When Life Gets Busy, Blogging Takes The Back Burner

Over the last few years my friends know when my life is on the busy side just by the lack of posts on my blog. The odd thing is usually when my life is busy I am away from home, out on evenings and occupied during the weekends. This time around my busy life is around or near my home. At least 3-4 times a week, I am trying to go out and get my exercise in, always after work either late afternoon or early evening. Exercise is only one part of my attempt to be more healthy, I am trying to eat more fruits and vegetables and cooking a better dinner (sometimes successful at the cooking part, sometimes not). Another part is getting to bed on time, 9:00-9:30, so I can get up on time in the morning, so I can have my quiet times with the Lord. It is all a cycle and part of my busy life.

Talking about the back burner, my back burner of my stove top has been used greatly recently. I think in the last month and half I have canned peaches, made tomato "pre-sauce" and made home made Concord grape jelly and canned it.

When I have a chance, I have about 3 blogs waiting in my brain.

"That Might Be a Problem. . ."

Have to share with you a funny from work today. Here is the senerio: one of our female PE teachers was out ill today and a subsitute came in to fill in for her. The other female PE teacher (there are 3 of us on the girls side) was filling the sub in what would be the plan for the day, and that the sub would be on the blacktop for the day.

The subsitute said in response to being outside on the blacktop, "That might be a problem, I have a predisposed condition to skin cancer and being out in the sun."

Over hearing the conversation, I replied, "You might want to re-consider taking PE sub jobs in the future. PE usually involves being out in the sun".

After my comment I told the sub that I had sunscreen on my desk with an spf of 50 that she was welcome to use.

Who knows what she was thinking when she took the job for the day, but thankfully, she did a great job (and I think my sunscreen did the job well too).

The Low Down and a Few Pics

A glimpse into what has been going on in my world over the last several weeks, in no particular order, rhythm or reason.

• The is a deep feeling down in my gut that the Giants will not make the playoffs, or if they do the Dodgers will be hard to overcome. At least it's a winning season.


• School has been in session for 4 weeks now. First progress report grades are due on Tuesday. Time is flying on by but it is a long stretch now until my next day off, Veteran's Day. I think I have another good crop of students this year. My worries are not so much my students but all of the students who have 6th period PE. Between the 5 teachers in my department there are 250 students. Of these students, about 50% of them are "disciplinary repeat offenders". Daily I need to take time to pause and pray to my heavenly Father for His grace and wisdom to deal with these students and that I would always respond in a way that gives glory to God. Last week my school was put in lock down for an hour and half due to a shooting at the high school.



• End of August always means peach picking at Carol's family peach farm/ranch. Last week, I finished eating the last peach. For the first time I canned fresh peaches, using both the raw and hot processing method. Thank you Carol for always inviting us to go peach picking and to hang out with your family.
  
  
• Dawn and I took a little drive up the Silverado Trail from Napa to Calistoga. Just a drive to do something different for just a short amount of time.



• On the counter top cooling is sitting my very first attempt at making a cheese cake for a co-workers birthday tomorrow. Cheese cake is not a dessert I would choose to eat with all the yummy choices out there but I will enjoy trying what I created. The whole cheese cake was made in the Cuisinart that Suzy gave me. Thanks Suzy, I already love that you are now part of my kitchen. Speaking of Suzy, she had a group of people over last night for one of the most delicious (yum!) home made Julia Childs meals. Everything was so incredibly delicious. Great meal Suzy and absolutely wonderful fellowship!



• Since Memorial Day weekend I have been on a challenge to myself to get into better shape and to lose some weight. I praise the Lord that He has allowed some success and I feel so much better. There still is a long ways to go but with faithfulness on my part and encouragement from my family and friends, I will obtain my goal. The biggest part of my goal once I met my goal is to stay there and not go back to where I have been. Please contact me if you would like to know how I have made some of these changes and seen success.



• My dad and I went golfing over the Labor Day weekend and I managed to drive the golf ball well, stay out of the pond and out of the sand traps. My middle game and putting still needs some refining.



