1. As a young girl, I loved ketchup so much that I would eat it straight out of the packets. I can’t touch the stuff anymore.
2. I’ve always thought of myself as an avid gardener, but the dead plants around our house will attest to the opposite.
3. I rarely ever watch the news. When I do, I am riveted to the screen and then get very depressed about the world.
4. I’m obsessed with candles.
5. There are more unfinished projects in my craft closet than anything I’ve ever completed.
6. I’m a total craft junkie.
7. Back in high school, I wrote tons of poetry and received several awards.
8. I love the beauty of snow, but I would hate to live in it.
9. I’ve got a mean roundhouse.
10. When we were little, my siblings and I would put underwear on our heads and pretend that we were robbers (my mom has photographic evidence).
11. I always loved the idea of the “campus atmosphere” I would enjoy at college. But then I worked full time the whole way through and really missed out on most of it.
12. I can’t leave the house without tidying it first.
13. If I could afford it, I would totally be an organic, health-foods-only shopper.
14. I have donated my hair twice to Locks of Love.
15. I love flip flops, and I’m obsessed with socks. Don’t worry, I don’t wear them at the same time!
16. I cannot handle mold. It freaks me out, and I can’t even check things in my own refrigerator.
17. I can crochet while reading a magazine.
18. If someone starts laughing during a solemn situation, I lose it and fall apart in a fit of giggles too.
19. I’m going to be one of those germ-freak moms who won’t let her kids play in the ball pit at McDonalds (those things are soooo disgusting).
20. I can make a three-leaf clover with my tongue.
21. Every pinkie bone in my body has been broken at least once—except for my right hand pinkie.
22. There’s a shelf in our house that holds all of the journals I’ve kept since I was six.
23. I’ve been known to bodysurf in the ocean in jeans and a tank top, dive into the Sacramento River in my Sunday dress, and slink through a leech-filled pond in not very much at all…
24. Thanks to my homeschooling background, I can focus on whatever I need to in any environment. I can also cook, clean house, and do paperwork while holding a baby.
25. I knew the majority of the lines from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” years before I ever saw it.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Because They Still Exist
Good Samaritans are hard to find these days. Someone stoops to pick up something you've dropped, and you're taken by surprise because you assumed he'd just keep on walking like everyone else. A neighbor stops by to borrow an egg. You all the sudden feel heroic because by providing the needed product, you've aided mankind. Maybe it takes a little more to be a "Good Samaritan," you've noticed. "Random Acts of Kindness" aren't everyday things anymore. People actually have to write books about them to remind people they still exist.
A lot has happened since December, and I'm sorry for not updating you on all of the events. The Reader's Digest version is that I finished Student Teaching, got terribly sick (cold, sinus infection, flu...) and not much else has happened. One thing I did want to make sure I told you about, though, was a random act of kindness that truly blessed me this past week.
I had my final meeting with the head of the Education Program at Concordia on Tuesday. I was a little annoyed because I had to drive all the way out to Irvine (1.5 hour trip one way) for what I had been told was only supposed to be about a 10 minute meeting. I had tried to cancel to see if I could perhaps arrange a meeting at a time when I could do some other things in the area on the same day, but it didn't work out. I was excited that my friend Emily was coming later that day to spend the next few days with me (she figured she'd better take advantage of my non-workingness as quickly as she could) and was eager to get home before she arrived.
Less than a mile from home on the return trip, my car died. Flat out completely dead on Hwy 19--which isn't only a highway, but the main street in Rosemead as well. I was in the left lane and didn't have any warning that my car was about to kapoot, so I was stranded. I opened the hood assuming that my car had overheated, and since I didn't have any water with me, I ran across the street to the gas station there so that I could refill my radiator tank. When I got back to my car, there was a police officer parked behind it and walking around looking for the driver. He told me to get back in the car so that he could push me to the nearest side street. As soon as I was safely pulled alongside a red curb, he waved to me and drove away with no further assistance or advice.
I waited for my car to cool down a little bit and then decided to try it again. It started up just fine, so I pulled a U-turn to get back on the main street and head home. I stayed in the right-hand lane just in case, and sure enough, at the next light, my car died again. I freaked out and called Jesse, unsure of what else I should do. He told me to find someone to help me. There was no one on foot around, and every driver cast dirty looks at me as he sped past. Jesse said a quick prayer for us that someone would be around to help, and encouraged me again to call out to the first person I saw.
When I looked up, there was a young guy walking past in a work uniform.
"Excuse me," I yelled out the window, "can you please help me push my car?"
He got right behind my car and pushed it out of the intersection. When I parked, he ran around to the front. He asked me to pop the hood, and in a minute was checking every dirty little thing under it. A car pulled up behind us and out jumped a 77 year old man named Ted. He introduced himself and his son, Chris, and joined Chris under the hood. As they worked, Ted talked to me. I told him how thankful I was for them, and about how Jesse had prayed that someone would come along to help me. "God was looking out for you," Ted said from under the hood. "I know He was!" I answered whole-heartedly. They worked for a few minutes and then asked me to try the car again. It started up, but as soon as I turned the car around to get back on the street, it died again. Ted and Chris drove up behind me again and got back to work.
Long story short, the car died about three more times, and Chris kindly offered to drive it home for me. Ted followed behind in his own car, and when we got to our house, they both started looking at the car again. I was surprised by this and expected them to leave, but they kept on working. After a while, they said they were going to go to the store to pick up some things for my car and they would be back. They returned about an hour later with a few things and went back to work.
I watched in amazement as two complete strangers devoted 4 hours of their day to me that afternoon. I didn't ask anything more from them than a simple push to get me out of the intersection, but they blessed me by getting me home safely and finding out what was wrong with my car. When they finally finished, they almost left without anything from me. I had to beg for the receipts to reimburse them for their purchases, and when I asked what I could pay them for their hard work, Chris shrugged and said "10 bucks."
Well, I sent them home with a check for much more than that, but I still can't believe what a blessing they were to me that day. Sometimes I despair about the temperament of the people I meet on the streets. I wonder what happened to the good old souls, the ones who would do things without expecting anything in return. Tuesday made me even look into myself and desire to be a more giving person as a whole. If two strangers can give so much of themselves to me, I can will to be more generous to those I know.
Jesse called Chris and Ted today. They left their phone numbers with me just in case the car breaks down again. We wanted to call them to invite them over for dinner. They accepted, and we're looking forward to seeing them this upcoming Tuesday. I'm excited to be able to see them again, to talk with them, and to share our common love for Jesus.
A lot has happened since December, and I'm sorry for not updating you on all of the events. The Reader's Digest version is that I finished Student Teaching, got terribly sick (cold, sinus infection, flu...) and not much else has happened. One thing I did want to make sure I told you about, though, was a random act of kindness that truly blessed me this past week.
I had my final meeting with the head of the Education Program at Concordia on Tuesday. I was a little annoyed because I had to drive all the way out to Irvine (1.5 hour trip one way) for what I had been told was only supposed to be about a 10 minute meeting. I had tried to cancel to see if I could perhaps arrange a meeting at a time when I could do some other things in the area on the same day, but it didn't work out. I was excited that my friend Emily was coming later that day to spend the next few days with me (she figured she'd better take advantage of my non-workingness as quickly as she could) and was eager to get home before she arrived.
Less than a mile from home on the return trip, my car died. Flat out completely dead on Hwy 19--which isn't only a highway, but the main street in Rosemead as well. I was in the left lane and didn't have any warning that my car was about to kapoot, so I was stranded. I opened the hood assuming that my car had overheated, and since I didn't have any water with me, I ran across the street to the gas station there so that I could refill my radiator tank. When I got back to my car, there was a police officer parked behind it and walking around looking for the driver. He told me to get back in the car so that he could push me to the nearest side street. As soon as I was safely pulled alongside a red curb, he waved to me and drove away with no further assistance or advice.
I waited for my car to cool down a little bit and then decided to try it again. It started up just fine, so I pulled a U-turn to get back on the main street and head home. I stayed in the right-hand lane just in case, and sure enough, at the next light, my car died again. I freaked out and called Jesse, unsure of what else I should do. He told me to find someone to help me. There was no one on foot around, and every driver cast dirty looks at me as he sped past. Jesse said a quick prayer for us that someone would be around to help, and encouraged me again to call out to the first person I saw.
When I looked up, there was a young guy walking past in a work uniform.
"Excuse me," I yelled out the window, "can you please help me push my car?"
He got right behind my car and pushed it out of the intersection. When I parked, he ran around to the front. He asked me to pop the hood, and in a minute was checking every dirty little thing under it. A car pulled up behind us and out jumped a 77 year old man named Ted. He introduced himself and his son, Chris, and joined Chris under the hood. As they worked, Ted talked to me. I told him how thankful I was for them, and about how Jesse had prayed that someone would come along to help me. "God was looking out for you," Ted said from under the hood. "I know He was!" I answered whole-heartedly. They worked for a few minutes and then asked me to try the car again. It started up, but as soon as I turned the car around to get back on the street, it died again. Ted and Chris drove up behind me again and got back to work.
Long story short, the car died about three more times, and Chris kindly offered to drive it home for me. Ted followed behind in his own car, and when we got to our house, they both started looking at the car again. I was surprised by this and expected them to leave, but they kept on working. After a while, they said they were going to go to the store to pick up some things for my car and they would be back. They returned about an hour later with a few things and went back to work.
I watched in amazement as two complete strangers devoted 4 hours of their day to me that afternoon. I didn't ask anything more from them than a simple push to get me out of the intersection, but they blessed me by getting me home safely and finding out what was wrong with my car. When they finally finished, they almost left without anything from me. I had to beg for the receipts to reimburse them for their purchases, and when I asked what I could pay them for their hard work, Chris shrugged and said "10 bucks."
Well, I sent them home with a check for much more than that, but I still can't believe what a blessing they were to me that day. Sometimes I despair about the temperament of the people I meet on the streets. I wonder what happened to the good old souls, the ones who would do things without expecting anything in return. Tuesday made me even look into myself and desire to be a more giving person as a whole. If two strangers can give so much of themselves to me, I can will to be more generous to those I know.
Jesse called Chris and Ted today. They left their phone numbers with me just in case the car breaks down again. We wanted to call them to invite them over for dinner. They accepted, and we're looking forward to seeing them this upcoming Tuesday. I'm excited to be able to see them again, to talk with them, and to share our common love for Jesus.
Friday, December 26, 2008
I love my guy!
Jesse is sitting on the floor assembling our new vacuum, and I'm here on the couch looking for ways to distract him. I found a personality game for couples to play on the internet that is meant to find out whether your spouse is more sentimental or practical. I already know about Jesse (Mr. Never-take-your-shoes-off-because-you-might-need-to-go-outside-again) but he loves playing games, so I figured I'd ask him anyway.
"Quick! If you had to evacuate the house right away, what would you grab?" I asked him.
With a level of intensity in his voice that matched mine, he answered, "You!"
"Quick! If you had to evacuate the house right away, what would you grab?" I asked him.
With a level of intensity in his voice that matched mine, he answered, "You!"
Thursday, December 25, 2008
A Third Grader's Christmas Letter to Santa
One of the assignments I gave to my third graders last week was to write their very first persuasive letter--one to Santa Claus.
Most of the letters were from children asking for the newest PsP or Nintendo DS. This, is by far my favorite of the ones that I graded. Just had to share it with you!
Dear Santa,
I have been a good girl. So I would like this very special Christmas present from you and your elves. I would like a lot of things from you, but I would mostly like you to work your magic and please get me two front teeth.
If I don't have two front teeth, no one will stop laughing at me. I won't haev my teeth for a long time, and nobody is nice to me about my two front teeth. My gums look too funny to not laugh at. I can't chew fast so I am always last at the table.
Santa Claus, if you don't give me two front teeth, I can't have healthy teeth because when I brush my teeth, it hurts my sensitive gums. People laugh at me when they see toothpaste stuck on my gums. I cut myself when I eat with a pointy fork.
Santa Claus, if you just won't give me the present, I will hear people keep saying it's not the style. When I'm wearing blue clothes, my red gums don't match. My gums aren't cool.
Santa Claus, is all your reindeer excited about Christmas? Does your reindeer have no front teeth? Can the reindeer chew well without teeth?
Sincerely, Braelyn
Merry Christmas!
Most of the letters were from children asking for the newest PsP or Nintendo DS. This, is by far my favorite of the ones that I graded. Just had to share it with you!
Dear Santa,
I have been a good girl. So I would like this very special Christmas present from you and your elves. I would like a lot of things from you, but I would mostly like you to work your magic and please get me two front teeth.
If I don't have two front teeth, no one will stop laughing at me. I won't haev my teeth for a long time, and nobody is nice to me about my two front teeth. My gums look too funny to not laugh at. I can't chew fast so I am always last at the table.
Santa Claus, if you don't give me two front teeth, I can't have healthy teeth because when I brush my teeth, it hurts my sensitive gums. People laugh at me when they see toothpaste stuck on my gums. I cut myself when I eat with a pointy fork.
Santa Claus, if you just won't give me the present, I will hear people keep saying it's not the style. When I'm wearing blue clothes, my red gums don't match. My gums aren't cool.
Santa Claus, is all your reindeer excited about Christmas? Does your reindeer have no front teeth? Can the reindeer chew well without teeth?
Sincerely, Braelyn
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Decorating for Thanksgiving!
I blogged about Thanksgiving on our other blog, but here is where I get to share all of my fun in preparing for it!
This was the table I set out for desserts. I filled our hurricane candles with cinnamon potpourri and set them on top. Here are my two apple pies...
I found some miniature fall leaf cookie cutters and had a lot of fun adding leaf motifs to my pies.
Our pretty table! (Not exactly the 14 serving pieces Martha Stewart suggested, but I decided to blend proper with practical)
I had a lot of fun creating the centerpiece. Actually, it was a true team effort! Jesse carved out the pumpkin for me, and I arranged the flowers.
It's so much fun to prepare for holidays!
This was the table I set out for desserts. I filled our hurricane candles with cinnamon potpourri and set them on top. Here are my two apple pies...
I found some miniature fall leaf cookie cutters and had a lot of fun adding leaf motifs to my pies.
Our pretty table! (Not exactly the 14 serving pieces Martha Stewart suggested, but I decided to blend proper with practical)
I had a lot of fun creating the centerpiece. Actually, it was a true team effort! Jesse carved out the pumpkin for me, and I arranged the flowers.
It's so much fun to prepare for holidays!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Getting ready for Thanksgiving
Jesse and I are hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year. We decided even before we were married that we didn't want our first holiday as a married couple to be split between one side of the family or the other, and we are so excited to be having it at our house!
I've been looking over recipes and decorating ideas for the last few weeks. It's so much fun to plan something like this. We're expecting 15 people (Jesse's mom, the Mueller clan, both sets of my grandparents, and Jesse's godparents), so a lot of planning is needed! To accommodate everyone, we are having to borrow an extra table, a few chairs, and even a platter for the turkey! Ok, so some of that isn't "accommodating"...it's improvising :)
Jesse and I picked up our turkey today, along with everything I'll need to make fruit pies, casseroles, and even apple cider. Everyone is so excited to help out with food--which is a blessing, because with my tiny little oven, it would take forever to cook it all!
I'm going to iron the tablecloth and napkins tonight and get the table ready. The next two days are going to be way too busy to leave everything til last minute. Anyway, I was just perusing Martha Stewart's website for ideas, and found her "Setting the Table 101" video. I'd love to be as prim and proper as can be, but I have to admit, I laughed when I watched it. Did you know that to properly set a formal dinner table, each guest should have:
a charger plate
a dinner plate
a soup plate
a bread plate
3 forks
2 knives
a soup spoon
a dessert fork and knife
a red wine glass
a white wine glass
a water glass
Wow! Pardon me, but if you multiply those 14 items by the 15 guests I'm serving, I would have 210 pieces to wash--by hand!
Yes, Thursday certainly would be a good day to have a dishwasher...
But who can blame this stinkin' adorable house for having been built before dishwashers were even imagined? I don't mind. I'm just so excited to have everyone here! Gramma and Papa have only been here once before, and Ami and Papa never have. I'm so excited for them to see our home. It certainly has transformed over the last few months.
Thanksgiving is going to be wonderful!
I've been looking over recipes and decorating ideas for the last few weeks. It's so much fun to plan something like this. We're expecting 15 people (Jesse's mom, the Mueller clan, both sets of my grandparents, and Jesse's godparents), so a lot of planning is needed! To accommodate everyone, we are having to borrow an extra table, a few chairs, and even a platter for the turkey! Ok, so some of that isn't "accommodating"...it's improvising :)
Jesse and I picked up our turkey today, along with everything I'll need to make fruit pies, casseroles, and even apple cider. Everyone is so excited to help out with food--which is a blessing, because with my tiny little oven, it would take forever to cook it all!
I'm going to iron the tablecloth and napkins tonight and get the table ready. The next two days are going to be way too busy to leave everything til last minute. Anyway, I was just perusing Martha Stewart's website for ideas, and found her "Setting the Table 101" video. I'd love to be as prim and proper as can be, but I have to admit, I laughed when I watched it. Did you know that to properly set a formal dinner table, each guest should have:
a charger plate
a dinner plate
a soup plate
a bread plate
3 forks
2 knives
a soup spoon
a dessert fork and knife
a red wine glass
a white wine glass
a water glass
Wow! Pardon me, but if you multiply those 14 items by the 15 guests I'm serving, I would have 210 pieces to wash--by hand!
Yes, Thursday certainly would be a good day to have a dishwasher...
But who can blame this stinkin' adorable house for having been built before dishwashers were even imagined? I don't mind. I'm just so excited to have everyone here! Gramma and Papa have only been here once before, and Ami and Papa never have. I'm so excited for them to see our home. It certainly has transformed over the last few months.
Thanksgiving is going to be wonderful!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Here I am!
I realized tonight that a lot of what I post on Jesse and my blog, Meet The Brubakers, is more my thoughts than anything else. I started it as a way to keep loved ones up to date on everything that WE are up to these days, but in keeping that as my only blog, I've kind of hampered my love to journal.
I've written faithfully in journals since I was six, and it's been such a wonderful part of my life. As I have gotten older, though, I have less and less time to sit down with a leather-bound journal and pen my thoughts each night. When I fell in love with Jesse, I began writing my feelings on an online journal (and no, I'm not sharing that one with you!) Many of those entries are saved on my other blog, "Dream a Little Dream," which is also connected to our blog.
Anyway, it's time to get back to it!
I've written faithfully in journals since I was six, and it's been such a wonderful part of my life. As I have gotten older, though, I have less and less time to sit down with a leather-bound journal and pen my thoughts each night. When I fell in love with Jesse, I began writing my feelings on an online journal (and no, I'm not sharing that one with you!) Many of those entries are saved on my other blog, "Dream a Little Dream," which is also connected to our blog.
Anyway, it's time to get back to it!
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