Monday Meetings

The Lord has blessed me with some incredible people in my life. I only thought that the natural thing to do with this blessing of people is to share a little bit about them with you. I decided to make Mondays my day of introductions of those that I find special. Today, I will introduce you to my sister.
Meet Laura Marie Trauth Beech..........
Laura is a 25 year old, 6th grade history teacher, and wife to Connor Beech. But more importantly than all of those things is the fact that she is my little sister. If I could have somehow pre-ordered my siblings, picked out their personalities and designed their attitudes I would have still gotten it wrong. The Lord knew exactly what I needed in a sister and He created Laura Marie, or as some call her - Lou, and I have been forever grateful. Laura and I have not always gotten along. My mom used to get frustrated with our fighting, and would ever so kindly remind us that one day we would be best friends. I thought to myself "yeah, right." But I was so wrong. We did become best friends and I honestly don't know what I would do without her. Laura is one of the most merciful and compassionate people you will ever meet. She thinks of others before herself, she is kind, genuine, and fun to be around. Now, she will argue with you until you are blue in the face, but she just likes the debate. Laura cares for her students, she is an excellent wife, and more than anything she wants to glorify the Lord with her life. Laura has been my rock, my strength in hard times. She has been a source of not only encouragement but a source of wisdom and understanding. She has the great capacity to love not only in times of great joy, but in times when my face is swollen with tears, and my words unrecognizable with bitterness. To have Laura as a friend is lucky indeed.
She is also a woman of great talent in the area of craftiness. She sews with a naturalness that can only come from the genes she inherited from our grandmother. Her work is beautiful .... just like she her personality.
So, if you know her send her a little "Hello" and lift up a prayer for her this week.

You can follow her at www.fleur-de-lou.blogspot.com.

Broken Record....

I know I sound like a broken record when I say -- "It's cold in my house!"
So, I will post a picture so that you can see exactly how I cope.See the weird looking thing in the corner of the picture ....that is my space heater -- the greatest creation for cold winter days.
If you don't mind I will explain how I cope....
Step 1 - Dress in many layers, even when it is time for bed. This includes long-johns, sweatpants, a long sleeve shirt, a sweatshirt, and two layers of socks (preferably the ones used for camping - they are warmer). Beanies are optional.
Step 2 - Put a little fan next to your space heater. As strange as this may sound it actually circulates the heat. Close the door to your room so the heat won't get out.
Step 3 - Use the bathroom, get a snack, and do whatever else you need to do in the rest of the chilled house, because once you get in your bedroom you aren't going to leave.
Step 4 - When getting ready to sleep, grab extra blankets. My bed consists of layers - layer one - flannel sheets, layer two- my Louisiana Tech blanket, layer three- a thin quilt-like blanket, layer four - a thicker comforter, and layer five - a fleece blanket. Works like a charm.

On the occasion that you have to use the bathroom, or get a class of water, run like crazy and avoid sitting on the toilet seat it's frozen at this point. Be quick.
Now when it is time to get up and get ready for work you have to mentally prepare yourself to brace the cold- no worries, by the time you dress after your shower you'll be warm again.

That my friends is how to cope with a house that actually stays at 17 degrees inside, when it is 17 degrees outside. I've actually seen my breath once when I've opened the door to the spare bedroom that does not have a space heater.

Photobooth.....

So, this is what happens when I am bored, and have too much time on my hands. I give you the silly side of Dana! Ta Da -- a little photo strip for your entertainment. Enjoy!