My (Almost) Christmas Baby

Happy Birthday Joseph Daniel!  You are 2 today.  You were, and will always be, my (almost) Christmas baby!  

It's a little bittersweet.  In my mind, two marks the end of your 'babyhood'.  And, now we officially have no more babies in our home.  And, unless God would send us a surprise, I don't think we will.  Your birthday, Joseph, marks the beginning of a new stage for our whole family.  A little sad, yes, but also very exciting!


Happy Birthday HoJo! 

Merry Christmas!

May your Christmas this year be joyous & richly blessed.  I have been so blessed by all of you my dear blogging friends.  Thank you!

Addendum to Yesterday's Post/ Weight Loss Update

First, an addendum to yesterday's post.  I kinda feel bad about writing that now.  Looking back I wrote it out of frustration and with not a whole lot of grace.


I didn't give the benefit of the doubt to a whole group of people who have a job I'd rather not have during the Christmas season.  I mentioned that I've been in their shoes, but a lot of time has passed since then and I think I've forgotten a bit how stressful it really is.


I thought about deleting the post altogether.  But, I think I will leave it there for now.  I do, however, want to apologize to those folks who are working in retail/ service industries.  I know you work hard.  I know this is a rough time of year.  And, those of you with good customer service really do still outweigh those with not so good.  


I'm going to work harder to look for the positive this holiday season and all year long.  And, hopefully I remember to say 'thank you' for a job well done.




Second, I've reached another weight loss milestone.  And, I feel a little silly mentioning it right before Christmas.  But, I'm really excited, so I wanted to share.  As of this morning I have lost 30 pounds since July (35 pounds since the beginning of this year).  I still have a few more to go, but I feel SO much better than I did at the beginning of the year.
 - I have more energy.
 - My moods have evened out (I still can be moody, but nothing like the wild swings I was having earlier this year)
 - I feel lighter & more comfortable in clothes.
 - I just feel overall better instead of feeling kinda yucky most of the time.


Sometime after the new year I plan to write a post on what I've been doing to get healthier.  I've had a lot of people I know ask me, so I figured I'd put it all down.  And, really it's stuff I knew I should be doing all along.




If I don't get back here before Christmas, Have a very Merry Christmas!

Some Basic Customer Service Tips For the Young Employee Who May or May Not Know Any Better

(I've written an addendum to this post.  You can read that here. )


I know it's a crazy time of year and that folks who work in retail and other service industries have probably had just about all that they can handle.  I have also worked in several different customer service positions over the years, so I suppose I'm particularly sensitive to how I am treated as a customer.

I try really hard to be a pleasant, considerate, respectful customer.  I'm afraid though that the art of good customer service is quickly getting lost.  And, I'm really not sure if some of the younger generation have actually been taught what they should do.


Thus, my list for those who maybe just don't know....


1. When a customer is standing at the counter where you are working, acknowledge them.
2. If you are not immediately able to help the customer say something like, "I will be with you in a moment".
3. Ignoring a customer hoping they'll just go away is not appropriate.
4. A customer is more important than the restocking or reorganizing you were working on. In fact, the customer is the reason you have items that need restocked/reorganized.
5. If you are a sales person from another department who stops in to a department where a customer is waiting & the sales person in charge is unaware you should also a)aknowledge the customer & b) alert the appropriate employee.
6. If the customer decides that he/she is not actually going to purchase the item she/he asked you to pull from a locked cabinet & price check, remember this is their perogative.   Rolling your eyes is not an appropriate response.
7. If a customer has 2 sleepy/cranky children with them, it would be ever so helpful to assist them in a timely manner.
8. If you legitimately did not realize the customer was standing there, when you are made aware it is gracious to say, "I'm so sorry. I didn't realize you were there. I didn't mean to make you wait. Can I help you?"


And, for those of us on the customer end, let's always remember to give a smile & a cheery greeting even when we don't receive the same.  You never know what kind of day someone has had!

Thought You'd Like To Know....

I just thought you'd like to know that I'm drinking this right now.....


It's Turmeric Chai Tea & I found this lovely recipe over at New Nostalgia.

Picture found at New Nostalgia

I was blown away by the list of health benefits from turmeric, a spice that I rarely, if ever, use. I'm tellin' ya!  It's pretty impressive.  Go check out the link!


