(Kathy was the official map reader of the day)

Give me a field and a forest anyday; a country road and the sounds of nature are for me!

However, I do think it’s good for me to get out of my comfort zone and do different things.  On Thursday, my friend Kathy and I went to NYC for the day.  We drove to New Haven, CT and got on the train from there, arriving at Grand Central Station about 11:30.

We shopped at the American Girl Place and I know some of you were wondering what I bought but I can’t tell you that because Grace reads my blog!  Everyone will just have to wait until Christmas. 

We walked and walked and walked and walked.  It was cold!  Brrrrr, one of my souvenirs was a new pair of mittens and a scarf–I bought a dark blue set and Kathy bought a brown set.  They were a little pricey and we both said that next time, we will knit our own.  (we’ll see about that!!)

(I’m the official secretary of all the trips. . . . .)

We ended up going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the first time I had been there.  I really enjoyed it and could imagine spending a day there by myself, taking my time and studying.  Kathy and I found the paintings (the museum is huge) and my favorites were by Rembrandt, who used such wonderful, warm color.  I was appalled when my phone rang (a no-no)–and the ring that tells me my husband is calling is a Big Fan Fare.  I sort of threw the phone around, trying to turn it off–I was so flustered I could not remember how, so Kathy did it.  I am sure I was beet red.  We also looked at the “Gates of Splendor” exhibit, it was so awesome.  “See what people can do in a world with no blackberries, computers, phones, and televisions??”  Every work of art was done with such attention to detail to the very best of the artist’s ability.

Kathy read me this quote,

“Rembrandt is so deeply mysterious

that he says things for which

there are no words in any language.”

 ~Vincent Van Gogh

and I told her that I could say the same about her (she can be very confusing at times and she knows it)–and we both laughed hysterically.

I also enjoyed the stained glass windows and the old dishes and pottery.  Kathy and I both agreed that our boys would love the medieval exhibit. 

Of all the places we could have had lunch, we ended up eating at the CAFETERIA at the museum.  So funny.  I ate baked chicken w/roasted squash and potatoes.  Kathy had a hamburger and fries.  We enjoyed sitting, eating, and resting our weary feet.  After enjoying our lunch and all the art, we went to the gift shop and I bought 2 boxes of notecards–of course–I love having a nice variety of stationary and notecards to use when I write to my pen-pals.

By the time we headed back toward the train station, it was getting dark.  We walked with mobs of people. . .we both noticed and remarked on all the talking. . .so many voices talking all at the same time, what NOICE, and wondered what God thought of it all. . most of it was nonsense talk, including the two of us, I’m afraid!  We were rather silly all day and laughed a lot.

The best spur of the moment thing we did was ducking into Garret, a popcorn place, and buying bags of popcorn.  It was so fun walking the rest of the way and munching on popcorn. . .I had a little bag of buttery cheese and a little bag of macadamia nut/caramel.  Kathy got caramel.  It was so delicious!

We got on the train at Grand Central Station during peak time, it was 6:04, and we sat with a nice lady who talked with us about the museum and gave us some suggestions about what to do if we ever take the kids with us (which I cannot imagine doing any time soon!)

It was a great day, I got home at 10-ish because we also stopped at a Starbucks on the way back.  I got into bed so exhausted and spend the day yesterday being short with the kids.    

Guess where I was yesterday???

My friend Kathy and I have wanted to go on an adventure to NYC for a while but didn’t know until Wednesday that it would work out. . .sort of spur of the moment but great fun for us homeschooling “in great need of a break” Mommies!  I got home last night exhausted but happy.

More pictures and details tomorrow!

Grace is getting a cold and wanted to go outside so I cautioned her that she better put warm clothes on so she doesn’t get pneumonia.

She just came downstairs with tights, socks, long underwear, pants, a dress, a shirt, a long flannel nightgown, and a coat on.  In that order!

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EDIT:

My dear, loving, loyal. fun, happy, SPOILED, xanga readers:

After receiving an email from my brother, and reading and laughing over all of your comments asking “where is the picture”, I paid Grace a dollar and she put everything back on (except the shoes, but you get the idea) so I could take a couple photos of her anti-pneumonia outfit.  I am afraid, however, that what you were imagining was much funnier that the real deal—you be the judge—

Colleen was afraid that Grace simply exchanged the danger of coming down with pneumonia for the danger of over-heating.  Well, she did end up taking off the coat and the nightgown. . . . .  when I told her to put her coat back on for the pictures she said, “Oh, I left that outside.  It’s hanging in a pine tree.” (insert her giggles here).

