All things are Possible...to those who...

10 P. M., Day is done! My last guest left about an hour ago...Dash is out like a light, Beauty is just of t of the shower, story time is over.
A cup of peppermint tea in one hand Ice on my knee and my back I rest.

The Birthday/ Thanksgiving Celibration went off well.

This is the pre-meal buffet. I place the serving dishes out with labels of what goes in them the mashed russets and stuffing baked while the Turkey rested and was sliced. We did not get any photos of the turkey (it was a 24 pound bird) I baked it in a cooking bag in just under 4hours. I also baked a few potatoes for a guest who was allergic to soy milk. I put it in the mashed potatoes. The yams were baked in the microwave then finished in the oven once the turkey was out. I also place all serving spoons out per dish. By using a box and an inverted pan under the runners elevation added interest. The flowers are from the .15 cent stems I picked up last week. By slipping in leaves and flowers around your runners you can add depth to the display.

Beauty and I made butter slivers/curls with a cheese cutter. By setting out all you'll need, delegation of tasks is made easy, and your not digging in drawers with a full kitchen.

I did not have the Sterno burners I needed so I boiled water in the micro wave to keep the pans warm once they came out of the oven

I cooked the gravy for almost an hour and made a gallon of it. With the veggies on the stove. I use care to make corn (traditional ) and a green veggie for those who do not like corn. I am a purest so I keep it simple no heavy sauces in the beans. Being allergic to cow mile my son and I were able to eat anything we wanted except two deserts that were brought. In the oven were the baked potatoes the two mettle flats of stuffing and mashed potato and in a paper bag with a wet paper towel the rolls.

Last night at midnight I thought I should try to move the table over to the other and make on very long one. I am disappointed that I did not. It was strange us three elders sat on the other table. I got my numbers off and so it was strange. That is what I get for setting the tables at midnight. However I know there were many unseen guest :)

I had the parents serve the children first. When we all were seated DASH, then another young boy and then a third offered the grace and prayer. Hearing three boys under 7 years of age bless our meal was astounding "Daddy Man" was speechless! her said' I think that covers it, thank you boys...Lets eat!" that was so COOL!
After the kid ate we excused them to go play.

We all had our meals and seconds and gradually moved the sitting circle into the kitchen/sewing studio.


One couple left for a photography appointment and then much later returned, another was able to come very late in the afternoon tho join in (they had been out of town and made great efforts to attend)

A nephew had a birthday, He and his son blew out the candles.

I am and Elder now. This generation does not have the same ideas of Elders and it shows. My Sister does not like to think of herself as an Elder. My husband honors me, showing me such great respect and we are one as a team. Washing the dishes as we went throughout the day his hands and heart were never idle. He set the young men up on computers to play interactive games, the men were in paradise. The children played all day 11-8:30!

I pulled them in around 7:30 and called them to circle had a story time. I wonderful book I had read earlier to Dash. His library book the spider and the fly. It was a cautionary tail of not listening to evil counsel. It was marvelous! I had them do the HEAR NO EVIL-SPEAK NO EVIL- AN SEE NO EVIL, covering the ears,mouth and eyes. OH it was so fun!
Then I had Daddy Man put on a DVD and we pulled the couch over for them to calm down and have some smarties (a candy). Then they had carrots (they were watching BUGS BUNNY)

Uncle, niece and grand nephew too cute!
10:45 Good night.
Thank you for your prayers
Donetta

Thank You for your support

Denise sent me a great devotion for today and everyday.

That was the first time I realized each person creates the inner peace or discord that flows out into the world. We cannot create world peace if we are riddled with inner conflict, hatred, doubt, or anger. We radiate the feelings and thoughts that we hold inside, whether we speak them or not. Whatever is splashing around inside of us is spilling out into the world, creating beauty or discord with all other circles of life.

WHAT EVER YOU FOCUS ON EXPANDS!
Thank you Denise!

How do you say sit down for 24 people...

Hubby was corrected thrice... Speak only positive to me for I am real tired! (he was real tired too and waxed a little pessimistic)...This can be done...God will make it work! It is 11:45 pm I am signing off.
The turkey is oven bagged , cornbread stuffing made (same amount), potatoes mashed (YUM!).

