Mom's Blog

BEAUTIFUL TAKE 2

2007-09-06T15:00:00.000-04:00

Here's my last contender

Enjoy your day....

YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL...

2007-09-06T14:43:00.000-04:00

Here she is...in my favorite

leave some comments and tell her what you think...

This one below in the blue is just to show you all three "dos"

I personally love her superman curl in this one too...

The last serious contender I'll post next because I can't get it on. Must be overloaded.

THE LAST FIRST DAY

2007-09-06T10:06:00.000-04:00

Sarah had her "last" first day of school yesterday. She grabbed her lunch out of the fridge, ran down the driveway, jumped into Jessica's car (whom she wasn't even speaking with two days before, btw) and she was off -at slightly after 7:30 AM EST. She had lots of drama over at SHCS before she called at slightly after 7:30 PM EST for a ride home (she had an away soccer game). Join the fray won't you and vote on her choice for a senior portrait? It's strictly for fun and won't influence her one bit I'm sure. I'll post my top three choices next and you can share your opinions. Many thanks go out to Kim Crown who did Sa's hair and make up after a rousing softball game and picnic on Labor Day.

John rode the bus to school to finish the story. Sept 5, 2007 was the 22nd straight year of meeting the bus at the end our driveway. Ever since 1985 when Steve was 4 1/2 we've had a rider. Some years we've had just one, like this year and next, and the year after, which will be our last, because John'll be a senior. Some years we've had as many as five - many years we've had five! But those years are gone. As gone as Libby, who used to eagerly meet and greet that diesel taxi's occupants like clockwork, rousing up from deep naps half an hour early and begging to be let out- even in snow and rain - even when I tried explaining about things like soccer practice, projects and detention. We sure do miss you, girl.

ON to the subject of the softball game... it went rather well - no injuries or major diplomatic incidents that I'm aware of...yet. We had quite a few players at one point. My team was down 9-0 against Steve, Dad, Sarah, and neighbors Greg and Chase U., until Djere got off work and retired me to the sidelines with Ginnie. Then along with Tom, John, Robbie and Robin (a wonderful, amazing PA from church- it never hurts to have a medically-trained athletic team member at one of our games btw -oh and Robbie was great too!) my team -minus myself I'd like to point out again- came from behind to win 12-9. According to Steve, Sarah and Chase lost the game for them "mentally"...whatever that means. Yes...and I get to into Clashes, Steve. Well at least we know where you get it.

Next weekend...Chloe comes back!!!! I have some great new coffee: "Vanilla Biscotti"!

Blessings, Mom

ALBUM REVIEW

2007-06-26T18:06:00.000-04:00

THE OTHER SIDE OF SOMETHING

Sara Groves to me is all about connections. I was introduced to her at, of all places, a dear, dear friend's funeral: Tim Grant. One of his daughters shared a story that day of how he was driving out to Rochester a few weeks before he died, bringing her Sara's Conversations cd because of how much it was affecting him recently. He even kept calling her all the way back to Watertown to see what she thought of it. Even with his testimonial she was not initially impressed although it did grow on her a bit, but with circumstances turning out as they did, she felt it was something we all should hear. So she played it. I loved it and looked for it right away...

...continued on Bweinh.com

IS THERE A THIRD SON?

2007-06-06T13:03:00.000-04:00

28"Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, 'Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.' 29"The son answered, 'I don't want to.' Later on he thought better of it and went. 30"The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, 'Sure, glad to.' But he never went. 31-32"Which of the two sons did what the father asked?" They said, "The first." Jesus said, "Yes, and I tell you that crooks and whores are going to precede you into God's kingdom. John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn't care enough to change and believe him.

I'm sharing this story from Matthew with you because Steve asked me if I wanted to write something while I've recently had some free time and this is what God had been challenging me lately with. As you can see, it's the parable of the two sons, who when asked by their father to go work for him for the day each responded the opposite way of their eventual outcome ironically enough.

Matthew Henry tells us that it speaks of the response to God of John's Baptism Ministry by the sinners and the religious Pharisees and Saducees. Everyone was suspicious at first, but the sinners did end up coming and receiving, whereas the religious people of the day spoke one thing, but did quite another by hardening their hearts toward God's mercy.

Oddly enough, God didn't give me that insight, seeing as how He'd already given it to Mr. Henry and all. I mean I did glean from it that we need to be careful as longtime Christians not to assume that we think we know everything already thereby missing what God is trying to say to us. Maybe we should spend some time around newbies and make sure we not getting hard-hearted and crusty. Maybe we need to go through a few verses of Keith Green's "My Eyes Are Dry"...and get our hearts softened up again?

But anyhoo, the point He was making to me was that maybe there was a third son. If not there should be. And that child, should be the one who says "Yes, I'll go." and then goes and does it. What could God do with a church filled with obedient children like that? Does that challenge you? I know it did me. If you need a song or verse to start you off here try this one: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

Blessings,

Mom/Connie

HEY JOHN!

2007-04-05T12:18:00.000-04:00

Thought you all might enjoy the latest school photo of John. It came out great. I know Rose wants to see it anyway!!!!

Hey it only took me three hours of uninstalling and reinstalling software to get this on. So enjoy!

And get your winter coats back on!

SUNNY DAY...

2007-03-29T16:12:00.000-04:00

Hey Everyone...

I, like you, cannot believe that almost two months have passed since last I posted! Where was the coverage on Stephen's birthday (Feb. 25th)? Why didn't I cover the latest news on our on again off again zoo? How do I feel about Steve's new blogventure? How's Rose doing? Where did Sarah, Rose and I slip off to on Spring Break last weekend? How was MY birthday yesterday? To all these unposted events I can only claim laziness mixed with a bad headcold. I'm feeling much better, thank you. In fact I think I shall go for a walk.

In the meantime, I'll try to do better!

Blessings, Mom

DO YOU MISS SMALL TOWNS?

2007-02-09T09:18:00.001-05:00

Big D and I stopped into our local diner this morning for the special and some real atmosphere. We sat there for about five minutes before I started thinking that this would make a real good post. Here are some actual comments I noted, while enjoying the #1.

"So I take the bobcat over and try to help her out and end up running over one of her steel driveway markers that she'd knocked over with her own plow. Went right through my tire. It's gonna cost me $500 to try to do someone a free favor. "

"Come sit next to me, I don't bite ...much (The irony here is that the octagenerian speaker had no teeth)."

"I can't wear them. They's too plump."

"I called up for a load of logs and he wanted $40 bucks a cord. That's what I'm paying for split and ready wood!" "Really, then you should tip that guy real good and then send him over to me..."

"I like your scarf, it matches your hat - oh it's brown and that's black? Well it still looks real nice."

"Not me..what's good is when it's on oatmeal - I like it like 'at."

Oh and my personal favorite: "Where's the global warming????"

Now..."How do you want your eggs?"

Stay warm...

PS: The whole bill was under $10. You've gotta love a small town, eh?

HELLO WINTER:

2007-02-06T15:21:00.000-05:00

It's been a long weekend! We've had a wee bit of a storm this past few days. I have yet to snap a picture, but I plan to as soon as I leave here today. I'll post it tomorrow. Friday night was about 6 inches of snow. Saturday and Sunday were about 12 inches each, and Monday it just blew around a lot. Of course it did that all weekend too. Newzjunky had some great shots...

Thursday I drove up to Potsdam to pick up Rose for her latest DR appt. If you check her blog, you'll see a quick update about that. Saturday we braved the storm to head up to Clayton, NY to hear Steve and Jere and Tom play a coffee house. I'll tell you something. You may think you have lived and accomplished a few things. But you haven't REALLY lived until you've heard Tom, Jere and Steve sing "I Will Survive", and then prove it by driving home in a genuine blizzard.

Sunday we stuck close to home due to the TRAVEL BAN in our county. Fortunately I had 16 pounds of chicken wings socked away for the Super Bowl, so we had a decent time. Most of us were rooting for the Colts, so that first punt return/touchdown for Chicago kept things lively. We enjoyed the few good commercials, and pea soup. We were glad we had the stove going to keep the wind away.

Monday the schools were closed and so we stuck close to home again. Dave did have to drive Rose back to Potsdam for classes (except piano - she skipped that one), but Steve couldn't get south, so he took the day off. I'm sure he will update shortly and fill in my gaps.

So that brings us to today. Tuesday the 6th. We will be seeing Steve off tonight or tomorrow if the weather cooperates. It's so much fun living up here. In closing, I just have to say - the global warming thing isn't really impacting my life that much at all.

Really. Not so much...

This one's from newzjunky.com.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!!!

2007-01-20T12:40:00.000-05:00

Dave turned 50 yesterday,
celebrating with his annual
half an angus burger at Cavallarios!
He saves the other half for
Michael's Dad, Bob Bierce,
who shares his birthday with him.

Small world, eh?

AND THE WINNER IS:

2007-01-09T10:05:00.000-05:00

Not Sarah!

She put up a valiant effort, but the pancakes were the size of our van's steering wheel. She got through half of one....

Pictures wouldn't upload today!

JANUARY BLAHS?

2007-01-05T13:28:00.000-05:00

Hello! I am enjoying a little downtime here in Dexter, and decided it was high time to update. First of all I have to mention the near 60 degree high we're experiencing today! YESSSS!!! Come on global warming! I mean no harm or disrespect to farmers (diminishing crops next summer???) or any fulltime island dwellers (rising waters????), or anyone else who may feel that doom is impending! I just mean...come on! Doesn't walking out of work at 3PM in January and feeling a balmy 57 degrees breeze run through your hair while you're holding onto your sweater, just make you smile? If not move north, cause the South's visiting here for a while!

We just wrapped up the holidays which for us included a family wedding. Congrat's to Philip and Katherine Sweet, who were joined into holy matrimony by my husband, Pastor Dave last Saturday night, Dec. 30th. I wish I had pictures but my husband is a photograper too, so naturally I have no shots to share. I did manage to manipulate many shots into being taken, so I am hoping that someone takes pity on me and sends me copies electronically (cough***Karen/Dave Sweet!!) to show you. Anyway we had a great time.

My next post will be on the challenge that is on the table for my daughter Sarah to visit the Golden Unicorn and try to beat the #4 special. It sounds benign enough, where for $5.50 you get two eggs, pancakes, toast and either sausage or bacon. If you finish the plate, unassisted of course, you win a teeshirt. The catch is that the pancakes are the size of my first car (a yellow Honda, btw). Steve has made a monetary wager that Sarah will fail in her attempt and has graciously allowed her two hours to complete the task. He alone, stands as the only Maxon family member to beat the challenge to date. Dave Sweet tried last week while he was here and made a valiant but unsuccessful run, especially since he couldn't use syrup due to dietary concerns. Jere and Tom have also failed in the quests, so stay tuned for Sarah's upcoming attempt. Gotta tell you, my money's on her!

ROOKIE CARDS

2006-12-07T13:56:00.000-05:00

I have a treat for you.

Rookie cards on Steve, Jere and Tom,

complete with stats - in mint condition.

I'm entertaining offers...

HEY, HEY, HEY...

2006-12-07T13:20:00.000-05:00

Ok, so we have had a little fun. On Nov. 10, Steve took Chloe, Dave and me to see Bill Cosby at the Landmark Theater.He is one of my favorites! We started out at the Country Buffet where Jere and Karen joined us for dinner, and finished the evening at a downtown Syracuse Starbucks. That next week when Ed Bradley died, and the papers mentioned guests Mr. Cosby, I reacted like Will Ferrell in Elf! "Hey that's my friend Bill! I know him!"

SEASON'S GREETINGS

2006-12-07T13:06:00.000-05:00

No I'm not dead, just barreling through the
holiday season on fast forward.
Here's a shot of Dave and I at
Paulie and Amanda's wedding
in Rochester on 11/26.
It was very nice, food poisoning aside.

HERE'S THE LINK YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR...

2006-11-13T21:11:00.000-05:00

Hi All:

As I mentioned in my last post, the boys were in the studio last week recording some tunes. How did this happen do you ask? Since when do Steve, Jere, and Tom even have a band and how could they afford studio time? How did they get a great guitarist like Dave Southcott to record with them? How did someone as important to the economic health of Lowes as Djere is, afford to take time off to record, "It's Not Easy Being Green"? These questions and more can be answered here. Frankly I would have mentioned it a lot sooner, but I was trying not to steal others thunder. But I just did a quick check in the blog neighborhood and no one has it up yet, and I believe the public demands the truth.

P.S. Check out the boy's blogs soon for more information.

ANNA 1 ANNA 2

2006-11-10T15:01:00.000-05:00

Hey There:
Yesterday the boys did a little work "in the studio". More to follow, but suffice to say that Steve, Djere, Tom and Dave Southcott had a blast, and so did Dave and I (we got to watch).

Here's a shot of them listening to a cut of "Cast". Look for more details on Steve and Tom's blogs! Maybe even Djere's!

THESE ARE THE DAYS

2006-10-18T13:57:00.000-04:00

TWO SHOTS
I'VE BEEN
TRYING
TO GET ON
FOR AWHILE...

THE KIDS
IN TORONTO
IN AUGUST
MINUS JERE

Family Reunion #1 - August 2006

2006-10-13T13:02:00.000-04:00

Here's a shot of us all from
our family reunion,
sans Jere...

So here's Jere and Karen!

And here's one of all the boys...

sans

Jere

again...

Steve is so cool - no?

THIS LITTLE KITTY...

2006-10-13T12:55:00.000-04:00

Here's a great shot of Rose
and one of Mom's kittens,
taken a couple of weeks ago
at our last family reunion!

Isn't she adorable?

Rose, not the kitty. :)

SCHOOL PICTURE TIME

2006-10-13T11:29:00.000-04:00

It's that time again:

the crisp fall air filled

with the first hint of snow

bringing midterm progress reports

AND School Pictures!!!

Enjoy!

2006-10-06T21:14:00.000-04:00

A Post from Rose

This is Rose, reporting from the lobby of the Ontario Place Hotel. Mom wanted me to put this on her blog too, so that it would get a greater audience. Enjoy!

GO AHEAD AND LAUGH

2006-10-02T13:31:00.001-04:00

Steve's talking about it.

Then Missy has this link....

Come on everyone, you might as well get it over with...

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=793102793

WOOT!! THE PIGDOG RETURNS!!!

2006-09-14T08:35:00.000-04:00

Libby came home,
after a two day scare
that involved losing her collar
and much of her good humor.
Which in the past had led to her
cheerful acceptance of all
marked down dog food.
And I have a 50# bag in my trunk -
What? it cost $4.50!!

She looks and acts fine
with only a small limp.

I'm glad she came back this morning
because we're expecting thunderstorms this afternoon,
and she hates those. We shall try to make her comfortable...

BECAUSE I FEAR THE WALRUS

2006-09-12T13:30:00.000-04:00

I'm back for a quick post because if I don't want to lose my blog to the walrus madness that is the Forums these days! What has happened in the last 6 weeks?

We had two great weeks at Camp Shiloh!
Rose got very sick.
We had a fun family reunion out at Mom's in Black River. With Uncle Carl!
We adopted a new kitty, Officer Bennito (Benny).
We all (minus Jere - bummer!) went on our first real vacation (Canada's Wonderland).
We got Rose ready to go back to Potsdam, she was feeling somewhat better.
We had Rose home after the Rascal Flats concert at the State Fair that next Wednesday.
Phil and Kate came to visit us before they got settled into their routines for fall.
Benny got hit and killed by an unknown assailant (we believe our other kitty, Smudge was somehow involved...).
Libby our lab began acting a bit strangely (limpy...Smudge again?)
The kids went back to school; soccer season is open!
One of Rose's dear friends lost her husband of 33 days last Thursday, and we attended the funeral with her yesterday.

Facts, links and photos to follow....

Know you are loved,
Mom

I'LL PRAISE YOU IN THE STORM
CASTING CROWN

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”,
and it’s still raining...

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cryY
ou raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You?

And as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm...

I lift my eyes unto the Lord
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
Maker of the Heavens and earth...

STEVE AND MISSY

2006-07-19T17:43:00.000-04:00

Here's the shot I couldn't get on yesterday.

Mr. Long gave it to me and it may just be too large.

But enjoy!

Sorry these Worship Concert posts are backwards.
Start down at the beginning of July 19 for more clarity.

AS THE SUN SETS

2006-07-19T10:26:00.000-04:00

It was glorious to hear
His praises raised surrounded
by His beautiful creation.

The music was wonderful
and the Message was crucial

We are so thankful

Missy and John

Two more things that
we are so grateful for!

MISSY AND STEVE AND THE TANKER

2006-07-19T10:07:00.000-04:00

WOW

Great Picture Pastor Dave/Dad

BECAUSE FAITH IS HER MIDDLE NAME

2006-07-19T10:03:00.000-04:00

Janelle F. Gmitter

She is one of the sweetest people I know.

She is sharing her faith and heart

with the folks that came to hear

the message of the gospel.

A CAPELLA MAGIC

2006-07-19T09:58:00.000-04:00

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The Maxon Boys

Djere, Steve and Tom

WORSHIP CONCERT

2006-07-19T09:53:00.000-04:00

We were up on the St. Lawrence River Sunday evening in Clayton, NY- watching our Dexter Faith Fellowship (www.dexterff.org) worship band hold a concert for their River Concert Series. It was beautiful. I couldn't get any of the pictures to load on yesterday's post, so let's give them more space...a post they can call home.

Here are Jere, Steve, Jessie Brown, Nellie and THE MAN: Dave Southcott.

And a shot of our amazing drummer...

Kate Newtown

Missing:

Mrs. (THE MAN) Nicole Southcott (Violin!) and Becka Richter (Piano) who did a set later with Janelle and Kate.

And Mr. Tim Brown who featured Tom Maxon in his set (on his amazing Digerie-doo), as well as his sister Jessica on vocals and piano.

SOMETIMES IT'S BETTER TO START THE WEEKEND ON THURSDAY...

2006-07-17T16:38:00.000-04:00

Hellooooo...

I know. I am sorry. I am so remiss in my posting. I found the post started about my hospital stay in the drafts so I polished it up and sent it out to the ring - so to speak. I don't expect it to get much more than a E for Effort, but I do so hate incompletes.

The next thing I should catch you up on is John's near tragedy while haying last Friday. He was riding in the front end of a tractor bucket when it came loose and dumped him and two friends out. The other two were thrown clear, mostly, but John was run over by the front tire, leaving cool tread marks on his right upper thigh. The bucket was less than 6 inches from the ground then as it passed over his upper torso, leaving a 20" long scrape up his entire left side. It starts around by his kidney and ends above his rib. It is worthy of a pirate, I tell you. If you have any desire to see it, you'll only need ask, and he'll lift his teeshirt up quicker than something that's - well reaaaallly quick. The only lingering effect is his sore shoulder, which allows him now to predict squalls, thunderstorms or large flocks of herons and/or vultures moving through the neighborhood.

So, he's off farm duty for the time being, because as much as we can find the humor now, it was not a laughing matter, and we all know how differently it could have ended. Camp Shiloh stats soon anyway (July 30!), so he'll finish recovering down in Delta Lake.

We very much enjoyed a Missy visit this weekend. I have a picture from last night's Dexter Faith Fellowship Worship Band Concert up on the Saint Lawrence River, but it won't load. I'll try again tomorrow! It was of the set they did together, so I'll try to get it on soon. Now Missy's home and Steve and Sarah are off to Basketball Camp for the rest of this week. Steve's reffing, and Sarah's chasing balls and monitoring 12 years olds after bedtime, I expect. At least until Wednesday. Then she starts her camp. They'll be home on Saturday night!

We must run. John and I have an appointment out in the pool at 5PM!

Thanks for all of your prayers. I continue to improve!

WEDNESDAY'S CHILD

2006-06-22T10:25:00.000-04:00

Last Wednesday I was indeed full of woe. I feel a little better, now. Hospital food has improved since I gave birth to John!

PICTURES TAKE TWO

2006-06-03T19:34:00.000-04:00

Well, the trip home was fairly uneventful,
except for the heat of the day.
It's Saturday night now, and
I've been wanting to post a few more
pictures from the trip. I'm thinking the one
of my nephew Phil came out exceptionaly well,
so I'll do that one. Dashing, isn't he?

Then the one of the
two Mom's was
also excellent.

Our hosts - Uncle Piggy (Goober) and Aunt Debbie.

They are the offspring which
call the above ladies, "Mom".

Last but not least:
Ian and Rachel: at the rehearsal.

The happy couple with the sun
behind them. It created an
interesting effect.

SOUTHERN TOUR TAKE 2

2006-05-08T16:07:00.000-04:00

Faithful followers know I toured the South last January with my road crew MRS.Dawg, so this trip must take a number...so here we go:

My niece, Goober's daughter Rachel, was married yesterday in a splendid ceremony in the quiet suburbs of Opelika (meaning Great Swamp, according to their PR brochure), Alabama. My Mom and I travelled down last Wednesday via NW airlines, and Payless Car Rentals, and plan to depart tomorrow for Atlanta for our return trip at 6 am on Tuesday. We have had a wonderful time, and hope that we can return again in the near future.

We had a great time in Atlanta when we flew down, even though our flight was delayed and we risked missing our connection. I sat in a middle row on that connection flight- which is the uncontested worst of all airline seats, right? But to my delight I sat next to a Preacher man named Michael Kelley, who was flying home after attending a family event in the Midwest. Mike explained that he was preaching that night in Columbus, Ga. and I told him I would pray for him. Mike also needs prayer for his wife (minor surgery - but no health insurance), and for a torn Achille's tendon on his right foot. He and I discussed God's amazing provision and the testimony Dave and I have about not having health insurance for 12 years, and having six kids, four of whom are in college now - or have just recently graduated. He was great to talk to, and he also gave me some local traffic advice which came in handy that night. He asked if he could use our conversation in his sermon that night, as an illustration of true faith. Wow! I was humbled, and blessed. I thought I would have a terrible ride down on a crowded hot flight, and it was actually quite wonderful.

Wednesday night we stayed in Atlanta at our outrageously discounted hotel room and avoided Mike Kelley's traffic - and then Thursday we did some sightseeing (why yes, it was at a Mall, why do you ask?). We headed over to Opelika that afternoon, which was a couple of hours away, and checked into the scummiest hotel I have ever stayed in. A full list of it's failings are on their way to their corporate HQ's. The next day we moved to the Opelika Ramada Limited where we enjoyed their jacuzzi and swimming pool for the remainder of our stay. That was Friday - the day of the rehearsal, and that night we enjoyed watching the run through before the Mexican Fare that was served at the rehearsal dinner. We also helped get some stuff for the wedding at WalMart earlier, then had lunch with everyone at the Golden Corral. And we also took a lot of pictures. Fun, fun.

Saturday was the wedding (at 1PM), so we spent that morning shopping - er sight seeing - at the West end of Opelika. The wedding and reception were great and later we joined Gladys, Kim and Pam at their hotel room for a Pizza/Swimming party until around 10 PM. We brought the 4 rolls of film we had developed so that everyone could enjoy the shots we had taken. We also were able to use some of those shots for gifts. I got to spend some time swimming and talking with Pam, whom I really enjoy. I also found out that my brother's sister-in-law Kim, is a NASCAR chick. Who Knew? Thirty years - you think you'd know a person.

So, we checked out this morning on our way to church and moved in at Goob's until we leave tomorrow. We had lunch at the Golden Corral (again!) with Phil & Kate to help Dave & Debbie celebrate their 24th anniversary. Dave's sermon was on James 1:12-17. His church is always a joy to attend, and they always make me feel like part of the family. I had three invitations to move down here.The sermon was excellent as usual, and Mom and I had a great time.

So there you go. You are updated on our trip. I have listed our next two days tentative plans on the forums this morning, under Signature Endings or something like that. IF you need more information (yeah, right), you can head over there next! Hey you should probably head over there anyway! Jere's link is on the right!

Blessings - I miss you all!

Love, MOM

FINAL WORD... ?

2006-05-05T10:07:00.000-04:00

I hope not...

TORNADO

SARA GROVES

You live your life like a tornado.

Destruction follows everywhere you go.

And (it seems) you have no plans to stop or slow, oh.

(But,) I will not let this bitter root grow in me.

I will not let you leave that legacy (in me),

But it gets so hard when pain (you've caused) is all I see oh.

And every time I find healing, you're making a new mess (or I'm hearing about another old one),

And I am learning the real meaning of forgiveness.

And I tried to remove myself from your path,

But I keep on waking up in the aftermath.

So I pick up again and say I won't look back, oh.

And I will not let this bitter root grow in me.

I will not let you leave that legacy,

But this constant fight is breaking (killing) me oh.

And every time I find healing, you're making a new mess,

And I am learning the real meaning of forgiveness.

And it hurts when you hit at the hearts of the ones I love;

When everything you touch is rubble and dust.

And it gets so hard to know how to trust,

But I will not let that bitter root grow.

I will not let it, no no. But it gets so hard oh.

And every time I find healing you're making a new mess,

And I am learning the real meaning of forgiveness.

And I could move and never send you a forwarding address,

Or I could learn the real meaning of forgiveness.

...

Still working on it...

Love, Connie

CU-MU-LA-TIVE

2006-04-24T17:40:00.000-04:00

cumulative: (kymy-ltv, -y-l-tv) adj.

Increasing or enlarging by successive addition.

Acquired by or resulting from accumulation.

Of or relating to interest or a dividend that is added to the next payment if not paid when due.

Yes, the diet's going well, thanks for asking -6 pounds this week! And I'm hardly cranky at all. You may think it strange to talk about addition when discussing dieting - which is all about subtracting (hopefully) - but the truth is it's all about little steps. And adding those little steps together. Again, and again, and again. Perhaps faithfulness is like that. It's just a choice made over - and over and over again. Like prayer, and devotions and lunch...

In other news, the airline tickets were purchased last week for Rachel Sweet's wedding on 5/27/06. It should be a great time. Mom and I are looking forward to it. We leave the day after Tom's Graduation which is two days after Jere's graduation. We will be very tired, but again each step is still one small one. Those special days follow John's birthday (this Friday on St. Rugglin's Day!), and Jere's bday a few days later, and Sarah's a couple days after that. Just in case that's not enough cake and ribbons on the shopping list, I'll need to throw in two - no three Mother's Day celebrations as well. So the final count is three birthdays, three Mother's Days, two graduations, one wedding (oops, and a baby shower for Chris and Sarah Snyder, too!), and a partridge in a pear tree. I love cake.

Don't worry, I will be faithful to keep taking the small steps - one after another, after another.

Know you are loved,

Mom

ENOUGH

WORDS AND MUSIC BY LOUIE GIGLIO
AND CHRIS TOMLIN

YOU ARE MY SUPPLY, MY BREATH OF LIFE,
STILL MORE AWESOME THAN I KNOW.
YOU ARE MY REWARD, WORTH LIVING FOR,
STILL MORE AWESOME THAN I KNOW,

ALL OF YOU IS MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR
ALL OF ME, FOR EVERY THIRST AND EVERY NEED;
YOU SATISFY ME WITH YOUR LOVE,
AND ALL I HAVE IN YOU – IS MORE THAN ENOUGH.

YOU’RE MY SACRIFICE OF GREATEST PRICE,
STILL MORE AWESOME THAN I KNOW.
YOU’RE MY COMING KING, YOU’RE MY EVERYTHING,
STILL MORE AWESOME THAN I KNOW,

MORE THAN ALL I WANT, MORE THAN ALL I NEED,
YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR ME.
MORE THAN ALL I KNOW, MORE THAN ALL I CAN SEE,
YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR ME

SOME THINGS (NEVER) CHANGE

2006-04-17T16:50:00.000-04:00

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

I had the interesting opportunity to take a walk a few weeks ago. It was interesting because it was a walk that I had made before, 40 years ago. I don't feel as though 40 years have gone by, but fortunately for all of us someone else was keeping track while I was off doing other things. It was an opportunity, because in this day and age, we rarely have the time required for such indulgences. Times have changed.

I took my car in for an oil change at Cheney Tire on State St. in Watertown, and decided to spend the 40 minutes of waiting time finding some coffee. I ended up walking west on State Street to have breakfast with the King. On the way, I remembered almost to the day 40 years I made the same walk to school from N. Rutland (next to Cheney's) two and half blocks to Mechanic Street, where I was in the fourth grade at State Street School. It is now Wendy's, which sits smack dab next to Burger King. I remembered the earlier walk because my birthday was coming up, and I can still recall the walk home to 122 North Rutland St. when I turned 8 on March 28, 1966. We had just moved back to NY from Galveston, TX, and as soon as I got home, presents or some sort of surprise awaited me. Ooooh, I'd hoped it was another kitty. Things don't change that much!

I kept track as I walked - partially to distract my body from the unfamiliar attempt at exercise - of the places that were the same and ones that were different. The buildings were almost all the same. John E. Grey Insurance was still there, anchoring North Rutland with it's big white porch, with the Salvation Army on the other side. Ryan's Jet Gas was still across the street, their formally "cutting edge" arrow rocket ship remained unchanged (unfortunately), the grocery store (Great American instead of Loblaws) sans the corner drug store (Bakers, where we bought all of our Mom's Mother's Day presents), and the funeral home (where all the Sweet's bury their dead - including my Dad when I was 16). Back on my side of the street (the north side of State St.) was still Parkview Cleaners (although they still neither have a view of the park, or anywhere to park) and the Jreck sub shop (THE original!). Still love the subs but I can't eat a whole one anymore. Some things do change...

The next block didn't fare as well. There's an empty lot on the corner of High and State that used to sport a small Mom and Pop grocery (I think it was Swan's). It was a car parts store after that I believe. Now it's just dirt. Very dirty dirt. Next door was/is Pla-Mor Lanes (where I bowled my first game-140!!!), and then a tanning place that used to be Dandee Donuts (yum $1.00 for a dozen day-old donuts after Mom and Barb abd I did my Sunday paper route!). Across the street were pizza places and bars - pretty much the same except for their names, and Marine Midland Bank, which has changed hands many many times, becoming at last an Asian Food market. I remember when I took the kids there for $3.00 haircuts when it was the School of Cosmetology. A Custom modular home business was next - unique because it was/is on both sides of the street (their sign assured me that they had been in business for over fifty years), then a hardware store (where my Matron of Honor works) that grew to take over a music supply place next door. Back on the other side of the street, the bus station was still chugging out a schedule of runs so to speak. I remember many times taking Greyhound home for the weekend from RIT. It's Adirondack Trailways now. Rose has been making use of their low rates of late. So sometimes thingsdon't change that much...

The next block began with a wicker furniture place and a car dealership on the south side of the street, and Wendy's (State Street School) and Burger King on the north side: BK used to be a factory (Faichney's?) that made thermometers. Mom worked there, while we went to school next door. Wow. So many memories. I walked to school and home many times, alone (no busses or parents), even though Arthur Shawcross was living in my city and serially killing children my age. It's unthinkable today. Perhaps illegal. You get arrested for leaving kids in the car unsupervised today. We were left alone all the time in the car. And they were standard shifts, which we could and did, inevitably knock out of gear sending us rolling into traffic! Wow - times have changed.

But anyhooo - I wasn't nearly as excited on this day as I walked back with my coffee and breakfast sandwich. Even though I did have my oil change to look forward to, it just wasn't the same as that kitty 40 years ago. I couldn't decide if it was change that I didn't like, or just that life goes so fast and is so unforgiving to dawdlers. I don't know...do you?

Here's what I do know though. The One who doesn't change. Jesus. He won't change His mind or move away or become something else, or leave me or forsake me. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. And I am so glad.

Because I hate (most) change.

Every Minute
Sara Groves

I am long on staying I am slow to leave
Especially when it comes to you my friend
You have taught me slow down And to prop up my feet
It's the fine art of being who I am
And I can't figure out Why you want me around
I'm not the smartest person I have ever met
But somehow that doesn't matter
No it never really mattered to you at all
And at the risk of wearing out my welcome
At the risk of self-discovery
I'll take every moment And every minute that you'll give me

And I can think of time when families all lived together
Four generations in one house
And the table was full of good food And friends and neighbors
That's not how we like it now
Cause if you sit at home you're a loser
Couldn't you find anything better to do
Well no I couldn't think of one thing
I would rather waste my time on than sitting here with you
And at the risk of wearing out my welcome
At the risk of self-discovery
I'll take every moment And every minute that you'll give me

And I wish all the people I love the most
Could gather in one place
And know each other and love each other well
And I wish we could all go camping And lay beneath the stars
And have nothing to do and stories to tell
We'd sit around the campfire
And we'd make each other laugh remembering when
You're the first one I'm inviting
Always know that you're my friend
And at the risk of wearing out my welcome
At the risk of self-discovery
I'll take every moment And every minute that you'll give me.

HERE LIBBY...

2006-04-05T12:00:00.000-04:00

Just thought you'd like to meet the dog behind the man...

Our Black Lab/Huskie mix was named Liberty because she came from Liberty St. in Adams (NY), and she has a (humble) upside-down cross on her chest. All of her other names came from Stephen (is that right Jere and Tom?).

