My Angel Turned 21 - or - Where Did the Time Go?

I was going to say that I can't believe my Angel is 21 years old - but I can.  I've been here for these past 21 years, watching him grow, and every birthday brought with it the same thought;  "I can't believe he's going to be ___ !"  Whether it was 5, or 7, or 12, or 16, or 18, or now 21 it's always been the same.  Disbelief that my sweet, smiling baby could really be that old.

The whole trouble, I think, is that I can remember so clearly almost everything about his birth and baby days.  You see, our second son wasn't born until my Angel was 7 1/2 years old, so he was my whole focus for those years.


Do you see that bright little face?  Can you almost hear the sweet squeals of delight?  I can, just like yesterday.  And joy fills my heart as tears fill my eyes. 

I received my copy of the NATHHAN News Spring/Summer 2007 this week and was so touched by one of the contributions.   It was nearing Valentine's Day and there was to be a dance at son's Adult Day Program Center.  He wanted to know if Mom would please come to the dance.  Of course!    Mom had asked son if he had a sweetheart and he admitted, while giggling, that he did!  On the day of the dance, Mom arrived at the Center.  She enjoyed watching her son with all of his friends, while trying to guess which of the ladies was his "sweetheart."  On the last song, mother and son took to the dance floor while Anne Murray's  "Could I Have This Dance?" played.   To quote her own words - "He and I stepped on to the dance floor, he slipped his arm around my waist and held my hand.  We swayed to the music, my eyes welling up with tears as I listened to the lyrics . . . . I'll always remember the song they were playing the first time we danced and I knew, as we swayed to the music and held to each other, I fell in love with you . . . .  My thoughts floated back in time to when I first held him in my arms as a little baby boy.  I fell in love and knew that my life would never be the same.  I reflected upon all the growing years between then and now, remembering all the love, the daily care, the assistance that has been required to bring my son into adulthood.  I thought of all the continued care that he will need every day for the rest of his life.  And as the words of the song asked for a lifetime commitment, my heart burst with love for my son, knowing that we would be dancing this dance for a long, long time."   The song ended, the dance ended and Mom and son got into the car to drive home.    Mom asked which of the ladies was his sweetheart?  He laughed and said "You are my sweetie!"


Well, MY Sweetie has grown into a very handsome man now.  But if you look closely, you can still see the bright little face with the light in his eyes.   The squeals of delight that filled my ears have grown a little deeper, and if possible, more enthusiastic!  And even though the rings of baby fat are gone, he fits perfectly in my arms and has filled my heart to overflowing. 

I'm looking forward to the NEXT 21 years!


This post originally published @ HenandChicks.typepad.com

All About Attitude

I can't think of a good introduction sentence for this post.

And that is pretty typical of the way my life has been going lately.  Ever since we were finished with our work at the Fair, and my mothers party, I still have not felt settled or peaceful.   Our days have been filled with cleaning and chores yet my home is still out of control, clutter-wise.    But that's really just part of the reason.  My biggest issue has been dealing with attitude, namely a wrong attitude,  and I'm most sorry to say that it's my own. 

I've had lots of ideas for posts and pictures to share, cleaning projects and some decorating, family announcements and vacation plans, but knowing that my heart is not right towards my duties at home I didn't feel I should continue blogging as if all was well.  My focus and my heart need to be on my home and the people in it. 

I had the thought in my head today that all would be well once I am able to get control of this feeling, this attitude.   But almost as soon as that thought entered my head, the next thought was that that's my problem.  I have tried to take control and I will not have peace until I am able to give up control.  Give up control to the one who is truly in control - my Father in heaven.

I'm in a deep personal "valley", so to speak, and am looking forward to climbing and feeling the sunshine on my face and in my heart once more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having you loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.      Ephesians 6:10-17

This post originally published @ HenandChicks.typepad.com

Birthday Adventures

Daughter is officially 9 years old now.  What a great time we had yesterday!  Grandma came up on the train with her buddy Miss L.  (Grandma and Miss L come up for each child's birthday.)  Daughter wanted to go to the Zoo for her birthday - so I had to think of a zoo that was near the train and that we could visit in the time allowed -- and Voila!  Micke Grove fit the bill perfectly.

So we drove for a bit - picked up Grandma and Miss L at a semi-distant station - and off we were on our adventure!



We saw several species of lemurs, some birds and bats, sea lions, baboons, tamarins, a mountain lion, chinese alligator, beautiful scarlet ibis', turtles and tortoises, and several pudus!



















After a cool water break, we walked over to the Japanese Garden and strolled through it before lunch.  The children had a great time seeing the huge Koi, and finding many crawdads in the ponds which they could cross on large, flat stones.  (Although the ones we saw were smaller and beautifully colored red like all the ones found in our fabulous Delta region!)

Off to lunch we went - and then back to the park where we explored the Historical Museum for our remaining time.  It was great - very interesting - and lots of fun!  We came home with some treasures from the "mercantile" -- I found an adorable set of metal measuring spoons (I'll have to take a picture of them and post it later), the children got some little wood kits, a nail puzzle, a kazoo, and two "twig crayons". 

Grandma got the best deal of all -- she bought a set of three Lovely bowls for only $20.00.  They were ivory colored nesting bowls and had a beautifulflower/scrollwork design on the upper rim.  We were all stunned at the price and decided that one of us HAD to buy them.  ;-)

Then it was time to get Grandma and Miss L back to the station -- the train was delayed a bit, but they were finally safely on board and headed for home.  It was a great day!

Pampered Life

We have a couple of extremely pampered pooches at our house.  These are just a few examples from what's happened this week:



This is daughter during our bible reading time - and of course if she's sitting still, that must be the perfect opportunity to get a tummy rub, right?  Obviously!



Here is our other doggie, renamed as "The World's Most Tolerant Dog" being treated to a snuggle in the toy box with all of the stuffed animals and beanie babies!  He is also the one who gets carried in the sling like a baby, put into boxes and wagons and dressed in anything daughter can find to make him "cute."  At times I think it's torture -- but he stays put and tolerates it all so well, he MUST like it / or the attention to some degree, right?

This post originallypublished @ HenandChicks.typepad.com

Great * Wonderful * Happy

My Mother's 70th Birthday party this past weekend was a great success!  There was one point in the last minute preparation/gathering stage where I had to let go of some things and realize that I just could not get them done/make them happen.  And that it was okay.  And you know what?  It really was okay.

The day went smoothly and beautifully and everyone had a wonderful time - especially my mother.    As much as she protested "It's too much trouble" & "You really don't need to" over and over again, I know she enjoyed every second of anticipation and of the gathering itself of friends, neighbors, old co-workers and family members including my older brother who has not been in his home state for almost two decades.
And of course, it being her 70th Birthday, I had to have just a little fun with her!

These are her "safety goggles" that I got for her to protect her from the heat of the SEVENTY candles on her cake.  Yes, I put seventy candles on her cake.  Don't ask how long it took.  It was awhile!  But with a little protest, she played along and it took her three blows to blow out all of the candles!















I'm now in the process of putting together the pictures and notes from the party into a scrapbook for her.  Another thing on my to-do-list - but a very happy task!  A pitifully small repayment for everything she has done for me the last forty years. 
Happy 70th Birthday, Momma.   With much love from your favorite daughter.  (Yes, yes, I know I'm your only daughter!)

This post originally published @ HenandChicks.typepad.com

Throwing Down the Stamping Gauntlet

Yep, that's what I'm doing.  Do you want to know why?  Here, I'll show you -

At the Fair this year, I not only got First Place with my little stamped card that I made here, but I also won Best of Division!  Do you know why??   Because I was the only one who entered ANYTHING in the Stamping category!  Now, mind you, I like winning -- but not by default!

So I am throwing down the proverbial gauntlet to my wonderful stamping friends - who stamp much more than I do and who are so much more creative than I am - to PLEASE enter their incredible creations in the Fair next year and challenge me! 

Okay - notice has hereby been given.  You know who you are - DW, LD, SG & KC!!   I expect to see some great stamped scrapbook pages, cards, and those incredible stamped books that you make!

This post was originally published @ HenandChicks.typepad.com

We're Almost Home

June 05, 2007

* we're almost home *

Yeah!  We are enjoying a whole morning home today -- we don't have to be at the Fairgrounds until 12:30 p.m.! So, it's time to take a look around at what we've been missing for the past few weeks:















I guess you can't leave radishes alone for very long.  ;-)
The largest one at bottom right is about 6-7" around and the plants themselves are over 2  1/2 ft. tall!
Oh well, the chickens will enjoy them!
And speaking of the chickens, they enjoyed a dustbath this morning, along with some delicious seeds and bugs they found.
 















The chickens can only be out when we are at home, so we can keep an eye on them - no cat attacks and no flying over fences - since they are city chickens.

Then we also enjoyed some great puppy love with the doggies who have been left outside (gasp!!) for days while we've been working and out of town. 
 Our doggies are very much inside doggies and are always underfoot wherever we are and whatever we are doing.



So that's what we are enjoying this morning, besides the usual round of dishes and laundry and a MUCH needed cleaning of the bedrooms.

OH!  And I took a picture of the photo I mentioned here



That's my back and the top of my head -- isn't it great!!  It's pretty much the very best angle of me he could have taken because my body shape is essentially an apple with legs!  ;-)  And that is the Photography Judge that I was clerking for.  Not only fun but I learned a LOT!

Well, time to take the laundry out of the dryer and get the next one going.  Have a wonderful day in the LORD.

This post was originally published @ HenandChicks.typepad.com

One Down - One To Go

Okay - so this morning I'm debating with myself. My last post was Tuesday the 22nd. It was still up on Tuesday the 29th, and if I just focus on what I need to get done and ignore the whole blog thing for a bit longer, it can apply to one more Tuesday.

But, alas, I fear it is too late for that since I am already sitting comfortably with blog-gy thoughts running through my head, though I will warn you, they are random. Alright, you've been warned. ;-)

We are finished with the County Fair, at least until it is over and then we will work a few more days to help get everything taken down and cleaned up. We had a wonderful time - and I mean Wonderful - but last night on our way home I was sooooo glad that it was over. I'm done, the children are done, husband is done and I'm sure even all of our little critters are done and ready for us all to be HOME! I was so tired, but had to putter around for awhile before I could get in bed and get really comfy, you know? Like my muscles couldn't just go from work, walk, work, carry, work, work to relax, rest, peace without sufficient in between time to wind down.

> Now, back to your regularly scheduled blogging:

I'm not really done, though. Because today is Day 2 of our countdown to my mother's 70th birthday party that has been in the works sine the beginning of the year. The big stuff is done - place secured, invitations out and RSVP'd back, menu chosen, colors and centerpieces planned and at the ready, cake ordered, music ordered and arrived. Today I need to do little detail things like get bowls for the nuts and candies that my mother would like at each table, do the toppers for the party favors, maybe make a batch of her famous cookies to have as well. I also need to get a display board and mount the photos of her through the years. Tomorrow, Friday, will be Day 1, making final arrangements (like paying for it all!) and checking out the room and deciding how we will arrange things. The B-Day Saturday will be an early one for me - get the balloons, get the cake and be in the room by 9 a.m. to decorate and set up in time for party starting at 11 a.m. Then hopefully it will be time to just sit and enjoy!

Next week - Monday and Tuesday will be our last days at the Fair. We'll be working on taking down the exhibits, assisting with entry pick-ups, and cleaning out the two buildings where our work has been concentrated. Then a quiet few days at home and ending the week with the children's piano recital on Friday evening.

Can my brain handle all of this?

We'll see.

Happy Tuesday

Some perfectly pink blooms for you from my Gerbera Daisy (one of my very favorite flowers because they just keep coming back and blooming again and again!)

It's Growing!

Our Garden is growing! On the left is our corn a few weeks ago, and on the right is our corn this morning!! Lovely tassels opening up getting ready to pollinate. Yay!

With the corn in the back, on the left is our cabbage taking shape with some tomatoes behind that (hidden behind huge cabbage leaves :-) , some of my variety pepper plants in front with the green bean plants in back. It's so exciting to go out each day and see the growth and the new blossoms! And speaking of new blossoms - look at this . . . .

Our newest squash blossom! Isn't it lovely?

Yep, it's a beautiful day in the garden!

A Different Kind Of Life

For the next two weeks, the children and I will be working with our County Fair helping with all the things that need to be done. I decided to do it mainly for the boys, who have been feeling very cooped up lately and wanting to do REAL things, which I totally understand and know that they NEED in a way that daughter and I don't.

But, along with this working, we are getting a glimpse of another side of life that we don't experience very often.

It took me years, and I mean that literally, to realize that I NEED to be Home. I can't be going here and there throughout the day and maintain my sanity. I really need to be home in order to focus and, practically speaking, in order to do all that needs doing. We generally have one or two days a week where we are out with lessons, or errands, or playing with friends, or appointments (and I try to schedule things together - like a day that I know I'm already going to be out), but the rest of the time we are home.

So now and for the next two weeks, we will be gone virtually all day, every day. We are, in essence, seeing how most of America lives. Getting up early, having some breakfast even when you aren't hungry - not to mention awake yet - and getting basic chores done quickly before you have to be out the door. Coming in the door very late in the afternoon or well into evening and doing it in reverse - quickly check animals and laundry while throwing something together for dinner, which you are hungry for but almost too tired to eat, getting ready for the morning and then off to bed so you can do it all over again tomorrow.

No more out-of-the-way restaurants. No more fun in the pool. And no more days like this. Or this.

I can deal with it because it has an end. There's a date on the calendar which is the Last Day. Then we go back to our routine. Thankful that we can be quiet and slow and enjoy. But I grieve for those for whom constant running is normal.

I know, too, that I need to keep the LORD and scripture foremost in my mind so as not to get frazzled and to gracefully deal with anything and everything that happens. So, in addition to reading my Bible last thing at night and first thing in the morning, I've been having oldest son read out loud to us as we drive to the Fairgrounds. This morning I had him read Psalm 139. Oh, how it fed my soul! Please read it for yourself (HERE it is), but here is a highlight that just really spoke to my heart this morning:

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:1-10

I hope that wherever you are at, that you are seeking the LORD while he may be found and that your mind is stayed, fixed, on the only one who gives perfect peace.

New Restaurant In Town

I wandered outside today and what should I find but a new place to eat. Let's take a look!

It looks like a nice off-the-beaten-path kind of place.

I think I'll go in and try it out!

The waiter, a very nice young man, was so quick and attentive!

Banana ~ $o.01, Banana with Peanut Butter ~ $0.02, Peanut Butter Banana Stack ~ $0.03, Water ~ Free

Well, the prices are certainly reasonable!

The waiter brought my water and quickly took my order.

He was very persuasive, too! I was going to have a half order of the Banana with Peanut Butter but he talked me into the most expensive dish, the Peanut Butter Banana Stack. ;-)

I enjoyed the peaceful surroundings while I awaited my order. The lavendar and greenery on the table was a lovely touch.

Very nice! Beautifully prepared, and if I may say so, quite delicious too!

I will certainly be visiting this little out of the way spot the next time I'm in the area.

What We Remember

I was so blessed this past weekend to be able to spend some real time with my mother-in-law.

She has been stricken with Alzheimer's, as I've written before, and for years now we've watched her silently slip away from us and the happenings of everyday life. She is getting quieter now, and is largely confined to her bed or chair since moving is so very difficult for her.

But she still always has a smile, even if she doesn't remember you, and is ready with a laugh that is as sweet as the sound of bells. She listens intently at times and thoughts form that only halfway make it to her tongue.

It makes me sad when I think that my children, who are the very youngest of the grandchildren (there are great-grandchildren who are older than they are) will never know their grandmother in the way that their older cousins did. No sleepovers or camping with Grandpa & Grandma. No memories of Grandma making something special for them, being in the kitchen with her, just spending the day and talking with her.

But I remember her. And count myself so fortunate. So loving. So giving. So accepting. And just like now, always ready with a smile and a laugh and a hug.

The sweetest part of the weekend with her was hearing her sing. She rarely talks; a word or two, maybe half of a sentence will form and trail off, but she can sing. Amazing Grace was sung at the funeral we attended on Friday, and she sang the first verse along with the soloist. We, sisters- and brothers-in-law standing around her, all looked at each other and at her. And smiled wonderful smiles. We were all to sing the last verse together, so I kneeled down beside her and sang with her. She watched me, and sang and smiled that sweet smile. And we praised Jesus that we can sing.

Thank you LORD for this priceless woman. Thank you for the gift that she is even now in my life.

She's been Wife for 60 years, Mother to four, Grandmother to 14, Great-Grandmother to 21+, in addition to all of the children and adults she has loved and cared for throughout her life.

Happy 76th Birthday & Happy Mother's Day M -- I love you.

Rub-A-Dub-Dub

. . . . . . . look who's in the tub! Or more correctly, the wading pool, but it just doesn't have that "ring" to it, ya' know?

This is my oldest son and youngest son keeping cool in the pool. Would you believe that all four of the children squeeze in there at one time? It's just legs everywhere! And of course the Angel doesn't play fair and wants to splash and lay down, preferably on someone else -- hence the photo above. Doesn't he look just perfectly comfortable and happy? Someone to lean against in a pool of water -- what could be better?! (youngest son is singing a song with brother and sister who are out of the picture! :-)

Catch-Up and Smile

Home again, home again, home we are. How wonderful it always is to come home. We were out of town, actually we went home - where we are both from and where both sides of our families live, for the funeral of my husband's cousin who was tragically and accidentally killed a few days before his 52nd birthday.

We were down for two nights and were able to catch up with family that we don't get to see very often, see both Moms/Grandmas for Mother's Day, as well as spend some time swimming at the hotel ( a small secluded pool that is always empty ) and seeing a few of our favorite shows on television since we don't have television at home and only watch videos or dvd's related to school or things we borrow from the library. So sometimes we look forward to going out of town and catching up with Alton Brown, the Meerkat's, and Deadliest Catch.

