{pretty, happy, funny, real} Cold and On Fire!

THIS WEEK'S CHALKBOARD VERSE

                                                                   REAL....COLD

...it was actually -23 when I woke up but went up 2 degrees before I could get my camera...no school Thursday or Friday!

Friday afternoon some of the boys from the bowling team took the bus to Port Clinton to 

watch the girls bowl in the sectional tournaments that night. 

John and these 3 boys stayed with us at the Hampton Friday night as 

they were bowling in the boys sectional tournament Saturday. 

The girls bowled really well and took 4th place Friday night to qualify for the districts.

Saturday morning we had a winter storm. The school had the team take the Suburban instead of the bus and some of the parents decided not to take a chance making the trip. The roads were not great but we made it in time. Here the boys are doing donuts with their bowling bags.

Coach Keith gave the boys a pep talk before the match...whatever he said must have worked because...

After the 3 individual games we were out of 4th place by 26 points. The first baker game we scored 12 less than the other team putting us 38 points behind them...after the second game we lost a few more pins and the 3rd game we tied so we were down a bit but still doable. The fourth game the boys were ON FIRE and bowled over 200. When we looked we actually beat the other team that game by 100 pins.  I think that score and our cheering (the team and parents) psyched the other team out because we beat them the next 2 baker games to clinch 4th place and a spot in the districts. A few of us moms sat together and we were so nervous and excited for the boys. The most stressful thing was whoever was bowling 10th frame but each time the boy in that spot ...Coleman, Adam, and John nailed it! I said to Mike's mom I never thought of bowling as an exciting game but this was just as exciting as when the St Peter girls were playing in the tournaments!

The great 8!

OUT MY WINDOW!

Could it be?

 Yes! It is a spring robin and actually there was a whole tree full this afternoon!

Come on spring!

THIS WEEK'S READS!

*The Artist Way

*various Lenten booklets and sites

 I have decided to narrow it down to this site from Australia (I believe). 

The podcaster has an accent which sounds Australian.

 http://intothedesert.org.au/uncategorized/sunday-22-february/

Each day ends with this which I am finding inspiring and fits with my Lenten practices.

Speaking to the Word

Spend a few minutes in prayer to the God who is as close to you as your breath. Ponder the reality of God’s presence and contemplate the thought that God has something for you – a plan that is as unique as you are. Don’t worry about what that plan is, nor about what you are to do. Your role is simple: sit in God’s presence and wait for him.

Remain silently in God’s presence for as long as you feel inclined, or opportunity will allow. Then bring before God any sincere prayers of intercession that you have. Instead of asking God to do things for you, ask that he might achieve whatever he wishes through you.

Finish by praying the great yet simple prayer of praise to the Blessed Trinity: Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

{pretty, happy, funny, real...St Valentine Edition

One year on St Valentine's Day when we were dating Gary and I went to the Franklin Park Conservatory and spent a day in the gardens feeling far from central Ohio. I remember it was a special day and somewhere I have pictures of us way back when. Late this week I started thinking since St Valentine's Day fell on a Saturday we should repeat this adventure. Gary agreed so early Saturday morning we hit the road for Columbus to be there when they opened and avoid the crowds. The time spent in the rain-forest, desert, and other rooms full of orchids, bonsai, and other flora was the little get away that we both needed. The place begin filling up with mostly couples of all ages but also a number of families as they had some activities set up for the kiddos.A young couple offered to take our picture...they were so cute...she was 8 1/2 months pregnant! The two of us...still happy after all these years!

I had to get a picture of the desert room with the snow falling outside!

What a cute little set up this was. We stopped and chatted with an older couple that have a train layout in their basement. It was obviously the gentleman's passion. I am always impressed that Gary knows enough about most subjects that he can carry on a conversation with most anyone we meet. 

Chihuly glass enhances some of the gardens. 

This was a small window above a little tunnel you go through.

 If you didn't look up you would have missed it.

