Yes, my sister, Colette and her hubby Ken survived 40 years of marriage in a "stubborn German" household. Mind you, it is the household, certainly not Colette and Ken who are stubborn. The family is flying and driving in from all parts to celebrate this occasion. The whole original wedding party (minus one) will be there too. It is amazing that they are all still alive and kicking.
I am obsessing and I don't usually do that. Really want to be the best that I can be for my sister and the family portrait. The last one we did was 16 years ago and it left much to be desired. Let's see. My hair hasn't been colored in over seven weeks but it isn't too bad. My perm is at a stage where it is looking fairly good. I can't see the new wrinkles because by the time the mirror is far enough away to see without glasses there Are no wrinkles. When the mirror is up close with glasses on? Well, I never do that to myself.
OK, I guess I will try the hair color. Never mind that it is a color I have never tested. Ohhh, what is that skin under my chin? I am only seeing that now that I have the magnifying mirror in place to get the color just right.
Timer set. This batch of Loreal is a bit different than the last. Hope it works.
Oh, no, just looked at the airline requirements for packing, to check luggage or carry on, that is the big question. It was solved for me when I noted that if I check something it COSTS and I have to be there 30 minutes earlier. Getting up at 3:30 is not what I had in mind. 4:00 AM is not the best but a small price to pay for living in the middle of an elk filled mountain meadow.
Oops, the timer is going off for the hair color. Well, it is a little redder than I thought chestnut would be but actually not bad. Oh, no, the color chemicals made the top go flat and that's the whole reason I get a perm to have height on top!
Time to repack into a carry on because 3:30 AM just is not on the calendar and I can't do that to Mick who needs to be awake to work. I want to take Colette's Christmas gifts so that means less clothes for me. What can I do without? Then I find out that lipstick is a liquid as is mascara and all the liquids have to go into a quart zip lock baggie. Now that I have repacked I am seriously thinking that perhaps 3:30 AM IS on the calendar and I should check the bag.
Lord, am I making a totally bigger deal out of all this than I should be?
It will be great to see the family. Really soon Marli, Ted and the "babies" will ship out to Korea where Ted has his first command. We will not see them for 2 years or more. This time will be precious to us all and I get to share a trundle bed with Maggie, the five year old.
I haven't seen my nephew Paul and his wife Talitha in four years they are now expecting their first baby AND I get to connect with them in Dallas for the flight in to Cedar Rapids. Yep, I go to Texas to go to Iowa but at least I don't need to be concerned about snow at that airport to hinder the flight plans.
My other niece, Aimee, will be driving into Iowa and that will complete the family who doesn't live there. Ken's sisters live in Cedar Rapids and it is always a joy to spend time with them! If his brother Mike and family comes it will be a hoot. I think the last time I saw Mike he was eleven years old.
We will definitely have a full house and full hearts too. . It is Colette and Ken's stubborn, persevering love that has given us all this beautiful family to enjoy. My only regret is that my Mick has to stay home and work to make this all possible for me. And what a blessing he is!
Talk to you all when I get back. I will be off-line for almost two weeks, a first since joining SearchWarp a bit over two months ago.
(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with proper credits.
Marijo Phelps was saved by His grace in 1974, from 9 years of
professing atheism into His loving arms. She lives with her husband in
the middle of a mountain meadow. She is wanting to spread the good news
about His redemptive plan for our lives through written media. Her name
is pronounced Mary Jo (her dad got cute with the spelling of it). She
was an RN for 23+ years, missionary with YWAM then statistical analyst
for Every Home for Christ over 9 years. She had her first poem
published when she was four years old (her mom might have had more than
a little to do with that!) She has been writing ever since. You can find more of her
You made me chuckle, Marijo! I've had some colorful adventures with my hair also and what is up with these airlines?! I hope the rest of your trip is smooth sailing.
Marijo! You made me laugh! I love this piece. You are a great story teller. Only thing missing is a picture of your hair!! Have a blast! Lord bless you. We miss miss eachother is passing for a bit! You will be missed. Big hugs and happy flying! T
Don't get a hernia with the boxes! My hubby remarked to your's and Terry's comments on eternal secutity that if a believer can walk away then it is conditional on that - I said SEMANTICS. Stay close to our Jesus and we will not have to find out! Marijo
Amen, gilie, Amen!!! I think the issue lies in what one means by "conditional" as in "works related - or being good enough" that is not biblical, it can get crazy can't it? That is all the more reason to learn and grow and discuss, not split hairs and divide the body of Christ over it. :-)
Have a blast with that red-ish hair!!!! Get some sleep!
The title and first sentence promised much more than was delivered,here,sadly.A cutesy story, maybe, but nary a single syllable or one word about what was imlpicitly promised; about why and how anyone was or is "stubborn".You should have focused much less perhaps on hair cosmetics preparation content and some more about the social dynamics of the 'stubborness' that was looked for but never touched on or discussed;I felt disappointed.Hope you have a good time.
You have some valid points there - I did get back to their stubborness in this sentence "It is Colette and Ken's stubborn, persevering love that has given us all this beautiful family to enjoy." there could have possibly been a better title choice. Thanks for your comments. Marijo
You write with delightful humor and I enjoyed the article. Chuckled because I could sense anxiety but determination. I'm from a german household and things had to be as near perfect as possible. One comment, I believe, that would make this a five star article is to develop the title (i.e., stubborn, german household) in a little more depth.
» left by Hilda Cang(180) Hilda Cang (10 days 12 hours ago.)
Very interesting article this one and I hope you are having lots fun with your family. Who knows after two weeks you will have more things to share with us. God bless!!
Sounds like a blast! I grew up in a stubborn German household. My husband and I have created a stubborn Italian/German household. Wouldn't change it for anything. My kids hope their households are as full of fun and love as what they grew up in.
Thanks Shari - we are in the middle of this all and laughing and laughing - everything from parking brooms in the garage jokes to more serious stuff! Thanks for your comments, Marijo
I love articles like this one---all about family get-together and family reunion. Well done and I can feel the passion and love from your writing. Thank you for sharing. Have fun and enjoy. ~Nenita~
This article is more a blog posting than an "article," but the subject matter is also just not my cup of tea. However, I hope the reunion/anniversary went well.
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