tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55572567613978416492012-01-30T14:40:12.354-05:00Now that Bob's diva liver decided to live, so did we. Come with us as we figure out what's next. Our attempts at parenting the two baby pandas. Bob and his call to the golf course, I mean, to parish ministry. The amazing assortment of family, friends and strangers who daily surprise us. And my ongoing fascination with our planet, transplant, transformation, lives, livers and other vital organ-izations.Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.comBlogger1451100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-89167296307076911162007-10-12T00:17:00.000-04:002007-10-12T00:19:48.265-04:00

Please come over to the new blog. :-)T

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-61647484931971814842007-09-25T14:55:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:03.297-05:00

You know what, Bob is right. It's time to put his liver away. Honestly, I think it wants to live a quiet life now and just do what it's supposed to do -- be a little noticed vital organ that binds bile and filters poisons. No drama. No personality.So I've decided that it's time to stop with the liver shrine in thought, word, and deed.It's time to move and it's time to move on.Bob's liver and I

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-57398612194591212552007-09-24T23:51:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:03.692-05:00

Come on over and we'll have a party. Actually, this is what it looked like around here last Saturday when Amanda invited one friend from school over; that somehow turned into a party of six. It was an impromptu girl-boy party. Aren't we such good parents to provide this senstive setting for such a tender growing up milestone? Anyway, Bob is definitely #1 packer. He pretty much did all of this and

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-4164629327914470062007-09-23T21:40:00.002-04:002008-12-09T20:25:04.645-05:00

What are friends for but to take you with to the mountains? At least via the liver blog. So, here are our dear friends, the Anderson's, on their way to Montana. Left to right -- Benny, Miranda, Martha A, Mara. It would be dog gone hard to determine which one is the cutest in this picture.I do believe those are the Grand Tetons in the background. (I had a college roommate from Jackson Hole,

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-80734173797852201562007-09-21T23:36:00.000-04:002007-09-22T00:34:58.346-04:00

I do not know the answer to that question. We're moving. All is good. All is great. But there are some really big questions that I cannot answer. Like, where should we get home owner's insurance? Where will my kids go to school? When will they start? Who will enroll them? How do you get to the airport? Is there mold in our new bathrooms?But I can tell you this. We had a most wonderful dinner

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-81581647805683653472007-09-19T21:03:00.000-04:002007-09-20T09:19:00.438-04:00

Hello and welcome to the liver blog. It's so nice to have you here.I don't have a lot to say because I think my mind is emptying out in the same way our apartment is. The walls are bare. Packed boxes all over. Tomorrow Bob and Cynthia will bring over the bedroom set we inherit from Cynthia's parents. Her Dad died the month before we met her in 1999, just before the all of us moved to Baltimore.

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-43986776715508621152007-09-17T23:54:00.000-04:002007-09-18T21:37:15.956-04:00

Don't you just want everything? You want kids, a husband, the best career in the world. You want to be a good friend, and great auntie. You want it all. But it usually doesn't work out that way. Something has to give. You want to be at every meeting. You want to cook every hot breakfast. You want to be at every bedtime tuck in. And you just can't. It is impossible. And you have to rely on others

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-44187709334966386572007-09-15T21:20:00.000-04:002007-09-16T09:52:07.050-04:00

Hi Everyone! Just want to remind you that prime time Emmy awards are on tomorrow night. Here are two good ones to watch for:The SopranosMrs. Soprano is like butter; James Gandolfini is exquisite.Broken Trail just when you thought globalization was a recent thingAnd a little Saturday night special here; Bobby Calwell's classic "What You Won't Do For Love." I had the 8-track tape of this when I was

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-59173959316505785662007-09-13T21:59:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:06.242-05:00

Hello everyone and welcome to the liver blog. It's so nice to have you here.Tonight Mary Beth called. Remember our neighbor who advised on how to manage an anorexic -- nobody told me that would come with the marriage deal; it's a liver thing -- and who recommended buying wine by the box? I think I will never buy a bottle again, even if I could afford it. There are just too many good memories of

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-39398623930411300942007-09-11T20:37:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:07.151-05:00

Bob's sisters, Carol and Lorrie (center, and center right) just got back from visiting their inlaws in Egypt.There is so much I could say about this picture. For now I'll sum it up in three words: The Wisconsin Dells. Which is where we all spent the most memorable four days in the history of a seminary career. Forget the Red Sea; the Mediterranean Sea, no. We went to the water park capital of the

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-85288472121936832232007-09-09T16:41:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:07.691-05:00

With joy and thanksgiving, we are pleased to invite you to the ordination of Bob.And the insubordination of Bob's wife. No, just kidding.For real:Bob Speirs' Ordination for Word and Sacrament Ministry1:00 p.m.Saturday, October 20, 2007Trinity Lutheran ChurchBrooklyn, New YorkHosting: The Rev. Samuel CruzPresiding Liturgy: The Rev. Harry MuellerPresiding Communion: The Rev. Rachel Thorson

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-81610914557651284652007-09-06T21:20:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:07.930-05:00

Today Bob managed to get his picture taken with Rudy Giuliani, who was campaigning in a coffee shop down the street. He pulled out all his New York City stops. Wore the FDNY baseball hat. Shouted out, "My brother is retired NYPD and worked the pit after 911!" That seemed to do it in order for Mr. Giuliani to agree to a photo. Of course Bob didn't mention that his retired NYPD brother and his NYPD

