Choices

It is dreary outside and I feel miserable. My left ear is plugged and it feels like someone stuck a cotton ball in it, which reminds me of one of my favorite lines from Winnie-the-Pooh.

Rabit: Exactly what I feel! What do you feel Pooh?
Pooh: *snoring and whistling*
Piglet: Pooh
Pooh: huh?
Piglet: Haven't you been listening to what Rabbit's been saying?
Pooh: I listened, but then I had a small piece of fluff in my ear. Could you say it again please Rabbit?
Rabbit: Well, where should I start from?
Pooh: From the moment the fluff got in my ear.
Rabbit:Well, uh, when was that?
Pooh: I don't know, I couldn't hear properly.

That cracks me up everytime I hear it!! Anyway, It's feeling a bit like the doldrums around here today as I "can't hear properly" and am feeling like "death warmed over" as my great-grandmother used to say. I don't like being sick, but it is my own fault. Catching colds and flus and getting migraines is all about choices. I choose not to drink enough water and then I get a neckache and a migraine or my eye starts to bother me. I choose to eat sugar, stay up late and not get enough fresh air or exercise and I get the flu or this lovely cold! It really is my fault. Making smart choices is the best way to stay healthy. If you do all that you can to prevent a cold and you still get one, well then, at least you have the satisfaction of knowing that it is not your fault!!

I just thought I rant a bit, after all, even though I can't hear, I can still think. Thank you Lord!

Straighten Up and Fly Right!

Earlier this summer I had the privilege of taking a turn about the air with my brother-in-law and his mum. What an experience it was!

I am a tad bit afraid of heights, so you can see the need for this facial expression!
Here's the view of our house from above! (Kayla took this picture, Rhonda and I only got to go for a short spin)
Here is our daring pilot!! Actually, he's great- I felt completely safe whilst midair.

A pond or lake somewhere in Maine! : )
The lovely co-pilot, Rhonda! Doesn't she look simply stunning in that headset!!

So all, you should Come fly with me sometime or Straighten up and fly right but please don't ever be Leaving on a jet plane......

Assorted Thoughts

Memories. They are wonderful things. A gift. I can't imagine having Alzheimer's and not being able to remember my friends and family, let alone reminiscing about childhood. The other day Kayla was over and we pulled some things out of the attic for her. While she was up there, she found my memory box. I'm far too sentimental and keep things that I will hardly ever take out to look at or ever need simply because it reminds me of something. I decided it was time to get rid of a lot of the things in there. After all, I have journals from the time when I was 10 and that will remind me of the pleasant and not so pleasant memories.



Apparently going through 22 years of memories can be a bit dangerous! I found lots of things- my t-shirts from camp Butterpoint, basketball camp, all six of my journals, report cards, photos from cross country and basketball, and even my brownie sash! I found 2 bags of hair from two hair cuts- the first was blond with barely a hint of red from my little 7 or 8 year old head and the second was a deep red (almost auburn) from when I cut my hair just after Ethan was born. I found a bouquet of leaves that Tucker (who was probably 6 at the time) gave me at church one Sunday. All these lovely memories kept flooding back.



Well, I managed to clean out the box and re-size it to a more reasonable jumble of things, but it effected me the rest of the day. I was sort of in a fog and re-living my life in thought. I started to get a bit grumpy and discontent. At the end of the day I realized how I had been. I say all of this to conclude that memories are a wonderful thing and it's not bad to revive the past, just don't dwell there too long. After all, we are supposed to live in the present and make choices about the future, but learn from our past.




Whoopie pies are scrumptious! My friend Lori loooves whoopie pies and she makes the best that I've ever tasted! oops, my belly just growled!! The whoopie pie below was one that I made for her awhile back. She traded me for some of hers, but I think I got the better deal!! I did a tad bit of research on the history of the whoopie pie, because I heard that it had originated in Maine. Actually, it's an old Amish recipe, so in the states it came from Pennsylvania. It became popular in New England through a recipe that advertised Marshmallow Fluff, which was used for the filling. It's mostly known as a comfort food for Maine natives as many claim to have been weaned on whoopie pies!!! Anyway, I thought I'd let you in on that little info.

Does it seem like summer went by way too quickly for anyone else? Maybe it's just because we were exceedingly busy for it's duration. One day I just stepped out of my room and realized that I needed a sweatshirt. It was surprising, but lovely. Autumn is my favorite season and I'm anxiously awaiting apple picking, leaves changing color, pumpkin pies, squash soup and cozy, comfortable sweaters!

See you later Summer! Hello Fall.

Photographers

I meant to write at the end of each wedding post:

Photos were taken by Robin Stepp and Aaron Seaman

THE Reception

After a long photo session and a flat tire (go figure!), the wedding party arrived at the reception hall.

Mr. & Mrs.

The best man's toast (if you know Lance, can you guess how long it was?)
The groom's grandfather (Papa) blessing the meal

Instead of the tinkling of the glass cups (considering we used plastic, it would've been interesting to see people try it!) Kayla and Josiah decided to do a kissing basket. Pay $1 per kiss. The first person put in a $20!

"Would you go with me?"
Look at that strength and that girl bend!
The kiddos loved blowing bubbles while people danced.

Cinderella
Thanks again
We were blessed to have wonderful helpers in the kitchen.

Phil and Ellen LaClaire entertain us
This beautiful, elegant cake was created by Rosanna (Rere), Josiah's grandmother
Oops! Caught you, little ring bearer!

Owwww
Smooosh
revenge
No grudges here!

Grampa Moody and Ethan playing the bones

Kayla and Josiah were asked to sing their song again
This was some members of the wedding party's favorite event of the day (besides eating)

I love this picture of John Joe and Chelsea

And I like this picture of Ruthie too!

The fellows enlisted the help of our friend, Matt Gilbert, but they still couldn't figure out how to wire the car to set off the horn every time Josiah stepped on the brake. That would've been hilarious, but very annoying for the bride and groom.

The groom fights the saran wrap to set his lady upon his noble steed...
Success!

Therefore a mans hall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall be one flesh.

~Genesis 2:24

I hope you have all enjoyed the wedding chronicles. Kayla and Josiah are settling into their quaint cabin and starting their life together as we speak. I know God has great things in store for them!