My Inspirations

A blessed adventure

2011-11-08T20:47:00.002-05:00

About two months ago, I was sitting down with the hubby and kids after homework was done and we did something we don't usually have time for in the evenings during the school week. We watched TV! That night we stopped on TLC's Extreme Couponers show. My boys were flabbergasted!

How in the world can they save that much money, Mom?!

You know, Mom, you should try that.

Oh! Their basement is a grocery store!!!

Yeah, that was a funny night. So, the boys just could not get over what they saw. One Sunday we went to breakfast and hubby stopped and got a few Sunday papers just to see what we could do. We have been at this for just over a month and life has been interesting.

In the beginning I was organizing everything in an accordion wallet and hoping I remembered what I had. Then B, my almost-13-y/o son, got an assignment in computers that dealt with Microsoft Excel. He spent a week teaching me how to use the spreadsheet program from his class stuff and looking up instructions online with me. We now have all our coupons in a spreadsheet organized by department and expiration date. I print it out every week and take it with me. When I need to print the updated version, I print on the opposite side so I don't waste paper too much.

I have since moved everything into a 3-Ring binder with a little accordion file in the front for my circulars and rain checks. I use baseball card pages in each department section and have sheet protectors in the back for new coupons that have been clipped but need sorted.

Oh, and I just did all this for my MIL a few days ago! I plan on taking her shopping on one of my days off this week!

I have just a few odds and ends to buy for Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners (frozen bread rolls, potatoes, broccoli and cheese, pie crusts, veggies) but I have the major bones of the two. I have enough VitaminWater to last the next few months (thank you, KROGER! $1.25 each, MegaEvent sale price $0.75 if you buy 10 participating items, and THEN a coupon - several actually - for $2 of 10!!! Final price? $5.50 for 10!! Lol!). I have body wash for me and the guys for the next several months, deodorant that will last us til spring and mouthwash taking up an entire shelf. Plus, I have a rain check for Crest toothpaste that will get me free toothpaste!!!

Am I going to create an entire room? Heck, NO! I don't have room for that! These are items that I normally would spend too much money on and got for dirt cheap or free. I don't have to buy these now. I can take care of other things that need attention without worrying.

Let's put it this way, I bought almost $200 worth of groceries a few days ago and took 63% off my total bill. That money I saved paid my water bill.

Just a small Hello...

2011-10-03T11:16:00.002-04:00

I know it has been a while since the last update and many things have happened. Several of them that I am not going to air here. Sometimes, the internet is just not the place for it.

My soon-to-be 13 y/o son is now officially taller than his mother. He's too happy about that! Lol!

We had to get a new PC as our old one was on its last leg. DH and the older boys have been after me to replace it for a few years now and I keep telling them "no". It finally started acting up to the point it worried me. I caved. So, we got a new one. Nothing fancy, just serviceable. I do like that I don't have to worry as much about whether or not it will actually turn on, now!

Those of you that stop and check every once in a while, I wish you well and Happy Autumn!

A Growing Family...

2011-06-28T08:49:00.004-04:00

I just wanted to share the great news somewhere! My oldest son, Isaac, proposed to his girlfriend, Bentlea, yesterday! She said YES! I am so happy for them! They are opposites that fit so well together. Both are planning on a long engagement to save up for the wedding which is a wonderful idea. With me working in the bridal industry, I am well aware of the costs that go toward planning the beginning of the marriage.

So, I thought I would share our good news!

So long...

2011-06-02T12:24:00.004-04:00

Life has had its ups and downs during my time away from posting. I won't bore you with unnecessary details but I will share some recent photos (that have finally found their way off my camera card!).

The first is our second oldest graduating from the Le Cordon Bleu Pittsburgh with a degree in Patisserie & Baking. The rose is from my MIL's back garden. It started raining while I was taking photos with the sun still shining.

Last Sunday...

2010-09-04T22:39:00.003-04:00

Last week DH heard on the radio that the LST 325 would be at the Heritage Port. We arrived too late that first night to take the tour but were thrilled to know they would be open early enough on Sunday for us to take the tour before I had to work.

The tour was fantastic. We wanted the boys to know that what they read in the history books isn't just words. Actual people lived and died to make it. If they stay too far removed from the sacrifices that are made they have no appreciation for it. This way they were able to see pictures, talk to veterans, ask question, hear stories, meet men that have taken time out of their lives to restore a piece of history and share it with the country. So, maybe next year we'll make a side trip to Evansville, Indiana.

First Day of school

2010-09-03T20:15:00.002-04:00

They started a bit early this year, August 19th. They have grown so much.

A test of faith

2010-08-26T21:11:00.002-04:00

Frustrated and disappointed. And no one will be able to hear my voice, hear my thoughts. So long I have watched him struggle to provide, been happy for others when they prospered, learned to enjoy my simple life. Now, when He has smiled on us, strife and discord follows.

Family that should be smiling and happy are blaming, jealous, threatening. A choice that was made could have ended with chaos, hardship never before faced but instead we have thrived. A leap of faith came with great spiritual reward, more stability. A blessing.

I know this is vague. It is hard to explain. Just struggling to contain my irritation, anger. God be with me. Take my inner turmoil and give me peace. Give him peace. Protect my children and their family name. Give those around them the common sense to know that bitter words do not ring true.

An Amazing Adventure...just a little look

2010-08-02T19:04:00.005-04:00

A little sugar with a lot of fire...

2010-07-06T19:32:00.005-04:00

One of my son's sugar sculptures from school. He made a royal icing jewelry box with a bouquet on top, as well. He is amazing!

Below are fireworks from our county show. Some are taken by me and some were taken by my two youngest.

A New Experience...

2010-06-24T18:00:00.004-04:00

My husband's company had their summer get-together last Friday. The owner invited everyone to his home which is right on the river. My two youngest got a few new experiences that day.

The world of Music

2010-05-31T15:29:00.006-04:00

My family loves music! Growing up, we had music surrounding us. From the family's gospel group, The Cousins, to the many years many of us have spent in band, we have grown up with music of great variety. Last week I watched the tradition continue.

This was his only concert he had for 5th Grade Beginner Band. He is also the only trombone player in the grade schools that feed into the Middle School in our city. You know, that trombone has been played by four different men in my family. My cousin Matt for one year, then my younger brother for seven years, my oldest son for eight years (WV schools start band one year earlier than Louisiana schools - where younger brother started), and now Mr. Rebel.

That weekend my husband and I woke up to a different type of music. We went camping as a dry run to prepare for this summer's trip to visit my brother and his family. It was wonderful waking up to the sounds of nature. As usual, there is more to the story than just the pictures but I am content to just post a few quick shots and get back to relaxing. I am exhausted! Lol!

A breath of normalcy

2010-05-07T08:52:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, I had a rare day off of work. I spent most of it at the yarn shop with Mom and Miss Sandy visiting. I went to lunch with Hubby and then back to the shop. When the time came, I picked up the boys from the bus stop. Mom came with me since I volunteered to take her home and the boys got to spend a few hours running around Grandma's and Grandpap's yard. I got the much-neglected opportunity to take pictures! Oh, the joy! My cousin's husband stopped by to look at a few trees that Pap wants cut down. Since he and my cousin heat with wood, this will benefit both houses.

If you have a few moments during your day, please say a prayer or just think comforting thoughts for my husband's best friend. Her mother's cancer has spread and the doctor's have given her just a few weeks, if that. DH went to visit shortly after getting the call last night and didn't return til after midnight. It was bad. So, if you have a few minutes...

Remembering today...

2010-05-01T12:04:00.006-04:00

Hair Delight!

2010-04-30T16:26:00.002-04:00

Because I am rushing, and feel a little odd asking hubby to help with a pic tutorial, I don't have any photos to post that will verify what I am going to say, you will just have to understand how excited I am!

My hair has ruled my life in one way or another. It's a good day or a bad day. Mostly, bad days that result in me raking it back into a bun with an elastic and it looking, well, BAD! Until I started taking medication a few years ago for my migraines (I quit taking it, as previous posts about my migraines will attest to) my hair was uber thick and wavy/curly. Granted my younger brother has me beat in aces on both fronts but it just looks better on him when it goes wild. Now, while it is still wavy/curly and I have a lot of it, it is not as thick as it use to be, courtesy of a medication side-effect they neglected to list or tell me about til it was too late. Since then I have been very careful with my hair and what I do, or try to do, to style it.

Anyway, I ramble... I was watching a little television while getting ready for work the other morning and caught a commercial for Goody, the hair accessory company. They came out with a few new products that seemed very interesting and possibly quite easy for hair-styling-deficient me. So, doing something I most definitely DO NOT DO, I stopped at the store before leaving town and bought two items.

The Spin Pins come in a pack of two and each one replaces 12, yes you read that correctly...TWELVE, bobby pins! Super, SUPER easy to use and much better for my hair than pins and ponys!

The Modern Updo Pin is fabulous! I can now do a french twist in my hair with my own two hands! YAY! Granted, there is a bit more of a learning curve with this one but I was still able to figure it out for the most part in less than 10 minutes.

I will hopefully post pics soon. One of the great benefits of this? Since I don't have to use elastics with my hair when using these items, I don't have creases showing when I let my hair down! Just fabulous waves and barrel curls that some people pay hundreds of dollars for in salons. And it cost me less than $6. Gotta love it!

Better late than Never...

2010-04-19T18:25:00.001-04:00

A few changes

2010-04-16T08:18:00.003-04:00

My life has been pretty hectic the last few months. For one, I completely blanked on mailing my SIL her birthday present because I laid it in the rocker by the front door and, being the guys that I love, my DH and two youngest sons laid their jackets on top of it and left them there. I discovered it a few days ago and now am hoping to get it out in the mail today.

Two, DH resigned from his job. The company he worked in for almost 15 years was bought out by another business. All the employees were kept on at the new company. All this happened on December 1. Since then, DH has been trying to find his place with them. They expanded the territory he was to cover twice over and his health started deteriorating. Much of my family remained unaware of what we were going through because he didn't want anyone knowing.

A gentleman that DH worked with for the entire 15 years at the first company had already left following the buy-out, telling my husband to just hang on for a few months. They would keep in touch with each other every few weeks of the next several months, checking on how things were going. Then came the news. The gentleman's new boss wanted to talk to DH. So, quietly, he went for an interview not expecting anything. It was done as a courtesy for the gentleman that had been a driving force in DH's business life for so many years. A courtesy that became a blessing.

DH ended up taking the job. He was hoping to be have enough time to put in his two weeks' notice, though unsure if he could hang on that long due to stress. It lasted two days. The final straw? Our 11-year-old crawling up on his lap and asking, "Daddy, when are you going to be happy again?" It about broke my husband's heart! So, he told him, "Tomorrow, buddy. Tomorrow."

And that was it. I had a day off from work, so I picked DH up the morning he resigned and turned his company car in. We then went to the new business and met with everyone. Then we went and bought a new-to-us car since there was no company car option.

Since the change, DH hasn't had trouble sleeping, he has stopped grinding his teeth and he smiles! SMILES! Given that DH's brother still works with the company he just left, we have heard how things are going. It took THREE people to cover the territory they insisted DH cover by himself despite telling them how bad it was.

We prayed so hard for their to be a good change in our lives. Something that worked FOR us for once. We have been so incredibly blessed and given so much. The Lord works in His time. Even though we are sometimes hanging on by our fingernails, He will always be there to catch us, give us a ladder, or pull us up.

So, enjoy the small things and cherish each other. When the big decisions arrive, all those small things add up showing that you can hold on through the storm and see the clear sky on the other side.

Just because...

2010-04-02T22:25:00.001-04:00

It has been a while since I posted a picture. This was taken last year while visiting Grandma. Laying in her yard and looking up through the trees...just imagining the possibilities.

$12.66

2010-03-31T22:52:00.002-04:00

Thank you, Lord, for the check I wrote for $12.66 today.

That was what it cost for me to take my van to the auto shop.

Hello again

2010-03-30T23:57:00.003-04:00

Life has been busy and tiring. I have spent more time enjoying the little bit of time I have with the kids than updating my cyberlife. DH and I have managed to gather several things in preparation of our camping trip this summer with my brother and his family. We have also managed to deal with our van, which decided to act up on us. Thankfully, that was a snow day for the kids and a non-work day for me. Six hours stuck in WalMart, not the most desirable thing in the world when you know darn well you have a snow storm from H@** coming. Thankfully, I have a wonderful grandfather and mother who were more than willing to make a run up a ridge for me to get two new-to-me rims for my van. And just so everyone knows, the day my Grandpap can't handle a little snow is the day everyone needs to just STAY HOME! Lol! I love you, Pap! I thank you and God every time I get in my van!

Work has been crazy busy and I have no idea when it is going to let up. I have appointments tomorrow but they are going to go to someone else. Why? Because I procrastinated, that's why. I have to get my vehicle inspected and I know, just KNOW they are going to tell me they have to do more than change my brakes. How do I know this? Because it has been a whole 2 days since the last time my stomach was tied in knots and my heart was in my ankles. You know what, though? It's okay. There are reasons for everything.

Just like a church sign I saw the other day..."God promises us a safe landing, not a calm passage". How do we improve if there is no adversity to challenge us? Though, I would like a little less adversity at times.

There are many other thoughts running through my head right now but they are for another time. It is sufficient that I have three of the four boys home. DH and I made it home from work safely. We still have a home to live in, food in our bellies, and clothes on our backs. The long and short of it, I woke up today. So did my family. Tomorrow will bring tomorrow. Thank you, Lord, for the thoughts of tomorrow.

2010-01-21T17:28:00.002-05:00

Life

2010-01-15T15:45:00.002-05:00

Have you ever felt like the rope holding you from falling over the edge of the cliff is fraying? That just when it's about to snap you find solid ground under your feet and you are safe for the moment? I have had that feeling for the past year.

I have been blessed with a job I love and recently found out there is a good possibility I will get to stay on after our busy season ends. My DH has gone through some major changes with his job.

Our family was blessed with being able to come together at Christmas, though not for Thanksgiving due to me getting seriously sick at work. The time we got to spend with all four of our boys is a treasure I will never take for granted.

So, that's it. My life in a few paragraphs. God's blessings...

