Happy New Year!

This day is a special one as it is the last of 2007. I like ceremonies to commemorate things like Graduation. I think the end of 2007 deserves a special celebration but not with riotous living and a bit of bubbly...no instead I want a quiet time alone as I can get with a pen and Bible. Jesus and I together talking about the end of things that need to end and the beginning of new things. Communion alone is my midnight plan. I appreciate the many good things that came out of a tough year but I plan to be open to the new things that are in my destiny. Be Blessed my dear family and friends everywhere. I write from my heart and try to be real. This ending is not ritual or religious but instead a commemoration of what was and what is and what will be! Have you own special ending or just go to bed and wake up in the new year. It is your call.....

Pastor Appreciation 2007

It turned out well and I am so glad it is over. I have had dry mouth since this sinus thing and it was bad trying to talk into the mic and be somewhat professional. It lasted long...I aimed at it taking only an hour after worship was over but it stretched out to nearly an hour and a half from worship. I loved Pam and Turk's skit on how not to love your pastor. The gift giving went okay and I think it touched Sue and Pastor. The dinner went very well. So glad someone else took care of those details. Karah liked our small church and said everyone was very nice. She brought it up, I didn't ask so I know it was sincere. She is a very pleasant and well behaved little girl when away from home so fun to take places. That will serve her well I am sure. I hope some offerings went in for them as well. Some folks asked about where to put the money gifts so that is good. What a push to get this done and do it right but oh Lord we will do it again next year so help me prepare ahead of time! It kinda creeps up on you and then becomes a real deal to pull off. We had good volunteers and it was fun I must admit but still I am glad it is over for another year.

Doors to Open

I anticipate that everyone reading this will find adventures that they simply did not know ahead of time coming in the new year. I am looking for new vistas, new attitudes and new approaches to my problems. I am also anticipating miracles in 2008. Sit down and open the doors of possibility in your mind then you will recognize the door when it opens...I am doing that even tonight...the anticipation holds much pleasure. The Joy is in the Journey! Like Alice I want to open all the doors to see what lies behind but sometimes I simply cannot fit so I listen to Holy Spirit to tell me which ones I can go through...OH YEAH!

What Inspires You?

Now I am not talking about some ethereal thing here but rather for doing the ordinary, the mundane and the tiring and doing it well day after day?
For me it is my sense of humor and imagination and anything that clicks me in that direction. For cooking I try reading Rachel Ray or Paula Deen magazine, watch a Martha Stewart show or read recipes however now and again I find the picture can be worth everything. This one says it all for me today!

Hair today and gone tomorrow...

Cannot seem to stick to one color so guess I am destined to change it from time to time as the muse hits me. Trouble is I look so tired right now that no matter what color I chose I still have that "look" of weariness! I just always have an idea in my head of how I want to look but it seldom just does that when I am doing it myself. It comes closer when I pay megabucks to have someone else do it. Guess this year I will do it myself and just surprise us all with the results...

Pastor Appreciation!

Tomorrow is our church's Pastor Appreciation Sunday this year. Why so late? Because by default it has become my place to plan, organize, delegate and supervise a huge effort to verbally and financially appreciate our Pastor and his family. I barely can keep my life from unraveling and still must do this because:
#1. I want to see them appreciated.
#2. No one else will do it as it seems too large to handle
#3. It became apparent that it has now become my job unofficially but really - as Pastor's personal secretary that is...
So, like the trouper that I can be on these unusual assignments, I gathered my forces only to find I was sadly lacking in recruits. So, this being "the army" of sorts I decided to use my authority and just delegate firmly. It "sorta" worked and I have people. They are working out the flow chart I left with them and by the last report it will all be fine. The tables are decorated. The turkey is roasting and will be taken off the bone tonight and refrigerated. The program is in order with props all lined up to put a new spin on the old pattern. The drama is being written and practiced. (In order to not overwhelm the new folks at church who barely have had time to get to know any of us I wanted some humor and other points of interest and they are lined up, assigned and hopefully ready to rock and roll.) I have a new outfit and hair color to help me through the day. I am taking my vitamins and praying I have the necessary energy to MC the deal with the help of a few others. I am driving from my Madtown job to the church early tomorrow morning with Karah in tow and we will do the deal and race back before S needs to leave for work. We might not sit down and eat with the crew but we can grab some turkey to go and call it good. (I personally long for the 30th when I can sit down and do nothing and enjoy the rest I covet badly.) So it will go as well as it can and I will tough it out and hope it blesses them a lot. Pastoring is hard and full of disappointments but it is a call of God for my Pastor and his wife. They go forward in the wake of devestation and do so with firm conviction it is the right thing to do. I stand with them... no... this year I think I will sit with them as I am just too darn tired!

The Christmas Season is Winding Down

I enjoyed much of the activities over the Holiday time. The highlights were visiting Jamie 2x - once for the tea the week before Thanksgiving and once a few days before Christmas. We did the things we like to do together. I cooked for her and we shopped and went to church. If we had more time we might have gone out looking at lights or watched a movie. The tense driving in slippery snowy conditions even had moments that were special. I met an elderly woman at MacDonalds who was a divine appointment and she prayed for us. She is looking for the Lord to return in a few years. Jack's pants fell down in the parking lot and some nice young man came galloping up looking concerned and offered to help us. Nice people make for nice moments! Then we finally ended up at a friend's home where we were cared for and it was lovely. Christmas day was a blur of work and always there are disappointments but I just chalk it up to the season. People eat wrong, stay up late and get sick so they often are cross or out of energy. I am not immune to this myself so I just roll with it. I am tired after all the fun and fuss. NO, I may not change how I do Christmas and then again I may but it is okay either way. I like to gather and offer hospitality to others, get them silly little gifts and love on them as I can. I really enjoyed getting gifts for the grands. Tales have it that they all liked their gifts! I watched Eliana obsess over her stuffed dinosaurs in a very positive way. The rest was of no interest at present but later she may have liked more of them. To hit it on the head with one is a "Bingo!"
Now I am here in Madtown working and enjoying the space and the kids and loving the times of quiet that do occur. I am ready to make my 1 year and 5 year plans for my whole life. I do not secularize as I believe everything is about your spiritual self, every choice is spiritual! What I eat and what I do and what I say is all spiritual. So I am taking time to think of where I want to be and how I might get there in the next few years. At 62 anything can happen of course just like at any other age but I will not assume that living a quiet ordinary life based on desire to be secure is to be my goal. I will pray and listen and read to discover the direction I need to take to be fully alive and able to be used by God in some capacity. I encourage all of you to do the same. Think and consider, then read and pray, then write it out and go to your accountability partner to find if it will stand under question. You needn't share with everyone what you are doing as most people can dampen enthusiasm and play the devil's advocate easily, share only with a few trusted folks who believe in you and love you. So I will get back to you on this in the near future....

OK - It is Cold!

