BnSki...123

Amazement

2012-02-01T15:37:00.000-08:00

On my way home from our weekly co-op today, I stopped by Aldi. While in the store, my daughter admired a cucumber. She hinted at my purchasing it. In years past, I would have jumped at the opportunity. I used to be a big fan of cucumbers. But recently, as my latex sensitivity has increased, my love for bananas and cucumbers has waned. I don't relish oral itching so I brushed off her interest and walked on past. Headed on down the aisle, I picked up a few other things. Another child with me suddenly asked, "Where's Lyd?" Turning, I noticed her still with the cucumbers. I rolled my eyes and proceeded onward. Moments later, she came running to me exclaiming....

"Mommy!!! I have enough money I can buy a cucumber!!!" She then proceeded to rant and rave and literally jumping for joy over said cucumber. I looked at her and smiled and said, "Dear...if you want it that much, I will buy it for you."

A lady nearby said to me, "I have NEVER seen a child get sooooo excited about vegetables!!" Obviously, she didn't know my kids. They're kind of crackers!!

I told you this little story because as I sit here thinking of the events of my day, I feel the same incredible enthusiasm over my own children as my daughter felt over this silly cucumber. Especially as I watch my three oldest teens navigate the challenges of young adulthood. Life is hard. It is fraught with many twists and turns. There are great things. There are things that seem.....not so great. There are easy days. And there are not so easy days. It can easily become overwhelming to a young adult. And as I watch my three walk there way through these days, I am both amazed and excited about what God is doing!!

I think the biggest thing we have tried to impart to our kids is how to walk in faith. It is so hard when they are faced with a multitude of voices.....many of them good intentioned, but often not loving nor encouraging. Listening to the voice of God while He is teaching you lessons of the heart is difficult enough without the never ending distractions. I've watched my children learn that while there is wisdom in many counselors, seeking input from many who don't know your life is not always wise. I've also seen them learn great patience while many around them criticize the path God has led them on. And I've seen them willingly sacrifice repeatedly material riches for gaining deeper riches from God. Oh, the tears we have shared together. Oh the frustration we have known. And OH!!! The amazing growth that has happened!!!

And I have seen them learn that God's plan is better than our own, God doesn't make mistakes, God meets us where we are, and what I do today is of crucial importance in the eyes of God. I have seen them exude joy and take on challenges that I didn't expect. And to seize the possibilities and opportunities that God has given them moment by moment.

I told someone not long ago how difficult this time was and how I wished for diapers and chasing toddlers instead. But I think I have changed my mind. And no....it has nothing to do with all of the naughty things my kids have confessed doing all of those years ago. ;) I have truly loved learning how wonderful these three people are who live in my house. Despite the sometimes seemingly never-ending parade of heartache, troubles, discouraged hearts, and fear, there has also followed a sweet friendship and a love returned that builds me up and encourages me.

Just as I am not despairing over their lives, God is not wringing his hands over their lives. I am encouraged and find more faith for my own life as we walk through these days together. I hold these days in my hands and am truly amazed!!

And I think God does, too!

Decisions, decisions....Not all they're cracked up to be

2012-01-20T13:01:00.000-08:00

As promised, here I am to tell you about test results. But oh....it is more than that. It's about not being devastated when things aren't the way you want. And about not falling apart when change knocks at your door. The things that I've been thinking through this week are far from major stuff. It is not life or death....for the most part. It is a minor bump in the road, but it came with no clear cut answer.

On Monday, Ski got the call from the dr with test results and the drs instructions. As soon as he heard them, he said, "You've got to talk to my wife!!"

As expected, peanut, tree nuts, and milk are all far above safe challenge level. It was a little bit surprising that even two nuts he had had low testing to before were now well above the unsafe numbers.

What was a bit unusual was that they told us both egg yolk and egg white are now about 2 times higher than they were before. Not only that, but they now want us to avoid eggs once again. Frankly, I was a bit perturbed. Honestly, I could not understand why they tested it in the first place if I had told them that he had challenged and was now eating them no problem. We asked why. But they said we'd have to speak to the dr and we were welcome to make an appointment to do so. So we did. Only thing is, his first available was at the end of Feb. Oh well...we'd wait.

I was beyond frustrated. What did they mean?!?!?

It used to be that everything was based on test results. But current thinking is that food challenge is the gold standard. Not that you want to do that on a whim, but if someone has passed, then why be concerned?

And then I had to do it. I had to go and try and prove I was right. I turned to my son and asked, "Have you ever had ANY problems ever while eating eggs?"

Sheepishly, he told me....
"They make my mouth itch and burn."

Whaaaaaaat?!?!?!? He had NEVER told me this before. And then I remembered it. About a month after he had begun eating eggs at home, he told me during breakfast, "I don't like eggs anymore." And then, I ashamedly recalled how I had scorned the idea and told him he should just eat them. Talk about a moment when you realize that you're a terrible parent!! I wanted to crawl into a hole.

When he was an infant, he did something my other kids had never done. He memorized what his food looked like. He often refused foods as well. Later I learned that his food refusals were strongly associated with his allergens. He never ate yogurt. He never ate eggs. We had a terrible time feeding him. We thought he was fussy. Or picky. But several months after we removed these allergens from his diet, we were surprised to discover that he LOVED to eat. And so he learned that he could trust me and I learned that if he refused a food, to listen. This became very clear to me when I had been trying goat cheese with him and he suddenly stopped eating it. I didn't listen. I still gave him that goat milk and while it was one of the worst experiences I've ever had, I learned a great deal from it.

So...whether it was because I ignored his concerns about the egg or the fact that he has OAS (oral allergy syndrome) and chalked it up to something like that, he never told me that the eggs were bothering him.

Now I was between a rock and a hard place.
Test results trump reaction.
But is this reaction?

So for the past week, I have been thinking, praying, asking, and researching.
And I've come to the following conclusions:

1) It is not normal to have itching and burning in your mouth after eating something.

2) With OAS it is extremely rare to ever have an anaphylactic reaction to the food. I think it is less than 1%. But food allergies are notoriously unpredictable. After years of only having mild oral reactions walnuts, I had full body itching after eating a desert with some in it. No, it wasn't anaphylactic, but it wasn't predictable. And in the past, Iz was a full bucket guy. He'd have minor reactions here and there and finally reached a threshold where he had anaphylaxsis. Now, I am not expecting that with egg, but it seems prudent to give it up.

2) After searching quite a bit, I did run across information showing that yes, you should do levels after reintroduction and yes, apparently re-sensitization can happen.

3)We can still do baked egg so our challenge has not been completely in vain. In fact some doctors advise their patients who appear to outgrow, but test out of range to only eat baked egg for a period of time and then later add in eggs. Baking without eggs is the most yucky part of being a mom to an egg allergic kid IMHO.

4)Frankly, he is not a huge fan of eggy eggs and is completely willing and happy to give them up.

5)We're completely going to let Iz lead us in this area. If something causes him a problem, we're not going to do it.

6)We're still hopeful and optimistic that complete inclusion is around the corner. We just need a bit more patience.

So for now...no eggs, quiche, custard, french toast or mayo.....or any other eggy things. It makes it harder for breakfast...esp Wed when we have co-op and I give the quick and easy protein for breakfast. But I've got ideas already!!

And I am not falling apart. I was completely confused, but I think the more I learned, the more I came to understand the wisdom in taking a step back. If we were talking about complete avoidance, I'd be having a harder time. But I think the baked egg inclusion is a happy medium.

End of an Era.....Beginning of a New One

2012-01-12T15:06:00.000-08:00

Ski and I have been thinking for a long time about transferring the care of Iz to a local doctor. A little history first...

Isaac began his journey with life threatening food allergies shortly after his first birthday. It was the now infamous trip to the zoo that lead us to seek out an allergist. We went to one and came out with a list of 10 foods to avoid and a bit of paperwork. However, I was soon to discover that the allergist neglected to educate me on the use of epipens and that some of his paperwork had erroneous information on it....like giving goat milk for a milk allergy. When my son wandered a bit too close to death because of the poor care from this doctor, we decided to find a pediatric allergist. At the time, there were only two pediatric allergists listed on our insurance plan. One was in Columbia, SC and the other was in Durham, NC. We picked Durham and the rest was history.

Shortly after we started going there, we learned that this Dr. Burks we had chosen had something of a reputation. He had come there from Arkansas and rubbed elbows with the likes of Dr. Hugh Sampson. After a few year, he began appearing regularly on national news and they began conducting studies in peanut, milk, and egg allergies. The peanut study is the most well known, but the other studies are just as successful. They have a long way to go, but things are looking promising. I personally know a lady whose son is in the peanut study and has been from the beginning. It is exciting stuff!! Not only is it exciting, but it also means that people are flocking to Duke in droves. So the long wait for appointments and the long nearly 8 years of driving, deciding whether to stay overnight or do it all in a day, and the loooooong appointments were looking less and less appealing. I also disliked a "non-local" doctor who I felt I couldn't call at any moment. And finally, every visit not only constituted the physician fee and testing, but also a facilities fee.

So after much discussion, and especially after regaining beef which meant it was no longer necessary to ship blood samples to the Mayo Clinic for RAST, we came to the equally sad and happy decision of "going local." As if to seal the deal for us, I learned right after our decision to leave, that Dr Burks took a position of Department head at UNC Chapel Hill. So it seemed we would have had to make a decision either way.

Today was our initial appointment with the dr who I have been seeing for 2yrs for allergies. I began going there after I heard another dr in the practice speak on asthma at a food allergy support group. Not only did I realize that I had more than exercise induced asthma, I saw that this lady really knew her stuff!! I love my current doctor there and he's helped me tremendously. You can tell he really loves what he does and he wants his patients to know about their condition, why he is giving them medications, and how to improve their lives. Plus he is SUPER smart and allergic to cats, too.

After 3 hrs of skin tests, blood tests, breathing tests, and conversation, we came out with a handful of information that I basically knew, but had a clearer picture on.

Isaac is basically very allergic to everything indoors...cats, dust, dust mites...
and everything outdoors....every tree and grass they tested and two out of six weeds.
He's not allergic to molds so he can roll in the leaves all he wants.
He tests positive to soy, but that's most likely due to all of the grass allergies.
He's highly reactive to all nuts....except for the two that I'm allergic to. Go figure.
He's highly reactive to milk
He's highly reactive to peanut
Strangely, he is still quite reactive on skin test to egg, but we knew that already. He tested low on RAST so we challenged and he's been eating it for almost a year.
Sweet potato? I forgot it. Totally slipped my mind. I didn't even think about bringing it.

We dropped a medication.
We kept most of them.
We added one -- magic nose spray.

I knew Spring was a bad season, but we'd have flares Spring through Fall so this explains a lot.

We're waiting for blood tests for milk, peanut, tree nuts, but the dr didn't think they would be much improved from our last RAST tests which means he will still be nowhere near challenge level for those foods. I'll try to remember to blog when those come back. But we're not looking for anything amazing.

At this point, I'm ready to chuck everything in my house, rip out the nasty carpet and start again. But unless I am ready to live on concrete and builder board, I need to have some restraint. So little steps......

What Keeps me from Walking by Faith

2012-01-09T13:53:00.000-08:00

I've got to tell you that today did not work out as I had planned. And it is in great part my fault!!

I don't wear a watch. I have a good excuse. Really I do. But because I've had a metal allergy for most of my life, I've lived my entire life almost without clocks. I don't wake up early. First....I am a nightowl. In addition, I think 2 yrs of 2nd shift work and perhaps that week in college when I didn't sleep at all have done a serious number on my Circadian rhythms. I'm working on that!! Honestly, I am. One of my Christmas presents is supposed to help me with that. I just need to give it time and I haven't started on it yet.

Thirdly, I am blessed to have an incredible husband who writes EVERYTHING down. A friend affectionately called him "Calendar Man." I seriously think I drive him crazy with my impromptu life. But I must confess that he is my stability...which (shhhhh don't tell) I honestly do need. BUT and this is a HUGE but....it doesn't work if I don't tell him. And that's what happened this morning.

I completely missed a drs appointment. I remembered it last week. And when I woke an hour after I was supposed to be there, I remembered it this morning. And this is going to cost me. Not just in time...but money. And I have a hard time with that. When I go shopping for groceries on a Tuesday, I try to never look at the new ads which come out on Wednesday. Why? Because I will chastise myself no end for buying something at a price of no more than 1¢ different. Yes...I have a real problem. So to discover because of my own fault that I will be costing myself a good sized chunk of change just for missing an appointment was hard for me to handle. I cried. And all day I've been thinking about it.

And then I sat down to read my email.....

Not one, but two emails regarding "suspicious" activity in the area. Oh boy. And with the news these days. There are so many desperate people.

So when my doorbell rang...I didn't answer.
And when it rang again....I didn't move.

But my husband come downstairs and opened the door. My curiosity led me to the hall....and then down the hall....and pretty soon I was moved to action. More on that later....

In those moments, God convicted me of how my entire morning was part of His plan and how I was walking not by faith, but by my own self.

I hear so many stories these days of how this or that group of people is out to get me. What will happen if this person is elected or if this country fails or if this doesn't happen. Trust no one. Believe no one. You've seen it. You know what I'm talking about. And I wonder....where is Faith in all of this? Doesn't the bible tell us that God controls the leaders of governments? Ok...there is prudence in using tools that we have to make choices. There is prudence in preparing and planning. But what if your plan fails? Men, governments and this world WILL fail you. Your spouse will fail you. Your boss will fail you. Your kids or your parents will fail you. Your bank account or your savings will fail you. Your health will fail you. This is why God tells us to put our hopes in Him. Because He will never fail you. Plan as you hard as you can and the unexpected will still happen!! What then? I'd challenge you to think hard about that. When the unexpected happened to you last, and you felt sorrowful or hurt or angry why was it?

For me...when I completely forgot about the appointment I had last night and God brought it immediately to my mind the moment I opened my eyes, my first thought was about money. Where is my faith? I've known for a long time that it often lies in my finances. It has been a long fought battle and while I've made strides, these tiny events in my life are glaring reminders that the trust still oftentimes lies there. I am as tight as they come. My mother who was raised in the Depression and saves everything and rarely spends superfluously told me I was tighter than she was when we were out shopping. She urges me to spend money because she knows I do not. It is not an admirable quality in my life because it is borne out of fear because I often place my trust in financial stability.

And then there's those emails. I don't fall victim to fear mongering often, but I've thought recently about the renewed copper thefts and how, "Boy....that would be pricey to repair!! We don't have the money for that." I spent a restless night not long ago praying and laying that all in God's hands. But these emails this morning....it was closer to home than the news I'd heard before. And once again...it was all about money. So when I didn't answer my door, I was trusting once again in financial stability.

But here's what I would have missed!!! An opportunity!!!

We have neighbors across the way who are the sweetest Christian couple. We've talked often. They are wonderful people!! I am not sure if their grown kids know the Lord or not. The husband's 20-something daughter lives with them and was heading off to work. But she couldn't start her car. Her dad's a truck driver and he was on a trip, but his car was down the road....a loooooong walk. She only wanted a ride to the store to pick up his car. On the way, I learned she works two jobs. She graduated with a degree in marketing and couldn't find work for a long time. She works for an insurance company and a clothing retailer. She said her friends have had a hard time finding work, too. She really likes her jobs and I am so glad I had the chance to talk with her and serve her. She wanted to pay me when she gets home tonight. I told her no and I insisted. Besides, I said....we run off to the store often and it wasn't a big deal for me to do it. But I am sure it was a HUGE deal to her. It is hard to keep a job now when there are so many people looking. I'm sure being late to work was weighing heavy on her mind.

So...I thought I'd write this post. Because I was thinking on the way home about a few things.

When I place my trust something other than God, it does a few things, I think.

It distracts me from what He wants me to do. If I obsess on my fears, I can tend to be focusing so hard on them, I neglect the things around me that God has for me to do. I can be thinking about stuff I want to get done and miss what God has for me to do.

It causes me to be self focused. Instead of thinking about how God may have protected me this morning from a costly accident or how there might have been some other purpose He had for me to forget my appointment, I wallowed in self pity. I thought about how much I had screwed up.

It makes God small. God is not small. And if you want to argue that point, go read Job.

We can waste so much life focusing on the wrong things and overlooking the real life, service and joy that God has for us in between. Christianity is laying down our lives for others as Christ gave us the example to do. It isn't hiding in my house. It isn't being afraid to speak. It isn't putting my trust in the wrong place. It isn't thinking that if I do x and y all my plans will work out the way I want. All of this reminded me of David Wilkerson and Elizabeth Elliot who stepped out in faith into situations that were dangerous because they knew God called them. And they stayed because of a genuine love they had for the lost. Anyone can do good -- Christian or not. But the good that we do comes from the abundance that is in our heart. Not to get. Not to look good. Not to be honored. It is the good that speaks to those in need who long for love and acceptance when the world and the people around them have failed them. Whether I preach the Gospel to you in words or not, my actions should speak to you more loudly.

I'd like to end with this wonderful quote from Nicky Cruz that inspires me to be more Christlike not simply in what I say, but what I do. For those who don't know, Nicky was a leader of the Mau Mau gang in Brooklyn who was converted through David Wilkerson in 1958

Two precious things that fascinate me about Christ: That he had active eyes, and always was there, looking at the needs of the people.

May my actions reflect the truth of scripture to the fallen world around me!!!

Waiting....

2011-12-24T20:03:00.000-08:00

This of all nights is my very favorite night of the year.

I've been thinking about it all day long!!! Just waiting for tonight. The last minutes of preparation. The last few hours of the day. And as they slowly pass, my heart races more and more!!

There are Christmas Eves that stand out in my mind from my childhood. The year I was about 4 when we stood on the doorstep and watched the snow fall. The year I lived in an area settled predominantly by Eastern Europeans when we lit a candle to remember those an ocean away who felt like our brothers and neighbors. But more than those instances, what spoke to me was anticipation.

My parents did not promote Santa like some parents. But I still had a feeling he was out there somewhere and real!! I read a book once that talked about a time that was a moment after midnight that was magical. I figured that this must be when Santa came. And in the morning...to see all my parents had done in the night to transform our home was simply magical. I spent many nights, even after I outgrew Santa, waiting and staring out at the cold night sky twinkling with stars.

I awaited with longing...
I awaited with anticipation...
I awaited the events that tomorrow would hold...

And as I have grown older, my anticipation has grown. But I wait for something different. It isn't the food, the gifts, or the memories. Don't get me wrong....I love that part. I am a STRONG traditionalist and I have things I do every year. I do them because they speak to me and remind me of family I am far from. But what I eat, give or get is no longer the focus of my attention. It is because I have learned to identify so closely with those who awaited the Messiah who was promised. I wonder how they would feel if only they knew on that night so long ago, that that very night would be the last night of their longing. Finally, their prayers would be answered!! It thrills me just to even think about it. No....tomorrow isn't the actual birthday of Jesus. But I can celebrate it as if it were. And there is a kind of excitement in my heart thinking that tomorrow is the day. And as I consider it, I have a thrill inside thinking about what it must have been like that day. Tomorrow is the day I can celebrate that my Savior arrived...He came as a tiny baby, lowly and seemingly unimportant, to take my sins upon himself and to pay the ransom for my soul. It is because of that night so long ago on a random insignificant day, that I am now free and considered blameless and He calls me His beloved.

I think that's something worth waiting for!!!

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

52

2011-08-23T16:31:00.000-07:00

My father.
His father died when he was 17.
He hitchhiked to college every day in order to get his degree.
He was a teacher.
He had a girl he asked to marry.
She said no.
And then the Lord...
A man came to speak at his church one night.
And my dad's life changed forever.
Off he went to seminary to become a pastor.

My mother.
She was a teacher.
She went to Florida to teach in a mission.
She met a man.
Things were getting serious.
He asked her to come home and meet his parents.
And then the Lord...
Her brother died and she went home instead.
God spoke to her and her life changed forever....
She finished the year, ended her relationship, and left to go to seminary.

My father was smitten right away.
He asked her out on three dates the first time he got the courage to ask her out.
Their first date was in the fall.
Mom was fiesty.
She whacked him with a newspaper once.
That's what you get when you date a redhead!!
But she also brought him chicken soup and orange juice when he got sick.
Dad was the envy of the entire campus.
On Feb 14, my father proposed.
And then less than a year after they met,
On a hot August afternoon,
They were married.
Dad was 28 and mom was 32.

My mother who said,
She would never marry a minister
Did.

Two of the most influential people in my life.
They've been married for
Fifty-two years today.
Years of joy
Years of sadness
Years of difficulty.
All years full of devotion to each other.
They are an example, even today,
Of love that never fails.
Love that never gives up.
Love that loves despite everything else.

Happy Anniversary, mom and dad!!!
And Thank You!!

Never in a Million Years

2011-08-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

Having kids has brought into my life many situations that I have always said, "Never in a million years did I imagine I'd be...."

A few years ago, after a dog came to live with us, I discovered I had asthma that was out of control. I think I've always had it. My doctors tell me this, too. It certainly explains a lot about my life...especially in regards to singing and flute playing. My life seriously went downhill when we got our dog. I spent much of my life on the couch and had three sinus infections. While I tested negative to dog, I suspect it was a false negative due to limited exposure. Or maybe it was simply the fact that our dog shed 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Nevertheless, we got to a point where something had to go....the cat or the dog. Since the cat had lived with us for a longer time, we rehomed our dog. My live improved dramatically. But it was a very sad time for my children and I.

My doctors tell me that they suspect I've always been allergic to cats. I've had one in my house for my entire life except for my college years and for about 4yrs of our early married life. When I first went to have this problem addressed, I had no less than two doctors exclaim regarding my nose and ask if I could actually smell. When I first began my asthma medications, I remember being in awe of the feeling of air pass freely through my airways. Ski also noticed that I could sleep without snoring....something my friends and family have teased me about my entire life.

Since I could not bear to break the hearts of my children twice, I opted for allergy shots. I have not been able to increase to the full dose since I was having immense welts even with premedicating with two antihistamines. So I continue on a lowered maximum dosage. I have seen some improvement, but I am doubtful that I will see great improvements since I can't do the full treatment.

I have other asthma triggers. Dust mites are one. Cold is another...and I can't be treated for that. I also will have attacks if I experience extreme emotions.

Because of the allergies and asthma, my kitty and I have a love hate relationship. I adore her. But ever since she came to live with us, she has not been fond of me. If I nuzzle her as I love to do, I have to pay for it with allergy misery. She is fiercely independent. I love my kitty, but I long for a day without cats in my home. It would make my life much easier. We think about a "hair dog" but they are pricey and dogs....they're a lot of work.

Late Thursday afternoon, my son was vacuuming in the den. My cat had taken to sleeping under the couch so when the vacuum neared, she ran out from behind it. She knocked over a picture that had been leaning against the couch and made her way to the kitchen. There, my daughter noticed that she was not moving properly. Since it was so late in the afternoon, we decided to take her in on Friday to the vet.

We spent a tense evening watching our cat. She was not using her back legs at all. We took her food upstairs and the children left her up there. We found her hours later sitting in the hallway. I googled possibilities....and they were not good. People told me that you can't tell if a cat is in pain and she could be severely injured.

I was concerned for my son. He wondered if he had hurt her. I was afraid that she somehow had a serious injury and would need surgery that we could not afford and we would have to opt to put her down. I imagined that this would be the cause of much guilt on his part.

The time for us to leave for the appointment had come. I told the children before we left that she might not be coming home. There were a number of things that could be wrong and none of them sounded good. I had them say goodbye. It was heartbreaking.

I cried the entire ride to the vet's office.

We sat in the exam room and the dr ran through the list of possibilities. Things she had seen in vet school. She told us she didn't feel it was certain things because our cat did not appear to be in any pain. We opted for xrays and bloodwork.

She has no broken bones.
She has no tumor on her spine.
She does not have feline leukemia
feline AIDS
Kidney Infection
Does not appear to have a serious blood clot as these cause severe pain and no murmur is present
She is not diabetic
No heartworms
No infection

The doctor said her bloodwork was....beautiful.

She currently has no feeling in her right rear leg and has limited use in her left rear leg.

The possibilities are:
stroke....but this is VERY rare and she would probably have some other symptoms.
Disc issue....common in dachshunds and can be seen in cats. Would require a super expensive visit to the veterinary neurologist and possibly more expensive surgery.
Partial clot....this is not life threatening and can resolve to normal function without treatment. If this is the cause, she may or may not walk normally after the clot dissipates.

So, we know she is not in pain. She is eating and doing all other bodily functions...we just have to help her by putting her in the litter box and helping her clean. We are doing pt with her which includes doing range of motion exercises on both rear legs. If she is going to regain the use of her legs, we do not want her muscles to atrophy. If that happens, she still will not be able to walk.

Since she climbed down the stairs twice, we have moved everything downstairs. We don't want her falling down the stairs and injuring herself. We are watching for signs of a serious clot or worsening of her condition. The dr says she is perfectly happy and her meowing is probably her asking us "Why can't I walk like normal?"

She is getting lots of love and attention. We laugh as we watch her move about the house, but we also feel great compassion towards her. She is like having a baby, old person, and pet all mixed into one. She has always been a feisty cat and we think that this is helping her during this time. She is determined to do everything on her own. I caught her trying to get in her box so we know we must find an alternative to prevent her from hurting herself.

And through it all, I told dh.... if we had to put her to sleep, I wanted another cat. Silly, silly, silly me.

Not Such a Bad Thing (Part II)

2011-08-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

Aug 8th....I arrived at the office where my dr talked with us. She was immensely kind. They had an emergency meeting to discuss my case and had decided I should deliver naturally. They were concerned that surgery and grief and the care of three young children would be too much for me. They also told me that they did not want me to feel pain if at all possible. They would induce me and let me progress until they were sure I was in labor and then we would start the epidural.

