My Birthday

So, for my birthday I went to Great Wolf Lodge, a indoor water park/hotel, from Sun.-Mon. It was loads of fun for us all.  Afterwards, on my actual birthday, we had an ice cream cake, played speed stack, and just hung out.  It was very exciting and very relaxing.

-Elizabeth Fauth

Garmans

The Garmans showed up yesterday for a surprise visit. So far it has been fun.

Snow Day!

Two days off from school was so much fun. It was amazing sledding, especially when it iced over and we went quite fast. Here is a picture.

New news from Nancy

HEAT: We are planning after almost 13 years to get a new heat pump in February. I cannot wait. I have been so cold. Plus it will be zoned, filtered and humidified. Yay!

Driveway/patio: along with the new heat pump we plan to fix the crumbling driveway and create a walkway/patio in the back yard. We plan on getting pressed/stamped cement. I am hoping for no cracks.

Money: how are we doing this you ask, we are refinancing since we have lots of equity in our home. Hopefully our house will be paid off in 15 years unless we borrow off it for little things like college, braces, weddings, cars, houses, etc.

Job: I have only ONE job now-amazing! I will no longer be working PRN (as needed) anymore as I received a part-time (half time) job from Stafford Hospital (2 miles from my house)! I am so excited. It will be more peaceful and less stressful to me and that is always a plus since I am not laid back.

School: in my 3rd week, hard but good.

ADHD: re considering medicine especially if I find one without the cocaine like bad side. We do need prayer regarding that.

Soccer: David is playing indoor right now and conditioning for the High school team-my prayer is that he makes it for his good/fun and for less driving and time on our part. Elizabeth hopefully will play on a friend's team this spring (carpooling help) and Jonny on a team for spring. Arianna is still dancing away.

Music: my question is if a kid does not express more than a passing interest in music/instrument, should the parent pursue it anyway with money/time for the kid? Example, Arianna says she wants to learn piano but I don't see her playing much on her own. No one picks up the guitar or books on their own either. They cannot take piano or guitar in school so I am wondering if I should bother. Maybe it is too much to ask to expect them to play/learn on their own although Keilan and Bobby O did, but they are probably the exception. Jonny is taking percussion at school so that relieves his need to keep a beat constantly (see medication).

Book: I just finished the House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. Sad about the thoughts, actions and lifestyles of the filthy rich in NYC around 1907. The sad thing is they probably still live this way at least as far as I can see from the outside.

SNOW: we finally have snow today and will make sure we play in it before it goes away in a day-have about 2 inches so far (I wish we would get a foot or at least 6 inches). No school today or tomorrow for the kids. The kids are 1/2 way through this year already.

Married to a Renaissance Man and other news

Our dear friend, Colby, is extremely gifted at being positive and encouraging others. Recently, he called my husband, Dave, a Renaissance Man. Well, even though he wasn't quite sure what that meant or entailed, Dave has been on cloud 9 ever since and has referred to himself as a Renaissance Man. So, I just looked it up in the dictionary since I wasn't explaining it very well to him:

A present day man who has acquired profound knowledge or proficiency in more than one field or a variety of fields. 

I would agree with Colby that this is true of my husband. He seems to have grown in all areas of his life  such as marriage, parenting, computers, home repair, maintenance and decorating, reading and studying, advanced degrees and classes and conferences, relationships with others, communication, and more that I am sure I am missing. So, I agree, I am married to a Renaissance man. What does that make me then? A bit of a tall order to live up to.

School: starts Monday-I have almost read the psychopathology book which has been tedious, I must stay.

Heat Pump: we have acquired 3 estimates on our heat pump, but I like only one. Of course it is the most expensive one because it offers more products and services. The owner is so knowledgeable and passionate about heating and cooling which I so appreciated (as opposed to the other 2). So not everyone has to go to conventional college/jobs. Everyone needs heat and air (humidity in winter, filters, etc). So we hope to fix it within the month-I can't wait as I am freezing and now have another cold.

Old movies: I was able to watch and record on DVD almost 40 year old movie reels of my brother and I and our family. I have about 67 minutes from 1967-1972. Such good times for my parents who are know gone and Jon and I were so darn cute! It made me cry to see my parents so young and happy. But they are ecstatic now in heaven.

Stamped cement: Since we may refinance our home, we are trying to figure out what the house needs (see heat pump). The other thing is the almost gravel driveway that bottoms out the cars when we go out. I am getting estimates for that today too. Such joy to maintain a house!

Book: I read the famous book: To Kill a Mockingbird. I can't believe I hadn't read it before. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it. While it's main theme is continued prejudice and segregation of blacks in the south, I really enjoyed the hero, Atticus, who is so full of compassion, integrity and courage. He is also a great single parent in the book (wife had died) and I even got a few parenting tips. The movie is harder to watch I heard (there is abuse and some violence in the story), so not for kids.

Ski Retreat Update:

I'm sitting in the lobby at the Holiday Inn in Beckley, WV. We've been here 3 days with the Stafford Baptist youth on the winter ski retreat. There has been a total of 21 that made the trip. Highlights so far include:

David going down the black diamond without falling
Paul, Jacob, Jonny, Elizabeth, and Stephanie skiing the first time.
Elizabeth wanting to go down a black diamond (she went down several blues).
Stephanie going all the way to the top of the mountain and wondering why she was up there and how she would get down. She made it down with minimal tumbles.
Paul wiping out numerous times but still going all the way to the top and coming down with us.

It has been a great time and a time of growth for all of us. Right now I'm tired but in a good tired way. Still one more night and a long drive back to Stafford.

The heat pump is dying

I have known this for a while-over 2 years now that our heat pump is dying. I knew this because 1. it was 10 years old in 2006 and most heat pumps die after 10 years so I am told (which is very sad) and 2. it has a leak in it which causes the air conditioner to freeze up in the summer and the heat to refuse to work (making the house 50-60) in the winter and needs transfusions of freon periodically. So now, our trusty heat pump guy, Kurt Lewis is coming out again (has been here only a year ago) on Christmas Eve,God bless him, to let us know the prognosis. Oh joy, we will pay him $200, then figure out how much longer the heat pump has, then research buying a quality new one if there is such a thing. So, I have heard good reviews on Train (I think that is how one spells it), and Carrier. Anyone else for wisdom and help in this matter? In the meantime, I am freezing.

Nancy

The Season

This is the earliest I have had all my presents wrapped thanks mostly to Elizabeth. I would have liked it if she would have wrapped her own presents, but she drew the line there. I have mailed my cards and baked (again mostly Elizabeth) over half of the things we wish to bake. I always enjoyed December 18th for some reason. Possibly because a lot of the busyness and events are done, it is more peaceful and yet there is still pleasant anticipation for Christmas. So I plan to enjoy this last calmer week by baking a bit more and doling it out to whomever such as work, neighbors, friends. After all, my cheesecake did go for $50 at the youth auction and I heard today the person would have paid $100 if the bidding had kept going! That was an ego boost. Some of these old recipes are really worth it.

Jonny: we are done with the testing at the counseling center and I will probably get the results and hopefully some help after the holidays. We had a bad morning today and this unnerved me until I had another friend over who also struggles with her 13 year old daughter.

My friend: I keep reminding myself how precious it is to have and be with my children especially as my friend's daughter is spending Christmas in the hospital with a severe illness like leukemia. She ate our bread and cookies which I feel blessed for the chance to serve her.

Book: I am in the middle of "To Kill a Mockingbird"-don't think I have ever read it. Seems good so far-told from the perspective of a 6 year old in the south. I also grabbed a book of poetry in the library called:Littlefoot by Charles Wright. I have a hard time understanding much poetry but this opening part was interesting:

"It may not be written in any book, but it is written--

You can't go back,

                                you can't repeat the unrepeatable.

No matter how fast you drive, or how hard the slide show 

Of memory flicks and releases,

It's always some other place,

                                                   some other car in the drive in the driveway,

Someone unrecognizable about to open the door.

Nevertheless, like clouds in their nebulous patterns,

We tend to recongregate

                                             in the exitless blue

And try to relive our absences.

What else have we got to d0?...

This book is according to the back flap, the author's meditation on mortality, search for a road map in the skies and for last instructions regarding the "other side of my own death". He is 70 yrs old. It will be interesting how he answers himself and his other question, "Will you miss me when I am gone?"

Dave and I: we have been able to finally carve out some time together-mostly working out in the club due to the weather. We went 2x this week just us 2 which was nice. I am so concerned with our marriage especially as so many of the marriages crumble around us.

David and music: We just returned from David's band concert tonight-the concert band, jazz band and wind ensemble played. David is in wind ensemble. It was excellent. Many students especially the female gender, said goodbye to David. I believe they agree with me, that he is "so cute".

Iceland article in Washington Post

From today's Washington Post:

Tourists Flocking to Iceland

Deck the Halls

Christmas: Well, the gifts are bought (but not wrapped) and the halls are decked except for a few annoying strands of lights. Baking and cards are not even started! I did make a cheesecake for the dessert auction at church that went for $50! (good side money!) But I am finding myself way too busy still. So I talked it over with Dave and we eliminated a few things and evaluated for future Christmases and even for the next 2 weeks.

Arianna: I like Christmas! because of Jesus and the presents! I like the Advent calendar (we get Legos).

The 12 pains of Christmas: If you all have not heard the song, "The 12 Pains of Christmas" you all need to google it and just listen/watch. I find this funnier every year especially the part about the lights!

Jobs: I now have a 3rd job which will probably start in January. But I might quit the 2nd one. It is great to be a nurse (all you prospective students, take note!) I have one friend whose husband lost his job and she is working 2 jobs as a nurse to cover the family expenses. Plus, for missions, medical people are in demand which is exciting for me (such as when I go to Haiti in February).

Nancy

Off to Iceland

Just saw that Colleen Graffy, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Diplomacy at the US State Department is making a trip to Iceland.  Just thought you would like to know.

Great reading

If you want to keep up on book reviews, movie reviews, music reviews and great thoughts in general, you need to check out http://rabbitroom.com

With writing from musicians such as Andrew Peterson, Ron Block (Alison Krauss and Union Station) to pastors such as Matt Conner and Russ Ramsey, the posts are thought provoking and fun to read. Often times they draw from Frederick Buechner or Kierkegaard, people I normally read or follow.

I'm especially captivated by the current series of advent posts and will be writing another post related to waiting, quietness and the coming of Christ.

Books: If you see the book,  Zorba the Greek, don't bother reading it. I had heard of it and ended up starting it and then finishing it by skimming thinking maybe it would redeem itself but it was awful-immoral concepts, buddhism, promiscuity, hedonism. just yuk.

I finished the Greatest Generation which was good but just kept telling war story after war story.

The Search for Significance by Robert McGee is good-especially for counseling with a Christian perspective.

Now I have to start my school book on Psychopathology.

Nursery/toddlers: I have been in toddlers and nursery at church the last 2 week. I haven't done so in a while but I still was able to calm a crying 1 yr old so his parents could go to church. I enjoyed this much more since I do not have my own babies and toddlers.

The cold: I am already in my winter slump-cold all the time and more tired. I do like the change of seasons but I wish winter was a bit shorter even except if it would only snow. Instead, it rained a lot yesterday.

Gnocci: My Italian friend taught me and my daughters how to make the pasta gnocci yesterday. It was fun and tasting good. (a small pasta made of flour, egg, and ricotta cheese although I have had it made with potatoes.) She also makes homemade pasta so we may make that a youth event.

Decorating: We have over 1/2 the Christmas decorations up. I really enjoy Christmas. I hope to not get too caught up in the busyness.

Basketball: Kevin Dowker is convincing me to get up a 3 person basketball team for the 3 on 3 I must be crazy! He said it doesn't matter how good we are but he does not know how competitive I am. Right now it is me, Elizabeth and I need one more girl. Who do I know over 6 feet?

Thanksgiving and other trivia

Turkey Trot: Elizabeth described her run, but I thought I would fill you in on the rest of us. I, Nancy, ran my usual 29+ minutes for 3.1 miles. Pretty good for being cold at least half way and for having to wait for at least half of the 1,600 people to get going in front of me. David finished in 24+ minutes, Elizabeth in 28+, Jonny in 27+. We 4 ran the whole way. Arianna and Dave walk and ran and finished in 45+ minutes good for Arianna. We had bagels, water, gatorade, cookies, donuts, bananas when we finished. 

Ariannism: We saw a cemetery while we were watching Spiderman II and Arianna said she didn't like those "yards" because they were sad. 

Economics: I saw this quiz in our Navy Federal magazine and thought you might like the info. I was so surprised at how well I did:

1. What is Stagflation and when was the term first coined?

2. Which company was accused of creating a monopoly during the tech revolution of the 80's and 90's?

3. In what year did the Great Depression begin and what event triggered it?

4. What were the predominant economic conditions in the 90's?

5. What did the Federal Reserve do in the late 70's and what were the results?

6. What are the basic principles of supply-side economics and who was a proponent of this idea?

7. What is the misery index? Which president had the lowest misery index during his tenure?

8. The stock market crash of 1987 was the second largest one-day stock market decline in history. It became known as ...?

9. What were the programs that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) enacted during the great Depression collectively called?

10. Which president enacted the Medicare program to help the elderly receive medical care?

11. What was true about the "malaise speech" given by President Jimmy Carter in 1979 during the oil crisis?

12. On which date was the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) enacted?

13. What was a common site during the energy crisis of the 1970's?

14. Why did the US trade deficit grow in the late 70's?

Answers:

1. Stagflation is a period of high inflation combined with high unemployment and limited business activity first coined in 1965 in an address to the British Parliament.

2.Microsoft

3. 1929 after the collapse of the stock prices on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

4. Surging stock market, subdued inflation, and low unemployment

5. The Federal Reserve decreased the money supply to combat inflation resulting in an increase in interest rates, decrease in consumer spending and business activity, and a deep recession.

6. Supply side economics lowers tax rates leading to an increase in savings and investments, stimulating the overall economy. Ronald Reagan was a proponent of this theory.

7. The misery index is the sum of unemployment rate and the inflation rate. Dwight D. Eisenhower had the lowest misery index from 1953-1961 out of Clinton, Ford and Truman.

8. 1987 stock market one-day crash became known as Black Monday.

9.  FDR's New Deal.

10.  We have Lyndon B Johnson to thank for Medicare.

11. Jimmy Carter gave the "malaise speech" in which he stated that the nation was experiencing a "crisis of confidence" and never actually used the word malaise.

12. January 1, 1994 for NAFTA

13.  Long lines at the gas stations.

14. The trade deficit grew in the 70's due to: lower-priced imports such as cars were available and high-quality imports became available.

Hope this helps you a bit understand the economy and some of what is going on now.

Food: I have had this disturbing thought recently regarding food. It has occurred to me that a majority of the world including many in our own country are struggling to get enough food to eat and are malnourished and emaciated while a majority of our country and Europe are trying to stop eating too much food (which we are miserably failing at) and still have huge excesses such as Thanksgiving when the average calories consumed is 4,500. 

What is really important? My family was reading the paper and came across several disturbing stories about the frenzied shopping day on Friday after Thanksgiving: In a Walmart in LI, NY one worker was killed and a woman miscarried because of 200 shoppers who forced the doors down and trampled them. In another store, a man shot another man after their "women" were arguing. Do we really need the on-sale product that bad? I went later to Target and Kohl's and had a wonderful experience where people were courteous and kind.

Dessert

A delicious pumpkin pie, apple crumb pie, and homemade ice cream. The best part of Thanksgiving. Enough said.

-Elizabeth

Professional

The dinner started at lunchtime with pumpkin soup flavored with a kick and bread/cheese. The cousins came and we had fun playing and finishing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade leading up to dinner. Everyone was watching Uncle Jonny cook the turkey and commenting on how he could be a chef. Dinner was exciting, food crowding the table, people eating, drinking, and being merry. Everything was delicious. Uncle Jonny has trained me to be a professional bar tender, showing me all the tricks of the trade. I even made a wine menu. I'm still waiting for dessert, including homemade ice cream. look for future posts.

(No, it's not wine it's sparkling cider)

-Elizabeth

running

We just finished running, so we're all quite tired.  I just crashed, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and we're watching "In the Heights".  The running was very enjoyable and full of memories.  Here's my experience. 

We arrived a half an hour early and got ourselves ready to run.  Soon we were freezing and had to stay inside until the race started.  David and I decided to run together, so we found our way to the middle.  Out of no where the gun fired and people started cheering.  We started running, weaving in and out of people, but David was going to fast for me, so I ditched him.  After a while I was breathing with full force.  A lady asked me if I had asthma, but I just shook my head.  Then another lady told me to cover my mouth and keep it warm.  I was coming up to the water station and walked while I drank it up.  By then I was extremely tired, but "kept on keepin' on".  One of the same ladies, I think, then told me to breath in through my nose and out through my mouth.  I rounded the corner while Jonny passed me, and saw Dad and Arianna walking to the water station.  I was more than halfway there!!!  I was running barely, not able to go faster, but then the same lady told me I could do it and I knew I could.  My stomach was cramping and I needed food or I would throw up, but I could do it.  I was running the final stretch slowly and saw the finish line.  It must have been from God, but somehow I found the energy to run swiftly to the end, even with my numb legs.  It was like floating.  I finished in less than 28 min. 32 sec.  All in all it was nice and refreshing.  After the race we weren't cold at all.

A few things I learned:

1. Encouragement and tips are helpful during a race.

2. Bathing afterward is relaxing.

3. Running makes you sick, so only do what you know you can do.

4. Don't arrive to early.

5. Eat enough before, but not to much.

6. coming back is faster than going.

7. Give encouragement, it really helps.

-Elizabeth

"Thanks"giving

I never mentioned that I was the new blogger on Fauth Clan.  I  hope you dont mind reading my blogs on a kids view.  Enjoy!

We arent going anywhere for Thanksgiving, but family is coming.  Already Mom's brother, Uncle Jonny, is here.  But before anyone else comes we're of to run three miles.  Everyone is running so we'll see how it goes.

Don't forget to give "Thanks" on Thanksgiving.  Like Linus said,"In the year 1621, the Pilgrims held their first Thanksgiving feast. They invited the great Indian chief Massasoit, who brought ninety of his brave Indians and a great abundance of food. Governor William Bradford and Captain Miles Standish were honored guests. Elder William Brewster, who was a minister, said a prayer that went something like this: 'We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land. We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice.'"

-Elizabeth

P.S.  I'll be posting throughout the day so look out.

Dining Room - Before and After

I've been working on our dining room for a few months. Here was the before pictures:

As part of the remodel, I cut out the drywall from the floor up about 33 inches all around. I replaced it with plywood and then built up the panels from there. After the first cut, I began to wonder if I could finish what I started. I just kept plugging away as the weeks clicked away. My goal was to be done by Thanksgiving. We painted, chair rail and crown moulding. Here is how it looks today.

Colorado Pictures

The long awaited Colorado picture slide show.

Enjoy.