Word filled Wedesday * Merry CHRISTmas*

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Proverbs 22:7
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.

Please do not do Christmas on debt.
If you can not afford it, do not spend it!

It is not a gift if it is not yours to give.
There are acts of service, gifts of word.
Deeds of virtue, like asking for forgiveness and owning your errors or offense against another.
Some of my greatest treasures are the Love letters about how my Husband sees me.
Give what you have skill or talent in. Your talent/skill is an asset that you most likely underestimate.

Deuteronomy 16:17
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.

Give what you are able, do not give in pretense. It is a trap set for your feet by those who have their hands in your pockets.

Proverbs 22:9
He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.

Many food stores have collection bins, and the Salvation Army kept me from going hungry as a child. Let that bell remind you. Also those who serve as bell ringers love a nice hot drink in the cold. They can not leave the pot unattended.

Proverbs 28:27
He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

The poor we will always have among us. There are many kinds of poverty. Poverty of spirit is the worst. Kindness is free to give.

Luke 3:11
And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.”

Share.

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.

Your standard of measure...that is how it will be given back to you...generosity is a gain not a loss.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.

Check the purpose of your heart. Going in debt to give under compulsion is a need for validation and acceptance. You have been given that through Gods love for you. Don't need to get it from a person :) Being real is a beautiful sign of humility.

James 2:15-16
If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

Think about it.
Enjoy Christmas, and all year long...
"celebrate the reason for the season"
Merry CHRISTmas

Special Exposure Wednesday?

At "5 minutes for special needs kids"

So Dash walked around with a sign up sheet 5 cents a play time of Lego's.
He is raising money :)

Now Dove is knocking on doors singing Christmas carols and "Were off to see the wizard" funny! She is caroling for money.
Now she just knocked at a door and said..."I am very very cold and hungry and if you pay me a $100. I will go away and leave you alone..."
Funny!
Look at the way she is sitting.

Gods provision for a stranger.

My Husband had a good/bad news moment that good came out of...
He had to take off time or loose it.
He calibrated the hours yet there was a difference where he was at a loss of 2 days 2 hours.
Well there is no work tomorrow! yep pee unexpected (its all paid) and now he is off until the 5th of January.
Now about those two days time.
They had a program where he could donate it to another employee to help someone who might be on an extended leave.
Too Cool!
We were able to give a man two days wage,
to help him have a better Christmas.
Gods Provision for a stranger

My Pantry staple herbs, spices and thickeners

Over at "Down to earth" we were having a conversation about "The best , fast easy healthy meals.
For many years "This mind of mine", has found great pleasures
in figuring out how others do it so I can do it for myself.

click on image to enlarge
This is just one of the many sheets of information I keep inside the doors of my kitchen
If you go to any fine restaurant you may also find the tricks listed for those still under study of the chef.

Remember the old "fried chicken with the secrete spices"...?
This is my weapon of choice.
Freedom from the mundane.

In my pantry you can see the scale of my intentions.
Notice the large containers. I am not fulling around here. This is a production kitchen.
How do I get away with being a homemaker?
Well beyond my husband having a good job, (praise God) , I too have my job.
This work does take time and a great deal of effort.
I, however, can get away with dealing with the boss of the kitchen (me) on those days when I do not "feel" like doing my job.

The glaze de gold was a gift from my BILove, good stuff!
These are the tools of my trade.
Perhaps a bit too dependent on the source to acquire, but non the less a great resource.

Note the tubs...These are my big secrete. By buying herbs in bulk and then refilling the large containers...walla! at the 10 Th of the cost I equip the kitchen to serve me in my tasks.

Many of these items are thickeners.
Most homes have the old standard of corn starch. I believe in variety.
agar agar
potato flakes
tapioca flour
kelp
Arrow root powder
and many others...They each have there good uses.
This my friends is kitchen science.
Fun to learn stuff.

