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!!!!!!!!!

Good Morning, Up from the grave He arose!

Hi, It is 6 am I think beloved put me into my bed around 6pm last night.
I am doing better, we think the oven cleaner may have set this one off.
That was a bad one. I still have pain around the edged and feel sorta weak.
I have to take Dash to the city around 11:30 so I'll just do minimal, lunches and breakfast for every one. The dogs kept coming to me and pointing me. It is so amazing they can see or sense the migraines energy. I thank you all for your prayers. Sometimes it is a little scary when your misfiring brain takes you for such a ride. I was seeing 2-4 inch shadows of images around things and loss of balance well, any way lets focus on what I want to grow....

Dash's teacher called me last night. I was so touched by what she told me.
Dash is very kind at school so much so that all of the children are wanting turn to be at his table or as his partner. He is emerging a born leader. He is so on top of it that the teacher finds him making sure everyone has what they need. She said it is in no way like a controlling thing. He is just very business. School is a privilege and a responsibility to be taken as so and the teacher to be respected and honored.
She asked me for what she needed to have an eye for. With the Usher Syndrome (possible blindness/deafness at adolescence) we have to keep watch for visual anomaly's, blue lip with asthma, head ache and fine motor.
I must begin these IEP letters.
She said that she will be happy to work with him a little one on one so that I can get his 2x weekly city trip started up again. (it has been nice not do the city trips) . I have to take him to see the phycologist at St Joe's this noon.
I told her about the foundational work I have done with character training and she said the most amazing thing to me.
She said that I need to think about what a wonderful ob I have done and who that all that hard work I had done is now something that she and the others around him are benefiting from.
SHE said to ME..."You should feel so good about all that you have achieved".. I just sat there on my bathroom floor, with my head against the door and cried. It felt so good to see that I did succeed. I have felt so bad about not being able to finish the dream of home schooling. I did succeed. The kids are set well.
Dove is having some affiliation problems. The some kids have called her weird, beaver (she had to have surgery last year there was a maverick tooth in her upper palate that grew against her front teeth and had to be removed , she is due for braces soon. They call my baby beaver on the play ground and I am so hurt to think of that happening to my little girl . She is so sweet and loving. She is also so fanciful that I am concerned about her mental status. She is a 10 yr old and some of that must just be the age. She is so sweet. Her kindness yesterday was poignant. Her teacher really likes working with her. I have to get her visual tracking exercised and her IEP letter done too.
I have to do the lunches now it was nice to have an extra half hour but I gotta go to chores .
My love be around for you.
Be embraced,
Surrounded and encompassed.
The song "up from the grave he arose" is ringing in my thoughts, I can feel this monster coming on. I got to get it tamed. the city drive is at 11:30 my time. I might try to get to the school with letters. If I can get them typed after I drop the kids off at 8.

Migraine bad

bdloved geting me to bed im holding walls toniite
rejoyce i win it hutrs gor dash tooooceit y
thank you i do rjoyce in you intercession
i win iwin iwin iwin i nw
it hurts Good night
shower ved meds sunglassed and ear plugs
enemy firering behind my lines tonight
I win

A gift from Christine

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!

You have just gotta hear this....

So... I am in the door all of 2 minutes heading for my bathroom with some urgency: Dash stops me at the couch... "
Mom, I got something to offer you, (he begins, so serious that I pause to hear him) Mom if you let me work for you this is what I'll offer you... You see Mom I have $5 well a little more I will work for you one hour and you can give me $1, and if you'll let me work for you two hours you can give me $2...(This goes on and at ten he said)... and if I work for you for ten hours...he paused, well no maybe not thats a lot of hours.I don't think I'd be wanting to do all that( I cover my mouth cause the cute factor had a way of pulling up on my cheeks), but what you think Mom will you accept my offer? So what work do you have to offer Me Mom? I'd be willing to start right now if you have a mind too. :) "he smiles like you know you want me...:)

