Thankful Thursday

I will be forest bound in the morning.
My husband was sent home from work at noon,
No more overtime and he had his 80 hour in for this pay period.
So we get an extra unexpected day in the forest.
It is 100 here it will be 65/75 there.
Less pay of course but more time with each other.
We have made this trip on a very low budget.
New tires on the tailor was the big expense.
The other ones were original, 10 years old.

So sweet the provision.
I tweaked the numbers and did not buy any groceries (did not need too).
So all in all we are still able to do this.

The kids have had a real kind loving way toward me for many days now.
It is so touching.
Really....I will call one of them..."yes mom, what can I do?"
I am telling you it is so dear.
I will hold these days near.
The love they are showing me in deed is just so healing.
These my dear children are loving me tenderly, selflessly...I tear up.
Wow.
What amazing little people.
There is no ulterior motive guys.
They are just really kind.


I have a wonderful friend here over the weekend to tend the estate.
She will care for all things living.
She is a wonderful soul.
Our girls are friends.
We had no way to go.
Then an idea and I hired her, they are in tight times.
The grace in that she is receiving the income is honorable.
She and I meet on a good ground.
We are different in many ways yet a mutual respect for each other abides.
Folks kindness overcomes so many many barriers.
We so often allow "religion" to hinder the relationship, the opportunity to touch each others lives.
I say that in that true religion is to feed the widow and the orphan and to tend to the widow in her hour of need. To Love the Lord your God with all our hearts souls and minds.
Your neighbor as yourself.

Everything else is aside is a chance to divide to judge to separate and repel each other.

Honey in the honey comb had a good chewy wax on it,
It must be that the sweet be spun out to run clear.
We see the comb and turn up a nose.

See the honey in the hearts of those around you.
Even the honey comb can be a treat.
It is that first bite...Fear what will it be like?
Know who you are and what you believe.
Know why you believe it.

Well I have found that the things that so easy divide
well they are the very things we are afraid of .
Thankfully perfect love...
perfect love
cast out all fear.

I am admired by one who he so dearly loves.
His heart is for her, so being His friend I stand along side Him in that.
One day she will understand this vast love he has for her.

I thank him for the privilege to overcome fear with love.




Funny I do a lot! I really see it so when I have to delegate it to another.

An Uncommon Son

Good Morning
As many of you know our kids are Special needs kids.
I find it so amazing how in every thing there is beauty and a provision for overcoming any perceived weakness.
Many of you know that we have to keep vigil and watch for our dear Dash. He may face a condition called Ushers Syndrome. He will need to gain all the skills and knowledge that is possible when he is young. For one day the acquisition of knowledge may be much more difficult do to a possible loss of multiple seances.

We have a public school system that weeds out students with higher learning potential due to high IQ abilities. Dash went to the testing for this in the last few weeks of the former school year.

We just received this letter....
RE: ELP (Extended Learning Program)

Your child has met the requirements to be placed in our Extended Learning Program.

The Extended Learning Program pull out program is for students in grades three through six. Participating students spend one day per week with other students from the same grade level (age differences some concern?) in the ELP resource room with an ELP teacher who has been specially trained to offer students additional challenges in a variety of ares. In some schools, the students are bused by the district to the ELP center at another school for the day. The ELP/pull out service is not only an accelerated program but an enrichment program Students will need to be able to read and comprehend beyond their present grade level.

God met the boys need!
Because of his gift his abilities will give him greater opportunity to gain more knowledge at an earlier age.
He is academically two years plus beyond himself.
I want him to be able to emotionally grow at his pace, never to rush him.
This is a free (our taxes) program.
He will still be in the same school as Dove for two more years.
Now it may be that the Ushers in not going to occur.
I refused the DNA testing because it could destroy our ability to get medical insurance on him and he is the same person whether we know it or not. His hearing loss involves 8 Th nerve so it is what we have to watch for.
We no longer qualify for the benefits because we worked overtime to pay off the medical debt.
This is a hard thing.
So everything will now be out of pocket.
Once we have met our savings goals we will slow down the overtime.
Without it we easily qualify.
Counting the cost we must use these last few earning years to be able to keep up with the retirement possibilities.
GOD IS OUR PROVISION!
Dash is His Son, I just get the privilege of raising him as my own.
I am just so blessed with this child.