This is where the extra ones are stored.
Every now and then stores will discontinue due to packaging changes.
Store shelf space is a premium so if something does not sell it is often clearance.
Just be sure to check expiration dates.

some of the sweeteners like
molasses
honey
corn syrup
stevia
cocoas
brown rice syrup

I have tins of things that are homemade mixes.
the Quick tin is a cocoa coffee made with instant coffee.
I made it for a camping trip.

Yeast is normally less in bulk, however these were on a lead in special.
the pudding Mates is a mix I use with tofu to make a rich pudding in a hurry for the children after school. It is milk free and the children get a high dose of protein they think it is just a treat.

I will often buy herbs in the solid form and grind them myself. You get more by volume and it is cheeper to get better herbs. Once they are ground they age. So if your able get a coffer grinder just for your herbs. It is a great investment. Folks are lazy and whole herbs will often be clearenced out with perfectly good dates because they are just using up valuable store shelf space.

The small mortar and pestle is for a single herb.

Now when I make a recipe of large variety of herbs salt, and dried veggies this
I use this big boy.
The fine dust in a dish removes texture that is often an issue with kids.
It is at my right hand.
At times I will add all of the herbs say for taco mix and the thickeners and dried onion.
Fine grind it in this, and then have a large jar of it to use for a month.
Grab one jar taco in a hurry.

Dash's apointment...possible ear surgery...please pray for the meds to work.

well it was $14,600. at final count...second night of marathon itemizing we found out just a few moments before we were done that I do not need to re quality until 1-28-09!!!!!!!! Well it is finished with just any more we might incur between now and then


It was very wet , the sky was amazingly beautiful this morning.
Deep dark clouds shrouded the sky low on the desert hills around the city
It was cold! Well for us it was.
I had to rouse Dash and literally dress a sleeping/sleepy kid.
He said hi to the Daddy Man and relieved himself and we had to get out the door to make the long trip into town. We got the beans for the work party in the crock pot started and we were off.
The freeway was a blaze with diamonds and rubies. Mostly those rubies breaking constantly. At spots a stand still.
.

I had the early morning trip to the city and had to dress Dash for the trip. He was not a happy kid when the junk machine ate my only dollar and he was out a bagel. After the doctor, the ear pressure test, the hearing aid repair and then a loaner had to be issued and electronically calibrated, so one of his could be repaired....My nerves were at the finest of threads...as were his...he was one angry little kid and he let us all know it. He was so difficult!
We then had to go back to the surgeon/ent specialist and he put Dash on a strong 7 days of steroids. He told me the news as I tried to manage a kid who would not stop telling us that he was hungry! try as I might there was no consoling him and all I could do was give him a bagel ( I got change from a woman in the waiting room) when we were all done. I sat with him and tried to put myself in his shoes. I found that he is VERY angry that he has to have hearing aides at all. He hates them! He want to be like everyone else. I can understand it. He does not like waring them.
I told him I understood that it is a drag to have to have them.
He still needs to treat elders with respect of office.It was not alright for him to treat the professionals so disrespectfully, these are people trying to help him.

Then we had to go get the rx from the hospital pharmacy.
Dash has compression on his left ear drum opposite of fluid on the ear pushing it out, this is sucking it in hard. the estation tube is not letting the air to the eardrum and it is not equalizing. It might call for surgery if the RX (steroids) don't work. I have to just trust they will.
If Dash has to have tubes it could effect the hearing that is already compromised.
the RX was covered and free as would the surgery be ...but....
We have to have two pay periods with no overtime to qualify for benefits.. We are depending on our overtime. So it will be a nice break to have a month off from 10 hour days but the funds will be tighter.
I have to get my new tooth for the implant in Jan/Feb or it will be over due.
Life is a challenge.
He did share with me that he did not like having to wake up and go to the long drive for the doctor and he was mad.
I am so tired I better get a little rest.
My shoulder kept me up I strained it when I did the duty duty yesterday.
I worked at the school for two hours helping kids with their Christmas letters for the gifts to the parents. It was so sweet, this after I dropped him off.
Doves teacher cave me a container of Ferrero Rocher chocolates
Yum! I just poured a cup of coffee and put some chocolate vytasoy milk in it.
Life is GOOD>>>>>>>

I let the school nurse know about the dose of new medication I had just given him with a egg mc muffin from the drive through.
I also got a copy of the 3-08 hearing test that they needed for the IEP
I will try for a nap , but fat chance the kids will be home in 1 1/2 hours.

This is a full day.
Yummy (we all love them) Rice and bean supper and thank goodness I made the beans yesterday:)
All I have need of God has provided.

Childrens Rehab clinic

We have a long drive in the morning.
Our appointment is at 8:05 am
I have to arrive 45 minutes early for the financial review.
The appointment is with the ENT that did Dash's surgeries when he was little.
He is a real nice guy. We had hired him way back then private sector.
Now he is one of the providers who donate their time to the clinic one day a month.
We will be his first appointment.
Trust me when I tell ya the heater will be on in the car.
Dash may get a hearing test, and a vision test tomorrow also.
He may also be fitted for new ear molds for his hearing aides.
Then they will calibrate the aides ad discuss any hearing loss or vision loss.
He may not have loss on either, that's my hope.
Or better yet if he got hearing gain that would be cool, a miracle but really cool!
Maybe we will see Santa at the Hospital.
Sometimes he is there, and gives the kids a donated gift each.
There are so many kids so much worse off than mine.
I spend a lot of time with other Mothers.
Many of them young and scared.
I guess the scare has passed me now for the most part.
Dash is in Gods hand. It is the sad, that grips me.
I always feel better after this weight (visit) is over.
We get the news he is alright and we go on until the next screening.
I trust we will re qualify for benefits.
finished 10pm $14,600. Medical expense ytd out of pocket
and I saw on the form that we do not have to re qualify until 1-25-09
That means we can not do any overtime for two pay periods due to the way they calculate it.
I remembered that the girl did us the kindness of setting it up that way.
That part is sorta stressful.
It is very humbling.
Strangers in your business...ya know...
Dash knows something is up ...when we are there he looks around and sees all the other kids.
I hope I never have to explain it to him...the Ushers.

Daddy May will have to tend Dove to the bus stop.

I have the fourth graders at 10 am if I make it back and have enough of me left to give them.
I may not serve them for I will be chaperoning that class on Thursday for a field trip.
Friday is the class party the teacher requested my help with.
A simple yet beloved , rice and homemade re fried beans for supper to finish off the day.
My MOMS IN TOUCH group will not be meeting.
Oh a busy next few days ahead.

Try This Tuesday

See how nicely Dove set the table. I just had to ask her and she did so. They so look forward to our supper time together.

Well now ya all gunna think I just went daffy until you hear me out

Two weeks ago While sitting round the supper table, I began to tell the family of this horrid idea I had heard one of the young moms share at Bible study. I had not introduced as such , but was just begining to express it.
So I began to tell them about this idea for the supper table.
You park a little pig on the table and at supper time he takes turns visiting the person who does a manners error. That person is then the only one allowed to pass the piggy on to the next guy.
They Loved it!
I was so startled.
Now every night for two weeks they eagerly set the table in anticipation of passing on the piggy and winning the game.
Now if supper is over ...
if you got the piggy you clear the table!
Wow you should see them put the supper down.
They finish a bite before speaking too!

Now my sensibilities were offended at the idea of this game.
My family showed me how fun it is.
We count unkindness as a error so noone is able to make fun of anyone else or they get passed the piggy.
Funny thing is .
Sorry MILove...Daddy Man is the main offender of talking with food in his mouth and has had to clear the table more than not.
He too ....will not allow me to clear it he said..."She made supper she should not have to clear the table, we owe her that much"

This is my little piggy, he is almost 25 plus? years old.
I have had him all his little life.

Foot note he is delicate
So the kids even take care now to handle him very gently.
Great for the fine motor control issues both of my kids manage.

Join us at 5 minutes for special needs kids

From Denise

May I also pass them along freely
Merry CHRISTmas to all of you.

Tackle It Tuesday

updated

Hi, Good Morning.

I hope your warm and enjoying a good cup of coffee.
I am, this morning, now ...the quiet hour.
The kids are off and the washer/dryer/dishwasher are all loaded.
Lunches done, dogs fed, kids fed, chickens feed, tomatoes watered, and it is now just 8:30!
This is my time now to rest a moment.
Dash had a real melt down this morning because one of his hearing aids was faltering.
After the second battery change and a cleaning out of the battery chamber it was a success when he realized that it was just not all the way in.
He really came apart over it, there was no consoling him.
It sorta wore me out.
It makes it so difficult to even problem solve it.

Now my time to stop a moment and have some toast and coffee.

It is rainy here and cold, for here any way:)
Well emails to return await me.

I will be doing Art Masterpiece in the spring.
That is a service to present art to the school age children.
It is a presentation of the masters and such.
I will be doing 3 classed perhaps a fourth.
So I need to study my lesson presentations, on four works of arts.

Wow what a challenging time for us right now.
I hope life is smother for you.
Beloved and I just did the itemized Medical for the year...
We stayed up until 11:00p.m.
I have to present it to the Children's Rehab Services down at the St Luke's clinic.
This is to qualify for Dash's benefits at $0 out of pocket.
This covers his hearing aids, molds and the medical related to the possible Ushers Syndrome issues and the hypothyroid stuff.
I think we will qualify just fine. man what a trip!
That will be on 10 hour days not even at the 40 hour work weeks.
Girls we were $14,600 our out of pocket medical,
and we are not even finished yet with itemizing all of it.
Everything but $1200. paid!
God provides.
Now we know were it all went. :)

I felt so bad for so long thinking I must not be doing a good enough job. Ha!

So that job needs to be finished by finding the rest of the receipts and then going through all the check duplicates for any missing expenditures.
I need to do that today.
I found another $1000 apx.
Still have to enter it after the kids go to bed.

Beloved My Friend has asked me to gift his fellows with some of my homemade Re fried beans
(I know I could soak and such) I use the blender. I will send them in the crock pot.
This will be to serve 40.
done

Loads of laundry to swap and fold .
Not done

Beans and Peas to pick out in the garden.
Today's harvest

Chicken supper with home grown green beans :) to make

Is that the cutest little thing you ever saw. It is a cantaloupe.
The only one I got to eat. It ripened.
The others were given to the chickens .
Nothing goes to waste.
Angle is white, Taren is light gray and Pearly is the deep gray (I like Tahitian Pearls)

Oh boy! did they enjoy it!

That is (Mabel) "May Bell" at top, Ruby to the left, and Prissy to the right.

I might harvest the limb on my side of the yard.
It is not my tree,
but it is in my yard...and the neighbors once told us they do not mind.
Looks like it would make some yummy orange juice.

I want to get something under this tree for the kids.
Done
They are a bit discouraged.
So I had a thought to wrap a box within a box several times,
so they have a lot of unwrapping to do.
This way it will add some excitement.
They will each get two gifts this year.
How grateful I am to give them this simple Christmas.
For so many years the abundance has overwhelmed them.
I think also that I will pull toys out of the boxes stored in the garage and place those around the tree. I will re-gift them:)
The toys were packed from when we were going to sell the house earlier this year.
It will be fun to see them again.
Ya, I am a little sad not to give them more ,
but they have been given so much and they are not without.
Daddy Man and I have a fun family activity to do with them over the winter break that is part of the big gift we will do all together. It will be creative. Cant tell yet.
The kids know now how to read my blog. Daddy man gave them a direct link to my blog.

Well I better go swap loads.

It would be good to get my seeds into the earth,
but it might be a bit too wet and cold to do so today.


It was very nice out in the garden.
Look at that sky.
I did the dung duty duty in the yard so I could stand being out in my garden. Beloved has had few hours left to attend to it.
Overtime is for both of us.
I pull up what he has to let go of.
That way the family can come first when he is home.
It was so pretty.
The chickens talked to me all the while.
I kept an eye out for a hawk but say no one there.
They all had their eggs around the same time, funny thing.


I'd like to also get the house a little more festive for the joy of it.
Not done

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~