Wordless Wednesday

A Plush Monsoon Lawn In the Desert.

For more wordless Wednesday go here

Tackle It Tuesday!

Post Script (9:30 p.m.) I got to this point. The basket to the right is Lego and Dash stuff. The drawers are for Doves room. The basket on the drawers are for Dove and need to be incorporated into the drawers.

The stuffed critters will go up in a flash tomorrow Daddy Man put the huge corner net I made up. I also saw a wonderful Idea on another TIT post and will get a couple of behind the door shoe storage hangers for each kids room.



5 minutes for Mom is hosting this.
It is good incentive for tedious tasks :)
After separating the kids July 29th! (see post) and turning a playroom for two into a bedroom for one.
I was left with this task!


Sorting toys... Choosing who get what and what will go where. I have filled a trash can twice. and a give away bag a little. I am now sorting tiny items. Note all the empty drawers! I heard of two recalls as well. One on trains another on Polly Pocket. Both of which I (they) have several of.


Dove can NEVER get enough stuffed critters, I need Daddy Man to put up the triangle I made for her for holding her soft toys.

This is a lot of larger things and some miscellaneous tiny stuff.

Here , a lot of legos and cars, inch by inch.

Note the empty drawers!!!!!!!!!!!! Exasperation... (hummed to the tune of anticipation)

Dash has a counter of Lego's to clear off before he can have any other toys. The cupboards are empty. The drawer stack is mostly empty too. I took everything away from both rooms and will only allow what they take care of back in.

Dove loves to "rat hole" She collects little scenarios and then pirates them into obscure corners.

I spent the last few weeks cleaning the rooms (along with the food purchase and meat orders for the next three months) , and going through Doves clothing. All clothing to small for her is now gone. I still need to do this for dash. I really want the dining room nice so I'll do toys first. This will be ongoing late into my evening.

I have cucumbers!

Post script at the end of the day.
Just after the excitement of showing the kids the Cucumber and all of celebrating and looking to see it there were any more, We all went to go into the house .Beloved and I lingered, holding hands and cajoling. When Bamm! we went back to the side yard and found the Lodge poles had fallen down! NOT ON THE KIDS OR US! Just moments before if it would have fallen we would have been injure. Beloved assured me he would take the time to drill the poles and put them up more securely. I guess this season is done and the cucumbers will be more easy to access. I am so glad that we have such a band of angles watching over all of us.

We had a smiling plate of Zatervan's with kielbasa and fresh tri-colored peppers and green onion a' dente' Fro supper. With our happy little cucumber.
End Post script.
Good night.



In honor of health and in celebration of Gods bounty "Organic Home Grown Baby Cucumber, Raw Walnut, Organic Plum Salad with organic romaine, tomato and turkey slivers.

I found this little fellow today! The other was smaller that I had in the salad. Today the children will pick it and have cucumber with super! I am so excited!

I still have a few small sunflowers.

This is what is left of one of the giants.
He is totally bent over yet gleefully enjoyed by the birds.

Mr. Willy likes to eat the leaves. I love this photo.


This is the sunflower house, late summer now.
All the green is cucumber. The corn is spent as are the sunflower stalks.
What a surprise! I went out to hang my bird feeder that beloved fixed for me and look what I found!

Standing Amazed!

Good Morning!
After a wonderful morning here where Dove cared for her room, dressed and groomed herself, without even being asked. Dash redressed without complaint... we were off.

I am stunned amazed and bewildered!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On the way to school this morning I asked Dash if he was alright with meeting his class at the playground cone with his class number on it. Thinking it would make it easier for him not to have to ask for me to come with him. He said "Ya I'm alright"...
"would you like me to come" I asked ...
"no" he said.
Dove chimes in " I 'll help him Mom"...
"no thanks" says he "I can do it "
I Said "wow that must feel great to be so courageous and just walk into it Dash Good for YOU."
Dove you keep an eye, Dash if you need her she will help , Dove don't help unless he asks you too" I direct them
"O.K."... say they

At the curb I drop them off. I did not even need to get out of the car.
"I love you" Have a great day"
"See ya " "Bye Mom"
SO Easy!

