« February 2009 | Main | April 2009 »
March 27, 2009
Just in case...
entries seem spotty next week, my schedule will be very different from the usual. I should have Internet access most of the time, and I will try to post and approve comments daily, but I will be in a different place with different demands on my time.
When I get "back to normal," I'll try to start updating everyone on the plans for our team "Remembering Natalie Rose York" and the 2009 Relay for Life this coming June 6. And your suggestions are always welcome.
Meanwhile, (((((Y'all)))))—ND
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 10:52 PM | Comments (0)
No news is good news
(Originally published by Nattie on July 20, 2004)
No news is good news, right? Anna did fine during the ultrasound, but the tech didn't tell us anything. Once the radiologist reads it, he'll contact my doctor. Who will call us. I'm assuming if it is really bad we'll hear right away. Otherwise it could be days. No matter what I'm resting on the fact that God will make a way.
Not much to blog about today. I am getting some last-minute things together for the kids' birthday party tomorrow. We are having a pool party and, if everyone comes who was invited, we'll have 30 people—20 adults, 10 children under the age of six. Why is my family so prolific?!
Then there is the blogathon party online. I decided not to blog this year. My online life has been too crazy, but I am supporting three wonderful gals. The links to their blogs and charities are in my left hand column under project blog. Check it out.
Here is a silly quiz:
| Your Icecream Flavor is...Neopolitan! |
 You aren't satisfied with just one flavor. They say variety is the spice of life and this shines through in your Ice cream of choice! Just don't eat all the chocolate and leave the strawberry and vanilla behind! |
Find out at Go Quiz
Quote of the Day...
The three grand essentials of happiness are:
something to do,
something to love,
and something to hope for. ~ Thomas Chalmers
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 04:39 PM | Comments (0)
March 26, 2009
Insomnia
(Originally published by Nattie on July 19, 2004)
Yeah...another withdrawal symptom rises to the forefront...insomnia?! I tossed and turned for two hours last night before I gave up. I got dressed and decided to go for a drive.
The night air was cooler than usual so I rolled down the windows and cranked up this CD. Not exactly lullaby music, but it suited my mood.
I probably looked a little silly singing "All That Jazz" at the top of my lungs in the middle of the night. Oh well! Ce la vie.
The car drove itselft to Walmart. I swear. I have been puzzling over reorganizing a cluttered area and decided to browse their totes and baskets and such. I picked out about half a dozen baskets and a new lamp. I tried reading in bed last night and my wonky lamp kept shutting off. I decided it was time to pitch it and start over. It is an old lamp anyway and has served its purpose here on earth. I came back home and it wouldn't do to wait till morning to reorganize. So I stayed up till 2 a.m. moving furniture and reorganizing.
Then I got back up this morning and moved more furniture. Poor hubby and kids. The minute they get used to the way things are I change them. This is all hubby's fault anyway. He got me a new computer chair.
I've been using an old armchair held together with duct tape and bolstered with extra pillows. This new chair is nice. I can recline. I can spin around. I can raise it so high my toes barely touch the floor. So the living room looked frumpy with this new chair. So insane Nattie has moved furniture three different times in only 24 hours.
Here's the quote of the day...
It is always wise to stop wishing for things long enough to enjoy the fragrance of those now flowering. ~ Patrice Gifford
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 25, 2009
Short and Sweet
(Originally published by Nattie on July 17, 2004)
This is going to be short and sweet. I'm not feeling very good. I'm trying to cut down on my antidepressants and eventually stop taking them. This first day is hard. Very hard.
We had a little party for Annadoll. The "big" party is next weekend so we just went out as a family to Chuck E. Cheese. I normally don't like places like that, but I forgot about Skee Ball. I love Skee Ball. :-)
Have a blessed day. Don't forget to say a prayer for Annadoll's ultrasound Thursday and if you have any prayers left over prayer for my medication situation.
TTFN,
Nattie
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 24, 2009
I think...
(Originally published by Nattie on July 16, 2004)
she is feeling better. What do you think?
Yesterday was the first day I didn't have to pump her with fever reducer and today she is a talkative little buddle of energy. Please continue to pray that her ultrasound is okay next week.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 23, 2009
Just throwing this blog together
(Originally published by Nattie on July 13, 2004)
My baby girl is sick. I don't like that. Say a prayer. The doctor is a tad concerned. She has a uti, but he is concerned about her fever thinking it may mean a kidney infection rather than a bladder infection which is pretty serious for a little one. She is on antibiotics and is to have a renal ultrasound after the round of antibiotics.
That's all for now. :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:07 AM | Comments (0)
March 21, 2009
Sharing more quotes...
(Originally published by Nattie on August 6, 2004)
To know someone here or there with whom you fell htere is an understanding in spite of distances or thoughts unexpressed—that can make of this earth a garden. ~ Goethe
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 20, 2009
June Reads
(Originally published by Nattie on August 6, 2004)
A New Leaf by Thomas Kinkade
The Color of Your Skin Ain't The Color of Your Heart by Michael Phillips
The Sacrifice by Beverly Lewis
The Body In The Kelp by Katherine Hall Page
The Bookman's Promise by John Dunning
Death at Rottingdean by Robin Paige
Mums the Word by Dorothy Cannell
Legacy of Love by Joanna Trollope
Broken Dishes by Earlene Fowler
Death at Whitechapel by Robin Paige
Death at Epsom Downs by Robin Paige
Death at Dartmoor by Robin Paige
Death at Glamis Castle by Robin Paige
Death in Hyde Park by Robin Paige
Rose Cottage by Mary Stewart
Evan Only Knows by Rhys Bowen
Together Is All We Need by Michael Phillips
The Dancing Floor by Barbara Michaels
Do You Think I'm Beautiful by Angela Thomas
The Body In the Boullion by Katherine Hall Page
The Body in the Vestibule by Katherine Hall Page
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:16 AM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2009
Library update from Jen
Hi all,
We have a date for our library dedication for Natalie Rose. It will be on Sunday, May 31st beginning at 10:30am.
Our children at our church have starting taking over the worship part of the service on every 5th Sunday and it just so happens that May 31st is a 5th Sunday. So our worship portion will be conducted by the children's department and we will then do a dedication presentation of the library. After the service is completed, we will be having cookies in the library.
I am not going to tell what the name is going to be as it will be announced officially library dedication day.
If anyone wants to donate books (children's books) we will be putting a sticker in them reading "Donated by.... in honor of Natalie Rose," or if anyone wants to donate monetarily for books and anything else needed for the library, we would gladly accept that in honor of Natalie Rose as well and all the money collected will be spent in the library.
If you would like to make a donation, please make checks out to Alexandria Church of the Nazarene and place on it "Natalie Rose Library." Books and donations can be sent to Alexandria Church of the Nazarene at 1401 S. Harrison St., Alexandria, IN 46001 (please mark it "to Missy Beeman for Natalie Rose Library"). Thanks so much. Any questions, or more details, please contact me at jslewis2001 (AT) att.net.
God bless,
Jen
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:04 AM | Comments (1)
March 18, 2009
May Reads
(Originally published by Nattie on July 12, 2004)
~ The Body In The Big Apple by Katherine Hall Page
~ Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
~ Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
~ Cutwork by Monica Ferris
~ Even and Elle by Rhys Bowen
~ A Case of Crooked Letters by Lori Copeland
~ Death at Gallows Green by Robin Paige
~ Widows Club by Dorothy Cannell
~ Mrs Jeffries Takes Stock by Emily Brightwell
~ The Body In the Belfry by Katherine Hall Page
~ Evan Can Wait by Rhys Bowen
~ The Bookman's Wake by John Dunning
~ Death at Daisy's Folly by Robin Paige
~ The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett
~ Legacy Lane by Robin Lee Hatcher
~ Evans To Betsy by Rhys Bowen
~ Death at Devil's Bridge by Robin Paige
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 17, 2009
I still
(Originally published by Nattie on July 10, 2004)
...have nothing to blog about. La di da di da. I do have a new favorite book store—Half Price Books. I had never been and my mother-in-law took me there last week. Heaven on earth!
I got 10 books for only 30 dollars. Wow! Now that I know how to get there my mother-in-law is going to watch the kids so I can go alone. It is kind of hard to be in "heaven" when the kids are asking..."Are you done yet?"
What books did I get? Glad you asked...
If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland
Them Bones by Carolyn Haines
Death of a Postmodernist by Janice Steinberg
Goose In a Pond by Earlene Fowler
Crewel World by Monica Ferris
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells
Wild Mountain Thyme by Rosamunde Pilcher
To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Marrying the Mistress by Joanna Trollope
Now to find time to read again.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 07:51 AM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2009
Flower Girl
(Originally published by Nattie on July 9, 2004)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:15 AM | Comments (2)
March 14, 2009
when we dream...
(Originally published by Nattie on July 7, 2004)
When we dream alone it remains only a dream. When we dream together, it is not just a dream. It is the beginning of reality. ~ Dom Helder Camara
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:28 AM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2009
I've got nothing blogworthy
(Originally published by Nattie on July 6, 2004)
But in case you too have ever wondered...SNAFU predates computer chatroom acronyms. It's military shorthand for "Situation Normal, All F'd Up"
That's all for today. Back to your regularly scheduled blogging.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:13 AM | Comments (0)
March 12, 2009
Dial up...
(Originally published by Nattie on July 5, 2004)
sucks...for lack of a better word. It is taking me forever to stay on top of my email so I don't have time to read all the blogs in blogland. The girls have been extra chatty. So I'm counting down the days until I get my DSL back...eight days! Can I make it? It is like being tempted with chocolate on the first day of a new diet? Can I make it?! Will I be able to resist the draw of the blogs and emails?! Maybe if I just read one blog a day...no that won't work. Waaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!! And I haven't finished a book in three days. What is a girl to do?!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 04:02 PM | Comments (0)
March 11, 2009
Pardon the interruption.
I’m breaking in today to catch up on preparation for a couple events which will be happening in early June.
In case you didn’t catch Jen's comment, I'll repeat it here:
Thanks for posting the call for a great picture of Nattie. I have saved this photo on my computer and sent it in to get processed. It didn't turn out too bad. If anyone has found a good picture of Nattie or was able to break into her photo files, please send me some.A library update: We have the bookshelves up and are starting to fill them with books currently. They look a bit bare, but we will get there. We have a computer for all to use, some lounge chairs and a couple of smaller half-round tables in there. We are still working on pegs for hanging jackets and stuff like that. We have someone painting roses in the room (as she is Nattie Rose). We are planning the dedication to be done during children's week which is the first week of June.
Thanks again for all your help. I will keep you posted on the progress.—Jen Lewis
Thanks for the update, Jen. Please let us know the day and date of the dedication as soon as you get it.
I do know that this year’s Relay for Life will be on Saturday, June 6. Nattie’s Aunt Anne and I attended the "kickoff" meeting last week, and I have renewed the team "Remembering Natalie Rose York" for another year. I haven’t yet decided exactly how I want to personalize the team page, but you can reach it at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/TeamNattie
As I did last year, I will send an event T-shirt to anyone who donates at least $20.00 to the American Cancer Society in support of Natalie’s team page. This year I've also decided to do something else.
If you donate $10.00 and request a luminaria, I will mail you one of the special ACS luminaria sacks that you can decorate in any way you wish. Then send it back to me and I will put sand and a candle in it for the Luminaria Ceremony at the Relay. Then, if I don't lose track of where it is, I will email you a photo of your luminaria illuminated and in place after dark at the event site.
Thanks to Pattie for sharing these photos of the luminaries she made for her hometown Relay for Life.
There will be deadlines for both of the above. I'm thinking we'll need your donations by the end of April to get the luminaria to you and back. And I'll need sizes for the shirts and such by mid-May, if not sooner. So don't take too long to think about it. I'll try to have a little clearer plan in the next couple weeks. If possible.
Attention, Amy Henry: Plesae contact me if you and your friends at Nattie's church still want to participate in fundraising for her Relay for Life team this year.
Meanwhile, Angie, BlondeBlogger, Cathie Jo, Cynthia, Dana, Heather, Jen, Maria, StephanieG and all the rest of you who visit, read and comment, it's been almost two years since I took over this job, and nothing makes it any easier than does the knowledge that you share in the knowledge and appreciation for the memory of our Natalie Rose. Thank you!—Nattie's Daddy
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:07 AM | Comments (3)
March 10, 2009
Happy Belated 4th of July
(Originally published by Nattie on July 4, 2004)
This weekend has been crazy busy. Hubby had a rare three-day weekend so my normal "schedule" is all off kilter too. He is back to work tomorrow so I hope I can get caught up on emails and blogs then. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are thankful for the freedoms this crazy country provides.
"God bless you and utterly satisfy your heart...with Himself." ~ Amy Carmichael
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 09, 2009
Soul mates
(Originally published by Nattie on July 2, 2004)
I'm not gaga over Orlando like some people I know. I do think he is a handsome man, but apparently we are soul mates. Here is an article someone sent me...
