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Monday, December 31, 2007

A little lie here and there


May I interest you in a few lies? Maybe just one? I'll be you wouldn't recognize it if you saw it or heard it. I know I didn't. Authors Dannah Gresh and Nancy Leigh DeMoss are coming out with Lies Young Women Believe in February, and I wish I would have read it when I was 16 instead of reading the manuscript at the age of ... fill in the blank.

There was one lie that struck me in particular. And that's because I didn't even recognize it as a lie. As a matter of fact, I thought ... you guys have this one wrong. The lie is: I believe that God should fix my problems. Hmmm. Aren't we supposed to trust Him to do just that? Well, maybe I was reading that wrong. You'll have to read the book to find out just how insidious some of these lies are.

Happy New Year, minus the lies that find us and bind us.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Merry Comcast to you

Comcastic, they say. I have digital voice, they say. Yes, we have digital voice, and we have cable modem, and we now have reached the 21st century with HD DVR. But when I took my day off to return the "old" HD box, how was I to know that it just might take the entire afternoon???

Business thrives on competition. But when there is no competing company, customer service goes down the tubes. After all, why does it matter if 10 people are waiting in line, only one person is serving them, and that person seems to be a temp! If we had a choice, then - all other things being equal - customer service would be a HUGE deciding factor. But since we don't, we all stood in line, once in a while making a snide comment, but otherwise quietly waiting for that ONE person, uninformed as she was.

Now, I anxiously await the next bill to see if what she did was correct...

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Not long

It sure doesn't take long to have a month fly by! Memorials and Thanksgiving have passed, and Christmas is upon us. If you think I'm going to divulge what you're getting for Christmas, hahahaha.... don't count on it!

Since Mister Dad is taking off for the Hinterlands, this gives me some time to go shopping. I really am loathe to shop at brick and mortar any more, but it has to be done. So have yourself a Merry little Christmas - being careful to remember why we're doing all this.

Ah, I love the lights. Love the food, way too much. and love the look in Ashley's eyes as she hops around reciting what she is going to ask Santa for. Oh, that is so cute!

See ya at the mall or online somewhere. :-)

Friday, November 09, 2007

I remember

Puget Sound
mud flats
Puget Sound Freight Lines and seeing the water lap the slime covered posts beneath the office
scruffy whiskers
a buzzing razor
the musty smell of an attic
the huge brick bbq fireplace in the back yard
gooseberries
the deep freeze
shelling peas and snapping beans
shopping for fireworks in a pickup truck
walking to the beach through a treecovered trail
boots hitting the floor in the middle of the night - volunteer fireman that he was
"hit me in the stomach, girlie!"
"How do you feel, Grandpa?" "With my hands! How do YOU feel?"
Sitting in church
Pounding nails
A handmade heirloom play kitchenette
burnt toast and coffee (no decaf!)
bacon whenever Grandma would let him have it
99 years of strength
79 + years of steadfast love for his wife
stories of trucking with nitro glycerin
stories of the Great Depression
tears
kisses whenever a white horse was seen
kisses whenever Grandma gave him his eye drops for glaucoma
his wishing to live to 100
prostate cancer that ate at his bones
a death rattle
the promise that the first sight he'll see is Jesus face to face!
Grandpa, we love you

Rumor or not?

You know, I get a lot of those forwarded emails that say things like "forward this to five friends and you'll save the hyenas" or something like that. And then you get those forwards that say someone is missing and please send the picture around.

Before you forward anything, check out www.truthorfiction.com or www.snopes.com

And then I came across this one
The Hunger Site


It looked every bit like an e-rumor, but the difference is, this one is real! There are sponsors who will donate every time you go to the site and click, so it is really cool. I went there and it said, "Thank you. Your click just served someone 1.1 cups of food." Isn't that neat? Try it!

Sunday, October 14, 2007

October and off

Yes, we're off! Off to a campfire with hot cider, hot chocolate, hot anything. Wow, after last weekend's 88 degree temps, this weekend of 56 has been the harbinger of fall.

Yesterday we went to a fantastic pumpkin farm full of fun things for Ashley to do, and for the rest of the family to reminisce about. You'll see the photos in the "badge" and can click to the Flickr account.

