My Mom And The Truck

Our family has been putting together a cook book for our church and we had finished printing everything else but the cover. The cover was just trying to be difficult, I'm sure, but we had to print it in order to be finished by Christmas day when we planned to give it out. So, morning comes around, I get up and Mom informs me we need to go finish it. So we get all ready and walk outside to realized my dear beloved father had parked his pickup behind the van. Now anyone who knows my mother, knows she can't drive a stick. She used to but after flipping it (I think there might have been pigs involved) she decided not to anymore. But guess what? Dad is still in bed. Brilliant idea! Mom will try it! It may have been an idea but whether it was a great one is debatable.

So, she gets the keys, gets behind the wheel and puts the key in. Nothing. She sits there and stares for awhile and then gets back out. I look at her questioningly and she answers, "I can't remember how to start it."

We walk back inside, Mom deep in thought of how to fix this. Our neighbor, who was going to help us print the cover, would be meeting us down there any time and we needed to get the pickup moved. She spots my brother. Light bulb! "Hay, Peter, do you know how to start the pickup?"

I can't remember exactly how he put it but it was something along the lines of, "Of course I know how to start the truck." He gave us the exact same look he gave me when I couldn't get the tractor started because I forgot to turn the key. It was the look that said, "How could you possibly not know something so simple?"

So, Peter comes out and instructs our mother on what to do. I told him he'd better get in the other side just in case. So he gets in and they talk a little bit and then they start backing down the hill. You will never believe what the last thing I heard Mom say was. "Where's the brake?"

So I stood there, on the porch, watching my twelve year old brother and my mother drive away with the driver having no knowledge of where the brake is. I think it is sufficent to say I was now wide awake.

They got to the bottom of the hill/driveway and my mother did something. I'm still not sure what. But the truck made a very bad noise and died. My brother looked totally exasperated. Rolling his eyes, he got out and pushed it into place rather than try again with Mom.

So, even us farm people can have troubles. I guess some people think we're super heroes and know everything but that isn't true. My mom can pull two baby goats when they're trying to come out at the same time, but don't ask her to drive a stick.

Love you always, Mom!

Mandy

My Coat

I need hat, gloves and a scarf because I don't have any so Dad is going to try to find me some. But he needed to know what they needed to match. So I sat down with a paper and wrote this description for him (being the nice daughter I am.)

I need hat gloves and scarf to match...um...my coat...which is...ah...sort of purple/maroon...maybe...? Or a dark greeny-blue...sort of... Why are they having the partically color blind person explain this?

I gave up and showed him the coat.

Now you all know how bad I am at explaining things!

On a different note, we were making truffles to bring to our church. So Melissa gave me the option to melt the chocolate chips or cream together cream cheese and powdered sugar. I picked the cream cheese, thinking, "How hard can it be?" I soon learned just how hard it could be. One thing, hard cream cheese is hard to whip. Who knew? Solution: microwave it. Problem with solution: medal beaters in cream cheese. Solution #2: use hair dryer!!! So I took out the hair dryer and started blowing it. Guess what! It worked!!! The beaters still complained, tried to die, and smelled like they were about to start smoking but it did work!!! So now you know: hair dryers are good for thawing cream cheese.

And the truffles taste great!!! (And are Gluton free!!!!)

Merry Christmas!

Mandy

My Spanish and Book

Spanish is coming well and it is still fun. I can now say, "Alguno veces yo trabajar!" Which means, "Sometimes I work!"

I can say other things too. Like, "Yo amor rojo!" or "I love red!" I also have learned that "Perezoso" means lazy! (I know, kind of strange but aparently they like to call their burros lazy and I've been reading a lot about their burros.) I still love it and have starting writing stories in Spanish for practice when I feel like it! Very fun! I think I might start translating some of my other posts for practice because translating them will help me learn some common words. We'll see.

On a differnt note, I'd like prayer. Mom says we can send my first book off to the publisher January First. So, I'm going through my first book one last time and everything. Please pray. Thanks.

Mandy

Safe - Safe With Jesus

I have this picture that comes to my mind when I feel lonely or scared and if I close my eyes, it feels real. And I can feel the happiness and the peace and the love. In my image I'm held by a man, just the way my dad used to hold me when I was little and he'd carry me in from the car. One arm is behind my legs, the other behind my back and I know who he is: He's Jesus and he loves me. And I'm crying but it is from relief. “He's here, I'm safe,” I think. I bury my face against him. And when I close my eyes and see that picture I can feel it. I can feel the warmth and the happiness and the love He radiates. And I can feel him. He's here. He's here. He's here. And I hear a few, softly whispered words. "I love you, Mandy," he says. "Mandy, I love you." And I know that when I open my eyes and I'm back in the real world again, He'll still be here, whispering, "I love you." And I know that I'm safe.

Do you have a picture like that?

Mandy

Things I Like And Am Thankful For

I want to share random things I like for a random reason. So, I am.

I like little boxes. Chocolate. Coconut. Pineapple. Necklaces. Rings. Bracelets. Pads of paper. Note books. The look of ink on paper. Delicate glace things. The colors of the rainbow, especially bright, happy ones. Sunsets. The ocean. The words hope, love, happieness, and peace. Books. Writing, especially writing. Hats. Poems. Rocks. Writing reports. Mountains. Pictures. Drawing. Animals. Christmas. Thanksgiving. Family. Friends. Hair. Smiley faces. Music. Popsicles. Dresses. Tea cups. A dark brown mug with cute mushrooms that I have. Spanish. Games. Cookies. Cakes. Hard candies. Ordiments. Tinsel. Bells. The smell of flowers. Fancy script. Old manners and castles. Shinny stuff. Paintings. Fireplaces. And so, so much more.

Mandy