Orlando Bloom was nearly killed a few years ago when he fell three floors from a friend's apartment and broke his back. Doctors were not sure Orlando Bloom would ever walk again, but 12 days after an operation, he walked out of the hospital on crutches. Since then, Orlando Bloom broke a rib falling off a horse on the "The Lord of the Rings" set. Other injuries Orlando Bloom has incurred include breaking his nose, breaking both his legs, an arm, a wrist, a finger, a toe and cracking his skull three times.
I read this article to my hubby and he said..."So he is a klutz. Just think you guys could fall together."
Jojo says...."Who knew there was someone out there as klutzy as you are."
Yup. I'm a klutz. I embrace my klutziness. Other people have battle scars, I have klutz scars. I won't list my injuries because it would probably surpass Orlando's and I don't want him to get jealous, but he must know that he has competition in the klutz department. I passed on my klutz gene to my children too. Of course, hubby shouldn't talk. He broke his elbow a few years ago tripping over a baby gate.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:50 AM | Comments (0)
March 07, 2009
Oh Dear...
(Originally published by Nattie on July 1, 2004)
I'm back to blogging and I have nothing to say. Should I blog about...
~ my car being in the shop?
~ Or maybe I should blog about the laundry I folded today?
~ Or maybe I should blog about how my exercise bike makes my tushy fall asleep?
~ Or about how messy my children are?
~ Or about how glad I am to be getting email again?
~ Or about how very very tiny I feel some days (not physically of course) just in the scheme of things?
~ Or about how I am Alice in Wonderland who has eaten the wrong muffin and keep getting bigger and bigger instead of smaller and smaller?
~ Or about my limited graphics program that is giving me fits when I try to make a new banner for my blog?
Well, nothing strikes my fancy so I'll just go and read your blogs. They best be about something more interesting than mine. :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:18 AM | Comments (0)
March 06, 2009
I'm having a surreal moment
(Originally published by Nattie on June 21, 2004)
I'm sitting at my computer and blogging for the first time in ages. Is this real? Am I dreaming?
Life has been crazy. We finally unsnarled a huge snaffoo (how do you spell that?) with our phone company. We hadn't been billed for 3ish months and they disconnected us. Hello?! If you don't bill me, I don't pay you. I wasn't thinking about it. So I've been in the land of the pioneers—no phone, no Internet. Well, that may be a bit extreme...we still had a tv and a cell phone, but I had to *gasp* drive all the way to the library...a whole two miles (uphill both ways) and sit in a hard chair and check my email. Oh, the horror!!!
It actually has been a nice quiet time, a learning time, a growing time, and of course, a reading time.
I've read more than 20 books in that time (I'll list the titles later). I've spent lots of time reading to the kids (at least 30 books for the summer reading program with the library. I've gone swimming. I've exercised. I've spent some contemplative moments. I've spent time at the doctor's office for all of us and have to go back again for my littlest one. I've done VBS (Vacation Bible School for you church virgins *;-)* ).
I also have a broken stove, a bird's nest in my dryer vent, a daughter who is allergic to mosquito bites, a son who doesn't tell me when his ear hurts and thus has an ear infection, a neighbor who thought it would be a good idea to leave a baseball on the sidewalk for me to trip over and a car that won't start.
But it has also been a season of blessings. Our refrigerator is full of fresh fruit. I have a minor...okay, major handle on cleaning my house (my husband is shocked!). I've started some new Bible studies. God has confirmed soooo many things in my life. The list goes on.
So I'm back! Do a happy dance.
I know I will...once the surrealness wears off. :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:18 AM | Comments (0)
March 05, 2009
The continuing saga
(Originally published by Nattie on June 5, 2004)
I don't even have the energy to go into the continuing saga of my life right now. But it all leads to be still not being back online. I've probably lost all my readers, but life is just really crazy right now.
I will say that we seemed to make it alive through my first year helping at Vacation Bible School. I have read 12 books this month. I am sunburnt. I have a sinus infection. My son has an ear infection. My daughter appears to be allergic to bug bites and we are going on vacation to California sometime this summer. So it isn't all bad, just hectic. I hope to be back blogging full force soon.
TTFN,
Nuttie Nattie
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:18 AM | Comments (0)
March 04, 2009
TGIF
(Originally published by Nattie on June 3, 2004)
Still.
Coughing.
Makes me Cranky.
Must make my children cranky too.
Got a new book at the library today.
Off to vacuum and spray my own ants.
