A very special ornament

I didn't put up my tree this year but I am hanging one very special ornament on my mantle. This ornament came from my Grandma Z's Christmas tree. She had an ornament for every person in our family. Her children, the grandchildren and great-granchildren and even some for family pets.

The cold weather we're having brought back memories of visiting our Ohio family after Christmas: grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. It was often so cold and damp. If we were lucky, we'd see some snow. Grandma worked so hard to make it a nice Christmas dinner. Her house was always immaculate. We'd have a nice family dinner with most of us around the table(once we became adults) and then a separate kids table. Often there was a lot of picture taking before we could open any presents. I will always treasure the memory of those Christmas gatherings with grandma and my family.

Merry Christmas Grandma. I love you and I miss you.

More on Affection...

I have previously addressed how particular I am about touch and affection. However, I have no aversion to giving or receiving hugs. We all need a hug sometimes, right? I confess that I am usually one of those "wimpy" huggers who lets go quickly even when giving a hug. Sometimes I get fidgety and am anxious to be the first to pull away when someone hugs me. It usually depends on my mood or comfort level at the moment. I also recognize some people are not "huggers". Considering my own issues with space and receiving affection, I totally get that!
So what brings this up again? Last night I was talking with a good friend. I was sharing some personal issues with her and she was so sweet and supportive. Before we parted, she hugged me. A REAL hug that lasted more than 10 seconds. While not one to give those type of hugs, I do appreciate getting them. Usually it's when I need it the most. Sometimes you need to let someone hold you tight.

Grandma Z

One week ago, my beloved Grandma Z passed away. As mom said, "she fought the good fight." Grandma celebrated her 85th birthday in April. She lived a long, full life.

Grandma was always such a good spiritual role model for me. She was such a good person, did for others, was non-judgemental. There are seven grandchildren and she made sure she treated each of us the same...it was so important to her to treat us equally. I aspire to be like her...wonderful, loving, kind.

It was difficult living so far away from Grandma and Grandpa for so many years. We would visit them in the summer and usually at Christmas time. My brother and I remember Grandma Z always taking us school shopping when we visited in the summer. Sometimes they would come visit us here in South Carolina. I always waited anxiously for their arrival when I knew they were on the way down to see us. When we would visit her, she would always pull out chocolate chip cookies from the freezer. She'd tell us to wait a few minutes to eat them so we didn't "chip a tooth." I will be thinking of grandma when I bake some cookies later today.

Proverbs 31:28 says "Her children shall rise and call her blessed." And we were all blessed to know her and have her in our lives. I love you so much grandma. I miss you. Thank you for being you.

How Things Have Changed Since 1974...

I was talking to mom last night. Commented that it didn't seem possible that I am turning 35 this year. Mom said things have really changed since I was born. While she was still in the hospital after I was born, only she and my dad could hold me. However, my dad had to put on a hospital gown first. My grandparents came all the way from Ohio to see their first grandchild and were not allowed to hold me. My mom's parents came and stayed longer. I recall seeing a picture of Mimi holding me when I was an infant.
I don't think much changed in four years...fast forward to 1978. I saw a picture of dad holding my newborn brother while he was donned in full hospital gear...gown, cap, and mask. I doubt I got any closer to my little brother than peering in the nursery window until he came home with mom.
Fast forward again to 2003 and 2005 when my nieces were born. I got to hold them in the hospital room. All I was required to do was wash my hands before I held them. There were a lot of visitors after each child was born. I think most, if not all, got to hold the girls while in the hospitals.
Sometimes, change is good.

I was not expecting that!