We went to the hospital and got settled in a room. We were told that everyone who came in the room would know the situation so we would not have to explain anything.

Our dear pastor came in a number of time or two during the day. I don't remember anyone else coming until much later. Ski and I spent most of the day talking, sometimes crying and an occasional laugh. Little did I know, but this was the beginning of the blessings to come.

We had been there all day and I now had my epidural. I was getting close. Because me epidural was very strong (more medication than usual), I began having incredible itching. A little later, I was close to delivery and a friend, Susan, had stopped by. She worked with moms who gave their babied up for adoption and was very familiar with moms in labor who needed comfort. She was like a refreshing glass of cool water for me. And later at home, she blessed me with gifts and just showered me with love and care.

During delivery, I think I cried the entire time. It was so hard because he was complete breach and so emotionally difficult. It was close to midnight when he finally arrived. He was 8lb 13oz and absolutely beautiful. He looked completely normal and reminded me of my father, who he was named after. Moments later, our pastor arrived for one last visit and he was able to hold and see our handsome son. He was the only person we personally know who saw him on this earth. We spent a few hours with holding our son. And finally, we said goodbye.

I never knew that your eyes could hurt from crying. But I never knew how much grace God would give me to walk through those days. I remember sitting in the restaurant at Mast General Store and crying, unable to eat. I don't remember eating much for about a month. I remember meals coming and Ski handing me plates and crying every other bite. At the same time, I often found myself comforting others and encouraging them.

It was a long and somewhat difficult road. I really can't share everything that was birthed in those hard days. It would take me quite a while and you wouldn't be reading anymore. But these are two....

I learned that God gave me Ski because he compliments me in every way. Our relationship changed in amazing ways. In fact the depth of our relationship is something that I consider the biggest gift that God gave us through the life and death of our son, Asher. What began during those bleak days has become even more precious to me during these past 15 years.

There were a number of trials since then that lead to the next lesson.
But the birth of our son also birthed deep lessons about who God is and what He's doing. I learned that God is always, always, ALWAYS good....even when we can't see it. His plan is greater. His plan is better. He is after more than I can see. He is after my heart. The stuff that happens in my life happens because God is at work and He is doing something amazing. All I have to do is to be faithful and wait awhile. I may not see ALL that he is doing here, but I can trust that it is all good and for my benefit.

What my children have meant to me through suffering and what they learn as they walk through questions of life and death has been precious to me as well. We have walked these roads together and it has impacted their lives. We often have had the occasion to speak about death and how life is so brief and momentary and we never know the number of our days.

The life of my son is such a reminder to me of Christ. I understand differently the sacrifice of a son. And I long even more for a reunion with my Savior than I do for my son. And my children see how their love for their brother, who they have never met, is how our love for Christ is.

So....I don't think it is such a bad thing at all. ;)

Happy birthday, Asher Josiah.
And thank you Lord for giving me so much through the life of my son!!

Not Such a Bad Thing (Part I)

2011-08-08T12:41:00.000-07:00

It's funny.
I always thought that grief went away.
But it doesn't.
It just returns to you unexpectedly.

When you toss a stone into a lake, it sends out ripples. Towards the entry point of the stone, the ripples come fast and furious. And then, progressing outwards, they space themselves. Longer and longer grows the distance between the ripples. And more and more time passes, our hearts heal and unexpectedly, the tears come and we grieve again. Not like before. Now, our grief is small and brief as if clouds have come in the midst of an otherwise sunny day. And soon, the sun is shining upon us again.

So today, 15 years later, I found myself sobbing in the cemetery recalling the day my second son was born and the events that followed soon after. Little did I know that in the midst of the deep pain I was experiencing, God was giving me something more.....something better.

It is funny to me that people I have met in the last 10 years have no idea about this part of my life. For a long time, my oldest son used to tell literally everyone he met that he had a brother who died. I always felt badly about the strangers we met in the store who stood there aghast not knowing how to respond. Even now, If I happen to mention it after knowing someone awhile, I immediately get an "I'm sorry." and then usually silence.

But I'm not sorry.

Don't get me wrong. I would give anything to have him here with me. I long to be his mommy, too.

But for what I have gained....I wouldn't change a single thing. In fact, most people find it surprising to know that given the choice, I would do it all over again.....

I knew he had died.

On the evening of Aug 6th, I knew something was wrong, but kept it to myself. On Aug 7th, I woke up and told Ski I needed to go to the dr. When I called them, they told me to come in right away. We had three small children...almost 4, 3, and 2. I was due around Sept. 15. There we sat.....Ski and the three kids and me across the room. They tried the fetal monitor and the nurse was so cheery, but I knew. My dr came in. She was quiet and then "Yes....it's not good."

We learned that our son....we were having another son....had hydrocephalus. But on top of that, he had calcium deposits in his brain. These had probably caused him to have a seizure and he died.

There were concerns. First of all, he was complete breach. The drs wondered if I should deliver naturally or have a c-section. This they needed to discuss. They told me that I could wait to go into labor naturally, but that they did not encourage this. I could go in as soon as the next day to be induced. We should take our time and call them with our decision.

I remember holding it together until we got to the parking garage. And there, looking over the city, melting into Ski's arms into a ball of tears. Somehow, we pulled ourselves together and called someone....I have no idea who....and dropped the kids of....I have no idea where. All I know is that my church friends tended my children for the next few days which were a blur.

The next thing I recall is sitting in a Dairy Queen killing time trying to talk over what we would do. Ski was concerned about what the drs had said about it being very emotionally difficult to wait for natural labor to occur. A dear, sweet man from church happened to come in and spoke with us. I was not ready to talk and we had a "normal conversation" with him. And after trying to remain relatively normal during that conversation and seeing a number of cheerful pregnant women pass by, I came to the conclusion that everyone was right and we would go in the next day to deliver.

We had called our church and everyone was out of town except for one pastor. We went over after hours when he told us he was free and sat there with him until well after 8pm, I think. Over the next few days, he was rarely far from our sides and told us to call him when we needed him. To this day, I have never failed to appreciate the sacrifices both he, his wife and his family made on our behalf. We could have not gone through this without his gentle care and love for us.

I don't know when we arrived home or how I slept that night.

Sweet time spent....

2011-07-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

I have full plate of stuff going on right now. So much God is doing in my life. There are no less than 4 things that are weighing heavily on my heart these days. So when I have time with Ski, it is sweet and such a blessing and a time of respite.

We had a date night tonight. We were talking about a lot of things. God is really using the trials of my life to bring us even closer together. Over the past few months, God has really been doing a work in my life and I stand amazed at what He has done!!

We were enjoying sweet and quiet conversation while we sat on a bench this evening in a tree-lined area. After awhile, a male and female cardinal came and sat on a bench across from us. It was obvious they were together. They flitted to and fro and they finally settled on the top of the bench back. After a little, the male dropped down to the seat area. After poking around a little, he returned to the bench back and approached his mate and fed her something into her beak. He repeated this action nearly ten times before she finally flew to the ground in a bush nearby. He soon followed. I learned later that this is mating behavior and that the male will often feed his mate beak to beak. It was a precious sight!!!!

God was so kind to show us this tenderness between birds. It was such a touching moment and we laughed awhile as we watched. I asked them if they were on a date night as well. Obviously, they were. I later discovered that he was feeding her bits of a discarded sandwich crust.

I am so grateful for my dearest husband who cares for me so tenderly as the male cardinal did this evening.

Hello old friend....

2011-07-09T22:22:00.000-07:00

Garden Keeper

I grieve...
For all the times I have lied.
Did you wonder if I would ever change?
Did you fret about the snakes and bugs
That lurked when you weren't there?

I wonder...
How much did you really know?
Was the battle for my soul
More clear to you than I could see?
Or was it merely revelation in the passage of time?

It seems...
My life was like my sorry patch of beans.
It did not seem weedy and overgrown.
Till I peeked underneath the shady leaves
And discovered pests and tendrils dwelling there.

Tender...
Although it didn't seem to be
When you poked the leaves and shoots
Revealing disease and parts the insects chewed away
And yearning I would find the sun and rain.

Thank you.
For I know you must have prayed
Weeping...praying...never ending
And I know...you have never given up
Never ceased to love me so well and I...so undeserving.

-rag

*******THIS WORK IS PROPERTY OF THE AUTHOR AND NO REPRODUCTION IS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM AUTHOR. ALL OTHER USE CONSTITUTES THEFT ********

Do Everything.....for Hannah

2011-06-30T15:25:00.000-07:00

Today was a busy day for me. There's a store I like to visit and it is a good distance away. The last few times I went, I took family members with me. But this time...I was alone. Alone time gives me time to think, time to listen to music, and time to pray. Since my ipod is never charged, the music part of it usually ends up being listening to the radio.

Today, a particular song hit me and I am sharing it here for my dear daughter, Hannah. Sorry, girl....I know it isn't either of our styles...in fact, I know we're both slightly cringing inside. It's the words, you know....just listen to those and forget the style and who's singing it. ;)

I know that right now, the things before you seem mundane and challenging. But....God can and does do AMAZING things....even in the mundane. No job He has given you is less important than what He has given to others. God has big plans for you...even in the everyday. He will reward you in your faithfulness and in your joy in what you have to do today.

So....go out and do it to His glory!!!!

My Name Ain't Mary

2011-06-16T08:44:00.000-07:00

(Oh....how my English profs would hate to see that.
That's what they get for making me read "Ulysses.")

My mother grew up on a farm....well, actually many farms. Her father was a tenant farmer during the depression. My grandmother was an amazing woman. We share a number of things in common. For one, even though she was a farm wife, my grandfather said that she did her best sleeping in the morning. Haha.... My father and husband know very well that the women descended from her also do their best sleeping in the morning. They've tried to wake us up!!! Another thing he always said about her was that she could stretch dollar farther than anyone else he knew. I think I fall short in this area, but I try hard. She was an amazing cook. Boy, did she have a gift!! Ask anyone who ate at her table and I am sure they would agree. But one thing I am SURE I did not inherit was her ability to grow things. She grew the biggest flowers I have ever seen in my life. I loved to go out and look at her garden and marvel at those flowers.

My first attempt at plants was at the knee of my other grandmother...aptly named Flora. She grew large and beautiful peony plants. Bushels of bluebells and daffodils...which she encouraged us to pick to deliver to our ever grateful teachers. And almost without fail, she sent me home with an African violet.

This grandmother lived in a house that was built before the American Revolution. It was gorgeous!! The windows were incredibly deep. And in the windows, among the sparkling cranberry, milk, and carnival glass, were nestled delicate and flowering violets. When she felt I was old enough, she told me how to care for these plants. She told me how to water only from the base. She taught me how to root a leaf. I listened and went home with high expectations. But almost without fail, when she asked me how my plant was doing, I'd hang my head in shame, refusing to meet her eyes as I had to admit that it had died.

At least my uncle must have learned a thing or two from her. He grew baskets full of all kinds of veggies in a seemingly tiny plot of land. Every year, he grew giant ears of corn, beets, tomatoes, beans, kholorabi, and more!! He was always giving things away from his garden.

Convinced that I had not acquired a green thumb from either of my gardening grandmothers, I asked my mother for a cactus. I was sure I would succeed. But once again...it died. Yes, folks....I have killed a cactus. So ended my foray into plants.

When we bought our first home, vines grew. Trees grew...and fell. Grass grew. And....while the yard was too shady for a garden, I tried to grow a thing or two. I think I grew five beans in total. Even back then, it wasn't enough for our family. I planted some black eyed susans not long before we moved. I'm not sure if they ever grew back. However, I did plant some zinnias in the front yard. Ah....I figured out that Lilliput meant small. You's think someone who has a BA in literature would know that. Even though I was disappointed in their size, they seeded and came back the next year!! I also planted Sweet William by the walk. It amazed me by appearing for three years in a row!

The first thing I planted here was probably cilantro. I don't know why. We're not big fans. But the caterpillars that found it munched happily on it and turned into pretty butterflies. I planted a rosemary in its place. Unfortunately, I didn't realize how big they can grow. It is still alive and growing, but I keep it trimmed very small.

I dug out an overgrown bush that I didn't like I plopped down Black eyed susan again. They seemed to work before. I put more by the mailbox. A few years later, my mother in law planted a clematis. Halfway through it's first summer, it took a turn for the worse and I thought it had died. I just left it there hoping...maybe....and then I discovered that the new growth grows on the dead growth. Lots of patience and it has grown!!! I am always so pleased every spring to find huge purple bud on my plant.

Two springs ago, I decided I wanted something pretty outside my dining room window. A bush I tried to plant, finally died -- a victim of teenage boys and balls. I needed a tall plant so I chose purple cone flowers. I didn't have tons of money so I planted some seeds. When they were a good size, I transferred them to my pathetic little plot. About this time, a neighbor gave me a few cannas. I planted them all along my window. To my amazement, they have flourished there enjoying the full sun. Now, I can open my curtains and watch the bees and butterflies come and visit my flowers.

