Friday, March 21, 2014

five things friday...


Spring?  Well… no.  Today, I watched our garbage can flip on its back in the gusty wind-the wheels finding their groove as the thing flew down the street like it was in a backstroke race- and clearly winning!  So funny- I wish I had video of it.

Not so funny when the 3 recycling bins decided to make a break for it as well- they flew end over end as I sat watching out the windows, cringing,  just waiting for them to smash into a parked car.   I took off after them- trying to run in slippers through snow and water, and failing badly.  Okay- sorta funny to see me flailing down the street in hot pursuit, of those 3 plastic bins, that so had it in for me. 



This boy, ducks out of most photo ops. these days.  But I managed to snag him this one day, after he'd scored the game-winning goal in a hotly contested triple overtime hockey game!  We had just come off an overtime loss from the night before.  Who could have predicted the very next game?  Would also go to triple overtime and we would win once again.  3 overtime games in a row- that is a lot of hockey!  Sadly, our bid for the state tournament came to an abrupt end the next game, against the eventual State Champions, Grand Rapids.  But, it will always be a memorable weekend of hockey.






I have felt better and better each day this week.  I never seem to remember to mention my hairstylist, Amanda, who literally blesses me more than I can ever express.  She charges me a fraction of the normal cost of doing my hair and pampers me which makes me feel well, and boosts my spirits so.  In case I don't say it often enough- thank you Amanda!  





I started a new folder for sunrise and sunset photos- and added this as my first one, from late February.  I can't wait to create a whole collection.   





This is what I am currently reading.  Wow, what a story!  Its a powerhouse of humor, tinged with sadness, with themes of religion, politics and the plight of a young boy named Owen Meany, as told by his friend Johnny.  Its quirky, and mired in detail, yet it engaged me from the first page.  



And you?  What are you reading?  What should I put on my list next?















37 comments:

  1. Vicky... so glad you are feeling better this week! Darling picture of you and your son. I am reading two books now.. The Fault of the Stars and one of JoJo Moyes earlier books. Can't remember the title but its blue and has the word "girl" in it. Have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Loved The Fault in our Stars book- love John Green- he has a way with words! I have to check into the JoJo Moyes book- I am out of the loop on that one :) Hope you have a wonderful weekend as well!

      Delete
  2. Where are the hidden video cameras on every street corner when you need one.
    I smiled as I pictured you running after those wayward bins.
    And.....how beautiful your hair is, Vicky. Yes!! Kudos to Amanda for a splendid job.
    Your smile always encourages me. Thank you for sharing it with me.
    Hoping that spring arrives for you very soon.
    Love you,
    Jackie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jackie- I am hoping spring- springs soon too! Or we can leap right into summer if necessary- I'd take that too :) Love you~

      Delete
  3. Your tulips took my breathe away! I love tulips. Never could understand why, mom had them but we were never allowed to pick them and bring them in. Cant wait for mine to peek thru the dirt and see how many there will be. A tractor tire rim full of them. Come on Spring/summer!

    Glad you are feeling better! Your son is taller then you. Growing up much to fast!
    Love you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aren't the tulips bright and cheery? My friend Karen always designs makeovers for my blog- love her work! Yes- both boys have grown so much- its pretty amazing how fast its going :) Love you~

      Delete
  4. i just finished reading Adriana Trigiani's latest, The Supreme Macaroni Company. It's the latest story in the Valentine series by Trigiani. If you want a treat, start with the first one, Very Valentine. This profiles an Italian immigrant family who makes couture shoes in NYC. Seriously, it's wonderful!

    also reading The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. It's non-fiction, and a memoir of her experience with breast cancer and her relationship with her parents, particularly her dad. i think you'd really resonate with it, Vicky.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't read Adriana's latest- loved the first ones so much- great reminder. We read The Middle Place for book club- lonnnggg time ago and just this month chose her new one to read- have to purchase it and get going- but yes- resonated deeply- as I believe it will with you :)

      Delete
  5. So glad to hear you are feeling better and better!!!

    No books here. The only thing I'm reading is... research on this dang gene mutation. *sigh

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well that counts as reading for sure- some pretty heavy duty reading I might add. I followed your links and read- great in-depth and definitely made my mind whirl in a brand new direction- thankful to you for the nudge to look!

      Delete
  6. Ok, Sweet Friend,
    I.JUST.CAN'T.STOP.SMILING! :) :)

    First to be greeted by those amazing pink tulips and the fresh pink look on your blog. Gorgeous. Then, the story about the wayward garbage can lids. You had me laughing! Next, the picture of you with your TALL and oldest son.

    And then, the piece de' resistance...to hear that you are feeling better? Not just better...better and better each day. :) :) :) Oh my gosh, then the gorgeous picture of gorgeous you with an amazing hair cut.

    Praise God for answered prayers. Now, if that darn Minnesota snow would just go away. :)
    You asked what I am reading: It's finals week so I am reading 120 final projects by my exceptional college students. Besides that, I am reading Loves Does by Bob Goff.

    When my grades are in...I am on Spring Break! Can you hear me smile?
    Love you sweet Vicky, to the moon and back!
    Love.
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda- I can't say the temps outside are helping and yet each day feels like a step closer towards spring. I looonnggg to feel the sun and I can't help but think "soon." So each day I do a little more and find my energy boosting just a bit. Ohhhh- I have heard of Love Does- will be interested to hear what you think about it as well :) Happy almost spring break to you! Love you~ to the moon and all the way back :)

      Delete
  7. Vicky - you look STUNNING! I am sure it is a huge blessing to do your hair, sweet lady, because words from you, whether over a haircut or through a blog are always nourishment for the soul.

    We are having wild & wooly 'springtime' weather as well. I think it just comes with the territory in March for us Northerners, no? But that gorgeous photo at the top will remind us to keep our eyes peeled, because that green will greet us sooner than later.

    I am loving the fact you are feeling okay. Loving. You are never far from my prayers, Vicky, and I know the people that comment here are a teensy fraction of the armies going before God bringing you into His presence. Your family is dear to us.

    And...I will look up the book you recommended! :) Looking forward to it. My friend, I love to hear about your 'everyday' -- a gifted writer you are, and a gift of a friend to me.

    So much love.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your sweet words and presence here warm me so, Cheyenne. I believe, quite strongly, that its the ones like you, who pray so often for me, that truly help me cope and thrive. Those prayers get answered and I am in awe of them, again and again. Thank you friend- my everyday feels like complete gift to me and its just more complete with you a part of it. So much love back to you and yours~

      Delete
  8. Great post, Vicky, and may I just say that is THE most beautiful picture of you. Really captures your beauty inside and out.

    I am pulling from my own bookshelves right now and trying to read what I already have and, as a book collector, is pretty considerable. I was just thinking a few nights ago and posting on Facebook about this and finding out what other people have in their homes. Great minds think alike, eh? (and you and I, too! hahaha). Last night I pulled out "Adventures in Contentment" by David Grayson. It's from around 1907 but I just checked Amazon and it's still in print. It's about a single young man who burns out from the rat race, gets seriously ill, and, as he lingered and suffered he began to ponder his life and decides to go it alone on a farm to get back to the important things. It's a true story. I just got into it but it starts out in a very compelling way. Probably a bit like Walden by Thoreau. I AM eagerly looking forward to reading the Owen Meany book.

    SO GOOD to see you feeling better. GRATEFUL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Robynn, Rick took the picture of me after a movie I had just been to with a friend- I will share more next week. Was so glad, Rick captured the moment like he did. I can imagine what your book shelves would look like- I think I could get lost in them quite easily :) I think you will love the Owen Meany book- John Irving is is someone you may already be familiar with- he also wrote The World According to Garp, The Cider House Rules, and many more. Hope you enjoy!

      Delete
  9. Vicky, the tulips wowed me, and then that sunset photo...of course I love it. I'm reading about five different books, but the one I'm most looking forward to is "Atchison Blue," an account of monastery life as viewed from an outsider. :) Your hair is fabulous. Really Amanda rocks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh- well you know that book will intrigue me Roxane. Can't wait for our visit- soon! And thank you for the kind words- Amanda truly is such a gift to me :)

      Delete
  10. So glad you're feeling better. Your hair is beautiful. Love the sunset.

    When I was going through my divorce, I read every book imaginable about getting through difficult times, then I picked up "The World According to Garp" by John Irving. There's a part near the end where Garp bites the ear of Bonkers, the neighbor's dog who previously had bitten Garp's ear off. I laughed until I cried, then realized I was crying about everything. That book was the thing that lifted my grief to the next level. Sometimes we focus on our problems too much and it takes something human and joyful to remind us that life is still worth living. You're so good at this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow- I'm truly honored by your perspective and very gracious words, Kass. I have seen the movie adaptation of The World According to Garp- many years ago- but not read the book. It may be next! I, too, gain so much wisdom out of an idea or simple sentence from a book- so many times.

      Delete
  11. Such a blessing to hear you are feeling better each day! Wow, has your son had a growth spurt? I love the plethora of pink present here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the pink too! Its a gift from my blog friend Karen :) And yes- my son is closing in on 6 feet… yikes! He is still 13 so he may not be done yet. Yes- so happy to finally feel better.

      Delete
  12. Replies
    1. Ohhh- will have to google that one- thanks Hilary~

      Delete
  13. So happy to read you are feeling better....and you look beautiful! Love your hairstyle Vicky.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lisa- I am going for a simple bob look- but Amanda gives me the cool version when she styles my hair :)

      Delete
  14. So many things to love about this post! What a great pic of you and Nolan. And what a thrill it was to see Nolan score that game winning goal! Your hair is darling! But the very best of all, is hearing that you are feeling better. :)

    Sending prayers your way, always! Take care~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Steph- I am enjoying the reprieve and accomplishing a lot which feels so nice. Hope all is well with you!! xxoo

      Delete
  15. You look so beautiful and so happy! Made me smile this Sunday morning . I am so glad to hear you are feeling better. Georgia can't quite find Spring either. It was beautiful just yesterday bit today will be rainy and blustery and this week we will be back in the 20's and 30's as lows. We have baseball games Tuesday and Wednesday nights. You aren't supposed to watch baseball all bundled up in blanket! Ha!
    I am reading It Starts With Food, riveting for sure. No, it is enlightening and my daughter and I are going to try Whole 30 when she graduates from college in May. I am also trying to read Unspoken by Dee Henderson. I like her books; Christian fiction, mystery/suspense based. The stories are good and yet more believable than some others I have read. My side table is scatted with books right now and to be honest, I feel as if I have little time to truly enjoy reading lately. Ready for a few things to wrap up so I can get lost in a good book again. I enjoyed your recommendation and added it to the list. More so, I enjoyed your good news! Believing for MORE for you!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the idea of you and your daughter doing Whole 30- I haven't done that one in particular- but I think you will feel amazed by the results :) I will definitely add Dee Henderson to my list- sounds very intriguing! Thank you for your encouraging words! Blessings to you!

      Delete
  16. Hello Vicky, Been praying for you a lot this morning! God's blessings and presence upon you.
    You rock!
    X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So thankful for your sweet prayer Maddy! God's blessings to you and yours too, honey!

      Delete
  17. Read this post twice! I just love it. Love your Spirit. Love your 'do. And the book you're reading looks amazing. Right now, I'm re-reading Magic Hour by Kristen Hannah.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ohhh, Julie, that is a book I remember. There aren't too many of Kristin Hannah's I haven't read. Thanks for all the encouragement! Love to you!

      Delete
  18. What fun pic's and the book looks wonderful as well...the cover is pulling me in! I have been reading 'The Walk" series but Richard Paul Evan's you would love this..anyone would. every may a new book comes out..so the first book is called THE WALK... I think there are 4 now. The 5th coming this may. Its in general about how one life touches another, how we meet people for reasons.Yet its a profound wonderful story that keeps you guessing on what is next. I also love The Noticer...it give you a perspective on thing's...and both these books male and females just love!!! I know you would love them as well...!!! I could so see you chasing your trash and recycling can's...I have done that a time or two...in PJ's in the snow...up hill both ways!!! ha ha ha
    much love, prayers and blessing to you!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes- I've heard of The Walk and have not read any of those. Wow- I'm walking away with a list of books I am excited to delve into! I have The Noticer! A gift from a friend and one I found I could not put down :) Much love to you sweet friend!

      Delete
  19. Well, I am *so* glad to hear you have had a good week. And I'm just saying - a haircut always makes for a good week!

    Since you're reading A Prayer for Owen Meany, have you seen the movie Simon Burch? It was based on the book, and is pretty delightful. In fact, I don't think I've seen it in probably a decade so I should pull both the movie and the book out. I am reading much lighter fare - a YA trilogy by Marissa Meyer and I am picking Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell up at the library tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete

I welcome what you have to say. Thanks for taking the time to grace me with your thoughts and words!

When you get lucky

When you get lucky

Popular Posts

Minnesota.com

Minnesota.com - MN Weather, Map, Businesses and Blogs
Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape