I've seen the movie!

Today is Amy's 15th birthday. Happy Birthday! I love you! For one of her gifts she got a riding helmet. For horses, not motorcycles. And when I think of horses, I think of the classic story of Black Beauty.


I read that book numerous times growing up; a favorite along with The Wizard of Oz and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (part of The Chronicles of Narnia). The funny thing is, when I asked my family if they'd ever read Black Beauty, all my children said "No..."

..."but I did watch the movie."

Gasp! Have I failed as a parent? How could my oldest 3 escape childhood without having read Black Beauty? I mean, really! We live on a farm, AND we have horses!

Amy this past Spring

Heather this summer

But, wait just a second. Have I read books that are considered "classic"? Like The Grapes of Wrath, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, or Treasure Island? Have I ever read classics by Charles Dickens, other than A Christmas Carol?

Oh wait, I saw that as a movie.

So, maybe over the next couple of days, as I relax with a hot mug of coffee and something deliciously baked, I will explore a classic, a book that has stood the test of time. Any suggestions?

And, of course, one cannot overlook the classic of all time: The Bible. I do believe that the first chapters of Luke are on the reading list.

"Not Far Apart"

This song means a lot to me. I had it playing in my car the morning I got the news about Luke. It had just finished playing and Luke's mom called me.

Today would've been Luke's 3rd birthday. Last year, Dec.22, Jesus scooped him up and took him to Heaven. Today, I miss Luke's smile, his pleasant personality even when disease and sickness made life not so nice. I miss his silliness when he was playful. I miss watching Disney channel and Nick Jr at 4:00 in the morning. I miss him.

Today, say a prayer for his mommy and daddy, his big sister and little brother. Christmas is not always easy.

Say a prayer for others, who this Christmas season, are missing family and friends.

"I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow." 

Jeremiah 31:13

And while these words may not make you dance around the room with joy, I pray they give you the courage to continue. 

The Eighties...oh what a decade

Amy is still not feeling well today and is watching a movie. A movie from 1986 titled "Lucas", about a 14 year old boy in high school who likes a 16 year old girl. Of course, he is not the popular kid (he likes watching insects, wears glasses, and is kinda scrawny) and most of the "cool kids" pick on him.

The movie just started and although I don't know how it will end, you can almost guess. Don't those movies all end the same way? Geeky boy gets pretty girl and somehow becomes the hero, right?

When she first turned the movie on, I just knew it was from the 80ies. The hair...the clothes...the make-up...even how they said things. I was 16 when this movie came out. Now, being a Mennonite, I didn't have  "the hair" and the make-up was a definite "NO!". As far as the clothes, well, in my own way, I tried to fit in. It was a little challenging since most days I wore a skirt or dress. For me, a good day (meaning hair and clothes) meant I was having an Amy Grant kind of day. (The singer Amy Grant was my idea of cool and beautiful) So much insecurity in trying to fit in. Man, I wouldn't go back to high school for anything!

But...then, also in 1986, I met Leonard. Geeky girl gets cute Maust guy. It didn't take long and this 16 year old girl was in love. Head-Over-Heels!!! Every day became an Amy Grant day!

Prom 1988

Now, move forward 25 years...

Styles have changed (although some are coming around again like skinny jeans and leg-warmers), music has changed (nothing compares to the 80ies), and hairstyles are, shall we say, less. However, some things haven't changed. Leonard still makes me feel like I am 16 and  I am still head-over-heels in love.

Okay, not exactly the way we normally look, but this was a really fun weekend!
Folk Festival 2011

So, you NEVER get sick?

About 2 days ago, me and a few of my kids were taking about how so many "bugs" are going around right now. The nurse in me is emphasizing the washing of hands to keep the germs away. Amy proclaimed loudly, "I NEVER get sick!"

I warned her not to say that. Adrienne told me not to be superstitious. I said that I didn't think I was, but that Amy still shouldn't say that. It was like being prideful and "pride goes before a fall." So what does Amy do then? She says it again!

Last night, on our way home from shopping, my cell phone rings. Heather was calling to tell me that Amy was sick and could I bring home some soda for her.

"I NEVER get sick!"

So, instead of baking cookies with my mom and sister Valerie today, I am taking care of Amy. I never like when my family is sick and I just want to help them feel better. She is camped out on the couch, with tea, tissues, and cough drops. Her temperature is 101.5F and it's time for more Tylenol.

I asked her this morning how she would feel if I left for the day since she is turning 15 on Saturday and could probably take care of herself. She did not like that idea. She said that when any of us (meaning her or her siblings) are sick, it is comforting to have me here. So, I am here where I want to be, being her mom.

Feel better soon Amos!

PS. The search for red shoes came up empty...so far.. I mean, really, do they really think I can stand, let alone walk, in 6 inch heels?

...and maybe some Red Shoes!

Adrienne and I are going shopping. You know, the last minute gifts (except for Leonard...who I am still rather stumped over), a few cookie ingredients, and just a day out with my girl. Oh, and I need to get my eyeglasses fixed.

Yes, my glasses. I was the last one in my immediate family to need them and I suppose I am still trying to pretend that I don't need them. But, lately I am noticing that when I go to read something, I have to hold it, just so, so that the letters aren't so funny looking. And the 5's and 8's and 3's don't look alike. Oh boy.

Why is getting older so annoying sometimes? It really shouldn't be, especially as it happens to all of us. I need to embrace it somehow. Maybe, along with my glasses, I could wear a pair of red heels. Hey, I like that idea! And I am shopping today....

I will let you know how this turns out. Stay tuned for the next episode of "The Days of Dianne's Life"

Be Blessed Today!!!!

A December Resolution

Ah yes, it's Monday. A day that many people dread because it is the start of the work-week. I kinda like Mondays. It is a new week. What will it hold?

 I need to get bookwork done this week. Stuff I have been avoiding for days...weeks...okay, okay....months. Entering transactions on the computer, for both farm and household. I think I avoid it because I don't want to see how much money we spend and on what we spend it. Somehow, seeing it in black and white is daunting.

I think what I shall do is shred some credit cards. Using them is a little like eating and trying to lose weight. They are so easy to use, but not so easy to pay off. But this is the year! Why wait for the New Year to make a resolution. Make it today!

Okay, here goes...

After the shredder

Now that felt good. I needed to do that a long time ago! So, my goal is to get these credit cards paid off in a year. My December Resolution.

Listen to the sound...

Listen to it. Do you hear it?

 It's like snow falling on snow. Or a baby sleeping. Or the sound the sun makes as it slips up over the horizon in the morning. 

Sometimes Sunday evenings, for me, feel restless. Anxious. I think I feel like I need to be doing something, anything to fill the hours. Tonight I felt that way. 

Then my parents stopped in and gave us their Christmas card which made all of us smile for one reason or another. I love their enthusiasm for life. Thanks Mom and Dad! As we visited, they offered to take the kids to gym night with the youth group. They told us to go to sleep. 

Leonard was up all night working in the mine. I was up late watching a movie with Heather. Either way, we were tired. 

So, they all left. And the house was quiet. Completely. Not even my normal music playing. My spirit calmed and I felt peace begin to take over. And instead of fighting it, I allowed it to take over. We slept together, on the couch, with the Christmas lights glowing around us. 

Do you hear it now? The silence. The breath of peaceful rest. 

"...I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint" At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been pleasant to me.    Jeremiah 25-26