Photo Scavengers Hunt (dirty) hands.

My beloved put the new motor in the air conditioner tonight.
We were given it at cost via my sweet nephew.
Kind hands, loving hands.
That touch my face with love.

Bummer Dry Socket! can you say ouch!

It is 1 pm here I just woke up from going back to the dentist after I dropped the kids off, i had to buy some batteries for Dash's hearing aids and than them and the hearing aides (he forgot to put them in) to the school. I could not bear the pain in my jaw.
The sweet lady Margret (our age) found me in the lobby resting my head on the wall I fell almost asleep, she so kindly took me back and we spoke a little. I told her of my morning she asked of the kids special needs. The dentist examined my pulled tooth socket. I had a dry socket.
He said they needed to pack it, then he paused and said you know lets numb you up for the day. SO sweet, then this Margret lovingly touched my hand she stroked it while he did another nerve block (it really hurt bad) but I have been numb since 9am They were so sweet! charged me nothing! I need to go back in on Tuesday to get it packed again if I need too. I came home and slept. I need to eat something and get the anti biotic in me.
Ouch!
I am still numb. I feel like a truck hit me.

The Tooth Fairy

Yesterday at the dentist I was struck momentarily with humor as I visualized the children as the tooth fairy for me. When I got home I told Beloved and he laughed too. beloved asked me "what I wished the tooth fairy would give me", with his sweet smile , I asked for some beads. He took Dash to hunt for the evening meal and they stopped at the store.
This morning we were lying in bed and I heard Dash enter I pretended to be asleep . He gently placed something under my pillow expecting that it would be from the store, I was SO surprised to find all of Dash's allowance change from the other day. I was so touched by his kind generosity. I told Beloved the bag from the night before was on the sofa that I did not open at because Miss Fiction cried out not too when Dash had handed it to me.
So when beloved went in to fix something to ease my tummy He reminded Dash. Again I fained sleep so cute! He snuck in and pushed it under the pillows I pretended to stir a little and he (living up to his nick name ) Dashed out the door. It really brought a lot of simple joy to me. He later came in with Dad and then I 'awoke' to find some beads from the tooth fairy.
I made the mistake of thanking Miss Fiction... she replied "what present, oh did the tooth fairy bring you something". I said "oh yes wasn't that nice of her". She said"it sure was Mom"

Couragous Bloger Award

I just found this sweet gift over at Living and Loving every minute of it. Thank you Corey
2. A Courageous Blogger award goes to Donetta over at A Life Uncommon and A Life Restored.

Donetta is a very courageous woman. Her bloggings of her journey through life is heart touching. Her fierce love of her family is inspiring. She strives to live the life she so deserves. I admire her very much. I am sure she also has one of these awards, but when I think of courage...I think of Donetta.

I want to pass this on to some wonderful Ladies.

Just a mom
Sometimes life takes great courage to face. My dear friend has three teen girls and one is not going so well. It takes courage to face a child who is more than challenging. She faces health issue that are scary too. This woman fostered over 30 infants adopting the sibling set she in now raising and two biological grown daughters as well. She faces things that we never dream of.

Gumbo Lilly
In a fast pace city life we often forget the courage once shown here in wild America. The Land, sky and all of life once met with courage those who honored it and live among it in harmony. Courageously herding cattle, a few sheep, raising chickens and canning jam. I live vicarious through her beauty.

Spiritually Unequal Marriage
It takes great courage to do what is right, to watch ones ways and live ones life to example love to a spouse who is not as you in faith. Strengthen community and exposing ones own limitations all in effort to have clean hands and a pure heart. Courage, humility and grace.

Laughing through the Tears
This endearing woman is a real courageous soul. She has kindly befriended me keeping me and my family close to her heart. She has a wonderful husband and children who are her arms and legs. While living full of tenacity she struggles with life long arthritis that has caused her to be a real example of faith, courage and hope. Suffering with character is a hard virtue to gain. It is in each moment of choice. She chooses well. Courage is a laurel upon her head.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for alligators, and towels on the floor
For pantry light left on and the open door
The little messes all over the floor.
I am tankful for my daughters kisses and best wishes
For Dash the tooth fairy and loving hands.
For Beloveds kisses all over my head
His instant oatmeal that got me out of my bed
For powerful drugs to ease my pain
and antibiotics to regain heath
I am thankful for all of your prayers
for getting the kids to school and back home safe once more.
Gratitude surrounds me in all that I am .
I am thankful for you kind comments that ring in my ear
REST, REST, REST.

Good Morning!

I hope you all have a great day. I'll keep the pain med going. and Rest Rest Rest.

A gift from Amy. Nice Matters Award

Nice Matters Award

Well How sweet is this. Amy at Laughing through the tears Just found out that she gave me this thoughtful award. What a nice big hug Dear Lady. Thank you Amy I hope your feeling fetter after your Ice Cream.
I have some thinking to do. With the extraction today I'll have to pass it on when I'm feeling a bit better.
This is what The Nice Matters Award is given for, “This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded please pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award.”

I want to give this to Michelle over at Life in the midst of writing. by the way her book just came out in paper back yesterday. She is so sweet called me up to come help me with morning chore to get the kids to school if I need he in the morning. What a sweet hug.

The Knightly News
This is a place to go when you need to recharged. I have more than once visited here and came away refreshed. I found here a delicate woman she fills her page with life words. text from the living word and life lived peacefully. I like this kindness. to share the word. It is to share life.