• At some point in the near future I would like to learn how to can tomatoes (including tomato sauce, BBQ sauce and whole tomatoes) and grape jelly or jam. Trin Trin has been asking me for sometime if I make grape jelly and I always have to tell her that I do not know how. The grapes are starting to come in at the farmer's market.



• With no air conditioning in my house I am starting to prepare myself for the big heat wave that is projected to come across the land this next week. I think for at least the next 6 days, triple digits is expected. The fog can return anytime soon for my liking.



• My faithful God is always good to me, always full of tender care and mercy.

Wild Card Hopes

Great weekend (the whole week actually) for the San Francisco Giants. Broom city, a little pay back for what the Rockies did to us last weekend. The new ad campaign in the Bay Area is "I'm In!" referring to everyone Giants- the fans, the players, the managers, the hot dog vendor, the BART driver, the priest. . . are "in" for the Giants being in the post season.

"I'm In!"

With the sweep over the Rockies, the Giants are now tied with them for the Wild Card spot in the playoffs.

What a night for baseball in the city on Friday night. Hot does not even describe what the weather was like at home inland before Amy and I left for the game. The Weather Channel said it was 90 in San Francisco, almost unbelievable. There have been countless times the temperature gauge says over 100 when we leave but quite the opposite upon arriving at the game. For night games, one would be foolish if they did not have their thick jeans, long underwear, the heaviest sweatshirt they own and a jacket with them. Amy and I stayed in our short sleeve t-shirts and carpi pants the whole game and were still very warm. Very odd weather. Amy said, "It feels like earthquake weather". When she says comments like this, my only response is, "Stop saying that right now". The nice evening ended perfectly with a win for the Giants.

2 Gallons

Today in the mail I received a special little lapel pin. 2 gallons of blood, that's 16 pints of blood donated. The human body has 10-12 pints of blood. Some where out there, there are 16 people who have received my blood, who may have had their lives saved because God allowed me to give blood. Truly, I count it an honor and joy to give blood and honestly, feel that my body is healthier because of donating.

I commented on a post a long time back about a blood donor that saved my life- Christ Jesus, my Savior.

Image taken from google images.

Report Card on Summer Goals

At the start of my summer vacation, I had several things that were on my list of goals to accomplish during my precious time off. Because I start back tomorrow and I need to get back in the teacher mode, I will give myself a report card on how I did.

~resurface my pool - A
~clean up my yard -A at beginning of summer, now a C-
~kill the Bermuda grass in the front yard - C, the grass is dying but this week it will get the weed killer and the black tarp over it
~go to root on the Giants at the ball park -A,
~swim - D-
~exercise - A
~walk with Suzi - A, thanks Suzi for being my faithful walking partner, you helped me a ton.
~win the weight challenge between a few family members -NO MARK, no need to make weight loss a group thing, losing weight is something I need to do for myself personally and I praise God that I have lost some pounds over my vacation. Now it is time to continue with some of the beneficial changes I have made in my lifestyle. Now, if I would have done the weight challenge at work, I might have won!
~spend time with my sisters and my niece and nephew - B
~deep clean the whole house including my closet - A on the house, big fat F on the closet
~have friends and family over to enjoy the pool and a meal - B
~play some board/card games - D (not until this last weekend)
~go to the farmer's market on Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings - A, Tuesday mornings were good for the whole week and all the fresh fruit and vegetables are part of my changes in diet
~can more jam - B did make up several batches of strawberry and apricot jam
~learn how to can tomatoes, corn, beans, homemade BBQ sauce, and maybe pickles - F
~catch up with my Bible reading - B-, getting close but not quiet there yet
~see a few movies - A,
~quick trip to LA - A
~celebrate my nephew's, sister's and dad's birthdays - A
~lead the game time at VBS week - A, wonderful week
~teach a few kids or big kids how to swim - F, not motivated after the pool project
~go to Lassen and climb to the summit - A, went to Lassen, would have climbed the summit but the trail was closed due to a tragic accident.

Last Hur-rah!