I got a bit of crocheting done - ran out of yarn and had to stop! And some hand sewing too. My mother buys all kinds of crochet books and I love looking through them for patterns and ideas -- I was soooo tempted to borrow a few of them this time but I have so much on my plate now that I just couldn't. I told her that I would leave them and that way I would know where they are when I have the time to do something new. One of them is still in my head -- a totally adorable little granny square that is a bunny face with ears. I can absolutely see that for my new soon-to-be-born granddaughter, but it will have to wait. Maybe it will be a Christmas present that I can start in June when my life and time will hopefully be more my own again. :-)

I did get some great cookbooks from my Mom, though. One is a Ladies Home Journal Cookbook from 1960 with a lot of great basic recipes I can't wait to try. I've got post-it notes in several places already. Maybe I'll try and make the doughnut balls in the morning if I feel really ambitious!! The other cookbook is actually the first one I grabbed. With a name like The Prudence Penny Regional Cook Book who could resist? This one is from 1939 and not only has a recipe for Berry Fluff that both son and I found (LOL!!) but it also has one for Opossum, too!! You never know when that may come in handy!

Our garden is growing by leaps and bounds - so exciting. Our corn is already 3 feet high, our squash plants are getting bigger by the minute and the beans are doing their best to keep up! The cabbage is coming along nicely, and we've been harvesting the radishes for a week now! My Basil and Lemon Basil are doing great - now I can't wait to plant the Sage, Parsley and Cilantro that I bought, too!

This week we'll be working on our projects for the County Fair and I'll be finishing up some other odds and ends. The ASF Walk is fast approaching on Saturday, May 19th. We've never attended and this year one is being held only an hour away. I'm really going to try and go. I think Angel would enjoy it immensely!

High Protein Blueberry Muffins

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

It's a beautiful morning here with the sun shining brightly, the birds calling and the sound of the leaves rustling in the breeze. Although my house is still a mess, I am just trusting the LORD and focusing on only what is the next thing. I cannot do it all at once - all I can do is the next thing, and do it cheerfully.

We did our bible reading together this morning and then the children got started on schoolwork while I made these delicious muffins. Daughter said they were better than our Peanut Butter Muffins. Young son who loves all things blueberry said that we should just add blueberries to the Peanut Butter Muffins. ;-) But both he and middle son thought these were better. My two cents is they are both great - they are just different and it depends what you are in the mood for!

Now I'm off to assign chores and schoolwork then start working, one clutter spot at a time, on cleaning the house.

The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. Psalm 118:14

High-Protein Blueberry Muffins

• 1/4 c. butter, softened
• 1/3 c. brown sugar, packed
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
• 1/3 c. wheat germ
• 1/4 c. dry milk
• 1 1/2 t. baking powder
• 1 c. milk
• 1 c. blueberries, fresh or frozen
• Crumb Topping (see below)

In bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Beat in egg. In another bowl, combine all dry ingredients, mixing well. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk to the butter mixture. Stir until combined but do not overbeat. Fold in blueberries. Fill greased muffin pans evenly with batter. Sprinkle Crumb Topping gernerously over each muffin. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes. Allow muffins to cool a few minutes in pan before lifting out.

Crumb Topping: Combine 1/4 c. brown sugar, 1/3 c. whole wheat flour, and 1/2 t. cinnamon. Cut in 1/4 c. butter until crumbly, like sandy pebbles.

Wanted: Recipes

Are you always seeking new recipes? Then I NEED your help!!

I don't know what is going on lately, but in the past two weeks I have received four, 4, FOUR!!, letters about recipe exchanges! First my cousin, then my mom, then my grandchildren's other grandmother, and now my sister-in-law. What is happening here? Is spring the season for recipe exchanges and no one told me?

Now I love sharing recipes, don't get me wrong. But I feel inadequate when it comes to choosing a recipe for someone else. What if they're looking for dessert recipes and I send them my favorite casserole? What if they really don't like enchiladas and I send them our favorite secret recipe for the best enchiladas? Do you see? I would feel so much better if I could just mail them my recipe box for them to go through and pick out what they like for themselves. ;-)

And the other side is, I think I would be seriously testing my circle of friends if I sent them multiple letters for exchanging recipes themselves. (You know the drill: copy this letter 6 times, put my name at the top and your name on the back and mail to six of your friends)

So I thought, what if there is someone on-line who might like a chance to exchange recipes with others in a different part of the country? Two of the exchanges are actual letters, which means you'll get REAL mail!! The other two exchanges are via e-mail. If you are interested, leave a comment and tell me which exchange you would like to join (mail or e-mail) and I'll reply and get your address and send you off a recipe! (Please do not leave your address, e-mail or physical, in your comment. But you already knew that. )

BTW, the picture above is a Giant Ding Dong Cake I made a few months ago. Yeah, it really does taste like a ding dong. :-) If you make it, I would suggest making it in layers like I did above, rather than strictly according to the recipe. Having a center full of fluff is fine when you're holding a little circle in the palm of your hand - but when it is in an 8 or 9 inch cake it's a little overwhelming!

I Am Thine, O Lord

At the age of 15, Fanny Crosby went off to the New York School for the Blind. During her seven years there as a student, she learned to sing, and play the piano and the guitar. She loved all of her studies except for one, of which she wrote:

I loathe, abhor, it makes me sick, to hear the word Arithmetic! ;-)

I share this hymn today because it is one of the hymns that I was singing in my head yesterday after my visit at the dentist.

I am thine, O Lord

I am thine, oh Lord, I have heard thy voice,

And it told thy love to me;

But I long to rise in the arms of faith,

And be closer drawn to thee.

*

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To the cross where thou hast died;

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To thy precious bleeding side.

*

Consecrate me now to thy service, Lord

By the power of grace divine;

Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,

And my will be lost in thine.

*

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To the cross where thou hast died;

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To thy precious bleeding side.

*

O the pure delight of a single hour

That before thy throne I spend;

When I kneel in prayer, and with thee, my God,

I commune as friend with friend!

*

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To the cross where thou hast died;

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To thy precious bleeding side.

*

There are depths of love that I cannot know

Till I cross the narrow sea;

There are heights of joy that I may not reach

Till I rest in peace with thee.

*

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To the cross where thou hast died;

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To thy precious bleeding side.

For a very well written mini-biography of Fanny Crosby, see THIS.

In The Moment

I feel like I'm drowning.

My house is a mess, I have so many projects out and half done (adding to the chaos), party planning for my mother is moving along with more things on my to do list, I have several dates coming up on my calendar with an assignment for me attached to each of them -- I was so desparate this morning that I actually cancelled schoolwork for the day in order for us all to work and gain some control over the raging white waters that my life seems to be right now.

Then the phone rang. . . . . It was the dentists' office asking if we were coming in for our appointments this morning. Of. Course.

The children run to get dressed while I can't find my keys. Looking, looking, I'm about to give up and call back to cancel when on the way to the phone I spy my keys laying on the bed where they blend in beautifully with the comforter. Get. In. The. Car. Now.

We arrive one person short. My Angel is in school two cities away. Because I totally forgot about the appointment. We go to the dentist en masse so that we only have to make one trip and because we all like to visit with the dentist and his wife who works as the dental hygenist twice a week. (We always schedule on her days.) Everyone is so sweet when we get there - no "You're Late" looks or anything. And Mrs. Dentist, who is the only one who cleans Angels teeth, makes room in her schedule so that she can see him tomorrow.

I'm first with Mrs. Dentist while the boys head off to the room across the hall with another hygenist. It's the first quiet I've had all morning, sitting in the chair while she finishes setting up, the children are all across the hall watching Meerkat Manor while younger son gets his teeth cleaned. What do I do? I start crying. Yup. Right in the dentists chair with Mrs. Dentist hovering and flitting and chatting.

Do you know what happened next?

She asked if she could pray with me. Yes. Please. A moment of calm and peace and the sharing of a burden. What a treasure. She shared from her heart exactly what I was thinking in mine - life gets frustrating and overwhelming when we try to do it within our own power and do not seek time and direction from the LORD.

I was able to breathe again - to just simply take a deep breath and let it go - the mess, the projects, the list, the dates - everything. Just sit and breathe and not worry about the next moment. The LORD holds all in his hands. Ten minutes ago is past. I can't change it. Ten minutes from now is the future. The only thing I control about the future is how I approach it.

The most important moment of your life is the one you're living right now.

Thank you LORD for a life ring in the storm and a reminder that I need to choose to seek you every moment. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6

Marvelous Millet Muffins

We try to include as wide a variety of grains in our diet as often as we can. And millet is certainly one of the easiest to include with its mild flavor and abundance of uses. Click HERE to read so much more about this versatile grain and all of the health benefits it carries!

One of the ways we use millet for breakfast is this great recipe for muffins that I found a few years ago.

Millet Muffins

• 2 1/4 c. whole wheat flour (part flax meal if you like, see note below)
• 1/3 c. millet
• 1 t. each baking powder, baking soda, salt
• 1/4 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 t. cinnamon

Mix all dry ingredients in large bowl

• 1 c. buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1/2 c. vegetable oil (a light olive oil if you prefer)
• 1/4 c. honey

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just moistened (no more dry spots). Add whatever dried fruits or nuts you like - currants, raisins, cranberries, apples, apricots, walnuts, almonds, pecans, etc.

Pour into 16 greased muffin cups and bake at 400F for 12 minutes.

The millet in these muffins is like a tiny nut crunch, Yummy!

NOTE: To boost the nutrition in these muffins, I regularly will substitute 1/4 - 1/2 cup of flax meal for an equal amount of flour.

Great Hair Day

Oh, Oh, Oh how can I tell you how happy I am today? I LOVE doing daughter's hair and most of the time we just do simple braids, sometimes one sometimes two with a ribbon for extra effect.

This morning, she suggested that instead of a french braid why don't I do This! (see below!)

Oh the joy!!

I absolutely love her hair this way but we haven't done it for at least two years.

It just makes me think of all things young and innocent and sweet.

And her new pink dress just adds to the sweetness.

It's a beautiful day in our neighborhood!

Blog, Blogs, Bloggers, Blogging

Yesterday was a fairly busy day - just having fun with the children and then went monster grocery shopping -- you know, the kind where you are out of EVERYTHING like flour and sugar and yeast and syrup and peanut butter and buttermilk and oatmeal and carrots and onions and potatoes and cilantro and . . . well, you get the picture.

Today is going to be pretty much the same. School with the children before lunch, and after lunch go pick up Angel at school two cities to the west of us and then drive to his IEP which is one city to the southeast of us. Not really as big of a deal as it sounds - since all of these cities could fit inside of my hometown in the valley with plenty of room left over. ;-) Then it will be time to get home and get dinner ready. I've actually made a menu plan for the coming week and got everything I needed on our shopping trip yesterday. Last night was Thai Coconut Chicken Soup and tonight is one of husbands favorites, Steak & Mushroom Pie.

Since I've not been sewing/crafting lately (except for Granddaughter's dresses and a cute poncho for daughter - and as soon as I finish the poncho fringe I'll picture and post!) I thought I would list the blogs that I enjoy reading and catching up with. Some I just do a quick check, others I delve into the archives to get every bit of goodness! So, in no particular order of importance, may I present

The Blogs I Regularly Read:

• A Dress A Day
• A Path Made Straight
• Isms
• Ann Kroeker
• Baby Bees
• Things Go Moo In The Night . . .
• Country Diary of a Twenty First Century Lady
• Homemaking Homesteader
• Homeliving Helper
• I Have To Say . . .
• Kidding Around
• My Home Sweet Home
• One Thing
• Random Contemplations
• Smockity Frocks

If there's one you haven't seen before, then check it out! They either have beautiful photos, great writing, something to make you smile or all of the above!