Mrs. C

2009-12-06T22:21:00.002-05:00

Friday evening, my cousin's husband stopped at his mom's house after work, like he does every day, and found her on the floor by her bed. She passed away sometime between their phone call Thursday evening and him stopping by Friday. To add to the heartbreak, her granddaughter asked what they did wrong for this to happen to her grandma.

Mrs. C was an amazing woman. She was a widow who raised her boys on her own. They all turned out to be amazing men. My cousin could not have found a more loving, hard-working man. Along with raising her boys, Mrs. C was a strong and driving force behind several school programs her kids were involved with. She became a second mother to many kids over the years, giving them the support and comfort they needed. Sometimes even the kick in the pants they deserved!

Among her many talents was cooking wonderful food. She catered my wedding 11-1/2 years ago and I will always be thankful for her hard work. She never hesitated to greet me with a hug when we saw one another out and about. I was one of her "kids", after all. God bless you and keep you, Mrs. C. You will be missed.

So, if you have a moment or two to spare, just think of my family and send thoughts their way. It would mean so much. Thank you.

A few moments...

2009-12-04T16:18:00.002-05:00

A few moments to share an update. I really like my job at David's Bridal. My managers are fabulous and the other consultants are great! I love Ms. Becky in our Alterations Department. She actually reminds me of my Grandma M. The work environment is great. They are all a bit like a loving disfunctional family. Crazy but still willing to claim you! Lol!

My mom and MIL have made it possible for me to work and I don't know where we would be without them. Slowly but surely things are getting squared away at home. I was very sick over Thanksgiving holiday so we were not able to have everyone over. I ended up getting sick earlier in the week, losing my voice to go along with it, but I continued to try and work. All was well until I got sick AT work. Luckily, not all over a wedding dress. I left shortly thereafter and was five minutes from home when I got sick again, this time at stop light (thank you!). Made life interesting. Mom was at the house with the boys already and told me that I wasn't going to be worth anything to just go to bed and she would stay until John got home. Sleep is an amazing cure. A few hours of hard sleep and I felt like I had some control over my body. It has taken until just yesterday for me to feel more like myself.

There are a few things going on with John's job but God will walk us through them. He has a plan and I pray I have the faith to trust Him. John seems okay but I feel like there is another shoe waiting to drop.

Jonathan has been doing well with his classes at PCI and seems to really enjoy it. He would love to have a different job right now but, as he says, it pays the bills. Isaac seems content with where he is right now. He is waiting on Alysha to transfer to the school down there to finish her classes. They are doing well together. The distance isn't so great (about 2 hours) that they aren't able to manage. I am proud of them for making this work. They have long term plans that will get started when she finishes school. For now, they are happy where they are in life and I could not be more pleased with how they are dealing with everything.

Mom and Grandma and Grandpap are doing okay. They just got Grandma's flu shot today. Her birthday was on 12/2. I thought about her all day at work but neglected to call her until yesterday. I apologized but Grandma just laughed it off, telling me she had a great day and thanked me for calling her. It's better than NOT calling. Lol!

Missed Dad greatly, yesterday.

I work all day tomorrow and then there is a company Christmas party that evening. Just thought I would share a quick ramble on a few things.

Stay safe and Happy Christmas!

Many blessings!

2009-10-19T11:38:00.004-04:00

I don't have any pictures to show to you this time around but I have many things to share.

First, I have a job!!! Starting this week, I will be a part-time bridal consultant at David's Bridal! I am so excited! Today, I will fill out the paperwork and receive my schedule. Tomorrow, I go to the bus garage and make changes to the transportation plan for Mr. Rebel and Mr. Pirate for after school. My mom and MIL are both thrilled about this. I don't know if it's because I finally got a call back for a job or because they get the kids. Lol!

Second, DH insisted that I get a few more pieces of clothing to expand my wardrobe for work. Of course, we visited WalMart, which brought in a few fabulous and timeless items. Our best trip of the day was to Goodwill! We stopped on our way to Save-A-Lot (love it!!!) and looked around. We found two skirts, one casual and one work, and then unearthed THREE vintage beauties in the coat section! Um, Dana, you may want to stop reading, now. Just skip the next paragraph, okay?

I was sliding my hand across the coats as I walked by the rack and encountered "fuzzy". I looked at the coat and couldn't believe it! It was a knee-length fur in fabulous condition! The leather trim on the inside seam was still supple and whole. The stitching was perfect and the buttons were original and still attached! A beautiful tan/mocha color, I slid it on and it was a perfect fit! Next to that first fur was a beautiful knee-length knitted "trench-style" coat with a fur collar. Three sets of double-breasted buttons down the front. A snap and inside button at the neck. The collar itself has two hook-and-eye closure to turn the collar into a muff around the neck. For those of you that know my area, THIS coat was sold at Horne's! Fabulous fit, too! The third coat is a beautiful, fully lined cream trench coat (started out kind of a dingy grayish tan but 3-4 washed in Woolite and Oxyclean does wonders!). This coat was made in British Hong Kong! Collector's item! In all, DH spent less than $25 on all the coats plus my two skirts. I hope to take pictures of them soon. I have also pulled out my Great-Great-Aunt Mayre's/Great-Grandmother's fur coat that I inherited years ago. I plan on making use of them.

Third, my room is clean! Living in a small mobile home with limited storage, my and DH's bedroom tends to become dumping grounds for whatever anyone doesn't know what to do with. This weekend, we cleaned our room, weeded through all our clothes and started a new Goodwill collection in our living room, and kept up with the dishes and laundry.

The weekend of Oct. 10th, all my boys were home! DH drove up to Pittsburgh to get Jonathan. Isaac, his girlfriend, and Isaac's laundry arrived Saturday afternoon. It was so wonderful to have my men together again, though just for a short time. We had all gathered because Tom, the Marine I talk about occasionally, was home for a last visit. At this point right now, he and his unit are in "hurry up and wait" mode. They are scheduled to leave for Afghanistan soon. While we are all apprehensive about his orders, we are also happy for him. This is what he wants to do. This is what makes him happy. We know the possible outcome. So does he. We will deal with it when it comes. For now, we treasure the time we have.

Brutal Recess!

2009-09-25T16:44:00.002-04:00

My, oh my, the things kids "bring" home these days! Lol! This is what Mr. Rebel, my 10-year-old, looked like when he came home from school today. Apparently, recess was a little more interesting than usual. Lol! There is some swelling, a really nice bruise on the inside of the knee and several layers of skin missing. The bandaids from school were not hanging on very well and, of course, any dirt nearby was instantly attracted to the open wound.

It got washed and disinfected and bandaged. He spent 15 minutes on the couch with a frozen water bottle to bring down some of the swelling. The knee seems to be moving okay and he doesn't complain about it hurting when he puts weight on it. Though, that is just today. Tomorrow it will be stiff and sore. Fun!

Anyone want a Grasshopper...

2009-09-24T18:38:00.003-04:00

He's very photogenic. Very patient, too. I came home from running an errand with Jonathan, who is home from Pittsburgh while all the craziness of the G-20 is going on, and found this little guy sitting on the arm of one of my patio chairs. He sat there for over an hour. I have several good photos but this was a quick edit and looked perfect for a post.

A Birthday Party

2009-09-19T20:42:00.005-04:00

My middle BIL's girlfriend had her birthday yesterday so we celebrated with a party today at my MIL's house. A few days go DH calls me from work. He and his brothers had cooked up the idea to have a surprise party for their mother (whose birthday is on Tuesday) at the same time as middle BIL's girlfriend. So, I was asked to make the cake.

Now, if you read my post about my youngest's birthday party, you remember that my MIL showed me how to make icing roses. So, I told DH that I would like to try and make her cake a little more than a 9x13 still in the pan with icing slathered on. He was game so I went to the store.

Wilton makes these $12 starter kits with several tips/bags/mini colors/couplings and instructions (I suggest YouTube or Wilton website videos!), so I picked up one. I figured I could at least try. If I was completely inept then I could always call my mom to rescue me. I grew up watching mom decorate the most fantastic cakes (we never had plain, boring cakes until we became teens and were too complicated and moody...lol). So, I figured I had a head start.

So, here we go.This is two 9 inch rounds stacked. I used two boxed chocolate cake mixes and two tubs of chocolate icing. I filled the pans over the halfway mark to let them mound up. When they cooled I cut off the top keeping in line with the top of the pans to create a flat surface.

And here it is. It is far from perfect but God gave me the patience to keep trying. The best part? My MIL loved it!

I am glad I took pictures before we left the house to head over to MIL's because in the midst of DH fixing vegetable beef stew in the dutch ovens outside, the MIL's oil carafe that sat on the back of the stove fell over on the cake and flattened two of the roses! Lol! I had not put it back far enough when I returned it to the kitchen. Hahaha! I had a great time creating this and thank God for the talented women in my life that have taken the time to teach me their craft.

Stitch Markers

2009-09-17T14:33:00.004-04:00

These are knitting stitch markers that I have made purely because I hate those little wafer ones you buy in the stores. You can't see them very well if you are working with a bulky yarn, they slip from your fingers so easily, and if you drop one you might as well count it as GONE. So, since I have a ton of beads and findings and wire, I set to making stitch markers.

The top is Rose Quartz with silver-toned findings. It is a set of six and quite heavy. The quartz actually came from a few bracelets that I found on clearance at WalMart. I didn't like the bracelets but loved the quartz so I took them apart and have been waiting for the beads to talk to me and tell me what they wanted to be.

The second is purple glass and is a set of 12. These beads I bought outright because they reminded me of a set of dishes my mom use to have from Viking Glass (that I broke in its entirety when I was young and emptying the dishwasher...I learned not to try and lift an entire stack of plates after that). Again, the beads are paired with silver-toned findings.

I have a few other sets. One in black and white glass, another in autumn-colored "wedding cake" glass beads. I just remembered I hadn't photographed them as I typed. They are in my knitting tote bag and I forgot about them. Maybe later. All my markers are sized on US 15/10mm needles and are real easy to make. As long as I know what beads I am using, it only takes me about 5 minutes per marker since I use wire, not pins, and have to twist them into shape. I am thinking of selling them at the craft show I will be going to with my mom and aunt in November.

Under construction...

2009-09-16T20:47:00.001-04:00

For a little bit, anyway. It will look a bit chaotic for a while and my paragraphs are all wonky in older posts but things will straighten out soon enough.

National StepFamily Day

2009-09-16T15:55:00.004-04:00

Yep, apparently that is what today is. I have to agree with a fellow stepmom in my parenting group that Bonus Family is much better. So...HAPPY BONUS FAMILY DAY!(this picture is over 2 years old but it's the only one I had readily available with all of us in it.)

My first movie crush...Rest in Peace

2009-09-14T22:30:00.002-04:00

September 14, 2009, Patrick Swayze died at age 57

Cooking, Camping, and a Birthday

2009-09-13T21:47:00.005-04:00

The cooking and camping go hand-in-hand. My Dh and I are going to be camping next summer with our boys (the two oldest when they can join us...). So, DH bought me a 10-inch, 6qt, tri-leg dutch oven. I am determined to know how to cook WITHOUT a camp stove. The way I look at it, as long as I can start a fire and I have my dutch oven (and food) I can feed my family. I don't have to waste money on the camp stove every time we pack up for the weekend. It will be for emergencies. So, we started. And nothing has burned! Yay, me!

To further our camping experience, it is always nice to have a tent. DH and I have been pricing them for almost 6 months now. WOW! They can sure be expensive. We have finally settled on one we really like but it will cost a tidy bit and we have too many things to take care of right now to justify that purchase. It will wait. Enter - my family!

I had been up to my grandparents' home for something and ended up talking with Grandpap about our hopes for camping next summer. He offered his old tent that has been in storage for going on 20 years. Hey, it was more than DH and I had at the time, so I was more than happy to tell DH about it. A few days later my uncle called me to offer his and Aunt Martha's tent, too! Again, it had been in storage for many years.

Well, Saturday we packed up the boys and headed to my grandparents' house to see what we were dealing with as both my grandpap and my aunt/uncle said they weren't sure the condition of the tents but we were welcome to them. OMGosh!!!! They were awesome! Aunt/Uncle's tent is so cool! It is a small 3-4 man tent with a screen house attached and a canvas roof. Fabulous condition! Aunt even pulled the original instructions from the pole box! Hahah! In this family that is amazing! Pap's tent is fully canvas and the condition, well, have a look!

Today was Mr. Pirate's eighth birthday. We had his party over at my MIL's. It was small, as my older brother and his family didn't make it and my DH's brothers didn't make it (although one of DH's brother did drop off his oldest daughter). That's okay, though. We had a great time. MIL showed me how to make icing roses (yay!) and then we played outside with Mr. Pirate's new football. I even managed to figure out how to spiral a football (it's taken over 20 years, my brothers should be thrilled!). All in all, it was a wonderful day!

The most fantastic day!

2009-08-30T19:47:00.003-04:00

Despite not having our older two sons with us, I have had the most fantastic day with my younger two and my husband! This morning my DH surprised me with an outing. Having felt unwell, I was not moving fast enough to get to church. So, DH used that as an opportunity to take me and the two boys out for the day.

We started with a trip to the mall. Mr. Rebel needed new jeans and is in between sizes (and clothing departments...boys' section to men's section). Shopping for him is an adventure. We finally found a few pairs at Old Navy that were on clearance (thank goodness!!!) for $16.99 a pair. that is comparable to what I would have paid at KMart or WalMart (yes, I checked). He will have growing room but they fit him well enough to keep him from getting picked on.

After finding the pants, DH took me to my portion of the trip. A previously closed section of the mall has been reopened to house a CRAFT2000!!! Oh, happy day! Til today, I had never been in one of them. It is one of the most fabulous stores I have ever been in. I didn't explore even half the store. I did zero in on the yarn, though. Lovely aisles. Lovely. I brought home three one-pound bags of cotton mill ends. Each bag is one shade, which is not always the case.

