Last evening, Brent was telling us some tidbits about a movie that he had just come from seeing. Kayla's sister had won free tickets to see the preview of the movie '30 Minutes or Less'. The official release date of the movie, is this coming Friday - August 12th.
Brent said the movie was okay. He thought parts of it were really funny, but wasn't as sure that we would, seeings how in some areas, his sense of humor likes things we think are just plain dumb. ;-p.
Those of you who have face-book accounts, have seen the different "you know your from such-and-such-a-place when..." popping up all over. According to Brent, you know your from Grand Rapids (the movie was filmed here last summer) when - while watching this movie, you realize they are driving down Plainfield, but then they turn a corner and are on 28th street, and then they turn another corner and are on a different street; and yet the three streets are in w-a-y different sections of the city and do NOT connect! ;-p Or, when they pull out of the car lot located on the corner of Ann and Alpine, and drive into the back of Padnos scrap metal place (who's front is on Turner) WITHOUT having crossed either a railroad track or a creek. ;-p
No, Brent did not see anybody he knew in the crowds along some of the down town street scenes in the movie. In-fact, he said that you couldn't really make out any faces at all. It was as though they had blurred all of that on the film. So many locals are going to be so-o disappointed!!
According to Brent, it was great fun to see who could be the first to identify where different scenes had been filmed around our city. ;-p!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Be Still and Know ...
Today's subject matter is something which I have been thinking about / mulling over for a whole lot of years. The irony is, that the more years pass, the more the subject comes to mind. Why? I'll get to that.
The Bible instructs us to 'Be Still and KNOW that I am God". Yes, it is referring to how we humans have such great tendencies to get ourselves all worked up (often known as worried) over situations. We are suppose to be calm and rest in the assurance that God (not us) IS in control.
But it is also referring to how we don't take time to communicate with God. Or more correctly, we don't bother to listen to his side of the conversation. We're real good at 'letting our requests and supplications be known' (otherwise known as praying), but we often stink at listening to his side, of seeking out His voice.
Like I said, this is something which I have been very aware of for years. It's just that as time passes, the evidence of it is becoming more and more apparent.
I have always liked this old hymn:
"In The Garden" by C. Austin Miles
(First verse -) o/~ "I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses; And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses."
(Chorus - ) o/~ "And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there ...." o/~
God wants to have a relationship with us. A day by day, inter-active relationship!
Us humans are wired such, that we really function much better, if on a regular basis, we get some 'down time'. People use to sit on their porch and relax come evening time. They sat, they relaxed, they chatted with others around them, and they took deep breathes and listened to the quiet as night settled in with it's own sounds. And often in the process of watching the stars come out, their thoughts turned to God. And in their minds and hearts, they communicated with him.
You hear older folks talk about how they were all wired up, so they took a walk to clear their mind. In other words, while they were walking, they thought everything through again, and most often, they would start communicating with God during the process. It would be just them and God, walking and talking.
I live near a long park where lots of people go to walk. The majority go either to walk their dogs, or for the exercise of walking (or they combine both). But seldom does it appear as though they are going to just think things over. Or, to be be still and communicate with God. How can I tell? Because of the ear phones stuck in their ears. In our high tech society, we seem to have the idea that we must always be plugged into something. Whether we be driving our vehicles, or doing our dishes, or taking a walk in the park, somehow or another, we are tuned in or plugged in to something.
I bet that those who are walking for their health's blood pressure issues, would see a vast improvement in their blood pressure meter readings, if they unplugged while walking. Likewise, I bet couples who power walk together, would see mass improvement in their relationships, if they unplugged and slowed their pace down just a tish.
And for what it's worth - listening to a sermon on your iPod, is NOT the same as 'walking and talking with God'!!! While it probably is better than some of the other things you could be listening to, you'd still be much better off (all the way around) if you weren't 'plugged in' at all.
(I found this pic. on line, forgot to copy the address, now can't re-find it... 8-/)
Last Friday, my friend Sue Sch. posted something on her Face-book page, which so fits in with all of this. Sue had written, "This was from my devotions this morning." "Sit quietly in my presence while I bless you. Make your mind like a still pool of water, ready to receive whatever thoughts I drop into it. Rest in my sufficiency, as you consider the challenges this day presents. Do not wear yourself out by worrying whether you can cope with the pressures. Keep looking to Me, as we walk through this day together."
On August 2nd, on the blog 'A Holy Experience', Ann had written this near the beginning of the posting titled 'When Your Waiting for a Message from God', "A friend sends me words, says she’s been sitting outside just listening to things… bees droning over flowers…. the wind in the trees… birds up high. She’s setting her brain in a quiet place away from the link and click and whirl of the world wide web that catches everything trying to soar, and she’s just letting her “brain rewire itself to something slower, more contemplative.” She wonders if a contemplative life suffers if we have a cyberspace life? She writes the words and I read them again and again, trying to read His answer. Is it possible for the inner ear to hear when the outer ear’s pressed up to the internet? I don’t know… "
Most of us don't let our kids bring iPods, to the dinner table. And we tell them to either leave their cell phones elsewhere, or to turn them off. "No phone calls or texting while at the table, and no-o, you can't leave the table to go talk to so and so". Our reasoning? We want them to join in the conversation. We don't want them distracted by all of that other stuff.
