What would you guess? mid-January? mid-February?
No--the first 2 weeks of November! A 30-50 degree temperature range isn't that cold, unless you don't have heat! Brrrrrrrrrrrr.........
November 15th-- Northern China is deemed "officially" cold, beginning the flow of government heating. Yeah!
On another cold note, the girls have been begging for a party. So this Friday we're hosting a Halloween/Fall Festival party...outside! Anyone have any easy game ideas?
Pictures to come on Friday! :)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Magical Pill Bottle
Both of the girls take Singulair before they go to bed, and today we finished off the bottle. I've told Kathryn before that medicine bottles are made in such a way that only mommies and daddies can open them. Tonight when the bottle was empty, Kathryn asked if they could have it for their "play doctor" collection.
"Wow, mom--I got it open! That's really like magic--as soon as all the pills are gone, then kids can open it!"
Then we played doctor for awhile.
Ellie said, "OK, momma. I'll be the momma, and you be the darling." But when it was time to give me the medicine, she couldn't get the bottle open.
"Momma, Can you open it?"
"But Ellie, you're the momma, and I'm the darling, remember?"
"Yes, but I need you to be the momma for a minute. And then you can be the darling again, ok?"
That's my little darling! :)
"Wow, mom--I got it open! That's really like magic--as soon as all the pills are gone, then kids can open it!"
Then we played doctor for awhile.
Ellie said, "OK, momma. I'll be the momma, and you be the darling." But when it was time to give me the medicine, she couldn't get the bottle open.
"Momma, Can you open it?"
"But Ellie, you're the momma, and I'm the darling, remember?"
"Yes, but I need you to be the momma for a minute. And then you can be the darling again, ok?"
That's my little darling! :)
Friday, October 24, 2008
I'm Out of the House!
“Why don’t you fix your hair anymore, mom?”
Yes, it has been a whole week since my daughter saw me wear my hair down or put on any make-up. This morning, I am out of the house for the first time in almost a week. I’m still feeling pretty puny but I couldn’t stand the thought of staying in another day.
This whole week pretty much feels like a “wash”. All I did was lie around while Jim took care of the girls. No writing on my study. Homeschool was abandoned. The girls watched more movies than I’d care to admit. What did I produce this week? Filling trashcans with kleenexes.
Why is that we are so prone to judge “success” based on productivity? Apparently, what God had planned for my week felt like a whole lot of nothing. Further lessons on a common theme… Why did I pray that prayer?? Lord, help me learn to find joy in whatever “distractions” you have planned for my week.
Ok, Ok—Enough already! :)
An earlier quote comes back to me…
“It is not feeling well when we're
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Stupidity, Schools, and Service
A string of guests, a transition to yet another school for the girls, a family round of pink eye, and a return of the cough from Hades have kept me from blogging the last several days.
I was working on a post a few days ago that had read potential but I never finished it. It was called, “10 Stupid Things I Did Today”. The only problem was that I only got to number 5. Want to hear them?
1. I decided to bake cookies at 5pm before our 6pm dinner guests arrived.
2. I sent a bowl of sugar cascading down the pantry, hitting every cubby along the way, landing with a dramatic crash on the floor.
3. I attempted to clean said sugar spill with wet broom.
4. I wore socks during said cleaning.
5. I continued to walk around the apartment with said socks…HUGE MESS!!
…Enter dinner guests.
I was certain there were at least 5 more idiot moments to add to the list, but that night my cough took a turn for the worse and all my brain cells were otherwise occupied. I could definitely finish that top 10 any other given day.
On a happier note, for those of you who have followed the girls’ school saga, they have made a smooth transition to Chinese school #3 (which is really school #1). Last week’s discussions with the administration escalated to an unworkable situation and I decided it wasn’t worth the stress it would cause me to send them through the end of the month, just to get my money’s worth. So Monday morning, they returned to the school across the highway.
