sometimes I forget

Sometimes I forget about the great price that has been paid for my life, and I become apathetic and lose my joy. (John 3:16-17)

Sometimes I forget that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and I get lost in self-doubt and uncertainty about who I am. (Psalm 139)

Sometimes I forget about eternity, and turn today's struggles and pains into something more monumental than they need to be. (Ecc. 3:11)

Sometimes I forget how richly I am blessed, and find myself ungrateful for what I have and whining for things I don't. (Luke 6:17-26)

Sometimes I forget how deeply I am loved for exactly who I am, and I spend unnecessary time and energy trying to prove myself worthy. (John 3:16)

Sometimes I forget I'm the daughter of a King, and I behave like a pauper.

Sometimes I forget God's faithfulness, and I doubt the future and worry over unanswered questions. (Deut. 32:3-4)

Sometimes I forget God offers his great power and strength, and I try unsuccessfully and discouragingly to do things on my own. (Psalm 24:8)

Sometimes I forget God cares deeply about everything I do, and I neglect to include him. (Matt. 10:29)

Sometimes I forget God waits patiently for me to just sit by his side and be with him. I forget how much he's done for me, I forget how much he loves me, I forget he is the very reason I have life, today and for eternity. Why do I let myself forget?

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Happy Birthday Christie!!

Happy Birthday Kimberly!

at the Getty

Because of various scheduling conflicts, Caleb and I put off our Valentine's celebration until yesterday (only a week and a half after the actual day). It turned out to be pretty good timing actually ... the rain and the Oscars kept most people home.

We started our day with a fancy homemade breakfast (homemade by Caleb, complete with banana pancakes, eggs and sausage, sparkling cider and hot chocolate). We left the house around 11 and headed out to Santa Monica for an afternoon at the Getty Center. We left there around 4 and headed for the pier. After some walking around in the cold we went to the restaurant where Caleb had made reservations ... about 30 minutes early ... and spent a lovely evening chatting and eating fantastic Italian dishes. It was a fabulously relaxing day out on the town with only each other for company ... perhaps my best Valentine's Day yet.

At the entrance to the Getty

We headed down to the lookout when we first arrived ... it was cold and windy

After we spent some time perusing paintings, we took a break from the cold weather in the cafe. Caleb had a cookie and a Cherry Coke ....

.... while I had a cookie and a cup of what Grandma told me was some of the best coffee So Cal has to offer.

Caleb got in trouble from one of the docents for using the flash for this picture (which of course cracked me up ... getting in trouble from a museum docent). It wasn't really fair though ... he didn't realize the flash had gotten turned back on, he was using my camera, with which he's unfamiliar, and if anybody knows not to use flashes with delicate ancient art, its Caleb. So he didn't need the lecture that ensued. I enjoyed the incident immensely.

I want this chandelier for my house. The glass bowl at the bottom was meant for goldfish!

And I want this bed. Its ridiculous.

On our way out we walked out to the main Getty Center sign for another self-portrait.

A seagull, waiting for the sun to set.

We got too cold and hungry waiting for the sun to set, so this is the last I saw of it before we headed inside for dinner.

its the simple things

Last week, knowing the rains were coming, we FINALLY replaced the windshield wipers on both our cars. It has revolutionized my driving-in-the-rain experience. Thanks hubby!

Gpa's beginning .... cont'd

My grandfather was born in the small town of Alva, Oklahoma on December 9, 1924. The Great War, the war to end all wars, had recently ended, and the U.S. was getting its feet back under itself. Vladimir Lenin died that year, leaving Joseph Stalin an open door to begin taking over Russia. The first Winter Olympics were held that year, and the IBM Corporation was founded. J. Edgar Hoover was appointed head of the FBI, and Calvin Coolidge was re-elected President. In New York, the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade was held. Doris Day and Marlon Brando were born that year, as were Jimmy Carter and George Herbert Walker Bush, future Presidents of the United States. The Depression would hit hard in a few years, but at the time, in Oklahoma, things were good.

He was born the oldest of three brothers to Buford and Pauline Lindley. His father was a farmer, his mother a school teacher. Six years later his brother Bob was born, and ten years later brother Bill was born. (How a boy named Verl ended up with brothers named Bill and Bob I've never been able to figure out.)

