Challenged tonight. Refreshed tomorrow.

To the woods yonder
My heart doth wander
Heal me with thy beauty
sooth me with they silence
Until all that is clatter departs from my mind
In your forest embrace
my center and peace I find
absent of distraction attune to His voice
With all this hard work
It is why this is my choice
My forest repose

It has been so hard to get ready for this trip.
Hello, all day (week) I have faced one obstacle after another and have just watched them be swept out of the way. I did well with attitude, but when the lights turned green. This hamster had to get off and running with one knee tied behind my back.
Beauty my Miss fiction gets a new nick name. She is transforming into an outwardly expressed inner beauty that is stunning! She was a huge help. Everyone pitched in. The camper is getting closed up as I type. Hubby is out doing it. They just finished story time while I loaded all the bags they carried out into the cupboards. The ice chest are loaded. I have stepped away and sat down to rest my leg.
The kids are growing up. Wow what a difference even three months have made. They see how essential they are. And how we are all a team. This is a real transformation in them. Independence and the joy of self discovery is so impressive to see.

Thankful Thursday

Hear I am just a woman, one soul of many wherry...yet he lifts me up.
Hope deferred yet heart excited at the knowledge of His will being the best thing for me...the peace of just walking into that.
Tired yet refreshed in the promise of a success at the end of each battle.
Saddened
Flawed and yet fleeing from self condemnation
How many Words the "Word" that transforms every trial into a transformation
Every battle into a skilled sword to wield better in the next skirmish
Pained in bone yet comforted in healing

Hear I am ready momentarily rested, iced to move onto the nest phase of preparation
How the ice does numb the pain.
I have every resource all needs met all promise filled
Just one woman of many who live love work and see the fruit of their labor.
Smiling at the future
Renewed like the dawn ready to begin again
Refusing to lay down my weapons and retreat, I am standing at the ready.
Strengthened in spirit. Bring it on!

Hear, I am just one woman. With One mighty God in three looking after me.
Hear. I am...

Waxing poetic :)

Tooth fairy news

Miss Fiction lost her tooth! wahoo!
So Mr Dash Hawk comes to me and says...
"I know who you are...( he is face to face fixed gaze) Tell me where you keep the teeth and I will not tell her who you are(determined and very serious). I promise not to tell her where you keep the teeth... Oh please... I just got to know... Pretty please with PURPLE on it!."
My favorite color is ...purple :)

"A Camping we will go" , Hi Ho the merry oh....

Well it is a Go!!!! We are heading out in the early A.M. I think my beloved will be like this by mid afternoon.

We could not get the truck to malfunction for the mechanic. Not only that the mechanic WAVED THE $89. diagnostic charge!!!!!!!!!
So Daddy man said we will just go. A man from the small mens group Beloved runs will be watching the dogs. He really enjoys them. I know he will do a great job watching over them and the house. We have been very blessed with help with the dogs twice now. Thank you Sis.
So I walked into this not knowing until just a few moments ago if it was to go or not. It has been so cool that I have not been upset over the not knowing. I just felt like God's will be done.
I have four large bags of groceries from the pantry and the clothes are spinning in the washer. I set our stuff out just got to do the kids still. I am off for a weekend of forest crisp air. The fall does not show well here but we might get to see some color.

It will get cold at night, but Miss Fiction LOVES the cold! I got a farmers jump suit size 6 at the thrift store for $2.50! for the Dash who chills easily. It is well insulated. Daddy Man is so skinny he is afraid of the cold because it hurts for him to be cold, so I grabbed his Russia gear. Should work out fine. We have a furnace in the camp tailor.

Wordless Wedensday

"5 Minutes for Mom" is hosting a Weekly Wordless Wednesday

Tales from the scales challenge and group. Wk #2

Hello all, Well...NO LOSS NO Gain. I did see a glimpse of 189 on Friday before I had the second shot in my knee, but after the shot I over did and have been laid low all week end and all week. So I had lost 2 more than the first two. The BBQ ribs my sweet heart brought home so lovingly to encourage my painful days flat on my back with knee held high returned the favor for eating them! You all know that it did not stop at the ribs...I eat comfort when I am in physical pain. Got to stop that!

193 starting

191 week one

191 week two (at 189 on Friday)

I get to go camping this week end, I will get to walk some. I have the third shot on Monday. I will not be physically active then for three more days. I will how ever try to activate some other measure of self comfort than food! I have lessoned my portions significantly.

Our Son.

Our Son

This morning on the hammock all the cuddling and sweetness of my little boy. He wanted attention so after I dressed , I came out of my room and asked him if he might like to sit down a moment together on the couch. SMILE, he did and wide! We Reposed and then with the seriousness of all that is earnest he began...
"Mom I am very concerned about my friends..."
I reply "oh why is that son?"...
"Well mom I got Dog Pee on my hand and I tried to wash it off, but It still smells bad...I think I can not risk going to school Mom. They might get the germs...Then I would be responsible for getting them sick. So, Mom I think it best if I just stay home from school today!."
Holding to the level of his conversation, I inquired..."Son may I ask just how did you get dog pee on your hand?"
"Well Mom.. I was sliding down the slide and I accidentally put my hand in it and it smells"
Diligent mother I am out of a curiosity that doubted the story. Thinking the child was creating a marvel of "get out of school fiction"... SMELLED HIS little boy hand! YEP! Dog pee eeew!
He with strained face said "mom I don't want to give my friends the germs and get them sick!"
"Lets go wash them off together, we'll kill all those old germs and then it will be alright for you to go to school" Endeared to the core was I.

So I took him in and lathered his sweet baby boy hands (6 years is still a baby!) and scrubbed them in mine. His eyes lit up and he was a three year old in my arms all over again. He was watching my face in the mirror with such admiration I thought I would just melt!

On another not. I told him that I miss him looking back when I drop him off in the morning. This morning off he raced out of the car, to the school doors. Then he was bolted in his step looked over his shoulder and smiled that "holy little boyish smile".
I have a wonderful Son who brings so much joy into our lives.

Tackle It Tuesday

The truck is missing again this morning after running flawlessly! I am meeting Beloved at a auto diagnostic shop. I do hope that we can fix the truck easily.
We trust God's will for the weekend.

In order to this this weekend
I have to rest today and let everything go except...

I am going to give this guy and this girl lots of attention.
I swung on the hammock with Dash this morning and snuggled. He wants to be a chef so I gave him a cooking lesson with our eggs. He wanted to have his the way I have mine. Last night he told me how he noticed that every fictional story has to have a bad event happen in it we began to discuss plot and will continue to talk about the antagonist and protagonist. He is 6!

This sweet heart slept until the last moment. She is up reading all night. She is now reading at a just below 5th grade level and thriving! She is in 3rd grade. She needs to sleep some too though. He detox has left her with a little insomnia. That and I think she just loves to read! I taught her how while homeschooling her. I think it may just be perhaps the greatest thing I have ever accomplished.
I had a dentist follow up to go in for the infection, I called this morning and spoke with the dentist he said that he needs to cut the socket open!!!!
I attended the visit and to His amazement it is healing and I just need to stay on the meds. another few days!
It's that armored vest! Dodged another bullet! :)
I got the dishes going and have just learned that my Sisters English husband is being deported in 9 days! They loose everything! Wow! He was so privileged to be here in the U.S.A. all of those years. His hard work really gave him a nice life here.

Autumn Goody Swap

Christine is Doing a very fun

Autumn Goody Swap

Here’s how it works:
*EDITED* This is open to all bloggers.

If you’d like to participate, just add your link to the Mr. Linky below. You have until October 16th to sign-up.

You will be sending your package to the person next in line. For example, I will sign up first and send my package to the 2nd person who signs up, the 2nd person will send to the 3rd, and so on. The last person will send a package to me. Got it?