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-48740383917761398322007-09-04T22:40:00.000-04:002007-09-04T22:51:32.445-04:00

We'll do this again in a month. In the meantime, I savored every second of this first day of our last month at Adams Spanish Immersion because I love this school. Amanda, 6th grade. Aidan, 3rd. Could someone please tell me when I can start up on yoga again?Take care everyone! TP.S. That really fast caption says this: the ultimate creature of habit heads to the cafeteria breakfast before finding

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-64293439800645162722007-09-02T17:10:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:08.565-05:00

This is Amanda and Catherine, whose mother is moving to Malaysia.But since for me it's all about Bob's liver I have to tell you about the time that Bob gave Catherine's mother, Laura, driving lessons. Laura's husband, Thomas, returned to Malaysia about one year ago when he finished his PhD. here at Luther Seminary. Laura still had a year of studies. In the rush of all the things to do before

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-80585250682100259402007-08-30T17:32:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:08.753-05:00

So I picked up this book the other day and oh my goodness, this guy is whacko! All I did was read the preface and I was laughing so seriously out loud on the city bus. Five pages and one commute home later, the author had managed to validate a whole section of my life. That would be the section of my life spent in "the restaurant industry." And he unleashed way more self-psycho analysis than I

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-48311682908095068152007-08-27T17:36:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:09.405-05:00

If you have a Mother-in-Law who has lived all of her 80 years in New York City; and you take her in a little drive just one hour outside of Minneapolis, you should be sure that she's sitting on the right side so that she can look out the window as the countryside rolls by. Then she can unlock the mysteries of the scenery that she totally absorbs, as though she's Agatha Christie on a long

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-8966666210010501852007-08-26T09:55:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:09.561-05:00

A house with a swimming pool and a diving board.That was Aidan's only criteria for what kind of house we should get. I assured him that we will never, Ever, NEVER get a swimming pool with a diving board. Liability. Lawsuits. Insurance. Drowning. Cost. Chemicals. Cancer. Climate change. Crocodiles. Wrinkles. Upkeep. Hassle. Mama panda's phobia that her babies will die in water. Let me count the

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-7022808411301807812007-08-23T22:12:00.000-04:002007-08-23T22:25:38.095-04:00

Last night Amanda called out for her mama. I thought I heard her, anyway. Woke me up. It must be time to go home. It's my last night in Baltimore. Her last night at camp WAPO. I'm so tired. But things are so great here. And I just realized that I can introduce you to some of my colleagues with this new LWR teaser. The complete video will be done by the end of the year. What you don't see are the

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-58899061091309397762007-08-21T21:24:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:09.831-05:00

Hello friends and thank you for coming over to the liver blog. I'm pleased to inform you that today is the first day in a month that I have not taken a nap. And my appetite has turned from oatmeal to carnivore, topping off a day at the LWR HQ with a big 'ol cheeseburger. That's right, a day at the office healed me. Thanks everyone. Seriously.Over my cheeseburger, I was thinking about this house

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-35996905146053541862007-08-20T19:53:00.000-04:002007-08-20T21:01:54.711-04:00

Hello everyone and thank you for coming over to the liver blog. A thousand thanks for your words of well wishes for Bob's call. I can't tell you how joyful it has been already to be with the people of St. Johns in Des Moines.When Bob returned from Des Moines last night Mom Speirs said, "You have returned home transformed into a pastor." That's right. He's been called by a parish, he's officially

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-23897269537149243322007-08-19T23:03:00.000-04:002007-08-19T23:05:44.789-04:00

Love this song. Love this band. Love this video. Made me smile. Enjoy! About 4-5 minutes or so. C'mon, stop and smell the roses. With love, T

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-80373194441355699262007-08-19T10:51:00.000-04:002007-08-19T19:01:41.217-04:00

To be real honest, I'm nervous about all of this stuff about Bob being someone's associate pastor. I mean, he's been home for years. Years. Home as a stay-at-home dad while I worked. Home as a seminary student who preferred to study at home. Home as in a coma in the living room. And during the time he was sick, well, this is the weird thing, the part that was so special about that is that we were

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-7554887095595237942007-08-18T23:14:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:10.050-05:00

You know how when someone gets pregnant, how they're not supposed to tell anyone for three months just in case they lose the baby. Because after the first trimester then everything should be good to go. Well, Bob and I did not know that. When I first got pregnant, the doctor said we were having twins and we were SO EXCITED. We told absolutely everyone. We told the whole world. Church. Work.