So, after that we left the mall. DH decided it was time to eat (it really was) and so off we went. Following lunch, which was fabulous, we went to Cabela's. Since DH and I are taking the boys camping next year, he and I wanted to get a tri-legged cast iron dutch oven for cooking. I wanted it early so I can practice on how NOT to burn dinner! After doing the general looking around that we always do, we looked specifically for the 10-inch 6-qt dutch oven we wanted. It was nowhere! The product-finder kiosk stated that there was one in the store. Um, nope. So, while he went to look at knives with the boys, I went to customer service. I absolutely LOVE our Cabela's customer service desk. I don't know about other stores, but our store has a great customer service desk. They helped me locate one at the distribution center (basically right across the street) and we had fun laughing our way through finding it. DH was thrilled when I gave him the piece of paper and even more so when I actually put it in the van after picking it up from the distribution center.

After that we went to Bed, Bath and Beyond and picked up a knife magnet for the kitchen so that we can get our knives out of the utensil container (bad for knives! and for parents of a student chef). Dh will put it up tomorrow. Then, we stopped at a place that DH said I can cross off my Bucket List ---- Cold Stone Creamery! Fabulous! Then we came home and had dinner. Yeah, we had dessert first. It was fun though.

The whole day was fun! We spent a wonderful day with the two boys, enjoyed the sun (much of our visit to Cabela's was actually outside looking at tents and watching them carve logs with chainsaws), and visited with each other. Even with everything we did, we still got home in time for the boys to shower and be in bed ON TIME! Lol! Yep, they went to bed about 20 minutes ago! That even includes a phone call to Pittsburgh because the boys were missing their older brother. Tomorrow, they will be calling their oldest brother. Thank you, God, for giving us a full day of family and still keeping us on schedule. Today was such a blessing.

Ugh.

2009-08-29T09:44:00.002-04:00

A two-day migraine, this time. Three pills in total. I was beginning to wonder if the pills were actual medication or just powder. Eventually, the pain did recede but not before it completely messed up my plans for Friday evening.

For three weeks in a row, I have been unable to attend the "knit nights" at our yarn shop with Mom and Tater (my niece). Hopefully, next week is a different story. I really liked getting together with so many different people and just visiting.

I have finished several baby blankets in the diagonal dishcloth pattern. I try different patterns all the time but rip them out and go back to my dishcloth pattern. It works for me. Mom says that she did the same thing. She would start a pretty pattern and then rip it out and do a basic. After having some time to think on it, the basic pattern blankets are great because the pretty ones don't get used all the time. Those are the "good" blankets. The garter stitch blankets (mine are usually made from cotton) tend to be the ones the babies can grow with and drag behind them all through the house. That works for me.

I am currently working on a new blanket in the dishcloth pattern with Bernat Baby Coordinates yarn in Lemon Custard. One of the girls my two oldest went to school with is getting married and just found out she is expecting (good timing). She is doing the nursery in a John Deere theme (she's a farm girl to the core!!!) so I figure the light yellow will work. I will make another one in a cotton variegated to give her a basic go-to blanket. You can never have too many blankets when you have babies.

An interesting evening with next-day issues

2009-08-27T08:01:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, the two boys had there first day of the new school year. They were so excited to fill me in on everything they got to do. They both love their teachers and think they will have a great year. I checked their bags, signed assignment books, and read supply lists. Our state mandates that all student supplies are strictly optional. Meaning, no parents HAVE to supply school supplies. That is what our taxes are for. It's public school and we already pay for it, so they don't "require" us to send school supplies. However, the teachers send home lists of things that we could send to school for our child's personal us and for classroom use if we want. So, we do. Mr. Rebel only needed a few things this year as his teacher was fully prepared for the year, even down to the folders the kids are going to be receiving in a few days that will hold their work-in-progress and take-home papers. Mr. Pirate took several more things than that. With DH and I expecting to send a ton of supplies with both, the few things we did send came as a surprise and a blessing.

So, I took the kids to the store to pick up the few things I didn't have in my school supplies storage bins. DH met us there and we did a little more shopping for the house. After getting home, we started dinner and I started working with Mr. Pirate on his homework...and then the transformer down the road blew up. Oh...joy. Blessings of blessings, I had already sent Mr. Rebel to the showers (early, I know but I wanted it done), so he was just finishing when we lost power. Dinner for Dh and Mr. Rebel was to be prepared in the oven and I already had it on. Thank goodness for gas ovens! So, those two shared their food with Mr. Pirate and me. We ate outside on the patio and had a great time visiting and talking about the day.

When the transformer blew, I had called the electric company to report the outage. While on the phone with them, the fire trucks could be heard arriving down the road. The electric company said they hadn't received any calls from the fire department as of yet but they documented everything. A little later, they called back saying that no one else called with a power outage report so I walked around to my neighbors (who had no power) and they all called the electric company. They were told it would be about 10:30pm until someone could get there. It was 7:15pm. Oh, well. It happens. We got lucky, though. A guy had been in the area and opted for the call. We had power back before 9:30pm.

So, the other interesting thing. Yesterday, I had to each lunch by myself. So, Dh told me to help myself to stuff we bought for his lunches because he bought too much and didn't want it to go to waste. So, I did. So, in conjunction with what I ended up eating for dinner last night, I gave myself a migraine. Dana, you will be happy to hear that I can add processed meats (lunch meat and meat topping on heat-and-serve pizzas) to my "DO NOT EAT!!!!" list. Lol! The base of my skull hurts so bad right now. The right side of my face is a combination of numb and itchy. Nice. Next time I will just stick with my routine.

A few firsts...

2009-08-26T21:35:00.003-04:00

My two younger boys (Mr. Rebel on the left and Mr. Pirate on the right) got up bright and early this morning. Today was their first day of the 2009-2010 school year. It is also the first year that they go to school by themselves. Previously, they have had one or two older brothers with them. Not this year. Mr. Magic Hands (yes, that's the oldest...the Massage Therapist) and Mr. Chef (the second oldest...and his moniker is self-explanatory) are both off exploring the world in their own way, though they do manage to find home every once in a while. We do enjoy that.

*sigh* Those two look so much like their dad...

This was another first for me. An ORANGE SKY! Yes, that is true-to-life color. I double checked and triple checked. The sky was ORANGE! We had a pretty serious storm roll through one evening. The sky started to go green (bad bad bad) but then apparently changed its mind and we got the most beautiful "orange push-up" color! The sun had not yet set on the other end of the weather system and the light was bouncing off all the moisture. It was beautiful! 20 minutes later we had white clouds, blue skies and a gorgeous sunset. Nature is so fascinating!

Just a small vent

2009-08-20T22:27:00.002-04:00

So, during the course of your day you get on the internet to check your email. You surf a few websites, read a few articles. In that time you see (and probably ignore) those moving ads for car insurance. The other new thing is the deluge of ads that proclaim Obama asks Moms to go back to school. Great idea! I think it is wonderful that there are programs to encourage Moms to go back to college...oh, wait...there's a catch.

99% of all scholarships and grants available for 'Mom' and her family's need for her to return to college are for SINGLE MOMS! Yep. I would have to divorce my husband to get the funding needed to go back to school to better my chances on getting a job that would pay more than my daycare bill.

I married young. I had children young. I have raised two boys that God blessed me with the day I said "I Do". I have two more boys that I was blessed with that are in grade school. I have limited employment history but 11 years of managing a house hold, managing schedules, and raising children. I have learned many things over the years through use of the internet and use of basic application and reading. My life experience adds up to more education than that of a 20 year old with a little piece of paper saying "I'm smart!". And yet, that little piece of paper gets them the job and me a rejection letter.

So, here's a tip. If you are a mom and want to go back to school, the government apparently would love to give you money...if you aren't married! If you have spent any amount of time being a SAHM, raising your kids, sacrificing your dreams, and listening to people talk down to you because you lack a certain little piece of paper, well, you are poop-out-of-luck.

New addition

2009-08-18T20:49:00.003-04:00

Thanks to my DH, and the fact that my much beloved Pantech was dying (had it over two years and put it through the ringer!), I have a new phone. The LG Banter. It was $30, which was cheaper than my Pantech. So far, it's okay. It's huge compared to my Pantech but it seems okay, so far. I am holding on to my Pantech even though it doesn't have service. If I do get rid of it, I can always take the battery to my local Radio Shack for disposal, so I don't have to worry about that).

An ending...

2009-08-18T20:10:00.002-04:00

Have you ever had that one teacher that has such an impact on your life that you think of them almost every day? That you actually call them just to say hi and check on them? Yeah, that teacher...

Yesterday, I lost that teacher. Mr. Rose. My band director for the first two years of high school. He was the type of man that you either loved or hated within 2 minutes of meeting him. He smoked (in the band room), he drank (we all knew it was in his coffee...in the band room), he swore to make a sailor blush (in the band room, the practice field, football games, etc), and he cared for each and every one of his students whether they liked him or not. He would gives his last few dollars in his pocket just to make sure his kids had reeds, oil, a registration fee. He was as coarse and crude and politically incorrect as possible. And we loved him.

My junior year, I auditioned for Field Commander/Drum Major. All the students that auditioned made up the "company" that followed commands given by the one currently in front of the judges. So many did well. Me? I ran the company into the gym wall! God bless him, Mr. Rose laughed so hard he had to sit down! Lol! Mr. D (assistant director) wasn't much better. *chuckle* Needless to say, I didn't get it. Not that year. My senior year, yeah. I got it. The sad thing about it was Mr. Rose had retired at the end of my junior year so he wasn't there to share it with. I did call him, though. The first thing he asked when I told him I auditioned again was if I ran the company into the wall! Lol! He was thrilled that I got it. I told him I spent my entire summer practicing with my SIL, Pam. I could hear the smile in his voice about that.

He loved Pammy. She was his go-to girl in the percussion section. Anything he needed from the percussion, she gave it ten-fold. She would also argue with him. Toe to toe, those two would go at it. She never backed down from him even when he threated her grade. If it was worth it, she argued. Ahh, he loved their fights. You could see it.

Mr. Rose was a perfect mix of grandpa and old geezer.

There are so many memories I could share but I think I will sit back and enjoy them for now.

For Family

2009-08-13T07:39:00.003-04:00

Since my mom hasn't updated her blog since the WV Birthday weekend, I will try and fill family in on what is happening.

Grandma was supposed to have cataract surgery on August 18. Last week, at her check-up appointment before surgery, the doctor found a membrane containing fluid behind her eye. It isn't supposed to be there. So, he cancelled the surgery and scheduled an appointment for her to see a specialist in Pittsburgh on August 14, tomorrow.

Grandma is very nervous and anxious about it. She was hoping to be done with all the surgeries before Emily's birthday. Now, we don't know what is happening.

Mom has become something of a knitting whisperer! Lol! She has a group of ladies in a small community south of our town that have come together as a Prayer Shawl group. Another group has started at our church that meets every week with Mom. We also have a new yarn shop in town! She has just started, so she carries the basics and a few specialty yarns but is building her stock based on what her customers are looking for instead of stocking everything and stuff not selling. The shop hosted a Knit til You Drop night a few weeks ago and it turned into a weekly meeting. I missed last Friday's Knit Night because of feeling ill from a migraine that lasted three days. However, I am praying very hard to be able to make it tomorrow night!

Since Mom will be in Pittsburgh with Grandma and Grandpap all day, she has asked that I take Tater, my niece. Mom taught Tater to knit just over a month ago (she picked it up immediately!). Tater has been going with mom to all her Prayer Shawl meetings in the small community south of us and has attended Knit Night the last two weeks. Mom doesn't want her to miss tomorrow's Knit Night just because she is exhausted from the day in Pittsburgh. So, I am hoping, praying, that God gives me a pass for tomorrow evening so I can take her. Oh, that reminds me. I have to fix something to take with me.

Yes, I know...another post

2009-08-12T22:57:00.003-04:00

Just a quick note before bed.

Dh and I have been working on the home for the last few weeks. I have managed to get 90% of the place cleaned and organized. Our bedroom, which as most parents know is really just another storage room for things the kids leave laying around the house and ends up tossed in Mom and Dad's room, is still on the To-Do list. The older boys' room, which is now the smaller bedroom, is also on the list. I have a lot of stuff that needs stored or sold in a yard sale, so it will take some work for that to be done since my storage building is bursting at the seams right now.

The biggest thing at this point is DH's handiness around the home. Living in a mobile home means we live in a metal box that heats up horribly during any type of sunny, somewhat humid weather. It also means we don't have a screen door paired with our back door. So, DH got creative and bought the items needed to make a full sized screen to put over the opening when the door is open. Yes, we have to remove it every night but I love the fact I can just prop open the door, slide the screen in place and put a fan at the back door to draw air through the rest of my home.

Today, DH took the old A/C unit out of our bedroom window, along with the plexiglass and fit a new screen for the window. I can honestly say that I hate silicone caulking. I now also need new blades for my utility knife. Luckily, DH keeps a supply on hand because he goes through so many for work. It took me almost an hour to remove all the caulking. And to go outside and scoop up all the cat poop that was in my yard and stinking to high heavens. Funny, though. I DON'T OWN A CAT! However, all my neighbors who DO own cats think it's great that it's MY YARD and MY GARDEN that gets used as a litter box. *sigh* Yes, I am venting. Yes, I am done.

So, tomorrow, DH and I are going to remove the old A/C unit from the front bedroom where the two younger boys are. He is going to fit it for a new screen and hopefully get a nice bit of airflow through the house. I am pretty excited. We have been here for over 7 years and I still feel like I am just moving in. Hmm.

On a side note, the screen fabric Dh picked up is great! It is UV protectant grade and is very dark which gives a large amount of privacy. Especially with us having the back door completely open.

So, I have rambled again. I can feel myself slipping into "slap happy" stage. It's time to say goodnight.

Have a laugh...

2009-08-12T08:04:00.002-04:00

Dh and I aren't big on alcoholic beverages. Me because can't hold my liquor and DH because he just isn't interested. Granted, he will have a drink every once in a while (more like two or three times a YEAR) but that's it. With me, well, I can't have more than 4 oz. without getting drunk. Me being drunk involves a pillow, a blanket, possibly some snoring and a horrendous headache in the morning. And that is off 4 oz of alcohol. Just so you get the idea, that's 1/3 of a regular can of beer! It actually makes me sad. I love wines and miss being able to sit down after the kids are in bed and having a glass. Oh, well. We still have a use for the wine rack on the baker's stand in the kitchen! Lol!