OK-My daughter Jess is down in GA in the heat thinking she is chilly enough for a sweatshirt at 66. I am up here at 10 above and windchill bringing it down to nearer zero and wearing a winter coat, boots, scarf, gloves and threatening to wear a hat or headband. Wow! It is all in how we receive it. I just looked at the forecast and it says more snow tonight at least 1" and maybe 2-4". A bit more snow is expected tomorrow but I cannot find that horrid storm Pam W predicted on Tuesday with 5-8" so hope it was a bad dream on her part. I cry "Calf-rope" or "Uncle" and wish for a sunny day and no snow. It is pretty and white everywhere so couldn't we just raise the temp to 27 and nix the added snow until we need it worse...OK so I don't get to make those decisions. I guess I agree I may not have the ultimate qualifications, only a desire for Christmas and the surrounding time to be pleasant and cosy. OK so I will say "Let it snow!" and smile a big smile while I shovel. OK, sigh...OK.

Getting Better!

It has been a week of coughing and sleeping in the recliner, using Tiger Balm to breathe and trying to stand up and stay up so I can get the work done. I did manage to pay the bills I could, shop for groceries and dogfood, gather all my gifts to be mailed and pack them into boxes, work in the office, do laundry, clean up messes and make a couple meals plus go on a goosechase for a haircut and a new fawcett handle from Jenna's dad's collection of plumbing stuff. I am certain I gave rides and helped others as best I could, wrote the Christmas letter but didn't find the paper to print it on yet...there is always one more thing to do. Jenna is now sick and down in the recliner. I hope the house gets aired out as I do not ever want this back! So I called mom while I drove and when I arrived and unloaded with much "help" from Tisha then I assembled an artificial tree and took Metrie (with all the other kids) to his grammas house so he could see MOM! Whew! Can you keep up? I want to sleep but all those gifts need wrapping so off I go to do so. Just wanted to blog a bit to catch you all up on my week!

Perspectives

The picture on my Blog today describes how I feel my life is at the moment. A steady climb to an unknown destination...Thank God He is totally in charge of my destiny. I only hope I do not fall or falter and miss it. Lord help me be an overcomer!

Winter Wonder

I went to Goodwill the magnet store near here and stayed until the snow turned to sleet and then went up a hill and down to come home where the scalloped potatoes and ham was very nearly done. I am officially snowed in to Suzanne's house. Tee Hee! Being snowed in is simply lovely if you have coffee and all the basics and a good book and likeable kids to be with. Oh yeah! It is a winter wonder 'fo shur'!

I hear the sound of Christmas!

So as I tune in to "Santa Baby" and "Mary Did Your Know" and all the oldies and hymns that ring out during this advent season and even hear my daughter's sweet Christmas song "Santa Claus and Jesus" online (I await the CD!) I think of the wonderful foods that remind us of the season.
I often think about food. The savory and the sweet that we prepare with love and present to please our loved ones. This Susan Branch Cookie Recipe is a good one, almost as good as Suzanne's Moravian Cookies. Sigh!
So let us enjoy it while we can and make it healthier when we bake but bring out the wonderful smells and tastes of the season and let them be a further reminder that Jesus created us and died for us and prays for us even today! Let all our senses be reminded of His Birth and the celebration of giving. We cannot match His gift but we can give freely and with love. Cookies are a way to give!

Thanksgiving!

It was all it could be and I took it all in and absorbed the look and feel and sound of those who came all the while trying to make it pleasant and worth the trip. The turkey was tender though served a bit later than planned due to my having to run to the store before beginning. Jams got lost but was soon righted and came to the door. Ira was fagged but he only got a couple hours sleep. He was ready for a night's sleep when the festivities were over. I love the fact that Thanksgiving means a couple days of time with the kids and others I enjoy and love. It is somewhat of a marathon and how I always love the chaos of family despite the things that do tend to come up. Small issues can become larger ones it is true but I do love the feeling of holiday. My life has been changed forever by the turns of destiny but I may cling to this tradition of a big meal, a bountiful table setting, gifts and pictures to enjoy later. Time with each if possible during the weekend and a hug here and there as they can be spared. I enjoy the children, their foibles and energy. I got popped one by Beck and though I couldn't laugh as his parents would have smited me into the dust it was so remniscent of Ira smacking Grampa Jim in the face when he was tiny...I think my presence was slightly intimidating to the darling boy. Grammas should be softer perhaps as Dana is but here I am the Joan d'arc of celebrations and noise and chaos loving the interactions and grabbing moments to keep in my heart forever. Ashley and Jessica have indeed become my daughters though indeed they still have their own families...I find them delightful. Oh and Jams was so wonderful with the kiddies and I love watching her work her magic. The missing of Jessi Lynn was very real but I bore it well. She is free to follow her star and avoid the very thing I adore as in it can be the most bone chilling of hurts as well as a passel of memories...But not to have her here was a loss. Suzanne bore up under my taking over and became a wonderful support for me only giving me one small lecture regarding an issue with one of mine whom she believes I should bear down on with a message of reality. I took it well and am still considering the value of following her advice.. Peggy was a help and seemed to enjoy the moments I savor. Mom apologized for not being able to "do this sort of thing anymore" as if she ever did and I gently told her it was my party and not to think a thing of it as no one wanted her to overdo in her 80's. All in all it went well and it is over for another year. My only regret is the pictures taken for our Christmas card were simply not right so we had to have a redo on another day at another party (smaller it is true) but they are done now. Winding down to a slower Christmas with complete lack of chaos. So what are you thankful for? Every day is time for thanksgiving but there is only one Thanksgiving Holiday Celebration!

Oh the Tea Oh the Tea Oh the Beautiful Tea!

So I mustered all my energy and drove up to MPLS to attend a tea and deliver supplements to increase Jams immunity and help her recover. We gathered all our fun and whimsical things and picked and chose then raced at the last possible minute to Cedar Valley and set up a table minus a few things we needed both to find and to buy. It looked promising and so many tables were just awe inspiring and lovely. Walmart helped and we located Gramma Evelyn's silver as Jams couldn't remember who borrowed her goldware. It was simply perfect! Jams put her red dress on and looked sooooooooooooooooooooooooo lovely (see for yourself...) and I dressed and tried to make my white hair look perky. As I did so Jamie asked if we could dye my hair again back to red and since I could seemingly deny her nothing at that moment I agreed.
Floated through the night, enjoyed each treat. Scones were served with Raspberry jam, Devonshire Cream, and Lemon Curd to dollop and boy did we dollop! Then came the fruit salad, followed by a lovely green salad with pine nuts and cranberries and oh my then the quiche. All the time much tea was poured, and conversation glowed with the candlelight. Our table held Jams and myself, Nina, Jan (missionary to Spain) Rachel and Sandy with her two daughters Sydney and Avary. Nice! This was followed by a program about sisters with the long favored song from White Christmas and the main speaker who spoke of "Reflections" and admitted to being a recovering "Hopeless Romantic" with many tales told of how it went wrong. Then came truffle and cheesecakey delight tiny and so easily consumed with more tea then they gave away door prizes and we cleaned up and floated to Walmart for my hair dye. Such a wonderful time!

God Met Me!

