A Hat for all Occassions

I went to the South Side Diner with a BFF the other night. We had the most amazing dessert! It was called the "South Side Special". And special it was! It was a warm brownie, with coffee ice cream, and hot fudge and whipped cream. And of course, since I was enjoying it with a friend, it was fat, calorie and carb free!
I have some issues with restaurants at times. Having been in the "biz" myself for 12 years, I sometimes get a little critical. And as my friend pulled me off the booth from my dusting, she asked me, "Who are you?". Well, since she came to my house and picked me up, and she was buying tonight, I figured that she already knew that.
"Have you turned blonde?", I asked. "I am the same person that you picked up 1/2 hour ago....duh!!"
"That's not what I meant...who are you, deep down?"
Now, that was an interesting question. It was almost enough to get me to stop cleaning. For the moment, anyway. :) I wear a lot of hats...daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, taxi driver, teacher, principal, cook, nurse, zookeeper (at times!)...
Who am I? Why am I here on this earth at this point in history? God, being God and all, could've put me on this earth at any time in history in any place he chose. I could've been born in the Old Testament times, I could've been born during the Roman Empire. He could've had me living as an Inuit Eskimo up in Northern Canada. (but, He knows that I don't like to be cold!) God could've made me Joan of Arc!
But, He made me Me. A woman in His image. And He put me in this point in history, in this day and age. Where I am living and what I have been through is not a mistake. When I strayed from Him, God didn't pull out his Holy palm pilot and look through wondering what had happened. He knew what it would take to get me back to Him. He knew who would pray for me, and how long they would pray. And when I get to Heaven, after Jesus, I want to see them. (thanks, sis!) They were put on this earth for that moment. Maybe I would've been lost forever if it had not been for that faithful woman.
So, what I figured that is that the question to "Who are you?" is best found by answering the question, "Who are you praying for today?" and "Who are you loving on today?" I believe that we are all here on this earth at this point in time for a purpose. And maybe that would be for just one more soul to come to Him. Think about that...maybe someone's "purpose" would be leading just ONE PERSON to Christ. And wouldn't that be worth it??
I want to live my life so that when I get to Heaven, I can hear my Savior say, "Well done!" instead of, "Well?". I would like to challenge each of you to find out why God has put you here. Whose life needs you in it? Who needs your prayers today? Who would never find Christ if it had not been for you? What hat are you going to wear today?

By ShakesPaw....

To go outside, and there perchance to stay
Or to remain within: that is the question:
Whether 'tis better for a cat to suffer
The cuffs and buffets of inclement weather
That Nature rains on those who roam abroad,
Or take a nap upon a scrap of carpet,
And so by dozing melt the solid hours
That clog the clock's bright gears with sullen time
And stall the dinner bell. To sit, to stare
Outdoors, and by a stare to seem to state
A wish to venture forth without delay,
Then when the portal's opened up, to stand
As if transfixed by doubt. To prowl; to sleep;
To choose not knowing when we may once more
Our readmittance gain: aye, there's the hairball;
For if a paw were shaped to turn a knob,
Or work a lock or slip a window-catch,
And going out and coming in were made
As simple as the breaking of a bowl,
What cat would bear the household's petty plagues,
The cook's well-practiced kicks, the butler's broom,
The infant's careless pokes, the tickled ears,
The trampled tail, and all the daily shocks
That fur is heir to, when, of his own free will,
He might his exodus or entrance make
With a mere mitten? Who would spaniels fear,
Or strays trespassing from a neighbor's yard,
But that the dread of our unheeded cries
And scratches at a barricaded door
No claw can open up, dispels our nerve
And makes us rather bear our humans' faults
Than run away to unguessed miseries?
Thus caution doth make house cats of us all;
And thus the bristling hair of resolution
Is softened up with the pale brush of thought,
And since our choices hinge on weighty things,
We pause upon the threshold of decision.

Ode to My Friends....

1 When you are sad -- I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry jerk who made you that way.

2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile -- I will know you finally got laid.

4. When you are scared -- I will rag on you about it every chance I get.

5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.

6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.

7. When you are sick -- Stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want to catch whatever you have.

8. When you fall -- I will point and laugh at your clumsy butt.

9. This is my oath..... I pledge it to the end. "Why?" you may ask?, "Because you are my friend".


Friendship is like peeing your pants: everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth.

Thought for the week....

Exert your talents, and distinguish yourself, and don't think of retiring from the world, until the world will be sorry that you retire. - Samuel Johnson

Day Before Turkey Day!

Turkey, Oh Turkey
Where for art thou, turkey?
Deny thy dressing, and refuse thy gravy...

I know...a little overboard. Did I mention that I have 40 lbs of turkey for 9 people? It comes the form of Tommy (our 21 lb'er) and his little brother, Timmy (our 19 lb'er). And I do this every single year. I get two turkeys, and for some reason, believe that my oven has magically grown the last 12 months to be able to accommodate two large roasting pans. And, of course, it still hasn't. So, I am making Tommy today. He will be cut up into leftovers and separated between the two families. And Timmy will be the star of the show tomorrow. My house smells all warm and cozy.
The incessant rain that has been falling all night is supposed to turn into snow later today. I heard reports of 1-2 inches, with Black Friday having up to 3 more. Now, we had 60 degree weather yesterday....why not on Friday? I finally have my shopping plan down. My girlfriends and I are taking the phones and one of us will get into line upon entering the store, while the other two go and get "the list". It should be interesting. I am always amazed at how people react to the hustle and bustle. Some just chalk it up to the day and take things in stride. Other people have become downright rude in the past. I have seen people actually yell at the cashier for having to stand in line for 45 minutes. Like it's her fault. She's only 17 and it's her second day on the job. But, it's all her fault!
I am hoping that I will be able to exercise patience myself this year. It is something that I have really been working on for a while now. To be able to see the situation from another's eyes.
So, while ya'll are out there shopping, remember, that it's only stuff. And that the real reason that we even celebrate Christmas isn't found at the early bird specials. Take some time out (and a buck or two) and buy that poor cashier a coke, or a candy bar. I bet they'll appreciate the gesture. And the sugar/caffeine rush...they'll need it! Remember to always carry your smile...it's your best defense against any harshness of the world. And, if you see that red sweater, please pick me up one in my sister's size!! I can't find it anywhere :)

Mmmmm....it sure smells good in my house today. I have made our pies for Thanksgiving. I made 3 Dutch apple and 5 pumpkin. I took one of each to my hubby's work to "test" the recipes. Of course, they are all hungry men and would've probably eaten anything. But, they got rave reviews, so I am happy about that.

Our town is busy putting up the Christmas decorations. We live about 100 feet from the downtown center, so we sat on our front porch and watched them put them up for a while. It was really neat to see them string the garland and the lights. All warm and fuzzy feeling.
I am still not ready for Christmas this year. I have a couple of friends who have convinced me to go shopping on "Black Friday". We need to leave our houses by 3:00 in the morning to make it to South Bend's Best Buy for the $199 computer sale. Both of them have lost their computers this last month, and are eager to replace it. I am going along just for the ride, and the fun with my best girlfriends.
My daughter keeps adding to her "wish list". Today, she added a large stuffed horse. She of course would rather have the real thing, but will settle for a stuffed one. Then, she thinks that she should have her own cell phone. "But, Mom, I can call Auntie Vicki"....like she can't use the home phone??? Must be that age. She is currently working on creating her own "Build-A-Bear" workshop. She has made about 10 stuffed animal shells and is letting her brothers choose which ones they want, and is going to help them stuff and finish off their new friends. She would like to have her own business doing that. Whatever she wants, we tell her. Reach as far and as high as you can. No, we won't buy you the horse right now...
Nicholas helped me bake the pies today. He is becoming quite the little chef. He really got into peeling the apples, and then had a good time "defeating them". (or coring them, for you out there without a 7 year old taekwondo fan!) I am sure that they are going to taste wonderful.
We are planning on having Thanksgiving at my house this year, with our friends joining us for dinner. We are going to have a "Star Wars" marathon starting around 11am, and ending approximately 10pm. Hope that the kids can make it through...hope that I can, actually! I am not getting up early to put the bird in the oven. We don't plan on eating dinner until 5:30 or so, so I won't actually need to dress Tommy until later in the morning. Karl thought that pumpkin pie for lunch would be a nice holiday treat. No one is going to argue with him, I think:)

24x36....take the 4 and multiply it by the 6, carry 2, then add zero,round out to the nearest multiplier, minus the co-efficient of Einstein's Theory of Math..

I didn't think homeschooling was that difficult until this week. My daughter, who is a very visual learner, is mastering the double digit multiplication concept. I have used Math-U-Expensive (oops...sorry) Math-U-See for a while now. And had very awesome results with it. It has been the only program that has worked for her. Now, we are in a difficult spot. I understand what to do, and basically, she has an idea herself. But, to put our two minds together is like trying to mix oil and water. I am trying my best to get her to understand the whole "carrying" concept with this, and that it's different from carrying in addition. It works some problems, and with others, she just has a deer in the headlights look to her face.
I know that she is very intelligent. Beyond a shadow of a doubt. I just have to realize that God has made her a little different from me. I know that she can get it....

Thanksgiving is almost here...

And two turkeys I have. They were on sale for $.59/lb. and I know that 40 pounds of turkey is a lot for 9 people, but think of the leftovers! And it really doesn't take any more energy to cook two birds as it does one.