Across the highway. It sounds far. It’s really not that far. But it does feel like an eternal divide at times. Our friends who live nearby categorize ourselves into “us” and “them” based on what side of the highway we live on. The major reason for switching the school last year to begin with was all about not crossing the road. But the girls are much happier, because now they have English-speaking friends in their classes. And as soon as we walked into this place on Monday, I knew it was right. The whole demeanor is a complete 180 from the other school. But I’m still going to have to work on my attitude about crossing the road. Which leads me to…
Praises to my beloved husband, who has begun crossing the road in the mornings, dropping off the girls on his way to work. You see, he’s undergoing a service revolution, of which I am the grand beneficiary! I’d have done better to make a list of “10 ways my honey has loved me well this week.” In fact, let’s do that now.
1. He takes the girls to school.
2. He brought them home from school today as well.
3. After he brought them home, he stayed home the rest of the day so I could sleep.
4. He picked up berries for me today.
5. He brought me chicken soup in bed.
6. He stopped by the grocery store on the way home, and the bakery too!
7. He went shopping with me on our date night (He hates that, but he loves me!)
8. He let me sleep in our Saturday morning.
9. He folded 3 loads of laundry.
10. He regularly asks, “How can I help you today, honey?” And he means it!
He says that as soon as I’m better, it’s back to the old Jim. But I think he’s really changing! I love you baby! :)
I was working on a post a few days ago that had read potential but I never finished it. It was called, “10 Stupid Things I Did Today”. The only problem was that I only got to number 5. Want to hear them?
1. I decided to bake cookies at 5pm before our 6pm dinner guests arrived.
2. I sent a bowl of sugar cascading down the pantry, hitting every cubby along the way, landing with a dramatic crash on the floor.
3. I attempted to clean said sugar spill with wet broom.
4. I wore socks during said cleaning.
5. I continued to walk around the apartment with said socks…HUGE MESS!!
…Enter dinner guests.
I was certain there were at least 5 more idiot moments to add to the list, but that night my cough took a turn for the worse and all my brain cells were otherwise occupied. I could definitely finish that top 10 any other given day.
On a happier note, for those of you who have followed the girls’ school saga, they have made a smooth transition to Chinese school #3 (which is really school #1). Last week’s discussions with the administration escalated to an unworkable situation and I decided it wasn’t worth the stress it would cause me to send them through the end of the month, just to get my money’s worth. So Monday morning, they returned to the school across the highway.
Across the highway. It sounds far. It’s really not that far. But it does feel like an eternal divide at times. Our friends who live nearby categorize ourselves into “us” and “them” based on what side of the highway we live on. The major reason for switching the school last year to begin with was all about not crossing the road. But the girls are much happier, because now they have English-speaking friends in their classes. And as soon as we walked into this place on Monday, I knew it was right. The whole demeanor is a complete 180 from the other school. But I’m still going to have to work on my attitude about crossing the road. Which leads me to…
Praises to my beloved husband, who has begun crossing the road in the mornings, dropping off the girls on his way to work. You see, he’s undergoing a service revolution, of which I am the grand beneficiary! I’d have done better to make a list of “10 ways my honey has loved me well this week.” In fact, let’s do that now.
1. He takes the girls to school.
2. He brought them home from school today as well.
3. After he brought them home, he stayed home the rest of the day so I could sleep.
4. He picked up berries for me today.
5. He brought me chicken soup in bed.
6. He stopped by the grocery store on the way home, and the bakery too!
7. He went shopping with me on our date night (He hates that, but he loves me!)
8. He let me sleep in our Saturday morning.
9. He folded 3 loads of laundry.
10. He regularly asks, “How can I help you today, honey?” And he means it!
He says that as soon as I’m better, it’s back to the old Jim. But I think he’s really changing! I love you baby! :)
Friday, October 17, 2008
She Speaks the Truth
"Well, I do want you to get a really good night sleep, mom."
"Why is that, Kathryn?"
"Because I'm going to need you to be patient tomorrow."
"Why is that, Kathryn?"
"Because I'm going to need you to be patient tomorrow."
Thursday, October 16, 2008
My New Dishwasher
"Can I wash the dishes, mom?"
