MeNyouandadognamedWilma's Xanga

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:03:10 GMT

What do you do when you find yourself in a nice but rather uninteresting hotel room for several hours? I was annoyed with myself for not grabbing my laptop since there was free Wi-Fi of which I couldn’t even take advantage.

I did have my cell phone but I only had four or so audio books loaded and each of those I had listened to multiple times…

I started at the beginning of my contacts list and figured maybe I’d clean things up a bit. Almost without thinking one of the names caught my attention and I began praying for this person whom I hadn’t seen or talked to in months.

The downward scrolling slowly continued with frequent pauses and prayers as names kept coming up and petitions and praises poured out.

My emotions ran the gamut from sorrow to elation. I found myself to be alternately blessed and distressed as different names brought to mind the uniqueness particular to their character and station in life.

I found the names of folks I had known since I was young and others whose acquaintance I had made only in the recent past. Some names were people I hadn’t thought about for a long while and then there was the name of my friend who had just had surgery and I had the pleasure of preparing supper for her and her family just this week.

My eyes misted a bit as I came to a name that needed to be deleted and someone for whom my prayers were nil. Cancer took our “flying” friend, Buddy, earlier this year.

Later I laughed out loud as I struggled to make out whose name the robotic MobileSpeak voice was pronouncing. The laughing happened after my frustration had peaked and I entered the “first name” edit field and read each letter at a time. Hmmm, I wonder if the E.A.A. would like me to pray for them?

Before I knew it the phone in my hand was ringing and that same robotic voice was saying, “Old Hat”! I answered and soon had arrangements for lunch finalized. Joel picked me up at the hotel and we headed to the agreed upon spot for the “xangans meet!” rendezvous.

The lunch hour was over all too quickly but it definitely scored as the highlight of my day! To sit around a table and chat with people who had previously only been blog acquaintances was a gratifying experience. Mrs. Hat’s name doesn’t happen to appear on my contact list but I have prayed often for her in the past year when Mr. Hat blogged about her health struggles. She was a walking testimony to the power of those many petitions sent up by many people.

As I already stated, the lunch hour flew by! “Old Hat” is just as entertaining in person as his blog suggests. I had nearly decided that I wouldn’t join Joel on this business trip since my week looked fairly full and I felt I could definitely be more productive at home than staring at four walls in the Best Western. However when I discovered that the job was very near Old hat’s stomping grounds I couldn’t resist the chance to see one of my favorite xangans in person. I was not disappointed!

So…if you get the chance to go meet someone you’ve never seen in person –do it! Currently there are four different xangans whom I learned to know online before meeting them in person-none were bad experiences! Also, if you find yourself stuck in a hotel room with several hours to burn try praying through your contacts list. The morning vanished before I got anywhere near going through all 600+ entries in my phone.

'09 Fly-in

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 22:23:14 GMT

Around 9:30 on Saturday morning a red and blue RV7 buzzed across our house from the north announcing himself as the first arrival to our long planned and anticipated fly-in. By lunch time there were 18 planes parked hither and yon, by the runway and on our front lawn. There was a wonderful assortment of aircraft ranging from the Legal Eagle ultralight to the twin engine Apache.

Numerous folks had also driven and were parked behind the hangar. The most notable being a certain truck with a large smoker in tow. This rig was driven by our friend Andy and the smoker was emitting mouth watering aromas as the lid was opened to reveal large chunks of succulent pork. This, of course, was to be the main dish today with baked beans, potato salad, fruit slush, and Scotch-a-roo bars rounding out the rest of our menu. Oh! And the drinks…(Note to self: Next year make three times more sweet mint tea and forget the sodas!)

The day was warm and humid as Mississippi Augusts are prone to be and the A/C unit that had been newly installed in our hangar Wednesday was much appreciated as everyone enjoyed the food and fellowship.

Quinten’s hangar is home to a Pitts S1S. We all Squinted into the sun as his brother-in-law, Robert, criss-crossed the sky above the field showing off some skills acquired under the tuteledge of Greg Koontz aerobatic training. I overheard Quinten telling someone how much fun it was to get this perspective since he is usually the one in the cockpit.

Other highlights this week—

My only brother, Seth, and his lovely wife, Andrea, blessed us with a visit. Seth helped my father-in-law during corn harvest last year and liked his experience so much that he returned for a few days this year. I was thrilled that it suited Andrea to accompany him this trip and we spent a wonderful couple of days together.

My return to the doctor for a checkup ultrasound on Wednesday showed my hematoma to be much smaller! Thanks so much for your prayers on mine and the baby’s behalves. I was also upgraded from bedrest to ‘light duty’ so I came home from my appointment and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as I made a 5X turn of banana slush for the fly-in and then vaccumed the house.

Y’all have a great week!

NEWS FLASH!

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:31:50 GMT

NEWS FLASH!

What’s new and exciting at the Graber household? Well, the little peanut swimming around on the screen of the ultrasound machine yesterday was waving frantically and anxious to make his/her presence known in this world. If time continues we hope to be holding the little person sometime the first part of March.

As of yesterday I had some semi-serious bleeding and was diagnosed with a subchorionic hematoma/hemorrhage and was put on bedrest for 2-3 weeks. Already the spiders are jeering at me from the corners as I recline in my chair helpless to retaliate. If you are so inclined you may pray that I heal quickly and additionally that Joel and I are given wisdom in raising a child for the Lord.

Maybe I will improve on updating and keeping updated with my xanga circle of family and friends during this take-it-easy time. I do have several good audio books waiting on me as well so I’ll be entertained for a while.—Kris, three of the four are Binchy’s I got today from Talking Books. I’m giving her another chance. J

"I'd like the combo #3, please."

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:35:21 GMT

My friend and favorite xangan, Old Hat recently posted a bit that he entitled The Desires of Your Heart. It made me think as 99% of his entries do and here are my ponderings after reading his. First of all, go read his post via the link above then you can finish my own musings.

In his post Old Hat mentioned those folks who stop at the local McDonalds and can’t make up their minds as to what they would like to consume when the same old menu has been there for eons. That sent me on a rabbit trail of sorts. I don’t do this nearly as often as I should but sometimes to save my companions from reading me everything on the board I tell them I know what I want. When it comes my turn at the counter I smile at the person behind the counter and ask them nicely for a combo #3. I really don’t have a clue what I am going to be eating in the next few minutes but as long as combo #3 doesn’t happen to have a lot of bell peppers on or in it I will eat it happily.

Another thing I’ve tried recently is to relieve my husband from attempting to explain each mysterious dish to me at the church potluck. I informed him to just fill my plate with anything that he thought I may like. I did caution him to watch for bell peppers, cucumbers, or cantaloupe; anything else would be palatable. I think he was thrilled and incredulous that I was giving him this unexpected freedom. As I got to the table and explored the array he had selected I smiled as I discovered a deviled egg. He knows that I love them and I pictured him also smiling as he anticipated my discovery.

Anyway, as I pondered the desires of my heart, I then puzzled over whether I should request that the Lord grant those desires in a similar manner. Have I lost you totally?

What I’m trying to say is maybe the Lord would like me to say, “I’d like a combo #3, please!” One must observe that the big difference between the fellow behind the counter at Wendy’s and the Lord is that I have the Wendy’s employee fooled. Mr. Wendy’s hasn’t a clue that I haven’t a clue as to what I’m about to eat. The Lord however, is quite aware that I hate green peppers and I am hoping that what I’ve chosen is a spicy chicken sandwich.

Armed with this knowledge He may still hand me a burrito loaded with peppers because he is aware that the things I think I want are not always the best for me. At other times I might be delighted to discover that He has placed a delicious deviled egg on my plate because He knows that I love them.

I am not saying anything that Old Hat hasn’t already stated more clearly. My only real addition to his thoughts on the matter is that I think it is good for me to say”Surprise me Lord, show me my heart and what your desire is for my life.” I also need to trust that even if I am handed something that looks undescribably terrible, such as a giant slice of cantaloupe, He still has my best interest in mind and as Old Hat said He will help me change my heart.

Where did YOUR thoughts go when reading Old Hat’s entry?

What to do when you're lost...

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:46:30 GMT

I was running over to my sister-in-law’s house today to take her a sample dress. She is doing some sewing for me and needed to see another dress that was already completed. I realize that running isn’t highly recommended for people whose vision is 20/800 at best but I was doing it anyway. However, the route to her house is across our grass runway which is open and flat as runways are supposed to be. The biggest thing I have to think of tripping on is an ant hill.

The problem started when I apparently angled west too quickly and found myself in the corn patch. Now understand that there is a corn patch on the north AND south sides of our runway. Well when I figured out that I had run into the corn patch I made an abrupt 90 degree turn thinking that I was in the patch on the south side of the runway and this was the quickest way for me to get back on the runway where I could …well…run of course!