We get frustrated with our spouse when we're trying to talk to them and they are (or at least seem to be) paying more attention to the TV. We like their undivided attention.
So why then don't we extend the same courtesy to God?
"One on one with God", involves more than just taking ten minutes every morning to read a bit of scripture and offer up our prayers. That's Good. That IS important. But...
Building a relationship with God takes time. Yes, "time" is a 'precious commodity'. But there is nothing more precious than a close relationship with God. Nope, not even holding a new born grand child. Close. ( o;-p ) But NOT as precious.
~ "Not "Baaad" Sundays", are hosted by Danni and Derek (aka: "Sexy Nerd"), at 'Lamb Around' (http://lambaround.blogspot.com/).
~ "Soli Deo Gloria" (Latin = "For the Glory of God Alone"), is hosted by Jen, at 'Finding Heaven One Step At A Time' (http://findingheaventoday.blogspot.com/).
~ "Making Your Home Sing Monday('s)", are hosted by Nan, at 'Mom's the Word (I love to hear)'
~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", are hosted by Jen, at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven' (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).
~ "Making A Home", hosted by Linda, at 'Linda's Lunacy' (http://lindaslunacy.blogspot.com/).
~ "Unwasted Homemaking Party('s)", are hosted by Marcie, at 'Don't Waste Your Homemaking' (http://www.dontwasteyourhomemaking.com/).
~ "walk with Him Wednesdays", are hosted by Ann, at 'A Holy Experience' (http://www.aholyexperience.com/).
~ "Coffee Talk Friday('s)", hosted by Vic, at 'For The Love Of Blogs' (http://forblogs.blogspot.com).
~ "Inspiration Friday('s)", are hosted by Vanessa and Heather, 'At The Picket Fence' (http://www.atthepicketfence.com/).
The Bible instructs us to 'Be Still and KNOW that I am God". Yes, it is referring to how we humans have such great tendencies to get ourselves all worked up (often known as worried) over situations. We are suppose to be calm and rest in the assurance that God (not us) IS in control.
But it is also referring to how we don't take time to communicate with God. Or more correctly, we don't bother to listen to his side of the conversation. We're real good at 'letting our requests and supplications be known' (otherwise known as praying), but we often stink at listening to his side, of seeking out His voice.
Like I said, this is something which I have been very aware of for years. It's just that as time passes, the evidence of it is becoming more and more apparent.
I have always liked this old hymn:
"In The Garden" by C. Austin Miles
(First verse -) o/~ "I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses; And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses."
(Chorus - ) o/~ "And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there ...." o/~
God wants to have a relationship with us. A day by day, inter-active relationship!
Us humans are wired such, that we really function much better, if on a regular basis, we get some 'down time'. People use to sit on their porch and relax come evening time. They sat, they relaxed, they chatted with others around them, and they took deep breathes and listened to the quiet as night settled in with it's own sounds. And often in the process of watching the stars come out, their thoughts turned to God. And in their minds and hearts, they communicated with him.
You hear older folks talk about how they were all wired up, so they took a walk to clear their mind. In other words, while they were walking, they thought everything through again, and most often, they would start communicating with God during the process. It would be just them and God, walking and talking.
I live near a long park where lots of people go to walk. The majority go either to walk their dogs, or for the exercise of walking (or they combine both). But seldom does it appear as though they are going to just think things over. Or, to be be still and communicate with God. How can I tell? Because of the ear phones stuck in their ears. In our high tech society, we seem to have the idea that we must always be plugged into something. Whether we be driving our vehicles, or doing our dishes, or taking a walk in the park, somehow or another, we are tuned in or plugged in to something.
I bet that those who are walking for their health's blood pressure issues, would see a vast improvement in their blood pressure meter readings, if they unplugged while walking. Likewise, I bet couples who power walk together, would see mass improvement in their relationships, if they unplugged and slowed their pace down just a tish.
And for what it's worth - listening to a sermon on your iPod, is NOT the same as 'walking and talking with God'!!! While it probably is better than some of the other things you could be listening to, you'd still be much better off (all the way around) if you weren't 'plugged in' at all.
Last Friday, my friend Sue Sch. posted something on her Face-book page, which so fits in with all of this. Sue had written, "This was from my devotions this morning." "Sit quietly in my presence while I bless you. Make your mind like a still pool of water, ready to receive whatever thoughts I drop into it. Rest in my sufficiency, as you consider the challenges this day presents. Do not wear yourself out by worrying whether you can cope with the pressures. Keep looking to Me, as we walk through this day together."