The extended Lindley family was a close one, and Grandpa and his brothers were blessed by a close-knit family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and myriad cousins. The family was often getting together for things, at least once a month for a potluck on the farm. Grandpa and his brothers would play hide-and-seek and other games with all the kids.

They lived on a farm, raised horses, herded cattle, and for at least a couple of years, helped milk the cows. Young Verl was responsible for bottling it up in glass bottles. His dad was in partnership with the police chief, whose wife sold the milk from an ice box on her porch for five cents a quart.

Once when Grandpa was about 10 years old, he was sent out to bring the mules in. Well, as everyone knows, every mule has a mind of its own. As young Verl herded these mules across the river, and before they got to the pasture, every mule ran off in a different direction. Verl was so frustrated he galloped back to the house and promptly told his dad, “If you want those dumb mules you’re going to have to get them yourself!” My great-grandfather just looked at his son with a look well-understood by children far and wide, and said firmly, “Son, get back on your horse and go get those mules.” Grandpa remembers turning right around and doing what he was told, knowing full well it was the safest course of action.

He spent the first 12 years of his life in Alva, a town of just 7,000 residents. The town was separated by one main street, and there was an elementary school on each side. In those 12 years, his family lived in 26 different houses, on both sides of town. So by the time he was 12, Verl had skipped back and forth between the two sides of Main Street, and consequently the two schools, so many times that he knew all the kids in town. All that moving around and changing of schools helped developed his friendliness and comfortability in every situation. Today every person in every restaurant within a 20-mile radius of my grandparents' home seems to know them.

True Love

This year on Valentine's Day my sister, her boyfriend, my husband and I cooked dinner and took it to my grandparents' house in La Mirada. As some of you may know, my grandma has been slowly but surely recovering from major surgery she had before Thanksgiving. These days she's doing much better than she was, but loving on her lately has been a favorite pasttime for all her kids/grandkids/great-grandkids, etc. And so it seemed like a no-brainer to spend Valentine's evening with them.

Hans and Amy. They've been dating for over a year ...

Me and Caleb. We've been married almost two years, and look forward to the next 60 together.

Grandma had set the table the day before, and it was beautiful! I have eaten meals at this very table, in this very same location, my entire life. It just might be the happiest and most comfortable table at which I ever enjoy a meal. My favorite memories are high school, when ever Wednesday night was "Grandkid night" at Gma and Gpa's. My cousins, my siblings, and various friends were always gathered around the table for dinner, but more importantly for lots of laughter and good times.

Grandma and Grandpa. Last year they celebrated 60 years of marriage, and to me, these two are the picture of true love. Not only are they still together, they're still in love. They love each other, they still each have a deep relationship with God, they love their family, and still consider it a privilege to teach and instruct as opportunity arises. They are the picture of wisdom, the pursuit of righteousness and Godliness, and what it means to be faithful. They're two of the most amazing people I know, and I truly consider it a privilege to be called family.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is the anniversary of my mom's 16th birthday (just WHICH anniversary will remain a secret). Since today is a mid-week weekday, and it would have been hard to gather the masses to celebrate today, we celebrated on Sunday. It was a spectacular Hammer family gathering, which is usually all Mom really wants for her birthday. Enjoy the pix.

These napkins were left over from my Grandpa Hammer's birthday celebration a while back ... and my brother and I both thought they were HILARIOUS. Mom didn't think so.

Here we are, with our hodge-podge fajita meal. I brought the onions and peppers, David cooked up the fajita meat Dad had bought, Amy took care of sour cream, guacamole and chips, Jon and Julie did the rice and beans, David remembered tortillas ... and at the last minute I remembered cheese (so we brought what we had, which was cheddar slices ... it worked). It was a great meal!

Dad's fabulous wrapping job.

Mom's cake (er, brownies). Just 16 candles ... for the anniversary of her 16th birthday.

Happy Birthday Mom!

P.S. I had felt pretty bad about not getting to knitting something for my mom for Christmas, so I decided to make up for it for her birthday. Unfortunately, the project I picked turned out to be WAY over my head, and took me hours and hours just to get this far! (See picture below.) So I gave it to her partly finished, hoping to finally have it done in just another month or so.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!!

