Once again I am late.

I am late in posting. I am sorry. Moving on; here is a brief synopsis of life over the past two months...still no job, lots of babysitting, getting more clients for babysitting, lots of applying for jobs, stress and panic over financial burdens, re-learning trust in God, re-amazement at the power of God, once again re-learing humbleness, and regaining the ablitiy to see the wonder of God all around me, all the time. So there it is a a very small nutshell. Christmas is coming (the goose is getting fat) and we are headed home to Elkhart for some much needed family time. I look forward to seeing my cousin Jeremy who lives in Las Vegas and hasn't been home for over a year. Of course plenty of Kira and Kirsten time is required, and grandparent time is also a must. I hope that you all have a joyous Christmas and remember it isn't about the world stuff it is about Christ...it never ceases to amaze me how quickly we (myself included) can forget Him in the season. Think about it...demons tremble when they hear His name, just His NAME and they are afraid...think how much more they do in His presence. Ah, all power really is His. May the Power of Christ be with each of you and keep you close to Him. Merry Christmas, I love you all.

My pumpkin...

Happy Halloween!!!! Here is a pic of my pumkin this year! This post will be especially happy for Lissa. The picture was taken with my cell phone it isn't the greatest but y'all get the idea. Go Broncos!!!! (It broke my heart and ticked me off all at the same time that the Colts won on Sunday...sigh.) I may be in Chicago but when I wear the Orange and Blue it is for the BRONCOS!!! (although I am very proud of the Bears right now...it isn't that I am against the Bears, I am just more for the Broncos and always will be...I mean come on, of course the Broncos come first...I was born in Denver, they give you a shot at birth that is Orange and Blue...you know to ensure that you are a life long fan...anyway I will go saying only one other thing...I think that Lissa and I should start an Ellipses User Fan Club...whadd'ya say?)

Puncuation, yes! Periods at the end of sentences, NO!

Today was Living Water Community Church (LWCC) Fall Fun Fest, Emily and I wore my SCA dresses and looked like fair maidens of the realm, I was in charge of making "Queen Ester's Crown" which just meant the kids got to make crowns to take home with them to wear around the house, After each child was done decorating I would size it to their head and then have a small 'crowning ceremony' at which I would declare for all to hear that _____ (the kids name)was as of now not a just a kid but a prince/princess of God! It was fun and they thought I was goofy but the one time I didn't do it the child raised a ruckus letting me know that they wanted to be announced too...it was a boy who I thought would think it was stupid and not enjoy the silliness....goes to show how much I know! I hate the time change...it messes me up, but atleast I dont' have any small children of my own to explain (or try to) why we can't eat yet...I just get other peoples kids to explain too! :) Alrighty then, I need to go to bed cause I have to be at the daycare early tomorrow, OH, we carved pumpkins, Emily Dana and I, I will take some pics and post them soon, Em's is the only one with a face on it, Dana did the cutess little dragonfly, and I did a Denver Broncos Pumpkin, we had such fun, If you hadn't already noticed this entry is devoid of any periods...I am on strike from using them, no paticular reason just decided not too, well now I really do need to go, goodnight!

um....er....hello?

I hang my head in shame. It has been way too long since my last post. I am sorry for that. I would have blogged last week but I had a classic 'Cindy' moment and completely forgot my password. It came to me just now as I shut down a stupid game called Hapland...don't bother with it, it is very frustrating. So nothing much is new with my life. I kinda feel like life just keeps going and it is just dragging me along behind it. I am still working with a woman from church in her home daycare, it is nice for the most part, I like the kids, but I think I miss adult conversation (you stay at home mom's know what I mean) God is providing all we need, we can meet rent and we have food on the table and clothes on our backs, so all in all life is good. This is going to be a short blog cause (imagine this) I really don't have much to say, except for sorry I haven't been posting, and that I once again pledge to try and do better. Much love to ya'll.

Homecomings...

So about a month ago my father had some chest pain and a bit of shortness of breath. Ironically he had a Doctor's appt. later that day and mentioned it to Dr. Yoder. He sent dad in for a stress test which found some warning flags so he underwent another stress test which he failed with flying colors. So the scheduled Dad for a cathiterization with the possibility of an angoplasty if they found the need for it. That was last Wednesday (September 6th) They got the comera to the heart and Dr. Nolan pulled back out right away because of what he saw. They did not allow him to go home they admitted him and scheduled By-pass surgery of Friday (Sept. 8). The worst area of blockage was in an area they refer to as 'the widow maker' because nine times outta ten the first time you know about it it is already too late and you are dead. So all in all we were (and are) thankful to God that all of this was discovered without Dad ever have suffering from a heart attack. So his heart muscle was completely healthy and strong. Emily and I headed down on Thursday so we could be there for the surgery. I was sick as a dog on Thursday and kept my distance from Dad, wasn't able to hug him and used LOTS of hand sanitizer every time I sneezed, blew my nose, etc.... Dr. Hallern (a wonderful man) performed the surgery and he ended up putting four by-passes in, three on the left side and one on the right. We went to see him while he was still out, and the nurses told us to go home take a nap and come back around 5 p.m. to see him. We did so and around 4:50ish the phone rings and it is none other than Dad! Needless to say we were a bit surprised to be hearing from him, after we had been told he would prolly be out of it for all of Friday and start to really be with it on Saturday. But for all of those who know my father you shouldn't be surprised that he is turning out to be a better than text book case. Alert and doing incredibly well Friday evening, and transfered out of cardiac care Saturday afternoon.