Her most significant accomplishment in her 11 years? Giving birth to 12 half Dalmation puppies when she was 9 months old.

Oh, and she does tricks! (See the comments for a list)

This one we like to call "Sit!".

John's Partner in crime:
Liberty Diefenbaker Proton Fay (Wray) (Maxon)

The PIG-DOG.

HAVE YOU MET JOHN?

2006-04-04T21:08:00.000-04:00

Here's the final in my kids series. Unless I break down and do Libby and Smudge or start including friends of the blog here. So herrrrrrre's Johnny:
Full Name: John David Carlton Maxon ("Pastor, Preacher")

Nicknames: John-NEEE, JD, JDCM, Puddleduck, Nina, Lois, Six.

Named after?: God to me in prayer: "I have a John for you". Also to honor Uncle Carlton Watson (like a Dad to me) and his father!

Age: 14 - this month on April 28.

Occupation: Student, 8th grade at Sackets Harbor Central School.

Summer jobs: None. but he works semi-regularly for the Quencers at their horse farm.

Family: 5 siblings (he's #6).

Musical: He's an amazing singer. I'm sure you'll hear more from him in the future.

Passions: God, Bible Club, Band, Video Games, Sports, Being Outdoors with Libby and Smudge.

Non Passions: Homework, or anything to do with spelling.

My favorite John personality trait: His sense of humor, he can do dead-on accents - it really takes me to the prom, so to speak..

My least favorite personality trait: Video Game At-ti-tude.

The one thing you might not know about him: His formation of the first Bible Club at Sackets (I've ever heard about).

Favorite Scripture: The Lord's Prayer.

Favorite Song: Coming up...

done...

WHERE TO START?

2006-04-04T13:27:00.000-04:00

It has been brought to my attention, that I have been slacking off lately on my JOB. Not my real JOB, but my blogging JOB. Actually quite a few people have pointed out the lack of real sustenance here of late, but I won't mention them by name. Because all things being equal, a reminder is a reminder. Why would one name mean more than another? (HA! Job was here!!!) So here's a thank you to those who take the time to crack the whip. I'll try to do better. Hey, thanks for reading, it really takes me to the prom!

I have three different posts ready for publication. First the Have You Met Series is wrapping up with John soon. And I took a walk down memory lane last week, and although it was under construction, I have some stuff to share from that. And the wedding of course. The wedding will be first. Here are a couple of shots of Jessica Gmitter's wedding last Saturday to Jeff Domansky. Steve (and Jere and others) handled the music portion of the event, and what a fine job he did (with much help). Here are some shots....

Steve, sans his hat

Funky Jere and his traveling hat,

Dave Southcott

and Jessica Brown.

Nicole Bartholomew
on the drums

and Timmy
"Have you Seen My Guitar?"
Brown

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Mr. and Mrs.
Jeffrey Domansky

AND THE WINNER IS...ME!

2006-03-22T11:21:00.000-05:00

Yes I'm a bit remiss in my blog posting, but last week's coveted Highest Forum Poster of the Week Trophy made it worth it. Here's the coveted Crystal Obelisk in all it's glory...inscribed of course.

I was trying to go for a two week sweep, but the impossiblity of that goal stares me down every time I log in over there. Although there was a three way tie (the first in Forum History!) at 45 on Monday, by night's end, I was down by 40. Today it stands at 120 and then some, no doubt.

If you're not familiar with Jere's Forums, I'll provide a link. I won't kid you, it's not for the faint of heart. Issues important to every aspect of our daily lives are thoroughly thrashed apart with gusto and mostly without remorse (although frequently asked for, it's relunctantly given). The Forums is a Think Tank like no other. We can move from discussing 15 pound Hamburger Quests to picking our favorite Muppet and/or Cartoon Theme Songs. We express what We Hate and what We Love (although the Hate thread seems to have everything else beat). Some threads allow for the necessary expression of our spiritual and artistic sides. From Favorite Scriptures to Haikus and Limericks; to Sestinas to the Ballad of Ol' Tom (he's missing, doncha know?...).

Yes, last week, I was the winner! This week a new honoree shall be crowned and that's ok, because I am tired and old. But not last week! Maybe because Steve was out of town and Michael was not on Spring Break (and they both threw me a bone...). But, so what! I will always have my Obleisk!

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

2006-03-14T11:10:00.000-05:00

Just a little something I picked up over at Missy's blogg:

Here's the link in case you'd like to track your own progress...

Thanks, Missy

A LITTLE GIFT TO MISSY

2006-03-08T14:55:00.000-05:00

WEDDING SHOTS

Happy Wedding to
Dave and Nicole Southcott
2/18/06

Jere and Karen

Hey look Steve: It's Mel Busler
I'm going to ask him to dance...

Let's think hard about this, Jere!

Photos by Rosie

HAVE YOU MET SARAH?

2006-03-07T21:59:00.000-05:00

Full Name: Sarah Margaret Grace Maxon ("Worshipper")

Nicknames: Sa (Say), Little One, S'rizzle.

Named after?: My Mom, Margaret Watson Sweet, and her Mom, Evelyn Grace Lehr Watson, and her Mom, Grace Lehr Hartman. The Sarah part is all hers, like her gorgeous long brown silky hair...

Age: 15 - born May 11, 1990, turning 16! Get off the roads!

Occupation: Sophomore at Sackets Harbor Central School

Summer jobs: Baby sitter and Housekeeping Staff at the Ontario Place Hotel in Sackets Harbor.

Occupation that pays the bills: Babysitting for the Longs.

Married: Back off...Not applicable, she's only 15 10/12. Let's go ahead and say almost 16...

Family: 5 siblings (she's #5 she's a middle and a little).

Musical: She loves to sing. If music didn't exist, she too, like her sister might have singlehandedly invented it. Her absolute favorite right now is RENT.

Passions: God, her Gang, Rosie, Music, Basketball, Napoleon Dynamite, the Denver Nuggets, SU, Elim More Than Sports Camp, Camp Shiloh.

Non Passions: Certain Coaches, Bullies, Pettiness, Soccer, Girl Stereotypes/Sexists,the crease in her hair from where the hairband was when she takes her hair down, people who don't try in sports, people who smell bad.

Hobbies: Hackey Sack, Bungee Jumping, Cool Bruises (she does have quite the collection), SHOWERS: long ones (arghhh), Grits, Thousand Foot Krutch, Relient K.

My favorite Sarah personality traits: Her fierce loyalty and her sense of humor.

My least favorite personality trait: Stubborness on a level comparable only to Jeremiah!

She buys too many? Everything; when she has money it goes....but she also an excellent bargain finder (like her latest SU jacket).

The one thing you might not know about her: She is a deep feeler which she tries to hide with her sense of humor.

The one thing she wants to do that she hasn't done yet: An out of the country mission's trip.

Thousand Foot Krutch
This Is A Call

She fooled all of her friends into thinking she's so strong,
but she still sleeps with her light on,
and she acts like It's all right on,
as she smiles again
her mother lies there sick with cancer,
and her friends don't understand her,
she's a question without answers,
who feels like falling apart.
She knows, she's so much more than worthless,
but she needs to find her purpose,
she wonders what she did to deserve this and..

She's calling out to you,
this is a call; this is a call out,
' Cause everytime I fall down, I reach out to you,
and I'm losing all control now,
and my hazard signs are all out,
I'm asking you, to show me what this life is all about.

He tells everyone a story,
because he feels his life is boring,
and he fights so you won't ignore him,
because that's his biggest fear,
and he cries, but you'll rarely see him do it.
He loves, but he's scared to use it.
So he hides behind the music, cause he likes it that way.
He knows, He's so much more than worthless,
he needs to find the surface,
because he's starting to get nervous.
He's calling out to you,
this is a call; this is a call out,
' Cause everytime I fall down, I reach out to you,
and I'm losing all control now,
and my hazard signs are all out,
I'm askingyou, to show me what this life is all about.

Have you ever felt this way before?
'cause I don't wanna hide here anymore.
Take me to placewhere nothing's wrong
and thanks for coming, shut the door.
They say someone out there sees us,
Well if you're real then save me Jesus,
cause I've been here for far too long.
I wasn't meant to feel alone.

And now I'm calling out to you,
this is a call; this is a call out,
'Cause everytime I fall down, I reach out to you,
and I'm losing all control now,
and my hazard signs are all out,
I'm asking you, to show me what this life is all about.
Show me what this life is all about
Show me what this life is all about

A VISIT FROM THE RIDDLES...

2006-03-02T09:14:00.000-05:00

Can you ever really figure these guys out?

What are they up to?

Jere may be armed...or itchy...

Steve looks puzzled, but he rarely is...

Stephen and Jeremiah

Ushering

AND THE LITTLES...

2006-03-02T08:58:00.000-05:00

Here's shot from about a decade ago.
It's of the youngest two...
hey at least they're getting along!

Sarah and John
Ages 6 and 4

AND THE MIDDLES...

2006-02-28T11:55:00.000-05:00

Working on my Meeting Sarah post, and the worship concert, and some shots from the Southcott wedding last weekend, but it's too busy a day to get those up, so here's a photo I found on my desk when I got to work today:

Tom and Rose

CRASH, TINKLE, BANG!

2006-02-21T16:18:00.000-05:00

Why hello there. Well it's Tuesday, so it's snowing, and oh yeah, Dad hit another deer.

David E. Maxon was involved a one car/one deer accident on Monday evening around 6:45 PM. The accident occurred on Rt 12F about one mile east of the Watertown International Airport. Mr. Maxon a.k.a. "Dad", claimed no warning was forthcoming as the gigantic doe burst out of the brush from the opposite side of the road, leaving him no opportunity to use his defensive driving skills. Doe-y was hit by the right front end of a 95 Ford Escort belonging to a "Grandma Maxon" and created such a loud noise that the occupant of a home 1/4 mile away came out of his bathroom to investigate. AAA was called in to assist at the scene, and tow the undriveable car and its occupants home. Grandma was understandably concerned, but concernedly understanding. She has been seen online recently, car shopping.

The passenger side was occupied by one Sarah Margaret Grace Maxon, having just been released from basketball practice. Injuries were minimal, although Sarah's backpack (sitting on her lap) was literally torn apart by the airbag explosion (think about that, Britney!), and she herself suffered a slight injury commonly known as Airbag Nose. Dad had a slightly sore back. Doey was not as fortunate. Hounsfield DOT crews assisted by snowplow operators, immediately picked her up for processing. I can only assume they celebrated President's Day Night in style...with a venison flair.

For those keeping score this is the fourth accident involving the elusive Sarah MGM, who when asked for a comment, claimed "out of control" paparazzi may have been involved. You may remember S'rizzle was in a car driven by an Ashley Freeman, which was involved in an accident near Potsdam, NY, on a sunny Sunday morning last November 13, while on their way "to church". Other occupants of that car were Rose E. Maxon, who sustained a slight concussion, and a Michael Crankshaw-Bierce, also known as Lefty, who claimed no injuries.

Sarah was also in a car which left the road last Feb. 2005 on Maxon Road. This accident was not reported to many media outlets, save a local Texas paper. This reporter found the information on an obscure AAA blotter. The driver was listed as one, Rose E. Maxon. Cause of both of these accidents is listed as "driver error". The fourth accident involved another deer named Ray and a van named Mona. The sliding door was obliterated. In full disclosure, I must state that this reporter herself, was driving the van in question. (Additional information provided by A. Freeman/R. Maxon/S. Maxon)

(Sarah Margaret Grace Maxon)

HAVE YOU MET ROSE?

2006-02-16T10:45:00.000-05:00

Full Name: Rose Elizabeth Maxon ("Woman of Example and Light)

Nicknames: Rosie, Rosie-Posie, Rosalina, Lena, Lena Louise, Little One, Baby Girl.

Named after?: From a dream (God's input) also to honor Aunt Rosemay Shelhart, and Great Aunt Elizabeth Foote.

Age: 18 - born July 29, 1987 - Emergency C Section (due in September!).

(Age 3)

Occupation: Student, Freshman at SUNY Potsdam majoring in Secondary Education (Math); Referee; and previously was a Notetaker on campus.

Summer jobs: Hostess at the Nu Pier restaurant, Housekeeping Staff at the Ontario Place Hotel in Sackets Harbor.

Occupation that pays the bills: Right now, her Scholarships.

Married: No, but in a multi-year committed relationship.

Family: 5 siblings (she's #4, but acts like a firstborn).

Musical: She loves to sing. If music didn't exist, she might have singlehandedly invented it.

Favorite Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Passions: God, Michael, Music, Sports, Life, Challenges, Gilmore Girls, Blue Pens, underdogs.

Non Passions: Bullies, Bad Drivers, Spelling, Black pens, Breakfast foods, getting up early.

Hobbies: Michael, Sports, Nikki, Hanging out with Alyssa, and coming home.

My favorite Rose personality trait: She doesn't let other people's opinions bother or affect her. Her sweetness and kindness and her love of babies.

My least favorite personality trait: I'm gonna have to go with her inablity to let go of a dollar and she's a little competitive.

She buys too many? Ha! See above comment! Nothing.

The one thing you might not know about her: Her laugh is infectious and unique. It was one of the things I missed the most about her when she left for college.

The one thing she wants to do that she hasn't done yet: Africa.

Esther
Sara Groves

I have a picture of Esther and David
She is a young bride and he is a soldier
They didn't know then that David was dying
They wouldn't have children
Alone with a life time, Africa called
She went for the first time, it grew in her heart
All of the children, all of those children

Now Esther has 2.4 million children
She writes us and asks us to pray for them all
She's compelled, she's compelled by what she's seen
And she tells us, she tells us do anything you can
To help, oh please help, there's so much to do
And I'm just Esther

She visits her homeland, she fights with her words
She comes to the courts of the kings of the earth
Who don't understand their inherited power
To answer her question

IT'S BAAA - AAACK!

2006-02-15T16:04:00.000-05:00

I've missed my engagement ring for the last 18 months, but now it's repaired and back to stay! Just in time for Valentine's Day!

AND THE WINNER IS...

2006-02-09T08:33:00.000-05:00

STEVE!

Not to bore you all, but I have to give the answers to the Groundhog Day Contest. As you can see, the winner is Steve with a score of 17 out of 18! His prize shall remain a secret until his next trip home this weekend. Or maybe I'll just hide a small picture of the five pounder here amongst the words for fun...

Happy Groundhog Day! (Numerous places in the movie)
Well, it's Groundhog Day... again...(Phil on his second broadcast) rise and shine, campers (the clock radio DJ"S) ! What about my Meeting Tom post? No, there wouldn't be today (the bed and breakfast owner talking about hot water)...next time though, I promise. Today I'm thinking about my favorite Groundhog Day movie called interestingly enough: Groundhog Day. If you've never seen it, you're in luck as I thought I'd share a few of its lines with you. If you have seen it let's see how good you are at spotting the dialogue. Perhaps we'll have a contest. Let me know how many you find and I'll award a neat prize to the closest/quickest entry. Feed me back the lines, along with a total number of lines used as well. You'll have to look hard to spot some of them because I'm going to embed them into my monologue and see if you recognize them, since I have long ago adopted some of them into my everyday speech. Remember, you gotta want it (Phil talking to the groundhog).

So I hope you are having a wonderful Groundhog Day yourself. It was sunny here to begin with, but now is overcast and cloudy. When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life.(Phil's last broadcast which made his cameraman cry) I personally think that there is no way this winter is ever going to end as long as that groundhog keeps seeing his shadow (Phil's broadcast just before he kidnaps the groundhog). But, it was over 50 degrees when I came in today and it felt just like spring. It always makes me think of Rome the way the sun hits the buildings in the afternoon (Phil trying to impress Rita on one of their dates). So what do you think, do you think it's going to be an early spring? I'm predicting March 21st (Phil and the another boarder at the B&B).

I have to go to town soon. Chance of departure today, one hundred percent (Phil to the B&B owner on the first morning). The traffic is probably going to be horrific. I'm alone at least, and never drive angry (Phil to the groundhog). Sometimes when I drive with Rose or Steve, they try to drive "through me". Both of them at one point have reached over to honk at someone "for me". How annoying! But I just say hey, no, no no no. Nobody honks this horn but me. Okay pal? (Phil's cameraman to Phil while they're stuck in the blizzard traffic jam). Saying, Morons, your bus is leaving, (Phil in the diner) is about as vindictive as I get. And only in my car, not out the window.