Grandma's beginning

In Barberton, Ohio, on December 26, 1926, two children were upstairs in their home listening to strange noises downstairs. Howard said to his sister Dorothea “I’m hearing something funny. What’s going on?” As they pressed their ears up to the wall, they soon heard a baby cry. “Who came to the house in the middle of the night and brought a baby?” Howard said. Well, as it turned out, their own mother was giving birth to their baby sister, Lois Jean Butler. My grandmother. Back then a woman didn’t let on that she was pregnant, and the other children had had no idea their family was about to grow again. Lois was the fifth and youngest child in the Butler clan. At the time of her birth Howard was 13, Dorothea 11, Marvin 10, and Harold 5.

When Lois was about five months old the doctor told her father that if he didn’t get out of Barberton soon, his sinus problems would probably kill him. He’d had surgery, and tried various methods to ease them, but nothing seemed to work. It was time to move. So he put in a request at Good Year, where he worked, and they transferred him to Arizona.

The Sunday School class at church had collected $75 for the Butlers. With that, and the few dollars her dad had in his pocket, they piled five kids into an open touring car, all the belongings they could fit, and headed for Arizona. The trip was a camping trip of sorts. Lois’s mom did all the cooking along the way, making whatever kinds of meals she could.

On arriving at the Good Year plant in Arizona, they lived in some of the company quarters, tiny little houses. Lois’s mom had to put chicken wire over the holes in the floor to keep the snakes and other varmints from crawling in and getting her kids, most vulnerable was my 5-month-old grandmother. Even so, most mornings she still had to throw scorpions out of her shoes. Consequently Lois was kept in a high chair most of the time.

Well, Arizona was certainly better for her dad’s sinuses, but her mother couldn’t stand the heat. Can we blame her? So in 1928, when Lois was about 18 months old, the family picked up again and moved to California. Her dad got to stay with Good Year. The housing wasn’t much better than Arizona, just motor-home style housing, but at least there weren’t scorpions to worry about. Within just a couple of years after that, they moved to Bell, where they would remain for more than 20 years.

President's Day

Happy 3-day weekend everyone! I don't know about you, but I know I could really use that extra down time, and I'm looking forward to sleeping in Monday morning, driving to the gym when I don't have to use my headlights, sipping my coffee while watching Good Morning America, and taking a nice long nap in my bed instead of my car. God bless the presidents!

Happy Birthday Mel!!

Chinese

Zhu Ni Sheng Ri Kuai Le!!

Spanish

Feliz Cumpleanos!!

German

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!!

Latin

Fortuna dies natalis!!

The beginning

For many years now I've been VERY slowly but surely trying to put together the pieces of my grandparents' life stories, and get it written down. Its hard work, and I don't get to it very often, but there are bits and pieces I've finished ... and I feel like posting them. This is the first in a short series of stories about my grandparents. In the future, there will be no introduction ... just a vignette from the lives of Verl and Lois Lindley.

My grandparents’ story begins long before either of them was even born. At the turn of the century, in Oklahoma, my grandpa’s Great-Grandmother, Leah Bales, was an old-fashioned Quaker preacher woman. She wore a grey dress and used “thee” and “thou” in everyday language. "You" was a pronoun reserved for God alone. She would travel from town to town, preaching the Gospel to anyone who would listen. She was exactly 80 years older than her great-grandson Verl, right down to the day. They celebrated their birthdays together, and on one such December 9, they had a race on the sidewalk in front of the house. I wish I knew more about her, I imagine she led an interesting and varied life.

In 1930, when Grandpa was six years old, his Grandma Bales was dying. Just before she passed away, she called young Verl to her side.

When I think of this well-worn family story, I always imagine a dimly-lit room, small and cozy, the furniture is sparse, maybe just a bed, a nightstand, and a chair for the nurse, or a visitor. As she lay there, covered from head to toe in quilts, she beckoned her young grandson over to her side. He stood there, somewhat in awe, somewhat in fear, not sure what to do, how to stand in the presence of this great and very old lady. And then she slowly reached her old, wrinkled hand over to him and placed it on his head. She prayed for him, and then she looked him square in his big blue eyes, and with her thick Oklahoma accent, said “Verl, the Lord wants thee to be a preacher.”

I don’t know what other conversation took place between the old woman and the young child, but it was in that moment my grandfather’s destiny was set. Well, if you believe in that sort of thing. In this case, I’m sure it had more to do with divine revelation than arbitrary fate. That great woman of God saw in her grandson everything that he could be, and would be, if he would simply allow God to lead. Today Grandpa likes to say he never has been able to get that hand off his head.