On August 2nd, on the blog 'A Holy Experience', Ann had written this near the beginning of the posting titled 'When Your Waiting for a Message from God', "A friend sends me words, says she’s been sitting outside just listening to things… bees droning over flowers…. the wind in the trees… birds up high. She’s setting her brain in a quiet place away from the link and click and whirl of the world wide web that catches everything trying to soar, and she’s just letting her “brain rewire itself to something slower, more contemplative.” She wonders if a contemplative life suffers if we have a cyberspace life? She writes the words and I read them again and again, trying to read His answer. Is it possible for the inner ear to hear when the outer ear’s pressed up to the internet? I don’t know… "
Most of us don't let our kids bring iPods, to the dinner table. And we tell them to either leave their cell phones elsewhere, or to turn them off. "No phone calls or texting while at the table, and no-o, you can't leave the table to go talk to so and so". Our reasoning? We want them to join in the conversation. We don't want them distracted by all of that other stuff.
We get frustrated with our spouse when we're trying to talk to them and they are (or at least seem to be) paying more attention to the TV. We like their undivided attention.
So why then don't we extend the same courtesy to God?
"One on one with God", involves more than just taking ten minutes every morning to read a bit of scripture and offer up our prayers. That's Good. That IS important. But...
Building a relationship with God takes time. Yes, "time" is a 'precious commodity'. But there is nothing more precious than a close relationship with God. Nope, not even holding a new born grand child. Close. ( o;-p ) But NOT as precious.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I 'plan' on linking this particular posting up to:~ "Not "Baaad" Sundays", are hosted by Danni and Derek (aka: "Sexy Nerd"), at 'Lamb Around' (http://lambaround.blogspot.com/).
~ "Soli Deo Gloria" (Latin = "For the Glory of God Alone"), is hosted by Jen, at 'Finding Heaven One Step At A Time' (http://findingheaventoday.blogspot.com/).
~ "Making Your Home Sing Monday('s)", are hosted by Nan, at 'Mom's the Word (I love to hear)'
~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", are hosted by Jen, at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven' (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).
~ "Making A Home", hosted by Linda, at 'Linda's Lunacy' (http://lindaslunacy.blogspot.com/).
~ "Unwasted Homemaking Party('s)", are hosted by Marcie, at 'Don't Waste Your Homemaking' (http://www.dontwasteyourhomemaking.com/).
~ "walk with Him Wednesdays", are hosted by Ann, at 'A Holy Experience' (http://www.aholyexperience.com/).
~ "Coffee Talk Friday('s)", hosted by Vic, at 'For The Love Of Blogs' (http://forblogs.blogspot.com).
~ "Inspiration Friday('s)", are hosted by Vanessa and Heather, 'At The Picket Fence' (http://www.atthepicketfence.com/).
Friday, August 5, 2011
Comical!!!
While I was on the computer around eight last evening, the breeze kept carrying in the smell of some type of a fire. It wasn't the smell of one of the neighbors fireplaces. It wasn't the smell of charcoal or food grilling. It didn't really smell like a house fire... but I could not determine exactly what the cause of the smell might be. But it kept coming. And perplexing me. And the thought that somebody's house was on fire, and I wasn't reporting it, was heavy. So with phone in hand, I stepped out on to the back porch to have a look around.
What I immediately spotted, was hilarious. But it most definitely could not be the cause of the smell, so I made myself look away and scan what I could see of our neighborhood. I scanned the sky first, then the top of houses. Then down in peoples yards. Once I was absolutely sure that I could not see anything that might be producing such a smell, I allowed my eyes to return to what had make me chuckle.
Yup, it was still there. And watching it made me burst out laughing!!!
Our neighbor Jim (who is in his thirty's) had his kayak out. It was sitting at the edge of the alley. Both 'the edge' equaling the side which attaches to driveways and yards. As well as 'the edge' right before the down hill starts. And he was sitting in it. With paddle in hand. Paddling. At a nice smooth pace.
It was just so comical looking!! He reminded me of a little boy sitting in daddy's boat, wishing daddy would let him take it out on the water.
The thought came to mind, "Hey Noah Jim, know anything you should be sharing with the rest of us?" chuckle, chuckle.
He put the paddle down and it looked like he was going to climb out. But instead he simply adjusted how he was sitting, then picked up the paddle and started using it again. So-o-o funny!
I thought about grabbing Kayla's camera she's loaned me for something I can't tell you about yet, but I didn't think a picture would be clear enough to help you grasp the hilarity of the scene. And getting closer to him to take one, wouldn't show you the scene from my porch perspective either.
So I just stood there. Watching. And laughing. Fully amused.
After a couple of minutes he did climb out of the boat. He then turned my direction ( he had been facing away from me). "I thought I head some cackling coming from your direction" he said.
First I asked him if he too smelled something fire based. He stuck his nose up in the air and sniffed, reminding me of something else entirely, and making me start laughing yet again.