But tonight is for small groups at church, just sitting around and singing and praying together. And trying to keep the chill away by sipping that good hot stuff.

If you're in the Chicago area, don't forget that the 22nd is Mister Dad's birthday - our annual sloppy joe festival! Just let me know if we need to save a slice of Portillo's chocolate cake for you.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Identity Supreme is the Ultimatum

Just got back from the movies. We saw The Bourne Ultimatum. I must admit that I was shaking through some of it. I guess that's what happens when you're clenching the majority of your major muscles!

But then, it could have been the Diet Coke and popcorn for dinner that we always have when we do the movie thing over the dinner hour.

Did you like the camera technique in TBU? I know it was supposed to give the "feel" of action, but it began to feel more like a lazy cameraman or director. But all in all, the story and action are riveting.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n


What does it spell? VACATION! What does it mean? Change...time off of the normal daily routine ... but no snoozing for this Nana.

No, I'll be spending time with Ingee, Ashley, Amberleigh, and the doggie. Cooking, cleaning, feeding, playing, driving, reading, you name it. But since it isn't the normal daily routine, it qualifies as vacation.

And so, as another sun sets and an awakening sun awaits, I'm planning to enjoy the frenetic pace of this particular vacation.

I miss my mind the most

I don't mind. I lose mine. Of all the things I miss, I miss my mind the most.

Okay, that was just an intro to all the things that keep me awake at night. I was reading Britany's post about being awake, and I find that I "work" on things all night if I happen to be awake. It's not healthy. I should probably keep a laptop on my bed for just such occasions. Or I could just read my favorite book du jour and drift off. Or I can do what one person suggested: pray for anyone who comes to mind.

On the rare occasion that I'm lucid enough to pray, I do that. But I usually just toss and turn until I get into the sleep groove again.

I'm leaving for lunch now, and no naps are allowed, so I'll be minding my business for now, thanks!

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Tiptoe through the Minefields

Scripture warns me to speak the truth with all gentleness and reverence. Now, I believe that is speaking about sharing the Gospel, but what about everyday things? And why am I so afraid of offending someone that I don't just talk about what I'm feeling and thinking?

The pendulum swings both ways, though. What about when I get so blunt that I cut the receiver to the quick? Which is why I walk through minefields all the time. I'm always second guessing how the receiver will hear my words, and therefore making mental edits until what I intended to say no longer exists!

The NEXT generation seems to be blunt to the extreme. Where are the healthy inhibitions? Where is caring about the hearer? And then how do I propose things without sounding like I'm invading personal space?

Your thoughts?

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Five and a trio


Decades and years. Sounds like a long time, and conversely sounds so short.

I've lived in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Japan. And many moves within those states and country.

Overall, it's been a blessing, or perhaps I should say "blessings."

I've already received my gift. Philosophically speaking, it was my life that was the gift. But materially speaking, we got the cute little Miata that will suffice for many celebrations to come.

Wanna ride? It's a wild one! So come along... smiling ...

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Adding a hair to my head

Or not! I've been accused of worrying too much, and I must admit that I do. I'm not proud of it, but I do try to excuse it as concern.

Let me lay out that excuse for you: I'm inquisitive by nature. I like to be in the know. Details of that knowledge are important to me. Being prepared for any eventuality is also high on my importance scale. So with the advent of the Internet, and all that knowledge at my fingertips, why wouldn't I want to be prepared for any eventuality by looking up information?

For example, what would 4 1/2 hours of pushing do to a baby? How yellow does an infant have to be before you get brain damage? How long is it before a baby's head goes back to a "normal" shape, and what are the ramifications if it doesn't? How long can a plane stay in the air with one engine? What are those thumping noises coming from the belly of the plane? Okay, so you get the picture.

It's not like I'm panicking about any of the above. I just want to know so that I can either breathe a sigh of relief, or I can do something about it, or I can resign myself to the fact that nothing can be done. Does that constitute worry? Maybe it's my "workaround" for worry.

But in the end, the Bible tells me that no amount of worry will add a hair to my head or a day to my life. Quite the contrary. See all those hairs lying around???

Friday, August 24, 2007

Baby, baby!


Amberleigh Grace is such a cutie, with a head full of fuzzy hair. She arrived on the 21st, and has been "easy" from a Nana's perspective. Now, admittedly, I don't have to stay up at night to feed her, making sure she doesn't succumb to jaundice. But otherwise, she's a quiet one.

