Green Hour

www.greenhour.org
This is a cool site. Check it out

Aloha Friday

If you’d like to play along, just post a question on your blog and link below.
"Island Review"
Whats for dinner tonight?

Me thinks I will call hubby to bring in Panda Express.
Dialing now...
Yes! He said "sure"....
woo hoo!
Family Movie Night
The Walton's on DVD

Make it from Scratch Carnaval

Beauty is in a play at school and these scraps came home with her yesterday. I made the collar over and this will just slip on her head.
"Little Grunt and the Big EGG"
She is to be the Grandmother Grunt.

Dish clothes and cork

Good day to all of you!
I stopped by a yard sale on the way home from the Therapy Place. There were three sisters a friend and a cousin. Two were elders. They have each other once a week to commiserate and the laughter was intoxicating. When I arrived there was a large bowing knife on the table. One woman on the phone telling the person on the other end about a fellow trying to get it for dirt. I picked up the knife. It was a fine knife beautifully crafted and a perfect blade. I felt the balance and it was hardened steel. I told the woman the 69$ she had on it was cheep, they asked me how I knew. Well my BIL gave me fine knives once and I have been around men all my years who knew good workmanship when they held it so I have been taught. Then a moment later a man stepped up behind me and went straight to the knife picked it up and said will you take $60 for it? She said yes to him. I told him that he just got a very good knife for very little. He asked if I got commission and I told him just a hello from his dog.
I got these lovely little handmade dish clothes $2. each. I saw some beautiful ones HERE and also at that sight she shows cork is endangered I got all this cork $2. There is a tatting booklet and yarn with a plastic shuttle. I love the look of tatting. To watch a womans hands at the shuttle is one of the most amazingly beautiful things to behold. It is like music in the fingers. I might like to learn how to do it.

Today finds me a little tired out from a late night or two. I stayed up making a costume for Beauty for a play she will be in. I think the flu shot is leaving me a little off, sorta drained a bit. (better than puking!) Still have yet to talk Beloved into getting a flu shot.
Dash..."Dad if you get puky and poopy you'll have to clean it up if you don't get your flu shot"!

Wrapped Emotions

"Wrapped Emotions" is doing another emotion provoking post idea.
She Writes...
No, we are not going to meet up for group plastic surgery. Although in a couple of years you can give me a call and we'll talk about it.

We are going to get more comfortable with ourselves. We are going to get to know our own face, appreciate it, recognize it and love it. Whoa, get back here! Don't run away from this prompt screaming "Nooooo!!!" I'm in it with you and my face has seen better years.

Hold your camera at arm's length and shoot a photo of your face. Oh hush up, yes, get that close. Don't expect it to look good, unless you're twenty years old it will probably look horrible. But we're all here together. Just face it, this is what everyone is looking at so breath deeply and take it.

Upload the photo to your computer and with whatever photo editing software you are using de-saturate it, convert it to black and white. Lighten the image if necessary, make sure the image isn't too dark. Print a copy. Oh horrors! I know.

Now take your pencil and trace over it...over and over and over. Every feature, every curve and line...trace over it. This is you.

After working with your printed image, scan it into your computer and upload it into your Wrapped Emotions' post. Be sure to paste it into you art journal. Talk about the emotions experienced while doing this. Work at accepting and loving your face. Talk about the experience. Above all remember, if you cannot love yourself, how will others love you? How will you love others without self-love?

I like my soul. This is a strange thing to do. I am reminded of all the root canals and how my teeth look prettier than I imagine them. I Have dressed up before as a clown, the lines by my eyes look so much like a cheerful clown . I don't believe I am in disguise I just choose the focus to joy. I miss my eyes behind these thick glasses all the time. My eye brows get hidden too. I think I am aging well. I am 46. I see so many happy years. I see the tole of time, but it is the good times that have seamed to left a deeper indent. I am so glad of that. Dare you guys to do this...:) The imprint of the life and times hard is a pained worn resolve to find joy in life and focus on the love.
My face is full and I wonder if it will be different after I loose 40 pounds. I think that I look a little Grandma like now. My one eye is squinting hard to focus. I look truly happy inside. Yet one who has known grief and healing of it.The halves of my face look congruent to me. I never noticed my nose is swollen still on one side.
I feel content and grateful. I don't look so tired anymore, now that I let go of home schooling. I do really look healthier not being so haggard.
Beloved said I look both happy and in pain in the altered image.
Wow that made me touch it, the pain. I think he is right. (it made me feel sad he said that). I suppose that is me always keeping a strong foot up from the sorrow that could just grab me and twist this beautiful life into the despair off all I have witnessed in this world. I do grieve to the core really. I just walk it like a process till the day I go home to God.
I am sad to see the years fly so fast when we still could of gained so many opportunities. My eyes are dim now yet they still glow. My children young and I look a bit old. I am happy and not a painted face but a life of choice. I can not denied the pain deep within me over the losses of this life time known. Oh! but it is the joy of all I hold dear that humors this tired heart.