Have a blessed day in the LORD!

May Day: A Lesson

The weather is beautiful and I am lured by all of the beautiful pictures of May flowers and May baskets and want to join in celebration, but . . . . .

I must test all things. As innocent as it all may seem, there is usually something underneath that bears revealing.

May Day, like so very many of our holiday celebrations, has its roots in pagan rituals and (without naming them) is something still celebrated by those continuing to practice those ways.

May Day is also a holiday celebrated in Socialist and Communist countries as International Workers' Day or Labour Day, a day of military parades or street protests, depending upon the country.

So yes, while it may seem very innocent and sweet to make a paper May Day basket and fill it with candy and flowers for friends, there is a bigger picture that I do not want to associate with in any way.

Let no man decieve you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. . . . . See that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:6-11, 15-17

We MUST walk with our eyes open and train our children to look beyond the surface to the root of all things, whether it be of this world or the Kingdom of God. We are commanded to test all things, to have nothing to do with the fruits of darkness, to love not the world, to follow that which is good. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore, wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16

Oh, the Joy

For "Experienced Homeschoolers", there is no explanation needed -

Blessed Assurance

Frances Jane Crosby, known to the world as Fanny, was a most prolific hymn writer and a lovely example of how the LORD uses those who are weak and feeble, seemingly with nothing to offer, and proves how marvelous is His strength.

Fanny was born in 1920. At about six weeks of age, she caught a cold which then became an inflammation of the eyes. The Doctor who came in place of the family Doctor recommended hot poultices as treatment for the inflammation. This treatment left her blind in both eyes. At the age of one, her father died and she was raised by her mother and grandmother who firmly grounded her with a strong faith in God and encouraged her to memorize long passages from the Bible.

She began writing prose at a very young age; when she was nine years old she wrote:

"Oh, what a happy soul I am, although I cannot see; I am resolved that in this world contented I will be. How many blessings I enjoy that other people don't, to weep and sigh because I'm blind, I cannot and I won't."

I will be adding many more of her hymns, and each time I do I will add a little more about her interesting life also.

Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

This is my story, this my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight: Angels descending bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

This is my story, this my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blessed: Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with his goodness, lost in his love.

This is my story, this my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.

Guilt and Grace

We all trekked to the courthouse early this morning for my angel's Conservatorship hearing. Praise in that all went quickly and smoothly and I was granted all the powers that were requested.

While we were in the halls waiting for our turn, though, we witnessed several men in chains being escorted through the courthouse. One of them struck me because he was not alone with the deputy. A woman I assumed to be his mother was walking along with him. A few minutes later she came walking back down the hall alone, visibly emotional, and hurried out the nearest exit. Then it occured to me that each of those men was a son, a grandson, a nephew, a brother, and maybe even a husband to someone who loved them and thought they were special. Someone who was worried about them. Someone who was hoping that they would be able to turn their lives around.

After we were home and having lunch, the children and I had a chance to talk about those men. In chains. Guarded and looked upon with suspicion. "Be sure your sin will find you out." Numbers 32:23

We talked about how they were someone's family. I told them that the world may look upon these men as guilty and worthy of being punished. The world may also look at us and think we are a nice family who does nice things. Innocent, if you will. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD." Isaiah 55:8

How would the LORD look at us? "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Genesis 6:5

In the eyes of the LORD, we are all guilty. All worthy of judgement and punishment and death. We, each of us, are walking around in chains. Except when we are seen through the blood that was shed for us. The blood of the sacrifice. The blood of the Lamb. Jesus Christ.

I am thankful that this issue of conservatorship for my son is behind me.

But my eyes fill with tears of joy as I am brought to my knees in gratitude and thanksgiving for something of much greater worth -- the salvation and grace I have received from the LORD my God.

The Fun of Corking

Now if you are at all like me, you'll read 'corking' and think, "Huh?"

That's what I thought when I first saw this book during my library seach for easy knitting projects. And as usual, if I want to know something, I go to my knowledgeable Uncle Google. And as usual, he gave me some great information as well as some really cool links and ideas!

Corking, also known as a knitting spool, knitting Nancy, or knitting knobby is simply knitting a tube using pegs and a blunt needle instead of knitting needles. So we got the book from the library - it's cool and fun and just FULL of crafts and projects and toys that you can make with your tubes - and daughter promptly discovered it and decided that she wanted to make a small spool, like the one on the cover, so she could make a rope. (She loves to tie things up!) Younger son saw us making hers and he decided he'd like one, too! By the time we were done making younger sons, middle son wanted in on all this knitting action as well.

They are pretty easy to make. All you need is something round and hollow, 1" cloth tape, finishing nails (they are straight with no heads to speak of), yarn and a yarn needle or smaller crochet hook.

We used a toilet paper tube, a 15 oz. can and an large yogurt container. For the toilet paper tube, you cut it along the side, roll it until it is doubled (till the cut sides are even when rolled double-thick - does that make sense?), and tape it closed with the cloth tape. Put a strip of the cloth tape sticky side out around the top of your spool, then you place the two nails together (as one peg) on the tape at 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock, having the nail heads 1/2" above the rim of your spool. Cover that strip with another strip of cloth tape. Then you seal the top edge, and secure the nails in place by cutting strips of the 1" tape in half lengthwise and taping in between each nail set. That's it!

The instructions for the larger containers are essentially the same, except in placing the nail sets around the rim you will space them 5/8" apart. You may also cover your corker with felt or fabric to make it more decorative, if you wish.

This produces a really nice tube and each of the children are very excited about their progress. They all love how easy it is and have a plan for each of their projects. As I mentioned above, daughter plans to make a rope, younger son wants to make a snake (Yuck!), and middle son is planning on a pair of socks. :-)

The work you see here - each son is about halway down his tube in length, and daughter's is coming out the end - was done in the time since Dad came home from work. Not too bad. The best part about it for each of them is that they made it all themselves from things we have here (although I did have to run to the drugstore and get some more cloth tape!)

Here are a few links if you'd like to learn more or get started yourself in corking.

• How to Make a Corker (using a wooden spool)
• How to Use a Knitting Spool
• The Lost Art of Knitting Nancy's (lots of history as well as neat information here!)
• Spool Knitting Links from Needelepointers.com
• How to make a cute Bear

And of course, don't forget to look for this great book, Corking by Judy Ann Sadler, at your local library or bookstore!

Some extra information: If you don't knit, like me :-( then you can use this same principle to make a straight knitter, which is what I am going to do. History: I found some adorable specialty yarn on sale and had visions of knitting a cute something for daughter and granddaughter. Reality: It didn't work. At. All. But now I see that I can simply make a straight corker - a piece of 1x4 wood maybe 8" long with the nails/pegs evenly spaced along the top - and 'knit' some scarves that way. Yeah!! Besides, the children were telling me all evening to make my own because I kept asking them to let me try theirs "just for a minute" ;-)

I'll post a Tutorial on how to make the spool if anyone is interested or would like more information than the directions above.

Girl Finds Amazing Giant Dandelion!

Can you believe it?

This dandelion that daughter found in MY backyard yesterday is 19 inches long from base to tip!

I had NO idea that they could get that big.

Did you?

Malay Chicken Wings

Does the card above give you an indication of

• A.) How long I've had this recipe?
• B.) What a messy cook I am?
• C.) That this is one of our all-time favorite recipes?

YES to all of the above! If you can read the recipe, you'll notice that it uses two pounds of chicken wings, the half tray (8x6??) It has been years since I've made that amount! I used to double it when the boys got a bit older, then I tripled the sauce because everyone wanted extra sauce to put on their rice. For the past six months or so, even that wasn't enough and at the end of the meal everyone complained it was gone, or husband would ask the next day "Aren't there any leftovers?" So tonight, I sixtupled it - which means two large four+ lb. trays with plenty of extra sauce!! (Yes, for those in the know, the misspelling of sixtupled is intentional.) Wow! Even all my hungry boys can't fnish that!

So here is the basic recipe doubled, for those with the average family, because my husband could eat the single recipe by himself! But please know that you can halve it or even double this if your family is large enough!

Malay Chicken Wings

• 1 pkg. chicken wings (about 4.5 lbs. )
• 1/2 cup peanut butter - creamy or chunky, whichever you prefer
• 2 T. brown sugar
• 1 1/2 - 2 T. of curry powder
• 1/2 t. ground cumin
• 6 T each lime juice (or lemon) and soy sauce
• 5-6 cloves of garlic, minced or finely chopped (some grated ginger is also very good if you like ginger)

Cut chicken wings at the joints and discard tips. Rinse in strainer and set aside. In large bowl, mix all remaining ingredients until smooth. Stir in chicken to coat. At this point you can leave it to marinate in the fridge for overnight, for a few hours, or you may use it immediately.

To bake, set oven to broil. Spread chicken in large foil-lined pan (metal cookie sheet or baking pan) and broil chicken 4-6 inches from heat for 7-8 minutes, then turn chicken over and broil for 7-8 minutes more. Serve over rice and ENJOY!!

False Prophets: Yesterday and Today

Ezekiel 13: 1-16

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.

They have seen vanity and lying, divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD. And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter: Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.

Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it? Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.

So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it; to wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

Get Real Monday: The Outfit

When Randi announced the subject of this weeks Get Real, I didn't think I would participate. I'd have to dig through the garage to find my old photo album and then scan whatever photos I found - and the new scanner husband bought last year still hasn't made nice with me.

But as I was doing my Bible reading this morning, it occured to me that I could participate and there was an outfit that I would be ashamed of being caught in. Actually, a few of them.

I would like to never been seen dressed in:

• Impatience. The one that says "I'm busy" or "What do you want?" in that really ugly tone of voice, not only getting rid of the disturbance, but crushing the tender spirit in the process.
• Selfishness/Frustration. This one is all too common, unfortunately. Selfishness puts my desires and present wants above anything else and Frustration is its closest companion when those wants are interrupted or interferred with.
• Harshness. This is the harsh or grievous word that stirs up anger; the opposite of the "soft answer (that) turneth away wrath." Proverbs 15:1
• A Critical and Complaining spirit. I can so easily find fault and pick at each little detail that was/is not done properly, why can I not just as easily praise and find those things that were done well? I know that when I am dressed like this I certainly am NOT being obedient to the word of God. "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights of the world; Holding forth the word of life;" Philippians 2:14-16

I pray that I may always be clothed in "a word fitly spoken" (Pr. 25:11), and in "Charity (love) (that) suffereth long, and is kind; (that) envieth not; (that) vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (that) doth not behave itself unseemly, (that) seeketh not her own, (that) is not easily provoked, (that) thinketh no evil; (that) rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; (that) beareth all things, (that) believeth all things, (that) hopeth all things and endureth all things." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Above all, may I be clothed in wisdom and understanding, which begins with the fear of the LORD.

Conservatorship

The dictionary says that a conservator is "one who conserves or preserves from injury, violation, or infraction; protector. One who is responsible for the person and property of an incompetent." Wikipedia says that a conservator is "someone appointed by a court to manage the affairs or estate of a person who is deemed incapable due to reasons such as age or mental limitations."

A week from today I will go to court hoping that the judge will grant me Conservatorship over my oldest son, my angel. It's been a more emotional road than I thought it would be.

From the beginning I was his mother, he was my son, and I made all decisions concerning everything - that's that way it is and as his mother, that's the way it will always be, right? I was in La-La-Land. Nobody told me any different and so I kept believing that this was reality. Well, I was awakened one perfectly normal spring day last year. Nothing earth shattering. Nothing dramatic. Just a simple annual IEP. (Individualized Education Plan) All was going along as usual, each person presenting their report of my son and the areas they felt should be worked on for the year ahead. Then it came time to sign. A simple thing really. Just sign on the line, acknowledging that I, his mother, am in agreement with the IEP. Then it happened. The Director, a very sweet woman whom I had sat across from at every IEP for the past seven years, all of a sudden halts midway while handing me the pen. "Do you have Conservatorship of him?" "Umm . . . no," I answer with a puzzled look on my face. "Oh, then we'll need him to sign it." HUH?? They want my son to sign a legally binding document? My son, who although 19 at the time, has the mental capabilities of a 15 month old? You've got to be kidding me. Well, they weren't. So a pen is placed in his hand which he promptly tries to drop because he is tactile defensive. His arm is moved toward the paper, which is difficult because of his unexplainable, incredible strength. A mark is made. A mark which is now somehow proof that my son has given his legal consent and agreement to whatever happens to be written on these papers that he neither cares nothing for, nor can possibly understand. I was allowed to sign as a courtesy.

I had heard of conservatorship before, but only vaguely and usually as something adult children seek for their aging parents. Well, please believe that I went home and searched all over the internet to find out about Conservancies and Conservatorship. What I found and read made me even more upset. Appearantly, the usual time to start the process of a Conservatorship is when the child in question is 16-17 years old. This way all advance paperwork can be done and upon turning 18 the only thing left to do is simply go before the Judge for approval. If no Conservatorship is sought, and the disabled child/adult is a client of the Regional Center (for our state, this is the agency that oversees all disabled children and makes sure that they have whatever equipment or services are needed) then the Regional Center, by default, becomes the Conservator. My son has been a client of the Regional Center for over 18 years -- WHY has no one ever told me about this?

Long story a little shorter, I found an attorney who does nothing but Conservatorships for the disabled and after a short interview and a large check, the process of gaining Conservatorship over my son was begun. As I mentioned in My Angel, the process has not been hard, just emotionally draining.

First I had to deal with and get over what I saw as the stupidity of needing to prove that my son needed protecting. The state, California, presumes that anyone reaching the age of 18 years, regardless of a handicapping condition, is capable of exercising the rights of an adult. So, I need to go before a judge with evidence of my sons' inability to care for himself.

Another thing that caught me off guard were the reports on my son. Some reports, like the medical report from his doctor and the IEP from school, were full of all the technical lingo that is supposed to describe my son. Others, like the report from the Regional Center, brought me to tears because it affirmed everything I have done in mothering my special son and because of its recommendation that I be granted Conservatorship in every area: to decide his residence, to have access to all papers and records that concern him, to make all legal decisions for him, the right to decide if he may marry (a moot point, but one to have nonetheless), the right to authorize or withhold medical treatment, the right to control whom he comes in contact with, and to decide where and how he shall be educated. On the other hand, I realized that my tears were tears of frustration as well. If, as the report states, I am so very involved in his life and they recognize that all the decisions I've made have been in his best interest, then WHY do we need to go through all of this? My struggle is largely an internal one.

Will I feel differently next week? If/When I am granted Conservatorship, will it all be water under the bridge? Maybe. But I certainly know that once again my eyes have been opened to something that they never saw before - something I had never thought about. (Placing him in a care home was another experience that opened my eyes, but I'm not ready to share all of that yet.) I know that I am not as innocent anymore, not as trusting. I can no longer trust the institutions that are there to support my son or the people in those institutions to tell me what I need to know. I can no longer trust that I'm well-informed in all the issues that may involve or concern my son. Now, all things will be heard with a grain of salt until I can verify it for myself.

I have come out of La-La-Land.

In a way that is good, but in another way I think it is terribly sad.

A Productive Visit

Wow! Nothing like a trip away from home, with your sewing machine, to get things done!

A day long visit with friends was not only lots of fun, but very productive,too. I set up my sewing machine and we chatted while the children all played and I worked on a few of my projects.

*I was able to finish the last of the three dresses (pink one on right) as well as an extra dress (green) that I had started last spring along with this blue one! (see how bad I am?) I also got a tiered skirt finished for one of my grandaughters, the lovely Miss O!

*

And while all this sewing and chatting was going on, the little ones perched themselves up on this stepladder and made some cookies! Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. YUMM!

They look delicious, don't they? Well, when they came out of the oven, everyone couldn't wait to taste one!

We all took a bite and - - - ewww - - - what's that? They were really, and I mean really, salty!

The older boys took up the investigation into what happened and come to find out that the little ones added 1/4 cup of salt instead of 1/4 teaspoon!!

Oh well, a lesson learned. Luckily, friend and I had picked up a bag of new Strawberry Milkshake Oreos when we were at the store earlier so we had something to fall back on. ;-)

All in all, a very good day - spent with friends - What could be better?

Oh, the Simple Pleasures

We took a holiday from school because of Dad's new job promotion and here is a photographic account of where the day has taken us.

We started off at JoAnn's for their sale . . . . .

. . and got some fabric to make a few things for my granddaughter (the adorable butterflies will be a dress with a pink band at the bottom and a matching hat with pink lining, the green floral will be a dress with matching hat, with the green stripe for the lining, and the blue will be a tiered skirt with the light blue as a tiered top! see patterns below) . . . .

. . . . and they had patterns on sale, too! I might have been able to resist but they were only 99 cents!! You know, of course, of my weakness.

And - while we were over at that side of town, we might as well stop in at a few of the thrift shops and see if there's anything new!

I was soooooo happy to find a lovely pitcher and large covered candy dish to add to my collection. What a treat! I was also able to find a small cruet with stopper, a tumbler, and a relish tray. All had for under $15 total!!

Then went home for lunch and chores.

Son is replanting some of our garden - cucumbers, tomatoes and eggplants, I think.

And daughter came outside to finish the little counted cross stitch she started yesterday.

It's so sweet -- both of her brothers have commented on what a great job she's doing. This is her first time doing counted cross stitch and after I helped her how to find the middle and count outward, she did the rest totally on her own. She's very pleased and ready to tackle something a little bigger!

Our dog-girl wanted a picture,too! She's a Corgi-mix that we were thrilled to find at the animal shelter last year as a second dog & companion for our little dog-boy, who is a Russell Terrier/Dachsund mix (another shelter find!)

That's it. The rest of the day will be spent ironing and in cleaning up my kitchen table - AGAIN!