Ah, relief

2009-08-12T07:16:00.003-04:00

The last week or so has been so humid, muggy, stifling, whatever you wish to call it. It's been just downright hot. DH and I have had to be creative to keep the kids cool enough. We made the decision in early spring that we were NOT turning on the window A/C units. One - we don't have the money to spend on frivolous electricity use; Two - we like having the house open and aired out (despite the plumes of cigarette smoke that occasionally float in from the neighbors - the kids and I learn to just turn the fans around); Three - It's easier for the kids to come and go while they play if they don't have to constantly worry about letting the cold air out.

So, we have 7 fans going. Yes, seven (7), and my electric bill is still lower than last summer's bill when I did use the window units. I actually scored a great deal (for me, anyway) the other day. On Monday, we only had 6 fans in the house and the weekend's weather was just too much for me without another airmover. I packed up the kids and went to the store. Of the three big fans we have, two of them are fabulous high velocity fans. The third is just a bit better than a regular box fan. Anyway, I was off to buy another of the high velocity fans which are normally priced at $40. I hated having to spend that much money but DH and I talked about it and decided that it was a good purchase. The fans have been put through the ringer and are still working like they did the day they were taken out of the box. So, I bit my lip and went to the store.

Surprise! Surprise! They had them marked down to $32! Sure, it's only $8 but that's money I can use for my family on something else we need. Yay!

The relief we have been given is lower temperatures outside. We even got desperately-needed rain yesterday. Thank the good Lord for that.

Empty the cupboards...

2009-08-07T21:37:00.002-04:00

Well, that is what I am doing. I am emptying my cupboards. By baking. I have so many mixes and ingredients for things. I know some of them are in danger of due-date demise so I am on a baking spree. Yesterday, I baked a devil's food cake in two bread pans.

While it cooled, DH and I went to Kroger's. Milk was on sale for $0.79 a half-gallon! We picked up 2 gallon's worth! After paying almost $4.00 a gallon, coming in around $1.60 for a gallon is a treasure! So, I called Grandpap and Grandma to check on their milk status and picked up a few half-gallons for them. We also picked up 3 gallon's worth of Kroger orange juice, as it is good til almost the end of the month. I love orange juice but it can be almost as expensive as milk, so I have not been getting any for a very long time. Having it is such a treat for all of us!

We picked up a few other items and returned home. After dinner, DH and I prepared dessert! I took the cake loaves out of the pans, placing them on a cutting board. DH got out the box of ice cream, cool whip, and marachino cherries. I opened the small tub of vanilla bean ice cream that had been left to soften (melt, really) on the counter. Then, we assembled! Pour a little bit of melted ice cream in the bottom of a bowl, a slice of cake, half a slice of ice cream from the box, a slice of cake, fudge sauce (melted in microwave per label's instructions), cool whip, cherry. Add a spoon. Give it to a child. Repeat til you get yours. Lick the spoon from the fudge sauce. Enjoy. *sigh* Nice.

Tonight, I made a Cranberry Quick Bread with Orange Peel. Delicious.

All of this has been enjoyable, if somewhat exhausting. I have had an awful migraine for the last two days. It peaked at a level 10 today, an hour after I took my medication. I am drained and sore. My teeth and gums hurt from the swelling and the right side of my neck at the base of my skull hurts greatly.

I had an MRI last week and the results were clean. Part of me is thrilled that there were no findings but another part of me is disappointed. I KNOW something is wrong. I can FEEL that something is wrong. Yet, NOTHING is there. Helpless. That is what I feel right now. So, I will empty my cupboards. I will bake. And probably gain 20lbs or get so sick of looking at sweets that I will lose 20lbs.

Anyway, another ramble.

The last week

2009-08-04T19:11:00.003-04:00

Has been so incredibly busy. Massive amounts of cleaning and rearranging has happened. I have cleaned and rearranged my living room bit. My kitchen has been cleaned and sorted. My bathroom got cleaned/sterilized very well today. DH has been a blessing and helped me stay caught up on laundry.

The front half of my large metal storage building is pretty well dedicated to Yard Sale stuff. I am hoping to have one in the next few weeks or just after school starts at the end of the month. I still have my bedroom to go through and my closet. Oh, and DH's wooden storage building needs gone through but he has to be here for that.

While I was scrubbing the bathtub today, crouched in an awkward position, something went crunch and rip in my left knee. Even though I was still able to walk around and finish the bathroom, it hurts like the dickens! I put my trusty knee-brace on to hold myself together and it helped for a while but it still hurts.

Oh, well. The hazards of cleaning.

Speaking of cleaning! If you have a vinyl shower curtain and it has metal grommets, I have an easy cleaning tip! A few, actually.

Don't put it in the washer. Personal experience (should have been obvious, I know) says that the metal grommets will put tiny slices in your nice vinyl shower curtain. The one you love. The one that is no longer being sold in any store! Good thing you bought all they had left on clearance...
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and hot water. Take down the shower curtain, leaving the bottom inside the tub and drape the rest over the side. Fill the tub with a little hot water and scrub away with the Eraser. Feed the rest of the shower curtain into the tub, scrubbing sections as you go.
If you have a removable shower head, just hang the shower curtain back up. Step into the shower, turn on the cold water and, using the shower head, rinse the shower curtain. Easy-peasy! Should take about 5 minutes!

And the best part is that you didn't use any harsh chemicals! I love my Magic Erasers! I can clean without harsh chemicals. When I remember to buy more vinegar, I will be even happier because my windows needs it desperately.

A rare moment in my life...

2009-08-01T22:50:00.002-04:00

My men. Completely unedited and spontaneous.

Having all five of them together at one time is such a rare thing anymore. The older two were openly thrilled to have their little brothers around, today. They played frisbie, chased them, took their hats... They love them. It's obvious, no matter how hard they try not to admit it.

Blazing Star

2009-07-27T14:22:00.003-04:00

Thanks to my SIL, Dana, I have found out what that purple spikey flower is that my youngest took photos of at my Grandmother's.

Liatris. Also known as Blazing-star, Gay-feather, or Button snakeroot.

After reading Dana's warning about Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife), I started looking. One site that talked about invasive plants recommended replacing it with something called Blazing star. So, I went looking for that.

BINGO! That is exactly what is in my Grandma's front garden! I didn't think it was the Lythrum salicaria since it had not overrun the entire planting area (she still has loads of daisies and lilies that pop up and her tulips are as beautiful and strong as ever) but since I am not well-versed in plant life as Dana, I wasn't going to ignore it. Plus, Dana is just a fount of information anyway. I learn alot from her.

So, I know that my updates have been scattered, eratic, and random at best. I have been working through my yarn collection trying to get all the pieces I bought certain yarn and thread for completed. I recently completed another baby blanket out of bulky yarn (like the type Moo made our afghans out of, Dana) that was pink and white variegated. I am going to be making a christening outfit with some thread soon. Following that, I have some bamboo crochet thread I have been saving for a special project. Mom purchased a pattern book of purses and bags months ago. In it is a pattern for a reticule (a small, delicate lace purse) with a satin liner of any choice of color. I finally have all the things needed. Hopefully, I won't mangle the pattern too much.

I plan on making more cup cozies and coasters. Market bags and baby blankets are on my list, too. All out of worsted weight cotton or other organic material. My hands just can't deal with the acrylic. Maybe I can get away with Cotton-ease but I am not sure. For now, I will stick with my cotton cones.

Deep breath

2009-07-24T23:53:00.002-04:00

For the last two years I have entered pictures into our County Fair Photography Contest. Last year, my two youngest sons entered, as well. This year, the two of them are entering three each. I love them! Mr. Rebel is entering his photograph of the bridge, one of Sammy (Pap's dog) that he took several days before Sam died, and a macro shot of his Lego Locomotive. Mr. Pirate is entering a shot of a purple spike flower (have no idea what it is but I will find out), one of a trio of yellow pom flowers, and one from him running with the camera. All very cool photographs! I will post them later.

As for me...

Not a single thing!

Yippeeee! Yay! Whaaahooooo!

Lol! That's right, I am not putting single thing in the Fair this year. Maybe next year. Maybe not. I decided that the photographs I have taken the last year are for me this time. I framed my Baby's Breath photo I posted a few weeks ago. It is an 11x14 matted and framed in a 16x20 frame. I wired and hung it this evening. It is on the wall across from my couch, where I usually sit to knit and crochet, so that I can see it. It's a magical photo. A glimpse of peace God has allowed me to make mine.

I told my DH that I feel great about my decision not to put anything in the Fair. Real great. Calm and relaxed. No pressure. With all the stress that we have gone through in the last two months or so, I just needed a break. This year, for my own little family, the fair will be about our boys. On the extended side, my mom and two aunts are entering photos, as well as my older brother's three kids. I don't know if his wife is going to enter any, and honestly, I don't really care. If that makes me seem callous...well, I won't apologize. I do that too much.

For my family that is entering the contest, I wish them luck. Regardless of who wins a blue ribbon or not, being able to share how you see the world is wonderful. Each person sees something different, something unique to them. That is what makes photography such a personal endeavor. It a bit of your soul put on paper.

. . . so this was a bit of a ramble. More of my inner thoughts and feelings than I have put down in a while. I have been so caught up in others' perception of me that I was beginning to lose me. I think I will go find me. Should be an interesting journey.

Quick update

2009-07-20T15:09:00.004-04:00

Last Wednesday, my Uncle Joe and I went to get my van. It was such a wonderful trip! I laughed and giggled almost the entire way down. Life has thrown so much at this family that staying connected has become something of a chore. It was so nice to get to spend time with my Uncle.

I remember as a child, him coming to visit us. For years, he was a truck driver and was all over the country. Any time he got near us in Louisiana, Mom or Dad would make the trips to the truck stops to pick him up. Many times, my brothers and I were lucky enough to go with them. My mom has told me she remembers the "yeah, right..." looks on people's faces when we three kids would go running through the truck stop restaurants calling, "Uncle Joe! Uncle Joe!" and climb up his tall frame to hug his neck. Seriously, people! He's married to my mom's sister! Lol!

It was always a treat when Uncle Joe came. One year we even got him for Christmas, I think. We got him for his birthday a few times, too. Those visits were so special to us. So many times he would have to wait until after we kids had gone to school before he could leave because I would cry so much.

Then there was the year Aunt Martha and Uncle Joe came for an official summer vacation visit! They even brought my cousins Matt and Malissa! Oh, we had so much fun that summer! Left turn! Right turn! Lol! (family joke...)

So, the van works fine. It took the whole trip back for me to become accustomed to the way it drove, again. With the transmission fixed, it actually drives better than before and gaining more speed than necessary was an issue for a bit. Overall, it is wonderful to have my van back. Thank you, God, for our miracle.

A sadder note, today. Sam has died.

Sam, our Sam. He was my grandpap's dog. He is from the litter of pups that my dad's dog had 15 years ago. Many of her pups stayed in the family. Peaches went to Aunt Nancy's house because she fell asleep on Uncle Richard's foot and he fell in love. Sassafras's went to Aunt Martha's and Uncle Joe's house. Sugar became my Mom's dog. And Sam. Sam became Pap's boy.

Sam went everywhere with Pap. So many times I have felt that Sam was more than a dog. True, our family has treated the family pets as members of the family but Sam was something more. Sam was Pap's. Those two were made for each other. Today, Pap's heart is breaking. Today, Sam isn't hurting anymore. The last few weeks has been so hard. He lost Sugar, his sister and house mate. He was fast losing the ability to walk. He couldn't eat right. Just this weekend he started vomiting black stuff and a growth appeared on his side.

Today, Sam is better. Today, we are left to silence, no barking, no panting, no dog collar jingling through the house. Today, we remember the gift that was Sam and the joy he brought my grandpap. Sam was more precious than he could have ever known. Thank you, God, for the time we had him in our family. He was a true blessing. Sam - Taken Wednesday, July 15, 2009, by my 10 year old son.

Today was rather...en"lighten"ing

2009-07-14T21:17:00.002-04:00

As is obvious from my blog badge to the right, I suffer from debilitating migraines. Several on my side of the family do. For the past several years I have been going to my general physician and, in just the last year, a neurologist. When I was referred to the neurologist, I was filled with such anticipation. I had done my research on him and really felt he would be able to help me move forward with my migraines and see improvement. Together, we would be able to figure out if there was an underlying problem.

I have been so disappointed. Despite my efforts of thinking positive thoughts about the whole situation, I have come to the realization that this neurologist, for all his awards and accolades in the field of migraine research, is basically a joke. Having this need to research and learn all I can about migraines, I know that one of the first things many neurologists do for migraine sufferers is to send them for scans and other tests. I had ONE, yes ONE, run of blood work. Then, last summer, I ended up in his office on an emergency visit (honestly thinking I was going to die...and apparently, he thought so, too), I received an oxygen treatment that made it worse. I have one medication that I take for my migraines. ONE. It works. That's all I need. Just keep it coming!

However, this man thought that he should give me everything under the son. He knew I researched everything yet he continued to give me meds that I already vetoed. I refused to take anything with similar side-effects to Topamax but he still tried. He gave me fibromyalgia medication! For MIGRAINE! Yes, I know that some of those meds are found to prevent migraine but COME ON! I was getting med patches to put on my back, nasal sprays that burned my sinuses, awakening meds that they give to ADD/ADHD patients, and migraine meds that made the pain worse... Every time he would give me more meds, I would tell him, just give me another 'script for my Maxalt. We can stay with it for now. My migraines are changing as it is and I don't want to screw with them too much. He completely ignored me.

So, to my point. I went to my general physician's offices today. While I did not see my doctor personally, I did see my Uncle J (my mom's first cousin but all of us kids grew up calling that generation Aunt or Uncle...it was easier) who is an x-ray tech and PA there, as well as another PA/resident. I trust the people in this office. After explaining everything above to the PA, and telling her NO, I had not had any scans done, she was horrified! She had done a rotation with this neurologist and understood my dismay and disappointment. She immediately got me a 'script for my meds. After taking my bag full of medications my neurologist gave me, she showed them to Dr K in his office (next to my exam room). I could here him yelling through the wall! Lol! "Why in the WORLD is he giving Jenny all this crap!? She has MIGRAINE, not fibromyalgia pain! She's had migraine since she was a kid! What is he thinking?" *sigh* I love my doctor. It pays to go see a man that went to school with your parents. Sometimes. Other times it sucks because he tattles on you. Gotta love small town, old-school doctors. The best medicine sometimes is to tell 'mommy'! Lol!