Saturday morning my mother received the phone call informing us that her brother Bob had finally passed away and was Home with our heavenly Father. (I know what you are thinking...my poor mother, husband in hospital, brother dying...and you are right it was tough) Bob had cancer and had been ready to go Home for a while now. God really had his hand in all of what has happened to my family in the last week. He worked everything out that Dad did well and so that wasn't a huge concern when Bob passed. The viewing was on Monday and the funeral Tuesday (Sept 12.) Dad was released from the hospital on Tuesday Morning and obtained permission to attend the funeral. It was the most wonderful funeral I have ever been to, a true celebration of his life rather than a mourning of his death. Although there were many tears there was so much more joy it was a true blessing to all who attended.

So my Dad is home healing nicely with my sister left in Elkhart to help out, my Uncle Bob is healed and in his final Home, and my mother is weary from all the emotion she has experienced in the last seven days and I am back in Chicago. I ask that you continue to pray for my father's healing and also thank God for His wonderous mercy that my family has seen thoughout this entire ordeal. Well that is a long post but what can I say...i've always been a bit long winded. Love you all and I am so thankful for each of you. Keep up the good work if we don't give up we might just make it through this day.

Allo'Allo

Allo all! I am writing in a British accent today, can you tell? Today is a dismal rainy grey day, like many in England, too bad it made it all the way over to Chicago today. Never the less I am having a decent day, with one exception...my sister. I know she is under a lot of stress right now and that she is reacting to me out of that stress, but man alive...she kills the smallest bit of joy sometimes. So if all my mates out there could please say a prayer for my sister (specifically that the job situation would be resolved with in the next two weeks (Dear God please let her find a job she enjoys) and two that our relationship doesn't go to bloody heck in the time it takes for her to find a new job. I would be ever so grateful for your prayers, and I know that she would too. Righty-oh what is next on my schedule (make sure you read that with the British pronounciation....thank you) Let's see....where is my list...here it is! Now then let me see...the pic of the day...try to work in schedule and aluminum into the british accent blog post....(did you say it right???? AL-U-MIN-E-UM) Well since the latter part of the list is done I guess I shall next tackle the picture of the day...day....day... (echos are cool don't you agree) Now I cannnot remember if I have used this one before or not. It doesn't really matter even if I have, seeing as how it has been so long ago that not a one of you will remember either. Besides it is one of my favorties. Enjoy! Keep up the good work people if we dont' give up we might just make it through this day!

the answer is...

TB! Tuberculosis....isn't it amazing what viruses and bacteria look like under the microscope? Congrats go out to Lissa who took an educated guess and was correct!!!! Go YOU! So take another look at the picture in the previous post and think...wow that is what a tuberculosis culture looks like, huh. Hope everyone is having a super great day, I know I am. Today's picture is entitled "Special Delivery!" or "Great more junk mail." Depending on if you are a cat person or not a cat person. Keep up the great work people. If we don't give up we might just make it through this day.

Guess what this is.....

Okay everyone.....let's see how many truly scary friends I have. Can you identify this.....
if you can I am not sure I want to be friends with you any longer....Dana you can't guess.
Good luck!

Highs and Lows...

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECTUNTIL 8 PM CDT TUESDAY
Urgent - Weather Message National Weather Service...so that is the 'High' part of the title. We are having a streak of really stiffling weather here in Chicago. when the heat index is taken into account temps for the next three days are expected to be between 99-106 degress fahenheit. We have been blessed with A/C's (as mentioned before in a previous blog (we even managed to install the mothership of A/C's)) I would just ask that we all pray for all of those who do not have any relief from the heat and humidity. All over the country there has been really hot weather, if you have A/C say a quick prayer of thanks to God for providing it. Okay that is all, I have to go help my sister move a couch downstairs. (Wish me luck) *sigh*
The picture is really cool, the 'flowers' are actually glass. Dale Chihuly is the artists name and he is AMAZING. Please visit his web site http://www.chihuly.com/ you will be awed by some of the amazing things this man has created. I know I was. Keep up the good work people, if we don't give up we might just make it through this day.

Pleasantly suprised...

So this week I have been working pretty much full time with child care. I have had Kyra everyday and on Monday had Brianna, Wednesday I took Kyra over to Sharon's (where I work on Fridays the daycare) so Sharon could run and re-new her driver license, so I had five kids for about three hours. Today I have three girls, 10, 8, and 7 years old. They are good friends and play well together which makes my life much easier. I have managed to do some dishes, clean up the dining room, check my e-mail and now blog. While I was doing dishes they came in the kitchen whispering "She isn't going ot let us watch it...Well maybe...It doesn't hurt to ask...etc..." I am thining "oh great which of our many non-age appropriate movies do they have behind them?" I was cringing as they pulled a DVD out and began BEGGING to watch it. The movie......none other then......The Sound Of Music!!!!! Well HECK YEAH!!!!!! They were all REALLY excited about being able to watch Maria deal with seven children and one Captain! So in conclusion, you can tell the signs of great parents when...the kids are nuts about watching a movie like The Sound Of Music.

On another plane of thought....We are leaving for Elkhart tomorrow when Emily and Dana get back from Milwakee. All three of us are going down for the Elkhart County 4-H Fair. The company my mother works for is having their annual picnic there this year and mom was able to get three extra tickets for us to go for free! Good food free fair admission...oh yeah I like deals like this!