John's home sick today, so I'm headed off early. I tried to feed him before I left, but I guess it was too early for flapjacks (Phil to the cops who pull him over for driving on the railroad tracks)? He didn't seem interested. He home catching up on LOST right now. I recommended mac and cheese for lunch but he might make something else. Well I better get moving. I would love to stay here and talk with you... but I'm not going to. (Phil to Ned Reierson) I'll talk to you all tomorrow, unless there is no tomorrow. There wasn't one yesterday (Phil to Rita trying to explain what was happening)!

Love, Mom or as I say all the time...I told you, call me Bronco (Phil to one of his dates at the movies).

P.S. Okay, here's a free one that won't fit in anywhere: "Clean up your room!", "Stand up straight!", "Pick up your feet!", "Take it like a man!", "Be nice to your sister!", "Don't mix beer and wine, ever!". Oh yeah: "Don't drive on the railroad tracks!"
Gus: Eh, Phil... That's one I happen to agree with. (Freebie: Joyriding with the locals)

HAVE YOU MET THOMAS?

2006-02-08T15:22:00.000-05:00

"Tom. He makes Fun - Funner."

Full Name: Thomas Andrew Maxon ("Man of Knowledge - like Nicodemus").

Nicknames: Tom, Ol' Tom, Tommy Teanut, Tomeese-a-Mo, Tas, Minner, Rita.

Named after: His grandfather Donald S. (Tom) Maxon, Tom Selleck, and the disciple Andrew (Steve picked it).

Age: 21 - born September 28, 1984 - almost breech. As you can see his ears

are still perfectly proportional.

Occupation: Student, Senior at RIT majoring in Bioinformatics; Student Manager at the General Store at RIT. Summer jobs: Fort Drum Wetland Specialist, Stream Call Center Dude.

Occupation that pays the bills: His excellent stretching of a dollar.

Married: Not yet...waiting for "Miss Right".

Family: 5 siblings (he's #3 like his Dad). He sings very well. He needs coaxing usually, but he does a mean "Sean Connery's White Christmas" with "Jere", and a fantastic accapella version of 2 Peter 1:3 with his Dad and brothers.

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 28:8, preferrably in the King James version.

Passions: God, Life, mold and fungus, girls named Amanda or derivitives of that name, the Forums, New Challenges.

Non Passions: Televised Sports, Bullies, Disloyalty, Stupid Drunks, Spelling Errors.

Hobbies: the Forums, "The Lab", and keeping the Buick going.

My favorite Tom personality trait: His sense of humor and smile, his way with kids and his generosity and sweetness.

My least favorite personality trait: His ability to survive (well) without me in faraway places.

He buys too many? Razors. Despite these two pictures - he wasn't always bald!

The one thing you might not know about him: Tom is just plain fun.

The one thing he wants to do that he hasn't done yet: Graduate from college? Travel the world? Meet "the" girl.

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!

2006-02-02T12:17:00.000-05:00

Well, it's Groundhog Day... again... rise and shine, campers! What about my Meeting Tom post? No, there wouldn't be today...next time though, I promise. Today I'm thinking about my favorite Groundhog Day movie called interestingly enough: Groundhog Day. If you've never seen it, you're in luck as I thought I'd share a few of its lines with you. If you have seen it let's see how good you are at spotting the dialogue. Perhaps we'll have a contest. Let me know how many you find and I'll award a neat prize to the closest/quickest entry. Feed me back the lines, along with a total number of lines used as well. You'll have to look hard to spot some of them because I'm going to embed them into my monologue and see if you recognize them, since I have long ago adopted some of them into my everyday speech. Remember, you gotta want it.

So I hope you are having a wonderful Groundhog Day yourself. It was sunny here to begin with, but now is overcast and cloudy. When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. I personally think that there is no way this winter is ever going to end as long as that groundhog keeps seeing his shadow. But, it was over 50 degrees when I came in today and it felt just like spring. It always makes me think of Rome the way the sun hits the buildings in the afternoon. So what do you think, do you think it's going to be an early spring? I'm predicting March 21st.

I have to go to town soon. Chance of departure today, one hundred percent. The traffic is probably going to be horrific. I'm alone at least, and never drive angry. Sometimes when I drive with Rose or Steve, they try to drive "through me". Both of them at one point have reached over to honk at someone "for me". How annoying! But I just say hey, no, no no no. Nobody honks this horn but me. Okay pal? Saying, Morons, your bus is leaving, is about as vindictive as I get. And only in my car, not out the window.

John's home sick today, so I'm headed off early. I tried to feed him before I left, but I guess it was too early for flapjacks? He didn't seem interested. He home catching up on LOST right now. I recommended mac and cheese for lunch but he might make something else. Well I better get moving. I would love to stay here and talk with you... but I'm not going to. I'll talk to you all tomorrow, unless there is no tomorrow. There wasn't one yesterday!

Love, Mom or as I say all the time...I told you, call me Bronco.

P.S. Okay, here's a free one that won't fit in anywhere: "Clean up your room!", "Stand up straight!", "Pick up your feet!", "Take it like a man!", "Be nice to your sister!", "Don't mix beer and wine, ever!". Oh yeah Â "Don't drive on the railroad tracks!" Gus: Eh, Phil... That's one I happen to agree with.

EXCUSES, EXCUSES...

2006-01-26T20:57:00.000-05:00

Reasons I haven't posted:

I was in Georgia/Alabama (oh wait, I posted from there once...).
We drove the 21 hour trip back in 27 hours with only one breakdown!
I was too tired for twelve -oops- thirteen days!
It was too warm.
It was too cold.
Because Job's Blog/Steve's Journal/Missy's Blogg/Goober's Journal/The Forums are more interesting (sorry Tom/Rose/Mike/Jere - you guys weren't posting either).
I had to work twice as hard at work to make up for being gone a whole week.
Tom's the next in my "Have You Met" series and he won't tell me what his dreams are so I have to make it up - and I'm sorry friends, but that kind of creative genius just takes time.
Rose kept me very busy last week, getting ready to go back to school.
And - it was Dave's birthday and we celebrated nonstop for the whole week ala Mardi Dave.
It was Mr. Bierce's birthday too, and since we had the floats...
I had to catch up with 24.
Libby threw up.
The checkbooks needed balancing (badly).
Fafsa!
Rose's checkbook needed balancing (not as badly).
We had to go to three basketball games.
My sore throat came back.
My nose will not stop running (since December 11!)!
Had five, no wait six, no- more like twelve fights- with Sarah. Made up all twelve times. She adores me!
Had to start a new live journal to keep an eye on Miss Sarah "Friends Only" Margaret Grace.
Haven't done anything there either - so don't look for it yet!
Had to remind her three times to "Friend Me".
Listened to Bryce's three new songs. You should hear them, too. Very nice, Bryce.
I had to use my Mother-in-law's car today and I had like two flat tires!
Learned how to use AAA.
Because no one commented on my last post (oops, until tonight), I thought you all were ok with my posting schedule! If you don't comment, how do I know you read it?

Things I did or didn't do because I hadn't posted:

Made no comments on Tom's last post (got a little hot over there... but hey, loved the hat!).

Made NO comments on Steve's last post (I got your water pressure right here, pal.)

Made no comments on Mike's last post (can't really beat his Dad's comments anyway!).

Jere didn't really post -so it's not applicable.

Made only a minor comment on Rose's last post (but I felt guilty).

Made a well thought-out, researched, spellchecked comment on Job's post about liberals, and waited for five days to see if he's comment on it and he didn't (But he probably saw it - he was just tired out from fighting with the Liberal. I beat down the disappointment and got on with life. Yes I know I insecure, but we prefer the term humble.).

Hardly went to the Forums at all (until today!).

Started my first thread at the Forums (Mindless Frivolity - Favorite Cartoon Song)! With a Poll! Flipped the Page, Baby! Flipped TWO pages, actually, so go vote already...(Editor's Note: Mike and Steve helped. Steve may have helped a lot! I'm just not sure!).

Called my Mother three times and went to lunch with her once.

Researched Plane tickets for Mom for Rachel Sweet's wedding!

Didn't read my brother's latest letter.

Didn't write back to my brother's latest letter.

Played my new penny whistle. Don't listen to anything Sarah says about it, either!

Didn't feel happy about life in general - always feeling like there was something else I should be doing...

There you go, boys and girls. I hope I haven't bored you to tears or lost my target audience!

Know you are loved,

MOM

DUCK TALES

Life is like a hurricane Here in Duckburg

Race cars, lasers, aeroplanes It's a duck-blur

Might solve a mystery Or rewrite history

CHORUS: DuckTales (oooh ooooh) Every day they're out there making DuckTales (oooh ooooh)

Tales of daring do bad and good LuckTales (oooh ooooh)

When it seems they're heading for the Final curtain

Cool deduction never fails That's for certain

The worst of messes Become successes

CHORUS D-D-D-Danger! Watch behind you There's a stranger out to find you

What to do? Just grab on to some DuckTales

CHORUS D-D-D-Danger! Watch behind you There's a stranger out to find you

What to do? Just grab on to some ... CHORUS (Twice)

Not pony tales or cotton tales, no DuckTales (ooh ooooh)

ONE FROM WAY DOWN

2006-01-13T10:12:00.000-05:00

Howdy friends and neighbors:

Today we find ourselves in balmy Opelika, AL. Steve and Rose had vacation time left and needed another driver, so on Sunday after church we pulled out of Watertown (temp. 30) and headed down south for a quick double brother tour of the southern regions. First stop Savannah Ga ( Dave's brother, John Maxon). Temperature 70 and sunny. Unseasonable for January 9th we were told, yet those temps held for our whole three day stay. The household went boating and hiking and sat outside daily at the alligator dock sunning ourselves. The weather threatens to change today, I understand to a more seasonal 40-45.

We arrived in AL (my brother Dave's!) last night and will be doing our part to bring spring early here as well. It isn't working yet, but we'll see. We leave after church on Sunday (his birthday) and travel up through Carrollton KY (Bonnie Jean's new old home)on our way to NY on Monday noon. Steve's schedule includes getting his class books Monday from 1-3PM, and attending the Syr/CT game on Monday Night. Also he has classes on Tues. - some with preassigned homework!

We are having a great time. Tonight we visit the famous CC's. It's an all you can eat Pasta/Pizza place for $3.99 a head, I hear. If they don't have your favorite pizza you can request it. Bacon Blue here I come.

HAVE YOU MET MY BROTHER DAVE?

2006-01-04T10:16:00.000-05:00

Sorry the holidays have taken their toll on me (I have a cold!), and I've been a bit more remiss in my posting than usual. I'm going to cheat today and introduce you to my favorite little brother down in Opelika, Alabama. He doesn't have any shots of himself as a kid, so allow me to present what I have found of one David F. (Frankinberry) Sweet.

Age 8 or 9

This is Dave and me with our cousin Petey.

He's about 11 or 12 here, and well on his way to being a coolhippylonghaired.

14 or so....

This was the day before my wedding.

Me (21)

(My little sister) Sherry (14)

Dave (18) He got a haircut!

There...how's that for a quick trip through the 60's and 70's?

A quick bio: Dave is married to Debbie (23 years), has three children and 2 grandbabies, and is a Pastor (read his latest sermon here) in Opelika, AL. He has been in AL for 13 years and we miss them all terribly! David is the best friend you could ever have, and AL is blessed to have him (as the Lord wills).

I love you Dave. See you next weekend for your 45th birthday! YE-ah!

YOUV'E GOT A FRIEND
JAMES TAYLOR

When you're down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name,
And you know wherever I am,
I'll come running, To see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And Illl be there.
You've got a friend.

If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
And soon I will be knocking upon your door.

Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?
People can be so cold.
They'll hurt you and desert you.
Well they'll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but don't you let them.

You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Oh babe, don't you know that,
Winter spring summer or fall,
Hey now, all you've got to do is call.
Lord, I'll be there, yes I will.
You've got a friend. You'e got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
You've got a friend.

HAVE YOU MET JEREMIAH?

2005-12-23T12:49:00.000-05:00

Full Name: Jeremiah John Maxon - Prophet.

Age: 22 (He was born the day before Mother's Day, so that was the first time he got me flowers).

Occupation: Graduating in May 06 degree in Political Science and Journalism, Lowes Associate, Front Desk Clerk at the Sackets Harbor Ontario Place Hotel.

Occupation that pays the bills: None. Jere has no money. Absolutely none. But not for long!

Married: Nope.

Family: Five Siblings - etc. (see Stephen's). Many many loyal friends made at JCC and Oswego SUNY.

Passions: Jesus, Karen, Family, Music & Songwriting, playing the bass and the piano, video games, sharing his opinion of the world with anyone who asks and some who don't.

My favorite Jere personality traits: His intelligence, his accents, his sense of humor, his accents, his intensity, his generosity and accents and kindness.

My least favorite personality trait: Yeah I'm gonna have to go with his occasional stubbornness.

The most surprisingly wonderful thing about Jere (to me): He looks just like my Dad who died when I was 16 (I mean just check out that hair!). And our wonderful talks. And his amazing heart.

The one thing you might not know about him: He bakes!

The one thing he wants to do he hasn't done yet: Two words: World Domination.

JEREMIAH
SARA GROVES

Jeremiah tell me about the fire
That burns up in your bones
I want to know, I want to know more now
The burning of ambition and desire
It never could come close
To that fire To that fire

I was looking to myself
And I forgot the power of God
I was standing with a sparkler in my hand
While I stood so proud and profound
You came and burned this whole place down
Now that's a fire

I was caught up in this vice And its power to entice
I was dwelling on my hopelessness and doubt
With the slightest invitation
You came with total detonation
Now that's a fire

I was warming my hands
by this little light of mine
But now I know it's time
To come in from the cold

Fight fire with fire, fan the flame
Come stir up these coals in my soul, in my soul
Till it burns out of control

ANOTHER WEDNESDAY BY THE BAY

2005-12-14T13:54:00.000-05:00

Just a quick entry ~ ala Job Tate ~ to say hello from Dexter. Job has many different posts a day, most short - but all interesting. I have only 10 minutes to finish up my lunch break, so this is where my heart is. This is my Mom with Steve about 23 years ago. I'll have a better picture next time when I continue my HAVE YOU MET... series. But for now...

Points to note:

My Mom is online! msweet4@twcny.rr.com
Screen Name for Grandma Sweet on AIM is gmsweet4. Be patient - she's new!
I love my MOM!
Rose comes home tomorrow.
Jere comes home Friday.
Tom comes home Saturday.
Steve'll be home Saturday as well, and he's bringing Missy.
Steve loves Missy.
Heh, heh, and Missy loves Steve (Yay!).
I lead worship on Sunday with Steve.
Steve leads worship the next Sunday (Christmas!).
I am happy and blessed.

Love,

MOM

AMAZED
WORDS AND MUSIC BY
JARED ANDERSON

YOU DANCE OVER ME,
WHILE I AM UNAWARE.
YOU SING ALL AROUND,
BUT I, NEVER HEAR THE SOUND.

LORD I’M AMAZED BY YOU.
LORD I’M AMAZED BY YOU.
LORD I’M AMAZED BY YOU…
HOW YOU LOVE ME.

YOU PAINT THE MORNING SKY,
WITH MIRACLES IN MIND.
MY HOPE WILL ALWAYS STAND,
FOR YOU HOLD ME IN YOUR HAND.

HOW WIDE,
HOW DEEP,
HOW GREAT…
IS YOUR LOVE FOR ME

© 2003 VERTICAL WORSHIP SONGS
CCLI # 61976.

HAVE YOU MET STEVE?

2005-12-09T20:23:00.000-05:00

Full Name: Stephen Adam Maxon - firstborn.

Age: 24 - (25 on February 25 - his birthday's great for getting marked down Valentine's Day gifts! Next year is his special birthday! He turns 25 on the 25th!).

Occupation: Second Year Law School Student, DFF Worship Leader, Young Adult Group Leader.

Occupation that pays the bills: His Portfolioooooo.....

Married: Nope.

Family: Three brothers: Jeremiah John, 22; Thomas Andrew, 21; John David Carlton, 13. Two sisters: Rose Elizabeth, 18; Sarah Margaret Grace, 15. Dad you've met, and of course I'm Mom, over on the right there. He also has two grandmas, six Aunties, 7 Uncles, and 27 cousins - almost all of which he visited or saw this summer!

Favorite Scripture: I have absolutely no idea and he's at a U2 concert in Buffalo, NY!

Passions: Jesus, family, Missy, music, songwriting, regular writing, the Syracuse Orangemen, The Sackets Harbor Indians, all other sports, games, driving, humorous lists, and analyzing the world and political scene.

My favorite Steve personality traits: His intelligence, his sense of humor, his loyalty, his generosity and kindness.

My least favorite personality trait: his occasional overwhelming need to give me parenting advice on disciplining and raising his siblings.

