Kiev, Ukraine journal - 11-11-94 and 11-12-94

*Disclaimer: Please remember that I wrote these when I was 12! I could be a snarky brat! I also am typing these journals exactly as I wrote them, bad spelling and all, except I have abbreviated names to protect the innocent or not-so-innocent.

11-11-94

Today Michelle & I went to R's and spent the night. It was a blast. We painted our faces. We looked like monsters or something silly. Then we ate Indiana chili made by DC. We watched Beethoven 2nd. It was really funny I thought. We also played the game clue. it was really boring. After that we sat around and talked about a magazine (Teen). We watched Full House, Boy meets World, Family Matter, Free Willy and Hangin with Mr. Cooper the rest of the time. We went to bed around 1:00 A.M. on Saturday.

11-12-94

I woke up at R's apartment at 9:25 A.M. We had breakfast (Egg, cheese, ham and bread sandwich) sort of like an egg McMuffin. We bundled up and went and played out in the snow. We had tons of snowball fights. Then we just made snowballs and hit whoever we could (mostly C). Then we went inside and after I thawed out we watched Full House again. At around 3:00 we went over to Svetta's house and ate borsh (soup). It was real good. It was like a stew. Then we had rice and cake for dessert. I thought it was real good.

Zoo Trip

The weekend after the Gospel meeting was spent trying to rest and recover from our busy week. We had planned to take a trip the week after our Gospel meeting so we knew we needed to relax!

So the Monday before our trip and after the meeting, Chloe Jo and I packed up and went to the zoo with Aunt Chelle, cousin Brianna, cousin Brenson and their Meme (my BIL's mother). We had a fun day and the weather was perfect for a zoo trip! Unfortunately many of the animals were inside due to their cages being cleaned and some maintenance, but the ones we did see were fun!

As always, the giraffes were a favorite. I just love watching them! They are so tall and lanky, but yet so graceful at the same time.

The girls have so much fun together...er, when they aren't bickering.

I thought this poor little "ugly duckling" was hilarious. He even acted depressed. HA! You know he (I say "he" like I know) will be just as beautiful as the rest of them when he grows up!

It seems like every time Chloe Jo and I go to the zoo we miss the sea lion show. We are there at the wrong time or there are so many people that we can't see. This time, we made sure to be there at the right time and as an added bonus, the zoo wasn't crowded that day so there was plenty of seating for everyone who wanted to sit! The show was well worth it!

After the sea lion show we decided to ride the train. We had to wait awhile for it to come around so we took the opportunity to snap a few more pictures. I don't have them all because many of them were taken on my sister's camera and I haven't had the time to get them.

After riding the train we went to see the elephants. Chloe Jo and Brianna thought this little elephant statue was cute...okay, and I did, too!

My sister snapped this picture at the perfect moment! I love that one of the elephants is reaching up to get food.

We also rode the carousel, but my sister has those pictures on her camera, too.

I'll have to be more on top of getting pictures from her!

I love having a zoo membership and highly recommend it if you have a zoo near by. It is great for a morning outing and Chloe Jo always has a fun time. The membership definitely has paid for itself!

Will Rogers

2 weeks ago, the congregation we are members of hosted a Gospel meeting. The speaker stayed with us so we were in charge of keeping him busy during the day and getting him to where he needed to be. John, the speaker, is a huge history buff so we decided to show him some of our Oklahoma history. The big deal in northeast Oklahoma is Will Rogers. He was born and raised in Rogers county and there are tons of things named after him. With this in mind, we decided to take John out to see Will Rogers' birth place and museum.

Our first stop was Will Rogers' birth place in Oologah. 

This is the house he was born in. 

Of course we couldn't pass up the opportunity for a photo!

I love traipsing through old homes and seeing a part of how people lived way back when. The tiny rocking chair is so great!

I also loved this cradle. When I explained to Chloe Jo about the spinning wheel, she didn't know what to think.

I am thankful for my modern sewing machine. Although, I would probably have nicer legs if I used this one all the time.

After touring Mr. Rogers' birth place, we headed to Claremore to the Will Rogers Museum.

Here he is in all his bronze glory.

