Grover has arrived!

After a long weather-related delay, Grover Cleveland has found his niche in Rapid City. Click on the title to see the RCJ story.

Our Saturday Adventure

My three youngers and I went to the Big City on Saturday for an indoor soccer tournament. Youngest son was in the tourney and had to check in at 11:00 a.m. The first game was at 12:30 and the second (and last) game was at 7:30 p.m. We had a lot of free time, so we did what most any Small Town visitor would do--we went shopping! Oh, the bookstores! And the Craft Store! And the Sporting Goods Store! And the tired feet!

Alas, our little team of U10 (under 10 years old) couldn't pull off a victory, but they played valiantly. It snowed lightly all day and was picking up quite a bit when we headed for home. Then my worst nightmare happened. The pickup quit running. A call home put my Knight In Shining Armor in action. He arranged for a tow truck to come from Small Town to Big City to get the pickup, and he borrowed Lovely Daughter's car to come get us. In the mean time we were to walk to the convenience store that was known to be somewhere close by because it was COLD and we needed to get to a warm place to wait. Have I mentioned I have a knack for getting lost? I naturally headed the wrong direction. After about a half-mile of walking and coming to the realization that there was no store of any kind around, a Good Samaritan stopped and offered us help. She was a very kind lady, driving her mother home, but went out of her way to take us to the convenience store and make sure we had a ride home. Thank you, kind lady!

After some hot chocolate and a nice visit with my children, my Knight showed up, as well as the tow truck guy. We got home by 11:00 p.m. and were very grateful for a warm house and warm beds. I knew God wanted us to learn something from this, and I was reminded how important my attitude is. When the pickup first quit I felt the panic rising and my hands started shaking and my teeth started chattering. Then it hit me. This could be a "disaster" or an "adventure", and it was up to me to decide. I chose adventure (tiny pat on the back here). I enjoyed my children. We had a great uninterrupted visit as well as some leg pulling and wise-cracking. But I do NOT plan to go to the Big City again any time soon! Ha!

Resolutions

How could a person NOT want to write in this lovely journal?

One of my (many) New Year's resolutions is to keep writing, keep this journal up to date. My youngest is keeping me company, writing in his journal every night right along with me.

Peeking out from behind is last year's journal. I have several pages to fill in and I'm hoping my memory holds out.

Afternoon Walk

On my afternoon walk today I saw... the sun! 

Sunshine has been scarce the last few days

so I was delighted to point my face into

it's rays.

I also saw a bit of nature art.

Yesterday snow covered everything.

Today our pond is filling up.

What's this I see? Green leaves? 

Well, yes, they are just weeds, but they are green and it's January. Spring fever anyone?

"...things that were,

and things that are,

and things that yet may be."

Galadriel, The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien