To continue with my favorite things.... immediately after I posted my last post on favorite things, I couldn't believe I left my kindle off the list. I absolutely love my kindle. I can get hundreds of classics for free at my fingertips at any given moment in a tiny device smaller than a regular book. I don't have to hold a huge bulky book to read Les Miserables. I can underline and un-underline, write notes and then get all of my underlines and notes online and put them in a word document. I can send documents to my kindle and read them. I can even see popular highlights from others which is sometimes interesting. It is the best $100 I have spent this past year. Brian borrowed mine for a trip and then bought his own. I can even get the greek bible on the kindle. As part of this post, I am including a few quotes from the book I am currently reading (only 20% done according to the kindle). Can you guess what it is??
"But as soon as one is at rest, in this world, off he goes on something else to worry about."
"The mere knowledge of a fact is pale; but when you come to realize your fact, it takes on color. It is all the difference between hearing of a man being stabbed to the heart, and seeing it done."
" It seems to show that there isn't anything you can't stand, if you are only born and bred to it."
You can stop reading here or suffer through this last quote. It might identify the book, if you read it in 10th grade English.
"Now it is curious how progressively little frets grow and multiply after they once get a start. Things which I didn't mind at all, at first, I began to mind now—and more and more, too, all the time. The first ten or fifteen times I wanted my handkerchief I didn't seem to care; I got along, and said never mind, it isn't any matter, and dropped it out of my mind. But now it was different; I wanted it all the time; it was nag, nag, nag, right along, and no rest; I couldn't get it out of my mind; and so at last I lost my temper and said hang a man that would make a suit of armor without any pockets in it. You see I had my handkerchief in my helmet; and some other things; but it was that kind of a helmet that you can't take off by yourself. That hadn't occurred to me when I put it there; and in fact I didn't know it. I supposed it would be particularly convenient there. And so now, the thought of its being there, so handy and close by, and yet not get-at-able, made it all the worse and the harder to bear. Yes, the thing that you can't get is the thing that you want, mainly; every one has noticed that. Well, it took my mind off from everything else; took it clear off, and centered it in my helmet; and mile after mile, there it stayed, imagining the handkerchief, picturing the handkerchief; and it was bitter and aggravating to have the salt sweat keep trickling down into my eyes, and I couldn't get at it. It seems like a little thing, on paper, but it was not a little thing at all; it was the most real kind of misery. I would not say it if it was not so. I made up my mind that I would carry along a reticule next time, let it look how it might, and people say what they would. Of course these iron dudes of the Round Table would think it was scandalous, and maybe raise Sheol about it, but as for me, give me comfort first, and style afterwards."
Monday, October 24, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Waynesville, NC
In 1998 my parents bought a cabin in Waynesville, NC. A real cozy cabin on a mountain in Waynesville. Over the years we have enjoyed so many great times at the cabin. Since Brian has been working a lot, I decided to drive the girls over to Waynesville to give him some time to work without worrying about us. Hannah is also taking a few days off of school. It wasn't the ideal drive because it was raining the whole time and I am a tense driver, but it wasn't too bad. The girls slept the majority of the trip while I listened to Tim Keller sermons and my brother's new CD. I honestly think Tim Keller has been the most influential speaker in my life over the past 5 years. There are so many spiritual truths and passages of scripture that I understand more because of his sermons. We have also gotten to hear him speak 3 or 4 times at his church in New York. Every time I hear him, I feel enriched. I am grateful for his ministry and boldness in teaching the Word of God. I also listened to Franklin's new CD a few times. It is really good (I may be a little biased) and brought back lots of great memories of growing up and listening to his music. Here is a link to the album: https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/myfriendfranklin2.
It is so easy to enjoy the simple things in life while you are at the cabin. Beautiful fall leaves, driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, shopping at the general store, hot beverages, little girls in matching pajamas, buying mountain apples and apple cider, reading a book. Life justs slows down here and it is fun to do pretty much nothing. The leaves are absolutely beautiful and I feel so lucky to be here at this time. Today we drove a little of the parkway. At one point we made it to snow. It was just amazing... pure white with some orange sprinkled in. I can't believe we live so close to such breath-taking natural views. What fun memories I have of this place and I hope our girls will too!
It is so easy to enjoy the simple things in life while you are at the cabin. Beautiful fall leaves, driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, shopping at the general store, hot beverages, little girls in matching pajamas, buying mountain apples and apple cider, reading a book. Life justs slows down here and it is fun to do pretty much nothing. The leaves are absolutely beautiful and I feel so lucky to be here at this time. Today we drove a little of the parkway. At one point we made it to snow. It was just amazing... pure white with some orange sprinkled in. I can't believe we live so close to such breath-taking natural views. What fun memories I have of this place and I hope our girls will too!
Friday, September 30, 2011
These are a few of my favorite things
So Oprah has her favorite things and today I was thinking of a list of mine. Here are a few...