As the Garden grows
What a "NICE" place to visit, for those of use gardeners or gardeners at heart life abounds with great photography and a kind hearted hosts. Your garden tour is one of knowledge shared on plants and techniques. Go take a stroll in her garden you'll leave refreshed.

I lost a treasure today...

I'm a little daffy I just got home from the dentist , the pharmacist and the Delly at the grocery store. They had to pull the tooth! My bone has some infection it it too I could just kick myself! because of fear of $$$ , fear of the dentist and his integrity issues and just plain neglect to get a new dentist the rot under the crown got down to the bone! I got the pain meds in me,and I'm working on some smashed tater/gravy so i don't puke it all back up!
Thats what fear and laziness got me! Arg!

Be embraced with a slerr and a drool :)
Beloved is getting the kids home from school. I got the potatoes and gravy in (man I spent $4. on smashed instant potatoes! Yes I am worth every penny heres to hoping the dairy in them does not bite my head too hard. (allergic to milk) I just had to weigh the cost. I needed soft and I just was too wiped out to drive to get a jumba juice. I need to take the anti biotic. I'll sit here a bit and go lay down soon.. Beloved will cover me the rest of the day and tonight.
We tried so hard to save my teeth. I have had over 14 root canals porcelain crowns.
I want someone to look up that passage will you about Every tooth in our head being a treasure. Leave in a comment. please. thanks
Donetta
Hi guys its 6pm I just got a call from the dentist giving us his cell phone number. He was concerned about me. He was checking on me to see if the pain was being covered by the light duty rx. He told us to call if it cant be controlled tonight with what I have. He said it should get better overnight then by morning. He said it was an oral surgery and that the bone had a lot of trauma inflicted on it.
Wasn't that the sweetest thing that he called.
Beloved brought me home a jumba juice and I had a Miss fiction care for my needs while the "menfolk went out to hunt for dinner.
I have little boy hugs and gentle man )beloved)kindness flowing all over me.
Oh my
The dentist had to use great force to get the stubborn root out. My neck is pretty painful too.
I think that the ac motor is being greased. It just about seized up just now. Our nephew is getting the replacement for us. Hubby is out doing the fix on it to get us through. We had an all time record here 28 days over 110.
I think I'm rambling thanks for your prayers.
Daddy Man did homework with the kids too cute. This is such a wonderful life. I am surrounded by so much loving kindness.
I am embraced
So too you be, always remember how very much you are loved. Everyone of you. God loves more than we can even begin to imagine.

Good Morning!

Daddy Man made a fort for the kids last night.
Yesterday I went to find Miss Fiction to have her start homework, she was out in the yard picking up the dog dung!!!!! Stunned warmed to the heart and amazed was I.
Well,Hubby is off with lunch in tow, kids lunches are made, they are just now finished with their eggs and toast. They are dressed (the rule before the T.V. goes on) off to the living room for JJ the Jet Plane on PBS.
I < I come to sit and eat my spelt bread/soy cream cheese/ and grape jelly to find the jelly is bad yuk! This morning is weird. I have had one challenge after another the little stupid stuff. The dog barked at 6 am to hubby barking back, then the lunch meat was not closed and juices all over the floor and my foot, then the kids were in Dash's room he had had a bad dream(interesting), then the hubs told of real bad news for a brother in the Lord. Then he asks me to remove the lettuces off of his sandwich (no big deal just by this time I was not as humored by the battle) then my toast.
I have a 10 apt. to go to the dentist to check out this molar I think is abscessed. Most likely to get a shot BOOHOO>>>>
Thank God I have Insurance and get to go to the dentist. I ave been holding off on this tooth for some time because I felt un-trusting of my dentist. (I got a referral, this guy, this morning, is new to me). The other dentist I had to walk into a call from God a year or so back and talk to him for God.
Well, God showed me myself doing and saying... I did and I said "Remember now why you first choose to do dentistry, and chose now whether to return to your first reason."
The dentist wept before me. Openly sobbing. We were in a conference.
Thanked me and We both knew where the question came from. He tried to cover a mistake he made on a crown and so...
Everything in me says that he chose differently and that it is time for me to go on.
I rather don't like change when it come to dentist or things that are hard to do . The newness offers another layer of courage to tend too.
So courage it is , over comer I am. Get this tooth cared for I will. YEE HAA!

Well you all have a great Morning. Dash wants me to play a game with him. Gotta go love on these kids of mine.

Wordless Wedensday

Captian Jack (and his Mom)

(to view other post click here then the image of the other post to see a vidio),
He wont bite your arm off he'll saw it off!

Thumbs Up

Rodney Olsen
This fellow is establishing a wonderful meme
The thumbs up for positive bloggers
Thumbs Up! Want to highlight someone making a positive difference?

Is there a blogger who deserves a pat on the back or simply something that has you feeling thankful this week?

The blogosphere can sometimes be a pretty negative place so I reckon it's great to make a habit of accentuating the positive.

I want to link to a number of bloggers who are writing positive posts each week.

Do you want to be a part of the positive? You can post a thank you to someone, a list of reasons you're thankful this week, or highlight people doing something worthwhile in your community. You don't have to post every week but it'd be wonderful if you're prepared to make the effort to write a positive post most weeks.

