Reveries....

Nov. 17, 2016, 10:47pm

the moon peeks at me over the trees, like a God-wink.  "Heaven let your light shine down"... the radio plays the song of my heart!

Bibliophile: Fave Publishers

Tyndale is one of my favorite Christian publishers.  They have a program called Tyndale Rewards and I get points for linking them to my blog so I'm doing it here: Tyndale Rewards

Three Years Happy

Allen and I just got back from a 3 day, 2 night stay at Comfort Inn Bethel.  We are celebrating our third year of marriage!  Not an easy road, but we've grown a lot together, individually and as a couple.  I love my man, my best friend, my confidante, my sweetheart, my "man-of-Steele."  Much (😉)!

whatcha doin'?

Winter is my "reading season".  Too cold to do much outside.⛄️

I didn't realize there might be an "issue" here until I looked at my Goodreads app and counted 16 books on my "currently-reading" shelf!  Usually it's more like 7 or 8!  Seems like a particularly boring winter?  Not when I have so many literary worlds to escape to! 😃

One book I'm rather proud of having on my shelf is "The Portable MLIS" (for the layperson, that's "Masters in Library and Information Science").  My health may have caused me to leave college early, but I can still study at home... and hopefully I will be able to do some long-distance LIS learning via computer & correspondence schools.  Brave new world, for Mrs. Steele, LAH (librarian-at-heart)!📚

Happy 2015!

Mrs. Steele

Next Saturday, December 21, 2013 is the three "month-aversary" of my marriage to Allen Steele.  My best friend, my kindred spirit, the love of my life.  It's a match made in heaven! (Thank you, dear Lord!!!)

Going to the chapel & we're gonna get ma-arried...

Just 34 days to go... woohoo!!  A helpful site with articles and advice for Christian couples: http://www.unveiledwife.com

[September 2013]

Two shall become one....

Exciting news: as of February 27, I am engaged to Allen Steele, currently of Tulsa, OK.
He's moving to PA in May and we plan to get married September 21.  Suffice to say I will probably be quite busy for the next couple months!

There is a season, turn, turn, turn...

                     April 2012

2013

2016

I'm Still Alive!!!

BWA-HA-HA-HA! And you thought I was never coming back! Well, I wasn't really intending to, it's just, I've got this *laptop* now, so I can post wherever and whenever I want, and that is very, very helpful for someone with CFIDS! I just have to get used to this keyboard, and start rationing energy for leaving the house and maybe driving to the library or a park or someplace where I can post w/out distractions (well, actually, someplace that has something interesting to distract me when I can't think of anything to type!) With it being summer, it will have to be someplace cool (most likely air-conditioned), as I'm super-sensitive to heat/humidity. I've mostly been using this computer for my Facebook "games". I play Farmville, Farm Town, My Town, Happy Aquarium, Barn Buddy, My Zoo, Zoo Kingdom, and sometimes Mafia Wars, Fish World, Fishville, Country Life, and SuperPoke Pets. My best neighbor is my best friend, Brian Myers. I'll have to post a separate entry about how he and I met -- it's a neat story! So, if you want to catch me between posts, ask to be my neighbor on Facebook! TTFN! Quiz: How addicted to Facebook are you?" (I'm 36%, according to this quiz)

Mind Wandering?

I used to fall asleep in my high school writing class. My favorite class, and my body made me SLEEP through it!! My teacher, Will Liegel (who could survive on less than 4 hourse of sleep a night), would glance at me, I'd look up drowsily, he'd nod imperceptibly, and my head would fall into my arms. What an angel he was! 'Course, I was acing the class, but still... all that rigamorole about class participation... And what's the deal about that: "class participation"? In college, I came to a sort of "arrangement" with most of my professors that I could miss class if someone took notes for me, and I showed up for tests. I ended up dropping out the next semester, partly because of a misunderstanding about regular class requirements vs. my interpretation of our "arrangement"... One particularly particular professor said I failed in class participation. Ok, uh, wait, uh, wasn't our arrangement that I could miss class (and hence "participation" in said class...). {frustrated noise} Then I have this question about "participation" itself. I'll try to say this without sounding pretentious, but I was always a superb student. Straight A's in grade school and most of high-school. But I always got comments about my lack of "participation". It frustrated me that most teachers calculated participation according to the same criteria for every student. I was a shy student. I didn't volunteer much information... that was the teacher's job, wasn't it? I didn't raise my hand, because I had no questions! I was quiet; helpful and obedient when chosen to perform a task. I answered questions asked of me, promptly and usually correctly. I was a teacher's dream student, compared to the guys who were throwing spit-balls, paper airplanes, and whispered imprecations at the teacher's back. So, the socially adept students got the points for participating. I was a "socially under-adept" (i.e. nerd) Suffice to say, school was an often-unpleasant challenge for me, and I was actually kind of relieved to be too tired to go anymore. I miss having a diploma and an alma mater. But I educate myself now, on my own time, using my own personally chosen curriculum. I always get an A in participation. And I can skip class any time I want!

