10. Finishing a good book - and not having a sequel ready to read.
9. Having too much to do on the weekend.
8. Feeling guilty because I didn't do half the stuff I should have over the weekend.
7. People posting messages about how bad a blogger I am (even though it's true).
6. POLITICS
5. Knowing one of my kids is unhappy and not being able to "fix-it".
4. Not being able to see our new grand-daughter.
3. Big budget cuts!
2. Having to do a RIF (i.e. letting my employees go because of budget cuts.)
1. Having to tell clients we can't serve them anymore - because of - you guessed it - BUDGET CUTS.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Homecoming
In 46 hours Michelle will be back in the states - and I'll be waiting to hug her.
My junk is out of her closet and clean sheets are on the bed.
I can hardly wait!
My junk is out of her closet and clean sheets are on the bed.
I can hardly wait!
Sunday, May 04, 2008
blogging grades
After quickly checking the blogs of family and friends I have decided to issue grades based on the frequency or infrequency of their postings.
Michelle - gets an F - really Michelle - nothing to write in 2 months?
Paul - you get a D - its been a month for you - not as bad as Michelle - but knowing the Murphys, I know you have to have some escapade to share.
Me - I get a C - at least I post something more frequently than the 2 of you (remember - this grade is for frequency not quality of content)
Phillip / Jaime an A- I have to penalize you some since its a shared blog.
Michelle - gets an F - really Michelle - nothing to write in 2 months?
Paul - you get a D - its been a month for you - not as bad as Michelle - but knowing the Murphys, I know you have to have some escapade to share.
Me - I get a C - at least I post something more frequently than the 2 of you (remember - this grade is for frequency not quality of content)
Phillip / Jaime an A- I have to penalize you some since its a shared blog.
Return of the Fledglings
Over the past nine months, Ron and I have experienced an"empty nest" for the first time. While we have missed the kids, I must admit to having enjoyed the quiet house and freedom to do what we wanted when we wanted without regard to school schedules or their activities. My "stuff" - has gradually drifted into "their" rooms. (Michelle's room was turned into a combination library/ bedroom a couple of years ago - I'm still contemplating what to do with Logan's room).
Next weekend Logan will be back from his first year of college and next month Michelle returns from her lastest "missioning" in Amsterdam. I am excited that they will be home. I have missed them - but I must admit to some mixed feelings. I like using their spaces. I like knowing who will be home for dinner and at what time.
Of course, I also like getting to hug them and share things with them in real-time. As any parent will tell you - mom and dad's is always home - even when you have one of your own.
So this week I will pack up my stuff in preparation for the return of my fledglings.
Next weekend Logan will be back from his first year of college and next month Michelle returns from her lastest "missioning" in Amsterdam. I am excited that they will be home. I have missed them - but I must admit to some mixed feelings. I like using their spaces. I like knowing who will be home for dinner and at what time.
Of course, I also like getting to hug them and share things with them in real-time. As any parent will tell you - mom and dad's is always home - even when you have one of your own.
So this week I will pack up my stuff in preparation for the return of my fledglings.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Congratulations!
Congratulations to my mother, Pat, who (purple cast and all) was honored last night as the Volunteer of the Year at Rankin Hospital in St. Louis!
Hurrah to Pat, "Pat's Kitchen" at Rankin, and all the kids and staff at Rankin!
Mom, they couldn't have picked anyone better!
Hurrah to Pat, "Pat's Kitchen" at Rankin, and all the kids and staff at Rankin!
Mom, they couldn't have picked anyone better!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Accident Prone
Thursday night I got a phone call from my brother and a short time later from my Dad. When either of these two call it's either my birthday, a holiday, or something "bad" has happened. So right off the bat I was worried. They tell me Mom has broken her wrist and is at the hospital. My brother's version is that our 69 year old mother has broken her wrist playing soccer.