It is your responsibility to contact your recipient to obtain their mailing address. Use this opportunity to meet a new blogger and possibly make a new friend!

Beginning October 17th, you may start mailing out your goody packages. Please try to get them to their receivers before October 31st.

You should try to spend somewhere between $8 - $10, not including shipping charges.

As an added incentive, the person who refers the most people to join this event will receive (and since I love choices) something chocolately or something from Bath and Body Works. So they need to tell me who sent them.

Once you’ve received your goodies, don’t forget to take pictures so we can all see what you got!

To know each other better, I’ve posted some fun questions to get to know more about you. You can post your answers on your blog or in comments.

Have Fun!

Questions:

What do you like best about Fall?

The cool of the morning. The community all lowers their shoulders and people become more relaxed and less stressed from the heat. They stop complaining and start smiling again.

Do you have any family traditions for this time of year?

I celebrate Harvest and the Joy of Bounty.We rent goof ball movies and shut all the house lights down. I buy bags of candy for the family, each persons favorites. The kids and my Husband and I watch movies and snuggle. We are trying to find an old flick "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes". I will be dressing the kids in costume for school as a literary fictional characters. Because of my family history I can not in good conscience do "trick or treating" . It is just not O.K. for me. I might do a church carnival, maybe?

I also pray a lot this time of year for those who are ill intended that they would be hindered and that children would be covered in the safety of divine protection.

What’s your favorite Halloween chocolate?

I love candy! All sorts of candy. So in like manner as when I was a youth with that pillowcase full of treasure, mine would be a mixed bag assortment. Sours to mellow the sweets and sweets to savor. Chick-o-sticks are one that comes to mind.

Is there any Halloween treat you do not like?

I don't like pixie sticks, ghost candies and ghoulishly decorated things.

Menu Plan Monday

Although the children agree with this guys appetite.
It is hot dogs and chips
via Daddy Man tonight.

This hamster is off the wheel until I get those bearings:)

What wine am I.

Here I have been whining all weekend about my Boo Boo . Sorry I thought you might like some cheese...:) You Are Chardonnay

Fresh, spirited, and classic - you have many facets to your personality. You can be sweet and light. Or deep and complex. You have a little bit of something to offer everyone... no wonder you're so popular. Approachable and never smug, you are easy to get to know (and love!). Deep down you are: Dependable and modest Your partying style: Understated and polite Your company is enjoyed best with: Cold or wild meat

Growing within us.

Miss Fiction wanted to know what it was like in a womb. She wanted to be born again :) . So she proceeded (to my amazement) to climb inside my dress just before bath time last night. I called beloved in to snap an image.
Thats 10 years gestation ladies. Or in reality 16 years wait for my wonderful daughter.

Not Flesh of my Flesh
Nor Bone of my Bone,
But still Miraculously my own.
Never forget for a single minute
that although you didn't grow under my heart,
you grew in it.

Carnaval Of Family Life.

The Carnival of Family Life. is up over at
My Wealth Builder

Check out my entry "School Fund Raiser" post.

If you love a good laugh go look at this...
Check out "F....is for Follow-up" by Cory
Be sure and Vote for her she is awesome!

Fun Monday

Pamela is the hostess for this Fun Monday. She choose the topic. She said:I want to see what you see on any given morning this week; from somewhere very near where you live. Front porch, back porch, down the street, around the corner. Just makes sure it’s your neighborhood. Post a photo that will send me to the travel agent to book a weekend at your local Bed & Breakfast.

Every morning I make lunches for the family. These loving hands (a cleaner version of them) embrace me and I follow him out to the garage.

Where we bid each other a fine day and I see him drive off in this 4 runner alone on his way into his long work day. It is very warm here even now in October. Many "snow birds" will be flocking their way here shortly for the warm days and cool evenings.

My street looks like this only pirates are seldom witnessed.This is a shot of one such pirate. This is a late evening photograph. Our home is shaded while the sun set illuminates the end of the block.

