The elderly!

Some folks grow old gracefully, while others become grouchy and ill-tempered. It’s important to know which way we’re growing, because we’re all growing older.

People don’t get irritable and short-tempered merely because they’re getting older. Aging doesn't have to make us hypercritical and cranky. No, it’s more likely that we've become what we've been becoming all along.

When the boys were preschoolers, I used to go, with my harp, to Personal Care Homes, for some singing and Bible stories, (which I had to do with a Flannel Board). There were times I went to three different homes in one week.

You might say I have seen and talked with a lot of elderly people in my time.

Actually when Ron turned three years old I used to take him along and we would sing harmony together. Needless to say, all the Oma's and Opa's just loved it. We were told by the administrator of the homes, that our coming was the highlight of the week for them.

Both boys joined me and eventually Ted. After Yvonne was able to sing, we branched out to singing in churches with a truck load of instruments. Ted would bring a message. From there well you know the children still serve the Lord with their musical talents.
(Click on picture to enlarge)

Getting back to the elderly, the reason some get cranky and hard to get along with is because they are letting their guards down, just like children. They say what they think and the real personalities come to the surface.
I had no problem with them because I felt they demanded my respect and that they got. This is not any different in our dealings with people of all ages. We are all unique especially in the eyes of God. So we start by respecting our children, yes, even when they are small, they deserve that.

After all, you might be nurturing the next Prime Minister! Or better yet the next "Billy Graham". You never know who is growing up in your household!

Our son Paul's 'girls', as he calls them. You might not be able to see the thermometer, but just check out Jennifer in her shorts and...... the door is open. They are sitting out on the porch, taking in that nice North Carolina weather.

But aren't they beauties? Job well done Paul!

Money Management 101

Anneka is in first grade and is very eager to learn as you can tell, she loves to play with this game.

She asked me if she could count my change in the jar. I said to her: "If you will clean up the playroom downstairs I will pay you for it and you get to choose, either one loonie, or four quarters or 20 nickels." That sounded great to her. So as soon as she was finished and I checked 'her performance tata!' we emptied the jar and she started sorting the change. Then we discussed the value of each

coin and soon she had made up her mind, she would go for the 20 nickels.
Then she decided that for the records she'd better write down how much was in Oma's jar as you can tell by the result on the page she handed me.

Now when you click on the pictures to enlarge them, you might be able to make out what she wrote down.

This is what I call 'Money Management 101'















Kids are priceless aren't they? We feel so blessed!

Pssst!

Did you know?

That the word "gossip" comes from the Greek word:
psith-oo-ris-mos

Definition:
a whispering, i.e. secret slandering
of the magical murmuring of a charmer of snakes

Now isn't THAT interesting!

This has nothing to do with the above,
But do not forget to check out Ted's blog for lot's of family pictures!
(Where ever he goes the camera comes along, hahaha)

Nostalgia

My parents 25th Wedding Anniversary

Punk hair-do!!

This afternoon Ted and I were in PoloPark for some NewYork Fries (these are the best) and then we walked around for a bit. I got a very cute new jacket out of the deal.

As we came out of the mall some ladies were smoking, with one of them having a punk style hair-do. She might have been 50 or so. She had as much hair (and colour) as our four month granddaughter Alyssa. It was all spiked up pinkies with a hint of brown at the edges.

I said to Ted: “She looks like a toilet brush!” To which he replied: “Yes and a used one!”

I thought the spikes are so pointy and stiff, she could aerate my lawn!!

I have nothing against punk hair do’s, I am sure if I were young I even might consider it, hahaha! But when you are 50 plus or something (like me,,,:-) Neh.

Punk Hair Care Tips
These tips are for longevity in styles, but be warned that it doesn't come out for about a week.

(1) For the little freaks out there, gel is your starting point. Good kind of gel is a big tub of something called La Bella. It costs about $4.50 - beware of cheaper rip offs!! Use the blue and green ones - they are the only ones that don’t smell really bad.

(2) Use hairspray - White Rain and Freeze Frame hairsprays are both great. Use loads and loads.

(3) Egg whites: these really stink, so don’t keep it in without hairspray. Slowly make a hole in the egg with a knife or whatever, and let the clear translucent goop creep out; when you start seeing bright yellow - stop! DO NOT USE THE YOLKS.

(4) Knox Gelatin: this stuff works perfect for about a week, but it stinks like crazy! It is pure protein so it will attract flies if you get it wet. Mix in a bowl that you don’t use for anything else. Mix with water, and nuke it for 45-50 seconds. You can find this stuff at the store for like 3 bucks it is the best.

(5) And finally, Elmers glue. This stuff works for people with fine hair or those with curly hair. Pour some onto your hand, grab a hunk of hair, pull and twist upwards. Do not just do one or two spikes, do 6 or 7. These are the A1 pimpin liberty spikes!!

There you have it folks! Have fun!