Jim shook his head, said he smelled something, but wasn't sure what, and then with a smirk commented something about how his day was now complete seeings how he'd made at least one person laugh.
I thanked him for the laughs, as he started to pick his stuff up. He put up a thumbs up and headed towards his garage.
I went out front, still couldn't spot anything fire related, so I gave up on that. But I kept smiling and chuckling, my mind picturing Jim sitting where he had been, in the gravel, paddling, but never touching the ground. So-o-o comical! Guess he hadn't had enough time to carry it down to the river and take it for a real ride..... the chuckling continues ....
What I immediately spotted, was hilarious. But it most definitely could not be the cause of the smell, so I made myself look away and scan what I could see of our neighborhood. I scanned the sky first, then the top of houses. Then down in peoples yards. Once I was absolutely sure that I could not see anything that might be producing such a smell, I allowed my eyes to return to what had make me chuckle.
Yup, it was still there. And watching it made me burst out laughing!!!
Our neighbor Jim (who is in his thirty's) had his kayak out. It was sitting at the edge of the alley. Both 'the edge' equaling the side which attaches to driveways and yards. As well as 'the edge' right before the down hill starts. And he was sitting in it. With paddle in hand. Paddling. At a nice smooth pace.
It was just so comical looking!! He reminded me of a little boy sitting in daddy's boat, wishing daddy would let him take it out on the water.
The thought came to mind, "Hey Noah Jim, know anything you should be sharing with the rest of us?" chuckle, chuckle.
He put the paddle down and it looked like he was going to climb out. But instead he simply adjusted how he was sitting, then picked up the paddle and started using it again. So-o-o funny!
I thought about grabbing Kayla's camera she's loaned me for something I can't tell you about yet, but I didn't think a picture would be clear enough to help you grasp the hilarity of the scene. And getting closer to him to take one, wouldn't show you the scene from my porch perspective either.
So I just stood there. Watching. And laughing. Fully amused.
After a couple of minutes he did climb out of the boat. He then turned my direction ( he had been facing away from me). "I thought I head some cackling coming from your direction" he said.
First I asked him if he too smelled something fire based. He stuck his nose up in the air and sniffed, reminding me of something else entirely, and making me start laughing yet again.
Jim shook his head, said he smelled something, but wasn't sure what, and then with a smirk commented something about how his day was now complete seeings how he'd made at least one person laugh.
I thanked him for the laughs, as he started to pick his stuff up. He put up a thumbs up and headed towards his garage.
I went out front, still couldn't spot anything fire related, so I gave up on that. But I kept smiling and chuckling, my mind picturing Jim sitting where he had been, in the gravel, paddling, but never touching the ground. So-o-o comical! Guess he hadn't had enough time to carry it down to the river and take it for a real ride..... the chuckling continues ....
Thursday, August 4, 2011
What a deal(s)!!!
It was after dusk last night, as hand in hand Brian and I started walking towards the parking lot. With a big sigh, I smiled and said, "It's such a beautiful night tonight!"
With a big chuckle, while looking up at the dark clouds gathering in the sky, Brian replied, "Not really"
Taking an audible deep breath, I continued, "I was talking about how there isn't any humidity, but there are wonderful breezes."
With a squeeze to my hand and a big smile on his face, Brian replied, " It is a great night!"
We had just finished having dinner with all of our in town kids. That hadn't been in the original plans for the evening. But then God yet again provided, in awesome ways.
The original 'plan' was that I was to accompany Brent and his friend Adam to look for suits for the wedding. When they arrived, Kayla had decided to come along too. As had Adam's girlfriend, with her young son in tow. Brian wasn't home from work yet with the van, so both Brent and Adam had to drive.
We headed out to 28th street where besides two malls, Brian and I had also scouted out three places in the same vicinity, that we could look for men's suits at. As we were tuning a corner to go to our first stop, we noticed that the tux rental shop on the corner, had a big tent set up in their parking lot, and that employees were out along the road, holding signs with unbelievable prices on them. "You can rent them for that?!?!?"
We went ahead and went to the first shop. While the guys did find suits that both looked sharp on them and fit them, the price of the suits themselves were advertised so low, due to how they hoped to make up on them via the prices of their vests, and ties, and shirts. Hummm...
Ever curious Brent, really wanted to see what the sale prices at that tent sale were all about, so they put the suits back on the racks and we left.
We parked at the edge of the Malls parking lot and walked over to the Dunhill Formal Wear store. What we found, was wonderful! Tux coats were on clearance sale - some as low as $9.00, up to the highest being $49.00. And they had really sharp ones too!!! And matching pants were also low priced. As were vests. And white shirts. And bow or full size ties. And 'shiny' shoes.
We called Brian, and asked him to bring Benson with him and come out. We called Brandon and asked him to come out. Kayla called her dad and got sizes. Then she texted Byron to verify sizes for him.