These were made with 10 pounds of russets, organic chicken broth, real butter,sea salt and soy milk.
I still have a little decorating to do. Picking up a bit around the house.
Beauty and I had a great time cooking together. She is so ... growing up. :)
Dash helped his daddy with the floors and the tables for me.

Photo Hunt *I Love ....." and Wrapped Emotions

at "miles to go before I sleep"

I love this old tattered friend and could never think of replacing it.

I love this man!
He began his pursuit of me twenty-five plus years ago. He still pursues my heart with a passion.

PhotoHunt

An unexpected Break!

Wow, I was supposed to have a very full schedule today. Dropping off the kids at school, going straight to my PT , leaving pt and getting Dash, driving the hour or so to St. Joe's for a 12:30 audio. apt then waiting for a 3 o'clock apt. getting me back to pick up Beauty at a friends at 4:30-5pm and then getting home to do chores and tasks like cleaning the bathroom and the Dung duty YUK! I got a call earlier after I had canceled my PT, I was setting to task in 3 hours a days work and a half. The Speech therapist called to say that she could take us at 1pm so we would not have to wait. Then I after my sharing what a blessing that was to hear (because of the party tomorrow) she offered to reschedule. (it can take a month to get in). Then she said "let me call you back" she did we got disconnected... then it rang again she said in that interim she was able to reschedule her and the audiologist both for a 2:30/3pm next Friday! I got the whole day free! I need to pace today my head is really hurting me.

She called me!
Gods provision.

I need to rest and pace the work I have to get done.

My Sister just called and can come early enough with my nephew to help me out tomorrow. We will prepare some of the meal together. That will really help.

So I took some leisure and did some floral arranging. I was able to make this for under a $1. I had the basket. Wal-Mart was closing out the fall stuff for .15 cent a stem! I cut the stems apart into single flowers/leaves.
I had fun and it was relaxing.

It motivated me into the bathroom to clean the counter and sink and mirrors.

Beauty's Play and Dash's class

Last night at 6:30


Beauty is in the pink She was Grandma grunt.
She was so cute! She nailed her lines, and even though she was very nervous she over came it.
He Character encouraged the grandson to find a more acceptable pet "a little cockroach would be a good choice"...The teacher incorporated many elements. The children wrote a letter home as an invitation. She really did a great job. Her delightful innocence is so wonderful to witness. We are going to the rock and mineral museum next week as well. Best elementary is our district!

Then at 7pm the tour of Dash's class room...
This is Dash's "Thankful turkey"
We almost cried when we read it. "I am thankful for my freedom so I can get an education", I am thankful for the food I have cause in Russia I did not have good food"...

His sister was in the shadow lurking for the spot light and he is very frustrated, and tired We had been at the school all day!
After the class tour we had to wait in line for the sixth graders wax museum. It was fantastic. Each kid chose a character then dressed up, and pretended to be them Presented and oral history of them selves as the character and then had an intermittent musical of a ?chief Joeseph "grow my son get an education"

Aloha Friday

If you’d like to play along, just post your own question on your blog and link below. Don’t forget to stop by and visit the other participants!

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?

Tenacious, Vivacious, Virtuous, Kindhearted, Real

Friday Feist

November 16th, 2007 | Category: The Feasts, 2007

Appetizer
What was your first “real” job?

I was employed at the age of 9 at my parents gas station. Then I worked for them until I was 17.
In answer to Kalani's question:It was a self service station. I did at times help at the pump for the elderly, I helped stocked shelves mopped floors,stocked the cold cases with soda and the inventory of the shelf goods. (counting and sorting to make the purchase lists. I would cashier some and clear the pumps(press the button when people paid). I would help fill the windshield washer buckets on the poles. coil the air hoses (that was hard!) Roll coins, Help band the money when Mom closed out the register. Help clean the bathrooms (yuk) by boy and Man SIT at home! I cleaned the window glass, gave directions, I loved giving the suckers to the children. I dealt with sales people and peddlers. I heated things in a microwave for customers.

This was after school in the evenings and on weekends. If I was sick and could not attend school. Until I was old enough to stay home sick by myself.

The work became progressively more involved as I aged but 9 was not leisure for me. When I got older I took the role of homemaker as my parents worked as a team with only 1 or2 employees ever other than the family. One of use was always working. At the first station the car wash out back was my step dads duty Hard long hours! I had no childhood only a few short weeks sometimes. I was a work hours rode to the ground as were my siblings. When I was the last kid, so the tasks became light for one summer during high school. Mom tried to rescue me from my step dads violent anger. He had siphalus (sp?) untreated for decades and so he was not a sane man. She moved me into the garage and halfway closed it in. I was moved out to it to keep him away from me. They were done being parents, before I was ever done with what most have as a childhood.

My Mom was at her beat at work she was such a people person. Full of gregarious humor. Everyone loved her. It was nice to see her happy. She was always worn out, wow I guess I am sorta like her in that. That was a nice thought.

Now you know where this hamster got her work ethic. Even my hardest days don't compare with those years.
When I left home I worked as a maid for Elderly flood victims scrubbing horrible bathrooms and cleaning kitchens and tidying up for them.

After that I worked in the kitchens of "Henny Penny Fried Chicken" I still dont eat fried chicken!

Soup
Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?

Nature. Most likely the Forrest.

Salad
Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…

I have memory issues under the stress of PTSD. Sometimes I don't know someone I should and cant place them, I forget events times and places. I have some brain injury that hinders me with memory under stress. This blog has helped me so much with this. I have a better concentration level now. It is the greatest perk!

Main Course
What values did your parents instill in you?

I am extremely patriotic. Yesterday at the school I paused to the flag when they did the pledge none of the other women even noticed the pledge was being given.
Respecting Elders (when they deserve it) and the knowledge they have this lesson was taught me in the opposing. I learned a lot from what they did wrong. That salvation can come at last breadth, this was the case for my Mother. I learned to NEVER assume someone knows you love them. There are many different was to live out love for others. You sometimes won't really understand another's wound until they are far from you.

Dessert
Name 3 fads from your teenage years.

White boots. the zip up kind. Big belled bottom , "hip huggers" jeans worn low to the hip with long dangling belts made of leather cording macraméd (knotted in pattern).

Oh what a day!

10 p.m. I just finished the Birthday cake for Saturday!

I have so many tasks yet to do. To cook the meal as well. I am one tired woman.
I had fun doing the cake but it is not my best work, being a little brain dead I centered the word birthday but did not have the cake centered so I just wrote "joy" under it and his name. I sure hope no one is critical of it tomorrow.

Thursday Thirteen

1. We finally had the M. E. T.'s for my kids to determined the intervention at the public school.
2. Beauty was been found to be boarder line Learning Disabled and not eligible for intervention. However we will be keeping a very close eye on her. We will be Conferencing in the spring to see if she continues to improve. If so... ya! If not then ...we get to do this all again!
3. So My little girl has succeeded to a low average "just barely" normal kid! I am thankful. A little apprehensive, yet relieved. We made it. all that hard hard work she made it.
4. Dash is getting speech therapy at school
5. Dash will get the amplifiers and microphone for class
6. He is way able in the other ways.
7. All the hard work I did as a home schooler has given them both a very strong ready level!
8. All the hard work I did as a home schooler has given them both great laungage and verbal skills
9. All the hard work I did as a home schooler and WE as parents working to develop character has given them both great character for they both were very good with all the testers, paying good attention working hard and respecting all of them!
10. I get to go to my daughters play tonight.
11. Both of my children have the privilege of GREAT Teachers working hard for their best interest!
12. We have met a BIG GOAL in the lives of my children!
13. I love my kids so much, I have fought so hard for 10 years (Beauty) 6 years (Dash) to help them reach this point. I have gained the reward seeing the both of them thrive. I can now as a parent breath for a few months. I will have the I.E.P. meeting in 30 days window. The Help is already in process.

Thankful Thursday

It is 1 pm
"It's, Just Me" :D Ha ha!

I am home from round one, Dash's M.E.T. for the I.E.P. for school intervention.
This is the meeting where everyone comes to give the suggestions from all the players. There was the Psychologist, the Teacher(who is awesome!), the Audiologists, Her tech, the Learning disability teacher, her higher up, the speech therapist (who came quite late), and "Just Me" (of course I brought my inviable yet palpably present onterage(sp?) of angels , Pappa God and all the covering of prayer)
Absent was the Occupational therapy department head and or therapist.! Who has yet to even see me kids! (we started this in March of 07)
So all in all it went well.

#1 Consult from the audiologist department once a month by phone with teacher...Teacher felt this was good. Microphone and amplifiers in place. Dash has a problem understanding other children in observation during class. Noise to ? ratio is a problem.This team is great. The woman was very quiet then at the end of all of it (or so I thought) she spoke up. She expressed the Ushers syndrome issue to the others and the Learning Disabled team. They helped me understand that a vision team would also come on board if warranted.


#2 Speech therapy was warranted! Big victory here! Only 20 minutes 2x week with a group of three kids! Well? Better than nothing but questionable. I will still need to go to St Joe's once a month to keep follow up, she did say she would be willing to make contact with the therapist.

#3 Dash will not need to have Learning disability intervention. NO quit the contrary! He is off the scale!

#4 O.T. for fine motor still needs to be assessed!

I thanked them for helping me with my Son and helping all the other children as well. I thought that I would be sorta dismissed I think. Well I spoke after with the H.I. tech. she said that it is so refreshing to have a parent who really cares about the kid. I forget I think that what I am doing here with my children is exceptional. I am thankful for the respect I am shown in all of this. I am thankful to be and American that we can get all this help for the kids. I am so glad to get help I got very tired doing it all on my own. I am thankful I let go of home schooling even as hard as it was for me to do .

I have Beauty's appointment at 3p.m. just after a very long day of school for them . Pray they can hang in there while I meet with the players. It may include some I have not met yet.
I will see the Learning disabled ladies again they will be the players I will work with with Beauty. So I have so much information to process.

My P.T. went well on my knee and back. I will only have tomorrow and Tuesday of next week then continue the week after the holiday. He thinks that I will have more than enough just to do the next week of days. So that will give me back 6 hours next week.

Groceries for the extra turkey for Thanksgiving day went well I got 47% off! my bill. I am just finished here so I will set to tasks. It is tempting to nap a little.

It is raining here today off and on. It is so lovely!

Hubby Beauty has her play at 6:30 tonight!
Thank you for your "Just me comment" Beloved.

Please for for me and my children....

Today I have a 7:45 meeting for Dash's M.E.T. to establish his I.E.P. these things are what determine his assistance, I have Beauty's T 3p,m,
Then its rush off to P.T. for me and then I have to stop by the grocery , Scrub a tub. Bake a cake, make frosting. Clean up dog dung and then pass out of exhaustion hahah.
I just woke up from a very intense dream where I was fighting for a child's well being! Wow cranky start. Hubby helped me work through it . I am a bit overwhelmed over the meeting today. I will be defending these two kids and hope that I can plead their case and defend the needs that they have. I feel so ill prepared! scream of rather agitated anticipation, Centering to focus and gain my peace. I do not want to be defensive.
oiy
~ your prayers are invaluable to the children and I both. I need wisdom!
I thought I would not sign the papers there but bring it all home. There are so many employees of the school and then just me. Budget cuts and such.
Yet I have watched God give us favor time and time again.

I can do this!

Works for Me Wedensday

Afternoon snack
This was very helpful, skipping it caused a hungrier tummy at supper.

Wordless Wedensday

It's Cotton Pickin" Time!

Arizona Snow

Tales from the scales Weel #7 +1

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

189 week seven

My exercises have increased in weights and repetitions. I was not able to take as good of care of myself this week. I extended myself a bit far. That I think is one of my worse problems. Neglecting myself when I get busy and tired. I had a little to much at servings too. I did not take the time to make things just for me. I was careful however to avoid the things not on my plan. Except I did eat a bunch of candy this week.
189 still smiled at me. I thought it might be more.