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-18150857771572363542007-08-17T16:32:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:11.005-05:00

Are you hungry? Mom Speirs will cook something for you. Just let her know what you want. Here's a scene from last week. Seriously.Before bed snack previous night: meatloaf and mashed potatos for AaronCourse 1: scrambled eggs and toast for Aidan and AaronCourse 2: mashed potatos with corn for AaronCourse 3: scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes and toast for PatrickCourse 4: ravioli and meatballs for

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-76390292856968973602007-08-16T15:06:00.000-04:002007-08-16T17:52:15.767-04:00

Or I'm just plain 'ol nuclear waste, whichever way you want to look at it. Today I got my custom concocted pill dosed at 100 millicuries. The idea is that it will kill whatever lingering thyroid cancer cells I may still have. I am now in official isolation at an undisclosed location. I can tell you that Dick Cheney is not with me, although I wish he were because we could have such a nice

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-8873820264940221422007-08-13T20:48:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:11.260-05:00

Why am I thinking about the marketing plan of Alice Cooper when yesterday was my brother Tom's birthday???!!! You know, the brother (left) who saved the life of Bob (right). In honor of Tom I am reposting the care page dispatch of said event. Actually, there were several times Tom came to the rescue. This is just one of them. . .*December 26, 2006 at 06:48 PM CST*Take Deep Breaths.Isn't that what

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-22174217913694118612007-08-13T12:46:00.001-04:002007-08-13T15:40:43.776-04:00

I can't believe that I forgot to tell you that! Because that was the main point of my supervisorly discussion with Phil about Alice Cooper.Alice Cooper's marketing scheme: Do whatever will most offend parents of teenagers. Because that's exactly what teenagers will want to buy into. At least that was true in the 70's.Alice Cooper's branding tool: Alice Cooper, the character. I know, I know, I too

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-83098562278521854112007-08-12T10:31:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:11.662-05:00

He's really nice and will bake cookies for you.I'm talking about Alice Cooper (photo right), according to Phil (photo left). Let me back up. Phil was my intern this past year and Friday was his last day. Well, OK, he wasn't *my* intern, but I fully claim him because he did such an awesome job and saved *my* you-know-what because I took so much of last year off, courtesy of Bob's liver sabbatical.

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-21345526020221293772007-08-07T22:24:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:12.898-05:00

Associate PastorSt. Johns Lutheran Church (see all pics)Des Moines, Iowa*The Call Committee and church council have unanimously approved to call Bob as their associate pastor. On August 19 the whole congregation votes and then the call is officially extended. Bob has already told them that he will accept. I said that even if the call was not extended, the Call Committee ran such a first-rate

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-40837433385057197262007-08-05T20:07:00.001-04:002007-08-05T20:09:07.511-04:00

And it is better than dessert in a wine bar.The only thing is, I don't know if I can tell you just yet so let me double check first. Come back soon.Thanks for coming over to the liver blog! Thanks for everything! You are all the best!With love, T

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-61201854808909823682007-08-03T09:56:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:13.078-05:00

This is the view of the collapsed bridge from my office, the 15th floor of the Thrivent Building in downtown Minneapolis. Facing east, the morning sun makes for a bad picture.NPR reported that the rescue workers had conversations with the victims as they were dying. I suppose they were stuck in debris or something. It's like an avalanche; if you move one thing, then tons of concrete and steel

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-16664150550218339762007-08-01T22:54:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:13.225-05:00

5:00 p.m., August 1, 2007 -- This picture taken. We took Bob's brother Tommy to the Guthrie Theater. This is the view from the Guthrie's endless bridge that juts over the Mississippi River.6:05 p.m., one hour later, the bridge collapsed. How weird is that?10:00 p.m., as I write this dispatch they are still attempting to make the most difficult rescues.Take care everyone.Love, T

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-13673321257677641022007-07-25T21:13:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:13.636-05:00

So the birthday golf club set was a hit. Aidan loves it. And to top it off. . .he's good! His drives look like 100 yards and he almost knocked a window out. Twice. Bob has stars in his eyes. I'm sure he is channeling Tiger Woods' dad now. Fatherhood is complete.Me, I'm thinking of college scholarships. Or better yet, a family tradition. We'll all learn to golf. We'll do it together forever. If

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-60725003528625294802007-07-24T22:42:00.000-04:002007-07-24T23:09:14.003-04:00

If you ever went to camp you know this skit. I'm sure I've seen it or done it one or two hundred times. It's a variation of this:Ring. Ring. (telephone)Regular person: Hello. . .who is this? You're kidding me! This must be a prank. You're Jesus?! And you're coming to dinner? Wow! I really need to clean up good! (Hangs up phone. Frantically starts cooking and cleaning.)Ding. Dong. (Door bell)

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-36677642082918088252007-07-23T22:16:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:13.771-05:00

It's birthday time.Happy Birthday Trey! It's something when you're little brothers start turning 40. Ok, it's not quite 40 yet for Trey, but well, getting close. Here is a picture of my middle brother, Trey, in the command center of his house which he designed and built, along with his wife Amy. I still have a tour to give to you all. Coming soon.Happy Birthday Aidan! Eight is great!!!!!