Now before anyone gets too excited let me explain. Yes, there was a soccer ball involved and yes, my mother was kicking it...to her dog. Needless to say, she missed somehow and fell - obviously trying to catch herself and breaking her arm/wrist -I'm still not sure which. (She won't know until Tuesday if surgery will be required or just casting.) So please pray for her.
Unfortunately, this is not my family's first clutzy injury. It's actually kind of a pattern for us. For example, my sister managed to break her leg stepping down off a bleacher. I've broken a toe (not once, but twice) walking into a door frame and an ankle water-skiing (not very well obviously). Michelle has cracked some ribs diving off cliffs at Heber Springs. Logan walked into a truck's path because he was "thinking" and managed to get away with only a broken clavicle.
Whether it's genetics, environment, or karma - we're all pretty accident prone. But I think Mom's got the best story. I also think it's time to switch to a new sport. Suggestions anyone?
(FYI: My Mom reads my blog - so any advice offered will get to her.)
Now before anyone gets too excited let me explain. Yes, there was a soccer ball involved and yes, my mother was kicking it...to her dog. Needless to say, she missed somehow and fell - obviously trying to catch herself and breaking her arm/wrist -I'm still not sure which. (She won't know until Tuesday if surgery will be required or just casting.) So please pray for her.
Unfortunately, this is not my family's first clutzy injury. It's actually kind of a pattern for us. For example, my sister managed to break her leg stepping down off a bleacher. I've broken a toe (not once, but twice) walking into a door frame and an ankle water-skiing (not very well obviously). Michelle has cracked some ribs diving off cliffs at Heber Springs. Logan walked into a truck's path because he was "thinking" and managed to get away with only a broken clavicle.
Whether it's genetics, environment, or karma - we're all pretty accident prone. But I think Mom's got the best story. I also think it's time to switch to a new sport. Suggestions anyone?
(FYI: My Mom reads my blog - so any advice offered will get to her.)
Friday, March 21, 2008
Friday, March 07, 2008
Reality Check
Okay, in my last post I said I would return to the subject of the Anne Franke and Corrie Ten Boom house visits. Everyone has heard of the Diary of Anne Franke. - The story of a young jewish girl and her family and how they hid for 3 years from the nazis. The Anne Franke house was about a block and 1/2 from the bed and breakfast where we stayed in Amsterdam. We got up early one morning and strolled along the prisengraat (canal) to the house which is now a museum. It is an empty house with photos, excerpts from the diary, historical items (like a yellow star the jews were forced to wear). The tour starts in what was the business on the main floor and moves you through to the sections where the family and friend hid. Those who helped to keep them hidden and fed (which was itself an amazing feat!) had to keep the secret not only from the nazis, but from other people who worked in the business on the main floors. All day long from (;00 until the buisness closed and workers went home they had to be completely silent. Anne tells of seeing other jews they knew dragged from their homes on the other side of the canal while ann and her family were already in hiding and feeling guilty because she did and could do nothing for them. Ultimately, they were caught and sent to the camps and only Anne's father survived.
Corri Ten Boom's story is not as well-known..but in many ways more amazing to me. Corrie's family were devout christians. They were always generous to others - even when they had little themselves. They sort of slipped into the dutch resistance - as people they knew began coming to them for help when the nazis invaded the Netherlands. Corrie's role grew until she was essentially the leader of the dutch resistance in their town (Haarlem). They added a brick wall in the back of an upstairs room leaving a small space (about the size of a closet) that could be entered by crawling through an opening at the back, bottom shelf of a closet. Over time they hid dozens (if not hundreds) of jews and resistance members for varying periods of time. They were eventually betrayed and sent to the camps. Corrie's father (who was in his eighties) and her sister died in the camps. Corrie survived - to share God's love and forgiveness and salvation for many years afterwards. The tour guide was a woman who had been a young child in Haarlem during the war and listening to her talk of the bombing, the restrictions, and the food shortages was really -something.
