My Beading (studio), and sewing (room) stations.

This is what I did for the Day.
Besides a morning meeting and Making the meals at lunch and supper.
My Mr. lowered the quilt rack (we have had it 20+ years a) and gave it a new use.
I saw a type of this at a local craft store and created my own. Mine is much wider and holds all of my ribbon that is on rolls.

I will eventually use the wooden dowel from the quilt rack to hang the tree of life on.
For now it is just tacked up, It is really centered I am just taking the photo from the one side.
The wonderful new ( back chrome finished) light is awesome.
Look at all that light!

The thread beds were centered and now it is so cool

That is the large wooden LOOM that My Sweet Mr U. made me years ago, to the far right on the wall.
I look forward now to threading it and making something fun.
The art work is Dove's gift to me . She likes abstract.
That big pile to the far right is minding on the ironing board.
Don't toss out things just because they might need a little repair.
You can do it, just take the time to learn how.

The beading table has now been revamped to have a permanent tape measure on the working edge. I have labeled Lanyard increments and bracelets both in a separate color. Later I will add the necklace lengths. There is a vice on the left that holds the cording and then I use a clamp that weights the piece down so it wont slide off the table.

CLICK TO ENLARGE
This is what I have been working on for two days. I laid them all out on Friday.
Today I got most of them strung.
Tomorrow I will do the finishing findings and tags.
I use my business cards on the clips with the price and media used.
The black one center is agate and quartz.
next to it on the right is Mother of pearl and fresh water pearls.
The Angle is fresh water pearl, and glass pearls.

Using the guied is a huge help!

See the clamp, it holds the cable.

My beloved made these stands for the gallary display.
I found a wonderful use for one of them!
I know what I have and when I need to restock.
Well It is 10:30 I'm gunna go cuddle my sweet heart. He asket me not to stay up to late.
He misses me (my presence in the room) beside him. :)

We also had family movie night we watch "Water Horse" we found it at Target for $13. Great movie!
You Ireland lovers must see it.
Beautiful senery.

We are all the same in so many ways

All this recent strife made me think of this...

Ecclesiastes 3:20
All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

I prefer to look for what we have in common.
We all have the common need for compassion.
We all are hopelessly needing Mercy.
We all NEED to be able to come to know God, and that he loves us.
Without that, what have we?

May peace extinguish strife in your life.

getting rid of plastic food dishes...

My day so far...it is noon
I am attacking this with great effort.
I have been working in the garden spraying off the pests from the crop.
I harvested 5 radish and the dog ate three of them org! I left them on the table when I went to hose off the porch.

Laundry began at dawn.
Will probably continue till dusk.
It does dry fast with the line. The washer is a front loader and does double loads.
I dried the (90%) dry jeans in the dryer to soften them up

After reading the article in the Thursday Thirteen yesterday I tossed these scratched up plates out. They were #5 plastic, but still the health of the children matter so much more than any convenience.

As per the dog getting the radishes. Well Last night I gave them mercy. The nights are down to mid 50's. So I let them in. The morning began with a bang as the kids were up early joyfully acknowledging the mercy I afforded the dogs. They are so happy and proud (?) of me for letting them back in. Dash said it feels like home again. Unfortunately it will get all messy too from the fur and the dirty dogs that I have yet to make time for washing.
I hosed off the garden, gather my two eggs!!!!! and threw the rye seed for the new lawn. When I fed the wild birds those little guys were waiting for me! They were right there when I hug the feeders. I have 5 baby tomatoes out front!

My clean patio and window screens were a joy for I put on some country symphony music and had my potato soup on the patio. It is in the mid 70*'s today.
This is why I live in the desert!
You don't want to live here though it is far to hot in the summer!:)
Well with the outside tended I must now continue laundry and the indoor chores.
Dash's room...send rescue if you don't hear from me.

9 p.m.
Never did make it to Dash's room. I worked on the layout of 12 lanyards. A teacher at the kids school told me that she thought they would sell fast for the cost I would ask.
Thanks Debbie for the childcare ( play date ) it really helped me to get many things done.
I hung laundry all day and worked on jeweling.
I found a third egg in the afternoon. I left it there so the kids could "find it " this evening. They were on to me and it was a little less than exciting. They were happy about it though.

We all went to target to redeem Doves new reading award. She got another free pizza from Pizza Hut. Dash and I had chicken tenders. We walked around as a family and just window shopped so to speak. We gave the children some time to look at the toys, but purchased non. We think it is good for them to go look and walk away empty handed sometime. It is a skill to get out the door with the budget in tact. I got a American flag for $4.00 to hang on the pole it was marked half price. I have desired one. We bought the movie the "Water Horse" (great Irish culture and scenery) for $15. cheaper than going to the picture show. We will all have movie night tomorrow.

