Monday is a day as sweet as any other

With energy and drive the day gave way to a clean studio. 

At last!

Not yet perfect but getting closer to where I want it.

The room is becoming more purple/blue/green woods elements. 

Sorta late summer atmosphere.

 The boys tossed a football around Saturday while Dove was at a sleepover.

Found myself resting. The field trip last week left me ill with bronchitis. Thank God for a Rx for antibiotics in hand. Feeling better today.

 Fennel was harvested Saturday Evening. We three went for a walk and while speaking with a neighbor about things Dash was invited to go to the movie with the Father and their two sons. Boys I really like. Nice folks.

While the husband spoke of his wife's love of fennel I found the whole thing all too beautiful. "all she ever can get is dried out fennel." Fun for I was able to take care of that with FRESH, to the hour fennel.

Steve and I got a free pizza from a birthday coupon sent to me. We stopped over at a thrift store. It was the half off day. We found pewter candle sticks for 35 cents each x2 of them! A wall clock for $1 even a Jumangy game for $3! A cheep wonderfully just us for a few hours date. Took the free $5 for extra toppings and med to large and watched Open Range. An old western. Wonderful wide open country and mountain views. Dash got home late. He had never been out so late and was a wet noodle of a boy. We all slept in. Dove was gone until 3pm Sunday. Slept early and all night.

Well a day in the life of one very blessed woman who loves life. Even with all the challenges. :)
Twass a sweet Monday to be home to tasks.

Make your heart stop! sorta week

5/9 In the morning I had the privilege of working in Dash's class at the elementary for the first time all year. It was wonderful to hear the children calling my name and vising for the space to hug me. Really built up my heart.A painting demonstration in acrylics. My dear Rena, painted in an evening sky with stars. Wonderful deep issues of heart with children who opened up to be heard. Really awesome. While leaving a child approached me to carry my gear. It was perfect timing. I barley had the strength to do the rest of the afternoon.

5/10 loads of laundry and lots of cooking with prep time

5/11 Unexpected skate party for the school 6-8 p.m. Steve worked late so I took the kids. Had two/three extra that parents just dropped off... I could never imagine doing it. Talked to the mom who volunteered to keep an eye on our dog. Asked her about hearing that her daughter might have given Dove a boys email. Asked her if she knew of the boy. She was at a loss. She knew of NO kid who her daughter might of know. 

We went home Steve was there and he and I got right into the email. Read that for two days correspondence was going on. Thank God that Dove and I can talk. She showed me a picture of a boy in the morning. It sent up concern.

5/12 Pedophile scare to be explained needless to say it took a few years off my life.

We keep an eye on every email that comes into the kids and that goes out from them. Within two days of correspondence this all took place. We caught it the evening of the second day.

when I read an email 

"how dare you accuse me of doing that" sent from the friend. Outraged that I asked her mom/accused her of giving Dove the e-mail...(that was what Dove had told us) We panicked!

This is very involved.

To simplify all I can is to say this. 

A friend of Doves created a fake e-mail tricked her into responding to a pretend boy. She sent him her image! ( now daddy man hears me and disabled her Iphone from internet). This is the stuff kids kill themselves over. 

Dear Lord she even sent an image of herself! Yes we have trained her never to do so. That does not stop a kid from thinking that they know more than the parent.

Any way the last message was that "he saw her across the playground and was going to meet her the next day at 12:13 behind the cafeteria". We discovered it the night before. Read all the two days emails say that she had sent image. I was so ....angry to candy coat it!

Called the police (not knowing any of the above) several officers, investigators and child protection people got on board within minutes. All at 10:30 a.m. to catch this guy at noon. Steve researched it and the e-mail (server) was out of Arkansas. The last email from a cell phone! Panic!

The cops thought he even had discovered where we live.

They did a stake out on the school, when he did not show they came back here. We had Dove under the eye of all of the teachers and administrates at the elementary. With careful consideration and advice from the officers, I trusted that it was best not to bring her home. THAT WAS HARD!

All night I kept vigil, next morning the kids mother calls to say the kid came clean and told her what she had done. The posy was called off. The kid said she did it to teach Dove a lesson.

5/18 2:30 meeting...The school counselor is going to advise the counselor over at the Jr high of it. They need to do a real thing on cyber bulling. For that was really what it was.  She told me something I had not thought of. If the 'boy' that did not come was awaited on by Dove and then Dove humiliated by the whole school...this is what kids are killing themselves over. No Itouch internet! To easy for the immature to send images of them self. Thank GOD that the lesson was this simple. Dear God may this simple child of mine learn and understand how serious this was. We are not real sure she does. Scarey!