Where has the summer gone? It has just flown on by and here I am the day before another school year starts all over again pondering where time has gone.



One stream that joins with another at Mill Creek Falls.










My parents are very gracious to allow me to relish "the cabin" when time allows with my friends. The trip this time for me was my last hur-rah for the summer. A time to relax, enjoy God's incredible creation, reflect on goals accomplished during my time off, contemplate goals for the upcoming months, a little recreation and exploration, enjoy some time spent with a good friend, and refreshment for my soul before the craziness starts up again.



Mill Creek Falls. A 3.2 mile round trip hike. What a wonderful time of singing praise, hymn and children song's out in the wilderness (to worship God and to scare away any curious bears).









After finishing the first hike, the destination was Summit Lake to take a cool refreshing swim. On the journey to the lake we came across another trail that I have always wanted to do. We evaluated our energy level, the time of day, our water supply and decided to go for our second hike within a few hours of finishing the first hike. We were blessed for our decision. Beautiful scenic trail alongside a flowing stream, surrounded by granite cliffs and evergreens with a splash of incredible colors of mountain flowers.


Along the 3.1 mile round trip trail down Kings Creek to Kings Creek Falls.













Lupine flowers at the base of Mt. Lassen around Emerald Lake.

Part of the Kings Creek Falls trail.

Along the trail there were several smaller water falls. I was not able to get an accurate picture of Kings Creek Falls. We stood at the top of the falls that tumbled down some 30'-40' but did not have the energy (or the shoes) to climb down the cables to get to the bottom of the falls for a picture.

I would like to assure you that I don't usually take pictures of my feet, regardless that this is the 3rd picture of my feet on the blog this summer. Look past the fact that it is time for my last summer pedicure. When all was said and done of our day hiking in Lassen National Park, we hiked at the very least, 7 miles. By the time we arrived at Summit Lake my "dogs" were dirty and tired. My hiking boots were paining my toes a bit so I wore my running shoes for the day. Sure felt good to put my feet in the lake for a cool down and clean up.

Scruffy Boys

You would think it was October and the playoffs by the looks of my boys, the San Francisco Giants. Most of them forgot their razors for this road trip to Cincinnati. Guess it is the supersticious mojo scruff going on. Whatever it takes to win, whatever is fine for me.

Bon Appetit

Today my Mom, Grandma, sister and I went out to see the newly released movie called Julie and Julia for a girl's afternoon out. We all had some good belly laughs and got our abdominal workout in for the day. Amy and I decided to cook through the cookbook, but not in a year but as many as it takes to finish all the recipes. Amy's reply, "there may be more uneatable creations than one's you could enjoy". She was referring to her cooking and not mine.

The film had a portion of a Saturday Night Live program titled, "The French Cook". You can enjoy the clip here (taken from Hulu).

Forgotten Watermelon Platter

Friday night was the closing program for VBS. As I pulled into the church parking lot, right on time, exactly 7:00, I realized that I had forgotten the platter of sliced watermelon in my refrigerator at home. I parked and took a walk through the kitchen and realized that there was not enough food for the amount of people expected. I knew I needed to drive back home, at least a 12 minute drive one way. Thankfully, God did not keep me in my "being upset with myself" mode too long. He reminded me that I really had not even prayed for the evening program and the parents that would be hearing a very short gospel message. What a delightful time of prayer I had traveling back to my house and then back to the church all over a forgotten platter of watermelon.

Funny how God works things out for His divine plan, even the extra time going home for that platter of fruit. If I would have gone into the church the first time I was there and sat down, I would have sat on my usual side, closer up to the front and possibly may not have even seen someone that I needed to see there. But because I went home, I did not sit on my usual side but the other side, on the edge of the row on the outside, I saw one of my students that was in one of my PE classes this past year. In all my years of teaching, I have never had a more difficult student than this young lady. It was a common occurrence for her to chew and cuss me out. She was so angry and upset in the plot she was in life. She did not care about school or at least PE and was only there for the few friends she had. The office and the VP's knew her well too, she was in so many fights during the year and many teachers wrote her up for her defiance and rudeness. In talking with her (and foster mom's -yes a few of them, her mother and social worker) over the course of the year, I saw she had a horrible life and she made it out to be even worse. I prayed so many prayers for her and tried to share with her that I cared, wanted to listen and that I was praying for her. Towards the end of the year, when we were able to talk without her yelling and screaming at me, I found out that she was living in a shelter with her mom.

I walked in almost a half hour late, trying to not draw attention to myself,and there she sat in the very last seat of the church, closest to the door for an easy escape. Our eyes connected and I walked by "like no big deal" and said hi to her by name. She said hello back and as I walked by, I heard her say after I passed to the person next to her, "that's was my PE teacher last year". After the program, I saw her mother sitting right behind me and I introduced myself and she remembered who I was instantly. She thanked me many times for all the hard work I had done with her daughter, she shared some of what she was going through and I told her that I had been praying for her daughter all last year and even sitting in my seat that night since seeing her daughter. She hugged and thanked me with tears in her eyes. After we talked for a long while, I went out to find my student. I found her sitting with some of the older young women (who were mommies to babies) and we chatted for a little bit. She was shocked that I went to church, the church that she was at right then and there for a VBS closing program. We did not have the best conversation but we did converse and I shared with her again that I would be praying for her and that God could help with her situation and attitude of heart. At work, I can share some of those things but I am so guarded because of the possible trouble I could get myself in but it was all different being away from work and at church where her family had brought her and her younger siblings.

Funny how God works, and to think it was all because I forgot a plate of watermelon.

VBS

This week has been busy with VBS (Vacation Bible School) at my church. I am running the games time again this year. God is working in wonderful and amazing ways. Seeds have been planted and am praying that God causes them to take root and sprout up. I have much to share about how the week is going but tonight is not the time for me, I'll try to share more when time allows. One little thing that I will share is I love the heart of a child in how curious they are to know the Truth, who God is, if He loves them and the innocent way they ask questions.

If you think of it pray for our last two days with the children and the closing program for the parents on Friday night.

To God be all the glory!

From Shug's comment

Hi Shug,

Thanks for the feedback. Here is the picture (might have been from a slightly different angle) you mentioned in your comment. I think I cropped it before because I had cut off part of the top of the window frame and personally, the window color choices don't seem to go with the house and yard.

See you tomorrow. The snacks have been wonderful!

Monterey

There is so much beauty of God's creation so close to my home. So much beauty that I really have not tapped into and explored. My dear friend and I took a quick trip to Monterey for a day/night trip. Monterey is about 2 hours from where I live. We had a super nice time relaxing to the sound of the waves coming in and checking out some cute antique shops. I am trying to work on my ability to take pictures, see things with an eye for detail and to capture life and God's creation. Enjoy, please tell me what you think, especially the shots of the stairs. I would like to print one of them out and put up in my house. They need to grow on me a little more.

Not sure what I think of this. The photo would have been better if the swing or the house was a different color.

Inside the wheel barrow is a paisley sink. I think I should have tilted the sink in the barrow to give a little more depth perception. On a side note, I almost bought this cute sink. I thought it would be a great bird bath outside mounted on some copper piping.

I love this photo. When I learn how to use my Corel Paint Shop program a little better, I will blacken in the label on the pot on the right.

There is something nice about planted pots in a window, especially a dark framed window.







As the "dude" commented as we both sat with our sweatshirts on, "Sun worshipers with their sweatshirts on". My response back to the "dude", "There's nothing of sun worshipers in us, only worshipers of God".

By the way, it was foggy both days in Monterery and Carmel. Only saw the blue sky a few times.

The gull gave me a good pose.



Beautiful Carmel Beach with the Pebble Beach Golf Coarse in the background.

Beautiful, incredible Dahlia!

I always have loved Mexican tiles. These are the 4 stairways that I would like you to vote for which is the best for a picture to put up in my house. I know all of them are taken at an angle and I need to practice taking some straight on to see how they turn out. As I said sometime in the past, I am a self taught photographer who does not know much at all about photography, little alone my digital camera.