Kathryn had been asking for me to show her how to wash the dishes. Really. I'm not kidding. And the more unbelievable thing is-- I hadn't let her yet. You know, some things end up much slower when you don't do them yourself.
But now, I'm thinking-- My helper is gone, and my daughter is begging to wash the dishes... I am the slow one refusing the help offered me!! Look at my brand new dishwasher! :)
Kathryn had been asking for me to show her how to wash the dishes. Really. I'm not kidding. And the more unbelievable thing is-- I hadn't let her yet. You know, some things end up much slower when you don't do them yourself.
But now, I'm thinking-- My helper is gone, and my daughter is begging to wash the dishes... I am the slow one refusing the help offered me!! Look at my brand new dishwasher! :)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Beyond Milk and Meanness
At our study last week, my friend Karen asked,
"What is one thing you want to find joy in this week?"
I said...Lately, I see I can become so easily ruffled when disruptions come to my schedule...things that I perceive as enemies to the accomplishment of my goals and commitments! (anyone else out there gonna give me an Amen?)... and want to rejoice in Him, no matter what 'distractions' He has designed for my day...yes, that is what I said.
Saturday night. Sunday night. Monday night. Tuesday night. Wednesday night. Worst cough I've ever had--No matter what I do, I can't go to sleep!
What if you're really, really tired, Tracie? Can you find joy in me?
Monday morning. My helper comes to my house to tell me she has to go back to her hometown for the month. This lady is a God-send who blesses me in numerous ways... especially with the gift of time.
What if you have no helper, Tracie? Can you rejoice in me?
Tuesday morning. The girls' school imposes arbitrary rule #1: Half-day students come from 9-12am. Previous to this rule, Jim has begun taking the girls to school at 8am. They do much better when daddy takes them to school... But he can't leave for work that late. And another 5 hours shaved off my 'productivity' table for the week.
What if you 'lose' more time, Tracie? Can you turn your eyes to me?
Wednesday, noon. I pick the girls up from school, and they tell me their teachers didn't feed them lunch. Arbitrary rule #2: Half-day students don't get lunch. In other words, your kid sits there while we feed everyone else lunch.
What if your kids are being treated poorly, Tracie? Can you still find joy in me?
It's late. We're out of milk. I make a special trip to the grocery store for milk. NO MILK. The store is plum out of milk. How can a grocery store not have milk? Yes, there truly is a conspiracy against me. One other little thing they don't carry at our grocery store--JOY!
Friday morning. We make an arrangement to meet with the principal, but she doesn't show. She doesn't call. She has no intention of speaking with us. I can't begin to tell you how unreasonable and how unprofessional this lady has been.
How about now? Even in these circumstances, can you rejoice in me?
NO, Lord! She's a MEAN LADY who is STEALING my JOY!
I had to draw the line at blatant meanness.
So glad Jesus didn't.
...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and protector of faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning the shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.
That's powerful stuff.
"What is one thing you want to find joy in this week?"
I said...Lately, I see I can become so easily ruffled when disruptions come to my schedule...things that I perceive as enemies to the accomplishment of my goals and commitments! (anyone else out there gonna give me an Amen?)... and want to rejoice in Him, no matter what 'distractions' He has designed for my day...yes, that is what I said.
Saturday night. Sunday night. Monday night. Tuesday night. Wednesday night. Worst cough I've ever had--No matter what I do, I can't go to sleep!
What if you're really, really tired, Tracie? Can you find joy in me?
Monday morning. My helper comes to my house to tell me she has to go back to her hometown for the month. This lady is a God-send who blesses me in numerous ways... especially with the gift of time.
What if you have no helper, Tracie? Can you rejoice in me?
Tuesday morning. The girls' school imposes arbitrary rule #1: Half-day students come from 9-12am. Previous to this rule, Jim has begun taking the girls to school at 8am. They do much better when daddy takes them to school... But he can't leave for work that late. And another 5 hours shaved off my 'productivity' table for the week.
What if you 'lose' more time, Tracie? Can you turn your eyes to me?