Anyway, after almost a year of seeing this neurologist, I got fed up and went back to my general physician. Within 3o minutes, I was getting scheduled for an MRI. I don't know when yet, I have just been put on the roster for scheduling. They will call me by Friday. I have a few samples of my meds until I can get my 'script filled.

So, the play on words within my title? I feel lighter. My chest doesn't feel as tight. My DH doesn't have as many worry lines around his eyes. With my migraines changing and getting worse, he has been so worried. I try not to tell him how bad they are but he knows. He always does. I just hate it when he fusses. So, even though I am not out of the woods, I feel a little lighter, I can breathe a little easier, knowing that I can take a step forward instead of walking in circles.

Oh, and I leave tomorrow morning to get my van. God is good. We just have to stay on the Path to see it. No matter how many times we tell ourselves AAA won't cover it, just stay on the Path.

The last few weeks...

2009-07-13T15:48:00.003-04:00

The last few weeks have been rather busy and stressful. On Independence Day we took Jonathan (aka Mr. Chef) to Pittsburgh and moved him into the dorms at PCI. He returned with us for one last family summer holiday and went back the next day. He loves it up there! He has figured out how to get to the grocery store using the transit system (only took two hours to figure out the six block trip) so that he knew which bus to get on should there be inclimate weather. He loves his classes! DH and I are so proud of him. We miss him terribly.

Now that both the older boys have moved out of the house, we moved the younger two into the bigger bedroom the older two just vacated. Isaac and Jonathan still have a place to come home to it's just the smaller bedroom. They assured us that a place to sleep and stash a few articles of clothing was just fine. It's still hard to realize that they aren't here anymore. I know Isaac has been moved out since last September but moving the younger two into the bigger room made everything seem so final.

DH and I are so proud of both the older boys - young men, really - and all they have done in their lives. Isaac has been able to maintain an apartment and a steady job while he was going to school and continues to do so since finishing his courses. That isn't something easy to do in today's economy, let alone while living in a college town. He is so grown up when he visits. I miss the little boy that was all knees and elbows, crawling onto my lap and falling asleep during church. *sigh* Memories...

Speaking of visits, Isaac did come up last week. His landlord hasn't fixed the washing machine, yet, and he needed clothes washed. As we have told him to do, he brought the clothes home. The younger two boys loved Isaac being home! They played video games and Yugioh card game. I would have enjoyed the visit much more had I not decided earlier in the day to sort through our metal storage building. Despite the fact that I drank enough water to turn me into a fish, I dehydrated...drastically! The culmination of said dehydration? A wonderful migraine that tipped my pain scale at a level 9. During the entire 20+ years I have been suffering from migraine, I can count on ONE HAND the amount of times I have been physically ill from the pain. I don't think I will ever eat another pickle again. Ever. And I love pickles. But not after this.

I was still dealing with the pain the next day and the weakness and lethargy lasted almost the entire weekend. My negligence in not wearing my medical alert is no more. I had become complacent in putting it on in the mornings, thinking it wasn't such a big deal as long as I had a card in my wallet. Yeah, not so much. I have once again put it on every day.

I rarely ask anything of the few readers who come to my blog. However, I am asking for prayers. My DH's cousin had an emergency c-section on Friday due to severe hemorraging. Her little girl didn't make it. We almost lost DH's cousin, too. So, please, though I give you no names, keep that family in your prayers and thoughts.

On a happier note...my van is ready. I pick it up on Wednesday. Praise God! Things may not happen in our time but they do happen in His time. He has taught me patience and humility in the last few months. A lesson I hope to retain.

An Anniversary Flower

2009-07-01T22:44:00.004-04:00

Convallaria Majalis
(Lily of the Valley)

Simple Beauty

2009-07-01T22:40:00.003-04:00

Bellis Perennis
(Daisy)

Unbelievably soft!

2009-07-01T17:03:00.004-04:00

Artemisia
(Wormwood/Silver Sage/Silver Mound/Sagebrush/Mugwort)

Taking pictures again...

2009-06-29T11:27:00.005-04:00

Calendula (calendula arvensis - field marigold) and Baby's Breath (gypsophila elegans). I am trying to learn the latin names for the plants and flowers in my daily life, so work with me. The Calendula is unedited except for my watermark. The Baby's Breath is unedited except for cropping and my watermark.

These are growing in my MIL's backyard. We were there Saturday for my BIL's birthday party and I was bored, so I took pictures. Since I don't drink alcohol and don't smoke cigarettes (Myself and my two youngest sons are allergic to cigarette smoke and prolonged exposure will trigger our migraines), I couldn't sit on the back porch and relax. Something I really wanted to do on my 11th Wedding Anniversary. Taking pictures kept me from mouthing off at my BIL/SIL about their treatment of my MIL. Sometimes I really hate my Etiquette Button. It kicks on at the most inopportune times. *sigh* Yes, Grandma M., I played nice.

Anyway, I am going to put these two photos in the Fair Photography Contest this year. I think. Still not sure. All I DO know is that I have to get Little Pirate to take some pictures. Since he has discovered this extreme fascination with rocks (he's found some real nice ones, too!) maybe him taking some macro shots of them could be an idea. Of course, it will be done on a tripod so that my camera lens doesn't somehow end up in the middle of a rock pile! Lol!

Baby Beanie Cap

2009-06-26T08:42:00.003-04:00

Well, I spent practically the whole day yesterday in my MIL's pool. It was wonderful! It was so hot and muggy that the pool was just what DH, the younger two boys, and I needed. My MIL had my 7 y/o niece, so she went into the pool with us. MIL can't get in when the sun is on the water because it blinds her, so it was great we were there during the heat of the day to give her a break.

My hands started itching when I got home. I needed to make something! So, out came my crochet hooks and I started surfing the web. YouTube is great for learning new stitches when you don't want to bother your mom! Lol! So, now, I know how to do Half Double Crochet and Triple Crochet. Doesn't sound like much but to a person that is still new and pretty much self-taught, this is fabulous!

Anyway, I made that Baby Beanie Cap I was talking about. I added a ruffle on the edge to soften the look and help it match the blanket. I also made a ruffled pansy to attach to it but DH said it was too much "stuff", so I have dropped it in my things for a later use.

Happy Birthday, Daddy. I miss you.

2009-06-25T10:11:00.003-04:00

One of my cousins is having her first baby! I decided that I would make her something instead of just buying a gift. This pattern is from Lion Brand Yarn in their free pattern section. It is almost identical to the dishcloth pattern I use. The blanket itself is almost 4 ft. across with some give. I crocheted a ruffle border around the edge after I finished binding off the last five stitches. That's the first time I did a ruffle and I think it looks nice.

The yarn is Peaches & Creme worsted weight cotton. The Peppercorn Umber shade. I used just a little more than one cone (just over 688 yds). When I went looking for yarn to use, I kept coming back to the cotton cones that I normally picked up for my market bags and dishcloths. The acrylics just didn't appeal to me. In all honesty, cotton is better since it is an organic material and does not traditionally irritate the skin. So, cotton it is!

I found a really cute pattern for a crocheted baby beanie cap and am hoping to make it to accompany the blanket but I am not promising anything. After hurrying to get this done in a week, my fingers are telling me many stories of what they CAN'T do right now. Lol! It was fun, though. I plan on making more and selling them at the craft show I will be attending this fall with my aunt and mother. Haven't settled on a price yet but DH and I are discussing my options.

WV Birthday - June 20 - 146 years old

2009-06-22T13:29:00.003-04:00

My two youngest sons ran around our community with my mom and grandparents. They explored a local historical home complete with archeological dig, Fostoria Glass Museum, The Mound Museum, and the former WV State Penitentiary. They had a blast! My 10 y/o took this photo from the top of the Mound.

Nature's Wrath

2009-06-18T08:31:00.003-04:00

Last evening was an adventure I would rather not repeat.

Following VBS, we exited the church to find the skies north of us dark and ominous, while those to the south looked like the perfect spring/summer evening, dotted with pink cotton candy clouds. Then enters the tornado warning. We live in WV, people!!! I left Louisiana YEARS AGO, happy to be away from such things!!!

I race the storm home, drop my mom at her house and head to mine. Then...nothing. At least for an hour or so, anyway.

The lightning started about 9:30pm and, hoping to create my own therapy to help get over my fear of severe storms, I stood outside and took some pictures. After loading them onto the computer, I realized that I needed to pick up my 18 y/o from work. DH and I both thought that the storm had blown by us. I got two minutes from the house and visibility turned to...well, let's just say that high beams, high wiper setting and 5mph still wasn't good. I arrived in the WalMart parking lot in time to watch grocery carts drive themselves in CIRCLES!!! In SIDEWAYS RAIN! Yeah, the good little southern girl in me is screaming "Cloud rotation! Cloud rotation! If it was daylight, it would be green outside!! GET OUT OF THE STUPID CAR!!!" (Yeah, she wasn't very nice...).

So, with half of my body soaking wet after running into the store, I have to wait for my son since he has to finish locking up. DH calls me, "I am packing the boys into the company car and heading to Mom's." So, Mr. Chef and I continue to wait for a lull, however small. The mad dash to the car ends up with both of us soaking wet. He calls his grandmother to let her know we are on our way. The normal 5 minute trip takes 15 minutes. There are rivers in the streets that I probably shouldn't have driven through but I did.

After being at my MIL's for about an hour, things have calmed down. The rain is almost done and coming straight down, now. We leave. About 1-1/2 miles from the house, there is a line of cars waiting on emergency personnel to let them pass. A power line is down. And the have had to forcibly evacuate to neighborhoods just passed the elementary school near my grandparents' home. DH and I told them where we were going and they told us we would be fine. It's beyond us that it was still really bad.

DH and I discover that we have standing water behind our home. The creek looks like a raging river. There is mud everywhere.

But my kids are safe and happy, having gotten to sleep in their own beds last night.

This morning my mother calls to check on me and tells me that my aunt and uncle are in the living room. Uncle had to call 911 last night because the storm ripped the power line OFF their house!! The power company tech came out and couldn't work on it last night due to the storms continued activity and the the fireman, when asked how things looked in town, told Uncle that he really didn't want to know. Things were that bad.

So, today we will all assess the damages and be thankful to God for the life we have. Sometimes, it takes a good rumble to make us realize that things don't matter...people do. Blessed be God.

And today...

2009-06-06T12:11:00.001-04:00

...I burned up the motor in my grandpap's weed trimmer! Lol!

A little information about this weed trimmer...it's OLD! Pap said he has been looking for an excuse to get a new one, anyway! He and Grandma got a good laugh about it while they were teasing me for burning up a yard tool. Hopefully, I won't burn up the next one. For now, I will just take mine.

The last two weeks...

2009-06-06T08:53:00.006-04:00

It has been quite an adventure that last few weeks. My 18 y/o graduated from high school (thank you, God, for that intervention miracle!), my oldest came home for about 30 minutes - he lives about 2 hours away - which was just long enough to pack his newly graduated brother into his car with a week's worth of clothes and a computer for a mini-vacation before we send him to college in July, and my DH and I have been working on our yard and garden.

Once I take some worthwhile pictures of the whole garden experience, I will post them. For now, I am just enjoying the fact that my patio is currently home to a gas grill and a patio seating set and THAT'S ALL! Lol!

I leave you with a lovely Pink Alyssum. Along with petunias in purple, pink and white, I have a multitude of pink, purple and easter Alyssum. Then there are the Hostas in the front beds...

Yeah, that green thumb I thought I didn't have is sure working nicely. God is good.

A blessed day

2009-05-27T08:07:00.000-04:00

Today is graduation practice for Mr. Chef. I will breathe easier when he makes it through this stage of the events without a hitch. I am leaving in a bit to pick up my niece, who is also graduating, to give her a ride to practice.

Then I get to figure out how to make my mother's car window roll up! The repair shop doesn't have ANYTHING available. So, looks like I am tearing apart a car door. Hey, if I can change radiator hoses successfully and not know what I am doing to begin with, I am willing to give a window a try.

An end and a beginning...

2009-05-26T17:01:00.003-04:00

If all goes well, on Thursday my 18 y/o will graduate. I will take a deep breath when he walks OFF the stage. It's been a rough few months but we are almost finished. Then, he moves. He's going to be in one direction, his older brother in another. They do like to make my life interesting.

When the 18 y/o moves off to college at the end of June (more on that later) my younger two will be moving into the bigger bedroom. Any remaining items (there will be quite a few) from the older two will be moved into the smaller bedroom as they will only be home for visits. Of course, the bunk beds will stay in the rooms they are already in. Since they are identical, I am only swapping mattresses! When someone wants to have their bed to move out completely, THEN I will dismantle a bunk bed set but not before! Heavy metal beds that were difficult to put together are even more difficult to take apart without destroying them!

So, the 18 y/o, Mr. Chef, will be moving out at the end of June to go to college. He will be attending culinary school. Classes start July 7 and he will be there for just over one year (year round). He will then have a 3-month externship that he needs to organize early if he plans on going over seas. Luckily, he still has a passport from when his father was in the Marine Corps and stationed in Japan. All it needs is some updating but half the battle is won by just having it. The school handles all the work visas for overseas externships, he just has to find a place to live! He's already talking about where to apply! Ye gads! I just want him to graduate high school this week! I'll deal with the rest later!

So, anyway, I am still saying prayers of thanks for the Lord's work in my life. Especially my van. Sometimes I get so caught up in all the big stuff that happens that I forget the little things that make life so wonderful. Like playing checkers with my kids.

2009-05-23T12:32:00.004-04:00

So many times we try and do God's job of taking care of our lives. So many times we feel we are capable of handling every problem that comes our way. You can bet that every time we approach things like that, God is looking at us, shaking His head, sighing and thinking "You're screwing it up. Just let Me have five minutes. Just trust Me." And every time we still think we can do it without help, like a child learning to tie shoes or a teenager learning to cook without the smoke alarm going off. We think we know it all.

