My Husband

spoils me so completely.

And this weekend was no exception. On Friday it was a lunch date to a little Mexican restaurant then two hours of help with grocery shopping. (a real help and blessing seeing as it was the week to buy a 45lb bag of dogfood). He then bought a pint of dairy free, gluten free key lime pie ice cream to fulfill a craving I had for the sweet creamy taste of such desserts.

Then today he bought me/us a piano. I am so excited! It should be delivered on Monday, and I can hardly wait to start brushing up on what few skills I had ten years ago.
It's a Baldwin Studio Upright, a beautiful older model that has wonderful, deep, rich tones. And a very unassuming look, simple, humble and elegant. With a lot of character...
I have a feeling before long this instrument is going to feel like an old friend. I can already see our baby six years old and practicing his Bach concerto....
  • marmee
    So glad he spoils you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see the piano ... and maybe play a note or two. Do you happen to remember any of those silly duets we used to play? :)
    by marmee at 03/13/10 10:52PM
  • sallyanne
    How sweet! I always wanted to play (except for during the time I had lessons in grade school). I hope you enjoy it for years to come!
    by sallyanne at 03/13/10 11:14PM
  • sallyanne
    Thank you so much for the lovely comment you made to Hannah. I have used you and Crystal in positive examples on many occasions ;)
    by sallyanne at 03/14/10 8:00AM
  • granny
    Loved your comment on my blog.
    Just ask your mil what happened to the piano seat her mother had to cover after training her four young children on the piano. It never recovered!
    by granny at 03/14/10 2:57PM
  • kristianbunny
    awww!!!! he sounds very sweet :) Good man ;)
    by kristianbunny at 03/14/10 5:04PM
  • csusoftballgirl
    I can't remember--did you guys find out if you were having a boy or a girl? or are you waiting to be surprised?

    Just 20 days to go... :)
    by csusoftballgirl at 03/15/10 10:40AM
  • raifhaus
    So excited for you to have a piano!!!
    by raifhaus at 03/15/10 1:20PM
  • sjb
    Very nice. I remember when we (finally) got our piano. It is wonderful to have!!! Congrats!
    by sjb at 03/15/10 1:22PM

Time for a new title.:)

So there we have it. A new title.

Have a wonderful weekend!
  • lori_in_pa
    :)
    by lori_in_pa at 03/12/10 10:32AM
  • marmee
    Love you! :)
    by marmee at 03/12/10 2:39PM
  • robynbobm
    haha
    by robynbobm at 03/12/10 6:18PM
  • a_soldiers_wife
    aww...disappointment :P
    I was expecting something like a new title for YOU like ... " mommy" or something :P
    by a_soldiers_wife at 03/13/10 4:30PM

Continuing blood saga...

So, yesterday I had an order from my midwife to slow down. I've been having early labor symptoms, and she just wants us to hold that baby in for "three or four more days", she said.

So, the first day of calm with lots of lying down was progressing. And then I fed the dogs. And then our nose spouter started up again without me seeing him and marched into the living room...the room with carpet. Yep...blood everywhere. Sprayed on the corner of the leather couch, over the coffee table, and all over the floor surrounding the coffee table. When I found it, I did what every self respecting first time mother who's about nine months pregnant would do...I burst into tears and I called my Marmee. Yesterday I found out, sadly, I'm not as "take care of everything no matter what" as much as I'd like to be. At least I wasn't yesterday.

However, she's rather far away...so she ordered me to call a sweet Christian sister here who has three kids, her oldest only a few years younger than me. She said that if I wouldn't call her...she would. So I called and was so blessed by a loving Christian Mom. She came bustling over with her carpet cleaner in tow, gave me big hug (which almost started me up blubbering again) then spent the next hour cleaning up my floor with the order to me "you just rest".

Wow. You know someone loves you when they're willing and eager to drop everything they have going and come clean up a blood mess made by your dog in your house that is really your responsibility. I was humbled and blessed.

Then Stephen got home and everything was better.

And baby is still inside! Although it was tempting to see if two-three hours on my hands and knees scrubbing carpet would have induced labor....
  • a_soldiers_wife
    awww... how sweet of her!! its great when people are willing to help you no matter what!!
    by a_soldiers_wife at 03/10/10 9:58AM
  • lori_in_pa
    You have a smart Marmee. Glad you listened. Love you.
    by lori_in_pa at 03/10/10 9:59AM
  • sallyanne
    Oh no! I'm so glad you got help with that mess!! Sounds like you need lots of reading and resting time! It's going to fly by!
    by sallyanne at 03/10/10 10:05AM
  • mayflower
    Every women if entitled to one emotional breakdown per month. Over something big, something little, or nothing at all.