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-35303381807985580782007-07-22T18:27:00.000-04:002007-07-22T19:07:53.520-04:00

Sorry this slide show moves so fast. I'm trying to figure out how to slow it down, with no success. T xoxoxo

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-57259497134975879952007-07-20T11:28:00.000-04:002007-07-20T19:00:43.506-04:00

HOT YOGASalt sweats into eyes.Slow motion reach, twist, and drip.Wringing out toxins.*I'm working so gotta go. . .With love, TP.S. Bob says this is a really weird dispatch, what's a haiku anyway, and no one is going to know what I'm talking about. Haiku? Haiku!!! It's a Japanese style of poetry writing that counts syllables. I learned it in elementary school. Must be the superior Minnesota public

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-67615196226744793202007-07-18T14:07:00.000-04:002007-07-18T14:48:38.172-04:00

She is a felon and I've been thinking about her a lot lately.I never met LaVonne, but Bob knew her because her kids were in his summer program last year. Bob hired LaVonne as the craft coordinator. She did a great job, Bob said. He needed help because a lot of kids from the neighborhood were showing up.They sent her to prison because of some kind of a welfare technicality. Welfare fraud. Too much

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-64583789790386505972007-07-15T22:34:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:16.529-05:00

Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis, Bob and Mom SpeirsLake Calhoun, Minneapolis; the boat I will have one dayThe Little Tin Dinner, what I've been craving and what we had.Lake Calhoun, MinneapolisLake Calhoun, Minneaplis;the Tin Cup Cafe serves Alaskan salmon, Minnesotan walleye, wine, beer and has free WiFiThey came in handy. Mom Speirs' spare set of eating utinsels were safely stashed in her purse,

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-48017861803179036752007-07-14T15:17:00.000-04:002007-07-14T17:53:15.798-04:00

Hello everyone and thank you for coming over the liver blog. It's so nice to have you. Today I'm thinking about what it might be like to not have a thyroid, since I am officially off my thyroid pill for 4 weeks in prep for the radioactive iodine treatment to kill any little cancer nasties that may still lurk in my throat.The worst of it will likely be fatigue, I'm told. So here's my thyroid void

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-7267264531670352152007-07-11T22:46:00.002-04:002008-12-09T20:25:17.134-05:00

Doris Branch, Bob, The Rev. Lonnie Branch. They came to visit today. "We worked well together," Lonnie said about their coaching duet. They brought a blend of love and accountability to the basketball team. Game strategy and Gospel. When there was a problem with one of the boys -- an easy temper or something -- they cahooted quickly and then dealt with it together head on. "I told those boys

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-42349671666633425102007-07-10T21:54:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:17.413-05:00

So I made a deal with Amanda. She cleans out the refrigerator and I'll buy her a tie-dye kit. Summer is not easy for a ten-year-old with parents who play home health hopscotch. I bought the kit. The fridge still needs a scrubbing.But friends, we have tie-dye! Colorbursts galore! Shirts. Pillow cases. Beach attire. Bright blue, purple, green. It's been decided that Aidan will have a tie-dye

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-72910240579012228972007-07-09T21:53:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:17.792-05:00

Passage to India by E.M. ForesterDress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David SedarisOne is about the cross-cultural contraption of extreme politeness. How massive hospitality and power can inadvertently convolute relationships, even with best intentions. I mean, you should have seen what the Indian guy, Dr. Aziz did just to escort these two English guests to the local caves. Hired servants.

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-2908546078937364592007-07-08T14:42:00.000-04:002007-07-08T15:24:27.683-04:00

When I was driving the kids down to Rochester last week for the Open Heart vacation I heard a friend, Virgil Wiebe, being interviewed on the radio. Our families spent last Fourth of July together in the local park, three legged races and all. Virgil and his wife Susan took a similar route as we did. NYC to Baltimore, as Susan took the same relocation package I did. She with Lutheran Immigration

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-18174771459900968292007-07-08T10:46:00.000-04:002007-07-08T13:10:18.817-04:00

Warning: This dispatch may be too weird for normal human beings. Permission is granted to exit outta here immediately and come back tomorrow. And we missed church today, a day when I probably needed it most.4 a.m. this morning and it was another liver. Friends, I now think I am channeling another liver. Not Bob's this time. Let's just call him, say, Louie. I got up and started reading his caring

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-37198354733352837282007-07-07T09:17:00.000-04:002007-07-07T12:19:05.429-04:00

Hello everyone and thanks so much for your kind comments. Today, in honor of the Fleming's return from internship, and another U-Haul in the parking lot, I wanted to repost something from the liver vigil aka the care page.*January 14, 2007 at 11:50 AM CST*The Missionary Smile Goes to Colorado.For the past five years, James and Hannah's family lived next to us, as the building angles from the

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-59976845822075724742007-07-05T15:25:00.002-04:002007-07-05T17:42:23.959-04:00

The slow moving lady in the walker was in my way, so I couldn't speed up to see Dr. Sanan, my Turkish Surgeon. He was walking into the clinic as I was pulling up to drop Bob off. Wait! Wait! Wait!It was a good thing I saw Dr. Sanan because it was getting pretty ridiculous otherwise. I was planning my arm wrestling tournament. Me vs. Anyone involved in producing ordination barriers. Me. vs.

