Burning up in Michigan
12.31.04 (5:29 am) [edit]Wow! This morning I stepped outside to let our cat in and was amazed. It is over 50 degrees, balmy with fresh-smelling breezes, what nice weather on New Year's Eve! Well, that means even more people on the road, so be careful wherever you are :)
Does anyone know what periwinkle, aquamarine, cornflower, midnight, navy, and teal have in common? They are stunning shades of blue - I think they were all created to drive me crazy, though. I'll explain more on this later :) Which shade is your favorite?
Don't forget - I won't be updating for about two weeks. Happy New Year!!!
"Fill me when I'm empty "
12.29.04 (9:24 am) [edit]It is so good to know that God is all we need! Even when everything else is not stable, not trustworthy, not reliable, simply not there, Jesus is always there! Sometimes it is hard to remember He is there, because we cannot always feel His presence. But it is like when we think we are home alone, and then Mom walks out from the basement. She was there all along, we just didn't realize it. We couldn't feel her or touch her, but she was there!!!
I won't be updating a whole lot in the next two weeks. Friday I am heading out to Duluth, Minn. for the second half of vacation. I am excited to see my boyfriend's family, they are a great bunch :) Happy New Year - drive safe, etc.
Back from the dead
12.28.04 (1:18 am) [edit]Hi, I am waking up after being unconscious or semi-unconscious for three (? not sure) days. I was sick; my sister was sick first, my mom was sick, my boyfriend was sick and now, finally, my dad is sick. Too bad, now he can't work tomorrow :( He needs to work really badly.
On the upside, it was incredible to have my mom there, nursing me back to health. She has an amazing bedside manner, which she says she got from her mom. Mom was patient, kind and gentle with us all as we were sick. She helped us even when she was feeling icky. Yay for wonderful mothers!!! I dream of being home every time I am sick, just so she can stroke my back and soothe my brow.
So, my bf is still sick and my dad is still sicker. Keep them in your prayers.
Skip this if vomiting makes you queasy or disgusted!
Final count . . .
Bethany (sister) = threw up 16 times in 24 hours
Me = threw up 11 times in 7 hours
Chuck = threw up 6 times in 12 hours
Dad = threw up 1 time (yet to be done, I think)
Mom = threw up 0 times in 24 hours
Hmm, I think Mom won this contest!
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
12.24.04 (1:55 am) [edit]I have heard this song played as a Christmas song lately. Does it really fit the genre of a Christmas song? I'm not sure. And why don't we play Christmas songs all year? Not continuously, but mixed in with other Christian tunes (If it were played around the clock, I think I would go nuts). It is important to celebrate Christ all year! I think my all-time favorite Christmas carols/songs are Oh Holy Night and
O Come Emmanuel. There are a few others I enjoy, but these two cut sharply into my heart.
Oh Holy Night is one I memorized and performed with my Sunday school class when I was 5 or 6 years old. O Come Emmanuel reminds me that Christ is our savior. He will come save us from our sins and in his holy name all oppression shall cease!!!! Yay!!!! & nbsp; &n bsp; &nb sp; &nbs p; ; & nbsp; &n bsp; &nb sp; &nbs p; ;
O Holy Night &n bsp; &nb sp; &nbs p; ; & nbsp; &n bsp; &nb sp; &nbs p; ; & nbsp;
O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining.
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh hear the angel voices!
Oh night divine! Oh night when Christ was born!
Oh night divine! Oh night! Oh night divine!
Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother,
and in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise his holy name.
Christ is the lord, that ever, ever praise we.
Fall on your knees! Oh hear the angel voices!
Oh night divine! Oh night when Christ was born!
Oh night divine! Oh night! Oh night divine!
O Come O Come Emmanuel lyrics & nbsp; &n bsp; &nb sp; &nbs p; ;
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Sweet kisses . . .
12.23.04 (4:59 am) [edit]I love Hershey chocolates - who doesn't? We had some left over from baking peanut butter cookies with chocolates in the middle. So I have been snacking on them occasionally. Anyways, I just wanted to post a subject title that would catch your eye and I am sure "sweet kisses" did the trick.
Not much going on here. Christmas is two days away - yay! This year it is really a simple celebration. My family doesn't have much money, so our focus is on our family and loved ones. But you know, this is the first time I get to spend Christmas day with the love of my life, so it will far surpass any Christmas thus far. I am so excited to wake up and share the day with him! I feel like a little girl on Christmas!!!! Oh, wait, it is Christmas. Usually that comparison packs more of a punch.
On a side note, sorry to the people/comments I have not responded to yet. I will soon! Thanks for your comments! You all rock!
Sleep is good . . .
12.21.04 (12:45 am) [edit]But I'm not sleeping. I am making a post and surging (well, surfing, but surging kind of sounds cool) the net. Sunday I posted a painting because I was lazy.
Tonight, I wanted to share a part of my heart. Lately I have been able to spend really good quality time with important people. It has been like a much needed rainstorm in a parched desert for me. It is easy to get busy and let relationships slacken while you are trying to get everything done. When this happens and the projects are done, the papers are written and I look around, there is no one to celebrate with (of course, there are a loyal few). I have pushed some away during my busyness. But this break has been a exactly what I need - a faithful few to love and show love.
I know I am terrible at keeping friendships healthy, that is a weakness of mine. It is hard to make time and I don't want certain people to feel passed over if I spend more time with some than others. It is not because I don't want to tell friends I love them or spend time with them, it is simply a difficult thing for me to do. I don't know why! I was really good at it in high school, but as the years go by and people move away, etc. it gets a lot more difficult.