That will be the start of my holiday season. We will have some friends over for a movie marathon and turkey dinner. Then, we will "undress" the birds so that soup can be made from the carcasses. And of course, we will have left over turkey sandwiches, hot turkey, turkey enchiladas, and turkey spaghetti.

My recipes are as follows:

Turkey Soup

2 tbps butter

1 turkey carcass

1 head of onion

1 bunch of chopped celery

1 bag of baby carrots "coined"

3 cloves garlic

6 quarts of water

2 cans chicken broth


Fry up the onion and garlic in the butter until starting to sweat. Add the chopped celery and the coined carrots (cut into the size of dimes). Saute for approx 3 minutes. Set aside. In a large stock pot, add the chicken broth and the water. Bring to a boil, then add the turkey carcass. Boil on med-high heat for approx 1 hour. Carefully, drain the stock in a colander into another pot. Remove the turkey from the bones and add back into the stock. Toss the bones. Add the veggies back into the stock, and simmer on medium heat for an hour. Can can the soup in hot canning jars, 30 minutes a quart. Or freezes well.


Hot turkey

leftover turkey

leftover gravy

leftover mashed potatoes

2 slices of bread, buttered


Lightly grill the bread in a hot skillet until golden brown. In the microwave, heat the turkey, potatoes, and gravy separately. Lay the bread on a serving plate grilled side up with the mashed potatoes in between. Layer the turkey over the bread and pour hot gravy over all. Yummy!!! And a great quick meal for those days when you are on the run!

Turkey Enchiladas
leftover turkey
tortilla shells
2 cans cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
1 8oz tub sour cream
milk
1 c shredded cheese

Mix 1 can soup with 1 can's worth milk, 1/2 the sour cream, 1/3 cheese and turkey. Place in tortilla shells and "roll up". When all shells are filled, add the second can of soup, and can of milk, and 1/3 of cheese and rest of sour cream. Make a creamy topping and pour over enchiladas. Sprinkle with remainder of cheese. You can make these ahead and freeze. Bake at 400 for 1 hour for frozen, or for 20 minutes for "fresh". What I like to do when I freeze extra, since I only have 2 pyrex pans, is I line them with heavy duty foil and spray the foil with cooking spray. When I am done, I make sure the foil wraps around the food like a neat little package and then I freeze the whole thing in the pyrex pan. When it's frozen, I can take it out of the pan and store the foil package in the freezer. When it comes time to cook it again, just place it back in the pan, foil and all! Easier to clean up, too! That idea works for almost any dish.

Turkey Spaghetti
leftover turkey
1 lb. cooked spaghetti noodles
1 jar favorite spaghetti sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese


Preheat oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl, mix noodles, sauce and turkey together. Place in a pyrex dish sprayed cooking spray. Sprinkle the cheese all over the top and cover with foil. Bake for approx 30 minutes. Dish can be made ahead of time and frozen for later use.

I will be sharing more of my recipes and tips for all that leftover turkey this coming week.

I found this posted on Secular Homeschooling Magazine. It was originally written by Deborah Markus, from Secular Homeschooling Magazine, Issue #1, Fall 2007.

"For all those who know nothing about Homeschooling"

1 Please stop asking us if it's legal. If it is - and it is - it's
insulting to imply that we're criminals. And if we were criminals,
would we admit it?

2 Learn what the words "socialize" and "socialization" mean, and use
the one you really mean instead of mixing them up the way you do now.
Socializing means hanging out with other people for fun.
Socialization means having acquired the skills necessary to do so
successfully and pleasantly. If you're talking to me and my kids,
that means that we do in fact go outside now and then to visit the
other human beings on the planet, and you can safely assume that
we've got a decent grasp of both concepts.

3 Quit interrupting my kid at her dance lesson, scout meeting, choir
practice, baseball game, art class, field trip, park day, music
class, 4H club, or soccer lesson to ask her if as a homeschooler she
ever gets to socialize.

4 Don't assume that every homeschooler you meet is Homeschooling for
the same reasons and in the same way as that one homeschooler you
know.

5 If that homeschooler you know is actually someone you saw on TV,
either on the news or on a "reality" show, the above goes double.

6 Please stop telling us horror stories about the homeschoolers you
know, know of, or think you might know who ruined their lives by
Homeschooling. You're probably the same little bluebird of happiness
whose hobby is running up to pregnant women and inducing premature
labor by telling them every ghastly birth story you've ever heard. We
all hate you, so please go away.

7 We don't look horrified and start quizzing your kids when we hear
they're in public school. Please stop drilling our children like
potential oil fields to see if we're doing what you consider an
adequate job of Homeschooling.

8 Stop assuming all homeschoolers are religious.

9 Stop assuming that if we are religious, we must be Homeschooling for
religious reasons.

10 We didn't go through all the reading, learning, thinking, weighing
of options, experimenting, and worrying that goes into Homeschooling
just to annoy you. Really. This was a deeply personal decision,
tailored to the specifics of our family. Stop taking the bare fact of
our being homeschoolers as either an affront or a judgment about your
own educational decisions.