Last night I was dealt a blow. Not a slap but a blow and it hit my heart. I take abuse from some people because I know they are unhealed and I just get quiet and listen and try not to get wild with protecting or defending myself even though I want to very badly. This time I just couldn't think why this was happening to me. I did not deserve the blow but blows come so I felt in my spirit that I was to just be quiet and wait. I did quiet myself. I was able to sleep though I thought of the words again as soon as I woke up. But the thing to do was just carry on and wait...
So I got ready and took Demetrius and Karah to church, signed them in and went upstairs to read my Bible and get ready to worship God. I was in Acts where Stephen was stoned. I read how Saul was gleeful over the demise of Christians and how he continued to persecute them, but I have read it before and I know how it turns out! Praise God...
The words in worship songs melted my heart. I joined in fully and worshipped with my whole heart. The words to the sermon went deep and true to the blow. My healing was happening even as I repented for my distance from intimacy with God. Oh Lord how I love you and trust you! Then I heard His voice telling me He would take care of the situation. I felt the pain leave and the joy come. I can now wait for this with expectancy and kindness. Thank you Lord! Holy Spirit you are my comforter.

A Cuppa and a Friend...

Nothing is so calming and lovely as a well set table (simple is fine) and the little things that indicate caring. Like a tablecloth, a tea pot, sweetener and creamer if need be, spoons delicate and precious, tea-bag holders, napkins and a flower..perhaps a home baked sweet or a morsel picked up at your favorite bakery. I am not against a mug with water nuked but the effect is just not quite the same...but any port in a storm...don't let it stop you from coming together for a cuppa tea!
So I must be needing that lovely atmosphere in my life today. Lovely is just delighful to soothe the spirit and share some tidbit of wisdom the Lord has passed to you in the midst of the fray we are always in these days. A calm spot, a friends hand, the liquor of tea in a precious cup...oh my!

OOOhm'gosh!

Next Week I better not forget my camera as I will be at Cedar Valley Church in Bloomington listening to someone speak about Reflections at their annual "Tea". We missed last year as we were in St. Louis for an early Thanksgiving and Jessi and Jamie were on their "Roadtrip". So this year Jams has a table and I am going with bells on! I am anticipating a wonderful trip and time with many pictures to post and blog about. Yeah!

A week has passed!

Somehow I have gotton through this week...it was filled with time and money stealing events but I am resting at Suzanne's again and breathing easier. It was all about getting ready for Jenna's surgery, having Progress Evals at Dr. Emmet's and added emergencies! I worked in the office but the printer was having a fit and printed wing-ding for 40 minutes, then finally I was able to print half the bulletin. The other half awaits my return.
The best was shopping at Goodwill today...bought such lovely things for less. Christmas gifts are nearly done. Only the hard ones left....my boys and Jack. The girls are a snap!
Karah's birthday is tomorrow and we are having a small thing for her here tonight with a friend. I have brought a great gift for her. A "chapter book" for me to read when I am here to both her and Demetrius. Then another book and best of all a wonderful picture frame that says "Someone loves you" on the frame and a picture of Jessi holding her cheek to cheek! Karah and Jessi Lynn are starcrossed for sure!
The surgery is over and Jenna is intact though will need a C-section if she ever gives birth but at least she can...she is still in the hospital and in major pain from the surgery. If they do not release her tonight they will in morning and I will go and get her. Her dad did show up at the hospital and Sarah was there. She left this morning after staying with Jenna at the hospital. I went home and did some other important things (like sleep for one)!
Jonathan's mother is here painting Karah's room delicious lavender and she is doing some special effects...Jonathan is having a weekend in lock-up at detention. Pray for that boy please! He is angry and hard to handle and his gramma is in intensive care after a coma. Mom is trying to fill the gap and it isn't really working.
I forgot my camera but oh well. There is always next week...

Crazy Weekend!

So I came I saw and I cleaned up...and then I forgot to turn the clocks back thereby getting to Lake City at 9:15 instead of 10:15 AM so went to Peggy's and let the kids be crazy for an hour. Later I talked to Mike and went to Woodmans to get groceries as they were to come for supper. That was the best laid plans of mice and men...the chicken did not get done on time and I made a cake that no one ate but me and Karah. Fiddle de de.
No sense cooking for Eliana she doesn't eat much. She did eat a single cooked carrot coin and was so proud and when I ate the same she hugged me and told me she was so happy I ate one. On arrival she flies into the house calling "Gramma! Gramma! Where are you Gramma?" and hugs me before going nuts over the hundreds of toys. I love her to pieces! Mike and Jessica were tired and so was I but we got on okay.
Mike ran 2 sepereate spy ware checks on Suz' computer and they took of thousands of spy ware which could have potentially stolen her credit card or whatever. So then he ran a virus check as well. So it was not all in vain. Food channel was on with wild cakes being made in shape of Pianos etc. They left to go grocery shopping with Eliana wailing and tired not wanting to leave.
We cleaned up and did a mess of dishes then.
Meanwhile I wonder if Jessi made it okay to St. Louis. She was slowed down in her travels by that concert/party thingy in Minneapolis. It was a disappointment as not many paid the high price for the VIP Party...but oh well...if she learned something it will all be worthwhile in the long run. I pray she keeps learning and growing along the way.
Jams is babysitting for wonderful loving kids and making a fortune. I like that for her!
Tisha had a wonderful day with rediscovery of a bath and she liked it. Will wonders never cease??? She is happily playing in her pen at present and the other two gave up and went to bed. It seems as if it were an especially long day.
A text message arrived this morning from Ira that Beck pooped in the potty (and Evie pooped in the bath.) Another day in the life of the grandkids as they grow and learn and just are kids. I am happy to be part of their lives anyway and anyhow.
Tisha's adoption court date is the day before Thanksgiving. I will be there to support Suzanne as best I can...So much to do and so little time! This life is crazy and I love parts of it immensely and other parts are just wrong so guess looking forward to Jesus coming is the only thing that truly makes any lasting hope in my heart. The rest is very fleeting and not dependable. He is a sure and solid thing to build a life on. I am so ready to rest tonight, When Tish gets tired I want to be ready to sleep. Yawn!

So I looked up the movie we are to watch!

Miss Potter stars Renee Zelweger and I shall enjoy it thoroughly I would imagine. I love to anticipate things that are coming up. The turkey and stuffing will be good. The table will be set in great array with gifts for all...but the most important part is the people. Yippee for the kiddies and Yahoo for the ladies and Whahoo for the men all together and enjoying each other but yes for a time of tea and muchies for the girls to gather and watch Miss Potter together. Sigh!

What would you do if you could?

Beauty: What would you change if you could change it?
I would lose the weight and I will...(just have to get the insight and the muse. I am so tired that it is hard for me to take the time to do much for myself these days, but my day is coming soon.)
I would tone up the muscles that are lacking tone now.
I would get a new tattoo. I would lighten my teeth and replace the dark fillings and caps.
I would let my hair be natural for awhile before dying again....just to center myself. But no promises to stay that way...ha
I would go to the spa and relax...laugh more and write more letters and the sunshine would soak into me from those accomplishments. Iwould fly about visiting my grandkids and laughing with them...
What would you do? Would you get lift or change your hair or get your teeth fixed? Would you fly to Italy and eat pasta and bruchetta drizzled with olive oil?
Tell me it is all about beauty you know?
I think finding peace with God will give the most beauty of all from the heart out...

