Thankful Thrusday *life*

join us at Grace Alone

This is the day that the Lord has made.

I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Perseverance...

it brings hope.

When hope is deferred the heart can become sick.

This day I walked and moped floors

I helped another mother who loves God.

Her son threatened my son with a shot gun and said he would blow out his brains.

I got the call form a dear friend whose son overheard the report and called me.

Dash had chosen a higher road.

Trying to avoid any further strife.

Trying to also understand I think a different way to keep himself safe.

When his teacher asked of it she began..."I know your mother has raised you to speak truth...give me a yes or no answer if this...happened"...in regards to the confirmed statement Dash said.

"I can't remember"

He did remember.

I lashed out at the principle that I did not hear this from him.

I later apologized and owned that momma bear reaction.

Tonight Dash had his play.

I saw both children s mothers.

There was no strife.

That boys mom came to me to apologize, and to my friend.

Explaining her sons poor behavior and lack of skill at dealing with his frustrations that lead to such drastic words.

There was peace.

With His teacher there is peace and a better understanding of things.

With the principle there is peace.

With my friend I trust there is peace.

On another note.

We got a citation in the mail from the city.

We have to remove our trailer from our driveway for it is a city code violation

We were not aware of the violation and the letter dated 11-10 was giving us until the 11-17 date to comply.

Note this is over due 

I just opened the letter today.

Today

the first day I could walk and work and tend to the tasks.

The driveway swept clear the garage cleared and Steve came home early to back it in.

He has lost the shop we were setting up for him in large part.

There is peace.

It was troubling him to see it in the drive and even though it caused a loss of work time and a possible fine to come...there is peace.

The front is so pretty all swept.

The trailer is in the garage within inches of fit for the tools have been moved.

My son was in his play.

The kitchen is mopped

Dishes caught up with an empty dishwasher

The paper work is in better stead with a 8 inch stack to be filed of work accomplished.

Chickens watered.

I am back.

Speaking of back it really hurts but the joy of all of the peace and accomplishment is a prize worth the cost.

My daughter is at peace asleep

My husband at peace.

Saddened by the layoffs of 4 men this week in his department alone.

Yet

there is peace.

I have a wonderful Thanksgiving at his folks...the stress of the day is gone and there is peace.

It has become doable.

Then a call came in from a niece my brother's child

We have a second Thanksgiving we have been welcomed into.

There is peace.

Thanksgiving was this year a real challenge to wrap my brain around knowing physically I would be really pushing it.

The trial that I was to testify in was postponed until 12-17

I was able to take care of our home and the trailer, garage, meal, play, mop and do a lot of paperwork.

My son will no longer have over his head that he could have Ushers Syndrome.

I now longer have to fear that he may go deaf or blind.

I have carried this for 8 years.

there is peace, shock a bit yet it is still sinking in.

my son will not go deaf or blind with ushers

God has actually done the impossible in mans eyes.

His hearing has all but been restored.

Without the finacial coverage I was stressed for his medical care.

There is now peace.

There is peace.

All those threats that come upon us are set to rob that peace.

a thousand may fall at my right hand and ten thousand at my right hand

and it shall not come nigh

for I have made my God even the most high my dwelling place

He has covered me with His wing

He has set His angles charge over me

Over mine

I have set my ove upon him and I am so amazed at how very much He enjoys my love.

He enjoys me

loving Him.

my daughter is sleeping

my husband has peace

my son does not have to ware hearing aides unless he wants to

my chickens give 3 eggs a day (Dash eats 3 eggs a day)

The garden is thriving

My children are thriving.

 I can walk again and continue to improve in that ability.

My dentist deferred payment until 1-5-10

The dogs are peaceful and happy

The front door is secure

We have all our needs met.

no illness under my roof

NO I WILL NOT KNOCK ON WOOD

I will declare with praise what GOD HAS DONE

No weapon formed against me.

I have endured for the night

now it is morning

morning joy has come to me wrapped in her garment of peace

Good news Dash's hearing has improved!