11 Please stop questioning my competency and demanding to see my
credentials. I didn't have to complete a course in catering to
successfully cook dinner for my family; I don't need a degree in
teaching to educate my children. If spending at least twelve years in
the kind of chew-it-up-and- spit-it-out educational facility we call
public school left me with so little information in my memory banks
that I can't teach the basics of an elementary education to my
nearest and dearest, maybe there's a reason I'm so reluctant to send
my child to school.

12 If my kid's only six and you ask me with a straight face how I can
possibly teach him what he'd learn in school, please understand that
you're calling me an idiot. Don't act shocked if I decide to respond
in kind.

13 Stop assuming that because the word "home" is right there
in "homeschool, " we never leave the house. We're the ones who go to
the amusement parks, museums, and zoos in the middle of the week and
in the off-season and laugh at you because you have to go on weekends
and holidays when it's crowded and icky.

14 Stop assuming that because the word "school" is right there in
homeschool, we must sit around at a desk for six or eight hours every
day, just like your kid does. Even if we're into the "school" side of
education - and many of us prefer a more organic approach - we can
burn through a lot of material a lot more efficiently, because we
don't have to gear our lessons to the lowest common denominator.

15 Stop asking, "But what about the Prom?" Even if the idea that my
kid might not be able to indulge in a night of over-hyped, over-
priced revelry was enough to break my heart, plenty of kids who do go
to school don't get to go to the Prom. For all you know, I'm one of
them. I might still be bitter about it. So go be shallow somewhere
else.

16 Don't ask my kid if she wouldn't rather go to school unless you
don't mind if I ask your kid if he wouldn't rather stay home and get
some sleep now and then.

17 Stop saying, "Oh, I could never homeschool!" Even if you think
it's some kind of compliment, it sounds more like you're horrified.
One of these days, I won't bother disagreeing with you any more.

18 If you can remember anything from chemistry or calculus class,
you're allowed to ask how we'll teach these subjects to our kids. If
you can't, thank you for the reassurance that we couldn't possibly do
a worse job than your teachers did, and might even do a better one.

19 Stop asking about how hard it must be to be my child's teacher as
well as her parent. I don't see much difference between bossing my
kid around academically and bossing him around the way I do about
everything else.

20 Stop saying that my kid is shy, outgoing, aggressive, anxious,
quiet, boisterous, argumentative, pouty, fidgety, chatty, whiny, or
loud because he's homeschooled. It's not fair that all the kids who
go to school can be as annoying as they want to without being branded
as representative of anything but childhood.

21 Quit assuming that my kid must be some kind of prodigy because
she's homeschooled.

22 Quit assuming that I must be some kind of prodigy because I
homeschool my kids.

23 Quit assuming that I must be some kind of saint because I
homeschool my kids.

24 Stop talking about all the great childhood memories my kids won't
get because they don't go to school, unless you want me to start
asking about all the not-so-great childhood memories you have because
you went to school.

25 Here's a thought: If you can't say something nice about
Homeschooling, [please be quiet]!"

The Miracle of the Butter

Not to long ago, we had some hard times financially. We were just your run of the mill family of 5, trying to get by. And really reaching out in our baby-like faith to trust God to provide for all of our needs. Some weeks, I would have less than $10 for groceries. But, God really proved His faithfulness in so many ways.

There was the time that my husband was asked to take pictures at a school dance and they gave him a $20 gas card that night. Miracle#1...we were riding on fumes and didn't have any money until payday 4 days later.

Then, we were at a group leader's meeting at our church and they had a drawing for a $20 Walmart gift card. We didn't have any diapers left, and again, not enough money. Miracle #2...we won.

A friend left some money on my kitchen counter once for our electric bill...Miracle #3 since it would've been turned off 3 days later.

Yeah, I hear what some of you are thinking...that we told everyone that we were broke and complained and yada, yada, yada. I kid you not, we only told God in prayer that we needed these things and that we thanked Him for what He was GOING to provide. Seriously! No one knew before hand what we needed and exactly when we needed it!

My husband was handed a check one night after men's prayer that paid our water bill, again just before it was to be shut off. Miracle #4.

We were part of a team that delivered food to people who had surgery, had a baby, death in the family, whatever. I had made dinner for this family with the last bit of food that I had in the house. I figured that we could survive the next two days on PB&J sandwiches. It was better than nothing. Lo, and behold, when we returned from delivering it that evening, there was an envelope taped to our door. It had a $100 gift certificate to a local grocery store! Miracle #5.

But, it was the miracle that happened after we went to the grocery store that has stuck in my daughter's memory...hopefully forever. You see, our family averaged about 1LB of butter a week. Used for cooking, toast, that kinda thing. Well, trying to be as frugal as possible, I only spent money on 1LB of butter when we went to the store so that I had money for other things. Did I mention that the $100 "somehow" fed my family for almost a month? And, funny thing is, the butter NEVER RAN OUT! My daughter wondered about that one day, and we realized that God was performing another miracle in our lives. For some reason, He chose the butter to last for that month! We didn't use any less than normal, either. God just kept supplying our needs.

My hubby and I were talking the other night about our budget, and how we needed to cut back on some extras since other necessities had gone up. My daughter had overheard our conversation, although we didn't know it at the time. The next day, after he had gone to work, Mikayla asked me about it. When I told her that money was a little tight right now and that we just needed to be careful about being good stewards, she said, "Mom, don't worry. God will take care of us, no matter what! Don't you remember the butter?"

It brought tears to my eyes. All the time that I have tried in vain to make things stretch here and there, I have forgotten to look to my Daddy. He is our Provider. Yes, I believe that He wants me to be a good steward of our money and time, and Yes! I believe that I have the responsibility to carry out His will, but God spoke to me then and there. I know that I can always rest in my Daddy's care....

After all, the butter lasted a whole month!!!

Our family has always been a bleeding heart when it came to the furry species. From early on in life, I can remember always having a pet. At least one. Most of the time, we had two or three, or more. My first dog that I remember was a black poodle named Missy. Then came along a toy poodle named Penny. She weighed all of 3 pounds soaking wet and was prissy beyond belief. Wouldn't get wet or dirty for anything if she could help it.

I also had a guinea pig, named Missy Piggy (one of my favorite Muppets at the time). She was a neat little thing...would squeal loudly when you opened the fridge until she got her treat of lettuce or a fresh carrot. I loved her. We also had a dog named Buffer. Yellow Lab that liked to dig holes all over the back yard. We called her paws shovels. And they were efficient.

Another weak moment in my life was when my mother and her younger sister found a sign for a free dog. Blond cocker spaniel. I called her "Freebie". She was a good dog, liked to lay on my bed and be there while I talked on the phone like the teen that I was.

My married life has brought many animals as well. First, we had two cats, Jasmine and Capone. We had to get rid of them when Mikayla was born since they used her crib as a litter box. I cried a lot. We got a dog then, Moses. He was kind of a pain. Knew just two words, "Outside", which would make his little ears perk up, and "No" which would make his ears and tail fall sadly. Karl spent an entire 15 minutes straight asking him, "Outside?" followed immediately by, "NO!" just to watch his ears go up and down. Sadistic, he was.

Then, came Molly. She was a sheltie. I actually paid money for her. And a week after we got her, she jumped off our bed and broke her from leg. I had to pay big bucks in the animal ER! Then, there was the Christmas Eve that we had to take her to the ER again because she had gotten attacked by something and her whole back end was a infectious, bloody mess!

The kids also had Guinea, Mikayla's guinea pig and Thumper, Nick's rabbit. Guinea died one day and Mikayla was so heartbroken. Her favorite aunt sent her a stuffed guinea pig that she still cuddles with when she is sad. Thumper had to find a new home when we moved to South Carolina. He just wouldn't make another move.

Sammy graced our lives then. She was a black lab that I had gotten in a weak moment (just like my mother in that way!). Unfortunately, we were unable to keep the dogs when we moved here and had to give them away. Just about broke our hearts. But, we didn't mourn too long.

Then Princess and Frisky the cats came to call. Again, it was a weak moment. My mother took the kids down to get them a kitten since they were upset about the dogs. Of course, they both wanted a different kitten and since she couldn't say NO to them, we wound up with two. They are still with us, believe it or not.

Then, we rescued Ginger the dog. She was an older chocolate lab. Nice dog. Got along great with the kids and was well trained. Cats weren't too sure about the "chocolate monster". She chased them around alot in the beginning. We had do give her up when we had to move. Karl won't admit it, but I think he still misses her sometimes. They got along so well. She used to bring him her ball when he would walk in the door after work and had to throw it to her before he could even say "HI" to us!

Then, Snowball. Again, a weak moment. We had just moved into this house (like for 24 hours kinda deal) and saw the "free puppies". She was the run of the litter and weighed all of 4 pounds. I could hold her in one hand and give her a bath in the sink, she was so tiny. But, she grew! She is about 50 pounds now and the happiest dog you ever saw. Mikayla is in 4H with her and is training her to be a part of the show team this next fair year.

I just talked to my mother. She had a weak moment yesterday and decided to go to the animal shelter and rescue a new dog. Joy of joys. This dog found a loving home with my parents. They are animal freaks. They treat every animal that we have ever had in our family like a member of the family, no joke.

Well, this dog was an outside dog primarily in her "other" life and didn't know how to walk on a leash, or wear a collar. Well, my mother doesn't back away from that kind of challenge too quickly. They took this adorable dog, Princess home. She spent a warm night inside, on the couch. And got to sport a new halter collar and leash. Lucky dog!

Well, this morning, mom took her outside to go potty and the dog got out of her halter and took off like a bolt of lightening! Sometime later this afternoon, they saw her and tried to coax her into the van to take her home, and she would have none of that! Being only adopted for less than 24 hours, she didn't know my parents well enough to trust them yet. So, they are planning on catching her, if at all possible, and taking her back to the shelter.

Of course, my mother, soft heart for cold noses that she is, is planning on getting yet another dog...er, puppy, this time to help fill a void. Their current K9, Cassie, is almost 14 now and they are hoping this new puppy will take her place when it's her time to go. I sure hope that this one doesn't take off on them!

Makes me think of the scene in the movie, "Funny Farm" where the red dog takes off after a duck and never returns. Later, they see it and it's still barking and chasing after the ducks! Gotta laugh at that one!


Animals are really important in our family. They never seem to last, though :) But, I wouldn't trade any memories of any of them! They were all so special in our lives. We should have a national "Love Your Pet Day" where all pets are spoiled beyond belief for that day. Not that some of them aren't anyway, but it's a nice idea....

The Season is upon us....

I am not sure why, but my daughter is convinced that we need to put up the Christmas decorations today. As a matter of fact, she went so far as to go into the basement where they are stored and try and lug them up herself! Trying to get my 9 year old to understand that it's only Thanksgiving next week, she has taken it upon herself to have her father bring out the tree tonight, anyway. "The turkey won't mind if we have a tree up already!", she said.

It's not the turkey that I am worried about. I wouldn't mind putting up the decorations, really! My wonderful sister probably already has her house all decked, herself. She used to do that back in October since she loved the Christmas decorations and the festive feeling. But, I digress.

What I am worried about is not the electric bill from leaving the lights on all night...(but, mom, I need them on to sleep better) or the pounds of fudge invariably waiting to be made and eaten, all in the name of "Holiday Spirit". I am not worried about the hectic shopping schedule and frantically running around to find that red sweater. I worry about the four-footed "masters" of our home. Princess, Frisky, and Sundae. The little feline members of our family. The ones that would be more than happy to help decorate the house by swatting all the bright, shiny ornaments everywhere. To them, the tree looks so much better on the floor than on the table. And tree skirt with fringe? Mere toys to keep them occupied while resting on the skirt itself. Leaving of course, bits of hair all over it. And getting into the tree? You bet! There is something up there that needs to be investigated. Now!

Now, I am pretty sure that I like the cats and all...well, maybe. There are days when I think about Chinese takeout...
My children love their cats. And the cats actually love their respective kids. Funny, when I think about it. Frisky is Nick's cat. She adores him! For those of you who haven't seen it, it is difficult to believe, but she will go to him when he calls her. And she will curl up around his neck and HUG him. There was one time when I sent him to his room and was on my way to spank him, when she tried to "protect" him by going after me! Then, she laid on his chest and licked his cheek until he stopped crying and fell asleep.

Princess is Mikayla's cat. She is very affectionate and would stop doing just about anything for a petting or attention. I have seen her drop eating when she has a hand reach out to her. Her motor goes and goes until the attention stops. She also will come when she is called, but only by Mikayla. Has to sleep on a special pillow on her bed. Definitely Master. Very Cat.

Then we have Sundae. Sundae Treat, to be exact. A weak moment in our lives. She is 100% cat. Will only come when she wants something. Refuses to stay inside and keeps escaping to the outside world whenever she can. She was supposed to be Aaron's cat, but instead somehow wound up as Karl's. The other cat's sleep on their respective child's bed, but Sundae sleeps wherever she darn well pleases. On Karl's chest, on Aaron's bed, on the couch, in the bathroom laundry. She is the one who is convinced that we are here only to serve her and her desires.

The thought of putting up shiny, pretty objects for them to play with really has me in a tizzy at this point. What's the use? I will fight it and spray them with a water gun to try and get them to stop. I will do anything I can, stopping short of fencing it in from ceiling to floor, and still they will get at it. I will do my best to smile when I have to pick up the ornament balls off the floor and straighten the lights. I will laugh when they get caught in a tree branch and I have to get them untangled.

TIS THE SEASON!

"Win a Toshiba HD DVD A2 Player Contest!"

Amy over at In Pursuit of Proverbs 31 in hosting this neat giveaway. Just in time, for getting into the holiday spirit of giving. Enjoy!

Traditions

turkey...
green beans...
stuffing mix...
potatoes...
cranberry sauce...
evaporated milk...
fried onions...
MAKE IT STOP!!