                                                               and the orchids.....pretty!

St Valentine decorating! 

I took a little trip to downtown Mansfield last week and wandered through the Hospice Twice Around thrift store. One is always bound to find some little treasure here. I gave myself a $5 budget. First I found a pretty red scarf ($4) perfect for the upcoming St Valentine's Day. Then I found 2 little juice glasses for $1 then a few steps around the corner I found a pretty pink sweater...no price. Thinking I would need to choose between the scarf and the sweater I went to the counter to ask the price and found out all red and pink clothes (including scarves) and all clear glass were 1/2 price that day. The original price of the sweater was $5 so guess what it all totaled up to? Yep $5! 

Thank you God!

Next I went across the street to the Carousel Antiques...no bargains here BUT I did come away with some fun decorating ideas. Messages on scrabble boards, containers with red, pink, and white buttons, and old Valentine cards displayed reminded me I had saved some lovely cards from my Grandma Ta Ta. I had fun putting the display together and I liked how it turned out. I added the Precious Moments figurines: one a gift during our dating years and our wedding cake topper as well as our wedding and 25th anniversary photos!

OUT THE WINDOW

I want to include this category in my weekly posts this year. 

We are so blessed to live here and many times I am treated to a little surprise 

when I look out the window.

First a couple of my feathered friends taking turns at the feeder.

One morning this week Thomas said "mom, come up here quick"...I couldn't tell from his tone of voice but I was relieved and thrilled when he lead me to look out his window to this beautiful sunrise!

 John last week...

and this week!

I am glad that he chose to cut his hair after the experiment of growing it long. 

He said it kept getting in his way. He looks so handsome!

                                                                   and last....

This weeks 99 cent bouquet...
thinking this week after St. Valentine's Day may be another opportunity for some more discount roses!

Mary, Our Blessed Mother pray for us!

A Week Behind

{pretty, happy, funny, real} Have I Mentioned?

A new week... One of the things I like about blogging is how it makes me aware of time. I really would like to blog weekly this year and that is my goal but we'll see how that works out.

The last few weeks the verse has been easy to choose. This week nothing jumped out at us. After re-reading today's reading this is the one I chose. I am rotating the icon pictures from my copy of the Little Oratory book. They are beautiful and alone worth the cost of the book! Have I mentioned how much I am enjoying my constantly evolving prayer shelf?

Have I mentioned how much I like my weekly planner?  

When I ordered it I did not realize that each week has a different picture. The artist is Marjolein Bastin and her work is amazing.

Have I mentioned I am experimenting with The Artist Way? I saw this book referenced in an article online and it was available at my library. I started reading it and knew right away I wanted to try this 12 week process or what I like to call experiment. I love the focus on the idea of the Creator and that we being made in his image are called to be creators.  I believe that God is calling me to a deeper level of appreciating his creation and that "Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God." (Basic Principles pg 3)

Have I mentioned what a sweetie John is? Look at that smile. Saturday they bowled against the team that Michael Starrs girlfriend bowls on and John and Brooklynne got a chance to chat. She told us about her letters from Michael. The first one was "wow I love it" and the next one was "this is terrible". I am guessing that is a common reaction to boot camp. Prayers for Michael and his platoon. 

Have I mentioned how much I like being outdoors and hiking around in the woods? One of the parts of the Artist Way is to set time aside for an artist date each week. This week I decided I would take sometime on Friday and go hike around Gorman Nature Center and take some pictures. If I had to pick one word to describe the time it would be.....invigorating! Oh yes and I held a black rat snake in the nature center after the hike!

I finally was able to capture a photo of this guy! This beautiful and prehistoric looking pileated woodpecker has been hanging out at our feeder but never stayed long enough for me to get a picture. 

And a few pictures from the snow that the wind blew around our yard.

.Have I mentioned that I like snow and bird watching and taking pictures and being outdoors and my new camera?

See the little tracks....aren't they cute?