Today I was at the allergist's office, trying to qualify as a participant in a research study. One of the qualifications in my pre-screening appt was getting at least 80% on the Spirometry or lung function test. I just wasn't getting it last week when I tried. Even after all the meds I have been on this week, trying to improve my lung function, it just wasn't working for me. The way they were doing the test was also slightly different than the way I'm used to doing it. I was initially told that I did not qualify, they didn't want to put me through the whole day thing when I came back if I couldn't reach the 80%. I guess I was more disappointed than I thought because next thing I know, I am crying. The nurse asked a couple of times if I was ok. How okay can I be if I'm crying? We went downstairs and tried to use the other machine and did the test the way I'm used to and it worked...I got the score I needed and I can participate in the study. YEA!
WHAT? Where did those tears come from? I am not emotional, especially in public. Needless to say, I was not expecting that reaction. The nurse probably wasn't either but she was very nice. Why is it that I cry when I don't want to but I can't cry when I want or need to release those feelings. I had to really fight to regain my composure. Usually I can "suck up" those tears if I think I'm going to cry and don't want to but today there was no stopping them.
Lately I've been trying to stick with the feeling and let whatever happens, happen. But good grief, I didn't really want the tears today.

Affection and Touch

I do not think I am as affectionate as I once was. Why that has changed, I'm not sure. I don't go around hugging everyone I see. I hug some of my friends and my mom. I love "loving" on my nieces....when they let me. Evidently, they aren't big on affection either, unless it's on their terms. I hug people whom I have not seen in a while like family members in Ohio. I will always hug someone when I want to offer comfort or sympathy. It breaks my heart to see a friend who is sad and perhaps crying.
I can usually tell if someone is a "hugger" by observing them. Do they hug others? Sometimes it's just a perception, they don't strike me as the affectionate type. I was surprised to see one person get hugged when we were "Sharing the peace" at church. She did not strike me as one who liked to be hugged.
Like my nieces, sometime I don't want to be touched. I need my space. I won't refuse a hug but I don't like to have my space invaded. I do not like to have someone hanging on me or leaning into me to whisper something. Some people need to learn about personal boundaries. If someone is in my face and in my space, I start backing away. I'm glad we have chairs in the choir loft now instead of the pews, this gives us our own seat and not as much chance for invasion of space as when we sat hip to hip.
I am very particular about touch. I do not like being patted on the hand/arm/shoulder. I find it very annoying and patronizing! I welcome a single, gentle touch to the hand/arm/shoulder. My mom often pats me on the leg but because it's mom, it's fine. I find it comforting to have my back rubbed(not patted!) when I need comforting.

Movies

I love "Chick flicks"..I own movies such as "Steel Magnolias," "Beaches," "Stepmom," etc. In addition to the sappy chick flicks, I also love comedies. Who doesn't want to watch a movie that makes you laugh? I recently saw "The Proposal"...it's a chick flick but it will also make you laugh. That will be a movie I will want to own when it comes out on DVD.
For those who know me well, it should come as no surprise that I love musicals. I have "Sound of Music," "Oklahoma," and "Carousel." I love this line from Sound of Music..."And my heart will be blessed with the sound of music...and I'll sing once more."
While I do love comedies there are some kinds of humor that I don't care for...like anything really vulgar or what you might call "guy humor." A friend wanted me to come over and watch a couple of movies with this type of humor. She was sharing some of the jokes and laughing. I was not. I've not seen "Hangover" and from what I've heard about the movie, I don't care to...this same kind of humor.
I appreciate David Spade's kind of humor...that dry, sarcastic, cynical stuff. I also love Robin Williams. He always makes me laugh.
Although some suspense is good, I do not like scary movies or horror films. I do not have much interest in adventure movies like Indiana Jones. Now if there is a comedic element like the Rush Hour movies, then I might be more inclined to watch them.
What kind of movies do you like?

The Many Meows of Allie

My "baby" has the sweetest meow... most of the time. This morning she was meowing at me and pawing at my hand, her bowl was empty and she was hungry. Early this morning, I opened one eye and saw that I was sharing my pillow with her. Occasionally I'll find her on the pillow next to mine or she'll walk across my pillow, stepping on my hair in the process. She meows at me plaintively until I fill her food bowl. If I am fixing cereal or just having a glass of milk, she meows wanting me to share. Sometimes I do. Other times, I can't figure out what she wants. If I think she wants attention, I try to pick her up. Then I get the protest whine "Mooooom, I don't wanna be picked up." She really changes her "tune" when I take her to the vet. When she's not trying to escape from me, she is whining. The fur is flying everywhere. I gave up on trying to get her in the carrier. As long as I can get her outside and shut the door to my house, she can't get back into one of her many hiding places...usually under the bed.
Some of the sounds she makes make me laugh. When she is meowing and running down the stairs at the same time. I can't even explain it, it just sounds funny. Other times, I think I have a ventriloquist cat. I swear she is meowing without even opening her mouth.
No matter what sounds she is making, I do love my sweet girl.