If you're willing to jump in and give it a go, just copy the code from the box below and insert it into your blog post to display the Thumbs Up! badge. (Like the one in the top corner of this post.) Don't sweat it if you don't feel technically confident enough to add the badge. I can give you some help if you need it or just simply post without it, however you must link back to this post.

<a href="http://www.rodneyolsen.net/2007/07/thumbs-up.html"><img style="margin: 5px 5px 5px 5px; " src="http://www.members.iinet.net.au/%7Eolsenfamily/thumbsupbadge.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />

I've also been asked about a smaller badge for sidebars. You can copy the following code for a smaller badge.

<a href="http://www.rodneyolsen.net/2007/07/thumbs-up.html"><img src="http://www.members.iinet.net.au/%7Eolsenfamily/thumbsupbadgesml.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />

Folks I was so encouraged last week when the very day I needed a thumbs up, I got one. Maybe you could do the same for others. I know I am looking forward to doing so.

hey everybody turn on some tunes ! Enjoy your work :)

I have on the theme track from the Movie Gladiator! Powerful stuff to do this paper work by. I am fighting for my kids YA!!!!!!
I'll wield that mighty pen

Tackle It Tuesday Good Morning!

After at noon, accomplished to the movie sound track from "Cacoon"

Before

Noon hour... Break time. Had myself a (thawed out from freezer) bowl of my own chicken soup see old post here
and here

I want to tell you about a product I use (just cause I like it). "Bar Keepers Friend" I find it is in the cleansers all store don't have it but it works GREAT> I also use it on the tile in the front entry way. (although getting down on my knees to scrub is not an easy task any more)

I like to scrub the sink before I do the hand dishes. That way it is sanitary. A little marred up by the end of the job perhaps but I rather like to live preventative when it comes to health.

Just a note here about preventative homemaking, I keep a (3M product) micro towel on my hip for many uses during kitchen duty. Today I kept hands dry, covered the mixer when I added the dry ingredients and this keeps my apron dryer and my feet less walked on for fetching a hand towel to dry off with. I got these at a Costco. I use the other two I have as extra drain boards for large sink loads to drip dry on.
I like to wear brightly colored clothing when I have chores to do. I have studied color and it is amazingly factual that our brains respond too it. Try it out it is a fun study. I also color drape and in my creative arts I use it to fashion jewelery.
Well, I have had my lunch rested my knee and played on here for a half hour... Back to Work!
I called on Dash's med, and they came in post today!! ya!

NEXT! OH ARG!!!! But I don't want too.....
Image removed
2:00 P.M. Forms filled out! I'll ask the school to copy maybe if I don't have any paper. I listened to the Gladiator sound track. It is so hard to write all that they have been through. I feel like crying I feel so worn out just from the forms. Dear God We have gone through so much. My kids are so amazing such overcomers.
This will be my big job.
I have to do all the paper work for the M.E.T. to get the I.E.P. (see other post)
Lots of little jobs here ARG!

since 6:30
Hubby lunch made packed
Dash and Miss Fiction Lunch paced
Dash eggs cooked and fed, apple sauce for both vitamins too, and pineapple juice
Miss fiction Toast and fruit spread
Dishwasher emptied
woke Miss Fiction with a call from her onterage too cute, they wanted to know what color her clothing would be. PINK of course as she dressed
Dash built his prize toy (first thing!).
Helped Dash with homework
showered wash my hair with my new cream rinse! dressed
at 8a.m.,Drove the kids to school
fill out forms (done! My hand hurts and my copier is out of paper Arg!)
make and and breakfast cookies see old post here
kitchen chores
took the forms to the school
had the nurse sign off and copy forms, kept copies for my records,
met with the phyc at the school gave her forms and had a nice talk (took her cookies),
meet with each teacher, Heads up teacher,Nurse and phyc to Miss Fiction detoxing off Prozac starting Friday.
get kids at 2:30 got home 3:45 after doing all the stuff at the school
6:30 Dish washer humming Made a London Broil, Broiled sweet potato wedges and ? (I love my clean oven from last week)

To Tackle Yet Today:
find all documents (Oh! that was so cool! 4:15 p.m., St Joe"s just called and I was able to ask for the audiology report also. We forgot that player yesterday when I signed all of the releases!)
call City of M. Student Services Center audiology department for Dash testing ARG! Gotta do it as redundant and annoying as it is! tomorrow
do dining table; cards, budget send packages (no photo for safety and privacy)
Get clean Laundry folded and put away
My feet (pedicure)and hands (manicure) if I can tonight I'll give myself a little tinder loving care in my bathroom. I'll light a candle and enjoy!
I have a special order for some lanyards. Ya! another provision from yesterday!
Do layouts and bead search gather components. This after kids go to bed?

I got a referral from "just a mom" for a new dentist
I have an abbess I think in a molar ARG! My jar hurts I think that it is making me a little fatigued. I have a migraine in the shadows, so I'll go take a big guns and get to work.
Please visit her she sure could use ya alls support. Thanks

The dining room table
this is from last week...Man I got to get this finished!


Gotta fold and put all this away...

This is a master builder. 6:30 A.M. by himself!! As I cooked his eggs. The book on rocks Dad grabbed because first thing Dash wanted to know what type of stone a rock was. You know I lifted the book opened the book right to the page! God does redeem our time folks.
Have a great day I gotta get to work!
Thanks for all the great comments they give me wing!

Sheltering trees

Oh my some days are just so amazing!
As I sit and type I am listening to a lovely heart card from Denise she wrote...Thanks for being a sheltering tree for me, I love you my friend.
A lovely keyboard simply played in melody.
Today at my daughters school :when I went to retrieve them for the long ride to the city after a set of circumstances. I sat In the classroom. The teacher had called a child from the room next door , he had just teased my girl calling her "beaver". He sat , in front of the class sideways facing this loving woman who then, kindly asked the class for a show of hands as to who had ever been teased. Most lifted high and solemnly too. She then asked for a voiced of what had been said and how it had made them feel. Well after several had chance to say... She then asked ME. I told them of how I was called "dognetta" and to this day at 46 yrs old I still have to remember when I walk by a mirror that I am beautiful. The teacher spoke of how hurtful and lasting the teasing can be. I spoke up with voice and said this to the many children all with eyes riveted onto me.
I told them that they were all very powerful. I asked if they knew the greatest power they had? After some pregnant pause I held my toung in finger tips. I explained the toung can give Life or Death. It can kill or like water give life. It is like a well watered tree; we can cause growth in each other. Then we all can become a great forest. The birds approach us and are safe to rest on our limbs. We are safe for one another.
The children in her class have all just had their plants (science project)germinate this morning.

then we left...
I took the kids to the city and the psychiatrist's heard and was moved deeply. Smiled so lovingly with tear in her eye. She told the children of how blessed they were to have me for a mother. I deferred the honor back to them that It was i who am blessed. Miss fiction and Dash Hawk were given a toy. Miss fiction called me to come to assist and stand by I went she then gave her toy to a little girl "she looked like she was having a hard day momma" The elder with the child teared us and was deeply moved at Miss Fictions heart of generosity.

I stopped by the grand Parents (hubby's folks) had a visit.. As I left she said to me Oh did I give you that cream rinse? I laughed out loud Folks I have been out of cream rinse for three days making due. I rinsed out the bottle two times and then used up what I could of some leave in so I could get out of the house today.. I asked God just last night for some cream rinse. Not having a chance to care for my own needs HE SAW TO IT!

After we returned home Hubby pulled in while we were down at the corner mail boxes. We all met for a brief few moments then the men arrived for the mens group. I took the kids to the Wal-mart and we had a three hour math/ethics/social lesson where they spent the time fitting their budget around a purchase. Miss Fiction got a pink play phone (too cute she asked dag to remove the batteries so she could talk with her pretend friends). We pulled in as the men folk on the curb were saying good night. They had rooms to clean before packages were to be opened. So she dashed to task. While "Dash" fed his face the corn dog and chicken nuggets, Miss Fiction joined him. Tummies full of a late supper of sorts. Dad read story as he does nightly. I sit here amazed listening to this lovely melody. And think on how for every discouragement the enemy places before me I have ten thousand triumps that dim out the waist of his efforts.

Please Pray for Amy

"Laughing through the tears" is having hip replacement surgery.
Please pray for her children and family.
Stop over and give her a big comment hug. It would be a personal favor to me.
Life is a battle she holds a sword well, it is an honor to know her.

The Public School Speical Needs intervention process

Step One
M.E.T. Multi Departmental Evaluation

1.academic
2.communication
3.social
4.emotional ?
5.cognitive ?
she could not remember the last two,it was guessed.

They have 60 days to perform it from the day I apply. 8-23-07

They will meet and look at all 5 parts , test a part 1-5 if more information is needed.
This is where all of our private stuff came in out dated.
I took that as a big discouragement., but I'll look at it in a different light and chose not to be discouraged.

They then have 30 days to gain any of the information lacking on the 1-5 above . This means that they would begin to test. Look at history, all the forms I have to fill out, old records, and the players of the multi departmental that includes parent, teachers, school psychologist, ?private, psychologist, psychiatric, MD, Occupational therapist, Physical therapist, and speech therapist.??? I was promised a letter or report from highlighted by italics have yet to receive, now I have to follow up and call each player ARG >:{

If then it is determined that a I.E.P. Individual Education Plan ...is needed it is then that the team steps in together with me to see what need are to be addressed and how best to address them.

If the M.E.T. determines that the I.E.P. is not needed but that the child may need a little specialized access or curriculum, then a Section 504 plan can be established.

For the state of Arizona we have this help....

www.ade.az.gov/ess/speicalprojects/pinspals

For Mesa East valley we have

Barbra Ross
barbra.ross@azed.gov

E.S.S. = Exceptional Student Services

P.I.N.S. = Parent Information network, these are contracted folks who have a qualifying or have had , child who have walked the system and are paid to help us through navigating it

P.A.L. = Parents are Lesion to Schools, these are parent volunteers who help the PINS

So I need to fill out all the paper work for the MET and get all the other reports from this summer, for they have all of the history and tests that were given the kids (for the most part) and they were all too old.
I took that as a rejection of the IEP not understanding the process.
I am so glad that I had this woman who is boss to the local school psychologist called me back. I had left a message last Friday for her. Since then I had spoken to the school psychologist and felt discouraged and overwhelmed. This woman explained it so clearly and translucently that I understand. I will go through the process because it will show many (5) areas and I will have been thorough in examining the full scope, it will either give each kid the interventions they may need or put it too rest weather they have need of anything particular, or any need for assistance at all. Of course the IEP will have to be agreed upon or at that time I can appeal.