The one thing you might not know about him: He won his first case already! And he writes amazing songs. Ok, you may know a couple, but most of you probably haven't heard them all.

The one thing he wants to do that he hasn't done yet: travel the whole world.

JOURNEYS

2005-12-05T08:18:00.000-05:00

Our furnace is giving us some trouble, so I'm at work today...

Max Lucado has this to say about the book of Numbers:

"Every life is a Pilgrimage.

Every person is on a Journey.

Every journey has its Challenges.

The book of Numbers is a travel diary. Two million ex-slaves weaving their way through a desert. The trip could have been made in less than 11 days, but it took them 38 years. What they should have done, they didn't, what they didn't do, they should have. So God decided they needed some time to rethink a few things. He took them the long way. Maybe you're on a detour in your journey. Things seem slow. Roads seem dark. Maybe God is wanting to teach you a few things. Pay attention. You don't want to spend 38 years missing the point."

I have talked and prayed with a lot of people this weekend. This commentary seemed to speak to my heart on behalf of all of them.

My best friend is moving back to KY. She feels called back home to her family. She's leaving in under a month. She begins a whole new life (again!) with no job, no apartment, no church family, and no security - except for the Rock. I can't begin to tell you the gigantic hole that will result from her leaving us. She loved people like nobody's business. She simply cannot be replaced. I love her so much.

Another very close friend lost her Mom last Friday. Her Mom was very sick for a long time, and required constant care, for which my friend was the sole caretaker. What's worse than never having any time to yourself? Suddenly having all the time in the world to second guess what a lousy job you think you did over the last 14 years. You didn't do a lousy job, sweetie. You loved her like Jesus to the best of your ability. When you failed you went to Him and He strengthened you to get up the next day and do it again. You were a faithful daughter and servant, you taught me so much. I love you, honey.

Another friend talked to me from halfway around the world in China. We compared "things" that were on our hearts and discovered we'd been praying about the certain same things for some reason. Promises we had forgotten about- or perhaps surrendered back to Him as too "impossible" to ever happen. We're kind of excited! We're kind of hopeful! Luv ya!

Another just needed an ear, and a willing desire from someone to listen. I got to pray with her, and hopefully undo some of the world's indifference that she's been experiencing lately. Her faithfulness, perseverance and trust bless me. I love you, sweetie.

Another needed to vent about the unknown. He wants to "know" what to do with his future. I know God has a plan. His scripture is Jer. 33:3. Call to Me and I will show you secret things, which you do not know. He will speak, and I know you will hear. You know, I love you!

Another just needed me to listen and to pray. And protect his heart. It is my privilege. I love you more than you may ever know.

Know you are loved,

Mom

AMAZED
JARED ANDERSON

YOU DANCE OVER ME, WHILE I AM UNAWARE.
YOU SING ALL AROUND, BUT I, NEVER HEAR THE SOUND.

LORD I’M AMAZED BY YOU, LORD I’M AMAZED BY YOU.
LORD I’M AMAZED BY YOU… HOW YOU LOVE ME.

HOW WIDE, HOW DEEP,
HOW GREAT… IS YOUR LOVE FOR ME.

AND THE BANKIE SHOT...

2005-12-03T20:28:00.000-05:00

Yeah, we went shopping! But it's only because everybody kept yelling at us for dragging a half-nekked baby around in sub degree weater (C). People are mean - very mean. And bossy. And they think you can't hear them, when you really can!

Btw...the bankie says Sweet Baby. Yah! The maiden name is kinda handy sometimes.

On the way home, we stopped in to see Great Grandma Maxon and she rocked Lisa until she stopped fussing. Don't worry about us wasting our money on doll clothes, we just found out there are two great grandbabies coming...Chris and Sarah in June and Ben and Kristy in July! Congratulations Kathy Snyder!!!!

Woot! Woot!!

SUCH A PROUD MAMA!

2005-12-03T20:18:00.000-05:00

Sarah can't get her LJ to load her pictures, so I'm going to do a series of three. Forewarned is forearmed. So here's the proud Mama with the "prettylittlegirliebaby, Iwuvyou".

I KNOW YOU HAVEN'T MET LISA!

2005-12-03T20:04:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone:

I'd like to introduce you to Sarah's Health Class baby, Lisa Artaxexes Maxon. Better not to ask on the whole name thing. Anyway she'll be taking up residence with us for the weekend, so enjoy her while you can.

HAVE YOU MET DAVE?

2005-12-01T09:47:00.000-05:00

I think I'm going to start a series on who we are. Just so friends and family alike can get to know us a little better. Today I'd like to introduce you to Dave. He's shown with a beard - which he doesn't have anymore.

Full Name: David Edmund Maxon

Age: 48 - (49 on January 19 - his birthday's great for getting marked down Christmas deals).

Occupation: Assistant Pastor at Dexter Faith Fellowship, Husband/Father Extraordinaire.

Occupation that pays the bills: Hotel Manager at the Sackets Harbor Ontario Place Hotel.

Married: 26 years.

Family: 6 children, 5 siblings (he's #3), 1 wonderful Mom, 3 sibling inlaws, 1 wonderful Mother-in-law (go ahead and ask him!).

Favorite Scripture: Joshua 1:8-9, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 61, and Ezekiel's call...

Passions: Jesus, ME!, our Kids, Our families, Preaching/Teaching, building our new church building, playing anything our kids are playing.

Hobbies: Web design, Sci-fi channel reruns, watching our kids play sports, playing networking computer games with his boys, photography, woodworking.

My favorite Dave personality trait: His sense of humor, his loyalty, and his flexibility.

My least favorite personality trait: (sometimes) His sense of humor.

He buys too many?.... Hats and tools.

The one thing you might not know about him: Underneath his simple facade beats the heart of a smoldering novelist.

The one thing he wants to do that he hasn't done yet: Space Travel or an Ocean Cruise.

AWWWWWW...

2005-11-30T13:37:00.000-05:00

Okay I did the girls picture last time, so here's one of Ol' Tom back when he was new Tom. The present day resemblance is uncanny, wouldn't you say?

I think he's singing something from Death Cab for Cutie.

Actually I'm probably singing to him which would explain his bemusedness. If you want to see the words you'll have to link over to Tom's LJ and find them in the comment section.

SURVEY

2005-11-29T14:48:00.000-05:00

Rose put up a new survey that got me really thinking, so I thought I'd share some of it with the people on my blog too...

1. Full Name
2. Favorite Song?
3. Favorite Movie?
4. Dogs or Cats?
5. If you were on a desert island, and you could only bring one thing, what would it be?
6. What's the funniest thing that ever happened to you? **
7. What's your favorite holiday?**
8. If you could ask Jesus to clarify something biblical or religious, what would it be?
9. If you could ask God one question what would it be?*
10. Have you talked to anyone about your religion who wasn't already in your religion? **

*I changed this one question.
**I added these three questions.

Share your rhymes and reasons- as much or as little if you like.

Know you are loved,

Mom

LET'S CRUNCH SOME NUMBERS

2005-11-26T21:50:00.000-05:00

Hi ya: It's been a veeerrry busy week and a half.

Number of kids home from college: 4
Number of kids on vacation from high school: 2
Number of loads of laundry: 40 (I am not kidding!)
Number of pies we made: 6
Number of batches of biscotti we made: 6 (one without nuts)
Number of stray cats that showed up: 2
Number of times we played Encore: 2
Number of times I lost: 2
Number of times Dad was on my team: 2 (hmmmmm...)
Number of movies we watched: 7
Number of episodes of Gilmore Girls watched: 7
Number of times we lost the remote: 6
Number of times we found the remote: 6
Number of times we lost the cordless phone: 4
Number of times we found the cordless: 3 (if you call be patient, we're letting it ring)
Number of turkey dinners we ate: 2
Number of times we brought home Sam's Club pizzas: 2
Number of times we brought home wings from P/C: 2 (YUM!)
Number of trips to the grocery store: 7
Number of free or marked-down turkeys we got: 4
Number of tanks of gas in the car: 5
Number of Dr's. appts: 3
Number of CAT scans: 1
Number of blizzards endured: 1 (1 fizzled)
Number of houseguests because of blizzards: 1 (Hi Bryce! Almost 2, right, Mike?)
Number of fights refereed: 16
Number of times I posted: 0
Number of wonderful memories made: INFINITE

NEVER A DULL MOMENT

2005-11-18T15:02:00.000-05:00

and so it continues...

It's nice to get to church early for a change...no rushing around. I guess letting Sarah go up to Potsdam with Ashley to visit Rose wasn't such a bad idea after all. It sure simplified my morning routine after Dave left. It was just me and John...

...I was thinking as the cell phone rang. I was nearly at church. Even though I answered immediately, I still saw a missed call signal from Rose. Hmmm. I pushed the call back button, and there she was, "...we went off the road...sob...silence." The next thing I heard was a familiar voice saying, "Hello, Mrs. Maxon..." followed by Mike's brief explanation behind the previous few words that Rose had managed to share.

The kids had gone off the road on their way to my sister's church Christian Fellowship Center (Ashley was distracted for a second and suddenly everything was out of her control). They entered a ditch and struck a culvert and a reflector pole (the folks behind them were surprised the car didn't flip because it looked like it would, and then suddenly didn't). Thank You, Father...

As Mike was explaining what would be happening next, I heard someone in the background crying quite loudly. I asked him who it was, and he told me Ashley, so I asked him to pass Rose's phone to her and spoke with her for a couple of minutes. I then got Mike back and told him I was on my way up, and would be there as soon as possible.

Dear God...I know You're busy being the day of worship and all, but my babies were just in a car accident and I'm so far away...could You help them? Send them Help - keep them safe - fill Ashley with Your Peace, remind her that You will never leave her or forsake her, and that You hold her in the palm of Your hand...

I stopped at church for a few minutes to explain the situation to Dave, and then (surprise) the two of us headed for Potsdam together after making a few more phone calls . He took over as the main phone call receiver after that and I had to settle for listening in on the speaker phone. Mike spoke with us a couple more times as we covered the 90 minute drive, keeping us informed of the ambulance's destination as well as his and Ashley's ride to the hospital with the investigating policewoman.

I'm so glad that the people behind them were from CFC. Rose's concussion symptoms disappeared almost as soon as they prayed. But I can't believe the insurance company says they won't cover the accident because Ashley never took a picture of her car. Father God, would You please do a miracle and minister to Ashley's parents in this whole situation? And could you help me find the phone number of the CFC church so someone can go down there and pick them up off that road? Thank You!

When we arrived we stopped off to provide a hug to Ashley (Me) and personal information (Dave) to the receptionist, spoke to Mike briefly and then hurried in to check on Sarah and Rose. Sarah was just sitting with Rose. They hadn't treated her as she said she had no injuries. She told me she was ok too, she just had a headache. Rose had a large bump on the right side of her head where she had hit the passenger window, but the Dr.'s had decided against X-Rays or a CAT scan. They didn't want to expose her to unnecessary radiation? (Since when?...) They were going to watch her for another forty minutes or so and then she would be probably be released. My sister then came in quite unexpectedly, saying she couldn't stay at church and had to come and check things out for herself. After a few more minutes we went out to bring Ashley and Mike into Rose's ER room.

We stayed out in the waiting room because we were afraid that the ER would object to double the number of visitors. I noticed Ashley had left her purse sitting on the floor with no one around, so I went over and picked it up to take it back in to her. It was vibrating...since Sarah was with us, I had her answer it. She handed it back to me as Ashley parent's were asking for directions to the hospital. I went outside to get better reception and then talked them into the parking lot a few minutes later. I got to meet Ashley's Mom with a hug and reassurance that Rose was doing fine, and that everything would be ok.

We all went back inside where Ashley was waiting. Her Mom gave her a big hug and cried again. I introduced her Dad to my sister Sherry who explained how the insurance problem might be able to be worked out, and then she left to drive them over to where the car was located. My sister and her husband run an Auto repair shop nearby, so she knew the ins and outs of accidents. I found out later that she spent the next two hours with them, finding the car and arranging to have it towed to their shop to avoid the $20 per day storage fee the junkyard was going to be charging. My brother-in-law even came and looked over the damage and gave them an estimate that was half of what the tow place quoted.

We checked Rose out and headed back over to pick up some clothes to bring her home for a couple of days for observation. We dropped Mike back off on the way back to Watertown, and pulled back into home late in the afternoon. After getting Rose and Sarah settled, and Dave off to work, I was to start to get back to normal again.

Father, You do all things well. Thank You that You keep us safe and protect us, that all of Your promises are true in Jesus. That You have a Plan for us that is not at the mercy of Life's circumstances. And that You Love us. Amen.

Then I checked on Mike and went to bed...

Here's my disclaimer for Rose: This post sat in my draft box for 8 days! :) Sorry!

I WISH...

2005-11-14T22:34:00.000-05:00

- that I could put everyone at ease the way my husband does.
- that I could sing, harmonize, write songs, and think the way that Steve does.
- that I could reach God's heart and God's people the way that Jere does.
- that I could understand complex science and simple human nature the way that Tom does.
- that I could laugh and love with abandon the way that Rose does.
- that I could make people feel like they're the only person in the room the way that Sarah can.
- that I could obey God at any cost the way that John does.

- that I could drop anything at any time for just about anybody the way my Mom and sister Sherry do.
- that I will serve the Lord with all my heart at 70+, the way Jean does.
- that I could serve God well under the tryingest of times the way my brother Joe does.
- that I could express myself both in humor and God's Word the way my Pastor brother Dave does.
- that I was as generous as my Uncle Carl and the Cavallario's are.
- that I was a prayer warrior like the Harmers are.
- had a burden for the teens and unsaved like my sister Kathy does.
- was as sweet as my niece RaeAnne and my friends Kate N., Janelle, Ashley, Ginnie and Tejla are.
- had the patience, vision and calling to home school the way my sisters Susan, Janet, and Betsy do
- lived closer to my brothers John, Donnie and Joseph.

- that I could read and understand so many subjects and then eloquently communicate about them so that others felt enlightened but not inferior, the way Michael does.
- that I could pour my heart into little ones the way Jesus did and Karen does.
- that I could express my truest feelings so eloquently the way that Missy does.
- that I could touch so many people in so many different ways the way Job does.
- that I could walk through a trial of suffering with grace the way Katherine does.
- that I could write songs the way Bryce and the Sweet's do.
- that I could go into all the world and preach the gospel like Jesus told me to, like Ted, Ernie, Jodie and Rachael do.

- that I could love God's people the way my friends Paul and Cheryl do.
- that I could feel God's heart and love everyone the way my friend Bonnie Jean does.
- that I could trust God with all of my heart the way my friends Kim C. and Kimberly McC. do.
- that I could teach the way my friends Marjorie and Kim McC. do.
- that I could make a Bacon Blue pizza the way my friends the Cavallarios do (Well, I do!).
- that I could walk through a trial victoriously and give all the glory to God the way my friends Jim and Meghan did.
- that I could put power behind my principals the way our boys Cris, Robbie, Paulie, Chad and Tom do every day in Iraq.

But because I have all of you in my life - I am complete...
I am truly blessed.

"God Is Able"

God is able to make all grace abound to you.
God is able to make all grace abound to you.
So that in all things,
At all times,
So that in all things,
Having all that you need.

You will abound, in every good thing,
Abound, having all that you need,
Abound, in every good deed,
You'll abound.

FOUR - BUT NO MORE

2005-11-11T13:15:00.000-05:00

Saving the Best for Last...

Today is a very special day. It's my birthday. My Spiritual Birthday. I know a lot of you got saved when you were very young, and don't have your date, but I do. And it's November 11. 11/11/78. I distinctly remember driving in my car the day God (yes, God speaks to unsaved people or else NO one would ever get saved - see Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus in Acts) put a thought into my head, and I began pondering an event that had happened the week before in church.

I was on my way back to church one Sunday morning and my thoughts went back to the previous week's service, when the lady Pastor had caught Dave and I playing Connect the Dots during the sermon. I had looked up and she was staring at me with the saddest look on her face. We quickly put the pencils down and pretended to pay attention. It was hard though...after all it was like a 15 minute sermon! How were we expected to pay attention for that long, anyway? We were only 20!

So there I was in my car a week later, and her sad face comes back into my mind and I remember thinking I wonder why she looked so sad? I mean it's not like we were the only ones not paying attention. So I thought that through... Then I answered myself and determined that she must have been sad and disappointed because she believed what she was saying mattered - and we were acting like it didn't. Hmmmm.

