Ramblings of this Mind...

Life is so darn busy. Today I am just going to jot down a few random thoughts that are racing around in my head...

Bob is working this week. He works seven ten hour days in a row. That alone is a doozy. Then, in theory, he would have seven days off. But in our case, he must work overtime to make ends meet. So then on his "OFF" week he will usually pick up anywhere from 8-24 hours. Sometimes this is tiring for me, so I can't even begin to imagine how he feels...But like a good husband and father, he just keeps on keeping on. No complaints. Gotta love him.

I will be starting training for a part time temporary position with the Census Bureau in just a couple of weeks. This, in addition to my regular job at "You're Special Hair Salon", and Friday mornings at Cedar Grove Gardens. Somewhere, I need to squeeze in time to enjoy the kids, get housework done, nurture a relationship with my hubby, and just relax. Crazy? Yes. Possible? Absolutely!

On Monday I have the awesome opportunity to attend a work education day in Green Bay at the Ramada. I am going with Pam and Lois, two co-workers, who are fossils in the field of hair styling, just like myself. And all three of us are truly blessed with the gift of imagination, precision, and small talk! That is how we have stayed successful in our business for 29 years +! The morning class is an up-do class in celebration of the upcoming prom season. The afternoon will be spent learning new trends in cutting. I am truly excited to spend my Monday learning with two great friends and stylists!

This past month, ending with next week, I have been on jury duty. I have not been called to serve, as all but one trial was settled out of court. And I was not on the list of "preferred" jurors that needed to report for the case that would go to trial. Not too difficult for a month's worth of community service!

Last Wednesday I was able to attend our Parent Grow Bible Study at Open Door Bible Church in Port Washington. Amazing! Our topic for the night was about handling discipline without judgment and condemnation. I always come away from this study with either some new ideas, and/or a new way of thinking about everyday situations. Thank you Seth for teaching, sharing and laughing with us!

Just a quick update on my family:

- Noel has been practicing her driving. At this point I am looking forward to the day she has her license. She is attentive and careful at the wheel. Also, she has been making some beaded bracelets called Kandy. I love to see her spend her down time doing something creative. Tonight she made tacos for supper for the family. My thrifty daughter also found a dress for prom for just $21 at Boston Store! Yay Noel! Special thanks to Char Grover for having the fortitude to chauffeur the girls around, and the patience to help them choose!

- Christian is loving this wonderful spring weather. He is busy riding his bike, working at the de Master farm, and attending a tractor driving class at LTC on Saturdays. He is a bundle of energy, and his voice is now lower than his dads. The kid can always make me laugh. Always. Even when I don't want to. Funny boy!

- Michael is waiting to come home from Iraq. I will be sending about 15 phone cards his way in a few days thanks to our Cookie Lee Jewelry Lady, Kathy, who donated her profits for the months of November and December to provide encouragement for our troops. The first month she donated $100, and I was able to purchase 20 movies for Michael to distribute to his cohorts for Christmas entertainment. People are amazingly considerate and helpful when it comes to our military. Thanks Kathy Balge! If you would like to take a peek at this great jewelry visit http://www.cookielee.com/home.aspx

- Bob has a meeting with his counselor at MATC to continue his Respiratory Therapy classes. Due to a lack of funds, he took the last semester off. But we are back on track, and he is eager to get going. I applaud him for his tireless efforts! I also applaud me for my tireless efforts.


I have been blessed these past two months to watch my grandson grow and change. He is adorable. Just thinking of him makes me smile! My heart wants to burst with the wonder of it all. The only thing that could make this experience better would be to have Michael home.

So that is all for now. Nothing too inspirational. Just a few ramblings from my computer to yours.

In closing, I will quote my daughter Noel:

Live Life. Love God.

The Teen Trials...

I am officially a Grandma! My cup overflows! I cannot do justice to the emotions that course through my heart when I look at that little guy! I am truly in love!

But first I am a mom. Being a mom is an exceptional, yet common job! It is a blessing, and usually a joy! And sometimes it is a....curse! Maybe I am being a bit of a drama queen,but the last few days at home with teenagers....Arghhhh. I am frustrated, hurt, annoyed, and disgusted. With myself. With them. With life.

My teens have not done any one thing that would make me run this gamut of emotions. The have aroused this motherly reaction by the mere rolling of eyes, blank stares, and general lack of cooperation. At the best I am exhausted. At the worst, I would like to slay someone...maybe with words, maybe not.

Bob and I have put a great deal of genuinely dedicated effort into our child rearing. We worked opposite shifts, we disciplined fairly, we taxied them around, and we had fun with each of our kiddos. I am sure that this same story has been shared by many. We are not alone in our endeavor. I see it all around me...In my neighborhood, at our school, in our church home. I see parents who care, who work hard, who would give anything for their children to have a good life!

There are days with teenagers when I wonder what we have done wrong. I never thought MY kids would grow into these creatures called teenagers. I never thought I would be an exasperated parent. But then I take a deep breath and roll MY eyes! It occurs to me that this is the nature of the beast!

Teenagers are meant to be a bit rebellious. They are meant to detach a bit. They are designed to question "authority". This is their job, and might I say that they are doing it well! My job? To keep on doing what I do best...discipline with endurance and commitment, reinforce good behavior, and basically love my teens with all my heart. I take comfort in the "normalness" of these life changes...

This whole parent/teen relationship makes me think of my behavior toward my Savior. It gives me insight into how my Creator feels when I don't acknowledge his wisdom, strength and grace or when I roll my eyes at his discipline. He is disappointed in me, but still goes right ahead and dies for my sins. Unbelievable? Yes! True? Yes!

I guess I will take a hint and go give my kids a smile and a hug. It is the least I can do....I am blessed with happy, healthy teenagers. Even with all the raging hormones (theirs AND mine) I am pretty sure we will remain a family intact!





Proverbs 17:6

Children's children are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.

Proverbs 2:1-6<

My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,

and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,

then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.

For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.





The young always have the same problem - how to rebel and conform at the same time. They have now solved this by defying their parents and copying one another. ~Quentin Crisp


Little children, headache; big children, heartache. ~Italian Proverb


Heredity is what sets the parents of a teenager wondering about each other. ~Laurence J. Peter


Don't laugh at a youth for his affectations; he is only trying on one face after another to find a face of his own. ~Logan Pearsall Smith, "Age and Death," Afterthoughts, 1931

Amazingness!

Life is full of amazingness! Just look around and you will see it everywhere! Check out the little buds on the trees. Take a peek at the little green tips of tulips popping out of the ground. Listen to the birds sing in the quiet of the morning. Breath the air. Come on...take a big gulp! That amazingness is spring!

I find as I get older that spring holds so much hope....for me, for nature, for the world! Everything feels new and fresh again. Even cleaning the load of winter dog poop from the yard carries some promise....

I think it becomes clearer with age just how blessed I really am, how blessed we are. The little surprises of spring remind me to take a moment to choose to be happy! I have lived long to enough to experience some pretty desperate and traumatic life events. At times crawling under the protection of the bed covers seemed the only way to deal. But this fresh spring air brings with it a good dose of delight!

There is purpose in every event in our lives. Of that I am very sure. And I have come far enough down this road of life, that I can truly be thankful for the painful tragedies and disorderly disasters. They make today seem so much sweeter!

I must admit that there is one other little thing that has been affecting my attitude lately. My little grandson, Levi Robert, was born into this world very early the morning of February 19, 2010. Words fail me when it comes to describing this particular joy. Watching this little life emerge into our world is a blessing that I will always remember with elation. Make no mistake. Birth, life, is a miracle. Just thinking of this magical moment takes my breath away a little...Thank you Michael and Kayla for so generously sharing this life changing event with me!


Some other recent joys that come to mind...

- A day of shopping with my daughter, my personal fashionista. Noel took me to the fitting room, and insisted on making me the VIP for the day. Her perseverance in finding something fashionable paid off. I can't remember that last time I felt so important! Or so pretty! Thank you Noel!

- Christian and his most recent "find"! This time it was a very old and well used bicycle built for two. And who do you think he requested to share his "ride" with? Why me! Who woulda thought? I climbed on the back of that darn thing, my knees hit the handle bars, and away we went! Laughing all the way! Thank you Christian!

- A recent lunch date with my sister Rena. Her little guy, Lucas, is a real cutie pie. He is 18 months old and as busy as they come! But he always has a smile on his adorable little face! A visit with my sister and her son warms my heart, and makes me smile! Keep your momma on her 46 year old feet Luke!

- A relationship discovery! I am now married to a Grandpa! And that wonderful man no longer looks like ZZ Top! After many months of growing out his beard to a long and somewhat undignified nest (I really do believe there were a few creatures living in there) Bob finally showed me the face that I love! No more scary kisses! My Bob is back!

- Baby celebration! So many people have helped to induct me into the halls of Grandmahood! Thanks to everyone who shared the joy with me!

So let me just close by saying "THANK YOU JESUS"! Without Your love, none of these joyous occurrences would have been possible. With Your love, it is all so much sweeter! Keep the blessings coming! For you are the giver of all good things! And I trust that your plan is the best one!

In Anticipation of Baby Boy Schommer

My heart is beating with hard irregular beats. I am agitated during the day, and not getting good sleep at night. I can't seem to keep my focus on anything. This sounds to me like a dreaded terminal illness. In reality, it is just a case of anxiety and excitement over the birth of my first grandchild.

I can tell already that being a grandma is whole new territory. I am enthusiastic to the point of absurdity. I can't wait to meet this new addition to our family, can't wait to hold him, can't wait to feel the warmth of his little body. This boy is loved with a passion even before his worldly appearance. My expectations are dreamlike!

Now you can also consider the fact that my son, the baby's Daddy, is home on American soil. He has been on deployment in Iraq for six months, and will return to Camp Taji on March 1, 2010 to finish up his year. The contentment of having him home is beyond description! There is much satisfaction in watching my two sons wrestle, or witnessing actual warmth and communication between my soldier-son and my daughter. Sibling harmony is amazing when it actually happens! Not to mention how it warms this mother's heart!

More importantly, I am also taking enormous delight in watching my son and his wife be together. I love to see them touch, smile and even bicker with one another. It brings a normalcy to this situation that gives me great comfort. Young love is a joy to behold, and I am drinking it in like a parched soul.

I am blessed to be the recipient of such exhilaration and satisfaction. My cup overflows. I can hardly wait for the surprises that the future holds! Thank you God! I love you!

How Much Do I Love....?

How much do I love....???? I can finish that sentence in so many ways...How much do I love my husband? Tons. How much do I love my kids? They are my life. How much do I love my work? It's great!

So there. I have answered the easy questions. Ask yourself those same questions, and I would be willing to bet that most of us, under good conditions, would answer in a similar respect. And we should love those things. We have chosen most of the main paths our life has taken. If you don't have positive answers, then maybe it is time for some detailed mental examination of your own feelings, thoughts, and motives and some serious change.

Here is a question that I find a bit more difficult to answer. How much do I love God? On first introspection, I would have to say that He is everything to me. He is my Creator, my Redeemer, the Mover and Shaker of my life. He is my personal spiritual guide. He is the Giver of All Good Things. He is the Door to eternity. He is my Light of the world. He is the great I AM. He is my Shepherd...

Whoa! Wait a minute! I was thinking about how much I love God. But it seems like all my answers point instead to a different query: "How much does God love me?" We are blessed. For God's love for us is unceasing, unchanging, constant. There is no better love, there is no better place to be accepted as you are, than in God's presence.

So back to the question of my love for HIM? I do love him. But really, how can I love him enough? I try to do nice things, I work at raising my children well, I try to love others, I pray daily. But this all sounds so lame, doesn't it? My meager offerings to Him are embarrassing at best, shamefully sinful and half-hearted most of the time. And sometimes, in anger or disappointment, I even forget to honor Him. How much do I love God? The best that I can, and surely, not enough.

So here is some food for thought. While the love I give to Him can never be abundant and generous enough, He loves me enough for both of us. God is the great lover of ALL his children. He loves you too, no matter what. Why else would he have sent his only Son to pay the price for your sins, and mine? Now THAT is great love. It is hard to comprehend, but it is true. Through Him, with Him and in Him,our sin is cleaned and our love is pure.

So with Valentines day right around the corner, I am going to concentrate on how I can pass on the love that God has shared with me. I should be joyful in His love. I know he wants me to share His good news. Just think how a kind word or gesture done in His name can brighten a friends day. Or better yet, why not really rise to the challenge, and brighten the day of someone that is not well-loved by others. That is a true test.

Below are a few of His thoughts on love. Real love. Love that is extraordinary and priceless. Love that gives value to our time here on earth. The challenge for me is to look at Valentine's Day as a unique opportunity to "love one another". I challenge you, also, to put a new spin on the day that celebrates love...





Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love.

John 13:34
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Hairstylist....More than just a career?

I love my work. I really do. And I love where I work... "You're Special Hair Salon" Doesn't that just about say it all? I love the drama, the fun, the support of other women, the clients, the creativity, and the service of the work. All in all, I am a satisfied working woman.

Having said that, I must admit that being a hair stylist is something that I have always struggled with as far as the "importance" of the work. I have always felt a desire to make a difference, here and now, in this world. I actually have felt called to do something BIGGER. I have never really been quite sure what that important thing would be, but I have spent some years being sort of passively on the lookout for my life's work. Hmmmm....I am now 48 years old, and you would think that by now I would have found the answer. Or maybe the answer has been right in my very own hands, so to speak...

Well, here is my little piece of enlightenment for the day...I have come, over the years, to view my work as a vocation. And, in fact, all work is a vocation, and has a place in the whole big scheme of things. Each of us, no matter how menial or insignificant our "work" looks to be on the outside, is an essential player in the way the world works.

Here are some thoughts on the work that I currently do. These thoughts are, indeed, proof that I have matured into the the idea that this world is not as black and white as I once thought, and that making a living involves much more than doing a job for money!

My main concern at my job used to be that I could technically do the work correctly. And that is great. It is still a goal that I aim for. And to be honest, over the years, that part has become more reflex and repetition. The cuts and chemical services I do are usually technically great! But now I see, that for some individuals, their time with their stylist is more than a physical change...it is actually a time of relaxation, a time of therapy, a time of renewal. In some cases is may be the only place that that person is treated with respect and care in their day. When I had this bright light moment, it put my work into a different realm. I think that the impact that I can have on the people around me by my daily prayer, my attitude of caring, and just putting forth a listening ear can truly change another's day. And this is where I see my work as more that just giving the "every six week color and cut".

And now I am gonna let you in on the biggest secret....My clients give these same things back to me...A hug, a smile, a word of encouragement, a prayer, their life wisdom...The list goes on and on. I love my clients. They are friends to me in the biggest sense of that word!

My work has become a blessing to me, and hopefully to others. Through God's word this work that I do has become a whole new proposition over the last 29 years. (Wow! 29 years! REALLY? Am I truly that old?) And what can I say? My clients and friends feed my soul with each moment that I get to spend with them.

I find it amazing how every little crevice in my life has purpose. Sometimes that fact is intimidating, but mostly it is reassuring. God WANTS me to take joy in my work! God wants me to use the skills and talents he has given me to bless the lives of others. This plan, the one that I am living, is HIS plan. So is yours. How blessed are we?????



Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

The Gift of Giving

For many reasons, the season of giving has made me reflect upon my own gifting choices. All the normal questions have popped up: what does the reciever want, what does the reciever need, what can I afford???? We all go through theses decisions when we are in the midst of the gift giving process.

A few years ago, I made the committment to be a hairstylist on Fridays at two local assisted living facilities; Cedar Grove Gardens I, and Belgium Gardens. Please do not make any assumptions as to the generosity of this choice. I want you to know that this is a job. I recieve financial compensation for each head of hair that I do. And yet, some days I feel pretty generous because it is a very physical job that takes a huge reserve of patience and kindness. When I am done with my Fridays at the Gardens, I am exhausted! I have given it my all!

This year part of my gift giving dilemna centered around my elderly friends. This is a difficult choice, as these ladies live in one room, and really don't have the space for or need another thing.

I love these ladies. I love their spunk, wisdom, and, yes, even their sometime disgust at still living here on earth. I really wanted to do something for them that would make a difference in their lives. Tough assignment, when many are broaching or boasting 90 years, more or less.

I decdided to give each of them a fancy discloth that I had knit myself. These dandy little circles are pretty, and many use them as doilies. So I gathered up my wares of many colors and headed for the Gardens.

As I completed each woman's hair, I offered her the choice of one of my humble, and what I thought might be silly, gifts. And much to my surprise, each woman was excited to take her pick. "You made this for ME?" "You made this yourself?" "Oh, how pretty!!"

And from each and every woman, I received an unexpected gift...a hug and a smile!

This process of gift giving started out being about me...what I could give, what I could share, what I thought would be useful, how could I change their day? But, my oh my, I learned a huge lesson at the Gardens this Christmas Eve Day. I gave of myself, and they gave back. I had no idea that something so simple would be an event that brightened my elderly friends hearts, and was returned to me in a bigger and better way! I had been outdone! I felt so blessed It is not often that I have seen the joy of amazement and surprise in the eyes of an adult gift recipient. My heart was and is FULL. And many times that day I felt my eyes brimming with tears of joy.

I can't help but reflect upon the life of my mother who passed away a year ago this December. She, too, lived at Belgium Gardens for the last year of her life. She was a difficult woman as she grew older. She was angry, depressed and childish. She was not fun to be around. She was the butt of many family disappointments and arguments. It has taken me the better part of 2009 to actually miss her. (I am ashamed of this, although it is the truth.) But as this year has gone by, some of the good memories have been revived and the sadness of the later years of her life has begun to fade. Many people gave of themselves to my mom, when my sister and I were struggling with that ability. I am so happy I can return that favor today to my friends at the Gardens.

I truly believe that we have been put here to love one another. That is not always an easy job. But never underestimate the power of a kind word, a hug, or even just a listening ear. I have had the joy of receiving each of these things in a time of need. God loves it when we love each other!

Let me close by saying that the best gift of all is Jesus Christ our saviour. He was born to be the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He came here to die for us, to take our sins. God made flesh. We are a blessed people. Turn to him. He wants you.

Merry Christmas to all! And God bless you everyone!