November Write away contest due wen

Over at "Scribbit"

November's Write-Away Contest

We don't have snow yet but 2007 is nearly gone, something about coming to the close of a year and looking back at what I've accomplished, how I've changed or how I've stayed the same makes me feel the pull of gratitude. Not surprisingly, this month's writing theme will be on thankfulness but I'm going to be a bit more specific than that, the topic is: "My life is different because of . . ."

This doesn't mean this must be your title or that you have to start your post out with those words, it's more to get you thinking about something that made a difference in your life. It could be a person, an event, an opportunity, a lesson learned, but I'd like to hear about something that changed you or your surroundings in always-to-be-remembered way.

If you'd like to participate here are the rules:

1. Write a post or find one in your archives on the topic, "My life is different because of . . ." and email your post's permalink to me at: scribbit at gmail.com any time through Wednesday November 21st. If you fail to meet the November 21st deadline I will still happily publish the link to your post and include it in the list of entries but it will not be judged. I reserve the right to reject submissions if they fail to meet the topic or if they contain objectionable content.

I always respond to each submission once I have received it, just to let you know I've got it but I've had terrible trouble lately with gmail throwing legitimate mail into my spam box. I'm sifting through it daily (and let me tell you how pleasant that is) to make sure I don't miss anything, but just to be sure please look for my responding email to know that I have received your entry.

2. Publish a link to the contest page here at Scribbit in either your entry post or in a separate post.

3. Check back here on Friday November 23rd when I will post a complete list of the entries along with the Write-Away Winner and any honorable mentions our judge sees fit to award.

Our guest judge this month is Lucy from An Ordinary Mom who is one of my best blogging friends and will judge the entries based on the quality of writing, the applicability to the topic and the overall ability to engage the reader--for which I'm eternally grateful.

The prize you're writing for is a genuine, custom-made handbag. This seemed to be popular before and as I can't seem to give these things away that's exactly what I'm going to do. The picture and details are posted at my Etsy shop here.

But besides this the winner and all runners-up or honorable mentions (I leave that up to the judge to award them) will also get to take home this attractive Write-Away Winner button which he or she may display in their sidebar if they wish.

Good luck, I look forward to reading your entries.



"My life is different because of . . .

The path I have walked.

This is my story of a road less traveled.
The stones in my shoes.
Childhood kept me bare footed.
Stepping out into scattered glass that tour at my soles,
at my soul.
Deeply gouged with lacerated vintages of history retold.
Miles, Oh! the miles I have known.
I have traveled more than most in this lifetime.
More than many who have known my same road.
For I found it out of the vastness, a simpler dust to tread.
This dust under foot softened the blows
of all that was thunder from underneath my toes.
Childhood shod with anguish.

Adolescence bore not much better except then I could wrap my meat in some torn garment with hands made ready able for my own needs.
Wherry wounded tried sour feet.
Made to greet all those unsavory folk
who don't care what stones that may scatter.
Torn from my bandaged mind
the strips that would twine around these tired feet.
Survival of the fittest,
feet sore to numbness.
The road a drift in the thorns
scattered before and around me.
I pressed.
Tugging and pulling thorns along the road.
Depositing carefully those weapons .
With all hopes to guard others toes.

Womanhood youth young warrior bride.
The dust now softness in every stride.
Walking baron for years without end. I learned to pretend.
A great lavish closet full of every design gave bold colors to foot ware
and powerful strides over time.
Toes adorned with tenderness touch divine.
His hand in mine no lonely path now.
Yet often misunderstood. Rejected by religion a devils blind eye.
How people were absent from the roads that I traveled at times.
Yet always with me in the reflection of His sky.
He had given me eye for the frontier of restoration.

So many the mile, with a loving husband at my side.
Days when he carried me became years overtime.
Now beside him sure footed I stride.
Uniquely the road I have traveled the life I have known.
This life is mine only; to give or to hold.
I have given it over to the invisible guide.
Sheltered and nurtured all along my life's long road.
It is HE who holds my heart as his own.
My feet are beautifully empowered, stable and strong.
Delicately lovely to tread through the rest of this awesome lifetime.