As he left her side, and headed back outdoors, he was probably blinded by the bright sun, and soon was back at play with his friends. But that moment would stay with him for a lifetime, as such moments in our lives are bound to do. It may not have impacted the six-year-old much at the time, but his grandmother’s words would leave an indelible mark on the rest of his life.

this and that

Favorite headline of the day: Fake sugar may be worse than real thing. (Heidi's response: Duh.)

Yesterday I shrank my absolute favorite sweater in the wash. I fumed for quite some time at my own idiocy. And today I'm wearing it, in sheer defiance of the shrinkage.

Today, the only remnant of my cold is an annoying runny nose. Its nice to be almost totally well again.

Most encouraging weekend discovery: I lost a pound and a half last week, despite only making it to the gym once. Its quite possible I'm actually learning even better eating habits.

Tonight is Chinese New Year-themed bunco at Darcy's house. I'm looking forward to it.

Despite a couple weeks passing since the rains, the snow-covered mountains have managed to keep the smog away, and their beauty can still be seen!

I really need to get the sap off my car before it hardens beyond the point of easy removal (a point I'm afraid has already passed).

My husband and I managed to never turn on the TV yesterday, instead filling our time reading, working on photos, knitting, napping, etc. It was lovely.

Happy Monday. May your week be filled with extraordinary ordinariness.

climb every mountain

The recent storms that have swept through Southern California have dropped more rain and snow than we've had in over a year. I've loved the cold weather and the precipitation, making it feel more like actual Winter. But I must admit, the most wonderful part of these storms has been their aftermath. The air is crisp and clean, the hills are already green with new growth, and the mountains ... oh the mountains! ... they're covered in snow and spectacular to behold. And because the air is clear, they're spectacularness can actually be seen and enjoyed from miles away. These pictures were taken at the intersection where I work (so I get to enjoy this view every day ... at least, when its clear enough to be viewed). Caleb took it upon himself to photograph this historical event, and I wanted to share them with you.

Looking down from Bastanchury on State College toward the Brea mall.

blimey, it's official!

Many of you may already know that my husband's and my big plan this year is to take a big once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe. We've always wanted to go, and we thought it would be much easier BEFORE we start a family (no, we don't have definite plans there yet, so don't ask), so we figured we might as well do it. We've been saving and planning for a year now. Over time our plans have taken on more distinction as we decided when we wanted to go, and exactly where we wanted to go.

Our first and most definite destination has always been Prague. Caleb almost took me there on our honeymoon, and everyone says its the most beautiful city to visit in Europe. Caleb has always wanted to see Ireland, and go back to Scotland (he had a chance for a short visit a few years ago). After that we wanted to find one more destination, something unique. We looked at pictures of France and Spain and Italy and Germany and England and Turkey (well, not really Turkey) ... and then I saw pictures of Norway. Of course! Norway! Its beautiful, its outdoorsy, its home to lots of knitting and viking ships! Even after just a cursory look into the country and all it had to offer we were hooked. So, Norway was added to the list as our final must-see destination.

To truly make the trip worthwhile, we decided it would have to be at least 3 weeks. We both got permission from our places of business to take that much time off work, I'm even taking one week without pay. But hey, if we're going to do Europe, we need to do it right, right? So, with our destinations decided on and timing blocked out, we started watching plane flights, schedules, prices. I think I've searched Orbitz, Hotwire, Expedia, and Travelzoo more times than I've checked my own email. Not long ago I came across an AerLingus flight, nonstop from LA to Dublin, and cheaper than all the other flights by about $100. It wasn't long before we finally decided it was time to put all this planning and anticipating into action ... and we bought our plane tickets! I'm so excited its driving Caleb a little crazy ... I've already started thinking about what to pack. Trust me, everyone will be much happier if I'm allowed three months to pack.

Our flight leaves Saturday afternoon, April 26, bound for Dublin. We'll spend 3 days in Dublin, kicking jet lag at the local pubs doing Irish jigs. On April 30 we fly to Oslo, Norway (we found a super cheap flight, which was a huge blessing). At this point the trip gets a tiny bit flexible. We haven't decided on exact dates for travel yet, but we intend on spending a few days in Oslo doing the viking museum and other traditional Nordic things. Then we're taking a train from Oslo to Bergen, supposedly one of those most spectacular train rides in the world. Bergen is on the western side of the country, where all the fjords await our wandering feet and amazed eyes. We'll spend several days there hiking the mountains, exploring the fjords and generally finding too many things to take pictures of. We'll also celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary in Bergen.