We do perish for a lack of understanding and knowledge. I will, as I now understand, walk in knowledge. I will assess, inquire and gain all we need to help our kids to the best of my ability.

Boy do I have a lot of forms to fill out and a lot of data to gather from so many folks. YEE HAW!

Name Plate meme

The rules are:Write 8 of your blog friends' names in a unique way and post them. You must write the blogger's name that tagged you, then add 7 others. Be creative.

1. Care oh! lynn
2. Jaye DE ya! wanna dance....
3.Christine= pristeen (as in pure beauty)
4.Amy = A meen'
5.Denise = on de'knees
6.Trisha= Ta' wish a (as in to wish upon a star)
7.
8.

Family Sunday

My Nephew and his Son came for the day. This young man was a child of 6 in our home so many years ago playing and enjoying His Uncle's lessons and Love. I watched him grow up from a distance. Now he speaks of the memories of those days. The men spoke of car work the things we were doing when he was just a child. He is doing those things now.


I fixed an impromptu shrimp and pasta salad

One box pasta set to boil in sea salted water and olive oil-drained
2 c thawed (in a water bath) salad shrimp
CUT ALL VEGGIES WHILE PASTA BOILS
green and red bell peppers chopped fine
green onion dice fine
celery hearts chopped
purple onion diced very fine
broccoli florets finely slivered off the tops
1/2 cup ? Mayo
2 tablespoons curry mixed into mayo
mix all then add
frozen peas (not thawed) used to cool pasta in a hurry :)
Served on a bed of romain lettus.

Look at all the children... oops! how did that happen? One has turned into a man.
A fine young man. My house has always had so many children. What if I could remember them all? What if one day we all sat around my table once again. Perhaps one day we will all sit around in Glory... may it be.

I hung my fine things out to dry tonight. The summer heat, mild, as the coolness of the garments encompassed me. Gauze and cottons woven into a soft perfection.
I wonder if any one else ever hangs out their fine things any more? I find doing this a gift to my own heart, a way to lovingly care for those things that make me feel pretty.
Tomorrow it is off with Dash and Miss Fiction (Little Dove has grown up) to the City for a visit with the psychologist. They get to view a video about teasing. I'll have to take them out mid day.
I am considering letting go of Miss Fiction's (Dove) I.E.P. and to just see if being a regular kid without intervention for a while just might not do her the best over all good. This takes a lot of courage. I learned more about the Teachers philosophy or at least what she was referring to. It could easily sound like a "name it and claim it thing" but I think there may be a little wisdom in showing confidence in her teacher,at this time. If Miss Fiction can really do well without the special needs umbrella it could go a long way toward her self image. My instincts are telling me to give it a try. Fear of "doing it wrong" hovers. I have to trust that if I am in error God will step in and show me so. He has in the past and He has not changed. :)

Star Wars Vidio

At great peril Dash Hawk interviews in the battle of ....
"Star Wars"
***click on image***

Blogging Ethics

I had a new one today and was unsure haw to handle it.
A commenter being very supportive and kind sent congratulations to us for our video posts. He has a well assembled blog on funny videos.
If you are there thank you.
Our context is very different for I keep a PG blog.
It is a kindness offered to post a referral, but it is also a responsibility I have. When ever I give a referral to a link. I must ask myself...Now is this something I would want my name on.
Our identity is our most precious possession. As well assembled and as best fitting to another audience as their blog was, it was not something I would enjoy.
On U Tube there are filters, and their are apparently sites who can disable these filters.
Well I am a woman of filter. I like to guard the images before my eyes and mind with great care. Somethings of humor are not so to me. I have had a serious journey. Some things are to my sensibilities in poor taste.
So forgive me "M." if I do not post a link to your sight it is just not for my taste or for my community of audience(at least not through my recommendation) .
I do wish you well and thank you for your acknowledgments. I deleted your comment and thought twice that perhaps I would offer a greater kindness in explanation.

Golden Retriever de matting.

Rena the Golden retriever, was in bad shape after her bath she had several mats on her tender under belly. I like to learn what the pros do so I don't have to pay them to do it.I found the tool that they use, the de-shedding tool cost a an arm and a leg $50.! It is a VERY well made professional tool. I think I could of gotten a better deal else where.
The Bamboo brand tool was great! It sawed through the matted hair then flipped over for the de shedding rake this really worked great for me. It was very fast work and We have one very happy dog.
I had to be an alpha for the constancy sake I held in there and she at last submitted and now she is all loving and acts like a pup again. I did not want to have to shave her. Dogs with an under coat need specialized tools for grooming. I thought I had all the tools I needed. Rena has an undercoat it sheds seasonally. These tools are the best I have found for the purpose of the undercoat.
The dogs slept out in the main house. I put the bedding(I made them big fleece pads last season) out in the living room for them. WE SLEPT! Rena clicked and clacked a bit this morning at our door. Beloved used ear plugs.
If you have dogs know that laminate flooring really is noisy!
Nobody is paying me to say it by the way . I thought if any one else out there was suffering the problem I'd save ya the hassles.

Sunday Smiles

At "Spiritually Unequal Marriage"

Poet Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou's Inaugural Poem

A Rock, A River, A Tree
Hosts to species long since departed, Marked the mastodon.

The dinosaur, who left dry tokens
Of their sojourn here
On our planet floor,
Any broad alarm of their hastening doom Is lost in the gloom of dust and ages.