My sister and her children joined us for the museum (her family has lived in northeast Oklahoma for several years and had never been). They had a fantastic children's museum in the basement.

The girls had so much fun playing!

The children's part was set up so cute. I especially loved this "library."

Chloe Jo really wanted to ride a horse...until I put her on this saddle. Then she wasn't so sure about it.

Brianna, on the other hand....well, you can see for yourself!

Bren was content to sit and watch those silly girls.

After the Will Rogers Museum and since we were in the area, we headed over to Catoosa to see the blue whale. For whatever reason, the blue whale is kind of a big deal. It used to be open to swim off of, but now you can't swim in the lake...er, pond...at all. People fish off of it now and several weeks ago I saw a news clip about a couple that got married at the blue whale. I know. I'm inwardly groaning, too.

"Oh no! It's going to eat meeeeeeeee....must....hold...mouth....open...."

And last, but not least, a fun picture of my girl and me! Loving the shades, CJ!

I have several more catch up posts since we were out of town last week so I should be pretty active on the ol' blog!

Have a great Monday, friends!

Kiev, Ukraine journal - 11-9-94 and 11-10-94

*Disclaimer: Please remember that I wrote these when I was 12! I could be a snarky brat! I also am typing these journals exactly as I wrote them, bad spelling and all, except I have abbreviated names to protect the innocent or not-so-innocent.

11-9-94

Today Michelle and I were in our rooms studying when mom barged in and said to get our shoes on. We found the kitchen full of smoke. JL came over and told us all to get out and to get our money. Dad was not here. He'd abandoned us and went to the Institute to teach an english class. The fire or the smoke-out was on the first floor where some workers were working on a new barber shop. We went over the the L's apartment and F mad us lunch & hot chocolate. Then when we could go back in our Flat soot was everywhere. We had to mop and sweep and clean the walls. None of our stuff was ruined thou. The smoke smell was very strong to. We cleaned up and went to Wednesday bible study at Poly Tech Institute with F. R asked me to spend the night on Friday. Mom said I could if everything worked out. Tomorrow we are supposed to get our picture taken for the government or for something like that. Well that's all for now.

11-10-94

Today we met the L's and KS at the metro to get our picture taken. The guy was talking to me and K had to tell me what he was saying. We met KS2, D & R C. We went home with R and stayed until mom picked us up from her shopping. She bought a very long loaf of bread. It was very moist and fresh. Then Olga came over with the repair man. He had to fix our faucet. It keeps running and it won't turn of. He got it of once but turned it back on. He says we need a new faucet. I better go. I have nothing else to say about today.

Kiev, Ukraine journal - 11-7-94 and 11-8-94

*Disclaimer: Please remember that I wrote these when I was 12! I could be a snarky brat! I also am typing these journals exactly as I wrote them, bad spelling and all, except I have abbreviated names to protect the innocent or not-so-innocent.

11-7-94

Today we got up at 8:30 A.M. and went to the Metro where we met Rueslon, Sevetta, Natasha, Valadimear, and Sergae. We rode the metro to about the center of Kiev. We saw lots of stuff. We saw the murder sight of the Apostle Andrew, St. Sophias Cathedral, St. Andrew's Cathedral, and a parade. The parade was for the Russian Holiday about the war and the brave men who fought in it. We also saw lots of statues. We saw a teal blue palace to. It was real neat and interesting. Then all of us went to our flat and ate bread, peanut butter, smocked cheese, and tea for lunch. Then all the Russians went home and we went to a pizza party for the American missionary held by K&K S.

11-8-94

Today RC picked me up to go to the amusement park at 1:30. Michelle couldn't go because she got sick and lost her voice. When we got there we played ping-pong and badmitten for 10 cents (10,000 Koupons) for 30 min. Then we went to the place where the rides were and got to ride a ride called the cage. You got into a cage and pulled and pushed until you spun all around. The second ride we went on was a ride you went really fast on and the ride slanted sideways. The third was the funnest. You went really fast and it was flat and you kept slanting until we were just up & down. Then we got on the metro and rode back to R's metro stop. We got off the metro and bought Ice cream (strawberry-chocolate twist). We stayed at R's apartment until Tuesday-night basketball. I made four baskets. I went home and that is all I did today.