Sweet Treat Award

Shawna over at "Scamps Place" gave me candy.
I get to have this even if I am dieting:)
Thank you for being you Sweet Lady!
She put out a nice candy dish for all her favorite blogs.

The Little Old Man by Edgar A. Guest

The little old Man with the curve in his back and the eyes that are dim and the skin that is slack,
So slack that it wrinkles and rolls on his cheeks, With a thin little voice that goes"crack!" when he speaks,
Never goes to the store out that at his feet are all of the youngsters who live on the street.
And the little old man in the suit that was black, And once might have perfectly fitted his back, Has a boy's chubby fist in his own wrinkled hand, and together they trudge off to Light-Hearted Land; Some splendid excursions he gives every day to the boys and the girls in his funny old way

The little old man is as queer as can be; He'd spend all his time with a child on his knee; And the stories he tells I could never repeat, But they're always of good boys and little girls sweet; And the children come home at the end of the day To tell what the little old man had to say.

Once the little old man didn't trudge to the store, And the tap of his cane wasn't heard any more; The children looked eagerly for him each day. And wondered why he didn't come out to play.
Till some of them saw Doctor Brown ring his bell. And they wept when they heard that he might not get well.

But after a while he got out with his cane and called all of the children around him again; And I think as I see him go trudging along
In the center, once more, of his light-hearted throng,

That the Earth has no glory that's greater than this:
The little old man whom the children would miss.

This poem was memorized in my childhood. I just found it after 35 years of fondly recalling the jewels of its line.

Fall reminders

Get your flu shot!!!!!!!
Kids and I all just got back from getting our flu shots. Our insurance covered them at 100%! I am so pleased. It is over... No fevers, pukes or poopies :)

If you are in ARIZONA and have Salt River Project Electric
It is The time to switch out your thermostats if you are
using "The time of use plan"
Winter hours (Nov 1- Apr. 30)
On peak hours (more expensive) 5 a.m.- 9 a.m. & 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. weekdays
Off Peak (less expensive) All other hours plus holidays
If you have not discovered this yet, it really saves a bundle
I also have monthly averaged payments. If you live in your home a full year you are eligible. I save around $30-$40 per month.
Just plan your chores around the time of use and shut things down during high peak hours. I will do the cooking earlier and then just heat it up. It is nice for when I'm tired at the end of the day. Laundry during the day. Turn the heater on during the wee hours and shut it off at 5 a.m.
(an automatic thermostat is a good investment)

Thursday Thirteen

The Colors of Friendship award

Well bless my socks, Thank you Sweet heart. I just was gifted with a beautiful award by my dear Friend over at "Yesu Garden". You'll all have to go say hello to this sweet Lady. Visit her in India and learn about your world and a wonderful woman who could use your up lifting kindness.

Amrita Wrote.
I want to nominate my following blogfriends for the Colors of Friendship Award.They color my life with the beautiful hues of friendship. Although we come from different backgrounds and cultures we share the same spirit of friendship

Thank you for your big hug!

Passing a big hug to 13 of the many people who I love.

1. "Just a Mom"
2. "Life in the Midst of Writing"
3. "Photo Daughter of the King"
4. "Shorty Bear"
5. "Jesu Garden"
6. "Knightly News"
7. "Miles to go before I sleep"
8. "Sandier Pastures"
9. "Moving On"
10."Island Review"
11."Gracious Hospitality"
12. "Ohio Farm girl"
13. "Talk to Grams"

Oh it should be "Thursday's thousand", 13 is far too limiting! I have another 30 on my mind!
I love all of you . Your hearts are unique each one. You each offer joy and beauty in my world. You are a community. A world of friendship not limited by miles or space.