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-76179673672154134912007-07-05T05:01:00.000-04:002007-07-05T05:41:31.944-04:00

Why am I writing this at 4 a.m.? Because I can't sleep. It's like the open heart surgery is done and so now can we just get on with it. I think Bob is being contrary. He says he's not being contrary. Maybe it's the medicines. Or that I thought we could just skip the recovery stage and move on to what's next. And what's next? If you could just write that down and pass it over to me. This is where

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-25860649658539169392007-07-03T11:55:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:18.747-05:00

There's something about Aaron, our scappy little neighbor boy. He's a rascal, yes, like all the other kids around here. But there's more. He channels us, especially Bob. "Am I sick like Bob?" Is what he asked his parents when he got the all over itchies last winter. The pediatrician suggested that awful Sarna lotion, which is also what Bob was using when his bile was trying to escape through each

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-17629315641559461912007-07-02T11:00:00.000-04:002007-07-02T12:02:24.743-04:00

Good morning everyone. So here's a listing of blogs/care pages/caring bridge sites we monitor. If I better understood the etiquette of such sites, I would go ahead and just give out the addresses, but playing privacy safe for now.Bob's professor, Rolf -- recovering from lung surgery, removed a cancer tumor, recurrence of childhood cancer which already took his legs, says his body now is "thawing"

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-89073445661596313492007-06-30T00:48:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:18.863-05:00

Sustaining Simplicity: A Journal by Anne Bayse It came to me one day in the postal mail. I sent Anne a quick e-mail right before the open heart vacation to thank her, even though she didn't exactly know either how I got it. It's newly published.This book has been my beach reading this week. I'm almost done and now I need to send Anne a much more thoughtful e-mail to really thank her. I googled

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-28272581611959358212007-06-28T21:19:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:20.239-05:00

Look out here I come. The afternoon program. Amy, the Patient, Trey, Rusty, Jennifer ~ My brothers and sisters-in-law. I can't believe how things just come. Carol, Ragaey, Olivia and Laila -- Thank you! Amanda and Ellie, her. . . second cousin? Cousin twice removed? Third cousin? I don't know, but she sure is cute. About the same age as Laila and Olivia. Aunt Renee and Amanda Aunt Renee gave us

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-34819635794996444562007-06-27T23:54:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:24.070-05:00

After spending 8 hours on Unit 5F in the Mary Brigh building, it was time to get the kids outside. Psalm 121St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota.Scooter Tour Point of Departure. I'm so glad you can't see that my daughter insists on wearing pajama pants. Downtown Rochester -- Spetacular Sculpture Spectacular Sculpture Spectacular Sculpture.Ragamuffins.Most important stop. What used to be the

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-2751068971356852382007-06-26T21:23:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:25.579-05:00

This is how we framed the kids school pictures this year. Portable light weight self-standers. Sofar this has blessed six hosptial stays. Actually, we need to thank twins from NYC, Olivia and Laila, for giving us their beautiful pictures in this convenient porta-photo thingie, which we cooped for hospital stays. Secondary agenda with huge photos of the kids is to remind attending health care

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-71925161854130230972007-06-22T21:52:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:25.743-05:00

"Nice paper mache' house," we say to Aidan when he brought this project home from school. "We like the telescope on top." "It's not a telescope," Aidan says. "It's a bazooka."Welcome to the liver blog everybody. I'm so glad you could come over.Could you all bear witness to the fact that we did not raise our son to envision a giant artillery toilet paper roll atop his dream home? Becky, who

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-59626763139472164242007-06-21T22:49:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:26.353-05:00

I have just discovered the secret to being liked at your workplace. You figure out a way to postion yourself a thousand miles away from all your co-workers. Then they never know your annoying quirks and they keep sending you things like care packages, cards, flowers, and for example yesterday a scarf.My colors. Silk. From India. Fair Trade.I love it! Thanks so much everyone. My Jackie O

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-81334014167842372452007-06-19T20:43:00.001-04:002007-06-20T08:22:36.221-04:00

Hello everyone and thank you for coming over to the liver blog. It's so nice to have you here. If you are a die hard Coach Speirs care page reader you may remember this celestial conversation from a few months ago. If not, no worries. Either way, it continued last night."I like Jupiter because it rhymes with stupider," Aidan told me while tucking in on the top bunk."I like Uranus because it

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-69600359245685223342007-06-17T11:50:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:26.488-05:00

That's what another soccer mom said this morning. It was the 3rd soccer game of Amanda's weekend tournament.My belly is in knots. Holy cow, the girls played long and hard and I can see improvement. But you know what, here's the thing. I can't believe how many opportunities there are for offense, and yet the girls tend to position themselves for defense instead. I can see it as clear as day from

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-19641061298944211272007-06-17T00:05:00.000-04:002007-06-17T00:08:15.963-04:00

It was during Amanda's 100 degree soccer game, which I was counting the minutes to the end. (Honey, if you're reading this. . .you did just awesome! Way to scramble!! xoxoxo) Anyway, I took that eagle to mean that I will make my deadlines this week. Goodnight everyone. With love, T

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-27903666596687445682007-06-15T22:53:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:26.681-05:00

Hello Friends and Welcome to the Liver Blog! Thanks so much for coming over. Thanks for the comments on Bob's power suit. ;-)I just wanted to prove to you that we really were working this week while Becky was here from HQ. This lunch outting proves it, right? Anyway, here's the Lutheran World Relief Minnesota staff delegation minus Diane, who really was at the lake this week. (There are many,

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-76575445522967714942007-06-14T23:37:00.001-04:002007-06-15T17:36:32.060-04:00

Do you ever wonder if you have 3-D dyslexia? (Whoever invented that word was definitely not dyslexic.) Like a mix up of all life? Or at least the pesky things like time and space.Since I telecommute to Baltimore I have a one-hour time difference to constantly compute. I kid-you-not, I can turn that one hour into a four hour fiasco. Yes, friends, I have messed up meetings by 4 solid hours because