Happy New Year!

Just want to wish anyone who's brave enough to come back here (i.e. those who never lost hope that I'd return!),

Xin Nian Hao! (Happy New Year!)

Missing Out On Life?

So my question is this: if I sleep away each day, am I sleeping through life, or is sleep my life? Either way, I wake up and my kitty has grown and achieved new things.

As you can tell, Heidi's arrival three months ago really added joy to my waking life! I'm a little worried about her appointment next month to be spayed. I know it's just routine, but not for her!! Anyway, as I gaze at her playing in the recycle-trash bag next to me, I know I would be heartbroken if anything bad were to happen! She makes me smile and laugh when I'm too tired to do much else. I guess maybe her middle name would more appropriately be "Blessing"!

Heidi's Resume

My kitty's resume:

Job Resume

Name: Heidi Bonk Lindenmuth

Age: 6 Months

Height: Apx 18"

Weight: Apx 6 lbs

Eye Color: Brown

Hair Color: Tumbleweed Blonde with White Highlights

Interests:

Bird Watching

My Family

Watching TV

Massage

Chasing a foam ball up and down the stairs

Catnip

Napping


Job Experience:

Able to save messages to folder in Juno format (only done this once)

Able to leave memo on phone answering machine (has done this several times!)

Able to thoroughly investigate unusual (and usual) noises

Able to make unusual (and usual) noises

Able to use my own body as a paperweight (and look very serious doing so)

Able to keep up with a cursor moving quickly on a computer monitor

Able to verify that shredded documents are indeed thoroughly shredded (by rolling in them)

Able to turn on and off the touch lamp on Sarah's headboard bookcase (and can do so at 3:00am when Sarah is trying to sleep)

Able to check out curious objects, especially on the inside of paper and plastic bags

Able to assist in compacting recycle paper products (puts whole self into this project)

Able to imitate a fainting goat without going stiff, and still look quite fetching and adorable

Able to protect Oma from her electric razor by hitting it with my paw with a very serious "don't ever do that again" look on my face

Able to "stand pretty" on my back legs and tap Oma's hand with one or both front paws in order to receive "treats"

Able to inspect all pages exiting the printer (very good at this and consider it my responsibility)

Able to jump 3-4 feet into the air, catch a 2" fur covered mouse and land on all fours! (I love practicing this activity and receive many compliments for this skill!)

Has done intensive research of the substance "catnip" (Nepeta cataria), finding it pleasantly intoxicating, yet not addictive (preferred scent: "Sarah's old shoes", a slightly more addictive odor)

Able to bring joy to my family by looking silly, being cute and mostly staying out of trouble

Comments: I am particularly interested in items that are "Under" other objects, and enjoy pursuing them. I am not comfortable about large shoes and am afraid of Oma's electric razor and it's case, black shoes and some other dark colored objects. Though some people call me timid, I am quite friendly and am very tolerant and trusting. I am very serious about my job and do take my responsibilities seriously!

Da Pur Ting!

Heidi has the sneezies. We think it's a dust allergy. Her first vet appointment is September 9th... I'll let you know how it goes!


Quiz: Veggie Tales/What character are you?

Thoughts On Suffering

Thoughts from my Mom: "I've noticed that after a tiring ordeal of suffering, relief can almost feel euphoric. I think this is how suffering and God's blessings go hand in hand - we don't appreciate the blessings nearly as much until we have experienced suffering. Our sense of joy is in direct proportion to how much we have suffered. I heard Joni Eareckson Tada on the radio last week talking about suffering. She believes God only gives suffering to those whom He trusts to handle it. I guess this means that those of us who suffer are really a lovingly chosen group, who are given an extra blessing in life in order to experience deeper joy and bring even more glory to our King of Kings!" Illness can be really humbling. I believe that God often uses it to make us think; to put us in a place where our daily activities can no longer distract us. One of the books I have found most comforting to read when I feel particularly weak and sick is Amy Carmichael's Rose From Brier. She describes the many, many blessings she received while being bed-ridden with a variety of illnesses. I am always amazed by her openness to God's mercies and her joy despite suffering! "God never wastes His children's pain."- A.C. Quiz: Which Book of the Bible are you?

Blogger in Absentia

Sorry y'all. Been sick for a couple weeks. Plus, everytime I thought of something in the middle of the night to write, I'd be too tired to write it down, and then completely forget! So here's a some stories about Heidi that my Mom wrote about:

"Heidi just turned 5 months old [August 10th]. She is a very adorable kitten most of the time and so submissive to us But well, Heidi is also kinda "stupid" - so stupid it is endearing! Today she was sitting on our bed watching herself in the full length mirror propped up close to [the side] of the bed. She does this every day when I wake up, stares at herself in the mirror and sometimes goes over and touches noses with "the cat in the mirror". Well, today, she was staring into the mirror creeping closer and closer to it 'til suddenly she jumped and went headfirst into the mirror - Bonk (which, happens to be her middle name!) - fortunately no damage done to either....

Heidi is also farsighted (she might be nearsighted too, not sure how to check that). Heidi can't see when we put certain treats onto a plate or the floor unless we place them on a contrasting surface. I figured that's how cats are, they're nocturnal and see better at night than in the day. I just feel bad for her.... I've been trying to teach her a trick - to stand up on her back feet to "sit up pretty" for a treat. She looks so adorable in that posture and I was hoping it would be good for her to learn a trick. But, even if I let her smell and lick the treat first, she can't see it when I hold it up so she starts to walk away..... I tap the floor to get her attention and she runs over to where I tap the floor looking for the treat. Sometimes I just feel so sorry for her I go ahead and give her the treat so I don't frustrate either of us. I truly believe if she knew what I wanted her to do she'd do it - she really "tries" to be good! Ya just can't help but love a really cute, half blind stupid cat!"

You Poor Things!

I know, I know, and it's probably a typical "beginning blogger" habit... I haven't written for almost a month. I have my hands full with Heidi, all the books I'm reading, doctors' appointments, and just being so-o tired! Forgive me. I can't say I'm repenting though. I've become an armchair traveler. I'm addicted to reading about China and unless I go blind, I'm not stopping. With the unpleasant summer weather, I've found reading to be my only consolation. My dream summer vacation: alone, in an air-conditioned room with a nice view, unobtrusive room-service, a stack of books on China, a cozy bed, and Heidi. Unfortunately, I'd have to sleep and eat. Well, I have to admit, I've got things pretty good as it is! Quiz: What Chinese symbol are you? Fun link: Mah Jong Mania (requires Shockwave)

Heidi "Dunk"

Heidi and I have bonded well. She is a gorgeous orange tabby with golden-brown eyes that tilt up at the outside corners. Heidi will be 4-months-old on July 10th. Still a kitten, 100%!! She doesn't sleep as much as I do, but she's fine with entertaining herself when I'm sleeping. And I haven't had to shut the door on her like my first kitten (who was only a few weeks old and wanted to nurse from me!).

Now, don't tell Heidi that I'm telling you this, but her first day here we heard a noise in the first-floor bathroom, and Mom saw her speeding away, shaking her paws with every step. A brief peek in the bathroom: the toilet cover was up and there was water on the seat... apparently Heidi accidentally took a bath in the toilet! hee,hee!

With spunk like this little 'un has, I've been too tired to think!

Quiz: What Kind of Cat Are You?

Lazy, or Intelligent?

"To do nothing at all is the most difficult thing in the world, the most difficult and the most intellectual." -Oscar Wilde

Suffice to say, I'm a "practicing" intellectual. The less I do, the more potential I have to learn something new. Thinking is most perfect when done alone, in the absence of any other activity. Wilde's point seems to be that thinking, as a solitary labor, is that which is most difficult. It has the appearance of inactivity, but it is the greatest challenge in a world defined by industriousness. Let me know if that sounds about right to you...