Thankful Thursday

It is late and I have just returned from a wonderful evening with a very dear and fun friend.
I am so blessed to have a husband who is a brother and friend. A friend to God and to me and my friends too. Being a friend to God has gifted us with a mutual compassion for our individual friends. When anyone we might independently care about hurts we join as one to cover the love that the other has for them. I am thankful for this.
This is Gods example to us. For if (and he does) HE loves someone, it is as a matter of association that we are to love them too. This flows both ways, He loves us. That makes those that love him care about us too.
I am so very deeply grateful to be affiliated in such a great chain of compassion.
For if we love Him... We must (cant help but) love one another.
This is the coolest thing about being loved by HIM.
I set my love upon Him. Psalm 91
Because I set my love upon him...Therefore no evil will befall me...

Works for Me Wedensday

Today is another BACKWARDS edition
of Works-For-Me Wednesday. Instead of sharing one of your brilliant life tips with Bloggityville, you ask your kind readers for their suggestions in handling a specific problem.


I would love to see your fall decorations

Mother and Daughter Blog Carnival

Celebrate being the Mother of a daughter, come join us at...

Mothers and Daughters Blog Carnival

Past and Upcoming Editions:

Aug 27 at Real Life
Sept 10 at Real Life
Sept 24 at From Under the Clutter
Oct 8 at One Day at a Time
Oct 22 ~ Mom of Three Girls
Nov 5 ~ Real Life DATE EXTENDED
Nov 19 ~ Open for hosting

Your host writes. ( Go Visit real life and say hello)
We moms face many issues as we travel on the journey of motherhood. As a mom of three girls, I've found that raising girls has it's own unique set of joys and challenges, and it's fair share of DRAMA!! I looked for a blog carnival catering specifically to mothers and daughters, and I couldn't find one. This is not to say that it doesn't exist, I just couldn't find it. So I decided to start a new one. (What is a blog carnival?)

The qualifications for participating in this carnival are simple. Are you a:

• mother of a daughter?
  
• daughter of a mother?
  

This carnival is for you!! You may write on any topic dealing with being a mother (of girls) or a daughter. The parameters are very wide for the beginning. It can be humorous, serious, spiritual, down-to-earth. It's up to you. I would simply be thrilled if you would participate!

Here is what to do:

• Write a post on your own blog, or reuse an old post
  
• Paste the code for the button (below) anywhere in your post, or link to this post in your article.
  
• Submit your article with the Blog Carnival Submission Form containing your post title and URL, by every other Saturday at 5 PM EST

Here is what I will do:

• post the Carnival on every other Monday, with links to your wonderful articles!
• be forever indebted to you and become a loyal reader of your blog!

Email me at singforhim94(at)yahoo(dot)com if you are interested in hosting, or have any questions.

Code for the Button:

Custom Lanyard

Amrita, A lanyard is a necklace that is utilitarian in purpose. It is used to hold identification badges, sewing tools and misc. forms of craft tools.

Lisa I did this on stainless Steel cable with triple crimp at the back of the neck.
The beads are silver lined and very reflective. There are also crystal accents between the twist glass pinks. It is really hard to get a photo to do it justice. I used sterling Silver accent beads.

Lisa B. Here is your order. What do you think. I hope the close up does it justice.
Let me know

Wordless Wedensday

Yards men were here when I got home. They had finished.
After a gateraide and a little trim to the palm they were off.
Their Boss came and got the payment. He is a good Man. He said to call him if I need any help. He is very fair, he said... "I told the men to do their VERY Best work for you..."
I am so often favored just because I treat Men as men no matter the race. Some here do not.

Tails from the scales Weel #6 -4

193 starting

191 week one

191 week two (at 189 on Friday) First Synvisk Injestion

193 week three Second injection

190 week four (189 peeked at me) Third Injection

192 week five

188 week six

My journey has been 3x a week here. After I drop the children off at school , I come here.

I wait for this lone elevator (the other one is broken and has been for months)

I can now walk this long hall, at one time I was on crutches, then a cane. Now there are days when I'm close to skipping :)

In the room they lay VERY hot packs Under my back.

These would burn your hand if you touched them.

Then they apply the electrodes to my low back (4 of them) and to my knee.
I lay with the lights off and pray and rest for 15 minute.
This is to stimulate blood flow to the area.

Then the electrodes are removed, and I receive ultra sound on my back for 5 minutes and then my knee for another 5 minutes.
Some times this is repeated on the front of my leg where a tendon is problematic after exercise.
This reduces swelling

I then go out to the main room and receive 15 minutes of this little guy.
I am very fond of this machine. It has the flextion procedure that sends shocks to strengthen my quad muscle this is where I have gained strength in my thigh again. Hurts, but is very good!

Then it is off to the bike for 5 minutes now! (that is improved a lot.)
Then today I was up to 3 1/2 plates on a leg press (up a pound today) 2x15
Then 2x15 straight leg lifts with weight (today I advanced to 3 pounds)
Then in a sitting position 2x15 leg lifts (with 3 pounds toda)
I have a band to pull down with extended arms for my back and then every other arm for my sides.
Added today was
A row machine for upper back 1x15
bicep curl 10x each arm 3 pounds
straight arm lift 10 x each arm 2 pounds
The therapist them checks my leg often the calf has to be massaged

I get taped, this is what it looks like. Willy said... "HI"
The best is at the end, the "ever lovin' ice!" Both for my low back and also over/under for my knee.

I am so blessed to get my leg back again and have a second chance. It is my hope and prayer I never have to have a knee replacement. It is my goal to take full advantage of this amazing privilege and loose all this excess weight in a respectful timely manner. I am a vivacious woman!

Heads or Tails? 13 *V*

The prompt is for "vote" or "V"

Head over to "skittles" to see more

Today Dash told me they "Voted" at in his class at school for a new President.

The candidates were

Mickey Mouse

Goofy

Donald Duck

He assures me that "Goofy" will be our next President. Boy talk about "from the mouths of babes"! :)

Well if it is going to be a goofy president it sure beats one that could be "Mickey Mouse"

A two apron day!

I bought a $18. roast for under $9 as a lead in add. The roast was on special.
I cut it down into some nice 1/2 steaks and used a ginger/garlic sauce on them. I'll do a marinade and make another meal. I had left over cooked meat for a lunch for myself.
I lost a jar of garlic that I put up in olive oil. I used the garlic already husked that time when I put it up. Never again, I'll husk it myself. I have never had that happen before . I think that it had a preservative on it,

Well Good Evening!

This has been a two apron day. I am tired!
The cortisone is begining to wear off and I am feeling the exhaustion. This hamster has run the wheel hot again. I am such a funny girl. I love everything I have been able to accomplish this week. Well the day has been full and I am ready to just sit back and go for a visit to all of your wonderful abodes (blogs). I thought of a lot of things this week that impress me about life.

Have you ever just stopped and felt the love of your maker just surround you and embrace you. I love the feel of my face in Gods hands Him just lovin' on me and resting my mind.
Today Beauty is missing being called (or being little ) Little Dove. I held her for over an hour on the sofa and watched kids public T.V. with her. She is so long on my lap now. I just adored her and thought about how fast the years are flying by. I am so glad to have the perspective to savor each moment. I saw every one else with the kids growing up fast and learned from it. I love the moments with the kids. Dash comes in from out side while I was holding Dove and says.."Mom ...Did you know that where ever you can go God is right there and I can talk to him when ever I want?"

Apron Exchange

Apron Exchange
Over at a wonderful Blog you will find a fount of knowledge on living off the grid.
Living Simply and doing for your self
"Down to Earth"

Dee the Polka Dot is yours!
I am thriilled it brings you joy!

Tackle It Tuesday

I think I might add this job in, I have a man coming tomorrow to help me with the tree out front and if I get this done perhaps he will offer the kindness to haul off the trimmings.

Wow , I just did that in 15 minutes. My time is being redeemed! I am going to have a little lunch and rest a while.

I have to find an immunologist and go through the process of getting an insurance extension for out of area exception.
Lisa B. I got the beads I needed yesterday at a specialty shop. I just have not been happy with the lanyard. I look forward to get to do it today. Sorry for the delay.

