Computer is home! She's home!

 Marissa is home from Guatemala!  It sounds like she had a wonderful time.  She was back in the USA by about 9:30pm on Sunday.  Then she rode back to MN through the night.  We were called to pick her up at the wonderful hour of 3:00am on Monday morning.  She slept all day yesterday, Pat and I wished we could have!  Last night we got to hear many stories while she went through all of her pictures.  Kinda like an old fashioned slide show since we plugged the computer into the TV. You can read about the trip on their blog.

Our computer came home Sunday as well.  Where was it, you ask?  Well while searching for a trendy guy's haircut for Gunnar, we ran into a little problem.  One of the sites had 'scare ware' - those annoying pop-ups that tell you your computer is probably infected and you should buy their product.  I knew better, but for some reason it took over my computer even when I had clicked "no thank you".  LESSON #1:  JUST CLOSE THE WINDOW, DO NOT RESPOND IN ANY WAY!  Well, taking over entailed telling me everything I tried to open/start was infected and then not allowing it to start.  Pop-up window in the Explorer browser starting showing up, and they were mostly porn.  Even when I shut off the internet, it just kept coming.

Thankfully, I have a wonderful neighbor who is a self-taught computer guru (thanks Kylene).  I called her right away.  She really wanted to help, but had a bridal shower at her home the next day, so asked if we could talk Thursday or Friday.  What could I say?  Of course!  LESSON #2:  JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY DOES NOT MEAN IT IS EVERYONE ELSE'S EMERGENCY!    I actually know this lesson, but it never ever hurts to remind oneself and other.

Thursday Kylene was exhausted, so I ended up dropping off the computer at her house on our way up to the camper.  LESSON #3:  BACK UP YOUR COMPUTER MORE FREQUENTLY THAN "EVERY NOW AND THEN".   When we returned Sunday, I went to visit my computer that was feeling better, but not quite fully back to good health.  After a couple more hours, it is now restored to it's good health.  I learned quite a bit while watching Kylene while I was there on Sunday.  Especially that I needed better security tools and that I was running out of space.  LESSON #4:  YOU CAN NEVER TAKE TOO MANY COMPUTER SECURITY PRECAUTIONS. 

Well, during this I also learned that my neighbor can probably get us another laptop for pretty cheap.  That helps out with 2 kids trying to do on-line homework and me not wanting them on my PC.  We shall see.  FINAL LESSON:  PRAYER WORKS!

2010 Books Read So Far...

My 2010 goal is 100 books. This will include books on CD - which make my commute bearable. Since my DH gave me a kindle this year, my library usage may suffer, but I don’t want to spend to much $$$.  June seems to be reading month for me.  Must be trips to camper and 'deck time'.

