Hostage Situation

You probably won't hear about this on the news, so here's your insider scoop on a hostage situation that took place today in the city of East Grand Rapids.

A woman in her early thirties was held in her home today, unable to leave the house or place phone calls. An unidentified man, known only as "The Washing Machine Repair Man" was never actually seen on the premises, but the woman claims his promised arrival essentially amounted to a hostage situation. "He said he would call before coming, so I jumped every time the phone rang. I had to quickly get other callers off the line, so I could take his call. I couldn't even go to the office, because what if he called? What if he came to the house, and no one was here? I felt as trapped as if he were standing at the door, blocking my exit."

She finally took a risk, and put an end to her hostage status this afternoon around 4:30. Hoping "TWMRM" wouldn't notice, she drove to work and the grocery store, hurrying back quickly in case the anticipated call had come. Fortunately, the only missed phone call was from her sister.

This isn't the first time such an incident has occurred, but she hopes it will be the last. "The only thing worse than doing laundry is being unable to do it when needed."

Kira's Tribute to Grandma

Kira was SOOO poised and beautiful as she read this!

Mother's Day Tribute

Mom was asked to line up 3 generations to give toasts/tributes at the Mother-Daughter banquet at her church, so she enlisted help from Kira and me. The coordinator gave Mom a packet of "really nice" poems that we could look through to pick something to read. We decided to write our own, although I don't know how I thought I could top "Happy Pother's Day." We were also asked to keep the toasts somewhat generic and impersonal so everyone in the room could relate to it. I broke the rules and wrote my own very personal tribute to a definitely not generic mom.

Here it is...

I don’t remember very much about my early childhood. I remember I was happy and not overly concerned about life. I don’t remember very many specific things that you did to make my life safe and happy. But I have since learned to appreciate that maybe, just maybe, your extraordinary love defined our family so much, that I came to see it as a given. It was just part of who you were, and continue to be.
It was there when you took me into your bedroom and helped me pray for Jesus to accept me as His child. It was there when you worked only school hours to be home for us. It was there when you had no-bake cookies and hot chocolate waiting on cold days. It was there when our VBS ride forgot to pick us up and you walked us down to Baskin Robbins and bought us ribbon barrettes, earning you the title of coolest mom to an 8 year old ever!
Your extraordinary love was there when you taught me that it’s better to spend money on people and relational experiences than things. It was there when you let me curl up on your bed and act like your little girl even when I was a teenager. It was there when you hugged me so tight to keep me close, and when you let me go to be myself.
Your love has stayed with me as I’ve grown and has grown to encompass my husband and my daughter. When I pray with her, when I make her cookies, when I curl up Japanese-style with her, and when I let her make her own choices, I’m reminded again of the wonderful mother I have in you.
Thank you for your extraordinary love, always.

Mom forgave me for breaking the rules...

Happy Birthday Jersey!

I can't believe I did this, but I actually bought Jersey a birthday present. Don't worry, I haven't gone so far over the edge that I expect anyone else to acknowledge my dog's birthday.

To commemorate his very big day, we gave him a bath this morning. He actually was pretty good today - he didn't drink the soap or sit as I was trying to wash his behind. And he waited until I closed the shower curtain to shake. So, good dog! But it still took almost an hour to dry him! Fortunately, he stood up while I was drying his fur. He usually sits, and ends up with a funky cowlick on his rear from his fur drying like that. So, pretty dog, too!

He also got to visit the vet today, and have blood drawn to test for heartworm. He kept still (well, his tail was going a mile a minute, but that didn't matter!) He didn't even flinch when the tech had to stick him a second time and a third time. Apparently, he has tough veins, and they still only got about 4 drops of blood. I would say poor guy, but I'm not even sure he noticed.

Here's Jersey at 1 year old, enjoying his new red blanket that is all his own!