Thursday Things

January 31, 2013 | My Jottings

1. After a few days of more reasonable temperatures (near the freezing point), we are supposed to go into the deep freeze tomorrow. Michael and I were talking about it in the dark this morning before we got out of bed, and we both said, “This might be the last of it.” Everyone in Northeastern Minnesota knows what that phrase means — it means since we’re almost to February, these next below-zero dips might be the last ones we’ll see like this until next year. Reason to rejoice!

2. We just learned that our state has foisted another huge paperwork task on all the family foster care providers. What they are requiring of us is almost unbelievable to me. And the friendly phrase, “failure to submit this review by May 31 will result in not being able to receive payment.” I truly wish I could hire a paperwork specialist to come into my home for a few hours a week and do the paperwork for me. It never seems to end.

3. We are just finishing up the book of Mark in Community Bible Study, and will start Ephesians next. We recently learned what our 30-week study will be for 2013-14 and I’m looking forward to it very much: Daniel, Job and I and II Peter.

4. I have been introduced to Norwex products and am trying them out in my home. So far I’m impressed. Anyone out there use them?

5. I picked up a book at the library yesterday that my sister-in-law Christy recommended to me. She said it was the most beautiful book she’d ever read, and since she’s a prolific reader, that’s saying a lot. Have any of you ever read The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey?

6. Edith and Mildred know what the word squirt means now. My friend Diane suggested that we might try squirting them with a little stream of water when they bark so shrilly at passersby, so even though I was pretty sure this wouldn’t deter them, I gave it a try. Well, it works. One squirt stops the Schnauzer shrieking instantly and they slink into the living room to escape. Diane also told me that she needs only to call the word, “Squirt!” out to her dogs from another room, and they stop barking. This would never work with our dogs, I thought. But it does. I can holler “Quiet! Knock it off! No!” and they just keep on happily yipping and wagging their tails at the squirrels, joggers, postman. If I hear them start up and I yell ominously from my office, “Squirt!”, they stop.

7. I love this game on my iPad.

8. Here’s a picture of Michael and Sara at Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Florida, taken a couple of months ago.

9. We’re having chili for dinner tonight. And salad.

10. My friend Denel told me that for our 2nd Annual Lupi-Soo Reunion this fall, she’s thinking of choosing some place in the Pacific Northwest. I can’t wait.

How about you? What are a couple of your Thursday things?

Comments

  1. Pat says:

    I tried that squirt thing with Jasper and not only did it not deter him from barking, he thought it was a wonderful game. He would hide around the corner of the ottoman, bark, then wait for me to squirt him so he could run around the chair in circles and wait for me to squirt him again. Sigh…

  2. Just Julie says:

    Now THAT is funny Pat! Maybe not for you so much, but I laughed at the thought of that little stinker making a game out of something that’s supposed to be punitive instructive. 🙂 xxoo

  3. Tauni says:

    1. I am hanging out with my little princess Emma this afternoon. We will be finding some wonderful place to have a little lunch and then maybe time for a short adventure.
    2. A friend (sort of adopted daughter) just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy yesterday so I am hoping to squeeze in a visit with her today before she heads home from the hospital.
    3. My CBS class is doing the same study yours is and we meet tonight, I can’t wait. I hope we will be doing the same study next year that you are cuz it sounds really good ~ I absolutely love Job and the book of Job and would love to do a formal study on the book!
    4. I have never heard of Norwex. What makes them different and special?
    5. Will put “The Snow Child” on my list of next reads. Sounds very intriguing. Honestly Julie, with the busy-ness of your days, where do you find the time to read as much as you do?
    6. I have no clue what we will be having for dinner tonight, I never do ~ I kind of shoot from the hip and see what falls down!
    7. Am so very jealous of your Lupi-Soo Reunions ~ can we do a Lupi-Soo-Boo reunion?? Not that the three of us were much of a “union” to begin with ~ but I would love to get to know Denel better/again!
    8. We have had unseasonably cold weather recently and it is warming up now too. Julie, I know if you experienced 52 degrees regularly at this time of the year it would be considered a veritable heatwave. However for our mild tempered geographical area, it is harsh! 🙂 The downside is that everyone will want to come to the beach soon.
    That’s my list of Thursday Things!

    Hugs ~ Taun

  4. Just Julie says:

    Tauni, I so loved reading your Thursday Things! Thank you for taking the time to share. I hope you and beautiful Emma have a nice time together.

    It’s the Norwex cleaning cloths I’m trying out (check out their website) and I’m truly shocked at how well they clean with only water. No chemicals at all. They’re pricey but I think I’m going to buy a couple because I never thought I’d be terribly impressed but I am.

    And I have to tell you, Taun, when I read your Lupi-Soo-Boo? Oh my goodness that was hysterical! Lupi-Soo-Boo! I don’t think I’ll ever get over that – so brilliant. (to clarify for readers who might wonder what we’re talking about: Lupi, Soo and Boo are the first letters of our maiden names: Lupiani, Sooter and Booth.) And I think it would be wonderful to have three of us get together!

    Lastly, I read at night, and in the car, but not while driving. :O I read for about an hour before I go to sleep at night, and I take a book with me when I’m waiting in a doctor’s office, or in a parking lot when Michael is almost done with bowling. I hardly ever read during the day. Oh – I read in the bathtub. 🙂

    Love to you Taun xxoo

  5. Kay in Cornwalll says:

    Thursday things:
    1) Freezing temperatures in Minnesota? I’m almost afraid to tell you that our current temperature is about eight degrees. Earlier this month we had the distinction of Camborne being the warmest place in the UK! (Around ten degrees.)Although it is VERY wet here.
    2) I have a letter to write to our sponsored child in Bangladesh. I never realised how little it costs to sponsor a child and how much happiness we would receive back. Also, I would love to be able to do your paperwork for you,Julie. I am one of those sad people who love admin/paperwork/organising. Why do you have to live so far away?! 🙁
    3) Today we met with a small group at our local chapel and had a bible study, Revelation being the current topic. Although we are not Methodists, we meet with a Methodist minister for whom we have the greatest respect. Prior to this, we usually have lunch at the chapel. This can be slightly surreal at times because some of the characters remind me of the BBC programme ‘Last Of The Summer Wine’! There are a few Nora Battys and Cleggys there!
    4) I haven’t heard of Norwex before. It sounds a bit like the microfibre cloths we use.
    5) I have read ‘The Snow Child’ and really enjoyed it. But I think my favourite is still ‘The Medieval Woman’. I love reading about social history.
    6) It’s good to hear that Edith and Mildred are responding to your gentle discipline. (What about those evil bark collars?) Pat’s account of how Jasper reacts to the squirter had me laughing out loud with tears running down my face!
    7) I am enjoying playing Words With Friends on my Kindle. Although in my current game with you, Julie, I feel I’m onto a hiding. Of course, I always blame the mix of letters I’ve been given. 🙂
    8)Today we’ve been to our local Toy Library to stock up with toys for the creche at our new church plant. I had great fun choosing from all the ‘babies’ on offer! I also picked up lots of activity toys.
    9) My elder son came for dinner this evening. I do so enjoy him visiting. I still find it hard to believe that I have an (almost) 32 year old son! How can this be when sometimes (before I get out of bed and the aches and pains start)I think I’m not even forty yet?!
    10) Last thing on Thursday night, we have Question Time on BBC One. It’s a current affairs discussion programme with a panel of various political figures answering questions from the studio audience. We usually record this programme because we are not night owls and prefer to watch said programme the next day.
    I also enjoy reading last thing at night. It’s almost as if I need to read at least a few pages to settle down to sleep. I know it’s time to put the book down when I realise that I’ve read the same sentence three or four times!
    I read during the day when my back hurts and I’m frustrated by enforced inactivity- well, that’s my excuse anyway!:)

  6. Just Julie says:

    Kay, your answers are always a treat to read. I think others enjoy getting to know you too! When I say freezing I mean zero Celsius. Tomorrow night we’re supposed to get minus 25 Celsius. I read that London is getting snow but it sounds like you’re just getting cold rain where you are? And about Edith and Mildred – we still use the horrible bark collars when they go outside. The squirt bottle is for when they’re inside, looking out the windows at people going by. Sigh. I am so happy to be playing Words With Friends with you Kay! I loved reading everything you shared – thank you again! xxoo

  7. Ronda says:

    My, my I can only imagine what that pile of paperwork entails. I also love paperwork so I would gladly become your assistant. Where do I apply? LOL
    We are anxiously awaiting to hear how Spencer’s interviews went today. He had 2 of them.
    I am astonished at Edith and Millie’s progress. They have a good teacher.