Wednesday, noon. I pick the girls up from school, and they tell me their teachers didn't feed them lunch. Arbitrary rule #2: Half-day students don't get lunch. In other words, your kid sits there while we feed everyone else lunch.
What if your kids are being treated poorly, Tracie? Can you still find joy in me?
It's late. We're out of milk. I make a special trip to the grocery store for milk. NO MILK. The store is plum out of milk. How can a grocery store not have milk? Yes, there truly is a conspiracy against me. One other little thing they don't carry at our grocery store--JOY!
Friday morning. We make an arrangement to meet with the principal, but she doesn't show. She doesn't call. She has no intention of speaking with us. I can't begin to tell you how unreasonable and how unprofessional this lady has been.
How about now? Even in these circumstances, can you rejoice in me?
NO, Lord! She's a MEAN LADY who is STEALING my JOY!
I had to draw the line at blatant meanness.
So glad Jesus didn't.
...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and protector of faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning the shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.
That's powerful stuff.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Filled with the Spirit of Football
As I bid my beloved husband goodnight, he has a midnight date with the sling box and the Longhorns. You know you're a die-hard fan if you plan your whole day around staying up all night to watch the game. I thought this an appropriate prayer as I leave him to his fate :)
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
A Different Kind of Pumpkin
It's pumpkin season, right? Now tell me honestly. How many of you have ever made a pumpkin pie, loaf of bread, pumpkin bars, etc... using REAL pumpkin? I DON'T mean real pumpkin from a can. My friend Katie chastised me last fall because, to be honest, the thought had never crossed my mind. But this season, I am much more savvy (and all out of canned pumpkin.) So I made some pumpkin bread last week, and I saved the seeds. I was having sweet memories growing up eating salted, roasted pumpkin seeds after the yearly pumpkin carving. So I tried my own. That's when I discovered that Chinese pumpkins are a little different. As I was roasting the seeds in the oven, they started popping like popcorn! And aside from the salty, buttery coating, they tasted like... tough cardboard. At least the pumpkin bread tastes OK!
On another note of harvest season, the tomato plants on the balcony are now as tall as I am! We planted them in early June and keeping them alive has been a community effort -- Friends diligently helped us during two summer trips. With the 50 degree temps last week, I was losing hope they would actually grow tomatoes. But yesterday we spied budding flowers! And according to my memory of elementary science, the flowers come before the fruit! :) I won't send pictures until there's actually tomatoes though.
To close today, I had to include this pic I came across recently... who is that child, you ask? It's KATHRYN... October 2004. She's certainly what I'd call 'A different kind of pumpkin'!
On another note of harvest season, the tomato plants on the balcony are now as tall as I am! We planted them in early June and keeping them alive has been a community effort -- Friends diligently helped us during two summer trips. With the 50 degree temps last week, I was losing hope they would actually grow tomatoes. But yesterday we spied budding flowers! And according to my memory of elementary science, the flowers come before the fruit! :) I won't send pictures until there's actually tomatoes though.
To close today, I had to include this pic I came across recently... who is that child, you ask? It's KATHRYN... October 2004. She's certainly what I'd call 'A different kind of pumpkin'!
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Cough Remedies, Anyone?
Yes, it really is 1am. I have over-the-counter stuff. Prescription stuff. Cough syrup from Singapore with codeine in it. Chinese herbal stuff. Knock-you-out stuff. My Chinese friends' sworn ginger-honey-lemon recipe. Nothing is working! Suggestions, anyone?
Happy Birthday, Pags!
'Pags' is my dad's self-chosen grandpa name. This is a bit dated but a really cute one...Here's my dad with Ellie when she was 6 mos. old! :)
Here's a couple of my favorite dad memories:
Me, 6 years old. Walking on the streets of Ouray, Colorado. No, I'm skipping! Look at me, daddy!
Swimming class in the third grade. Me, petrified, standing on the edge of the diving board at the deep end. My dad wading out to the middle to catch me! :)
His blubbery speech at my wedding:)
I love you, dad! Happy Birthday!
Friday, October 03, 2008
Welcome, Aubrey Layne Bradford
My niece Aubrey Layne Bradford was born last night--
8:46pm on Oct. 2nd; 5lb, 10 oz.