In an amazing turn of events...

We went to ASU to take part in a study that is underway for children with hearing aides to better filter the back ground noise.

The woman was awesome. Dash earned $30 to participate in a 2 hour length of tests.

he is now an official employee for a two hour day :)

the news

She performed a hearing test....

DASH's hearing has improved and even though he does have hearing loss he no loner really needs hearing aides!!!!!!!!

They may use a type of head phone if needed.

HE DOES NOT NEED HEARING AIDES ANYMORE! unless he chooses to use them.

This is so uncommon, only normally in cases where the hearing is long term rising and falling into deafness. She does not see that in this pattern.

It is actually improved.

God is even healing my boys hearing loss.

I was so stunned at the university.

We have lost all benefits from the children s clinic due to the federal funding but now...he will not even need it anyway. I still need to test yearly. At this time he does not need hearing aids. He is hearing fine. He has marked loss in a high rang as if he was exposed to a load noise she said. But the other ranges have come to within a normal mark. I am amazed.

hope came

Word Filled Wednesday

My Thankful heart

Grandparents day

That's Dash I am holding first sight with the sweater on.

 This is first sight of Dove, I had a different sweater on.

The kids had a blast with their grandparents today.

MILove sent this image.

They are so beautiful!

Tackle it Tuesday

Good Morning

I awoke with a bad head ache only to realize that I have forgotten to take my medications for two days.

The weekly lunch drinks are made.

This is Steve's favorite.

This is a real money saver.

I use the O>J> jugs, this is not only a good brand not from concentrate orange juice is best, but the jugs are really nice to reuse.

When you buy beverages that have been made commercially from consentrate you never really know what you buy.

The tankers that hold the liquides often are not cleaned well and contaminants enter your food sorce.

You pay for water, and that water can also be a bit questionable.

Perinoid not the reports of apple juice tankers being same tankers that supply toxic liquides were a big story in the day.

Kids were poisoned. It was all hushed after the big scandle.

This was in the late 80's early 90's. Although one would hope regulations improve...well it is just a good idea not to use concentrated liquids from the commercial sector if possible.

Get the powder mix and recycle the containers.

it is around .25 a drink and not the $1.20

My big tackle is a 90 minute dentist apointment where I have to have extensive build up and the prep work done for a crown on a back molar.

That my big job for the day.

I consider myself very fortunate to get to save the tooth.

Every tooth in a mans head is a jewel.

The children have Grandparents day at the Elementary school.

The folks will take them to Mc Donald's for Lunch today.

A hot shower and a good rest.

The garden will need a drink too.

The chickens and Dogs need feed.

It was only 38 degrees here this morning

That is VERY cold for a desert dweller.

Dove wore the very sweater that I had on the first time I held her in the orphanage in Russia today.

What a full circle of time.

She will get new bands on her braces at the end of the day.

Meal Plan Menu

 Good Morning

The week is off to a start.

In a few hours ramping up to full speed ahead!

so with this pot of tea Mr Earl Grey and I will do the morning post fore all those tasks begin.

It is good to start a day this way.

My menu reflects the schedule of this full week.

I will set to all the tasks I can attend this mornig.

budget entry for balance tonight

Laundry garden water and car

kitchen and dishes

enchiladas for supper tonight

perhaps some menu work for the Thanksgiving meal.

My MILove has welcomed us to her home. We will have a sweet simple celebration of thanks.

Steve and I have prayed and we were trying to figure out how I could pull it off this year.

I have to testify at a trial that I was a witness on Thursday and do not know how long it will be that I have to do so . I am the main witness.

Every day this week is a full schedule with the exception of Friday unless the trial is still going.

We were praying what to do if we were to budget going out to supper with the grandparents and his brother or if I might be able to get a magazine to lead me brain dead through a do ahead meal preparation.

We received the very kind very generous offer to sup at their table with some reservation for this is a lot for my MILove to do even if I help a lot.