    And doggy blood everywhere is definitely something!
    by mayflower at 03/10/10 10:07AM
  • mayflower
    So... I think we're going to be sisters 8 times removed!!! Or something like that.... ;)
    by mayflower at 03/10/10 10:09AM
  • raifhaus
    I love your sweet sister who came to your rescue. (Does she use Pleonast?).
    Alright, little baby niece or nephew. It's almost time. Just hold on a teeny teeny bit longer, ok?! Can hardly wait to find out who you are in there!!
    by raifhaus at 03/10/10 10:19AM
  • onelittlecandle
    Aww!!
    by onelittlecandle at 03/10/10 11:49AM
  • crystalized
    Bless your heart!
    by crystalized at 03/10/10 1:14PM
  • marmee
    I'm so thankful you still need your Marmee sometimes. :) It got all better, didn't it? Hold on, baby ... stay inside a little be longer ... we'll be on our way soon ...................... are you listening to your Grandmarmee? ;)
    by marmee at 03/10/10 3:19PM
  • laurar209
    What a sweet lady! And what a good mother! Sometimes I think it's good when we ask for help... and in doing so, thus reach out to somebody and give them the chance to show their love for God's family. :)
    by laurar209 at 03/10/10 3:49PM
  • robynbobm
    Aww! I must admit, I think my pet would be gone if that happened, though I love animals. Good for you being so patient with him!
    by robynbobm at 03/11/10 1:18PM
  • seashelll
    Ugh, that would be awful, but that's wonderful that your friend was kind and came over to help.
    by seashelll at 03/11/10 10:29PM
  • mr_and_mrs_berry
    Oh Amber - I love your family, I love our spiritual family. When I think of the love that so many wonderful ladies have shown to my girls when I wasn't there - Oh! - I'm thankful. God's blessings are showered on us in so many ways. Love you muchos and we are praying for your baby and your labor :)
    by mr_and_mrs_berry at 03/12/10 8:00AM

What a day...

I'm tired.

We have a dog with an explosive artery in his nose. His poor, sad, wounded nose that has been unhealed for two years now. We've been to vets, we've tried herbal remedies...and now we just clean up the blood. But it hasn't been this bad before...during the past week (and it has been happening at least once a day) he opens up the wound by bumping it, sniffing to hard, even taking a drink and it literally sprays everywhere like an aerosal can.

The inside of his blue crate was painted red from night bleeds...our glass door has been painted a couple times, our patio has gotten covered, and yes...our kitchen has too. Amazingly, it hasn't gotten on the carpet. And today has been the big "deblood and reblood proof" his crate and the surrounding floor, window blinds, wall, and baseboards. I don't know how it happens...and we don't know how to stop it. Thankfully, it seems painless to him. He's our vocal one, whines and wimpers if he gets an ant bite, and he doesn't seem to take any notice of the fact that he's spraying blood, other than to lick whatever surface was sprayed last. He seems quite fine through the whole ordeal. I think I wouold find it less taxing if he at least showed some discomfort...then I could really feel sorry for him. :P
But today I've seen as much of the inside of a dog crate as I ever want to. I spent over an hour in there giving it a makeover. And it doesn't smell anymore. Whew.

Okay...deep breath. Ready, set, go...the house needs to be vaccuumed and mopped to clean up all remnants of said mess. (Not to mention the mud from the rainy day) And there's a sink and counter full of dishes to wash...isn't it nice to be able to stay busy?:) What am I doing posting on Pleo when there's so much to do? I haven't a clue.

But you know what? It's a good day. A very good day.
  • onelittlecandle
    Aww, not fun, not fun at all!! There were a couple memorable dogs at the animal hospital with blood-spreading tendencies. I don't miss those days, or the smell. what do the vets say is the cause?
    by onelittlecandle at 03/08/10 2:51PM
  • marmee
    {{pat, pat}} on the back, that is. Job well done. Aren't you the daughter that has always loved dogs?? It's a good thing for old Nick, huh?? :) You are one of my JOYS!! Love you.
    by marmee at 03/08/10 3:43PM
  • sallyanne
    ^^That provided a laugh :)

    I love dogs (and all other animals, too) and I can relate to this...sometimes I sit down and post just to take a few breaths...it refreshes me and gives me an energy boost! You are certainly a good 'mom' to your furbaby ;)...

