The Simple Woman's Daybook (monday)

FOR TODAY December 15th
Outside my window... My children are outside. This is the coldest day we have had this season. Dove has set up to do her homework on the table. Dash is talking to the chickens. It is lightly raining.
I am thinking...Verrrrr .....I am cold! I need to get a tarp over the coop so the birds stay dry tonight.
I am thankful for...A woman at a thrift store who was so happy for me that I got a bag of great fabric for $2. She was so happy about it. I was touched by her enthusiasm.
From the learning rooms...(if this applies) Homework is done outdoors whenever possible. Dove has math. Dash has reading and is thrilled to do it. I am so glad that the kids love to read.
From the kitchen...The clock tells me supper need to be made soon. Hamburgers tonight a simple supper for there is a great task to do tonight. I have a large batch of beans to make for the Christmas Party at my husbands work.
I am wearing...a furry sweater with a thick knit vest over it. Jeans and a warm blanket on my legs, and socks on icy toes that beg for more warmth
I am creating...Memories for the kids. A post for me to rest and center myself for the next half of my day.
I am going...to shiver if that wet dog of mine snuggles up to me. to finish this and make a meal for the family.
I am reading...The tutorial reviews for the art master piece classes I will be doing in the next few weeks after winter break.
I am hoping...For a good report from my visit to the doctors next month, and a cancellation where I could slip in before that.
I am hearing...The hum of my machine. The house is pretty quiet. Dove is doing homework outside while Dash plays. The chickens are up in the roost quiet.
Around the house...There are many tasks to be done , yet I am lethargic. I had errands today after an episode of vomiting this morning left me a bit weak today.
One of my favorite things...warmth when I am cold.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Laundry, decorate the house up some. detail the inventory of expenses for the trip to the children rehab center on Wednesday. Mr and I are going to gang up on it tonight, to do a spread sheet. I would like to bake cookies with the kids. On Thursday there is a field trip with doves class. Wednesday I think I will forgo the service work perhaps yet I have the prayer group with moms for our school to do at 1pm I am looking forward to resting.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

I got all of this fabric in a bag for $2. There is an apron, a two sided quilt and 1yd of that blue in the upper right corner and about a 1/2 yard of the others . All new cloth.
I got that camera for $3 to fix mine. I needed the screws for I lost two on the good camera and that as an idea I had to be able to fix it.

Join us over at for more fun.

I don't want to go to school,I want to stay with you...

6 a.m. the door to my bedroom opens and the chant began, as my sweet son cuddles up next to me.
It is Monday morning. His Monday's are like this every week.
This morning an opposing peace came to banish the early morning stress. I just kissed his head and we both dozed back off. His hair so soft as I stroked his head.
The snooze alarm again chimes in. I kiss him, Mommy's got to get up now to make Daddy's lunch babe. With the lunch made, checking on him ...he is snug in his bed.
Kisses exchanged encouraging words of love see him off , my beloved, my partner and friend.
This time is not my own...that has been the message of late. A Fathers touch to keep this daughter of his a clam mother. Dash at his door as I enter in and fix his covers, he returns to share this morning time , calming a child's heart.
"do you like super Monkey or Super Duck?" our sweet talk begins. with a calm mind wisdom came. "Mondays are hard" say I, as I am told of the stories of second grade. Where kids just pretend they do not know what to do..Teacher told him teach them do not do it for them...I concur. He is looking forward to the treat of computer time but the other children spoil the thing , they do not comply with the duty and task required. This effects his chance to achieve for he is ready and willing to do what he is told. Others are not so. I could understand how hard that is . The loss of privilege because of an others lax.Yes Mondays are hard for my son.
What if I draw you a picture or write you a note, you could put it in your pocket and I will be right there with you today...say I.

"A red string with my picture on it please"

"I wanted string this is silk mom"
I patiently press on to embroidery floss and a cardboard backing, it is stuffed into a pocket.
Then I am handed pants with a big whole in the knee...
"I'll have cereal mom"
Well the morning moves to fast to mend a pant knee and wake Dove too.
Stress begins to build for me. Dove did not bring home the lunch box again. Lunches to make for the kids.
Dove is running late not dressed warm enough. I just thank God and my wisdom too that she is in a warm coat this cold morning here.
Doves ADID (attention deficit inactive disorder) bugs Brother as he is ready and has been for well over an hour. She stands in the hallway fixed gaze on the tv unable to move, I demand the tv off! It is a real stressful for us in the early morning. When Dove is in her dissociative way
Dove my darling is rushed again. With a harsh word from brother. The building pressure of another grumbling walk to the stop. Some how I defuse it and they are kept from the magnetic puddle.
boarded on the buss with a wave good by...
Dash forgot to kiss my cheek...I missed the sweet kiss of my child.
With day to plan I am off with pen in hand. Eye glasses broken in the cuddle time, prescriptions to acquire and an apt to make so many other things to do too.
This Mothers day begins.
Dash's attachment secure he felt safe to begin his day.
Dove is warm in her new coat.

