February Archives Import

February 13, 2009: "CH-CH-CH-Changing" More changes. What can I say? I’ve finished the study on incorporating photographs, and finally learned how to post photo albums. I invite everyone to submit a family picture and I’ll create an album for them. The thing about family pictures – they need regular updates!! I’ve also added some family resources, thanks to Jay’s work. On the "exchange" page you’ll find a link to a comprehensive listing of birthdays and anniversaries. There’s also a link for a family address book, but it is not quite ready. That will come. What I would appreciate more than anything, is a quick email from everyone giving me the email address they want listed – the only one they prefer to get family mail on. I, for example, have 3 different email addresses; each one for a different purpose. One of the cool things about having my own domain is that I can attach an unlimited number of email addresses to it. So anyone wanting an email address of "@iowanorth.ca" need only ask! All of the "submission" links in the website, give you an email form that goes to karen@iowanorth.ca. Next week Linda and I will be in Toronto. After that, I hope to post a ramble about our trip instead of more stuff about this site! Won’t that be a refreshing change! February 10, 2009 Last night we held our annual congregational meeting at church. Being Clerk of Council I got to sit through the meeting recording all the questions asked, answers given, motions and vote results. After the meeting I found myself reflecting on the last 2 ½ years of my term as an Elder. There have been months, with incredibly long Council meetings, where I wished I wasn’t an Elder! Overall, it has been a good experience, though not what I expected. There have been tough issues to deal with. There have been lots of good discussions. There has been laughter. There has been sharing. I have only 4 months left in my term. In some ways I will miss meeting with my fellow council members each month. We have worked well together and formed some strong bonds. In actuality, my stint as an Elder may not be finished. Though my term as a Council Elder is ending, I may be staying on as a Shepherding Elder for another year. Last fall we started a new format for Elder Districts. I am just beginning to establish relationships with the people in my district and would welcome the opportunity to continue as their Elder for another year. I guess we’ll see what God has in store for me over the next few months. February 6, 2009 So, yet again the site has changed. As I work through the instruction, I try to do some practical application by incorporating my new-found knowledge into my website. If nothing else, you’ll have to keep checking back to see what I’ve done now! I admit this site may look a bit raw, but I’m really enjoying this course and learning all about building, publishing and maintaining a website. Most recent changes: 1. The photos are no longer in a slide show. Instead they are in a photo album. You can click on any picture to see it enlarged."Ramblings", which is my version of a blog, has a different look and you can access past Ramblings. I’ve added the blogs I like to follow on the "Pages" page. I started a blog a few months ago just to see if I liked blogging. I do and I don’t. It sure is a lot of work! But I love the connection it has given me to my nieces and nephews. I’m hoping everyone who follows my blog at "omamama" will re-direct to this site. I’d prefer to only maintain one site. And finally, PLEASE send me your comments and suggestions or even some content to include on the "exchange" page. February 4, 2009 Today is the 28th anniversary of my first child's birth. Her life to this day has taken many turns -- some expected; others unexpected yet wonderfully received. Expected: She is an artist. From the age of 2 we already saw her love to grasp a crayon and create. By age 6 she was making paintings that had the perspective of a much older artist. Pencil and paper are always within reach for a sketch, a doodle, an idea. Unexpected, yet loved: Her husband, Elliott. She always declared "I will never marry" -- we're glad she failed because we love Elliott. In fact, when they parted for a few months, it was hard for all of us to have to "break up with Elliott"! Expected: Pets. Her home is full of pets -- her own and occasionally pets of friends. Her companions growing up were Halley, Brandy and Topaz. Now she has Saul, Harvey and Gold Dust. Unexpected: Her move to Toronto. Okay, perhaps in the back, far reaches of my mind it was expected. It's the perfect place for Dayna and Elliott. We miss them every day, but visiting them in Toronto opens our eyes to the fact that this is where they should be. So ... Happy Birthday, Dayna! We toast your 28 years and send our love