    And, I just glanced at your ticker! You are so close to having your new little blessing! Amazing!
    by sallyanne at 03/08/10 4:15PM
  • chooselove
    that's so sad sounding!
    by chooselove at 03/08/10 11:32PM
  • lori_in_pa
    I find pretty much any liquid issuing out of a dog inside my house to be taxing, whether the animal is bothered by it or not. I'm sorry. We have a vomiter here...
    by lori_in_pa at 03/09/10 7:47AM
  • mayflower
    wow...
    by mayflower at 03/09/10 8:29AM
  • raifhaus
    oooooohhh.... I'm not sure I would love a dog enough.
    by raifhaus at 03/09/10 7:19PM

Good Spring Day

Do you ever have days that just leave you with a good feeling...like the day held something worthwhile? I like days like that, I'd like to purposefully make all my days like that. A goal to reach toward.:)

So, today has been busy. It started at 6am with a two and half mile walk and 45min for breakfast and Bible study with my husband before he left for work. And so far it's held a morning of making granola, a long encouraging phone conversation, washing towel laundry(have yet to dry it), and tidying the house; an afternoon of another two mile walk with a Christian sister and her two little ones and a half hour at the park. Met a neighbor while we were there and chatted about homeschooling, the public school system and being a stay at home mom. Making contacts is wonderful!

Also dug up two more garden plots and prepped them for planting, flipped the compost pile and added all the grass and dirt from ground breaking to it. And somewhere in there I actually had time to read the rest of a good book (a true life story of the Holocaust "Eva's Story") and get in a one hour nap with the cat on the couch.

Now to pack a "car supper" to eat on the way to Bible study this evening and looking forward to seeing my husband in about 30 minutes! The best part of the day.:)

God is so good, I have so much reason to praise Him and days like this drive it home.:) What beauty He has put around us and what blessing to have an able body to be a homemaker. Blessings, blessings, blessings abound.

How has your day been?
  • marmee
    Wow! All that and while you're very pregnant no less! You encourage me, too, sweetie. I love you. :)
    by marmee at 03/03/10 8:07PM
  • onelittlecandle
    That sounds like an awesome day! You are a big encouragement, and I so enjoy reading your blogs! And walking 4 miles whilst 8 months pregnant?! I'm impressed!
    by onelittlecandle at 03/03/10 8:12PM
  • littlebit
    Wow! You got a lot accomplished just in the morning! I wish I was a morning person for that very reason- but alas, God had different plans for my body. Can't wait to see you soon!
    by littlebit at 03/03/10 11:52PM
  • robynbobm
    :)
    by robynbobm at 03/04/10 12:39AM
  • sallyanne
    You are a busy bee!
    by sallyanne at 03/04/10 1:21AM
  • lori_in_pa
    We had a good day here, too, albeit not one good for being out in the garden. Our compost pile is so sodden with melting snow and rain I doubt I could turn it if my life depended on it right now. We did schoolwork and went to my mom's and dad's for math and I ran errands during that time since math makes me break out in hives and I spent a happy hour writing in the afternoon. Bible study was an encouraging end to the book of Ecclesiastes. Happy to hear you are happy!
    by lori_in_pa at 03/04/10 6:36AM
  • raifhaus
    We had a good day too - in spite of a hard beginning with school work...
    I told David that though I was sure putting our oldest in school is a bad idea (for now), it sure seemed a more attractive option at the moment!!!! Then enjoyed ladies' class in a sister's home (thanks to David for helping me translate the lesson's worksheet), hurried to be able to accompany David to meet with another group for whom he's leading a series on I Peter. Encouraging conversation with some afterward. Late evening trip to the BIG grocery store, in the car (hooray for not having to carry on my back and wait for buses!), stocked up some household items that are hard for me to regularly get.... and David got us all Taco Bell for dinner from the food court. YUM. Put the girls to bed, and we went to bed, too. Nobody burned the midnight oil while the other snoozed (can you guess who is usually snoozing while the other is working???). Yes, nice day!
    by raifhaus at 03/04/10 9:05AM
  • raifhaus
    I need some book recommendations to look for and bring back to Guatemala with me - I very much enjoy a good historical fiction or biography.
    Eva's Story interests me, also littlelamb has been reading Churchill. I know my grandmother admired Churchill and enjoyed his writings. There's two to look for!
    My mom sent me a paperback of Life and Death in Shanghai. Incredible. Maybe you'll want to look up that one! It gave me more perspective on what the Chinese Christians have had to deal with. I've already passed the book on.... wish I still had it. I'm ready to reread!
    by raifhaus at 03/04/10 9:27AM
  • mr_and_mrs_berry
    Ooh - you read Eva's story? Catherine has loved her book and her sisters and she did a couple of papers on the Kindertransport. :)
    by mr_and_mrs_berry at 03/04/10 5:04PM
  • granny
    My turn -- spent most of the day preparing for our next invasion of students, 10 this time. Beds all made, towels, toothbrush, deoderant (yes!) on each bed. Soap, Vaseline, TP and cleanser in the bathroom (Vaseline used to keep their skin moist. They don't use cream like we do.) and then planned meals (grocery shopped yesterday), and best of all, prepared for my children's class tomorrow morning. Timing worked well, because my ladies' class was canceled today -- so they could attend their burial society meeting. Go figure. Adapt, teach, adapt , teach is the name of the game.

    From your entry I see you are still feeling great. I am so thankful.
    by granny at 03/06/10 12:18PM