Sewing plans

Will be posted over at A Place To Create later
got dishes to finish up.

Tackle it Tuesday

UPDATED AT THE END OF DAY

Good Morning
This is a tackle of the day
Getting this loaded.
We emptied it when we thought we would be selling it.
I am so overjoyed to be able to get to keep and use it.
Now with the kids older it really is nice to begin again and load the really necessary items.
It was over loaded before really.

Note it is dark this morning when I took this image...
This is a stack of several things to do .
A few awards to frame and a book to send to the owner.
Thank you Lisa, I will work to get the book in the mail.

I found a wonderful Amish recipe for a good white bread for the kids.
Dove kneaded bread!
She really enjoyed the feel of it in her hands
She tasted it and love the way it tasted.
Is that just the coolest!
She is making bread!
Success!
Part of my afternoon was spent going through the fabrics.
So many choices , as you long timers may recall many gifts of yardage have been gifted me over the last two years.
Time to sew myself a new wardrobe.
This is so fresh and bright.
Summer is the time.
It is also the time to begin to overcome this poor attitude of never sewing for myself again until I loose weight. Hogwash! I am worthy of my own hands skills no matter.

You may also remember the many patterns I found that day in the dumpster behind the fabric store.
I was helping some one move and was searching for boxes.
It was the very store just a week before...
While I was going through the drawers of patterns on one of my mommy nights out...
I desired or thought of how awesome it word be to just have every pattern I desired and not to have to only choose one.
:)
I had large boxes of them!
We (my friend and I ) went through them and then we gave many to a women s shelter.
There is still in my garrage two large legal size file drawers of all different patterns all new!
Except my old favorites of course.

The sewing season is on the way and so this opened up and all the little projects are very time consuming. There are bird houses to hang after I coat them with some clear coat for weather protection. Several pictures to hang up. A few patterns to iron out and repackage.

The lamp was a gift from my MILove. She gives so much to us.
They both do. I came home with a basket of coupons to sort and enter into the case.
Julie has her bday soon. Are you all thinking of doing something?
Trisha are you interested in a play date?

The last of the tomato, and several carrots from the garden.
The last of the carrots will need to be pulled.
It is just getting too hot for them to grow well.
A good cup of coffee and a book.
Chocolate Tofu Pudding to make.

Listing several travel tips.
For the ride...
A cookie sheet makes a good magnet board
over the seat bags with the toys and books
art cases filled with colored pencil and sharpener, they are a clip board so paper is one a hard surface.
Travel games.

Snacks pre packaged
cheerios crackers
Some waters in the freezer so they are well chilled and they melt throughout the drive.

The little artist are set to be busy for a few minutes this morning.
They are very active right now with it.
They are having a wonderful conversation.
I wish you could all be a butterfly on the wall.
TOO CUTE!
This to also bug out the used up markers.
Dove is making a poster of the Jonas Brothers a music Band.

Took Dash out to the garden for our time.
The child wanted to understand what a Maverick was.
This Maverick squash is self planted.
I think it is a butternut that grew from composted scrap.
It is out of season so we have it shaded a bit.

She has a lot of female flowers.
Several squash very pretty.

I am embarrassed to show you this poor pup.
However she is so happy!
I have to finish her up.
It is so hot that we just do a bit at a time.
Her fur was in bad shape. She refuses to let me groom or brush her.
The challenges of adopted an older pet.
They have set in their ways so much.
I was so happy to see her vibrant running and romping around she really is loving the shave. I had not intended to take it so close but she kept moving and it got a few chunks so I had to make it even as possible. She had so much undercoat matted that it just had to be done. It will grow out shortly I am encouraged.

Heros
These children of mine
The kindness that they lovingly showed me this morning.
Even now they are each playing quietly in the bedrooms.
I did not even ask it of them. T
They just know it is easier and probably better for them too LOL
Yet they care.
My hero kids
Choose the right
That takes courage and commitment form any of us
Let alone a child.
An unexpected migraine set off and the kids let me rest for an hour.
I awoke and it is gone!!!!!!!!!!
ya!

The children and I finished out three day long monopoly game.
I won but had each kid go out all the way by mortgaging and selling off. I showed how I still had to purchase the properties out of the mortgage to the bank.
I told them how it is like our country right now.
I had dove play out to the last dollar and would not let them quit.
At first she was in tears. I leaned her into challenging those tears into dignity and finishing with character. It was awesome!
Then Dash had his turn.
So the game was a lesson in stewardship and failure with dignity.
Then they each had an extended debt of only a few dollars. So while we were all enjoying ourselves putting the game away.
We spoke of how true character would even go further than that.
To pay each debt to the end of what was owed when your able.
Not to just leave a debt standing to be finished with it.
It was so cool!

Gathering at the Well

join over here
Today, let's look at these questions:

What am I allowing myself to be influenced by?

Women I admire. Color combination that are beautiful. Sewing Pattern images that give the image that I would feel comfortable. The knowledge of figure shapes is vital for the best fit.
Face shape to be thought about for the neckline to be the most flattering. I think to flatter the face is much more dignified than to place focus on bust. I want men to look eye to eye with me.

Who do I allow to dictate to me what I should be wearing?

The clothing that has been provided me. Dictations are not a part of my attire. I dress in what I feel is appropriate given the place and person I am with or going.
My daughter will correct any tummy showing (shirt too short at the hem) and I love it! We are rather modest just because we do not want to gain inappropriate attentions/intentions. We also consider our bodies as our treasure and we guard them. My daughter wears shorts (just above the knee) under a dress if she wares one. If I feel attractive in it or if it is clean and well maintained. I address the color palate for this is knowledge gained as in what color most flatters you.

How am I representing the God I claim to love and live for?

He is my friend, I would never want to intentionally be an embarrassment to any friend of mine.
Self respect examples the character. I find no need to "claim" to love and live for Him....just being and living within the character that I chose should tell of the love and friendship I have.
Living with friendship and compassion for my fellow humans is how God feels about us...
Many claim and offend those who watch them.
Ask me I will express my faith. I do not push it or "claim" it. What I have watched in my years are how others find a comfort to be able to come to me and ask me what it is that I have that makes my life different. My life is a line and the kindness the hook. I cast out the life I live and if the hook is snagged then the line is naturally drawn in. God never pushes Himself on us. He wants us to want Him.

Do I know the details of how God wants us to live as well as I know the details of what is in fashion?

More so. It is the heart the character again. I do think that simple knowledge of how fit and color apply makes any look timeless. It is the freedom of being fresh and innovative that throws it in the face of being "told" what to do.
I am aware of the color trends and the type of fabrics.

Am I seeking to become conformed to the image of Christ...or the image that our ever changing society throws in front of our faces?

This question seems a bit condemnation in tone.
Seeking is one thing accepting the transformation is another. LOL

Menu Plan Monday

The kids love Chicken kabobs
Soak the wooden bamboo skiers so they do not catch fire.
Just slice the meat into long strips and accordion it onto the stick.
Some times into bites with veggies from the garden (and or store)
It is a family favorite!

A cold pasta salad is just the thing here in our hot summer.
Veggies from the garden will accent it and frozen peas.

Starting the day off with all clean dishes.
The way of Good Monday Morning!
Thank you my Darling for the extra help.

Setting all the plastic ware together and stowing it away.
This left after the big family project Sunday.

When the rain tank was purchased the fellow sold these to me.
$8. each four of them were obtained to store my bulk goods.
Baking and cooking from scratch calls for the basic ingredient to be purchased in a bulk form.
Flour (ground), beans, soy bean (eventually) to make our soy milk and sugar

The garden yields its produce to take in to considerations for the weeks menu.

We have been keeping up on a clean kitchen.
This the week begins with wind behind me.

The family task...
As I lay in my repose Sunday Morn I thought of the day and those things to be tended and those hearts to be taught.
I saw this and walked into teaching the children.
Dove and Dash emptied the refer and then we separated the left overs into those things that were waisted. We all took good look at them and spoke about the cost to our budget of those items.
Left pause for thought.
Then the kids learned how to rinse a cloth and to dip it into soapy water and wring it. That a challenge for kids.
They washed down the inside as I sorted and washed fruit.
They emptied the drawers and learned about the use of water as the best solvent.
They were impressed at how much easier it was to scrub after it soaked a bit.
"cool" said Dash

The pride found in this task showed on the face.
They then brain stormed how much more efficiently we could reload the goods.
Showing them that those things we use a lot could be placed in a way as to not have the door opened all the way.
They identified the source of the cold air as electricity.
Gathered that we paid for that electricity and then the lights in the little minds went on!
It was so cool!

The spills they cleaned up were
"gross"... to quote a Dove
Now they understood a bit better the consequences that I have shielded them from. You could just see it on the face.
Now they are tending to the details after themselves a bit more consciously.

Dove said
"mom , lets have a left over night"
So now they also understand how doing this every week keeps us safe from things growing.
Funny those things... as Dash noted
"bacteria?" yep said I that's right.

I am so glad that I did not just think it was going to be a battle. They really had a good attitude. Dove wanted to do the meats herself. I taught them the dial on the drawer about the chill factor.
Now this is a strange thing to do yes.
This is home school to the base.
You see as I told them few kids are even taught how to tend to their homes and to the foods that they eat.
We have often had those around us get food poisoning.
Now the kids have a better understanding of how to keep themselves safer from food born illnesses.
Thank you kids for your good work.
We are a good team.

Weekend Review (about my hero)

Hello
Lately I have been thinking about my thread worn dresses.
Looking at old pictures I realize the dresses I use as day dresses are 6-7 years old!
Well used and I got my money out of them.
It is time.
Time to think about the new ideas and styles that might bring a little lift.
I like the one shown in blue stripe.

These are cute.
Summery fabrics I though might be easy care.

Dash and I did a puzzle over the weekend.
It was mom time. Son time too. :)

My Hero
Our Daddy Man was at it again this weekend trying to shake the bugs out.
The steering column has a grown to it that is a bit annoying and a rattle that is far more than just a bit of an annoyance.
He took the steering column apart to try to find the source.

Smart man he shaded the window. Mind you it is hot here!

Oh mercy!
He did discover the grown unfortunately it looks like this effort was not the solve for that.
The rattle did improve though.

Maden voyage on the Chevy
We took it to the Grand Parents to use it on the freeway.
It road well.
We learned a bit more.
My Husband /protector
is so careful to Keep us safe
on the road.

We have these yet to replace and to load this camper back up.

My husband our (earthly) provider
who always does the responsible act that keeps our provision ready.
We thought that we would need to sell it before the Chevy came to us.
So now just like the house I am moving back into it this week.
God's humor
:)
Dash said "It will be clean and fresh mom".
You see I detailed the camper when it was up for sale.
I am so grateful it did not sell.
:)

Monday Morning Heros

To me I think of those who are examples of who and how I long to be.
Those people by a show of character example such great courage.
They are the ones who pull us through, reminding us of how temporal all of this is.

This brings me to consider those who suffer with the same attitude as if they were in the best of times. A true hero is one who delights in their Maker without regard to feeling.
Good or bad the love they focus upon the God, Councilor and Savior of their souls.
Not moved here nor there but firmly planted.
Rooted feasting upon living flowing waters as an old oak beside a stream.
During drought sinking deeper, reaching deeper the root to find the water table below.

I so admire the character that compels me onto this excellence.
Those who come outside of themselves to offer kindness, even while facing personal challenges. They speak kindness to that one who needs love.
They may have nothing of this world to offer but yet they give freely of the love that thrives within them.

This morning I bid you a garland of roses to adorn you beautifully my friend.
Denise (Shorty Bear)