We are at grand-parenting age ourselves.

This is for many that time to slow down.

HA!

Slow down....?

I have often told folks we had our retirement first.

Steve told me that it is so strange ...going to work is the easiest part of his day it is like going to rest. Being home is where all the work is.

I so empathize, but he has been pulling a lot of my load while I get through the knee stuff.

The EMDR therapy for the PTSD will begin again today. OH!

Good thing that I can do all things through...

This is a collage assignment to have images that calm and sooth me while we bring up and address the memories that will then have the EDMR technique applied. The images are to support me if the memories are too much.

So boy howdy!

What I understand is that this is some kick ya in the pants hard type of process .

Hard but VERY freeing.

So I pay the effort to gain the greater good.

A little sadness fills me to think of the hard work I have ahead of me here.

I love my collage however and the images do bring me joy.

 I look to the hill from whence comes my peace.

So Dove and Dash set the "grandchildren" up for a day of school in their absence.

Tree frog is teaching and when one of the "kids" complained of the lesson "teachers" retort was

:)

"Don't argue with me I don't make the rules I just have to enforce them"

I was walking by the room at that and laughed a good hardy out loud laugh.

Hit me so funny.

I was told that if I have to "dismiss" class to work on the room...to please keep all the students together.

I love my kids they are so sweet.

 

I explained to Dash over the weekend a little bit about his sister.

I asked him if he ever sorta felt more like her big brother sometimes.

He does often.

So I carefully explained that his sister like everyone has special needs that make then able to do things. Strengths and weaknesses.

We all defer to the weaker among us out of kindness and compassion.

I told him of how when a kid is like 5 or 6 the learn to tell the difference between pretend and real.

Then I told him Dove did not grow there.

His eyes got big and soft.

"mom will she ever grow up there?"

"I do not know, but she might not."

O.K. I going to cry here telling you this.

Every sense that day my son has been gentle and kind, much much more patient with her.

He is more playful with her, and is less annoyed by her antics.

My son is amazing!

He welcomed her into his bedroom to share the space so she will feel more safe at night.

He let go of his private room to help his sister. He knows that this is not required of him nor expected.

This he has done of his own ambition and expressed his free will and willingness and understands that it is his offer. We DID NOT  ask it of him.

Last night Dove asked to watch "my big fat Greek wedding"

She came to me at bed time...

mom I will not feel scared, that movie makes me think of my wedding day and feel happy.

I'll sleep good tonight"

She slept through the night and they both awoke at 5 a.m.

A security screen door

 before my lovely front door with my favored black wrought iron scroll work I so love.

When I was in JR high school I actually worked in the welding shop.

Something new you may not of known.

I was the only girl in metal shop.

 

Steve set to task and we enjoyed working together.

 

 Day's end here

This day began with a mission to find a door that we could feel not only safe with but that would complement the house on our budget.

I searched on Craig s list and then on line at Lowell.

On line I saw this door and really loved it.

I called a local store who told me that no longer stock this door.

However they have two of them in stock in the clearance section.

Then Jason the salesman had me wait to go and check the door to see if they might have one in good shape, He did!

A door installed would begin around $800 not including hardware of the knobs or dead bolts.

On clearance they were just recently reduced again down to $201.!

With the dead bolt and door knob, and the other supplies out the door around $260? ish.

 

We have to order a new threshold riser if we choose too.

Is that an amazing match!

I am so happy with it.

I have wanted this for years. Now I have more control over those annoying people who try so hard to get a hand in our pockets. It is so nice I could even leave the door open for fresh air now.

We placed the handle away from the window glass.

Now we have a secure front door.

Thanks be to God for such a perfect provision.

Hope you all had a greet week end.

I spent the night teaching Dove to comfort herself and to renew her mind by singing old 1800's hymns.

I told her when I could not sleep through all those hard years when I had a hard time with things in my mind this is how I would get to the other side so I could sleep.