Retuning indoors I feed these two so I can have a moment of peace with my son. With the exception of the dead of summer the outdoor fun is year round.

This is the yard he plays in while his sister sleeps every available moment she can, most days. I come out and swing on the hammock with him and we talk. Summer monsoons can green a lawn up pretty as do the sprinkler systems many homes have. It's just the water that the desert is running low on :)

To check out more of this Fun Monday’s participants and sign up for this week’s assignment. It’s never too late! click HERE.

Children have loving hearts for art

My Sweet Miss Fiction used a great "draw it write" art book to do this work.


My Dear Dash Hawk gave this note to me on Saturday Morning along with a big hug.

Manic Monday *Tracks*

Morning Tracks from the wet Lawn

across the chalked porch lumber

"What, I did'nt do anything":) ...

Quick dry,the arid eraser.

Thus helped, the entry floor .

Hello

Sunday night. I have laid low all weekend. Chomping at the bit tonight, it's like I can hear the wild horses off in the distance and I want to run wild with them. The moonlight is so free and limitless.
Hubby is exhausted and the kids are now off the sugar high. They had a great time at a birthday party today. I had the house to my lone self this afternoon. Beloved stayed at the party and visited with the other adults, while the kids all played free.
I am working on documented three months of expenditures so as to develop a budget. This is so frustrating for I do not know how to use a paper ledger spread sheet. I want this thing hard copy. I need to be able to touch it and see it and understand it. I am stumbling around with some of the categories and how to do this thing professionally. I used to be able to manage thing so well before the kids, crisis and the loss of 2/3 rd's of our income. I know I can do well with it again it is just tighter and more holes to mend. We are so blessed to only have a mortgage as debt. So I think if a better plan were in place and the leaks stopped up I could try to save again and also pay down the mortgage some day. We also need to have a little travel money to do a trip somewhere and not be stressed out over dong it.
I am trying to fill all the holes we are pretty good about it but I want to improve it.
I admire simple living.
Our home is very energy efficient, I do a great job on bargain hunting. The menu could stand to be more consistent. When I am knocked off the wheel everything changes. It is easier to gain income and learn to live on it than it is to decrease and do so. The sound principals were have lived under all these years are paying off in a big way now. We have no debt other than the house.
We are going camping this next weekend if all goes well with my knee. It is well rested and I think ready for an easy week. I have a ton of laundry to do. The kids rooms have me almost to tears of frustration. everything that was organized is in a disarray. Clothing is "rat holed" and so I am just at wits end with those kids of mine. Often I blame myself due to lack of training them but the fact is Miss fiction is broken here! It is maddening! It is however just who she is. Her mind organizes in her way try putting all the markers away and the pencils too she will have a rush to need to collect everything yellow. I'll find a stash of everything that I have missed in a hole somewhere they will all be yellow. Or round or fury or blue books. It all comes down off the shelf out of the bin from every corner. ARG!!! I know she is just who she is. It is just so maddening I feel crazy from it sometimes. If you cant find it count it lost until I get the umph up to dismantle a bunch of rat holes. We have pack rats hear in the desert. I live with one::)

What are your budget tips??? Do tell...
Maybe I haven't covered them.

Sunday Smiles "They took my bearings out of me wheel!"

Somebody came in and took my bearing out of my wheel!
Man! I have watched a hamster pace they get a bit antsy!
Can you just see her Sister hamster, she approaches the wheel and "what!" no bearings! It is out of service. And not only that but the sign says "Over usage has resulted in momentary setbacks to repairs" Well!
So as I await the installation of the bearings I have had several hours to pace my cage :)
With all of the tidying up around here its that wheel...Just cant get my mind off of it:)

Toasted Organic Tamari Pumpkin Seads

Using a nice large (heavy bottomed)skillet.

Heat skillet (no oil)
Place about a 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds into the hot skillet
Hulled Pumpkin seeds "pop" as you roast them. Stir and toast them until browned lightly.