Finally,for the past few years, I have had a vegetable garden. I use a large plot of raised bed because the soil is yucky here. I also use containers to enlarge my garden. It is modest. Nothing like my uncle's. I definitely don't have his talents and gifts. But things are growing!! I walk out there twice a day and I am never disappointed. I always am finding something new. New growth. New flowers. I've bought some plants. Others, I planted from seed. I am utterly amazed that from a tiny seed, a plant with twisting vines and fruit emerges. And I've learned which sprouts are my plants and which ones are weeds. I don't care all that much how much it produces. It is just fun to watch it all grow.

I don't think I will ever be a master gardener....or even an accomplished one. But I am proof that even if you don't think you're capable of growing things, that just maybe you can. And in case you were wondering, the first two pictures aren't mine, but the rest is. I will never be Mary who, for the life of me, I cannot understand why she is so contrary. And if it weren't for the bugs, I might just become addicted to growing things.

I think my grandmothers would be pleased!!

Natty and the Japanese Dinner

2011-06-02T20:16:00.000-07:00

We had a meeting tonight and I haven't had a moment to breathe let alone get grocery shopping done. We have nothing quick in the house for all 8 of us. Christelle was staying home with the younger three so they had some food to fix. So Ski, Natty, Hannah and I grabbed dinner out.

We stopped at a favorite date night haunt. It is a Japanese place. Hannah and Natty both decided to try the sushi. Natty tried to decide between two and I encouraged him to try the non-spicy roll and maybe try a spicy one another time. When the girl brought the order, he got a little excited. He asked the girl if she was Japanese. He's been learning Japanese on his own and wants to try it out on someone. Turns out both girls are Laotian and no on in the place is actually Japanese. He was a little disappointed. But later, he took to attempting to read the plates.

Just after we started eating, Natty picked up the blob of wasabi that was sitting on his rolls and popped it in his mouth. David was about to say something, but it all happened to fast. When I looked up, Nathaniel was making all kinds of funny faces.

I said, "Eat some rice!"

Being Nathaniel and somewhat deliberate, he poked around the rice with his chopsticks.

I said, "Grab a fork!!!" As he is ripping the silverware package open, I realized he wasn't opening his mouth.

I said, "Did you swallow it?"
He shook his head.
"Well then SPIT IT OUT!!!!"
Apparently, he was going to just eat it and swallow it so as not to disgust the rest of us by spitting it out.

Finally he had got it out and ate some rice and took a drink. It was seriously a repeat of his Chemistry class when he got a chemical burn and wondered what he should do.....while his hand BURNED!!! At least he keeps us in stitches.

Next time, I think he can try the spicy roll. It can't be worse than a mouthful of wasabi!!

The Kind of Mom I Am

2011-05-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

With the high school graduation of my oldest child just around the corner, I find myself thinking about the past 18 yrs and where they have gone. I clearly recall the feelings of being unprepared for motherhood...and I don't think those thoughts have ever left me. And here, I thought it was part of the nausea. :D I often think I must have given my children a peculiar view of motherhood.

As Ski would say, I live with disorganized organization. In general, I am NOT organized. Most people say "Six kids!! You must be super organized." That's funny. No...I am not organized. I can organize some things...but it doesn't last because my maddening hoard descends and soon chaos has ensued once again. After 18 years, I've come to realize, I will never be as organized as everyone thinks I should be.

As a homeschooling mom, people also assume I am the best teacher in the world. Ummm....probably not. I know so many women who were former educators who are incredibly creative and productive. Me? Well, there is a reason I didn't finish the education part of my degree. It's a struggle for me...most days.

If you asked my children which parent was more strict...well, I'm sure they would all point at me. They'd most likely say my favorite word was "no." Yeah....I'm no fun. Six kids = noise. It's almost constant and I never knew how much I loved quiet until they came to live in my house. I often feel like the Grinch, holding my hands to my ears exclaiming, "Noise, noise, noise..." So much of my denial comes from my deep desire for peace and quiet.

But there comes a time when I thrive on having fun and want to just have fun with my children. I don't know if it is a fear of having lived life and regretting that. Or perhaps my parental role just feels a little stifling now and then. Regardless, my deepest hope is that my kids remember this side of me more than the other.

The mom who:
- gets "coffee drunk" and howls at the moon
- dances in a field when she thinks no one is watching
- rolls down a grassy hill and then begs her kids to
- giggles with delight as we watch the crabs run along the beach in the moonlight
- talks in funny accents....in public
- eats jello with her fingers (or rather is fed jello) because we don't have spoons
- ties her licorice in a big long string and then eats it
- has an impromptu photo shoot because everyone just HAPPENED to dress alike
- sings at the top of her lungs to crazy music
- has long,deep conversations with you in the car and grocery store and suddenly says "How did we get on this subject?!?!?!"
- celebrates obscure holidays....just for fun
- thinks Dickens is hysterical even though no one agrees with her
- cries at opera, songs about growing up, and stupid commercials
- would let you dye your hair any color because she thinks it's cool
- grosses you out with all of her medical talk

Because my favorite times haven't been the boring every day "official" mom stuff, but all of the times when I've just been myself. Because that's the kind of mom I am!!!

Yes....I'm looking for some spline.

2011-05-19T21:06:00.000-07:00

Date night....always an adventure.

Our first stop? Ikea.
We had bought a shelving unit and while putting it together, we realized there was a problem. I was attempting to attach the final leg and the screw holes did not line up. Hmmm.... maybe it was a bit warped. We tried turning it around and...nope...it was WORSE!! I picked it up and stood it on end. It wasn't warped. Whoever made that piece needs to go back to wood shop!! It bent over like a y. I should have snapped a photo. It was kind of crazy.

So there we were in Ikea. We chatted with a friend in the returns area. And then we were going to grab a bite upstairs in the cafeteria. Nope. They close at 8:30. We just missed it.

So off we drove to our favorite Japanese place. We usually go to the one in H-ville, but this one was closer. Yummmmm.....Shumai!! We were sitting there eating when I realized they were playing "Not Home Yet" by Steven Curtis Chapman. Strange.... This was followed by a more recent CCM genre song. Then...Taio Cruz and Dynamite and then some Rhianna-like song followed by some oldie from the Motown era. I think it was tuned in to the Indecisive station on Sirius.

What next? Hmmm....I wanted to check out something at Lowe's. When we arrived, we headed off to windows and doors. I was looking at the signs above the aisles, deciding in my mind which aisle to try. As we were heading down one aisle, a sales guy approached us to ask if he could help us find something. I turned to him and asked....

"Yes....where can I find some spline?"

The look on his face was incredible!! I could see the wheels turning in his head. A woman asking for spline. Does she know what it actually is?!?!?!

"Spline.... Do you mean for screens in windows?" he asked.

Now I am thinking...well, DUH!!! I was standing in windows and doors after all...

"Yes."

"It's in aisle 15."

Now, silly me...I proved that I am indeed a woman. Who knew spline came in all kinds of sizes?!?!? Well, we weren't purchasing that tonight. Oh...my aching spline!!!

Off we went to look for something else. I had a thrill finding a washable filter for my vacuum originally priced at $40 on clearance for $10. So we stood there debating...what if it isn't the right size? Should we buy it? It was the only one left...

"We could always return it if it doesn't fit." I said, thinking I was pretty sure it was the right size.

"Oh sure, you can return it," said a salesman standing nearby. "In fact, we have a 70 day return policy so you can keep it for 69 days and return it."

Dh asked him where to find the carbon monoxide detectors since ours went berserk.

"Aisle 15."

"That's our aisle for the night!!!" I laughed... Yeah!! Back to the spline!!!

On our way to aisle 15, we entered an aisle to check out a ceiling light we need to replace. This aisle was the brightest aisle I've ever been in and I saw lights after leaving it.

Ooops...we had to stop by cleaners. Ski was looking the the thinggerjigger stuff we were out of. Funny...I knew exactly what he wanted.

Soon, we were in aisle 15. Hmmm There were no fire or carbon monoxide detectors to be found. Soon we were near windows and doors again and along comes Mr. Spliney to ask once again if we need help finding something.

Ski tells him...

"Aisle 14."

I laughed and said "Off by an aisle."

I do not think Mr. Spliney thought we were amusing.

We found our detector and walked towards checkout. Oooooh......I spied fun!! They had a whiteboard display with pens attached. You could write on it for fun. Most people wrote things like I love Lowes, Lowes Rocks!, and there was one picture of a cartoon dog. I picked up a pen and wrote....

I ♥ spline!!

After Ski paid, I told him to look at what I wrote. He contributed...

Spline RULES!!!

The best thing about hanging with Ski is being fun and silly together. He doesn't think I've lost my mind. Instead...he has fun with me.
Now don't you wish your date nights were that fun?!!??!

Btw....spline is cool!!!

Confessions....

2011-03-31T16:27:00.000-07:00

I didn't want to go out today. I was soooo tired. Ski has a little cold. My middle daughter is ill. I feel almost as if any moment my body is going to break into illness. I just wanted to be home on the couch. In fact, this very minute I had something I was supposed to do, but was going to ditch it for a fun thing, but in the end I've chosen to stay home because my body isn't liking me today.

But I had to go out today. It is the day I get my allergy shot. Yeah!! Plus my family is clamoring for food. I got my shot, stopped for a coffee thanks to a blessing from a friend. And then began the errands. Uggh. If there are two things I hate they are grocery shopping and driving in traffic. I would never make a good soccer mom!!!

Ok...before we go on, there are two things you need to know.

The first thing is that over the past year or so, God has really been opening my eyes to the plight of people around me. I used to just watch the world around me and be relatively unphased. And yes, I am ashamed of that. But God has been both gently and repeatedly showing me the plight of man around me. And He's been giving me compassion and a desire to DO something. Whether it is girls in slavery in the Dominican Republic or kids at risk who need mentors. I read story after story and feel both grieved and moved. And while the first instinct is to throw money at it (which there isn't much around here to spare), I know that really isn't what these people need -- they need to see the love of Jesus!! But I often feel helpless and wonder "What can I do?" I am just a housewife and mother. I don't have lots of money to go on a mission trip. I can't give lots of money away. So that's what God has been doing...

Secondly, is my food budget. It never used to cause me as much consternation as it has recently, but with 4 teens and one who needs protein rich snacks ALL the time, it's been more trying. So I looked at my list and on top of my groceries is the cat food. Every time that comes up, I cringe. I know it's going to be a tight week. You see, the cat eats this pricey food because, well....she really does do better on it. I am so tempted to get her cheap stuff, but I know it won't work.

So...there I am. It's the week with the cat food. Uggh. So...after a few stops, I head into Aldi. I grab my cart full of stuff and once again...God has been generous to me. I am filled with gratitude....knowing the food budget is going pretty well this time. I head out to the van and start stuffing things into boxes. I am about to shut the trunk when I spot a vagrant. I walked off to put my cart away. The closer I got to my van, the more and more angry I became. I managed to get in my car without being accosted, but he stood in FRONT of my van. He wasn't obnoxious...it was more like God posting a giant arrow saying "Look here, dummy!!" I backed out and tried to get out of there as fast as I could. Down the road I sped to Walmart.

How dare he even THINK about asking me for money!! I have 8 people to feed plus one of them has food allergies, another one is hypoglycemic, and we only have one income. Every self righteous thought went through my mind. We're trying to get out of debt. I have to buy books for my kids for school. My girls are trying to find jobs and there aren't many out there and lots of people are looking. We're losing a perfectly good car JUST because it needs a catalytic converter and the stupid manufacturer put it under the axle and it is $$ to repair. Plus if I have money, shouldn't I give it to the people I KNOW who could use it? I've got friends and family alike who could use it. And of course, there are church things... Plus, you know those guys who hold signs and ask from money REALLY don't need it. Ski gave an apple to a guy downtown once and his friend told him the guy threw it away. They don't really NEED money. They just want a freebie...

In less than a mile, I was walking in the entrance to Walmart. As I yanked a cart from the row, I was flooded with conviction...

Scriptures flooded my mind. And following scriptures came all those songs from Christian radio and church....

Everyone needs compassion, Love that's never failing; Let mercy fall on me. -- Hillsong (can't find an songwriter)

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see -- Brandon Heath

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3: 12-14

How could I have compassion for those who suffer in other countries or those who suffer and "look nice," but not have compassion for this man? Hadn't God blessed me abundantly? It's so funny, well, not funny...maybe more sad... how I "forget" how much I've been blessed when a need is pulling at my heart. Wasn't I called to be compassionate to those who suffer around me? And then I wondered....what if I was the only Christian he came across...and what had I done? I ran away as fast as I could trying to pretend I did not notice. God had given me the perfect opportunity to reach out and care for those who were less fortunate than me and I had blown it. Did I really care about the suffering world around me?

And in the next moment, I felt God call me to reach out to this man. Scaaaarey!!! I was alone. And a woman!! Was it safe? But no....it was clear. God told me as if He had been standing next to me...go get him some food!! And if there's one thing I do, is when I hear that voice loud and clear like that, I obey!!

I almost turned around and went to ask him what he would like. But instead, felt I should go shop FOR him. He might not be able to tell me what he wanted. This way, I could get things and offer them all to him. So recalling that when Ski went to the soup kitchen they said they gave them high protein foods since they don't get much, I bought a number of items I thought would work -- portable, easy to eat and open without utensils. So I bought my groceries and a bag of food for this man and a sub from the subway with all the veggies.

I thought about getting gas since I was close to running out, but it was getting dark. Plus Aldi would close soon... I drove over to Aldi. I crawled through the parking lot looking for him...trying to recall what he was wearing. I was near tears when I realized he had gone. I left the parking lot and sat at the red light. It was starting to rain. Yucky...driving in traffic, in the rain at dusk... Just then, sitting at the light, I caught a glimpse of a man trudging through a parking lot. Was that him? Then I noticed the slight limp and I knew. I turned the corner and steered into the parking lot of a Hardees and cornered him. I rolled down my window.

I explained that I was a Christian and that I had seen him at Aldi and that I don't give out money, but I felt God tell me to buy him some food. I showed him what I bought. I told him I had the sandwich made just for him. He didn't want a few things, but when he saw the milk....wow was he excited. I wished I had bought a larger container!! And I looked into his eyes. And while he didn't say thank you, I could tell he was excited and I think grateful even though he was disappointed I did not give him money. I am not sure he was coherent enough to say thank you. But in the silence where neither of us knew quite what to say, I think I saw the eyes of Christ. There in the face of a man that people rush away from and try to pretend they do not see. I handed it all in a bag to him and drove away.

And as I drove away, I burst into tears as I remembered these verses ....

‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25: 34-40

I want my life to reflect these passages rather than the verses following like it did today. Sad to say, it's an every day fight.

The News We Were Waiting For

2010-11-05T23:44:00.000-07:00

For those who don't know, Isaac was diagnosed with life threatening food allergies around one year of age. We have video of him eating ice cream cake on his very first birthday. Shortly after that, he had his first anaphylaxsis. It was frightening and not something we had expected.

Medical issues with our children have sadly not been new territory for us. At one week old, our oldest was back in the hospital with a massive infection. It turned out to be multiple issues going on, not the least of which required open heart surgery at 20 mos old. One of our dds ended up being hospitalized with RSV at one month old. One of the kids had a congenital hiatal hernia which we did not discover until 8 mos and then followed that up with delayed myelin growth. And last, but not nearly least, all but one of our kids had an apparently hereditary issue that we had no clue even existed in our families until it appeared in our children. This required monitoring and for two, 4 surgical procedures in total. When Iz was about 8mos old, he had the second of the two surgeries required for him for this matter. So...when his first birthday arrived, we thought that we were finished with specialists.

Then there was the trip to the zoo, the dinner where he was choking on nothing and turning blue, and a number of other occurrences which would have frightened any parent. It was the zoo trip that sent us finally to the allergist. I will never forget sitting on the tram with our boy wrapped in Ski's coat knowing that something was very wrong, but not really sure what.

I will also never forget the horrible advice I was given from the doctor which led us to find a pediatric allergist. At the time, there were only two and we chose the one in Durham. Not only did I seek out a new doctor, but I found a voice and decided I needed desperately to advocate for my son. At first, I was a bit apprehensive. People thought I was over protective or a bit daft. But I was determined and kept thinking about what those same uneducated people would if they had watched their child so close to death as I had. The one thing I knew is that my son needed someone to protect him and that God had placed me in his life to do that job.

At that young age, my son was very aware of the foods that were making him sick. The first thing I worked on was educating myself on how to read labels. This all happened before the new labeling laws were passed. I had to remember hundreds of different names of his allergens. I needed to call companies endlessly. I quickly learned which companies were helpful and which were not. At the time, I was dealing with milk, egg, soy, chicken, beef, pork, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat. It was absolutely overwhelming!! Every time his allergies came up and I mentioned the long list, people could not believe it. They would look astonished and wonder what in the world he ate. Once I gained his trust, he was eating like a king. In fact, he was very low in his percentiles when he was first diagnosed. Once we pulled his allergens, he jumped two growth curves in one month!!

Not long after we began seeing the new allergist, we were able to add in pork and soy and much later chicken and wheat. For a long time, he was no longer allergic to wheat, but he seemed to do better gluten free. He was gluten free for four more years and last year, he began eating wheat once again.

I have had all kinds of people approach me with "cures" for Iz's allergies. They think I must be uneducated. Not so. I'd say within a month of Iz's diagnosis, I was approached by someone on the internet who told me about these unproven cures. I researched and came to the conclusion that it was neither safe nor the path that we should be taking with our son. But I will tell you, ever since then this topic has come up over and over again. I was very pleased when I came across an article written on the subject by Dr. Robert Wood, a well known and well respected allergist who also has life threatening food allergies himself. I was not surprised to see that he had come to the same conclusions that I had.

So that brings me to today. The last time my son had egg was at the age of about 2 1/2 - 3yo. I was having many doubts and questions. We had never truly seen a serious reaction to egg. He had refused to eat them which was very normal for him. He refused all allergens for the most part. His test results, both skin test and RAST were extremely high. So, one morning, I gave him a pea-sized bite of egg. My son, who had so many allergies, but only understood his milk allergy, broke out in tons of hives and grabbed at his throat. He looked at me and said, "Mama!! Why you give me milk?" I burst into tears and told him I was sorry over and over again. I never once doubted his allergies again. Never!!

For the past few years, we have watched his egg tests go up and down. They have hovered closer and closer to challenge range, but they never coincided until this past August. So on Wednesday, we went back to Duke and Iz had some eggs. Two to be exact. He sneezed a time or two. He rubbed his eyes now and then. We went through the challenge without any incident other than that, but we had to stay an hour after to be safe. At the hour mark, his ears turned bright red and from temple to temple his forehead turned bright red and his left cheek looked like he had been slapped. And finally, he had two tiny hives on his neck. Ski and I got a bit on edge, but Iz was playing Nintendo and answered negatively to my battery of questions like: "Do you feel sick? Does your belly hurt? Is your mouth itching? Do you feel funny?" When the PA saw him, we had to stay and extra 20 minutes. When she returned again, he was perfectly normal again. In the end, she declared it a pass and told us to get him a flu shot (he has asthma). If it were not for the massive amount of experience and knowledge that his allergist has, I would be scared to proceed. But, I feel confident that we will do well trialing the egg at home. There is still a chance that it could be problematic, but that would not be common.

And so while presently, we still have beef, milk, peanut and tree nuts, penicillin, and finally we also added sweet potatoes at about 3yo, he is free to eat eggs!! So daily, he is begging me for eggs. Mom wants to take it slow. That facial redness has me tentative. But he is thrilled with the prospects.

Endings and Beginnings

2010-10-30T20:34:00.000-07:00

My parents moved probably during the worst possible time. They both had health challenges, the economy has been stinking, and my life here has been pulling me in many directions. But there is one thing I have learned....

God's plans hardly ever coincide with my plans....and His are always so much better than whatever I could do.

So...I am glad to say that there is closure happening in every area regarding the move.

I was relieved to finally be able to make my last trip home from PA in mid-September. I did not like leaving mom in the midst of boxes. It broke my heart not to be able to spend more time with her helping her get settled. No one likes to live in the midst of boxes!!! My family is glad to have me here for good and we were able to hunker down into some semblance of school and I am seeing things get accomplished. My life feels so much less stressful now knowing I will only need to go back if there are medical issues going on or for my dear daddy's 80th birthday.

My mother presently has only ONE box left to unpack. That, friends, is really amazing!! I left their place so cluttered with boxes and things needing attention that I was sure the unpacking process would take at least three months. If it had, my mom would have been quite frustrated. I do not take after my mother, but perhaps that is due to the number of children I have had. When they were young, I did NOT decorate. And still to this day, I am NOT Martha Stewart. I don't like living in stark surroundings and I'd like my home less cluttered than it is, but....my mom is the quintessential decorator. Ask anyone who has ever been to her home. It is not only spotless and clean, but always decorated for the season. I was pleased to return home with quite a number of candles that mom had never burned. I do love candles and we will be burning them here. But I was quite amused when she told me that when they had their welcome visit, they were gently reminded that they cannot burn any candles. They reminded her of this when they saw the number of candles she had on display. I chuckled and told her that she should have told them how OLD all of those candles were. So yes, I am sure my mother will be very pleased to have her home in order so far before Christmas and her decorating.

And finally, their home for the last 20 or so years is set to close within the next few weeks!! I am crossing my fingers, praying and hoping that nothing crazy will happen. It is amazing!! Yes, during this economy, they have a buyer. They put their house on the market in Sept I think. Their buyer could have closed in October, so this sale was fast. They were only the second serious party. The first one could not qualify for financing. I am sure that my parents will be so relieved to have this burden off of their minds. I spoke to my mother briefly about the putting the house on the market at such a bad time because someone had mentioned their concerns. Mom simply said, "I am asking God to sell it and I know he will!!" Sure enough, He has. They did compromise a little on price, but they were firm with what they would and would not do. I am so glad they won't have to go through the winter with it on the market. I haven't told her this, but one day shortly before she told me they were under contract, I felt a strong urge to pray that their house would sell that day. It was puzzling, but indeed, I prayed urgently for the sale of their house. And then she called.... Their Realtor felt they could very likely sell in the fall, but if they went past the fall without a buyer, they would not have a sale until at least the spring. I am so grateful it sold so soon and that they won't have to worry about an empty house and heating, etc. So soon, their little house will only be one of those many places we drive by and remember fondly. I know they are a little sad to say goodbye, but she told me that already, their place feels like home.

I look forward to hearing about all of the new friends that they are making. She tells me that everyone is so friendly. They all know mom and dad are new because there isn't a huge influx of people and they get familiar with the faces that they see around all the time. She's making her little house a home for her and dad. I cannot wait to see what it looks like. She is enjoying the changing colors of the beautiful tree outside their living room window. The birds sit in the branches feasting on the things growing on it.

And even though I have spent so much time up there this year, I long to go visit for fun. I want to see what she's done and hear about all that they are doing. It is so good to know that they have good people around them. It is extremely difficult being so far away. But I know their new place so well and I know they will be well cared for for years to come. Oh....and she is going to start taking some Yoga!! I am so happy that she's going to do that. I told her that I thought it would be a wonderful thing to try to help her balance. And....they take their health considerations into effect so they teach them how to compromise if an injury prevents them. Yeah for mom!!! I know it is hard to begin a new life, but I think they are adjusting well and feeling at home.

So, you see, God does know what He's doing. I thought we'd never make it to this point. There were times when I was sure dad would need more care before they got settled and that would complicate things. There were nights I fretted and so many many nights that I cried over all of it. But, I think through the difficulty of it, I have grown. And through the difficulty of it, my mom has grown as well. It is great to see her become more confident. I know she has some goals that she wanted to achieve so that if something happens with dad, she will be in a good place and I think she is accomplishing some of those things. God is amazing to take situations that we think are difficult or even impossible and to gently show us what HIS plans are. So, in my eyes, the timing just might be awful, but God knows otherwise!!

The blur of days...

2010-09-14T18:23:00.000-07:00

Sitting here and looking back, I cannot even recall all that I have been doing anymore.

I cleared out the rest of the house with help and without help.

On Sunday, we were all too tired to get up early and decided to catch the chapel service on campus in the afternoon. It ended up being a special program of local UM youth singing songs they had learned at summer camp...the story of Daniel and the Lion's Den. We went and had a nice lunch at Cedar Grill where my daddy had his shrimp bisque. Then we returned and Ski hooked up the stereo and the computer while I worked on the albums, kitchen, and bookshelves. We had to make some calls to get the internet working, but in the end it all worked out. One thing I particularly disliked was hooking up lamps and clocks in my parents' bedroom. I was thankful for Ski's long arms because no one, but perhaps Simon could fit under that bed and it was painful to try to squeeze even part of myself under there.

The carpet guy came to clean the carpets at the house on Monday. They looked amazing after he was done. Ski and I lugged two chairs and a console stereo up the basement stairs and put them out front with free signs. It was such a relief to see a full mattress and box spring, sewing table, chair and recliner, stereo and ironing board disappear into the backs of cars and trucks. Of course, we happened to meet a rather lonely lady who talked us to death most of the day. We got the boxes flattened and ready for Tuesday and the recycling place. We separated the last items into piles for the food pantry, my brothers, myself, and the bazaar. We had a cheeseburger sub for lunch from A&M --the BEST place around for subs!!! Then we had dinner at Dutch Way since my parents had eaten already.

