All About me

I’ve never been a blogger…..never thought I could be a blogger. I’d have to start off writing about myself. I’m never any good at those quizzes about yourself…”what do you think about this?....what do you like/dislike?...what would you do in this situation?” Makes me think too much. But…our Pastor’s wife, Tammy, asked me to lead a Scrapbooking Bible Study after the first of the year. In my quest for a study, I found one that is called “This is My Story”, a scrapbooking legacy of faith. I am so excited about it, however, it means a lot of journaling about events, feelings,…..me. A lot of thinking… Well, I turned 58 yesterday and did a lot of reflecting about my teen years, twenty’s, thirty’s, forty’s, fifty’s……….and what will my sixty’s be like. I realized that’s a pretty long time and surely there are stories there to be remembered. Surely there are things my kids and grandkids will want to know about me that they never asked and I never volunteered. So, here’s the first installment. What I am not:

• A gardener, who grows wonderful tomatoes, corn, green beans to give away to family and friends (like my sweet, generous cousin, Jeanette, does)
• A quilter, crocheter, needlepointer, seamstress (like my gifted mother who was always making something and has left her memories everywhere in my house) Oh, sure, I made the kids some clothes when they were little, but my sewing machine has only done hemming for the last twenty-five years.
• A pianist who can play anything beautifully (like my friend, Cozy). (I played the clarinet in school from 5th -10th grade. Last time I tried, I couldn’t even make a sound come out of the instrument)
• A world-champion barrel racer (like I dreamed of being when I was young)
• A runner, biker, hiker, tennis player, golfer (my faithful treadmill has been my athletic skill for the past few years. Just recently joined a fitness center) I did play volleyball and softball in my younger years – just for fun. And sometimes play a round of golf with my husband.
• A gourmet chef – my man likes meat, potatoes, and gravy. If I try anything new, it’s for my Bunco buddies.
• Poet, writer, painter (unless you count painting the rooms in our house and the floors, [accidently] )

What I am:

• A child of the King. I gave my heart to Jesus when I was 9 years old.
• A wife – to my husband, Gary, for 39 years and counting. Our story is another blog in itself.
• A mother – to our children, Gary Todd, born April 19, 1970; Matthew Paul, August 26, 1972; and Wendy Rebekah, March 28, 1975.
• A grandmother – to our grandchildren, Lucas Andrew Bischoff, born May 3, 1999; Bailey Rebekah Bischoff, November 29, 2000; Micah Steven Bischoff, May 20, 2002; Ruth Ann Bischoff, October 9, 2003; Gavin Matthew Wallace, August 1, 2001; Karis Rose Wallace, Stillborn August 29, 2003; Jadon Creed Wallace, October 17, 2004; Haven Elizabeth Wallace, June 3, 2006 and Jude Ezra Wallace, due February 13, 2008.
• A scrapbooker – I have books started for all the grandchildren. Started is the key word. Keeping them up is the hard part.
• A 1st Grade Sunday School Teacher and Awana’s handbook counselor for TNT (3rd – 6th grade)
• Administrator/Ministry Assistant for Bob Caldwell and Global Encounter Ministries – fortunately I have an office in my home which allows me to babysit whatever grandkids need me. At this time it’s Jadon and Haven for 3 ½ days a week.
• Caretaker of the ponds and the frog – I have two fish ponds with 7 goldfish in one and 7 koi fish in the other. Inside we have a Fire-bellied Toad named Poison who eats crickets. I know there are ????’s in your mind.
• A collector – dishes and quilts from my mother and grandmother, four chests full of memories, not to mention the tubs in the basement full of 1) Pez dispensers, 2) band-aid boxes, 3) old toys, - I really have trouble throwing things away.

What I love:

• Long drives with my husband
• Shopping with my sister
• Watching the deer graze in our backyard
• Going to the zoo, or park, or Silver Dollar City, or anywhere with my grandchildren
• Snuggling under the covers when it’s raining outside
• Sitting on the deck drinking a cup of tea, reading a book and listening to the birds, squirrels, and anything else that’s residing in our yard.
• Reminiscing with my brother ....he knows so many stories about our grandparents
• When my kids share their hearts with me
• Swimming
• A restaurant with great ambiance and food
• Second service worship at our church - the band, the praise team, the songs.....
• Making the perfect scrapbook page
• Christmas!!! I love, love, love Christmas!! Buying presents for everyone…..the Nativity Pageant….The whole family being together on Christmas morning…..everything!!!
• Family Game Night (This happened for a very brief period a few years ago. And the kids know that anytime we are all together, I am going to drag out some games. The girls are all for it. The boys …well, there is usually some kind of ball game on TV)
• Playing Bunco with my girlfriends

I'm sure I will think of more things to add to these lists, but this is a pretty good start and it wasn't really so hard. I will add pictures and stories about my family when I figure out how. We'll see how often I post. I may be lucky to get one a week.