So all you praying friends... we spent the next hour at it. Dash said sorry your head was hurting you today Mom.
Dove gets an ear full of encouragement and he presented his case, and she joins in. They meet me in the master bath and hauled all the laundry out to the couch and Dove lifted it up (wow I wish I'd of thought of that long ago it was so easy to sort. I usually sit on a stool and do it) on the couch it did not hurt my back so bad. Then Dash carried all the trash cans to the kitchen and played with the dog. Dove vacuumed the master bedroom. We separated their two loads and the kids turned them out. Dove separated my kitchen load. We all folded the laundry kids putting theirs away without being asked !!!!!
They each cleaned their bedrooms and the received $1.50 each for a good hours work. When it was time and they thought to go to the store they choose to wait for if they do more tomorrow(!), they gain more money toward the $10 toy Dash has his eye on. HE knew he did not have enough yet. Dove complied and agreed to get more earnings after school toward a better toy! NO BRIBE just fact presented.

Oh my friends Migraine day.. Please pray for me.

Thank you.
Kids are home soon and the sound HURTS really like a stabbing knife. I do not want them to ever think of them selves with a knife for a voice. It is so hard. I am so hoping that "I" can be enjoyed, and enjoy them this afternoon. They are such great little people and they need me.

Wordless Wedensday

Time Travel Tuesday

Annie
Is hosting this week.
You're 21.
What's going on in your life?
Who are you spending most of your time with?
What's favorite things to do? eat? hobby?

I am newly married only three months. I am settling into nesting into my very first home. All of a glorious 900 square feet of paradise on earth. I am being loved like I could have never known was possible. I am being taken all over Arizona for camping and week end trips, My new husband plays the guitar for me every night and sings to me when he returns from his night shift job.
I planted daffodils under the two baby trees out front after I dug out the dirt. I am washing my clothing in the new (used) washer my new brother and lister-in-law gave us for our wedding. I hang them out to dry. The home is now no longer a bachelor pad so there is a lot of elbow grease poured out to make it nice.
I pack lunches and cook home cooked meals with joy. I am so very humbled to have a man that loves God that I am in shock.
I eat . I eat foods that fatten up my rail frame. I like it! We have popcorn the way I make it in the oven under the broiler I brown the buttered and salted kernels.
I have a large new family all around me. I see myself as gutter trash in the new family that, I believed I was accepted into, only because, "he" choose me.
I learned that the boyfriend I had left months before is dead.
I spend all the time with my new Husband, or with a sweet kitten named "Jasper". I work hard on the land and inside the home to create the very best out of it. I have plants hung from the ceiling and growing out like a sun burst across the sky. I Quilt a blanket for our bed out of the fabric scraps of my youth and of his youth. My new Mother-in-law gave them to me. Life was amazing. I had little to no contact with my family it was good. I was safe. It was Christmas everyday!

Tackle It Tuesday

Two cans say it all!
I wiped it out once. I sprayed the bottom again to let stand another 2 hours. It is actually a blue/slate gray interior! Ha! It is a self cleaning oven so being in the desert and not having ventilation I have not tried to use the self cleaner again after the first time (I thought the house was going to burn down).
Now they have this product said "safe for self cleaning ovens". I waited many years for this oven so I am sorta cautious about what I use on it.


5:30 Well it sure was not "FUME FREE"
Hubby walked up and shot me in a bit of pain trying to finish,my knee and back were not to happy with me, but I'm stubborn. Beloved made the famous oatmeal dinner of his.




Part way done.... Paper work is a long, time consuming job.

The last of the studio mess to be sorted and deposited around the house.


My aprons have full pockets to sort and deposit into various places.



So now , When I posted this I was committed,
or maybe you should commit me for posting it! HA!

Paper work to fill out and also a few bills for utilities to pay. (have yet to get to this)
SEE what a great
motivator!!!!!!!
Come join the motivated fun over at...
5 Minutes for Mom

God's recent Provisions. His Eye on the sparrow.

Hubby came home with this it had been sent to his folks house for him by mistake. Well I recently looked at a new razor and discovered how very expensive they are. I was delighted that day to find razer blades for my old personal touch. They were the last ones on the shelf and they were very cheep. However God just gave me this very fancy new one FREE! Beloved uses an electric shaver.