Heads or Tails *road*

May road rise to greet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

The rain fall softly on your fields,

and until we meet again

May God hold you in the Palm of his hand.

Bodacious Award Dude! :)

My Sweet friend over at "In the life of a Child" Says I'm bodacious dudes!

She wrote:
Also I would like to pass this award on to Donetta at A Life Uncommon. Donetta is a totally bodacious blogger and a super fabulous person to boot. Plus, this is my one chance to pass on an award to her that she doesn't already have : )

Well now I gust got the giggles again. Only not so refined as a giggle a robust burst of belly laughter!
Good Medicine for my soul, I have been on high doses of laughter for a few days now. God's perfect medicine for a merry heart.

Bodacious dude!!!!!
hahahahahahhahhahahha
Thanks Honey for keeping my energies up!

Tackle It Tuesday

I am over whelmed!
I am feelin drained from yesterday...hahahah

I'll have to finish the Bathroom tomorrow or Thursday?

Beloved stands now at the kitchen sink under the
"No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes " sign.
Doing the dishes.

Look what beloved did!

I went and dropped Rena off at 12:30, I saw the fellow who made things hight at the Pets mart last time and told him how pleased I was with his integrity. I got the groceries for the party and spent $140. with a $40. savings on the items I needed!

matching socks
Two loads kids laundry 3 loads our stuff in the cue.
I got that laundry done. had Dash do his own socks!

I have far too many things to do!

P>T> on my knee at 9:15 that will take two hours at least. On the way a wonderful driver slowed freeway traffic so I could get in! How sweet is that!
I pulled into the parking lot and got the spot right in front of the door. Then when I went in they had had two cancellations in front of me. I walked in to a room without even waiting a moment. I got in and out in under two hours all exercises included.
The other Owner worked with me today He was great. God told me to tell him about how I recently received a little wooden vial of fish hooks that were my dads. We laughed about the appropriateness for me to own them "fishers of men". It is the only thing that I own of his now. The man and I are old friends but lately he has been sorta shut off. He opened up a little and it was so nice to see him smile. He worked out the knot in my calf and although it hurt, it is soft now! ya! He sold me this to help the pain at days end...

I got the patio hosed off., before I went to go get the kids..


We stopped at the post office to mail these.
Lisa B. I mailed your lanyard. They said that it would be there tomorrow.
Dee your apron is winging it's way to Minnesota! (3 days he said)



Beauty requested one of these sooo.. She has a little cough and a thought it would sooth her throat. I surprised them and pulled up to the curb and as we walked by the door they pined their eyes, I opened the door tho their Glee! The fellow gave me a large... He said" I just turned out big"... I told him "the Son just been shining on me all day!"

We picked up Rena, I found her with this cute bandanna and the grooming was free.

I still got Willy to bath. It is 4:30 an I am enjoying my Jamba with green caffeine. (spoiled myself still got a lot to get done today). I started the medication today for the swelling it is an antihistamine it did not made me sleepy! ya!

Well I got Willy a bath and while I was in the bathroom with him I heard the kids up to something in the kitchen.

When I was done. Dash ushered me off to the shower.
I knew that I was to trust of I showered and prayed over the children.
When I came out I smelled a little burned smell of food.
At first I had a mild panic yet then a calm came over me. So I let go.
I was then ushered to the sofa and told to rest a while..
I did so. All the while the sounds of supper in the kitchen. I thought "you know I am going to have to eat it????Please help them God"
The phone rang, and I was not allowed to get it. They brought the phone to me, hectic background.. then Beloved walked in and I told him not to go in the kitchen the kids were doing supper. They were both slain and devastated...so after we regained their joy we were led into the kitchen...

The aftermath :D

To find this....
It was GOOD! Very well prepared EGGS, rice crackers, and apple, green onions and red peppers and bread. Soy cream cheese too. Beauty made Fried cheese. Waters and a set table.


I sit here with wet hair and the children have the keyboard playing Jingle bells and as they run the loop of the house... They are saying OOMPA! at every turn. So fun!
They feel so good about themselves.