Interesting things I saw at the zoo

I love the Cincinnati Zoo. I've only been a handful of times, but I still love the zoo. The last time I went was with my sister, two girls from my Sunday School class and the mother of one of them. This time I had my digital camera and could take as many pictures as I wanted.

This is my most favorite of all the ones I took. The original picture was a long shot. This is a close up. I couldn't see this clearly with my own eyes and did a double take when I saw the shot on the screen.

The longer you look at it the creepier it gets. Go ahead…gaze for a few…

Never been a huge flamingo fan. I think it has something to do with the stigma of the plastic lawn ornaments in front of a trailer with a broken down, tireless, pickup nearby. Was that stereotyping? Sorry. But when you say flamingo, that's what comes to mind. However, the birds at the zoo have changed my mind. This is one of the better shots.


Out of all the birds though, the eagle has to be my favorite. However, I've never been able to get a good shot of one. There's a nature preserve near my home that has them too. They're always behind the cages or nets. I can't figure out how to set my camera to focus on the background instead of the foreground. So this is what I get, pretty much every time:

I still think it's kind of a neat picture, I just wish the foreground wasn't a cage. Maybe someday I'll figure out how to get a good picture.

This is another of my favorites. I was on the tram passing by and saw this:

I had to get a picture. He was having such a good time and no one was paying attention to him. His family were off to the side talking or something. I have a feeling they are used to his antics. As the tram was ambling away, I heard "Thanks for taking my picture…"

I love that he was having such a good time amusing himself.

What's your favorite animal story?

A Camping We Will Go

I've almost always been a tent camper. Our family had a pop-up when I was a kid, but I don't remember using it very much. I don't think we had it very long either. We got a pontoon at some point and so we spent every summer on the lake. It wasn't until I was out of high school when I really got into camping.

Then I started working at a youth camp. My second or third summer season there, the director took the whole staff camping during our training. I believe it was the second or third day of training in fact. I can't say that was my most pleasant camping experience. We weren't told where we were going, only that we needed to bring what we thought we would need for an overnight trip. We were used to her (the director) playing games and using them as training tools. So none of us really expected to stay anywhere overnight. I stuck my toothbrush and toothpaste in my purse and was ready to go. A few people may have brought a pillow or possibly a blanket. Some didn't bring anything.

So we loaded up the bus and bebopped out to the nearest wilderness. There we spent the day learning to tie knots, build campfires, construct tents, and other campground basics. Imagine our surprise when we were told late in the day that we would be staying the night in the tents we just learned to put up. Needless to say, we were NOT happy campers.

I will have to admit. That experience brought the camp staff, all strangers a few days previous, into a close knit unit. A lot of those friendships that began in such extreme circumstances are still strong today.

To the best of my recollection (which isn't saying much) that was a turning point in my camping methodology. Don't judge. This is my blog. I can make up my own verbiage if I want to. (ver·biage: noun \ˈvər-bē-ij also -bij\ Definition of VERBIAGE: manner of expressing oneself in words : diction )

After that my sister and our good friends Kim Jason would go on camping trips. We would usually go on a Friday night and come home on Saturday. Eventually, we decided setting up the tent, packing bedding, food and other camping paraphernalia was not worth just one night. So we started going for the entire weekend. Over the years other friends have joined us on these little excursions. For the most part, they continue to camp with us. A few times, Jenni and I have made the biannual trip by ourselves.

As our camping experience and equipment grew, we started talking about pop-ups. Most of those conversations happened during a downpour, sitting in a cold, wet tent with puddles of water nearby. Or when we were setting up or taking down camp. We wanted to be able to set up fairly quickly so we could get to enjoying the outdoors and each other's company. Unfortunately these talks were just that. Talk. None of us could swing the cost of a pop-up.

We would watch the yearly camper special, showcasing the latest and greatest in campers. Then one year we saw one of these on the special. Jenni thought it would be perfect for us. I wasn't crazy about it. I thought it was too small. It didn't matter anyway. We couldn't afford one.
And even if we could we didn't have a vehicle to tow it. And for that matter, no dealer within a 400 mile radius sold them. So we continued our tent camping and dreamed of one day owning a pop-up.

Then, one day, the camping powers-that-be, offered a glimmer of hope. Someone just a few miles from us, actually had one for sale in their front yard. We couldn't believe it. We'd never seen one in person. So we stopped and took a look. We fell in love with it. And the price was unbelievable! So we talked with our parents about helping us buy it. A week went by. It was still there. So I called. They sold it the same day they put it out!! I was disappointed. But while I was still on the phone with the owner, he said, "But I have another one. It's just a little bigger. Would you be interested in it?" I couldn't believe my ears. This man had not one, but two of these little darlings! Of course they were asking more for it. And to be honest, it had more amenities than we really wanted or needed. So again, we discussed it. Finally, we decided that another opportunity like this would not present itself to us so we made the call again. We made arrangements to meet the owners and see the camper and ask questions. We knew we wanted to make an offer on it before we went. So we met the owners and after some discussion and just a little bit of haggling, we are proud new owners of this little baby:

We spent a week in October at our favorite campground. We met lots of new people who couldn't help themselves. They all wanted to see the camper. It is so unique and just perfect for the two of us. We absolutely love it! We haven't got all the kinks worked out. I need a new vehicle to be able to tow it. And then lessons on how to tow it. And how to level it. And how to work all the utilities. But I'm confident I will learn and fortunate to have the best dad in the world who helps with that kind of stuff.

We can't wait to take it out again in the spring.

Do you have a favorite past time? Something you did with your family or friends? Please tell me about it. I'd love to hear it.

Sackcloth

You know how throughout the Bible it talks about people tearing their clothes, wearing sackcloth and covering themselves in ashes? They did it to show grief, like Jacob when he thought poor Joseph was dead. Or for repentance, like the city of Nineveh when they realized they were sinning against God.

I never really understood why they felt they had to go to those extremes. But I kind of do tonight. I feel both grief and the need for repentance. I feel frustration and sadness at my ineptitude, my lack of ability to handle situations and to solve the problem facing me now. The problem isn't mine alone and I'll explain to the best of my abilities in a moment. But this feeling, this great sadness for what's happening, makes me feel like weeping, but that doesn't seem enough. I feel as if I could tear my clothing and sit in ashes, I feel so low.

I love my church family. They are truly wonderful people. But right now, it seems as if there is a lot of bitterness and a general feeling of unrest among us. Things happen, they always do. I've always seemed to be able to hang on and trust God to pull us through. But right now, I'm so spiritually tired, so empty, it is hard to hang on. So many of the people I love are not themselves. Including me. I'm not leaving myself out of this. I don't know if it's because we've all become spiritually empty, or tired, but it seems as if we are allowing satan to work his way into our family. We've lost sight of our purpose. We're floundering around not knowing what we're doing or where we're going. We've lost our focus. And it's causing hurt feelings, bitterness, pride, gossip, and yes, even hatefulness to creep in where love should be. What's made things worse, is that one of my closest friends has decided to leave our fellowship. My heart is sick that things have gotten to that point, that I may have been able to do something to help the situation before it did get to this point. I wish her well, and pray that we will one day worship together again, will one day work together for the Lord.

Oh, Lord. You know what's in my heart. I'm not able to express in these words what is causing this feeling of despair. But you know. You know what is happening. You see where we've turned wrong, where we've gotten off the path You set before us. Father, I pray for your guidance, for strength to persevere. It is in the hard times that You shine. No one else can help us. Only You can control what's before us. Lord, please forgive me for the bitterness I've begun to harbor, for being judgmental, unforgiving and harsh. Please forgive my apathy. I've lost my passion for You, for the task You have given me. Lord, renew me, refresh this weak sinner. Please set my heart back on track and supply me with the will and energy to carry on, to help guide my church family back to Your path.

Bittersweet

Well, another chapter in my life is finished. I worked my last day today at the publishing company I've been with since October.

My life has taken a turn that I never expected. I know it is totally God though because only He could have worked things out so perfectly.

I had been working very long hours that took me away from God, church and my family, the most important things in my life. I've also been working with my sister in her bakery business. It is really starting to take off and she needs all the help she can get. I had been saying for the past couple of months that it would be great if I could work part time and spend the rest of the time working at the church and with Jenni (sister). About a month ago the opportunity presented itself. They were looking for someone to work part time so it was a perfect fit.

I named this post "Bittersweet" because I am leaving behind a great group of people whom I have come to care a great deal about. I've only been there about seven months, but I feel as if I've known most of them for much longer. Well, one of them I have known for nearly 20 years. He and his wife are dear friends of mine that I had lost touch with (mostly my fault. I'm sorry guys). I'm so glad that we were able to reconnect, I pray with all my heart that we won't lose touch again.

These guys are such an eclectic group. (A couple of them may have to look that word up. For them, that means a bunch of people with different backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, etc.) I don't believe I've ever known people quite like them, and I worked at a youth camp for 10 summers! But I love every one of them and will miss them like crazy. I pray I can remain in contact with them. {Edited: That first part sounded mean spirited. It was my feeble attempt at teasing. I didn't mean to offend anyone. Sorry about that. }

I am a very blessed person to have met this crazy, funny, sweet, caring, nutty, sarcastic, chaotic group of folks. I treasure these relationships and I pray for each of them. I pray that God will bless them as much as I feel blessed to have known and worked with them.

There were a lot of laughs today, a few unshed tears (and maybe a couple that got loose), some special moments with each one.

Now I have to look to the future, to an exciting new and scary part of my life. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me.

To all my friends at KPI, I love you guys.

Sleep deprived

Had a pretty good day at work Friday. I got caught up on a few things. I still have a few things I could do and it would be nice to be able to work ahead. Maybe I'll get there one day.

After work, I had to run some errands before heading home. Since it was already 7:30 when I got off, I had to go to several places and it's an hour's drive home, I didn't get home until after 10… p.m. Then I helped Jenni finish decorating a birthday cake for Saturday. I should say "cakes" since there were three. Our cousin's daughter turned 3 and was having a Disney Princess party. So we made her Disney Princess birthday cakes. Three doll cakes baked and decorated in two days. We stayed up until about 5 a.m. Saturday doing the decorating. Took about a 3 hour nap, got up and got ready to deliver the cake. We put everything together there. It would have been tough transporting it. Here's a pic of the entire setup.


And the individual cakes:

Cinderella with pumpkins and Gus-Gus and Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) and finally, Snow white.

Cinderella's bodice and sleeves are buttercream icing. Her headband and necklace are fondant. The pumpkins and Gus-Gus are fondant. I used colored chalk to decorate Gus-Gus. His eyes, eyebrows, tail, and whiskers are buttercream icing. Here's a close up of him.


Sleeping Beauty's bodice and sleeves are all fondant. Her crown and necklace are fondant as well. Snow White's bodice is fondant and sleeves are buttercream icing.

All the flowers and grass are royal icing as is the writing on the banner. The banner itself is fondant. The birds I got at Michael's in the floral aisle. I got the animals at Michael's too.

Jenni did the baking and most of the decorating. I made Gus-Gus, Sleeping Beauty's crown and necklace and the pumpkins. Jenni did add the leaves and vines to the pumpkins with royal icing.

After we left the party, Jenni had to start dad's birthday dinner. She made Beef braised in Guinness and mashed potatoes. A traditional Irish meal she's made each year for his birthday for as long as I can remember. She also made him some macaroons and for his birthday desert a blackberry cobbler cheesecake. All very excellent.

By the time we got back from the party, my head was killing me from lack of sleep. So I took some pills and slept most of the day. Which is probably why I'm up right now at midnight.

I think I'll go try to get some sleep now. It's worth a shot.

If you're interested in seeing pictures of the cheesecake and pictures of the many different cakes Jenni has done over the past couple of months, you can find them on our Facebook page.

Night!

Another beautiful day

Well, I didn't get off early today. But, I got done way before I usually do on Thursdays. I did stay a little longer to get some stuff organized.

It was a beautiful day today. Sun was shining, it was the perfect temperature and I was stuck inside most of the day. I need to find a job that I can move outside in weather like this. I had lunch down at the river. Spent the time watching folks walking by enjoying the day. There were some school groups there taking pictures in front of the flood wall. It was fun watching the chaperones trying to get the kids to line up and stay still for 5 seconds. The sun was shining in their faces and I heard one kid say "my eyes are burning!" Kids can be so funny. It reminded me why I love that age group. They're so silly and can be so much fun.

And at the end of the day it's always nice to be greeted by a sweet puppy dog who is extremely excited to see me.


Isn't that the cutest little puppy dog you've ever seen?

And on that note, I'm signing off.

Today was a good day

Today was a pretty good day. I finished my work before 5 p.m. Which is unusual for any day of the week. But this made the third day in a row. I almost didn't know what to do with myself. But today is Wednesday and I was finally able to make it to church on time. A lot of weeks I don't even make it. So thank you Lord, for helping me get my work done. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to spend time with my church family. I don't expect to get done on time tomorrow. I have a lot more to do on Thursdays. But we'll see.

I got new pictures today from my sister and brother-in-law. They're great pictures of my nephew being all cute. That kid can make the best faces! There were some pictures of him and his dad in the park. Really great pics. I believe my sister took them. She's pretty good.

I'd really like to find some time to do some crafting. I'm so far behind in everything that I don't know when I'll be able to craft. When I do have time, I need to use it to try to catch up on something else. Like laundry. Or cleaning my room. Oh, who needs a clean room and clean clothes? Well, I guess I do need clean clothes. Oh well. Maybe someday I can get crafty.