Beauty is Relative!

So what makes you think someone is beautiful? I think knowing them through experiences or watching how they are in certain situations...What influences your opinions on beauty and attractiveness...?
When you look in the mirror what do you want to see?
Does a smile make a difference?
For actresses what makes you think they are really pretty?
I am influenced by cheekbones and eyes, lips and hair...It is not just a certain thing I look for but the total package. I need a touch of real but a mystique that shines through.
What about you?

In the long run it is not just their physical looks but some other thing as well. I think my daughters and daughter-in-laws are beautiful. No arguments there!

Blogger challenges..

Lovely idea this blogging thing. A journal with pictures and thoughts and quotes but you must be able to traverse the great divide between cyberspace and real life. It has indeed been a challenge and I look forward to Ash and Jams coming at Thanksgiving to help me put musica on my site. Haunting melodies to play in the background. I am collecting images in my spare time when Tish is sleeping. Oh how lovely it is...

"La Vie Claire" or La Vie Lynda...

I have purchased a magazine (is anyone surprised that knows me?) with the above title. When I am craving beauty and cannot find it in my immediate surroundings in a form that soothes then I buy a mag and filter through it and stockpile the images in my head. A cuppa tea helps make the event even more special.
Christmas is coming and though I cannot always have the event that in my mind constitutes "lovely" I can do my best to conjure it up in some other form. So the best laid plans often fail but if you fail to plan you have no chance to gloat at success!

Bills Paid and Kids in Bed!

I love it! I have enough money to get through the month if all comes in that is predicted. Yeah! The soup was delish! Metrie did dishes and Suzanne came home early and is crunching ice! I will get a good night's sleep...it was and now is DONE!

Was Quite a Week!

Came down with sinus thing first, helped with the church Harvest Party and Feast, helped get Jenna lined up to have surgery next week, and worked, had lunch with a friend, tried to calm the beast in Jack who sure had a bad week and cleaned like mad at the house to make room for the additional person who stayed at Peterson's all week for sleeping as they were gone. I came down to be caretaker of children and hugged my youngest daughter goodbye for a couple months. I pray she has safe travel and that God blesses her and draws her close. It is her request that we have a late Christmas in January towards the end. I want to discuss this will Ashley and Jamie and all who would want to do this...maybe it will work. We could add some twists to it and create a tradition... more ingenuity than expense or something...Give me your thoughts if you read this... A night at Kalahari or some water park...
So at present I am making Chicken soup, my family favorite soup along with 2 others I like to create (potato with turkey ham and chili - 2 alarm). I am also nibbling at a pomegrante which I found at the grocers. I never really know if I like them but I love the idea of them!
Tish is sleeping yet and Metrie and Karah are across the street playing. I have to do the bills tonight and that is truly sad. I need 2 more jobs at least. The state that I am is really a state of alarm! But then I never let a thing like a bank balance get me down for long.
My new favorite store is Goodwill and 2nd is St. Vinnies. When I want to go upscale I run in to Marshalls and check the clearance bins...shopping still resonates but the echo of pleasure is gone..
Gone is where Jessi is.
Gone is where "Christmas as I once knew it" is.
Gone is where I got to be fancy free and full of fun.
So gone is what I have to adjust to. HELP ME LORD!
Well, off to the impossible job of balancing things out.
Ta

Creating a Place of My Own!

So last night I cleaned and put in order my part of the bedroom! It looks so much better...Take a look....see for yourself and pray I can keep it that way. Comments welcome!

Goodbye again!

Tonight Jack and I had dinner with Jessi Lynn before she went back to Madison and we hugged goodbye for the last time in 2007.
It is hard to be the parent of adult kids and release them to their destiny. I miss having Jessi with me. She has been so good for me. I miss her encouragement and her help. I miss her delightful ways. I miss living in a big house with a talented and energetic daughter. I lost all that due to John's great anger but God is bigger that that. I expect good things to come from all this somehow. I am in my doll house here with someone who is not my daughter. Miss Jenna helps a lot but could never replace Jessi. Fortunately the situation is not similar and there is no competition for my daughter's position. Many things have changed since we bought this tiny house and took our losses but one thing never will. I will remember our precious time with Jessi and how much she helped us at the LaValle house...but now is now and she is gone and will not return until early spring. Winter is coming and she never loved the cold. So Georia gains and WI loses for now...I have things to do and people to help so I will stay busy and occupied. Just trying to keep my head above water financially will keep my attention. Goodby is always hard but oh those wonderful reunion!

Fall is finally really here!

Yesterday I took Jack on a long meandering ride around to look at the fall leaves and it was so pretty. I was looking for Sugar Maple Trees and really when we found them I would have had to climb a fence and go by cows to get some leaves for my Life Connection class. So even though the story was of Sugar Maples we used regular red and yellow maple leaves for our waxed leaves project. Jack even thanked me for taking him. One night last week he complemented the dinner too. I told him I liked how he was acting and he was glad I noticed. But then today came and he turned the air conditioner on with the heat still up to the top and I asked him not to. That started a hum-dinger of a discussion. Phooey! I felt bad today as my sinuses are acting up and I ache all over but cannot find a place to be away from the noise of my life. So back to the road and the pretty leaves with music playing and a cuppa tea. Yeah!

Midnight at the Oasis

Here I sit blogging when I should be sleeping...scratchy eyes and all. Peggy and her girls just left and I need to unwind a tiny tad before sleep overtakes me. The dishes are done and the rooms picked up. It was an enjoyable night all in all.
I have a big thought:
The most important opinion you have is the one you have of yourself, and the most significant things you say all day are those things you say to yourself...so tell yourself the truth bathed in dreamdust....tell yourself the dream bathed in confidence....tell yourself how much you are worth bathed in what God says you are worth...tell yourself you can succeed based on what God can do through you with your full cooperation.
Nightime thoughts are so sweet to sleep on.
Ta

Update on the home front

Am presently in Madtown with extra kids and some wanting special things so I am escaping for a moment to digest my week. Took care of the Peterson youngest 3 last night and this morning while mom/dad and Josh went on an adventure. I cannot believe that Joshua is going to be 13 this next week. Zowweeeee! Time flies.

Jenna saw a specialist yesterday and it looks like a surgery will be scheduled by Monday so she can get rid of some pain that keeps her grim. The silent treatment ended after I dealt with it in my own special way. It worked out okay then. I wish her all the best and am so grateful for the help she has given but want to encourage her to get well and get on the bus labled "maturity". So I try. Not that people have to be stuffy or religious or set in a routine and immoveable. No no that is not maturity it is creeping death. I want to see my friends growing toward peace with themselves and their story. Sometimes we get stuck and I hope I can be an encourager of those who are stuck ....... to get slick and unstuck with Jesus' help! Yeah!