I then actually thought to myself, she must believe the stuff she says is REAL. And suddenly a question formed in my mind, "Do you think it's real?" only it was more like, "Do you think I'm real?" It was then that I realized that I wasn't haven't a one-sided conversation. I KNEW the question was from God and He was asking me to answer it. When I did, I admitted "Yes". Then I felt like He said, "Then if you believe I am real will you choose me as your God?" I knew my answer to this second question was the key.

I did hesitate, because I knew it was so important, but I did say a few seconds later that I would choose Him as my Lord that day (inside my head still...). And the second I did, He saved me. Right there, in my car - all alone except for Me and Him. And suddenly I was filled with a joy you are all familiar with, I'm sure. The leaves were practically bursting off the trees, because my eyes were opened. It was like getting my first pairs of glasses all over again. He filled me up with His Love that day, and there was no denying His existance after that. We've had lots and lots of adventures since then, but none as important as that one. And that is why I love this Bebo song, because it reminds me of my salvation testimony! God and My's first date!

I love You, Lord!!! Happy Birthday to ME!

Love, MOM

Finding You
bebo norman

everything is alright, everything is so bright
and the sun is shining beautiful
everyone is singing, everyone is dreaming
and the world is so colorful
When You look back at me,
yeah You know it makes me sing

i'm finding You, in everything that shines
i'm finding You, in between the lines
i'm finding You, You open up my eyes, every time,
cause Your Love is so alive

Maybe You could stop time, hanging on to daylight
Doesn't ever have to go away.
I could sing a new song, maybe get the words wrong,
But You know just what I want to say
Cause when You look at me,
You know I still believe...

When broken things, are given wings
They fly away...You make me say

AND THEN THERE WERE THREE

2005-11-11T12:37:00.000-05:00

Yes Three!!! Maybe more...

On the home front, Tom is squelching a Rochester trip this weekend, and our NJ trip kind of died in committee (my fault), so we'll be looking for entertainment closer to home. Maybe apple picking? Possibly a hockey game?

John is away at a Potsdam (High School) Speech Tournament today and a Juniors Lock-In (he's helping out) tonight and tomorrow. He's a busy guy.

Sarah is planning on visiting Rose with Ashley this weekend to watch Potsdam scrimmage against SLU, and will attend church with Rose and my Sister's family on Sunday. Can't get enough of those Harmers...no, seriously - she can't.

Steve (oo-OO-oo) is headed for New England this weekend...can't wait to hear more about that trip. Dad offered to accompany him, and keep him (ac)company(ied) - but he's leaving the shotgun seat open I guess. Better luck next time. Say hi to Job for me and tell him I got him oatmeal creme pies, but they got left in Sophie! So sorry about his Grandma. :(

Well that brings us back to Do - Do - Do - Do. Dooter. Not too much noise out of him lately. I have heard from Karen that their pkg. had arrived Wednesday. Their's was the only one that arrived on time or early. Veteran's Day is wreaking havoc with the Priority Mail Schedule in Potsdam and Canton. Hopefully Saturday will bring glad tidings of comfort and joy. Different kind, of course - but still joy and comfort nonetheless. West Palm Beach is still on blackout, so I assume Tej is still patiently awaiting her biscotti. Tom's goes out tomorrow.

Our next road trip (Sophie and I) will be next Tuesday, the 15th. We have had to make eye appt.'s in Canton, so Rose could get contacts before basketball gets really going. So John and Sarah's exams were piggybacked. I shall then stick around to see a new gg episode with the usual gang and John, while Sarah cools her heels over at Aunt Sherry's.

Talk to you soon!!!

It's Me! - Mom!

WEEKEND WRAPUP: DOS

2005-11-11T12:18:00.000-05:00

Trying out some quick and to the point posts, campers.

I promised a checkbook update from our Albany trip (circa 10/31). Turns out the fireman guy (Joe M) actually did call back that day. He just talked to my brother-in-law and the message wasn't relayed in a timely fashion. Joe M. went to the station and talked with the manager - an unfriendly and suspiciously defensive middle aged woman - who refused to cooperate in any way with our Good Samaritan. So, my sister will probably never see her checkbook again. She has cancelled her checking account, opened a new one - is still waiting for new id's to arrive, and has had to reapply for all new check cashing cards and video cards and all that rot. What a hassle. And the service stunk!!!

I wish it had had a happier ending, but the fact is that it sort of did because Joe (our brother) is doing great, and as for the rest of it: Stuff Happens!

I shall keep you informed of changes to any above events eventual outcome...

Love, MOM

THE FIRST OF MANY

2005-11-11T10:55:00.000-05:00

At last
I have
proof
that
Michael
Crankshaw-Bierce
is
taking
over
the
world...

My Tribute to Sisters

2005-11-10T11:51:00.000-05:00

Watch out! She's got a gun!

Cheetah Sisters

There's a time when we all choose
To either quit or follow through
To just loose faith or trust your heart
somehow lead you through the dark
we’re not the only one who’s dreamin'
who needs help to carry on
We might get lonely but were not alone

Cuz we are sisters we stand together
we make up one big family
though we don't look the same
our spots are different, different colors
we make stronger that aint ever gonna change

We're Cheetah girls Cheetah sisters
Gotta do what i gotta do
Got the brains got the power and we speak the truth
We're from everywhere all around the world
so you best respect the cheetah girls

Dancing singin from our birth
Working hard for what we deserve
Trying not to break the rules
Cause momma didn't raise no fool
It may seem where only dreamin'
And we need help to carry on
It's good to know we're not alone

Cuz we are sisters we stand together
We make up one big family
although we don't look the same
Our spots are different, different colors
We make make each other stronger
that ain't ever gonna change
We're cheetah girls cheetah sisters
Someone’s always there behind
To catch us if we fall
Cuz we are sisters we stand together
We make up one big family
although we don't look the same
Our spots are different, different colors
We make each other stronger
that ain’t ever gonna change
Or even mister
We're cheetah girls cheetah sisters

Wednesday Already?

2005-11-09T21:24:00.000-05:00

Good Evening Everyone:

It's been a busy couple of days around here. I haven't posted since the weekend, because I had a mission. Get a package out to Tejla before she came home from Florida and sat behind me in church again! So on Saturday I made a couple of batches of biscotti (with and without nuts - yes I remembered, Jere...) and yesterday I wrapped everything up and shipped it out. Mission accomplished.

It was also Karen's birthday on Tuesday (Happy Birthday, Karen!) so I had another reason to get stuff out. I didn't know her address so I sent it to Jere's. I think he sees her once in a while. A third motivator was a lot of my other regulars were getting bogged down with papers and projects coming due - poor Tom's facing finals because he has trimesters at RIT- so I had a lot of people on my heart. Steve taste-tested everything on Sunday, so unless the post office messed something up you all should ok with quality control.

Can't wait to hear about Karen's birthday...and whether all the packages arrive ok tomorrow. Right now, I have pumpkin pies and pumpkin biscotti going in the oven. Tom also requested orange, so I better get that going next.

Oh yeah...guess who has brand new Blizzaks? Sophie does! All four tires. So there's not much that can prevent our next trip up to Canton on Tuesday for the Eye Dr. exams for John, Sarah and Rose's contacts appt. (as the Lord wills). Thanks, Dave!

Love to all,

Mom

Quoting Deuteronomy to the Devil
Rich Mullins and Beaker

John the Baptizer By the Jordan brook
Up comes this brood of vipers Just to take a look
John says, "There's a comin' of glory There's a comin' of wrath,
Some mighty things are comin' Comin' to pass"

Peter was a-preachin' At the Pentecost
Says you must turn around And you must be washed
'Cause there's a comin of glory, There's a comin' of wrath,
There's some mighty things a-comin' to pass Comin' to pass

Lord God Almighty Came as a preacher man
Fastin' down in the wilderness
Quotin' Deuteronomy to the Devil
And then He set His face like a flint Toward Jerusalem

Well they tried to silence Stephen With the sticks and stones
But his voice is still ringin' You can hear it in a gospel song
Singin' there's a comin' of glory, And there's a comin' of wrath,
There's some mighty things comin' Lord they're comin' to pass

There's a comin of glory, There's a comin' of wrath,
There's some mighty things comin' Comin' to pass

Copyright 1995 - Edward Grant, Inc. and Kid Brothers of St. Frank Publishing

BACK TO NORMAL?

2005-11-05T21:15:00.000-05:00

Howdy All:

Things have settled down nicely here after last week's excitement. So it's time to catch up with the kids.

Steve checked in a few times this week, letting me know he did some shopping last night at WalMart. Why wait for Black Friday - if they already have what you want, go ahead and scoop it up and avoid the crowds. I think he had fun since he posted about it. You can read about it at Steve's Journal over there on the right. Speaking of Steve's Journal, we also had a grammar and spelling dispute a couple of days ago in his comment section. I came down on the winning side, and it was fun. We ended up talking about words people use that drive us crazy. My number one entry : prolly. What's yours?

EDIT: BTW - I don't mind it as written slang on Im, it's the speaking it out because people think that's how it's pronounced that grates on me. Another one is "in - POR - ent, for the word important, and "HOTE-in" for my son's alma mater "Houghton". Is it my chorale training - which taught me to enunciate - what makes these words so annoying that I stop and correct people?

BTW Here's where I got started about prolly...over in Steve's comment section. This is me speaking:

I simply cannot abide "prolly". Long before it became internet shorthand, I had a couple of friends who continually showed their distrust of the letter B by pronouncing it that way. And every time they did it my respect for them dropped ten points. They sit today in my Character Scale Chart in negative numbers with their only hope of redemption being perhaps the Nobel Peace Prize - which they would probably accept saying, "I prolly don't deserve this award...".

We now rejoin our regularly scheduled post...

Tom was in a shopping mood yesterday as well. He called me a couple of times for pointers on pants and pillows, and I sure he went home a satisfied consumer. Just in case you thought he was stuck on the "P" part of his shopping list, rest assured that he also bought a queen size sheet set as well. We're looking at going down to visit him next weekend if our Living Waters Conference falls through and he's not too busy. If it doesn't fall through, we'll be in NJ on Fri. and Sat. to learn about small group techniques for our LW classes which start in January.

Jere's at the BASIC conference this weekend. Along with Karen and Katherine, and others. I trust they are having a great time. We should hear about it on the Djereometer (link's on the right) in a day or so. Karen has a birthday on Monday. I hope you all join me in wishing her wishful wishes. I have a couple of small things for her, so I should really get them in the mail, eh?

Rose rolled her ankle again yesterday in practice. It's quite painful, so we'll have to see what happens. She has a scrimmage game next Saturday against SLU. She only knows a couple of people at that school. I hope she won't be too lonely. Hi, Miiiiikkke. She's at Potsdam Goes Country with Alyssa (her roommate) tonight, and called me earlier when they played our song. Awwww. She's wearing her new cowboy hat. If you want to see a picture of her in it link yourself over to her blog and check out some earlier posts and you'll see it. She's cute!

Sarah and John are doing well. Sa and I went on a date last Sunday night. We had fun, well I had fun, and she kind of had a rougher time of it. That's because she had her eyebrows done for the first time. I won't share much detail; it's her story. But she might not either because she might have blocked the whole painful incident out somehow. You'll have to find out over on her blog, I guess.

John doesn't have much to report. He hasn't updated in a while. I'll have to get him working on that. I had him working on cleaning his room today because in just two weeks, everyone will be getting ready to come home for Thanksgiving. Tom's done on the 11th but has finals the next week, so I'm not sure when he'll get home for sure. Rose is done on the 18th, but has a BB game in Boston the next day - so I don't expect her home before Sunday the 20th. I imagine Jere will be home Tues. the 22 or so, as well as Steve...but they haven't told me yet. I'm looking forward to it.

So, there you go. I have to go finish frosting my biscotti. I have to get something out to Tejla before Thanksgiving! I'll have an update on my sister's recent lost checkbook ordeal next time.

Thinking of you all...

Love, Mom

PS: Sonny's off at a Men's advance with Dad. They'll be back around midnight. I guess he was mad because I didn't take him with me last week.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

2005-11-04T20:28:00.000-05:00

Willie Nelson joins John Denver in my Title Tribute to Country Legends of the 70's 2005...

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is Part 3 of 3. You need to go back two days to find the beginning if you want it to make sense.

Mom and I pulled into Black River around 1:04 AM, and were greeted by her many cats, who get very angry when mommy goes away. I went to bed on her couch right away, worrying that they were going to keep me up all night and sure enough a few minutes later I awoke to a persistent evenly spaced cat-voiced "Mwroow! (Mississippi), Mwroow!(Mississippi), Mwroow! (Mississippi), Mwroow!(Mississippi) Mwroow! (well you get the picture)". I wondered if I was the one who had bought Mom that stupid hideous alarm clock, but then I heard mom say, "Well, it's 7:00..." and suddenly the meowing stopped as Mom began feeding the noisy felinious alarm. What! I was confused! It was morning already?

We sipped our coffee as I called the prison again to share our Albany trip details and to make sure Joe was really there. Yes, he was. Could we come up today and see him? Yes, we could. Were the visiting hours different in the hospital part of the prison? No, they weren't. "Ok, we're on our way", I said, and hung up, but first I recorded the names of the two gentlemen I spoke with. Then I called Sherry. She was waiting for a call back from a Utica area non-emergency fire and rescue guy who was trying to track down the gas station in Utica, where she had probably left her checkbook and all of her ID. The gentleman she spoke with (Joe M.) told her no one was answering the phone at the gas station, but he knew right where it was and he would personally drive over there when he got off work at 8 AM. He would pick up the checkbook, call her to let her know and then drop it in the mail for her. One of her concerns was whether she should have given her phone number and address to him. Was he really a nice guy, or was he on his way over there to start up a new internet business with my sister's personal information? She decided to trust God, since she had prayed for His help before calling, and therefore expect that good news would be forthcoming. This whole balancing being as wise as serpents but as meek as lambs is hard sometimes. And as we talked she expressed again her desire to see Joe with us. I told her I'd call her right back.

I quickly dialed back the prison and asked for the watch commander by name (Lt. Ginnette) and explained the circumstances of the last 5 days, ending with telling him we were headed up to see my brother this morning. Then I explained about my sister's ID, and he said, "Well what ID does she have?" After telling him all she had was her birth certificate he crossly said "Bring it!", and went back to his busy day of abusing subordinates and terrifying inmates and their family members. Yah! I called Sherry back and asked her if she wanted to go and headed for Sofie when she said "Sure!". The hour trip to Dekalb passed quickly and soon Mom and I were in her kitchen watching her work the phones between her bank, the Visa people, and the mysterious gas station which was still not answering its phone. It was 9:15 AM and the Joe M. had not called back yet. We gave her the option of staying behind to ease her stress levels, but she wanted to go, so we took off after a quick stop at her bank to get the paperwork started on cancelling her checking account.

Dannemora is 2 1/2 hours from Dekalb, and when we arrived, it was 12:45 - lunch time. The check in guard didn't really understand our request, and began making the first of many phone calls to verify our story. No one had told us anything except that we were going to be allowed to visit Joe in the prison infirmary. Evidently that had never been done before. B. Goodwin (Bruce to his friends) said civilians are NEVER allowed onto the prison grounds. Only prisoners well enough to walk to the Visitor's Room under their own power are allowed family visits. But after his last phone call to Lt. Ginnette (I provided the name) B. informed us that his boss said it was ok (it was then I knew that the Lt. and I had secretly bonded during our early morning conversation), and so B. then said he was going to do everything in his power to get us through processing as quickly and efficiently as possible. B. also said he had been there for 20 years and he'd never seen such a thing happen before - EVER!

We were assigned our own guard (T. Jennings - to whom I mentally assigned the name Toby because there just aren't enough Tobys in the world, I think) who would take us over to the infirmary building. He was to stay with us until the visit was over and then accompany us back. We got through the metal detectors with very little trouble (why? - because we know better now!) and soon we were loaded into a Prison Van (ewww) and Toby was driving us up to the biggest gate I'd ever seen in my life. The trip was short but longer than it should've been because Toby had to tell everyone, at every gate and every stop point window, why we were being taken onto a Maximum Security Prison grounds. In case you're wondering why I said Joe was in a minimum security a couple of days ago - it's because Dannemora has an Annex next door, where Joe usually is kept, that has a lower designation. And congratulations for paying attention and making it this far. I'll have a little something for you if you let me know you made it through the whole story...

