Merry Christmas all!

Please take a moment and just enjoy this carol:

I am so in love with this idea, I can't begin to say ...

Airport sleep pods ... a tiny little box where you can be ALL BY YOURSELF while you wait for your connecting flight. It has wireless internet, and ... quiet ... and did I mention you get to be all by yourself, and it would be QUIET?

I know ... I'm the biggest hermit in the world ... but I would pay PLENTY for this!

Difference in Perspectives between car dealers and mechanics

Dealer: You need to have your rear brakes fixed within a month or so
Mechanic: You need to check your brakes again in 8-10,000 miles.

Dealer: You need the 30,000 mile service - change spark plugs, etc. etc.
Mechanic: Pulled the plugs, and they look fine.

Dealer: $700+ for rear brakes and the standard 30,000 mile service package
Mechanic: $40 for having a look at it

I don't believe the dealer is dishonest - they're just going by the book. But I am certainly thankful for honest local mechanics who are free from "the book"!

A few Thanksgiving Pictures

The first picture is my sister-in-law making an announcement. Can you guess what it was? :)

Then we have a demonstration of the powerful influence of the turkey ... 3/4 of the available grandparents appear to have succumbed to unconsciousness.

Happy Thanksgiving

Please vote for Nikki!

A lady from church has been chosen to represent the Indianapolis Colts in a promotion sponsored by monster.com and the NFL. She needs to be one of the Top 8 vote-getters.

Go to www.nfl-monster.com and vote for her. You can click on the Colts logo to find her quickly!! She needs your votes daily! Second, please spread the word. Ask your friends and family to vote for her too!!

Rationed Health Care

60 Minutes is discussing how much money it costs to keep elderly people alive, and debating whether it's worth it. They'd describing it as "waste".

Why do I watch this show? It just angers me to no end. I'm so sick of their political agenda.

Oh, here we go ... now they're getting to their real point. "We need socialized medicine."

grrrr!

A Different Idea for Christmas this Year

If we are an American, we likely have everything we need, WANT, or have ever thought about wanting.

So, if you have anyone on your Christmas list for whom you have no ideas ... here's an idea to consider!

The Heifer Project gives you an opportunity to use what you would spend on a gift to completely change the life of a family in a third world country. You can choose different projects. It's such a neat idea.

And for those who, like me, sometimes feel a bit suspicious of charities. I researched them on Ministry Watch, and their review is here.

Just something to think about!

Heckling the Neighbors

Recently, our condo building's manager came to speak with me.

There had been complaints, you see.

"What," you may ask, "could they have possibly been complaining about regarding Miss-Conservative-with-no-discernible-life?"

Let me enlighten you ...

My balcony is open on two sides, and the third side is a brick wall, that is part of the building.

A few years ago, I put a mirror on that wall, with curtains on either side, so it would look like a window. Like this:



Well ... you see ... this apparently had become a problem. Because, you see ... the curtains? They were BLOWING OVER THE RAILING.

No, really. They were! And this was a serious problem. (please don't ask me why this was a serious problem. I don't know.)

This was serious enough that someone felt compelled to approach the management about their concerns.

So, a sheepish building-manager asked me if I would please contain my rebellious curtains, so as not to distress too-much-time-on-her-hands woman. :)

I took down the curtains ... and I pondered what best to do ...

Following is what I chose, and what I put up last night:

What do you think? They are very long, and tied down at the bottom, so as to contain the offensive curtain-blowing. :)

I am a bad woman. I am a bad, passive-aggressive woman. (Though, for the record, the original passive-aggressive move was made by picky-condo-person who went to the management, rather than speaking to me directly.

Don't know how long I'll be able to stand these curtains. They aren't violating any association rules (nor were the original set!). They are so loud, it's almost difficult to sleep. :) But I thought ... for a little while ... I'd let them stay.

Conversation in the lunch line today

Cashier: "Do you want to donate 50 cents to save a child's life today?"

Me: "No thanks, not today."

Yikes. SO not liking the way that reflects on my character!

A tesstimony that blessed me this morning

I have appreciated Paul Washer's preaching, but this is the first time I heard his testimony.

Paul Washer's Story from I'll Be Honest on Vimeo.

Considering selling my library

Just thinking "what ifs" today.

I have a 900 volume library. It appears that many of these books are available for the Barnes & Noble e-reader. Some free ... some $3-10 range.

If I started transferring these books to the reader, and selling the hard copies, I could gain an enormous amount of space in my world, and all-the-time access to my books.

I like the pretty covers, that's true ... but I'm thinking I like less-stuff-to-dust even more.

Pondering ...

Amazon Kindle vs. Barnes & Noble Nook

I'm considering getting myself either an e-reader, or a new laptop for Christmas this year. (My computer is still working, but starting to get awfully slow for what I'm asking of it.)

In comparing the Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook, I'm torn. So I decided to post the positives of each, and see if anyone else had any ideas!

Kindle:
Biggest pro is that it will read the book aloud to you. This is mighty nice. You could be reading something, and hop in your car, and turn on the audio, so you could keep reading while you drove.
Seems to have internet access included - has a rudimentary web browser, so you can use it to go online whereever.

Nook:
S/D slot, so you can add more books, and replaceable battery
You can read samples of the books before you buy them.
Reads multiple types of files, whereas the Kindle only reads what you get from Amazon
You can loan books to others, if you know their email address.

I've checked, and a lot of the old books I love - Stepping Heavenward, Paula the Waldensian, Mrs. Howard Taylor biographies, etc., are available, and are FREE.

The idea of getting books cheaper, and having virtually no storage space required ... this is a real interest for me!

Pondering ....

Preserving Leading Zeros when Merging from Excel to Word

I interrupt this blog with the solution to a problem that's been dogging my steps for years. I figured that if it's been causing me problems; it's been causing others problems too.

To preserve leading zeros:

Choose "special / zip code" cell format in Excel. This will keep the leading zeros while still in the spreadsheet. (If you have more than 5 digits, you may need to alter this format ... but you get the idea.)

Then, on the Word side ... (these instructions assume your document is already created. If it has not been, then make the changes to the Options before creating it, and you're good to go.)

Open the Word doc you want to merge

Choose button at upper left corner, and pick "Word Options"

Click on "Advanced"

Scroll down to "General"

Check the box that says "Confirm file format conversion on open"

Choose "OK"

Now, link your merge document to some random spreadsheet (to break the connection to the old spreadsheet.)

Save document and re-open.

Answer yes, or OK to whatever questions to get back into the document.

Re-link it to the original spreadsheet. Choose "Excel spreadsheet" when it asks for confirmation of the type of document.

Merge.

Leading zeroes will be there.

Happy, happy me. (Since this year's offering envelopes start with "00". :)

Addendum: This only works for me if I open the spreadsheet manually prior to merging. However, I'm running Windows on a Mac inside Parallels, so this may be a Mac-related weirdness. But if you have trouble, try opening the spreadsheet before merging.

the wonderful magic box

The offices at the church where I work are notoriously hard to heat & cool. The building has been added on to in phases over the last 30 years, and so it's a bit ... well ... finicky.

But this wonderful box has appeared this week.

It's a portable thermostat. If you have possession of the box, your office comes to whatever temperature you set.

Of course, possession of the box is going to be a hotly-contested prize. But ... right now ... I have it, and it's LOVELY in here. :)

Anyone care to join me?

I want to try reading through the Bible in 2010 using Robert Murray M'Cheyne's reading plan. I'm going to start today, so as to leave myself a few skip days!

A couple of Facebook friends have said they want to join in.

I downloaded the schedule here: http://www.mountzion.org/text/DailyBibleReading.pdf

If you've never read the Bible through, why not join us!

Thanks Mom!

Mom has been working on this beauitful flannel quilt for me, and while I got to pick out some of the fabric, I never got to see it until today. I just love it! It's all the colors I like best, and such a pretty design!

 

 

I've decided that I just might start making my bed again (a habit I've gradually forfeited due to early morning alarm clocks), just because it's too pretty not to see in all its glory!

A couple sweet pictures of the adorable nieces

 

 

Apple Salad

I made up this recipe last night for our church's potluck (based on a similar one I found online.)

I quite liked it!!

6 large apples, cut into bite-sized pieces (not peeled, just cored)
1 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
2 cups walnuts, roasted (bake at 350 for 10 minutes)

6 T walnut oil
4 T apple cider vinegar
4 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt

mix last four ingredients together, and stir in cheese, let that sit while the walnuts roast and you cut up the apples. Mix it all together.

I loved it!

Noticing the cabbages

I spent an afternoon at Meijer Gardens yesterday, and was thinking of just how intricate and lovely these ornamental cabbages are.

Really ... cabbages ... it's amazing really. :)

Take a little time to notice the cabbages today! (or whatever ordinary loveliness happens to be in your path.

If you want to see the rest of the pictures from yesterday's wandering, email me, and I'll send you the link.

An interesting reminder from 1948

change & cheese

I have been listening to Who Moved My Cheese while I did housework this morning.

As someone who dislikes change (and "dislike" would be a mild term), it was quite a good book for me to think about!

While it was written with a business-person in mind, it had a lot to say to other areas also. It was an encouragement to me to look at the changes God throws my way as opportunities, rather than grin-and-bear-it challenges.

He is so good to not leave His children to their own devices, but gives opportunities to stretch and grow and change. I want to be open to them when they come my way! It's easier to me to hold on to what's familiar ... whether or not I'm particularly good at it, or even particularly LIKE it. I want to be more open to new ideas and opportunities, and more willing to let the old slip away when necessary.

Give yourselve six minutes to smile at this video. :)

what an awesome day ...

Honesty with God in the morning, that carried into a day-long conversation ... some delightful gun-practice ... sitting quietly at Meijer Gardens, listening to the rain on the greenhouse roof, and birds flitting around in the leaves overhead. Then dinner with a good friend and a rousing game of Tetris.

Just about perfect, actually.

Except getting home and discovering I had a smear of gunpowder on my forehead. :) I knew some of the brass hit my forehead ... just never thought to check and see if they left any residue behind.

Maybe they'll think I'm Catholic, and practicing ahead of time for Ash Wednesday? :)

Promises Kept

There has been a lot of sadness lately, in my life, and the lives of others ... marriages and friendships and ministries not proving to be what they promised to be. Failures every-ole-where, including in my own life.

This world is chaos. Has anyone noticed? In the grander scheme of politics and world events, and in the lesser scheme of "I can't consistently make my bed before leaving the house in the morning."

I've been focusing a lot lately on how messed up it all is, on how messed up I am.

This morning, I was thinking of two words that make the greatest-possible difference ...

"But God"

People are unfaithful, and unreliable (including me), but God ...

Finances are uncertain, but God ...

My life might be a disaster, but God ...

He keeps His promises. Always.

Always.

We've had some good preaching in Genesis and James, and I was thinking of how that related.

Last night, we talked about how Joseph, when he was in prison, continued to believe in what God had showed him through a dream years ago when he was just a boy. He didn't lose faith that God would bring it to pass, such that he told his fellow prisoners that "with God is is the interpretation of dreams." His circumstances didn't cause him to doubt what God had showed him back when the sun shone, and he was the apple of his father's eye. What was true then was also true in prison.

And when he told the story of what brought him to prison, he chose to leave out what would, to me, be the most significant fact. He didn't say "my brothers are at the root of what brought me here." Wouldn't the failure of those I loved best be at the foundation of my thoughts as I mouldered away in the dark? He chose to trust God, and not to be bitter.

All of the James messages have been such a blessing, and today I was re-thinking some of the ones at the beginning of the book. In chapter 1, it says to "count it all joy" when we "fall into various trials."

First of all, how many of my problems are entirely of my own making? Do those count as "trials"? Or simply "I'm an idiot" situations? It says "fall into" ... to me that phrase seems to include things that I've brought on myself, yes? We're said to "fall into" sin, and that certainly is of my own choosing.

So, when I recognize the mess I've gotten myself into, can I "count it all joy" because "the testing of your faith worketh patience"?

I can count it joy, in that I can give it to God. He will accept whatever mess I've created, and meet with me in it, and "give wisdom liberally and reproaches not."

What a wonder that is. How many others would be willing to take whatever convoluted situation we hand them, and say, "let's work through this" as opposed to, "how, exactly, could you have been such a moron?"

He keeps His promises.

"All things work together for the good of them that love God, who are called according to His purposes."

He keeps His promises.

Let the one who asks for wisdom, ask in faith, not doubting.

He keeps His promises.

I saw a rainbow this morning, the sign that, thousands of years ago, God promised never to destroy the world with a flood again.

No matter how we fail Him ... and we do ... all of us. He keeps His promise. And the signs of His past faithfulness are EVERYWHERE, quietly reminding us of His goodness, His love, His mercy.

Thankful, humbled, today, and ... hopeful.

He keeps His promises. Always.

Flowers

Sunnyslope Floral, with whom we do business at work, always does such a nice job for us.

And occasionally they surprise me with flowers ... like they did this week!

What's funny was the questions from people coming up to my desk afterwards.

"Where did the flowers come from?"

"From the flower shop."

"I mean ... who gave them to you?"

"The flower shop."

:)

Fun with Guns

My cousin and her husband had a few folks over today to shoot and for a delicious lunch after. It was such a treat! I really love the chance to learn from folks who enjoy their subject and are good teachers, and there was a lot of that opportunity with these folks!

The lady in the pink had taken the same introductory class at Silver Bullet that I took last year. She was considering buying a gun, and so she had the chance to try all different kinds today. Jeff & Maria did this for me last year - got out all manner of handguns so I could get a feel for the different types. It was a great help!

My cousin Maria, looking incredibly intense about the position of these particular buckets.

Maria's husband Jeff (with the beard) and their friends. (whose names I won't use, since I'm not sure how comfy they are with the internet!

A Meijer Gardens visit today

Bonnie and I went out to wander around the Meijer Gardens today. It was a beautiful sunny day, but not too warm. We saw a little snake crossing the path, looking as if he was having quite a hard time of it. Bonnie gave him a hand across ... which was impressive (from a distance). :) Loved these turtles sunning themselves!

 

 

 

 

Jenny Jeep

Many blessings to be thankful for, all of which resulted in the new addition of Jenny-the-Jeep to my world.

I had a bunch of errands to run today, and really enjoyed getting to spend some time with my new addition. She's a 2007, with 23,000 miles.

Hummingbird Pictures

 

Hummingbird Pictures

 

Miscellaneous

 

Just thought I'd throw this picture up there. I've got these pretty candles and flowers on my table, and have been really enjoying them.

My two female hummingbirds have acquired a suitor, and now the three of them are spending copious amounts of energy trying to keep each other away from the feeder (which has more food in it than they could possibly eat, and six ports to feed from. They obviously are more territorial than they are rational.) I've been sitting out there reading in the evenings, and they keep hovering near the feeder, starting at me, not so sure they dare settle down and eat.

Hmmm .... I guess that's all ... not very eventful!

the green smoothie experiment

Our local health food store is encouraging people to start trying to drink green smoothies.

I decided to give it a try. I made one tonight, and despite the rather un-appetizing appearance, it doesn't taste too bad (if you don't look at it when you drink it.)

Want to give one a try?

Basic Green Smoothie

1-2 Cup Clean filtered water

1/2 lb to 1 lb raw greens (spinach, Kale (Lacinato is less bitter than curly kale), collards, dandelion, arugula or mustard. (Depending on your blender you may need to add greens in batches to blend)

1-2 Cup blueberries - frozen are great! - Gradually add to the greens

Agave Nectar or Stevia to taste (I didn't use this)

Mix till very smooth - 90 seconds. Enjoy!

If you have extra Green Smoothie, place in a safe container and refrigerate for later that day. Smoothies are best consumed that day but are ok the following morning.

* If this blend seems too Green to you, start with more fruit and increase your greens as you develop your taste for Green Smoothies.

There are numerous variations to the basic green smoothie along with many additional items to suit your taste and nutritional needs. We will add these options as we go! Check back often for updated information.

how cool is THIS?

It's a site that will map out where the garage sales are in your area.

How fun!!!