And then there are the moments where we finally just let go. We let go and let God.

I finally let go of something. I let go and God did what He had been trying to do. He took care of me and my family in such a miraculous way. Through someone dear to me, He took care of me. He helped me realize that my pride was getting in the way. I needed to be more humble. Two of the things I need to work on most got in the way of God working in my life. God's patience is unending with me.

I am so very thankful for the miracle he has helped me find. His work is subtle, at times, and at others He waits for us to finish banging our head against a brick wall before He pulls out the bullhorn and shouts at us that He fixed it before it happened, we were just too busy ignoring Him to listen.

So, let go. He just needs five minutes...

Quick update

2009-05-17T21:47:00.002-04:00

Mom's home. My brother and his oldest son spent the night at my house. My two youngest sons had a blast with their cousin! It only took them 1 hour beyond bedtime and about a dozen reminders to go to sleep for them to quit whispering. A new record for my kids during sleepovers, actually! When my older brother's two boys spent the night it was closer to 3 hours and me feeling like a broken record. Of course, the road trip had my nephew tired to begin with.

I am still sick. Dana, I am sorry if I gave it to your husband and son! Really! We had a great visit despite my less than stellar health.

Mom gave me beautiful hair sticks from an artisan that my SIL found near their home. Even though I can't quite get the hang of ONLY using hair sticks, I can still use them as decoration after I anchor my hair with a band. My SIL made me a beautiful necklace and bracelet set! I will take pictures and show you later. I plan on wearing them with a black dress for my 18 y/o's high school graduation (Yes! Thank you, God, for the miracle of him fixing his flubs in time!). She (SIL) also made a great birthday card! I will take a picture of that, too. The great thing about Dana is just getting a card from her is more "gift" than anything! Her work is fabulous and amazing! Her oldest son is talented in that area, too, so I can't wait to see what he comes up with as he gets older and more confident.

So, it's late. As stated earlier, I am still sick. I am going to drag this tired, sore, stiff body to bed. A return post could take a few days...I hate being sick...

So, yesterday...

2009-05-16T17:11:00.003-04:00

...was obviously my birthday. It also reminded me that I have posted about my birthday every year since I started this blog. This will be the third year.

Just like the last few years, this is a progressive birthday. I had all these great plans on having dinner AND dessert ON my birthday. Nope. Didn't happen. Why? For the first time I can ever remember, I have a summer cold. It started yesterday afternoon just before the kids got home from school. Joy. So, my DH took pity on me and sprung for takeout even though he was perfectly willing to cook dinner for me like he had planned. It was just too hot and I was just too cranky to put up with the oven being on.

Today, I am still sick but moving better (it's amazing what a few doses of medicine can do for a person!). My mom called this morning and told me she is coming home today and will be back around dinner time. My brother (yes, the one with the broken knee and bionic parts) is bringing her home and my nephew gets to tag along! Yay! Well, those two are camping out at my house tonight (yeah, not even worried about the clean laundry that still needs folded or the boys' room that still needs to be finished...that's what being sick does to me).

I have, however, made my dessert for my birthday. When DH and I were on our mini-vacation he took me to Applebee's and I loved it. I was so stuffed that I couldn't even eat dessert! And what a dessert I found! So, I decided to make my own version for my birthday. And here it is:

I don't know what Applebee's calls it but this is my Strawberry Chocolate Mousse. Underneath the mousse is a layer of crumbled Oreo-type cookies. This is such a simple dessert! Start to finish (if you don't wait to plate it until later) would be about 30 minutes.

Ingredients are simple:

Dreamwhip packets - I used two packets
Instant Chocolate Pudding - 2 4-oz. packages
Oreo-type cookies - I will leave the number of packages up to you! Lol!
Milk
Vanilla Extract

Just follow the instructions for Mousse on the back of the Dreamwhip Box (double the recipe if you want a lot...that's what I did). I crushed the cookies in a gallon-size storage bag - and freaked my boys out at the same time! The ramekins actually belong to my 18 y/o from when he made Creme Brulee a few weeks ago. I put about a serving spoon of cookie crumbs in the bottom. Two serving spoons of mousse on top of that and then a fanned strawberry on top of the whole thing. Assembly took about 5 minutes for 5 ramekins. I have enough to do about 5 or 6 more.

I may not get overly excited about my birthday, like I use to do, but I certainly enjoy experimenting with desserts..

Well, DH is almost done with the steaks and the redskinned parsley potatoes are about ready to come out of the over (geez, it's hot in this house!!!), so that's it. Give the dessert a try! You'll love it!

Tomorrow doesn't exist...

2009-05-14T20:28:00.002-04:00

...but I wanted to show you what I got from my DH, anyway!

Hehehehe! I LOVE IT! I can hardly wait to get into the yard tomorrow even though tomorrow doesn't exist. See, we are just going to skip it and move on to Saturday.

Anyway, I have this power tool problem. Most women don't like getting appliances or power tools for any holiday or celebration. Me? Yeah, the drooling can get pretty bad. I have my own Craftsman Membership at Sears!!

My BIL dropped of mail a few years ago that had mistakenly been put in his box (that's the problem with having more than two people with the same first initial and last name...). He was playfully tossing it at my DH a piece at a time, came to the Craftsman catalog - YAY! - and told my husband that his magazine had come in. Well, DH looked at it, looked at my BIL, said "It's not for me" and then tossed it onto my lap. Oh! Happiness! I immediately started scouring through to see what new things were added.

BIL had the most surprised look on his face! DH told him that I am the power tool junkie in the house but that's what happens when "her grandfather is a mechanic and woodworker". Lol!

Rocks in the head...Water on the brain

2009-05-13T19:04:00.002-04:00

So, my adventure with my van continues as I have YET to hear back from the garage about an estimate. Thankfully, my mom, who is still in NY with my brother (who is healing nicely from trying to rearrange his knee!), told me to get her spare key from Grandpap and use her car. Yay!

On Monday, Pap picked me up from the house so I could get Mom's car. He moved it into the front driveway so I could get it cleaned out a bit. Mom, I love you but your car does not look like it use to! Lol! I completely EMPTIED her car! No more cows or lions! Well, I did leave the cow license plate.

Anyway, while I was cleaning the car out and detailing a little bit, Aunt Martha came over. She hasn't been feeling well. The doctor told her that she had an inner ear infection but it was getting worse and the pain around her right ear was increasing. So, they were going back to the doctor's office. A few hours later, she returned. Now, understand, I love my aunt to no end. She has been the aunt that spoils you, teaches you, tells you crazy stories that you make her tell YOUR kids, and you are terrified of disappointing her. I have so many wonderful memories of my childhood that revolve around my aunt and her two sisters (my mom and her youngest sister). So, when I tell you that I laughed at my aunt when she told us how sick she was, please, understand I am not being mean! My laughter was based on genetics!

A bit of history; my mom has vertigo, my Aunt Nancy (the youngest sister) has vertigo, my grandmother has vertigo...for years, Aunt Martha has explained all this to people and ended with the statement that she "has curly hair". Well, that curly hair didn't protect her this time! She has vertigo!!! Lol! As bad as she feels with an ear infection and a diagnosis of vertigo, she finds it all very funny! She has an appointment with an ear specialist next week, I believe, just to make sure that she is okay with her hearing, as it has been effected, of course.

2009-05-10T16:59:00.005-04:00

This was the view across from our hotel this morning. A beautiful morning mist resting in the valley. What a wonderful thing to see first thing in the morning; a great way to start the day before leaving for home.

Then things went downhill. Fifteen minutes after we got on the interstate, we were sitting on the side of the road, almost 200 miles away from home. The transmission died. Walking just over 2 miles north, we reached a gas station where we called for a tow truck. Upon its arrival, my husband discussed local garages with the mechanic and it was decided that a small garage just across the street from the gas station was the best place. The gentleman that owns it works on engines and transmission only and, according to the mechanic and the staff at the gas station, he is the best choice in a large area and is a very honest man and hard worker. People are willing to wait the week for the work to be done rather than travel 30 minutes away to a dealership that gets it done faster. Funnily enough, he gets his transmission parts from a parts dealer that is located just 30 minutes from where we live!

So, my BIL drove down to pick us up (he made great time!). We loaded everything into the back of his pickup truck and all three of us loaded into the front seat. Needless to say, I am home. Without a vehicle but home. Tomorrow my grandpap is lending me his Tahoe to allow me to transport my family to my 18 y/o son's last Band Banquet. Hopefully, I can get it early enough to finish up the last little bit of work I need to do on Pap's and Grandma's anniversary present. Tomorrow is their 58th wedding anniversary and I have had the pieces of their gift for a few weeks. Up until this morning, I thought I was going to have more than enough time to get everything done. Hahaha! It'll all work out. One way or another, God will help me get it done.

Overall, it has been a grand adventure. Now, paying for the grand adventure will be another journey.

New Name

2009-05-09T12:48:00.002-04:00

For a while now, I have been reconsidering my blog title. After much consideration, I have changed it.

Dreams, Gems, and Family is now My Inspirations.

I feel this covers everything I share online.

OOT Post

2009-05-08T23:19:00.002-04:00

I am currently on a mini-vacation with my hubby. He has a convention he has to attend for work and they encourage the spouses to tag along. We have been coming to these for 6 years and I love them. Not only do I get to explore my home state but DH and I also use this time as an extended Honeymoon. We didn't have a traditional honeymoon, as he had to work a few days after the wedding and I became an instant mom to two wonderful boys that quickly learned how to push every single INVISIBLE button I didn't know I had! Lol!

So, the trip to the convention was wonderful. Although we got a late start, we enjoyed the drive quite well. I will post pictures when I return and hopefully you will be just as awed as I am to live in such a beautiful place. It isn't any wonder why it is called, "Almost Heaven..."

A rare adventure did occur for us this evening. Around 5:30, just before DH and I were to get ready for dinner and the convention Meet-and-Greet, the filament line (fishing line...) running under the left lens of my glasses SNAPPED! I am over 4 HOURS away from my eye doctor! In the geographical CENTER of this state and my glasses just broke! I am LEGALLY BLIND without them!!! Small freak out moment, then common sense kicks in! I head to the hotel gift shop to talk with the proprietor (people are STILL better than computers in emergencies!). YES! There is a Wal-Mart Vision Center 40 minutes away - not a big deal to people who drive 45 minutes just to get to a Michael's Craft Store and a Books-A-Million! (Sorry about the big, bad store, Dana but I was desperate!!!)

DH and I get ready for dinner like we planned, I just did it blind and working with a 300+ degree flat iron, to boot. Into the van and away we go. We drove over Powell Mountain and, although it was a great big blur, it was so beautiful! The greens of spring were everywhere! And we came across the greatest village name: Muddlety! I love it! Muddlety, Muddlety, Muddlety...it's just fun to say!

We finally reach our destination and wait patiently for the repair work to be completed. Dh told me that he watched her work through the glass and she was really putting muscle into pulling that filament through my frames! Oh, I hope this lasts for a while! Afterward, I suffered the normal bouncy/shakey feeling after not wearing glasses for an extended length of time. It wore off before we got to Applebee's (loved it!). A great storm rolled in while we were eating and continued on our drive back to the hotel. Due to the rain, it took longer to get back but that was okay. The Meet-and-greet was still going on and the gentlemen thought it was cute that DH had to run me all over the mountains to get them fixed.

On high note! As we were leaving the restaurant, I received a call from my 18 y/o. Several months back a dear friend of the family (and substitute music/band teacher that taught me AND my older two sons) suffered a severe stroke that left a once-vibrant man a shadow of himself. Well, my son called me this evening to tell me he saw Mr. P today! He is walking almost perfectly! He is eating without trouble! He looks FABULOUS! He said Mr. P told him his next job is getting his speech back to normal. Oh, thank you, God, for such wonderful work! This man is a blessing to so many! So, I told my son to call Grandpap, as they were great friends and it broke Pap's heart to hear what happened to Mr. P but this will give him such joy. So, Mom, smile. He's going to be okay!

A thought...

2009-05-05T08:32:00.003-04:00

If you have any extra prayers, I could use some right now.

2009-05-02T09:07:00.007-04:00

Good morning, All!

It has been raining here off and on for the last few days. We will get moments of pristine skies and beautiful sunshine only to have it quickly fade into storm clouds and pouring rain. This is good, though! We are behind on our needed precipitation for the last few months. This is needed.

Well, my grandfather has been doing so well after his pacemaker surgery. He isn't allowed to drive, yet, so I get to have fun running him and Grandma around on errands they want to get done. We went to Wal-Mart, yesterday. They needed to buy groceries for the house since the last time he stocked up was before his stay in the hospital. It worked out well since I had to pickup milk ($1.99 a gallon!!! Whoohooo!! got three) and peirogies, dry cereal and all the fixin's for Ham and Broccoli Bake. I will post my recipe at the end.

While we were walking around the store we noticed a great many men who walked and held themselves in a similar fashion. After watching them for a few moments, I realized they held themselves like my husband, our boys' friend Tom, my grandfather, my cousin...hmmm...all are some form of military. Why are they--AH! MOCK RIOT at the old Penitentiary!

The Penitentiary hosts international mock riots that bring military and police personnel from all over the world.

So, Mr. Chef's last day of school is coming in a few weeks. He reminds his dad and I every weekday how many he has left. All I think about is how many days I have left until I have to leave him in Pittsburgh...

Mom is still in NY with my brother and his family. His knee is healing nicely from what I learned during a quick phone call to Mom, yesterday. She is losing so much weight and sounds so happy! Being up there has not only been good for them, since she is able to help with the boys, but it has been fabulous for Mom. I wonder if my brother knows how wonderful it is to hear her so happy and relaxed.

Aunt Martha still hasn't completely backed up her computer files and reinstalled her system programs. She told me that she and Uncle have been enjoying the lack of Internet access (thank you, Mr. Virus!) and have been spending a great bit of time just sitting in the living room with the many new kittens (yes, THERE'S MORE!). She, Mom, and myself are trying to build up our handcrafts to take to a craft show at Uncle Sonny's nursing home this fall. So, she has been working on that as well. I have become quite competent at crocheting shopping bags! I have a pattern for a beautiful delicate reticule with a satin lining and seed pearls. Hopefully, I will be able to work on it soon. It's still a bit intimidating when i read the pattern, as I have never really worked from one. It's all been by sight and feel. One day, though, I will get it done.