The girl helping us was WONDERFUL!!! Turned out, one of her brothers had graduated from middle school with one of our sons.
Our total came to $368.88. That included:
For Brent (the groom) - a tux coat, matching pants, vest, tie, and shoes.
For Adam - pants (he had cash on hand for the rest of his ;-p)
For Kayla's Dad - Tux coat, pants and tie. (He will be paying us back)
For Brian (father of the groom-to-be) - tux coat, pants, white shirt, and tie.
For Byron - tux coat, pants and a shirt.
For Benson - tux coat, pants, shirt, and shiny shoes.
For Brandon - tux coat, pants, shirt and shiny shoes.
ALL OF THAT - for $70.00 more than it was originally going to cost EACH guy to rent their tux's!!
Yet again, the Lord had gone before us and provided the desires of our hearts. THANK-YOU Lord!!!
I can't show you what the tux's look like yet... not till the wedding. So I'll just show you the group of them, hanging in Brent's old closet, where they were carried to from the cars last night. o;-p
Today's 'plan' has to do with a dress for Kayla. ... Curious to see what the story is when the day is done. ;->
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I 'plan' on linking this posting up to:
~ "Soli Deo Gloria" (Latin = "For the Glory of God Alone"), is hosted by Jen, at 'Finding Heaven One Step At A Time' (http://findingheaventoday.blogspot.com/).
~ "walk with Him Wednesdays", are hosted by Ann, at 'A Holy Experience' (http://www.aholyexperience.com/).
With a big chuckle, while looking up at the dark clouds gathering in the sky, Brian replied, "Not really"
Taking an audible deep breath, I continued, "I was talking about how there isn't any humidity, but there are wonderful breezes."
With a squeeze to my hand and a big smile on his face, Brian replied, " It is a great night!"
We had just finished having dinner with all of our in town kids. That hadn't been in the original plans for the evening. But then God yet again provided, in awesome ways.
The original 'plan' was that I was to accompany Brent and his friend Adam to look for suits for the wedding. When they arrived, Kayla had decided to come along too. As had Adam's girlfriend, with her young son in tow. Brian wasn't home from work yet with the van, so both Brent and Adam had to drive.
We headed out to 28th street where besides two malls, Brian and I had also scouted out three places in the same vicinity, that we could look for men's suits at. As we were tuning a corner to go to our first stop, we noticed that the tux rental shop on the corner, had a big tent set up in their parking lot, and that employees were out along the road, holding signs with unbelievable prices on them. "You can rent them for that?!?!?"
We went ahead and went to the first shop. While the guys did find suits that both looked sharp on them and fit them, the price of the suits themselves were advertised so low, due to how they hoped to make up on them via the prices of their vests, and ties, and shirts. Hummm...
Ever curious Brent, really wanted to see what the sale prices at that tent sale were all about, so they put the suits back on the racks and we left.
We parked at the edge of the Malls parking lot and walked over to the Dunhill Formal Wear store. What we found, was wonderful! Tux coats were on clearance sale - some as low as $9.00, up to the highest being $49.00. And they had really sharp ones too!!! And matching pants were also low priced. As were vests. And white shirts. And bow or full size ties. And 'shiny' shoes.
We called Brian, and asked him to bring Benson with him and come out. We called Brandon and asked him to come out. Kayla called her dad and got sizes. Then she texted Byron to verify sizes for him.
The girl helping us was WONDERFUL!!! Turned out, one of her brothers had graduated from middle school with one of our sons.
Our total came to $368.88. That included:
For Brent (the groom) - a tux coat, matching pants, vest, tie, and shoes.
For Adam - pants (he had cash on hand for the rest of his ;-p)
For Kayla's Dad - Tux coat, pants and tie. (He will be paying us back)
For Brian (father of the groom-to-be) - tux coat, pants, white shirt, and tie.
For Byron - tux coat, pants and a shirt.
For Benson - tux coat, pants, shirt, and shiny shoes.
For Brandon - tux coat, pants, shirt and shiny shoes.
ALL OF THAT - for $70.00 more than it was originally going to cost EACH guy to rent their tux's!!
Yet again, the Lord had gone before us and provided the desires of our hearts. THANK-YOU Lord!!!
I can't show you what the tux's look like yet... not till the wedding. So I'll just show you the group of them, hanging in Brent's old closet, where they were carried to from the cars last night. o;-p
Today's 'plan' has to do with a dress for Kayla. ... Curious to see what the story is when the day is done. ;->
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I 'plan' on linking this posting up to:
~ "Soli Deo Gloria" (Latin = "For the Glory of God Alone"), is hosted by Jen, at 'Finding Heaven One Step At A Time' (http://findingheaventoday.blogspot.com/).
~ "walk with Him Wednesdays", are hosted by Ann, at 'A Holy Experience' (http://www.aholyexperience.com/).
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
We keep catchin' them
HEADS UP - This posting is not for the squeamish.