Finally, I want to thank everyone who has prayed for me this week. I know that it has made a great difference in the events of this week. How else can one explai the fact that right now I hear NOTHING but the movie and the sound of the airconditioner running...ahhh....it is beautiful. Only the rest of today and tomorrow to go! PTL!!!!

The random picture today is the Sears Tower here in Chicago, IL, USA.
Keep up the good work everybody, if we don't give up we might just make it through this day!

Thankful.

I am thankful for air conditioning. Here in Chi-town in is HOT. Hot and HUMID. Today the high got up to 94 degrees with a heat index of 99 degrees. Tomorrow is suppose to be hotter and more muggy than today. I just came home from babysitting at a place without any air conditioning...I am SO thankful that I was able to come home to coolness. We dont' have central air and the MEGA A/C we have we cannot install without some professional help so we have three little window units that we rely on, but really we just use one at a time. I am SO thankful for that. We may not have lots of money and that causes stress sometimes but MAN....we have what we NEED and then some. Thank you Father in Heaven for Your little (or not so little) extras. I sometimes forget to give Him the credit that He is due. This week I am watching Kira (an eight year old girl from church) Monday thru Thursday...she can be a bit much at times...your prayers would be put to very good use...I will also have another eight year old on Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon. I am looking forward to those time because the girls are good friends and get along wonderfully, thereby making my life much easier. Okay I need to go to bed it is 11:58 p.m and I have to be ready to take on Kira at 8:30ish. Wish me luck....nevermind, just pray I don't kill her....that would not be so good....and ya know what!?!?! I am thankful for this opportunity as well, it may be challenging but it is a chance to make a bit more money and really help out a frantic mother keep her sanity! Thank you God for letting be be useful in this manner! Keep up the good work people....if we don't give up we might just make it through this day.

Long time no write.

Hello all my long lost blog readers. I know it has been over a month since my last blog. (hangs head in shame) It has been a really busy month filled with LOTS of out of town guests. It felt like when one group left and we hurriedly clean and prepared for the next group. Now don't get me wrong we greatly enjoyed everyone who came to visit, but it is nice to be able to relax and not have to do anything for anyone coming. In the span of two weeks we had four different groups of visitors at our place. It was work but it was so much fun too!

I am also working part time for a lady at church who runs her own day care out of her home. I work every Friday and then usually another day as well (that one varies) This week I have been there Monday through Wednesday, an there weren't any day care kids there, just her two kids. She had a breast biopsy on Monday then needed some help on Tuesday and had a doctor appt Wed. to find out if is was cancer or not....thank you Lord it was not! Hoooray! So they are now headed out to Nebraska for a family reunion.

July 8th was Nate Penrod's very 1st birthday! He is SUCH a cutie...so today's pictures are of him. Just look at those cheeks.....now tell me you don't have the urge to pinch them.....be truthful...you want to I know it! The first one is showing off his four teeth...when my sister looked at it she wanted to know if Wani (his mom) knew that she had given birth to a chipmunk! The second is at his first birthday party. Wani's parents own Clowning Around Party Rentals, so they have all this REALLY COOL stuff for parties. Moon walks, pony rides, awesome remote control cars to race, did I mention moonwalks. Nate is gonna grow up thinking that every family has moonwalks and ponies as all their family functions! (Just like Em and I grew up thinking everyone had nice wood funiture, quilts from their grandma's and afghans from their grandfathers.) Anyway I will try to post more like once a week from now on...I don't know if that will happen but I am going to try. Love ya'll.
Keep up the good work people if we don't give up we might just make it through this day.

I met Kermit the Frog!!!

I met Kermit the Frog. It was so cool...he is smaller than I thought he would be. I will tell you all more later but it is late and I am very tired....here are two pictures. The first is of me with Kerimt the second is my roomie Dana with Kermit. Okay, talk to you all later. Thank you to all of you wonderful people who called, emailed, and sent cards...I felt very loved today...oh and did I mention I met Kermit the Frong in 'person'???? Well I did, I will tell you all about it tomorrow.

Kermit the Frog....

Today is my birthday....and I get to go meet Kermit the Frog for free!!!! I am very excited about meeting this most famous of Muppets. I am hoping to have my picture taken with the little green guy. He is appearing at the Museum of Science and Industry where my roomie Dana is a graphic designer...she is hoping to get the Muesum phtographer to take my picture with Kermmie...it is nice to have connections. (like the rainbow connection....for lovers and dreamers and me....) Anyway, the MSI has a frog exhibit opening tomorrow and Kermit is here to talk to about frogs and to answer questions about frogs. I don't have any questions to ask (except what is it like to work with Miss Piggy) so I prolly won't ask anything, I am fine just being in the same room with a felt and foam legend. (Forget flesh and blood people I'd rather meet a muppet...we except for maybe Orland Bloom...and David Duchovny. But who can blame me for that? (no one can it's my birthday, I can do what I want!!!!)) Okay so I am going to go now, you all have fun doing what ever it is you are doing today, on this my 29th birthday. (for lovers and dreamers and me......)

Prayer Request.