Oh , and by the way!!! Remember Dash and his new friend praying for rain yesterday?... Well he had one big old storm about 2 a.m. last night Dash curled up in bed with me for 30 minutes or so for comfort. I don't normally let the children sleep with us. This time I knew he could use a little cuddle for nurture sake. He got up easily and went back into his own bed and I kissed him good night. He awoke happy.
The gutters puddled from the storm.
"So you prayed for rain Son"...
"Wow mom it only rained here?" said he
Out of the whole state Son... you prayed. I bet you cant wait to tell your friend? "You sure have a lot of faith to have that happen.".. I said
"Ya Mom, I do.." Said he.

The prayers of a righteous man avail much.
Thank you all for you goodness and kindness. Off to do chores. Enjoy the beauty within your heart. Celebrate the day!

I have it thought through. I recieved this this weekend now to pass it on

Nice Matters Award

Well How sweet is this. Talk To Grams Just gave me this thoughtful award. What a nice big hug Dear Lady.
I have some thinking to do.


More information on this award:

"This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you've been awarded please pass it on to others who you feel are deserving of this award."

I pass this award on to???? to be concluded... I wanted to keep it fresh. There are so many who could receive this. Wanting to pass the admiration around ... These are a few nice folks I have found out there.

Beaded Creations This Dear Woman beads wonderful creations and helps other women in the process. Jewelers and Bead Workers are often secretive about the skills the posses. Here is a woman with such skill and creations of such beauty I find myself inspired. She shares her knowledge. Apparently she and her circle support battered womens shelters with their gifts of love. I think that is so nice. I understand the hours of work we are looking at.
JD'S Days Here I have found a woman who has given all she is able to be a Mid-Wife and help the lives of mothers and children in the experience of pregnancy and birth. I find that is so nice. How many who walk alone the road and yet this Dear Lady wants so much to be there for others she is making a career of it. I find that "nice."
Fruit in Season Marriage is her mission, How loving is that! Not only are the love lives improved and encouraged, but this has an effect that goes into generations. Love that is whole is the nicest environment for a child to grow in.
Kate's Anthology of Suberban Minutiae This sweet woman has be very nice to me. Even in her trials and "blisters" she remains "nice" looking to the joy of the adventure and not losing the joy in the battle. She and her Mate are raising a loving family. They in turn will effect the future. That makes a world that is a "nicer" place to be. Living vicariously I have hiked 'almost' to the summit. What a beautiful strength she has. It has been "nice" to get to know her. She also has a good humor. I enjoy those belly laughs.

Welcome Home Lemon Aide and Lemon Pudding (soy) Cake

Well that says all !
Dove met two new friends and is awaiting the little girl she saw last night after a long summers absence. Dash Hawk was on wing upon meeting me at the door. He had a good day! Thank you for all your prayers everyone. He met three new friends( shared the names) and even prayed for it to rain with one of them ( may it rain tonight). He tells me my cake was fantastic! The thirsty little souls drank up the homemade lemon aide! Ice crashing into the bottom of the large plastic cups!
Yes that is a BIG SMILE on their faces and tomorrow is a new day that they are both looking forward to .
I am grateful for the day. Much to tend too.
Enjoy life!

First day of school..

My gift tonight at supper from Dash... Too perfect!

First Day of a New School Year. Little Dove is so Happy to go to school She was so grown up at the table this morning as I read over all the school rules. Dash Hawk had his heals set in ,Little by little his attitude digressed. He is ANGRY about going to school! I think it is more likely separation anxiety for him it is more displayed through anger. The old fight /flight he is a fighter. From 10 months on. It was his way of survival in the orphanage and it continues to this day. I did all I could to not let it push my buttons. Man he can make it hare. He has to leave me on a bad note for it to be alright. I wish he ere able not to have to do that when he is afraid. I really care so much for his day. I want him to be approachable. He is very stressed about speaking and having hearing aides. I did my best to be supportive and encouraging. Just breaks my heart...

Dove had lost her patience with Dash and stomped his poor little foot telling him to stop giving me (Mom) a hard time. Just 5 minutes before we were out the door. Then I had two upset kids. I managed to calm them and correct Dove, I thanked her for defending me, but told her that is not an appropriate way to handle it.


Dove had the same teacher she had in the spring. Easy transition. This after 10 years of it not being so. What a difference this year. She is looking forward to school. With a teacher like this woman who wouldn't be? She is awesome!

Unzipping his bag to remove his lunch box.

Dans teacher seams like a sweet heart. She has a good handle on her room. She does not come off as stressed out or anything. I told her we will need to speak. She asked to have a week so as to get to know him better first. He put his lunch in the lunch bin and she was pleased to see he had a water bottle. It looked like he and only one other had one. The teacher was appreciative of it and thanked me.

He was not happy. He turned to grab me and I walked over toward his desk and made comment on all the pictures the kids were doing. He came toward me and we embraced he began argument... then paused and walked toward his desk out of curiosity. I snapped a quick photo and just kept my eye to the teacher and back to him. I walked out and their was no child fit. I walked down the side walk and out to my car.

Any mothers heart becomes instant in intercession when her child be out of her charge. I will spend a lot of my day doing just that. My children are a gift from God and I know that they are within his hands of love and care. I will rest my cares upon HIM, I have set my love upon HIM and so as in psalm 91, He will keep me and mine.

The picture above was what he colored at the begining of his day.

Post script from a reflective Mom;
My boy was afraid, I wish I could have known better how to comfort him. He just pushes away and says angry things. Itried to acknowledge his anger and I over looked his fear. It was a great diversion tactic. I need to be more savvy! Thanks for the feed back via comments and email folks. It takes a village of reflections for a child to be fully seen.
Post ...Post Script... See the wonder of a new year! On the post to follow it was so amazing how great things are going! Thank you for all your well wishes.

Honor Your Husband day #26,27,28,29

Life is a blur...
We have a saying here in our home... "Let kindness be the rule of your heart."
Being nice is an important part of friendship, marriage and parenting.
My beloved is very nice. Today I overheard him wrapping a birthday gift for a party I was taking the children too ( he was actually teaching Dove how to wrap it). He knew I was posting on the dog bath ( it was he who suggested the light spark on the last picture, cute idea) and IT ( I ) MATTERED TO HIM. I think seeing what matters to each other and making it matter too, is a very big part of his nicety toward me. That is a big part of who he is and who I am too. When we are able to make the importance of each other paramount, we are nicer to each other. It is when one of us feels neglected that nice can slip. Being post menopausal surgically, I have not been nice all the time (I know no one ever is... ), but beloved does his best, even when I may not be due to a migraine or daily issues that cause major stress. He tries to be nice about setting strong loving boundaries with me. It is hard to be nice sometimes but I watch him struggle through and succeed in overcoming big obstacle's.
Every day his kindness sets a pace as the head of our home. He is not a perfect man. He is a living man, full of character and at times he is a real character with a humor that sets a light hearted tone.
Soon I shall pack picnic lunches and eat with him in a park that is near his work. It has been a full summer of swift glimpse, loving words on the fly, business meetings over family budgets, and medical stuff for the kids, brief hugs interrupted by chattering children. We visit; but far too often over the issues of parenting and the kids interventions. Business meetings are not the only thing we long to discuss. We shall speak soon of thoughts ideas and dreams, Books he is listening too on CD, walks I will be taking. We do some now, but soon we can just sit together even if it is just in the stillness. We do not leave our kids in childcare and we do not have extended family for them. So with a very few exceptions we parent 24/7. I look forward to our afternoon lunch dates. They are one of the best parts of the school year.

Canine ( Dog ) Wash Day.

Tools of the Trade

The Shampoo and Cream Rinse are acquired via Ryan's Pet Supplies. Mail Order or internet. I spend $25. Per gallon now that will last me well over a year. It is mixed 16parts water/1 part product. These are professional groomers supply's used by breeders. I can easily spend $30. Per visit to a Pet Co. for one dog. I Had to do this during recovery from my knee surgery. The animal was not groomed the way I would of preferred and she was traumatized, exposed to kennel cough.
From left to right
borax used in the laundering of all those towels
Natures Miracle=a great product for any pet owner $ 25 a gal but well worth it it is an enzyme.
Econo Groom Shampoo 16/1 (16 parts water) it rinses clear leaving no residue on dogs skin a big problem for most grooming
Silk Cream Rinse a must!!!!!! I love this stuff mix 16/1 (16 parts water) I use plastic rubber made spout containers with a (NO GLASS). NOW EVEN IF YOU USE OTHER SHAMPOO MIX IT DOWN WITH WATER it will rinse out better.
A white drain guard Keeps hair out of plumbing. Soft grooming brush with handle strap for face and soft under belly of Lab, Black rubber mitt for Lab. Nail clipper (they both HATE THAT) Quick Stop for bleeders. brush for faces. Red slicker for shedding and water slicking. WONDERFUL rubber griped steel comb for Golden's tangles,retractable turquoise stiff brush for Golden's back, Large Steel Tooth for fetters on golden, Small steel tooth replaced now by the rubber handled one. Blue Rake for hind quarters of Golden.
2 large dogs and 1 1/2 hours later.

