Until then . . .

While all sorts of fun and amazing things are happening at home, in my life and at school, one thing that's not happening right now is time . . . because of that, I'm choosing to suspend writing this blog "until then" . . . whenever "then" may be - it may be a month or two or maybe forever . . . but when the time is right, I'll be back!  Hugs to all!  Margo

Blood Donor Day!

 

LOL!  We took two cars to give blood today because Micah was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to give.  She was called in before me, but my person was quicker!  I knew my iron level before she did.  In fact, I was giving before she even got the results!

Her guy had absolutely no need for speed and he definitely did not RACE to take her blood.  I gave and was ready for snacks before she even got her initial poke.   But we were both able to give and had another good time sharing our blood! 

And, yes, I waited for her to finish, sharing stories with the ladies at the check-in and snack bar . . .

What's that hair . . .

The stories you can't make up are always the best!  From the mouth of one of Sam's fifth graders yesterday re: his mustache:

"Mr. Zupke, I want hair on my lip like you.  How did you get it?"

"Puberty and you'll get it."

 

Thankful Thursday!

I ran out of time yesterday before I could post "Thankful Thursday", and now that it's Friday - I honestly don't remember what I was going to post yesterday - which tells you the sad statement of my mind!  So we'll ad lib, and I'll just tell you the things I'm thankful for today:

• I will always be thankful that the rain held off and we had outdoor recess!
• Micah brought home four containers of lasagna last night and four containers of potatoes, two with onion and two with cheese!
• We're having lasagna for supper - and I didn't have to make it!
• Our next-door neighbors are having lasagna - thank you, Micah!
• And Jen, from work - her family is having lasagna, too!  Two of her boys, who she describes as "picky eaters", promised me today that they would try it!
• I completed my WSI training today - an entire week before it expired!  And it's good for two more years!
  
• The pool reopens on Monday and I'm already signed up to swim! 

Not to mention - it's Friday!  So much to be thankful for!

School Began!

The first day of school was yesterday!  My school, Oak Hills Elementary, houses the Districts' Ignite program - but does not provide busing for the Ignite students, so the first week or two of school, drop off is a virtual NIGHTMARE!

Since I now start at 8:45 a.m., I am always going to need to arrive in the midst of drop off traffic.  I decided yesterday that I did NOT want to be in line for a minimum of half an hour (seriously, drop off started at 8:35 a.m. yesterday and ended at 9:15 a.m.) so . . .

I rode my bike to work!  What a hoot!  It's the first time I've biked to work since the 1980's!  It was great!  I passed students walking, I waved to teachers, I saw former students!  My favorite, though, was the kinder who said to me, "My mom used to ride a bike, too, when she was younger."  

The Benefits of St. Paul College

You may or may not know this - Micah is pursuing her baking certificate at St. Paul College this year.  Her classes are from 2-8:55 p.m. Monday - Thursday.  We didn't realize the benefits of her baking certificate included carrot soup, minestrone soup, tomato soup, lentil salad, American potato salad, German potato salad and Caesar salad - and that was just this week!  We are so looking forward to lasagna next week and whatever else the future holds!!!

Stay tuned for further updates in deliciousness . . . 

NLFS September eNewsletter

We are a New Life Family.  We last saw Tammy, NLFS Executive Director, at the Women's Night Out Event in August when she came up to Micah's table and said, "Did you bring any gluten-free items this year?" to which Micah had to respond sadly with a "no".  Of course, Tammy then asked Micah to "please, please, please bring gluten-free baked goods next year."  This newsletter just broke my heart because this is an organization that has done so much good for our family . . .