My parents are leaving for vacation tomorrow. They are going down to North Carolina. My cousin Jason lives there (along with his wife and two adorable little girls.) Anyway a while back dad made an incredible desk out of walnut wood. It was an unusual desk, he went with the form of the wood rather than to rip the sides and ends straight, he kept the knots and cracks and it is goregous. He made it a few years back but it never sold. Jason loved it from the beginning but they lived in NY city and he had no room for it. Well he now has room and he bought it, along with commisioning a side table and printer stand. So Mom and Dad are going for vacation but they are also delvering all the furniture as well. Dad's parents are going with them. My uncle Bob is dying of cancer. He is in a lot of pain. There is nothing that can be done. Here is the prayer request, Bob could die at any time and this is causing a lot of stress for my mother. They have decided to get a prepaid/pay as you go cell phone (yes my father is willing to do this, so you KNOW how much this is bothering my mother.) So they have a way of being in contact with mom's family should anything happen to Bob. Mom and Dad can't reschedule the trip because on June 16 Dad is having surgery on his right rotator cuff and will not be able to lift anything after that for quite some time. So they go now or they won't be able to go until the fall. I ask that you just bathe this entire situation in prayer. One that Bob may have rest from his pain in whatever form God decides is best. Second that mom and dad (and grandma/pa Leinbach) enjoy the time they have with Jason's, that mom isn't constantly worried about bob dying. Finally, that no matter what happens that everything works out with a minimum of stress and frustration for everyone involved. So I know this isn't a very bright and cheery blog entry, but I know that the five people who read this blog won't care and will pray for my family...and i can't tell you how that makes me feel. I love you all, I may not get to see you guys but you are still walking beside me and my family evertime you read my blog. You are awesome. This pic is of my Grandparents (Leinbach's, the Metzlers are both with Christ) and all of their great grand kids. From left to right...Back row: Cole Middle row:Kirsten, Nadia (one fo Jason's girls) Grandma, Alec, Grandpa, Kira, and in the Front row: (where she usually likes to be) Jaiya (Jason's oldest girl.) This picture was taken at Kirstens b-day party back in March. Cole and Alec later got another brother, Jace, represented in this picture by the baby doll Jaiya is holding. Man they are cute....but i am a bit biased. On closer inspection of this picture I have decided that is is truly not a good picture of any on them, except maybe Alec and Kira, they always look mischievious. Anyway...have a great day evreybody and your prayers are coveted.

Excitement...

As I have already mentioned in my previous post i am quite excited to be going home to Indiana this weekend. I am also excited not only to be going home but also just to be leaving here. That is it...that is all I have to say. Wow. I can't usually babble but I have too much to do before leaving Chicago. Ya all have a great weekend.

What a wonderful time of year!

It is just amazing outside this time of year. Here in Chicago we have had a lot of gray wet weather this spring. But yeaterday and today the sky is bright blue the trees are green, the wind is gentle and the lake is to beautifully blue (thanks to the blue skies) I just love being outside along the shore of the lake. It is amazing how many different colors one body of water can be. I am so excited for this weekend. We are going home to Indiana for the first time since Grandma Metzler's funeral. I am so looking forward to seeing my family and my dear wonderful furry warm purring cat. I am currently going through MAJOR kitty withdrawl...it is bad. There is just something about a warm fuzzy purring cat in your arms that can change your mood for an entire day. Saturday morning we (emily and I) are going to the zoo in South Bend we are taking Kirsten and Kira and maybe their parents too. :) Actually we are going ot put out an open invitation to all of our family telling 'em we are going and if they wanna come too they can. Plus I get to see Kim and Bri, and hopefully Matt and Jamie (and their kids) and the Lehmans on Saturday evening, and then on Monday the Leinbachs are getting together for a campfire fried mush breakfast at mom and dads!!!! I am so stinking excited....or did I mention that already? So those are my plans, what are yours please let me know. The pictures today are of my kitty Garmu Efunkle Leinbach (he is looking all riled up because we are playing with him. you dangle a finger over the side of the cat tower where he can just see it and then snatch it back jsut as he pounces..it is great.), and of Emily's 'kitty' Taymyr. (You never dangle anything in front of Taymyr.) He is the tiger at the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend where emily was a docent. She loves 'her' tiger.

I can't think of anything witty...sorry.

I am a bit annoyed with myself. For the last four days I have been waking up like every hour starting around 3 or 4 in the morning. When I wake up I can't go back to sleep right away because my brain seems to be painfully wake and just won't give over and shut up! Today has started out just like the previous three days. Today I gave up and got up at 6:22 a.m. Which isn't all that early but last night I didn't realize what time it was (I was working on Crocheting a baby blanket for my friends Kin and Bri!!!! Horray they are having a baby!!!!!!) anyway the point is that I didn't go to sleep until 1:50 a.m. Then I woke up at 3:45 again at 5:02, and finally at 6:17. I know part of it is stress, I tend to wake up and worry when things get stressful, but come on!!!! I am so tired right now but i know if I lay down and try to sleep it would do no good. *sigh* this sucks. I hope you all have a wonderfully chipper day...if you do just don't share it with me, okay?

As you all know (or should know) Chicago lays claim to the current Baseball World Series Champions (no NOT the Cubs....hell is not yet frozen) the White Sox! In the month or two after they(the White Sox) won, they (the city of Chicago) paid tribute to the Sox in a number of ways: a parade, banners, signs, but also the lions in front of the Art Institute Muesum wore Sox caps with laurels, and the big Indian Statues on Horses (who are missing their bows and arrows, but that is a whole other issue) wore white socks, I really really thought that the horses wearing socks was WAY clever, I realized I never shared this pics, and have decided to remedy that (you might notice that this is one of my finer run on sentences.....giggle.

Completely unnecessary

It is completely unnecessary for women's clothing to cost as much as it does. I recently rec'd a catalog "Dedicated to active women size 14 and up" It has WONDERFUL stuff in it. I get SO VERY frustrated that I can't find nice clothes to work out in just because I am overweight. You go to a store looking for a workout outfit and come home completely discouraged and defeated...and you haven't even started to work out yet!!!!! So back to this magazine...it is great just what I am looking for but nothing in it cost less that $30. I will NEVER pay $34.99 for a v-neck TEE-SHIRT!!!! A tee-shirt for pity sake....almost forty bucks....well with shipping and handling it would be! There is the greatest golf outfit...it is in my colors too...but for the pants and polo top it would be $120! I don't know maybe I am in the minority here by thinking that that is way too much money to spend on an outfit for playing in! The one work out outfit I picked out was $50 for the top and $80 for the shorts! I just want ot sit and cry. Does the rest of the world really pay this much for clothes without a blink of the eye???? Are we really that spoiled and unaware of how much money that really is???? I am disgusted, utterly disgusted.

Ramblings.

Last night I wrote this on paper with my new pencil. I feel this way so often that I felt the need to share it here with you all. Does anyone else know what I am talking about...?

It never fails-the call, the longing I feel to fill a blank page. It isn't just a blank page that beckons, it is a newly sharpened pencil that has set me into motion tonight. You know what I am talking about. You know you do. The first time a brand new pencil is sharpened to a beautiful pointed readiness, the eraser perfectly flat on top with sharp angles all the way around, untouched, unused. A pencil like that must be used. Now I for one enjoy and use mechanical pencils on a regular basis, but...there is something wonderfully magically and nostalgic about a newly sharpened #2 pencil, something a mechanical pencil can never hope to obtain. Here is to all the sharpened pencils and blank pages out there, may they come together in many marvelous ways, and may those who use and fill them enjoy what an incredible thing it is to do so.


Keep up the work people if we don't give up we might just make it through this day.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I think I spelled that right...I hope anyway. So in honor of the holiday I got online and looked up some authentic Mexican recipes for desserts. I settled on Pumpkin Empanada, mainly because we had everything I needed and it didn't envolve deep frying anything. The dough gave me some trouble when rolling it out but it sure didn't effect their taste....mmmmmm.....empanadas... We had quesidillas for dinner, I was not thinking when I made the salsa and put in WAY to much garlic (and ya know when my garlic loving sister spits it out there has to be a HUGE amount in it.) But after cutting more other veggies and throwing them in the cuisinart it was palatable. So that is my cinco de mayo, how was yours? Oh add in the fact that for some unknown reason I have no voice (I first thought it was allergies and my nose draining and stuff, but I am starting to fear that i may have a spring cold...ugh.) I have this squeaky little tinny voice...it would be funny if it weren't so frustrating.... Well I guess that is all I have fro you today. Keep up the good work people. If we don't give up we might just make it through this day.

Random questions...

I have several random questions that I would like everyone who reads this blog to answer.

#1. What are your two favorite television shows and why?
(My answer: West Wing because I enjoy the fast paced intelligent script. The characters are so real and believable. I will mourn the loss of this excellent show. And Bones because I really like David Boreanaz. Well that is why I started watching, I continue to watch because I enjoy the banter between the two main characters and the science is interesting as well.)

#2. What is your favorite day of the week and why?
(My answer: I don't really have a favorite day but was wondering if other people do.)

#3. When you die, burial or cremation and why?
(My answer: Cremation. I see no reason to take up a lot of space in this earth when the part of me that matters is with Christ.)

#4. Favorite flavor of ice cream (limit yourselves to three flavors MAX!)
(My answer: Blue Bunny Bunny Tracks, Chocolate Therapy by Ben and Jerry, and this is hard just three....ok....Denahli Moosetracks....wait butter pecan...no no Denahli Moosetracks....yeah Moosetracks....I think.)

Okay todays random picture was suppose to be yesterdays but that didn't happen so it is todays...let me know what you think it is.

mmm....that is a tough one....

Today is a huge day for those educated about the current happenings of immigration rights, and what the government is trying to do to them. There are huge rallies being held in NY, LA, and of course our fair city of Chicago. Emily learned a lot yesterday about what is going on with immigration rights and share her concerns with me. I have a LONG way to go before I am educated and knowledgeable about the whole mess, but what I DO know is that what Congress and the Senate are currently proposing fells like it is just a hair away from the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. Immigrants being charged with felonies, insuring that they can NEVER apply to come to the USA leagally again. Those who help or harbor illegal immigrants also charged with felonies, making it a felony to even buy a meal for some one when you have the knowledge that they are illegal, how do these things help the situation. It all smacks a bit of McCarthyism to me. It doesn't encourage immigrant not to come here illegally, it simply means that more families will be torn apart and they will have fewer advocates to help them become legal while they are here. I greatly resent being told that I cannot help a fellow human being ,strive for a better life without the risk of imprisonment or hefty fines!!!! (not to metion a criminal record!) It is insanity! If you don't knwo what is going on PLEASE join me in caring enough to educate yourself to what is about to happen in Washington D.C.

On to lighter subjects....the random picture to identify last entry....well I had three interesting responses...MLE was correct then she double guesssed herself (oh so common) and backtracked. It is the Ebola virus. Ok let's see what you all think of this one....Let me knwo what you think it is. ( well I will post the picture as soon as Blogger sees fit to allow me to do so.....so you will alll just have to wait for it (yes all four of you who read this blog!) :)
Keep up the good work everybody, if we don't give up we might just make it through this day.