California King 360 thread count set for $15.,
A wonderful new Huge Mortar and Pestal $8. I have always dreamed of having one,
My very BIG splurge/ investment ...an 8 qt. aluminum clad Calphalon (made in America) soup pot (no more burned bottom) that matches my old set, that I collected, (I waited for so many years for) for $58. This is a $180.-$200. pot!! It has stainless steel handles that are beefy and high quality> YE PEE!!!!!

Tell me what God has done for you like this recently? How many ways have you been blessed with provision? Tell about it. It is said that this is what we are to be speaking about. The things that we have heard and seen and experienced in HIM.

Laundry Room tips and tricks.

I keep images of WHY I DO IT above the machines.

Sorry side ways image here,
I purchased a large pour spout dispenser and refill it.
By pulling it out slightly All that needs be done is to open the washer soap door, push a button.
This is a ergonomic approach. Save all energy you can to do the things you love to do.
By keeping an old cloth diaper under it all drips are absorbed.
The cloth gets washed every now and then.

Arm and Hammer (I can find lead in adds for this item half price) is a purchase I make usually at least 6 ( this week 2.99 for 32 oz.) of them at a time that is three/four months laundry. I have a storage outside for extra soaps, light bulbs pantry papers/foil.
A & H has no perfume or harsh ingredients (we all have sensitive skin).
After many years they now have a Downy that is fragrance free ( try to find it on sale it is not often so however). With allergies and Asthma under our roof we live preventively.

How do you load your Dishwater?

Show us your dishwasher!

I think it would be cool to learn from each other.

I Was tagged.

I was tagged by Corey

If I won a million Dollars, first I would be a little skeptical.
This Sunday night we watched an old Walton's DVD on just this very issue. Of course it was during the depression so it was a $250. bequest. Grandma Walton promised $50. for the church roof, $3. per kid and then $100. to John Boys Education. Mean while the hot water heater was on the fritz. So they spent The education fund on th Hot Water heater and took gram pa's old watch in for repair. The bequeathing was not met due to medical debt on the estate and so all was lost. Gram pa sold the watch to get less than half the Education fund back. It was the TIME that grams spent at the university that was the saving grace.
So having had that in mind I think I would do nothing until all was throughly investigated and taxes paid. Then when the monies were in the bank after I changed my phone number and address :) I would consider it and only then.
A million dollars is not very much. It will not go very far after taxes.
I would pay off all debt on my home.
Get beloved a nice truck a white one that could pull the trailer and we could all go camping in. Set aside a fund to pay for Insurance and registration for many years. Set aside a cash fund to be available as needed.
I would place a large amount in low risk investments to bone up our retirement. Including large 529's for the kids educations.
I would pray for wisdom in a praise offering to give back to others, I would take my time and be wise here. It would be toward Widows and Orphans Health I think. True widows.
We would travel as a family and explore the world around us.
Move to the forest somewhere or live there seasonally.
debt free. Set for retirement.

Now if They feel like playing....I tag.
Michelle G.
Trishia
Christine
Kailani
Ametra

What They Do With Their $1 Million.

1. SYH will spend for Family

2. Miche will give to the needy

3. Montessorimum will keepsake

4. Lovely Mummy will spend & save

5. MummyInVain will fully utilise

6. Babyfiona will buy house and open business

7. MonkeyWong will go for a long vacation

8. Emila Yusof will realise her dream

9. Mariuca will open a Perfume Gallery

10.Janice Ng will upgrade house and go for long vacation

11.Hin will blog to donate for charity

12.Bobo will invest in property and let her parents go on a holiday.

13. Adrian will spend it all!

14. Brad will spend all of his money on foolish gadgets

15.Danielle will buy a cottage in the woods and never look back

16. Brown Baron will hold a $17,500 blog contest.

17. Bobby will be on a World vacation forever.

18. Wolfgang will try to live, fix the things that can be fixed with what money can buy, and (hopefully) live happily ever after (feel free to shorten to include only the linked part when you repost please).

19. Ingrid would do the sensible thing financially, then take her family with her and become a globetrotter for six months.

20. Corey, Remain debt free,Dream Home,Jeep for Hubby,Local Charities,investments both short and long tern, Gifts for friends.

