Well, I'm back home now. Almost mad that the world continued to keep it's busy schedule while I was gone. I feel like an outsider trying to jump back into the flow... and it's hard to do when you're emotionally drained from family drama and a funeral... and exhausted from 14 hours in a mini van with 4 other adults, a 4 year old and a 2 year old.
Oh well... life truly does go on.
I miss my Poppa Gould.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Funeral Arrangements
The viewing will be Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 6:00PM at Rosewood Funeral Home in Portland, TX.
The funeral will be Monday, July 28, 2008 at 12:00 PM at Rosewood Funeral Home in Portland, TX.
In leau of flowers, the family asks that you send monetary gifts to the TN District of the Assemblies of God. You may put "Charles Gould Sr" in the corner. All funds will be collected towards building a church in Africa in my grandfather's name.
The funeral will be Monday, July 28, 2008 at 12:00 PM at Rosewood Funeral Home in Portland, TX.
In leau of flowers, the family asks that you send monetary gifts to the TN District of the Assemblies of God. You may put "Charles Gould Sr" in the corner. All funds will be collected towards building a church in Africa in my grandfather's name.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Death
My grandfather is dying. He has pancreatic and liver cancer and was diagnosed about a year ago. They say that usually when someone is diagnosed with this type of cancer, a 1-2 month life span is all they are given. He's lived a year.
His name is Charles Gary Gould Sr. My father is named after him (hence the "JR"). I've never known anyone else like him. He was never a big man, probably 5'10" and 140 lbs at the most. He always gave VERY tight hugs... and he could talk the ear off of a horse. He is probably one of the wisest men I know. Always full of ideas, concepts and Biblical knowledge. He told me once that the world revolves on ideas. He is kind to all that come in contact with him, always has a word of encouragement and is very smart with his money. But of all the good things about my grandfather, the thing I will remember most about him is something my dad said... "He is a modern day Abraham"... translation = he walks with God. From my father, this is an EXTREME compliment of the greatest kind.
I do not know how much longer that my grandfather will be with us, though I do not think it will be long. He cannot hold a pencil, or spoon. He can no longer talk. For his sake, I pray that the Lord takes him soon so that he will no longer suffer and will be taken to a place of no more pain. I do not worry about him.
I pray for my grandmother and her loss. She married him when she was 14 years old. This will be a lonely time for her.
I pray for my dad. He is the oldest child and only son. He is losing one of his greatest spiritual leaders, his friend, his "old man".
I will miss Poppa Gould.
His name is Charles Gary Gould Sr. My father is named after him (hence the "JR"). I've never known anyone else like him. He was never a big man, probably 5'10" and 140 lbs at the most. He always gave VERY tight hugs... and he could talk the ear off of a horse. He is probably one of the wisest men I know. Always full of ideas, concepts and Biblical knowledge. He told me once that the world revolves on ideas. He is kind to all that come in contact with him, always has a word of encouragement and is very smart with his money. But of all the good things about my grandfather, the thing I will remember most about him is something my dad said... "He is a modern day Abraham"... translation = he walks with God. From my father, this is an EXTREME compliment of the greatest kind.
I do not know how much longer that my grandfather will be with us, though I do not think it will be long. He cannot hold a pencil, or spoon. He can no longer talk. For his sake, I pray that the Lord takes him soon so that he will no longer suffer and will be taken to a place of no more pain. I do not worry about him.
I pray for my grandmother and her loss. She married him when she was 14 years old. This will be a lonely time for her.
I pray for my dad. He is the oldest child and only son. He is losing one of his greatest spiritual leaders, his friend, his "old man".
I will miss Poppa Gould.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Going against the grain
I've noticed recently that I am surrounded by people who think Andy and I are crazy. Apparently we do things "out of the norm" and "differently"...
Yes, Andy walks to work most days. He is saving gas, (which everyone is beginning to think it a good plan), and the tire on our truck is flat. But he's been walking to work for a while now... it's only two miles and he likes to walk. He's actually in pretty good shape now. (Maybe I should start walking to work... except I would always be late and very sweaty... 6 miles is a bit much for a morning walk.)
And no, we don't eat out often... actually it's a rare thing nowadays... we usually cook at home, and more often than not, we eat vegetarian meals... not because we have to, but because we like it and it's healthy. Are we strange? I don't think so. (Besides, meat is expensive. *smile*)
Also, when Andy and I have children, we will be cloth diapering our kids. I've heard so many negative responses to that fact. For example, "you'll change your mind when you have kids" or "why would you want to do that?!?!" or "it's too much work"... I even feel pressure from some of those around me to change my mind about this. Honestly, it only makes me want to do it more.
Just like when I have my kids (don't worry... I'm not preggo... I just like to plan ahead and be prepared)... I will want to go through natural labor... NO PAIN MEDS. Now, if anyone that actually reads this knows me, you know I am a wimp... and a whiny one at that. But I know it would be better for the baby and, in the end, that's all that really matters. I've actually been looking into water birth and am very excited about it. They say that the water can ease labor pains up to 75%!! That's enough to convince me. *smile* Besides, I love baths... so hopefully that will relax me. Heehee.
So, all that to say... yes, we are abnormal in some respects... I am 25 years old and I crochet. Am I a granny? No. Women used to learn to sew and crochet when they were children to prepare them for womanhood. Andy and I would like to learn how to garden and grow our own food. Are we nuts? No. We just like fresh veggies. Yes, we recycle and yes, I reuse ziplock baggies and save old jars... Andy loves to cook more than I do and yes, he does the dishes! Is there a problem with going against the grain and just being ourselves? Is it weird to be a little old fashioned and love the old hymns more than the new praise songs?
Maybe I'm just rambling now... Oh well, it's my blog and I can ramble if I want to.
Yes, Andy walks to work most days. He is saving gas, (which everyone is beginning to think it a good plan), and the tire on our truck is flat. But he's been walking to work for a while now... it's only two miles and he likes to walk. He's actually in pretty good shape now. (Maybe I should start walking to work... except I would always be late and very sweaty... 6 miles is a bit much for a morning walk.)
And no, we don't eat out often... actually it's a rare thing nowadays... we usually cook at home, and more often than not, we eat vegetarian meals... not because we have to, but because we like it and it's healthy. Are we strange? I don't think so. (Besides, meat is expensive. *smile*)
Also, when Andy and I have children, we will be cloth diapering our kids. I've heard so many negative responses to that fact. For example, "you'll change your mind when you have kids" or "why would you want to do that?!?!" or "it's too much work"... I even feel pressure from some of those around me to change my mind about this. Honestly, it only makes me want to do it more.
Just like when I have my kids (don't worry... I'm not preggo... I just like to plan ahead and be prepared)... I will want to go through natural labor... NO PAIN MEDS. Now, if anyone that actually reads this knows me, you know I am a wimp... and a whiny one at that. But I know it would be better for the baby and, in the end, that's all that really matters. I've actually been looking into water birth and am very excited about it. They say that the water can ease labor pains up to 75%!! That's enough to convince me. *smile* Besides, I love baths... so hopefully that will relax me. Heehee.
So, all that to say... yes, we are abnormal in some respects... I am 25 years old and I crochet. Am I a granny? No. Women used to learn to sew and crochet when they were children to prepare them for womanhood. Andy and I would like to learn how to garden and grow our own food. Are we nuts? No. We just like fresh veggies. Yes, we recycle and yes, I reuse ziplock baggies and save old jars... Andy loves to cook more than I do and yes, he does the dishes! Is there a problem with going against the grain and just being ourselves? Is it weird to be a little old fashioned and love the old hymns more than the new praise songs?
Maybe I'm just rambling now... Oh well, it's my blog and I can ramble if I want to.
Open the windows...
Last night, I went home to a stuffy house. A storm had just come and gone and the air outside was crisp and clean. I was thrilled to be able to open all the windows in the house and "air out" my home. I laid on my couch, able to look outside my front window to see the neighbors' dogs at the house across the street pace by their fence as pedestrians walked by. I smiled while my older pug, Quigley, rushed to the door to bark at each passer-by as if he was going to eat them, although he is quite harmless. (He loves it when the door is open and he can see outside through the screen.) My baby pug, Daisy Lou, just tilts her head as he barks, trying to access if she should also be running to the door to protect their home with her girlish yips.
I'm not really sure why, but it just made my day to be able to nap on my couch with my windows open wide, my puppies napping close by (with one eye open, of coarse... making sure they don't miss another street walker) and the sun shining in. I guess it's just one of those little things that we sometimes forget to take the time to appreciate.
I'm not really sure why, but it just made my day to be able to nap on my couch with my windows open wide, my puppies napping close by (with one eye open, of coarse... making sure they don't miss another street walker) and the sun shining in. I guess it's just one of those little things that we sometimes forget to take the time to appreciate.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Puglets
I know that some people do not understand the love Andy and I have for our pugs... we laugh when they snort, get excited when they wag their pig-curls and lavish love on them when they are sleepy... we go out of our way to get them treats that they like, buy them toys when we can and take them outside to play and sniff to their heart's content. It's almost pathetic and we know it... but we don't care. We don't have kids yet so we are allowed a bit of pathetic-ness.
So I've decided to list some of the many wonderful things that our pugs give us... just so that you all know why we love them so.
*they give unconditional love
*they don't care if we are pretty or rich
*they are always happy to see us
*they smile at us when we are happy
*they pout and snuggle next to us when we are sad
*they make us laugh
*they entertain us
*they keep the "baby bug" at bay
*they have taught us lessons in child-rearing... specifically what NOT to do when raising a child
*they are just so cute!
*they have helped us "get through" some of the hardest times we've ever dealt with
You may not understand... and that's okay. I don't understand anyone that doesn't love my pugs as I do... but that's just my world.
Monday, July 21, 2008
New to this blogging thing...
Well, I'm new to this blogging experience. Kind of odd, I must say... kind of like a secret diary that anyone can read... or an email to anyone that wants to read it.
I am at work... I should be working. But I believe that if you don't take a few breaks in the day, you'll go mad... or at least I will. My job isn't that bad, though. I may complain alot, but I need to remind myself to thank God that I at least have a secure job in this unstable economy... well, I hope it's secure. *smile*
I'm waiting for 3:30 PM... then I can go home. Not sure what I'll do when I'm home, but I love to be home... maybe it's the housewife in me, or the fact that I have to be at work all day. I don't know. One day I'll be able to be home all day, to be a wife and a mom... then I will probably wish I was at work and could get away from the house.
Anyway... I guess this officially ends my first blog. I have nothing else to say.
I am at work... I should be working. But I believe that if you don't take a few breaks in the day, you'll go mad... or at least I will. My job isn't that bad, though. I may complain alot, but I need to remind myself to thank God that I at least have a secure job in this unstable economy... well, I hope it's secure. *smile*
I'm waiting for 3:30 PM... then I can go home. Not sure what I'll do when I'm home, but I love to be home... maybe it's the housewife in me, or the fact that I have to be at work all day. I don't know. One day I'll be able to be home all day, to be a wife and a mom... then I will probably wish I was at work and could get away from the house.
Anyway... I guess this officially ends my first blog. I have nothing else to say.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