When it rains...

So I have had a dry spell here in the recent weeks. Both in terms of finding employment and in remmebering that I am of some worth. This week it has finally rained. I have three different leads on jobs (please pray that ONE of the will pan out for me) and God has put several people in my path to remind me that I am of value to God and to the world. So just like the rain that washes away the grime and dirt from the pavement, my rain too as washed away the grime and dirt from my rather despondent view of life. I have also recent been directed to a resource that may provide ADD counseling and medication for a very minimal fee. So all in all life doesn't look that bad right now. So keep up the good work people if we don't give up we might just make it through this day. Oh and if any one can correctly identify what the random picture of the post is they win a cookie the next they see me! A really good cookie....chocolate mint chocolate chip cookie....mmmmmm.....

long time no post

So it has been a while. Much has happened. Much has not. This past weekend Emily and I traveled back to Indiana for my Grandma Metzler's funeral. It was a little strange, I never had much of a realationship with this grandma but at the same time I knew my mother had just lost her mother. The roughest part was after the meal (after the funeral) my Uncle Bob who is dying from cancer made sure he sought out all of his nephews and nieces to say he loved them and good bye. It was hard, knowing that that was the last time I would ever hug him. He is a wonderful, loving, generous man who should not be dying right now. It doesn't seem right that murderers, drug dealers and dictators live healthy long lives, while a good and honorable man dies before his time.

On the lighter side of life we got to see Kirsten, and Kira. Alec was visiting too, so that was an added joy. I love all those kids (cole, alec (their brand-new baby brother Jace too) Kirsten and Kira) but I have a special place in my heart for Kira. I told Em that Kria was my favorite but I wasn't quite sure why. After this weekend Em told me she thought that it was prolly because Kira is just like me. Slightly crazy, ADDish and full of mischief. That could very well be true.

I am so proud of myself. It you look to the left margin at the top you will see a new section called Links. I did this myself. It wasn't hard at all it was just fun to decided where to place it on the page. I was very proud of myself for being able to place the HTML in the proper places to move it to different parts of the page before I decided to place it where it is. So that is all. Please enjoy my links and I hope you all have a great day! Keep up the good work people, if we don't give up we might just make it through this day.

(random picture is a landscape of Mars taken by the Mars Rover Spirit. To learn more go to the link on the left side of the blog and visit the Mars Rovers page. See what is new with Spirit and Opportunity.)

'Peace' rally?

I am so frustrated. I am a pacifist. I do not support war. I do not support violence, but at the same time I do not support refusing to take responsiblity for our actions as a country. Recently there was a rally in downtown Chicago. It was billed by some as a 'Peace' rally. It was not. It WAS an anti-Bush, anti-war, pull our troops out NOW, rally. I cannot support that. While I do not agree with war I also do not agree with the thought that we should withdraw all troops NOW. We have a responsiblity to the people of Iraq now that we have come in and destroyed their lives. To leave now would just fortify our reputation with that part of the world. There must be a time in which we as a counrty say "okay what we did wasn't done for the right reasons but we are here and we will take responsiblity for what we have done." I am a Mennonite, I am a pacifist, that doesn't mean inaction, it means much action not for war but for peace. True peace is SO much more than the absence of war. It is people working together to live in harmony. Puting others above themselves. Making sure the needs of your neighbor are met as well as your own. Teaching those who don't know how to survive, to thrive in a full life. Being aware of the injustice around the world, making sure you are not contributing to that injustice. Thinking and caring about that which is outside of your small sphere of being. It isn't hard once you get started it is just really hard to get started. Marching and yelling about how bad Bush is, and how evil the war is doesn't change a thing and it doesn't help anyone. I support my president (even though I don't like him), I support my counrty (even though I don't agree with many of our policies), I support our troops, (even though I do not believe what they are doing is right or just). I pray for all three of those things everyday. I am a Christian, I am a Pacisfist, I am an American. I am proud that I can claim all three of those identities.

Appeasement....

Okay people, MLE has made a good point in that it is my blog so shouldn't there be pictures of me? Well while it is a good point I counter with it IS MY blog so I can do what I want!!!! :) But in the light of fairness here is a pic of Em and I at the river last Saturday (march 11) We had fun.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Here is hoping everyone is wearing green or if not that their friends don't pinch too hard! (As you can see Em and I went down to watch the Chicago River being dyed green this past saturday. It was kinda cold and windy, and I made a goof on the time we needed to be there so we had to wait quite a while until the festivities actually started. But Em was a trooper and I never in a million years would have thought that a simple green and white feather boa could make her so stinking happy. The river being dyed....it was the coolest thing. If you ever have the chance to see it make sure you do it is fascinating. So anyway....Happy St. Patricks Day to each of you.!)

So much undeveloped...and forgotten

I have so many stories in my head. So many situations, scenes, purposes, characters, relationships, morales, so many many things in my head. A certain storyline and group of characters will fill my head and I can't get rid of them until I write it all down. I sketch out they bare bones of the storyline, I flesh out each character, give them names and histories, I jot down how these people lives will cross. I get it all on paper and out of my head. It then lies there on the paper like a fish on a river bank, gasping for air, flopping in desperation, trying vainly to continue to breath and stay alive. But slowly the flopping grows weaker and the gasping dies away until stillness claims it.