Happy Anniversary!

I want to wish my parents a very Happy 40th Anniversary! On this date, 40 years ago, they were married in Van Wert, OH. My dad had just returned from Vietnam. After the wedding and honeymoon, mom and dad moved to Sumter, SC where dad was to be stationed at Shaw AFB. Mom finished school at USC and began teaching. Actually, mom taught the first year of integration in South Carolina. She said it was quite an experience. Dad got out of the Air Force and they moved to Easley. My dad went back to school at Clemson. Both parents started at Ohio State before moving south. At the time, neither of my parents thought much of graduating from those two particular schools, coming from Ohio they did not know about the big rivalry between Clemson and USC. After graduating from Clemson, dad got a job with Duke Power in Spartanburg so they moved again.

Fast forward to 2009, many years after a couple more moves and a couple of kids. Mom and Dad celebrated their anniversary with an Alaskan cruise. Here is a picture of mom and dad last year at Clemson's Homecoming.

The Comforts of Home

I am back home after ten days of house/pet/plant sitting for my parents. It was so nice to be back on my own comfy sofa watching movies. And it was comforting to be back in my own bed. I woke up to Allie laying on the pillow next to me. She missed her mama!
After being away from home, my cupboards and refrigerator were looking mighty empty. I made a trip to Publix this morning so I will have stuff to make here at home. On the weekends, I do often eat with my parents.
And most importantly, my house is QUIET. I was happy to be the only one at the pool when I arrived this afternoon. Shortly before I left, three people came in but they are young adults and I was not concerned with them making a lot of noise. You never know when it's a community pool. I've been at the pool when it's been "Kid-ified" and I desperately wish I had an ipod so I could pop in the ear buds and drown out the noise.

I Am Ready!

My parents return from their cruise in two days and I am so ready for them to be home. I have missed them but I also miss being in my own house. It's gets tiring running back and forth between my parents house and mine. Luckily I live pretty close but it gets to be a bit much. Allie is much quieter than Maddy. She doesn't jump up and down begging for food when I'm eating, she doesn't need to go out constantly. And cats don't BARK! And yelling at the dog does no good because she can not hear me anyway! Lucy is not much of a problem, cats are so easy. I feed her and close her in the garage at night. I enjoy the peace and quiet of my house.

Another Busy Sunday

Today was another busy and somewhat unusual Sunday. In all the time I've been at St. Luke's, I don't think we've ever just had one Sunday service. But today there was only one service at 10:15. They had sunday school from 9-10. Pastor Steve Troisi was installed, he is our new associate pastor. In true Tom fashion, he pulled out the big guns for a big service. In addition to the choir, he had a trumpet player and percussionist. I'm not real big on contemporary stuff when it comes to worship but I have to admit I loved the percussion on the Kyrie this morning. There are some contemporary songs in our hymnal and I really like those. Not because they are contemporary but just because they are pretty songs. One of our church members who also just graduated from seminary, Ryan Lyles, gave the sermon today. Today was the first time we got to see Pastor Steve "in action" during the service. He was the Presiding Minister after being installed. He has a nice voice.
There was a reception after the service but when I saw how crowded and noisy it was, I made a quick exit. I was ready for some peace and quiet. It looked very nice though. I don't like being crowded...space issues!
Church should be "back to normal" during the summer. I wish we didn't have to wear our robes. It's so hot here in South Carolina and our "friar tuck garb" is none too cool! We will be singing through June and then will have off during July. It will be nice to sit in the congregation again.

It's Friday?