I was LIVID! I hate her being on line. Always have. This kid who did all this is more savvy than most adults and can manipulate the internet to her advantage. The smart ones learn it fast. Too much power for any kid.

The early teen years folks don't let them on line the developmental stage is just to tender to the matter of who likes who.
This woman has helped us so much with Dove over the last few years. She made sure Dove was set up for next year at the JR High.

5/13 Dealing with parents and police

Concerned for this family that they may be charged for all these man hours.

5/14 Steve changed all the hoses on the car. We went to a party in the evening, thus after having 6 kids in the house all morning. Two of them had slept over 

5/15 rested need I say more :)

5/16 Dash had his Arizona History play at 6 pm

5/17 My Dog had to go to the vet. He is alright.

5/18 With only one week left of school hear and Dash being unable to have 'mom' in his class all year I pulled up all I had to gift him with my presence. We had the Arizona presentation at a care facility for the elderly and in firmed. This after an a late bus in class with the kids for 45 minutes, an hour in the park playing then giving the lunch at 10:30 a.m.! A mix up in plans. Two teachers, 63-65 kids on ONE bus!, and me. It was horrid! Never have I witnessed kids being rabid animals! Truly I wish Dash would of been removed. I just did not understand how really bad it was. Our elementary absorbed another school and doubled this year.

I fell asleep at 3:15 and slept until 8:p.m. worn out. I even had to break up a physical altercation on the bus! In all my years working with kids...the teacher are just passively exhausted. Dash had become part of the problem. Needless to say he gave his teacher a written apology for his 'baby talk' in class. Humor gone a muck. Kids have to try to cope. The new kids had a choice in their minds bully or victim. Mercy! rough kids.

 At the care home.

The kids all had to be rest roomed so I had to entertain for 15 minutes. I had each elder share a special word of wisdom with the kids. It was AWESOME!

Discovered that the kids were being given snow cones (for the third day in a row!) Gee I wonder why they have been so crazy lately! Can you say dye!

45 minutes after we returned from the field trip I had the 504 meeting with the school counselor.

See above

Dove is doing GREAT! in school. With the exception of the above innocence and lack of recognition to danger...BIG EXCEPTION! 

For the last few weeks 

In the midst of all of the activity of late I have been studying Fung shui and interior design. Very interesting observance of nature. Really is not even a religion at all. So many things are so misunderstood in the fear of ignorance. So the house is getting very well organized and the process is really giving some wonderful results in the atmosphere of this home. Those terms Asian to me are now understood words not understood can sound so cultist or evil. We can all learn so much through sociology. Understanding WHY people do what they do has always fascinated me.

 Cool image of Dash handing out the programs for the play.

Made me wonder if that man will be passing soon :)

After

S/W in Living Room (earth)

S in Dining (fire)

After

East (Large Wood)

Studio S/ E (small wood)

Center (earth) / South (fire)

to the left

N/W (Large metal)

Entry NW/N

Water to the Left

Metal to the right

 The girl spoken of earlier...Her parents have inherited the largest awning company in the valley. He gifted us with these awnings last week for a third of the cost. He installed them for free. We are so thrilled with them. Any one who has supped at my dining room table in winter can attest to that. The sun no longer is blinding. The house should stay much cooler

 Speaking of cooler I was able to bring our cooling cost down $25 a month on the average monthly plan. That is every month. Hanging laundry on the line. Only using the elec during low peak hours.

 A moment of calm peace...

Well May Bell wanted it to stay that way

May Bell the great defender

:)

Two weeks in the life of a homemaker/mother/gardener

 Each morning Dash goes out to the coop and gets his breakfast.

Tomato off the vine the night before.

This is what you call a fresh breakfast

 The joy of mothering and growing a garden flowed well this week.

Dash and I really had a time of it pulling carrots.

He was such good pleasure and keeps speaking of it with the biggest grin on his face.t

 The last week has been full of fung shui as I reinvented the studio.

I love it! By shifting the sewing center north the beading center was able to shift into place.

No longer facing a window that could not even be open is huge.

The mirror and window bring added space.

 It is all a little messy yet but coming along.

 I just LOVE it!

 Facing into the room is wonderful. Now my monitor is in view.

 Outside the hens were vieing for the best spot after the coop was cleaned this morning.

The day of seed gathering was spent in 70* wonderful cloud floating by sky

It was so beautiful

After a three large loads of laundry on the line and time in the garden my soul was more than content.

 Carrot seed for next crop

 Dill seed for harvest and herb for the kitchen.

It is a very spicy dill.

 The best onion to seed for next crop.

 this is Leek

 Broccoli

 Narcissism

Just today as Dash was in his hiding place in the garden.

He had his Mac and cheese under the umbrella of the narcissism and the big leaves of the broccoli.

The chickens came to him and he was sharing his macaroni with them.

It was so dear.

 Radish seed pods were collected to dry.

Pick ten leave some.

The birds love them.

I love the birds, win win.

 radish

 Mothers day was wonderful over at my MILove's.

Steve's brother and his family were there.

Dash had me in class on Monday.

I did a painting demo and painted our dear Rena and spoke of deeper things to the children.

It was so fun. I was pretty wiped out afterward and a very sweet girl saw me and came offering to carry the Travel easel for me. Perfect timing. Saturday's infusion was a bit hard on me.

Dash told Steve that in Social Studies Monday they were talking about the Civil War (Steve and I are history buffs). He said in answer to why the war was fought...the South fought for their "rats...". It went over the teachers head. "dad why did they fight for rats"? Rolling in laughter "son...their rights".

"What are rights dad?"

Telling me this at shower time I could not stop laughing. Even after lying in bed a while so funny!

The South were fighting for thier RATS!!!

Ha!

 Doves grown up some after the three days at camp. 

She is doing so well. A real serious student.

We teach that education is a real gift.

These girls out of 99 kids won both camp awards.

She is a good kid to find peace around. 

Her kindness and humor are really treasured.

 Speaking of gifts the tomato plants are very happy.

Kissed by the bees daily a huge crop to come.

 Tonight I got the biggest compliment and joy from a neighbor.

She works at home and her office faces my front yard.

She called to me tonight just as I was finishing sweeping the front entry.

She told me how my flowers are the first thing that she looks forward too each day.

She opens her window first thing in the morning.

That is just why I planted them. It was my prayer as I dug that soil that in so doing that it might bring a little joy to all those who drive by too and from work.

Working on several things at the beading table. 

This is finished now.

We are happy and well. Hope all of you are as well. It was so nice to see your comments.

Susie, Amrita, Denise, Julie and David. Reighine and e-m0m your too beautiful. Hope that you all know that about yourselves.  I know I am forgetting names at the moment forgive me. Know that your sweetness touched my heart. Thank you for saying hello.

Life...it's all so beautiful.

Turning 50 tomorrow

In two hours at 3:20 a.m. 

I will be alive exactly half a century

Mercy my birth weight was 

9 pounds 11 ounces!

Steve has offered me a bucket list item

A hot air balloon ride!

He said "whats money for but to spend it sometimes?"

With IVIG on Saturday we have to wait, probably next weekend.

HE got a Wii fit for me last week. It is fun, even told me I was 47 today when I did my test for balance. Can't beat that. I even whopped it up a bit. Thank you all for the sweet support and cheers for my daughter. These kids are such a blessing. Dash's teacher has requested that I come and do a painting demonstration on Monday. It is the first time all year in a class room. My immune levels will be high enough to sustain a short visit. It will do Dash's heart so good. Mine too.
It is hard to stay up so late, at least in the morning it will have proven to be so. Better go to bed. 50 is just too old to stay up till 3:30 in the morning! HA!

Dove is home from science camp

She had a wonderful time! So grown up.

99 students from her school attended. She shared a room in the cabin with 5 cabin mates. Her and these other girls won the 'dress the cabin counselor up like a critter' competition. They also won the Spirit Award for best over all academic and class's participation. This was inclusive of behavior, citizenship and all. The ONLY two awards given! I am so proud of her and her friends. This group of girls really show such outstanding character. Oh that Dove has this circle...she is so blessed and such a blessing.

Out of 99 kids!

One of the girls in another room happened to fall the afternoon of the last day. Dove and her best friend were first responders. The child feel down an incline. She hit her head and was unresponsive. Dove and her friend stayed with her. She looks to have broken a leg. Goodness! Dove ran to get the adult who was just a few yards behind them on the trail.

She loved the food.
Today I kept her home to rest.

 Just as the mother plant kept covering the seedling.

Waits until it is established

It must then be cut away...

To revel the new growth of youth. 