Brother

1 John 3:11-18 (New American Standard Bible)

In the following (selected) verses does the Bible mean, physical brother, brother in the faith or simply all mankind? No this is not a trick question. Is there an answer for me?

11 For this is the message, which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;
13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.
14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.
15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

I hope to get some comments!

The BIG shovel!

Sunday we were at the dedication of Allysa by Ron and Lynne, which was very touching. Since we have done the same with our children it is wonderful to see our children follow this practice..

(Click on the picture to view large)

The dedication has no meaning to the child, but parents make a promise before God, family and the church to bring the child up to know Jesus as their ultimate goal in life.

We also heard a magnificent message in the same service, about a topic, which was also very close to my heart.

As a matter of fact I am going to write about our involvement and experiences on the same topic in the next blogs.
But for now I like to share with you the following. May it bless you as it blessed me!

http://www.rbc.org/bible_study/strength_for_the_journey/daily/52430.aspx

My day!

Today I had an "Evan and Oma" day. So I thought what can I do with Evan that would be a challenge. Well our kids were always interested in money.

I collect all the change that ends up in my wallet and in Ted's pockets, (I empty those when he is not looking, hahaha!) With the loonies and twoonies you very soon end up with a lot of money. I emptied my jar on the floor and I asked Evan to help me sort it out for me. Then I told him that it would be a lot of work and he could earn some and spend it in the store. While he sorted I rolled some of the money.

Then I found an empty coffee can to make a "bank", made a slit in the top, while in the meantime Evan was making a label with his name on it, which we would glue around it. Back to the "some left over change" I proceeded to teach him what each coin was called. If he guessed it correct (after practising) in the "bank" it went.

Than for helping me he indeed got some money he was able to spend at the Dollarama. But first we simply had to go to McDonald and for some playtime on the structure. Lucky for Evan there were lots of little boys his age.

Next stop was Dollarama where we did Oma's shopping and lots of treats for him that he could pick out. So much went in my basket that when he was not looking I put some of it back! Then finally at the toys section he bought something with the money he held in his pocket. He even gave it to the lady at the counter in exchange for his beloved toy.

Needles to say I had a great time with my youngest grandson.

Hands

Hands fascinate me even this small.

Of course Alyssa is oblivious, her big brother is far more interesting.

We dropped in on Ron and Lynne this afternoon.

Rules?

I sure had my own rules when the kids were growing up.

They were not allowed to go into the refrigerator.
Food was to be eaten, we did not have 'picky eaters', there was always applesauce (a real Dutch habit) to cover the "I don't like this very much".

Our children's friends were not allowed to call us by name, we were Mr. and Mrs. Decock and I still do not like it when kids call me by my name.
Our children were not to call our adult friends by name either, they became aunts and uncles.
We did not like it when we were referred to as "you guys".

I was definitely not "the old lady".
No playing outside after the street lights went on.
No picking up girls in our car (for the boys).

Our adult kids may think of some more rules I am sure, as I was a very strict Mom.
But I am a lot more relaxed with the grandchildren, they are there to be spoiled.
Our children remind me that "they were not allowed to do 'that'!"
But I am still the adult and I still make the rules!

I very much enjoyed reading this , even though I don't like the name of the dog!

More rules!

Pancakes anyone?

Yesterday we had Ron, Lynne and the kids over for Dutch pancakes. One of those yummy things to make that just about everybody likes.

The leftovers are easily heated up the next day, that is so nice about it.

I have had this dream for a long time of opening a "Dutch Pancake House" here in Winnipeg. Nobody offered to put up the money, well that is not my loss, hahaha!

I can just see this place in my mind. Little small pane windows with red checkered curtains and table cloths. Small lanterns on the table and a few flowers and lots of plants hanging from the ceiling. In the corner a small stage to give new talents a chance to show off some nice music. Just a place where families and young people could get together. May be even a counseling room in the back. The food would be as inexpensive as possible as it is not supposed to be a money making venture.

It does not matter how poor you are there is always pancakes. Even the syrop you can make yourselves. Just buy the darkest brown sugar add some water and vanilla flavouring, heat up in the microwave.

Now you want to have my recipe? You can also go to the net and enter "Dutch pancakes". There are so many different versions . In Holland you can get them in restaurants in so many different ways.Just like you do do here when you order pizza.But mine are plain as follows:

For every adult person count on: 1 cup white flour, 1 cup milk, 1 egg, a bit salt, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp oil. Mix this with the mixer until you have a soft flowing texture, you may have to add some more water/milk. Heat up your pan on medium heat add a bit of butter/margarine. When you use a Teflon pan you need to only do that every 4th pancake or so. Now the amount of eggs are not carved in stone, you can use half the amount.

To that you can add, chocolate chips, cinnamon, or apples, or raisins, or bacon, whatever you like. We like them plain.

Use as little dough to cover the pan by tilting it. As soon as it start drying up around the edges, flip, one more minute and place on warming plate until you have used up the dough.

Now this can be eaten with, jam, brown sugar, pancake syrop, whipped topping and roll them up and enjoy!