Remove to a mixing bowl. Add two-three tablespoons of Tamari (wheat free soy sauce) to seeds and toss to coat.
This is a part of my type O meal Plan for a snack. These are very nutritious. I got the pumpkin seeds at my local health food store (Wild Oats) by the pound. Store in freezer to keep fresh.

Photo Hunters *Curvey*

Pains been bad, time up is limited.

It was a long night and a hard day. Pain is bad. I just now used the crutches to come in here. It is almost three. The kids an hubby are caring for me well. I watched a couple of movies. Muscle spasms have been real bad. I over did it after the injection by stopping for the B12 for Miss Fiction. She had a bad night the night before. I drove to a bank to get the $10. and the drive up atm was out of cash, I drove around the building again and cashed a check at the drive up. I had given my word I would stop back by a neighbors yard sale she was holding a few books for me for the kids. She had closed the sale and I had (choose with ill thought) to get out of the car and go to the door. There were three steps. I should of given up at that point I made it to the door. Got home and rested but went to get the kids an hour later when they got out of school. Too much did I, Too much pain have had I.
I made poor choices and now pay with bad pain. I am resting all day.
My Daughter brought me breakfast a sweet bowl of cereal and soy milk in a gravy boat too cute, Then she came with my tea pot and cup set full of apricot nectar. I am so Loved. Miss Fiction and the Daddy went to Costco and came home with a four foot pillow covered in soft fake rabbit fur it feels so good on my leg, so soft. Then My beloved presented Costco ribs to me ( my favorite. I was able to eat respectfully). It sure hurts, my back is so pained from laying so log. The muscle cramping is much better right now. Gotta go so as to not over due.
Have a great day.
Well it is evening now
I posted this and removed it. I thought it dribble and full of all things that might put you readers off. well after thinking about it I am a real person. I have been shown respect and if I only expose the cheerful light side of my days I would be a fraud. That would never due.
It has been a long day of laying around and being board and feeling yucky from the second round of anti biotic taken for the dry socket. Tuesday I go back in on it. Now I rest this sweet injected knee that is just angry and unpleasant to have danglingly around while I hobble on the crutches that are leaving my back hurting.
I don't know how Amy does it!
Really it is the end of the month that is getting to me. That yearly call to arms to prayer to the reality of what is going on right now in preparation for the darker side of things.
I pull myself up in my chair only to hurt in my heart for the flashes of reality that I seam alone in the awareness of. I feel lonely I think. So I will not try to hide behind a lovely post tonight. Not that I ever do. I just feel so many feelings. I did an entry on the other blog that is so compelling for the sake of children out there.
How can I stand on a hill and cry out! When I can barely stand on my own leg. I must be in His strength alone.

Happy Fall! Full of mixed feelings.

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff-- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see. This was passed on to me from another pumpkin. Now, it is your turn to pass it to a pumpkin. I liked this enough to send it to all the pumpkins in my patch. Happy Fall!

I got upset at the Halloween thing in the last post. My kids are wanting costumes, and I offered to help their teachers that day.I HATE this holiday! I think however I would do better by the kids to be present to hear what they hear and have a chance to guided them into the truth afterward. So, I am going to challenge my re-actions and try to act in wisdom on their behalf. I so,do not want, it to be like the "red food coloring". I never let Miss fiction have red food coloring for many years and now that is the only color she chooses. If they are ignorant or deprived then the temptations have a greater pull. I must let them see the truth of both sides of such a celebration. It is made to be so much fun, and so innocent. It just rips me up! How gullible a nation we have been, and are, to what we are doing! We are desensitizing our children to the dark side.
Sometimes I so wish it could just be as much fun and as innocent for me as it seems to be for so many of you!