Good Morning!
I have a smooth day today not to many hard things to do. The laundry needs to be put away and sorted for Dash has clothing here that I have to clear out. Some of it is out grown.

Not to bad a few loads to do> I got our stuff hung up this morning. I awoke and showered and hung out in my closet to hang the few things up there.
Got three now going

I gifted the home with flowers. So I want to get them in.
DONE in just under $40.

I have dirt under my nails and I feel Alive!

I had some from two days ago I found a good price on and then last night the kids had a play date and I was able to rush off to Scottsdale to do errands. After a wrong turn on the freeway that gave me a lovely drive east I got turned around again. I was able to get an Rx, drop off the Christmas stockings for the Sewing Guild and had a parking spot not 20 feet from a Home Depot cash register and the extra flowers on sale very cheep. So I took the 10 minutes and grabbed them made the purchase and was off through the wonderful reservation view on the way to retrieve the children. It was so beautiful the cotton is in pickin' time. The fields were white with "Arizona snow" White Cotton as far as my eye could see. I t was glorious. I got to see a sunset with mauve that was so plum you could just take a bite out of it. The fields that had been picked were soft plowed open earth with a haze of dusk that just set the soft clouds inches above the Earth. Now mind you if I were breathing that earthen cloud I would have a lesser pleasure , but alas I was in my white Honda just cruising along watching the day just fade to dusk. The kids had a great time and I was refreshed. Thank you Michelle. I hope it gave you a few moments to write.

Rena STINKS!!!!! She has a Vet visit at 1:45
WE need to do "Dung Duty" the yard needs to be readied for next week.

Kitchen is not to bad


Gel Glossing the counters
This Building is 10 years old now. The counters are tho originals we are the second owners.
This really keeps the daily maintenance easier, for the messes wipe up fast. It also masks scratches a bit.


Oh next week!
My Sister will be in town and on the 17th I will be hosting a large "Thanksgiving" Event for my siblings kids and their children, to get together. One of my sisters is going to move to Europe and so I'll get her son (it will be his birthday) and his cousins (My next eldest brothers kids) all together. As the last child of 8, my siblings children all have kids that are a little younger ( like mine) so I am an Aunt to people not too much younger than myself. Most of these kids however are the younger crowd that have very small children. So I will be doing some entertaining posts soon.
I will also be getting up into the attic for the decorations.
Then on Thanksgiving Day I will do for my Husbands parents and his brother.

Welcome new readers. Nan it was nice to visit with you. Dee I'll have that apron on the way. It was nice to meet you.

Mother and Daughter Blog Carnival

I love my daughter!
I love her laughter
Her kindness
her silliness too
her advancing developmental ways
her efforts
her knowing and humor

Manic Monday *Earth*

Manic Monday at "miles to go before I sleep"

Menu Plan Monday

Check out "Organizing Junkie"
For great Ideas for meal plans.

I will substitute beef I have in the freezer for the veal.
I will use some salmon I have for the monk fish.
I have some ground turkey in the deep freeze as well.
This is my "Eating for your Blood type" meal plan.

From the Mouth of a Babe

"Daddy Man" is out in the garage having a temper fit over a day under the sink when Dash comes into the garage and approaches him...and said "Dad your not the only one having a bad day, There are lots of people all over the world having a worse day than you"...
Hubby tells me he just had to laugh. This has been a very frustrating day for hubs his head hurts from all of yesterdays dust and well he has just been a challenge to be around to be kind.
We are able to laugh about it, but I'll tell you it was wearing very thin.
It is three o.k. and after four trips to the stores (three different stores) and less than $15. we have a new R.O. lines and the facet is repaired (if hired over $400. easy).

Make a simple Apron

As posted earlier today I have these scraps that were given to me.
I found matching mini-bias binding in my Stash o' Plenty.

After using the rotary cutter to achieve perfect match I pinned the bias binding. Looking through my Stash o' Plenty I found complimentary solids for the sashes. I cut two 4 inch strips for sash, and two 3 inch strips for neck.

Use care to be exact on this point to have a nice finished edge.

One finished with large buttons for the fun of color. The sash loops can hold a towel. I left the sashes long for the fancy effect. It just slips over the head.

Got this one done too.