A bity thing, but then, she came a month early!
Congratulations, Aaron & Kristen!
Who would have imagined...my baby brother--a daddy!
Love you three!
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Treadmill of Life
You know how I mentioned last week that the treadmill guy finally repaired our broken machine? Well, I confess I haven't touched the thing a bit since then. And I have to confess that if it had not been broken, it might have still sat there unloved. But tonight, I decided it was time...if only for the sake of my new shoes.
When I was in the US, I found these awesome running shoes. They are the most comfortable shoes I think I've ever worn. I had returned another pair and happened across this hidden gem on the sales rack. I asked the sales clerk, "Are these any good? I've never heard of this brand." "Saucony is world famous for their running shoes, mam." "Yes, and I'm a world famous athlete", I wanted to say.
So tonight, I got out my ipod and downloaded another talk for the run. (It wasn't that great as the two I mentioned in the last post, so I won't tell you what it was.) I had been up and rolling for about 10 seconds when I noticed that the celophane wrapper was still on the digital display. You know the lovely shine when you first pull that plastic off? I had to do it. But when I peeled the wrapper off, the emergency shut off knob flew off with it.
Apparently, it disappeared into thin air. I got down on my hands and knees, peering into every crevice of the balcony. I mean, it's a big red thing, for heaven's sake! Do you know that I looked for that darn thing for 20 minutes before I found it? (You're dying to know where it was, aren't you? It is a magnetic switch-- stuck to the metal side of the machine.) Who wants to run after all that work?
Do you ever feel like that in your spiritual life? You had great intentions and you started well but your joy flew off the treadmill like someone pulled the emergency shut off button? I have felt that way this week. So I'm curious--in those times, what do you do?
I did, by the way, get back on the treadmill.
When I was in the US, I found these awesome running shoes. They are the most comfortable shoes I think I've ever worn. I had returned another pair and happened across this hidden gem on the sales rack. I asked the sales clerk, "Are these any good? I've never heard of this brand." "Saucony is world famous for their running shoes, mam." "Yes, and I'm a world famous athlete", I wanted to say.
So tonight, I got out my ipod and downloaded another talk for the run. (It wasn't that great as the two I mentioned in the last post, so I won't tell you what it was.) I had been up and rolling for about 10 seconds when I noticed that the celophane wrapper was still on the digital display. You know the lovely shine when you first pull that plastic off? I had to do it. But when I peeled the wrapper off, the emergency shut off knob flew off with it.
Apparently, it disappeared into thin air. I got down on my hands and knees, peering into every crevice of the balcony. I mean, it's a big red thing, for heaven's sake! Do you know that I looked for that darn thing for 20 minutes before I found it? (You're dying to know where it was, aren't you? It is a magnetic switch-- stuck to the metal side of the machine.) Who wants to run after all that work?
Do you ever feel like that in your spiritual life? You had great intentions and you started well but your joy flew off the treadmill like someone pulled the emergency shut off button? I have felt that way this week. So I'm curious--in those times, what do you do?
I did, by the way, get back on the treadmill.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Not Sure I Like It...
OK, my husband is on skype and I'm waiting for him to come to bed... so I'm playing around with these backgrounds again. I like the other one, but it's just too annoying to wait 20 seconds each time the page comes up. But now it's too late. So I'll keep this one for a day...you'll probably see a new one again tomorrow!
Milk Mania
Thanks for those of you who have expressed concerns about our dairy awareness here in China :) Yes, it does seem there is a daily new announcement about even more tainted products! I certainly never thought that Oreo cookies had any milk in them. (No worries, US Oreo lovers--just our version here, apparently.) Thankfully, we don't use any of the milks that have thus been suspect... but I stopped buying Chinese dairy just in case. I have bought a French UHT milk for Ellie (allergy issues) since we moved here, so we'll stay with that for awhile. Let me say...as a milk lover and connesieur, it's not a drink-with-cookies kind of milk. But if it doesn't have toxic chemicals, it will do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