Then there is Timothy, born on the 11th. Anyone who reads this I hope will say a prayer for his health and his parents' calm assurance. Timothy is back in the hospital, dehydrated and not wanting to eat much. I'm hoping this will be a faded memory in the not too distant future - "oh, yeah, Timothy was in ICU for a while, wasn't he?" Please, Lord, as the great Healer, strengthen his little body and give him the spark he needs.

Oliver just gets cuter and cuter, and is grabbing for everything now. He may be teething.

Ashley is soooo funny, but is dealing with the internal struggle of baby sister on the scene.

That's all for now, folks. Love those babies!

Friday, August 17, 2007

Prayers please

Here is Ingrid's request - and mine as well - for a safe delivery of Amberleigh Grace.

Hello my dear family and friends -

I thought I would update you all based on my appointment with my OB today. :)

I already knew that I would most likely be induced a little bit early since I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes around 2 or 3 weeks ago, but to go in today and hear "You have an appointment Tuesday morning for an induction"...it kinda made me lose my balance! (Maybe it was just my giant belly, but I think it was a combination of the 2...).

So, that means: God-willing, we will meet little Amberleigh sometime on Tuesday the 21st (yikes! That's 4 days!) !

I am to report to the hospital at 6 am (6 am!) to begin the pitocin drip, and if it goes anything like last time, she'll be born sometime in the afternoon.
Needless to say, Andy and I are very excited, but also in somewhat-panic-mode since we still have some last minute things to accomplish!

We greatly appreciate your prayers during this time - that everything would go smoothly and we can welcome a healthy baby girl!

I can't promise any "immediate phone calls" or emails, but we will let you know as soon as we can when it happens!

Love you all!

Ingrid

Saturday, August 11, 2007

And Here He Is!


Yes, I was worrying. And usually I worry for no reason, but I was pleading and pleading with the Lord, with the computer, with Marshall, to give me some word about the newest little addition to the family.

Come to find out, yes, there was a bit of a problem - 4 hours of pushing! Now, women will understand the height and depth and breadth of that kind of exhaustion and pain. Did I say pain? Hmmm, sorry, it slipped out.

Finally, after I got a verbal update from Marshall, I decided I needed to go to sleep (at 3 AM), a luxury that Lara didn't get for quite some time to follow. At approximately 5 AM Marshall called me to tell me that little Timothy Joseph had made his entrance and that all was well with the little world. He was born at 3:29 AM Mountain Time (so 4:29 here).

I'm just hoping that Mommy and Daddy will nap when Timothy does for the foreseeable future. It's so tempting to try to catch up during nap times, but the catching up should be on sleep!

Now, we can see his little face:

I want to see your face!!!

Help me out here. This is excruciating! I cannot stand being thousands of miles away from where my grandbaby is being born. For all the promises of continually uploading photos of what's going on, it hasn't happened. The last communique was at 11:27 local time saying that it was time to push. Well, folks, it's been an hour and a half now, and no communication.

Did I happen to mention that I worry a lot? My prayers tend to sound like rants and whines about now. I want pictures! I want proof! Oh, yes, did I also mention that faith is way down on my spiritual gifts list? Exhortation is up near the top. Sorry bout that ... sort of.

I just want to see his little face! I just want to know that everyone is okay. I just want to go to bed!!!

I guess if Lara has to be up and exhausted, it only stands to reason that those of us sitting idly by should share that vigil.

Maybe I'll have a picture later...

Friday, August 10, 2007

Good morning, baby!

This is WBBY. All baby, all the time!

First it was little Oliver - what a red-headed cutie. Then our marketing administrator goes into the hospital six weeks early - complete bedrest - steroids - the works - trying to keep this little guy inside as long as possible.

Now, our next little grandson is to make his scheduled appearance some time today (Lord willing) because Mommy has been dilated for quite some time. More to come, and pictures to follow.

Then, our next little granddaughter will either make her appearance at a scheduled time during the third week of August, or as the Lord wills (I'm all for God choosing the birthday, thank you very much).