January
1) The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart
2) Harry Potter #7 again, aloud with son
3) Where My Heart Belongs by Tracie Peterson
4) Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
5) In the Woods by Tana French
6) Animal, vegetable, miracle : a year of food life by Barbara Kingsolver
7) Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret
8) The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
9) Dark Pursuit by Brandilyn Collins
10) A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life by Dana Reinhardt
February
11) The Land of Silver Apples by Nancy Farmer
12) The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissiner
13) Knit the Season by Kate Jacobs
14) Dragon Outcast by E. E. Knight
15) Knitting by Anne Bartlett
March
16) Demon: a Memoir by Tosca Moon Lee
17) The Healer by Dee Henderson
18) Murder Takes the cake by Gayle Trent
19) The Way of Women: a Novel by Lauraine Snelling
20) Flashback by Nevada Barr
April
21) 13 1/2: a Novel by Nevada Barr
22) Orbiting the Giant Hairball:a Corporate Fool’s Guide to Surviving with Grace by Gordon Mackenzie (nf)
23) The Rescuer by Dee Henderson
24) Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
25) The Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr
26) The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
27) A Superior Death by Nevada Barr
28) Stopping Time, Part 1 by Melissa Marr
29) Stopping Time, Part 2 by Melissa Marr
30) Living Organized by Sandra Felton (nf)
May
31) Ill Wind by Nevada Barr
32) Firestorm by Nevada Barr
33) Endangered Species by Nevada Barr
34) Blind Descent by Nevada Barr
35) Liberty Falling by Nevada Barr
36) Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton
37) Hunting Season by Nevada Barr
38) Knit, Purl, Die by Anne Canadeo
39) The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
40) House Rules by Jodi Picoult
41) Schools Out - Forever by James Patterson
June
42) The Help by Kathryn Stockett
43) Green by Ted Dekker
44) The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan
45) Borderline by Nevada Barr
46) June Bug by Chris Fabry
47) Maximum Ride: Saving the World & Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson
48) High Country by Nevada Barr
49) The 9th Judgment by James Patterson
50) Hard Truth by Nevada Barr
51) The Maine Corpse by Diane Mott Davidson
52) Winter Study by Nevada Barr
53) Burn by Nevada Barr
54) Unwind by Neal Shusterman
55) They Almost Always Come Home by Cynthia Ruchti
56) Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs
57) Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
58) Silent to the Bone by E.L. Konigsburg
59) The Last Jihad by Joel C. Rosenberg
60) The Final Warning (Maximum Ride) by James Patterson

Responsibility trumps dreams every time...

The title of the today's blog was from a Christian fiction named "They Almost Always Come Home" by Cynthia Ruchti.  I enjoyed the book, the story line was great as well as the fact that the story took place in the Canadian side of the Boundary Waters - close to home.

The quote struck a cord with me because it is how I have felt for a very long time.  I truly believe that it is not God's will for our lives to feel like this and/or to give up our dreams.  What I am still trying to figure out are these questions:

1. Are my dreams God's will for me?
2. Does God have all these great things in store for me and I am to chicken to take the first step?
3. Am I already living in God's will for my life, but I don't see it because I am too caught up in my wants?
4. What should I be praying for to answer my questions?  Wisdom? Patience?  Relinquishing Control? Courage?

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

Should you read this, please add me to your prayers.

June 22 - just another day?

So my baby turned 12 yesterday, the longest day of the year.  I cooked him dinner - that may seem like a moot point to many of you, but I usually don't cook.  He seemed pleased.  He practiced on his skateboard (his gift) after dinner.  It was a quiet evening.  I even had time to do some weeding and dead heading!

Marissa posted in the GSM blog yesterday.  It was fun to 'hear' from her about her first day in Guatemala.

As for me, I struggled getting out of bed this morning - not enjoying the slower time at work.  I should revel in it, invariably things will pick up.  Maybe it is just the commute that I hate getting up for.

Starting a bible study with a friend today.  I am also over 1/2 way on my attempt to read 100 books in 2010.

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

Life Moves Quickly - I need to get into better shape to keep up!

So, it has been forever since I last wrote on this blog.  I updated the look, but didn't personalize much and then totally lost touch.


Marissa left for Guatemala officially on Sunday.  They started the detail work on Friday before they left.  The link to the mission trip blog is on the right.  I am trying not to worry - she is in God's hands doing his work.

Gunnar turned 12yo today.  He is truly a joy - especially for a tween!  He is creative and compassionate.  Today he is attending his architecture class for Summer Academy.  He is hoping to start the model.

As I celebrate his birthday and pray for Marissa's trip, I feel like life is moving at warp speed and I am still moving at baby step pace.  I attended Curves today - that helped.  I will be seeing doctor about knee as well.  I have a strong urge to get in shape so I can keep up with the increasing speed of life.


Interesting thought from the book "They Almost Always Come Home" by Cynthia Ruchti:
As challenging as they were for her, her cancer years merely made the sound of her life more musical as the water bubbled and bounced and sparkled over and around the rocks thrown in her [life] stream's path.  Sluggish water doesn't gurgle and sing.  It lies there, breeding mosquitoes and dull scum.

What does your life water look like?