The weather outside is frightful~!

This was on Monday and we had our first snow and ice.. People forgot how to drive and it was accident after accident.. Body shops will be busy for quite awhile..  and Car Dealers busy with people having to buy a new vehicle.. That will help their pocket books..
     This morning it's 9 degrees and very sunny.  No school for the kiddies and Ben's in daycare right now.. I'm going to pick him up at 3 today..He wants to play Monopoly.. We have been playing an ongoing game for 3 days now.. I just set it up and when it's time to quit we just leave the game and come back to it later.. That is the only way to play monopoly..  HE is winning so he doesn't want the game to be put away..:)  
     We are going to Barrington, Illinois to my son's house for Thanksgiving.  So this morning I have 3 pies to make.. I love making pies so I always get to bring pies when we all get together.. Need to get packed and ready to leave at 7 in the morning.. I want to get everything done so when it's 3 today I can pick up Ben and we can just play...  
       

Yesterday when I was at school helping with Mrs. Wittenburg's 2nd grade class the school in the afternoon had a 1/2 hour reading session.. Grades pre-school to 5th grade all came into the gym and sat down in groups and read ~ some to each other and some alone.. I took a chair down to the gym and Ben sat on my lap and read to me.. Then he went to his room and got my Thanksgiving present he made for me.. It says all the things he is thankful for.. I was honored and I told him how proud I was of him making this for me.. He took a picture of me (I need a haircut so bad)..It was a good time and I just love to hear him read.. He doesn't hesitate at all when reading and it just amazes me at 1st grade he can read those big hard words that some of the 2nd graders stumble on or need help... 
Guess I best get busy with the pies and packing.. You all have a great Thanksgiving~!  It's the time of year to be Thankful~!  ta ta for now from Iowa:)

Took Ben to the Library...

       

Tracie and I took Ben to the library last Saturday..It's the brand new Cedar Rapids library.. We found these very comfy chairs...and I mean comfy~!  We asked one or the librrarians how much this chair cost and she said $500... OUCH~! too much for my budget.. But it was so comfy and would be a great chair to be cozy to sit in and read a book.. Ben loved the library..We got lots of Skippy Jon Jones books that had CD's in them so he could listen and enjoy the author read the book..We had a great day..~!  While at the library Ben wanted to use the computer.. He used my library card # and played on the website where there were lots of Math problems to do.. He loves Math..THis site had Math games,, puzzles with Math,, spelling and lots more.. He played for 1/2 hour and then we were off doing something else.. He wanted to get on the computer again and play some more Math games I said you need my card so you can type in my card #..He said "No, GranAnnie I have it memorized.". Yikes~!  This libarary card # is 13 numbers plus 4 numbers for password.. I was amazed.. We had a great time at the library..We were there for 5 hours,,there's so much to do and see.
     I saw this quote the other day and thought I would share it with you..
“Do nothing that you would not like God to see. Say nothing you would not like God to hear. Write nothing you would not like God to read. Go no place where you would not like God to find you. Read no book of which you would not like God to say, "Show it to Me."  Never spend your time in such a way that you would not like to have God say, "What are you doing?” 
- J.C. Ryle

Have a Tiggeriffic Day...ta ta for now from Iowa:)

This is Ben at the playstation with his friend Jacob.. Jacob is in yellow and his Mom, Kim is in Blue..I told them they look like Mario ...Ben and his Mom, Tracie are in the middle.. He loves going to the playstation every year for his birthday with Jacob..  Ben turned 7 this year and is growing up so fast.. Yesterday I went with Tracie and Ben to the brand new Cedar Rapids Library.. He wanted to be on the computer to do a math program (he loves math)...Had to enter my library card number which is 13 numbers.. I told Ben what to type along with my password.. I couldn't believe it the 2nd time we did this he didn't need my card,,he knew the numbers including the password.. Oh my goodness~!  that was so amazing to me that he could remember ALL those numbers.. I think you call this a math whiz...When he does the math or subtraction problems he doesn't even think about it he just writes the answer down  like 7+3 =10.  It's like reading words, no hesitation..  WOW~!  

       He is very interested in Planets right now.. We found 2 really good books on the subject.. I told him we should make the planets and color them and hang them from the ceiling in his bedroom.. He said yes,,we can start with mercury and go from the smallest to the largest.. He said "GranAnnie just to let you know the earth is not the largest ~~~~it's the sun...What a boy... !~!~!