Good afternoon. Synvisc shot #2 today

I have had wonderful news. If the shot shows effect soon after injections the likelihood that it is going to be successful if more promising! Well I could tell the difference within 12 hours by 30 hour I had walked 12-15 steps limp free last week.
I also found out that knee replacement my not be the threat upon me. I am more a candidate for continued use of newer drugs injected. They are finding that a new cortisone may decrease the chemicals in the joint that eat the cartilage away. As long as the injections are in the joint cavity and NOT around the soft tissue. He thinks that in 10 years or so the may develop a type of injection like a silicone or epoxy that adheres to the bone end. This is a real encouragement for me because of my age.
So I am a hurting girl right now.
I got the shot in around 11 A.m., I am so privileged and fortunate to have the medication available, it has only been on the market a few years now. It is showing good signs of growing cartilage.
I had some dark chocolate with cherries and almonds for a treat. I hope I did not fall to hard on my plan doing so. When I am in so much pain I think I try to nurture myself with a "goodie" just like my mom would do.

Friday Feist

Christine over at "Are we there yet Mom" is hosting today

Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you look forward to your birthday?
My Birthday is a time of reverence and celebration with gratitude for me! I have learned that my life is a precious gift. It is a life I have fought diligently for. I love to have it noticed. I an 46 years young and getting younger every day in my attitude about myself. I defiantly would say a 10

Soup
What is one word you don’t like the sound, spelling, or meaning of?
Halloween. I, being raised by those who were satanist despise hollowing anything that is not holy.
When I think of 10-31 I think of all the times I was on the stone table as a child being raped. I am reminded of all the animal sacrifices I witnessed. People really do use this day to worship the dark side.
It is very "CUTE" in our culture but it is very haunting and a time of great intercession for those who may be experiencing the unspeakable on that night. I pray for children who are the targets of their crimes in the name of their "worship".
You asked!
Ooo, I am shaking!

Salad
Do you wear sunglasses when you’re outside? If so, what does your current pair look like?
Yes clip ons, for I have progressive bifocals with prisms. My eye sight is challenged, and the sunlight is blinding through the coke bottles :0 I use polarized dark black in the sun, or yellow for cloudy days.

Main Course
If you were to write a book, to whom would you dedicate it?
Well, I have written a novel (It is awaiting edits) I have dedicated it to my ; my husband , family and friends.
I have another manuscript in process. I think I would dedicate it to those who are without Hope who need understanding, knowledge and freedom from their wounds. I would gift it a gift of worship and obedience to my Creator.

Dessert
Name a beverage that you enjoy.
Water via reverse osmosis system, Vitamin waters blackberry is yummy. Green tea, rose hip tea is nice too.

Hungry for more, Check out some more fabulous places to feast at HERE.

Urgent! Call to Prayer!

My dear friend over at "In the life of a child"
She is in desperate need of your intercessions. Her darling Daughter is very ill. She is facing a painful time to endure the suffering of her child. Support this family with the kindness that is in all of your hearts.
Please, lift them up and send life to them in word and prayer.
Thank you.
Donetta

Thursday Thirteen...

I just realized the time and with a mild panic thought "oh no !I haven't done a thing! That is not really true! My thirteen is what I did do today!

1. I awoke before the alarm and good thing too. I woke hubby before he was late for work. The alarm had not gone off! I saw him off with a loving embrace and a warm smile. I know that he looks forward to coming home to me. (that matters a lot!)

2. I fed the dogs. To keep the house quiet for a few more moments.

3. I sat down and just was still before God. Opened my manual for living (BIBLE) and learned more on how to pray for others in Colo.

4. I then let said dog in as to keep neighborhood quiet:) and had them lay down!

5. I took joy in my e-card from Denise. She blesses me daily with the sweetest scripture cards that just give me wind to sail.

6. I then awoke my children with a massage of the little legs and arms sore from last nights skating. Made them breakfast. Packed them lunch and then drove them to school.

7. I then came home and took the trouble to do myself a breakfast according to my meal plan and ate it and only it with my tea I made just for me! (Now this was big!)

8. I them made a rub of herbs for a leg of lamb and began roasting it in the oven. (according to meal plan just for me the family will benefit too.)