Lunch with Jess was good, only the appetizer was really good but we visited Red Robin for old times sake and enjoyed catching up. Then we went to my favorite Goodwill to look for books and small things as gifts for the upcoming holidays. Jess found 6-7 tee's and was pleased. She and Mark are going to Wildheart tonight. Music is consuming! I love spending time with her and hope I can spend more before she takes off but it is coming up fast so perhaps no...She will be in St.Louis by next Sunday night if things so right.

Spoke with mom this morning and she seemed stiff and reluctant to really open up. Something is wrong there but I have no clue how to deal so will continue my M.O. of just keeping on and maybe it will pass. It could be me or it could be something else that is bugging her. I will just do my best to keep on being me and not let the ups and downs affect how I deal. Go Lyndee!

Had a nice lunch with Pam S yesterday at the Wooden Spoon in my town and the coffee was Ghostly Pumpkin or something but oooooh delicious! Quiche was good too, country veggie with mozzarella. The Chef there just lost his life partner to suicide from being an invalid but he continues to bake and cook like a top notch gourmet chef. We had a good conversation and made a plan about how to help someone come to maturity.

My other Pam (W) is off to Milwaukee to see her baby grandaughter for the first time. She will come back with pictures and stories! Yeah! I wish her the best. I miss my kiddies! But then if you cannot love the kids you want then love the ones you have nearby! Good plan lady!

Mistakes are easy, corrections get harder!

So, Jenna is in a blue funk. I mean, crying and silent, uncommunicative and without any realization of anyone elses' existance. I spoke to her best bud Sarah this morning about this and gave Jenna a hug from her as she won't answer her calls right now. Jenna cried in my arms as I gave her the message.
Oh my! Her uncle died and the family did not get ahold of her in time so she could attend the funeral. She is in pain from a fibroid tumor and an ankle sprain. She cried until she got a bad headache, when she is not crying she is sleeping. She talks in a whisper and I cannot hear her and for sure Jack cannot.
Would you prayer warriors out there please pray for her to come back into normalcy. I know she is angry and sad and maybe there is a bit of self-pity trying to take over too. I have to live in a very small house with her and she needs to get about being part of the team soon. She has no money that I know of and is in no shape to go out applying for jobs. Her Monday and Friday home health jobs don't pay much and every other week she gets two 2 hour cleaning jobs. I am trying to help her but she needs to help herself just like we all do. Move forward and paste on the positive and eventually it will be real! Journal all the pain and someday you can burn it or remember how God brought you through...
I did make her talk to me about the day in a normal voice. I said "Jenna, I need to know what your plans are for the day. If you do not know now think and I will ask again in 15 minutes."
She went outside under the tree and sat looking like Rodans "Thinker" and came in and we talked briefly. I just spoke to her on Jack's phone and she is giving him a shower now and then going out to mow the yard. I am the orchestrator of the home movement and I need to keep it going with my energy and authority or we will all sit around and cry because there is no food or clean towels!

loveyouall!

Last night was a fun time with Eliana Rane!She arrived at around 7:30 PM and went home at 4 AM. She actually did not sleep until around 1:30 AM. I hoped she would sleep in while her parents needed to sleep after being out watching Jessi Lynn's show last night in Spring Green. We played and read books and made up stories and made toast, ate cereal and fruit along the way.

My theory is to get to know the child and develop trust before imposing rules that seem almost more than they can bear. She obeyed me about what part of the house she was to stay in and being quiet when Tisha and Karah were sleeping. She cooperated and was most pleasant to be with. I liked the silly games we came up with. We watched Iron Chef -Eggplant together. How enjoyable was that??? After Mike called and said they were going out to eat I simply turned out the lights and called her into my bed to rest with her toys. Once she got quiet even though reluctently she immediately fell asleep.

She is truly a special child with an amazing imagination and a strong will but a pleasant spirit. Of course I will find all that is wonderful about all my grandkids and treasure those things but even the negative things may work in their favor as Romans 8:28 says it will for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Yeah!

So I look forward to creating relationships with my grands! Each one is uniquely created in the image of God and with His marvelous love of variety. Eliana has her father's resistance to sleeping when anything else is going on. Her sense of humor is gentle and kind. Beck seems drawn to physical activities around the ever present "Balls" just like his daddy did. He is a bit of a clown too. I sense Evie is mama's shadow and will be a lover when you finally win her heart. But these are just things that Gramma thinks from what she is able to discern in short amounts of time with these precious grands. Being a gramma is a delight!

Call to pray!

Hello Morning! I squinted for sure when I realized my sleep was done and kids were expecting to go to church. Checked my phone and found a message that brought me sorrow and caused me to begin to pray. My friend Hatiatu from Africa has been detained in Minnesota with an ankle bracelet and awaits deportation which will lead to her death if God does not intercede. Hatiatu is from a Muslim country where she is married to a muslim. Hatiatu is a Christian and her husband has the legal right to have her killed or kill her himself for not recanting Christianity and returning to the muslim religion.
Last night I had Eliana while Mike and Jessica attended Jessi Lynn's last show for the year in WI. I was up late and so tired but I knew I needed to go to church and take Metrie and Kar. When I got there the spirit of God was strong in the worship and the annointing was on the speaker. He called out people to stand if they had need of healing and prayed, then addictions and prayed, then finances and prayed before he began to speak. I stood for my need in faith. Then he had us turn to 2 Chronicles 20:1-23. This was the story of Jehoshaphat and bears reading when you feel you cannot win in your own strength against a strong enemy. He talked about the 4 positions that Jehoshaphat took and how he heard from God. It was good! It led me to think of Hatiatu and her position against a strong impossible situation that the devil has imposed upon her.
I ask any of you that pray to pray strongly for God to intervene in this situation. Hatiatu is greatly gifted by God. He has a plan for her and I do not want it cut short! I am certain she does not either!So I cannot wait to see what God will do if we all petition Him for Hatiatu...

Kisses from Heaven

Love it! I was walking around the house with Tisha. She was playing and I was with her and walking. I bent over her and kissed her forehead and she smiled, grabbed my hand and put it to her mouth 2x. I knew I was being kissed by an angel and I rejoice!

Victoria is Back!

When I moved I dragged my entire collection of Victoria Magazines to my current attic. My friend Jeanne carried them up the ladder in boxes and put them toward the back as I had considered dropping them off at the library and she astutely discerned my angst at parting with them. This week I received an issue of the new "Victoria" and love it!
Inside:

• They have a fashion section with the antique dresses of Tasha Tudor which will be put up for auction on Nov. 10/11 in New Hope PA by Witaker-August Auction Co. I adore Tasha Tudor and though I don't as often collect her kids books as I collect things about her, her Corgis and her life. She fascinates me! If only she were a Christian. Perhaps? She is in her 90's now.
• Dessert Recipes: A Sideboard of Sweet Temptations with photos... oh so alluring!
• Rebecca Rather - The Pastry Queen of Texas....gifts and mmmmmn good treats
• Alexandra Stoddard - A Room of One's Own- Grief she writes in longhand with special colored inks! I love it! Fantasy come true!
• A New Book for Tasha Tudor lovers - Forever Christmas- $18.99 (Little, Brown and Co.)