YES she slept until at least 2 a.m. or so and then I slept beside her until morning.

Inch by inch. I conditioned her hair tonight and let her pretend to shave her legs with me.

I love having a daughter.

spiritual Sunday

On escort home as forgotten in the blue jeans pocket was the debit card.

Come to the corner to turn on my street he escorted me on to home Keeping my eye to the sky he pleased me. So strange a sight in our neighborhood. He has come visited on the neighbors crested of roof.

Reminding me eyes up to the beauty all around.

A good talk with a friend.

Mr Thrasher came to the garden to talk.

Speaking his chatter chatter click click and I expressed my reply.

Said he to me a twardel and a melodic tweet.

I replied in kind.

We knew not the thoughts of one another,

understood not the language yet we found a way to say

What we needed to say as we greeted one another.

Nothing is really what it seams.
For all around us are those ambassadors of peace and pleasure.
Calling up our eyes .
The beauty all around.
HIS presence can be found .

Free to be me Florida Christian Bloggers Retreat Part 5 time to go home

The last of the trip was a walk into my own home.

It was that morning I relized painfully that....

I did not want to come home.

Embraced in the arms of two very kind and loving women, nurtured in their prayers over me I had a real good cry. I knew what coming home would mean.

Three long weeks of weekly knee injections.

Dealing with the IEP for Dove, and with her special needs.

Those continuous sleepless nights holding her so she could rest. Those hours wonderful in intimacy as she opened her heart left both of us less than full functional in the morning.

Knowing that I would have to face those fears of getting her back into psychiatric care.

All that was required of me to tend husband, family and home.

When I told Steve later of that morning I was stunned as his reply..."I sure don't blame you for feeling that way"...

The chestnut trees left little balls of provision all over the ground.

Harder than a pecan to crack but just as tasty

 

 

As I sat in the morning sun I saw a great winged bird gliding my way on the breeze and ask him to come to me that I might see him and he turned away as I heard within my heart it is now time to wing my own way home.

I sat with the sun in my face.

Knowing that I would be made able to face all those things ahead of me.

That the strength to do so would be given me as I needed it.

Perhaps not before.

It was enough to draw my heart back to them, back to the differences in parenting methods, the moral issues that I laid down to submit my will under the authority of my husband.

The therapy tasks ahead with the EDMR and all of the other issues we left to trust.

I pulled up my inner boots and set my heart to home and left all of the luxury of sleep and sisterly care behind.

A wonderful drive was had as the four of us went to the Tallahassee airport.

Angie (Sweet Pea) drove, as my Dear Joanne (Turtle Dove ) humored us with the Zebra Butt . Lynn sat ap front and we all just really enjoyed those last few minutes with our beloved Angie.

Once to the airport the migraine began to set in only moments before security.

Well talk about security.

4 times and the alarm just kept going off on me!

It was discovered to be my head band!

Then the girls behind me...all of my luggage was searched.

Unpacked and rifeled through.

It was my bible that drove them buggy.

I had someone laugh later saying someone needed to be reading their bible that day

:)

Lynn stepped up like a mother to me and just led me through the process of getting put all back together.

It was tough for the migraine that we were all aware was beginning to set against me was not improved by being searched!

Joanne and Lynn took such good care of me to get all put back together and to get me to some beverage. They even reminded me to stop at a keyosk for some Tylenol I was so flustered.

So we sat gate side and enjoyed one another. Lynn (cloud walker walks softly) was before me hearing of how My visit to the last days of my mothers life gave way to forgive her...just then over the intercom in the background played Mommas song..."she'll be coming around the mountain when she comes." As I boarded the craft I once again took advantage of the opportunity for the wheel chair to help me when I landed.

Upon boarding I was asked by the person who sat nest to me if I would trade seats seats with another. You know there was an opening just above that other seat for my case and the girl beside me was so kind as to go get my little bag of stuff for me. I was sore embarrassed for I thought she was with the other two and spoke to her as if she were. I could not apologize or say anything for it would of just made it worse. I just did my best to pray for the situation and gain some humility and care of lesson for future reference.

