment, or is it LEISURE, because I rather enjoy writing (not that you'd know it by the paucity of posts in this blog), or is it in that sort of grey, nebulous place of neither one nor the other? <br />
<br />
I'm hoping to find out what is what....<br />
<br />
If you enjoy doing something, then is it leisure? Even if it is work? I love lecturing, but that is my work -- and it expends a lot of energy (not enough...doesn't burn nearly enough calories to my way of thinking) -- and I wouldn't call it leisure...<br />
<br />
I don't like cooking as anyone who knows me at all can attest to. So for me, cooking -- even thinking about cooking -- is work. <br />
<br />
What about getting dressed in the morning. After all, showering, dressing, putting on the coffee, making the bed -- sorta getting ready for the day....does that fall into either of the above categories? I HAVE to do it (goodness knows, I'd be ostracized if I didn't)...but I'm not sure it's work (though some days getting up and moving along seems pure drudgery).<br />
<br />
I suppose there are a bunch of things that are going to fall into the neither one nor the other category....<br />
<br />
It will be interesting to see how the week falls out. Especially given that I'm not "working" this week -- I'm home....Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-56621817519927982662011-12-14T13:02:00.000-08:002011-12-14T13:02:00.701-08:00NigelI, like many others, have a GPS system which I have decided I probably can't live without. I also get <em>Pediatrics, </em>as one of my many journals. What does one have to do with the other? To fill white space, WVR, MD aften prints paragraphs about -- well, just about anything. One of this month's was entitled, "The Female Voice." He went on to describe how most computer generated voices, such as that in your GPS or like Siri in the new iPhone, are all female voices. Why? Because according to an aritcle in CNN.com (October 21), most people find women's voices more attractive than men's. And in popular culture, computers that are helpful or subservient tend to be female....such as the computer on Star Trek. He goes on to say that he has yet to meet a driver here in the U.S. that has a device with a male voice.<br />
<br />
Well, WVR, here I am. I have Nigel, a British sounding, and very male voice. I think his original name was Tim -- probably one of the reasons I chose him. I like the British accent (though he and Ken, his Aussie counterpart sound exactly alike to me). Perhaps Josh, our pastor at CCiW could tell me what part of England he comes from -- I don't think Yorkshire...he sounds rather bland for that.<br />
<br />
None the less, I have Nigel. "In 800 yards take the exit right, then take the motorway." Thanks, Nigel, I will. Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-91923696851534460732011-10-10T09:58:00.000-07:002011-10-10T09:58:38.801-07:00To Florida and Back AgainHard to believe my trip to Florida has come and gone. It was wonderful visiting with Jill and the GrandAwards. I'm pretty sure 3 is just about the most delightful age. I'm devastated that some of my pictures (many of my pictures....) turned out blurry. Bummer.<br />
<br />
We ate dinner at Joe's Crab Shack on Wednesday night because Deven was up to 80 books in his 100 book challenge. He needs to read 100 books by the end of second grade, and by the time I left on Sunday, was up to 96. I think a second 100 book challenge is in order ... also slightly harder books ...<br />
<br />
We went shopping (of course). Miramar Outlets in Bonita Springs is wonderful, and I love Ann Taylor. Am almost persuaded that I can now swap out the summer and winter clothes -- a job I dread on a bi-annual basis. Yuk. Deven was more than happy to be spared the shopping chore! Laura seems to love it -- and people at Ann Taylor remembered her. Jill thinks perhaps she's been there one too many times!<br />
<br />
We had dinner on the beach on Friday night, though it was a tad chilly. The clouds were up and about, but it was still nice.<br />
<br />
I had to go to the delightful little store, "Exquisites" because that is exactly what it is -- got a new Vera purse that will hold both the Kindle and the iPad. <br />
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Saturday night Jill hosted her "life group" from Vanderbilt Presby Church -- great food and fellowship. Loved meeting some of her closest friends.<br />
<br />
All too soon it was over -- and home again. But -- in my bag was a letter from Deven that he had written totally spontaneously:<br />
<br />
"hi grame this is Deven A i'm goingto miss you becus you are going to Chcago i hope you get snow so we can go in the snow i love you grame il come back soon i love you."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUTOgIXvh0rVVY5QbqIGArbqXyrE5WTThGgKNkPqh2noYHOigAT_-E6BduxsYWuz1e2YbIeiYp7s3356Riul3LCr1PY5RpI7dvtqho74UdE3Ziw5F-BYrwBwgzcxtKPnxfh_iK1BUzr_9/s1600/2011+October+FL+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUTOgIXvh0rVVY5QbqIGArbqXyrE5WTThGgKNkPqh2noYHOigAT_-E6BduxsYWuz1e2YbIeiYp7s3356Riul3LCr1PY5RpI7dvtqho74UdE3Ziw5F-BYrwBwgzcxtKPnxfh_iK1BUzr_9/s320/2011+October+FL+029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I love you too, Deven.Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-46672540464212454672011-10-04T13:50:00.000-07:002011-10-04T13:50:04.205-07:00My Friend NanI've not seen her since I was 4. We (Mother and Daddy and I) stayed with Nan and Don and their two sons, Hugh(ie) and David in Tasmania when we were traveling around Australia, and Daddy was doing evangelistic meetings. We had been summarily booted out of China where we were missionaries -- the communists came, and foreigners left -- us among them. So we went to Australia and moved around a lot -- Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne...Tasmania.<br />
<br />
I don't remember much from the two years we were there. I remember going to kindergarten with Heather, one of the children of one of the families we stayed with -- actually, Jean and Lyall Lush ended up moving to Seattle and our families stayed friends for many many years. And I remember staying with Nan and Don, and playing with Hughie (also age 4), and not being very nice to David, age 3. <br />