I am not able to fully fathom Thanksgiving next week...NEXT WEEK, people!! It's like, 60 some degrees today and the kids are playing in the sunshine with light jackets on. I am just not ready for Thanksgiving. Ok, truth be told, I am not ready for Christmas. It's just moving too fast. This year is going to be different for us. This will be the first year in a while that we don't have family with us. Traditionally, we would. And of course, my mother and I (and my sis when she could be here) would go shopping the morning after Thanksgiving. Around 4:00 am. Crazy, eh? But, we had to get that red sweater!

There WAS that year that my mom broke her shoulder (and that really hurt!). That would be the year that "Boo-Bahs" were really popular. Meijer had them on sale for 1/2 price that morning and I knew that I had to get one more. My wonderful sister had sent the older two one each for Christmas, and I didn't want Aaron to be left out. Of course, taking advantage of the sale price and trying to sell it on eBay later on also occurred to me. We got up in the quiet of the early morning, and as I turned out the lights in the laundry room and turned on the garage lights, my mother fell.
We got her up after a bit, and my father took her to the hospital. I, on the other hand, being full of grief and worry for my mother, went to Meijer anyway...
I know what you are thinking...how could I??? My poor mother was laying in the hospital emergency room and I was out shopping for the very thing that had indirectly caused her injury! I never said that I was perfect :) She told me to go!! And I had to get that toy!!

Seriously, though, I am going to miss my mother this year. Between her and my sister, shopping was always more fun. If not stressful...but it was the time spent together that counts. Our family's traditions this year are going to be new and exciting. The kids are looking forward to helping make dinner and then eating in front of the T.V. while watching the football game. It's going to be fun. And different. Of course, we still have to have that glass of O.J. on Christmas morning...

HealthWorks Museum

We got to go to the HealthWorks Museum yesterday. They had free admission to celebrate their 7th anniversary. We had so much fun learning about the body, proper nutrition, and exercise. Nick and his friend climbed on the "Wall of Skin". We played virtual tennis, soccer, and volleyball. Danced on the dance machine. Hula-hooped. Learned all about how the brain works. I would definitely say that it was a great time!!

Horatio Spafford

What a hero! This man could be the poster child for faith. What? You don't know who he is? Let me introduce you to him.



In 1871 Horatio and his wife Anna were still grieving over a death of their son. He was a prominent lawyer in Chicago, and had invested heavily in real estate. On October 8, the Great Chicago Fire swept through the city, and destroyed almost everything he owned.


Two years later, in 1873, Spafford decided his family should take a holiday somewhere in Europe, and chose England knowing that his friend D. L. Moody would be preaching there in the fall. Delayed because of business, he sent ahead of him his family: his wife Anna, and his four remaining children, daughters Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and Bessie.

On November 21, 1873, while crossing the Atlantic on the S.S. Ville Du Havre, their ship was struck by an iron sailing vessel[3] and two hundred and twenty six people lost their lives, including all four of Spafford's daughters. Somehow his wife, Anna, survived. On arriving in England, she sent a telegram to Spafford beginning "Saved alone."

Spafford then himself took a ship to England, going past the place where his daughters had died. According to Bertha Spafford, a daughter born after the tragedy, the hymn was written in mid-Atlantic.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

(Refrain:) It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
(Refrain)

And Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain)


If he can say "it is well with my soul" even though he lost all his worldy possessions, and his children...how easy would it be for me? The story of Horatio isn't done. He and his wife went on and had two more children. The son lived to the age of 4, and died from scarlet fever. His last daughter is the only child to live into adulthood. What would it be like for me to lose my children? He had such a faith! He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he would see his children again, and that God was still God and in control. I would like to be able to live my life with that kind of faith. No matter what should happen to me, that God is still there, whispering peace to my soul. He is still on His throne!!!

The Seasons....

Ok...so, like, it's Saturday afternoon. And, #1 is making plain pieces of paper into beautiful artwork, #2 is tearing the house up looking for a stuffed friend, and #3 is sleeping. Hubby is fixing a friend's computer. He has a couple of them, waiting for his expertise. (where were they when he owned his own business???)

I am listening to the sounds of my house. Peaceful. It's a rather nice feeling. Mikayla had her first trumpet concert today. It was all the 5th and 6th grade bands playing together. Of course, it was wonderful. I may be biased, but it was nice to hear. They had an auction as well today to raise money for the bands and the choirs of the district. One lady got a double hung window for $10!!!! Not a typo, people...I should have bid! :)


Winter is coming upon us quickly. Time to really batten down the house for the season. We have been so blessed lately, to have such mild temps. It's still in the low 60's during the day. We haven't even had to turn our furnace on yet. Good thing! But, that's supposed to change next week. We are supposed to have a high of around 45 on Monday and then snow on Tuesday. Only lake effect, though. For those of you unfamiliar with the term "lake effect snow", it means that the wind will be blowing across Lake Michigan and bringing the cold moisture with it. It will snow, but be such little flakes, that it almost looks like diamonds falling from the sky. It's kinda pretty. Sometimes, we can get 1/2 inch from this, and sometimes we get dumped on. Just depends on how much Lake Michigan that it picks up. I expect that Tuesday's snowfall will be just a "pretty dusting". At least I hope so. We haven't mowed the lawn for the last time yet this year! I am not ready to get out the snow boots, hats, mittens, and shovels yet. We just drained the pool a couple of weeks ago!

