Friday Show and Tell - and Twin Update

I have been blogging about our trip to Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii since December (I think I have two more posts to complete the story). I want to share the special display my husband recently completed, showcasing his treasures from our two trips - one for our 25th anniversary, and the latest for our 35th.

During the first trip, DC discovered Koa wood. This is a beautiful, dark, luxurious wood native to the island. He kept finding things made from this wood, most of which were beyond the budget. But he did come home with the little oil lamp bowl on the right of the shelf, and the tiny canoe model on the left. (Here is a picture of a koa tree).

This trip, we found a wonderful shop run by a very talented couple. The husband, a native of the island, was a master carver. He created the miniature canoe paddle on the right of the display shelf. The painting was done by the wife. It showcases the paddle, the hats they wore at their wedding, and several other paddles as well.

When we got home, DC was eager to showcase his treasures. He found the unfinished shelf, which he enjoyed staining and varnishing. He completed the display by arranging the shells we found on the beach. Hanging from the pegs on the bottom are two necklaces, which unfortunately didn't show up in their entirety. One is the typical bead necklace, which you find everywhere as souvenirs. The other one is a fish hook, which is a common sight at shops as well. They are made from bones, and can range from really cheap to incredibly expensive. He chose one rather in between, closer to the low end~~

We were very pleased with the way it turned out, and it brings pleasure and great memories every time we look at it.

Now - for a few candid shots of the teeny tiny twins, who are growing every day. They are quite able to let their needs be known. They do not like to be wet (which could be a very good thing in the future). They do not like to be hungry. They DO like to be held! This can often be a problem, when there are other things that need to be done. Here they are in a bouncy chair we got at a garage sale - we have one for each, but right now they fit quite well together.

They sound just alike when they cry - sometimes it's in unison, and sometimes they harmonize. It's always an adventure to try to figure out which one has awakened you in the middle of the night.

I think this is Kate - totally unaware that she looks like perfection personified.

Kristen is fearful that you think I have them at my house all the time. I just take advantage of every time I do - and take lots of pictures! She will be going back to work a week from Monday, so they will be here every afternoon. I'll work from 7-11, we'll do the changing of the guard, and she'll work from 11-3. It'll be an adventure! Please keep all of us in your prayers - Feisty has become quite accustomed to having her mom at home, and quite happily so. She may have the hardest time adjusting to this new routine.

Don't forget to keep praying for Cynthia, Ladybug, and all of the siblings!

For more Friday Show and Tell stories, stop by Kelli's blog, There Is No Place Like Home.

A Fun(ny) Memory

Thank you so much, everyone, for stopping by and wishing me well - and praying! I feel ever so much better tonight. I hope to feel even better in the morning so that I can go to work. I just hope it's not like Mary said, that the tiredness and cough are the beginning of the flu, and it gets worse from here!

Today as I began to feel better, I took advantage of the free time to visit all of you dear friends. When I was over in Maine at Midlife Mom's place (while she's vacationing in Florida), I enjoyed her visit down memory lane.

What was really funny is that I have been planning for quite some time to do a post on gum wrapper chains. It was nice to know I was not the only one of our "era" to have made one.

When I was in high school, it became quite the rage to have one of these chains in progress. Some liked to make them out of every different kind of gum. I chose Wrigley's Spearmint. I don't know if it's because I liked that flavor the best, or I wanted it to be white. Maybe it's why I don't chew gum any more! (I think the real reason I don't chew gum is, besides the fact that I think it's a very irritating looking habit, it is so pointless - if I'm going to expend that much energy chewing something, I want some satisfaction from swallowing it!) But I digress.

I truly believe we should have bought stock in Wrigley's company - we were buying so much gum. Don't ask me where I got the money. Of course, it was probably a nickel a pack in those days! I don't remember when we had the time to do this. I can't imagine that I was doing it during class, because I never did anything at school that would get me in trouble.

The story is that you were supposed to make the chain as long as your boyfriend was tall. There was something about burning it at some point, but that part is lost to me. Anyone out there remember that piece of the puzzle?

Since I didn't have a boyfriend, my imaginary guy had to be at least 6 ft. 2 inches tall, so that I could wear my three-inch spikes and still have him be taller than I. I had grown to 5 ft. 10 inches by this time. I did it - a 74-inch gum chain. What in the world did I do with it? I wish I had it now to do a show and tell!