<br />
And of course, there was (and is, and always will be) Vegemite. (I'm on a CS Lewis listserv, and whenever things get a bit slow, it's time to bring the non-posters out of the woodwork by having the Vegemite-Marmite wars as we have an equal number of Brits and Aussies on the list. But I digress).<br />
<br />
Anyway, Hugh "found" me when I was in nursing school, and we corresponded for awhile, but then lost touch. However, in this day of electronic communication, Nan found me several years ago via the internet. How she did that, I'll never know as of course I'd been married for many years, and don't use my maiden name on much of anything. But find me she did, and we have corresponded rather irregularly over the past 8 or so years.<br />
<br />
It has been wonderful "meeting" someone from my past that knew and loved my parents and loves Jesus so very much. It brings back a whole part of my life that I hadn't really thought about for years...I mean, I was FOUR, after all. But we've exchanged pictures, and she has/had a blog -- and I had mine (Mother of the Bride) and now this one. <br />
<br />
Nan caught up with me again recently -- she saw the pictures of the newly painted house from my last post and wrote, this time to "Jan of Blue Gables."<br />
<br />
I name everything as anyone in my family will tell you. This computer is "Big Mama", the middle sized laptop is Harry Potter (it's an HP), and the really little one is Miss Minnie. My car is JanzLmo (which is also the license plate), and Bob's is Frank Sonata. The GPS is Nigel, as he's a Brit, and I'm thinking the iPhone will be Ima. (Ima iPhone). The iPad may or may not be Iva. Haven't decided if Iva iPad is just a bit over the top.<br />
<br />
In the nearly 30 years we've lived here, I've never come up with a name for the house. But Blue Gables resonates with me...and as a Lucy Maud Montgomery fan, "Jan of Blue Gables" resonates even more.<br />
<br />
Thank you, Nan!!Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-41611300748721412112011-09-24T18:12:00.000-07:002011-09-24T18:12:27.930-07:00Finished!I got home last night from a week-long CLS course in Minneapolis to find the house completely finished. It is, if I say so myself, lovely. Bold. Crisp. Clean. <br />
<br />
From the old:<br />
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To the new:<br />
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Yup. I do like it.Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-14252389007246044882011-09-15T15:27:00.000-07:002011-09-15T15:27:58.496-07:00RainI might have mentioned we got a bit rained on at Oliver Winery when we were there with Torrey and Chris. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before the rain. It is absolutely beautiful there!!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncXN0CSpWBaTZ4sEuxIyB7ynKb4PG7OYkmvhZLVFtMtjWVIEd6g0mf8Fz_iNDwo2Un5-QoUSKBWE4tpGjapuvjhpFhUwHuidR_aHHmNOIk8DAusd0oemVoLLYYF4tC1WdAwK8Joyeo1wR/s1600/2011+September+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncXN0CSpWBaTZ4sEuxIyB7ynKb4PG7OYkmvhZLVFtMtjWVIEd6g0mf8Fz_iNDwo2Un5-QoUSKBWE4tpGjapuvjhpFhUwHuidR_aHHmNOIk8DAusd0oemVoLLYYF4tC1WdAwK8Joyeo1wR/s320/2011+September+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-51179984930173905132011-09-15T15:21:00.000-07:002011-09-15T15:21:20.694-07:00Painting...We are painting. That is, the house is being painted. Justin and Anthony from College Pro are here, and making quicker work of it than I would have expected. In the interest of making sure that everyone notices the color change, it is going from a white (ish) to blueberry. With trim of whipped cream, and accents of deep raspberry.<br />
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Hungry yet?<br />
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This is just the first coat on almost all of the front half -- but contrast with the north side which is still white.<br />
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Will try and post updates periodically...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk5kIjD6PbCmtsDKeKuXROn22_BUHY24rykJVT60Q9vJwWkKNTW5cFT3F3wVG4B1F6jUMtFPgFTbE4Vgs0YDmb_3mBd3Wb8_I1ctYwzgxScFvPFSk5pO-Wgn6YIgYMPIuPsJ_nqpTHAjO/s1600/2011+September+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk5kIjD6PbCmtsDKeKuXROn22_BUHY24rykJVT60Q9vJwWkKNTW5cFT3F3wVG4B1F6jUMtFPgFTbE4Vgs0YDmb_3mBd3Wb8_I1ctYwzgxScFvPFSk5pO-Wgn6YIgYMPIuPsJ_nqpTHAjO/s320/2011+September+031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-20387234060886838512011-09-05T17:52:00.000-07:002011-09-06T04:20:28.317-07:00On Spending Weekends With Adult ChildrenThere are lots of blogs about being a mom. I wish that I had either (a) known about blogs or (b) there HAD been blogs when my children were young. It would have been most fun to blog then as I'm sure I would have had much more interesting and erudite things to say (perhaps even perspicacious -- the word we learned today from Chris' vocabulary list). <br />
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However, all I really have to talk about any more is adult children. And grandchildren when I have the opportunity to see them. Which isn't as often as I would like.<br />
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Anyway....we spent this last weekend (Labor Day) with Torrey and Chris. Now, it is one thing for them to come to us -- this is Torrey's home, after all. She's lived here since she was 3. But it is totally another thing for us (both) to go and stay with them for a weekend. We are in their house. Under their roof. We are the guests. For some reason, I never think of T & C as being guests in our house.<br />
But -- what a wonderful weekend we had! I've decided that God's gift to us for having children is having -- ta da -- ADULT children!!! <br />
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Dinner (chicken taco salad with cilantro lime dressing) was ready for us when we got there on Friday night. Ate on the deck. Conversation. Having conversation with your adult children is the best. Just thought you'd like to know.<br />