Into each tawdry life some elegance must fall. Thank you Victoria for your take on elegance and beauty!

Fun is Fun!

Everyone that I know has a differing opinion about what "Fun" is to them. I think many things are fun...watching a sunset, playing with a child, reading stories, scrapbooking, doing a project with a friend, rearranging, redocorating my house, cooking something special, getting ready for a party, shopping in a bookstore or a funky boutique, eating at a special place with a special friend, reading cookbooks, canning and lining up the jars, sketching on a warm, sunny day, walking the beach by the ocean when it is 70 degrees, listening to my daughter sing, singing praises to the Lord alone, taking a deep, hot bubble bath with tea to drink, getting a new copy of Victoria magazine, bringing flowers to a friend, giving gifts and wrapping them delightfully so the opening can be as fun as the gift, playing with my dog, watching "Dog Whisperer" and then trying out his techniques, blogging and adding pictures that enthrall, reading Ashley's blogs, looking at pictures of my grandkids, having a fun secret, exercising and seeing it work, painting a picture, writing a journal, reading just the right thing in the Bible when I am needy, sitting in the twilight thinking and planning, decorating for Christmas, spring planting of flowers and vegetables, the smell of drying spices in the house, hearing from a long ago friend and much more. Regular life is groovy! I don't mind the rough times and the drudge times as long as I can intersperse them with "Fun"!
It doesn't make losses less impacting but it does help me through those times.

Looking Ahead!

Well, my life has been greatly changed and complicated in the past year and a half. I am not in LaValle any longer. I thought perhaps I would die there but the whole world shifted to the left and I am still braced for the next shock wave.

All that to say that Thanksgiving has lost it's luster. I loved gathering in the LaValle dining room with family and decorating for fall with pumpkins and leaves with table groaning under the load of favorites I cooked for them. The hunting would go on but they would return for Pie. No more.
Last year we had an early Thanksgiving at Ira and Ashley's and my kids were all together. This year due to many things (not the least of which is the unresolved issues of apologies from John and Mom due to Jessi Lynn) we will be gathering at Suzanne's big table and Jessi will be missing from our midst. She cannot afford to stay that long...needs to sing for her supper where they pay her well and to be honest it is just so unresolved here.

Mike complicated it for me by insisting that I force the issue of reconcilliation or he will not attend. Yikes! How can that be forced? It is a heart issue. Comfort has little to do with it. I would not do that to him and I will not do it to her but guess it will fall where it may. I cannot stay silent forever. I will not follow in denial but I will not try to control it either. My heart is so damaged and I wonder what to do of value. I can fight. I am good at fighting. I can run. I know how...But neither will help anyone, least of all me.

I cannot insist I have no resentment for the raw deal I got, but even that I can forgive. I had to buy a house after we spent our retirement getting into LaValle and keeping that old place going. It was a shoestring deal and then our income was cut by $13,000 and our bills went way up due to mortgage and insurance etc. The story is not over either as add that to the trauma of Jack's health issues and the burns and me having to go half-time and losing half that money...$9,000 more lost per year. Wow that adds up to a $22,000 loss in a year not counting the added mortgage.

Money is important but God has taken care of us in the midst of this deal. The real resentment is having my daughter pushed out by my brother and mom. I have a huge hard time with that. Mom still is polite and kind to the woman that took away her husband and left her in a terrible spot. I am perfectly okay with that... and Mom can forgive Jail-birds and alcoholics but my daughter who only helped me and tried to live her dream. No, she rejected her. WHY?

It comes down to bottom line. I know that Mom and Dad tried to abort me. It didn't work. Then Dad refused to accept John for a number of years, blamed mom for tricking him. So instead of learning from his beginnings John became like the dad who rejected him. My dad was a wild man without limits that would have made him good or at least better. He struck down many.
Some cannot forgive him his excesses. I have and peace came. My mom chose her son over all others. I understand that but I have two sons and that gives me even more perspective. My mother used strategy and schemes to make her way. I do not blame her but Oh my it has caused her to spend her old age trying to undo a scheme done to her. Is this what happens to those who live by the sword???? Live by the scheme and die by the scheme...I wish I knew.

Jessi Lynn is living her dream. She sings and writes and pushes to make it work in the face of impossible odds. No one can diss her without shame. My brother is not living his dream. He is working it to make it easy. Being sneaky is just easy. Like parent comes then the child...becoming what they do not respect but defending it as their right. I have no such excuse. My sin is mine and no blame can excuse it. I learned it in a mental hospital in 4 days. I do not have to be what they have made. I can be better. God came into my life and empowered me, challenged me and disciplined me and let me fail but loved me still. Mom talks to others and calls me a failure. I know better so it cannot penetrate my heart. It hurts me but not so deep I cannot forgive but call my daughter a failure without cause and I say "Fie upon you beasts!"

Does this mean I am without forgiveness? No,but I should like to see the truth come out and responsibility be plain for all that has happened. I will own mine. I wanted to believe more than the evidence showed and I stayed too long trying to live in a place of memory. I trusted when there was no reason to trust except my heart longs to trust. All done now...I am going forward.

What does this mean for Thanksgiving? Well, come and see! My love is bigger than my hate and it will always be.
Why? Because Jesus went to the cross for me. He died so I could live. He that was sinless embraced me, a sinner and a wretch. Now I am His beloved, so how could I not forgive? But will I be silent about the truth? Perhaps not.... I am still looking ahead!

Mind Blown Read

Came down to work in Madtown and S handed me a written clinical interview with Tisha and Metries' mom and various professionals to determine her ability to mother. I never read such a tale of woe before. This lady (mere 22) has every reason to be nutty as a fruitcake and she is hanging on to the sanity she does have for dear life. Her daddy was shot by mama's boyfriend in front of her when she was young young and she remembers as they were arguing over which one was actually her biological father. When she was 10, living in the projects in Chicago, her mama was arrested and went to jail for 5 years for battery and reckless endangerment after stabbing a man. She went to her mama's relatives who proceeded to abuse her terribly and treat her and her brother very poorly. She witnessed her uncles murder while in the back seat of a truck in an attempted carjacking. A cousin got shot while trying to protect her from attack. Later another cousin was physically attacked while walking with her. She was threatened and beat up 3 girls who were harassing her for no reason and later they came into her gramma's house and shot it up and her little niece was shot and died as she ran into her arms. This is all before high school. I cannot go on.

My heart breaks for this young woman. I have spent time with her and she is trying to be upbeat and positive as a cover up for a whole big ball of pain...I love her daughter Tisha and believe that S is the right home for this child and that her mama couldn't possibly protect her and raise the other two when she is a felon and finds it very difficult to find and keep jobs. Homes are illusive when you cannot pay the rent. Metrie and his mama are close, she is more like a big sister to him I think but she loves him and there is another daughter who is presently with the bio-dad a lot while mom is homeless and without sufficient employment to qualify to keep them. Metrie needs a stable home so badly. This is sad...oh so sad!

