Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Random Ramblings #18

It's that time again - time to clear out the hard drive of my brain and make room for more data. Hence, the Random Ramblings.

Fall (or autumn, as Linds pointed out is a better word - why DO we call it fall, when autumn is such a superior word?) has come to our area. I LOVE the crisp mornings and evenings. Even 86 degrees doesn't seem as hot as it does in summer. Why is that?? Saturday DC and I are taking the senior group from our church (to which we will soon belong) on a fall color tour in the mountains.

I am sadly behind in expressing my appreciation to Angela for the "You Make Me Smile" award. Thank you so much, Angela! You make me smile, too, and I'm glad we "met."

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I have a new blog friend that I'd like to introduce you to. Her name is Nancygrayce and I've enjoyed getting acquainted with her. She wrote a wonderful poem today - check it out!


I have to give credit where credit is due - as usual, my new look is thanks to Kristen, my techno hero! She has taught me everything I know, and has designed all of my fanciness. Thanks to all of you for your prayers for her and Feisty and the twins. Feisty also got a clean bill of health from the children's hospital - we don't know why she keeps getting UTIs, but at least we know it's nothing that requires surgery. Praise the Lord!


Feisty is changing every day. She gets much more time with me now that her brother and sister are in school, and she is blossoming every day. I love holding conversations with her. She makes me laugh every day. Her smile lights up my world, and her tears break my heart. What fun to watch her develop.


Anakin is in 4th grade already. That is the grade I used to teach, but he doesn't really trust me to help him with his homework. He told me yesterday that he got a nice compliment from his music teacher - she told him he had "great vocals." I reminded him that I'd been telling him the same thing (well, not the exact same words) since he was a little boy. It's true - the kid can really sing! He said, "I know, Grandma, but when a music teacher says it . . . " Oh, well!


Care Bear is loving school - unfortunately, kindergarteners do not have art class, but she continues to create at home. The other day she made this collage out of all sorts of textures:

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She cut up ribbon, gathered leaves and flower petals from the yard, and the fuzzy stuff on the left is snipped from a couple of her stuffed animals - that girl is dangerous with a pair of scissors! Remember this episode a few months ago?

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Today she picked out a couple of books at the library about little fairies - one had her name and it was spelled the same. She sat down at the kitchen table, pulled out her paper and marker, and copied pictures of the fairies from the back of the book (did you notice the little pair of scissors at the end of the long hair on the middle bottom fairy?!) I thought Pea would especially enjoy seeing this picture!

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I went in to H*bby L*bby last Saturday. I haven't been in there much since the weddings 6 years ago, when I spent a lot of time and money there. I avoid it, because it is too inviting! But I realized I really love that store - I felt like I was in the presence of the Lord - the music they play glorifies God. And the sign on their door "Closed on Sundays so that our employees may enjoy family and worship" made me want to go there more often and support them. What a blessing to have a company that honors the Sabbath (as does Chick Fil Ā).


I have made a huge decision. I announced to my faculty last week that this is my last year with them - I'll be retiring at the end of August next year (yes, it's early - I'm not retirement age yet, but things are working out). It is exciting. It is also kind of sad. Students always tell me, "You can't leave until I graduate." Since that will never happen, and a class will always be in the middle of the process, I have to leave some class before they finish. That is the sad part. I am mentally making lists of the things that have been sadly neglected for the last 14 years.


I love this devotional by Max Lucado:
God's Mighty Hand
Colossians 1:16 - Through His power all things were made - things in heaven and on earth, things seen and unseen.
"With one decision, history began. Existence became measurable.
Out of nothing came light.
Out of light came day.
Then came sky . . . and earth.
And on this earth? A mighty hand went to work.
Canyons were carved. Oceans were dug. Mountains erupted out of flatlands. Stars were flung. A universe sparkled.
Look to the canyons to see the Creator's splendor. Touch the flowers and see his delicacy. Listen to the thunder and hear his power. . .
Today you will encounter God's creation. When you see the beauty around you, let each detail remind you to lift your head in praise. Express your appreciation for God's creation. Encourage others to see the beauty of His creation." from In the Eye of the Storm.


The sky is changing as summer ends. The sunset is farther south. It has a different look. It is, of course, much earlier. It is awesome.
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18 comments:

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Thank God Feisty doesn't seem to have anything serious wrong, but those frequent UTI's are surely worrisome.

So you're retiring in Aug. '08? Congratulations, Dawn! And well deserved, too. You and your hubby should enjoy your retirement years together.

