Money, Heaven & Two Grade School Girls

I know that my neighbor and friend Tracey has blogged about the conversations between our two daughters, Jessi and Madison before, but I must share this one from yesterday.  This story is being told while they are sitting in the back seat of my minivan on the way home from school. It goes something like this...(I hope I can quote it just right.)

Jessi:  Madison, have you ever been to California?  My great-Grandfather use to live there.

Madison:  No, I haven't.  We don't have as much money as you guys do.

(Amy talking...This is how the money topic got started.)

Jessi:  Well, my pastor at church was saying that Warren Buffett and Bill Gates have lots and lots of money.  He also said that they can't even take $100 with them when they go to heaven.  

Madison:  Yeah, I know that.  The only thing you can take with you are the clothes you have on when you die.  (Madison is being serious!)

Jessi:  No, you can't even take your clothes, Madison.

Madison:  What?  You mean I have to go to heaven naked? 

(I am about to drive on a sidewalk now due to uncontrollable laughter.)

Jessi:  No, my Mom said that you get to wear white robes.  She's pretty sure about that!  (Jessi was very serious and sounded very knowledgeable on the topic, which was darn cute!)

Madison:  Oh, good! (Madison looked pretty relieved.)

Favorite Quotes

I've been researching clever, moving, motivational and witty quotes off the internet for my 365 project.  I'm including a quote for each week, so I'll need 52, of course.  I am hoping that YOU can help me by contributing your favorite quote from a person who may be famous or not so much.  The one in the above photo is from Martha Washington.  It says, "The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions not our circumstances." I think that one reflects well with the economy.   Here are a few others that I like too....

The Kindergarten Teacher in me loves this one... "Today You are You, that is Truer than True.  There is no one alive who is Youer than You."  ---Dr. Seuss

"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing."  ---Phyllis Diller  

(This one explains my household.)

Or 

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."  ---Maya Angelou

I can't wait to hear yours!  Please post under comments.

Mission 40 x 40 Revisited

Lately, I haven't said much about my 40 new things by the time I reach 40 since Project 365 took front stage.  I do want you to know that I am slowly making progress and have completed 1/4 of it.  I'll admit that most of these "haven't done before things" were never on my list to begin with.  However, with a recession going on, that many of us are feeling, I have modified some of my choices.  I am still crossing my fingers for all of those traveling opportunities to exotic destinations.  Oh, I can still dream!!!

Here's what has happened so far....

#1  Blog - I created www.thebroekerbunch.blogspot.com on November 15th once I saw it was FREE and my friend/neighbor Tracey looked like she was having a blast with hers.  So I give Tracey all the credit for this one. 

#2  Movie & Just Me - I realized I've never sat through a movie by myself, so I thought this is pretty simple and inexpensive to do.   I went to Twilight on November 28th knowing that Andy wouldn't want to see it.  I am planning on purchasing the DVD when it releases on March 21st. Yeah, can't wait!

#3  Baptist Church - St. Mark's Church makes a yearly trip to Salem Baptist Church in Omaha.  This year we went on December 7th.   I loved attending since it's nothing like what I would see or hear in my own church service.  This was another one that was FREE, except for the eating out. 

#4  Text Messaging - I received my first text message from Krista Wells, my co-worker, on December 10th.  I then text messaged her back.  Wow!  This was a huge moment in my life, I am now up with technology.  LOL  This wasn't too bad either....thirty cents total?!  Oh, please don't text me, I have to pay per text.  Just email me instead...that works!

#5  Join a Gym - Andy and I became members of Anytime Fitness on December 23rd.  I've never joined a gym before, which is why it makes the list.  Honestly, we have not been doing real well in this department.  I'd like to say it's Andy's trips out to Kansas that are to blame, but he was home last night and we didn't go.  We are going to have to work on this activity.  This one is a little pricey...$50 a month.  

#6  Facebook - After being invited by four friends to join, I finally decided to see what's up with all the Facebook hype.  So, I'll credit my friend Amy for getting me on.  I can say that's one place you can waste away hours, but it is cheap fun!

#7  Tea Party - I went to a "Let's Do Tea" party on Feb.23rd...much like a Tastefully Simple party, but with sampling teas, of course.  I am not much of a tea drinker, but I learned how to "steep" and tried all kinds of teas...black, green and rooibos.  I really knew nothing about tea...except for Lipton instant and that's "iffy".  Now that I've given up soda, I can become a tea connoisseur.  

#8  Ash Wednesday (Feb. 25) - I hate to admit this, but yes, I've never been to an Ash Wednesday service before.  I actually thought only Catholics had ashes placed on their foreheads.  It was a wonderful, traditional service.  My only problem was no daycare for Grant during this night time service and he was a little stinker! 

#9  Digital Scrapbooking - On March 1st, I finally gave in to making my Project 365 book doing it digitally through Adobe Photoshop.  I am not a pro at this by any means, but I've learned something I didn't know before.

#10  Donating Blood -  (March 5th) I can't believe I did it.  This was a very hard thing for me to do (I don't like the sight of blood), but I knew I needed to give it a try.  It wasn't so bad either.  I didn't get sick or feel lousy afterwards and I helped at least three people.  That's what those commercials on TV say.  I have a feeling they may like me too, with my O- blood type (universal donor), so I am already signed up to go back in early May.  

There you have it.  I am open to ideas (please, place under comments) of thirty more activities that I need to try.  I think Friday Night Bingo might be next on my list!

 

Days 61-65

I had some difficulties loading these pictures, so that's why there was a time delay! 

Friday, Feb. 27th - Not much excitement at the Broeker's.  We went to Target tonight after school because all the kids needed new socks.  Grant was thrilled with his selection!
Saturday, Feb. 28th - Madison delivered cookies around the neighborhood and our neighbor, Scott Holz, decided he would "ham it up" for the camera for this transaction!  
Sunday, March 1st - Tyler is practicing his pitching at Blue Chips with Coach Smutny.  
Monday, March 2nd - GNO at 9th Street Grill - present:  Lisa Ford, Carrie Bode, Jodi Vanek, Jen Pinyan, Anne Holz, Tracey Black, Allison Bruggeman and me.  Good food, good conversation and great fun! 
Tuesday, March 3rd - I learned on Sunday how to do Project 365 digitally.  This would be one more thing I can add to things I've never done before.  This picture shows off the new 4 x 6 sleeves that I found today at Ben Franklin Too (Thanks, Lisa, for the gift card).  I am still hoping to get the 365 kit because I'd love to embellish my scrapbook with the overlays and stickers!  I don't think I can go total digital...not as much fun! 

My Day...just for me!

Today I did something I've never done before...taken a school day off just for myself.  I've taken a day off for doctors' appointments, sickness and funerals, but never a day for me.  It was wonderful!  

This is what I did....(in case you are curious?!)

1.  I went to work to get my plans all ready for the Guest Teacher and she wasn't who I thought I was getting, but she did a wonderful job!  That was a surprise! 

2.  I went to McDonald's for a juice and sandwich.  Friendly people...they told me to have a nice day.  I was almost compelled to tell them it was my day off, but realized they really don't care.

3.  I drove to the southside of Lincoln and went shopping.  I bought new toss pillows for my bed from Pier 1.  I also went to Barnes and Noble and went nuts.  I bought a book on scrapbooking (go figure) and a Bible that you can read in a year.  It's broken down for one to read in that kind of time frame.  If I get that done that will go on my 40 x 40 project.  I also went and purchased Tyler's confirmation gifts, which I can't disclose because he may read this.

4.  I visited a scrapbooking store that should have taken 10 minutes, but then took 50.

5.  I drove back to the northside of Lincoln to go out to eat at Quizno's with my friend and neighbor Tracey Black.  That was great fun!  Thanks, Tracey!  

6.  Tracey and I went to Bed, Bath & Beyond and found a hot pot, so I can make this delicious carmel tea for my co-workers next week. (It was going to be tomorrow, but you will see why at the end of this blog). 

7.  I made a couple phone calls....to get the dog groomed and to still try to get the Project 365 KOTM....I just won't give up!  No luck, yet!

8.  I went and donated blood at the Community Blood Bank today.  I have never done that before and it wasn't so bad.  I was done in 7 minutes and 52 seconds.  Wow!  They let me put my feet up, gave me drinks and cookies, a cool t-shirt and one of those new recycling bags.  This was ALMOST as good as getting a pedicure, but cheaper.  It was FREE.  Now, really, how many things in life are free!  Good point, huh?

9.  I vacuumed and washed the van today.  Looks fabulous until the next snow storm! 

10.  I enjoyed the 77 degree weather and with no kids!  That's until they came home from school! Bummer!  

11.  THEN I went to pick up Grant at Christi's house to find he has a 102 degree temperature!  UGH!  

12.  I realized I jinxed myself by taking a day off to now have to take another day off for a sick child.  Darn it!  

Boy & His Dog

This is what I see when I walk into Tyler's bedroom late at night.  Tyler asleep and Ranger, our Schnauzer, snuggling in bed together.  I know people sleep with their pets, but Ranger acts like he's human with his head on the pillow.  I don't know how Tyler can stand it...the smell and the lack of space.  I think the smell would be my first concern.  I am not a dog person, but this dog is sweet.  I HAVE to love an animal who puts up with Grant's abuse.  However, yuck!  I will not let this pet (no matter what doggie face he give me) sleep with me even when the two older ones are at sleepovers.  This dog does want to sleep in my bed if both Tyler and Maddy are gone, but I won't allow it.  I am terrible, huh?!  You know this dog will pick the couch for a bed over sleeping with Grant.  Smart dog!  

I have a question for all of you...Tyler will be going through Confirmation at our church in a couple weeks.  I want to give him a special gift for all of his work he's put into church, community and fellowship functions and activities.  Do you have any suggestions for a gift for a twelve year old boy?  Maybe you're thinking dog bed?  That one crossed my mind! :)

Thoughtful Child

This past weekend Andy and I had an ongoing conversation about taking the two older children on a trip to Disney World.  This trip has been talked about prior to the birth of Grant, but with his arrival the trip never materialized.  We've even talked about waiting until Grant is old enough to go, but realize Tyler would be in his mid-teens and probably wouldn't want to at that point.  So, with every LPS break, I mope around about the fact that we still haven't gone and am already feeling the blues about another break without Disney.  

I am now "determined" (my word for 2009) to take the four of us to Disney over fall break when I turn 39.  Andy, the reasonable one in the family, said, "The economy is bad, we don't have any money, etc."  This was overheard by the darling daughter who placed this homemade envelope under my pillow last night....It says, "To help with the Disney Place here is $8.00 in this bag."  That note and 8 -0ne dollar bills just about brought tears to my eyes.  Oh, sweet child of mine!  Madison, I now say that you "sealed the deal" on this Disney vacation!