I hung my last load at 8:30 p.m. it was COLD on my toes. The lawn was wet as was the laundry. My icy hands startled My Mr. and Dove. Found myself singing "you get a line I'll get a pole honey...
YOu get a line I'll get a pole babe. You get a line i"ll get a pole well go down to the fishing hole . Honey baby mine. While hanging laundry in the 70* sunny breezy afternoon. Just beautiful out

Thought I would sit and rest a while. I have earned it!

I learned the little girl I watched will be taken out of school for a month for childcare is a distance away. She will be caring for a woman who had a hip replacement, it breaks my heart. I know however that I gifted her with what I was able too. I can not let my family go down hill in efforts to help another family that is not making the kinds of choices to help themselves. They not ones for learning how to fish. I'd do an injustice to just keep dolling out fish if they don't even bother to search for their own bait and tend to it to keep it alive.
Sad sad thing. Very sad for the child's life.

Oh Happy Day! First Eggs from the chickens!

WOO HOO!
My pets gave me breakfast!

Thursday Thirteen Let there be light!

Good Morning!
Very Busy week here.
1. Monday was a wonderful "stay home day". I love my stay home days. The kitchen loved it too. The refrigerator got a new face and a few other tasked were accomplished. This all while Dash was home sick to the soul. He had a bad dream from the Friday before and a sick tummy from too much candy.
2. Tuesday When I went to vote there was NO ONE in front of me! The Mr. and I did the sample ballot at home so once in the voting booth it just took a very short time.
So My arrival to Bible study was on time.
A group of Mature Women joined in prayer and in speaking of what we heard, saw and experience in Him. Wonderful stuff! A dear heart who fosters as a "grandma" has two new placements and the kids prayed the prayer and change life for the best in the first week. She is praying for them to get adopted so she can lead the next ones into a knowledge of The LOVE of God. Another woman told of her grown son praying for years for her to really KNOW God and not just call herself a Christian. She told of the call she made to him when he answered he was driving on the freeway and had to pull over weeping in joy for her and the many years that he had never given up on her. I was bawling joy with her!
I wonderful lunch date for a birthday girl who is a quiet soul. I had to sneak up on her to bless her. Then in the evening I was so fortunate to hold a 12 hour old little boy, Jackson Henry. Lisa is well as is baby. Had a wonderful time with Photo Princess while the elections were piped in the cafe over the TV. We spoke of respecting the Office of Presidency, Please pray for the pease of America. Do Your part to instill it by avoiding fear and striff.
3. I did testing for the 4th graders yesterday "Oral fluency" it was rewarding. Each child in the class had a turn.
4. I have so many tasks at hand. The sewing/art studio was one of them I unpacked 4 more
boxes and set up a scrap booking center
.
stamps in the drawer

Papers and such below.

5. The fabrics and the sewing table got a little attention too.

6. Then behold...
After our supper of My Sweet Heart announced to me that he had a present for me.
I followed him out to the car. He opened the trunk.
A shop light...or so I gratefully though, but not just a white florescent fixture....no....

It is stunning! It is a chrome Black one. It is so pretty the image does not du the finish justice.

My Sweet Husband set me up with good lighting.
He carefully set the height so that I will have no reflection on either of the machines.
Too wonderful!!!!!!

Let there be light!

7. I have to go shower to leave for the "Art Master Piece" training by 9 so this will need to get finished later. See all the minding and paperwork (for the Master address list ) I need to finish.
8. Great post on plastics hidden dangers
9.
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11.
12.
13.

Balance wheel

I awoke with a new song over me today.

All my life 's a circle
Sunrise and sundown.
Moon rolls through the night time till the day break comes around
all my life is a circle and
I can't tell you why
seasons spinning around again
the years keep rolling by

Tone on tint on black

My wheels are turning!

I am longing for a quilt of this type.

.

Word filled Wedesday

A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

Wordless Wendsday ***HELP***

Organic Help!
Please teach me!

first crop of beans!

Tackle It Tuesday

I emptied out the refrigerator.
The ice chest served well to store the food stuffs.
It was also nice for Dash to sit on when I bandaged his skinned knee:)
Everything! Every shelf!

This poor thing was so neglected after such a busy couple of months.

I purged the door for out of date items, but did not remove all the contents.
Choose your battles, and that one is for another day.

I use a mixture of Bleach water.
Sraying the entire inside down and the pooling debris is saturated with the bleach water. By shutting the door and letting it soak that hard "elbow grease" is reduced.

At this point all the drawers are also sprayed to soak. The shelves are soaked in a heavy bleach and soap water, this kills all mold that infects the unit if you have an onion go bad :) as I did so scallions turned to a moldy dust.

Drip drying and then towleling the rest of the water off I then reassembled it.

In the sink sat the rubber maid containers earlier in the process.
I sure wonder about left overs , hear the remnant of a month gone wild. I was so busy that I lost the order of left overs in play within the menu.
Mostly those containers where you reuse most of the leftover and then that last little bit gets pushed to the back. Well I soak the rubber in the bleach/soap very hot hot water, then when the water cools enough to touch I wash them out.
This to kills any bacteria or mold that occurs.

Beloved humor. He made this for me years ago when I was up in arms with what they were doing to the food supply.

The unit sanitized I began the reasemble

I like to play around and try different layouts.
Spice it up a bit, we homemakers gotta find those little pleasures in these medial tasks:)

Walla!

Most of these are organic, but my little sign reminds me often of why I put a lot more care into what I feed this family!
This took me all day!

Marriage Monday *Grace of a Christian Marriage.*

Want this button?

The Grace of Christian Marriage

Good morning sweet sisters! Today, we're meeting at Robyn's blog, Overflowing Grace for the topic,
"The Grace of Christian Marriage."

Please jump in and join us. As always, your entry doesn't need to be a long one. Once you've posted, click over to Robyn's blog and add your permalink to Mister Linky. Then take a few minutes to visit some of the other Marriage Monday contributors.

This was the song over my head today. I just kept hearing the high lighted lines over and over then I found the music and played the song.

It was written about a frontier woman who came to help establish the west.

Beloved used to sing it to me 20+ years ago when he would play his guitar after work.

I heard a love song all day and when he came home a warm meal greeted him with this song playing in the background we danced in the clean kitchen.

Mail Order Annie

By Harry Chapin

At first I did not think it could be you, but you’re the only one that got off the train.

So you must be my wife miss Annie Holsey, yes…yes.

I guess I am your husband,

Hello I am Harry Crain.

Mail order Annie, never mind you’re crying

Your tears are sweet rain in my empty life

Mail Order Annie can’t you see I m trying to tell you that I am glad your here

You are the woman who’s come to be my wife.

You know you’re not as pretty as I dreamed you’d be, but then I’m not no handsome fancy Dan.

And out here looks are not so important no; no its what a woman is when she’s up against the land

Mail Order Annie never mind you’re crying

Your tears are sweet rain in my empty life

Mail Order Annie cant you see I’m trying to tell you that I’m glad you’re here.

You are the woman who has come to be my wife.

You know it is no easy life you’re entering. The winter wind comes whistling threw the cracks there in the sawed and you’ll never have to many neighbors there’s you

Girl and thee me and there is God

I am just a dirt man from the North Dakota Plains,

And you one girl form the city who has been thrown out on her own.

And I’m standing here not knowing what to say to you.

Except Annie lets you and me go home

Mail Annie never mind your crying your tears are sweet rain in my empty life

Mail Order Annie cant you see I’m trying to tell you that I’m glad you’re here

You are the woman who has come to be my wife.

Often over the years I have felt bad that My Beloved husband had to have such a hard road to walk along with me through this journey.

Be it known however that

my tears are sweet rain in his empty life

He carries my sorrows as does the Lord.

That my friends is Love. To love your wife as Christ loved.

I thought of something you know we are the Bride of Christ.

The night before election

Palin cleared in Troopergate scandle
Wow what timing...
How convenient.

Menu Plan Monday

Cleaning out the refridgerater is a great way to start your menu plan.
I put a roast in the oven, added a whole spaghetti squash (rub it with oil) place on a small rimmed cookie sheet. The stir fry meat was marinated in soy and oyster sauce and baked right along with it. The meats are cooked! I baked the whole chicken last week and boned it putting half of the meat up in the freezer.

A summons to appear

Remember this 9-20-07.
I got a summons today.
Something new.
I am called to court to testify.
It is all documented on the post!
Blogging my brain on the monitor.

Call out PLEASE PRAY

Lisa (a good friend and sweet reader of this blog) is being induced into labor.
This is a second son born of a great hearts desire.
Jackson is on his way.
Please join me in covering her and her husband and new son as he is now entering the world.
Thank you all.

Child labor concerns

Below is some interesting information you can use regarding the country of origin for manufactured Items you have selected for purchase....You can determine which country the item came from by simply checking the BAR CODE. As you know, the whole world has become very concerned about Chinese manufactured goods. Consumers can actually differentiate which products are made in Canada, the Philippines, Taiwan, China or other country's simply by checking the bar code....