21. Donetta Pay off my home. Get Beloved a nice truck. Large amount in low risk investments, Give a praise offering, Travel, Move to a forest somewhere.
1- Tell what you would do.
2- Tag 5 people
3- Reproduce the list of bloggers who have already done this challenge and add your name at the end.

Marriage Monday

fruit in Season is our Hostess.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue...Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

How wonderful it is to be Married to a good friend. My friend knows me so intimately that he understands where words fail me.
His Embrace says it all. He honors me. It was he who saw me for who I am before it ever became the real fruit in mine own eyes. Now that I see me as he has always viewed me I am stunned I did not frustrate him beyond measure with the low view I had of my own self for so many many years. Never really believing his words over me and just thinking he must just be bias. He must have been so hurt so many times not to be believed when he spoke such love, such truths over me.
Listen to your husbands . What do they say about you? Is it true, I mean is it? If so receive what they have to say when they give edification to your soul. You will honor them. (likewise if it is a lie don't buy it!) Do you hope one day to see yourself through your own eyes the way they see you? Then even if you have to pretend believe them. Try it on. Hope that they never get to exhausted to tell us how beautiful we truly are.
How patient a love he has over me.

You know your too tired when....

...You pull into your garage after you drop your children off for school, turn off the car (thank God), pause for a moment of gratitude in prayer and then wake up 1 1/2 hours later in your car in your garage. I missed my walk at the mall with my dear friend over at Photo Daughter of the King. I just had a real day overcoming my challenge of the night before. It is amazing how much energy courage and kindness can take.

Calling all Writers! Hear YE! Hear Ye!

Come test your talent and spin a pen .
It is the greatest blog in cyber space!
Come one, came all!
It is the one,
The ONLY!!!!!!!!
Carnival of Family Life
"Why Home school" is hosting this week. Come read a varied selection of wonderful blog writers.
Come explore the venue of the week!
Each event one of a kind.
Your wildest pen in hand.
For it is you who will make it grand.

Join the fun, pour a cup or brew some tea sit a spell, It will be just swell
Tell your story or pen something new.

This week we celebrate with this wonderful host at... Why Home School?
Each week a new Host displays it all for us in a wonderful list with links and categorized by topic.
All you do is write a post, then click on the time at the bottom of your post and make a page link, highlight the http line, use control "c" then go to the carnival page use your control "V" fill out the lines and your in!!!!!!
Its a fun ride and you'll get to meet great writers and wonderful new friends.
This message a kindness to Kailani of Island Life who is a wonderful blogging friend.

On Words.

Good Morning! I began my day with a wonderful child who had ended his day before writing.
Last night our family time was enjoyed watching DVD's of the Old Series "The Walton's". We have over the years collected several of the yearly series. If you know the old T.V. show you may remember it is based as the memories of an author. John Boy Walton, his family held values and character with education a high priority.
They held fast the amazing power of the word, spoken and written. It was understood that there was power; weather the words themselves were understood or not.

Today I am impressed as my children are both pretending to be like John Boy Walton. They are playing with the written word. I teach my kids that there is the power of life or death is the words we speak. That within our tongue we have the power to express Life or Death. I have also understood how it can be turned and twisted and become a force that the speaker may not have intended.
We as writers we have a great responsibility to use our power wisely. We all have the responsibility to use our spoken word to give life. I teach my children to speak as if kindness were the rule of your heart. Our hearts are all intertwined. May my words reflect my heart in such a way that I bring little or no shame to those around me. That I never be an embarrassment or hurtful intentionally or innocently.
Our words are also a mirror a reflection into our hearts. I often marvel at how very wounded we all must be to have so many scabs faking off and such oozing. How very much I desire my words to bring a balm a life of their own. I hope with all that I am that this be the gain to anything and all things I am.
My children are awaiting my words and touch .
Ya all have a great morning and today season your words from above for tomorrow you may have to eat them. Ha! :) If you do wind up gnawing on them I hope that they taste marvelous and that you can savor every bite.
:)

Late Night Loneliness

I am in a lot of pain tonight.
I had a post to write for the other blog and it left my heart hurting.
We took the kids to a wave pool and that left my knee and back hurting too.
I'm sad and sorry for the hurt in the world.
I wax human, mortal and clay.

