Dear Computer

I'm going to ignore the giant sucking sounds coming out of you today while I try to get the house cleaned. It will be fun! You'll be okay - hope you can have fun without me. Jewels

The Sisters

February 29, 2008

Perhaps some of you are still waiting, well one of you might be, for the 4 sisters picture taken recently (at the wedding). We are getting older and suffering from winter pale, so I made it a small one.

Netherlands Nuesday 20

Bouquet of flowers on table at Hotel Gemeentehuis
Bedum, The Netherlands, 2007
Photo cross-processed in photoshop

Just Checking In

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh," he whispered.

"Yes, Piglet?"

"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw, "I just wanted to be sure of you."

Greener Pastures

Watercolor by Maria

Today in church, Pastor Amy talked about shepherds. At the end, we read Psalm 23 and were given the opportunity to pray silently about the phrases in that chapter. I was thinking about how God lets us rest in the green pastures and how His goodness follows us always. When we got home, Maria showed me the painting above which she just finished - a good reminder of very green pastures. Durning Bible times, the pastures weren't nearly so lush which makes the verse even more meaningful. If we follow Him, He leads us to what we need even if we are going through more arid times. I especially love the last verse - how His goodness follows us or pursues us always.

Close to You

Last weekend when we went my mom & dad's house in Ohio for the wedding, we saw their new baby grand piano. I thought it was a bit unusual that they got this piano when neither of them really play that much, but even a novice like Maria made a beautiful sound from this instrument. Yes, that's me, swaying in the mirror, sorry.


Another video brought to you by Bridget.

Flash Back Friday 59

Edward, 1991 in Ft Lauderdale
As I recall, he woke up and played with that boy all morning.

Flash Back Friday 60

Bridget, 1997, 2 years old

Leo Says

Happiness is having a scratch for every itch.

Sometimes We Are Out Past Our Bedtime

Josh Ritter on stage
photo by John taken with Palm Pilot, a time I wished I had my camera


The other evening, John and I went downtown to the former Ladies' Literary Club to see Josh Ritter in concert. This old historic property was donated by the club to Calvin College to carry on their tradition of lectures and music for the community, and I have been wanting to go there. John had heard that Josh Ritter was like a new Bob Dylan, so I was expecting something more melancholy and out of tune, you know, but what we saw was a very exciting, high-energy concert. He was so funny in between songs when he would make references to the Bronte sisters and Wuthering Heights or Jane Austen and said he was used to playing in places with names like Doc Willoughby's or Elixir. Anyway, it was fun, but a little late for old people on a school night.

Note to Netherlands readers: Josh Ritter will be in Groningen on March 23!

Netherlands Nuesday 19

Orange Tree at Palace Het Loo, 2007

Posing With Blogaversary Earrings

Mother-Daughter Diptych

I brought the earrings that Marianna had won in last week's drawing to the brunch that the bride's mother gave to watch the opening of the gifts the morning after the wedding. As we waited for the bride and groom, my niece Tiffany was eager to try out the earrings which matched her eyes and her outfit. I thought it would be cool to juxtapose this photo with one I had taken of her mom. I can just hear Tiff going "Ooooooo." But really, it's cute.

Cousin's Wedding

Right before our very eyes, the younger generation is getting older, which means that I am too. We were witnesses to the marriage of my nephew Trey to a beautiful young Celeryville girl, Tara. My sister said, with tears in her eyes, I'm so lucky [to be getting such a winner of a daughter-in-law].


The cousins all waiting to see "Cousin" get married. Trey is the oldest cousin.


Trey and Tara were ready for this day.


The best moment is always when the new husband and wife are announced and they begin their walk up the aisle.


Though I struggled a bit with the camera thing at the event, I managed this shot of their first dance.

The Driver

Maria in the snow, Feb, 2008

Maria needs to get 50 hours in driving since she has her learner's permit and she has about 20 to go. Since the weather has been so horrible, we haven't been too aggressive about getting them done. The plan yesterday was for her to drive the 4 hour trip to the wedding. Winter. Michigan. Need I say more? The snow keeps coming and coming and coming this winter. We saw many cars in the ditch on the way and furthermore, she got to experience having a car slide across the median into the cars in front of her forcing her to the side of the road to avoid an accident. Later, a snow plow in front of her going about 60mph left a wide trail of airborn snow causing severe white out conditions for her. She remained calm, but after 3 hours and stopping for lunch, she decided John could drive. When we got to Ohio, the roads were fine, but our usual 4 hour journey took us 6 today! We arrived in one piece to the wedding and all was well. Pix tomorrow!