A Michi-gan'-der

That is what you call people that live in Michigan.... we are Michi-gan'-der's!

Here is what Michiganders do in the winter:

Ice Fishing!!! I actually pass my lakes on almost every day of my journey - and see the ice fishing folks out there. Today was my first opportunity when there were no cars coming to roll down my window and take a quick shot. I don't know.... does this look fun to you?? It does not look fun to me. I've heard many stories from the locals and, apparently, they say it is a great time. I don't think I will ever test this out.

Another winter activity is playing hockey... usually ice hockey. We, however, are playing FLOOR hockey. It's pretty fun... I think it requires less coordination than doing it on ice. We haven't won any matches yet, but we did much better tonight. Here are some pictures that I snapped with my cell phone while Dave was on the floor. (It's quite exhausting so you have to have subs.)They aren't very clear because he was always moving, and my cell phone doesn't do moving shots! Maybe I'll take a video next week. Please vote on my POLL in the upper right side!

We Know Someone!

Well -I've been a huge blogging slacker, and I figured I better blog about something or I may lose all of my readership. :) We haven't had any snow since last Sunday - so that has been so nice....it's supposed to come again tomorrow.

We were watching American Idol on Wednesday night. Yes, we watch this show - and we love it. The auditions are quite entertaining.... and let's face it, they have a track record for producing a pretty good artist (at least one, sometimes those that don't make the finals are actually have bigger music careers than the winners). Anyway - if you're not watching it, you are in the minority. It's okay to be in this minority... but to anyone that thinks it's a worthless show - I dare say that many, many people find things to enjoy about it!

So we were thrilled when we heard them say someone was from Kalamazoo, MI - and realized that we recognized a certain dueling piano player!! He actually played last year at the Kellogg Christmas party as part of the entertainment. It's exciting to (kind of) know someone that is making it to Hollywood.

I looked him up on the internet...:
Singer/songwriter and piano player, Matt Giraud grew up in Ypsilanti, MI where he played drums for his local church. As time passed, Matt became more serious about his music. He taught himself how to play piano and also started studying music in college

So - tune in, and look for Matt! :)

Update!

So, we had tons more snow today....and while I was out this morning our neighbors across the way...family of 4....were out shoveling. I think they are the only other neighbors on the block that don't have a snowblower. The husband asked me where Dave was at...and after I explained he's been gone on a work trip... they were over after they finished their drive to help dig me out!! It was great... amazing how much faster it goes with a few extra hands.

After about an hour of being inside his wife called and invited me over for dinner... It's been such a fun evening catching up with them, and their girls, and awesome dinner!! I'm so thankful for such wonderful and considerate neighbors. I never have to worry when Dave is gone, I have plenty of friends nearby to help in any situation.

I went out once more in the middle of the day to clear things off again before the piles got too high...and as I headed out the door to their house for dinner I noticed that the driveway had been done AGAIN! This time I could tell it was with a snowblower. The neighbor that invited me over for dinner was across the street learning how to use their snowblower - and he tried it out on our driveway!! How very nice!! This gentleman yelled across.... "Jill you should have told me Dave was gone, I would have done your driveway earlier!" Alas - shoveling is good for the muscles and the cardio workout, anyway..... :)

Why Round Up-Ready Soybeans Are not Awesome...Stay with me, here.

What have I been up TO? Well, let me share a couple of pictures with you:

Shoveling snow is precisely what I have been up to....up to my neck in! Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.... each evening shoveling our driveway. It is a pretty decent-sized driveway - I should add. It takes me about 1.5hrs to shovel - depending on the accumulation amount. Snickers is my constant companion. He manages to find balls buried underneath inches of snow. It is amazing. How much have we gotten? 9inches today... probably 4-5inches yesterday....and maybe 3-4inches on Wednesday. A LOT. Dave has been on a business trip since the snow started. How convenient, right?!?! haha.

On Wednesday evening my neighbor, across the street, came out when I was about half-way done with our drive. He began shoveling....and my thoughts suddenly drifted back to summertime 1984-19??. I began to think about walking beans down at my grandparents farm. We did this several summers in a row.... and looking back it was great!! If you would have asked me at around 10:45am at the end of one of my bean-rows; as I stood in my sticky, drenched (morning dew) jeans - I probably would have told you all of the not-so-great parts of walking beans. I know I've referred to walking beans in a previous post - and I think it just keeps coming up because I learned so many life lessons those summers in the bean field, on the farm.

Let's see if I can think of a few.... The value of a hard-earned dollar; Finding ways to enjoy your job; A job well-done; Respect; Teamwork; and countless lessons on life from Grandpa & Grandma all along the way. Welllll - let's get back to the team-work lesson for the remainder of this post.