Tuesday, we went to recycling one last time. Then, we lugged a HUGE metal cabinet up the stairs to take to my parents' to put into their storage bin. We took that and the rest of their things back to their place. We fit the cabinet into the storage area and took some of the extra food down there. I worked some more on their apartment. Oh, and in the process of moving, I lost a screw for their very old, but very cool and highly cherished floor lamp. I had taken it off and placed it on a box next to me, but forgot to pick it back up again. Then...later that day, I vacuumed the floor before I realized I had lost the screw. Multiple trips to the hardware store were made before we FINALLY found a machine screw that would hold the glass shades properly.

Thursday night, after dinner in the dining room, I took my dad to see his good seminary friend. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that his friend was not in the section of the Health Center that was close to us, but on the far side of the building. I nearly had dad falling over before a kind nurse lent us a wheelchair. My dad and his friend are funny. One has Alzheimer's and the other has dementia. His friend calls dad every single morning during the week. In fact, sometimes he has been known to call three times in one day!!! They make a funny pair. But the two had me in stitches as they chatted about the days in seminary. They were always up to no good and being troublemakers. And oh, they love each other dearly!! I was glad I got the chance to let them visit for a little while.

Wednesday morning, we went by the house and set out all of the garbage and I tried to discover a way to get back a table that my mother had donated in haste. I found a VERY nice lady who I think was named Ruth. She told me that she would call around and find out how mom could get the table back. Her apartment was amazing!! They had redesigned it just for her since she was in a wheelchair. Her furnishings were beautiful and she had the most incredible collection of porcelain dolls. She told me that she used to make them. I am sure my girls would have loved to have seen them.

The rest of Wednesday was spent driving home. It was a long, long day and I was glad to get home, but you wouldn't have know. I went straight to bed, barely awake.

I am so glad to have my parents finally settling in. They know people there...pastor friends, people they have met through the years, and even a friend mom made when they were missionaries down in Florida. And everyone I met was so friendly!! They all know each other and know my parents are new. They invite them to things...when they are more settled and rested. They are looking out for them...helping them get adjusted. It is nice to know that they are both independent and have help a button away. They have a cool contraption that if they need help, they just push a button and someone will come. They slip papers in their mailboxes now and then "just to be sure that they are around and doing well." They have housekeeping once a month and can pay for more often if they need or want it. They have free transportation within a certain area. They have drs that come on campus. They have programs and activities galore, and even a pool!! And if one needs more care, they won't have to move too far away from each other. I knew the head administrator until he left this year. I still know the head administrator, but not as well. Everyone I knew who worked there loved their job and loved working there. If they have to be so far from me, this is the ONLY place I would have chosen. I know it so well and I know they environment and the quality of care that we always strove for.

Moving day!! Fri. and Sat, too.

2010-09-13T22:09:00.000-07:00

Thurs at 8am, the movers came. Three guys and two trucks. We began packing wardrobes full of closet clothes and odds and ends that didn't get packed. It was lunacy. Staying out of the movers' way at the house wasn't too difficult. They finished packing the house fairly quickly. Soon we were off to the apartment.

Moving in proved to be a little more difficult. Seven people wandering around a small apartment was a bit chaotic. When a chair came in, dad found a seat and usually stayed put. That was fine with the rest of us. We unpacked wardrobes, directed traffic and boxes and I tried to unpack the kitchen in my spare time. We ended up with a living room full of boxes in the center. After all of the boxes and furniture were unloaded from the truck, the dancing began. Mom brought a little more furniture than could comfortably fit so we had to figure out what would work and what we were willing to sacrifice. During this process, the movers were VERY patient and moved a few things several times before we were finally happy. They were sweet and told us that they had seen MUCH worse and told mom that she had done a great job and not to be upset if she had brought one too many items. In the end, the move cost less than we expected AND we discovered that the cost of the move will be reimbursed!! What a blessing to mom and dad!!

We figured out some lunch and returned to work on organizing. I mainly worked on the kitchen that looked pretty good until we brought the food over. About 12pm, I fell asleep half perched on the love seat. My mother tried to wake me because she was SURE I would fall off, but I would not be stirred. I woke to an empty room and the tv set up and the coffee table on the floor. I crashed on the sofa.

Friday was filled with TONS more work. The realator had scheduled an open house for Sat. Very inconvenient... My brother had the bright idea to clear the attic of the TONS of boxes and packing material that had been stored up there. My parents, no strangers to moving, had saved all of these boxes because they knew how expensive buying moving boxes could be. J. lugged them all down, but the carpet cleaner was due that day and he was in a panic because he needed to get them all broken down and to the recycle center. Together, we filled FOUR carloads of boxes for recycling and numerous bags for trash. In the end, the carpet cleaner wouldn't do the carpets since we had left some furniture in the house. However, mom called the auction house who came and removed what they would take. J. left that night, but I stayed up late once again trying to get the house cleaned for the open house. I got back to my parents' apartment at 2am and crashed on the couch again.

Saturday, I spent most of the day at the apartment unpacking items. I unpacked my parents' car of all the things I had packed into it the night before. While I was in the parking lot loading a dolly with items, a man, about 70-80 came by and asked if he could help. He was so sweet, but I declined his assistance. I also met a lady named Gaby who thought I was moving in. While waiting for Ski to arrive, I had a nice chat with two ladies. One was related to Jacob Albright!! She had a lovely dress that I had complimented her on earlier in the day. She told me that she had made it and that she had been making her own clothes since she was 5yo. David arrived around 7pm and we went for dinner. We stopped by the house on the way home so my folks could see how it looked. We brought a few more things over and went home to bed.

In all, I don't think I sat down very much at all on Thurs, Fri or Sat. My legs hurt so bad, I could hardly get out of the car. My back hurt terribly as well. I finally got a shower on Sat morning (I was too scared to take one Fri night in an empty house late at night...). The shower helped a great deal. I hope I NEVER have back problems because I bet it is REALLY painful!!! I feel badly for those who have problems with their back. It must be a great trial.

It's Stranger on a Train

2010-09-12T21:44:00.000-07:00

I never thought I'd say it, but I LIKE taking the train.

Downside...leaving at 2am.
The one upside of this is stopping by Amelie's for coffee and a snack. Very nice way to send someone off. :) Last time NO ONE was on the train. This time....I think everyone in town was on it and going to NY. We got there early, but missed baggage check because they boarded really early. I don't know why. So I had to lug my baggage onboard. It wasn't terribly bad...until I got to Wilmington which has a TON of stairs and I think I had to walk a mile to the elevator.

Downside...there is always a guy chatting with someone on a cellphone at 3am in hushed tones. Yes, he was polite. But it is seriously strange that people talk about....nothing....in the wee hours of the morning.

Upside....the train lulls you to sleep. Last time, I slept quite well. This time...not as well. I think I only got 1 1/2-2 hrs of sleep. Basically, the long ride from Greensboro to just before Lynchburg. I woke up about 5:30 am and waited rather impatiently for 6am so I could have breakfast.

Upside...dining car.
I really look forward to breakfast on the train. I don't see many sunrises, but it makes it more tolorable to be watching scenery and sunrise if you have to be up at such a terrible hour. Yummy coffee...and they gave me refills.

Upside...always getting a window seat. At least I have something to lean against besides my neighbor.

Downside...sitting on the east side of the train in the morning.

Upside...meeting a cool new seat-mate on my trip. We talked quite a bit. When she discovered I had six children, she practically yelled "SHUT UP!!!" and swatted my arm. She apologized later, but I just laughed... Last time, I met a lovely lady from NY and this time, I met a lovely lady from Matthews area who moved there from NYC. VERY interesting lady.

Upside....cool scenery. You travel through the mountains of VA, quaint stations, over MD waterways, past the Jefferson Memorial and you get a great view of the Capitol, and Baltimore which can be...interesting.

I finally arrived in Wilmington at noon. I met my dear friend at about 12:30. We stopped for lunch and had a great time chatting again. It has been so fun catching up on the past 20 years or so.

And finally to my parent's house about 6pm. My brother arrived a little later and we were up until the wee hours of the morning ....packing, packing, packing.... I think I fell asleep at about 3:30 when he left to find a box for some glass lamp shades. I laid down on the floor and the next thing I knew, I woke up and the room was essentially empty. I stumbled to my room at about 5:30 am or so and caught a glimpse of my dad...just getting up. I slept until I heard my mom say..."It's 8am and the movers are HERE!!!" I dashed to the bathroom and threw on some clothes and the rest of the day...was a blur. More on that tomorrow...

Disney Daze - Part Four "A kingdom (re)visited

2010-08-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

I've thought a lot about how to write this post about our day in the Magic Kingdom. I was, for years the big Mousehead in our family. You've read in previous posts of my love for Disney parks, music, Pixar, Mickey, the monorail etc. etc. etc. The Disney fan community (heard and seen on many podcasts I listen to) and on Internet discussion boards and fourms talk about folks who "get it" when it comes to the details, hospitality and storylines that drive everything you experience in a Disney park or resort. Up until this trip, despite my personal obsession, I was the only one in my family who "got" Disney. That is no longer the case. Becky and I had many discussions over the cool little things that make living "in the Disney bubble" so enjoyable. I asked her, "so if I had told you this is what it was like, would you have believed me?" "No way", she answered.

What follows is meandering thoughts about our single day in the Magic Kingdom. I had not been there since 1982, Becky had not been there since 1975, and our kids had seen video, but had never been there at all. This will be a long post so I won't be putting up pics. I encourage anyone to visit my trip album at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=21152&id=100000350462143&l=318cb7cd02 to see pics of everything.

Everybody neat and pretty? Then on with the show...

Disney transportation- We have nothing but positive things to say about the buses, monorails, water taxis etc. at WDW. Why anyone would pay to park, drive with the looney tourists, and miss collecting transportation trading cards is beyond our understanding. We were blessed to be the first stop on the Saratoga Springs bus line. I could see when the park closed that our line for the Saratoga bus was a LOT smaller than the Allstar buses so maybe bringing a car would make sense then. But I doubt it. Buses ran every 25 minutes to all the parks. It was so easy.

We got there at 8am for extra magic hour rope drop as resort guests. We were done with everything around 3pm and had plenty of time to shop, eat, and ride a repeat. We could've rode more repeats but didn't collect any Fast passes as most lines were less than 20 minutes.

I admitted later to choking up a little when we walked under the train station and onto Main Street USA.

Our first ride, the refurbished Space Mountain, thrilled some of us and scared the bajeeberz out of some of us. I rode it twice that day (so did Lydia) but the first time I was in the first seat in the front car. It was VERY dark, and VERY fast (though I know we were only going 28mph--the visual trickery worked). The second time at the end of the day things seemed brighter in there. Becky felt like she was going to die and was mad that I made the ride sound calm to her. I didn't remember it being that intense.

Second was Buzz Lightyear where Becky got the high score for our group shooting Emporer Zurg and his minions at over 40,000. I pulled in a measily 5000 but enjoyed looking at the ride details.

In the first of many character encounters we ran into Stitch in Tomorrowland. We found out the main street bakery sold Divvies (allergy safe) carmel corn and had bought a bag for IZ. Stitch spent most of his time with us trying to steal it. Pretty funny.

Some rides like Space Mountain, Splash Mountain (my favorite this trip), Winnie the Pooh (I hate to admit) , and even the Carousel of Progress really impressed me with the Imagineered details. (My kids still think "Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" is just as irritating a song as Small World--which we would've skipped even if it hadn't been closed for refurbishment).

Other rides seemed "smaller" to me this time, like when you visit a neighborhood where you grew up and the streets seem tiny. Peter Pan (which still solicited an "oh cool" on the flight over London scene from Nathaniel my ride partner--while Becky was in another ship cracking jokes with our other kids), Pirates, and the Haunted Mansion, three CLASSIC rides, had enjoyable little details and themeing but seemed more nostalgic than thrilling to me. That kind of surprised me.

Another thing that surprised me was my wife's sudden affinity for Disney parades. While I was making every effort to get out of the sun, away from crowds, and under anything providing shade, she said she was ready to get out in the street and start dancing with the characters!! (WOW!) We ended up watching two parades from a distance. And we didn't really have any issues time-wise by enjoying a passing parade. I recommend using the Unofficial Guide touring plans as a basis for what you want to see and modify your plan as you go along. That worked GREAT for us.

We planned on eating at Cinderella's Royal Table for lunch. This was THE BEST thing I think we did the whole trip. You need to reserve it 180 days before your trip and pre-pay, but MAN is it nice!! For those of you, like my wife (and I) who were disappointed as a kid by going THROUGH and not IN the castle (whaaa???), this is your chance to go inside, meet and talk with Cindy, get your picture taken with her, and enjoy FABULOUS food and the BEST service in the Magic Kingdom IMHO. (just TRY and drink all your rootbeer or water before the wait staff is right there with another and a smile--I DARE you!!) After dining on fancy pot roast with mashed potatoes on a pastry puff and chocolate mousse for dessert and interacting with four or five of Cindy's princess friends --who were all clever pros at staying in character no matter what you said to them--we were cooled off, well fed, and refreshed for and afternoon of continued exploration!

