« August 2007 | Main | October 2007 »
September 28, 2007
List cars you've owned
(Originally published by Nattie on September 05, 2003)
~ My first car was a 1979 Toyota Corolla. It cost $1000 and didn't even last a year. I blew the rods out by not changing the oil
~ The next car was my favorite car. It was a 1984 Jeep Cherokee Grand Wagoneer. I paid $7500 for it. It had wood paneling on the sides. I called it "Woody." Did you know that 67% of car owners talk to their cars? I can't remember how many name their cars. It was pretty high. I love silly statistics.
~ My next car was a family car. It was my grandma's 1990 Taupe something or other. I can't remember what kind of car it is for the life of me. I had an accident in it and it never drove the same after. We paid $700 for it when we bought it off my Grandma's estate.
~ The last car we owned is a white 1995 Plymouth Shadow. My father-in-law gave it to us. It was owned by a couple of nuns before we got it.
* My dream car is a 1964-1/2 Ford Mustang. Either blue or red would do. I'd be tickled pink if it was a convertible. One of these days...
Copyright Natalie Rose York
(Notes--if anyone cares: Grandma's car was a Mercury Sable. And the Plymouth Shadow was, indeed, her last car. If they have Mustangs in Heaven, Natalie finally has her dream car.)
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 02:13 PM | Comments (2)
September 27, 2007
Nothin' but a party!
Sunday was the long-awaited "official" celebration of Jonathan and Anna's July birthdays. Life for them, as for all of us, is very different than it was when the previous school year ended, but they seem to be doing well, considering...
They are now in their new home, attending their new school, and still "growing like weeds."
As always, a sincere thank you to each of Natalie's friends who continue to visit, read, comment, and offer their prayers and words of encouragement.
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:24 PM | Comments (7)
September 26, 2007
What are you thankful for today?
(Originally published by Nattie on September 05, 2003)
- I found a bench yesterday outside of the school where Jonathan has speech therapy and I sat outside for 20 minutes. Ahh!
- The weather has cooled off.
- We opened our windows and you can feel an almost fall-like breeze.
- The kids have been able to play outside two days in a row.
- I fixed a comfy cozy lunch today--grilled bologna and cheese sandwiches with Pringles. Not really healthy, but yummy.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:46 AM | Comments (3)
September 24, 2007
If I were going to be stranded...
(Originally published by Nattie on September 04, 2003; Journaling Prompts: Lists of Ten)
If I were going to be stranded on a desert island, what 10 items would I want in my pockets?
- Reams of paper
- Pens that never run out of ink
- Bible
- Cup (I don't want to drink out of a coconut)
- Knife
- Something to start fire with
- Survival manual
- Volleyball (so I have something to talk to)
- Fishing pole
- Big boat
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 04:13 PM | Comments (4)
September 19, 2007
A Night at the Library
On the 28th of April, 2007, I got a text message from Natalie:
ÒJames alexander thom is going to be @ my library on 7-17. want to come?Ó
I have been a fan of ThomÕs work for several years. His meticulous research of our nationÕs history is obvious in the novels he crafts around the lives of real people and the events that touched their lives and formed the future of our country.
I had heard him speak once, and at another time accidentally discovered him signing books in an Indianapolis mall. On our Tuesday night outings in Southern California, Natalie and I often prowled the racks at various libraries and bookstores, always on the lookout for another book by James Alexander Thom.
Normally, I would have jumped at such an invitation. This time, however, I hesitated. Where I might have mentally noted the date, nearly three months hence, was a black hole. I had no premonition, but found myself unable to simply say, ÒAbsolutely, count me in!Ó
I replied to her text with words to the effect that it sounded interesting and I would try to keep that date open. I was aware that something was not as it should be, but couldnÕt determine what it was.
She had been having car trouble and was looking for a replacement; perhaps that was the source of my apprehension.
Also, it had been but 11 days since I had been shocked to hear the news of one young friendÕs passing. He had been somewhat of a protege, some 20 years earlier, and I took a bit of pride in his career success. Although we had not kept in constant touch, our paths would cross every year or two. Those occasions did seem to be coming more often, but I fear that was an age-induced delusion.
I had last spoken to him on May 11, 2005. He was at his job of editing books, and I had several questions about a project I was considering. He answered all my queries, then emailed a detailed follow-up.
There was no mention of illness or symptoms, yet I learned on April 17 of this year that scarcely 13 months after our conversation he had died of lymphoma and multiple sclerosis. He had passed on the day after my 60th birthday. He was 44.
No doubt I was still a bit dazed when I got NatalieÕs message regarding one of our favorite authors. That may be what clouded my perception, causing me to reply with such ambivalence, Probably, I will never know.
Of course, as you are aware, something did happen to alter those tentative plans.
On May 18, Nat got her own diagnosis of cancer. As her condition worsened, I feared that she might not be strong enough to keep our date for the 17th of July. Then she died on June 7...six days before my 61st birthday.
I did not know if I would want to attend Mr. ThomÕs lecture without Natalie, but as the date approached I learned that it had been postponed a couple of months. That may be what made it possible.
Last night, September 18, NatalieÕs Uncle Roger and I went to Òher library.Ó We entered through the doors that she had used so often. I had never been there before, but I knew she had touched nearly every shelf and book in the place. I couldnÕt see her, hear her or feel her, but I knew she was there.
We enjoyed an hour-and-a-half talk by Jim Thom on the researching and the writing of his New York Times bestseller, Follow the River. And then we left.
I sure wish I could have seen her smile, heard her chuckle and given her a hug...one more time.
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 02:00 PM | Comments (1)
September 18, 2007
My 10 favorite movies
(Originally published by Nattie on September 04, 2003)
10. "She's All That"
9. "The Wedding Planner"
8. "My Fair Lady"
7. "Titanic"
6. "Please Don't Eat the Daisies"
5. "Never Been Kissed"
4. "When Harry Met Sally"
3. "Sleepless in Seattle"
2. "You've Got Mail"
*drum roll please*
1. "Breakfast at Tiffany's"
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:27 AM | Comments (2)
September 17, 2007
Tip of the day...
(Originally published by Nattie on September 04, 2003)
If your children find your last ball point pen with ink in it and then decide to write all over their faces...
use facial toner to clean it off! Works like a charm.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 04:20 PM | Comments (0)
September 15, 2007
List schools you've attended
(Originally published by Nattie on September 04, 2003)
- Kinder Kollege Preschool in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- ABC--Anaheim Baptist Christian--School (kindergarten through sixth grade) in Anaheim, California
- CCA--Crystal Cathedral Academy (seventh and eighth grades) in Garden Grove, California
- SCC--Southern California Christian--School (ninth through 12th grades) in Orange, California
- Cypress College (dropped out after two semesters) in Cypress, California
- Ivy Tech (dropped out after two classes) in Anderson, Indiana
- Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana
and hopefully and finally in the spring...
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 02:54 PM | Comments (1)
What one word describes how you feel right now?
(Originally published by Nattie on September 03, 2003)
Headachy!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 02:47 PM | Comments (1)
September 12, 2007
Summer Reading
(Originally published by Nattie on September 03, 2003)
"Not only do people make an impact upon our lives, so does the written word. Books that we can read and reread and understand every single word, and then mull over, and reread if necessary, dissecting ever point of the book.
"13. What books did you read?"
Since June 1st, I have read....