So, it's time for the recipe!!! This is by no means a secret family recipe. I personally feel that food is food and everyone should be able to cook a basic meal, so NO SECRETS! This is my maternal grandmother's recipe. My mom wrote it in a family cookbook and gave one to me and my two SILs. Mine has stains and creases all over! It has been well-loved! Oh, and this recipe has been doubled for my family, so you are getting those measurements. If, after you make it the first time, just divide everything in half. Although, this does reheat quite well and tastes even better the next day! I am going to try and give conversion temps and measures, too, so Miss Linda!- it should work for you, too!

Ham and Broccoli Bake

Preheat oven: 350 degrees F/180 degrees C

Baking Time: Cast Iron - 50 minutes; Glass - 40 minutes; Metal - 35 minutes. These are all estimations so watch your food!

********************

16 oz/500 g - cooked chopped or diced ham (size of ham pieces is your choice)

2 cups/500 ml - Instant Rice

1 cup/250 g - Shredded Cheese (I've used cheddar, mozzarella/provolone combo, etc.)

1 cup/250 ml (liquid measure) - Milk

26oz/Family Size can - Cream of Chicken/Cream of Mushroom

1 small to medium - Onion, puree'd

12 oz-16oz/375-500 g - Frozen, chopped Broccoli

1 cup / 250 g - Corn Flake crumbs

3-6 tbsp/60-120 ml - Butter, melted (this all depends on how many crunchies you want on top!)

1/2 cup/125ml - water

3-quart/3 liter baking dish (the one above is a 3-quart cast iron braiser), Buttered and set aside. Medium sauce pan

Large Mixing bowl

Salt and Pepper

********************

Cook Broccoli, Cream of Chicken/Mushroom soup and water in medium sauce pan until hot and slightly done. In large mixing bowl, combine ham, instant rice, cheese, milk, and onion puree. Salt and pepper to taste.

Add broccoli and soup mixture to large bowl and mix together. Put mixture in baking dish. Combine corn flake crumbs and melted butter; spoon or sprinkle over top of dish.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake. For final FIVE MINUTES (5 min), remove foil and place back in oven. When done, let rest on counter or stove top for at least 5 minutes.

Hope you like it. I have made my own changes to Grandma's recipe over the years. My husband has to be told every - single - time, NO, you cannot have the whole thing! Anyway, I hope I got the measurements right. I grew up learning to cook by just looking at it and I still eye-ball recipes, so don't be afraid to adjust this one!

Girl Beats Would-be Muggers with Marching Band Baton (Band Geeks of the world UNITE!!! Hooray!)

2009-05-01T14:24:00.003-04:00

Girl Beats Would-Be Muggers With Baton

posted: 1 HOUR 27 MINUTES AGO

comments: 15

filed under: Crime News, National News

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QUARTZ HILL, Calif. (April 30) - Don't mess with the marching band. That's what California authorities are saying after a 17-year-old girl used her marching band baton to beat back two would-be muggers.

Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Michael Rust says the Quartz Hill girl was walking to school April 24 when two men approached her from behind, tried to grab her coat and demanded money.

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Instead, one got a punch in the nose and the other a kick to the groin. Rust says the girl then beat both of them with her band baton before she ran away.

The men had not been caught. But Rust says there's a clear message to take from the encounter:

"The moral to this story is don't mess with the marching band girls, or you just might get what you deserve. Final score: marching band 2, thugs 0."

Sunshine and Bananas!

2009-04-22T12:05:00.003-04:00

My DH brought these home the other day (mind you, this isn't ALL of them!). FOUR grocery bags FULL of the wonderful browning bananas!!! I giggled like a little school girl! Why? Well, because of THESE:

I love making banana nut muffins! I have used my grandmother's recipe for years and it is always perfect! My SIL, Dana, told me a few things she adds to her banana nut muffins and I hope to get her recipe from her soon so I can test it out! She adds Cardamom and soaks raisins in a warm pan of dark rum or cider as an optional ingredient! Oh, I am so excited to try it! I will have to call her and ask for the recipe. Especially after the reaction from DH and Mr. Chef when I told them!

Anyway, here's a funny. My kids get home from school around 4PM. My DH was home early yesterday...about 4PM. I had fresh warm muffins on my kitchen table...about 4PM! Lol! Can you see where this is going? My husband rounded the corner of the house just before the kids. He raced up the stairs, looked back and said, "She's got warm banana muffins on the table!", then ran into the kitchen! My 18 y/o, Mr. Chef, jumped up the stairs, turned around and playfully (and gently) backed his brothers DOWN the stairs, shut the storm door and LOCKED IT! Lol! He then ran into the kitchen! My husband had a muffin in his hand by that time and waltzed to the front door to let the younger boys in, who proceeded to dump their stuff in their room and race to the kitchen table! Within 15 minutes they ate 8 muffins!!! These are gourmet size/Texas size muffins! Lol! I think they like my muffins...although this is a tame reaction compared to previous "Muffin Day" occurances!

And to end the post...Grandpap had successful pacemaker surgery on Tuesday! He is on antibiotics to ward off possible infection since the first pacemaker had to come out because of that. After visiting with him this morning, and thinking I was going to get to bring him home early and surprise Grandma with him walking in the door, alas, he has to stay until at least this evening because the doctors opted to give him three doses of liquid antibiotic at the hospital so he can be monitored just to be safe. I am thrilled everything is going well! It brightened my overcast day...so here is a bit of my sunshine for you!

A Day Late but...

2009-04-15T15:13:00.002-04:00

Matt!

My photographs...

2009-04-15T14:35:00.004-04:00

I was asked in a comment on my "Textures" post about my camera. Nicola (side note: you all have to go look at that adorable boy of hers!), honestly, I am just a newbie/hobbyist! I have a point and shoot that just happens to do macro!

I have a Canon S3 IS. I have had it for two years and love it. I would love to update it but it works just fine and I don't really need to spend the money on a new camera for me just yet.

My 10 y/o, however, is hoping to earn a new camera with his grades (he has to keep straight A's or A/B honor roll for me to think about it...first C and it waits for next year...) so that is what I am shopping for right now since he only has one more report card to go and he will have earned it! He's got a good eye and with him wanting to study paleontology (and a new budding interest in archeology) it goes hand-in-hand.

As for my equipment, I have three tripods of different sizes, a monopod, a white poster board that I cover in silver tone/gold tone emergency blankets (camping section!) depending on what light I need, and a desktop photo studio...

So, that's what I have. Not the wish list I have in my head but more than enough to somewhat sate my budding hobby.

Paint.NET

2009-04-13T09:53:00.003-04:00

They don't look like much but I have been playing with my editing program (it's FREE, people!) in the hopes of learning how to create web banners for the top of my blogs. I am still figuring it out, though. They look NOTHING like Aunt Martha's but I will get there.

Greetings!

2009-04-12T15:59:00.003-04:00

Happy Easter! Our Easter got off to a slow start this year. Things ran late Saturday so the boys didn't get to color eggs before bed. I boiled them up and they were ready for this morning, though. After getting the food started for lunch, I got the coloring kits ready. We had the traditional single-color eggs but, since we also gave the kids rubber gloves for one hand to keep colored fingers to a minimum, I started playing around with the colors. This is what I came up with. Just dip a finger and paint it on the egg, wipe off with a paper towel and go again! The youngest even made one!

My 10 y/o still loves his camera! Hopefully, you can see "HI" that he wrote on his egg with a wax crayon after coloring it blue but before he dipped it in the red to create purple!

Now, one of the photos I promised I would post (a day late, I know). Mr. Rebel (becoming Mr. Photog) was messing with his camera and realized it had a "negative" setting that allowed him to do this! He and his little brother played for well over an hour with this! Despite my migraine, I loved listening to the giggles and being shown the "cool" video!

And for my nephews in New York! I love you! I waited and waited and waited for you to come see the Christmas tree but then Daddy had his accident and, well, he can't go much anywhere right now! So, here it is! Your cousin took this photo before I took the tree down (lucky him because it came down the next day!).

(A bit of history for everyone else, I put this tree up the day before Christmas with my DH sick on the couch...I took it down the day before EASTER! LOL! No lights...the angel isn't even plugged in...and my favorite garland - wood beads!)

I let my kids play...

2009-04-09T17:38:00.004-04:00

...with my mini photo studio kit, today. My 10 y/o had gotten out his camera because his brother wanted to take pictures of their cars. They had lined them up on the kitchen table and, despite my migraine, I just couldn't let them continue like that! Those pictures would have been sadly lacking in what they wanted. So, I grabbed my kit, set it up on the table, plugged in and set up the lights, played with a little tub of eraser caps to show them how to set up their stuff, then walked away!

This is what I did. I will post their's tomorrow. They had a blast! It kept them busy on their first day of spring break for well over an hour! They even did a little video of the cars crashing into each other! Sound effects and everything!

A late Christmas gift...

2009-04-08T15:50:00.003-04:00

I made this for my MIL (a truly beautiful woman...). I had hoped to give it to her for Christmas but time, kids, and the flu bug were against me. Well, it's DONE!!! YAY, ME!!!

Today is also my niece's 7th birthday and we are gathering for her party this evening. I will be taking this with me to give to my MIL as a belated gift. I know she will be thrilled! How do I know? Well, she watched my kids Friday since I had to travel to Buffalo, NY, where my brother was after he had a horrible accident on his bicycle (yes, I said bicycle). He had surgery to basically rebuild his right knee (a plate and two pins, if I am remembering correctly). So, my MIL was wonderful in coming over to be at my home when the kids got off of school and to stay with them while DH was at a meeting that night. While there, she poked around to see if she could find her blanket to see how much was done! Hahaha! She didn't look under the pile of clean laundry in my bedroom! LOL!

When laying flat, and measuring only the fabric not the ties, it is 2-3/4 yards long and 1-almost 1/4 yard wide. This was made to fit the length of her queen-sized bed on her side. It also runs from the front edge of my entertainment stand to the far edge of my couch! That is 3/4 the length of my living room! I tiptoed around the blanket just to get out of the room!

The Gs

2009-04-01T15:20:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, Grandma had eye surgery. The surgeon said that the cataract so bad that he likened its density to that of a diamond. Today, well, she's in pain and on her way back to the doctor to get another checkup. We'll see how it goes.

The other 'G'...it's report card day here. For the younger two, at least. They messed around at the beginning of the grading period despite my constant prodding and reminding them that they can't play with their grades. Hopefully, the turn around that happened mid-grading period will help. So, pray for them. And me. The weather has been wonky and I got hit with a migraine (they've been getting even worse and morphing into something I hardly recognize anymore...but that's a whole other post). I can't take my meds until this evening because Mr. Chef has to go to work and DH can't guarantee what time he will be getting home...so, no meds for me until then.

The start of it all...

2009-03-22T19:55:00.004-04:00

Today, I took my 10 y/o to our local museum. They recently added an Archeology Complex to it and have begun hosting a number of activities that will further involve the community in the museum and the history of our area.

Today, they had groups of kids come in and learn a bit about what archeologists do. They held a mini-lab, where the kids documented "artifacts" found in the field, researched other similar objects to figure out what their artifact might have been used for and then give a sketch of that piece.

Following that, they were taken in groups to create casts of an artifact for them to take home. Then, while it dried, they finished touring the displays in the museum and could even go outside to climb to the top of a piece of history left from the Adena Indians. I remember climbing it as a child...however, I don't remember it being that TALL! Lol!

After his taste of Archeology, he is having a difficult time choosing between it or Paleontology! I told him to continue his love of Paleontology but to just explore more of the Archeology stuff. Maybe he could work on them both. (I am so NOT paying for both college tuition bills! LOL!)

I think I am going to try...

2009-03-19T17:02:00.002-04:00

Furoshiki gift wrapping from RecycleNow on Vimeo.

I love, love, LOVE wrapping paper. I also love fabric! Now, I can have the best of both without wasting PAPER! Any maybe my older brother will quit trying to destroy the pretty wrappings before I can fold them neatly to use again next year...

Just a little something...

2009-02-27T21:39:00.003-05:00

Isn't she beautiful? Hopefully, my continuing work on restoring this photo will produce a clearer picture soon. As for who this is . . . she is one of the most beautiful people I know, inside and out.

This is my Grandma.

A good day...

2009-02-07T20:05:00.002-05:00

He turned 18 today.

There is so much to this young man. Intelligence, a quiet confidence, a gentlemanly air. His love for all things computer is an odd pairing to his passion about becoming a pastry chef.

I remember the quiet little boy so shy he could hardly look at me. Today, he is still quiet in situations he is unfamiliar with, content to just watch and learn, but with his friends he is outgoing and boisterous.

So this is my good day...sad in a way...but good.

Me again

2009-02-02T22:00:00.003-05:00

So, I have taken time off. Haven't taken many photos, haven't uploaded anything off my camera that I have taken photos of, and am not sure when I will take my next photo. Oh! Wait! I do know! This coming Saturday...but you will have to wait until then to see why.

For now, have a random photo to hold you over til then.

2008-12-12T23:10:00.002-05:00

Some of you know that my mom collects cows. Those of you who are family know that it is leading towards the need for therapy. . . I think I figured a way around it, though. Take a picture of each cow, frame it, and hang it up for her. THEN SELL THE HERD!

Yeah, right! Like I would live long enough to get them out of her room! Anyway, let me introduce you to a few of her cows that I actually LIKE!

This is Clover. I just love her face (and the fact that she is SMALL!).

This is a burlap-covered cow that Mom received a few years ago from a dear family friend. Don't know if this cow had a name but I love the textures and the organic feel of her.

I plan on taking more photos of Mom's cows in the near future. Some for fun, others for documentation purposes because she has several antiques. Oh! And she has the best salt-and-pepper shakers! I grew up with those things on the table at dinner! Just wait until I can post those.

