Grass Shoveling

 My husband reminds me of the energizer bunny--always going, always moving.  I love that he does all the housework, washes our car, takes care of the yard, walks the dog several times a day regardless of the weather and but today he added a new activity.  He actually shoveled the snow off our grass and into the street!

It was his idea to take the video of him doing this--he was very pleased with himself.  He said, "I'd rather see all grass than that clump of snow.  Does anyone else do this?  The temperature is close to 58 degrees so far so I'm pretty sure it would have melted on it's own, but he didn't want to wait.

Good job, hubby!  Once again you make me laugh.

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My Happy Valentine's Day

Of course Manny had to get in the picture too!

I had a very happy Valentine's Day this year.  To most people, it probably doesn't seem like much but I love simple things.  I love chocolate covered cherries and that's what my husband got for me.  It's not about spending a lot of money, it's about understanding what I like and part of that is not wasting money.  We stocked up on some goodies, the big chocolate chip cookie (he is a "cookie monster") and a blueberry cake that cost only $4.00 at Giant Eagle.  We got each other a Valentine card and that started our day.  I liked the one I got from my husband because it made me laugh and had a cat and dog on the front.  My husband was very pleased with his too because although it was small (and cheap--free is good), I made little hearts on the inside with a reason for each one why I love him.

Then we had a really fun Sunday School class based on Daniel 1 when Daniel and his friends were taken into captivity in Babylon and put into a 3-yr. training program to work in the palace for the king.  Their names were changed to Babylonian names and they obeyed God by making a bargain with the guard to get to eat water and vegetables instead of the wine and food from the King's table.  We told the kids what all their names meant and then gave them new names for the day along with the meaning of those names (used www.meaning-of-names.com for this).  They enjoyed that (except for one girl who really didn't like her new name.)  Then for our review game, we let them choose between pick-up-stix and Bash.  To my surprise, the girls picked Bash and the boys chose pick up stix.   Of course we gave the kids some heart-shaped frosted brownies for a Valentine treat at the end. 

My husband asked if I'd like to go out to eat somewhere special but I like having pizza for my Sunday lunch and stuck with that.  To our surprise, our friend at our pizza place (Casamel's) gave us a box of blueberry cordials!  I didn't even know they existed but they are good too.  The cherry ones are still my favorite though.


In the afternoon we enjoyed watching the Republican debate together, a couple Hallmark movies (Everything Valentine and don't know the name of the other about attorney going to Wyoming), some Bruins hockey and reading.  Of course, we had extra time with our pets and Manny came and laid on me while I read GLASS SWORD by Victoria Aveyard and while I watched TV.  My husband finished Book 2 of the Harry Potter series, THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS by J. K. Rowling.

We had a wonderful, relaxing day together and just enjoyed each other's company with no stress.  I sure hope we have many more happy years together. 

I would say I am very low maintenance.  What about you?  

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Big Change For Me in January

The place where I work just moved to a different building and it is so much fun!  Everything is so different, going from dark narrow hallways to wide bright hallways, floors with different floor plans and lots of extra hallways cutting up the floors.  I have lots more desktop space than before and the best part of all is that the computer desk part can be elevated so I can comfortable stand while working on the computer!  I LOVE THAT!

the lobby downstairs

lunch room

The lunch room area is not all that big, but it is brighter with the ceiling to floor windows and some comfortable chairs well placed where I took my afternoon break to read the first day.  Also, in the downstairs lobby area, are two seating areas where I can sit to read at lunch on cold days as well as a
Starbucks and little store with newspapers and snacks. 

The first day everyone was roaming around checking out the new place, trying to find things of importance to them like the common area files, the restrooms (which, by the way are pretty well hidden), and copy rooms and the big main areas of interest such as the record center, accounting, docket, and the copy center.
 

attorney office

With the open look with glass on the attorney offices instead of actual walls, it sort of reminds me of a zoo with all the different animal exhibits, but the plan is to get the glass frosted at some point which will probably fix that feeling of being on exhibit for everyone to see.  I also noticed it much nosier than the old place because with it all open, the voices carry.

We all got a map of all the floors, a welcome mug and cup and a $10 gift certificate for the cafe.  That was a nice surprise.

The walk to and from my new bus stop is even a bit shorter than before!

I'll be taking more pictures today.  It was all pretty overwhelming the first day there but I really like the reception area and conference room areas.  The moving crew did an amazing job getting everything moved in and organized well.  There are still some things still on the way, but it should all be done by the end of the week. 

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Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Best Lights for Christmas on Albertly in Parma, OH!

 As we walk our dog, we pass by this display.  I love it!  I think this is the best display I've seen this year because it's pretty yet simple and conveys the true meaning of Christmas. 

Yesterday after worshiping my Savior at the Christmas Eve candle light service at Parma Heights Baptist Church, I enjoyed browsing through the Samaritan's Purse catalog online and picking out several different projects to donate to.  This is how I like to buy for Jesus since it is his birthday we are celebrating.  It brings joy to my heart when I can help others and also help spread the good news of Jesus!  This organization is the best way I know of to do both. 

We show our love for Jesus by our actions and I think the two biggest are how we spend our money and how we spend our time. 

Merry Christmas to all! 

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Why I'm So Glad I Read the Harry Potter Series

When the Harry Potter books first came out, my husband wanted to read them and I told him I'd rather he didn't because it was all about witches and wizards and witchcraft and I didn't want it in my house.  I just assumed that what it was but I was wrong.  Yes, I admit it honey, I was wrong.

When I looked at different booktubers on YouTube, over and over the Harry Potter series came up as being favorite books, best fantasy world, best book about a boarding school, book that got kids into reading and probably some others I forgot.  I never found one negative comment from anyone who actually read the series and my curiosity was sparked.  This year I decided to read it so I could find out exactly what it was that everyone who read it loved so much, and I did!

It is definitely my favorite series and I loved every book in the series.  Never would I have thought I would read a book that was over 700 pages, but I did and want to reread them!  This is so much more than witchcraft.  It is about friendship, family, loyalty, kindness, leadership, sacrifice, good vs. evil and love with lots of humor!  It's a coming of age story following Harry Potter from a little kid through to adulthood and Harry Potter is so cool!  I liked how each book told about another year in Harry's life.  He is a lover, not a fighter.  He just wants to be ordinary and not famous.  He didn't like everyone staring at him all the time because of his scar.  He was always humble and showed love for others all through the book, even to the end and managed not to kill anyone even though his life was threatened over and over.

There are many well-developed characters in this series that were introduced gradually enough that I was able to keep them straight.  I found myself really liking Harry and his friends and felt as though they were my friends too!  This series brought out a variety of emotions for me too which I love.  At times I felt sad, jubilant, scared, angry, excited and curious.  I laughed at quite a lot of things and cried during the last book.  I loved the interaction between the professors and the students, and the interaction among the students.

There is a lot of mystery and suspense with action, adventure and unexpected twists and turns.  This book is so well written and I was just amazed at the imagination that went into it.  J. K. Rowling had me eager to read more and more and get back to whatever book I was reading.  Even after the book was done, I kept thinking about it!   

The plot is very elaborate and complex which is why I'm surprised these are classed as juvenile books rather than YA, especially since most of them are about Harry's teenage years.  Also, I think the vocabulary is very advanced for children.  Because of the witchcraft and the dark plot, I would not recommend it for young children but would highly recommend it for teens and adults who missed out on this classic literature series.  I loved this whole series!!!! 

Here's some links to check out for more information and some fun:
See http://pottermore.com
Here's a sorting quiz (one of many) to see which house you would belong to:  http://www.gotoquiz.com/pottermore_sorting_hat_quiz_2  I got Gryffindor on this one but Hufflepuff on another one

Have you read the Harry Potter books?  Which was your favorite?  (Mine was the 3rd, Prisoner from Azkaban).  What did you think of the series? 

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