Gotta get to bed, Emmy is supposed to be here bright and early in the morning. Have a great Thursday, Dawn. :-)

Love and hugs,

Diane

someone else said...

Wow, retirement! That's wonderful. You'll thoroughly enjoy having all that time to call your own.

Susie said...

Nice newsy catchup post! Glad Fiesty was found to have no serious health issues. Congratulations on the upcoming retirement. It will be here before you know it.
xo

Carole Burant said...

Oh Dawn, I just LOVE the faerie pictures that Care Bear drew...please tell her for me that I think she did an awesome job on it:-) I hope you don't mind but I saved it!! I agree with Linds, I've always called it Autumn because Fall just doesn't have the same "oomph"! lol I love your new look...Kristen is so talented:-) Thank God that Feisty has nothing seriously wrong with her...isn't it amazing how things can look so grim for a while and then everything comes together!! I think it's exciting that you will be able to retire next year...congratulations:-) Also, congrats on the Smiling award, very much deserved.The sunset pictures are glorious...it's no wonder it's my favourite time of day!! xox

Linds said...

I love ramblings. My life seems to be just ramblings at the moment. Wonderful that you can take early retirement! How exciting! Maybe you can come and visit then. You will have lots of time!

Maine Mom said...

I love your new blog look! This is such a fun time of year.

That's too bad that there's no art class for Care Bear. At least she can still make her masterpieces at home.

Yay for stores closed on Sunday. I would support them, too. :-)

Looks like there will be a big party come August! Exciting news!

Barb said...

With your retirement officially announced, I think you'll be surprised how quickly this school year passes. You and your husband are going to love the difference it makes in your being able to get out and go places and do things that have had to be carefully scheduled up til now.

I may be weird, but I kind of like that haircut. I think it's cute.

The scissors in the fairy picture she drew made me laugh out loud. I assume all scissors are now carefully hidden away. LOL You've got some talented granchildren!

I know exactly what you mean about the temperature being the same but feeling different. I love this time of year.

Robin said...

Retirement? I'm so jealous! I can't wait to retire so I can do all the things I love to do! I never really got to be a stay at home mama so I fully intend to be a stay at home grandma someday!

Linda said...

I'm so excited for you Dawn. It is always hard to say goodby, but you will just love having the time at home. Hooray!!
I love H. Lobby for all the same reasons. It is such a pleasant place to shop.
I love the picture of the fairies. She is such a cute little artist. It is so much fun to see the gifts God has placed in their lives.
The pictures are spectacular.
Have a wonderful weekend and trip Dawn!!

Sharon Lynne said...

God's sunsets are amazing. Do you ever feel there are no human words to describe them?

I love Care Bear's Fairies. She draws better than I can...that's for sure!

Happy Retirement! They ought to think of a new word for that time of life. Everyone I know who retires...just gets busier! --in good ways :)

Judith said...

Well, congratulations on your soon to be retirement, but I agree with whoever said we should find a better word for it, because it is a verb, not a noun.

This post has so many good parts to it, but I'm especially impressed with your grand daughter's art work, and her obvious belief in herself, that is priceless!

Sue Seibert said...

Great news on the health scene. Hope everything else goes as well.

Love Care Bear's collage art! Wow.

Sounds like you're having a great time with all of them.

love to all!

groovyoldlady said...

I have a really bad headache right now, so I took one kava-kava and two Excedrin. This makes me a little slow on the uptake. I thought Max Lucado said that "Crayons were carved".

That really made me ponder creation in a totally new way.

Rita Loca said...

I haven't been by in awhile...a lot to catch up on. Love the new look!

Nancy said...

Oh, retirement is so much fun... you are going to love it! In NC we can retire with 30 years of teaching, so after 32 years my energy level was gone and I took advantage of my years of teaching by retiring. You will love the extra time with your grandkids. I am so glad Feisty is going to be okay and what an artist Care Bear is. I met your new friend and just loved her poem. Enjoy your autumn days!

Tammy said...

Wow, Care bear is a wonderful artist! Seriously- I think she is!

And she may even be a virtuoso hair stylist in the making, too! LOL

That is incredible and kind of exciting news about your retiring soon, Dawn! Wow!

Gorgeous sunsets, too...
Have a great week, Dawn!

Gran said...

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. I am so glad that you can do this so that you can spend that extra time with your family.

I love the beautiful art work and the photos of the hair cut.

The sunset photo is Awesome !

Have a wonderful week !
Angela

Kristen said...

Posh Spice copied Feisty's hair. As did anyone who has copied Posh. We should have left her hair alone and got it patented!