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Saturday: Relax. Get up whenever. Brunch at Cafe Patachou. Split an egg sandwich with bacon (did you know that September 3 is International Bacon Day?) and avocado with the DH. Drove around parts of Indy we'd never seen. Did you know that Indianapolis is really a very lovely city with lots of cool neighborhoods?<br />
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Spent the afternoon reading. Nearly finished <em>"The Hunger Games."</em> <br />
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Evening -- Connor Prairie -- Voodoo Daddy concert (a "big band" sound) complete with picnic and fireworks.<br />
Sunday -- Church at Genesis. T &C have been attending for nearly 5 years. I'm astonished at how the church has grown in that period of time. I guess we could call it the last of our church hopping for the summer. It was great. Despite the 7 words 11 times (or whatever), we both appreciated the sermon. Pastor Paul was very good. It was the last of "Five Things I Wish Jesus Had Never Said." and this one was on sin....'if your eye causes you to sin (lust, greed, desire, whatever)....then pluck it out". What are those sins? <br />
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I don't want to dwell on it, but suffice it to say that he helped me figure out mine. And I've been thinking about it ever since. And no, I'm not going to share it with you.<br />
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Sunday afternoon - head down near Bloomington to visit Oliver Winery for tasting and brunch on the patio. Delightful! Reading down by the pond. That is, untill the rains POURED and we were soaked. <br />
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Sunday night -- Dinner at Maggiano's. Bob and I had my leftovers for dinner tonight and there is still enough left for both of us tomorrow night. Good grief! And we still have his leftovers and the extra pasta dish they gave him because he was able to get an extra one compliments of the chef....<br />
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All this to say -- our wonderful children planned an extra special weekend for us. It was fabulous. We had an amazing time. <br />
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Adult children are the gift that God gives for having children. <br />
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How blessed we are.Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-8822147476011444232011-08-28T17:55:00.000-07:002011-08-28T17:55:36.945-07:00Farewell to Marge...There was a memorial service at College Church today for one of the most wonderful and Godly women I've ever known. Marge Gieser, who was transported to Heaven on August 12, was an amazing artist who made the banners that hung on either side of the platform -- always depicting either the season (Christmas, Easter) or the focus of that particular sermon series. She choreographed, for lack of a better word, the special services -- organizing the children carrying their palm branches on Palm Sunday, the carrying of the banners on Easter, the silence and darkness of the Good Friday services, the "spread" across the Thanksgiving Eve service table (complete with the College Church Mouse....<br />
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And that is just a snippet of what Marge did -- that is what the people of College Church saw on a daily basis. She was a wife, a mother, and grandmother. Her husband and children called her blessed. A life well lived...a life of service to others. More than one tribute today referred to Proverbs 31....<br />
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The sanctuary was packed -- well over 1000 people there. Our former pastor, Kent Hughes, (emeritus, now, as he has "retired" -- as much as pastors ever do -- and moved to Washington) presided. It was wonderful seeing him again, and hearing him preach. <br />
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The service was wonderful. The music was transporting. "For Alll the Saints" was never sung as triumphantly!<br />
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I don't think even Marge could have choreographed it better. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61GWjKh3t7GffBVU7Qkp4vWz6_gt5c65BzrQeLxZ3Ey9aAsNDsYHuxI0wRKQBaF_oDayy3cJap-8qAoJmJoTp3pEazsHwhWL35azqlW29fSteDxWjs3VxUpClGdbBk6dEpVxhKI3o8P4t/s1600/Summer+stuff+Aug+2011+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61GWjKh3t7GffBVU7Qkp4vWz6_gt5c65BzrQeLxZ3Ey9aAsNDsYHuxI0wRKQBaF_oDayy3cJap-8qAoJmJoTp3pEazsHwhWL35azqlW29fSteDxWjs3VxUpClGdbBk6dEpVxhKI3o8P4t/s320/Summer+stuff+Aug+2011+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZ4hSCMv5hnHHV8htf7j6U0ZN6Ti2nYor-5xYlMHsOdq_ObwWetd9UEiRSuOx69Rg2LMULlXNeHGnvDqvENc-YeEXtASgvqr-m_jjEE9bPsBlABW3cOSXfOnHhJZzVupqsDUvXfnJs1nA/s1600/Summer+stuff+Aug+2011+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZ4hSCMv5hnHHV8htf7j6U0ZN6Ti2nYor-5xYlMHsOdq_ObwWetd9UEiRSuOx69Rg2LMULlXNeHGnvDqvENc-YeEXtASgvqr-m_jjEE9bPsBlABW3cOSXfOnHhJZzVupqsDUvXfnJs1nA/s320/Summer+stuff+Aug+2011+012.jpg" width="145" /></a></div>Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-22573659417924974942011-08-26T07:10:00.000-07:002011-08-26T07:10:38.443-07:00More Favorite FoodsThere were a couple of items I forgot to add to my other list. Qualifier -- these are favorites of MINE....<br />
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Hamburgers/cheeseburgers/bacon-avocado-bluecheese burgers -- Alfie's, Glen Ellyn IL<br />
Ribs -- Alfie's, Glen Ellyn IL<br />
Garlic Ranch dressing -- Houlihan's (anywhere)<br />
Cappuccino -- Valletta, Malta (hands down, best ever!!)<br />
Green olives -- Sevilla, Spain<br />
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Tim brought me more olives from Sevilla for my Mother's Day present, along with a cute little olive dish. These particular olives are not exported, so very hard to come by.<br />
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And -- Lord willing -- we are planning a cruise for November, 2012 which stops in Malta!! So I will get my second cup of amazing cappuccino...<br />
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This is Tim and me at the little restaurant in Malta where we had that most wonderful cappuccino....<br />
Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-33708206413884147412011-08-25T08:31:00.000-07:002011-08-25T08:31:29.150-07:00On Becoming ... um ... OLD!Grammies are supposed to be old. And plump. And have grey hair tied up in a little bun and smell like cookies. <br />
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I'm old -- officially as of today, I can retire and start getting Medicare. And I'm plump. But we won't go there.<br />
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I don't have grey hair -- at least I don't know that I have grey hair. Actually, I probably do, but since I haven't seen the real color of my hair since it turned an ugly mouse brown when I was pregnant with Tim, I have no idea what color it is. It's not tied up in a little bun but it is short and I get it cut about every 5 weeks. I tried for spiky once, but that failed miserably.<br />
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Smell like cookies....uh, no, I think today I smell like Calvin Klein's Obsession. Probably if I smelled like anything it would be a computer.<br />
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What does a computer smell like anyhow?<br />
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I'm celebrating my big day by working on "stuff", getting a manicure, enjoying every single one of my Facebook Happy Birthday messages, buying myself a couple of books for the Kindle (hey -- it's my BIRTHDAY!!), seeing a mom and baby later this afternoon, and going to Houlihan's for dinner with my Bobbert and dear niece, Rebecca who is finishing her second day of classes at Wheaton College.<br />
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So far for my birthday I got a new office chair, an iPhone, and my trip to San Francisco. Starting in June, I claim anything we need to buy (or want to buy) as a birthday gift. That makes it all seem legitimate, somehow. Bob got an iPhone too -- also probably as my birthday present!!<br />
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My mother ADORED her birthday. She loved getting presents -- the more the better. I think it was her 70th birthday -- was it then? Lyn would remember...that we wrapped up 70 presents. Lots of Heath Bars and pencils. Didn't matter to her what the present actually was, she loved everything!!<br />
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Only better thing would be to have All My Children (and Awards) here today. But I've been blessed -- Jill and the Awards here with Torrey and Chris in July; Tim and Annabel here with Torrey and Chris in August, Lyn and Tim, David & Rebecca here just last week. <br />
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Yes, even getting old, I am truly blessed.<br />
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Thank you, Lord for all my birthdays!!Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-40670773827254364632011-08-19T13:05:00.000-07:002011-08-19T13:05:26.978-07:00Fave Foods from LECLinda, Carole and I started a list of our favorite eats and where to get them. Thought I'd share them here for posterity...<br />
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Consider each of these starting with "Best...."<br />
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Fried Oysters -- Hank's Oyster Bar, Washington DC<br />
Calamari -- Logan's Tavern, Washington DC<br />
Bacon -- Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton WI<br />
Mexican (all around) -- Ted's, Norman OK<br />
Soup & Salad -- Madison's, Jefferson City MO<br />
Key Lime Pie -- Charleston's, Norman OK<br />
Shrimp with Walnuts (Chinese) -- Chef Ping's, Arlington Heights IL<br />
Pot Stickers -- T G I Friday's, Anywhere<br />
Derby Pie -- Bistro 301, Louisville KY<br />
Fresh Banana Cheesecake -- Cheesecake Factory, Anywhere<br />
Grilled Artichokes -- Hitching Post, Buellton CA (they also sold Magic Dust...delicious on anything!!)<br />
Chicken Pot Pie -- Embassy Suites, Salt Lake City UT<br />
Macaroni & Cheese -- Doubletree, Arlington Heights<br />
Carbonara -- Some little Italian restaurant in Morehead KY<br />
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I know I'm missing a couple -- will share when I think of them.<br />
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Meanwhile, the best all around bed I've ever slept in -- and at least I got to share this one with Bob -- the Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco. Too bad we were only there three nights. Wish I could have figured out how to take the bed home with us!!<br />
Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-73954992102924247192011-08-19T09:35:00.000-07:002011-08-19T09:35:49.499-07:00Church Hopping Part 3With the exception of one more Sunday which will occur sometime in the fall, we have finished our church-hopping for the summer. Quite frankly, if you live in the Wheaton area, or any other community that has a plethora of churches -- we'd advise it! Particularly if you are empty-nesters. Children, for the most part, aren't fans of church-hopping as they like their own space and familiarity.<br />
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Last Sunday we attended Church of the Resurrection, a contemporary Anglican church currently meeting at Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn. One of my classmates from West Sub, Margaret Muir Webb, and her husband Jerry go there, and that's what spurred us on -- actually running into Margaret one Saturday at (our favorite store) CostCo. (Great for the "senior buffet" on Saturdays....).<br />
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Anyway, it is good to get out of your comfort zone and see how others worship -- realizing anew that there are many believers who love Jesus, and that we don't all have to demonstrate this in the same way.<br />