~A Winding Path by Carrie Bender
~Ellie by Mary Christner Borntrager
The Truth Seeker by Dee Henderson
The Protector by Dee Henderson
The Healer by Dee Henderson
*Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
A Joyous Heart by Carrie Bender
*Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets by J.K.Rowling
The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters
*Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K.Rowling
*Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire by J.K.Rowling
^Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Short and Tall Tales by Lillian Jackson Braun
^Sunshine and Shadow by Earlene Fowler
Unashamed by Francine Rivers
A Treasured Friendship by Carrie Bender
A Golden Sunbeam by Carrie Bender
The Rescuer by Dee Henderson
~Riding Through Shadows by Sharon Ewell Foster
Passing Into Light by Sharon Ewell Foster
Passing by Samaria by Sharon Ewell Foster
~The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingslover
~^The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
A Gathering Place by Thomas Kinkade & Katherine Spenscer
~Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
~The Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler
~The Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer
~^Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B. Ross
Unshaken by Francine Rivers
Lion in the Valley by Elizabeth Peters
Certain Women by Madeline L'Engle
Southern Storm by Terri Blackstock
Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler
*At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
Miss Julia Takes Over by Ann B. Ross
The Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters
*A Light in the Window by Jan Karon
*These High Green Hills by Jan Karon
~Dead Man's Island by Carolyn Hart
Till We Meet Again by Penelope Stokes
Remembering You by Penelope Stokes
~The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
^The Quilter's Legacy by Jennifer Chiaverini
*Out to Canaan by Jan Karon
*A New Song by Jan Karon
Miss Julia Throws a Wedding by Ann B. Ross
* signifies a re-read
~ signifies a new author I "discovered" this summer
^ signifies my favorite reads of the summer
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:24 AM | Comments (2)
September 10, 2007
Confessions of a guilty mom
(Originally published by Nattie on September 03, 2003)
My article is up...
Confessions of a Guilty Mom
I feel good!
P.s. Had a good morning to make up for the icky day yesterday. Jonathan and Anna sat on my lap while I read them I'll love you forever.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 02:37 PM | Comments (2)
September 06, 2007
What is Nat thankful for today?
(Originally published by Nattie on September 03, 2003)
What are you thankful for today?
- A good Christian counselor
- Food on the table
- Pens and paper (as long as my son keeps his mitts off mine and sticks to his)
- eBay auctions (I never win, but I have fun watching stuff)
- ABC tracing books
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 12:29 PM | Comments (2)
September 05, 2007
Circle of Words--Job, Career, or Calling?
(Originally published by Nattie on September 03, 2003)
"The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real."--Marge Piercy
There is a definite difference between a job, a career, and a calling. A job is when you work, not necessarily doing something you love, to make a living. A career can be your calling, but does not have to be. You could have chosen a career early in life and you have continued on the same path because it is something that you are good at and are able to get paid well. Your calling is the one thing that you have always wanted to do but sometimes are unable due to financial situations...etc. Which do you have? Are you happy with your current work? If you are not doing your calling, why aren't you?
I've had many jobs--retail clothing sales, convenience store clerk, bank teller...the list goes on. If I had a "career" it was an administrative assistant. I was good at it and it paid the bills. My current calling is my family. They are my ministry. Second to that is my writing. I wish I had more time to write, but that isn't possible at this time in my life. I also hope to go back to school to get some extra training. If I didn't have to worry about money, I'd be back in school, writing my heart out.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:50 AM | Comments (3)
September 04, 2007
Circle of Words--The Work of Understanding
(Originally published by Nattie on September 03, 2003)
"Somewhere there is an ancient enmity between our daily life and the great work. Help me in saying it, to understand it."--Rainer Maria Rilke
Not many of us can say that we have found the perfect balance between our work lives and our personal lives. Whether you work outside of the home, work taking care of your home and children, or both...we seem to spend more hours in a day working than enjoying the things we love. On a scale of 1 to 10 how well do you have your work and personal life balanced? (10 being totally balanced) What stands in your way of finding balance? What things do you know you need to change, but you have a hard time?
Some days I feel like I have everything balanced; the house is neat, the kids are happy, I've got a chance to read or recharge. Other days, like yesterday--AARGH! There was no balance. The kids demanded all my time and I couldn't get any cleaning done. There are days when they seem to constantly fight against me. And after all tha, there was no time to do the things I enjoy. Although once the kids were in bed, I got a load of dishes done and sat down to read The Blue Bedroom by Rosamunde Pilcher. It is a must have.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:24 AM | Comments (0)
September 03, 2007
Circle of Words--Turning Over a New Leaf
(Originally published by Nattie on September 03, 2003)
"Autumn to winter, winter to spring,
Spring into summer summer into fall
So rolls the changing year, and so we change;
Motion so swift, we know not that we move."--Dinah Mullock Craik
In ancient times, September was the time for reflection and resolutions. The best part of making autumn resolutions is no one else knows we are making them. What are some resolutions you would like to make?
I resolve to take better care of myself--exercising, drinking water, and taking care of my spiritual side by reading the Bible and praying!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:06 AM | Comments (0)