Thanks for having fun and laughing along w/me today. . .

Hugs–

Grace is getting a cold and wanted to go outside so I cautioned her that she better put warm clothes on so she doesn’t get pneumonia.

She just came downstairs with tights, socks, long underwear, pants, a dress, a shirt, a long flannel nightgown, and a coat on.  In that order!

***********************************

EDIT:

My dear, loving, loyal. fun, happy, SPOILED, xanga readers:

After receiving an email from my brother, and reading and laughing over all of your comments asking “where is the picture”, I paid Grace a dollar and she put everything back on (except the shoes, but you get the idea) so I could take a couple photos of her anti-pneumonia outfit.  I am afraid, however, that what you were imagining was much funnier that the real deal—you be the judge—

Colleen was afraid that Grace simply exchanged the danger of coming down with pneumonia for the danger of over-heating.  Well, she did end up taking off the coat and the nightgown. . . . .  when I told her to put her coat back on for the pictures she said, “Oh, I left that outside.  It’s hanging in a pine tree.” (insert her giggles here).

Thanks for having fun and laughing along w/me today. . .

Hugs–

It seems like my Monday routine is always catching up from the weekend.  So, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of a cleaning frenzy I thought I would sit down and write.

Did you all have a nice weekend?  I did end up going to the mall on Saturday afternoon with my friend Kathy.  We had so much fun–I got a head start on some Christmas gifts for the kids and some clothes for Jacob and Ethan (they needed pants).  I think the best part of the afternoon was sitting together and munching on hot buttery pretzels, sipping ice-cold Pepsi and talking non-stop.  I came back home so refreshed.

Sunday was a blessing because it was Grace’s birthday and we also got to go to church.  Rich preached Sunday night because our Pastor and his family are on vacation.  He preached about the account of Joseph and his brothers–but wrapped up the message by putting emphasis on JUDAH instead of Joseph.  Did you ever stop to think that we spend a lot of time thinking about Joseph, and yet it was Judah who was in Christ’s family line?   Why is that?  Did you know that Judah is not even the firstborn son of Jacob?  The whole study is almost endless–the heart attitudes of Joseph and his brothers change throughout the story and can really touch the soul.  Go ahead and read it . . .you might see the story in a different light.  It was neat.

Like I said, I am spending the morning cleaning.  I always know when I need a break when I start to get completely stressed out.  Then I sit, drink some water and relax for a few minutes.  I’ve got a good start on the laundry, the kitchen, and my bedroom.  I still want to vacuum.  We will do school at some point, too.

Ethan got a cute Thanksgiving craft book out of the library on Friday and so he was working on that.

Jacob made army men out of screws.  Yep, that’s right, screws.  It was a big production–all his own idea.  First, you find a box of screws (thanks to his Dad!) and hammer the pointed end until it is blunt so no one gets hurt.  Then, you stand the screw up on it’s head and paint the whole thing (J and E have a set of blue and a set of red).  Then you dip the head in another color of paint.  Let dry.  Now you have a set of army guys!  Then, paint a couple soda cans black and now you have “oil towers”.  Do you understand now, how Caleb got into paint the other day? 

Jacob was also practicing his violin, which reminded me that I wanted to show you pictures of my DAD and JACOB playing together last Sunday.  They played “Ashokan Farewell” quite nicely.  I added the song on my site again, so you can hear it (the “professional” version, that is!  LOL–)  I love the song, it’s so beautiful.  Mom and I kept saying, “Again!” as soon as they stopped.  I can not get over the fact that my Dad and Jacob can play music together now.  How did that happen?  Time flies. . . . .

Can anyone read Ethan’s mind?  Lest you feel too sorry for him, I will tell you that I spoke to someone about beginning guitar lessons for him in January.  He is ready, and thrilled to get started on his music studies.

Please let me know how you all are doing!  Hugs to you—-Shanda

 Happy Birthday, Grace

 As most of you know by now, Rich and I had two boys (14 months apart) before we had Grace.  She was born in the early hours of the morning,  and in my arms was placed a new little wonder–the wonder of a daughter.  I was so thankful and excited to have her.  What fun it was to have pink things, girly things!

Eight years have gone by and our family now has a total of 4 boys. . . and Grace. . .our “one and only” girl, is sandwiched in the middle of them. 

Grace made a special request this year for an “American Girl” Horse.  She is so interested in horses lately.  We loved watching her open her gift this morning (it was a big box, so exciting!) and it is obvious that now she has a new friend.  Penny the horse is not an “it”, She is a She. . .and to Grace, she is as real as can be.