My Beloved rests He needs it, so do I but I need to wait for the Advil to kick in and lighten the pain. I had asthma bite me at the pool today. I had swam a long lap, I felt so free and so strong. I reached the pool edge and I had a truck on my chest . I was sucking air so bad I felt sorta afraid. I held the edge and walked into the shallows. When the wave pool was on I stayed with Dash in the shallow while Daddy Man and Dove went to the depths, Oh she is so athletic and loves the intense play. Dove is so amazingly beautiful and jollies in her Daddies attention. Kids both wear vests so I am O.K. with it. I wear a inner tube because I just can not trust my knee if someone knocks into me or if I have to grab Dash. Dash is not O.K. in the deeps so I keep him close with me. It was a lot of fun watching him glory in his boyhood. I feel sad my bones won't do what my mind thinks they should (wishes they could). I must loose some weight and try to get a strengthening(maybe the insurance will cover the shots) , and continue to come to terms with my physical limitations. It pulls a vacuum! (sucks!) pg blog :)

I miss my Mom (or the role of one for me) tonight and all the others who have passed on. I am sad. I miss my good friend Mary Margret she passed way too soon. Marjorie my sweet Sister in Christ is a sweet memory now, so many years gone by. Maybe they are up there at His right hand praying for me now cause I'm crying. I only cry when I am feeling loved. I'm just having a good "rip the gut" cry. When I was in my bed just laying there before I came back in here, I just ask God to read me scripture in my head. They flowed like pink lemon aide I love the scripture His voice within me. I love who it has caused me to become. I just can't believe that I was once so different, but I am. I am .
I am so loved so endowed with every good thing around me. I have everything I could of ever dreamed of surrounding me in persons and possessions. I am so blessed, so whole, so loved.
My weeping pours out of me it physically hurts.

Oh Dear Anonymous you have touched something so deep within me that I heal in its weeping, its pain.
I won.
Thank you.

Out with a class room in with a studio.

As early as 2000 I had a class room set up in the family room. I taught Dove pre-k. some of K and then because we ere going to Russia to get Dash, we placed her into a public K., She attended some of 1st grade in public ,but the school was a charter and they did not have to follow government access to special needs for kids, she was being pulled out of class twice a week. an aide would work with her, although I appreciated it; well, it was not someone with the skill set that she should have worked under. The school was very accelerated and it damaged Doves esteem. I watched her decline and pulled her out mid 1st grade. Only to find out that be had been being targeted by a bully. I taught her 1st grade and second grade yet we had a lot going on. Our Son came home VERY ill. I had a radical hip-hip hysterectomy 6 weeks later. Dash had two surgeries within his first 6 months home.


Dove thrived loving to learn and help. Dad found her one day mopping, too sweet. Well we brought her baby brother home from Russia when he was a very ill 10 month old who needed a lot of medical attention. I taught full year round. Very intentional of all the base foundational topics. I placed a hight emphasis on character development. I taught them why our family held our beliefs, health, science , math, geography with a strong emphasis on culture and societal belief systems. Reading and Art being two we really celebrated with gusto. I was so busy teaching that I am grieved to find very little photo records. I never just got to be "mom"


My children know the continents and the socio economic characteristics of nations and peoples. They understand them selves in space and on the earth even down in to the communities they live in.

We loved school and a school it was.I have supplied all aspects with everything imaginable to equip them with the wonder of education. Behind them is the widow that is in the studio. Each child is computer literate and they understand hardware and software of the mainframes. I subscribed to some wonderful home schooling providers and we used A Beka, and many other recourses. We made a A huge investment in the future.

In the spring of 2007 we had our 25th wedding anniversary. It was the first time Beloved and I had a rest in some time. All the while we home schooled we also kept pace with a multitude of therapy for Occupation, speech, physical, Psychologist and psychiatrist for medication to be maintained. I was worn out!
The academic and social aspects were needing a greater focus (we did do a lot of play dates as well). It was time for me to let go of a life long dream and a mission I had worked so hard at being competent in. I was over my head. When Beloved lost a career (the plant closed down) that then also called my other skills into a greater need. Mind you I have always been a professional homemaker but my skills had become in greater demand
I waited 16 years before we finally had adopted Dove, We were married 20 years before I had Dash as my Son. All the while facing the battles and trials of life. Surgeries to many to count.
It was time to let go.
After a big fight with God a let go. I have overcome and learned a lot about trusting HIM with my children . Home school was not a mistake! It set them up very well with strong foundations and a greater understanding than most children, then even most adults :)