My only "FAIL" of the trip was not realizing the weight of the steel barrelled guns at the Frontier shootin' arcade. Most of the ski-bums have never shot anything beyond a Nerf gun and most of them were frustrated when their 17 shots for a buck were up. I'm not certain all of those guns were fully functional either.

One thing I DIDN'T plan on, because I thought it was torn down for the upcoming Fantasyland expansion, was arriving off the WDW Railroad into Mickey's Toontown Fair. This is THE place to meet the Mouse himself and I was really excited to do so after figuring it was a lost cause due to current construction. Classic clips from old-school Disney cartoons play on a big screen in the queue as, group by group, you get ushered in to an unusually still and quiet photo/ interaction area. I'm guessing these cast members have seen every type of reaction possible and the photographers and handlers just stand back and let the moments happen with little or no direction. I was SO glad they hadn't closed this place down yet!

As this winds down, I need to mention one of the last, but also BEST things we experienced at the Magic Kingdom, The Monsters Inc Laugh Floor. This attraction is a comedy club theater were the "script" has live cartoon monster interaction built in. The goal is to make the audience laugh and create "energy" for Monstropolis (or as Roz says, "We MIGHT not have enough power to open the exit doors"). They must pick several people out of the crowd beforehand as they'll put peoples faces up on the big screen as part of the interaction with the performing Monsters.

During the show they have Mike Wazowski's nephew come on screen and tell jokes. He said something like, "I wanna talk to that kid there, in the yellow" Suddenly, there's a spotlight on Isaac and his smiling face is on the big screen. "Hi kid, what's your name?" "Isaac." "Hi Isaac, what grade are you in?" "Second". "OOOh, second grade, the best three years of my life" (laughter). "So Isaac, what do you want to be when you grow up" (at this point I had no clue what he would say) "A fireman" (lots of "awwwws" came from the crowd). I don't even remember the punch line any more I was so proud of him. But it gets better....

We're walking out and a guest in the crowd says, "Excuse me! Is this the little boy who wanted to be a fireman when he grew up?" "Yes this is Isaac" "Well I've been a fireman for 27 years and I want Isaac to have this.." He pulls a pin of Mickey Mouse shaking hands with a fireman off his lanyard and gives it to my son. We were all shocked at his thoughtfulness. Magic. That's what our day was like. It's cliche but it's true. Isaac wore that pin for three days straight and yesterday he asked me, "Dad could I be a drawer (artist) AND a fireman?" I said, "Buddy, you could even be a fireman that DRAWS other firemen!" I love my kids.

We ate late at chef Mickeys that evening (8:55) and had a chance to interact with the fab five in their chef outfits (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Pluto) but the real highlight was the human chef who walked Becky all through the buffet line and told her everything that was safe for Isaac. He also made chicken fingers, salmon and allergen free cupcakes for him. The boy was stuffed!

As kind of a "preview" of our next trip, we decided to take the Magic Kingdom monorail to the Epcot monorail and try and beat the crowds by taking Epcot buses back to Saratoga since that park had already closed. That was nice. The buses were still full and I ended up carrying poor tired (75 pound) IZ from the Magic Kingdom monorail to our resort.

When you check in to Saratoga Springs (which is a Disney Vacation Club "timeshare" resort) they are supposed to say "Welcome home". We certainly felt that way while staying on property and will hopefully return for more adventure. Even Becky has become a Disney park and resort fan.

Nice work Disney. Kudos.

Watching my Son Having a Blast!!!

2010-08-24T21:44:00.000-07:00

I'd like to interrupt the Disney blogging to share with you a glimpse of something that you might have just glossed over... One of the most incredibly special things about this trip for me was watching our almost 8yo son eat REAL restaurant food for the first time in his life!!

In his 7 plus years, the most he has had from a dining establishment has been a fruit cup, baked potato, or fries from Wendy's, (both of which make me nervous every time!!) a fruit cup from Chick-fil-a, or a bag of McDonald's apple dippers (minus the dip, of course). I think it is incredibly sad that he BEGS to go to Wendy's to eat a plain baked potato, fries, fruit cup, and sprite. I call it the carb crazies and it is NOT a meal I let him eat. If we ever have an occasion to go out, which is indeed a rare event, we bring an entire meal along for Iz. Usually, this only happens when the grandparents are around. In fact, it isn't only the food that is a problem. Once, when my parents were visiting, he developed asthmatic symptoms after the wait staff passed our table with sizzling fajitas. Ski wasn't feeling well, so he sat outside with Iz while the rest of us ate.

The simple fact of the matter is that most people do NOT get food allergies. They do not get cross-contamination. We often hear "It's perfectly safe" only to find that there is a serious issue with the food. There are only a few trusted people who cook for our son. In fact, it is only THREE women outside of myself and my daughters...and of course, Ski. These women might not be perfect, but they ask LOTS of questions which shows me they understand the seriousness of the issues. So just imagine a restaurant. Even the THOUGHT of going to a restaurant for him to eat at is out of the question. When we travel, he lives on a few select Amy's or Ian's frozen meals and we find a gas station first and then food for the rest of us.

However, there is one place --- if you have life threatening food allergies --- where they care and take the business of cooking seriously. Disney Resorts KNOW food allergies!! Ask anyone. They all know. If you're going to Disney, make reservations, tell them about your allergies, speak to the chef, and they will give you safe food. And since they are so close to a Disney property, I was told that Rainforest in Downtown Disney was also rather allergy friendly.

Without a reservation, we went to Downtown Disney Rainforest Cafe and the Chef came out and man, did she know her stuff. I think it was a good thing we showed up at a "down" time for a late lunch/early dinner. She told me what she could do and we decided on a salad with chicken and a french dressing. She had a clean grill so she was able to grill it. Not only that, she found some dried cranberries and put them in a dish on the side because she had not talked to me about them. A woman who gets it!! She knew...if those cranberries were not ok, they can't "just pick it out" because the entire salad would be ruined. My sweet boy was grinning ear to ear. He had an entire meal made just for him by someone who understood!!! Not only that, but he had THREE sit down meals and an ice cream snack all safe!!

While I was tired and didn't really want to go to Chef Mickey's and would have preferred grabbing a quick dinner in the park, I had only researched snacks so I had no idea what the boy could have for dinner. I thought MAYBE the turkey legs, but I hadn't researched so we weren't going to attempt it. So, if I go back, I will definitely look into more "quick" food. I found out last minute that you can get an entire list of foods from Disney, but we weren't sure how long it would take for them to send it to us so we went without. Next time, I'll do the footwork ahead of time.

The chef at Chef Mickey's was amazing. He walked Iz and I through the buffet and told us what was safe. He made Iz his own chicken fingers and salmon and would have brought out turkey as well, but Iz didn't want it. Too many choices!!! When the Chef told me something was safe, I'd ask a question to be sure and he'd explain what they used to do certain things. It was REALLY interesting and I certainly wish that all restaurants worked the same way. He made Iz and amazing salad so I didn't have to use contaminated salad bar lettuce and veggies. And he got a frosted cupcake for dessert. We had asked for ice cream as well, but they forgot, but Iz didn't notice because he was so full. The waitress told me that our chef was the best chef at that dining area. She totally trusts him and told me what she does to take precautions as well. I think that the next table over was a bit jealous that we were having the chef come out to talk with us. Or maybe it was that I was a bit OVERLY excited about HOW MUCH there was for him to choose from. AMAZING!!!

When we got ice cream on Main Street, I was so impressed that they just ASSUMED that we had an allergy. So impressive. And they just said...."we'll have it up for you in a minute or two." They use clean scoops and a special scooping area in the back!

Over and over I just was so pleased to see Iz enjoy so much food!! It nearly brought me to tears to see so many choices and so many people who took the time to listen to our needs. It gave him the opportunity to be just like everyone else.

I know that there are all of these cliches about dreams coming true at Disney World, but I can't help but say that it was a dream come true to be able to have fun together as a family and then eat dinner without worry or concern and just watch my son have a blast eating great food. It brought tears to my eyes!!

Disney Daze - Part Three "Pumkins into carriages"

2010-08-24T07:17:00.000-07:00

After our hectic exit from the Lake Buena Vista Best Western (see part two), it was time to hit the Starbucks (where the kids ate cereal we brought), the Whole Foods (to stock up on frozen meals for IZ), and to an outlet we had been told about.

Our girls had been told by a friend of an outlet near Downtown Disney where they had cheap makeup that they really liked and wanted us to pick some up. This is a store that Nathaniel has chosen not to set foot in because they are most famous for their intimate apparel (and Superbowl commercials...and ridiculous catalogs). I will admit Becky and I stop by this particular chain of stores once a month as a way to "spoil" her, though any married man who thinks this store chain is just for females is nuts (we DON'T get the catalog BTW). I knew a bit about their retail prices and size availability. I now know why people spend some of their valuable vacation time to come here. The prices were INCREDIBLY CHEAP! We found out after the fact that nothing in the store was over $10. And the selection of sizes was HUGE and decently organized. Many bargains.

So after a grocery and Chickfila stop, it was time to head "inside the Disney bubble" for our stay at AllStar Music. We arrived and were greated by a SUPER nice cast member from Chicago who I'm ashamed I can't remember her name. She began checking us in, addressing each kid by name, gave us "first time visit" and "happy anniversary" buttons (20 yrs in Oct. was close enough) and a Muppet button for the volunteer service we did to get our tix. And then she disappeared.....

For about 15 minutes....

My wife had seen this play out two nights before at Best Western and I'm sure thought something like "here we go again, what IS it with my husband and making hotel reservations??!!??" She sat down on a bench trying not to panic while I waited. Now I listen to a TON of Disney travel podcasts and I KNOW you can be totally at fault for something (a dropped ice cream etc.) and Disney cast members will usually bend over backwards to "create some magic" and resolve issues. But I had no idea what was going on. Our check-in person said she just needed to verify something with her manager because our connecting rooms weren't ready yet. Hmmm...

Fifteen (long) minutes later, she returned smiling. "I have some good news for you. Since you had reserved connecting rooms to keep everyone together and we currently don't have yours ready, we're upgrading you to our Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa hotel. They're waiting for you there. Here's how you get there...." I must admit at that point I was in a daze. I knew from their website that Saratoga could fit 10 in a room and it was a "horse racing/Upstate NY" theme, which was okay but WAY out of our budget! I had to ask, "so is there a price difference I need to pay or....""Nope, you're all paid up. Everything is covered with what you paid just now for AllStar. Enjoy it and have a magical day!" (my heart was now racing like a horse)

Becky's eyes got big as I tried to stammer out what just occurred. The ride over to Saratoga (back near Downtown Disney where we came from) was filled with questions like "WHERE are we going?? How did this happen? Are you sure?" and an occasional fist pump by me! I had a sneaking suspicion Becky was going to like this.

I was right. The first indicator after checking in and getting our keys was on one of my trips unloading the van, someone said, "Dad, Mom says she wants to LIVE here!" When I got up to the room I could see why. It had two bedrooms and a living room area. One with a king sized bed, three TVs, a pullout couch bed, a kitchen, TWO bathrooms, a full-length whirpool and a huge shower, a washer and dryer....it was AWESOME!!! My wife doesn't sleep well in strange beds but said the mattress there was VERY nice. I'm still stupefied. Disney, ya done good by us!! Thank you!!!

We also had a small but very nice and fun pool near us (one of five at Saratoga) where she and I took the young ones while our older kids napped, showered and watched Phineas and Ferb (most of us became fans of them by trips end).

I'm a dreamer and I love travel books. Becky is a researcher and had been pouring over my Official and Unofficial guides and asking me lots of questions. It was really fun "talking Disney parks" with her for a change! We decided we would test out the bus system and go the Magic Kingdom, hop a monorail and go see the fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant (one of Becky's POSITIVE memories from her 70s trip to WDW) from the beaches of the Polynesian resort. We had a dinner of sandwiches and fruit in the room.

Our evening was WONDERFUL. Laying on Beach chairs, toes in the sand. Warm night breeze, lights, music, fireworks. So cool! Becky still loved it thirty-odd years later and I think she was beginning to feel like this would actually be a good vacation for her after all.

The next day was our Magic Kingdom day and we planned on being there for extra magic hours to beat the crowds at park opening. So have a good night's sleep (if you're not too excited) and we'll see you in Part Four "A Kingdom (re)visited"

Disney Daze - Part Two "Downtown Dizzy"

2010-08-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

My sweet B hates three things....crowds, most kinds of shopping (see crowds), and monkeys.

So naturally the perfect place for us visit while in Orlando was Downtown Disney--confused? Read on.... DTD's a free way for cheapskates like us to get a Disney fix as it's basically three mini-areas of themed shops, eateries and theaters.