As I parted the stalks of corn that were as tall as I was I started wondering just how in the world I had run so far into the corn before noticing that I was in it. I glanced around for the big white smear that I knew to be our hangar and the direction I should be heading to get out of this itchy mess. For some reason there were just more and more rows of corn where I knew there should only be two or so to the edge of the field. At this point I was totally disoriented so I just looked up and located the trusty sun and headed west, also at this point it finally sank into my foggy cranium that I had been in the north patch so I started crossing rows again this time to the south and was soon back on familiar ground. Brushing the corn pollen out of my hair I jogged across the landing strip and began squinting at the treeline in order to catch the silhouette of the edge of my brother-in-law’s shop. I lined myself up with the eastmost end and aimed for the light gap between those two big dark blotches(cedar trees). I could hear the A/C compressor running at their house so I knew I was headed the right way. As usual I ran smack into the little pine tree that is growing in the side yard, disentangled myself, backed up and tried a new heading of 10 degrees to the west and went about twenty more feet where I stepped carefully over the railroad tie I knew was there and then angled sharply to the southeast while looking up to find the peak of the roof against the sky. I know if I get about straight in front of that peak I will feel the metal links of the mat for scraping Mississippi mud off one’s shoes and then I have only to go up the two steps and open the door.

If you feel lost in the world today-just stop and look up to the Son! He’ll help you out every time!

To make you smile...

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:24:44 GMT

One of my friends was telling her son that I had a new nephew. Here is their conversation. (not verbatim, but close.)

My friend to her son: “Sheila has a new nephew and his name is Elijah!”

His response: “mom! That’s just like that guy who lived before there were cars!”

Meet Elijah!

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:35:25 GMT

Are y’all ready for some fun

? As most of you regular visitors to my blog are aware—I can’t see that well. I’m wondering if anyone would like to tell me about my newest nephew? I really don’t have to see him to know he’s adorable but I’d still like to hear your best description…

~Proud Auntie Sheila J

Quackers and Kin

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:03:54 GMT

These guys and gals have grown a lot since Easter! I walk to the end of the runway nearly every day and invite them for a meal. They answer enthusiastically when they hear me call; we have a nice stroll/waddle back to the house to visit the snack bar.

On another topic…I am pleased to announce the arrival of my nephew- Elijah Clayton! He was born around 7:00 this morning and he and his mama are doing fine. I am afraid I may have to wait until the little fellow is nearly a month old until I get to see him. L If you are someone who knows my family personally-this is Ruthie’s baby to which I am referring.

44 questions answered

Sat, 30 May 2009 01:37:52 GMT

1. Do you like bleu cheese? Nope

2. Do you have a tattoo? No, and I’ve never even considered one. My feelings are synonymous with my friend BigToeshttp://www.xanga.com/bigtoepeople (from whose blog I copied this survey) it would be “defacing my body.”

3. Do you own a gun? Yes. I don’t hunt nor do I intend to use it to shoot anyone, it was a gift while I worked in a sporting goods store and Joel uses it to shoot snakes and muskrats in the catfish ponds now.

4. What flavor of Kool-Aid is/was your favorite? I’ve never really liked the stuff. Mom didn’t fix it when we were little and I don’t buy it now. I did drink and enjoy Tang when I was a toddler.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Uhm…I’m not extremely fond of them but very grateful that my husband likes them. If I am in a dilemma about what to have for lunch he is just as thrilled with a hot dog as a steak and potatoes meal.

7. What is your favorite Christmas movie? I don’t have one. I do, however; know which Christmas movie I DON’T like! In the aforementioned sporting goods store where I worked we hadA Christmas Story playing non-stop next to our display of Red Ryder BB guns. I grew sooo tired of that whiny child that I NEVER want to see it again.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water or any fruit juice

9. Can you do push ups? Yes. I hadn’t done any in so long that I had to quit typing and go over to the living room carpet and see if I could. J I tried doing them from my toes like guys do and eeked out four. Then I rested a little bit and did five from my knees a little more easily.

10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? I don’t wear jewelry.

11. Favorite hobby? I love to read and also enjoy aviation related activities with my husband. I used to ride bike a lot but haven’t had the opportunity to move my tandem here from Virginia since we got married so my biker muscles have atrophied. (If anyone happens to know someone driving an empty pickup from VA to MS- let me know!).

12. Do you have ADD? No.

13. What are your favorite shoes? Do flip-flops count? I have a pair of New Balance ones that were a gift from my parents three birthdays ago, they are on my feet every day of the Mississippi summertime and are getting lots of mileage!

Middle name? Marie

14. Name three thoughts at this exact moment.

*I really need to get that last load of clothes on the clothesline.

*…but I haven’t updated my xanga in sooo long my friends are probably thinking something terrible happened to me.

*Ah…that was a hummingbird that just flew by the kitchen window…I need to refill the feeder today.

16. Name three drinks you regularly drink. Iced mint tea, water, and fruit juice of any variety.

17. Current worry? One of my sisters and some of her life choices, the fear that my recent problem with fluid in my ears won’t go away and my hearing will be damaged. Thankfully, I don’t have to carry these worries and fears alone. Casting all your care upon Him; for he careth for you. II Peter 5:7

18. Current hate right now? My lack of motivation to keep up with my blog. I have no good excuse-I haven’t joined Facebook and I’m not crazy busy or anything-I’m just not inspired to write lately. It makes me feel guilty when I think of how much I enjoy reading the blogs of people who faithfully update on a regular basis and I am not contributing in kind.