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"Rez" was the most different of the four churches we went to this summer. Small worship team, but good music (as far as CCM -- contemporary Christian music goes). Liturgical -- very much so. Communion which is part of the liturgy every week, was quite catholic -- all those who are baptized could partake, which meant three and four year olds. The pastor, however, made it very clear that if you were not in a right relationship with Jesus, that you had better refrain from participating. We walked forward and were served the bread by the pastor (gluten-free if you needed it), and wine or non-alcoholic wine (as you desired) by one of the elders. Very much a solemn, yet joyful occasion.<br />
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We parked right behind Rachel, one of Torrey's friends from high school who grew up in College Church, but who now, with her husband and adorable daughters, live in the city and attend one of our daughter churches -- Holy Trinity. They had come out to Wheaton for the weekend, and were going to Church of the Rez for the first time because her sister Jessica and family attend there. Fun catching up with Rachel, and later with Jessica....<br />
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Overall, I think our church hopping experience left us with a much greater appreciation for College Church....especially -- oh most notably -- especially -- The Music!!Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-80097041369421697092011-08-05T12:10:00.000-07:002011-08-05T12:10:48.509-07:00Making Comments...Rosie just texted me to say she was having trouble making comments on my blog. No problem, I thought, I'll just make a couple of comments and show her how it is done -- being the techy that I am.<br />
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Ha.<br />
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Problem.<br />
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For some reason I can't comment on my own blog either.<br />
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But I did change to the new editor thingy....I wonder if this will work better than the old editor. New USUALLY is better than old. <br />
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Except when it comes to Grammies, that is.Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-42516137289211664472011-08-05T07:04:00.000-07:002011-08-05T09:25:12.763-07:00Families TogetherAt last. Tim and Annabel are HERE! They got in last night -- late. Somehow their co-pilot disappeared and was no where to be found...didn't answer cell phone calls, nothing. An hour or so later they finally found a spare (reminds me of a spare tire just sitting around waiting to be used), and they were on their way...<br /><br />Got home around 11:00 -- it was midnight their time, but both were starving so had a little cereal (cereal is a wonderful thing) to tide them over until this morning.<br /><br />They came from Atlanta where they were visiting Annabel's Mimi & Papa (maternal grandparents) and her Aunt Robin and cousins....prior to that they had spent several days in Naples with Jill and the Awards.<br /><br />And now they are here! And Torrey and Chris come tonight....<br /><br />Tim's "9 Day Club" will be in and out too.... That would be Michael Duncan and his wife Kelly (Mike's birthday is 9 days before Tim's), and Sam Bandstra, whose birthday is 9 days after Tim's.<br /><br />But here are Tim and Annabel with Jill and Grammie's Awards...<br /><br />I, of course, think they are all beautiful.<br /><br />Of course, no prejudice here whatsoever....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWS9Bn-iu13K8QyQX054iOV2j3Owdqm1pQ-MN-8lG53EBa0DbYQZV-fMwcO-UFvbDGp4Zy51afY9QQ0lyIkWSZnfi0Cbi9uy4NdwneHTTNGpbw2CVmNkgDTDBeBJ_s9_Vwo5N0HaFYoay/s1600/283939_22874T%2526A%252C+Jill%252C+Awards.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637407585627550642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWS9Bn-iu13K8QyQX054iOV2j3Owdqm1pQ-MN-8lG53EBa0DbYQZV-fMwcO-UFvbDGp4Zy51afY9QQ0lyIkWSZnfi0Cbi9uy4NdwneHTTNGpbw2CVmNkgDTDBeBJ_s9_Vwo5N0HaFYoay/s320/283939_22874T%2526A%252C+Jill%252C+Awards.jpg" /></a>Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-89977578042624010792011-07-31T11:30:00.000-07:002011-07-31T11:44:38.969-07:00Church Hopping Again...Today was visit to church number 3. In comparison to the blog last Sunday, this one will be mercifully short.<br /><br />Let's just put it this way -- in a nutshell, today's visit made us both extremely glad we are members of College Church in Wheaton. <br /><br />We spent the first 40 minutes standing and singing. Well -- others sang. At the 11th repeat of the 7 words, I finally got it. To their credit, there were a couple of hymns I recognized. Included in that 40 minutes was communion. Now, at College Church, communion is a sacrament -- a worshipful time, accompanied by scripture, prayer, music, meditation and self examination. First the bread is passed around, and then the "wine" (not sure it is Welch's -- probably Jewel brand). No matter --<br /><br />Here we stood, and two little cups were passed -- one on top of the other; the bottom had a little square of something -- hmm -- maybe 3 mm square -- and the top one had a half a communion cup of juice. We "held" until all had been "served" so we could "partake together." It certainly is expedient, and for this church, the largest we have been to thus far, communion was over and done with rather quickly. <br /><br />Then we got to sit down. <br /><br />The sermon was, um....forgetable. It was loud. Lots of yelling and pacing back and forth, bad grammar, and a young white man trying to sound like a black street preacher. <br /><br />Yo, man!! We are not tempted to return....<br /><br />I went to CostCo and picked up a delicious key lime pie for the birthday celebs next weekend. The members of the 9 day club which started in middle school will all be here -- Michael, whose birthday is today -- Tim, who is August 9, and Sam -- August 18. <br /><br />I can't wait to see them all!Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-38157716314543332011-07-29T12:45:00.000-07:002011-07-29T12:46:49.100-07:00Addendum....Chicago has now surpassed the rain record for July set 120 years ago. <br /><br />Enough, I think. It is enough....<br /><br />Nathan & Tiernan's wedding tomorrow is outdoors....let it be sunny and bright.Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-27233149549194666382011-07-29T12:37:00.000-07:002011-07-29T12:45:18.304-07:00Thunder and Lightning and Rain, Oh My!To say it's been hot is an understatement. 90ish most days. And we have had rain. Oh yes, we have had rain...lots of rain. It has (mostly) come in the form of really really nasty thunderstorms with lightning bolts that make you want to put your head under the covers. And all around midnight or 1:00. <br /><br />Our electricity has gone out every night for a few minutes for the past 4 nights. Not nearly as long as many of our friends in the area -- one of whom is my friend Joan. Joan called this morning. Her electricity was out -- again!! -- and she is housing 15 people. Her son, Nathan is getting married tomorrow! Com Ed has promised she can have her electricity back on Sunday. Nice of them. So she was farming family out -- did we have a spare room? <br /><br />We did, and we do. <br /><br />She called back and Karin and Todd and baby Addie are going to stay with some good friends, and she has the rest of the family sorted out. <br /><br />Our house is 113 years old. When we get these storms I wonder if its time is up. Will this be the night the mammoth maples in the back or the German chestnuts in the front will topple? Right on our roof? <br /><br />So I ask the Lord to send his guardian angels around us and the house for yet another time....<br /><br />And he does.Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-66356195028657359562011-07-24T18:17:00.000-07:002011-07-24T18:44:06.315-07:00Today's GiftHow to begin?<br /><br />Hmmm....well, to start with, we church-hop (somewhat) during the summer months. Though devoted College Church members, (and have been for 29 years), last year, childless and usher-free, we decided to visit other churches in the area. After all, Wheaton has a plethora of churches, doncha know? <br /><br />Our number one church to visit is Calvary in Oak Park. I was a member there when I was in nursing school (West Sub), and our favorite pastor of all time, Todd Wilson, is now the senior pastor there. So -- obviously first on our list. Uhhhh....Todd isn't preaching any of the weeks we are available to hop. <br /><br />Last week we were in San Francisco -- the week before that we went to Wheaton Bible Church where we saw some dear friends we hadn't seen in ages. <br /><br />This week was open. Where to go? Bob suggested Willow Creek. South Barrington is a LONG way away, but we could go to Willow Creek DuPage, which is about 10 minutes from our house, and where our dear friends, Jan & Chris Lutes attend. So -- maybe we would see someone we know. Yeah, Willow is a seeker church and they do the "11 words sung 7 times -- stand up and clap" rather than good traditional hymns which we love (and are used to), but HEY -- check out the website and Lee Strobel was speaking today! He's the author of one of my most favorite books, "A Case for Faith" and I was pumped. So was Bob. Church at 9:00.<br /><br />I overdressed. <br /><br />Shoulda known. Jeans were the order of the day. Or shorts, or capris, or....not dresses. Good thing I'm past that sort of embarrassment. (Yeah, you could tell because I posted about it, right?)<br /><br />Anyway. Fast forward past the three "songs" I didn't know. (I am a "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and "It is Well With My Soul" sort of person).<br /><br />Announcement:<br /><br />"We are really sorry to say this, but due to some minor surgery that Lee had to have the beginning of the week, his doctors advised him not to fly, and at the last minute, we are going to substitute a video from our Leadership Summit 2010 from Jeff Manion, pastor of the Ada Bible Church in Ada, MI."<br /><br />Great. Who is Jeff Manion, and where is Ada Michigan, and bummer.<br /><br />We then listened to the best message we have ever heard, that we (both Bob and I) will remember and quote and refer to for the rest of our lives. If I could have had one wish, it would have been that Jill, Torrey, Chris, Tim & Annabel could have been sitting beside me.<br /><br />"The Land Between" spoke to us as no other message has in -- years? Decades? I don't know when. Jeff was funny, articulate, and right on target. Loosely based on Numbers 11 (my eyes glaze over by the time I get to Numbers when doing a "read thru the Bible in 20 minutes or less", he talks about the desert time for the Israelites -- between Egypt and Canaan. And then talked about how we go through our own "land between" where things aren't going well...jobs lost, children straying, divorce, finances in the pits, bosses critical....all sorts of things. And, how this can actually lead to spiritual transformation depending on how we approach our "land between." <br /><br />Anyway, I found that I could order the DVD -- got four of them -- one for each of us -- and then -- YAY!! Discovered his book on Amazon.com -- on Kindle -- for -- you won't believe this -- $2.99. <br /><br />You can get the DVD of his message from <a href="http://www.willowcreek.com/">www.willowcreek.com</a> (go to leadership summit, 2010 under 'resources' and look for Jeff Manion). Or the CD -- slightly cheaper. Or get the book (it's only 194 pages) for your Kindle or in hard copy.<br /><br />You won't be sorry.<br /><br />It was God's gift to us today.Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-2485239412181086102011-07-23T14:21:00.000-07:002011-07-23T14:47:13.771-07:00Did I Leave My Heart in San Francisco?I really don't think so. We had a great, intense, short, and busy vacation over a long weekend, but I was happy to come back to Wheaton. It was great going and not HAVING to do anything or see anyone....<br /><br />We stayed at the Mark Hopkins on Nob Hill -- rather posh, but amazingly enough, less expensive than many of the other hotels we checked out, including the Holiday Inn on Fisherman's Wharf. And yes, we had dessert at the Top of the Mark (also breakfast which may have been the most expensive breakfast ever....).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnfHXnDd4GM69ZqNeTo-EG2aQfQob5poBaX6x46KbcotxXk2BC2CLuBFfmbGCQSt_elUEh0-D9eFPFfNVZdor1Ziyhknk756UNqgOwetrBQ_2pNh6NBwePNic9hRDXCW7l0mx2b1eQTb6/s1600/San+Francisco+164.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632664102720576290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnfHXnDd4GM69ZqNeTo-EG2aQfQob5poBaX6x46KbcotxXk2BC2CLuBFfmbGCQSt_elUEh0-D9eFPFfNVZdor1Ziyhknk756UNqgOwetrBQ_2pNh6NBwePNic9hRDXCW7l0mx2b1eQTb6/s320/San+Francisco+164.jpg" /></a> Got plenty of exercise. My doc would be proud of me. Even walked up one of the hills from Chinatown to the hotel!IT might not look like much, but oh, my legs felt it!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnkNZ4-fmTO4-vYr0FXchljcCpOYm9gy_JS2IAGWxWpsJQ7b3WaTEQMD8rghwS6gVoafe-XQSiZNRnkhl5t3rncrMIM1iCFTOJK2XF5iNDEgMbu8RD4lFjIuM_jDt3_dfCiyQFepbr9y1/s1600/San+Francisco+006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632663405626261842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnkNZ4-fmTO4-vYr0FXchljcCpOYm9gy_JS2IAGWxWpsJQ7b3WaTEQMD8rghwS6gVoafe-XQSiZNRnkhl5t3rncrMIM1iCFTOJK2XF5iNDEgMbu8RD4lFjIuM_jDt3_dfCiyQFepbr9y1/s320/San+Francisco+006.jpg" /></a><br />Spent plenty of time at Fisherman's Wharf, made good use of the cable cars and the "F Line" trolley, had a half day tour of the city, and never did get a good picture of the Golden Gate Bridge since Friday morning was incredibly foggy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvEZOXVx6Bh3gakdLXiEbcL8auxu_QavjHsS31GXIS-nFTIRbEtaY-5M2vSFn7zFJo61WBJkeKj4qXNUIrbfbGK23HRhy6kKcMVVHZdreG61K-tGADRfWmsEJ87wrJVDKooHHMESnSlWh/s1600/San+Francisco+033.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632665595642749266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvEZOXVx6Bh3gakdLXiEbcL8auxu_QavjHsS31GXIS-nFTIRbEtaY-5M2vSFn7zFJo61WBJkeKj4qXNUIrbfbGK23HRhy6kKcMVVHZdreG61K-tGADRfWmsEJ87wrJVDKooHHMESnSlWh/s320/San+Francisco+033.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhtruU38ZAiTfLjstnH6CrnucJcaRkl2fsQWTvef3TWItxVt2S2ihfa7W8hHDdmn20QC0TrWReC9R5Cw0YuxBBLPBS1rRbWWxzQvRcbk4qEn9Dglr7PlNMYi6K-qVUZTYRpRCx_dTuBhp/s1600/San+Francisco+163.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632666612598439266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhtruU38ZAiTfLjstnH6CrnucJcaRkl2fsQWTvef3TWItxVt2S2ihfa7W8hHDdmn20QC0TrWReC9R5Cw0YuxBBLPBS1rRbWWxzQvRcbk4qEn9Dglr7PlNMYi6K-qVUZTYRpRCx_dTuBhp/s320/San+Francisco+163.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N94UdgPnvWkUAnEmYHFVf5SOJEMZitNlabNdgrvMmPZ2Y5zHX0OA7aSGuQQMQoB2tWZsVzae7qZAiXPo4WM_qUbgYe5uNE0ZwB4OKFf6PjWDDoHJeP7dqV0UQr9aG2c5AExIaNxHPg_W/s1600/San+Francisco+154.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632666602898813474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N94UdgPnvWkUAnEmYHFVf5SOJEMZitNlabNdgrvMmPZ2Y5zHX0OA7aSGuQQMQoB2tWZsVzae7qZAiXPo4WM_qUbgYe5uNE0ZwB4OKFf6PjWDDoHJeP7dqV0UQr9aG2c5AExIaNxHPg_W/s320/San+Francisco+154.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9ryeYuMSG_OJeMnuBV_PxZderQ-s86sPKcqLc8thfNZoghtmvjLse8mNYJG91y_282n_QllT3XghRLR1LHEUtrfOK22CB4p_be3aSl2P5pn_hKz3DF1XYsENL5Pi9MPx31lgfygNTfjj/s1600/San+Francisco+051.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632666598319493794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9ryeYuMSG_OJeMnuBV_PxZderQ-s86sPKcqLc8thfNZoghtmvjLse8mNYJG91y_282n_QllT3XghRLR1LHEUtrfOK22CB4p_be3aSl2P5pn_hKz3DF1XYsENL5Pi9MPx31lgfygNTfjj/s320/San+Francisco+051.jpg" /></a> That would be the only picture I got of the GG Bridge. It was a tad foggy!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZjXQ89xwFJaRefgumiBbPKohy66kkKnicLalyO_K6L9qRpY6cHmuHDIrbBeTVBA2pxa1LmosIAc61GNGpb-5RjwvO9bADh590BjGgOJhtaBaBYoRkl8WI5-TY1QXtOCB0_PX35Bcb7U-/s1600/San+Francisco+038.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632666591393165186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZjXQ89xwFJaRefgumiBbPKohy66kkKnicLalyO_K6L9qRpY6cHmuHDIrbBeTVBA2pxa1LmosIAc61GNGpb-5RjwvO9bADh590BjGgOJhtaBaBYoRkl8WI5-TY1QXtOCB0_PX35Bcb7U-/s320/San+Francisco+038.jpg" /></a> Just a very cool house!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJkQfVJd316JzOFkMirSONZS4yCDrWJzdqEUmMfsVkfmaH6QaLbJ2AnzSa3tpMOSM0o6ElBCjtinoIACQxnauO999BnLxO0zMbI2AeZXLRpVdEISMPBwfsx-gTAc9yO39f20VBBHwb77e/s1600/San+Francisco+058.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632666583189448338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJkQfVJd316JzOFkMirSONZS4yCDrWJzdqEUmMfsVkfmaH6QaLbJ2AnzSa3tpMOSM0o6ElBCjtinoIACQxnauO999BnLxO0zMbI2AeZXLRpVdEISMPBwfsx-gTAc9yO39f20VBBHwb77e/s320/San+Francisco+058.jpg" /></a><br />We came home to very hot and very muggy Wheaton. A day later it was back to work, speaking in very hot and very muggy Coon River and Mille Lacs Minnesota....Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-76494385489766023602011-07-13T07:12:00.000-07:002011-07-13T07:18:27.053-07:00Electrical MattersIt's been a humdinger of a week. Had a short but terrible storm Monday morning which knocked out the electricty to over 800,000 here in the Chicagoland area. Ours went out for about 5 to 7 minutes, but then came on again. Some of my Wheaton neighbors are still without power, and this is now 48 hours later. Comcast did go out for about 4 hours in the afternoon....I'm very grateful I have a Verizon doodah that gets me online wherever Verizon is. That plus my cell phone, and I was at least connected.<br /><br />However -- and this is weird -- the monitor for my desktop went out and didn't come back on for 40 minutes after the electricity came back on!