In so many ways she has added joy to my life.

  Oh, I am so thankful for her.

Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry,
Go to sleepy little baby.
When you wake, you shall have,
All the pretty little horses.

Black and bay, dapple and grey,
Coach and six little horses,
Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry,
Go to sleepy little baby.
Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry,
Go to sleepy little baby,
When you wake, you shall have,
All the pretty little horses.

Happy Birthday, Sweetie.

We love you.

He looks in the mirror:

Come on now, that’s just not right!

I guess he’s still cute.  I’ve never had a baby with such dark eye brows before!

I’m glad I can laugh.

I’m thankful for warm running water.

I’m thankful for a big brother who “tattle-taled”

I’m glad that when Rich gets home I get to go out for a while.

 Here are some photos of Yours Truly (who needs a hair cut) and Her Mother. 

Last Sunday, my mom got out the knitting needles,

we sat side by side in the livingroom and I had my very first lesson.

After a while, I started to understand that steps 1, 2, and 3 are really

meant to go all together like a fluid dance motion.

*************

I wanted to make mention of my mom’s cool shutters behind us—

she has placed framed photos of the grandchildren on them.  I think she’s creative.

I wanted to copy her so I bought a shutter this summer.

It’s in the basement right now.  Uggh!

I think one of my goals for today will be to bring it up.

My hands and my Mother’s hands

hg

I tried very hard to be a good student

She gave me the yarn and needles that I was using.

On the way home the next day, I added more rows.  I have a 4-inch swatch now.

Ready for lesson 2!

On the 3rd day of November

I’m thankful for my Mom.

Aren’t Moms wonderful?

And I’m not just saying that because I am one, either!

 Gratitude

 Well, it’s finally happened!

 My brother David is engaged, to this lovely girl, Maria.

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If you’re thinking about leaving a love-note

for your husband today, here are a few ideas:

“You’re the best time my heart ever had”

“I’m so glad to have you to love. . .and to snuggle. . .and to kiss. . and to hug.”

“Every time I follow my heart, it leads me back to you.”

“With you is my very favorite place to be.”

“I’m nuts about you.”

“There’s nobody besides you I’d rather be beside.”

“I still get stars in my eyes over you!”

“Can I keep you?”

“Your love makes every day a little party!”

“I’d do anything for you!”

“If you think of me as often as I think of you. . than neither of us is getting much else done!”

“I’m thinking of you.  .and my heart is racing.”

“Your love makes my world go ’round.”

“You and me, what a great pair”

“Just a surprise hello. . .just because I love you.”

“I’m yours!  All yours!  Think you can handle it?”

“Every day I discover something new to love about you.”

Yeah, they’re a little corny but. . . . . .we all need to be corny now and then. . . . . . .And, in case you’re wondering, I got all the quotes from a little Hallmark notepad that I found a few years back.  They are actually sticky-notes that you just peel off and stick on places like the bathroom mirror or your husband’s steering wheel. 

Don’t forget to draw a picture on your note  get all artsy about it!

(in the van on the way to NY on Saturday morning using my self timer.  The kids blocked their faces from the photo with a pillow.  Not by my request–)

I want to try to be focused on GRATITUDE this month especially, since now it is November and Thanksgiving is in 22 days!  Not that we aren’t thankful the whole year through but a month that has “Thanksgiving” in it is a perfect excuse to be more so.

On Sunday morning (before we went to church), Grace took these photos of me and Rich (or is it Rich and I or Rich and me? I better figure that out once and for all. . .) anyway. . .I thought they turned out so sweet!  We stayed in a Hampton Inn and in the morning we had some nice filtered sun coming through the big window in our room.  Grace stood on the heater-thing in front of the window and we sat on the coffee table facing the window (and Grace).  See how our eye color really popped?  (should “eye” and “popped” ever be in the same sentence?–sorry, I grew up with 3 brothers–)

On the first day of November I am thankful

for MY HUSBAND and MARRIAGE.

It’s kind of personal to tell you this. . .but, I want this information in this post because I think it’s really sweet and I wouldn’t mind reading it on your site so here it goes. .

Rich has been calling me “Beautiful Thing” lately.  For instance, he just left for work and he gave me a kiss and said, “Goodbye Beautiful Thing”. . . . .  Isn’t that romantic?

I’m also really thankful for the beautiful sunrise I am seeing as I sit here at my desk.  The sky is orange!  The bright orange clouds look like streaks across the sky and then there is a layer of dark gray clouds that are quickly passing over the orange ones.  Quite distracting.

(I couldn’t resist. . .)