My Grandmother on my mom’s side died on or around Valentine’s Day a few years ago. She was a sturdy, healthy woman, who simply grew too old for her body to carry her. She died peacefully in her own bed, with my step-father, Gordy, by her side.
My mom was getting her hair done at the [...]

My husband and I recently visited my favorite local winery:  Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville.  I could spend all day walking around their grounds, chasing the peacocks, sipping a variety of wines, and poking through the gift shop.  We also took the free tour of the facility, followed by a wine tasting.
At our wine tasting, [...]

Recently when a girlfriend came over for lunch, I had to clear a path for her through the living room, then clear off the counter to make lunch, then clear off the dining table so we could eat.
We had a good laugh about it, mostly because in the humor of the moment I decided to [...]

The Last Day of GiveLove is tomorrow and we still need more canned protein items (tuna, peanut butter), baby food, formula and diapers, fresh produce, fresh milk, cheese and yogurt, nutritional supplements, plastic and paper grocery bags, unused food-grade plastic bags, twist ties, pet food, and white copier paper. Bring your donations in and [...]

On a recent trip to Mexico, my favorite activity, aside from eating and drinking, was painting pottery.  Forced to choose between misshapen turtles, overly large coffee mugs, flowery containers, Spiderman and Shrek figurines, and an assortment of vases. I decided to go with a vase, thinking it seemed the most practical (although I wonder if it [...]

I dragged my husband, kicking and screaming, to watch Disney’s Enchanted with me. Actually, he was a trooper. He knew his time was up. We’d watched too many guy movies in a row. It was bound to happen sometime soon.
All I wanted was a sappy, campy movie. I didn’t expect to learn something about Jesus [...]

If your family were to come on hard times, or were beset by a tragedy, or were somehow incapacitated, what would you do? How would function? How would you care for yourself or the others in your family?
I’m asking you, dear Readers, because you need people. You need call-you-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night friends. You need drop-your-kids-off-at-the-last-minute friends. You [...]

One of my favorite pastimes is destroying exercise bikes.  During a period of 4 years, I went through seven exercise bikes.  I finally got smart and purchased one with a service agreement, so now, I just get lots of visits from the Sears repairmen.  They’ve taken to naming my exercise bike, names which I can’t [...]

On Christmas Eve I preached a brief message on Matthew 13:44-46. I titled it, “Treasuring Jesus as Your Greatest Treasure”. We all desire fulfillment, satisfaction, acceptance, approval, peace and joy that endures and lasts longer than the average Mariner’s winning streak. If this is our goal, that which brings these things is of [...]

A few months ago on an espresso high, I was reorganizing my bookshelves in the middle of the night when I came across good old Ozzie. Chambers, that is. I read My Utmost For His Highest religiously in college (that was, um, seventeen(ish) years ago). Like most Christians in America, I set my copy next [...]