<br /><br />Yesterday, Comcast went out again for another 4 or 5 hours -- seemingly no reason. <br /><br />So this morning the electricity blinked off -- and then on again immediately. But my monitor didn't come on for another 25 minutes. <br /><br />Obviously there is something going on with it and I don't like it. I DO like my monitor though. I wish it would just stay nicely and calmly and not give me fits.<br /><br />Bob got his iPhone on Tuesday. He's now feeling quite like the postmodern man.Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104151469814810241.post-13705158253535690712011-07-06T13:53:00.001-07:002011-07-06T14:51:23.574-07:00Thoughts on Being a Grammie...I've not posted since my Awards arrived in Wheaton (finally) on July 1. Jill's early morning flight out of Naples was canceled, and she was told -- too bad, so sad there are no more -- and rescheduled on Continental for Saturday afternoon, July 2. My type A, number one daughter is nothing if not persistent, and finally, after 3 agents and 3 hours with United, got one that spoke English (please someone, explain to me why United is outsourcing customer service to India???) and got her on a flight on Delta that got in Friday evening....just about the same time Torrey & Chris arrived....<br /><br />It's wonderful having her and my two grandbabies here -- though they certainly aren't babies any more. I recently finished reading "The Granny Diaries....an Insiders Guide for New Grandmothers" and while I'm not a newbie at this, it did give me some food for thought.<br /><br />Becoming a new grandmother is, in some ways, like becoming a new mother. It's untread territory....new waters to negotiate. And while it isn't as overwhelming as being a new mom -- and you get to go home at the end of the day -- there is much that gives you food for thought....<br /><br />How much advice do you give? How much advice does your daughter/son/daughter-in-law/son-in-law WANT? What expectations do they have? Do they even have any expectations -- until you make a mistake and then they discover they DO have expectations?<br /><br />One of the books I wish my own mother had written would have been about how to be a grandmother, but though I suggested it, she never got around to it. I clearly remember a conversation she and I had one day that went something like this:<br /><br />Mother: Being a grandmother for you and Rosie (my next-down-sister) is certainly different.<br /><br />Me: Yes? (Good open-ended question -- designed to elicit more information) What do you mean?<br /><br />Mother: Well, if you want my opinion, you'll say something like, "I'm going to do thus and such. Whaddya think?" If Rosie wants my opinion, she'll say, "Oh, Mama. You raised four children. What do YOU think I should do about this situation."<br /><br />Guess who Mother liked best??? :>D<br /><br />Disclaimer -- my beloved sister is a southerner. They talk like that.<br /><br />Me: Well, what about Rick? (My brother).<br /><br />Mother: That is totally different because I'm dealing with a daughter in law, and I don't think I can talk to her the same way as I can my daughters.<br /><br />Hmmmm. Lyn (youngest sister), was off the hook here because she wasn't even married yet, but I'd love to know what Mother would have said about being a grandmother to her children.<br /><br />As you can tell, I've never forgotten what she said -- and it has really made me think. More about that later.<br /><br />By the way, Mother was right on about our responses to her -- I'm a first, and pretty independent (Oh Jill, bless you....). Of course, Mother was a first too....<br /><br />Rosie is a middle and the family peacemaker and smoother-over-of-rough-spots.<br /><br />Lyn will say "I'm just like Jan, only less so, and just like Rosie only more so." Not that we really understand what that MEANS, exactly, but it sounds terrific.<br /><br />Meanwhile, you need some pictures of my Awards.... The first two were taken at LegoLand in Chicago. The second one of Laura is during the family birthday - Torrey's, Deven's, Jill's, Laura's and mine. The second one of Deven is waiting for the parade on the fourth.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrTNg9JD36TQ6AFnFSsYdVUv-n_n30k1mgRf9sOvwzaXkMC0tgU1B2BgVPSYDyGNoheeYoHEtI-rJIzjzTUfDSnU7UYl4PJNufGcPAWvRlNkmy2d0l-2FdctCtK3SJzt8DVZLkRxywflt/s1600/2011+July+074.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626350228552316194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrTNg9JD36TQ6AFnFSsYdVUv-n_n30k1mgRf9sOvwzaXkMC0tgU1B2BgVPSYDyGNoheeYoHEtI-rJIzjzTUfDSnU7UYl4PJNufGcPAWvRlNkmy2d0l-2FdctCtK3SJzt8DVZLkRxywflt/s320/2011+July+074.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhpEfEY9l6RaCVECI8O7C2A4KdKqvH50k8ck4nvJmlpZJYDBYEOW-Vk1UyDrsuAEyDmhqlmIlR5lcphaAu3lOK3WwrzjcuJFfOyjId_Piy-rJ4nLppMd1bGJwFUO_Tdz8eJ2bK_Z2t7vq/s1600/2011+July+126.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626350204868928850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhpEfEY9l6RaCVECI8O7C2A4KdKqvH50k8ck4nvJmlpZJYDBYEOW-Vk1UyDrsuAEyDmhqlmIlR5lcphaAu3lOK3WwrzjcuJFfOyjId_Piy-rJ4nLppMd1bGJwFUO_Tdz8eJ2bK_Z2t7vq/s320/2011+July+126.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcBeMCWd0zEdaFXWuqWR0C37x0SBuKC3dLYaDvkMIzmutyHo8Yp0_PJ1w5tLHW6cGp1WUSTz-75m4OgFKqESnaQhH5E6oKMYI-SsghCa706Z6iqCVNLiSe7Cizedf_gwWVHe_vCo9xJC1/s1600/2011+July+016.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626350200198357554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcBeMCWd0zEdaFXWuqWR0C37x0SBuKC3dLYaDvkMIzmutyHo8Yp0_PJ1w5tLHW6cGp1WUSTz-75m4OgFKqESnaQhH5E6oKMYI-SsghCa706Z6iqCVNLiSe7Cizedf_gwWVHe_vCo9xJC1/s320/2011+July+016.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvGreCj5Q_KlignoMBUiS0Ifevwf2HoCRXNMT-Fl44qO68ABSXG5_WxOQhcdFzdAtyH1ToZLfz5gNpg0jqi9l9HB-mSCNnXSqpmsGFpvy931tND4L226D102PSn7b5H4KlIirHByie_nb/s1600/2011+July+026.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626350185252241378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvGreCj5Q_KlignoMBUiS0Ifevwf2HoCRXNMT-Fl44qO68ABSXG5_WxOQhcdFzdAtyH1ToZLfz5gNpg0jqi9l9HB-mSCNnXSqpmsGFpvy931tND4L226D102PSn7b5H4KlIirHByie_nb/s320/2011+July+026.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Grammie Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07468460531262173395noreply@blogger.com0