  8. Just Julie says:

    Hi Ronda! It’s so nice to see you here. Oohhh that would be a dream come true to have you do my paperwork. You and Kay could take turns. Maybe you would enjoy this job better than the one you’ve got now? 🙁 Please keep me posted on Spencer’s interviews – there’s a young man who will be an asset to the company that hires him. Hugs to you all, dear Ronda… xxoo

  9. Carey says:

    My not so busy Thursday…
    1. Spent a couple of hours on the Washington state MLS website…dreaming of finding a small farm in a state that doesn’t have temps that go below zero!
    2. Strained and bottled my latest gallon of Kombucha tea and have the bottles sitting on my counter while they go through a second ferment. Four of them are flavored with fresh lemon & ginger – the remaining two are mixed berry.
    3.Made supper early in the day – Curried Chicken and Basmati rice. House smelled yummy all day!
    4. Took my Christmas tree down and finished packing away the decorations until next year. Yes, you read it correctly – I left my beautiful Frazier Fir up until January 31! It was so lovely to have the lights on during these cold and dark January nights, but all good things must come to an end. Sigh!
    4. Brought a jar of fresh kefir and a container of Chicken & Spaetzle soup over to my Mom’s (she’s under the weather and I’m determined to help her get well!)
    5. Almost had a meltdown at the grocery store – returned to my car to find it dead. Got a jump start from a man in the parking lot who saw me in distress. Sadly, the car started but the electronics went wonky and locked the gear shift. There I am…under dressed, frozen fingers, wind howling and my husband working late – so I pray, “Help me Lord” and the car suddenly starts working and I make it home before it dies again! Thank you Jesus!
    6. It’s cold in my house, so I’m finishing up the day by baking a loaf of bread – Rustic Grains with Raisins & Pecans. It just came out of the oven and I want to eat the whole loaf! Am praying for willpower to stop after one slice.

  10. Just Julie says:

    I loved reading your list too, Carey. A few quick thoughts: I hope you don’t move to Washington. I should hire you to make Michael’s Kombucha. I would like the recipe to your Curried Chicken. Sooo glad your car started to get you home – thank the Lord! And that bread? Oh my. Instead of a farm, couldn’t you just buy the house next door to me and you could be my kombucha/kefir/paperwork/food prep specialist? 🙂 xxoo

  11. Ganeida says:

    Stood in line for relief handout.

    Stood in line at the shop to buy items not in stock due to power outage.

    Cleaned out stinky fridge & freezer due to power outage.

    Started washing accumulated wet clothing before it goes mouldy ~ due to power outage.

    Such an exciting life I lead just now.

    Today we shopped on the mainland to replace everything we lost in ~ yep, the power outage! 🙂

    Packed meat I don’t eat. Ick. Fed scraps to cats ~ who fought over who would get the last bite. Early beddie~byes for me I think. Or murder may be done.

  12. Just Julie says:

    Oh Ganeida I hardly know what to say. I am so sorry you all have had to go through this! What a sobering thing, yet you’re alive and I’m so grateful for that, because who would make me laugh and encourage me like you do? May God bless you all, and all those around you, as things get back to “normal” again. Blessings, dear friend… xxoo

  13. Ganeida says:

    Julie, so many have had it faaaar worse. I am just tired & it turns me into a grumpy toddler! We have another storm heading our way so must batten down the hatches once again. Hopefully the power will stay on this time….

  14. Just Julie says:

    I pray that the power stays on this time Ganeida! And even though at this time my power is on (thank God since it’s minus 20 Fahrenheit and minus 29 Celsius!), it’s comforting to know that there are other tired grumpy toddlers out there. xxoo

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