Back in THIS posting, I had mentioned how workmen had been working on the inside of our neighbors house all of that week. I also mentioned that they seemed to now be starting work on the outside of the place.
In THIS posting, I had made these comments, "During all of the work over there, the workers put new siding on the garage. We think that might be where all of our mice came from. A couple of weeks ago they had had the garage roofed. Now it's sided"
And in THIS posting, I had said, "One afternoon about two weeks ago, Benson and I were sitting in the living room watching something, when we spotted something shoot past under one living room window, and disappear behind the old radio. All my vertigo eyes saw, was a gray blur. Benson's eyes saw that it was a mouse. "Oh Great!" Been there, had those before. Thankfully, not very often in this house, but extremely frequently in one of our previous homes."
I had then gone on to tell about our challenge in finding the type of mouse raps we prefer, as well as baiting tips.
W-e-l-l, the traps worked! We just couldn't believe how many we caught and how fast. Eighteen in that first week, with only having two traps constantly set, emptied, and reset! Goodness!
Our deductions of the situation came up with this probable scenario. First, the one set of workers had stripped off and then re-roofed the neighbors garage. Then it started raining. Like crazy! Day, after day, after day. Then the second set of workers started siding that garage. During all of the pounding on the garage, the mice whom had previously taken up occupancy in the garage, had decided to exit stage left. But they exited into rain. And mice are NOT fans of rain. And seeings how the neighbors garage is located in closer proximity to our house than our garage is, they searched for and found a way into our house. ALL of them moved in, totally ignoring the party invitation we had posted HERE. (insert eye roll here).
So like I said, we caught eighteen (18) mice in that first week alone. One catch actually being a "two for one deal". We caught two (2) mice at the same time, thus only costing us one (1) chocolate chip. ;-p
(Hey, I could have shown you much clearer pictures of them! o;-p)
Since then, we have caught about another half dozen mice. We are going to go seach the exterior of our house (possibly with a microscope) and see if we can find the trail of where and how they are getting in!!! Once we do, we shall fill the spot with steel wool. See, critters can't chew their way through steel wool, due to what it does to the inside of their mouths.
One more thing, do you remember how I told you to load the traps with chocolate chips, and how very seldom they are able to eat all of it, without the trap going off? Well, "Murphy" saw that I had written that and made sure the mice proved me wrong. However, it's been so muggy here lately, that the chocolate chips squish in to the traps when I try to put them in, and the mice don't seem as cape able of getting away with stealing my chocolate chips unharmed. ;-D
Back in THIS posting, I had mentioned how workmen had been working on the inside of our neighbors house all of that week. I also mentioned that they seemed to now be starting work on the outside of the place.
In THIS posting, I had made these comments, "During all of the work over there, the workers put new siding on the garage. We think that might be where all of our mice came from. A couple of weeks ago they had had the garage roofed. Now it's sided"
And in THIS posting, I had said, "One afternoon about two weeks ago, Benson and I were sitting in the living room watching something, when we spotted something shoot past under one living room window, and disappear behind the old radio. All my vertigo eyes saw, was a gray blur. Benson's eyes saw that it was a mouse. "Oh Great!" Been there, had those before. Thankfully, not very often in this house, but extremely frequently in one of our previous homes."
I had then gone on to tell about our challenge in finding the type of mouse raps we prefer, as well as baiting tips.
W-e-l-l, the traps worked! We just couldn't believe how many we caught and how fast. Eighteen in that first week, with only having two traps constantly set, emptied, and reset! Goodness!
Our deductions of the situation came up with this probable scenario. First, the one set of workers had stripped off and then re-roofed the neighbors garage. Then it started raining. Like crazy! Day, after day, after day. Then the second set of workers started siding that garage. During all of the pounding on the garage, the mice whom had previously taken up occupancy in the garage, had decided to exit stage left. But they exited into rain. And mice are NOT fans of rain. And seeings how the neighbors garage is located in closer proximity to our house than our garage is, they searched for and found a way into our house. ALL of them moved in, totally ignoring the party invitation we had posted HERE. (insert eye roll here).
So like I said, we caught eighteen (18) mice in that first week alone. One catch actually being a "two for one deal". We caught two (2) mice at the same time, thus only costing us one (1) chocolate chip. ;-p
Since then, we have caught about another half dozen mice. We are going to go seach the exterior of our house (possibly with a microscope) and see if we can find the trail of where and how they are getting in!!! Once we do, we shall fill the spot with steel wool. See, critters can't chew their way through steel wool, due to what it does to the inside of their mouths.
One more thing, do you remember how I told you to load the traps with chocolate chips, and how very seldom they are able to eat all of it, without the trap going off? Well, "Murphy" saw that I had written that and made sure the mice proved me wrong. However, it's been so muggy here lately, that the chocolate chips squish in to the traps when I try to put them in, and the mice don't seem as cape able of getting away with stealing my chocolate chips unharmed. ;-D
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
More timing humor ;-)
Back on Friday evening of July 15th, when we were headed to our out-of-state kids house to meet our new born grandson, a couple of different things happened which yet again left us laughing, as well as applauding God's amazing "timing" and displays of humor.