Note to self:  A coffee filter doesn't really work all that great as a sieve.  Buy some cheesecloth.  
Note to you:  I noticed the recipe doesn't actually call for any tea.  I steeped my spices along with a green tea bag.  

Citrus Arugula Salad

I'm still here.  I haven't been posting much because I really am trying to keep my head above water with Christmas preparations.  Boy, that sentence sounds so wrong doesn't it?  Why do I stress myself out every year?


Anyway, God is also really working on my heart this season.  I'm still trying to process everything He's trying to say to me. 


On a lighter note, I wanted to share a yummy idea you could include with your Christmas dinner.  I made these for our mom's group Christmas brunch.  And, they really turned out nice.  They're pretty too.

Citrus Arugula Salad on Parmesan Baskets

First, to make the parmesan basket you take shredded parmesan cheese (it's fine 
too if it's a blend of romano & asiago & parmesan) and you spoon 1-2 tablespoons 
of the cheese on a cookie sheet.  Then use your fingers to spread the cheese out 
into a circle.  I put about 3 of these circles on a cookie sheet at a time.  I 
greased my sheet for the first batch but didn't need to after that. 
 Bake at 350 

degrees for about 5 minutes until the cheese is golden brown.  Allow to cool 

slightly, but when it is still warm & pliable you want to use a metal spatula to 
take the parmesan circle off the sheet and drape over an upside down cup to mold 
into a cup/basket shape.  I usually take a paper towel or cloth & actually press 
the sides down to help mold the shape.    This is a link that shows the process 
step by step....http://whatscookingamerica.net/Appetizers/ParmesanCrisp.htm  
(You can also make them stove top using a small skillet.  I've done it that way 
before too...but for making a large number the oven was the way to go) 
 
The salad was simply a mix of arugula & baby spinach tossed with this 
vinaigrette & then topped with mandarin oranges 
 
Honey Mandarin-Lime Vinaigrette 
3/4 c. cider vinegar (I actually used white vinegar) 
3/4 c. Mandarin orange juice 
2 T. lime juice 
3 T. honey 
1 T. brown sugar 
1 shallot clove minced 
1 1/2 c. olive oil 
pinch of salt 
 
Combine all ingredients except olive oil in blender & blend well.  Then on a low 
blend speed, drizzle in olive oil until well mixed. 

A Simple Christmas?

Every year I tell myself I'm going to keep Christmas simple...not get swept up in the hurry & the busy & the hype.  Every year I tell myself I'm going to keep it slow & focused....that I want to be sure me and my family remember why we are celebrating at all.


And, every year, I still find myself struggling for simple.  


We don't do a lot of parties or gift exchanges or expensive gifts.  We try to be reasonable about the money we do spend & not go into debt.  I don't frequent malls or shopping centers, preferring to do most my shopping on line or at some smaller stores.  


I try really hard to keep it simple.


And, yet I have a whirlwind of To Do Lists flying through my head.  A list of Christmas cookies & candies I want to make & the list of teachers, friends, etc. I want to give them to.  I have a to do list for my mom's group's Christmas brunch (I'm the hospitality person), and a to do list for my children's class parties at school (I'm not able to go in but am sending some things in).  There's my personal list of everyday chores & tasks, and my list for Christmas presents yet to buy.  There are Christmas picture cards ordered & received that now I need to address and send. 


 Baking, wrapping, planning, buying.  Where did my quest for simplicity go?


And, in the midst of it all, I remember my extended family that is suffering with a grief I can't begin to imagine this season.  I look ahead to Friday when funeral services will be held for the three family members whose lives ended in such a tragic way.  


I have to rearrange my morning on Friday in order to attend the funeral.  It's the morning of the Christmas brunch for my moms group.  And, I'm in charge of several things related to the brunch.  I'm stressing as I'm trying to figure out how to delegate & get as much done as I can ahead of time.  


And, then I stop myself.  So what?  So what if I don't get it all done?  Perspective pushes in at me from all sides....
 - the loss of 3 lives in my own family, Rachel, Patti, and Melvin
 - a young boy (whose grandmother I know) who had brain surgery this morning to remove a tumor
 - the family in our area who lost 3 of their children in one tragic car accident last week
 - the blogger whose blog has brought such joy & encouragement to me who is fighting her own battle with cancer
 - friends whose Christmas will be simple not because of their own choosing but because the husband still has not been able to find employment despite months of job searching


This is why He came.  Emmanuel - God With Us.  He came to walk with us in our human condition.  And, he brought Hope.


