A night in DC

It's a lovely, lazy Saturday afternoon, and it's supposed to reach 65 degrees here today, yesss!
Last night Jeanette and I met in DC for a night out "on the town". We met at Ruby Tuesdays, (I'm on this liver detox diet right now and so needed a place with a salad bar.) Anyhow, it's in the heart of Chinatown DC, and it was packed with fans eating a bite before the game at the MCI center across the street.
As we waited I was able to observe the stark differences in people that God had the creativity to make.
We sat for 10 minutes, and no one came by our table. (Please note that every table around us had been attended to.) We decided that for time's sake we would get salad, but still no one came. At 15 minutes Jeanette asked another waiter if someone might be able to come by, so we could at least order drinks. He assured us that someone would be by. When 20 minutes had come and gone we decided to leave in order to make our movie in time.

I was cool just leaving and eating later. After all, in my reasoning, they were busy, and so we needed to just leave it be. Let it go!

Jeanette, on the other hand, wanted to make sure that they knew that we were leaving and why. I tried to talk her out of it, being the sometimes wimpish peacemaker that I can be, but she was not to be swayed. She ended up telling the manager about it before the night was over. Please note that, during this interchange, I was literally hoping that the door I was leaning against would swallow me up.
We finally left, and she being the astute one that she is, noted that I was uncomfortable. She explained her reasoning: "The manager needs to know that his staff is not doing their job. If I was a manager, I would want to know." Savy?

So many personalities are so different, but in truth with out each one working together, people like me would be walked on even more often than I am now, and people like Jeanette would rule the world, hehe;)

Oh, so another funny story before I tell you about the movie. We were walking to our theater, and somehow these two really tall guys got between Jeanette and I. She kept walking, and I literally could not get around them; they took up most of the hallway. I was behind them jumping up and down trying to watch Jeanette, and finally I took off at dead run to get around them at catch up to her. As I was running I yelped, "I can't get to you!!", as dramtically as I could. I didn't look back to see their faces, but I think I'm safe to say that they found my craziness rather amusing.

So, we went to see the movie, "End of the Spear". It's based on the story of Nate Saint and the other four men who took the gospel to a remote tribe in South America. They did lose there lives there, but that's where the story really began. It's a beautiful retelling that had me in tears at several points. The one "downside" is that the natives show a LOT of skin. Granted, these actors were more covered than the real natives were, but it's something to be aware of before going in:) It's an amazing story of forgiveness really. One of the final scenes took my breath away. A man chooses to forgive the native who took the life of his father some 40 years before. It makes you think, and I'll leave it at that;)
I encourage you to check it out.

I'll type at you soon.

back to the East

Hey. I'm back in Virginia, and life has settled into it's normal pace as it were. I had such a blast at home this past Christmas. It was tough to settle back into life as usual, but I think I'm all good.

K, I've been sitting here for 5 minutes looking at this screen, and I can think of nothing creative to say. sigh...so, rather than typing random thoughts, I will just leave it at that for now.

Talk to you soon.

Christmas!

Okay, so I am finally posting some pictures. I hope you all enjoy, and I hope you had a very merry Christmas!

A few Cole "Scrooges" clowning around;)



Here are some pics from the Bellflower Christmas play as promised. The leads, my dad and sister, and the angels;)


The Musicians---Janessa on violin, Jane on cello, me on flute, and Joanna on violin.


The angels...again



Here are some pictures of a friend's two adorable little girls. She was once my ballet teacher...Last time I saw them, the oldest girl was just a tiny baby. Now, there are two! They are soooo cute;)

At home on the prairie

Yup, I'm home on the Illinois prairie for Christmas this year. I left Virginia early last Saturday morning, and drove all day...alone with nothing but my car and music to keep me company..sniff. Okay, so it really wasn't that bad. No bad roads like last year, and I managed to get here in 10 and a half hours. (It would have been 10 if I hadn't decided to stop at the very busy Champaign walmart.) I know, I have a bit of a bad lead foot going on.

It's been fun and busy here. The Sunday after I arrived we were gone all day with various services and the like. Monday, and Tuesday I don't remember...oh yes I do sort of. Monday night I took all of "my girls" to see Pride and Prejudice. It was fun. My poor brother decided to go with us. He did have the option to go see Narnia, but I think he wanted to humor me. Funny, he laughed louder than anyone in the theater.

Wednesday I was given my flute parts for the songs we were doing that night at a rehersal for the Bellflower community service. I think the flute parts came out okay. I fudged and slurred my way through some of the difficult passages.
I'm hoping to take some pictures of the program and post here to give you all a taste of it. The Bellflower Community Christmas service is really a taste of the grandness of small town life. This program has been going on for 80 some years I think. Every year on Christmas Eve the town puts on a play about Christmas. It's been so fun to go each year and see the kids I once knew as kids, starting families, school, etc. My family always goes, and then we come home and eat sweets, and watch It's a Wonderful Life. Gotta love traditions.
This year we are doing just about all of the music for the program. Two sisters on Violin, one on Cello, mom on piano and me on flute. It's really pretty even if I do say so myself.

Oh, and my lands is it ever cold!! Last night when we got back it was 9 degrees!

Today, I have cooked and cooked some more. Actually it's been a lot of baking, too. It's been a fun, busy day to say the least.

Anyhow, there's an update on my life.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

Tata.

You know you're in VA "blizzard" when

1. City drivers who normally cruise through town at 50mph or so, slow to a crawl when the first flakes begin to fall. (No accumulation on the roads whatsoever folks.)

2. The grocery store is swarming with panicked people who seem drawn to the bread, milk, and eggs.

3. The conversations in the grocery store consist of comments like:
"Wow, it sure is going to be a bad one." "Be careful out there." (Forcast was 3 to 5 inches of snow.)

4. Walking into my gym with some flakes on my coat causes the employees there to pump their fists in delight with the news that snow was falling.

5. Observing neighbors "dig out" their cars will bring amusing memories to me for quite a long time.

6. Teachers at a school are planning not to come in the day after this "blizzard".

7. Those same teachers are surprised the next day when school is not canceled, or even delayed.

8. It is so warm the day after the "blizzard" that one can sled without a coat, hat or gloves.

9. My chiropractor even admits that she is afraid to drive. Not because of the snow mind you, but because of the inability of city folks to drive well in it.

Sorry to poke fun, but I have just been so amused to observe the people here after the two "blizzards" we've had this last week. I just can't bring myself to call them real blizzards. To me, 3 to 5 inches is just a spit of snow. Try piles so high you can walk on top of the fence posts in the pasture at my home in Illinois.

Okay, snow aside, I've had a great week. It's been extremely busy, but fun. Today I spent the afternoon baking. I even managed to catch and partially burn and ruin one of Jeantte's towels. I was using it to cover some bread that was rising on the stove, and it got into the flame one of the burners. I tried blowing on it to try to get it out, but that only made it worse. So, then I started panicking because the fire kept growing, and I couldn't get it out. I finally realized that the sink was right behind me, and doused it. Needless to say the towel is now in the trash with a big black hole in it. I don't think I've ever burned a towel before;) Oh well.

I went to the HSLDA Christmas banquet last night with my friend who needed a "date" because her husband is on his way to Iraq. Anyhow, I bought this new top to wear. It was a sparkly little guy. So sparkly in fact that it's now in the trash. Yeah, so the glitter that they used on the shirt was not attached well. It was so bad that everytime I stood up I was raining the offending stuff. I came home and my entire black skirt was covered. I got out a bag at midnight last night and started shaking the loose glitter into it. I swear I will be sparkling for years now.
The event was fun. I did have to warn people not to hug me 'cause I would have left them all sparkly too. Ahhh, life is so funny sometimes.

I'm driving home a week from today. I can't wait! Just pray it doesn't snow like last year. My brother and I drove home last year, and I really thought that day might end with us singing with the angels in glory.:) That's another story for another entry though.

Have a great weekend!

An enchanting snow

Thanksgiving eve is not usually a day I keep tucked away in my special memories, but this year it will be. This year, it was magical.
My week, prior to Thanksgiving, was very busy due to the kids being out of school. I scarce had time to think let alone contemplate the upcoming holiday. Then, in what felt like no time at all, it was Wednesday night, the eve of Thanksgiving. Work was done until Monday--there was turkey to be eaten on the morrow. That night, homesickness began to hit me....hard. I just wished it would have worked for me to go home and be with my brothers, sisters, and especially my dad and my mom.
I walked out into the night, sad about life, wondering about my place in this messed up world and, you know the feeling, generally down about everything. LOL, I'm sitting here thinking about that Michael W Smith song...picturing myself walking through the neighborhood belting out: "looking for a reason, roaming through the night to find my PLACE in this world, my PLACE in this wooorlldd." Sorry, funny mental image for me, maybe not so much for you. But, I digress.
Ahhh, yes, so I walked out to head home, (I had been out and about), and from the sky fell THE most enchanting Thanksgiving eve snow I have ever seen. To be honest, I think it is the first Thanksgiving eve snow I have ever seen, but again I digress, hehe.:) I've been asking God of late to make me aware of of the special things He does for me, "Just for love". That snow was just that. I love the wonders of His creation, and the snow was incredible. It was very gentle, so clean, and such a picture of the purity of my Jesus. It wasn't really that cold out either--it was just beautiful. The homesickness didn't leave, but I was comforted to know that He could see me, and that He wanted to share the sadness with me. God's just good like that.

Thanksgiving Day was fun, too. Jeanette and I stopped by a football game that our church guys were playing, but didn't stay long as it was very cold, and none of the other "cheerleaders" showed up.
We had dinner at the Farris', which was so much fun. We talked, ate, played games, talked some more, ate and played more games.

Now, real quick my "I'm thankful for's":

Mom and Dad--Amazing parents, and friends. Never take parents for granted, they are a gift from God.

My siblings: Jeanette, Jeremy, Janessa, Joseph, Jane Joanna, Judy, Jed and Jeff.
I love you all, and am so thankful for you and all you've been and are to me.

My family and friends-You know who you are, for all you've invested in me.

Most of all for Jesus, who gives life meaning and purpose. Life with Him is not always easy, but I can't imagine life without him.

Blessings to you all this holiday season!

Julie

of life, kids, city life, and my new "boyfriend"

Hey all,

You all must know by now that I am sorry for not typing at your sooner, so I'll spare you another apology;)

I do have a pretty good excuse though--besides the "I'm busy", one-- I have been sick.
I think in the whole year I worked for HSLDA I took one sick day. But, being around schools, and kids all day everyday, I think I'm going to have to work at keeping myself healthy. But, I have discovered this amazing store called "Whole Foods" where I shop each week. I'm on a diet of sorts, although "healthy, liver friendly eating" might be a better phrase to use. I'm drinking lots of water, and even manage to have some kind of fresh veggie or fruit juice each day.


The kids continue to grow me up. There are days when I want to pull my hair out, and then there are days when I am just so happy and blessed. I think life often feels this way for all of humanity. I am learning to be more assertive, which, if you know me at all, is difficult for me. I have lost my patience, (not Anne Shirley like), but lost it all the same a few times. I thank God that kids are patient. They are terribly honest, and have taught me many things about myself.


The city is still not my pal, but I am learning to deal with it. I was almost hit Monday night by an insane driver. K, not really insane, but almost. I was driving on route 50 to my Hebrew lesson. (50, is a 4 lane.) As I was driving 40 to 45 mph, this person speeds by me on the right, then crosses in front of me to turn left in the turnabout thing. Sadly the little guy didn't get his back end out of my way, and I couldn't slow down fast enough. I managed somehow to swerve into the other lane without hitting the other cars, and continue, heart thudding, on my way. I do think my guardian angel might have gotten squished though.
I was able to see a few stars the other night. I'm going to have to find somewhere to star gaze this winter. The city is just too bright.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the Hebrew language affords many interesting opportunities. Have you ever run into those people in the mall that come out from the middle and say, "Can I ask you a question", or something like it? Well, here in Virginia, many times they are from Israel and they are selling some kind of nail, or skin care thing.
I was at the mall over the weekend and a guy asked me if he could ask me a question. Because I was alone, and really didn't mind, (I assumed he was from Israel by his accent and thought I might practice Hebrew on him), I agreed. He delivered his sales pitch quite well, and then I began telling him about my interest in Israel. Next, I started speaking to him in Hebrew, and he about fell over. He was so shocked that I spoke it. We talked for several minutes. He helped me with Hebrew, and I helped him with English. He told me about his family still in Israel--4 brothers and a sister. He told me that he plays basketball professionally in Israel, and he kept trying to impress me with the amount of money he makes. hehe, money does not impress me buddy;) He didn't know how to say the numbers, so he would say "I make 4 with 3 or 4 zeros after it each month", and so on. He wanted to know how old I was, and then he told me his age making sure that I understood that he is 20 and a HALF. hehe, must have wanted me to be impressed.
He kept telling me that I had pretty eyes. First he said it in English, then he tried it in Hebrew. I know he was just trying to make a sale, and it was fun to watch his attempts. I did cave and buy something, because I am a sucker, and because I like Israeli products. I paid by credit card so he needed my number. He looked at me and said, "you know that your number is really for me? I am going to call and say, 'your boyfriend from the mall is calling you'". I told him he'd better not. Thankfully our relationship was established on friendly banter, and he took my rebuff very well.

Anyhow, life is very interesting. I'm thrilled to have Jeanette close, although we haven't seen each other all week;) Hopfully we'll see each other over the weekend.

Well, stay warm, and I'll try and be in touch real soon.