Soon after we had pulled out, Brian had put a long running CD in to play. It was one that Benson had burned for the family at some point in time, which contains quite a variety of music styles. That way, if any of us doesn't really care for one particular song while we're all riding together, we know that the tables will soon be turned. And then turned back. And then.... It works!
Any-ways, at one point along the way, we were listening to a country style song about a cowboy. That reminded me of 'Pioneer Women' and the cooking challenge episode against 'Iron Chef' that she did. (I tried to find a link to that particular episode... oh well.) She had a cowboy in full attire present the challenge to Bobby Flay. I was telling Brian about how Ree had just posted that she is both working on her second cookbook and that they had been doing filming out at her ranch, because Food Network(R) is giving her her own show, when all of a sudden out my side window, I spot a sign (not a billboard) that said "Ree's" in big letters. I started laughing so hard at God's timing, that I missed what the sign said underneath that (and it's not like you can just go around the block for another look, when your driving on the highway).
Much later in our trip, when we were into heavier traffic, on the outskirts of 'the big city', Brian had kept looking in the rear view mirror. Suddenly he states, "it seems we have a tail". All kinds of scenarios instantly flashed across my mind. Including the one time that I really did have "a tail", but that's a whole 'nother story.
Then I chuckled and said, "Come on Brian, Michael has taught us how to loose a tail" (referring to the TV character 'Michael Westen' on the show 'Burn Notice'). And Brian replied (with a sinister chuckle), "Yup, and he's even here to help us too". My mind questioned, "WHAT?!?". Then I saw it, a couple of vehicles ahead of us, in the lane directly next to ours, was a semi with the name "Weston" on the back doors. Suddenly Brian swishes our van into that lane. He checked the rear view mirror and chuckles, the vehicle behind us had done likewise. Then Brian quickly changed back again, leaving the other vehicle trapped in that lane, seeings how the traffic which had been behind the two of us, had moved forward filing the empty spot.
Not long afterwords, the vehicle which Brian had thought was 'tailing us', moved on over to the farthest lane over and exited the highway. We then wondered, had that been his plan and destination all along, or had our maneuvering let him know 'he'd been made'? Did somebody else then pick up our tail? Hummmm....
Don't know. All I do know, is that we thought God's timing of providing a 'Weston' Truck, which was going a bit slower than the rest of traffic, to help us loose our tail, after I had just commented about Michael having taught us how to loose one, was really funny!!!
Oh, and I also know that that type of driving left me holding on, TIGHTLY, striving hard to not turn green around the gills (so to speak), when lots of my "Ms. Vertigo" symptoms kicked in. 8-/.
Soon after we had pulled out, Brian had put a long running CD in to play. It was one that Benson had burned for the family at some point in time, which contains quite a variety of music styles. That way, if any of us doesn't really care for one particular song while we're all riding together, we know that the tables will soon be turned. And then turned back. And then.... It works!
Any-ways, at one point along the way, we were listening to a country style song about a cowboy. That reminded me of 'Pioneer Women' and the cooking challenge episode against 'Iron Chef' that she did. (I tried to find a link to that particular episode... oh well.) She had a cowboy in full attire present the challenge to Bobby Flay. I was telling Brian about how Ree had just posted that she is both working on her second cookbook and that they had been doing filming out at her ranch, because Food Network(R) is giving her her own show, when all of a sudden out my side window, I spot a sign (not a billboard) that said "Ree's" in big letters. I started laughing so hard at God's timing, that I missed what the sign said underneath that (and it's not like you can just go around the block for another look, when your driving on the highway).
Much later in our trip, when we were into heavier traffic, on the outskirts of 'the big city', Brian had kept looking in the rear view mirror. Suddenly he states, "it seems we have a tail". All kinds of scenarios instantly flashed across my mind. Including the one time that I really did have "a tail", but that's a whole 'nother story.
Then I chuckled and said, "Come on Brian, Michael has taught us how to loose a tail" (referring to the TV character 'Michael Westen' on the show 'Burn Notice'). And Brian replied (with a sinister chuckle), "Yup, and he's even here to help us too". My mind questioned, "WHAT?!?". Then I saw it, a couple of vehicles ahead of us, in the lane directly next to ours, was a semi with the name "Weston" on the back doors. Suddenly Brian swishes our van into that lane. He checked the rear view mirror and chuckles, the vehicle behind us had done likewise. Then Brian quickly changed back again, leaving the other vehicle trapped in that lane, seeings how the traffic which had been behind the two of us, had moved forward filing the empty spot.