The Christmas celebration is a celebration of Hope. 


I still love the trees and the decorations and the food and the gifts.  I just don't want to make Christmas ALL about that.  And, it's easy to do.


I guess keeping it simple can be as simple as stopping and remembering and meditating  on what He has done.  I don't want to forget.


(P.S. - If you haven't done so yet, you really should read this post called ' How in the World to get ready for Christmas'  over at  A Holy Experience.  It spoke volumes to me.)

Know Him

I was so encouraged by all the attributes of God that I could find yesterday in just a short period of time while reading the Psalms that I was challenged to look for even more.


I don't know about you but I sometimes fall into the trap of allowing my thinking to be too greatly influenced by this world.  This world sometimes characterizes our God by completely different characteristics - angry, harsh, unfair, etc.  I know I sometimes find myself thinking 'Do they have a point?', especially at times in reading the Old Testament.  And, I question myself, 'Who is God really?'.


But, God wants to be known.  And, there is so much He has told us about Who He Is.  I've read the Psalms hundreds of times, but when I read them with the purpose of understanding God's character, I really have been blown away.


You can read the first part of my list in yesterday's post.  Like I said, it only scratched the surface.  Here is more I found today.  This didn't take hours to compile.  I found all this in a short period of time....about 15 minutes or so.


He Is....


The One Who Established Fairness
The One Who Administers Justice
The One Who Answers
Eternal
Clothed in Splendor
Enthroned Forever
Slow to Anger
Redeemer
Doer of Miraculous Signs
Abundantly Compassionate
Gracious
Fair Judge
One Whose Fame Endures to All Generations
Resplendent
Mighty
Doer of Wonderful Works
God of Hosts
Shepherd
Pure 
Exalted
Satisfier
Revealer
Forgiving
Healer
Full of Faithful Love
Establisher of The Earth




"When the earth and all it's inhabitants shake, I am the One who steadies its pillars."  Psalm 75:2

He Is

(I was reading my Bible this afternoon, searching for some comfort & peace in the middle of this family tragedy.  I was reading in the Psalms & in the course of about 10-15 minutes & reading 6 or 7 Psalms, these were all descriptors or names for God that I found.  And, this only scratches the surface.)


The world may shake, but in the midst of it all He is...


Faithful
A Stronghold
My Strength
A Refuge
A Strong Tower
Glorious
Awe-inspiring
Yahweh
Father of the Fatherless
A Champion of Widows
He Who Leads Prisoners to Prosperity
Powerful
Good
The One Who Hears Prayer
My Hope
My Salvation
My Rock
Almighty
Great
He Who Rides in the Ancient, Highest Heavens
Majestic
Loving
He Who Listens to the Needy
Just 
Righteous
Holy One
My Help
My Deliverer
My God

Prayers For My Family This Time

I'm in complete shock right now and I don't even know if I can find the words to write this post.  I just found out that my 24 year old 2nd cousin and her parents (her mom, Patti, & my mom are 1st cousins) died in a house fire early this morning.  The youngest daughter, 17, escaped out a second story window.


I know that many people might not even know who their second cousins are.  But, Rachel & her family lived in the same area as me.  Her mom, Patti,  worked at the Walmart right up the road.  We saw each other fairly regularly.  And, Rachel & I in particular had reconnected over the years.


She was excited to be engaged to her boyfriend and was looking forward to everything that life had in store....and now she's gone.  And, I just can't believe it.


I don't know what else to say right now.  Just please pray for our family right now.  My mom needs to figure out how to tell my 86 year old grandmother that her niece, husband, and grandniece have died. 

Procrastination Has It's Consequences

(Have you given your opinion yet?  I'll tally all responses I receive until the end of the day Friday, 12/8 - midnight)


I've been seriously considering doing the Jingle Bell Run (another 5K) this coming Sunday.  

I actually know a bunch of people who are going to participate.  


But, I kept hemming & hawing on the matter because  
1.  It's on a Sunday.  It's in the afternoon, but we'll be at church in the morning and Sunday afternoons are usually our rest, relax, and nap time.  
2.  I'm afraid it's gonna be really cold!
3.  I've still been running, but not with the frequency I was before my first 5K.  I'm worried I haven't kept myself physically prepared.


