One of the things i totally took for granted when I lived at home was that things were done behind the scenes. If a lightbulb was burned out, my Dad put them up too high for me to get a new one so I'd ask him to get me one and he'd fix it himself. Now I've had a broken light bulb for over two weeks that I have yet to fix. That and the paint job in my room that remains undone and in my bathroom as well.I see these things every day and try not to let it drive me crazy... I'm detail obsessed sometimes when it comes to my house.
My shopping priorities have shifted from stuff for myself to stuff for my condo. Home Depot has replaced Borders for my entertainment monies. Thank goodness George picks up the food tabs because we eat out a LOT :) haha!
On Friday I have another small party at my house and am excited that my neighbor ladies are coming. It's a small gathering but still I want my house to look just right. I got more than half of the cleaning and food prep done last night so tomorrow it's just the finishing touches with George's help.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
De Ja Vu
My grandmother's memorial service was yesterday afternoon and 3 weeks in the making. The closer I got to the event, the more anxious I was to get it over with. Don't get me wrong, I loved her and all but it was the people who attended that got me nervous. They were all meeting George for the first time and I had to put on a somber face and talk to everyone in the room that sought me out. First of all I knew wearing heels on linoleum would be an amusing experience luckily I rewarded myself by wearing my Uggs later that evening.
Anyhow, I can't remember the last time I actually sat in a service at my grandmother's church- 15 years ago at least. I haven't been in PB church as a worshiper for over seven years yet all those feelings and internal eye rollings took place. A few hard-core Calvanist women (young and old) had their heads covered and all the men carried their Bibles even though there was only 1 scripture reading (The Lord is my Shepard).
When it was time to speak my sister, normally very bossy, asked me to speak first. I'd found a cut out of a poem in my gram's papers but forgot to read it. I felt it was best just to focus on my thoughts and be brief. Our song went well and it was over quickly enough.
During the open mike time, only 4 people got up. Not a surprise, this is a church notorious for not speaking openly but instead amongst themselves in clusters after the service. I got a lot of "I was too shy to get up" comments which was just as well. There was one person who got up and spoke about how his family chose this church just to have my gram be his children's teacher. Nowt these children with kids of their own couldn't be any further from living that teaching if they tried. The man's grandaughter whispered during the message "Mommy what is the Gospel?" which broke my heart a little as her mother has taken a polytheistic approach to her religious life.
So afterward, I thanked my high school music teacher for coming and then about 90 minutes later it was over. My mom was in good shape and I got an invite to a wedding in the winter in AZ (maybe).
Anyhow, I can't remember the last time I actually sat in a service at my grandmother's church- 15 years ago at least. I haven't been in PB church as a worshiper for over seven years yet all those feelings and internal eye rollings took place. A few hard-core Calvanist women (young and old) had their heads covered and all the men carried their Bibles even though there was only 1 scripture reading (The Lord is my Shepard).
When it was time to speak my sister, normally very bossy, asked me to speak first. I'd found a cut out of a poem in my gram's papers but forgot to read it. I felt it was best just to focus on my thoughts and be brief. Our song went well and it was over quickly enough.
During the open mike time, only 4 people got up. Not a surprise, this is a church notorious for not speaking openly but instead amongst themselves in clusters after the service. I got a lot of "I was too shy to get up" comments which was just as well. There was one person who got up and spoke about how his family chose this church just to have my gram be his children's teacher. Nowt these children with kids of their own couldn't be any further from living that teaching if they tried. The man's grandaughter whispered during the message "Mommy what is the Gospel?" which broke my heart a little as her mother has taken a polytheistic approach to her religious life.
So afterward, I thanked my high school music teacher for coming and then about 90 minutes later it was over. My mom was in good shape and I got an invite to a wedding in the winter in AZ (maybe).
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Love, Stargirl
Here's my brief book review:
Just as I enjoyed the original, the sequel was indeed not a disappointment at all. While the story dragged a little, most likely because I can read way about the grade level it's intended for, I loved the epistolary format.