New 'developments'

2008-12-02T21:38:00.002-05:00

Since I don't have a bunch of time this evening to re-post some photos, I thought I would just send you all over to my 'still in diapers' photo-blog. Just go into my profile. I am too lazy right now to do a hyperlink. My mom gifted me with a tabletop photos studio kit but with ulterior motives! She was having me take photos of her Red Hatter accessories so they could be used for a Christmas gift idea she and Aunt Martha have been working on. I had already agreed to work on the photos, the studio kit was just a wonderful surprise that made my life so much easier! Go over and have a look! The blue glass jar was photographed within 10 minutes of me getting the kit out of the box!

The kit is definitely going to be used for many things! I see pigs and cows and frogs and Santas and roosters in its future!

Just a little Wiggle...

2008-11-23T16:25:00.002-05:00

GUESS WHAT I CAN DO!!!!!

2008-11-17T16:04:00.002-05:00

I can knit!! I am thirty years old and I can finally knit!!

Mom has been with me today and she has been knitting. Years ago, like when I was TEN, she tried to teach me how to knit. It didn't work so well. I am left handed with ambidextrous tendencies and the two sides of my brain were unable to work together in harmony so I could basically tie pretty knots in yarn. She struggled, she pleaded, she cried, I cried. She called her grandmother - we lived in Louisiana, she was in Clarksburg, WV. Nothing worked. We quit worrying about it.

Today, however, SUCCESS! I can knit! Literally, just knit. Do NOT ask me to pearl. That is something that may have to wait a few more years. I am just happy I can KNIT! YAY, ME!

(Mom has created a group at her churches that will work to knit or crochet shawls or lap robes for the Prayer Shawl Ministry. An instructional book with patterns and group formation ideas can be found in the Wal-Mart yarn aisle. If your Wal-Mart has done the unthinkable and removed their craft section, just follow the link to their website.)

Tunnel Vision

2008-11-17T15:00:00.005-05:00

My Aunt Martha posted photos of her trip to Pittsburgh in October. Well, this past Saturday, DH and I took Mr. Chef to the city for scholarship testing and a tour of PCI Le Cordon Bleu (Pittsburgh Culinary Institute). The trip was worth it. The information we received was fantastic! Did you know that the PCI Le Cordon Bleu is the oldest Le Cordon Bleu in the nation? Yeah, makes that Parent Plus Loan a bit easier to swallow...

So, anyway. Getting into the city meant going through the Tunnel. Before we were even out of WV, I was disappointed with myself for forgetting my camera. Then, on a light bulb moment, I happened to glance down between the front seats of the van and there was my camera case! I had left it in the van overnight (please note, this is not good for your camera on a regular basis, I just had a stupid moment and forgot to pick it up!). So, here is what I have!

Off wandering...

2008-11-14T15:48:00.003-05:00

Yep. That has been me. Off wandering in my own little world.

Between Election Depression (yes, I wanted McCain to win but the depression came from just the sudden END of it all...similar to what brides go through after their wedding...), kids and their activities, catching what few minutes we have with the oldest when he is able to come up from college, and planning a wedding...I like my wandering.

The oldest turned 20 the day before elections. My younger brother celebrated his birthday the day AFTER elections. My 9 y/o turns 10 TOMORROW! And our HS Senior spent a few hours at Wal-Mart on Wednesday waiting for the midnight release of WoW's Wrath of the Lich King.

He got the special edition pack (his money, people! He worked for it, he can spend it!) In true WoW form, he and his brother (who called him from college to coordinate this on both ends) both took poster boards to recruit for their guild on the Skullcrusher server, with it written as though in the Trade Chat. (If you want further guild info, just comment...I'll talk to them about it.) Luckily, DH and I aren't anywhere near needing Lich King, yet. When we break lvl 50, we'll talk about it. Oh, in case you haven't noticed, I live with a bunch of computer geeks that infected me! It's all DH's fault! He's the one that was the COBOL programmer in the Marine Corps! Lol!

So, tomorrow HS Senior (Mr. Chef), his dad and myself are going to Pittsburgh for him to test for scholarships at PCI (Pittsburgh Culinary Institute Le Cordon Bleu). Since we won't be home most of the day, my Mom is going to watch the two little ones and hopefully be able to go snag my MIL for lunch so they can have a little celebration with Mr. Rebel. We will then have his party on Sunday. He is okay with all this because he is super excited about his brother going to culinary school!

There are a few birthdays next week that I will be making phone calls for (youngest nephew and Aunt Martha). Following that, it is Thanksgiving. We are hosting again this year. My mom, grandparents, and Aunt Martha/Uncle Joe will be coming. As well as, my MIL, two BIL's and their girls. Hopefully, our oldest can make it up from school but he won't know until he gets his work schedule. I love having the family together! Even if it is somewhat incomplete, having just a few of us gives us the chance to remember and be thankful for all we have been blessed with.

So, if you have managed to stick with me through my wanderings, fabulous job! Sometimes, even I get lost in here! Lol! Have a great weekend!

They're kidding, right?

2008-11-06T16:38:00.002-05:00

This is unbelievable! Doctors at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle have discovered a possible link between migraines and a woman's LOWERED risk of BREAST CANCER!

Basically, me feeling like my brain is going to bleed out of my ears means that my boobs stay healthier...

Kind of funny that my husband heard this on the radio today and chose to call me about it...when I was recovering from a two-pill-required migraine... Next time, I will do my best to remember to smile while the scraping, piercing, scalping pain is causing me to lose feeling in my face and neck because, hey!, my rack is doing JUST FINE!

(Please note the dripping sarcasm...)

Happy Birthday!!!

2008-09-26T20:14:00.004-04:00

When my grandmother was very young her mother had a little boy who was born with Cerebral Palsy. The doctors were very honest with Great-Grandma and told her that he wasn't strong enough to live very long, probably not more than three years. Tomorrow he turns 76. Yeah, they kind of got that wrong.

Anyway, we had a small party for him at the Care Center he is living in. This morning I called my mom bright and early (she wished I hadn't...really, it was VERY bright and early!) and suggested a blanket for him since he gets chilled easily. She and Grandma loved the idea, so here it is. He is a life-long fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers which made the choice of design very easy. This blanket is only little over 1 yard (that's all the black they had) and with me rushing through it, I made it in just under 4 hours. He loved it! Grandma, Pap, and Mom were thrilled with the results and I had so much fun making it.

Do you see that little girl? That gorgeous little baby? She is cute, isn't she? She is the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. Only, she's not so little anymore...today, she is 12.

Twelve years ago my older brother's wife blessed our family with an angel. Today, she loves to play soccer, is a dedicated Girl Scout, and can sew better her Aunt Jenny! (although, that is not too hard for anyone to sew better than me...)

Her younger brothers both celebrated birthdays earlier this month but, boys being boys, they tend to run from me when I have my camera so I don't have any decent shots of them...YET! I will get you....one day....hahaha! They both love soccer, too. Both are also dedicated Scouts. I am so proud of them.

Mamma Mia! What a MOVIE!!!

2008-09-19T15:22:00.002-04:00

Mom called me the other day. "Jenny, want to go out with me on Thursday?" After some conversation and confirmation I discovered that "going out with me" meant going out with the Red Hatters! LOL! She has been trying to get me out with them for over 2 years now!

So the next day we head up to the shopping plaza where we are to meet the rest of the group. Mom's in red, I'm in pink (not OLD enough to wear red with them...fuddy duddies...lol). We do a little shopping before the rest of the ladies get there. Mom finds some adorable gifts for a few of her friends for Christmas and I find fantastic place card holders! They are miniature Christmas balls that are flat on the bottom with a jump ring for the loop to hold the card. Adorable!

Once the ladies arrive we head over to the chosen restaurant for lunch. Fabulous food and wonderful fellowship! These ladies are just amazing! Crazy but amazing! Following that, we all head to the theater.

We are the first ones of the day. Most of the group went to see The Women. Mom and I went to see Mamma Mia! Oh, my word! It is such a fabulous movie!!! We were the only two in that theater. We could laugh as loud as we wanted - we did! We could dance in our seats - we did! We could talk back to the movie - we did! We could sing along with the songs without worry - WE DID!!! Oh, I had so much fun!

Mom and I haven't had such a great day in a long time! We laughed, we cried, we giggled (she mostly at me because I drank to much and had to go running to the bathroom before I laughed myself into a wardrobe problem!).

When we got home we immediately brought up the movie's website just to hear the bits of soundtrack, to which my two youngest start moving to after they got home. Little Pirate loved it most of all. He was dancing in place, snapping his fingers, wiggling his hips...Hahahah!

Mom called me later to tell me she went right down to the store and bought the CD soundtrack! Oh, I can't wait to get mine!

Honestly, this was such a great movie! Sure the story line is about a girl trying to figure out which of her mother's three beaus is her father but there is no sex, no violence, just laughing, dancing, singing. It reminds me of all the old Doris Day, Frank Sinatra-type musicals. Oh, what a day!

A Wordle...

2008-09-17T21:01:00.002-04:00

Well, the other day Dana introduced us to Black Boxes. Now, I am going to introduce you to something I found because of the Black Boxes...a Wordle.

This is a Wordle. Click on it and it will take you to the site where you can create your own. All you have to do is type words. They can be random or have special meaning. They can describe you or someone you love. Then you can customize your Wordle however you like. If you decide to save your Wordle on that site, the world can view your Wordle. You can then take the html code and paste it on your blog where you can share it with your friends. Enjoy.

Another year...

2008-09-13T22:13:00.002-04:00

Seven years ago our lives changed. All of us changed. You, me, the neighbor across the street, the stranger across town. Seven years ago women in this country went into shock and, through the horror and heartbreak, brought forth joy. Seven years ago, I was one of those women. Seven years ago today, my youngest son was born

Little Pirate. 10 lbs 3 oz, 20-1/2 inches long, 15" head and chest. No, ladies, it was not a C-section. He was hiding. He was a surprise.

Seven years ago, we all suffered the horror and heartbreak. Many of us more personally than others. Thousands of pregnant women all over the nation went into shock-induced labor. I was one of them. Thankfully my labor was not far enough along for the hospital to keep me. Two days later, however, that was another story. I had just curled up with my almost-3-year-old little boy (Mr. Rebel) to watch a movie before he went to bed. He laid his head on my belly like he always did. He fidgeted a little more than normal, shifted his head, poked my belly...looking at me with his father's faery blue eyes, he said "Mommy, your tummy is hard! I can't get comfy!" Lol! I swear he did!

I figured it would start, I had been extremely uncomfortable all evening and the hardness of my belly was constant. We finished the movie, got him ready for bed and all tucked in. Then Daddy decided that Mommy needed sleep. That was fun...

So to speed everything up, I arrived at the hospital around midnight, could not progress in my labor, and spent the night holding my MIL's hand because her skin was cool and hubby's was not. Mom was in the waiting room with the boys curled up in blankets asleep on the floor. Hubby went to work with little-to-no sleep. My cousin visited me during her lunch break from the CCU/ICU floor to make sure I ate (they figured out quick who I was related to and then tattled on me for not eating!). They all felt so happy with themselves when half my food was gone before exhaustion claimed me.

Fastforward again, transition hit hard and heavy. Language got bad. Memory loss occured. Family thought I was hilarious. Photos of my mom and aunt are all I have to know the work they put in to help my body relax enough to rest. They rubbed my feet and calves for hours.

Then, after a neat discovery of why I wasn't progressing and a fabulous nurse that conned me into letting her try something - "Oh, honey, don't worry, you won't even notice" - yeah, right! (Honestly, she had to do what she did and if I ever had another baby she would be the nurse I would want in charge of my birthing room!)

9:00 PM. There he is. Not even seconds old and already irritating my doctor! Lol! Of course, not breathing for over 1 minute would have that effect on many people. "Breathe baby, breathe baby...for mommy..." Then the most gawd-awful scream, the indignation very apparent! Lol!

He was impressive. The nurses were shocked. DH was in awe. My response to my husband after hearing the stats of our newest joy? I am woman...hear me roar! To which I promptly pass out from exhaustion.

So, seven years ago, despite the tragedy and loss, new life came forth to make us smile and be thankful. So, Happy Birthday, Little Pirate. Happy Birthday to all the seven-year-olds.

Inspiration and an idea...

2008-09-05T15:24:00.003-04:00

When my brother and his family came down to visit this past Spring, they brought all the presents they had been saving from Christmas. My gift from them was this no-sew blanket my SIL Dana made. I just loved it! I still do. It reminds me of the Mardi Gras celebrations my brothers and I grew up with in Louisiana. These are the exact colors put on the King Cakes!

So, I decided to give it a try.

This one is for my niece, Paige. I plan on making one for each of the kids on my DH's side for Christmas. If I can, I will make one for each adult. If not, I am DEFINITELY making one for my MIL. She loves these things! Anyway, each of the four girls (ages 1-1/2, 6, 16, 18) will get the tie-dye pattern with their favorite shade on the reverse. Obviously, Paige's color is purple. Pink, orange, and green are next.

Dana, thanks for the inspiration! I still love my blanket! DH says I remind him of Linus from Charlie Brown...LOL!

Senior Photos

2008-09-02T10:37:00.004-04:00

I did a Senior Photo Shoot a week or so ago. This young lady has been part of our lives since our two oldest were in junior high school. She is just an absolute doll! Rebel and Pirate are her "Monkeys" and have been from the first day they met her (they crawled all over her, hence the knickname!).

Anyway, she and Mr. Chef are seniors this year and, both being in band, they have to have a Senior Bio and photo available to put in the Senior Night football program for when they introduce the seniors on the FB team, Cheer Squad and Band. She was complaining about the cost of Senior Photos and the she didn't want them to look like everyone else's. I mentioned that I took Mr. Gamer's photos because we 1) didn't have the money to spend on a photographer what would charge us an arm, a leg, AND our wallet; 2) we didn't have the time to wait. She talked with her mom and her mom suggested asking me to take her photos. So, I did. For free! I have this problem right now about having people pay me to take photos. I just can't do it. I figure if I do it for free I get experience, they get pictures, and I don't have to feel like I am being mean to a customer by telling them what to do...I am so much better at plantlife!

So, I checked with Ms. 4-H (yeah, she's a country girl!) about posting her photos and she said SURE!