Random Thoughts ~ Feb 13, 2009
** Do I even know how to post at Xanga anymore? Ah, it’s like bike riding, it will come back to me as I get on and shove off. I have been on Facebook some, but not like I used to be at Xanga blogging. There’s something about the format here that I still like to share my heart and photos every now and then. (I haven’t gotten the hang of posting photos at Facebook yet.) However, I don’t think I’d like Xanga if I couldn’t go back to the old page formatting.
** I received a beautiful, Divine Valentine this morning through crossecards. God’s love is the very best!!
** Glen and I are both nursing colds. I’m hoping to not go the whole 9 yards of Glen’s version of a cold… I am a week behind. So far mine seems like a different cold. At his worst his nose and eyes just poured! I can do without that, thank you.
** I’ve been busy volunteering to proof/light edit for the online evangelism/discipleship ministry, www.network211.com. This ministry is really unfolding! It is wonderful to see people respond in real time on Google Earth with an application. www.project10million.com The vision is to see 10 million people reached for Christ in the next 10 years. The clock started ticking on October 15, 2008.
** This year Glen and I have been enjoying a season attending the Oregon Symphony. We had only attended one time before… using an Entertainment coupon. Now we even know where to park, etc. The variety of soloists in the concerts has been really good: piano, violin, and classical bass (very interesting.) Of course, the variety of music has been great as well!
** We missed almost all of the snow in Oregon in December. While they were having the balance of 19 inches of snow, we were only here for the first snow storm. The rest was experienced vicariously as we watched news on TV or internet. We were in Texas/Oklahoma and Missouri for 2 weeks+. We got out just in time – Dec 17. Was neat to attend a niece’s wedding, see Glen’s aunt who is 90, and hang out with our family of Andy, Peter and Rachel and Rachel’s mom, Pat. There were flashes when I thought of our grandbaby, Grace, and missed her so much. She is with Jesus instead of in our arms. We all keep healing. We had anticipated being in MO at Christmas with our almost 5 month old granddaughter.
** I am starting to bounce back from having gallbladder surgery in June. The actual incision heals readily; but it takes me a long time to feel like myself after having anesthesia and this surgery was 4 and 1/2 hours. This fall I experienced what I have come to call “The Flatlands.” I wasn’t particularly depressed for which I am thankful. Some of that is because I chose to be patient instead of upset about the slow process. I knew that season would pass. But it was odd for me to have no vim or vigor. I did not blog.
** I am now getting back into the pool exercising. It makes me sore, but my body will adapt soon. The personal trainer, getting me started again, also gave me tips on bike riding at home on our recumbant bike. I have also added the restarting of allergy shots. I am trying to go 2 times a week now when you can do that to build faster. Hopefully it can help some for the pollen season for trees and grass.
** I did a complete inventory of all my Creative Memories supplies. Hooray! I have enough of the page refills and page protectors … that are not the “New True” 12×12. In the last year I have been able to find a better home for 2 albums I had bought. I am trying to condense my expectations of traditional scrapbooking. I still have lots planned and working on.
** For Christmas I scanned a number of photos from our sons’ first years of life. I used www.shutterfly.com to produce photo books. They turned out well and the boys were really surprised!!
** I have a new focusing thought about decluttering and especially getting through our attics/garage. Think of it as anticipating a move… whether we retire someplace other than the NW or not. Ask the question: “What am I willing to pay to move?” Also, “Only take what you love.” First step is to discover my guest bedroom after the scrapbooking supplies inventory.
** My hair is getting more white. Like Glen sings to me, “Silver threads .. the gold…” And it seems like the current perm I get is making my hair a bit blonder. Anyway, the photos taken at Christmas seem to me like my hair was glowing!!
** I have not physically been close to a person with cancer; but now through my sister-in-law and family in ND and a friend’s mother in CO…. well, now I understand why it is called “battle” with cancer! It’s amazing what modern science can do; but it is still so devastating the toll C takes on a person. I am praying for those I know/know of who are battling cancer…. that His grace will be sufficient. The other night I heard about fiery trials on the Beth Moore video in Daniel study. We are either
… delivered from them.
… delivered through them.
… delivered into the arms of God.
** I have now gotten to see and go up in the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.
** Genealogy and family history is an ongoing hobby for me. This year Glen and I ventured into studying his family. Glen even had his yDNA testing done and asked a cousin to do it too. The question of his grandfather being a “Dell” by birth was determined. The answer was ‘no.’ Glen’s yDNA does not match with his cousin. They are only related on the X…. Glen’s grandfather, Claud, and Clarence’s father, Cliff, have the same mother. Clarence was kind of sad. Glen and he had ‘connected’ over the phone and C wanted Glen to be his cousin by both parents. Nevertheless, the Dell family history is very interesting. The ancestors came from near London and lived in New Jersey. They were Loyalists and after the Revolutionary War somewhat persecuted. They moved to Canada where Loyalists were given land. There have been a number of Dells who have lived/live west of Niagra Falls. On my side, I am trying to get a team together to put together the great number of documents a Munkelwitz cousin is willing to share. I realize I am not getting it onto a DVD (by myself) as I had agreed to do. Hopefully, another cousin (guy) can sit down with our Munkelwitz genealogist and figure out what can work. (They both live in MN.) He has put together a website, from scratch, with all his family history/genealogy info he has collected over the years. The fun part is none of us currently carry the Munkelwitz name. There is Tesh, Gage and mine which was Peter. I’ve seen some info on Ancestry.com as that is where I have been doing the work on Glen’s family. Interesting. Very time consuming…. which is OK when you I am low key and trying to be patient to bounce back.
** On my mom’s side of the family we have had 2 deaths in the last several months. Now there are no aunts/uncles left on the Mortenson side. My Aunt Violet died in late October at the age of 90. She was the last of the Mortenson siblings. And now in January my Uncle Marvin’s widow, Lucille, died at the age of 97. I am fortunate to have known Aunt Violet and at least had met Aunt Lucille … since moving to the Northwest.
** I think this is enough random thoughts. Over and out.