The first 3 digits of the barcode is the country of origin where the product is made.

Sample: All barcodes that start with 690 to 695 are MADE IN CHINA. If it begins with 471 it is Made in Taiwan

Government and other related departments have neglected to inform the public about this simple informational product check, Therefore, it becomes necessary that we educate ourselves, if we are to protect ourselves...

Increasingly, Chinese manufacturers are learning that global consumers do not prefer products with the 'Made in China' label, and they are beginning to not show or print the country where the product originated.

However, armed with this important information you can now refer to the barcode..... Remember, if the first 3 digits are: 690-695 that indicate the product OR FOODSTUFFS are "Made in China"...... Below are some other BAR CODES for your enlightenment.

PRODUCT BARCODES

00 ~ 13 USA and-or CANADA (but watch out for Canada as much of China's fish are "packaged" in Canada to throw you off)
30 ~ 37 FRANCE
40 ~ 44 GERMANY
49 ~ JAPAN
50 ~ UK
57 ~ Denmark
64 ~ Finland
76 ~ Switzerland and-or Liechtenstein

471 ~ Taiwan (which is still China but with a different name)

480 ~ the Philippines
628 ~ Saudi-Arabia
629 ~ United Arab Emirates

690 ~ 695 CHINA

740 ~ 745 Central America

Click on this website to learn more about how to READ Bar Codes...

http://www.makebarcode.com/specs/ean_cc.html

This is some really good information , and you might wish to pass it on!!

Chickens have nesting boxes now.

Painting the hutch Sunday Morning while the children were inside playing with the birds, was a nice time. The kids call the girls by name and I am teaching them to act with gentle force and to remember they are the boss, but to be so kindly.
The girls were shut out of the upstairs so I could paint all exposed surfaces. I finally got the paint and supplies off the patio.

Beloved made a framework that can be pulled out of the cleats easily for cleaning. We have to do some redesign. After some late night research we need to have the boxes to small. They need to be 12 inch by 12 inch. We can easily fix that, but will run short of room for the girls. Perhaps we can do some on the other side.

Eventually the girls will give up the eggs.
I found Angel (the white one) was in the first box by the ladder.

The Tenacious Vivacious White Raven

As the Children boarded the bus that Friday morning I explained to them that I did not know that I would be able to do the door to door thing they call "trick or treating". I explained that it just brought up to many hard memories and I was just overwhelmed to even think about it.
My loving Children (respect intended) said..."Mom we understand , It is alright we are happy that we get to have our own celebration together."...With a bit of sorrow in the eye but hearts overflowing with the consideration for my needs first...I was so moved by this show of character...I waved as the bus drove off.
Going into the house a bowl of cereal cared for my belly and I went into the shower.
While in the shower I thought about how much glee the costumes, made at my own hand, found way of expression on the faces of those two kids. I thought about a lot of things and prayed for the children around the States and the Globe.
Then I let it all go...
Remembering this

I saw myself in my Indian wedding dress.


"I am going to be MYSELF today! Yes...I did.
I unpacked the dress out of the box it has lied in from January and the move preparations.
I gleefully , was giddy as I slipped it on over my head. The weight of it reminding me of the weight of the power within me that overcame the darkness so long ago on that Cross.
I felt so grounded. The lightheaded distractions of the flash backs stopped!
I BOLDLY proceeded to the school to attend Dash's parade. His teacher would not welcome me in so I waited in the hall. I shared with several who asked of the dress the story of how ...
God had spared my life from the car accident, how beloved gave me the diamond , the first one I have ever owned. How all those who loved me met in the forest 6 hours away for my Indian wedding and reception. How Daddy Man spoke spoke a blessing over each child.
One woman walked by and said..."That is authentic isn't it?"...Yes replied I, and told her the story. Emote showed in each of those who heard the story one even wept. The message was heart of "WHO I AM"
I went as myself.
Dash was glad of my company in the long procession of all of the k-3 rd graders each of the rooms we found ourselves winding through held children who I have worked with over the last two years as a volunteer at the school. Dash's teacher walked just behind me as child after child called out my name. She has treated me with great disrespect, and here in her face, were so many, who gave me great respect, and my son...my son walked beside me seeing all of this.


During the parade that included a tour of the upper grades rooms, Dash spoke of fear of the times when he would be in these class rooms. Those fears defused as familiarity replaced them.
We walked through Doves class and her teacher when asked requested some ice for the afternoon. The class would be having a party. She asked if I could attend.
After going home and resting a bit and getting ice at the grocery store...
"IN MY DRESS!" HA!
That was empowering!

I did so.