I have recently gone through all of my computer files and done some 'housecleaning' I ended up deleting SO many just begun, half done, and never finished stories. Today I was going through my desk drawers again (I am DETERMINED to get rid of more of this junk!) and have found yet more papers with characters looking back at me wondering if this is the day I will give them a life or throw them away. I get so frustrated with myself sometimes. I really wish I could afford treatment for my ADD. I know that I am coping with it as well as I can but I KNOW there is SO much more I could do but I get in my own way when trying to do it. I WANT to be organized, i WANT to be able to complete a task without going through five other things in the course of getting the orginal one done. I want to be able to think up a list of stuff I need at the store and remember it long enough to go get paper and pen to write it down. I want to be able to remember what my sister told me this morning before she went to work. Often times I can't remember what she told me but i remember it was important and urgent. I want to be able to think of something while driving that I need to call and tell my mother then be able to remember it when I am no longer driving and can call her. I want to remember where I put something that I need. I want to complete one project before starting another. I want to be normal. (Wow I never thought I would say that.) So anyway, I hope you are all having a good Tuesday. The weather here is beautiful, blue skies, sun shine...never mind that it is only 33 degrees. :) Enjoy the day God has giving to us.

Random Dreams

So as is usually with me I have already ditched the 'today I feel...' thing. I never stay the same long. Which kinda leads me into my random dream.
I want to open a day care with my sister Emily. It would be a teaching type of daycare, where our activities would also teach them things. Like how to deal with their emotions in a healthy way without the kids ever knowing they were being taught anything. Emily has so much training and experience with creating that sort of ciriculm that it wouldn't be hard to do. We would have finger painting and crafts and make sure they knew how cool each of them was. Teach them to use their imaginations, not expect others to entertain and stimulate them. We would listen to Hymns for a kids heart and read about the people who wrote the hymns. We would teach them about recycling (you are never to young to learn how and why to recycle) we would plant flowers and watch them grow and change. Oh the things we would do! I have NO idea how to go about getting started. Liscensing, insurance, funding....it is all scary and daunting. I guess I will have to pray and pray and pray and educate myself on the reality of this, and if it is feasiable. But at the same time I don't want to do that here in Chicago. I would want to move away from here to do it. Ahhh the things that are in my head. IF only I could do them all. The random picture is one fo my favorites. IT read TRUST is not being afraid even if you're vulnerable. Have a splendid day everyone.

cold noses...

today I feel...a bit sleepy, very cold and a bit hopeful as well.
You know how when your toes are REALLY cold and you get into the shower/tub and the warm water hits 'em and they feel like they are on fire as if you have actually stuck them in boiling water???....weeelllll....you know you have a really cold house when you go wash your face at hte sink and your nose does the same thing! My poor nose. I woke up at 3 a.m. and my mind wouldn't shut up and let me sleep. I kept worrying that i hadn't done something that needed to be done or that I had done something that shouldn't have been done. (you know what i mean, right) Anyway it was a long while before I could get it to shut up and let myself relax enough to sleep again. I went grocery shopping and got prolly five days worth of food for $20. I pride myself in bargain shopping. Well ok it was actuall $21.06, but $20 is close enough, right? I played guitar today for like 30 minutes with out major pain in my finger tips. Woo-hoo, my callusis are gaining strength. Okay so I think that is all the random brain stimulating stuff I have for y'all...oh wait yesterday and today one of my main tasks was going through every folder in my computer and doing some sping cleaning....let's just say that my computer was running a bit low on useable space....it is now happily functioning at a speed which is satifactory to me. Let me tell you I was amazed and the JUNK I have been keeping in this machine. Tomorrow I go through all my picture files and TRY to spring clean in those too. (we'll see if I can actually make myself get rid of pictures) May God bless and Keep you.

Today I feel....

So today isn't the greatest day I have ever had. Satan is really working at whittling away at me. I am starting a new format with my blogs. Each entry will start with "Today I feel..." I will strive to complete this statement with as much honesty and clarity as I can. I know that whatever I feel that others have too, or will at some point most likely. So here it goes.
Today I feel...like a horrible person. It is amazing how several little things that taken on individually are no problem but when taken together are overwhelming. These are things that most would consider no big deal and never give them a second thought. But for me today they have sharp spurs and have embedded themselves into my flesh and are constantly throbbing with the painful reminder that I am a horrible person. Now logically I know I am not a horrible person, but emotionally today I feel that I am. Feelings are so disceiving! The bible counsels time and again against making desicions with your feelings. Feelings change so rapidly and randomly that they are not good indicators for the truth. Even so here I sit knowing that what I am feeling isn't true but it feels so true right now I can get around it. So what to do, what to do....I could wallow in self loathing and comiserate with myslef about how horrible I am. Or I could say a prayer renouncing satan and his piss-ant demons, claim the power of Christ and go read the bible. I know which I should do but which will I actually do...

'Allo!

