Just a simple star

I realized I didn't actually tell you all what we have on our tree. It is a STAR. A rustic, kind of metal star. Sort of home made looking. Not shiney or flashy. Just a simple star. I actually really love it. I think it suits our tree, our home and our life. We aren't super flashy people. And our tree is decorated in mostly simple homemade ornaments.
I think it suits our Lord as well. He didn't come in any big flashy, shiney way. He came as a baby. Born to a simple woman. Adopted by an earthly father, who trained him in a simple trade. His birth was announced by some angels, but to only a few. Only three earthly kings recognized his royalty. The rest of the world was oblivious to the magnitude of the event. Are we? Do we get so wrapped up in the lights and the flash, in the songs and the parties, in the shopping and the presents? I hope I always have a simple star. I hope it represents Christ and his birth in a way that honors Him.

Star or Angel?

Here is a hot topic for discussion: star or angel? As we have been putting up our interior Christmas decorations the top of the Christmas tree has once again been thrust into the forefront of our marital consciense. I grew up with a star, my husband grew up with an angel. For several years, we have had the debate of what we should use. My aunt gave us a light up star for a wedding present, so early in our very, very poor phase of marriage that is what we used, even though we didn't actually care for it. Then we started to go through the "buy an angel, bring it home, veto it and return it to the store" phase. Most of the time their faces were just a little bit too scary. We have closely examined the fiber optic angels, the white light stars and everything in between. Bill's mom has so kindly offered her versions of the angel tree topper. But sadly, to all's dismay, they just don't seem to work. We do have a tree topper that I think we both like, but I would like to know what my cyber friends have to say. By the way, for any of you not married yet, these are the kinds of things that should be discussed in premarital counseling.

To-Do

Well, it has been a few days since I last blogged. I have been a little busy. We have been psycho-home improvement people lately. Here is a completed project list and a yet-to-do list.
*Paint Robby's room
*paint Mel's room (which she still won't sleep in)
*clean out the attic
*clean out basement storage to make room for attic stuff
*clean out basement family room
*garage sale
*paint family room
*build new computer
*convert attic stairs into closet by taking out part of the stairs and putting in a ceiling with a cut-out for maintanence access.
*repair kitchen drawers and dining room chair
*repair hole in the wall
*hang new porch swing
*finish unfinished wood entertainment center for family room
*install counter top in family room for a computer desk
*install duct work so we can have heat and air conditioning in our whole house, this will be our first winter with central heat in our bedrooms. Yeah for warmth.
*steam clean carpets
*major cleaning of house (the duct work guys did NOT clean up after themselves and dust and dirt are coming out of everwhere.)

Yet-to-Do
*insulate the attic and sidewalls. (Yeah for warmth, Did I say that already?)
*wallpaper and paint the kitchen
*refinish kids art table
*hang giant maps and shelving in family room
*repair the hole in Robby's ceiling (The duct work guys did a little damage, too)
*finish the new closet (repair walls, paint, put up shelves, hang clothing rod, install baseboard trim)
*paint the bathroom
*And, if we aren't too burnt out, do something to our horrible room. It's bad, so anything would be better.
So, this is what we have been doing the last month or so. It has been a lot of work, but the results are coming out beautiful. It has really helped to write this all down. Thanks to my cyber family for listening to my craziness.

Snowy Afternoon

This afternoon, about 3:30, it was snowing. Already! November 15 is a little early for snow, even in Iowa. Because of the snow, it was definitely an indoor afternoon. The kids and I were actually out for a little while, but at 3:30 the kids were resting on the couch and watching a little tv. I was downstairs cleaning up and sorting through toys. We always seem to do that when my in-laws are coming for a visit. I'm not really sure why. We don't think they will judge us for having disorganized toys. I think they are just a good reminder that it needs to be done. Anyway, I was sorting toys and the kids were watching "Punky Brewster". Yes, "Punky Brewster", the tv show from the early 80's starring Soleil Moon Frye as the abandoned little girl with an indomitable spirit who, with her faithful dog Brandon, brings light and laughter into the life of a grumpy, old photogragher, Henry Warnimont. We have seasons one and two on dvd, a "halloween" gift curteousy of a mentally challenged friend of mine. He just couldn't wait all the way to Christmas. The kids have absolutely enjoyed it and have beggd to watch "Punky". Mellie told me the other day she wanted to be like Punky. It has been fun for Bill and I to reminisce about our childhood. By the way tv in the 80's was pretty bad.

Test blog

The blogging guru, laundry lady, is teaching me how to create links. She has the best blog. Check it out.

Mom and Dad

Todays's post is primarily for my mom and dad. Mom and Dad- you are AWESOME!!! What would we ever do without you. Dad - Thank you for coming to our house and making our attic stairs into a new closet for us. Thank you for the most beautiful porch swing we have ever seen. And, it is ours! We can't wait to show it off to all our friends. Mom - Thank you for letting Robby talk to you all afternoon, so the rest of us could get work done. Thanks for the homemade spaghetti sauce. Thanks for all the many times you have done things like this: watched the kids, fixed our cars, made us food, gave us advice, listened to us. There was a time in my life when I knew I was an adult and I didn't need you anymore. Now I know I will always be your child and I will always need you. Thank you. I love you.

New

Sorry to my faithful readers (well, Heth, I guess) for not blogging for a while. I have been without a computer. Bill took down my old computer so he could build me a beautiful, new, fast computer with an amazaing video card. As soon as I figure out how to use a video card for something other than gaming, I'm sure I will get a lot of use out of that video card.
It seems to be the season of "new" around our house. Because of the new computer, we decided to make a new desk space in the basement family room, which prompted us to paint the walls a soft, warm yellow. Then we decided to get a new futon. So, the whole family room will be all new shortly.
We also got something else "new" this last Saturday. A NEW Van. Yeah!!! Well, new to us anyway. It is a gorgeous, red Dodge Grand Caravan. The whole family loves it. This deserved a "Family Dance". For those of you reading who have never seen our family dance, I will walk you through the steps. Stand up. Now jump up and down, kick your legs out, swing your arms and say "WooHoo". That is our "Family Dance". It is sometimes the only way to express ones true feelings. But it is only for special occasions: getting married, having a baby, and getting a new van. Yeah!! Everyone join in, WooHoo!!