Tractors, Four-Wheelers and the Garden Police

The girls had a great time today getting rides on my step-dad's four-wheeler and tractor. Youngest niece loved going fast on the four-wheeler. Oldest niece loved that she was allowed to steer the tractor. She did pretty well too ... no trees suffered in the course of this vacation activity. :)

 

 

Then there was the garden police.

Meijer Gardens has a children's garden. Normally when I've been there before on a weekday, there's been hardly anyone there. I was so looking forward to my nieces being able to experience it.

Until ... (cue music) ...

The garden police got us.

The children's garden was just jam-packed with a visiting school group. And there were quite a few adults keeping an eye on things.

One of the most fun areas is a display of the Great Lakes, and the kids can sail little boats and splash in it.

So ... the nieces kick off their shoes, and dive in to have fun with the other kids.

A member of the garden police snagged them and ordered them to put their shoes back on. This was an exhibit, and not intended for splashing. (No fun here! Move along children!). Grrrr!

They were across the exhibit from us, so they faced scary garden-police-woman all by themselves when they were apprehended. They looked just terrified!

That really put a damper on things. Both for the kids and the adults. Oddly enough, a BUNCH of the other kids were bare-foot, and almost any time I visit the gardens, I'm wandering around barefoot any time I'm outside.

Here are some garden pictures once we'd recovered from being shamed as law-breakers. :)

The Adorable Nieces at the Zoo

 

We went to Binder Park Zoo today in Battle Creek. Such fun! Tomorrow we're looking forward to Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids. :)

from Obama's speech last night

The new health care program is going to get 2/3 of its funding from cutting already-existing government programs.

Here is my question ...

Why not cut those programs, and instead of funding this massive idiocy, reduce people's taxes, so they can afford health care on their own?

Just a thought ... probably too rational to go anywhere, I'm sure. :(

Ever been involved with a government program before? Now ... try to imagine going through that hassle in order to deal with a health-care emergency.

Kidney stones in line at the Secretary of State office ... just picture it. :(

Rain

Watch the first part of this -- this choir makes the neatest thunderstorm!

new entry-way

My sister-in-law wanted to see a picture of how my new entry-way arrangement turned out. I found the little cabinet at a flea market while I was there visiting them, and the pretty mirror at Goodwill for $5. I added the brass hooks to the bottom to hold keys.

 

Oh PLEASE

Grand Rapids is discussing making bicycle helmets mandatory.

I suppose next we'll have to wear knee pads and elbow pads when we shower? Or a neck brace for walking up and down stairs?

I wear a helmet when I ride on busy streets. But I think I'm able to determine for myself that it's safe to ride in a quiet park without bubble wrap.

Dumb!

persistent little bird

This little goldfinch has been regularly coming to attack himself in the mirror on my porch. I have to admire his persistence, if not his brains. :) See him? He's in silhouette on the vine in front of the mirror. I'm becoming fond of the foolish little guy.

United Breaks Guitars

This guy had his guitar broken on a United flight, and they wouldn't replace it. So he wrote a song about it. So funny!

safely in Kentucky

Had a good trip down to my brother & sister-in-law's yesterday, and have been enjoying time with them and my nieces.

Got credit for "making lasagna" yesterday (I took it out of the freezer and put it in the oven). Gotta love people who define "cooking" that way.

Please keep praying for oldest niece. She had a miserable day (as did her parents) at the doctor's yesterday.

See their blog for the scoop. :(

Are you Bad Enough to be a Christian?

Some friends in Missouri sent me this video, and I thought it was quite well done (except for the music, which seems fuzzy to me).

the tidiest roofers you've ever seen

We're having a new roof put on my condo building right now.

The company that's doing it is AMAZING. They aren't getting in the way of all the in-and-out that happens in a big building like this. And their neatness is just out of this world.

They're using a big hi-lo with a bucket to take all the debris down from the roof, and dumping it into a dumpster beside the building. There are literally NO shingles, nails ... nothing ... laying around. If it weren't for the equipment, and the activity on top of the roof, you wouldn't even know it's going on.

I'm SO impressed. I love orderliness. :)

Also, an update on adorable nice #1. Other than being disappointed in having to forgo swimming, and such, she seems to be doing really well. I'm so thankful! For as awful as the incident was, God has really protected her, and blessed them through this.