Adoption Day (Dash Hawk 7 years)

Match photo

She was a good woman, the director of the orphanage. She showed me great favor. The wife of the other couple that took the trip with us was a very difficult American woman who made the trip all but a living hell for me. This woman saw it and treated me with kindness and respect when she witnessed the other ladies behavior to me, and my patience with her.
Dash at 6 months

Dash New Born
this was unheard of to get a picture of a new born from an orphanage.
I remember her handing it to me and I could not comprehend what I was seeing for a few moments. The IV in the head is the way it was done there.

Dash Match photo
The first time I ever saw my son.
I waited 20 years for a son.
We traveled half way around the world on this image.
We waited after 911 never knowing if we would ever get to hold this our son.

Seven years ago the judge said yes .
We were home for Christmas with our new son.
Russia in December was ....shall we say so......... COLD!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Sweet Dash Hawk came home seven years ago.
Time flys so fast. They grow up in a flash of time.
This year Dash wanted to get a large tray of "futimawkey'" as we call it.
Sushi (not in the raw) for his celebration.
He has always eyed the big tray at the store,
and never has he ever been given one.
Today I made an exception.
We had lunch together and they had it for breakfast and lunch today.
We did not have cake for the first time.
With the children both ill all week it did not get accomplished.
I felt terrible about not getting it done.
Dove was not too pretty pleased about the absence of cake.
We purchased this UN truck when we were in Russia.
Daddy Man just took this image. I do not think that Dash is real happy.
It was a rather anti climatic adoption day.
We took the kids out on a wonderful evening of garden railroad tours. We visited thee homes total. One was just about a mansion. It was really rather unbelievable the set up that was there. I would think at least a 1/4 acre of train tracks and flower beds with just opulence gone a muck.
The kids had a BALL!
I am so sorry I did not make him a big cake like I normally do.
He really is so special to me.
I have just not been myself as of late.

Little Doves Teddy Bear Coat

I am on the home stretch of Doves coat.

I began on December first with an idea.

The body is a knit on the reverse.
I liked the color muted by the shading in the threads.
All seams are set with a seam binding to give it good body, and to prevent the knit from stretching.
By the fifth I had created this.
Fully professionally lined with a woven plaid and a satin solid blue sleeve lining.

I pleated the felted wool center back for freedom of movement.
Almost all this fabric had been given to me over time.
I had purchased a vest of the red felted wool and never used it.
The brown fur was scrap from a teddy bear I had made for her before.
The little bear toggles were a clearance rack purchased many years ago,
maybe 50 cents.

Beloved suggested the pockets on this cut. I liked the angle but the suggestion of the cut was perfect.

I simply(well perhaps not so simply) used a cardigan pattern,
and designed what I saw in my mind.
She saw me sewing on it tonight, and so I decided that she be better warm.
I was thinking of giving it to her for Christmas, but she needs a warm coat now.

I gave it to her tonight.
She loved it!
ya!
I have a little more to do on it.
I had an idea of the brown fur on the lower felted wool.
I had just enough by 4 inches :)
There was only about 4 inches of the beading left as well.
That was the most I had invested in the supplies.
The pattern I got at a garage sale .25 cents.
beads 5.oo on a sale (I got them over a year ago )
fabric mostly free
lining .50 at Wal-Mart clearance
seam binding .20 cents at the same garage sale.
.50 cent for the bears.
and another 1.00 of thread.
broke one needle got those wholesale say .20cents
just over $8.00 for a coat that is a one of a kind!

The happy kid...Priceless~

MERRY CHRISTMAS day 12 of advent

Every Morning my young ones take turns as they open the new day on the calendar.
In each box is two ornaments. They each have their favorites.
Dash opened it up today.

He loves his hat and has had it on almost every moment from the time I took it out of the attic.

He is so CUTE!

Mercy! just tugs at the heart CUTE!
That's my boy.
He was so sweet this morning.
Lots of "Please" " Mom I am hungry ,Please will you make me some eggs.
Lots of thoughtful actions all morning as well.
The kids are both at school.
I went back and slept for a 1/2 hour.
It is a bit of a day of rest for me.
I have a huge mug of sweet coffee and am rested.

