Will You Turn Green?

 I do NOT like creepy, scary or evil but I DO like seeing excited children dressed up in costumes, parading through school halls (is that even allowed anymore?) and going from door to door collecting mounds of candy. I also love children's books!

The neighborhood we lived in while our children were of trick or treating age was "the" place to go in town- I'd hand out over 700 pieces of candy! It's our first Happy Pumpkin Day (doesn't that sound friendlier than Halloween?) at our rental on the corner, and even though I have no idea how many times our doorbell will ring, I'll have chocolate, a carved pumpkin and my hubby will answer the door.

Back when I taught preschool and kindergarten I always read the Nancy Carlson book entitled Harriet's Halloween Candy to my students. It's my personal favorite for this time of year and it's available on Amazon. 

All the children's books written by Nancy Carlson teach life lessons as well as entertain. Click the link below to learn more about this talented author.

http://www.nancycarlson.com/about.html

In this story Harriet the dog returns from trick or treating, and the first thing she does is categorize her candy into rows and count it up. Categorizing and counting candy on the living room floor became a family tradition for my kids.  I also had my class do this for "homework" as a way to make candy collecting educational.  That was math I enjoyed!  

                                                

The illustrations of Harriet  turning green from gorging herself in her closet until she becomes totally nauseated are priceless. I also have trouble with self-control when chocolate is involved...

If you have little ones ages four to eight I highly recommend you get yourself a copy of this book! (Or if you're a kid at heart like me!)

Lessons Learned: If you're hoarding candy and eating it in your closet, you'll probably get a tummy ache and possibly turn green.  It would be much healthier to nibble a little candy, then FEAST on God's word. So much better for body, mind and soul...

"Taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:7-9

In His Grip, Jane

Here's a peek at my adorable four 14 years ago.

Beverage Blunders

Photo source:engstromauctions.com

 It happened, again. I messed up the drinks. I am a good "mixologist" at home (cosmos, margaritas, my morning coffee) but for some reason I keep messing up the large group beverages at church.

I am the designated "beverage girl/hospitality queen" at Women's bible study and two weeks in a row I've sort of messed up my job. I understand the concept of providing comfort in a cup, but am having some trouble with implementation.

My first blunder was hitting the half-pot button on the giant coffee machine when I had measured out the grounds for a full pot. Oh yes, it trickled out very black and very strong. I added some hot water to try to even things out but I most likely caused many women to be EXTRA wide-awake for the Kay Arthur video. I noticed Brian Williams did a news story tonight on our country being over-caffeinated. He must have heard about me! 

This week I stuck a "HOT WATER" sticker on a coffee dispenser so there would be a second  hot water container for the tea drinkers. My "healthy" friend sitting next to me decided to drink straight hot water. (Who does that? Especially when there isn't even a lemon slice available!) 

She noticed things floating in her cup, a bit of a tan color and an unpleasant taste. Who didn't consider that the thermos had always been used for coffee so it would have residue in the bottom? Why me, or course...

Bad memories from the past and nightmares can be like that residue. They float up in our minds when we least expect them and take our focus off God and good things that are happening right now.

I woke up this morning from a nightmare ( I was a high school student in a new town and nobody would be my friend. Yes, apparently I was revisiting what my daughter went through in Illinois...)  I couldn't shake the dark feeling until I reminded myself it was a dream about events in the past and God has been faithful to my daughter and I.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2

As I write this I'm enjoying a cup of Pumpkin Spice tea. I'm pretty sure I can't mess that up. (Teabag + hot water=Autumn in a mug.)

Lessons Learned: I probably won't get fired from my volunteer position because my bible study group appreciates the attempt not the end result, don't just plop a sticker on something and expect it to "become" what the label says, and when negative thoughts float to the surface like old coffee grounds,  dump them out and replace them with TRUTH.

In His Grip, Jane

My oldest daughter just got hired as a part-time barista in California at Dutch Brothers. Perhaps her talent will rub off on me!

We Are Family

“There you and your families will feast in the presence of the Lord your God, and you will rejoice in all you have accomplished because (He) has blessed you.” Deuteronomy 12:7

Over the weekend our family of seven managed to all gather in the same place. It took a LOT of logistics, two plane flights from Chicago, one flight from California and two cars driving over the pass, but we ALL met in Spokane, Washington for Whitworth University Parent’s Weekend! We hadn't all been together since last Christmas!

Here's a re-cap of our fun weekend:

It was hard for me to keep the secret from my two youngest that even their older sister would be flying up from California (a birthday gift from big brother), but the look on their faces and the hugs that followed made the surprise totally worth it.

 We began our time together with a meal.

                                          Source: http://wedonthaveone.com/the-elk/

My daughter used her creative talent to decorate her dorm room.

 Saturday we joined the huge crowd at Green Bluff and enjoyed  pumpkin donuts and hot apple cider.

My son who lives off campus introduced us to the SIX adorable kittens that his “house of boys” are taking care of for six weeks. It took a lot of control not to sneak this sweet baby kitty named Lord Stark home with me! (I wonder if the fact that pretty girls are often stopping by to cuddle with the kittens had any part in the decision to take this fostering project on? Brilliant...)