Now strong the cover mothering allows it to thrive.

She is such a joy.

My Dove is flying home today!

It has been the most wonderful experience to have peace while Dove has been so far from me. Not to be afraid or worried of her or for her. Knowing that she was right where she was supposed to be. It is so wonderful to give a good report to her that mom did 'not freak out'. Mom trusted in her and in God toward her. This a wonderful testimony to mature her self confidence.
Dove will be home in just over an hour.
How fun. So many adventures to hear about.
Oh she is on a tour buss. Not a plain.

Dance in your heart.

Marriage Monday

Good morning

Once again a dear Lady asks for our hearts and minds toward topic. 

Come join us today as our topic is Faith in our marriage

It is good and a sweet thing to experience trials with a man who loves God. In New love it is that infatuation covers all it flows over faults found within each one of us. It is the faith of that union to love through the hard times. Those times when health effects our personalities and responses. Aging has its infatuations of Character. Memories of the heart of who we each are.

For us this is faith. Believing the best in one another. Trusting that God is more in love with your spouse than you are. He is for Him/Her is such a way that can empower. Seeing shadows of the strength of a man begin to change. No longer that 'new' marriage. Watching bodies begin to change. Although very young in this process ourselves it is a time of faith.

Twenty nine years days watch months pass into years. Faith gives them spice. A savor. When nurtured or even if a bit neglected faith pulls loose ends tough. Tying cords that bind us in each of the memories of days when needs, even wants were met. Months when presence of 'the divine' unmistakeably  apparent. Years of honing by trial, sharpened by wit and humor. Faith is the evidence of what is hoped for the development of trust in it's many stages. Character enough to know that when something is not right that your hearts 'for' each other must fight through those thing that hinder or hurt. Even if it is frightening to face, even it it is misunderstood and hurts others. Faith tells love to act knowing that the fallout is out of our hands. It is faith that hopes that honesty and rigorous love will prevail around us/within us.

Faith tells trust that eyes open character is there. Health can mask our action, thoughts and even behaviors.

Faith asks God for a glimpse of understanding. 

Many things will be faced through life. We are all temporal beings. 

When my husband began to respond unlike himself health showed signs. Hypothyroidism was for him a culprit. For me illness took over our marriage for years. Battles faced of mind, body and spirit will be there in each life. Faith sees them through. Believing in those things hoped for. Being 'FOR' each other takes more faith than you will ever have. It takes trust in the one who loves our mate more than we do. 

Faith is remembering the experience strength and hope that a life time together has proven out. It lifts those difficult times spices up the days into humor of the frailty of us all. It is the fallout when challenging the status qua. Loving others so much that misunderstands resolve over time. 

It is knowing that it will all work out even when things may seam hopeless. Hold on for the ride faith is an exercise. Trusting that the both of you can make it all work out 'when' you believe the best of the other. When your life is lived 'for' each other and not against. Caring about the other as well as self. It is not in caring for our individual need that we become self centered. It is good and imperative to mind your own heart and needs. When 'two become one' we care for the whole when we tent to our own heart. This is the honing to do so with mutual needs in mind. Challenging is faith in acting, giving place for HOPE. Then hope sees the fruit of lives matured together.

It takes two to make it so. It take one to act at times to overcome the others weakness and to build up the whole. We take turns at that day by month by years gone by. Acting on LOVE, building Faith through hope. We have a wonderful future together, no matter the challenges that come our way to hone us.

Please join us once again for Marriage Monday on May 2, 2011. Our group topic this time is “faith.” How does your Christian faith express itself between you and your spouse? Do you pray together? Or discuss theology? Do you lead or attend a couples Bible study? Perhaps you’re spiritually unequal, yet you're thriving nonetheless. Feel free to share any aspect of your spiritual journey with us, dear sister.

I’m looking forward to meeting you back here at Chrysalis on Monday.

See you very soon!

Blessings,

e-Mom @ Chrysalis

http://chrysaliscafe.com

Dove is off to Science Camp

Packed

ready to walk out that door

wings stretched

mine and hers both

three days

two nights

trust

low risk

fly

under His wing

safe

knowing who you are

trusting who He is

excitement

expectation

anticipation

wonder

tales of adventure to come

science in the forest

of the forest

a gift of risk

a gift of trust

a place to land softly

a since of self successful

new

bold

beauty

of freedom in inches

growth in miles

traveled up to the forest

back to my arms

all the while we both are in HIS