All that to say, today I finally decided, "OK.  I'm gonna do this!"  But, I went to the website and online registration is closed!  


I can still register the day of the event.  Soooo, what do you think?  Should this procrastinator take this as my opportunity to bag it & forget it?  Or should I do it anyway?  


I'm gonna give you guys the power here!  I'll tally your answers and the winning answer will stand.

Prayer Please

I don't often write about tragedies that have occurred in our area.  But, this one is heavy on my heart this morning.  Yesterday afternoon around 3:00 p.m  2 teenagers and a child were killed when their car lost control and crossed the center line into oncoming traffic.  (It was a rainy day)


All three of the children were siblings.  2 boys, twins - age 16 and a girl, age 9 died.


I can not imagine the anguish of this family right now.  They have 10 children total.  And, while I don't know them personally, Facebook is on fire right now with posts from people I know who DO know this family.


They're a godly, close knit family.  And, the mother spoke at our mom's group a couple years ago.  When I went to her facebook page, I thought she looked familiar and now I realize that's why.  But, I'm haunted by their family photo from Christmas last year.  All of their beautiful children are together and smiling.


I know there are many, many prayers being lifted up for them right now.  But, I wanted to send out a request for even more prayer covering over the Martin family in the midst of this terrible time.  Thanks.

The Cost of Groceries

Chatty Mommy has a post today in which she asked her readers if they'd share the price of some basic grocery items in our area.  She named her post I Want To Know What You're Paying.


I thought this was a fun idea.  I like the idea of comparing the price of things depending on the area you live in, where you shop, etc.  So, my post today will be 2 parts.  First I will answer Chatty Mommy's question about the price of certain items.  Then, since I actually made a grocery run this morning, I'll share my 'grocery cart' expenses with you.


Here goes....


Chatty Mommy asked how much we spend on each of these items....


*Note:  I do most of my shopping at a discount grocery store.  Often they have overstock items, some scratch & dent and outdated items too.

• a gallon of regular gas - $3.33 gallon
• a gallon of milk -  at the store 2% is $3.79, whole is $4.00.  We recently switched to raw milk, so I spend $4.00 a gallon where I buy it.  If I bought directly from the dairy it would be less.
• a box of 4 sticks of butter- normally $2.49.   Today I got a deal at $1.79
• a dozen eggs- We used to pay '0'.  But we recently got rid of our chickens.  They were getting old for layers (about 3 years old) & we didn't want to have to winterize for them.  We'll get a new batch of chicks in the spring.  At the store, large white were $2.09, large brown were $2.00.  We pay $2.00 at the farm where we've been getting eggs (pastured).
• a loaf of bread- I usually get Maier's Italian day old bread for about $1.00.  Today I found Sara Lee Honey Wheat day old bread for 79 cents a loaf & Sara Lee Cinnamon Raisin day old for $1.29.    A regular loaf of Schmidt whole wheat bread was $2.49
• a bunch of bananas - my discount store is usually around 49 cents a pound.  Walmart is usually around 59 cents a pound.  Today I hit the jackpot and got a case of finger bananas for $3.99

Now here's what I brought home today.....

• Bag of home-made thin noodles -                       $2.79
• Case single finger bananas -                                    3.99
• Case Fit & Active yogurt (12 containers) -            2.99
• Gallon distilled water -                                               .99
• 2 Land o Lakes 4 stick butter packs -                    1.79 each
• 8 oz. cheddar cheese                                                  1.39
• 10 x sugar (1.89 pounds)                                           1.59
• 2 avocados                                                                   2/1.00
• 2 Sara Lee Honey Wheat loafs                                   .79 each
• Sara Lee Cinnamon Raisin Bread                           1.29
• Gold Medal Flour  (5.37 pounds)                            2.36
• Rolled Oats  (3.62 pounds)                                       2.06
• Brown Sugar (4.86 pounds)                                     4.33
• Pepperidge Farm Goldfish                                           .99
• White & Red Grapes ( 1.62 pounds)                        1.93
• Hand Soap                                                                       .99
• Pineapple                                                                          .99
• Bosc Pears ( 3 lb. bag)                                                  2.99
• 16 oz. Mozarella                                                             1.49
• Sliced deli turkey (.48 pounds)                                  1.44
• Whole cut chicken (4.79 pounds)                             6.64
• bag arugula                                                                       .79
• container of romaine                                                       .99  

My grand total today was $49.24             

So, now that Chatty Mommy got this started, I'd love to hear what prices are in your area.  You could answer in the comments or, if you write a blog post about it, be sure to send me the link.  Send one to Chatty Mommy too.  I know she'd love it!