If it were possible to help this young woman she would be one to help and I believe would benefit from the help. As it is...it is a no win. The worst part of it is that during another really hard thing with a dying boyfriend she was reading the Bible and listening to Christian tv and it turned bad. She now cannot seem to pick up or read the Bible as she blames God for the loss in her life. Her list of pain is so long that it boggles my mind.

She needs a man in her life at all times as it gives her value. She is best friends with her mom and her social circle is tiny. She reflects the views of the few people she spends time with and I wonder if she has opinions of her own...maybe a few caused by the pain of her life. She is a realist so there is no fantasy world in her head to escape to. Where does she go to find any peace?

No, daughters do not worry I will not take her in. My house is overful with those who have problems enough with less reason. I cannot walk away from this story without praying for this woman and thanking God that I survived my raisin' and came to know God and not to reject Him. God will have to walk into her life and touch her for her to come out of what has happened to her. I give her credit for staying alive. I am not going to hold her mothering skills against her. God knows and I cannot fathom it at all. Very seldom do I find myself so struck with the violence and the horror of a life. My mind is blown.

On with the Plan!

So I have given up the idea that Jack will be focused on his own healing. I have to remind him and I meet much resistance for anything that takes an effort without immediate gratification. He is still extremely angry with me for withholding the truck keys and I have no intention of changing my mind on this matter. He has been inattentive, made bad decisions where he scared himself and he has gotton lost in our neighborhood. He often does not know where we are even if we go there daily. Those things added to the things he doesn't remember every day and my decision is final.

We had words again yesterday about his exercise that the Chiro wants him to do. Simple thing of hanging his head off the end of the bed for 2+ minutes at a time to change the neck curve and retrain the muscles that were curling downward. He insists it gives him a headache to do it more than once at a time. Having been with him multitudous times at the chiro when he does it 3-4 times at once for 2+ minutes I found that to be merely an excuse and disregarded it and pushed him to try to do it 3X per day for 3X of 2+ minutes each time. You would have thought I asked him for an organ. No way and he was mad and screamed "Shut your mouth" at me. I did.
But the rest of the evening was taken over with my thoughts. I stayed quiet and he got normal again telling me how much he loves me and so forth. I do not doubt that but I needed to ask God how to go about this "caring for Jack" project. "Maybe I need to change my focus?" I thought.

I got my answer this morning in my devotional time but I made a decision last night that will help me to focus differently. Even now that I am the main decision maker in the home and responsible for much that goes on I cannot forget that I am important regardless of the duties I perform and I need to focus on keeping myself mentally and physically and spiritually healthy. I cannot do him any good or respond well if he is what every day is about. So ...I got up at 5 AM and got dressed in my exercise clothes. I went to 24/7 and did 20 minutes cardio and 20 minutes resistance then went home, took a shower, and did devotions for 45 minutes before I began the laundry/breakfast/ordering the day on the white board and so forth routine.
I am sinking like a rock at 12:40 PM at the office so decided to write for awhile and then go drink gallons of water. I have every intention of getting into the physical routine somehow 2X per day. The dogs need playing with and brushing and I need to stop being accessible at every moment. Jack may never decide to do his exercises but I have decided to do mine.

It is strange to me how his mind works now but I am trying to take the times he is unfair and give them up to God cheerfully. God is working in me through this and I want to be thankful and accepting of the lesson. The other day Jack said he was sorry he hadn't walked with me back when I was asking him to and he still could. I do not want to have regrets though mine would be for being impatient with him now. So readers pray for us in this strange Jackdango dance we find ourselves doing. Steps may change but the tempo needs to stay upbeat!

A day in the life of a church secretary...waiting..

Today I got here prepared to be patient. Jack is cleaning the upstairs this week and I have some community service hours that need to be filled by Nick, a 14 year old who attends, so it will get done with supervision.
Jenna is moving to my sofa tonight so all her stuff has to be put in storage for the winter. This is a temporary situation to benefit us both. She is doing heavy stuff by herself as I have to be here to supervise this cleaning thing. Someone donated mega clothing for the plus sized woman so women are coming in and trying on the items offered for free...I am the 'salesclerk' who tells them if it looks good or not! I took a couple things and will try them on later. Pretty good chance they will fit at size 18. Most of the clothes are larger.
I am in the mood to see a movie but there is no time and the one I want to see takes no passes so I must wait...
Did you ever hear the comment "Kill the Messenger"? I am familiar with it just because I pass on messages to Pastor. Today the worship leader for this weekend who's name is Jody called to tell me after I texted and left messages - that she can't lead this Sunday as her teeth broke and no way is she standing up in front of church singing with no teeth. Interesting picture that brings forth...Oh my! So none of the other worship leaders can lead. I am out of town on Sunday to Milwaukee and so guess Pastor and Sue will have to do that too. Oh my! They are still in Springfield so I e-mailed them the report.
Jack and I went to the neurologist again yesterday and no new meds or anything. Just a wry face and the comment that Jack is just klutzy, not worse. Funny... but I still do not want to let him drive or go up and down stairs! He says I smother him but oh well...it is what it is! He is up to 194 pounds now so picking him up after he falls is very difficult. T. V. watching is bad for the waistline.
Well, the mailboxes need filling so off I go... and a new outfit is being critiqued as I speak!

If Walls Could Talk

Karah's voice came from the back bedroom. "Come and see what Eliana did!" There was a note of panic in her pitch. I went back and discovered some interesting 'signature' designs I had seen on previously presented parchments. This time she had decorated a whole wall only unfortunately this is not gramma's house! Oh Lord!
Magic Eraser time!

Torment and Encouragement

I listened to her speak. Her words bit like scorpions. They may not have been meant for me but you see she came from me and she will always be in my heart. I wondered if her new life was easing the pain inflicted unneccessarily by clumsy and selfish ones. Those who hurt me too, a lifelong process of telling me I was not quite good enough..the same thing has occurred but with violence and a bad ending. Mine was like putting a lobster in a pot and then bringing it to a boil but you see...I am not a lobster so I leaped from the kettle screaming. Would I have noticed had my daughter not been so maimed and misaligned by them? I do not know but that only increases my pain. But those words came spilling out how mistrust came from the blow which rendered her damaged.
I lay all night figuring how I could somehow confront in such a way these as to bring about repentance???? How could I stir their hearts to realize their cruelty and guilt? How could I show them how their judgements have caused a life to be scarred and one heart torn and bleeding and two others made numb from the pain....
Do I trust God with this? Oh yes I do, but when the pain comes it brings torment. I do not sleep, I do not breathe deeply, I moan and I cry hot quiet tears for what is lost. I know what my grandmother felt losing Helen. I seek to lose myself in my prayers for her, for them. My greatest desire would be that they see and turn from their heartless actions.
They would wonder how I could say heartless when giving still takes place for others but I say heartless. I too was the victim of denial. But only my body was abused, my emotions were torn but my heart lay untouched waiting for the Savior to come and raise me from the betrayal. I have been redeemed from my pain...but tell me how does a mother watch the same actions that took her down the road of rebellion and guarding her heart become ok with it happening in yet another form to her own flesh and blood.
Wake up! Oh foolish ones awaken from your stupor and repent. I will pray and I will prod and I will cry until it is made right. God help me walk my part out. Turning my back on you would not make this alright. NOthing but a change will do. A change in your selfish positions of righteousness that stinks like old rotton flesh. God move heaven and earth to bring them from this carnage.
My daughter is precious and a blessing to me and I refuse to accept this as final. I am encouraged by my own determination to see this end better. I am encouraged by my God who redeems and forgives sin. I am encouraged as I look at the beauty of my children and grandchildren. There is always hope even in torment.