I don't know why but it does not feel like a Friday to me. Maybe because this week has flown by pretty quickly. At any rate, here it is. I have errands to run as usual. My cousin Katie and her husband and boys are coming into town today. They live in Cleveland. I am looking forward to their visit. I have not seen Katie in two or three years. We are only six months apart. Even though we live many miles apart, we stay in touch via email.
I don't know what their plans are for tomorrow but if they go off to Charleston, I hope to get to the pool, weather permitting, of course. Will be running to my house to check on my cat and get clothes for church on Sunday.
Sunday is another big day at church. I am so thankful they decided to do just ONE service this week. They will do the gospel processional, etc. Our choir director has a couple of instrumentalists again, at least a trumpet and timpani player. Our new associate pastor is being installed. Our service is at 10:15. Although I really prefer early service, it's hard to get up early so it will be nice to sleep in a little longer this week.
Have a good weekend everyone!

McKenna's Milestone

Today I attended my niece McKenna's kindergarten graduation. Hard to believe she will be in first grade next year. Where has the time gone? She had on her pretty blue dress that she wore when she took her First Communion on Mother's Day, that was another special milestone. I believe the headmaster said she and her classmates would be in the Class of 2022 when they graduate from high school. Wow! They showed a very cute slideshow of the the kids and their teachers. Here is a picture of McKenna getting her diploma.

On Duty

I am at my parents house on pet and plant duty. I came over this morning during sunday school hour to let Maddy out since mom and dad left so early and I did not know what time I'd get home from second service. It was tempting to not go back for 11:15 service. I need to run around tomorrow...and every other day, to water all the plants.

Tomorrow I have to take Maddy to the groomers. Sure wish they could brush her teeth! This dog's breath smells horrible, like garbage. Stinky! Lucy, their cat, is pretty low maintenance. Give her food, water and open the garage door for her in the morning and close her in at night with her treat. Sometimes she comes in the house. She enjoys curling up on the green chair in the living room. The white couch is OFF LIMITS to both pets!

I have other errands to run tomorrow for both mom and for me. At some point, I need to run by my house to take care of my baby and make sure Allie has food and water.

The Day From....

Today has been rather stressful...at least some of it. Around noon, I went to the bank. When she asked for my ID, I realized my ID holder with my life in it suddenly disappeared. I thought I dropped it behind the counter. I asked the teller to look for it, she didn't see it. I looked in my car, in my purse and all over. Oh the stress! It contained my license and other critical items like my bank card. Houston, we have a BIG BIG problem! I cancelled my bank card. I traveled to the DMV in Ladson and shelled out ten bucks for a replacement license. Amazingly, I was there less than an hour. I got home around 3:30. Shortly thereafter, I received a call from the bank. A customer found my ID holder and its contents behind the sign on the counter next to the teller. I didn't even notice the sign when I was there and it certainly didn't occur me to look there. Needless to say, I headed back to the bank to retrieve it. WHEW! What a relief!!! I felt better but was still feeling the stress of the situation. I told mom and a few of my friends that I didn't know if I needed a drink or a double dose of Prozac. Decided on the drink. Mom fixed us strawberry margaritas. YUM!

I'm hoping for a good weekend!

Taking Care of Business

This week is almost over! I am trying to get some household things done. You know, those fun chores like vacuuming and dusting. I will be on "pet patrol" while my parents are on their cruise. My duties will also include watering a LOT of plants! Of course, if it keeps raining like it has been, Mother Nature will take care of that for me!

Some other "business" I have to attend to is preparing for our young womens circle meeting on Sunday night. I want to find a devotion to share at the beginning of the meeting. We will need to decide who is bringing what for the reception on June 7th when our new associate pastor is installed. Our group is in charge of bringing coffee, creamer, sugar, etc. My other circle meets next Tuesday night. I will need to contact some of our members to remind them of the meeting. We also have coffee hour this Sunday. I already have those little white powdered sugar doughnuts that the little kids love so much!

Sunday will be a BUSY day! Since it is Pentecost, we have to sing at both services. Honestly not something I am looking forward to!!! Makes for a very long morning! We are singing "Worthy is the Lamb" and "In Remembrance of Me." Our director also has a few of us playing bells during the refrain on the psalm. Our circle meeting is at 6:00. I hope to already have everything prepared on Saturday. I will have enough to do with church and taking care of stuff between here and my parents house.