Just for fun, laying back, shot of the surf and the toes.

Pool Frolic

The new pool has been broken in quiet well. Love using my home for gatherings and parties. The first set of photos are from my dad's birthday and the second set is from the 4th of July. Thank you to those of you who prayed that my pool would be finished by the 4th.

Trip to LA Photos

I wanted to share a few funny photos I took while driving down.

About the time I saw this truck, I was ready to have my travel coffee mug filled up. The problem was I could not figure out how to pull along side this truck and get a re-fill. The driver was of no help either, he would not slow down.

Here I drove with the Cartel, not the drug cartel (don't know how to spell that) but tomato cartel. When I drove down there were countless trucks that were empty and had no tomatoes, if fact I did not see one traveling southbound that had tomatoes. One the other hand, all the trucks traveling northbound were filled to the top with tomatoes.

I could not believe what this truck was advertising, dog poop cleanup. What in the world, you have got to be kidding. If you own a dog, you need to clean up after your dog. Why have a dog if you can not clean up it's poop. We could use this service at work because people have the nerve to walk their dogs on the PE fields and not clean up after them. We step in it, the kids step in it. As the pick up says, "Glitch!".

This job could go on the Dirtiest Jobs TV show.

One evening Ann and Becky hosted a gathering so I could see some dear friends. Oh what a joy and encouragement it was to see each of them. Here we have Alan, Karin, Becky, Dimi, Ann and Jerre. I have known most of them for 15 years!

On my last day I was able to visit with my dear friend Selena and her family. It was the first time for me to meet her children. What a sweet family. I so enjoyed my time with them. Selena was a big component in my new life as a believer way back in 1992. She was so encouraging and helped me get involved in the Bible study on campus. She still is a huge encouragement to my heart and walk with Christ.

Here is Selena's mom. I lived with Selena's parents for a few years when I was starting my teaching credential program.

Here are Selena's cutie pies again. They all just finished their swim lessons.

Memory Lane

A few weekends ago I took a trip down to Los Angeles to visit with some dear friends. June 30th was the 10 year anniversary of being back in Northern California from moving from Southern California. Time has gone by so quickly. For some reason this trip down to LA was filled with memories of my time in LA. I will try to remember now some of what I remembered 2 weeks ago. There are so many other memories of sweet times with beloved sisters and brothers in Christ, church life, ministry, work, and so much more.



The drive down I-5 has many stories of it's own. There was the time that a cantaloupe truck lost it's load and melons were rolling all over the highway. As I slowly drove by I scooped up two and I tell you they were the best melons I have ever eaten. Then there was the time that one of my college volleyball buddies flew down to see me and drove home (back to Northern California) with me. One this time home there was a tornado warning in the central valley. All the traffic was stopped and a highway sign told us to tune into a certain am station. The station said something like, "there have been some tornadoes spotted in the central valley. If you are in your car and you see a funnel tube, get out of your car immediately and go lay in the irrigation ditch. Leave your car behind". Or the time my dad and I drove back earthquake relief supplies to Northridge and we were escorted by the highway patrol over the Grapevine. There was not one other car on the highway. Kinda eerie.



Jerre (one of my roommates from the Wilbur House) and I went down to the CSUN campus. I needed to go to the bookstore to get a wall banner and a sweatshirt. We parked right outside of the Kinesiology building and I wanted to go in and check out the Center of Achievement. The CoA and the Kinesiology was such a huge part of my time down in LA. God mightily used my first semester in the Kinesiology department to bring me to Himself to be saved. In walking in the building I could not find the entrance to the CoA. The place has gotten so big and expanded, not only the CoA but the whole Kinesiology building. Some of this was due to the earthquake in '94, some to have basketball and volleyball teams go to the NCAA championships, and so much for the donations to make the CoA a better place. I finally was able to find the entrance to the CoA, it was where it used to be but just everything was built up around it. I knocked on the door and a kind grad assistant answered the door. I introduced myself and told him of all my years working at the CoA and asked if I could take a tour. Wow, the place was huge. There now was 3 separate pools for specific disabilities and rehab, classrooms, offices, stretching room, weight room, cardio room, lobby and so much more. I was so blown away. We dreamed of some of the changes when I was there but we did not have the funds, it was just a dream or a wish. I asked about one of my dear co-workers and I found out she still worked there. I was able to leave her a note and she contacted me one day as I was leaving LA. I could tell you story after story of my time in there but it really would not have any significance to you.



The best part of my trip was connecting up with some dear friends that I keep in touch with but we just don't get to see each other very often. Each of these folks have been so instrumental in my walk with Christ, many of them were from my CSUN days and the Grace on Campus Bible Study. There were so many that I would loved to have seen while I was there but there is just not enough time or energy to fit everyone in. It was so good to see everyone. On each meeting we caught up, shared stories from the past and encouraged each other in faith and where each of us are at now. I thank God for rich times like these with dear brothers and sisters in the Lord.



My next post I will share a few photos that were taken on my journey.

He Knows My Name and At the Cross

My heart often is greatly moved and encouraged by the words men and women put to music. Last Sunday was another example of God revealing how incredible and compassionate He is towards me, His beloved child, in whom He died for. The songs that I would like to comment on are: He Knows My Name by Tommy Walker and At the Cross by Darlene Zschech. Please forgive me if I have posted on either or both of these songs in the past (I know I posted on He Knows My Name during the pool project but I don't think I gave any real heart feedback). Here are the lyrics to both of the songs.

He Knows My Name, by Tommy Walker

I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call


At the Cross, by Darlene Zschech

Oh Lord You
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me

Each of these songs affects me in different ways depending what is going on in my heart at the moment that I sing these songs and the contribution of certain musical instruments. Just look at words of these songs, so very amazing who God is to His beloved children. The personal pronouns and verbs are strong in this song. "I have, He formed, He knows, He sees, He hears and He calls". He is my Maker, He formed my heart, My life is in His hands, He knows my name, He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls, He hears me when I call, He is my Father and calls me His own and He will never leave me. What security to put my trust in Him.

He knows me so well, better than I know myself. He knows my every thought, not just some, not only the good and honoring thoughts but each and every one of them. He knows my joys and my struggles. He sees the tears that have fallen (or the tears that have not fallen outwardly but inwardly in my heart). He hears me when I call for help, guidance, escape, forgiveness and for renewed hope in the cross. What a promise that He will NEVER leave me, no matter where I or my heart go.

Oh and to know that He loves me. Not just that He loves me but to know that the God of the universe loves me, that I am precious to Him, He knew He was going to the cross to die for my sins, that He knows me. Again what a promise, even when life as we know it now is over, and God is standing before me in Heaven, I will know that He loves me.

56

My dad, brother in law and sister have all taken up the game of golf. They have talked me into considering playing, mainly because a 3 some is not allowed at some golf courses but 4 is always fine. I would make 4. The very first time I played on a course we can't count. It was all a baseball swing, using volleyball mechanics and the ball was rolling down a bowling alley. The second time I played will be considered the first time that I have played. I scored a 56 on a 9 hole course. I did well at the beginning and end and had a little bit of trouble in the middle. At this point, I don't think I am going to get addicted to golf but I will enjoy a game here and there when my family is going out. Nice time to enjoy the outdoors and hanging out with my family.

Image taken from Google Images.

Before and After

Thought you might enjoy the before and after shots so you did not have to scroll way down the blog page. I praise the Lord for the home that He has given me. My prayer is that my home and my new pool will be used greatly for His service and for the furtherance of His kingdom.

By the way, I have been in the new pool several times to get a little workout. For me, it is not the best pool for lap swimming. My laps go like this, if it were put in words, "push off from the wall, stroke, stroke, stroke, stroke, flip turn, push off, stroke. . . " I swam for 20 minutes and did about 70 laps. It's a great pool for those who don't swim well and laps or water aerobics.