Here is Ben having a good time with lights out and us singing "Happy Birthday". He was so happy~! This was a video and I don't know how to put a video on my blog.. Lots of loud singing ~ in tune and out of tune.. But Ben loved it and we had a great time celebrating his 7th birthday...
           Went to church this morning and because Ben was with his Mom this week he gets to go to church with PaPa Dee Dee and me...The Sunday School is practicing for the Christmas Program ... He said after church that he had a great time and he loves singing to Jesus..He really enjoys going to church with us.. There was a baptism this morning and he was really fascinated with what was going on...he said he would like to someday go under that water just like Jesus did with John the Baptist.. (He remembered the story I told him couple weeks ago)..what a memory he has .. bless his heart.. He accepted God into his life, kneeling next to his bed awhile ago.. He said he wanted to be sure he was in the Lambs book of life.. on God's hand.. I cried..what a tender moment that was for me to listen to him give a heart felt talk to God..wanting God to be in his heart and his name on God's hand.. Sweet~!  What a blessing ~!
       Today was a warm,,rainy day.. After church we dropped Ben off to his Mom's house and we went to Culvers for lunch.. There were lots of people there.. When we got home I took a nap.. Isn't that what Sunday afternoons are for...?
Now I'm going to get some popcorn popped and get ready for the Amazing Race ....I really like this show..  So on that note..Have a Blessed Day~!~! ta ta for now from Iowa:)

Yesterday Dave and I went to Ben's house for his birthday party.. He was with his Dad on Tues.November 12 when it was his b-day but now he is with his Mom for a week and it's time to celebrate.. He wanted a marble cake so his Mom found a camouflage cake that would be good for Mind Craft theme.. She found a small toy in the toy Dept. of WalMart and ta da...the cake was complete.. Ben really likes playing Mind Craft.. I don't understand it but he does and it keeps him quite busy..
      Aunt Jodie sent him a book of Skippy Jon Jones and the stuffed Skippy Jon Jones.. What a delightful book.. He was so excited when he saw the stuffed Skippy Jon Jones.Skippy Jon Jones is a Siamese Cat and he has such big ears and a big head he thinks he is a Chiwawa..spelling all wrong , there is even a little Spanish language. It's a really fun book.  . He was elated...jumping up and down and hugging hugging with all his might.. It was so fun to watch.. His mom has lots of pictures..Even a video of us singing Happy Birthday and blowing out the candles.. I have so many great memories of birthdays I had in the past..Poor Dave has none.. His family did not recognize birthdays.. We had a great time and Ben had a good time playing with everything he got for his birthday...

Happy 7th Birthday Ben ..Yippee Ya--Hoo~!
We are going to the Cedar Rapids library today to check out some Skippy Jon Jones books.. and go to Ben's favorite restaurant... Pizza Ranch...
Have a Tiggeriffic Day~! ta ta for now from Iowa:)

The Joys of Life~!

This is my best friend, Holly...She is my prayer partner and my help when needed...we are at a Steven Curtis Chapman concert . We came with her family and other friends. It was a great concert and Steven Curtis Chapman is such a great entertainer.  It was fun singing along and praising God.. 

Friends like Holly are such a joy~!  People always ask if we are sisters.. Holly is 46 and I'm 69...quite a age difference.. I always tell people that we are actually twins...we were just parted at birth...  We always laugh.. I didn't meet Holly until we moved here from Ohio.. She has 2 children, Caryn and Nathan..age 11 and 15.. Her husband, Fred works at Collins Rockwell.  Has a great job . We had a great evening~!  Praising God~!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

In my devotional for today it talks about getting a Spiritual CheckUp...:

The Psalmist prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps 139:23-24)  

If you're wise you'll visit your doctor and get a regular physical checkups. You'll also go to God for regular spiritual checkups.  In what areas?  

1. Your salvation.  "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new"..(2Col 5:17) Was there ever a time in your life when you repented of your sin and placed your trust in Jesus to save you? Have you surrendered to Him and made Him Lord of your life?

2. Your devotional life. "I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day  (Ps. 119;97) "Your word is very pure, therefore Your servant loves it ...Do you read and meditate on God's Word each day?  Are your

personal devotions consistent and meaningful?  Do you try to apply the principles of Scripture to each circumstance you're in?

3. Your humility..God says "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isa 57:15 Are you quick to recognize and agree with God when you have sinned?  Are you quick to admit to others when you are wrong?  Can you rejoice at others' successes, even when yours goes unnoticed? Do you esteem others as better than yourself?  Do you live with a sense of dependence upon God?    

     Praise God if you have had a Spiritual CheckUp today...

The Lord searches every heart and understands every motive... God Loves Us So Much  ~!

Have a Tiggeriffic Day~! Ta Ta For Now from Iowa:)

I love snowmen and birds~!

This morning I took a picture of this card.. It's so whimsical and it just makes me smile..I love the colors and I love that whoever drew this card made the snowlady a necklace.. and earrings...Her purse is a bird feeder..Sweet~!~!  This is how our lives should be everyday...lots of smiles ~caring for others, even though these are birds... I was at the grocery store the other day and when I was driving down the street I saw this older lady getting off at the bus stop..She had two heavy bags and could barely walk..and it was raining.  I turned the car around and pulled up beside her ..;put my window down and said "Mam do you need a ride?"    She looked at me very surprised and then she said yes... She got into my car and I said "Do you live far?"  She said 1 mile ... Oh my , I said and you are going to walk in this weather?"  She said "Well it wasn't raining when I left the house.." I asked her if she had anymore shopping to do and she said she had a prescription to pick up at the Hy-Vee grocery store.. I told her that we could stop there and she could go in and get it...which she did.( I told her "Do you know if you call Hy-Vee they will mail it to you?) She said She didn't know that and thanked me. I then took her home and yes it was 1 mile away.. She thanked me over and over and wanted to pay me.. I told her "No, that if she paid me she would be missing God's blessing"... She had tears and told me that this had never happened to her before.. I told her that God must of placed me in the right place to see that she needed help.. I love helping other people whenever I can and it just makes me smile and just Thank God..~!
     This morning as I was sitting here at my desk  typing this and looking out window at the birds at the bird feeder. Drinking my coffee yum yum~! A small buck deer with a nice rack on his head walk to the platform bird feeder and then came up to the window where I was sitting and looked in....OMGoodness~! I just sat very very still and didn't move a muscle.. I wanted to take a picture so bad but knew if I even blinked my eyes he would run off.. So I just soaked in the wonderment of him looking at me and I looking at him and then he casually left and walked out to my vegetable garden and ate the apples I had left there early this morning..I just sat here watching him and then off he sprang...white tail in the air and running towards our pasture..  My oh My what a blessing that was to see something that magnificent eye to eye.. I just sat here Praising God ~!  There is beauty all around us,,we just have to be very still and be alert to see it and then enjoy it when it comes our way...God is so good and he loves us so much~!
      Knitting slippers last couple of weeks.. Got my son-in-law's done and in the mail and this morning I finished my daughter, Jodie's slippers (purple) ,,hubby took them with him and mailed them for me.. Jodie is going to be so happy.. She said her floors are cold and she can hardly wait to put these slippers on her feet.. Now I just cast on yarn for the 3rd pair of slippers.. Lime Green,,these are going to be for Ben... He requested a pair after he saw that I was making some for his Aunt Jodie.. He loves her so much..
I finally fiqured out how to cast on two pair slippers using circular knitting needles. Oh how nice this is: make two slippers at the same time.. I'm on a roll...
        Have a Tiggeriffic and Blessed Day~!~! ta ta for now from Iowa:)
       

The Hogs Have Arrived~!

 

This morning the sun is shining very bright and the snow is shining on the grass like small gems..The bluejays showed up this morning as usual and are hogging the food at the feeder.. They are so bright and blue with the sun shining on them brightly.  It snowed yesterday, just enough to stick to the grass and shine brightly this morning.. I can hear people moaning about this snow.. It's actually something that is suppose to happen here in Iowa..That is why sometimes Iowa is referred as the 5 seasons state.. We get Spring,Summer,Fall, WInter and then  sometimes Indian Summer... I love Iowa because of the seasons and the texture of the land.. Our neighbors are 1/4 mile away from my home in all directions.. Our school system that is near is only 350 students from K-12 grade.. We have 8 man football which this year almost got to go to state..Our Volleyball girls are having their first try at state Wednesday evening.. in downtown Cedar Rapids... Go Orioles~!Today is Ben's 7th Birthday~!  I will be seeing him at lunch today as I will be at school helping with the 2nd graders.  This computer this morning is going Whak-oo.. Underlining everything I tried to correct it but -. Oh well, I have no time to fiqure it out and it well just have to be what it's going to be.  I can hardly wait to see Ben at lunch.. I bought a cupcake for him and I'm going to sing to him, softly.. Wouldn't want to embarass him.. Lol...He is with his Dad this week and I haven't seen him since Friday. I'm sure his Dad and family have birthday plans this evening.  Tracie (Ben's mom) and I are planning on Saturday to have a big party for him.. Cake ice cream presents and all the exitement that goes with him turning 7.  It was 14 degrees this morning a little crisp....sun was shining and everything is O.K. and normal for Iowa.. If your day starts out with a moan or groan because of what you see outside.. just look at the bright side of life and make it into lemonade...smile  and look at the bright side of life..take a deep sigh  and start thanking God for all the blessings he has given you daily, every minute,every second and soon and very soon your gloom will bloom into a very happy productive day.. Turn the radio on  (only Christian music here)  and listen to the praise music.. and sing along with the songs you know.. Life is Good~! I just praise God and thank him for every blessing he has given to me..   Have a Tiggeriffic Day~! ta ta for now from Iowa:)

Woman's Retreat..

This last week=end I attended a Ladies's Retreat here in Iowa..As you came into the entrance of the camp this is what you saw.. Amazing ~!  It was so cool and the sun was shining just right that everything had a glow.. Especially with all the leaves in full fall color.. I sent this picture to my grandaughter, Kelsy and she said 'Oh GranAnnie this is where I went to church camp for many years".  She said she had lots of memories visiting here every year.. Kelsy is now 22 years old.. I had a great time here at this Women's Retreat.. This week=end it was in the 50's and the sun was shining and making everything seem warmer than it was.. IT was good to get outside and take a walk and have the leaves rustle as you walked through the paths..I could just imagine what it would of been like to hear the laughter of children and hearing them sing the camp songs at the campfire every evening. Kum By Yah~!  A lot of friendships were made and many memories ~!  The name of the camp was Camp Io Dis E Ca..    It was a great meeting of a lot of women who joined in song, fellowship and lots of prayer..
      This morning my friend, Holly and I went to the local Hy-Vee Grocery store ... Hy-Vee every year makes free breakfast for all the Veterans..The Boy Scouts volunteer their services and deliver their breakfast they have ordered to them personally and then gather their trays when they are finished.. I have gone for the last 3 years and I like to greet the veterans with a hand shake and hear their stories... Every year I learn something new and hear lots of new stories.. Of course there is always lots of tears because these men are so grateful that you want to shake their hands and listen to their stories..  I learned this morning that in order to be able to be on a submarine you had to take two tests to qualify.  WOW,,,without this test you would experience pressure to your ears if you didn't know what to do and your ear drums would burst.. I told him he was very brave... I met a man who was in World War 2 and he flew with the flying tigers.. Google Flying Tigers.. These boys (300) 1941 flew in burma and  volunteered to be able to fly in this group of courageous men.. He said his best friend was next to him in his airplane and he was shot down.. He cried.. This is what their airplanes looked like.. They look like flying sharks... These boys were very brave..   
       Most of the men I met today was in the Vietnam or Korean War..I told them it was a honor to shake their hands and tell them from my heart "Thank You"..

It's a great Friday~!~!

This is Natalia...she is in the 2nd grade that I volunteer for on Tues..and Fridays...She is such a beautiful young girl..Her mom and dad are from Russia and she was born here in America... I really enjoy her so much..She reads 6th grade level and her math is 3rd grade..She is a very sweet girl.. That is the Halloween shirt and pants I wore that day.. Natalia was Pippa Long Stockings . Her mom had put a wire in her braid so it could bend to look like Pippy Long Stockings hair.. she was so cute..
        
Today I get to go to my Church Women's Retreat.. It starts at 6 this evening and goes until 4 on Saturday.. It's going to be at a church camp... Teachings are going to me Manifestations of Insecurities...Being Secure in Christ....How Insecurities Affect our Relationships.. I love these retreats ~~it's a time to get away and be with other women..to pray..worship....sing..listen to teachings...laugh...and lots of encouragement.. My bags are packed and right after I get done helping the 2nd graders I'm off like a bat...ha ha..
Ben goes with his Dad tonight and poor Rocco well have to stay the night by himself.. But I'll be with him on Saturday night...  Tracie well be back home from Jamaica on Sunday...  She will have lots to tell us ~!
       Have a Tiggeriffic Day~!~!  ta ta for now from Iowa:)

Ben loving his dog Rocco~!

Ben loves his dog, Rocco~!  His mom went on a trip to Jamaica with her fellow workers and her boss that owns the Chiropractor Office.  Dr. Johnson..  So GranAnnie is staying with Ben and Rocco for a few days while mom is gone.. Ben said last night "GranAnnie take a picture of Rocco and me and send it to Mom and tell her We miss her~!"... AWWWW~! sweet. 
 She will be gone Wed. to Sunday...  Ben goes to his Dad's on Friday evening and well be with his Dad until next Friday..  I will miss him... His birthday is next Tues..11/12 and he will be 7 years old... We are going to have a party tonight...I bought him Star War Lego and he can put it together this evening.. He requested apple crisp and vanilla ice cream instead of cake.. So that is what I made today.. At 3:30 I'll get him at the bus stop.. He loves riding the bus..
        He was so excited when he got off the bus yesterday afternoon.. He had a good day and earned 26 points and earned some time to play legos with the librarian...Plus I bought some books at the book fair and gave them to the counselor to give him on days that he earned more points.. He loves books... He earned a book yesterday.. names Charlie..It's about a dog.. He has been working towards this book for many weeks.. 

This is Ben's teacher ,Mrs. Schlotterbeck.. Last Friday the school had Character Book Parade.. One was suppose to dress up like a character that is in a book.  Ben was Power Rangers.. his teacher is Skippy Jon Jones..  We love these books..  His teacher even has the stuffed animal..Which now Ben wants...mmmm?  birthday is coming up. Have a tiggeriffic Day~!~!  One more day and it's Friday:)  ta ta for now from Iowa:)