We think of WWII as history - long gone. But there and across Europe, whose history is so much longer than ours - and who experienced everything on their home soil - the war is recent history. It's still fresh and painful.
Standing in Corrie's house, seeing pictures of her and many of those she helped to save, hearing her story of God's outpouring on her...was so moving and humbling. After returning home I read Corrie's account of this time in her life in her book "The Hiding Place". And I couldn't help but think about how small my faith is, how much I limit God's action in my life. And I wonder when times like those return - as I believe they will - who will God work through then? Who will let him light the way, pour forth his love, reflect his redemption? And if it is me - will I do as she did - and learn to say, "God I can't - but you can - so send your strength, your love, your forgiveness, through me - and by so doing - learn to love and forgive as she did?
Corri Ten Boom's story is not as well-known..but in many ways more amazing to me. Corrie's family were devout christians. They were always generous to others - even when they had little themselves. They sort of slipped into the dutch resistance - as people they knew began coming to them for help when the nazis invaded the Netherlands. Corrie's role grew until she was essentially the leader of the dutch resistance in their town (Haarlem). They added a brick wall in the back of an upstairs room leaving a small space (about the size of a closet) that could be entered by crawling through an opening at the back, bottom shelf of a closet. Over time they hid dozens (if not hundreds) of jews and resistance members for varying periods of time. They were eventually betrayed and sent to the camps. Corrie's father (who was in his eighties) and her sister died in the camps. Corrie survived - to share God's love and forgiveness and salvation for many years afterwards. The tour guide was a woman who had been a young child in Haarlem during the war and listening to her talk of the bombing, the restrictions, and the food shortages was really -something.
We think of WWII as history - long gone. But there and across Europe, whose history is so much longer than ours - and who experienced everything on their home soil - the war is recent history. It's still fresh and painful.
Standing in Corrie's house, seeing pictures of her and many of those she helped to save, hearing her story of God's outpouring on her...was so moving and humbling. After returning home I read Corrie's account of this time in her life in her book "The Hiding Place". And I couldn't help but think about how small my faith is, how much I limit God's action in my life. And I wonder when times like those return - as I believe they will - who will God work through then? Who will let him light the way, pour forth his love, reflect his redemption? And if it is me - will I do as she did - and learn to say, "God I can't - but you can - so send your strength, your love, your forgiveness, through me - and by so doing - learn to love and forgive as she did?
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Amsterdam - take one
Since I said I'd post this weekend (and certain friends reminded me this morning that I had yet to do so) I will try to write at least a little about the Amsterdam visit. Most importantly, Michelle is doing well - working hard, sharing Christ, and growing in faith. What she does still scares me - but God is using her.
First, Amsterdam is an incredible city consisting of graats (canals), straats (streets) and buildings...tall buildings, all connected to each other. There is very little open green space like we are used to here in the south. And the buildings are OLD and narrow and have steep, winding, skinny stairs ...and obviously - old buildings do not have elevators. Picture me carrying a large suitcase and carry-on bag up to the fourth floor on a staircase with steps so narrow I had to turn my foot sideways to fit on the step.
Second Amsterdam is a city of bikes. They are everywhere with their own lanes and traffic lights. Old bikes - think 1940's style. When a walker (usually a tourist) is in their way they ring little bells on the bike to tell you to get out of the way. Everyone bikes and/or walks in Amsterdam - and no one is fat. There are bikes parked (and chained) everywhere to everything. If my pictures turn out okay - and I finally took the film in today - I will have a photo of a 3 story parking garage - for bikes. It was amazing!
Amsterdam (and the other cities we visited) is a city of gothic churches. Wester Kerk (West Church) was right across the street from our hotel. The churches are old, massive stone, awe-inspiring - with stained glass and magnificent pipeorgans. Unfortunately - almost all of them are now museums rather than churches. In talking with Michelle, our host, and others - the city has a very strong religious history - but is largely apathetic toward religion.
We had the opportunity to worship with Zolder church (the congregation of believers that Michelle worships with). Zolder Church consists of about 150 (?) believers from all walks of life - who meet in 2 groups (Zolder A and B). The groups worship on alternating Sundays and the whole group meets together on 5th Sundays with small groups meeting mid-week. The worship was uplifting. At present the congregation is meeting in a backroom of a restuarant/club. Originally they met in an attic or Zolder (hence the name). Services are in English (with Dutch translations of the lessons provided). It was a very comfortable, welcoming group and I would love to meet with them again.
Another interesting visit we had (though not a normal tourist one) was our dinner and long talk with a friend of MIchelle's, Antony. Antony has a really interesting story - of how he lost his life and fortune - and how he came to find real life in Christ just when he was ready to end his life. Fascinating story - he has written an account of his experience and salvation. I am very interested in seeing what God has in store for this man. I have received an email copy of his story and hope to share it with many of you later. Hopefully, he will show up in the states in the next year and I'll get a chance to introduce him to you.
Of course, we also did the usual tourist stuff - boat tour of the canals, visit the museums - including the Van Gogh museum, toured a dutch east indies trading ship, and went to Delft to see how the Delft china is made. Two of the places really caused us to seriously reflect - the Anne Franke Haus and the Corrie Ten Boom house. Anne Frank's house was about 1 1/2 blocks from where we were staying. Corrie Ten Boom house was in Haarlem (a short distance outside of Amsterdam). I will write more about those places later.
First, Amsterdam is an incredible city consisting of graats (canals), straats (streets) and buildings...tall buildings, all connected to each other. There is very little open green space like we are used to here in the south. And the buildings are OLD and narrow and have steep, winding, skinny stairs ...and obviously - old buildings do not have elevators. Picture me carrying a large suitcase and carry-on bag up to the fourth floor on a staircase with steps so narrow I had to turn my foot sideways to fit on the step.
Second Amsterdam is a city of bikes. They are everywhere with their own lanes and traffic lights. Old bikes - think 1940's style. When a walker (usually a tourist) is in their way they ring little bells on the bike to tell you to get out of the way. Everyone bikes and/or walks in Amsterdam - and no one is fat. There are bikes parked (and chained) everywhere to everything. If my pictures turn out okay - and I finally took the film in today - I will have a photo of a 3 story parking garage - for bikes. It was amazing!
Amsterdam (and the other cities we visited) is a city of gothic churches. Wester Kerk (West Church) was right across the street from our hotel. The churches are old, massive stone, awe-inspiring - with stained glass and magnificent pipeorgans. Unfortunately - almost all of them are now museums rather than churches. In talking with Michelle, our host, and others - the city has a very strong religious history - but is largely apathetic toward religion.
We had the opportunity to worship with Zolder church (the congregation of believers that Michelle worships with). Zolder Church consists of about 150 (?) believers from all walks of life - who meet in 2 groups (Zolder A and B). The groups worship on alternating Sundays and the whole group meets together on 5th Sundays with small groups meeting mid-week. The worship was uplifting. At present the congregation is meeting in a backroom of a restuarant/club. Originally they met in an attic or Zolder (hence the name). Services are in English (with Dutch translations of the lessons provided). It was a very comfortable, welcoming group and I would love to meet with them again.
Another interesting visit we had (though not a normal tourist one) was our dinner and long talk with a friend of MIchelle's, Antony. Antony has a really interesting story - of how he lost his life and fortune - and how he came to find real life in Christ just when he was ready to end his life. Fascinating story - he has written an account of his experience and salvation. I am very interested in seeing what God has in store for this man. I have received an email copy of his story and hope to share it with many of you later. Hopefully, he will show up in the states in the next year and I'll get a chance to introduce him to you.