- Simple Human Paper Towel Wall Mount - I know sounds crazy, but I love this paper towel holder.
- Simple Human Pull out trash can- Another crazy favorite thing, but it keeps the kitchen clear of a bulky trash can.
- Nespresso Citiz Espresso Maker with Aeroccino Plus Automatic Milk Frother - Okay this probably should have gone on the top of the list. I traded in some gold jewelry and bought this amazing machine. I think I have at least 5 lattes a week.
- Lenovo Ideapad- Another thing that I traded some gold jewelry in for. Brian picked out this great laptop for me. I was debating getting a Ipad, but decided it was just a big toy and we already have an I touch. I love, love, love my Ideapad. It is brand new so I get to organize everything really well. I have been setting up all sorts of cleaning schedules, calendars, and weekly meal plans. This is the perfect small laptop and great for all my needs.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Thursday, September 01, 2011
A blog revival
We haven't blogged in a really long time. Life has taken over and I rarely have time to actually reflect while sitting at a computer. But, things are changing.
After a year of agonizing over where Hannah will go to kindergarten (actually probably more like 5 years), she has started at Forest View Elementary School. I didn't cry at all though I do feel her absence during the day. She has a great teacher and I am grateful that she is in such a diverse environment. There is really no majority or minority of race/culture in her class. There are kids from Asia, India, Denmark, France, Vietnam (I think) and some Hispanic and African American, and Caucasian children as well. She truly is color blind. What a blessing.
Charis will also start pre-school this week which will lead to even more time. She is so excited and full of life. She will have no problem adjusting and I know she will love her class. I am trying to sign her up for a gymnastics class. She loves hanging and has the biggest quad muscles of any 2 year old I have seen. We go next Thursday for her to try it out. Hannah will continue taking ballet and adjusting to her big time school schedule.
Another reason I am optimistic about our blog is that I traded in my gold jewelry and used some of the profit to buy a new laptop. I now have more flexibility in writing. A big thank you to Brian who picked out the perfect computer for my needs. I love it!
I also have more time to reflect because I will be in the car a lot more doing carpool. I spent an evening downloading listening materials and also picked some stuff up at the library.
Providentially, I found a neat CD at the library compiled by Julie Andrews of lots of different songs and poems. It was great listening to it these past few days. http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Andrews-Collection-Poems-Lullabies/dp/160024758X Here is a great poem that is on it by Charles Dickens. I love Dickens and I totally agree with him about Autumn!
‘Tis pleasant on a fine spring morn
To see the buds expand,.
‘Tis pleasant in the summer time
To see the fruitful land;
‘Tis pleasant on a winter’s night
To sit around the blaze,
But what are joys like these, my boys,
To merry autumn days!
We hail the merry Autumn days,
When leaves are turning red;
Because they’re far more beautiful
Than anyone has said,
We hail the merry harvest time,
The gayest of the year;
The time of rich and bounteous crops,
Rejoicing and good cheer.
Be on the look out for more posts!
After a year of agonizing over where Hannah will go to kindergarten (actually probably more like 5 years), she has started at Forest View Elementary School. I didn't cry at all though I do feel her absence during the day. She has a great teacher and I am grateful that she is in such a diverse environment. There is really no majority or minority of race/culture in her class. There are kids from Asia, India, Denmark, France, Vietnam (I think) and some Hispanic and African American, and Caucasian children as well. She truly is color blind. What a blessing.
Charis will also start pre-school this week which will lead to even more time. She is so excited and full of life. She will have no problem adjusting and I know she will love her class. I am trying to sign her up for a gymnastics class. She loves hanging and has the biggest quad muscles of any 2 year old I have seen. We go next Thursday for her to try it out. Hannah will continue taking ballet and adjusting to her big time school schedule.
Another reason I am optimistic about our blog is that I traded in my gold jewelry and used some of the profit to buy a new laptop. I now have more flexibility in writing. A big thank you to Brian who picked out the perfect computer for my needs. I love it!
I also have more time to reflect because I will be in the car a lot more doing carpool. I spent an evening downloading listening materials and also picked some stuff up at the library.
Providentially, I found a neat CD at the library compiled by Julie Andrews of lots of different songs and poems. It was great listening to it these past few days. http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Andrews-Collection-Poems-Lullabies/dp/160024758X Here is a great poem that is on it by Charles Dickens. I love Dickens and I totally agree with him about Autumn!
‘Tis pleasant on a fine spring morn
To see the buds expand,.
‘Tis pleasant in the summer time
To see the fruitful land;
‘Tis pleasant on a winter’s night
To sit around the blaze,
But what are joys like these, my boys,
To merry autumn days!
We hail the merry Autumn days,
When leaves are turning red;
Because they’re far more beautiful
Than anyone has said,
We hail the merry harvest time,
The gayest of the year;
The time of rich and bounteous crops,
Rejoicing and good cheer.
Be on the look out for more posts!
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