Dove was so happy as were many of the other children who ran to me with an embrace awed as they looked at my dress.
I helped Dove into her costume and the little girls were all cocooned around us, as if we were butterfly about to emerge.
Once in the class I met the Mother of another child Dove has longed to have over. With the other kid here I have placed that on hold so as to avoid the dreaded triadic play date.
Then the Teacher said...Mrs. U. , Will you please take over the class so that I might go up and get the ice that you brought.
Me...take over the class, when there was another Mother right there.
I was humbled and honored to do so.
As I prepared the drinks, and the foods the other Mom served up ice cream (the harder job).

I taught the kids the story of the Wedding dress...I told them that there are many other tribes beside the Hope and the Navajo, Apache and such. It was so cool!

By recruiting kids to help the little stars shined they all wanted to serve! Each requested a task and all felt wonderful about who they were and helping as a team the party was a hit...

Even some of the boys who were asked to help put on a whole new image, and really behaved wonderfully.
It was great!

I stayed to help the Teacher a bit and she told me that she was in 2 nd grade when I was originally married to beloved in the early 80's .
Then I hurried home to beat the buss.

These little treats were given to me by a child in thanksgiving of our labors for the party. What a thankful Mother to raise a grateful kid! The kitty is a tuna can with candy in it and a balloon over it. The other is a sucker in a tissue.

Beloved came home with supper and we ate then began to have our traditional Movie Night.

Then...spar of the moment!
I asked the kids to put on the costumes...They looked confused and asked why.
I told them that I would like to go for a walk with my family.

"Really?"...they asked. I told them do it now or I might change my mind. They were ecstatic!
Beloved looked at me with "silver dollar" eyes!
"I will try" said I.
"Oh thank you Mother for trying"....humbled in tone were they

I took a deep breath.
I never took My Dress of all day.
I was myself!
The Tenacious Vivacious White Raven.
Courage over took me as I witnessed the fear that had covered over my child.
Determined to free her and myself I stepped forward.
It was the first time I had gone out on that night from that night so many years ago when the gang rape happened and the tormentors killed my soul.
I have resurrected my flight.
Grown out my clipped wings.
With them I covered my young and raised above the evil.

Dove bore the weight of those years of fear as I cowered in the darkened house.
Dash had much less of it due to the ongoing recovery.
She clung to me.

Dash was brave and ready, eager to explore a new adventure.

Eventually through my example Dove relaxed as did I. We walked with the many families of the early crowd. Mostly younger kids, mostly cute,
BUT then it turned....
I was walking and looked up to see the back of a man sized person in black cape and I froze. Panicked I was able to speak and let Beloved know the trigger he shielded me.
The kids caught on and sweet dash said "Mom, remember that this is not real..."
I told him that the memories were.
We made it to the house and then went next door for one last note...
to make it end on a high note for memory sake...
But then it happened again
right in front of our home.
It freaked me out.
I had to get in.
Beloved stayed with me close and we watched the family movie "National Treasure".
The children were taught that they eat nothing of the candy given until it was inspected by us. We explained that the "trick" part of the night was real for some sick people. Eat only out of our bowl. In our neighborhood folks sit in the driveways with a fire burning in old washer tubs. Many are known, two were actually teachers at the school.
I was a bit raw all night and slept close to Beloved and had to touch him all night to rest.

"I will restore every thing that the worm has eaten"
Love that passage!

Saturday morning
went to my meeting and shared about obeying my "Higher Power" by walking into what I saw before me. Again I became very triggered. I made it home to slip in unnoticed by the children only saying hi to Mr. U.
I hid in my closet for a good hour just to try to make the flash back and panic stop.
I was able later that day to tell of a bit of a memory of the mans back to me praying and dedicating me to the evil one. I did not agree!That impressed me about the memory
I DID NOT AGREE WITH HIS EVIL Prayer!
Still don't!
But I was able to remember without becoming incapacitated.
We worked around the house and mounted the rod to hang My Wedding dress back up on the bedroom wall (where it belongs...a constant reminder of who I am)
The kids attended a birthday party while I relaxed at a fabric store. I found a few patterns 75% off and some fabrics at $1.99 a yard (normally $12.-$15.). Daddy Man had alone time. He fixed my bike and replaced the 12 year old tires and tubes all around for all of us had flats. He watched a movie and just enjoyed some empty house time.

I took Dash on a Date after the party and we went out to the movies and then to a light dinner and shopping. He asked for a few new t shirts. I watched him be very respectful of his desires and was able to offer him a little more. His heart is so thankful. He held the door and was a perfect gentleman even bringing home a little gift for Sissy.
Dove and I had our date last weekend.
Sunday is another post:)