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-59208398935791002842007-06-14T21:39:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:26.835-05:00

The school sign before George and Harold walked by: DON'T UNDERESTIMATE OUR GOOD TEACHERS."All of the 'experts' at Jerome Horowitz Elementary School had their opinions about George and Harold. Their guidance counselor, Mr. Rected, thought the boys suffered from A.D.D. The school psychologist, Miss Labler, diagnosed them with A.D.H.D. And their mean old principal, Mr. Krupp, thought were just

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-39138230025511002092007-06-13T23:08:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:26.988-05:00

How handsome is this? :-)

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-48992041787981698422007-06-11T23:46:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:27.490-05:00

Hello and welcome to the liver blog. I'm so glad you could come over because I have a few nice little notes to pass along to you.First of all, I wanted to give a great big THANKS to all of you for coming by and for leaving messages. I love them. A special thanks to caring bridge friend, Kristine, for the nice note in the guest book (scroll down and click). When you start a care page site, then

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-56411848451197544332007-06-09T23:33:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:28.074-05:00

Hello, how are you? Thank you for coming over to the liver blog.I just wanted to show you pictures of the latest edible delight that the mother of Aidan's friend, Chan, brought down to us. You may remember that she is the one who got Aidan through swimming lessons while we were chasing after Bob's lost liver.Anyway, she also happens to be very talented at creating beautiful food and delivering it

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-72530505631696502272007-06-08T16:59:00.000-04:002007-06-08T17:00:43.681-04:00

Just to be clear, Bob *will* be 100 percent after his heart surgery. :-) In case you were wondering.T

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-28412062582804570192007-06-07T22:14:00.000-04:002007-06-07T23:27:49.237-04:00

Hello friends and welcome to the liver blog. Thanks so much for coming over.Don't you just want to strangle change? Just when we were all really loving the post-thyroid surgery power surge, it had to go and turn into the pre-heart surgery power outage panic scramble. Back and forth like a pendulum. Moving forward, backing up. Going forward, backing up. Thinking forward, backing up. Next

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-40185040105930240572007-06-05T18:09:00.000-04:002007-06-05T18:34:04.454-04:00

P.S. This is a public school. (I just say that because I find that many people assume we got our kids in a private school. Uh uh. :-)With love, T

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-31335130211736962532007-06-05T09:00:00.000-04:002007-06-05T16:57:41.104-04:00

She didn't let one single goal attempt past her, she said. She jumped. She blocked. She dove. She balled her body around the ball on the ground while the other team tried to steal it. I hope that nice soccer dad posts more pictures so I can maybe see for myself. They won 3-0. Sam's team won 8-0. Cheers! T

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-56747447139712132372007-06-03T17:23:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:29.058-05:00

And then, while the musician was playing the power of the Lord came on him.*I don't know about you but as for me, lately, music can move me to crying so easily. And honestly, it's not like I'm crying constantly anymore like I was just after the liver came back. No, mostly I am composed. Really. Just normal life stuff. But I go to church or to the dance studio, and the artistry just takes me

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-45033910148323818482007-06-02T13:20:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:29.282-05:00

I love taking Sam to soccer and hearing the other kids say, SAM'S HERE . . .WE GET SAM . . . NO, SAM'S ON OUR TEAM . . .WE WANT SAM!I love getting a home delivered fresh hot vanilla mocha latte while still in my pajamas, ala Patrick on his way up to the neighbor through the ceiling for his next delivery.I love that Amanda can create and forget as many internet accounts as she wants and it only

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-50041246216250528252007-05-30T23:43:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:29.525-05:00

Aidan does not like my yoga. Not that he tells me outright. It's just that I noticed that he noticed when I didn't go."Mom, why didn't you didn't go to yoga today?"That question X three. I know that question doesn't come from Aidan's concern for my mind, body, and soul. Finally, I asked him tonight what he thought of my yoga. He wishes I was just home. Or something like that, he said. Meanwhile,

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-85677311671657567652007-05-29T20:49:00.001-04:002007-05-29T20:52:33.102-04:00

Create Your OwnWith love, T

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-75705023600947501882007-05-28T21:47:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:29.800-05:00

Hello friends and welcome to the liver blog. I'm so glad you could come over.As you may know, it's been a joyful and emotional graduation weekend here at Luther Seminary. All full of friends and celebrations and conversations and reunions. And now, well, it's time for Captain Underpants and bed. Aidan wanted to show you his collection of Captain Underpants books. I'm telling you, this series is

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-62709291382201834102007-05-27T12:14:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:30.320-05:00

I didn't tell you about my crisis last week. My and Amanda's ipod wasn't working right, so instead of, say, planting the garden or talking with my kids, I spent the whole week doing diagnostics. I was pretty desperate and was about ready to beg the Best Buy geek guy to pretty please help me and . . . Alleluia, finally, the trouble shooting worked.So, in case you were wondering, here are some of

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-8062060060435790932007-05-25T16:12:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:30.915-05:00