Visual Aids

I have been teaching the toddler Bible class for a couple of months now. I really wanted a break from teaching Bible class because I've been a teacher or a helper for several years without a break. When we moved back to the midwest in March, I had a couple of months of break and it was great. For a while. Then I started missing teaching so I am back into it and loving teaching my daughter and niece. This week has been pretty busy because we have been having a Gospel Meeting and Russ and I are housing the speaker. I was able to get one project done, though, and I am pretty happy with how it turned out.

I wanted a visual aid for when we talk about the Bible. I usually talk about the Bible and say the books of the Bible after we finish with the lesson every class time. I think it is so important for children to learn these fundamentals to help them learn how to use their Bibles properly.

I decided to make the Bible out of felt so that I could put it on the felt board. I didn't take into consideration that it would be heavy so it doesn't stick by itself, but I think I am going to add velcro to the Bible and to the felt board so it can stick.

I have never written with my sewing machine (it isn't an embroidery machine) so it isn't perfect. I still think it's going to be a fun visual for the girls!

I am excited to use my new visual! I hope the girls like it!

Growing Up

My baby girl is growing up so quickly! Where has the time gone!?!?

I took her to our local park to play today and she learned to swing by herself.

In her words, "Dat's okay, Momma. I do it mytelfs."

I can't believe my precious girl is almost 3 1/2 years old.

This age has been so fun lately.

My favorite part is that I can say silly things and she gets it now. She will actually laugh at my silliness and usually be silly back. I love being goofy with her.

She tried this climbing wall today and is now a pro. She can be so timid...until she isn't.

 I am dreading next year when she starts school.

I know she will love it, though.

I know she wants kids to play with. I wish we could have given her a playmate close to her age. We tried. It just wasn't meant to be. She will love having playmates.

I don't know what I would do without this beautiful face.

It's a wonderful life.

Mums

The outside of a home is so important.

It is what you base first impressions on.

Usually if the outside of a home is not kept up, the inside is not either.

That is why I think it is so important to have an inviting entry area.

I love having a wreath, an inviting doormat and flowers on my porch. I would even have a bench if there was enough room.

I keep adding things to the area. I added this beautiful Zinia last week.

Here is a close-up of our doormat...just because I think it is pretty.

And here is my new plant stand complete with mums and an aster. The mums and aster will be repotted eventually.

I wonder what Russ would think if I painted the front door teal???

Blankets

I love making gifts for my friends. I would rather create something than buy most of the time.

One of my favorite gifts to make for babies and toddlers is blankets. I back them with minky so they are super-duper soft. I usually sew the childs name on them so they are personalized and then tie them. I have made several of these blankets and have loved giving them out.

I was in Hobby Lobby last week and saw this princess fabric on sale and couldn't pass it up. It came in panels (instead of yards) so I bought 2 panels and made blanket for Chloe Jo and cousin Brianna.

Chloe Jo picked out dark pink minky with white polka dots and I chose purple minky with white polka dots for Brianna.

Even though I didn't put their names on them (there wasn't a good place) they still turned out cute!

The girls loved them!

And that is all that matters.

Little things

Isn't it funny that when you are decorating, the smallest things make big impacts?

We have this large shelf in our house that was left by the previous owners. I really love the shelf, but I didn't really have enough to go on it so it was looking a little bit ... um, empty ... and awkward. I was wanting to make a canvas that had a verse on it, but I just hadn't gotten to it. My to-do list is pretty lengthy right now. I was shopping a few days ago and came across the canvas in the picture. I really liked it, but I wanted to think about it for a while because it was more than I usually would pay for something like that. A couple of days later I went and bought it. I also found the gray ceramic jar. Just those two pieces made the shelf look 100% better.

I was also in the Dollar Tree this week and found these adorable ceramic pumpkins. I bought a few and have scattered them around the house.

Fall weather has finally embarked upon us and I love it. I'm going to try to make a leaf garland for the fireplace sometime in the next few weeks. I'll be sure to post a picture when I get it done!