Busy Tuesdays

Tuesdays are often my busiest day during the week. Sometimes I have appointments or just errands to run in the morning. In the afternoon, I work in the church office. I often have something going on at night...womens circle, bunko, book club, etc. This morning I am going to get allergy shots. I've been doing this for several years. I see Dr. Finn, his office is in North Charleston. They have taken very good care of me! I am allergic to dust, pollen and cats. Yeah, I know, I have a cat. I'd been getting allergy injections for a few years when I decided to get her and asked the allergist before I even looked. He said it would be ok since I had been on maintenance for a while and as long as I continue the shots. After receiving injections, I have to wait in the office for half an hour in case I have a reaction. I try to bring a book with me and the thirty minutes goes by very quickly when I am reading! This morning I also need to head to the library to return a book and look for City of Thieves. I hope the large print edition is still available.
Tonight my other book club is meeting. We are discussing Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. There are two stories going on in this book but the primary focus is set during WWII. A young girl named Sarah and her family are taken by the police and they end up in a concentration camp. Before they leave, Sarah locks her brother in their secret hiding place and promises to come back to get him. She keeps the key very close to her. It is some time before she can get back to him and you can probably imagine the end result. It is a good book but a heartbreaking story.

My grandma...

My dad is coming home from Ohio today after being with his mother for a few days. Grandma had a heart attack a week ago this past Saturday. Very scary at any age but especially at 85. She has been at Lutheran Hospital in Indiana. They performed a Heart Catherization last week. Grandma seems to be doing better and for that, I am grateful. I hope she will continue to improve, gain strength and try to eat more. Prior to entering the hospital, she has been at "The Gardens", an assisted living facility in northwest Ohio. With her many health concerns, grandma knew she did not need to be living alone. We have other relatives in the area as well...my aunt, cousins and their families. Grandma celebrated her 85th birthday on April 17th. Mom and Dad were up there to help her celebrate and to also get her permanently moved into The Gardens.

Grandma Z is the only grandparent I have left. She has always been very special to me. I am the oldest grandchild. Grandma has always been a role model for me. She has always done for others. When she was able, she was very involved in church. She took friends to their appointments or picked them up for church.

This picture was taken back in April...this is my dad, Grandma Z, and Aunt Lisa.

Adventures with Allie

I love my sweet little cat. She likes to "help" her mommy make up the bed. I was putting the quilt on my bed and she stayed in the middle. All I could see was a little lump. Silly girl. Then she wiggled up to the top and her head was poking out. Allie is such a wonderful little companion. She really has a sweet little meow. Until I take her to the vet and she starts sounding agitated and distressed and the fur is flying. She doesn't much like it when I pick her up either. I get the protest meow..."Noooooo, don't pick me up." She tells me when her bowl is empty. She meows at me if I fix cereal or am drinking milk, she wants me to share. If I open something like a can of soup that has a pop top, she starts meowing, thinking she's getting a treat. I got a picture of her "helping" me today.






Allie is a shy girl. She runs upstairs when someone comes over. She has to know it's safe before she'll come back down. Allie does not like the vacuum cleaner either. She hides under the round table or under a bed. I went upstairs earlier and found her under the bed. Don't know what she was hiding from. Tried to lure her out. No luck!

