Capturing a Moment in the Past

In either 1966 or 1967 Dad was President of the Pearland Lions Club and he brought Mom and I to Chicago, IL to participate in the Lions Club International Convention.     I remember Mom speaking about this convention and parade numerous times in my childhood and I could always hear her pride and happiness about being able to participate in this with me.    This is a picture of the parade.  Mom and I walked a lot in the parade, but then someone felt sorry for me and put on one of the horses (with a rider of course).    I remember Mom chuckling at how tired she was (see her heels in the picture) and I didn't seem tired, yet I was the one who got the ride.    Somewhere there is a movie that was published for Lions Club that has me on top of the horse.    We still have the pins that were trade with people from other states and countries.   I know Mom enjoyed meeting the people from the various parts of the world.   

Celebrating Friendships

Last Friday I went to dinner with 6 friends and then attended a celebration event starring Loretta LaRoche who is a stress manager/humorist.   I came across her when looking for "feel good" books to download onto my palm and listen to on my walks.  Her practical advice and dry sense of humor lightened up my days and gave me words of wisdom to face the daily stresses of life.

She recommends that we find joy in our lives every day.  

One article I've read of hers lately has really touched a nerve in my daily life.  I'm in the process of sorting through mementos.    Since Mom has died I have enjoyed sorting through her things and finding little memories in many of them.    Mom saved everything and "yes" too much, which has encouraged me to simplify my life.      Mom had many mementos she couldn't part with during her lifetime.  I find that my most precious moments are captured in the pictures, videos, letters, recipes, stories, and journals.     

I believe that our life is like a puzzle that is planned by God.    Moments in our lives are puzzle pieces that fit into the puzzle.  Sometimes we can fit the pieces together and find a purpose or a picture into our life.  Sometimes we can't really find a place and make sense of the piece.   However, ultimately everything fits into place and we can see a plan.   The picture is up to us, the moments are ours to experience,  how they fit into the plan is up to God.

This blog is way of capturing special moments -- however, I need to make sure its archivable.   Meanwhile, I'll keep sorting through the past and finding a way of sharing it with my family.

To find out more about Loretta LaRoche see: www.lorettalaroche.com.   Also, see if your library has a copy of "The Best of Loretta LaRoche" on cd or audio.    It will light up your life.

Presenting Megan!

Yesterday, Megan presented a visual presentation at Plymouth County 4H Communications Day received an "Award of Excellence" and was selected by a panel of judges to enter the State Competition. Her presentation was on endangered animals.

She has recently gained additional public speaking experience by being selected by the Duxbury Interfaith Council to read an essay she and a friend wrote at the Martin Luther King Day celebration held at Pilgrim Church in Duxbury.

Planting Pecan Trees over Christmas

Dad planted 4 pecan trees on the farm over Christmas. I have a dwindling supply from Nana's tree and since we sold her house we don't have access to any of the wonderful Texas grown pecans. Dad ordered trees that should bear pecans this year unless they're too stressed from the transplanting.

He also rebuilt the fence surround the house to extend past the trees. The trees came from a farm on the Colorado River close to Bastrop.

Click on the "View Glattstein Family Pictures" to review pictures of the planting.

A Rockin' Sunday

Working backward over the last month and a half, we celebrate the opportunities our church gives our family spiritually as well as encouraging our talents. Last Sunday Max was a part of putting smiles on people in church as they heard our Jr. Choir sing The Weight. It isn't one of my favorite songs, but you can tell the children enjoy it. It was written in 1968 and performed by "THE BAND". Max is the 4th soloist.

Celebrating the New Year

The Christmas holidays have past and we've celebrated the New Year. I always spend January cleaning out files, making new goals, and refreshing myself and my surroundings. I've finally come to a place that I can get back to the routines of life and
fit in creative endeavors such as this. I've played a little with IWEB on the MAC and may switch to putting my blog on our
family website. Seth and I still have some glitches to work out and to agree on the interface.

I'll update everyone on the past month's events in future entries.

Welcome 2008!

Music in the Midst of Storm

Through Snow, Sleet, and Rain -- St. John's provides wonderful music  and words praising God for the hearty who come in the storm to hear it.     Although later in the morning the Jr. Choir was recused from singing in church today so the families didn't have to get out in the weather, Megan and Max had come early with me as I rehearsed with the adult choir.  Our choral director/organist broke his wrist earlier in the week and had asked me to play for the church service.    

Since the Jr. Choir normally sings the offertory, during the church service our choral maestro asked Megan and Max if they would fill in and sing the solos with the adult choir singing chorus.   Luckily, I had brought my camera because Max was suppose to have a small solo with the Jr. Choir and I wanted Dad and Seth to be able to hear it, so I was able to record this spontaneous Glattstein production.    

They are wearing their North Face jackets because they didn't know they were going to sing and they were cold.   The video doesn't show their faces because I have the camera on the piano I am playing and the kids are singing out the balcony to the church below.