12-16-13 It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

At the risk of ruining your enjoyment of our big Christmas letter (har-dee-har) I am going to post our Christmas letter here. Some people are offended by the form Christmas letters, but I so much prefer that to just a signed Christmas card with no information or picture!!

Merry Christmas 2013!!

What DID we do all year??? We travelled this year. A lot:

• Estonia (a former Soviet Republic,

• south of Finland, east of Russia)

• Huddersfield, England

• Flagler Beach (Florida) 

• Phoenix/Flagstaff

• North Captiva Island (Florida) • Arkansas/Oklahoma

• Sioux Falls (many times)

Lex and Corey (and their two dogs, Chelsea and Roxie) now live in Elkhorn, Nebraska, where Lex is an actuary for Coventry Health. She has passed 4 of the 10 actuary tests (a really big deal!!!) and they just moved into a beautiful brand new home. With two moves in the past year (first to a rental, then their new house) Corey has been busy packing and unpacking and packing and unpacking.

Grant, Angela, Payton, and KD, the goldendoodle, still live in Sioux Falls where Grant is the Head Cross Country Coach (taking his men’s team to the NCAA Division II National Meet) and Assistant Indoor and Outdoor Track Coach for the University of Sioux Falls. Angela is a terrific mama to Payton—and sometimes to Grant! We are thrilled that Angela is pregnant again and a new baby boy will join our clan in January.

Payton continues to excel in her cuteness and we love our frequent video-chats. She toddles all around and loves to play with food and doggies and toys. And food.

Logan is the Controller for Clear Creek Landscaping in Omaha, and is setting up an accounting services business. Jenna teaches 4th grade at West Dodge Station Elementary in Elkhorn. When she's not molding the future of America, she’s molding the style of America, working part-time at Ann T aylor Loft. In addition to their maltipoo, Lucy, they adopted Rosie, a 9-year-old rescue Pomeranian.

Paul is working on his MBA at the University of Sioux Falls and is enjoying a graduate assistantship in their Sports Information Department, tracking stats and writing stories.

Luke comes to visit us every other weekend and those are highlight weekends for us. He is in 2nd grade at Sheridan Elementary. Talking, playing superheroes, playing football or basketball, playing with his dogs, talking, reading, talking are a few of his pastimes.

We run to the mailbox each day, hoping to hear from you!! Your updates are a very fun part of the season for us!

Hope this Christmas brings you loads of joy!! 

Love, Loy and Kitt.

12-17-13 How to Raise a Low Media...Husband

I was reading on facebook--a terrible media-type addiction I have--about how to raise a low media child.

Child-Schmild. I want a low-media husband!!!

In the effort of fairness and to give credit where it is due, here is the original website for this probably great article. I didn't read anything but the headings. http://mamanatural.com/how-to-raise-a-low-media-child/

The Trick:

1. Encourage Self-Directed Play. Hmmm. I need to get little things for Loy to play with. He isn't a fix-it man or I could go the route of having little things that are broken laying (lying?) around the house. He reads on his ipad only, so reading won't work. I could leave crayons and paper around...have the Legos sitting on the table...a jigsaw puzzle out.

2. Turn off the TV. Yeah, right. In the midst of football season, just turn off the TV. In what universe???

3. Make the home a safe and encouraging environment. That one might have some merit, but not sure if it'll make him less electronically connected. But, I could sure work on the tone of my voice, the eye contact, the "Go Get "Em, Tigers!" If I danced around in a skimpy negligee, he might think that was encouraging!! :)   (I can't believe I just said that!!! My kids are now trying to get that mental image out of their heads while screaming!!!) Meet him at the door with his slippers and pipe? Oh, yeah, he doesn't smoke a pipe.

4. Choose toys wisely. Convertible. Boat. Firepit. Those kinds of toys???

I think we're doomed to being plugged in.

Just a few thoughts from me today...

Kitt.

10-26 Remembering to Relax

We just got back from a blissful 5 days on North Captiva Island, Florida. This is our little piece of heaven off the western coast of Florida (near Fort Myers). Last year during Loy's fall break we had just lost Luke. We wanted a calm and quiet place to go lick our wounds. Somehow, in my obsessive vacation planning, I came upon this island and we booked a little cottage. 

We loved our time there last year. We decided this may be the place to go back to every year. (Some of you know, we have traveled extensively, but I have never wanted to go back to places I've been before. I enjoyed them, but "Been there. Done that." But I have always wanted a place with tradition...that place that I wanted to return to. And this was it!!)

But, last year's cottage had a few quirks that we decided we didn't want for this year--it was just one room and, if you don't always go to bed at the same time as each other, this is problematical. And it was on the bay side of the island, which was OK, but the best views were on the gulf side. So, last year we had scoped out the houses and picked four that looked promising. We ended up booking "Rainbow's End." 

This is the saga of our visit to North Captiva Island (not to be confused with Captiva Island). First, we got on a plane to Atlanta. Then we got on a plane to Fort Myers, arriving at midnight. Then we waited for the hotel courtesy vehicle to pick us up. 

The next morning we got in a taxi for an hour long ride to the Pine Island Marina, where we picked up the water taxi. But, before we got to the marina we stopped at the Publix grocery store where I faxed a grocery list earlier in the week. (Prior to faxing the grocery list I had to figure out all our menus for the entire stay--there are no grocery stores on North Captiva.) 

After a picnic at the marina (the above pictures are at the marina) waiting for the water taxi, we took the 30 minute boat ride to Barnacle's Pier. There we met the wonderful landlord and she drove us in her golf cart (because there are no cars on the island--other than the rescue vehicles) to a bee-you-tee-ful little house right on the beach. 

This kind of vacation retreat is not for everyone. There are only three restaurants, but two of them require you to be a member to eat there. However, since October is such a low tourist month on the island, if you called they maybe would let you in anyway. There is no grocery store. Shopping consists of one convenience store (which is a pretty shabby convenience store. Not much to choose from. Some of the shelves are bare), a touristy souvenir shop, and a boutique/touristy shop. That's it. 

We went out to eat at Barnacles one day for lunch. Sort of bar food. I had two fish tacos. Loy had a clam basket with fries. $46. Yep. You read that right. Any wonder I plan our menus and order our food??

Our days were lazy and very selfish. Get up when we want. Read when we want. Eat when we want. Swim when we want. It was quiet (at least for me...Loy kept listening to his iPod and podcasts.) 

When we are on the island we have a ritual that we never ever do here. We make a point to watch the sunset together every night. It's pretty amazing. Then we came back into our little house and made supper and ate on the back porch. 

We saw dolphins from our back deck, two jellyfish in the calm water near Barnacles (I sat there on the dock for 20 minutes watching that thing. It was so cool), and a stingray right in our ocean. We did not see a manatee, which the island is known for. But, on our way out of town our landlord told us where to go next year to be sure to see one. 

There has to be a down-side, right?  Bug bites. I have probably 100 bug bites on me. Are they sand fleas? Are they no-see-ums? They are not mosquitos, but they itch like crazy!!!! (Note to self next year: Use the bug spray that is in the cottage.) Loy was bragging about how he didn't get bit, but when we got to looking we could see quite a few on him too--but he's more manly than I and isn't itchy at all. 

We left, grudgingly, after 5 days. Refreshed and relaxed. It was 85 degrees when we left. We got back to Omaha and it was 42 degrees. I was in capris and told Loy, "YOU go get the car...I'll wait here." He was so nice and did just that. 

With all my quiet time I've been pondering this quote:

"We don't get to decide who God is."  Francis Chan

I've been thinking lately...always dangerous. My little Bible study is doing an apologetics study. We take one reason people may give for not believing that Jesus is the Son of God and then we try and find Scriptural backing for our arguments against that belief. We have all loved doing this--sort of feel like we're iron sharpening each other...

But, it hit me the other day that what I believe or what you believe is really not all that important. God is what He is. I can believe something about Him, but my belief does not make is so. Or, you can believe that He is just a man and that does not make it so. Rather than arguing over things like whether women should be pastors or when Jesus will return (pre- or post-tribulation) or is He loving or what do we have to do to get to Heaven or is there even a Heaven...we should try and discern what God is saying, not the side we want to argue on. Our purpose is to glorify God, not win an argument. 

However, what you believe about God and Jesus now IS important in your own future. 

The Bible says "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father."  --Philippians 2:10-12

Everyone will acknowledge that Jesus is Lord eventually. Every single person. You may think, "Nope. Not me. I'll never bow." 

It reminds me of a story of myself back in the '80's. Ronald Reagan was president and, for some forgotten reason, we had gotten tickets (from Loy's work?) to go hear him speak in Omaha. Now, I am not political. I don't get involved in any of that much. (I DO vote, though.) I wasn't especially excited to see President Reagan. Just one of those work deals.

After the rally we were walking on the street towards our car. Suddenly there was an excitement on the sidewalk. The President's limo was coming by! People were stopping and turning, ready to look at him. Unbeknownst to me, I was jumping up and down, waving! I didn't mean to do it. It just happened. Like he would notice me in the throngs! But I guess I subconsciously realized that he is THE PRESIDENT. This is a big deal. 

So, picture this...if I am right to believe the Bible, you WILL bow to Jesus. Whether you now believe or not. It might not make sense to you, but that does not alter the fact of what is Truth. Believe what you want now...

But, if I am wrong...well, I really don't see a down side to this. I have believed something that gave me comfort. And, according to some, I will die and that will be it. I'd much rather believe than not.

Don't know where I really want this little train of thought to go, but just thought I'd share it with you.

So, if you want to travel to a quiet place and just relax, talk to me and I'll give you the name of a great place!!! (And she's not even paying me to say that!!) I think I could make a vocation out of planning vacations...I absolutely love scouring the internet to find just the right place. 

You should hear what I've got planned for late May-early June!   :)

10-10-13 Old, Old, Old

Lately there have been signs in my life that I am getting old. Really old.

1. I, just recently, have had to start wearing my glasses while curling my hair. I just can't make out what needs to be curled without them.

2. I went bra shopping (guys, skip this paragraph!!) and bought a bra advertised as "Your Friday Bra." It didn't look especially good or sexy, just comfy. And I put it on and it was!! And the back has not two but three hooks. For some reason, three hooks screams "aged" to me.

3. I talk about my granddaughter (and soon I'll add a grandson to that conversation.)

4. I can get the senior discount at DQ. (You only have to be 50!)

5. My jammies are all summer ones--and that's on purpose because I get so hot overnight.

6. Conversations with my friends always turn to hot flashes and menopause. When I was young Loy used to say that we always ended up in the delivery room when we girls talked. No more.

7. We do things like can foods and plant flowers and help our kids move.

8. I am considering having my hearing checked. I seem to say, "What?" a lot.

9. I have progressive bifocals.

10. I take 6 pills each morning (but two are vitamins). I get these pills out of my trusty pill container--like all us oldies use.

11. I can't eat certain foods late at night.

12. Caffeine keeps me awake and jittery.

13. My cholesterol is high.

14. I am too old to have the flu shot in a mist--I have to get the shot. (And I'm actually talking about flu shots!!)

15. I get AARP Magazine and really enjoy the stories.

16. If it makes it to 8:00 before I put my jams on, that is a late night.

17. I have had a colonoscopy.

18. Don't tell anyone, but I have two whiskers that I have to pluck every few weeks. I have told all the girls (Alexis, Jenna, Angela) to make sure they pluck those babies when I am in the home.


But, on the other hand, I'm not doing these things:

1. Talking about my bowels. (Please stop me if I ever start doing that!!) (#17 above does NOT count!!)

2. Wearing a red hat.

3. Eating at a buffet at 4:00 p.m. or so. My parents used to do this because it was still the lunch prices but the buffet had put out the supper food.


When my big kids were in high school I would look around at some of the other moms and think, "Yeah, I'm cooler than that mom." "Gee, I act so much younger than her." (If you had kids graduate with me...I'm not talking about you! It was someone else.)

Now, I find myself looking around thinking, "Why is everyone at church so darned young?" "Yes, I'd like to join the young homemakers group...oh, wait...that time has come and gone." "I thought I was supposed to be wise by now." "That newscaster was born when I was in college."

1. At least when I go to Curves (my goal is three times per week and sometimes I actually make that

goal!) I am almost always the youngest (or at least one of the youngest) ones there. And, when I am on the marching in place platform, I always jog in place instead.

2. I know how to use a computer.

3. I can text (but my kids will tell you that I routinely don't hear my phone.) And I don't tweet. And I have to have Danielle, my 25-year-old office buddy, work on my iPhone if there are any issues.

4. All these years mean that I have some tremendous friends that I have known for a long time. It is so nice to be able to be with people and not explain who your siblings are or where you are from.

5. I don't stress about what others are thinking of me quite as much as I used to.


So, I think I'll make my new mantra be something like,

Hello, my name is Kitt. I am 54-years-old. I have survived both of my parents dying when I was in my 20's. I birthed four wonderful babies. I have survived triple negative breast cancer. I have survived losing a child I was guardian to. I have been married to the same wonderful guy for 31 years and we still love each other. I don't look like I am 30, but I don't look like I'm 70 either. I still love God. I still love to laugh out loud. I love to visit friends and family. I am what I am. (Or as Popeye would say, "I yam what I yam.")

There, I feel better!!

9-15-13 All Tied Up

I've had the blahs lately. Life is marching on and nothing is too bad, but I'm just not feeling the joy. My spiritual life feels stale and rather rote. I feel like I'm trying to fly but I've got weights on and strings entangling me. (See, I really did name my blog with thought--I want to fly but am earthbound so often!)

(Picture taken from "Secret of Nimh")

I had a ticket to the Beth Moore simulcast yesterday. I'm not one of her groupies, one of those who has swarmed to her conferences and bought her books and wears her T-shirt. I've done a Bible study she wrote, but have shied (or is it shy-ed?) away from her, just because I truly dislike sitting in a room watching a screen. I'm all about the relationship. But for reasons that are not important here, I had a ticket.

As the day approached I felt more and more that I did NOT want to go. I wanted to stay home and do my own thing. Begin by cleaning, then some laundry, other mundane chores. I would top the whole day off with a wonderful nap. But I had this ticket...

The night before I thought, "I could stay home and no one would notice. It starts at 8:00 after all..." (if you don't know, I am definitely NOT a morning person.) I went in to check the time and found it didn't start until 9:00. Drat. So I had no excuse.

"I'll just go for the morning session, then bug out." That was my plan. 

So, all that to say I was there, not totally willingly. But, as I think is often the case, my reticence to go was directly proportional to the import of what God wanted to teach me. Here's what I learned...

Well, on second thought, let me back up. Some of my "readers" (I make it sound so vast and important, don't I?) are not well-versed in "Spiritual talk." So I'll do a bit of pre-explaining. I'm no expert, but here's how I see things.

God is Holy. Totally. 

We are all, every single one of us, sinners. We are born that way. We continue that way. This creates a vast chasm between us. Totally unbreachable by our own actions. In the older times, there were certain laws that were set up that, if followed, would keep us as clean as possible. This is called "The Law."

God sent Jesus, His only son, into the world to save us. He died on the cross to pay for my sins. He paid the penalty of sin once and for all. Nothing I could do, whether good deeds or self-denial or following the law, could do that. Just Jesus. (I don't pretend to totally grasp this concept--the why's and wherefores--but I know it is true.) 

If a person acknowledges that Jesus is God, that He is the only way to be assured of eternal life after death, and asks to be forgiven he is accepting "His Grace." Living under Grace means that I accept that the work is done. Nothing I can do will make me more "saved."

Anyhow, back to Beth Moore...

She gave us a test to see if we were living under Grace or under The Law (as we all tend to want to DO more--sort of making light of Jesus' sacrifice.)

Here is my paraphrased version of "The Test" (answer "True" or "False"):  (and this is my paraphrase--I apologize if I totally botched it)

1. When I am seeking God's will, do I always assume the hard or unpleasant thing is what God would want me to do?

"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”--Matthew 11:29-30

2. Do I feel compelled to ask for forgiveness for the same offense again and again?

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." -- I John 1:9

3. Do I have the tendency to not feel back in God's grace after asking forgiveness?

Doesn't this mean that I am trying to DO enough to make myself forgiven?

4. Do I want to pay penance for my sins?

5. Do I think that God loves me in spite of me?

6. Do I find the parable about God paying the workers who have worked differing number of hours the same wage ...disconcerting?

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius[a] for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

“About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

“‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

“The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”--Matthew 20:1-16

7. Do I deal with anxiety in my spiritual life?

8. Do I condemn myself often?

9. Do I find it easier to tell others that God loves them than to believe that God loves ME?

10. Do I think that I have to keep in close relationship wit those who have wronged me?

"Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed."--2 Thess 3:14

"Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them." --Titus 3:10

"If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector." --Matt. 18:17

11. Do I feel guilty because of "how good I have it?"

Grace is the best thing that could ever have happened to me. 

12. Do I often think I am a disappointment to God?

If we feel like we are a disappointment to someone, our natural bent is to distance ourselves from that person. Disappointment means an expectation not met. God knows all. He may be displeased, but not disappointed. 

13. Would you realize the truth of Romans 14:17 from being around me?  

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval."


Here I am, one of God's children, saved by Jesus Christ and I am living as though I have to measure up--as if I am still under the law. And I'm not necessarily talking the Old Testament Law, but "My Law."

Well, it hit me, anyway. Hard. That's the baggage that is holding me down. These pesky laws I have set up for myself to follow.

But, then let me tell you a story. While I was sitting there at Beth Moore I kept noticing one woman. She walked in right ahead of me and I noticed her. She sat alone in front of me and I noticed her. I noticed her when we dismissed for lunch, after lunch, break. I felt God telling me to just say something to her.

I'd love to tell you the story of how I did that and we had this instant bond and all was good. But, no, I ignored the nudging. Don't know why, exactly, but I did NOT want to do this thing. So I didn't.

Living under the Law I would say, "I blew it, big time. I am not worthy to be God's child. I will blow it again and again and again. Why don't I just give it up entirely???"

But, living under Grace I am saying, "God, please forgive me for not listening to You. I want to do what pleases You, but again and again I go my own way. Tenderize my heart so that I hear You more clearly and give me the courage to obey You." And, to that woman who wore the Husker T-shirt and had a little limp and sat all alone, I am so, so sorry. I am praying for you right now.

Did any of this make any sense? Sorry I rambled, but it helps me to process things by writing them down.

On a lighter (and older) note...today is Loy's birthday. YAY Loy!! I had ordered some gifts and only one got here in time, poor guy. But, he is having a great day. Almost all the kids have called to wish him a Happy Birthday. And he's watching football. And he took a nap. A good day to be Loy, I think. He'll just have to wear his new pants another day...

Thanks for reading! If I've said something wrong, please comment and call me on it. A discussion would be fun.

Love,

Kitt.

7-20 That's How I Roll...

This summer has been so incredible. It is flying by!! It all began with our trip to Estonia, followed by a trip to Sioux Falls, followed by a whole family trip to Florida, followed by a trip to Phoenix/Flagstaff, followed by a trip to Sioux Falls, to be followed by a trip to Arkansas/Oklahoma. I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every trip.

Figuring that you don't want to hear massive amounts of detail on MY trips, I'll just focus a little bit on Florida. We rented a beach house on the Atlantic side of Florida ON THE BEACH. In my mind there is no use in renting a house across the street from the beach. Or one house in. Or walking distance. I want to go out on my deck, down my stairs, and be on the beach. We even got to take Luke for the week. When we got to the house he ran all over exploring, then exclaimed: "This is the BEST BEACH HOUSE EVER!!!!" Never mind that this was the first beach house he'd ever seen.

He played bellboy when each of the big kids got there, showing them to their assigned room. Then began a week of sitting on the deck, playing in the sand, body surfing, and hide and seek. The kids all told me they would do this again (just not next year. Guess they don't want to spend every year's vacation with ol' Mom and Dad.)

Payton was so cute on the beach, although she wasn't too sure about the waves. She crawled all around the beach house, but kept with Mom and Dad on the beach. And she kept tight rein on all our hearts!

Loy and I have been struck this summer by the fact that we can plan all we want for what our future will look like. But, it doesn't always turn out that way. We have seen several people who were tooling along just fine and illness has made their plans unattainable. People who were, a month ago, planning a retirement of travel and RV-ing but are now struggling with a very serious cancer diagnosis. Women who's husband left for another woman. People who have given up lots of plans to look after ailing parents. They are not on the path they would have planned.

It's got me thinking. I have always looked ahead to my life and what I want it to look like. Getting breast cancer at age 48 was not in my game plan. Raising a 3-7 year old in my early 50's was not what I envisioned. Then, once I adjusted to that, having a 7-year-old taken away was not what I had planned. For that matter, when I was young I thought I would live my whole adult life in Kearney. Things are not usually how we picture them.

But, exactly what DID I want this next stage of our life to look like? Can you believe I had never considered that far in the future? Loy and I have been talking and have no conclusions.

Two of our kids live in Sioux Falls. Two live in Omaha. Do we move to one of those towns? Move to halfway in-between (which is, basically, no where.) Do we stay in Lincoln? Stay in this house? Move down south? I've always been sort of opposed to the older people moving down to communities with just older people. I mean, where are the older people mentoring the neighborhood moms? I have loved my relationships with neighbors who are not in my stage of life. But, now that I'm getting older, I can sure see the appeal. (Do I sound like we're 80-years-old or something? I just like to know what's ahead.)

Then we thought, "Maybe we should go somewhere we might want to retire for 3 months in the summer." With Loy being a professor, that is totally do-able. Then I amended that. "Maybe we should try it for a month first." I'm not sure if Loy and I can stand each other for three months away somewhere!! :)

Have I  mentioned before about a Wall Street Journal article Loy showed me of this couple who sold their house and traveled the world, living in different countries for a month or so at a time? They rented houses and would really live in the country. Not just fly through in a week. They had enough savings and investments to finance this endeavor. If they stayed somewhere expensive (like Paris) one month, then they would go somewhere inexpensive (like Mexico) the next month. They travelled across oceans on cruise ships as they were moving from one seasonal locale to another. This sounds incredibly fun to me--as long as I get to come back to the US to see my family every other month or so. But what if we did it in the US? Then I could fly to see them whenever I wanted...

We're looking for a place to stay for a month next summer. I have no idea if we'll REALLY do this or not. But, part of the fun is the looking. I've been scouring websites for cottages. Quiet. On the water. Something to do nearby. If you have any suggestions, send them my way, OK?

What I want to do is make all my plans, write them all down. They'll be good plans. Serving God, going to church, helping our grandchildren grow to love Jesus, and then add a nice location and house and good health. And I want to hand my list to God and say, "Hey, Big Guy...would you sign off on this, please?"

It's hard to accept, but God wants to hand me a blank list and say, "Hey there, Kitt, Child Whom I Love, would you sign off on this please?" I have to trust that if we get to live on a lake somewhere and kayak together, that will be lovely. But if it doesn't happen, that is God's will. I have no business whinging (a British word--means grumping or complaining or whining. Rhymes with "fringe-ing") about how terrible my life is or how hard I have it. It is what God has determined will be most glorifying to Him.

It's not about me. What?!?!?! Not about me?????!!!!!

It's about glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. (Westminster Catechism)

Now, maybe I could enjoy him more on a lake...   :)

6-2 Still Hovering in Estonia...Then England

One night I was dealing with my jet lag. I could get to sleep on time, but would wake up several hours later and lay there, wide awake, for a couple of hours. On about the third night of this annoying occurrence, I took my two pillows into the tiled shower and layed (laid?) down and read my book. After a couple hours Loy came in and said, "What are you doing in here?" It was all for love, Honey. Loy needs it quiet and dark when he sleeps, so I didn't want to wake him up in the hotel room!

These lions are on the crest of Estonia. At least I think it's the crest. We look at them and think they are such jolly lions--and all are waving "Hello" and smiling. Isn't that a nice crest for a country to have?

On the Wednesday of our trip week we took the bus back to Tallinn, the town where the airport was. There seems to be one touristy thing to do in Tallinn--Old Town. It is pretty much just what it says. The old part of town. Think cobblestone streets and lots of shops. It was cool, but very, very touristy.

We spent the entire day wandering through the town and the shops. I found my prize souvenirs--some teeny, tiny dessert forks (they always served these luscious desserts with tiny forks) and a linen tablecloth with ribbon embroidery on it. My mom would be so proud of me--it was on a clearance rack at 50% OFF!!! Sometimes you just can't deny your heritage...

We ate at an outside cafe where I had a wonderful pork roast meal. Loy went for sausage. We noticed a guy walking around, dressed all in black, holding a sign. Most of the greeters are the outdoor cafes were turning him away, but the one just on the other side of ours was empty. So he walked into that one, walked straight to my back, and stood there behind me with a sign that said, "Welcome to Estonia. Need money for vodka or beer." He just stood there! The workers at our cafe came rushing up and told him to leave (I'm guessing that's what they said, anyway. It was all in Estonian.) He didn't say a word. Just kept standing there. It was kind of freaky. Finally, it took something like four guys to get him to leave. But he stumbled down the street.

The first day in Tallinn we were still a group of five. The next day the other three left for different destinations and Loy and I were alone. I planned a little trip to a park surrounding the President's house. It was a beautiful park with lots of paths to walk. We walked down to the beach and then walked to the city center area. It was a great day to just relax and see the town. I was trying to find a laundromat to wash some undies and other dirties. No one seemed to know of any. The hotel kept saying, "We have a laundry service..." but I had looked at that and it cost something like ten euros to wash one pair of jeans!! I wanted to do the whole lot of dirties for that! Finally someone told me of a laundromat but I would have had to take a bus, then walk several blocks. So, after inventory-ing our undie situation, we determined we could make it to England with what we had.

Me standing by a big rock and the Bay of Finland.

The walking path through this beautiful park.

That evening Loy finished up his grading (yes, he actually worked while on this trip) and submitted it to Wesleyan. Then we were up at 3:30 a.m. to make it to our flight to England.

It was so great to be back to see our good friends from a few years ago. It felt sort of like we had never left.  Highlights for us were mostly just seeing our dear friends. We worshipped together, had a potluck together, talked and laughed and reminisced. It's so good to be loved!

The after church potluck held at Celia's house. This was the perfect way to spend my birthday!!

At an old tower. Even British kids do bunny ears!! :) This is Caitlyn, Eryna, me, and Loy.

Luke used to love this boy. He called him "That Cute Little Guy" because, when we were here before, he was about 1-1/2 and wore little man clothes. His name is Judah Skinner and you should probably remember that name. He'll be famous one day!

I love British signs!! They are so darned descriptive!!! :)

The trip home took 30 hours or so. We got back to Lincoln at 3:00 a.m. It was a fitting bookend to our trip. The trip TO Estonia also took about 30 hours. And we got in there at 3:30 a.m. It's really fun to travel, but it's true...there's no place like home!!!

5-22-13 Flying to Estonia

Hello there!

We just got back from a trip to Europe (don't we sound so ritzy...we were just in Europe, Dahlink.) I emailed the kids several times and thought I'd just use those as my blog. In case you care...

When Loy first mentioned the possibility of traveling to Estonia my first reaction was "Where is that, exactly?" So I'm including a map of Europe to show you. Former Soviet Union. Got their independence in 1991 or 1992. 

So, your next question is probably, "Why, exactly, would you choose to go there?" Wesleyan has a sister university in Tartu, Estonia. NWU sends a few students over there to study abroad and they send a few over here. The problem has been that when NWU students go over there for a semester their courses do not count for credit. The mission of our trip was for Loy and Thom (the other professor) to meet with their business department and talk about what each of their business classes covers and see if credits could be granted.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Frankfort, Germany, Airport

Well, this trip is turning into a l-o-n-g one, that's for sure. First the flight from Lincoln was delayed by 90 minutes, which made us miss our connecting flight to Frankfort which made us miss our connecting flight to Estonia (Taillin). And each flight has just barely been missed--just by 30 minutes or so. It's disheartening. 

We finally got on a plane to Frankfort (well, three of the five in our party did) and left at 10:15 last night. It was a 9 hour flight. Sarah is the director of the study abroad program at NWU. She's traveled quite a bit and has been SOO helpful throughout the whole trip! I just can relax figuring Sarah will take care of it all. Wonder if she knows how much we are leaning on her!! I hope we can make it home without her...she leaves earlier than we do.

The other couple traveling with us, the Jackman's, didn't get on our flight. They were told it was booked full. So they went to stay overnight with his brother in Chicago and will fly from Chicago to Philadelphia to Frankfort to Taillin, but get to our hotel a whole day late. The big kicker to this was that it ended up Loy ahd two empty seats right next to him. But, they had thought that being standby would be futile and didn't want to waste 4 hours sitting in an airport to be told they couldn't get on the plane. Bummer. 

Now we sit and wait for our 8:15 p.m. flight to Taillin. Not many flights go there, evidently. After we arrive there we have a 2-1/2 hour bus ride to Tartu, where we camp out until Wednesday. (Well, not literally camp.) 

I'm done with 1 of my many books I brought along and well into the 2nd book. Have't even broken out the crossword puzzles yet. And my supply of snacks is still holding out. My carryon bag is so darned heavy, though. I was overweight in my suitcase (and my body, I guess) and had to stuff 4 pounds of M & M's (in case you think this explains the overweight body, they are thank you gifts for our hosts in England!) and all the books in my carryon to get my suitcase light enough. Therefore I sit here and make Loy go do things like get our boardidng passes and drinks. 

That crazy boy came straight from work, so he's still wearing a tie. I think that'd kill me!! At least loosen it up, Loy!!

Airports here are much more accommodating to English than we are to any other language. I'm glad, but it does make us Americans seem like jerks. 

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Tartu, Estonia

On the flight from Frankfort to Tartu we had maybe the worst parents ever behind us. They had one kid--little Maxey. The Dad spoke English, the wife, Estonian. Sweet little Maxey (about 3-years-old) spoke Estonian but could understand English.

First off, he would talk loudly. Saying the same thing over and over and over--in increasing volumes. "Olen natuke eesti kiuslik. Goble-de-gook." Then again,  "Olen natuke eesti kiuslik. Goble-de-gook." And, finally, finishing up with,  "Olen natuke eesti kiuslik. Goble-de-gook." Each one louder than the last.

At one point the Dad told the little cherub to put his tray table up. Maxey did not like that. So the dad, in all his wisdom, said, "You have to put the table up or I'll talk to the captain and he will tell you what a naughty boy Maxey is being." The dad then proceeded to have a "talk" with the imaginary captain who was just out of Maxey's line of sight, saying how naughty the boy was. Geesh. Just make the kid put the tray table up.

We finally made it to Tallin, about 11:30, knowing we had to rush to make it to the 12:30 last but to Tartu. We stood by the carousel, waiting and waiting. Yep. You guessed it. Our luggage was nowhere to be found. Finally we made it to the bus, with just moments to spare (Thank you, Lord!) and endured the long ride. 

The bus ride was 2-1/2 hours, so it was about 3:15 a.m. by the time that we got to the hotel. Our hotel is pretty much right downtown, so when we got here we saw the streets just full of people sitting out eating and drinking. Our room doesn't have a/c, just a radiator, so I opened the window to let some air in. It was so loud!! I finally got up and closed it, and am hoping that was just a Saturday night thing and that tonight is quiet. 

Today we went out first thing to buy a new outfit each. We found a store that was sort of Younkers-esque and got some things. Tonight Loy's suitcase made it here, but mine has not shown up yet. They said tomorrow. The Jackman's didn't get here until just now and neither of their suitcases made it either. Thom's is supposed to be here late, late tonight. But Caitlyn's is lost. They have no idea where it is. Of course she had gone out and bought some new clothes for the trip, so she's wanting to shop tomorrow right away. The guys have meetings all day long, so it'll just be the two of us for the whole day and until after supper. 

Most people speak English here, but there have been some that don't. The town center is really clean and kind of cool--lots of outdoor seating for the cafes. They even have blankets over the chairs so that you can wrap up while you eat outside. We did that today for our lunch--lunch that consisted of dessert. The desserts are really yummy here!!

The Leaning House--right on the Town Center

Monday, May 13, 2013

Tartu

Letter to the Kids:

Dear Kids Whom I Have Always Lectured Against the Evils of Drug Usage and Being Around Things that are Bad Influences:

I have forwarded this picture to you guys to get your opinion. Kaylyn and I went to a restaurant and sat down and then noticed two different tables that had these at them. IS THIS DRUG RELATED???? We started laughing and I took this picture very surrepticiously and then walked out before even ordering. We're wild women!! In retrospect we realized we were both sort of coughing on our way up the stairs to this place. Now we wonder if something was in the air. I didn't smell anything bad, though. Maybe this is not a drug thing...but it seemed suspicious to me. 

So we went to a steak house instead and got the meat plate and split it. It was just that. A carving board of meat. But I thought it was going to be warm sizzling meat. They had some beef with carmelized onions (cold), some bear meat sausage (cold), some canned chicken mediterranean (cold), some ham (cold, two slices of brown bread that had fruit in it, and some pickles and olives. Kind of a disappointment. 

Afterwards we went to this sumptuous dessert place and had tea and dessert. Mine had raspberries and whipped cream and meringue and was wonderful. Kaylyn had something with strawberry and cream and chocolate. Both were extremely good. The men were busy all day and evening (back at the hotel for a couple hours this afternoon is all) so we occupied ourselves.

Dad's suitcase showed up last night and mine showed up by morning, so I'm good. The Jackmans didn't get either of their suitcases either, so today we went out and I shopped with Kaylyn. For a long time. I feel like I really know the Tartu-ian malls. I had bought one outfit yesterday and then I found another today I liked, so have a couple new things. 

It gets light here around 4:00 a.m. and right now it is 10:11 and just starting dusk. Lots of people have been out on the streets both nights, sitting at the outdoor cafes.

Tartu

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Tartu

We had fun the last days in Tartu. Kaylyn and I took a long walk around Tartu and saw the town. We climbed up into the old ruins of a 14th or so century church. With both of us being afraid of heights, it was kind of comical! But we goaded each other into going. I kept singing in my mind, "Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming" from "Finding Nemo." Kaylyn wore her very high wedge shoes, I was amazed she could even walk. I was worried she'd trip and fall on the narrow stone steps. I think she only brought two pairs--flip flops and these wedges. She kept up, though. I would've thought her feet would be killing her!!

We started going to the little "Antik" shops we came across. Sometimes we would have to go down a short flight of stairs to get to the basement. But you really felt like you were discovering something. In one store we went in there was an old lady (the owner or clerk) sitting there while we looked around. It was a rather nice antique store, so I was not too interested. I like my antique shops to be more like junk shops. If it's under glass, I'm not interested. Anyhow, we were about the leave and the lady looked up and said, "I het you." We both sort of paused in our exit and said, "What?????" We both thought she had just told us that she hated us.  She repeated it, but this time we heard "I hep you." For a minute there we thought she had real problems!! No wonder no one else was in the store!!!

That day we went to the open market and bought some strawberries, the indoor meat market and bought some cheese, the grocery store to buy some bread (the fresh bread is on this lazy suzan thing and you pick out which loaf you want and then bag it. Then you have to enter the bread number into a machine and it prints out the price. We were partial to number 55. We also got a few slices of roast beef and some lemonades and had ourselves a lovely picnic. There was even a sidewalk musician playing the accordion near. It was very European. We were so proud of ourselves.

As we were sitting there Kaylyn had just mentioned how no one must feed the birds in this park because they were not coming anywhere near us. Then one showed up. Kaylyn was a wonderful traveling partner, but she is a germophobe and a birdophobe. So one bird was creepy to her. Then came another. And another. Soon we had our own little entourage!! She would take one of our plastic sacks and shake it at the birds to try and get them to leave. They might back off a little, but not too much. 

That night we went out to dinner with the Tartu University faculty (finally!) The men had taken a tour with a guy named Mark who was a young, really entertaining guy. We went to a very nice restaurant. They asked if we wanted any appetizers. I had asked Mark what was Estonian on the menu and he had pointed out this one appetizer...sprats. So we got a couple orders of that and shared. It was basically a sardine on little black bread with a quail egg and their spicy mustard. Not bad. Mark said this was something they would have at home when he was growing up.

Another Estonian appetizer we got was brown rye bread (no caraway seeds, very molasses-y). It had been fried (not toasted, fried) and then you would take a big clove of garlic and rub it on the bread, then eat. It was delicious!! 

This is me in the ruins I mentioned. 

I find this statue really creepy. The Estonians are so proud of it. It is the sculptor and his son, both naked and both made the same size. I don't know why, but I hate it. And, interestingly enough, there are specific body parts on these guys that are very bright shiny brass--guess they've been rubbed. 

Here is the hookah. What would YOU have thought?? I am very naive and was sure we'd come across an opium parlor or some drug house.

Loy loves bacon.

I like to take pictures of funny signs. As near as I can tell from this one, you need to beware of beds in the road. That can spell trouble.

This one is kids running to get their sunglasses. Must be really bright there.

First, this is important because it has an exclamation point. Very graphic. Cars kissing.

I'll talk about the Tallin part of our trip in a couple days. Right now I need to do some more laundry!

Kitt.