Just a typical Sunday

Today our choir sang at the late service which begins at 11:15. I really prefer the 8:30 service. We sing at early service the first two Sundays of the month and the late service the third and fourth Sundays. When there is a fifth Sunday, Tom decides which service. However, this month the fifth Sunday is Pentecost, a festival service. This means double duty for the choir. And double duty means a long morning...singing for both 8:30 and 11:15 services. When I serve as the Assisting Minister, I often serve at both.
Today was a relatively normal day. I arrived at church early to bring muffins for coffee hour. I have been on the Relay for Life team for at least five years. There are several of us on the church team. It was our turn to host coffee hour. Next week one of my womens circle groups will host.
Our anthem for today was "Lord of the Dance." We have sung this numerous times in the past but Tom found another arrangement that we do not like as well. Instead of the men singing or having a tenor/bass soloist, the men spoke one of the verses, they were supposed to speak slowly and in a "spooky" voice..." I danced on a Friday when the sky turned BLACK...it's hard to dance with the devil on your back...they buried my body and they thought I'd gone....BUT...I am the dance and I still go on." As we've been rehearsing this anthem, I've heard people ask if we were going to sing it for Halloween. Luckily, the drama and "spookiness" was really toned down. My mom sings in the choir too and she wondered if/how we'd do this with a straight face. I didn't hear any negative comments on the anthem from the congregation. In fact, I heard a lot of positive comments. You just never know.

Book Clubs

Good Morning! As I mentioned in a previous post, I am in two book clubs. One of them is meeting this morning. Both groups consist of members from our church. Some of us are in both groups. Today we will discuss Loving Frank by Nancy Horan. This is a fictional story about a woman who has an affair with Frank Lloyd Wright. The book also talks about women's rights. My biggest problem with the book is that the print in the paperback edition is TOO SMALL! In addition to discussing today's selection, we will also choose a book for next time.
One of my favorite authors is Dorothea Benton Frank. She has written Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms, Shem Creek, Pawley's Island, etc. The last two I mentioned are probably my favorite. It's neat to read a book and recognize landmarks where you have been. Our womens group at church travels to Litchfield Beach every year for our retreat. Just before we get to the inn, there is a place on the corner called "The Eggs Up Grill." In Pawley's Island she mentions that restaurant. Another favorite author is Jodi Picoult. Her book My Sister's Keeper is coming out as a movie at the end of June. I loved the book so I will definitely want to see the movie! I recently read Handle With Care. The story is somewhat similar to My Sister's Keeper.

Had a good discussion at book club on Loving Frank. We looked at best seller lists and decided to read City of Thieves by David Benioff for next time. I already looked on our library's website and I am thankful they have it in large print!

More about Amy

Ok, so I've introduced you to my family. Now I want to tell you more about me. I am very involved in my church. I sing in the choir and often serve as Assisting Minister. That is often nervewracking but it's also an awesome experience. I love assisting with communion and working closely with the pastors. I'm involved in womens groups. Actually, I am the co-leader of our New Song circle which consists of young women. I also volunteer one day a week in our church office. I'm involved in two book clubs so I certainly enjoy reading. Once a month I play bunko with a group of women, mostly church members. It is great fun!

I love music and singing. I have sung in choirs for years. I did the band thing in middle school and high school but I'd rather play than sing. I played handbells at church and still fill in when needed. I studied voice for five years....two years in high school and three years in college. If I could afford it, I'd go back and take lessons again. We have a great choir director who is very professional. Tom has brought some wonderful music to our church.

Here is a picture of my beautiful baby girl, Allie...short for Allegra.

Introducing...

Good Afternoon! For those who don't know me, my name is Amy. I am a native of South Carolina. My family and I have lived in Summerville for fifteen years. Before that, we lived in Walterboro, about 30 miles from here. I grew up there but was actually born in Spartanburg. I live close to my immediate family which includes my parents, brother and sister-in-law and two adorable nieces. You will hear me talk a lot about my family and about my church, St Luke. This is my family and I on Easter Sunday.

Both my parents are from northwest Ohio. We still have family living there. Mom and Dad will celebrate their 40th anniversary on June 14th! They are celebrating by going on an Alaskan cruise. Mom is a retired high school Art teacher. She was also the Yearbook advisor for many years. She is currently working at Sarah's View. It is an awesome gift shop in Summerville. Dad is an an engineer who works for the electric company in Charleston. He has worked for the company for over thirty years.

My brother's name is Matt. He works for an environmental consulting firm in Summerville. My sister-in-law Janet is from Aiken. She teaches 1st grade at a private school here in Summerville. My niece McKenna is six and will start first grade in the fall. Megan is three and a half, she will be four in July. Here is another picture of some of the Zielke girls from Easter.