bonnybee's Xanga

Friday Nights

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 01:15:34 GMT

The problem with Friday nights is that when I actually have a rare free night with no work, I can never think of something to do. Tonight I even had Hannah and Amy to hang out with, so I figured we'd have a great sisters' night together doing whatever we wanted. But we couldn't figure out what we wanted. After spending an hour or two trying to think of options (personally, I was being a poor sport because I was tired of the same-old watching movies or playing games), Hannah gave up and decided to hang out with her friends. There were no good movies in the theatres appropriate for both Amy and us older ones, and most other places to go to (like the zoo, or the park, or museums) are closed at night. So Amy and I also gave up, and went to get icees and frosties (the only thing we DID agree on), and then finally went to rent a movie. Of course we took an hour to decide on a movie, since I like things like princess and fantasy movies and she likes things like dog and horse movies. After going over all the movies maybe five times without agreeing on ANYTHING, I gave up and let her rent Air Buddies which she is watching by herself while I do boring things like post on xanga. And thus ends my Friday night off.

Of course, tomorrow I have a fun event all day (reenactment stuff at the Hancock House) but neither of my sisters want to come. One night with people and nowhere to go, and the next day with places to go and no one to come.

A Basketful of Happiness

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:38:45 GMT

I was so impressed with this series which I borrowed from Katherine who borrowed it from Lacy. I was surprised, since it's for teenagers. But it just blew me away, it was so well-written and so accessible and so challenging. Of everything I've read lately, these books and Jamie Langston Turner's books are my top-picks for both excellent writing and excellent pointing-to-Jesus.

Friday the thirteenth I started watching The Neverending Story series, but I decided that arranging so that Danielle could watch them with me was more important that my tradition of Friday the thirteenth movie marathons, so I've been dragging it out watching a movie every few days whenever Danielle is free.

Saturday and Sunday I went to the Penns Grove Historical Society for their Women in History reenactments and I actually found two wonderful bits of information. First of all, one of the ladies being portrayed I realized was a distant cousin, and I was able to give them a lot more information about her, as well as learn about her achievements as the first woman pharmacist in New Jersey at the turn of the century. Then, wouldn't you know, the lady I was talking to about her (she was the reenactor) happened to be the very one who could immediately find the other information I was interested in--newspaper articles about the duPont explosion that my great-great-uncle Ray Hale was killed in. She found a long article complete with pictures of the three victims and of the burning building! It was wonderful!

Monday night was Fine Arts Night for Gloucester County Christian School, so I went to hear Hannah sing with choir and vocal ensemble. Besides one wonderful violin solo, the best thing was, as always, Mrs. Iles' choral speaking and reader's theatre performers. I had seen the piece the choral speakers did before, but the acting of the reader's theatre group presenting "Madge and Guy" (an adaptation of "The Gift of the Magi") was astounding! I was quite impressed.

Tuesdays continue to be my favorite day of work, because in the afternoon I get to do "fun jobs" like going to the Brads and helping Karen fold laundry and pick up around the house while holding Evangeline on my hip and chatting nonstop with Karen. =)

The weather has been fine lately, and today I picked the first blooming daffodilly that I've seen this year! I stole it from a forest and tucked it behind my ear and felt like a wood nymph with my hair down and my green clothes. Friday is the first day of spring! I cannot believe how much my heart sings at the sunshine and the green grass and the tractors turning over rich soil for planting! I truly love spring and summer and fall, and I truly love the South Jersey countryside!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:20:17 GMT

Whew. I've had a cold since last Saturday, missing church and most of my work and even my longingly anticipated Genealogical Society meeting. But today I managed to go to LEARN and even brought my parakeets to bird class.

My kind, friendly, elderly neighbor passed away a few days ago. We liked him. He would always talk to us and smile and greet us and look out for us. He's been sick for a number of months now though, so it was expected. But we'll miss him.

Winter is really over now. Even the cold days are still like spring. Besides, it's daylight savings time, so we got plenty of sunshine.

Oh For the Seventies

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:34:41 GMT

I love that the difference between last Tuesday's temperature and this Sunday's temperature was sixty degrees, and that while last Monday it snowed, this Monday we're in short-sleeves.

Unfortunately, my body doesn't like it as well as my soul does, and it replies by giving me a cold. Cough cough, sniff sniff.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:29:21 GMT

Last weekend I shopped Friday and Saturday for clothes for my mom and me.

This weekend I shopped Friday for stuff around the house (lightbulbs, pet food, gifts), and today I will install them.

Thursday was the first day of LEARN.

My life continues to be busy and tiring, but maybe just maybe I'll spend today finally reconnecting with my distant friends.

Because It's Foolish to Pretend You're in a Desert When There's Free Water All Over the Place

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:50:07 GMT

So after Sunday's sermon, I've been so joyful, having figured out Jesus is water enough to fill me to overflowing, not just enough to keep me alive. For some reason, remembering that has just made me completely happy ever since. Whether cooking dinner, fellowshipping after church, washing dishes at 11:30pm, waking up early, teaching kids, cleaning houses, taking out trash, or driving alone, I've just been happy happy happy. This morning I had a great school day with Seth who's learning so much new stuff with new books and everything. This afternoon I had a great time helping Karen clean up a long-neglected room, which is now completely organized. This evening I had a great time at the Bus Stop Cafe listening to Kassandra and Steve and others play lovely music, and blues, and Bob Dylan, and all sorts of things I like. Ah lovely.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:24:40 GMT

My life is leaving to work early, getting home late, and ignoring all emails.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:11:05 GMT

Saturday I took Ransom and Amy to the Franklin Institute all day. They had a blast. But I never want to drive in Philly again.

Monday was a BAD DAY. It included hitting a deer and needing my car jumped. Those were two separate events. It included clogged toilets and bad dreams. It included way too much driving and way too little eating, considering my first meal of the day was McDonalds at 10pm. There were many other separate bad events which I won't list. But at the end of the day I was very glad the day was over, although fortunately nothing left any lasting bad results.

Tuesday was not a bad day. Just way too long with way too much driving.

Today is sunny and almost 70 degrees. I am quite relieved.

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 04:09:54 GMT

At work yesterday morning, the hard mattresses of my parents' house finally caught up with me, and the knots in my back turned into knots in my stomach. I went home and stayed sick in bed all day.

During the night, most of those muscles finally relaxed, so today I was able to go to work again. I took the Simpkins kids to Denny's for free food and then sledding on a big hill. I still don't like going fast. I learned to use my boots to slow down. It was a big slippery hill. Most people would call it perfect.

Tonight Pastor Dick Ellis was installed at Faith Church! Many people came to visit for the service, including the McGowans--it was nice to see them. And Marian Stevenson was there too! Yay! Meanwhile, Alyssa and Phil went to the concert I was missing--Over the Rhine performing at Appel Farm!! I was glad they at least got to attend. And at least I'd been able to hear Over the Rhine play at Covenant in the past.

Three and a Half Hours, Three and a Half Miles, Three and a Half Inches (or more)

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:41:42 GMT

Last night when I emerged from meeting at 10 pm, five inches of snow covered the driveway! I quickly decided that this meant I was snowbound in Woodstown. After driving slowly over snowy roads to my parents' house, I shared the happy news with Hannah who was still awake. She ran out into the snow barefoot in her pajamas as we pelted each other with perfect snowballs and took pictures. All the commotion woke up Amy, who also ran outside barefoot with me. The four of us girls (my mom, my sisters, and I) warmly chatted and snacked and sat by the fire together for two hours. Amy trimmed my hair and braided it, Hannah lent me pajamas, and a little after midnight I crawled into the top bunkbed beside Amy to sleep for the night.

Today we woke up with joy at the snowday. I didn't go to work, but Dad was gone, and while Mom stayed inside, I went with Hannah, Abel, Ransom, and Amy to trek across fields on a walk to the bank! The roads were clear by now, but the walk was an adventure, and with the sun shining and the weather in the thirties, I didn't even bother with a bulky coat. We put on our scarves and gloves and boots and sweaters, held our cups of snow icecream, and began to trudge through the fresh snow across windy fields. Just underneath the thick fluffy snow was a layer of mud, because we'd had a thaw just two days before. We took our time walking the one and half miles to the bank, stopping to make snow angels, throw snowballs, or track designs in the snow. Once we made it across the fields to the road beside the lake, it got colder as the wind bit into our faces. We walked past the eagles nest and the horse pasture, and finally made it to Route 40. The bank was in sight! Rejuvenated, we rushed into the fresh spread of snow and pelted one another with snow, finally tromping into the lobby red-cheeked and snowy.

The bank was dim and warm to our sun-dazzled eyes. Free cups of hot coffee and lollipops to eat helped refresh our bodies until we were ready to begin the trip home. This time we decided to go the less-windy way home through town, which also would offer many opportunities to go inside out of the cold if necessary. Our first stop was Heritage's, but they were all out of hot pretzels. We continued walking past green magnolia trees covered with snow and roof eaves dripping with icicles until we reached Beans Coffee Shop in the center of town. By now the sun was burning bright so that the sidewalks were clear and our bodies were toasty, but we bought sticky buns and muffins anyway. From there we went straight home past the deceptively frozen lake (I would not trust the evidence of footprints across the lake) and through the snowy cemetary, arriving still mostly warm with feet barely beginning to freeze.

Except Abel who spent the rest of the afternoon tromping over fields and forests tracking wildlife, we were exhausted and ready to rest. I sat by the wood stove with my book and my cat, occasionally dribbling sweetened condensed milk and a few drops of vanilla over another bowlful of snow for more icecream. Finally we ended our day by heading to church for a fellowship supper and the shortest congregational meeting on record--it was only one hour long!!! Now I have finally made my way home, where a hot bubble bath, a long-awaited bottle of kefir, and my delightful novel await me after this long yet wonderful day.