Daddy Man went to the Doctor last night and is also fighting off the virus.
He is such a sweetie, he wanted to do the dishes up for me, but he needed to rest .
I insisted that he not and thanked him for the kind offer.

My chickens gifted us with another 4 eggs so far today.
That keeps me one day ahead of Dash and his beloved egg breakfast.
It is a wonderful thing growing your own food.
It really makes me stop and appreciate the effort of each bite.
You know I think we all ought to experience it.
It really is a humbling experience to do so.
My chickens lay small eggs, half size.
The gift of them is a very sobering thing.
The kids have even begun to say thank you to the birds as well.
They hear me saying it every day.

See that roof, the air, water and warmth remember to say thank you today.
The trials get my focus es cue and then I so easily forget.
When fear enters into the place where gratitude gets pushed out by it.
I am going to thoughtfully shove back.
Push out all those things that effort to displace the truth of who I am.
A woman of gratitude.
I have been doing some research on the difficulties I have been having with memory and confusion.
I was so discouraged that I offered God a suggestion on how to take care of the risk to the children of having me for a mom. The possible challenges that beloved may have ahead of him.
I heard Him say very clearly to me...
"Let me be God"...
I need to trust him and follow the process, and see HIM be GOD for me in all things.
My focus has been so diverted in fear of my future.
What my future would do to my family.

Perhaps the things that He.........

We interrupt this introspection to make an announcement.

"The Girls" (hens) were raising up a big ruckus.
They are just outside my widow.
Then I turned in my chair to see what was the matter.
I was watching them, and a few were heading up the ladder.
Then I saw it!
A HUGE hawk landed on the coop!
I had my camera, but she saw me shift in my chair he flew off!
WOW that was cool!
The hawk was just on the other side of the glass not 8 feet from me!
She was beautiful! Maybe stood 18 inches tall, she looked right at me in the eye.
Perfect time for an interruption of introspection.
The girls are all upstairs now.
NOW I know why they get all up in a ruckus, as this occurs every morning.
God is God and I am not.
I do not need to look to the future there is enough trouble for today.

It's Called Christmas!

This is awesome

my afternoon

No more Thursday thirteen, It went down hill.

After our morning posts, Dove found pleasure in painting while....

I did my art. I showed her my morning schedule.
This project is finished now , but I can not show you it yet...Ho Ho HO

Once it was warm enough we headed outside. After cleaning the coop the compost bin was full to overflowing.

She gleefully played in the clean pine shavings while I worked and, cleared the soil, fork turned it and then tipped over the compost to amend it.

I gave her an earth worm I dug up in my labor.
She was delighted with it.
It was a bit frustrating to be doing the hard labor with my sweet kid calling me to "come see" every few moments.
I had to get this task done.
I must get the food crop planted in a timely manner.

That black bag is news print for the compost, I do not like using it however. It does not break down very fast.

using a shovel all of the good earth was dug from the bottom and then the bin was pushed back into place and tamped down a bit. Not full any longer.

Well my compost may not have turned out just perfect , but for a first timer it is pretty good. There is so much yet to learn. There will always be so much to learn.

Hello! found another little fellow. Bless God this one is unharmed.
Perhaps it is another of the scarab mothes?

Soil cleared , turned, and amended with home made compost.
The cantaloupe vines are now in the compost.
The beans and peas will be picked after while.

The straw is all piled to the one side until I see where it will be need.
Look at that rich earth i created!
I did it!
Now that was a lot of work to get it going over the last few months, but now nature has taken over.

Cantaloupe harvest , as it is. Very small. One was found ripe so the chickens enjoyed it. I assumed so small no value to us. These will be saved until we are all together and cut them open then.
At this point Dove got out of the coop we brushed her off, and the garden gate locked behind me.

This is where the pitch fork entered my shoe!
It missed my toes!
I am not sure how?
This pencil is touching my toe dead center.
"Angels watching over me!"

We are both showered, and have had a late lunch of Tuna and crackers.
Dove is enjoying the first t. v. time of the day, a movie.
Dash is due home in 15 minutes.
This post is finished just in time.

Bears "tubbie rubbie" by Dove

Bear said " I need a bath so bad. I smell like a skunk".

"I got yuk on my face.

I got yuck on my legs...

So my baby sitter decided to clean me up, for my Mam and Dad.

So she scrubbed and scrubbed and finally , I was clean"!

Thankful Thursday *praise*

Dove and I together are doing a thankful list.

Dove said that she thankful for ...

food
water
and, the time we spend together with our families.
It is nice to praise because it makes God feel happy that we believe in him.

from the mouths of babes...
I am thankful for the health retuning to my children.
Spending the morning with my daughter and son with no television.
Listening to them talk about Dash's day at school yesterday.
I love being able to stand outside just across the street until his little feet are on the school bus.
Having the freedom to be here ever present, watchful over the children.
Like how God is ever watchful over us.
I get to give them that example.
One day I know it will be an annoyance just like when we know God is watching over us when we wish we could get away with our wrong doing.
That security of knowing we are safe in not being able to get away with anything.
I love that Dove wants to be with me.
Dove said she likes that too.
Joy!
That she is excited about the sick day with mom.
I praise god for the fulfillment of His promises toward me in giving me a daughter after 16 years of empty arms.
A son at 20 years of waiting.
He knows HIS timing is perfect!
I am so very grateful that he is trustworthy.

Clerification!

http://Alifeuncommon.blogspot.com
This is not me!

Oh no! how many times has this happened?

I have had an interruption of my blogdome.

This is me...

http://jewelryatalifeuncommon.blogspot.com/
Oh how many comments must have been given this bad url...
I am so upset!

Post script...
On tuesday I had a dream as I awoke...
that I was being pulled up from mud, My dream was about a big gathering "like" of my husbands former employment. We had to gather a list of items and bring them to the center where it was to be held. I was all muddy form falling into a big quick sand type thing and getting pulled out. Then I was showered at the place and was trying to fit into a swim suit. and I was late....Well now wonder I am overcoming this morning it wore me out just remembering it.

That other blog post that was not mine had something about getting muddy and spring break.

Word filled Wedesday

With the holiday meal preparations coming how many of us could even honestly think of opening our banquet to those souls who are poor? The crippled and lame among us are often shut out of sight in nursing homes. How many many years I have longed to do this. The comfort of my other guest have always come first however. Are you all like me? Wishing longing to be able to bless those unlovely who are kept from being among us.

Blindness can be defined in so many ways...perhaps he was speaking of physical blindness here, but in so many places we are told that there are non so blind as those who will not see.
As a child I was so very poor.
Not only of material or money but also of spirit.

Recently I saw a clip of a movie where a horse was hobbled. That is when the legs are tied together as to keep it from walking free.
I think of the spirit of many who are kept hobbled by the Pharisees among us.
He came but to loosen every bond,
to set those captives free and give sight to the blind.

I love to give a big banquet.
To have my home filled so, with those my heart beats in compassion toward.
All of those whom he so desperately loves.

This year my christmas will be simple my guest will be few.
We are all however poor, blind and hobbled to one extent or another.

May I serve up freedom,
may my table be a light
and freedom be my feast to those who are bound up.
Would that I celibrate the freedom, the light the wealth that is mine.

motherhood rocks and sick children keep ya on a roll

An old friend sent me this beautiful vidio you will have to click your back button twice to return here. This is an advertisement, however the woman who sent it is a woman of honor.

My Day has been with Dove , holding her, spoon feeding her and generally just pouring out all the love and tenderness I can muster (given this is the 5th day with a migraine. ) I think the stress is challenging. So I took her in today and she is now on anti-biotic, doctor thinks that her chest is clear and the whole thing seams to be put on a little thick. Oh my goodness! I love my kids and I give them a lot of attention. It must be a stressful time for them somehow because they have a bottomless cup. So she is viral and probably a sinus perhaps a mild flu. The cough is put on thick, we think? Unless perhaps the sensory issues cause it to bother her more than most. I think that could be...
Anyhow she is looking forward to one more day alone with me. (24 hours on meds. window)
She had an invitation to join a friend on Friday. It gave her something to look forward to.

Dash made homemade Christmas cards for the neighbors at ^ am this morning. He left for school without a hitch. Ready to be responsible for his foundation.
Dash had a good day at school and ran to embrace me when he got off the bus. What a warm greeting!
Wow the days are flying past! Very little time left to sew without them home. It is what it is...and will be what ever HE has for us. It will all be to our good.

Simple wisdom

Mid Day waxed old and long for me today.
Dove slept in her bed mid day as Dash read and played quietly.
I just had to turn off that noise box (t.v.).
Dash had played me, and I was angry and frustrated.