9. I called my Sister long distance out of Love and fore thought of how much it might mean for me to call her (she is the one who so often dials) listened and asked her questions about her life. Shared my life events. Looked at a Google earth image of her home and celebrated her by showing interest in her world.

10. Read my E-mails and answered several. I also listened to Jaye at "Just a Mom". Who told me to go rest!

11. Received two calls from Michelle at "Life in the midst of writing" who called to show she cared of my life and then called a second time for counsel on a matter.

12. Took the self kindness to Eat according to meal plan at lunch even washed a head of lettuce just for myself! NO GUILT!

13. Made a post for gratitude , skate date (entered a writing carnival) and my week in review! Spell checked them and made them nice.

Now the kids due home in 1 hour 45 minutes and I am rested well fed and ready for the Daddy man to be home late. He has a stop to make on the way home. He has to buy parts for the 4 runner. We may be having to invest into it. We own both cars so this is not to bad to have a repair on the truck. It may be costly so I can pray for Hubby to get good deals and to have wisdom in repairing it. He will be under the hood tonight. I'll give myself to the kids and then he will need my help on the truck tonight while the kids play. I still have to do my isometric exercises for my knee.

Thankful Thursday

Good day all!
I pause today to join all of you in giving thanks.
I am amerced in the all encompassing favor and gentleness that blankets me in the midst of a savagely cruel world. To live here in America, free...full of hope and a promise for both myself and my children. Wow!
I am warmed in this blanket of friends who care about me. Those who stop to call or e-mail, comment and drop a line. Comforted in the kindness of strangers toward my children and those I love. Humbled by a God who has restored everything that the worm has eaten.
Where help is there awaiting, serving me with generosity and kindness. Healing more than possible. Pains eased and my youth restored to me as an Eagle on wing.
Pantry full of all, so as to never have a want or need.
Roofed by a palace of form where no armed man comes in to harm.
Surrounded by a palpable witness to provision and kindness. A guard at my door a sentinel at my side. Knowing, also, for my children is this afforded, and my spouse.
Holy, holy, holy...
Loving Him, being loved by Him is Holy.

This and that Q & A

20 Mule Team Borax for ants. Place on all entry zones and under sinks. They will not cross it.

School Fund Raiser at the Skate Rink

Carnival of Family Life over at Island life offers a wonderful chance to share stories of you family times. Stretch your hands and share your experience, strength and hope with others. The submissions are then posted so we can all join in in "building up" the family.

The kids had asked about going to this event. I once was a very fast skater who loved the feel of the wind in my hair. I have been benched! BOOHOO!
This was a private event just for the elementary school. So of course I did all I could do to make it happen. Knowing that beloved was going to be used up after a 10 hour shift I prayed and set all the ducks (in a row) for success! The kids were even willing to use the $5. they had each earned ( by counting backwards from 100) for the entry. Daddy said that they did not need to spend their money. He would pay. That meant YA! were going!
The Daddy man was tired, a little pessimistic about going.I can not help them and he does not, nor has he ever, skated. Our kids have never skated! It was time and this was th perfect opportunity to experience it! (some very blurry photos sorry).
Miss fiction met a young boy Matthew who was in her class at the door. He was more than delighted to see her. After introducing his mother to me. His Mother spoke about him telling her all about Miss Fiction. He told her all about the mysteries of skating relieving all of her fears.
Dash did well on the outer side of the rink. JUST DON'T MAKE ME GO IN THERE! Several kids offered to help them. Dash would receive no assistance! Very much a do it myself sorta kid. Yet he was gracious and showed appreciation.

Dash in the mustard colored shirt. Did his best to manage his ego, and save face.

The boy next to him is 12. He offered repeatedly to help, yet Dash just kept saying after a while.

