Samuel (5yo) is sleeping over in the Lodge tonight with Grandma. My Mom is the nurse this week at camp, and she's staying in Room 2. Lydia (8yo) slept over there last night.
I got to thinking, and one of my very first camp memories is from Room 2 in the Lodge. It was July, 1976, and I was a few days shy of five years old. My Mom was volunteering as the nurse that week, too. I remember waking up in that room in the middle of the night. My younger brother and I were sleeping on one double bed, while my Mom slept on the other one. She was very pregnant with my sister.
"Mom...where are we?"
"We're at camp, honey. Go back to sleep."
"Oh...okay."
The End.
It's weird the things we remember. Anyway, Samuel thought it was pretty neat that I had slept in that very same room when I was five years old.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Friday, July 26, 2013
So Long, Facebook
Whew! It's done. I've copied and pasted four years' worth of status updates to my computer. (It's over 35 pages altogether!) Now, I didn't copy everything from those four years, but based on the number of pages, you might think I did. That just goes to show how extensively I used Facebook--or rather, how much Facebook had a hold on me. But I'm grateful, in a way, because I don't think I would have such a great record of the past four years had I not been on Facebook. That fact tempts me to stay. However, it won't take any longer to add things to a Word document than it would be to post them on Facebook. Actually, it'll be faster. I won't be waiting for acknowledgments from dozens of friends. Clearly, it won't be as fun, but it'll be better for my family in the long run. And think how much more you'll all look forward to receiving our family Christmas letter!
Even though it took me forever to go through all of those posts, it was so much fun. At two o'clock in the morning, I would find myself laughing silently until tears came. My kids make the funniest connections! It was a joyful walk down Memory Lane. I also marveled at how God answered prayers through all of that time, and was reminded to count my blessings more than once. When camp is over, I'll go through those 35 pages and put some of my very favorite things in a post for you.
I still need to go through pictures in which people have tagged me. I know of some that I'll want to save to my computer. After that... it's, "Buh-bye." So, if you're not on our Christmas letter list yet, and would like to be, let me know. And if you'd like to keep in touch more than that, just check back here once or twice a week...or month. Whatever you like. I'll be here.
Even though it took me forever to go through all of those posts, it was so much fun. At two o'clock in the morning, I would find myself laughing silently until tears came. My kids make the funniest connections! It was a joyful walk down Memory Lane. I also marveled at how God answered prayers through all of that time, and was reminded to count my blessings more than once. When camp is over, I'll go through those 35 pages and put some of my very favorite things in a post for you.
I still need to go through pictures in which people have tagged me. I know of some that I'll want to save to my computer. After that... it's, "Buh-bye." So, if you're not on our Christmas letter list yet, and would like to be, let me know. And if you'd like to keep in touch more than that, just check back here once or twice a week...or month. Whatever you like. I'll be here.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Funny Boy
My youngest has been pretty amusing lately.
Friday night, a camper had asked him, "So Sam, how's life?"
"It's a long story." Long story? He wasn't having a glum day. He must've taken that question literally. How is your life? I guess that sharing one's oral autobiography--even for a life of just five-and-a-half years--would take a while! What a goof.
_____________________________________________________________
Yesterday morning, the kids and I were in the mini-van for a short trip to town. While listening to our local Christian music station, these lyrics played: "I'm not the man I used to be." Samuel asked, "Did he just sing 'I'm not a man, but I used to be'?"
I laughed so hard. I had tears in my eyes. I could hardly catch my breath.
We all know that commas save lives:
Friday night, a camper had asked him, "So Sam, how's life?"
"It's a long story." Long story? He wasn't having a glum day. He must've taken that question literally. How is your life? I guess that sharing one's oral autobiography--even for a life of just five-and-a-half years--would take a while! What a goof.
_____________________________________________________________
Yesterday morning, the kids and I were in the mini-van for a short trip to town. While listening to our local Christian music station, these lyrics played: "I'm not the man I used to be." Samuel asked, "Did he just sing 'I'm not a man, but I used to be'?"
I laughed so hard. I had tears in my eyes. I could hardly catch my breath.
We all know that commas save lives:
Let's eat Grandma! vs. Let's eat, Grandma!
Along similar lines, little words can make a big difference. Pay attention to your articles and coordinating conjunctions, folks!
_____________________________________________________________
Then, last night at tuck-in time, Sam was explaining to me how he liked old people, but not their skin.
"Why not?" I asked.
"Because it's rough and wrinkly."
"Ohhhh...well, that's why I use a lot of sunscreen on you, and your siblings, and me. That way, our skin can stay soft and smooth for as long as possible."
"Let me check." Sam stroked my cheek with the palm of his hand. "Pretty good! Nice job, Mom."
Watch out, ladies. He's a charmer!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Number My Days
15,342...since I was born (including today).
Yesterday was my birthday, and the last few July 17ths have found me more pensive than ready to party.
In the past, I attributed that to being weary of having my birthday during the middle of our busy camp season. I can rarely celebrate my birthday with my camp director hubby. Honestly though, I don't mind waiting for the weekend. And he does a good job of remembering--despite the fact that he's super busy. (He bought a ukulele for me this year! Fun!) Besides, having 100 people sing the birthday song to me at breakfast is a cheerful start to the day.
So...am I lamenting growing older? Being in my 40's? Not directly. I'm settling in to this decade fairly nicely. I don't look like I'm in my 40's--so others tell me. I don't feel like I'm in my 40's--for the most part. Yet, I have the wisdom of being in my 40's (insert hysterical laughter here _______).
I figured it out last night. Every year on my birthday, I can't help but reflect on the past 12 months. While I'm thankful for my innumerable blessings (faith, family, friends, everything we need and lots of things we want), I'm always dissatisfied with some parts of my life which have remained unchanged. Let me tell you what I mean.
~ I still haven't written that book.
~ This is the third summer of painting the porch. I'll never finish!
~ Those ten pounds are still found (as opposed to "lost").
~ "E" is weaker than a year ago. I need to work with her more on PT--even
if I'm a nag!
~ So many good books, so little time.
~ Clutter, clutter everywhere (but not a kitchen sink).
~ The kids' chore schedule? It worked well--for a month.
~ I'm still in the same place in my piano lesson books.
A lack of self-discipline. That's it! That's what's been causing my melancholy feelings these last few birthdays. Everything in that list reflects this personal flaw. I can't seem to get on top of things. Either I allow myself to get distracted, or I'm just plain lazy.
I need to make some changes. One of my biggest distractions--no, addictions--is Facebook. I go on there "just for a minute" to check my notifications, and it easily turns into an hour, on a daily basis. Yeah. I'm pathetic. I've tried different things to try to gain mastery over FB, but none of them have worked, and it's (*gulp*) time to go cold turkey. Believe me, I've left this option as a last resort. I've felt convicted about this for some time. A couple of months ago, I started copying & pasting my status updates in preparation for deleting my account. Not all of them. Just the funny ones and the milestones. It's taking me forever. My kids are consistently hilarious! Plus, I put everything on FB. Well, most everything.
That brings me to the next point. I know some of you will truly miss my updates. If so, I'll be keeping track of the funny things the kids say, and I'll write them into our annual Christmas letter. If you don't already receive that, send me your address, and I'll make sure you get it. (I still have about a year's worth of status updates to copy, so you can let me know in a private message on FB. It'll be about a week before I actually delete my account.)
One of the things I'd like to do with my extra hour each day is blog once per week. I think I promised that some time ago. (Yet another thing I could add to the list above.) So, you could bookmark my blog, or simply make a mental note of my blog's name. I'm sure I'll have some funny or interesting things to put here.
Now, please don't think that I'm trying to convince you that you should get off of FB. This is a personal decision that I have prayed over for several months. Facebook is a snare for me, but I know many people who use it well and with moderation. I'm not blaming FB, either. I love it for how it connects family and friends all over the world. It's been a blessing to keep up with the people I love in all sorts of places. However, too many times it's been at the neglect of those who live right under my nose. With FB as my "default mode", I also haven't been investing time in the things I would really rather be doing (writing, music practice, reading, exercising) if I stopped long enough to think about it.