I also received a call from his teacher who had received the information on Ushers Syndrome from the school psychologist.
I tell ya... I really am finding it, that I have to respect her, because of the office she holds, but I do not like this woman personally.
I spoke at length with the psychologist yesterday at length about both kids.
It is December and this is the first I have had a talk with her.
I assumed she was following my kids.
NOTE TO SELF...do not assume anyone in the intervention circle is really doing what they say they are doing...Never just believe them and let go to catch your breath.
Parents of special needs kids ware 2 hats.
Advocate: We are supposed to learn everything there is to know about our child's disorder and teach everyone who went to university what they should of learned...because few if any will remember what they learned there.
Mother: Contain your emotions at all costs because they will be used against you to judge you rather than for them to be accountable for their own ignorance and lack of empathy .
YES empathy.
You see... your judged as wanting Sympathy and disregarded ! Oh ARG!
Can you tell I'm a bit peeved about Dash's teacher...
So she begins the call,as I answer with...
It doesn't sound like your doing to well...
"it is a challenging morning I have two kids sick,, well one (her student ) that I can't really tell if he is playing me. I feel a bit frustrated about it. "
to her reply..."it can be frustrating... all the kids are getting tired of classes."
She continues to tell me that she read the paper work she received on Ushers and (very defensively) there really isn't anything I see here that I am supposed to do to help him out, or watch out for or anything"
My stress builds...
I start to say... I asked the phycholagist to give you what she pulls up to inform you so that I did not have to again do the research and face the images of those words, deafness/ blindness by adolescence. So why cant she pull it up on her own computer and research it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh no...
I held my tongue and simply said; I am not sure what form you are reading .
To that she was startled that it did not come from me. I then told her that it is hard for me, and that I asked her (the phych) to pass on the information she gets to spar me the weight on my "MOTHER hat".
Again she repeats her defensive stance.
I asked her do you have children? She responded affirmatively; then perhaps you could understand how hard that might just be.
Then she says that it was Ushers 3 that she thought I was talking about ...no ushers 2...(in thought)dip weed if you read the article like you said then you would understand that! Holding my tongue I respond , No it is Usher 2.
Oh mercy!
I get off the Phone with her .Almost in tears of compassion toward my son ...he enters the room...Admits to playing me because he really hates school. The teacher last year was awesome! Well, I suppose it evened out:) Ha
(I'm trying for humor girls)

Feeling alone I reached out to my friend Michele.
She had two comments in passing as I poured out my heart that stilled the frustration of my aching mind (as in 4th day of a continuous migraine)...she said..."maybe it is alright that Dash played me because perhaps he really needed a break...and Kids are resilient and perhaps he will just need to walk through a hard year."
Dash approached me after the wisdom of a friend.
I spoke with him about those two things and told him .
He will have difficulties to face.
This is a part of his foundation.
This is an important year of studies, a time of building his foundations.
He gets it.
Apologizes and admits his error. I explained that it is hard as a parent to do everything right. I made a mistake to let him manipulate me. I told him that I did not want him to do this to me again, (early morning Mommy is not in full function) being a trickster.
Dove is coughing a lot but seams to be leveling off and has stopped going down hill..
Man I feel so lathargiec today. I must be fighting it off too.

Tackle It Tuesday

Good Morning!

Got Mr U. his lunch and after a refreshing shower of kisses He was off to work.
He took time to help me remove some comments from an annoying "john " trying to sell a product. Some computer generated demon.

Tackling my day with a fresh attitude and peaceful mind. I was so sleepy this morning. I was deeply in a strange dream. It was very hard to awaken. Dove is still ill and I am a little concerned that it might be my turn. :( Maybe not it could just be a little allergy. Dash is awaiting me...I'll finish later.
an hour so goes by...
Both kids home sick, although I am still wondering if Dash played me.
I did not hear his cry (I'm sick) last week because of crying wolf so much.
Wow when they do that, and then you really miss the wolf,it can be very frustrating.
The dogs and chickens have been fed.
Dove is coughing a lot.
I just gave her a cup of hot cereal to ease her throat. She fought me on it. She would rather just eat cough drops. I am wherry of it all because I am sleepy and I think I might just be fighting it off.
I have sewing to do yet...
pause...
Had to let the dog out...
I am eating the hot cereal ...sorta don't blame Dove it is not so good. :) She finished it so should I. :)

My tackle is to let everything go.
Sewing Christmas...cleaning house...expectations of the garden...cleaning the chicken coop...and mostly not being annoyed by the pressure of the list above my head...
That list will always be there.
These children will not, they will grow.
Have families of their own.
They will remember days like today in what ever way I present them.
My big tackle is face my own selfish will.
My own agenda, desires and expectations.
I must let them all go and move into the day with a graceful servitude that will empower them someday to follow my own example.