Let me tell you about this picture. It's the robust Bob, one year ago tomorrow. May 2006. At the Luther Seminary BBQ right after Baccalaureate service. Remember that, all you Speirs and Morks out there? You were all here.But when I look at this picture I am transported to six months later, full moon December 2006, at the Mayo Clinic liver and kidney transplant unit, so very nicely outfitted with

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-24195218696239793962007-05-23T22:54:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:31.616-05:00

With thanks to another soccer parent who apparently does not go to the 5:00 core power yoga class, here are some pictures from Amanda's Black Hawks team. Go girl power! This is a scrimmage otherwise they would all look very professional wearing their team uniforms. We'll try to get some pics of Sam too, who also plays with the Black Hawks of St. Paul. That is until he and his family return to

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-76664241010579475142007-05-22T20:24:00.000-04:002007-05-22T22:41:29.049-04:00

Hello everyone and welcome to the liver blog. Thank you for coming over.Last night Aidan informed me that he had watered our garden and that it was looking good. What I did not tell him is that our garden is not yet planted.But I'll tell you who planted a garden. The LWR Board of Directors did. They announced the new LWR president this morning, after a nine month secret search. Friends, I was

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-86146785537914760452007-05-21T20:43:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:32.920-05:00

We're still living that way. Everything is relative to Bob's liver. And so yesterday when we went to Ashley's graduation reception it was the first time since last summer we had been to southern Minnesota, where my family lives. That is with the exception of the vertigo-panic road trips to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. And yesterday when we saw my relatives -- many whom work at the Mayo Clinic --

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-33118792399892369512007-05-19T13:17:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:33.495-05:00

Once upon a time there lived a brilliant young governor who deeply cared for the rich coastal rain forest and the people of his state.*If you could take the agility and precision of Shakira's hips and put them into social and interpersonal understanding. . .you would have Mr. Luis Gilberto Murillo . We worked together at LWR for seven years or so and I was very happy to see him last night.Ahhh,

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-5891984530180495672007-05-19T09:02:00.001-04:002008-12-09T20:25:33.970-05:00

Let me try this one on you. Women are more highly evolved.What do you think of that idea? No, I'm not a man-hater, in fact quite the contrary. But I'm just thinking about women's tendencies to process things, plan things, think things through to the very minutest of details and repercussions. Women through out the history of time have been mostly kept in the realm of the home, the private arena.

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-36487223855135878902007-05-18T18:03:00.000-04:002007-05-18T18:25:37.953-04:00

Last night on the Virtual University we were talking about Martin Luther's teaching's on vocation, how how we are suppose to follow our passion and realize it as a calling from God. Whatever our passions may be. It made me think about my Dad who has driven truck for over 40 years. It is indeed his vocation as he does it to the glory of God. Happy Birthday Dad!!So, in honor of my Dad's birthday

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-27210460652038182262007-05-18T00:15:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:34.095-05:00

Easter 2007.Oh my goodness, can you believe how great Bob looks here? The thing is, we never took pictures of what he looked like when his liver was gone. The egg yolk eyes, the emaciated body, and the tormented being. I think I myself took a picture of it, though. Too many pictures. They're all somewhere inside me. And now I'm thinking I should have just put one on the digital camera so the

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-66643808767758273452007-05-16T12:16:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:34.232-05:00

This is not fair. You get cancer. You get nervous. You get referred to a Turkish surgeon.Your Turkish surgeon is charming. Your Turkish surgeon becomes someone on whom you trust and depend. Your Turkish surgeon uses a magic marker to draw a horizontal line on your throat. Your Turkish surgeon opens you up and then removes your cancer, tension, and anguish.You fall in love with your Turkish

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-13126734463379205142007-05-14T20:15:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:34.539-05:00

Bill won an award for this picture.What do you think. . .utterly adorable? I think so too.Who is Bill? He is my colleague at LWR, director of the Central American Regional Office. I was suppose to go there last October but ended up retrieving a lost liver instead. Maybe later I'll be able to join Bill and the coffee farm families in the mountains of Matagalpa, Nicaragua. Wanna come with me? We're

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-9491216804768275062007-05-13T13:25:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:34.890-05:00

So today in church during sharing of the peace Miss Kim (photo) gave me a full body wrap, tightening her tiny little arms all the way around me because she heard my name in the prayers. I think she is one of the most generous people I've ever met. Forced to leave her home country of Vietnam by herself after the war, you would think she would be bitter or at least sad. But no, she flutters about

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-64651317222162259562007-05-12T14:52:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:35.263-05:00

OK, so this is borderline obsessing on my incision but since I am obsessed with my surgeon, who I think is Turkish by the way, why not also be with my wound. Here's to you, Sarah Ford, and to the rest of you who keep morbid fascination with flesh cuts to the throat. To all my vampires. Joanne and Al, are you stopping by Transylvania?Another way to think of it is those flip-o-ramas that you see in

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-88732830653191942022007-05-11T23:07:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:35.565-05:00

I just took the late night garbage out to the drop at the end of the hallway. Forgot to wear my scarf. Bumped into Isaac and Joshua, two of our loveable twelve-year-oldish boys around here. 'Sorry, I forgot to wear my scarf, guys,' I said.That's OK, we've seen a lot of stuff. They look. Oh cool!Then I bumped into the Rev. Orin Cummings. Same thing. 'Sorry, I forgot to wear my scarf.' That's OK,