You may be wondering how it is possible to learn the value of teamwork while walking beans. You have your 4 rows, you make sure that no weeds are left behind....what does anyone else have to do with it? Sometimes when you start your bean rows you have no idea what lay ahead of you (weed-wise). AND - believe it or not, sometimes in IL not all of the fields were flat as a ruler --- there might be a small hill about half-way down --- and just as you're reaching the top of that small hill your eyes immediately scan the remainder of your four rows to see what is in store for you.

When you first started your row you may have thought.... HA! Easy-pick en's!! No weeds as far as the eye can see. (Course this didn't mean you wouldn't have some of those small cockle-burs just starting up at the base of the beans).... but it did mean that you didn't have a "briar patch" to chop through. So... again, just as you're passing the top of the hill you scan ahead to your four rows and what do your eyes spot????? 100's, no - make that 1000's of Butterprints (buttonweeds)!!!!! Aughh... it would have to be THAT fuzzy, itchy weed that is invading only your four rows. You may roll your eyes at your brother as he swiftly passes you in his weed-free aisle. BUT - in your heart, in your mind you know the value of walking beans together. You know that when he, and everyone else, finishes their rows they will start walking back towards you to help you out with your mess. There will be NO water-breaks, NO corn field potty-breaks, NO snacks until every last person has finished their row for that round. Ah yes - the value of teamwork learned at such an early age, the value of no man left behind, the value of helping another in need.

Back to snow-shoveling.... my neighbor began his shoveling when I was about half-way to three-fourths done with our drive. He shoveled for about 15 minutes and then brought out his snow blower. He finished before me!! I had thought that I would go over and help him finish his driveway.... in the name of lessons learned while walking beans. BUT, I never had the opportunity - he finished and went inside before I had the chance to help him out. Ah well ---- guess we need a snow blower.

P.S. Round-Up Ready Soybeans are depriving our youth from valuable lessons learned on the bean field. I wonder what the cost differentiation is between paying bean-walkers and paying for round-up??

P.S.S. Life is kind of like walking a bean row... you never know what you're going to run into just over the hill, or what might be lurking, hidden underneath the leaves..... BUT, you can bet that no matter what kind of mess you get into, God will come and dig you out when you ask him. :)

101st Post

Here is a 101st Post Celebration idea that I took from my friend, Heather:

I am: happily married

I know: that God has plans for our lives

I wish: I were a better singer... it's one of my favorite things to do.

I hate: it when I have to manually hold the gas pump...which happens frequently in my car for some reason, or it will click off. I hate it mostly in the winter, because I freeze! Luckily I have new isotoner gloves from Esther, that I am so thankful for every day or every other day during the work week when I'm pumping gas, and I have to stand in the cold to hold the pump.

I miss: Chris. He was a joy to us all.

I fear: falling down and knocking my teeth out.


I feel: warm. I've got the space heater on right next to me. :)

I hear: Snickers on weekend mornings when he lays his head next to me and sighs...as if to say he can't believe we're sleeping past the normal time.

I crave: sweets!! We're eating healthier and working out more this year!

I wonder: what time it is when an elephant sits on a fence?

I love: banana salad that my Aunt Vera makes for me at every family get together.

I ache: from going to body pump class! It's a weight liftng class at Gold's Gym... pretty good!

I care: deeply for all dogs. I could almost cry during the Pedigree commercial that shows all of the dogs in cages, they look so lad and lonely.

I always: wake up before Dave. He's a night owl, I'm a morning bird!

I am not: graceful. I trip and run into things frequently. :)

I sing: as often as possible. Sometimes they are recognizable, sometimes they are not.

I cry: when the situation arises, I'm not afraid to cry.

I don't always: untie my shoes before taking them off, actually - hardly ever.

I write: this blog on a fairly regular basis.

I win: against Dave on the Wii Boxing. He doesn't like that. :)

I lose: against Dave on the Idol Karaoke game....apparently I'm pitchy.

I never: knew the history behind white elephant gifts until this week. Check it out:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_elephant

I listen: to my husband when he is telling me about his work day. And other times, of course!

I am scared: of the boogie man. Okay, not really, but I used to be - and my brothers told me he lived in our attic.

I need: food, water, Dave, and Snickers to survive. (In Random Order)

I think: Disney World is the most magical place on Earth.

Favorite Photo Friday

Looks like I'll be taking down the Christmas decorations this weekend.... alas it's time. I took this picture because that is MY rip-roarin' fire you see in the fireplace! I was proud of it. It's a gas fireplace, but we burn wood in it instead. We haven't purchased any gas logs, and we probably won't.

You may be wondering why we have three stockings... the one in the middle is for Snickers, of course! :)

Auld Lang Syne

"long long ago" or "days gone by" = Auld Lang Syne

So long to 2008.... What will the new year bring? We learned in 2008 that you never really know what the course of a year will bring.

Any resolutions out there? If you wish..click on comments to leave even an anonymous resolution! It may seem cliche to have a resolution.... but, I think it's good to hope or try for something better for yourself this year.