My Library Card

Since moving to South Carolina,I have been several places - but I hadn't yet made it to the library. I seriously cannot remember the last time I had a library card, but it had been a number of years and honestly, I was looking forward to it.

In my mind, I remembered the library cards of the past. When I was in elementary school, the library was in the basement of the courthouse. It wasn't a very big library, but I do remember how it smelled. My library card at that time was kept at the library, in a small metal "recipe box" along with everyone elise's. When I checked out a book, the name of the book was written on my card and the date stamped both on my card and on the flap on the back cover of the book itself.

Later on as an adult, I got to have my own library card in my possession. Perhaps because I was more responsible. Perhaps. In any event, the same type of system was used. I handed my card to the librarian and she put my individual number on the card from the book along with the stamped date. I believe she kept that card from the book.

But this week when I went to the library to get a card, it was an entirely different system.






As you can see, my library card is now a plastic card with my personal ID barcode and the little card fits onto my keychain. When I want to check out a book, I find it, take it to a self-check station, scan my barcoded card, lay the book (with it's own little barcode) onto the gray pad and viola, it prints out a little slip of paper with my name on it and the book's return date. And I'm outta there.

This kind of distressed me a little bit. I mean, there is virtually no personal contact at all. I can find the books I want (they still alphabetize them by authors) and I know how to scan etc. I could literally walk in and out of the library without as much as a "how do you do".

The good news? This library is very old. It SMELLS like a library. The floors creak. The stairs to the second floor squeak. The hand rail feels well worn. It is still very quiet, even with the many computer keyboards clicking away.

It is still a comfort place to be. All is not lost. Even though I carry my library card on the end of my keychain, the mystery and ambience of the library remains.

All is well.

Snow in the south

I really didn't think I would like it - but I was wrong. I loved it. Last week the forecast called for snow and sure enough, despite everyone thinking it wouldn't ever happen, we got snow! About 4" of beautiful, wet snow! It had been years since this area had received any snow so of course there were a lot of warnings out for the area - telling people to stay off of the roads, watch out for ice, and to stock up on food in case you were snowed in.

Smiling here - snowed in. Ha!

When it started snowing, I, along with many others, went for a walk. It was just so nice to walk with those big flakes hitting me in the face. I remembered many snow storms in Kansas and being snowed in - I mean REALLY snowed in! It was nice.... very nice.

Pay It Forward

Here's something new. My friend Laura had this on her blog and I signed up. It's called Pay It forward.... and here are the guidelines:

The guidelines: "I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise!"



The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.



"Want to participate? Be one of the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post and make the same promise on your own blog.

Not So Random Acts of Kindness and 365 days to do it in!

So, here goes! If you're interested in participating, just be one of the first three people to post that you would like to PIF! You don't have to be a knitter, you can hand craft - crochet, weaving, sewing, stamping up cards, anything that is "your thing".


Come on---you know you want to join us in the fun.

Ready? GO!!!!!

My Internal Yardstick

I have just realized that a lot of the things I "measure" are held up against Kansas.

Kansas is my home - I lived in Kansas for over 50 years. For me - this is what I measure things with.

Now being in South Carolina, I hold it up against Kansas. When people down here say that it is a cold winter, I say to myself "You've got to be kidding!! You have no idea what a cold winter is! Back in Kansas....."

When people say that the streets are icy, I say to myself "Seriously! Have you ever driven on a sheet of ice??? Back in Kansas....."

When we're in a restaurant, when I order iced tea, I am automatically given sweet tea. Well - Back in Kansas, you are given plain iced tea and you add sugar IF you want it.

It seems like nearly everything I do, I compare it to Kansas, with Kansas being the norm. With Kansas being "the right way". Interesting, because I'm sure anybody from any other state thinks the same thing about their area. I truly do know that just because I've done something the same way all my life doesn't necessarly make it correct. And I know that if some people can drive very well on snow packed roads, it doesn't make others wierd because they aren't used to it.

I know that I'll always have Kansas near and dear to me, no matter where I live. I am enjoying South Carolina very much and really am content with the location that I am in. But it will never be Kansas. There truly is - no place like home.

Christmas Notes

It's "that time of year" as we all say. It's the holiday season - it's December - it's CHRISTMAS! I have to tell you that this Christmas has been wonderful. I know that sometimes we say that it just doesn't seem like Christmas. Perhaps it "sneaks up on us" and we're just not prepared. Sometimes we are so busy with things that we just don't look forward to this time of year because there is so much to do. For me, this Christmas has been wonderful. I felt like I am mentally prepared for Christmas - in many more ways than one.

There are so many obvious things. I have been busy, like everyone else - and finding times to get the cards out and wrap gifts and decorate isn't always easy. But I've found myself really delighting in all of these things and looking forward to just sitting and enjoying the lights and the sounds.

There have been many years that I'm tired of listening to Christmas songs by December 15th. Not so this year. Each time I hear "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" it just makes me smile. I am so content in this season.

By now, the Christmas cards are out and of course everything is decorated. Cookies have been baked, presents bought and wrapped and plans for returning to Kansas are made. I'm giddy with excitement to say the least.

Last night I sat and watched some old Andy Williams Christmas shows. There was a fire in the fireplace (not really necessary in South Carolina, but we had one going none the less) and I had a cup of tea and a Christmas cookie. Was I content? You bet I was - beyond belief. Listening to him sing "I'm Dreaming of a white Christmas" just made me melt.

Do I miss the snow of Kansas? Yes I do. There are lots of things that I miss. I wish I could go with Braylon to visit Santa. I wish I could bake Christmas cookies with my daughters. But I am where I am and I am just as content as I could possibly be.

Now - with all the sights and tastes and sounds of Christmas aside - I have to say that I am the most content I have really ever been in remembering the birth of Jesus. I am content in this entire process being part of my celebration of His birth! I love the decorations and the smells and all of the trimmings that go along with the holiday. But I love most the fact that Jesus Christ came to earth - that God sent his only Son to be born in a humble stable. I am so excited to celebrate His birth - that indeed makes me giddy!

How blessed we are - how wonderful to be able to share this time of year with my friends and family - and to know that on this day......born in a stable.......the baby Jesus. For me.

Christmas blessings to each and every one.

Brothers and Sisters

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Last week, my Uncle Gene passed away. He was one of my Dad's brothers. In the past 1 1/2 years, three of the brothers have passed away.

This is a picture of the brothers and sisters - my dad is front and center with the suspenders on! Too cute!

This is a very close family - and the fact that the next time I go to the reunion in Estes Park there will be three less brothers is very sad for all of us.

This picture was taken in 2008 - and now Uncle Gene, top left, Uncle Bob, in wheelchair, and Uncle Bill (not present as he was very ill) are gone.

Family is so precious - and we are so blessed with this wonderful family. All of the cousins are very close and we will continue the family reunion tradition.




Here are the 1st cousins - the ones that were at the last reunion. I am very anxious for next May to come - so that we can gather again and talk - and remember - and "be closer" to those who have gone before us.

Introducing God - This is so good!