Here we go, This old girl is an adopted from a rescue group.



lay out towels on the floor and instinctively they rub dry


She wore herself out.

Willy is ever ready!

He instinctively stands up on the tub and the water follows gravity.

Now there you go! Pristine!

Jaye asked " 4 Things"

Four jobs I have had in my life.
1. Gas Station Attendant

2. Aide to Elderly Flood Victims
3. Bank Teller

4. Insurance Agent

Four movies I could watch over and over.
1. Forest Gump
2. Bagger Vance
3. Waking of Ned Devine
4. Indian in the Cupboard

Four places I have lived.
1. Utah

2. Caifornia

3. Arizona
4. Washington State

4 TV shows I watch.
1. Lost
2. ER

3. History Detectives
4. Antique Road show

Four places I have been.
1. Back East, Tenn., Wash. D.C., N. Carolina, Kentucky.
2. Russia, St. Petersburg, Penza and Moscow.

3. I have traveled Arizona extensively.

4. In the presence of God (my favorite place to be).

People who e-mail me regularly(Not work related).
1. Michelle G.

2. Trisha

3. Barb P.
4. Jaye

Four of my favorite foods.
1. Foods from scratch basic ingredients. (Dairy and Wheat free)

2. Asian Stir Fry's

3. Steak

4. Steamed Veggies

Four places I would like to be right now.
1. Mountains

2. My husbands arms.

3. Here where I am.

4. On holiday with my family playing and exploring.

Four friends I think will respond.
1. Jaye

2. Christine B.

3. Trishia

4. a Mystery Blogger :)

Things I am looking forward to this year.
1. Creating more order in my home.

2. Watching my children mature and become more independent (boo hoo).
3. A consistant walking schedule and weight loss.

4. Driving to do lunches with my husband and not being interrupted in our conversations. :)

Denise Update.

Shorty Bear is recovering, painfully. Her eye surgery went well. She has a follow up appointment today( she was readying herself as her hubby and I spoke.) at 2:30 her time. She has been given no pain medications! Whats with that! I called again and spoke with her her husband just now. He had called the Doctor as I requested and was told that pain was normal! Well give her something! OOOO I wish I were back there to fight for her! She is wanting to get back on line but cannot be at the computer. She is trying tho manage her blood levels due to the diabetes she has extra challenges. I am sure she longs for your love and prayers.
Visit her at the above link.

Good Morning world!

It now being 8:45 and I awake only 15 minutes now, I have officially slept in!
Knowing that this will be the last day to sleep in this summer it seems somehow fitting to do so. Sorta like when I was back in school.
I went out last night to celebrate a friends birthday. We had a nice time and we shopped. I got a really cool Large Stone Mortar and Pestle for $8.! A set of New in package White California King Sheets 350 thread count for $15! We walked and talked and listened till late in in night 11:30:)
I am so stirred over all the lives around me in the midst of battle. I stayed up late and just prayed and though about the mothers and children who were struggling, The remnant's of lives that remain after familiar suicides, folks suffering with health cares. I just was over whelmed with the issues so many are facing. I sorta just read and prayed and though. Families with children who are disabled and parents worn to the bone. Siblings who are needing and parents left with so little to give and nothing left for themselves. Oh the battles they all face.
Looking around me I always try to observe all that I can so as to gain understanding of the issues I desire a better knowledge about. Issues that I too one day may face in my own parenting. I think preventively. I found myself so aware of so many mistakes I am making in my parenting and I grieve and wish I would pull it up and do a better job of it now, praying and wishing that it is not too late. We raise our kids with the goal to have wonderful healthy independent adults capable of managing, on their own, in a wonderfully thriving life. Is that what I am accomplishing? I falter so. I must do better for them for their futures.