Of course, we also did the usual tourist stuff - boat tour of the canals, visit the museums - including the Van Gogh museum, toured a dutch east indies trading ship, and went to Delft to see how the Delft china is made. Two of the places really caused us to seriously reflect - the Anne Franke Haus and the Corrie Ten Boom house. Anne Frank's house was about 1 1/2 blocks from where we were staying. Corrie Ten Boom house was in Haarlem (a short distance outside of Amsterdam). I will write more about those places later.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Home again, Home again, jiggety, jig!
Back at home. Trip was great - I'll write about it this weekend. Jet lag on the return was interesting but I'm almost back to normal (for me anyway).
MIchelle s doing well and doing good work. Crazy place - interesting people.
And the Corrie Ton Boom house and story was faith-inspiring. If you haven't read "The Hiding Place" you should.
MIchelle s doing well and doing good work. Crazy place - interesting people.
And the Corrie Ton Boom house and story was faith-inspiring. If you haven't read "The Hiding Place" you should.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
The Ugly American
Ok, in three weeks we head off for our first trip to Europe. I'm very excited ( and not just because I get to be with my daughter again after 7 months). But - I am a social worker and "The Ugly American" was mandatory reading in my anthropology class days .(Yes, I know that was many, many years ago!) I really want to represent myself (and my country) in a positive way so I've been thinking about ways to avoid being seen as "ugly" by the lovely dutch folks. That may be somewhat difficult with my Missouri Show Me state, Arkansas (Go Pigs, Soooooeh), Texan, and South Carolina southern background. So I need a list to help me avoid the pitfalls. This is what I've got so far:
1. Blend in. (i.e. leave the sapphire blue coat at home -per Michelle's advice).
2. Leave politics out of all conversations. (I figure that since Michelle and her Dad fight on the phone about politics already - it would be best to avoid this topic completely. Actually, as far as I'm concerned that's a topic I always prefer to avoid.)
3. Keep my voice volumn down. (I hope this doesn't apply to singing - but I will avoid singing in public places.)
4. Speak dutch. (Well, that's one item I won't be doing. As bad as I am at languages I'd probably insult someone while asking where the bathroom is. So scratch that one from the list.)
Suggestions anyone?
1. Blend in. (i.e. leave the sapphire blue coat at home -per Michelle's advice).
2. Leave politics out of all conversations. (I figure that since Michelle and her Dad fight on the phone about politics already - it would be best to avoid this topic completely. Actually, as far as I'm concerned that's a topic I always prefer to avoid.)
3. Keep my voice volumn down. (I hope this doesn't apply to singing - but I will avoid singing in public places.)
4. Speak dutch. (Well, that's one item I won't be doing. As bad as I am at languages I'd probably insult someone while asking where the bathroom is. So scratch that one from the list.)
Suggestions anyone?
Saturday, January 12, 2008
I think I'm going - "blonde"
Last weekend Ron and I had a formal "do" to attend. I spent much of the weekend before shopping for the right dress (fashionable, sexy - but not too sexy). So Friday comes and I hurry home from work so I would have time to showere and do my hair and make-up before going out. Ron gets home, changes too and off we go.
We get down town and stroll up to the party location - only to find the entire building completely cloed up and dark. So now we walk back to the car and call Logan (who happened to be home on break and actually at the house for a change) and ask him to go look at the invitation. Sure enough - right there in plain english - the date of the party - Saturday (not Friday!).
I actually found it quite funny - and told Ron we had a "dress rehearsal".
So now I need to decide if I am turning blonde or if this was a "senior" moment. Personally, I vote for going blonde!
We get down town and stroll up to the party location - only to find the entire building completely cloed up and dark. So now we walk back to the car and call Logan (who happened to be home on break and actually at the house for a change) and ask him to go look at the invitation. Sure enough - right there in plain english - the date of the party - Saturday (not Friday!).
I actually found it quite funny - and told Ron we had a "dress rehearsal".
So now I need to decide if I am turning blonde or if this was a "senior" moment. Personally, I vote for going blonde!
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