But today, the Rock cries out to us, clearly, forcefully, Come, you may stand upon my
Back and face your distant destiny,
But seek no haven in my shadow.

I will give you no more hiding place down here.

You, created only a little lower than The angels, have crouched too long in The bruising darkness,
Have lain too long
Face down in ignorance.

Your mouths spilling words
Armed for slaughter.

The Rock cries out today, you may stand on me, But do not hide your face.

Across the wall of the world,
A River sings a beautiful song,
Come rest here by my side.

Each of you a bordered country,
Delicate and strangely made proud,
Yet thrusting perpetually under siege.

Your armed struggles for profit
Have left collars of waste upon
My shore, currents of debris upon my breast.

Yet, today I call you to my riverside, If you will study war no more. Come,

Clad in peace and I will sing the songs The Creator gave to me when I and the Tree and the stone were one.

Before cynicism was a bloody sear across your Brow and when you yet knew you still Knew nothing.

The River sings and sings on.

There is a true yearning to respond to The singing River and the wise Rock.

So say the Asian, the Hispanic, the Jew The African and Native American, the Sioux, The Catholic, the Muslim, the French, the Greek The Irish, the Rabbi, the Priest, the Sheikh, The Gay, the Straight, the Preacher, The privileged, the homeless, the Teacher. They hear. They all hear
The speaking of the Tree.

Today, the first and last of every Tree Speaks to humankind. Come to me, here beside the River.

Plant yourself beside me, here beside the River.

Each of you, descendant of some passed On traveller, has been paid for.

You, who gave me my first name, you
Pawnee, Apache and Seneca, you
Cherokee Nation, who rested with me, then Forced on bloody feet, left me to the employment of Other seekers--desperate for gain,
Starving for gold.

You, the Turk, the Swede, the German, the Scot ... You the Ashanti, the Yoruba, the Kru, bought Sold, stolen, arriving on a nightmare Praying for a dream.

Here, root yourselves beside me.

I am the Tree planted by the River,
Which will not be moved.

I, the Rock, I the River, I the Tree I am yours--your Passages have been paid.

Lift up your faces, you have a piercing need For this bright morning dawning for you.

History, despite its wrenching pain, Cannot be unlived, and if faced
With courage, need not be lived again.

Lift up your eyes upon
The day breaking for you.

Give birth again
To the dream.

Women, children, men,
Take it into the palms of your hands.

Mold it into the shape of your most
Private need. Sculpt it into
The image of your most public self.
Lift up your hearts
Each new hour holds new chances
For new beginnings.

Do not be wedded forever
To fear, yoked eternally
To brutishness.

The horizon leans forward,
Offering you space to place new steps of change. Here, on the pulse of this fine day
You may have the courage
To look up and out upon me, the
Rock, the River, the Tree, your country.

No less to Midas than the mendicant.

No less to you now than the mastodon then.

Here on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out And into your sister's eyes, into
Your brother's face, your country
And say simply
Very simply
With hope
Good morning.

The Alligator known as "Capitan Jack"

The care and feeding of the alligator "Capitan Jack" and the
"Capitan Jack" tour... $.25
Click on image to see the videos
Miss Fiction (Dove) and Mr Dash
From an old "Leave it to Beaver" episode.

Revised

Standing in the Gap.

Meet the Intercessor.

I made this figurine for myself many years ago. She is perched high above the entry.
We once had a sweet little shop in town where you could buy green ware. Now they are out of business and a fancy ceramics store is at the mall. Years ago it was so much more simple, presented to the artist and homemaker. Green ware is so fun to work with. You just clean it up (all the mold lines form the casting) and have it fired to bisk. Then, if you like you, glaze it and fire it again. The intercessor is not glazed she is bisk. I love the character of bisk it is closer to the clay, with a living texture.
She too has a story.
It was years ago ( 26 years) when I had just met the Masters Son. At the rocky shore of San Diego's Bay I stood like this over a fallen woman who was on the rocks flat on her (previously broken) back. She was safe un-injured. She had only a few stitches on her arm. Other wonders happened in that hour by the sea, other wonders that taught me a lot about who it was that lived inside of me.

Mother and Daughter Blog Carnival

Russia 1997


Half a world away



The image of a daughter, My daughter...Who I would have to wait months to see.
Real Life is hosting a carnival
"Somewhere out there if Love can see us through... someone is thinking of me and loving me tonight..." popular in 1997 was the children's movie "Fivel goes west"
Another song was within me during those long months "ode to Joy!'