A Terrible Long Day with One Wonderful Perk!

Opened my mailbox and found an unusual thing... a note from loved ones in St. Louis and a tiny little brag book full of the cutest pictures. After the 2 days I just had this was one big bonus that faded all the other irritations. I am blessed!

Thrilled!

So my patience was for today! D E came over and set up my wireless router so I can use my laptop from anywhere in the area! I am thrilled! It has taken forever to get my room in shape I could have someone come in and actually set it up. I am tickled pink! If I were home I would be on it but I am not so I am on S's!

Now if I can just get used to using the silly fingertip thing instead of a mouse...but you can get used to anything right???

Am still in Madtown helping S as she simply cannot lift Tisha out of crib or anywhere. She won't go to urgent care as she thinks it is just a sprain but wants to get a wheelchair and have it here for these times..nurses know what is best right? Well they are stubborn about getting medical attention and I can relate to that as my thumb is still a live wire after 2 weeks. These things will teach us something. It taught me to take care of little things the correct way soon so they do not turn into a big thing and interupt all my plans...Oh well, plans are made to be changed if you ask me. Still we must have our plans, hopes, dreams and schemes. I am about to go read with kids to improve their skills. We were in the car way toooooo long with Tisha so she will be up til the cows come home...

By the way got to practice cutting hair on S today. Can't say I am any better than I ever was though. She insisted or I would have begged off. I only do a few basic butcher jobs...just ask my daughters! She is now wearing the newest style called a "bob". It is slightly longer than my other style called a "butch"!

Three times in One hour?

So today I was to come to Madison and help S so she could do in-services at work and then take an evening shift. So I hurried and when I arrived I found her on the phone cancelling her shift as she had fallen and sprained her ankle and it was beginning to swell.

Then the school called and Karah had fallen off the monkey bars and they were going to put her arm in sling so she could stay at school and still feel cared for...

Next, within 5 minutes, Jenna called to tell me that Jack had fallen over his blanket and shoes again but was okay.

S is in much pain and has to use a walker to walk and Jack seems unhurt (I called and checked after about an hour.) Karah is still at school and they haven't called back so I assume she is doing okay.

So.....my question in do these things happen in three as the superstitions would have it?



I don't know but just in case that is wrong would the rest of you please watch your step?

Pestilence Sucks!

Warning: Read this blog at your own risk...grave danger of itching ahead...

Oh, How yucky it is to discover the children you are caring for have a dread condition. I remember daycare blues with LICE but this is a first for me: dreaded "scabies". I have no bumps but oh Metrie has a regular camp of them in areas indelicate, as well as all other general areas. S got a "grande" case of them as well and we are treating all and warning others who may have been exposed to the nasty skin burrowing critter. Now you do not need to read this blog if you have not been here but if you have then read on...

The medicine is available only by prescription but if you have a doctor or pediatrician just telling them you have been truly exposed my get you the deal... Permethrin cream which you apply to all areas from chin down and including between toes and fingers then leave on for 12-14 hours and wash off. It is a runny 'easy to apply' cream and does not feel wierd or gooey. All in household should be treated. The incubation for scabies is 4-6 weeks so just when you have totally forgotton is when the bumps appear.
Please look this up online (listed to the right) for a scare that ranks alongside "Halloween the Movie" but in real life they are just itchy bumps that you should not let go for a minute as they burrow and reinfect a new area leaving ich and a trail. 10-20 Scabies will wreak havoc on your body and that is normally what you get.
I am sad to be the one sending this news to you but better facing the dragon than ignoring it. Nasty stuff. Anyone can get it but do not mention it to the "general public" or they will run screaming and health officials will appear from the woodwork asking you if you are a responsible adult and treating this 'anyone can get it' type scourge. Humbly I venture forth imploring you to do pre-treatment as prevention of the full blown deal.

I have a sinus thing going on so today is my down day here in Madtown. I am cleaning the house very slowly paying kids to h elp with small change and taking much oregano oil, V-C and Virastop as well as acidolpholis. By the way...I caught this virus from 30 people who exposed me (sneezing, coughing and touching me with virusy hands) but luckily do not have to call everyone who might have been in my presence for the last 48 hours. Blah!

Dinner for 10 plus Conversation

What a wonderful day! Even though I haven't felt top notch lately I really wanted to take care of Eliana so Mike and Jessica could get out and have a "movie date". So they came and Eliana was fun and we did well most of the time. They did tell me to have her take a nap...well you can lead a horse to water but this place is simply too new and full of toys...she did well to lay down and have me read to her.
Later Mike and Jessica returned and it was good. Supper finally got prepared (am sometimes sidetracked...) and Peggy came with her girls. I did have to run over to Madison to pick up Metrie from his grammas...but that was fast. The whole evening was semi wild and generally entertaining after that. Kids here there and everywhere and great conversations went on in the living room. I missed some but that's okay someone had to break up potentially bad things in the back room and keep some semblance of order in the kid chaos. Mike says I am controlling like that...and he is right on! If it escalates too high someone ends up hurt so I was the troubleshooter.
Tisha loved the interactions and danced her way through the evening in the midst of us all. Everyone is getting used to each other and there is less attention paid to differences. Jordan did take a liking to Mike and bugged him every chance she got. He teased her when he wasn't ignoring her and that was perfect to keep her at full attention...
Karah was kind enough to send one of her babies home with Eliana to come back in two weeks when I am again able to babysit for my grandaughter joyfully. She left giving hugs and smiling.
I am content.

Tisha Tasha Misha Masha

Oh, it is exciting to excape my regular life of Church Secretary, Wife and the one who holds it all together and come to Madtown and become "Nanny Extraordinaire" for 3 very special kids. When I arrived I carried in all my belongings for the 3 days and checked in with S before she left for work. She noted that Tisha was now not wearing her helmet regularly. She was still napping so I had to wait for the surprise. Her hair was trimmed shorter! And she is in a new stage where she clings and likes affection and holding. I saw that one coming and it is a developmental advance. The therapists are ready to give Tisha one more choice on her communication board as sometimes 2 choices are just not enough. Go Tisha Tasha! Now if we could just tempt the child to eat real food...The other kids are doing well too, enjoying school and maintaining some healthy rivalry at home. It is all good!