But, all seasons must come and go within their own time. God has a plan, and it must be set into motion. Have you ever wondered why God made winter? During winter, it's cold and icy and miserable outside. Kind of like a a person before Christ. He is cold and icy on the outside. Judgmental. Full of Pride. And like the winter, whichever way the wind blows, it's the coldest. Someone who's not following God's plan for them tends to be icy and following the wind (crowd) where ever it leads. But, the hound of Heaven is coming! Spring of the heart, so to speak. As with the seasons, the spring comes. God's love reaches the icy-est heart and begins to thaw the pride, rebellion, and anger right out. His grace and mercy warm the very inner soul. As the winter of the heart melts, a new life springs right back up. Hallelujah! The spring has sprung.

The Christian is now full of new life, teeming with all the fragrances of spring. Love for the Lord is getting warmer. And then, Summer. All the fruits of this Christian begin to take shape. Just like an apple blossom on a tree. In the spring, the pretty flowers form. Then, in the summer, the fruits take shape. The apples are growing, maturing, and becoming ready for their harvest. Oh, to live in a summer of life with the Lord! To always feel the fullness of joy and warmth and growth! But, that would be selfish. We must go through the harvest. Oh, the harvest may be hard, but what a fruitful time! We sometimes get to see the joys of our labor. We get to see others come out of the winter of the heart, and into the spring. We shouldn't get discouraged when we are not full witnesses to the complete harvest, but knowing that it's harvest time is so awesome! Sometimes, we don't get to harvest the plant that grew from the see we started. We didn't get to watch it grow, but just prayed that God would send His light and rain in it's season. We also get to be the harvesters of another's planting at times. How cool is that! To have the awesome privelege of bringing another to the saving knowledge of Jesus!

And then, winter again. But, for the Christian, it's a different kind of winter. No longer, the bitter cold. But, warm and cozy with our Savior. While the storms of life blow and blow, we are safe inside His arms. And that is the most wonderful place to be.

Thursday...

Ok...it's 8:30 at night, the dishes are done, the laundry is folded and put away, the garbage out. The dog is comfy and doesn't need to be walked, the kids are tucked in and sleeping and hubby is crashed as well. The house is quiet, and for the first time in weeks, I have alone time. I am not sure what to do with myself. I feel like I should be going around, cleaning, organizing, mothering. But, it's done for the day. I am not tired yet, so here I am.

I had tea with a friend of mine yesterday. It had been some time since we had seen each other and able to spend time together. It was really nice to catch up. Nice to know that even though we haven't spent a lot of time together lately, we still thought alike in many ways. Not that I agree that she should've given my 3 year old a little cup of pure sugar and a spoon, but I digress :)

I spent some time this week on Tuesday night with a couple other girlfriends, giggling and joking over coffee, and today, a friend came over and we made chocolate cheese fudge. No, it's not icky! It's really good!

All that to say, that I have been so busy lately, that when I do have some time for just me, I don't know what to do with myself. I almost feel incomplete. Like I am being lazy. But, I am not. I don't think, anyway. So, what does one do with free time? Read a book? Watch a movie? Cross-stitch? Crochet? Maybe just blog...

But, I am running out of interesting ideas on what to blog about. So, let me tell you a neat thing that I read today. I am part of a homeschool curriculum users group. One lady wrote to the group and asked about making copies of the book since she had two kids in the same level and couldn't afford a second workbook. Many people chimed in, and said things like "Take apart the book and put the sheets in a page protector and use a dry erase marker" or "Have one child do certain pages of the lesson and the other child do the other pages". All interesting advice, but did that really solve the problem for this person? She stated that she had 7 kids and her budget was very, very tight. I heard answers like, "make copies anyway". But what really hit me was one lady's answer. She didn't know this person from Adam, and didn't know what her situation was. But, she volunteered if this person who needed a book would contact her privately and give her an address, she would pay for and send a second book out. Just because she could.

That really got me to thinking. What if we all did something like that? Just each one of us, doing one nice thing for some one else? And we didn't need a movie to motivate us to do it? Where would this world be? And I wondered what my nice thing would be to do. So, I think that I am going to pray and have God lead me to someone, somewhere, that needs something that I can give them. Then, I am going to pray for the strength and courage to get it to them. How about you? Can you do the same?