'Allo! 'Allo!
I have returned from my month long hiatis. Although it wasn't much of a hiatis. I was in Elkhart watching a two year old and a four year old. Wow was that a learning expierence for us all. I enjoyed my time with the girls and re-learned how to crochet. I am now a crocheting fiend. I have made cute little shaws for both the four year old and the two year old. I then made another cute little shaw for Emily's best friend's three year old, I had extra yarn so I made an accessory scarf for her mommy so they can match. I am hoping that Emily brings backa picture of the two of them wearing what I made (hint hint, Liss) So now I am looking for a part time job to fund my work at home start up fees. I have a couple of leads and have updated my resume and will be going to the local video stores, oscos etc... On a completely different note for the last three days I have been playing my guitar and right now the fingers on my left hand are throbbing. It is a good feeling, I know that I am regaining callusis (sp?) I am sitting here on a Friday night in Chicago with nothing to do but wait for Numb3rs to come on. A wonderful loving and Godly man was laid to rest today in Elkhart. Bob Baker was a pillar of faith and lived out what he believed. If I am half as faithful as Bob was i will be a success as a Christian. Well I guess I am going to go now, I hope that ya all have a great day. Keep up the good work people, if we don't give up we might just make it though this day.

LET'S GO BRONCOS!!!!!

Well I was hoping that the Colts would loose. But I didn'tcount on the huge ego boost that would give the Steelers. So we will have our work cut out for us this week. Two more wins would make me one of the happiest people on earth. It would prove to the world that the Broncos can do it without John Elway! They are an excellent team and it is time that everyone else outside of Colorado realizes it. So here is hoping that the Broncos can pull it off. GO BRONCOS BEAT THE STEELERS!!!!!

My favorite movie of all time.

Now many people have many different opinions on which movie is the best one ever. I believe the best movie ever made and my all time favorite is M. Night Shyamalan's Signs.
There are three main reasons why; 1. the story line isn't just about aliens. It is about an alien invasion of earth for purposes we never truly know, but the important part of the movie is about a man regaining his faith in God. Mel Gibson's character moves from an angry grieving bitter man to a someone who can see God's hand in the every event of the day. Everything does have a purpose we may not always see it but that is unimportant, God sees it and knows what he is doing, which is exactly what Graham learns. The writing and innerweaving of the elements of both stories is so flawless that at the end of the movie you may not realize that you just saw two different stories, innerconnect yes, but two different stories. Take that into account then add in the thougth invoking dialogue and just the right amount of humor to make the tension bearable and you have a GREAT movie.
2. The acting. Mel Gibson has always been one of my favorite actors. He is a big name but that doesn't distract the viewer from believing he is the character he is portraying. Joaquin Phoenix also gave a wonderful performance. It is the two children Rory Caulkin and Abigail Breslin who really shocked me. The scene around the dinner table right before the invasion begins and the family finally breaks down and grieves together is incredible. Abigail is superb,the tears and her reactions to the others is a lot of depth for one so young. Rory too turns in a great performance in this scene. The bitterness and long repressed anger on his face as he hisses at his dad "I hate you! You let her die!" Wow!
3. This is the most important (although number one follows it closely) the way in which it is filmed. I LOVE M. Nights use of old technique. I see sparks of Hitchcock in many of his movies. He knows (as Hitch did) that the mind can make up far scarier things that Hollywood can create. The use of blackness just at the critical moment of tension, the viewer is plunged into uncertaintly and discomfort not beign able to see, not knowing what is happening--pure brillance. Also the use of everyday familiar objects to envoke fear is wonderful utilized. The lights of the baby monitor coming to life with the eerie moaning voices of the unknown. A field of corn...if you have ever been out in the country at night you know how creepy a cornfield can be. In college we use to play hide and seek in a corn field that my campus minister owned. The game field was roped off and we each had to have a whitsle and a flashlight with us. There was more than one time in which we lost someone and had to employ the whistles and lights. It is creepy, you can't see someone even if they are only a few rows away from you and if it a windy night you often don't hear anyone coming until they are right in front of you. M. Night often chooses to use sound rather that showing us the scarey thing. Ex: we know that the alien threat is inside the house when we hear the crashing of things in the bedrooms, we hear footsteps skittering acroos the roof, the chimes on the porch start tinkling in the still night air. I love the fact that he doesn't just show us the potentially scarey thing, he gets our own minds to assign fear to it because it is unknown.
So there you have it why I think that Signs is the best movie ever. Please tell me what movie is your favorite and why.
Keep up the good work people! If we don't give up we might just make it through this day.

Jobs I wouldn't like to try....

There are many things I look at and think "Gee, it would be fun to try that." Here are the top five things that I would never think that about...(in no paticular order)

1. Septic Tank Cleaner/ or Sewer inspector (I have a very sesitive gag reflex when it come to smells.)

2.Taxidermist (I can't imagine having to kill an animal let alone taking all its insides out and then making it look real again! If I had to kill my own food in order to eat I would be VERY good at finding lots of eatible plants, roots, berries, and nuts!)

3.Meter Maid (can you think of anyone who city drivers hate more than the meter maid. It seems like he/she NEVER catch the guy who sits at the meter for two days never paying anything but YOU are 5 minutes late and BAM! theres the ticket. Very bad karma directed at you when you are a meter maid.)

4. Cosmetic Surgeon (have you SEEN what they take out of women??? Human fat has to be one of the MOST vile things I have ever seen, and the sound that vacuum wand makes as it slurps up the fat...shudder....gag!)

5. Accountant/accounts receivable or payable. This really isn't what you might think of as a horrible job but for me it most certainly is. Talk about tedious, boring, miserable and mind numbing work. All I can say is at least it isn't smelly!


My random picture today is of a dance group that specializes in extreme chorography. The pictures are amazing but don't try this at home kiddies, not without professional supervision.

Keep up the good work people. If we don't give up we might just make it through this day.