My girlies have missed each other.

I did have a couple "accidents" while at the Quality hotel. Learn from my mistakes and do not repeat...

1.      1. Do not undo your necklace over the sink. (Lost my Mike charm down the drain…)

                                                 Photo source: care2.com (Annie B Bond)

2   2.Make sure when setting your I-phone alarm for the next morning that it says A.M. (I was probably the only adult at Parent’s Weekend who overslept and missed the Professor’s class I was supposed to attend.)

p                                                               Photo source: ipod.about.com

I am tucking away three days of memories we made including going to church and taking Communion together as a family. As I contemplate all that my children are accomplishing, I know deep in my heart, we are blessed. 

On our beautiful drive home through the mountain pass I was reminded that just like me, God loves His children and desires to spend time with them too. 

Have you been making any special memories with your family this fall?

In His Grip, Jane

The Desert Can Be An Oasis

It’s mighty brisk and windy up on the corner today. It's typical fall weather for the Northwest yet I'm missing the dry heat I was enjoying seven days ago.

Last week at this time I was relaxing on a lounge chair in the warm sunshine attempting to get a tan on my quite pale skin. I spent five fabulous days at the J.W. Marriott Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona.. (I was tagging along on my husband's business trip because the room was paid for, my traveling hubby has been adding up the airline miles and Scottsdale is one of my favorite places!)

I was on my own most of the time while hubby had meetings, but I handled it pretty well I think.

Sunshine…yes please. Massage at the spa…thank you very much. Majestic mountains, beautiful flowers and cactus…love them! The desert is an Oasis to me.

I discovered why the pool goes by the name “Jackrabbit”. They’re everywhere!

I sipped my Starbucks on the resort patio while doing my bible study each morning…quite wonderful. 

Besides one cloudy day the only not so pleasant event was having our room flood when gray-matter (aka-sewage) filled up the tub and overflowed…Smelly, and damaging to a couple items on the closet floor including my new sandals. Having the resort upgrade us to a beautiful suite to make up for the problem…made me feel like a pampered movie star. (Excellent customer service!)

The sunsets were glorious. The Desert is God’s country too. 

Did you know that a cactus doesn't start growing an arm until it is about 50-80 years old after reaching a height of 10 feet.

Yep, last week was refreshing (to this Northwest girl) and I am thankful.  I LOVE visiting Arizona, but if we relocated there I wouldn't be home with my dear friends and church family. For now, I have warm memories and I’ll dream of  the next trip to heat and sunshine. (Oh, I do have a daughter who lives in California. I feel the need for a winter road trip!)

I also think it would be FUN to be a travel blogger and I am able and willing…Hello...J.W. Marriott???

Does anyone else out there think the desert can be an oasis?

In His Grip, Jane

Wonder and Webs

Was it Worth the Price?

     Let me begin by admitting the truth; being and staying blonde is expensive. When I saw the birds at the fair who looked like they too had experienced some hair drama, I decided to share with you some observations I've made. (Perhaps they went to the beauty school too...) 

     With tuition for two at a private university (Whitworth is quite pricey but worth every penny) and me not contributing to the bank account right now, I told my hubby I would "cut corners" and save us money whenever and wherever I could.

     You'll find me buying certain groceries at the Grocery Outlet on 6th Ave and loving the money I save. The Target "red" card is my friend... I have a pile of sale and discount coupons with me at all times and I put off going to the mall for weeks until I had birthday $.

     I know I have a long way to go to adjust our budget and become more thrifty. One lesson  though, has already been reinforced. Hair hi-lights are one area that confirms the saying "you get what you pay for". My daughter added some Ombre color at the Beauty School in Tacoma before leaving for college and it turned out pretty. The total bill was only about $35 and I was sold! 

     I cancelled my regular "girl" who keeps my golden tresses looking lovely and "natural". (I really am a natural blond, I promise...) At the end of the summerI went on my merry way to save big bucks at the beauty school. 

     SOooo I tried to explain to the cute stylist student what my talented stylist usually does to no avail. When she consulted with her mentor and finished "foiling" me I had become a bit striped with really light and really dark colors. The bill was great for the budget, but the end result of feeling like Cruella wasn't worth it. (Let me add that I totally would recommend the Salon Professional Academy  for trims, all over color, kids, men and up-dos. They work hard and are very friendly.) 

Photo source:101dalmatians.wikia.com

     Even  though I'm not due to get a touch-up for a couple more weeks I finally contacted my regular stylist and she'll be repairing "the damage" this afternoon. Yay!! I want to thank all my friends for politely not asking any questions about my color snafu. (Or did you really not notice? Maybe only blondes are obsessed with roots and stripes...)

     The lesson of paying the price to get the best (or fix damage) was originally taught to all of us by God. He paid the ultimate price (the life of his son Jesus) so you and I can have eternal life. It's overwhelming to think about the price God was willing to pay...

"God purchased you at a high price." 1 Corinthians 7:23

Wishing you all good hair days and great days knowing the love of God.

In His Grip, Jane

Photo source:101dalmatians.wikia.com