We drove onto the prison grounds and around in a loop to the back and down a sudden dip that felt just like a free fall on a roller coaster. We swung into a parking space in the back of a building where our van was unlocked and we got out and made our way up to the back door. We waited a few minutes for a buzzer release that would allow us entrance. I don't know why it took so long, but I'm glad Toby was there, and that he had a gun. I can't say that I was afraid, but honestly we were out of our element, and these places probably have rules for a reason. After the buzzer finally buzzed, we walked single file into the prison infirmary building and climbed a flight or two of stairs before we were held again at another check point for about five more minutes. We were explained again (Toby was getting good at it by now), and then led past some curious prisoners to a large empty room that had only a table, 2 benches and a couple of chairs in it. Toby wheeled his own chair in, and he took a seat on it. We sat down to wait as well. Suddenly in walked Joe. He appeared a bit irritated to see us there.

We all hugged him without thinking, because we usually can at the beginning of our normal visits. Toby didn't draw his weapon, but he did get us seated quickly on separate sides of the table. After a few minutes we determined that Joe was irritated because he felt like his situation had caused us to have to be in these circumstances. He didn't want us to have to be here in this place, but after ten minutes into our 90 minute visit, he was relaxed and was fine. We explained everything, he explained everything. I couldn't believe he was walking around, and not in bed. We discussed all of the gory medical procedures, and all the meds he would have to take from now on. I'm on a couple already, too. We discussed Albany and the Mall and the checkbook debacle. We bored Toby to tears. But finally we were all able to discuss everything that had happened in the past week, face to face. When we said goodbye we talked about trying to get up once more weather permitting, before winter hits. He's in the mountains, so winter is very relative. He said he'd be back in his regular minimum place the next day, so our next visit would be less stressful and dangerous, but that if it had to be in the Spring then so be it. They led us all out together and we were held at the checkpoint while Joe was taken back to his bed. As he was passed through the doorway, he turned and waved goodbye again, smiling as he went. Mom and Sherry weren't looking, because they were keeping wary eyes on the unfamiliar sights. But he saw me see him...I love you Joe.

We took our trip back out of the prison without incident. Back downstairs, back into the van (ewww), up the dip which Sherry and I did like a roller coaster with our hands in the air saying, Woooo...(Toby gave us such a loooook, but I think he smiled), back around the loop and across the grounds and through the bigggg old gate, and over to the processing buildings. Once again my finely honed navigational skills came in handy as Mom and Sherry kind of got lost and tried to find our locker and purses one building too soon. We had one more close call after we had gathered up our stuff. As we were standing at the last door waiting for the guard to press a buzzer and let us out, my sister reached over and pulled it ohmpen, oops I mean open. I cringed as Bruce (we were friends now) dove for the door shouting, "NO!". I was expecting sirens to go off, followed by a mandatory 24 hour lockdown and investigation, but instead the door merely ohmpened up without a hitch. Bruce quickly shut it, and instructed the guard again to buzzer it open as required by NYS regulation 66445.890B. We left them talking about how that door wasn't supposed to ohmpen like that, but it was the third time this week it had! Ahhh, do you feel safe, now?

Well that's all there is to that story. To wrap up, we drove Sherry home to Dekalb Junction and found no one had ever called about her checkbook all day. Joe M. had seemingly fallen off the face of the earth. No one could ever find a working phone number for that gas station, and my sister had to cancel all of her cards, and order all new ID's. It's been three full days and it hasn't arrived in the mail yet. I'm still praying it will though. You can too. I'll let you know if it shows up.

We had made plans to do dinner and a show with Rose and Mike that night, so we drove back to Canton where Sofie began complaining once again about the lack of petrol in her tank. We pulled into Stewarts where the price was only $2.49! And it was my turn to pay! Woot! I got a great price, the lowest in five counties. I'm still driving on that tank, by the way. We then drove around a bit waiting for Mike to finish up at his Bible Studly, and then picked him up and got subs at Subway on the way to the SUNY Potsdam gym, where Rose had asked us earlier to pick her up at 7. We were running a bit late arriving at 7:10. Unfortunately she didn't come out until 7:50. Mike ate his chips and called his Mom. I had no chips, but my Mom was right next to me. :) I do love my Mom. This week had been stressful, but I had a great time with her and my sister, despite the circumstances.

After Rose came out (released 50 minutes late due to a mandatory meeting about Drinking rules during BB season), we hurried over to her dorm in time for the gilmore girls. And instead of the exciting new episode where "Jess Was Back!", we were treated to a rerun. I didn't care. I hadn't seen it yet, so we all ate our subs and I enjoyed the company. Mike and Rose squabbled over frappacinos because I didn't bring enough, but they appeared to come to a fair negotiation before the show was over. I emptied Alyssa's garbage (again. What? I like doing it!) and brought in the rest of the stuff she had requested, along with some fun stress balls Mom had gotten for the three of them in Massena. Then it was time to go. Mom and I dropped off Mike on our way back to Watertown, and I drove her back to Black River where our adventure officially came to an end around 11PM.

Thanks for sharing my adventure with me. It did take some time and patience on your part if you made it this far, but rest assured, if you ever have an adventure I shall be the first in line to hear all about it. Also, if you need me to come and rescue you or just see you for a little while, Sofie and I await your call. You have to comment and let me know what you thought if you want a prize boys and girls. Don't dawdle...marked down halloween candy doesn't have a long shelf life around here...

Know you are loved...

God Bless...
Mom

COUNTRY ROADS...

2005-11-03T14:57:00.000-05:00

I will continue my Tribute in Title to John Denver...

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part 2 of 3. You will need to read Part 1 from yesterday to have it make sense.

So here we were, lost and alone, but together (one of the many enigmas we would face that evening). Thanks to my amazing navigatory skills mentioned earlier, (and moreso the Amazing Grace of God) I was able to get us back to 11N, but somehow we were north of all of the fuel stations we had seen on our earlier passthrough. We were coming up to a mall we had observed before, and we knew it had a Walmart, so we decided to drive over and see if they offered gas at this Super Center. They did not. We continued to drive around behind the mall and then down past it, until we were rewarded by the sight of a Sunoco station a mile or so further down the road. The price was not to my satisfaction, however I did not protest too long. After all, I was not paying anyway, Mom reminded me. We filled up and went inside to visit the Dunkin Donuts attachment.

The young man on duty at this late hour was evidently in costume as a surly, inadequately trained donut clerk (which he played to the hilt), as it took him forever to produce our simple order. I used some of this time to visit the restroom, which I couldn't help but notice smelled exceptionally fresh. I placed my wallet down, mentally reminding myself not to leave without it, which worked because a minute or two later, I was exiting the bathroom with it safely in hand. I went back out to the counter to discover that Skippy had still not managed to obtain the two coffees, a dunkacino and four donuts, that I had heard Mom order as I left. My sister shot me a woeful look, so I offered the good news that their bathroom was incredibly fragrant. She decided to wait it out in there and disappeared around the corner. I grabbed my dunk and donuts (at least mine were ready...) and headed out to the car to wait. A couple of minutes later they finally emerged and we headed back to Watertown.

The trip back was uneventful, except I must note that as soon as I cleared Poland again, gas stations appeared on both my left and right, and all at substantial savings. They mocked me mercilessly, because if only I had waited five more minutes we would have been halfway home by now. It would have saved us a lot of grief actually, some of which we were just becoming aware of. As we got closer to Watertown near midnight, my sister started getting all of her stuff together. "Are you sitting on my checkbook?", she asked hopefully. "Um, no." I replied. Mom searched the back seat in case it had slipped through there. We were nearing my house, so we decided to wait until we got there to check the car more thoroughly. We decided we'd stop there so I could grab some things to stay over at Mom's to save time in the morning, since she was 4o minutes closer to Dannemora than I was. Plus I wouldn't have to drive back from Mom's tonight.

Sherry didn't have any luck finding her checkbook, so we pulled out the gas receipt and called information to get the number of the station. The number she was connected to was not answering, so she decided it had closed for the night, so she would try again in the morning. I took her to the Watn. Walmart, where she had left her car, and followed her for twenty minutes as she started for Dekalb Junction, and Mom and I for Black River. Her checkbook was most likely in the freshest smelling bathroom in five counties, but that didn't produce any comfort for us. The thought that they had closed down for the night right after we left we thought might be good news, since we'd be able to get a clerk in there in the morning before anyone else could find it.

But besides the obvious problem of having her checkbook out there somewhere - perhaps the surly clerk took it home and was shopping on EBay even as we spoke - inside her checkbook were all of her IDs including her license, Sam's Club card, Visa Debit, and other equally important things, like a check for $1000.00 she was waiting to deposit the next day. And ifshe couldn't find it and get her license back, she'd be unable to visit our brother in the morning, as she would have no picture ID to produce during visitor processing. Plus she had another hour long drive home to ponder these things over, and over, and over, in her mind. After five days of nonstop drama, including an eight hour trip to Albany and back, she was not even going to be able to accompany us to see Joe. When we went to bed after 1 AM (knowing we'd have to be in touch with the prison by 7 AM), we still not know how my brother was, and what had happened, and we were feeling very dejected indeed.

Life calls,

Mom

GEE IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK HOME AGAIN

2005-11-02T21:05:00.000-05:00

Caution: Honesty contained below.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Part 1 of 3

Yep, been on the road lately...hanging with the fam. The Grandma Sweet (Mom) and Sister (Sherry Jo) part of the fam. We enjoy each other's company immensely, but never seem to have much time to spend together without a real good excuse, and usually with lots of other people around (Sherry and I each have 6 children - that's 7 boys and 5 girls to give you a more vivid mind picture). My brother Joe gave us one (a good excuse - come on, keep up...) by suffering a heart attack last week. Eventually we would learn that he was first taken to Plattsburgh's Champlain Valley Community Hospital, but was immediately transferred to Albany Medical Center where he underwent a heart catheterization and stent procedure to unblock a clogged artery. He seemed to get to a great place for the surgery according to this article that I found in the WDT this week. Note to self: scan and insert table of mortality rates here...if you're not seeing it, sorry. I tried twice and will try again at the end, but I won't lose any sleep over it. Trust me, AMC has great mortality rates. 1.03 mortality rate compared to the statewide average of 1.61. They even beat St. Joseph's in Syracuse.

His ordeal really started last Sunday night (Oct. 23) but because he is in prison, family notification was not a top priority with NYS (sidenote: I have never hidden the fact that my older brother was in a minimum security prison, however I also don't share or glorify his story because it's not MY story to share. I will say that he is saved now and serving God every day which is more than I can say sometimes, and that I love and miss him with all my heart). So, he ate some spicy food Sunday night and started feeling bad almost immediately. He went three days in this condition and didn't seek medical help until he collapsed Wed. night (he very nearly died right then). He stayed at CVCH overnight and was then sent to Albany on Thu. night. Friday was Surgery and "Hey maybe we should tell his family what's going on" Day. Unfortunately it was late Friday and no one was at their post to receive our return calls. The weekend staff was a nightmare to get info out of. We tried to go to Albany on Sat, but the nurses told us he was being sent back to Clinton on Sun. morning, so we were encouraged to hold off and wait to see him at the regular site on Monday. In retrospect it looks like we were given a lot of information, but in reality until this was over we didn't know most of this background information. All we knew at this point, was that back on Wednesday, Joe was taken to a hospital - somewhere - with severe chest pains. Saturday, we found out he was in Albany, but was being transferred back.

Monday I drove out to Black River (where my Mom lives) at 6:30 AM and spent the next 5 hours on the phone trying to get information as to where he was and how long he'd be there and if we could see him, etc. Evidently, part of the problem is that NYS doesn't like giving out that kind of information, because they expect the family will then show up and try to "spring" their loved one of out the CCU and head for the hills (yeah, with tubes and catheters, right?). But, nevertheless, AMC assured us at 12 noon that he wasn't going anywhere that day, so we all piled into Sophie (my car) at 2:30 PM and headed off to our grand state capital. We blessed God for MapQuest, and dave for printing it off and meeting us on the ros with it, and soon found our way there with very little trouble. We arrived at 5:30 PM, at which time we were informed at the information desk that Joe had been sent back to Clinton around 12 noon. Don't let the irony escape you my friends, these are your tax dollars at work.

So what were we going to do now? We had to kill some time because I 90 West had closed down due to a huge tractor trailer accident just as we were arriving. I looked all over for some news reference to it later, but found none, so the driver must have been ok. But he (I'm assuming, yes I know I'm a sexist) made a real big mess. When we left for home at 8:30PM there was still only one lane open going west. Anyway...three women alone in a strange city...what would you do? That's right- go shopping! We decided to make the best of a bad situation and find a mall. CrossGates! One of the largest on the East Coast! Woot! How did we find it? We stopped and asked a woman! Who was dressed up as a geisha at a Quickie Mart (and she had made her own costume! I can't imagine she'll work there long with such talents.). We were living on the edge! They had a great Dollar store there, but we also took time to have some dinner at the food court, price out a computer system for Mom at Best Buy, and take a walk though Macy's! Yah!

I checked out the directory while Sherry and Mom went into the largest shoe store I've ever seen, and found a couple of interesting sounding stores I wanted to check out. The dollar store, and a Mugs and More shop were also next to a store called Stadium, so when they came out we walked about five miles (it felt like it) looking for these places. If you click on the link up there, you'll see the shoe store was down by J C Penneys, and we were headed over to stores 131 and 132. I was excited about Mugs, thinking I could find some unique coffe cups for Christmas, but alas all they sold was tee shirts with pictures of faces on them. Directories can only help you so much. When we were done, we walked all the way back to Macys, checking out their restroom on the way out to our car, which I found with NO problem due to my finely honed navigational skills. We pulled out and got right on I 90W and started back home.

We hit Utica near 10:40PM and by then Sophie desperately needed gas. I passed a couple of places that looked inconvenient or too expensive and started heading North on 12, but then kind of panicked when everything went dark right away. I distinctly remember the sides of 11N being lined with gas stations headed out of Utica, but now there were none to be seen. So to avoid running out of gas, we got off at the next exit (Poland) because someone had written on their exit sign the word GAS. We followed their subsequent gas signs all over the pitch black countryside, until we were straight back into slummy downtown Utica! I am going to resist the obvious slam here at Poland etc., but if your mind goes there, what can I say! If you write gas on your exit sign - you should really have a station somewhere... So now we're back in downtown Utica, with no gas station to be found anywhere. Arggh!...it was dark...it was late...it was Halloween, and we were on empty...

Know you are loved,

MOM

JOY IN THE JOURNEY

2005-10-30T06:07:00.000-05:00

It was such a incredible month. I'm sitting here listening to my friend Tim Grant sing to me thinking about just how incredible it was.

It included the 2005 Spiritual Freedom Seminar (6 meetings plus hours of prep), Two Leadership Classes preparing for January's Living Waters 2006, the Lifegroup Presbytery, 7 soccer games, a basketball scrimmage game, two college family day weekends, four trips up to Potsdam (2 one way, 2 two way) involving three weekend home visits, a tragic family member's schoolmate's Dad's funeral, my younger brother's wife's broken neck in a car accident, my slightly older brother's (11 months) heart attack, catheterization and stent procedure, 2 trips to see him with my Mom and sister, hours at church, hours at Sackets subbing again, multiple hours in conversation with my husband, children and friends making new memories, helping each other, fighting and forgiving, or just loving each other. As it draws to an end after tomorrow, I can't imagine I will ever see it's equal again. It felt tough at the time, and recapping I can see why. But I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Thank you Father, for planning and directing my steps. For growing me up a bit more, for showing me that Christianity is more than a building choice when it's time to worship. It's a lifestyle. One in which the reigns are not always in our hands - if we're doing it right.

The SFS was amazing this weekend. One lady said when we were done praying, "I feel now, like I can go on". Another young thing (20?) had an an amazing breakthrough and promise for her future. When we were done she said to me, "Do you remember praying for me when I gave my heart to the Lord? It was a long time ago, like I was little..." She may have meant 4 years ago maybe 10. Time perspective is so relative. It seems like I've always been here doing this. But time IS passing. And I think I am just living my life here - keeping all my plates spinning. But more things are going on than I know. I am glad for that! People are still discovering there are deeper levels in God, as they surrender their hearts, plans and purposes to His Will for their lives.

After the seminar was over I went to Sam's to get pizza for the kids who were staying over from Oswego. Walking in I saw a man crossing over to the parking lot. He was walking normally with his full cart, and then all of a sudden he just took three big steps and rode the rest of the way to his car. Joy in the Journey, saints. It's God Design and Intention. I called Rosie up, because almost everytime we go to Sam's she rides back to the car on her cart. I finally understood why. I left her a message, I think she understood.

There is no wasted time in our walks with Christ. Some times are more fun than others. Could it be because we're not finding our own Joy in the Journey. October was a Blessed time. I can't wait to see what He has in store for me in November.

Know you are loved,

MOM

Sonny Says: I hope you turned your clocks back, boys and girls.

