Up for Air

It is late as I write this but I have been having blog withdrawal. So I must write some stuff before I get swamped with school again.

I was able to get an interesting blood test called a live blood nutritional analysis. Being a nurse and thrilled with biology, it has been the coolest thing I have seen in a while. The "lab guy" as he called himself, took a drop of my blood and put it under a high-powered microscope which displayed on a computer screen for me to see. I saw the red blood cells of which some were small (Vit B dificiency), some bacteria and yeast (I am now taking more probiotics), a few sugar crystals (I was starving-hadn't eaten for hours), some plaque (which he assured me was being flushed out well), and best of all, the white blood cells. These things looked like something out of a sci-fi. They were the largest and most detailed cells. They were on the move. I actually got to see them engulfing things they didn't like. I marvelled! I had never seen this before-sure I've seen a dead white blood cell, but not in action like these and not since science class in college. Then I saw the killer T-cells which are the "marines" (that's for you, Shaun) of the military white blood cell force. They are the powerhouses that fight cancer. I was told I have a good immune system which was gratifying. Mostly, I become more in awe of God who thought up everything from the microscopic white blood cell to the whole person that is me.

Speaking of marvelling, the spring is amazing this year to me. My favorite season is usually fall, but I tell you, this spring has caused me to rethink. Perhaps we are getting enough rain or maybe it is just that I do not get out much now. Anyway, take some time to look at all the color out there and the smells (if you can get your noses unclogged enough to smell-warm salt water up the nose works like a charm). God has outdone Himself if that is possible. It makes me get excited about heaven which will be way better than this!

I am in the 6th week of this stats and research couse and I am preparing for the next course which is a one-week intensive at Liberty in May. Hence why I have not blogged much. This is a difficult course with a challenging paper, but today I felt sorry for the instructor because I bet there are not too many people that enjoy his course and probably wouldn't take it if they didn't have to. God is using it to teach me to be more positive. You will have to ask Dave if it is working. I hope so by the end. And Annie, don't freak out over it. We will help you and I am too uptight!

I just got rid of not one, but 2 huge garbage bags full of clothes from Jonny and Arianna's rooms. Yikes. How do we get so many? I feel like I've had a cleansing. We even got rid of 16 stuffed animals-I am proud of Arianna.

I was in NYC with my son, David's, marching band on April 10-14th. It was amazing. I really love that place. I hope I get a chance to live there if for just a little part of my life but not alone. I am not quite confident to live there alone. My brother was great and found us great, cheap restaurants and sent me home with bagels (best in the world), black and white cookies for my friend, and with fond memories. We toured lots of places-some of which I hadn't been to such as Madame Tusseau's wax museaum. We met the assistant conductor for the Broadway show, "Wicked" as well as a violinist and french horn player from the same show. We met a swing from Mary Poppins (one show we saw). A swing is someone who must learn all the music, singing, dancing, and positions of all members of a show except the principles/primaries. So in Mary Poppins, he needed to know all the chimney sweeps, all the people in the park, all the statues, the people in the bank, and many more. I admired him. We also saw the off-Broadway show, Stomp which was so great and reminded me of Jonny. Aparently there is a movie of it if you can check it out. These people had rhythm and were always making it with anything they could find. No speaking, no instuments, just ordinary, everyday items including trash. I even saw one of my brother's friend's play (or dance on) the large piano in FAO Schwarz toy store. What a bonus!

Nancy

Arianna

I wonder what she is thinking about?

Creativity

Elizabeth made this rose out of clay the other day. I'm amazed at her talents.

Iceland - One year later

It is hard to believe that a year ago, we were coming back from 10 days in Iceland. Now we are looking forward to Colby, Annie, Haley and wild child (hair wise)* Darcy going there later this year.

*At times it appears to me anyway that Darcy has this 80's big hair action going on. You would almost think she was from New Jersey.

At the time, I didn't realize how the kids would be affected by the time there. They still talk about it and have fond memories of it. Both David and Jonny aren't fond of the heat and hot weather of Virginia's summers. When we talk about where they would like to live someday, Iceland is a place that comes up frequently. Hmmm. Nancy and I are praying that God would be working in their hearts and develop a passion for ministry and missions.

Slugging Stories

I slug to work most of the time. It's free and usually I get a nap on the way home. Plus you get to encounter all sorts of things. For example:

• On the way home, Mark Stratton in a Hawaiian shirt. What is up with that?
• On the way in today, a driver pulls up with his trunk open and he doesn't realize it. What's up with that?
• Again today, my driver has the radio on but she is listening to her walkman with headphones on. Huh???

The Bean...An expensive bean....

For those thinking of a potential gift for either Colby or Pastor Bill or maybe even Clint, I leave you with this....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=558540&in_page_id=1770&in_a_source=

From the review is "It wasn't too bitter and the earthiness really came through - probably because of where the beans have come from. "

Time to brag

As parents, we get to brag on our kids accomplishments. Two recent brag-worthy events are:

1. David tried out and was accepted to Brooke Point High School's Wind Ensemble. He is one of 3 saxaphone players that will be in the group next year. Didn't try out for jazz band but maybe next year. He does want to buy a soprano saxaphone. If anyone wants to contribute, I'm sure he would be happy.

2. Arianna wrote an essay on pets that her teacher, Ms. Carr, entered into a Free Lance Star Pet story contest. Surprisingly since we don't have pets, she was one of six children chosen for first grade entries. Her winning entry will be published in the Town and Country Magazine section of the paper this coming Saturday, April 12.

Easter

We wanted to read the Bible as a family pertaining to Christ's death and resurrection to thwart some of the notion that Easter was just about the Easter bunny, eggs, and candy. So we did read it all together as a family today and I asked the children that perhaps they could remember Christ's awful death when they are tempted to do wrong.

Then Arianna piped up that she knew what Easter was all about:
"Easter is about Christ rosing from the dead!"

I am so grateful for Christ's rosing and for the enthusiasm of my daughter when speaking about it.

Nancy

News from Nan

Another Ariannaism: Contar. Can you guess what that means? Keilan plays it. It is in many rock bands.

New book: The Art of Growing Up by Veronique Vienne.

This book goes along the lines of my musings (and bordering panic) regarding getting older. I bet the author is in her 50's b/c she references this age group a lot. Here is a brief outline with some quotes I enjoyed or found helpful:

1. The Art of Beginning
How old would you be if you didn't know your age? Begin anew by throwing out old things...there is no need to hold onto what's obsolete. One never loses what one throws away.
Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.
You begin to grow up when it dawns on you that all your alleged setbacks are in fact opportunities.
Some birthday wishes: lifetime season tickets to the symphony (ballet, opera, plays, musicals, all culture), clean windows every day, a huge dog, like a St Bernard, as a pet, a social secretary, housekeeper, cook, spiritual understanding-getting closer to my God, the time and money to start an art, dance, (fill in the blank) school-and be a student, a good relationship with your children, access to smart people, a pain-free body, the courage to give up the past, unexpected joy. The things one wants the most are not things after all.
2. The Art of Changing
Define progress as taking 2 small steps forward for every step back.
Don't exaggerate your weaknesses.
Remember late is never too late.
Stick to the schedule.
Continue what you've begun.
Don't seek closure.
Think of being up in years as a novelty.
3.The Art of Changing
"Fools that we are-we pray for a long life but fear old age" Chinese proverb.
The best age-defying beauty tip-SMILE!
4. The Art of Knowing
"Nothing was so unfamiliar and startling to me as my own thoughts" Thoreau.
Repeated self examination is a matter of survival.

A quiz for you: What do these expressions really mean? (answers on a future post):
A face that launched a 1,000 ships
An Iliad of woes
The last infirmity of a noble mind
In 2 shakes of a lamb's tail
Knee-high to a grasshopper
Quicker than hell can scorch a feather
To fiddle while Rome burns
To flutter the dovecote
To walk the chalk
To wear callouses on your elbows
To know a hawk from a handsaw
To syncopate the long hand
*For each new word we learn, we create a 1,000 mental connections.
5. The Art of Shining
Become visible by stepping out of other people's blind spots. Don't age typically-be radical, be different: play soccer with the kids, go to a rock concert with teens, etc. We have to replace the old cliches about aging with brand new concepts that don't relegate any of us to invisibility.
To be an adult is to be on one's own.
Love your age, stand your ground, refuse to be labelled.
Never apologize for your age.
The secret of eternal youth-cultivate the art of not complaining.
6. The Art of Inspiring
Inspiring someone can be as simple as listening.
Love is an incentive for reaching beyond our usual capacities.
Plans are one thing, life is another-Claudette Colbert
7. The Art of Choosing
Bless the day when you discover that good is good enough and excellence is onerous.
Life is sweeter when the best is yet to be.
We can choose our mistakes and in doing so we can take full credit for the inscurtable prospect of tomorrow.
Personal differences can be shared in unison.
One way to save the world: Stash it away in your mind. Be the eyewitness of all you see. don't miss a thing. Be there when nothing can console a crying baby. Stay put even though a friend offends you. Don't look away when someone needs help. Be the designated observer of grief and wonder. Take an imprint of all moments and hide them where only you know, then take very good care of yourself.
Nothing is lost. All that you have ever seen is always with you.-Henri Cartier Bresson.
8. The Art of Succeeding
Celebrate others' successes.
New Rules of glamour:
Treat others as you want to be treated (sound familiar?)
Figure out what you do best and do it.
No meetings over 30 minutes!
Wearing off-rack clothes as if made for you
Wearying of generalizations
Replace youth with mystery
9. The Art of Laughing
Make them laugh by keeping a straight face. Laugh at yourself.
10. The Art of Becoming
We grow up one day at a time without ever being able to study the master plan (but we can know the Master!)
Don't look back to find out where you are going-the answer is ahead of you. Become someone you haven't met yet.
We are always the same age inside.

My own revelation: One thing I have learned about myself. I experience and think about everything that comes my way to the fullest. Perhaps this is why my mind is so crowded most of the time and why I am frequently on a roller coaster ride of emotions. The good parts are that I am very rarely apathetic and will probably have no regrets in the area of experiencing life to the fullest. The bad: those who know me have labelled me anxious, "spazzy", and emotional. My response: It is better than being bland or dull.

Enjoy all the existential writings.

Hope

I could listen to this over and over...

...especially the lyrics:

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

While not normally a fan of fiction books, Andrew Peterson has written a captivating, amusing, wondrous tale for all ages. On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness
really captivated my imagination and kept me wanting to know more about the wonderful, imaginary yet almost real world of the land of Skree.

In the quiet land of Skree, the Igiby children—Janner, his younger brother Tink, and their crippled sister Leeli—stumble upon the lost jewels of Anniera and determine to return them. Unfortunately, the scary-bad Gnag the Nameless seeks the jewels for his own evil ends… and so our band of friends, accompanied by their trust dog Nugget, must escape with the help of their mom and grandfather (who happens to be an ex-pirate). Their journey takes them through an inventively fantastical world of wonders, complete with memorable characters (like Gnag’s evil minions the Fangs and Peet the Sock Man), fanciful creatures (like sea dragons, snickbuzzards, toothy cows, flabbits, and bomnubbles), and captivating places (like the Books & Crannies bookstore, Shaggy Tavern, the Dark Sea of Darkness that divides the land of Skree from Anniera, the Glipwood Forest, Ice Prairies, and the Stony Mountains).

Through fast-paced storytelling, little ditties, songs, and poems, side-splitting asides, sensory descriptions of time and place, and characters rich in heart, courage, and smarts, Andrew Peterson has created a wondrous tale you’ll enjoy and treasure—just like those lost jewels.

As I read this, I wanted to know what happened in Anniera, who was the Sock Puppet man and how did he get like that, what were the family secrets and what were these jewels. Through rich imagery, funny stories, and rich descriptions, my mind painted a wonderful rich story.

I can't wait to read it to my children and see their faces as they follow the excitement of the Igiby children.

For another great review, read this review.

Naturopath

So I, Nancy, in addition to going to the chiropractor, have now gone to a naturopath who studies functional medicine. It is fascinating. I have to overhaul my diet (for example, no dairy, no soy, no white sugar, flour, etc), organic, more raw vegies and fruits, etc). She is also helping me take the supplements that I really need! I think I was buying whatever the studies said to buy and was spending more than what I will with her. I am getting blood tests and hair analysis and this funky pressure point test that help her determine where I am weak or dysfunctioning. So my food bill is going up but we are all going to eat healthier. (She is big on soups which does not make my kids happy but my kids will just have to "suck it up" literally). More later-have to go to work.

Some interesting tidbits on preventing and fighting cancer

John Hopkins Cancer Update AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ("TRY, BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY. Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins:1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime. 3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply. CANCER CELLS FEED ON: a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc. are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved.c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruit help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it. 12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup. 13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells. 14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells. 15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.(PLEASE FORWARD IT TO PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT) CANCER UPDATE FROM JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL , U S - PLEASE READ 1. No plastic containers in micro.2. No water bottles in freezer.3. No plastic wrap in microwave. Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals causes cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons. Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead. This is an article that should be sent to anyone important in your life.

Hockey Night

Last Tuesday, Elizabeth picked up 3 tickets to see the Washington Capitals against the Minnesota Wild. I took Jonny and Elizabeth to the game. Despite seats almost in the rafters, we still could see the flow of the game and the puck just as easily as if we were down closer.

Highlights for Jonny were watching the two fights break out. Elizabeth liked watching the action on the Jumbotron. The Capitals won 4-1. If they would have scored 6 goals, we would have had a pound of chicken wings for each ticket stub from Austin Grill. Of course, this past Monday night, they scored 6 goals in the first period.

Fine Stafford Dining

Last Saturday as part of family night, we ventured out to La Tierra, a Salvadoran/Mexican restaurant off of Rt 1 near Bloom. While the restaurant was empty except for the six of us, the service was outstanding and the food was Excellent...excellent...excellent. There was some great music in the background and soccer on the tube.

The owner came out and was extremely friendly. Nancy practiced her Spanish while he practiced his English. The papusas and tamales were some of the best we have ever experienced. The Salvadoran platter was great. The plaintains were sweet, not fried and salty like we have made ourselves. Did I mention the papusas were excellent? After the meal, the owner brought out free orders of flan and fried ice cream.

We highly recommend supporting this local restaurant. For less than $10/person, we came away with a great meal and a great time. They do have a kids meal (pizza, cheeseburger, hot dog, nuggets), however, Arianna had beans and a tortilla and said it was excellent.

Overall, even the great restaurant critic, Colby Garman, would enjoy the fine food of La Tierra.

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: Adventure. Peril. Lost Jewels. and the Fearsome Toothy Cows of Skree.

The FauthClan blog has been selected as part of Andrew Peterson's blog tour of his new book On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: Adventure. Peril. Lost Jewels. and the Fearsome Toothy Cows of Skree.

You can read a quick review here. The official FauthClan review will be posted within two weeks. I am looking forward to reading this with the kids.

As part of the blog tour, the FauthClan blog will be giving away a free copy of the book. Once I determine how to do this, I will be posting the details.

Miscellaneous

Nancy says:

Correction:

The Irish movie recommended by Andrew Peterson that we saw having to do with musicians was called Once (not Alone). The main song on it was actually on the Academy Awards performed by the couple in the movie. Apparently they are more popular than I thought. She is only 17yrs old from Czech. He is Irish. Excellent movie-bad language in the beginning.

I have my big long paper to do this coming week and then I am done with another course! Finished the annoying test tonight. I decided I would rather write long papers. My next course much to my nervousness, is on statistical research. Math-yikes. Dave, help me.

Clogged toilets: Does anyone get as many clogged toilets as we do? They are almost clogging on a daily basis. I informed the kids that I was no longer going to de-clog them and also, instructed them all on the proper flushing technique to possibly avoid this problem (needless to say they giggled throughout). One does not want to call a plumber only to hear him say, "Well don't put so much in there. That will be $100." Any wisdom I am open. (I only wish my toilets were as open).

A new song on the Christian radio station I believe by Stephen Curtis Chapman called "Cinderella". It is about his daughter growing up and the different times of practicing dancing with daddy in preparation for some event-prom, wedding. He dances with her, all the time remembering that by midnight, she will be gone. I burst into tears. One daughter in 6th , one in 1st. Not too long and they will all be gone. (Yes, go ahead and say it. I am a sap!) I can't believe I am saying this when I vowed I wouldn't. When my kids were babies and I just wanted them to grow up and now they are quickly on their way. Everyone told me to enjoy them while they were little. Now I get it. Well, I have time to enjoy them still. We have instituted family night each week and other special times and trips, and so I am glad. We are watching all the Home Improvement episodes.

This is for Annie and anyone else who gets confused about how to spell my son's and my brother's name. Both of their names are Jonathan and if shortened are spelled: Jon or Jonny. No H.

Speaking of Jonny, I had a bit of a breakthrough with him the other day. He has been struggling in school not because he is stupid, but seems to have lack of motivation. For example, he still does not know his multiplication tables and I have gotten very frustrated over them for the last year or so. I asked him what is wrong and he said they were too hard. I told him lots of things were hard in life. " I am afraid I will never get it-especially the 8's", he said. He is afraid of failing, of not getting what he is supposed to get, of not being who he is supposed to be, or who people (esp. us) think he should be. Oh boy, I wonder where he got that from and now I wonder what to do? I told him he could do it and would get it eventually and that we would just work until he got it. So confusing to be a parent. I felt like a counselor already!

Happy Leap Day!

Oscar Award for Best Original Song- Once

Glen Hansard and partner Markéta Irglová won the Best Original Song Oscar for 'Falling Slowly' from the film 'Once', in which they starred.

"no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible," Irglova said during take two. "And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream, and don't give up. This song was written from the perspective of hope, and hope, at the end of the day, connects us all, no matter how different we are."

I'll have to show Kielan the replay of the performance and get his insight on the Hansard's guitar. It did look "well loved".

Teach us to number our days

Psalm 90:12 - Teach us to number our days...
Psalm 103:15 - As for man, his day's are like grass...

This past Wednesday, I had to drop off our car to get the oil changed. We had delayed and forgotten to do it earlier in the week, so after youth group, Nancy took the kids home and I went to Eddie's repaire on Courthouse road.

As I pulled in to Eddies, I looked across the street and saw a car upside down against a pole and about five guys around it. I got out and ran over to see what was going on. I yelled to see if anyone had called 911 as I could hear screaming and shouting. I anticipated either someone strapped in their seatbelt and waiting to get out or someone covered in a bunch of blood. As I looked in, all I could see was a part of an arm trapped under the car. Nearby was an 8 year old boy screaming for his mom, asking if he was hurt and bleeding. Over and over he kept asking the same question.

There was nothing we could do. Within a few minutes, fire and rescue arrived and took over. I went back across the street and dropped my keys in the drop box and waited for Nancy to pick me up.

As I have been processing this over the last two days, I'm reminded to pray more for the fire and rescue people in Stafford who deal with this on a frequent basis. We talk about it in church regularly but this drives it home.

I'm still thinking about "teach us to number our days...". It is a short time here on this earth. God, teach me more and teach me to value the truly valuable things.

Movie Review - Once

As Nancy mentioned in an early chapter, errr post, we have been watching some different movies. Reading through some end of year movie lists, the movie Once kept popping up. So, I thought, let's see what the buzz is about the movie.

Alone was an independent movie that received good reviews at some of the film festivals. Set in Dublin, Ireland, it tells the story of a song writer over the course of a week as he writes music, interacts with another younger woman he has met while performing on the street, his and her relationships with other people and his relationship with his dad.

The language is raw in the movie so if that bothers you, you've had your warning. It is in a deep Irish brogue so we used the English subtitles which did help.

The songwriting and music is amazing. It is almost considered a musical with all of the music being played throughout the movie. I'm impressed by the talents and abilities of musical people and how they can write music that moves and impacts people. To listen to the music, you can go to http://www.foxsearchlight.com/once/

This was a movie that I could have watched again and probably again. The story was not your typical Hollywood ending. I specifically enjoyed the father/son interaction.

Overall, excellent movie. Raw language but great storyline and insight into relationships.