Dear Friends,  I want to be transparent with you today and tell you that my heart is heavy. It has been  a challenging summer for pregnancy centers like New Life. On June 24th, when the  U.S. Supreme Court decision was announced, the celebration felt short-lived as we knew there was much work to be done as our services would be needed now more than ever…and pregnancy centers became a target for attacks.   While there is so much to be grateful for, I want to give you a picture of the current  climate in which we serve and live. You may have heard some rumblings about #JanesRevenge – a pro-abortion group threatening and attacking pro-life organizations because of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. They have firebombed and vandalized centers. And while so far, we have not been the target of the most extreme circumstances, we have not avoided it all.  These posters were posted all over the            Phillips community near our new building  We have had consistent sidewalk chalk outside our University office saying similar things We have had inflammatory and disparaging articles       —-written about us  Most recently, our own Minnesota Attorney General      —- issued a consumer warning against pregnancy centers I often think (naively), “If they could only see what we really do, surely they would  change their minds about us.” And then I remember Jesus. He (unlike us) led a perfect, sinless life and yet was betrayed, beaten, and crucified. However, that is not the end of  the story, and these attacks are not the end of our story either.   As discouraging as these attacks are, the truth is – the people hurt most by them are  our clients. Single mothers, hurting families, and those who are sitting in the midst of  crisis in need of support. Women and men deserve a welcoming and safe place to work through an unplanned pregnancy; where they can process their situation without pressure or judgment. A place that will walk with them today, tomorrow, and for years to come.  We exist to value, listen to, and care for people in crisis. I would like to be bold in asking you to stand in the gap for our clients today. Here are five very tangible ways you can help:  PRAY – Sign up to receive our in-the-moment prayer messages by texting PRAY to 612-482-4400 or join us for in-office prayer. Visit your closest center for one hour per week to pray over our staff, our clients, and the work that we do. Prayer is the most powerful thing we can do!--------------------------------------------------------------------------- BE FAMILIAR  – Know what we do and let people know about us. These current accusations about pregnancy centers are categorically untrue about New Life, and quite frankly, untrue about the many other organizations I know personally which have been attacked. If you ever have questions about what we do or how we do it, -I am always happy to talk with you directly! nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn VOLUNTEER – We need Spanish-speaking volunteers in our centers. NNNNNNNNN SHARE OUR JOB OPENINGS – We are very short-handed and need additional staff to continue serving clients well and to be able to open our new location in nN the Phillips community of Minneapolis. Do you know someone who might be the perfect fit? NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN. NNNNNNNNN. NNNNNNN GIVE – You can support the work of New Life Family Services financially. - -Whether it is a one-time gift or you choose to give monthly, your generosity will make a difference.   While the political divide continues to grow, New Life has never been about politics. For nearly 50 years, we have focused on being the hands and feet of Jesus to those in the midst of an unplanned pregnancy. We help those hurt by abortion find the healing and redemption Christ offers. We build families through adoption, and so much more. New Life has never been more committed to our mission, and we are so incredibly grateful for you! “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret  when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked  schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret –  it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed,  but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”                  — Psalm 37: 7–8 Sincerely,  Tammy Kocher Executive Director

 

The ULTIMATE Lazy Man Triathalon

The Y sponsored a Lazy Man Triathalon this summer from June 6-August 28.  During that time, I needed to:

Swim 2.4 miles

Bike 112 miles

Run/Walk 26.2 miles

While texting my biking friend, Beth, I shared that I hadn't gotten on a bike in well over two years.  In fact, I had found the following equivalents:

1 mile swim = 4.2 miles running

1 mile run = 3 miles biking

1 mile swim = 12.6 miles biking 

We determined that she would bike the equivalent of a Lazy Man Triathalon and I would complete it without ever getting on a bike!  We were both successful!

Check out my end totals:

Total Swim Miles: 80

 Total Run Miles: 95

Using my equivalents chart, I have determined that I accomplished well over FOUR Lazy Man Triathalons this summer!  But will the fact that I never got my bum on a bike stop me from winning any prizes from the Y? 

Thankful Thursday!

My "Thankful Thursday" occurred on either Wednesday or Friday this week - take your pick!

WEDNESDAY

On Wednesday, I found out where I would be "stationed" as a tutor at Oak Hills this coming school year.  It has been said for the past year or so, that it would be my turn to be stationed in kinder-land.  I have zero to no desire to be stationed there, so I spent my summer praying that God would place me where I could best serve Him.  I found out on Wednesday that my home base will be in the fifth grade wing😁 where I've spent my last two years.  To quote Jen, who was in kinder-land last year, "You little rascal!  That sounds fantastic!"  I am ever so thankful.

FRIDAY

I got the results of my MRI today and I DO NOT have a stress fracture in my foot!  I have arthritis.  Dr. Paul said to take the cam boot off (I did!), Aleve the pain (I will!), and purchase "forefront rocker" shoes (this weekend!).  Thank you, Jesus!