Happy Friday.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:09 AM | Comments (1)
March 03, 2009
I've discovered
(Originally published by Nattie on June 3, 2004)
...another Victorian mystery series. I've really enjoyed them. The "author" is Robin Paige which is actually a pseudonym for a husband and wife team. You may have heard of Susan Wittig Albert. She writes the China Bayles mystery series. She and her husband Bill write the Victorian series.
The first book is Death at Bishop's Keep. The heroine of the series is Kate Ardleigh, an independent American woman who receives an irresistable offer to come to England to be the secretary of a long lost relative. Once at Bishop's Keep she realized that there is a lot she doesn't know. She meets up with Sir Charles Sheridan who is a scientist of sorts and they try to solve the mystery of an murder on a local archeological site.
A well written "cozy" mystery.
I recommend reading the series in order because a lot of the further books pivot on this first book and how Kate gets established in England.
I have also read the next two books in the series and am working on the third. I'll try to review them also.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 02, 2009
Soothing the Savage Beast
(Originally published by Nattie on June 2, 2004)
...or How to Survive When It Is That Time Of the Month...
Of course THAT time of the month can be ANY time of the month. Really! You know what I mean. I just happened to have "The Nanny" on last night when I was doing dishes. It is the only time I watch the show. It happens to be on when I'm fixing dinner and I'd rather listen to it than the news. It isn't my favorite show, but it distracts me from the mundane dishes and dinner preperations. Last night Fran was explaining to the youngest girl about hormones and periods. She said something like...
"You'll have those feelings at that time of the month...and before that time of the month...AND after that time of the month."
Isn't that true though? God made us marvelously complex and hormonal women. I'm embracing that. But how can my family survive that?! Firstly you have to give yourself permission to be hormonal. You are not weak because your body is acting as God created it. Now, I didn't say you have permission to be a screaming banshee 24/7 and 365. Instead have a plan of attack.
Sometimes I know before my feet hit the floor in the morning that I'm not going to handle things with equinimity. For those days I have a plan. What is that plan? Nothing! I declare it a do nothing day. No trips to the grocery store where the kids will get on my last nerve. No trips to the library where the kids will get on my last nerve. Meals will be simple. Clothing is optional. Okay, I exaggerate, but I do give myself permission to wear my robe and fuzzy slippers if it makes me feel better. The kids and I will cuddle on the couch and watch a movie. I don't worry about the dust bunnies or the laundry. Then there are the days when everything goes wrong. Your daughter drops her cereal bowl breaking a 30-year-old Correll dish into a million pieces. Your son clogs the toilet. Your husband can't find his socks. And it is all your fault. You clean up the bowl after making sure your daughter doesn't have any scraps from flying Correll. You plug your nose & unclog the toilet. You find your husband's socks and only huff a little bit. Then you burn dinner because you had to seperate two screaming children from a fight over a two-inch plastic toy. You lose it. Your head turns around on your body and your eyes roll back in your head. Smoke comes out your ears and you sprout a dragon tail. Maybe, that is a little extreme, but you know what I mean. That is the time when while the kids are in time out...mom gets a time out too.
When I'm in time out I sometimes pound my pillow, cry, pray, dance or sing. Whatever works for you. I usually just need to distance myself from the chaos and pray for peace, even if it is only internal. Or there are days like yesterday. I have this icky cold thingy. My throat is raspy. I feel like I'm going to cough up a lung. I take it easy and stick close to home. No errands. Simple meals. I do dishes and laundry, but don't stress about the other stuff. Then when the kids are in bed...it is my time. I wash my hair and put a deep conditioner on. I wrap my head in a towel. Then I slather an oatmeal mask on my face. I run a hot bath and pop some music on. I light a candle. I get something to drink and I find my book. Ahhh......Calgon take me away. Okay, it doesn't really take me away, but it soothes me and my savage beast.
There was a time when I was the last one on my list of people to take care of. Until the day I realized that in order to better take care of my family, I needed to take care of myself, too. Other ideas to soothe that savage beast:
* Take a walk. A long one if possible.
* Tae-Bo. I don't know why, but I always feel better after kicking and punching so much I could drop.
* Play music - loudly. I get my kids into the action too and we start dancing around. Sometimes it is to Pink and sometimes it is Audio Adreneline. Whatever gets you dancing.
If all else fails...find someone else to take the kids and give yourself a day long time out.
So your homework today is to have a plan for those days. Let me know what you come up with.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:24 AM | Comments (0)