Thanks to those who have stuck out friendships with me (and put up with my forgetting to call, etc.). I hope I can show you I care and that you are important. Merry Christmas in five days!
Artsy edge
12.19.04 (6:17 pm) [edit]This was the first painting I ever painted. I did it about one year ago, I can't remember exactly when! What does it mean to you?
This is Samantha: a guest writer for Hopie
12.19.04 (12:58 am) [edit]Hope and I made, or are in the process, rather, of making extremely delicious cookies... yummm!!!!
She is such a good baker, she should open a shop called Cookies of Hope... yeah.
Hmmm... what to write, what to write...
It is nearly 4:30 A.M. and i am in third shift mode... i work at Meijer, but its my night off and i am apparently rambling...
So, these cookies....
We've made these coconut macaroons.. which are like coconut cookies, baked and cooled and then dipped in chocolate. The bottoms got a little well done, but it was more of an experiment than anything. Neither one of us has made them before... i think i will let Hope be the taste tester... I'm sure they are fine... unlike the milk... according to Chuck.
(I just think his taste buds are weirded out, must've been the McDonalds) No offense, Chuck.
And PEANUT BLOSSOMS!!!! An absolutely wonderful creation of a cookie, 'cept, i don't think that whomever created them, intended for the kiss to be eaten with the cookie, but as a sweet prequel to the actual cookie. Yep. That had to be the motive.
Perhaps Hope will put up pics of our decadence in baking for you to drool over?
Signing out,
Sam
Getting a jump on New Year's resolutions . . .
12.17.04 (12:14 pm) [edit]It can be hard to say you are sorry. Especially when you didn't mean to hurt someone's feelings. I have learned that it is more important to apologize, than to explain why you did something. That is really hard for me! I always feel like I have a reason (or that I didn't mean to hurt someone) and after I say I am sorry, I should explain why I did something. But that is not always a good idea. It can trivialize someone's pain. For anyone I have done that to, please forgive me.
On to a more intriguing topic - If I had to a “do-over” what would I use it for? (Like, one thing or situation that you could repeat and possibly have different results.) Hmm, I think I would go back to when I was young (junior high) and start reading my Bible everyday and KEEP doing it. That is something that is very hard for me to do. Even when I know how awesome I feel afterwards and how much it helps me love others. If I started that daily habit at that young age, hopefully it would continue for my whole life. But I guess it is never too late to start a new chapter of your life.
What would you use a do-over for?
Christmas zoo
12.15.04 (1:22 pm) [edit]
Welcome to Christmas with my animals. They look friendlier and more realistic in person. Bowtie (L) purrs "Furry Christmas!" while Panda (R) barks "Get this hat off me!"
No animals were harmed in the making of this Christmas collage. They were given treats in order to cooperate. Don't feel sorry for them - they have their own Christmas stockings.
Home = happiness
12.15.04 (11:56 am) [edit]
Ahh . . . home. After a 9 1/2 hour drive, we (bf and I) made it home safely. My dog met us at the door. She was yippy, yappy and happy (so was I). Last night/early this morning I fell onto the couch at 3 a.m. Today is sunshine, snow and four weeks of vacation fresh before me. How many people have a wonderful home to go to? I am blessed. Sorry this blog isn't very exciting. My mind is out of fuel after this semester! Hmm, my only regret from this semester was getting a B in a class that I thought I would get an A in. But life goes on. And B's are "above average" - so how come it doesn't feel above average?
I just hope there are no more surprise B's (or *gasp C's !!!) on the way!
Something more . . .
12.12.04 (10:55 pm) [edit]Oh, yeah. Christmas is almost here. I keep forgetting. That may seem silly to some, but I cannot plan three or four days ahead sometimes. So where to go Christmas shopping? Any suggestions?
I want to make something crafty for friends and family, but I am out of ideas. Here are some (successful) Christmas crafts I have made (from scratch) in the past:
* chocolates - placed in handmade, origami-style paper boxes
* homemade soaps
* candles
* chapstick (I really made this, honest)
* Christmas cards (I love using glitter, even though it gets over everything for months!)
* cookies, fudge, etc.
* hot chocolate mix with a mug
* glass ornaments - with paint and glitter on the outside
What is your favorite gift/craft to make? What is your favorite gift to receive?
Belated Birthday
12.12.04 (10:18 pm) [edit]This blog is dedicated to Samantha. She is a beautiful woman of many talents . . . and her bithday was December 7th. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM!!! (I didn't forget you, i just don't have a phone card) For those of you who don't know Sam, she is . . .
S - incere
A - mazing (not like those weird candy commercials, though)
M - y best friend (':D')
A - nimated
N - ever boring!
T - houghful
H - onest
A - dventurous
Sorry this birthday "shout out" didn't come sooner. Happy birthday to everyone whose birthday is this week! I hope it's special.
Ending Daze
12.10.04 (5:46 am) [edit]This is the last week of school (for me and many others). Yah!!! Can I be happy that the next month will be friends, rest, food and Christmas?
I am ecstatic that break is here, but it also brings some sorrows. People will be moving on and moving away. A few friends will be leaving school, others will be graduating and others just seem to drift away. It is sad that some are going, but I am happy for them and I support them on their exciting journeys.
Enjoy these moments . . . this hour, this time, will only be a heartbeat in eternity.