So after the awkward flight she even lifted down my bags for me. The announcement came that all who had need of wheelchair to deboard last. So I sat until the plain was empty.

We had the most authoritative caring through stewardess  during the flight . This woman really cared about us every one and would have no part of blowing off the safety instructions. To the point of confronting a person with a cell phone. My thought was who this lady really cares about our lives .

Well I told her so. How I felt about the way she did her job.

She had tears in her eyes and said WE don't hear that angle on it very often.

I had to relieve myself so bad that I thought I would pop!

The wheel chair was not noted on the stewardess papers.

So I waited and while I did relieved myself in that empty planes restroom and as I was finishing up the tank was opened to be emptied and I flew with my pants up out the door in a start. Sorta funny really. I waited and eternity and the plain was already behind schedule. They confirmed that they would get me on the next flight if I missed it.

The pilot wanted to have the lift take me off and I told him that i Could make it down the steep steps It would just be a bit painful but I could do it.

He would hear no part of it.

Eventually however that is just what I did. I was right it hurt but then there was a tram to take me to the terminal through the tarmac it was so cool.

 

 

She was so sweet and just would hear no part of me trying to go it without the chair.

In Atlanta the airport is larger than any other in the US

 

Check it out this is the cock pit.

What a cool adventure.

I just kept thinking of looking at the trip as an adventure.

  

That it was .

I drove through the tarmac.

Jet engines blowing against the tarp.

 

We wheeled around the baggage trolley's.

 

My case on the back.

 

My driver to the left stopped for an elder and grown son, and a child traveling alone.

The child sat beside me.

I encouraged her and reminded her to stay with an employee at all times.

 

That is an active engine very loud!

Well we got into the terminal after driving all the length of around 6-10 gates and then into a place where we were met by a wheel chair and up an elevator.

We were together as a group.

A fellow came and pushed that chair with me in it in a real hurry all the way to the far end of that other terminal.

I gave that fellow a $20 tip for it and boy did he earn it. He got me to the transit a train under the terminal and we were at the gate as the plane was boarded a FULL flight.

I stood there against a wall waiting for the chair to come back from the longest tunnel I have ever gone down to get on a plane. By this time I was really really hurting. Without any of the synvisk left in my knee it was full on bone on bone a long weekend, flight and bumps to boot. It was a long 20 minute to sit in the chair facing backward.

Once on board the attendant was not help.

I was way back on the plane and amazingly one of the last to board there was right above my row a place just right for my suitcase. However I was so worn out and afraid to lift it over the mans head I hessitated. Then I told Him I was afraid and asked him if he would close his lap top.

He said to lift it and that he would push it up and help me.

We did it!

I had just enough of the drink left to get two pain pills in.

I was in the window seat. So the two men stepped out for me to get in.

 

The view was beautiful as we crossed the states.

It was a very nice flight.

A meal was purchased of a giro, it was so good!

I just slept and rested.

When we landed again it was asked for those who need assistance to wait.

You know that fellow on the row, actually asked me out before him.

I told him I had to await my chariot and smiled.

He lifted down the case!

I waited untill almost everyone was off and slowly got down that long isle off the plane.

A wheel chair fellow helped me to get through the terminal and into the embrace of my awaiting family.

It was sorta hard to walk so I took it slow to the car. If I had not of taken advantage of all the help I would not of been able to walk to the car. My kids would of been freaked out, but I just told them I was tired. We went on home.

The next day was school adn steve stayed home and took me for the first injection.

I could hardly get back to the car.

The nurse was not kind she did not get that I had been on a plane the day before.

Steve was kind.

Well now it is three weeks later.

Three injections in both knees

Two unexpected root canals

an IEP for dove

Appointments set to get her intervention

rearranged Dash's bedroom

Last night moved Doves bed into dashes room

h1n1 flu shots for the kids

a full week ahead including

a 80 minute dental appointment for the build up and crown

Dash has an ASU research appointment

Dove gets new bands

A trial to testify at on Thursday...

Thanksgiving only 10 days away?

I am home.

Dove slept for the first time through the night last night! 

Last night I slept 11 hours!

just this moment an officer is walking away from my door for I had to again call 911 for a very aggressive sales person would not leave and refused to to leave my door.

I am shaking!

boy that makes me mad!

Oh I am getting a security screen door!

A life in the day, or a day in the life of...

Yesterday a wonderfully strange day.
I went to the MD for the follow up and got a rx for the h1n1 shot if I can find one.
Went to the grocery adn got to the register without my Debit card, drove home and got it, went back and got the groceries. This the first time in three weeks to shop due to the knee shot thing.

When I was unloading the car I saw a neighbor and hollered over to her for tea. She said make it coffee and I will be there in 20 minutes. So I ran in and did a 30 second tidy . Unloaded the grocery bags that had the cold stuff in it. I left everything else out in the garage for Steve to carry in. My neighbor told me a a place I had never heard of in my neighborhood so we each drove over rand then we shopped this cute little discount decor store.

I stopped and got the paint for Dove's bedroom.

The kids came home, homework and then some efforts toward a response to an e-mail I received.
It was sorta intense so I dropped the ball a bit on getting ready for Dove's band concert. It was so cute to see her play her french horn.

Today I have quiet moment to rest a spell after a morning of tasks. Cupcakes, and the chicken coop done this morning.

 

 The tea that you left in the gift basket Angie is being enjoyed.

Today I had a visit with Earl Grey.

With some struggle the compost was moved over to the other side of the yard.

The hardest part was keeping the dogs out of the stuff.

I filled it up with the coop poop.

It will now be close to the garden and the water as well.

 

 

This end of the yard is being sceduled to get a redo as soon as my knees will let me.

With the compost out of there I might be able to get the rock given away and the beds fenced and planted. I look so forward to this mess getting cleaned up.

 

 Today's harvest.

 

 The spaghetti squash was awesome . I oven steamed it in a shallow water bath. Served it with cardamon and butter. The side was green beans and corn also from the garden we had a meatless dinner. IT WAS SO GOOD! everything on the plate from the garden.I was like a major milestone moment. I will harvest and save seed for next season. These have been washed and now are drying.

 

How sweet this week the kind notes recieved from Angie, oh dear heart your kindness was a warm embrace on a hard day. The timing was perfect. Lynn, I miss you too so much. It is a sweet gift to be with you in Florida.  Alisha your very welcome .

The cute thank you not from is Alisha.

Ill post some garden images over at the Bee bliss Blog.

Dash was invited by Arizona State University to take part in a hearing aide study.

I spoke with the research professor who is in charge. We spoke of all the federal funding gone now from the children s clinic and I told her we were now out of pocket. She said that they will do his hearing test for free. They will also try to include any need that Dash might have within the time limit of the 2 hour study. Dash will be paid $30, for it. They are testing a new type of hearing aide for kids that has a background noise neutralizer.

Now lets see what was that prayer...

"God , Please make a way for us to meet Dash's hearing needs, and make us a way to manage his hearing aides and ear molds."

Thank you Dear Sweet Lord for listening and caring enough to throw in a way for Dash to feel important about it too.

An apointment made now for Dove to go back to the Phyciatrist...set asap for JANUARY!

However we will be put on a cancellation list...watch and see :)

Her former Ocupational therapist will also contact us about getting that started up again.

Now lets see just how he is going to make a way for those co-pays :)

Well I am sorta tired...be blessed for I am going to go rest.

by the way Dove is bedding in our room now on a palate on the floor, she has slept 2 nights around a least 6-7 hours, rejoice with me. Steve and I each got around 5-6 hours each as we endured her snoring. She is still recovering the cold she is so sweet and thoughtful. What a kind kid.