Around the 8th we'll fly to Prague and spend our last week in Europe exploring the history of the one city that survived both World Wars. We're also anticipating taking day trips outside the city. Then we'll fly back to Dublin to catch our flight home on the 14th.

Its official, we have our flights. There's no going back now. And I am so excited!

sick day

I stayed home today. Yesterday I woke up with a scratchy throat, and throughout the day yesterday I developed a nasty little cough, and the throat got scratchier and scratchier, to the point of every sneeze being painful. I slept well, thanks to Tylenol PM. I admit, I'm still working off the hangover. I'm looking forward to a nice long nap in my bed (instead of my car). And very slowly but surely, I'm able to get a few things done around the house, which is kind of nice. Finish the laundry, pay bills, maybe even prepare dinner ahead of time (but we'll see about that one). This is actually the perfect kind of sick day ... not so sick I want to throw myself out a window, but sick enough to excuse myself from work. I don't get sick very often either, so I figured today was a nice opportunity to actually use one of those sick days. Well, I'm off to other relaxing duties ...

Lindley

My cousin's second child is almost-5-year-old Lindley Tanner Webster. She loves the spotlight, as this video so aptly shows. This is from last night's Super Bowl party ... where she was more interested in my camera than the football game ....

Super Bowl 2008

This year, to inaugurate our new HDTV, Caleb and I had a few family members over for the Super Bowl ... here are the highlights.

Every party must first begin with food. I made football player sugar cookies and football gingerbread cookies.

And of course, no foray into kitchen work is complete without flour getting EVERYWHERE.

But once everything was said and done, we had enough food to feed a small country!

Grandma and Grandpa made it by for a little while, which was quite a treat.

Its a small room, but we're a cozy family (Ben holding Lincoln, Dad in the LaZBoy, Caleb, Darcy, Lindley and Amy on the floor, Julie and Jon on the couch ... )

( ... Julie and Jon, Joel and Amy on the couch, Mom in a chair, Caleb and Andrew on the bench.)
See, we all fit!

Caleb and David ... not huge fooball fans, but enjoying themselves anyway.

Lindley, taking it upon herself to document the occasion .... all of the following pictures were taken by her, who, at just 4 1/2 years old, is quite the photographer.

Rachel.

Andrew.

Ben (or, for Lindley, Dad)

Heidi (who's camera she was using)

Heidi & Caleb (who can't keep his eyes open when a flash goes off)

Joel & Amy

Sister Amy

Caleb ... maybe he CAN keep his eyes open (which he should do more often, because they're such great eyes!)

Jon & Julie (up from San Diego for the weekend ... it was a treat to have them too!)

At first Lincoln wasn't sure the game would go his way. There was only a minute and a half left, and the Giants were still down ...

But then, amazing things happened, and Eli Manning pulled off end-of-the-game miracles ... and then ... TOUCHDOWN! Giants WIN!! And Lincoln is happy.

The launching of Dubland

Some of you are aware of the fact that my husband is an artist. He mostly uses photography as his medium, but enjoys other forms as well. For a long time now he's been working on revamping his website to showcase his work. Well, as of today that website is up and running! I urge you take a look and browse through photos. Because he's spent so much time working on putting the website together, most of the work displayed is older material, which is definitely great stuff, but please keep checking back for new and exciting images. Here's the link: www.dubland.net

thoughts on voting

Democracy consists of choosing your dictators, after they've told you what you think it is you want to hear. Alan Corenk

The great thing about democracy is that it gives every voter a chance to do something stupid. Art Spander

Democracy means government by discussion, but it is only effective if you can stop people talking. Clement Atlee

Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few. George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule - and both commonly succeed, and are right. H. L. Mencken (1880-1956)

The idea of an election is much more interesting to me than the election itself...The act of voting is in itself the defining moment. Jeff Melvoin Northern Exposure, Democracy in America, 1992

Democracy is a process by which the people are free to choose the man who will get the blame. Laurence J. Peter (1919-1988)

Democracy is the name we give the people whenever we need them. Marquis de Flers Robert and Arman de Caillavet

On account of being a democracy and run by the people, we are the only nation in the world that has to keep a government four years, no matter what it does. Will Rogers (1879-1935)

Despite these mostly humorous quips about government, I actually find voting a very important right to exercise. Happy voting everyone!