Um.....

Evidence that at least one of my children may inherit my husband's propensity toward circular logic.....


"Mom!  Joseph's leaving the yard!"


"Where is he now?"


"With Madelyn."


"Where's Madelyn?"


"With Joseph."

Last Chance Picnic

The big boys still had a day off for Thanksgiving vacation yesterday.   And, we had beautiful weather here in Pennsylvania.  


So our day consisted of haircuts for the boys, bike/scooter riding at the park, lots of outside play, and a picnic!


I figured this was probably the last chance in 2011 for the boys to eat their lunch picnic style.  Sure makes clean up easy too!

I Did It!

Well, I did it folks!  I ran my first 5K!  I met both my goals too.  I wanted to run the entire thing if I could and not walk any part of it.  Check!  And, I wanted to come in under 45 minutes.  Check again!  You'll have to read on though to see what my actual time was.

I was so nervous when I got up on Thanksgiving morning.  But, I knew there was no turning back.  And, it was a beautiful, crisp, sunny day.  My in-laws kept the middle two boys - Charlie and Edison.  And, John and I brought Wyatt, our oldest, and Joseph, our youngest along.

The run began at 9:00 a.m. but we wanted to be there by 8:00 to check in.

The Turkey Trot was being held at my alma mater, Millersville University.  The little college town also is home to my high school alma mater, Penn Manor.  The high school campus and college campus are pretty much right next to each other so heading in to the run really was a walk down memory lane.

We checked in at the University gymnasium.

Me and my boys!

I mentioned that it was my sister who originally asked me to run this 5K with her.  And, that her friend, Missy, was the one who asked my sister.  Well, my sister bowed out when she realized it was probably going to be more than she could do in one morning (she was also hosting our family Thanksgiving meal).  But, Missy was still running.  I found her and her stepson, Jake, while we were still in the gym.

I felt a little better once I saw a familiar face.  The campus was hopping with 5K runners and many of them were quite a bit younger and fitter than me.  There were a lot of people there who I could tell took running very seriously.  I had lots of nervous energy and waiting for the start time was hard.

Finally, the crowd started making it's way out to the starting line.  I had no idea what to expect.  I didn't know if they would tell us where to stand.  But, we pretty much just all clumped together & waited for the air horn to blow.

 Missy & I waiting expectantly

And, we're off!

Can you find me in the crowd?

Missy and I started  out together, but we both agreed to move at our own speed.  Missy quickly pulled ahead and out of my sight.  I knew that I had to pace myself.  And, the run started out going slightly uphill.  If I would have tried to keep up with the crowd I would have quickly run out of energy.


So, I moved slowly, but consistently.  I wasn't at the tail end of the pack, but I was certainly toward the back.

John got this picture of me at one of the points along the path.

I tried to concentrate on my own running and not be distracted by what was going on around me.  I also tried not be discouraged by the fact that the people who were mixing walking and running seemed to be going faster than me!  And, there was a dad running with a little girl who appeared to be about 5 or 6 and they consistently stayed well ahead of me.  




I kept telling myself 'slow & steady wins the race'....well, maybe it doesn't win the race, but it does finish the race.


There were also people stationed at the one mile and two mile marks calling out our time as we went by.  At the first mark, I remember thinking "I've only gone a mile?!"  Again, I tried not to let it discourage me and I just kept moving.


The run ended coming around the track in the University stadium.

Coming in the home stretch.

Almost there!

Wyatt told me my finishing time was 39:28.  Hmm.  I look awfully close to the line here.  Maybe it was more like 39:27?

My men were there to congratulate me at the end.

Would I do it again?  Well, Missy has already told me that there is Jingle Bell 5K coming up in December.   We'll see.....

Tomorrow's The Day!

Yes, I know.  It's Thanksgiving tomorrow..  