So now here is the new, After obeying God I have received a new sewing machine worth over $8000. (that I returned so that the giver would know that they were loved unconditionally) It came back to me and now I have a woman who knows I love her and a new machine ( my other was a 1957 phaff), Fabric galore, A "dream" of a beading center that I longed for since childhood. (several people gave me beads) I also invested in some estate sales on e-bay (hours of sorting).
Just this week I received a gift, a new professional cutting table. My sister who also recently moved gave me threads for embroidery, and many other tools, fabrics and supplies.


This weekend The STUDIO became the focus for attention.
I turned this big job into what is to follow

The embroidery machine is covered foreground.

I also just received a whole new wardrobe from a woman who passed away.
Her daughter and I stayed up late into the night recently speaking of the things of the spirit.
With the loss of my husbands former career we lost 2/3 of our income and if it were not for that we would not be qualifying for federal aide for our son who may have Ushers Syndrome ( a condition where total blindness/deafness is at threat).
You see God has His eye on the sparrow!
This is one of the tops that was given to me.

I altered it and added a little more pizazz.
I am a little embarrassed to show you my Studio. It is a culmination of so many gifts that I am crying now to show it to you.
LOVE is one of the only things that will bring me to tears.
I learned in childhood never to cry. I have been given so much.
This is what I was able to do with it this weekend.

A messy beading table. I placed the fold out table collapsed behind it to add a little depth. I can fold out the wing if I do several lay outs at a time. For mass production to sell things at craft shows and up at the Pine Gallery.

Well, cleaned up it looked like this. Following the lead of one of New Chelse Morning, I started a nice journal of images, I am inspired by. I have studied color for wardrobe and make up extensively. I use this knowledge in clothing and jewelry design.

It looked like this afterward.
In another image below Beloved put up a photo shelf over the left side.

I had all this yet to sort out, and many small jobs are represented here. My sewing table gets to be a family catch all. Under the table I stored the tempura and paint supplies, the bin is full of batting and quilting supplies. Under the sewing wing are bins sorted by textiles and various findings and such. The home school papers are yet to be sorted in this image. A bitter sweet job.

Looking up, in by inch.
I hung the stained glass quilt blocks above the four corner windows. They are so beautiful (they too, were a sweet gift)

After a long day of little jobs and fun creative expression.
The scraping job of our Indian wedding is in a few bins under the table too.

For years I have kept little storage bins of findings, buttons, zippers, items separated by like things, tubing, keys and key bobs, cutting tools, leather working tools, rulers/protractors,you get the idea. I have the big binders divided into year/months for the scrapping I have yet to do. My study books, bible references. Parenting books are here, with hazardous things up high. This still needs a good work out. This once was all the teaching resources, so I have not gotten it all the way it needs to be. I created a little home office off to the left. We made a private room for Hubby so he has his space. He has the mens support group there weekly.

See the pink shelf he put up.

This corner is still wanting.
Beloved gave me the jewelers desk for my birthday two years ago.
That big stack to the sky is sewing and repair jobs in the cue. You'll see them as I get to it.

This is my nitch. Beloved turned my study table into a monitor stand. The blue basket on the floor is all the work to be done to our master address list. As I told you I was poured out. So many things were neglected due to just nothing of me left for so long.
This is the rocker I raised both children in. Under the desk wing are the storage bins of supplies. Almost all of them acquired over the years off of clearance racks or thing retired and given to me by fellows. Many elders have honored me with the things they once held so dear.
I look forward to the months ahead. Where now I have learned that it does matter that I pursue the arts. That is who I am an artist . A Mother is who I get to be now, that I have more time to just be with the kids. I will always be their first and primary teacher. I receive the privilege to have others help me give them an academic education. I just get to be what I always waited for and longed to be "a Mother". An "artist" , "writer" and a "home maker" who is a very loved "friend" and "Wife" to a man who loves God.