Feeling so bad for my brother's family

See this sweet little border collie playing with youngest niece?


He attacked oldest niece Monday evening, and hurt her pretty badly. The story is on my sister-in-law's blog.

Would appreciate your prayers for them.

Happy violet

 

 

Fascination with Celebrities

I was recently listening to a Mars Hill Audio Magazine, and one of the topics had to do with America's over-focus on celebrities.

It made a few really good points ... wish I'd taken notes!

We find "meaning" in following the lives of these people in order to fill a void of meaning in our own lives.

The celebrities have taken the roll of a religious idol in our culture. It gives a common language and set of stories. They worship a common "god" and have a shared mythology around these Entertainment Tonight figures.

The writer interviewed a number of junior high girls, and asked them their preference of careers when they grew up

congress woman
CEO
assistant to a famous person
(maybe some others)

Something like 80% chose to be an ASSISTANT to a famous person, rather than pursue a career that actually contributed something to society. Fame was that important to them, that they'd dedicate their whole lives to just being NEAR it.

The mourning for the famous puzzles me, and this article answered a lot of my questions. Obviously it's a tragedy any time someone dies, particularly someone who isn't sure where their eternal destiny lies ... but this over-the-top mourning for (essentially) complete strangers is a puzzle ...

Ideas?

Link to a summary of the article (unfortunately no transcript posted).

things we're not good at

I was thinking about music today.

Whatever the music gene is, I missed out on it. I don't hear the intricacies that other people hear, or the relationships.

I tried combating this problem with education (as I try to combat MOST problems!) I took piano lessons and voice lessons. I bought a guitar and tutorial material. I read beginner theory books. I actually know a good deal about music, except for the fundamental "something" that most people seem born with.

When I explained this to a musical person, he took it to mean "Trinka doesn't like music."

Actually I do like it. Sometimes I think I enjoy it MORE than musical folks, or at least in a different way, because many imperfections just don't register with me.

I remember reading an article once that said Americans don't dabble well. We either excel at something, or (more commonly), we sit on the couch like a lump. I'm quite good at the lumpish-sitting actually, so I might qualify at excellence with that, but that's not the point.

Just thinking tonight about how thankful I am for the opportunity to TRY things, to be bad at them, and enjoy them anyway.

Not sure I've captured this thought, but ... it's worth what you paid for it, I suppose. :) (another thing done badly ... but at least done!)

This is why I hate home-improvement projects

subtitled: how I missed prayer meeting tonight

Original cost estimate of project: $3
Original time estimate of project: 10 minutes

Actual cost of project $34
Actual time of project: 1 1/2 hours

All I wanted to do was put a blind up on the outside edge of my balcony. I've had one there every year. I end up having to replace them every couple years or so, because the weather is hard on them.

Last year's got thrown out, so when I saw one at a garage sale, I was delighted.

Bought it - $3

Got it home, went to put it up, and discovered the cord was unstrung from the innards, and the hanging hooks had pulled off. Set it aside in hopes of re-stringing it. (15 minutes)

Bought new blind, and discovered they had some (more expensive) for outdoor use. ($21, 20 minutes)

Went to put blind up, and discovered that I couldn't hold it up, while maneuvering the fasteners into place, while standing on tiptoes on step stool. (5 minutes)

go inside ... make dinner ... think ....

Pry open eyehooks wider, fasten them to the blind on the ground, lift blind into place ... discover that none of the FIVE already-installed rings are spaced properly to attach the 3 blind fasteners. Take blind down again. (10 minutes)

go inside ... think ...

Decide that I'm not interested in drilling more holes and putting in still more rings. There HAS to be a way to fasten it to the existing rings, yes? (10 minutes)

sit ... think ...

Go to hardware store, and buy a length of chain and carabiners. ($11, 15 minutes)

Use carabiners to hang chain from existing rings, then another set of carabiners to hang blind from chain. (10 minutes)

Result:

Expensive and ugly ... but at least it will shade my balcony until I can figure out how to fix it. (which, no doubt, will consume enormous amounts MORE time and money!)