Oh my Dove, Sweet Little Dove how you have grown. Your very name means captivating, God's gift and so you are and always have been.
Now you are 10, 10 how did it happen... 10.
Waiting those 16 years for you in my arms always knowing you would come from the womb of another. Now I see you, your smile, you are my own child.
Tonight reading to your brother surrounding him in all of who you are you shone.
So vividly your glory, your beauty of spirit shines.
Your broken wings whole, your caged life freed. Your flight restored. Peace surrounds you. I believe in you. So many hours sacrificed to save another, your little brother. You shared us as few children ever have to do. Never will you be alone it is our hope you will always have each other.
Developing into a pre-teen I can hardly believe my eyes. All around you is your glory entering into the you of your lifetime. You SHINE.
I need so much wisdom whether to proceed with intervention for your academic success with I.E.P. and all the other players I am missing just you and me. What ever I do now, I do all for your life your future. Putting aside the hours and times you must spend with others. I lay me down child with great humility. I miss you and all those hours lost to others who helped you restore.
For it was given to me this awe inspiring charge to be held: Mother.
I need so to see you and brush away all of the disabilities that hound for interventions. They clutter the view of who you are. I just want to be...Mother.
Your imagination astounds me the artistry of drama and prose. You are doing so well in school. Your ability to function is thrilling me to no end. I am so happy for you. Miss fiction my Dear.
Songs fill you and joy peaks then it explodes. I wish so much loud sound was welcome and painless for me. Your voice song is glorious and beautiful and innocently pure!
You have the most amazing golden eyes, a face so sweetly embraced with the kindness of pleasant appearance, freckles I see so cute honey... I love you . I know your hair is fair and you wish it the same as mine, your skin is pale and against my arm a difference is there, but you are my child who I simply adore. I wanted so much more for you. I never want to remain in regret that I could have done more. Knowing I have done and am doing all I am able to do. I hope that when I am old you will sup at my table.
I am so sorry you lost me for a time when you were three to illness and strangers coming for tea. All those Mothers and Sister the Aunts in the Lord who kept us and kept you while my health was restored.
Oh child, it is a part of God's plan to make you who he created you to be, I wish I could erase all the hours of tortured pain with you away from my lap . Dove I regret it, I missed out on those few years Dear Child. But you are mine. I am hear. You are near and I will draw close to you and you to me. For more than just a few years before the teen times of pulling away. When if I succeed independence you will have gained, a life of your own. Able and strong, free, walking wise and brave into your future.
Dove I have you today.
Today and tomorrow and every moments life breath. My daughter.

Photo Hunt...Happy

The orphanage directer with great respect handed me this birth image of my Son moments before I took him out of the orphanage. My mind could not process what I was seeing. In Russia they put the IV in the head.
This gift... I am forever Happy.
I waited 20 years for Our Son. DOB 3-06-2001

A $50.Give Away from Olive Kids

Go visit Kailana over at Island Review.
Olive Kids is doing a give away

NO BROKEN BONES

Husband narrowly escapes nasty consequence!
However crutches demand usage. Sprained and bruised!
Dog survives :)
Son tells father..."I don't like you kicking my dog, I guess this gave you a good lesson Dad!"

A gift from Denise over at shorty bears place

Denise Writes:
Rodney Olsen of The Journey has come up with a great idea. He's calling it "Thumbs Up!"...and it's all aimed at highlighting positive things in the blogosphere:
"The blogosphere can sometimes be a pretty negative place so I reckon it's great to make a habit of accentuating the positive."I want to link to a number of bloggers who are writing positive posts each week."Do you want to be a part of the positive? You can post a thank you to someone, a list of reasons you're thankful this week, or highlight people doing something worthwhile in your community. You don't have to post every week but it'd be wonderful if you're prepared to make the effort to write a positive post most weeks.
Denise Writes..
So, now I can write about someone in my community, or something I am thankful for ...... but I have chosen to give out an award to someone, who I see as very up lifting!! I would like to give a great big thumbs up to my precious friend Donetta, over at "a life uncommon"she has been a real angel to me during my recovery from surgery. She called several times to check on me, she was such a comfort to both Eddie and me. She gave great advice to Eddie, about things he could do to help ease my nausea and pain. She has been in constant prayer for me, and I truly felt her prayers. I am honored to be able to call her my friend, she is a true heart blessing to me. Thank you Donetta for your kindness to me, I will never forget it. I love you my friend.
What a nice day to get a hug. There are those days when all you can do is keep focus.

Hear ye! Hear ye!

Hear ye! hear ye!
I am thrilled to announced that my Dear friend has accomplished becoming a Published Aurthur!
Michelle at Life in the midst of Writing has accomplished it!

buy it here!

On Humor. Carnival of Family Life.

Dogs are not gleaming quite so brightly today.

Carnival of Family Life Hosted by Sandier Pastures

humor...
I have been enjoying the uplifting, light kindheartedness of laughter this morning. It comes at a very timely phase.
I think one day that we will laugh about this morning. I was thinking why not today. Well for one, I would never want to be unkind over another suffering. My Beloved told me that it is often humor that gets him through the challenges of our "life uncommon".
He is home now sleeping on the couch. This is, in our 25+ years of marriage unheard of!
He is awaiting a doctor appointment later this mid day....
Well that is where humor could come in... It would be at great risk however, being so close to the storm.
Oh My Sweet Hubby!
I had one of those mornings...
You know the ones that you wonder why you need to bother to react to it at first because of the grove in the record. Don't know why you keep setting the needle down when its gonna do the same thing. For those of you youngsters who can't relate we used to play albums, you can look it up in an encyclopedia. In my youth when the music skipped we just bumped the player and it would skip to the next grove and the song would continue. Well that's the norm come morning in our master bedroom. Flanked on the floor of each side of our bed we have a large dog. Willy Wonka bar J. and Rena the queen. We have kept them in our room, even though, the album keeps getting in the rut for several reasons. The effect of their presence has been like having a infant all over again for the last two years of Willy's measured life.
As the album of our mornings slip into the annoyance of dogs scratching , Wills' jowl slurping and Rena biting her paws Hubby will snap his finger, SHISH them, demand no quiet and all manner of efforts to get that morning tune back, so he can return to sleep where he belongs.
Due to the laminate flooring if we try to put a different album on It would be awakening to "heavy metal"(as in what you doing mom?...oh, sleeping...) blaring with the audience (kids) hurling through the sky's (of our bedroom doors) and no end to the concert till 10 pm that night would be achieved!
There is a definition that comes to mind here..." doing the same thing and expecting different results :{ ", but dog gone it by the end of a day who has the forethought to change that old album!