I had asked a very nice Mother to help me keep an eye in the rink for Dove to be safe. She actually helped her to skate. I almost sobbed because I wanted to be the one to do it! I am very thankful to her for her kindness.
It does take a community to raise a child.
I signed the "thank you" and she returned the A.S.L. for your welcome. Startled, I then signed "deep gratitude of heart" to her. Daddy man soon loosened up and went out with shoes on center rink to help her.

She did very well (again sorry for the blurry images.)


We got a pizza. Thankfully Dash choose one bite and put it down, cheese is a big no no for him. I have to make him responsible to make good choices. I had feed him at home. We shared some with the helpful boy, who is a child of many siblings. Mother of many am I. He had not had supper and so I spoke to him, his the parents were not in attendance. I met two other of his siblings. This child just needed an adult to look him in the eye and care about his heart a little. He is apparently 3 years behind in school.
He met Dash at the door of the school today with a strange gang like hand shake that bothered me a little. I hope I have not given him over to a wolf. My kids told me at breakfast he was a good kid. There are so many invisible kids that just need to be seen. Keep an open eye out and let them know they are alive. We need Community !

Dash got the hang of it pretty well

This little girl was met last spring at the school. She was in the same class as Miss Fiction. The child approached and said..." I'll help her teacher" and they have been friends ever since. The girl even comes up to me and hugs me and eye to eye says hello every time she sees me. Many of the children know me from the photo's at the school last month. I also made the costumes for the class last year. I made this child's costume and she has never forgotten it. She always shows such gratitude to me.

They fell asleep fast and hard! I love to peek on them at night. She is so beautiful and so amazing to me! I often hope that I will remember these images. So I took a picture. This time they were so dead to the world that I knew the flash would not scare them.

These babies will grow and soon they will be adults independent and vibrant.
Time flies so fast!
Don't blink!
Isn't he so sweet!

So far this week

Monday I cleaned the pantry and began the a photo journal post. Spent some time on the phone on Tuesday with the nurse of the surgeon who fell ill. She wanted to speak to me on a personal note about her own child who has special needs with hearing impairment. It was cool that she came to me for help and I literally had the phone numbers and the was able to teach her the hierarchy of the special ed department of our local school district, I even had the phone numbers and contacts for her.
I spoke with our financial adviser too and she is concerned about the life insurance on hubby encase he goes home before me. We have developed a living trust (when we went to get Dash in Russia we were targets as Americans) to protect Miss fiction. We try to be very wise and invest for retirement too. We cant touch any of it for another 14 years or so but it is good to have it in order. My Father through marriage always encouraged us to start saving young. We had extra taken out and invested into our retirement. We are getting closer and although it is very tight now we will be able to pay the house payment and utilities when we retire (if) with the kids being so young we will probably extend to 72 (if we can hubby). I have not worked enough hours so I will not have Medicare. We opted out of doing disability for myself. We cover our own while we are able always have.
Wow I had a full day yesterday. I droped off the kids and came back to the house. I did my pedicure quickly and was off to physical therapy. I was given a gift. The therapist did a heat soak and electrical stimulation on my low back as well (free) as a gift. He said to make sure I'm set up in the room and not the gym for a few visits so he can repeat that gift. That felt so good! I have a narrowing of L4, L5 and L6. It causes some partial peralisis when I have inflammation. It can be so hard for without bending at the knee I always have to bend right there at the hip. So this is a real treat.
I went to the grocery for a grapefruit and some seltzer(I used the electric cart), spoke with the cart attendant a child herself at 19, she has a sibling who is 16 and is completely disabled. We spoke sometime and she told me how her mother just gave her sister away because she could not handle it. Her grandmother cares for he. Her mother had drug addiction, This young girl has fought to achieve. I praised and encouraged her. An elderly man (Amazing Marvin) was lost I cleared my seat to give a ride back to the drug store around the corner. He told me how he was rotting away in his 4 walls of his apartment. He put a sign on the door "if you need help ask".
He had a homeless couple their child, and a yet to be born at the doctors office nearby.
He thinks he will live longer now!
Took the kids to the roller rink last night for a school fund raiser. I'll post on that later.