Not long afterwords, the vehicle which Brian had thought was 'tailing us', moved on over to the farthest lane over and exited the highway. We then wondered, had that been his plan and destination all along, or had our maneuvering let him know 'he'd been made'? Did somebody else then pick up our tail? Hummmm....
Don't know. All I do know, is that we thought God's timing of providing a 'Weston' Truck, which was going a bit slower than the rest of traffic, to help us loose our tail, after I had just commented about Michael having taught us how to loose one, was really funny!!!
Oh, and I also know that that type of driving left me holding on, TIGHTLY, striving hard to not turn green around the gills (so to speak), when lots of my "Ms. Vertigo" symptoms kicked in. 8-/.
Monday, August 1, 2011
What we've got going on -
I knew that we were into the heart of summer when I woke up this morning, because I was already sweating. Not a fan. Of sweating that is. I don't mind the heat as much as I do not like the humidity. In-fact, I feel the same way about humidity, as I do about the cold north wind that sometimes whips around here in Jan. and Feb.. I don't mind Michigan winters as much when that wind isn't blowing. But the Lord says to 'be thankful for and in everything.' Challenging, eh?
There is much going on around here / in our lives.
~ As I'm pretty sure I mentioned (o;-p) we are now the thrilled grand parents of two. We have been blessed with both a grand daughter and a grandson. Awesomeness!
~ I know that I've mentioned that Brent and Kayla are getting married. What I haven't yet mentioned, is all of the changes going on with the original wedding plans. The date has been moved quite a ways forward. The sooner they get Kayla on Brent's health insurance, the sooner she can go to a OB Gyn doctor, who in turn might even send her to a specialist, who hopefully will start getting/giving some answers as to why her body is doing what it is, and hopefully be able to relieve some of the issues.
Not only has the date been moved forward, but the guest list to the ceremony and dinner out afterwords, has been shrunk, considerably!!
Right now, it looks like both families will be hosting their own 'open house' style reception/parties a couple of weeks after the ceremony. The people (relatives / friends) whom had been on the original guests lists, will be invited to one of those, depending on which side had added you to the list. As well as others, should we so decide.
We now are working quickly to get "new" suits for the guys. And white dress shirts. And I need to start making the corsages and boutonnieres. And deciding when we will host our open house. And what to serve. A-n-d ...
~ Due to the date change, they had to find a place to live. They did. So we have some one in the process of moving out. And others changing which room they are in. A-n-d ...
~ Benson DID get a job. :-> As a sales clerk. And so far, both of the days that he has 'worked the floor', he has surpassed the sales quotas they gave him for the days. :-D
~ My vertigo symptoms are continuing to subside. That is, until somebody zooms past us so close to my side of the car, that Brian was shocked they didn't take the side mirror off. And then they zoomed across in front of us, nearly missing taking our front end with them, to cross three lanes of busy traffic to get to the off ramp a half mile up the road...... For some peculiar reason, things like that affect my vertigo.
Seeings how it is now August, I changed the "Seasonal Smile" pictures down our side bar. I hope they make you smile!
The Bz House That Love Built
There is much going on around here / in our lives.
~ As I'm pretty sure I mentioned (o;-p) we are now the thrilled grand parents of two. We have been blessed with both a grand daughter and a grandson. Awesomeness!
~ I know that I've mentioned that Brent and Kayla are getting married. What I haven't yet mentioned, is all of the changes going on with the original wedding plans. The date has been moved quite a ways forward. The sooner they get Kayla on Brent's health insurance, the sooner she can go to a OB Gyn doctor, who in turn might even send her to a specialist, who hopefully will start getting/giving some answers as to why her body is doing what it is, and hopefully be able to relieve some of the issues.
Not only has the date been moved forward, but the guest list to the ceremony and dinner out afterwords, has been shrunk, considerably!!
Right now, it looks like both families will be hosting their own 'open house' style reception/parties a couple of weeks after the ceremony. The people (relatives / friends) whom had been on the original guests lists, will be invited to one of those, depending on which side had added you to the list. As well as others, should we so decide.
We now are working quickly to get "new" suits for the guys. And white dress shirts. And I need to start making the corsages and boutonnieres. And deciding when we will host our open house. And what to serve. A-n-d ...
~ Due to the date change, they had to find a place to live. They did. So we have some one in the process of moving out. And others changing which room they are in. A-n-d ...
~ Benson DID get a job. :-> As a sales clerk. And so far, both of the days that he has 'worked the floor', he has surpassed the sales quotas they gave him for the days. :-D
~ My vertigo symptoms are continuing to subside. That is, until somebody zooms past us so close to my side of the car, that Brian was shocked they didn't take the side mirror off. And then they zoomed across in front of us, nearly missing taking our front end with them, to cross three lanes of busy traffic to get to the off ramp a half mile up the road...... For some peculiar reason, things like that affect my vertigo.
Seeings how it is now August, I changed the "Seasonal Smile" pictures down our side bar. I hope they make you smile!
The Bz House That Love Built
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)