So this morning armed with all the useless tricks, sent well into utter frustration, without forethought, the dog met foot with terrible effects...(dog is fine). Hence Husband sleeping on couch because he was in too much pain to walk back into work after lunch.
Sleeping now he is. So are the Dogs flanking me feet. For I too have to remove the needle off the grove to get some peace and quiet that the wounded man needs.
I'll keep you posted as to whether it is broken.
Mean while they will sleep in the bathroom if they don't just find another (whine) grove to disturb or slumbers song.

POST SCRIPT his foot was not broken ,sprained and bruised. see post

Friday Feist

{Featured Flickr Feast by Oh! It’s Max!}

Hosted by Christine

Appetizer
Say there’s a book written about your life. Who would you want to narrate the audio version?

The Poet Maya Angelou

Soup
Take the letters from your favorite kind of nut and write a sentence. (Example: Perhaps every avenue needs understanding today.)
almond

All Love must overcome novel demands.

Salad
If you could go back in time and spend one week in another decade, which decade would you choose?

I would love to go back in time to a simpler homestead with the work of keeping life for ones self. See my husband work a beloved skill, Parent my children in an age of innocence.

Main Course
Name a song that brings back memories for you.

Black Bird by the BEATLES

Dessert
Do you prefer to wash your hands in cold water or warm water?
I love Hot water the warmth is soothing and feels like it kills all that I don't welcome to live upon my skin.

Passing it on...

Christine from "are we there yet mom"
Wants to take me for a long walk in the woods.
I think that we just got to make that one happen!

Charity Grace This is a very nice place to visit. Come and enjoy the simple pleasures. She keeps a slow paced beauty that I have come to admire.
Gabi's World I have found a lovely place to go for a visit. She is an amazing woman who has a flair for life that is full of zest! I spent a lot of time here just enjoying myself and relaxing into her voice.
MoM of three girls I enjoy the posts of this dear mom. She has a very kind way about her posts. Knowing that kind = nice. I would like to pass on a little kindness her way. How pleasant I find my visits to her world.

8:40 few.... I just got in. Anyone know about "the Secret"

Hi all , Just got home from my 11 am exit to the city with dash.
My my ...my!
Before I left I was able to type the formal IEP request of testing letters. I spoke with a secratary at the special ed department. The guy in charge never called me back from back in May. Summers over into the end of the second week of school . I also left a message for the phycholigist at the local school. I informed both that it was my understanding that they now have 60 days to begin the testing I am requesting.
I got a call shortly before left and my Hubby's Father offered me a mid trip or end of trip respite of hospitality.
As I flew out the door the school psychologist called to tell me that it will not be until the 60th day that a 30 day extended slot will be a common norm until the kids are actually tested!!!!!!I let her know that it was federally obligated to happen in a order that I will be informed about. She proceeded to tell me that that does not gaurentee any intervention she strongly discouraged the speech therapy. I simply said well if there is any problem I'll just appeal for It is my role to get there needs met.
Having said all of this I asked her if she could please call dash to the office to meet me for I was now pushing the clock to get to the city and thanked her. I got to the school with copies of the formal request in hand. delivered them and signed Dash out gleefully to a happy meal and long drive.
We had a good success getting across town. Got a meal and then onto St. Joe's. I took Tuesdays paper work with me. We had a great meeting. The CRS psychologists was great. She was stunned at Dash and my repose. For she said "in all her 20 years she never heard a Mom say ("this is not an option but, a requirement")" . She had drop jaw as Dash respectfully walked out of the room peacefully and sat over at a play table just outside the door. I think I was startled at her. It is just the way it is.
The folks received Dash and I after I had spent several minuets trying to find an address for a place located dead center of the city I gave up and headed to there home to rest. I was running on empty and had all my paper work to get mailed out. I finished the paper work and napped 10 minutes ate and headed back at 6p.m. for the 7 p.m. Teachers conferences! I arrived home 6:45 out the door. Family together.

Now it is 10pm I just debriefed the day with hubby.
What happened at one of the teacher conferences blew my mind and I am miffed! I was told that if I just lived by "The Secret" that all of Doves problems would just work out fine!!!!!!!
Well more on this tomorrow. I am sure there may be truths to be had but talk about dismissals. I did however acquire the papers to get testing requested. The teacher who was on board last spring thinks we don't need an IEP that she can do what my child needs better than those who might be used to pull her out of class to intervene. AND that she knows who will teach her next year was a response when I told her that my kid will not hallways have her. IT IS SO HARD TO HELP MY KIDS!
Ya! Dash's teacher is helpful about the IEP and testing him.
Tired folks my sword is hot from all the wielding through the air today gotta let it cool!

Any one have knowledge about this...?
"THE secret" ?We saw the book on line. We saw some clip of a movie too.
Teacher says I just have to read it, that my child is feeding off of my negativity! She said that I need to just see all the good in her. It is so hard to focus an it when the needs are so glaring. Dash is not glaring the same way( of course I am getting help with his needs). It left me feeling really dung like :) ARG!!!!!!!!!