Of course, Facebook isn't my only distraction or snare, but it's the most obvious one. It's the simplest, though not necessarily the easiest, to eliminate. I know that I'll miss it, but I'm confident it's the right thing for me to do. So, pray for me, friends. This week, I'll be finishing up copying & pasting things I don't want to forget, but after that...well...that'll be tough.
I'll leave you with a verse that has been rolling around in my head quite a bit lately. I may have 15,342 days left, and I'd like to invest them wisely.
"So, teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12
Yesterday was my birthday, and the last few July 17ths have found me more pensive than ready to party.
In the past, I attributed that to being weary of having my birthday during the middle of our busy camp season. I can rarely celebrate my birthday with my camp director hubby. Honestly though, I don't mind waiting for the weekend. And he does a good job of remembering--despite the fact that he's super busy. (He bought a ukulele for me this year! Fun!) Besides, having 100 people sing the birthday song to me at breakfast is a cheerful start to the day.
So...am I lamenting growing older? Being in my 40's? Not directly. I'm settling in to this decade fairly nicely. I don't look like I'm in my 40's--so others tell me. I don't feel like I'm in my 40's--for the most part. Yet, I have the wisdom of being in my 40's (insert hysterical laughter here _______).
I figured it out last night. Every year on my birthday, I can't help but reflect on the past 12 months. While I'm thankful for my innumerable blessings (faith, family, friends, everything we need and lots of things we want), I'm always dissatisfied with some parts of my life which have remained unchanged. Let me tell you what I mean.
~ I still haven't written that book.
~ This is the third summer of painting the porch. I'll never finish!
~ Those ten pounds are still found (as opposed to "lost").
~ "E" is weaker than a year ago. I need to work with her more on PT--even
if I'm a nag!
~ So many good books, so little time.
~ Clutter, clutter everywhere (but not a kitchen sink).
~ The kids' chore schedule? It worked well--for a month.
~ I'm still in the same place in my piano lesson books.
A lack of self-discipline. That's it! That's what's been causing my melancholy feelings these last few birthdays. Everything in that list reflects this personal flaw. I can't seem to get on top of things. Either I allow myself to get distracted, or I'm just plain lazy.
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." ~ Albert Einstein
That brings me to the next point. I know some of you will truly miss my updates. If so, I'll be keeping track of the funny things the kids say, and I'll write them into our annual Christmas letter. If you don't already receive that, send me your address, and I'll make sure you get it. (I still have about a year's worth of status updates to copy, so you can let me know in a private message on FB. It'll be about a week before I actually delete my account.)
One of the things I'd like to do with my extra hour each day is blog once per week. I think I promised that some time ago. (Yet another thing I could add to the list above.) So, you could bookmark my blog, or simply make a mental note of my blog's name. I'm sure I'll have some funny or interesting things to put here.
Now, please don't think that I'm trying to convince you that you should get off of FB. This is a personal decision that I have prayed over for several months. Facebook is a snare for me, but I know many people who use it well and with moderation. I'm not blaming FB, either. I love it for how it connects family and friends all over the world. It's been a blessing to keep up with the people I love in all sorts of places. However, too many times it's been at the neglect of those who live right under my nose. With FB as my "default mode", I also haven't been investing time in the things I would really rather be doing (writing, music practice, reading, exercising) if I stopped long enough to think about it.
Of course, Facebook isn't my only distraction or snare, but it's the most obvious one. It's the simplest, though not necessarily the easiest, to eliminate. I know that I'll miss it, but I'm confident it's the right thing for me to do. So, pray for me, friends. This week, I'll be finishing up copying & pasting things I don't want to forget, but after that...well...that'll be tough.
I'll leave you with a verse that has been rolling around in my head quite a bit lately. I may have 15,342 days left, and I'd like to invest them wisely.
"So, teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)