I have a very unpopular view of childbearing these days. I really believe that God knows best. I'd prefer drug-free and natural birth as much as possible. I'd prefer that people allow God to determine the number and timing of children. And I prefer that God choose the birthday rather than scheduling it for convenience sake. I'm not saying, however, that all inductions are for convenience. I am quite disgusted with the number of inductions and c-sections done these days, however. It may have something to do with malpractice suits, what do you think?

Oh, by the way, A=BCA works in advertising and it is certainly the impetus for "mommy stories." A= adrenaline. Adrenaline is the BioChemical Adhesive. Whenever adrenaline is pumped into the system (through joy, fear, anger) it stamps a memory into our brain. Think about it. What are your most vivid memories?

And baby, oh baby, the adrenaline rush of birth stamps itself forever on a mother's memory!!!

I love all you babies. And all you mommies, keep up the good work!

Friday, July 20, 2007

Home, 2B or not 2B

I like my house. It is my home. But the two are not always the same. House and home are not interchangeable terms. Duh, you say?

Wherever my husband is, that's where my home is. If we lived in an apartment, a hotel room, or a tent, that would be home. So why do we get stuck on places? They are temporary at best.

What do you think?

Oh, by the way, my photos have changed homes... so you can check out some of the new ones at www.flickr.com/relfstrand

See ya in the funny papers!

Monday, July 02, 2007

You Tube 2

I've been married for 30 plus years now, and at the age of 22 was already worried that I might not get married "in time." Well, despite my sinful nature, God made it happen. But check this out:



Comments welcome.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Love Languages

I may have added this once before, but I just took the test:
I feel loved when...

The Five Love Languages

My Primary Love Language is Quality Time

My Detailed Results:
Quality Time: 11
Words of Affirmation: 8
Physical Touch: 5
Acts of Service: 5
Receiving Gifts: 1

About this quiz

Unhappiness in relationships is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. It can be helpful to know what language you speak and what language those around you speak.

Tag 3 people so they can find out what their love language is.

Take the Quiz!
Check out the Book

Friday, April 06, 2007

Too Numerous to Mention


Gone are the days of snapshots, waiting for development, choosing which ones you really want to share, and then what? Mailing copies to 20 family members? Ah, the good old days!

Nope, enter the new-day Nana. And then go check out http://web.mac.com/relfstrand/iWeb/RhondaElf/Links.html because there will be more there, updated with the "links" page at the bottom, etc etc etc.

Until then, here's a little photo to keep you company.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Blue Light Special

The blue light leaks out around the blinds. A butterfly is unwittingly stamped to the floor - aren't they supposed to fly?

We're in the pediatric wing of Delnor Hospital. And everyone is frustrated, and everyone is silently praying, and little Oliver isn't supposed to be this color. When they checked his bilirubin, pretty much right after the picture I took, it was not-so-slowly edging its way upward. 18. And they tell me that 25 is the zone you don't want to be near.

Please pray. Pray that the lights will take the bilirubin down. Pray that Oliver will perk up enough to eat, and that Britany's milk will come in enough to do the job.

Depression is such an unforgiving spiral. It seems I can't think of all the blessings that have happened. I can only count the things that are challenges at the moment. So please pray for all of us, too, that we won't lose hope, faith, or sight of the future. That this happens a lot and babies get over it.

But other babies aren't little Oliver.

He's Here!


Just who does he look like, this little man who is sleeping nearby? I truly think that little Oliver John, born on March 10, looks like a teenager already.

Check out the genetics. With a blond daddy and a brunette mommy, voila! Red hair!

It's so fun to watch them love him and care for him. Especially Adam, who holds him as often as possible. Way to go, kiddos!

Now, keep your eye out for the next little Elfstrand, followed by a little Williames. It's going to be quite a year!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

long toes

No, I mean... "long time." It's been a long time since I blogged anything. Sorry about the delay. It's not like nothing has been going on! I mean, Henry's here ... and Adam just had a birthday ... and Britany is ready to go any day, so the doctor says.

I know they wish they were in their own house right now. I know I would at that same age and stage - but we are ready to hear that little guy calling out to his mommy and daddy. If the Lord chooses, we'll be moving them into a place before the delivery date, but if not - we'll be welcoming Baby Elfstrand shortly.

Oh, yes, and prayers appreciated for a full time, full benefit job. Thank you!