Here's To Life!

A five year old told me last week that Monday through Friday are school days, Saturday is play day and Sunday is church day.   He knows that Sundays are spent in Sunday school and worship and he knows what the expectations are as well as the rewards – seeing Miss Julia, having cheese sticks during the sermon and bread and wine afterwards.     Sunday has always been church day for me as well.   Ever since I was 5, I have spent almost every Sunday morning in church.   Through grade school and high school it was an expectation.   In college it was a joy.     As an adult it was familiar place.   While it wasn’t always easy bringing my children and sitting with them in worship – and I will admit when I sang in the choir it was more Paul’s job than mine - it was important for me to have my family there.    My growing up in the church was a strong foundation in my life.   It formed who I am today and is a central part of my life....

Two very different days this week.  Tuesday was sunny, not too warm, and Wednesday was blustery and blizzardlike.  Very difficult waiting for apring this year.  Hopefully it will come and stay soon.

What started when we first moved in August, 2013 was finally finished January, 2014 - our first floor bathroom.  When we bought the house we knew there was a leak in the tub and that it would have to be fixed in order to use the shower or tub - and what went from a fix in the tub went to a full blown gut the bathroom and create a new one.  We are pleased with the results.  And we have now put our mark on this house.  See the before and after pictures - Old bathroom View of new bathroom New cabinetry New sink and medicine cabinet

I am falling into bad habits again.  I meant to write more frequently and I have not been doing that.  We are approaching the middle of March - and we are again waiting for snow to fall tonight.  Hopefully it will not be what is predicted - 4 to 8 inches.  Our bathroom has been completed for about a month now - and we are still happy with it.  Now it is time to put on a new roof and gutters.   The contract has been signed.  Kristin has started a new job - I have two more weeks until spring break.  I have been trying to clean up the guest room in anticipation of Mom coming for Easter.  That is life these days.  Looking forward to warmer weather so I can get out and walk.  After standing outside for an hour in the cold at lunch - I really don't feel like walking much later.   I am looking forward to going to Cape Cod for spring break to visit Mom.  Finished the month of February with February birthday celebrations - dinner a...

 Good to be together in New York last weekend for John's funeral. Ellen and Daniel were not here for the picture and Mom took this one.  We all gathered in New York for John's funeral February 1st, 2014.  I think we were all glad to be together for the occasion.  We all stayed at Seafarers, we breakfasted together and ate dinner together while we were there.

Here it is - the start of 2014.  I haven't caught up with writing about 2013 - but thought I'd skip ahead and start with today.  The holidays are almost over - I have to go back to work on Monday (provided there is heat in the buildings and they decide to hold school - so far they say they will).  It has been a nice holiday - with lots of Frost family gatherings.  We have had multiple chances to see John and Sasha over the past two weeks - had dinner with them a couple of times - spent Christmas Day with them here and New Years' Day at their place. I have had two weeks off from school which I have enjoyed.  Went to the Holiday Lights at Brookfield Zoo and made trips to the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum.  Saw  The Secret Life of Walter Mitty  on Christmas.  We took a weekend trip to Rock Island to see Paul's mother and also Chris and Marla.  Our bathroom has been worked on almost every day - the bathtub is installed and the tile i...

Wedding weekend at last!  Mom and Carolyn arrived on Wednesday - Joy and Dan, Anna and Daniel arrived on Thursday afternoon - John and Lee, Ellen and Harry arrived Friday morning.  Good to have the whole family here.  Just as the rehearsal started on Thursday a big rain storm came through Oak Park - with a little microburst - trees down, thunder and lightning - rehearsal started a little late.  Dinner was at Skrine Chops in Forest Park - in their party room upstairs - turned out very nice, plenty to eat and all went well - there were probably 30 people there.  Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  I think we threw a pretty good party! The wedding was wonderful.  Many people said it was the most fun they had had at a wedding.  Sasha was a beautiful bride - John was a beaming groom.  The weather cooperated turn - we stood outside and greeted friends, and took pictures before the ceremony.  The ceremony was nice - and included two Mexican...