It was just one long love letter to Leo, her old boyfriend back in Arizona. Stargirl has moved to PA and as usual won the local folk over with her kindness, creativity, and fearlessness.
My favorite part is how she builds a sundial with spatulas on top of a field area near her house. On the winter soltice, they have a grand celebration on site.
I don't want to spoil the rest of the story but it was a great read.
Just as I enjoyed the original, the sequel was indeed not a disappointment at all. While the story dragged a little, most likely because I can read way about the grade level it's intended for, I loved the epistolary format.
It was just one long love letter to Leo, her old boyfriend back in Arizona. Stargirl has moved to PA and as usual won the local folk over with her kindness, creativity, and fearlessness.
My favorite part is how she builds a sundial with spatulas on top of a field area near her house. On the winter soltice, they have a grand celebration on site.
I don't want to spoil the rest of the story but it was a great read.
Remembering my Gram
Barbara Sue Sanders nee Nelson was born in Virginia on September 6, 1921 and passed away in peace on September 28, 2008. She attended Ursinus College for two years before transferring to Wheaton College, and majored in pre-med. She met her future husband, Tom Sanders, who worked in the dining hall at Wheaton, where he infamously tried to get her to eat breakfast when all she wanted was a cup of coffee. While she turned him down for breakfast, he did secure a date because her roommate was dating his and the two couples double dated through the end of college.
After graduating from Wheaton, Tom and Barbara were married at her parent's home in the Philadelphia area and they moved to Cambridge, MA where Tom was serving in the U.S. Marines. Upon his honorable discharge, he secured a sales position at Equitable Life Insurance Group in New York City. Upon settling in the NY Metro Area, the young couple began attending the Gospel Hall of Plainfield, now called Terrill Road Bible Chapel.
Barbara's passion for evangelizing to children led her to begin a Monday Afternoon Bible Club (modeled after the clubs run by Child Evangelism) at TRBC. Barbara ran the Monday Club with the help of volunteers for over 30 years. She was also a Sunday School teacher as well as a Vacation Bible School teacher. Barbrara had a life-long heart for missionaries around the world, first as a volunteer at Trans World Radio ministries, then generously contributing to various missionary ministries around the world as well as opening her home to them during ministry presentation at local area churches.
Her passion for classical music, art and gardening also provided additional areas of joy during her 87 years of life. She became a grandmother twice and a great-grandmother this past year.
She has many names: Ma, Gram, Aunt Barbara, Barbara Neni, and simply Barbara. Now she is at her eternal home with her parents, brother and sister, her beloved husband, and many others and most importantly, Her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
After graduating from Wheaton, Tom and Barbara were married at her parent's home in the Philadelphia area and they moved to Cambridge, MA where Tom was serving in the U.S. Marines. Upon his honorable discharge, he secured a sales position at Equitable Life Insurance Group in New York City. Upon settling in the NY Metro Area, the young couple began attending the Gospel Hall of Plainfield, now called Terrill Road Bible Chapel.
Barbara's passion for evangelizing to children led her to begin a Monday Afternoon Bible Club (modeled after the clubs run by Child Evangelism) at TRBC. Barbara ran the Monday Club with the help of volunteers for over 30 years. She was also a Sunday School teacher as well as a Vacation Bible School teacher. Barbrara had a life-long heart for missionaries around the world, first as a volunteer at Trans World Radio ministries, then generously contributing to various missionary ministries around the world as well as opening her home to them during ministry presentation at local area churches.
Her passion for classical music, art and gardening also provided additional areas of joy during her 87 years of life. She became a grandmother twice and a great-grandmother this past year.
She has many names: Ma, Gram, Aunt Barbara, Barbara Neni, and simply Barbara. Now she is at her eternal home with her parents, brother and sister, her beloved husband, and many others and most importantly, Her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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