But, it's also the day of the 5K Turkey Trot I'll be running.  Eeek.

image found here

I think I'm ready.  On 2 different occassions I went around our block (which is slightly more than 3 miles).  I ran most of it both times, with a few walking intervals.  Our block is anything but even.  The first part of our block is down hill and then there are a few spots where I'm going uphill, way uphill (that's where I did my walking).


The map for the 5K looks like it's going to be a fairly flat, even running path.  It's in a little college town (my alma mater actually), so there shouldn't be too many hills and valleys.  And, I'm fairly certain I won't have to dodge horse manure on the road (like I do now).

image found here

Soooo I'd like to try to run the whole thing.  But, I'll certainly walk in parts if I need to.  And, I'd like to try to finish in about 45 minutes.  That's about how long it took me when I did my block & that included walking segments.  


I'll let you know how it goes...


Oh, and by the way, I'll be doing this on my own.  My sister, who originally asked me to join her in doing it, bowed out.  She has a legitimate reason.  She's hosting Thanksgiving dinner at her house, so she's going to be a bit busy.  Anyway, I'm a little nervous about running alone.  But, it's not like I'm going to feel like talking, right?


Wish me luck!  I'll try to imagine all of you cheering me on.

image found here

A Prayer

I start to pray,


'Lord forgive me for patience that runs too thin


my body that is so tired


my will that is so weak.'


But then I remember that He already knows I am


impatient
tired
weak.


What he offers to me is not condemnation but instead he offers


His peace
His strength
His will.


So often I get caught up in the guilt I feel over my failures,


When always His hand is extended in Grace.

Thankfulness

I know I frequently write about my struggle with contentment.  Especially contentment with our home.


 In comparison to 'American standards' our home is small.  And, for a family of six many would consider our home entirely too small.


Our home is old.  I actually prefer older homes.  But, it also means that many things need fixed.  There's a lot of cosmetic work that could/should be done, but the practical & functional stuff comes first.  And, there's a lot of that work too.


I sometimes wish we had more space so my boys could spread out more, that we wouldn't always feel like we were on top of each other.  I wish we had more space so that I could entertain more and that our guests didn't feel like they were on top of each other. 


I dream about my dream home - and old but refurbished stone farmhouse with original hardwood floors, a large eat-in kitchen + a dining room!, plenty of bedrooms, a living room AND a family room, acreage.  


But, I was reminded again recently how very much we have.  In fact, we have more than enough.


This past weekend was our annual missions conference at church.  As missionaries from around the world came to share how God is moving in each of their areas, I was challenged.  In particular, one missionary's presentation challenged me.


A minister in India (and a native Indian himself), he spoke briefly and then had a video presentation which showed the people of the village in which he worked.  His ministry works with orphans, lepers & the sick, the impoverished.


One picture has stuck with me.  It was taken in the inside of a hut - the typical dwelling for a family in this village.  The floor was a dirt floor.  The hut was the size of my living room (which is small).  Thin sleeping mats were being rolled out on the dirt floor.


And that affected me deeply.  I tried to imagine that setting if I went to India to visit.  Could I sleep on those thin mats on a dirt floor inside a crowded hut for a few days?  I could hardly imagine.  But, this is life for the people in that village.


I thought about my own bed & it suddenly seemed to me that my bed would be like sleeping on a cloud in comparison.  


My home is huge & luxurious.


How dare I complain or lament that I don't have enough?  How can I say 'Why don't I have a bigger house like so & so?'?


We don't even know what we have!  And, what we have is so very, very much.


I am thankful.  I am thankful for all I have.  And, I am thankful that God is gentle with us.  Despite our tendency toward ungratefulness, His Spirit speaks to us tenderly....reminding us of all we have.

Do You Have A Suggestion?

For Christmas this year we would like to get my oldest two boys their first 'real' Bibles.  They've outgrown the children's storybook Bibles and they need something that they can take to Sunday School that has the Bible in it's entirety.


We realized it was time when our one son mentioned that they sometimes do 'Sword Drills' in Sunday School where they try to find different verses as quickly as they can.


I would like something that is a large enough print for them to be able to easily read it.  And, it would be nice if it still had pictures or illustrations here and there.  Do any of your children have a Bible that is easy for them to use.


I would love any suggestions you may have.....