As it turned out, my freshman year in college I had a boyfriend that tall. Long story, destined to end. The "rancher" that I told about in my "100 Things About Me" was that tall. A couple other guys I dated were that tall. But the guy who won my heart is not. I wore flats for my wedding. We're about the same height. Good thing I didn't have the chain to measure him by! Height just doesn't matter. Not at all. It's all about his heart, his soul, his kindness, his love.

But it is a fun(ny) memory!

(Some people mentioned in Midlife Mom's comments that they didn't remember how to make the gum wrapper chain. Check out this site - I don't remember cutting them in half, but maybe I did. It was a long time ago!)

IMPORTANT: Don't stop praying for Ladybug (Margarita Martinez) who is still missing. Pray for her mother, Cynthia, and her entire family. Let Cynthia know that you are praying!

Prayer Request

I am staying home another day (DC's orders!) I wrote a fun post to publish. Then I put it on hold, because I learned of a very serious, very scary situation. Please go to Cynthia's site Walking On. Cindy is an amazing writer, an awesome single mother of 9, mom to several children with blindness or diminished vision, a hurting mom right now. Go visit her amazing site, leave her a word of encouragement, then pass the word to the prayer warriors in this wonderful world of blogging friends. Ladybug is missing.

Under the Weather

EDIT: I did not go to work today - in fact, I slept through the night with the help of Kroger's brand of Tylenol PM. I have no voice this morning, though I have tried to leave messages with various people that I am not coming in. I am the opener of the office, and staying home in the morning is a huge complication, when it is me that has to stay home. I am the one who is always there, always on time, taking the phone calls and e-mails from those who are sick, whose kids are sick, who decide to take a day off for the fun of it. But when I need an unscheduled day off, it is a nightmare - I can reach nobody! It's even a hassle when I take a planned day off. I hope they hire someone really reliable to be there on time when I leave in August! I fell really lousy. Going back to sleep now! Thanks to so many for stopping by - I really appreciate your prayers. I cannot indeed afford time to be sick right now - too many people waiting to hear that they've been admitted. Or that they haven't - glad I don't have to take those follow-up calls! Talk later -- if I get my voice back!

I haven't felt good all week-end, but just keep going and going and going. Stopped, though, and didn't make it to church. I really missed it - special services, one of my favorite speakers, a choir song I love.

I went to work - I have to keep going and going and going - too much to do to get so far behind. Missing special services again tonight. Feel worse since I laid down and slept for 2 hours this afternoon.

Heading to bed --- not the bad flu that everyone has been getting (so far, so good anyway!) Just started out as a cold, running nose, cough, now no voice, kinda sore throat. Have to go to work tomorrow!

I was going to do a post tonight, but don't feel like downloading pictures - talk to you later!

Friday Show and Tell - and Twin Update

Where has this week gone?? It's another Friday Show and Tell time. I want to share this special piece of furniture that we have had most of our married life (35 years). Well, maybe a bit less than 35 years, because it took DC well over 6 months to finish it.

DC loves to have a project going on. He's not an expert woodworker, but he loves beautiful wood. I'll have to share some of his other projects as time goes by. But this clock - very special to us.

We hadn't been married long when DC decided he wanted to order this clock kit and build it for us. I was not enthusiastic - not because I didn't think it would be wonderful to have such a beautiful item, but because of the cost. Many times over our years together, I have been the party pooper when it came to something DC thought we really needed - and he has been right most of the time. (This is not to say that I have always agreed with his expensive hobby purchases!)

Anyway, he ordered the kit and began the process. We lived in a small two-bedroom duplex apartment. The spare bedroom became home to this incredibly intense project for, as I said, over 6 months.

One day DC made a major mistake - he sawed the piece of wood at the opposite angle it should have been. He was so distressed! He began to pray for one of our friends to help him out - and who showed up at our door but this incredibly skilled woodworker. He came into the house and helped salvage the project. You can only tell it's there if it is pointed out and you look VERY closely.

I have loved this clock all of these years. The chimes have been like a friend - right now they're not working and I miss them so much. We need to find a fine clock expert to clean it, most likely. We had one repairman who came over and worked on it a few times, and he was a unique kind of guy - one of a kind - really fun to have around and hear his stories. I hope he is still in town.

Today the teeny tiny twins are two months old! It has been quite a two months. They are really growing and thriving. Emma, who began at 2 lbs. 15 oz. now weighs 5 lbs. 8 oz. - the same weight Care Bear was when she was born - and she seemed so tiny! Kate started out at 3 lbs. 5 oz. and has grown to 6 lbs. 5 oz. They have each grown about 2 inches. They're still bitty, but mighty. They try to roll over, hold their heads up, make cute faces and noises. They still don't sleep much at night, and Kate wants to be held all.the.time! Kristen is horribly sleep deprived. That is why I had all 4 girls - I took the day off work so that she could get some sleep.

Here they are in one set of outfits from their shower - purple corduroy jumpers - adorable!

That's Emma on the left and Kate on the right.

Care Bear loves to read to them. She's reading the two books they got at the shower.

A grandma does what a grandma has to do - while the big girls were in the tub!

For more Friday Show and Tell stories, stop by Kelli's blog, There Is No Place Like Home.

Have a great week-end!

BA Revisited and The Book Meme

Have you seen this cute little graphic? I've seen it around here and there. It reminded me of a post I did after about 3 months of blogging, when I realized I had become totally hooked. So I'm going to re-run it here. (Thankfully, I am a recovered blogaholic, and enjoy it in a less intense way now!) From September 13, 2006:

I am waiting for someone to begin a support group - Bloggers Anonymous. At that time, all of us who have known each other anonymously can meet face to face! Face it - we have an addiction. I wonder how soon it will become a part of the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition). I can see it now: Blogmania, a recently diagnosed mental disorder with the following symptoms:

• Computer is on 24/7
• You are running to the computer every few minutes
• Laundry is piling up
• Meals have become the frozen variety
• Conversation with mate revolves around what you read in cyberspace
• Blogger problems become bigger than life
• Your mind is always thinking of what to write next
• Depression occurs if there are fewer than 7 comments on any given day
• You are sleep deprived from staying up reading hundreds of messages
  
  
  Of course, this is an exaggeration, and meant to be a bit tongue in cheek. Seriously, it does become addictive. But there are so many good things about this new mania:
  
  
• I have met so many wonderful people from so many places - Canada, Chili, Australia, every state I've lived in.
• I have found so many kindred spirits who know my Jesus.
• I have seen miracles through the prayers of these new friends.
• I have laughed and cried, both with tears running down my cheeks.
• I have discovered people who have such a gift of words.
• I have found astounding spiritual truths from new acquaintances.
• I have been challenged to be a better Christian.
• I have become better acquainted with family members who are bloggers also.
• I now look at everything that happens as a potential post. It has opened my eyes to a whole new way of looking at things.
• My memory has been jogged and I realize what a wonderful life I have had.
• I was reduced to happy tears when so many people welcomed our prodigal home. God is so good!
• So many of us will someday meet, if not in this life at least in the next.
  
  
  Tell me what you think - want to join?
  
  
  Nancy tagged me for the book meme. Now if you've been with me very long, you know I read all.the.time. I have to have a book with me in case I have a dead minute or two. Or I have to wait in line somewhere. I love to read. So here goes:
  
  1. Grab the nearest book of 123 pages or more.
  2. Open it to page 123.
  3. Find the first 5 sentences and write them down.
  
  
  I have to grab the last 4 words on page 122:
  
  
  "One of the girls I work with owes me about a week for when she went to Cancun with her boyfriend. She'll do it, I know she will."
  
  "I do hope so," I said, suddenly worried that I couldn't depend on what was essentially a last-ditch appeal. "I tell you, Miss Wiggins, we're in an emergency situation here, and I was hoping that you could leave right away. Today, in fact."
  
  
  This passage is from the book, Miss Julia Strikes Back by Ann B. Ross. This is the 7th book in the series, and they are such fun. Give them a try if you want some mindless fun.
  
  

Kona Adventure - Part 10 - The Food

Almost three months have passed since we were in Hawaii, and I'm still trying to finish my journal of the trip. If you're tired of it, please feel free to skip this post. We've been fairly busy since the trip, and I feel like the Lord directed this vacation to prepare us and relax us for what was ahead. If you're new here, you might want to go back a few posts to see what I'm talking about. But a hint - the teeny tiny twins are 8 weeks old tomorrow, and are growing like little weeds.

I haven't met very many people who don't consider eating a great part of being on vacation. We like to stay at Bed and Breakfasts. Our hostess this trip gave us so much food for each breakfast that we usually took some with us for a mid-morning snack on our road trips around the island. I shared pictures in this post.

I showed one of our favorite lunch spots in an earlier post - the Coffee Shack. We were so happy to see that it was still there ten years later, with the soup and sandwich menu just as wonderful. We made it back there twice.

The view from the patio

The amazing sandwich

Cute little visitor - we could have done a Geicko insurance commercial!

There was another place we loved ten years ago - The Keei Cafe. It was a little tiny place in a run down little building by the side of the road. We tried it because it was recommended by our hostess at The Dragonfly Ranch, where we stayed that year. We were really glad she recommended it, because it was not the kind of place we would have stopped, most likely. DC had the best pork chops ever, and had never forgotten them. We asked around and found out that they had moved up in the world, and were now down the road in a classier spot.

We knew we had to go there again, and were really glad we did. We were so pleased to learn that the same Brazilian chefs were still there, as was the same head waiter. We asked him about the history of their move. He pointed out that there was a picture of the old place on the wall:

At that time, when they were just getting started, they had 8 of those white plastic tables and chairs - the kind you buy at Wal-Mart for your patio. I had remembered it as even smaller than that. But they have really come up in the world - now their furniture is made from koa wood - the wood that DC loves to buy as souvenirs. It was just beautiful, and the food was still wonderful.

One day we decided to go to Safeway and buy picnic food. We went back to the great spot we'd discovered the first day (the same place I hurt myself). This created a much nicer memory!

I very carefully went into the water, warm enough for a bath. I was really paranoid about turning my ankle again.

One of our last days, we took the trip to the southernmost point of the U.S. We ate that afternoon in the southernmost restaurant. Very good food, very interesting little place - nothing fancy, but lots of personality.

Thanks for coming along with me once again. I hope to finish in about two more sessions!

Friday Show and Tell - and Twin Update

It's been quite awhile since I've shared a Show and Tell. Remember this picture? Back in November I posted about this minor disaster. We didn't get a lot of fancy things for our wedding, but mostly received very practical gifts - which was good. But I really didn't have a beautiful salad bowl until my MIL gave me this one for Christmas years ago. I loved using it for my 7-layer salad, which I took to almost every family dinner.



I am not an avid shopper - well, let's be honest - I really do not like to shop at all. Remember when we were told in commercials to "Let Your Fingers Do the Walking?" Now I led Google do my shopping. I found this beautiful bowl at Amazon.com. It was listed as at $75.00, and was on sale for $16.95, if I remember correctly. It is extremely heavy and lovely, but quite a bit bigger than I envisioned. My 7-layer salad is going to have to grow. I haven't used it yet, but have enjoyed just looking at it.



And - speaking of wedding gifts -- this was the first one we received. My doctor and his wife gave us this state-of-the-art-at-the-time percolator. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I have not worn it out in all of these 35 years. I only used it for company. But -- recently my son told me that the coffee I made tasted metallic - he suggested I throw the antique reliec away. So I took a picture for posterity and put it in the recycle bin. Kinda sad!



The other day on my way to work, I pulled off onto a side street and stopped to take one of those pictures of the moon setting. As I made a U-turn to head back up to work, I spotted a bright pink notebook on the side of the street. I picked it up, discovering that it belonged to a college student. It was such a well-organized notebook that she had her schedule on the front page. I looked her up in the computer system, sent her an e-mail, and told her where she could stop by and pick up her lost notebook. Turns out that someone had broken into her car, stolen her backpack, which included this notebook, a lab manual, a friend's notebook, and her Ipod. Obviously, the thief didn't want the school things, but tossed them on the street and took off.

She came into my office and was so happy and relieved to get her notebook back, and I was so happy to have been able to help her out. It literally made my day. Two days later, I was on the phone when the student receptionist in our office brought me this:


The cute little gift box was filled with delicious home made chocolate chip cookies, and she wrote such a nice note. Unfortunately, I didn't get to visit with her this time, but I wrote her a thank you for the thank you. What a nice treat!

Last but not least, a bit of an pictorial update on the little girlies. Kate now weighs 5 lbs. 9 ounces and Emma is up to 5 pounds! They are just doing so well. I took all 4 girls to the library the other day. By the time I get 4 little girls in and out of their car seats several times, and the little ones into their stroller and back into the car a few times, I don't really need a trip to the gym!





I couldn't resist putting these little outfits on them today while I had them for awhile. They are Newborn size - a bit big, especially for Emma. They didn't really want their pictures taken!

They look so incredibly alike in this picture.

Little tiny Emma is trying to turn over on her tummy already! She went from her right side to her left in this picture.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ANYONE OUT THERE WHO ONLY GETS TO REALLY CELEBRATE EVERY FOUR YEARS!!

For more Friday Show and Tell stories, stop by Kelli's blog, There Is No Place Like Home.