Song Of Adoption
Tim Grant

Welcome to - the family
Welcome to - your new home.
You were not part of Me,
But I've been planning this you see
Welcome to - your new life
I promise you, you will be satisfied.
Blessings you've never known,
Peace you'll have, and Joy untold,
My Child.

You are a Chosen one
You with My firstborn Son
You are the meek and mild
My Adopted Child.
For I have changed your name
and in My house you'll stay
For I have called you Mine,
My Adopted Child.

Welcome to - the neighborhood.
New friends you'll find, you knew you would
All things have been made new,
old things have passed, you'll see it's true
Welcome to - the family.
Make yourself right at home
An orphan you'll never be
When troubles come I'll never leave.
My Child.

You are a Chosen one
You with My firstborn Son
You are the meek and mild
My Adopted Child
For I have changed your name
and in My house you'll stay
For I have called you Mine
My Adopted Child

An orphan you'll never be, cause I have chosen you for Me, My Child.

Tim, I miss you my friend.

BOUND TO COME SOME TROUBLE

2005-10-26T22:53:00.000-04:00

Hi Guys,

Hope the day has treated you well. I have survived a few adventures of late, so I for one am glad to be here. Reminded me of the Rich Mullins song I'm using for my title today, off his Never Picture Perfect CD. I have the whole song at the end. If you want, you can call me up and I'll sing it for you.

So we made it to Saturday night, when last we spoke. What has befallen me since? Well, Jere blogged about me. Whenever Jere mentions my name, there's bound to come some trouble. This kind of trouble needed to be covered in kitty litter is all I'll say about it. But, I guess I have embarrassed him more than once in his life, too. One thing you cannot say about Jere, is that he is boring. I love that boy.

So what else is new...

Steve took me to lunch Sunday with Sarah and Bryce Cunningham. We went to Two Brothers in Adams. We ate like kings. Unfortunately it took a long long time to get the food. Don't go there too hungry, and don't forget they're closing early on Halloween. We didn't care, we just wondered why.

Tom's been a little quiet, or busy lately. Almost done with his trimester, I reckon. Thanksgiving is his break, so he coming up on finals in a few weeks. His last message said Tom 1 E Coli 2. I sure hope he wins this round.

Sarah's Sectional playoff game was postponed tonight until tomorrow at 3. She'll be down in Canastota playing Madison. Should be a great game. Sa is excited.

Rose is playing tomorrow too, but not soccer, and not in Central NY. Her Potsdam Lady Bears are headed down our way for their first basketball scrimmage of the season against the JCC Lady Cannoneers. We'll let you know how that turns out. Her leg was better yesterday in practice, thanks for the prayers.

Libby the pigdog got a bath this weekend. Even Stephen noticed. Unfortunately, her doggie shampoo got left in the shower where my usual Suave goes. I wear glasses, but not in the shower. Thanks, John. You know John's hair has been a little wilder lately too, come to think of it.

Sonny my goat mascot that I won in a bar bet, has been noticeably absent from our post lately while his father and I worked out some custody issues. I'll get him on weekends. Rest assured, less will be more. With only a couple of days a week afforded to him, he should be able to come up with some pretty good stuff, don't you think? Only time will tell.

Tomorrow my friend Bryce is coming back to the Internet. You know what, we should all throw him a party here. Leave him a comment if you have time. Something short and sweet, or clever or useless. Welcome back Bryce, we missed you.

I'm waiting for Tejla to come back. She was in hiding from H. Wilma, and was relocated to safety somewhere. I hope she's back soon. I used to miss her because she went to college in FL. Now I miss her because she's not there anymore either!

We also received word last week that one of our own - our friend - Chad Safranski, was wounded in Iraq and received a purple heart. Please continue to lift up our soldiers and president. Please continue to lift up my friend Katherine for healing as well. We're joining her in believing for a complete healing.

Blessings,

Love, Mom

Bound to Come Some Trouble
Rich Mullins
John 16:33

There's bound to come some trouble to your life
But that ain't nothing to be afraid of
There's bound to come some trouble to your life
But that ain't no reason to fear
I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life
But reach out to Jesus, hold on tight
He's been there before and He knows what it's like
You'll find He's there

There's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
That ain't nothing to be ashamed of
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
That ain't no reason to fear
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
Reach out to Jesus, hold on tight
He's been there before and He knows what it's like
You'll find He's there Now,

People say maybe things will get better
People say maybe it won't be long
And people say maybe you'll wake up tomorrow
And it'll all be gone
Well I only know that maybes just ain't enough
When you need something to hold on
There's only one thing that's clear

I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life
But that ain't nothing to be afraid of
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
That ain't no reason to fear
I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life
Reach out to Jesus, hold on tight
He's been there before and He knows what it's like
You'll find He's there
AMEN

Weekend Updates: Saturday

2005-10-25T13:50:00.000-04:00

Too much for one post...so...

anyway...we didn't cause nearly the same amount of trouble in Oswego the next day. Oh wait, Steve wasn't there, was he? Hmmm. Oswego was wet, and cold. We woke Jere up at noon and went to Brunch after our Seneca tour. That's Jere's building where he reigns supreme as the RA with the highest evaluation EVER!!! except for someone who was compared to Mary Poppins and hey, who needs that baggage, eh? After lunch, we met up with Katherine Widrick and Alicia Cronk and attended a reception for RA's and higher-ups that was fun. It was Alicia's big 2-0! Welcome to your twenties, girlfriend. Welcome to the next exciting phase of your life. You'll never want to go back. Leave the zits and angst for good; they're not what they're cracked up to be anyway.

Then we zipped off to WalMart to end our afternoon and had a grand old time stocking Jere back up on essentials - beginning with Peanut M & M's and ending with track pants. There were other things in between, but that gives you a good cross section, no? It was nice to spend time with Jere and Karen and break bread and broccoli with them. And drink tiny little cans of Diet Coke. We'll see them again this weekend at the SFS. I even remembered to take them bracelets to share with other BASIC members. My most expensive purchase was body armor for Sarah, that JERE talked me into getting for her. Hmmm... She plays tomorrow in the NY Soccer Sectionals in Madison. She needed it. Say thank you to your brother Jere, Sarah.

So back we zipped. The Presbytery service was a great time indeed. We had Sylvia Evans and Brother Paul Cannon up for the festivities, and God was so...Present. No smoke, no clouds, no fire, just sweet Presence. He spoke lots of things to all of us, and we were encouraged. I was compared to Martha of the Martha/Mary sisters fame, although someone thought Sister Sylvia was referring to Martha Stewart, the convict. She encouraged me to release my timing issues to God at the end of every day and say Enough. Rest Time. Tomorrow comes soon enough.

Brother Paul said there was a powerful joy coming our way. Look out everyone! He also spoke to me about boldness in personal ministry especially one on one. No more walking on egg shells, but that the fact that I do that causes me to take care with people to not offend them. My one on one ministry will be that much more effective therefore. He spoke of God giving me the tongue of the learned and boldness and power. Sylvia mentioned David's tendency to dance on tables, while he was setting them up. Joy in the Journey! He finds joy in practicality of doing. Nice quality.

Steve's word was equally good. Sylvia mentioned that he was young man a couple of times, while encouraging him in the areas of integrity and character. She said he would be watched like as if he were in a display case. People would be watching him. Then she kind of twisted his head around to see if he was "49". She said he was a messenger and that sometimes the messenger's message could be distorted without proper timing and delivery. God would make him wise to the ways of men and a student of character, and give him a discerning spirit. Then Brother Paul Cannon gets up and mentions that Steve's a law school student (Sylvia: "Awww, that explains the integrity thing!") and really encouraged him that his career would be one of integrity and honor. He would never take a case that would cause him to compromise. He would be a Person of Significance, Sought Out, Inquired Of. Giftings would be poured in: A Discerning Spirit, Words of Knowledge and Wisdom, Leader of Worship, Man of God. Full speed ahead. Get done as quickly as he can. And as added bonus Sylvia threw in "Give him a wife that will bring out the best in him! Woot. Wife talk is always fun at presbytery! Cheryl talked about his tendency to overdo. Stay focused!

Wow what a thrill packed weekend! Sunday was equally good, as Sylvia stayed around to preach to us from Luke. She's a great teacher. I will try to send out copies of her sermon to anyone who asks...

I'm shutting up now.

Love, Mom

P.S. Rose's game is this Thursday at JCC at 6PM. Please pray for her healing so she doesn't make her leg injury worse. Come see her if you can.

I'm really shutting up now...no really.

Weekend Updates: Friday

2005-10-25T07:56:00.000-04:00

Why, Hello:

I came on yesterday to update and catch everyone else up on our busy weekend, but it seemed God had other plans. We'll see how far I get today. As I mentioned last week, last weekend was Family Fun Weekend at Oswego. Dave and I had a trip planned to go spend some time with Senior Dos Dooter, but the Friday night part got cancelled when both Dave and Jere had to work. So we planned on taking off early Saturday and wreaking havoc on Campus through the early afternoon. A Presybytery Service back here in Dexter was scheduled for early Saturday evening, so our hockey game plans had to be abandoned.

Before we could get to Saturday however, Steve called and asked if I wanted to ride up to Potsdam Friday night with him, while Dave was at work. Since Sarah had made plans to spend the night in Sackets, John and I said "Yes, thanks", and off we went. We found Rose in Canton (with Mii-iikkke), where we experienced a few stalls trying to decide where to eat. Potsdam isn't NYC, but it does have it's share of dining choices, if you define the word loosely. Then if you factor in Canton's choices - woo - you may need to keep your angina pillcase open. That would be ohm-pen to those of us on the dark side. So Pizza Hut won the dining designation crown and our waiter won the slightly stiffed tip award from Steve later that evening. Hey, here's a hint. Act like we all matter, but keep his drink filled up whatever else you neglect in the room.

Back in Rose's room later, Steve (and I watched...) played around on her computer a bit, while Rose was out of the room. Never a good combination. Rose had taken John across the hall to the Computer Lab and was helping him find something to do over there. Mike wandered back and forth to check on our high levels of laughter, bestowing a new motto onto Steve ("Classy, But Shameless") when he saw what Steve was up to. I merely held coats, but I did enjoy it. We had Tom online at the same time and he was instrumental in instigating these hijinks as well. Anyway a good time was had by all. What was it you had Rose call her own hair compared to yours on "her" post to your friend, Steve, a hag-haired something-shaved chiwauwau? Ah, good times.

Speaking of laughing until you can't breathe you should really check out Job's list of Fantasy Responses. Oh my goodness. You will not be disappointed. Do yourself a favor and read it to someone so you can enjoy it twice as much...

More later, campers.

Sitting here, loving you - but not as much as God does!

Mom

Contentment Explored

2005-10-24T16:03:00.000-04:00

Spiritual Freedom Countdown: 5 days

I love Fall, I really do. That's a change for me. There was a time I didn't, because Winter never brought me much joy. Don't ski, can't skate, and for me, sledding is just another opportunity for snow to get into places it doesn't belong. Places that are hard to warm up again. And I'm hardly ever warm as it is! Being financially challenged, it's not like we have trips to South Florida planned every February to break up the doldrums. And we lost Dave's Dad in the Fall of 1990, and I lost my Dad in February of 75, so reflections, generally accompanied by regrets, came calling pretty regularly around these times.

Spiritual Freedom brought about a change in me that has affected my outlook on Fall. Once I got rid of the Regrets within my Reflections (through issuing forgiveness of all things!), I could enjoy this season without my usual mental baggage. The colors are beautiful and the weather has been amazing this year, at least up here... and this winter's dire forecasts will not be fodder for my mind's tendency to "be realistic". It's going to be sooo cold. We'll never see any of our kids. We'll be flat broke trying to pay for fuel! Ahhhh! Enough! The truth is, God has always provided everything we needed, anyway. "All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided..." we sang it yesterday in church (we hit the hymns pretty regularly for a Pentecostal church, I must say). So why would this winter be any different?

As if the weather and fuel price predictions weren't bad enough, four of my children left for college this fall. Now I only have two kids at home. A lot of my identity is wrapped up in that number 6. Yes, I'm working on that issue next. But it's not like they really left. Truth be known, they come and they go, but they also take us with them by letting us interact in their new exciting adventures daily (see the blogs lists on the right), and they act like what waits back here for them is valuable to them. Go Figure! All this time I thought our treasure was coming sometime in the future, but really it was always right here. And still is. And I am truly blessed.

Know you are loved,

Mom

Every Minute
by Sara Groves
Album: All Right Here
[Buy " All Right Here " CD]

I am long on staying. I am slow to leave,
Especially when it comes to you my friend.
You have taught me to slow down, and to prop up my feet.
It's the fine art of being who I am.
And I can't figure out why you want me around.
I'm not the smartest person I have ever met.
But somehow that doesn't matter, no it really never mattered to you at all.

And at the risk of wearing out my welcome,at the risk of self-discovery,
I'll take every moment, and every minute that you give me.

And I can think of a time when families all lived together,
Four generations in one house.
And the table was filled with good food, and friends and neighbors.
That's not how we like it now.
'Cause if you sit at home you're a loser,
Couldn't you find anything better to do?
Well, no, I couldn't think of one thing
I would rather waste my time on than sitting here with you.

And at the risk of wearing out my welcome.
At the risk of self-discovery,
I'll take every moment, And every minute that you give me.

And I wish all the people I love the most could gather in one place,
And know each other and love each other well.
And I wish we could all go camping, and lay beneath the stars,
And have nothing to do and stories to tell.
We'd sit around the campfire and we'd make each other laugh,
Remembering when...
And you're the first one I'm inviting.
Always know that you're invited, my friend.

And at the risk of wearing out my welcome.
At the risk of self-discovery,
I'll take every moment, and every minute that you give me.
Every moment, and every minute that you give me.
Every moment, and every minute that you give me. Every minute...

Wednesday came, and Wednesday went

2005-10-19T21:20:00.000-04:00

Busy day.

Awoke to a Libby mess in the kitchen, today. She got into the garbage. I knew something was up when she wouldn't let me pass by the front door, insisting that I let her out immediately. "Whine, whine, oooh I gotta go outside RIGHT now..." She says Smudge did it, but I'm not buying it. See you try to domesticate these creatures, but when it comes right down to it - they're really just animals.

The office was the usual collection of surprises. I cut my thumb late this afternoon on the way out to make the DFF bank deposits, and needed a couple of bandaids to stop the bleeding. No biggie, but I left all the stuff out, b/c I was running about an hour late due to an unexpected ministry visit that preceded the incident. Fast forward to the bank line where my boss calls, worried about finding the office shut down, the first aid kit out, and no note. Ha! He sounded genuinely concerned! I wonder if I'm accident prone. Or perceived by others to be, at least.

So the hour lost ended being robbed from today's VG soccer game. I arrived around five to find it had started half an hour early (at 4), and that game was nearly over. Score: 3-1 Copenhagen. Sackets managed a late second half comeback and scored again despite every call going against them. Then they just missed the tying goal two minutes before the final buzzer. Valiant effort girls. No shutout for the Golden Knights. They start sectionals next Tuesday or Wednesday. We'll get back to you on that.

Kids are off at Depauville's Youth Group tonight. Rose is tied up with a paper, but she's been largely unavailable anyway. Basketball season. It's like a whole new world. It's exciting, but I don't have to like living there.

Talked to Tom again today. He has officially banned me from answering the phone at church with a Good morning/afternoon designation. Claims it's too divisive. He suggested the simple phrase "Good Day". I had to promise him I'd try it out on the next call, to get off the phone. Then he claimed he had to go. Nothing unusual there, he calls on a whim and disconnects quickly. Our calls are short and sweet, but I like 'em. Sure enough the phone rings again in less than a minute. I picked it up and promptly and professionally responded "Good Day!", and totally confused Dave calling from the new church. I laughed and explained the situation, so he had to call up Tom and let him have it. If you have his number, why not call him up and let him have a "Good Day!" as well.

Hope you enjoyed yesterday's guest quote. I'll keep exploring the world for you and let you know what I find. Today's quote is from my friend Katherine. It's not funny, sorry. Sometimes life isn't. But I hope it makes you think. My emphasis is added to the parts that spoke to me in my situations this week.

"Some people think that they are not responsible when they offend other people. The other person is, because they have received the offense. I think what someone says to you is powerful. You can choose to not be offended but the person is still responsible for their words...We need to know each other and be gracious with one another. If we think that our words don't matter because the other person always has the choice to be offended or not, we are deceived. God wants us to edify one another..."

Thanks Kate, I needed it. Katherine's whole post is at her blog. Her link is on the right...

Know you are loved,

MOM