Terrapin Station

Camping in a Sea of Mud

Had Bran's birthday party at Lake Ray Roberts this weekend - despite the rain and mud.  5 boys plus me and Ken stayed in the RV and went out on the boat the next day.

Still getting degrimed. 

Memorial Day Poppies

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place . . .
and in the sky the larks,
still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved,
and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw The torch;
be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep,
though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
–Col. John McCrae

Wedding

Saturday night Ken and I went to a wedding.  This is notable because Ken really, really, really hates weddings.  All day long he kept saying, "What time are we going to the lynching?" 

It was the wedding of Giselle,

daughter of my wonderful mentor, former boss & friend Mona.  I have known Giselle since she was 6 years old, so this was a very special occasion for me.  Her mom and dad have recently moved to the Dallas area, so I am thrilled that we are close and were able to be there. 

Daughters of the King

So last night was the first night of an eight-week study in preparation for membership in the Daughters of the King. I was kind of hesitating, thinking, "do I really want to join a women's group....are women's groups relevant in the church....will they be old fuddy-duddies?"

Remember that my grandmother, aunts, mother have been in this group, and none of THEM are old fuddy-duddy types, but.....sometimes older people are.  So I don't think that is an unreasonable thing to wonder.  But they were not! There were 4 trainers (after this there will be 2 at each meeting) and 8 aspirants including me. And there are some CHRISTIANS in that group...not just Episcopalians.

The lesson plan was to read from the book "What is a Christian" and discuss the first several questions. Instead of just reading & discussing (dulllllllll) we cut out pictures from a magazine to illustrate posterboards saying "What is a Christian?" "What are some stumbling blocks to your Christian life?" "What person or circumstance has shown you the love of Christ?" etc. Good discussion, great sharing, lots of laughing.

Thank you, God, for this opportunity.

Motorcycles

Oh my lord

we now have three motorcycles at my house. 

Really they are dirt bikes, but one of them is street legal, too. 

Ken is tickled pink, Brandon will be too.  I am not so sure this is my thing.  Guess I will find out!  We are taking two of them to the Butler reunion next weekend...

Did I tell you about the time I eloped?

I thought about it after reading this on Heather's great blog, dooced:

"So we decided to elope, and I’m here to tell you that it was one of the best decisions we have ever made. And people, we’re full of great decisions. I cannot recommend eloping enough, as you will save enough money for a down payment on a house and still have enough left over to pay for your first two children’s bachelors degrees. We saved extra money by taking our own pictures and walking into a local florist the morning of the ceremony and asking for leftover flowers for a bouquet. And even though none of my closest friends or family were there to celebrate with me, I had my best friend at my side the entire time and it was the most exquisite, most memorable day of my life."

I must say that Brandon is approaching college and we certainly do NOT have all that money saved up for the bachelor's degree, but then he was 9 when we were married, so we were behind when we started.

Teenagers

Bette Bookish says, "Last night I shook my head and said that being the parent of a teen-ager isn't the non-stop ribbon-candy-colored tea party I was promised."

well said, kid.

Saturday night at 8:30 I asked Brandon if he'd like to go get a movie to watch with his dad & me.  He said, sure.  So we headed to Blockbuster...on the way into the parking lot, he said, "Can I get a game, too?"  I said, "Well, the idea was for all of us to watch the movie together, right?"  He said, "Well, the game is for later."  "Okay," I said. 

For the movie, he chose Blade: Trinity (which wouldn't have been my choice, but I was sure he and Ken would like it. )   Then, as we were waiting to check out, he said, "Can I have some guys over to spend the night?" 

"Not tonight," I said.  "We're going to watch a movie together, right?  And it's nine o'clock, anyway; it's too late to have people come over." 

Oh, he was furious.  He argued with me and argued with me as we stood in line, and as we got up to the cash register he walked away while I was talking to him - making a call on his cell phone.  I said to the clerk, "You know what?  Never mind," and walked off, leaving the movie and game for someone with a less rude child. 

Once again, I was amazed at how calm I was able to remain throughout the ensuing discussion.  At one point, he said, "You're just getting all emotional!"  and I was able to say in a tremendously calm voice, "I don't believe I'm emotional - do I sound emotional?  I think I'm just saying something that you don't like."

I have been praying daily & specifically to be able to remain an adult in our relationship.  I light a candle for it each Sunday.  I seek to understand, rather than to be understood.  And it's still working.  Amazing how that happens! 

I am WATER! (though I am Aries)

You scored as Water. Water is the element that predominates in your life. Water rules the signs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Water 80% Spirit 65% Earth 55% Air 45% Fire 15% Which of the Five Elements are you? created with QuizFarm.com

I never feel that Aries is the right sign for me.  We're supposed to be bossy, aggressive, etc.  I did a Star Wars Character horoscope thing, and as an Aries it said that I was like The Emperor.  YUCK! 

I think I got born under the wrong zodiac.  From now on, "Water" will be my response to "hey, baby, what's your sign?"

I love this

mmmarymagdalene says:

"Every day I lift my eyes to heaven and greet my Father, and He waves at me from behind the big desk where He sits, running the world."

Excellent Hymnal Site

I just found this site called Oremus Hymnal that has listings from tons of Anglican and Episcopal hymnals.  You can go online and find hymns by tune or name or book and listen to Midi files of lots of them.  Excellent!