19. Pepsi or Coke? Dr. Pepper

20. How did you bring in the new year? A night of food and fellowship at Joel’s brother’s place with another couple from church. (I had to think a while on this one—I’ve never been one to be overly excited by a date change.)

21. Where would you like to go? I’m all for heading almost anywhere that requires a passport stamping—as long as it doesn’t involve extreme cold. Note: I think for each year of my life the definition of ‘extreme cold’ has risen at least 5 degrees. The current temperature described as extreme cold is anything below about 50 degrees F.)

22. Name three people who will complete this. I hate this question. I make it a motion to ban this question from any further surveys.

23. Do you own slippers? Yes.

24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? Actually, I’m wearing a dress. (surprise, surprise!) It has a checked pattern on a white ground-the checks are made up of bright green, blue, lpink, and yellow if I remember correctly.

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don’t know, it’s something I’ve never done. I have a feeling that I wouldn’t find it very pleasant;I like breatheable fabric.

26. Can you whistle? Uh huh Just the ordinary sort—I’m trying to master that shrill one with the curled lip that is a very loud, get Wilma’s attention kind of whistle.

27. Favorite color? Yellow! I also like white things like Wilma and the ducks; when we had all eight ducklings here I kept losing the brown mallards but the once yellow and now white Pekings are pretty easy to find on a green lawn. J

28. Would you be a pirate? What kind of question is this???Captain Crunch maybe…

29. What do you sing in the shower? Usually hymns and some silly children’s songs.

30. Favorite girls name? I can’t answer this. If I ever am pregnant I’d rather not have my family knowing what I’m going to name him/her

31. Favorite boys name? see above.

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Bigtoe’s answer to the above question and the fact that I just noticed this survey is missing question number 32. J

34. Best bedsheets as a child? I have absolutely no recollection of what my sheets looked like—they must have been pretty nondescript.

35. Worst injury you’ve ever had as a child? I was racing my brother through a field of tall grass; we were going fishing and trying to see who could get to the pond first. I was in the lead and first one to find the strand of barbed wire that was about thigh high in the neck high grass—at least that is where the scar is. Although there were numerous bike wrecks etc. I don’t think I broke a bone or even had stitches until I was in my teens.

36. Do you love where you live? Yes. I moved here 2 ½ years ago when we married and now I do love it. I miss some things about my birthplace but I truly can say I like it here.

37. What did/do you want to be when you grew/grow up? The medical field always fascinated me and when my eyesight began failing me sooner than I had expected I opted for being a certified massage therapist.

38. Who is your loudest friend? I guess I must not have any loud friends because no one is jumping to my mind. Marti is one of my more talkative friends but she isn’t loud. She is among the topmost self-sacrificing people I know and don’t misunderstand me when I labeled her as ‘talkative’. This isn’t just a bubbly social butterfly kind of talkative; she is adept at giving a sincere word of encouragement and can share cares and concerns on a heart level. It isn’t surprising that many people are glad to call her friend.

39. How many dogs do you have? One. As my xanga name proclaims her name is Wilma, a Great Pyrenees. I think she is one of the most loved wedding gifts we received.

40. Does someone have a crush on you? I certainly hope not; I’m quite taken.

41. What is your favorite book? Do I have to pick just one? I really don’t think I can answer this question.

42. What is your favorite candy? This is almost as difficult as the previous question. I love PayDay candy bars, Junior Mints, York peppermint patties, Reese’s Pieces, and *Sugar Babies. I also like Runts, Long Boys and **Sour Patch Kids. *Not to be confused with Sugar Daddies!!! I am scared of those.**I hate anything gummy except these.

43. Favorite sports team? None.

44. What song do you want played at your funeral? They don’t ‘play’ songs at conservative Mennonite funerals. J I like Joyfully, Joyfully.

Play if you like and tag me if you do!

Swagbucks!

Thu, 14 May 2009 15:01:27 GMT

Hi ya'll,

Have ya'll heard about swagbucks.com? It's called a 'search & win' site and it works just like Google etc.

The big difference? You earn 'swagbucks' that can be accumulated and used to purchase gift cards at your choice of establishment. This is done simply by using the search engine or you can refer others as I’m doing right now. There are more ways to earn but I’ll just let you click on the link below and discover them for yourself.

45 swagbucks= $5 at Amazon.com

220 swagbucks= $20 at Target

850 swagbucks= $50 at Lowe's

...and so on! I just listed the ones in which I was interested.

Here's a link for you to click and register.

http://swagbucks.com/?cmd=sb-register&rb=546062

If you use this link to sign up I get an additional swagbuck for referring you and then you can get your own link and tell some of YOUR friends about it.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday!