Faith Vs. Feeling As I Look Ahead

Well, it is the last day of 2008. This year has been a struggle for me in accepting change and loss.

When I began this blog, on my first post I ended with this goal: "A new journey to a place of vulnerability with those who might be interested..." I think I haven't been vulnerable enough.

This is supposed to be about removing my masks, isn't it?

It's easy to talk about the life of my father in the spring, but not about the ache in my heart that finally came crashing through on Christmas Eve...
...or of the pride of Emma's high school graduation and new venture in her life as she's off to college. Expressing my sense of solitude with her absence (and the myriad of friends in our home on a constant basis, bringing with them all the sounds of laughter)...the quietness isn't something I've talked about. Then there is the change in how I spend my days. It is exciting to work with children I've grown to love from The Gap School, and yet I haven't mentioned how much I miss my RHS kids and the hole they've left.

This has been a year of profound change for me. I confess I feel unexcited about this upcoming year, and even fearful at times about what could happen. The Man About The House and I have spent this past week talking about faith in God to take care of the future and entrusting to Him 2009. At what point do I let go of feelings and rely on my faith in God that has seen me through each moment of my life?

I think that is my goal as this year ends: to focus more on the finisher of my faith, and leave what is behind.

God's best to you in 2009

In The Bleak Midwinter

In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, Snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter
Long, long ago.

Our God, heav'n cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain:
Heav'n and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak midwinter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord, God Almighty
Jesus Christ.


Angels and arch-angels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air:
But only His mother in her maiden bliss
Worshiped the Beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him

Give Him my heart.

Merry Christmas, with love,

Garland and Shari

Katy, Emma, Laura

Nine Years Pass By Too Quickly

Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband, Garland!

Hats off to the Man for helping me rear three daughters through open houses at school, birthdays, new boyfriends, old boyfriends, proms, graduations, student drivers, dresses and dances, loft-building projects....


....for still surviving hot flashes, erratic thyroid, job changes, empty nesting about to begin, The Next Food Network Star, good-byes needing to be said, chick flicks, sleeping from the day's stresses a little too early, too-long-road trips....


Here's to my best friend now and forever. I'd love another 90 years with you if it were possible!

New Compassions

Typically as I fly through the local grocery, I am squeezing this all-too-often errand into a busy day. I know the fastest cashiers. I am especially particular about who packs my bags for me. Two men are my favorites and are great in protecting produce and organizing my groceries. There are some baggers that I have typically in the past stood in a longer line to avoid. Publix is a large provider of jobs for challenged adults. In theory I have admired the store and the employees for their support of this community, but in reality haven't liked to subject my delicate peaches and eggs to the higher odds and risk of damage.

I am completing my first month as the Music Specialist at The Gap School, and have been personally faced with my bias and own lack of genuine acceptance. I have grown to adore the children I teach, and now look at the Publix employees with similar needs in a different light.

Here are some faces of my really special kids:

Jade, age 8

Marla, age 8

Ethan, age 7

Jade and Tavin, age 6

Churchill, Abbe, Ethan, Jade, Tavin: The 1st grade team "Road Runners"

Arie, age 15

Nicholas, age 10

Zach and Wesley, age 10

Max, Evan, Victoria, ages 16, 14, 15

Merik, age 13

Jake and Thomas, age 12

A Work In Progress

Here are some photos of the bedrooms newly redecorated...



A few things to tweak in Laura's room, but mostly completed.



My new office/sewing room is still in need of curtains to be made, and most of all a furniture piece for my machine and the printer! We're not quite sure about the "office" corner fit--so it looks a little hodge-podge right now.




Some cool things about the "new" room--the headboards are from my mom's family (thanks Aunt Nancy!), and the rug between the beds is a remnant from my grandparents' home. I pulled the colors from that rug as an inspiration for the rest of the room, wanting a neutral pallet to work with accessories. The two little pictures were given to me from my mother. My great-grandmother, Olive, did the needlework.

Slowly but surely it's pulling together!

I'm Here

Just in case you are wondering...

In almost three weeks I haven't stopped moving (figuratively and literally)!

Been busy traveling, painting lofts, carrying boxes, sewing curtains, giving kisses, running errands, painting bedrooms, assembling beds, teaching classes, washing clothes and furniture....

And I have a lot to tell, just too tired right now to begin!!

Here are a few photos til the next post

Emma arriving in Michigan

Working hard on her loft for her dorm

Emma, Lauren (roommate), Katy off to a picnic

Proud Chickey and Katy after a long day of moving

Emma, Mom, Chickey, Katy in The Pine Grove

The Bermuda Triangle

So this is our day...

1. Fay is a possible threatening storm for us on Tuesday.
2. Tuesday we are planning to leave to take Emma to college.
3. Emma's new computer has crashed...new hard drive arriving in Holland on Wed.
4. Laura begins 10th grade tomorrow.
5. Shari begins a new job tomorrow.
6. All the stuff with everything converges at once!.....BERMUDA STYLE!

Farewell Week is Wrapping Up

Last night we were able to pull off a surprise 18th birthday party for Emma. Her friend Shannon got her out of the house and when they got back home a hour later, we had a party! I wish Katy could have been a part of it, but then again, she'll be with Emma the entire day when it's the actual event...yes, we say good-bye to Emma in the afternoon of her 18th.



Tonight she is going to the Rascal Flatts concert with a good friend up in Tampa before she has only a couple days remaining to finish the last bit of packing.

btw-Tropical Storm Fay is threatening the west coast of FL, possibly turning into a hurricane, due to hit Tuesday (the day we leave)! We'll have to see what happens....

Farewell Week Has Begun

Well, we have one full week left with Emma at home before taking her to Hope College...

As one of two music scholarship recipients from the church where Garland is on staff, The Church of The Redeemer, Emma will be singing periodically when home for visits. This morning was her first time, and we thought we'd share--

Here is Aaron Copeland's "At The River"

The Gap School

Compilation of The Gap School artists

For several weeks I have been in the throws of an application process to be the Music Specialist at The Gap School here in Sarasota. It is an opportunity I became aware of through a friend in The Florida Voices, a music ensemble Garland and I have been members of for 3 years.

The Gap School is a private special needs school for 7-18 year old students. They are expanding their curriculum for the 42 students to include music education, and as part of the process I had to develop a proposal including program and expenses for the Board of Directors.

Beginning August 18, (with two days off to take Emma to Hope!), I will be teaching on Mondays and Wednesdays at this unique school! I'm so excited, because in spite of the Next Food Network dream, THIS is my primary passion--music with kids. With all the changes at Riverview, this is an exciting and thrilling venture I'm about to begin!!

Who Is The Next Food Network Star?

Alright....

I was disappointed to see everyone stay this week.

Who do you think is the one left standing?

Adam, Lisa, or Aaron?
(photo courtesy of the foodnetwork.com)

They Grow 'Em Big Down Here

There is a famous weatherman in Sarasota, Florida.

The local news station, SNN, broadcast this...

It's always good for a laugh!


This reminds me of the bugs at the cottage and some other people I know! :)

Two City Boys

Garland thinks these two look alike...



What about you?

Is my cousin Nathan a twin of Bobby Flay?

Babies

There is no doubt my girls love those babies....

Katy and Asher, Emma and Clara, Laura and Aden...cousins in the same generation, and we were all in heaven enjoying extended family moments last week!

Still playing catch up....and getting ready to kick another out of the nest.

Two years in a row is difficult to fathom...

Pantry Meals Without A Recipe

My uncle, Don, has been an example to me of someone who takes risks in pursuit of passion. He inspires me. He is the "all-knowing Uncle Don", quite similar in that regards to The Wizard :), and at this point in my life a person I am able to reflect about and be inspired to pursue my own dreams.

I love the show "The Next Food Network Star". Last year I talked with my family about sending in a video audition. Some people shot down the idea for some valid reasons. This season has just begun, and once again I am placing myself into the finalists challenge scenarios. What would I do if I had made it that far? I have had viable options and ideas. I'm considering this once again...

And so I put this out there: Should I seriously pursue pulling together an audition video? My "angle" would probably be Pantry Meals Without A Recipe, since that is my strong suit in the way I cook on a daily basis. Garland said last night he wouldn't be able to watch the episodes if I made it into the Top 10 (it can be quite cut-throat), but I should go for it.

I'm just a mom who has been cooking dinners for 32 years. Not a trained chef or culinary expert. What do you think?

In A Celtic Mood

I like this guy....

He is my periodical connection to a place with memories of a lifetime. Two years ago the Man About The House and I went for two weeks to Ireland and Scotland.



He now listens to Celtic Radio while on the computer, and I still regret not visiting Roslyn Chapel while only 20 miles away. (Don't ask, but if you are at Hukilau with me over the next national holiday, I'll fill you in on the details).

Some day we will go back.

Emma, Class of 2008

Well, Graduation Time has been long-anticipated, happily experienced, and now over...and there is a three year break until the next high school grad lives in our home!

The festivities were great with warm, sunny, June Florida weather. At least on the first day of hurricane season her party wasn't blown away or even rain-delayed!

I'll let the pictures do the talking....

On her way...

Coordinating meeting spots with fellow grads

Sisters waiting patiently

And now she enters!

Receiving her diploma from a favorite teacher, Mr. Mocherman

She didn't trip coming off the platform!

Look, Mom...I did it!

Best buddy since 7th grade, Dan Lavonti

Two down, one to go....

Proud parents

Emma watching the incredible 23 minute slide show Uncle Paul did for her....

This is a brief interruption to give you a link to the slide show...it may take a bit to download, but it's great!! Thanks again, Paul for your incredible work and amazing efforts all the way to the end!!

One of the two food tables--Tex Mex menu

Senior girlfriends among the first to stop by....of the 75-80 guests by the time the evening was done!

Cutting the cake....another fabulous "Beautiful Cake by Ron"

CONGRATULATIONS, EMMA RUTH! WE'RE ALL SO PROUD OF YOU!

GOOD LUCK AT HOPE COLLEGE, CLASS OF 2012!