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-19736090947911977552007-05-10T22:28:00.000-04:002007-05-11T11:10:25.784-04:00

And welcome to the thyroid blog, I mean liver blog, well, actually really it's the heart blog. We're an equal opportunity vital organ-ization around here. It's so GREAT to be home. My neck looks pretty icky though, looks worse than it feels. The kids talk to me from the side so they don't have to look at it. I cover it up, then they say, that's OK, Mom, you don't have to cover it up. Mostly, I'm

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-7838441935919232552007-05-08T23:08:00.000-04:002007-05-09T08:56:43.119-04:00

The day began as any other, with a nudge of my elbow to Terri begging her to get up first and make the kids lunch for school. sure as long as you drive them up to the bus stop she replied. That's a deal...another 1/2 hour of sleep. Now is this any way to treat a women who is looking at surgery on her pretty neck in another 5 hours. Sometimes I can be shameless, but a 1/2 hour extra sleep is a 1/2

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-38190623064416359812007-05-07T21:59:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:35.679-05:00

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. God does not faint or grow weary; God's understanding is unsearchable. God gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless." Isaiah 40:28-29This is part of what the Rev. Orin Cummings read to us, when he and his wife and son, our dear neighbors, courtesy of Guyana, came to pray

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-30543100096754307572007-05-06T20:15:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:35.864-05:00

Burning question: What is this?a. The latest incarnation of Lani's pink pajamas.b. Another self portrait of one of my children.c. A pedicure courtesy of mama panda.d. Amanda's most recent fashion design.e. All of the above.(This is a trick to get you to read the deep dark secret superhighway of my blog.) The answer to this burning question can be found at the end of this secret. And the secret is

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-74311527656434361092007-05-05T16:27:00.000-04:002007-05-05T23:20:46.618-04:00

I hope Dr. Freid, the band teacher, will forgive me when I say that I tried to get out of taking Amanda to the Cinco de Mayo parade today. Do you really have to go? Said mama panda in hibernation. Coffee and pajamas sounded like a better Saturday morning. "Yes, mama, we have to go."Butterflies and Sunshine coming up, first, some flat out complaining. . .You know what? I am really tired of

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-1732202518549610452007-05-03T17:44:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:36.585-05:00

That's what Aidan and Sam call each other.No wonder. When I asked Sam's father for permission to blog about Sam and post his picture he said, "Sure why not, he's your son too." In many ways that's how we feel. Actually, that's how many people feel about Sam because he's like the valedictorian of charm school.So anyway, mostly I just wanted to show you this cute picture of Sam and his new soccer

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-61065365646690083782007-05-02T20:27:00.000-04:002007-05-02T22:41:44.036-04:00

I am bound and determined to come up with a new vocabulary word. The definition would be something about the altered state of being when you face the fact that some people actually do read your blog and then you wonder if you really want people to know this stuff about your life, but then of course you realize that it is you and only you who makes the decision about putting the minutia of your

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-18641272685652599642007-04-29T22:54:00.000-04:002007-04-29T23:24:40.100-04:00

Hello friends and welcome to the liver blog. In honor of our wedding anniversary, 13 years tomorrow, April 30, I wanted to reprint something from the Care Pages, which was a way for so many of you to walk with us quite literally through the valley of the shadow of death. We will never ever forget that. One of my leadership classmates, my mentor, and an amazing woman, Lynae, says I should turn

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-73759536824854697882007-04-28T11:07:00.000-04:002007-04-28T11:38:24.029-04:00

i thank You God for this amazingI thank you God for most this amazing Day:For the leaping Greenly Spirits of treesand a blue true dream of skyand for everything which is natural which is infinitewhich is yes(i who have died am alive again todayand this is the sun's birthdaythis is the birthday of lifeand of love and wingsand of the gay green happeningillimitably earth)(now the ears of my ears

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-33656274750121979462007-04-26T21:02:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:37.212-05:00

So this is what planning looks like at LWR. Lots-o-brilliant ideas, talented colleagues, and fabulous shoes. With thanks to Fran, although this picture only begins to do justice to these stylish sling backs and stunning goals.The only thing is, I'm starting to wonder how the vision for peace and dignity for every one and every generation really works for me, because while others are taking in

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-30028629639797319372007-04-24T23:02:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:38.259-05:00

Question: What is the name of this quilt pattern.Answer: Many trips around the world.Isn't it pretty? It was designed in honor of my grandmother and Mrs. Elsie Feistner and the thousands and thousands of others who for decades have hand sewn quilts for people all around the world who need some extra TLC. (Speaking from experience, TLC helps.)This is a view from the rooftop deck of the Good

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5557256761397841649.post-6612570571503343012007-04-23T21:22:00.000-04:002008-12-09T20:25:38.850-05:00

Hello friends, thanks so much for coming over to the liver blog.I made it to LWR headquarters!! 85 degrees here today. Here are some of my awesome colleagues, the impromptu welcome committee, if you will. ;-) The spirit of the office is as true and beautiful as the vision of the organization. Dignity and justice for everyone in every generation. R to L: me, Emily, Phil, Vicky, Fran, Becky. I'm

Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821326317833176040noreply@blogger.com1