Old Fuddy Dud

A friend today said I am not "an old fuddy dud" because she says I'm constantly challenging myself to learn new things.

August 28

Why today is a big day for me:

1. Jaimie was born 21 years ago today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I'm so glad I got to be at her birthday party last weekend. Even though those cars that drive by themselves are a bit scary!

2. Six years ago today I moved to Michigan.

3. Four years ago today my Honda Fit finally arrived at the dealership after a long long long 10 week wait!!!

A Flipper's Car

This is a picture of the car Renae bought in the spring. It's not her actual car but the same year and color.

Last night I visited with my 91-year old neighbor. Below is the conversation which then goes into my telling Renae about it.

Neighbor: Do you have friends with a red car?

Me: (yelling so she can hear) Yes, Renae has a red car?

Neighbor: Well it looks a car for some young folks.

Me: Well that's what she's trying for.

Neighbor: Tell her I thought she was some young flipper.

Renae: Yes, it worked!

Thankful Thursday 8/26/10

1. I got almost everything done on my list while visiting my parents.
2. Twice the Decatur sanitation department sent trucks at just the right time to empty two big trash bins while we were cleaning out the shed and the garage.
3. I have coffee cake for a mid-morning snack this week!
4. Mom's arm is healing even if it's not healing quite fast enough for her.
5. Hudsonville Fair week!!! Need I say more?

Discount Airline Travel

Apparently discount airlines means a website that doesn't work for pre-check in, no leg room, and unfriendly flight attendants. However, on all four legs of my trip we left on time, arrived early, and my luggage was on every leg.

On Tuesday returning I was near the back of the plane from Huntsville to Baltimore so I was one of the last ones off. I had exactly 35 minutes to take off for my connection. I walked off the jetway and heard the gate agent say, "We will begin boarding for Grand Rapids in just a couple of minutes. . ." My first flight arrived at the gate I would be departing from on the same plane with same crew. The flight attendants were unfriendly and rather rude. However, the pilot played the harmonica as he made his announcements on both flights. Also when he was talking about flying into Grand Rapids he said, "Home of President Gerald R. Ford, home of Herman Miller." I clapped. Then he added "Home of Steelcase." I booed.

Thankful Thursday 8/19/10

1. Made it to AL safely with luggage.

2. So good to see Mary and my parents.

3. Jayne's kindness to take me to the airport and to turn around when I realized I didn't have my phone.

4. The shed is cleaned out; the riding mower is sold!

First Day of Vacation

I made it to AL on time and with luggage. It's a miracle! What a beautiful sight to be sitting on the plane in Baltimore and see my luggage rolling up on a luggage cart and being loaded onto the plane!

It's now just before 4:00 and the shed is cleaned out and the riding mower is sold! What an interesting dynamic--we just put stuff, stuff and more stuff out in the alley. About 1:00 a lady drove up and started picking through it all. People drive up and down the alleys looking for scrap metal to sell. She took about 1/3 of what was out there including a metal folding table but took it out of the box. She said there are about 8 new people out of work who do this every day.

I went out and told her we had a riding mower so she looked at it. She thought on Saturday she'd have the money if we'd hold it. Dad said if it's here on Saturday she can have it, but if someone comes up with money it may not be here on Saturday. About 30 minutes later the sanitation dept came by with a truck that just scooped up all the junk we'd put out. One of the guys looked at me and said, "You must be a Klopfenstein." Apparently we've known them since we've moved to Alabama. Dad came out and tried to sell the mower to him and his partner.

The lady came back with her son and bought the mower. It may have been for a little less than what Dad wanted, but it's gone. Since I started the price a bit low (which it sold for), I told Dad I wouldn't take a commission.

What a huge blessing that we could empty the two huge garbage bins for that garbage truck to scoop up so we now are starting over with two empty bins to fill for the regular garbage pick up tomorrow!

Next job to tackle: empty the loft and clean it out.

Group Presentations

Last Wednesday was the last night of class when the students do group presentations. This class was called Current Social Issues, and one group did their presentation on homelessness. Typically each group puts together a PowerPoint for a visual aid, but this group was pretty creative. They cut apart several boxes and put their points on pieces of cardboard as you would see homeless people using looking for money or work. One person stood off to the side a bit and flipped through the pieces of cardboard.

Very creative and helped drive home their points about homelessness.

Worship pt. 2

This morning I sat behind the little boy I posted about last month. He immediately knew the music of the special music, and while Julie sang this little boy was singing as well. Julie at least was on key! However, I thought it was interested to see him know the words.

He was also quite moved by the offertory and was directing the piece from near the back of the sanctuary.

He was totally oblivious to the looks from several adults, and I thought "Good for him!" He's connecting with something in the service, and if he's moved by To God Be The Glory to wave his hands then more power to him!!!

Thankful Thursday 8/12/10

1. A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work, but this wasn't a bad day of fishing. This morning I caught a 17" bass!

2. We weren't fishing when a sheriff's deputy stopped by the boat this afternoon. We did have life preservers on the boat even though he didn't want to see them; he just asked.

Got to Love Michigan

only in Michigan. . .you got to love it when someone says to "help" you:

Don't worry--I'll take the returnables back to the store so you don't have to worry about it.

Day 2 Fishing

The fish woke me up early calling my name softly and gently, "Rhoda, Rhoda, we're out here waiting for you to catch us."

I woke Renae up 30 minutes early and we headed out.

Those big fish were just teasing me.

Not that we are competing but someone is up 5 to 1!

Thankful Thursday 8/6/10

I didn't forget Thankful Thursday I just intentionally waited until today. . .

1. I get to write this today sitting on the deck of a newly remodeled cottage overlooking the lake I get to be at with friends this week end and the end of next week.

2. What a wonderful EJK reunion last weekend! I got to see many family members and it was great to just spend some time with my parents, sister, and nephew.

3. At work this week God gave me the sense to go check something before I asked someone if they gave me some wrong data. Oops, the error was mine.

4. I have great friends that let me be a part of their cottage week.

5. Mary is back in the USA!!! at least for 2 1/2 weeks and I get to see her next week.

6. The fix on 196 is completed enough to have the road open through GR again. That saves me about 15 minutes on my drive to class each way!!!

Country Roads. . .Take Me Home

Blendon Township has the most miles of unpaved roads of all Michigan townships. Only here would the people vote overwelmingly not to increase funds to pave more roads.

Eat Mor Rabbit

In honor of the chickens last day yesterday, this is my new desktop photo thanks to Renae.