For Mouseheads like myself, there's World of Disney, the largest store for Disney shwag outside of NYC. There's a large Lego store with giant Lego sculptures of seamonsters, basset hounds and Sheriff Woody. There's "Trend-D" for cool looking teen fashion type things, Goofy's Candy Kitchen (with $50 Rice Krispie treat Mickey and Minnie heads--I'm in the wrong profession). There's a Christmas store, a "Little Mismatched" for girls like my middle daughter who are too cool to wear socks that match.

For folks on the other side of the fence, there always seems to be families there that are just plain "Disneyed out". Someone has told these folks that there are plenty of shopping opportunities for them to separate themselves from their hard earned cash so Johnny or Suzy can get their character trinkets or something princess/pirate related. So begrudgingly they slog along with crying kids in tow who won't be satisfied with what's in the budget and want the $50 toy of their dreams. These good folks have already spent hundreds on park tickets and hotels and are wondering "when does MY vacation start???" As day turns to evening, you'll see anger, hunger, despair, heat exhaustion.

So you see why B spent most of our trips there (we went twice) asking herself and me "Why?? Why do people LIKE this place? Why do they take pics of themselves and their kids in front of a fake wooden Buzz Lightyear statue? or sitting next to a fake Winnie the Pooh?" She said she just "didn't get it". I know it's not her thing. So I was just grateful she let me geek out a little. She's a wonderful girl and I'm so blessed by having her as my bride. She even mentioned a casual interest in a Minnie Mouse apron, but I knew her heart wasn't really in it.

So what about the monkeys? We'll I had been jonesing since '98 to go back to the Rainforest Cafe since eating there during a business trip. I had my chance that afternoon during lunch. I had also heard that the chefs there would adapt their menu for food allergies--a key feature we experienced over and over again on Disney properties. Both our waitress and the chef treated IZ like royalty, preparing a HUGE grilled chicken salad for him (on a clean grill) that he said was "better than everyone else's food." The Rainforest decor is a jungle theme complete with robotic elephants, parrots, tropical fish...and monkeys....lots of primates....loud screeching, grunting primates...above and beside our table. Had I thought about this a bit more, I would've realized this wouldn't be a huge blessing for Becky. (I'm a little thick some times). The food and service was top notch. But we'll probably never go back. It was cool back in the 90s, but I think I've had my fill.

Becky's would be rewarded the next day, but first we spent an enjoyable rest of the day in the pool back at the hotel. We had one more issue though as one of our party got sick at 4am (due to heat, overeating at Rainforest, or the tv dinners we bought later that evening). I called down for a new set of sheets, which arrived right away, but with no mattress cover. I called again about thirty minutes later for one and Becky sent me back to the other room to rest while she waited for the cover. Two hours later (6am) I heard a knock and opened the door to find my now very tired and perturbed wife STILL waiting for the mattress cover. I walked down to the front desk, already buzzing with people checking in and was told they "would've brought it up sooner but didn't want to wake us". Umm. Next time why not CHECK??????

We changed the bed and I decided I would sit with/snuggle with her until she fell asleep. The boys were just rousing and were watching some tv so we fell alseep.....and didn't wake up until 10:30....and checkout was at 11!! AAAAAH!

If there was a game show where you had to rouse your family from sound sleep in two different rooms, make them pack all their things and food into a van, and check out of a hotel in less than 25 minutes, we'd be champions!! I will post some pics we took standing next to the van soon--we look very tired. We stopped at Starbucks on the way to our next destination for some breakfast.

As I mentioned before, things were about to take a change for us, especially for my beautiful, tired bride....next time, Part three, "The Magic Ensues".

Disney Daze - Part One "One room at the inn"

2010-08-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

This is part one of our trip report to Mouseland.

Our first day basically consisted of driving nine plus hours to Florida. Before we left I found a "mystery deal" on Travelocity which promised two rooms at 4o bucks a pop at a three star hotel a half mile from Downtown Disney. When you book, they send and email revealing your room details. I had priced rooms from Daytona all the way down to Orlando and knew the price was a good one as long as the hotel was decent. I didn't really relish driving all day and then going to the parks the next so I thought an extra day somewhere outside of the AllStar Music (where we had reservations on property) would help us have a more restful time.

What I didn't expect is Travelocity didn't book our room correctly with the Best Western Lake Buena Vista and we only had one room showing when we got there around 10:30 at night.

There was much we could have found to complain about but the Lord was gracious to us and gave us clear and safe travels the whole way, though Orlando itself seems to bring out the worst drivers I've seen in a LONG time. He was also gracious in placing a woman with a "Jesus" pin on her Front Desk Manager uniform at the hotel who I think felt sorry for me and spent much effort trying to get us rooms for the night and get us on the same floor the next day. Out of 350 rooms in this place, they had about two or three left the night of our arrival and they ended up turning people away who were walking up. And this was in "value season" when the crowds were supposed to be low(??) Both our rooms (eventually) ended up having a fridge and a microwave (which I knew we would need) and were on one of the nicer floors that had just been remodeled. We crashed that night not knowing what else was in store for us this trip but glad the Lord was protecting and providing for us.

Up next, part two "Downtown Dizzy"

The Man I Measure By

2010-06-27T22:18:00.001-07:00

I don't recall the first time we actually met, but I know it was a significant day. It was a day that changed my life...and his. I think my first memory of him had to be our dance. Ahhhhh....it isn't what you're thinking. It was much different than that. No, he took me by the hand and we sailed effortlessly across the floor. He looked down at me and laughed and I looked up at him with all the love in my heart. For the man I measure by is my dearest own daddy. He was my first love. I stood on his shoes and begged him, "Daddy dance with me!!!" And so he'd take my hands and we would be off. He'd sing a little diddy and I would giggle away as we twirled around the house.

I remember Sunday afternoons sitting at the foot of his chair "feeding" his feet that I pretended were funny critters. He took me to Burger King when the boys were in school and we shared fries and a strawberry shake. I gave him my Easter egg when he was working in his office. He was thrilled, until he discovered I had kept it in my room all this time and it was now smelly and in edible. Later, he took me to the Catholic weddings where I danced with the priests and fell in love with Polish cuisine. He took me visiting and laughed when the family gave me Moxie.

I loved to visit his office. It was in the house, but it was still fun to go in there and bother him. He had cannons and a cannonball stack on the bookshelf. And a frightening mountain lion carving. There was a wooden top with string that I never did figure out how to work. And there was the tiger puppet. I always imagined it was a character from Mister Rogers and Daddy was so good at making voices. And Daddy always had his glass of iced tea and peanut butter bread. When daddy hugged mommy, I would squeeze up through the middle to their great annoyance. He had names for me and I took advantage and acted on those names. I held his hand while he greeted people on Sundays.

Daddy has always had a great musical talent. He had a wonderful baritone voice and played both trumpet and trombone. I loved to hear him sing. Most people did. His horn sounded so sad a mournful and beautiful. He used to sing to us on summer nights on the porch swing in Ohio. I loved those evenings and listening to his lovely voice gently lilting like the motion of the swing.

As I grew older, I learned things about my dad. His own daddy died in his arms when he was only 17yo. Dad had dreams and wishes that never came to be. There were things he wanted to do that he never did because doors closed. And I learned that he was a mischievous boy. How he played tricks on his older brother. How he had been caught puffing a cigar -- and made to smoke it all. How he didn't like the geese down the road. And how important family was to him. I learned how artistic he was and how compassionate he was. His favorite part of his job, I think, was visiting people who were ill or shut-in. His heart was so kind and caring. His gift of creating and kind care for people contributed to the creative and compassionate person that I am.

There are things I am ashamed of when it comes to my dad. The foolish things children do that tear at the heart of a parent. And the words that cut deeper than we mean for them to do. But overall, I think our relationship went beyond those moments. And while we disagreed as adults on some of the things most dear to his heart like the doctrine he loved so much and the church that he was ever faithful to even through hurt and disappointments, we could agree wholeheartedly on our love for the Lord.

And so, this man, who was my first love, my teacher, and example, and the one who often acted "as bad as the kids" somehow became a ruler for what a man should be. And when the time came for me to fall in love, I fell for a man very much like my own, dear daddy.

My father, lover of his family who cried when we were dropped off at camp, college, and every time we said goodbye...Yes, my Ski loves his kids and if he watches films with father son/daughter scenes, you can bet he will get blinky-eyes. My father, who made us swoon with his tender singing voice....is like my Ski who I love listening to when he sings. My father, with a tender heart towards his wife who called her sweet names...and my Ski who writes me lovely things and tells me daily how beautiful I am. My father's deep compassion for others mirrors that dear and servant heart in my Ski. And my father's wicked sense of humor...I see more of that in myself, but Ski always makes me laugh.

And so, as I sit her on his birthday, I just have to smile when I think of my dear, dear father. I have become so much like him in some ways and in others, I see him reflected in the man who took his place as the love of my life. And while his place is different now, my love for him has not wavered all of these years.

I miss hearing the stories about his life, his hopes and his dreams. I miss hearing him play his horn. He still makes my children giggle with delight and he still has that sparkle in his eye that I love so much. But now I remember for the both of us and I cherish every moment I can have where we can laugh and where I can tell him I love him and he knows. And I'll cry every time I hear the mournful sound of a trombone or a sad muted trumpet.

Cherish your time!!

Account deposit

2010-04-24T19:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, no matter how much you like your life, there are times when responsibility just hangs heavy on you. The past year or so, it seems my life as a wife and mother seems full of more pressure and responsibility than ever before. I have teens rounding the end of their schooling with me. They have relationships which need care and tending. Some of them are becoming some pretty neat people. And keeping up with Ski seems to be a full time job as well. Even though he works from home and is here almost all the time, there are days that go by where we barely speak. Things at work are constantly changing and sometimes that brings new challenges. We work hard at staying in close contact, but it is not an easy task. Add to all of that the shopping, cleaning, and work that needs to be done around here and I feel like I sometimes have three full time jobs. I do NOT know how you working moms do it. So as the days fly by, I feel as if I am the persistent plate spinner trying hard to keep everything from crashing down around my feet. And trying not to become stressed and anxious about any of it. I long for a life of solitude and tranquility. Funny thing for a mother of 6 to say, huh? But that's what I love. Peace and quiet. And I rarely have it. But sometimes, I see my longing for solitude comes from the plate-spinning life that surrounds me. I love vacation...void of responsibilities for the most part. This is when I allow my kids to just have fun and make some noise. I like to be noisy with them. And when I find my world less stressful, we make more noise and have more fun.

But here I am spinning my plates......again. Not only that, but into my already busy life enter in other responsibilities. When this happens, I have the tendency to want to shut down and run away. And let me tell you, the temptation is great!!! But....more than desiring to run away is my sense of responsibility. Ski would be the first to tell you that I would take on WAY more than is wise simply because I think I SHOULD. That is part of the reason why I gave him my schedule. He knew it was wise to say no for his wife because it would preserve my health and sanity.

However, sometimes we can't say no. Sometimes, people need us. And as I am preparing my home physically and myself mentally for a trip far from my family and their pressing needs, I have begun to ponder the investments I am making. While my children and husband stand to gain nothing immediately from my absence, there are many who WILL gain. I've begun to see it as a series of deposits. Time and effort poured out in a tactical and practical way upon the lives of my parents who are in great need. I could sit home and say "Someone SHOULD do something," but my words have no validity if I have no action to show for them. And if I say I love my parents, what does it show them if I sit here at home and say "What can I do?"

My family finds it a hardship for me to not be here. While it is true that three of my children are teens, they are not wives, mothers, or even adults. What they take on in my absence is not a job that was designed for them to do. Perhaps one day, it will be, but to leave a family of 7 in their hands is burdensome to say the least. And yet, as Ski reminded me in the car this evening, these will be precious days. While in the past my desire was to bring my aging parents into my home to live with me, God has made it ever apparent that this is not His call for my life. No matter how good my intentions may be, He has closed that door over and over again....from the practical to the wise council of a well timed conversation to reveal aspects of a choice I had not considered. Although I will miss the idyllic days of my children connecting with my parents as we all age together, I have days to cherish NOW.

There is no guarantee that I will have another year to visit. The older I get, the more I see my days slip by. So an investment in a few short days may yield sweet and irreplaceable memories for not only me, but also my parents. There is so much to do and I feel so ill equipped. I am not organizational and I lack methodology. I am sooooo lacking. And if you just read that line, please PRAY!!!!! I seriously need prayers!!! And I am sure that Ski would like some, too. There is such an urgency. Such a limited amount of time. So much work. It will be over sooner than I think.

So I go knowing that my allergies will flare, I will loose precious sleep, the inevitable conflicts will arise, and my patience will crumble all too fast, and the work will be overwhelming and at times, unbearable. What I have to offer is so small and limited. Believe me....VERY limited. But I also joyfully know that God will do something beyond my expectations. How fleeting these sufferings will be. How momentary these light afflictions. For there is something good going on that is more important here. I only hope that in the end I will not be the only one to benefit.

Looking for Light Where there is Shadow

2010-03-20T22:13:00.000-07:00

Today was a day filled with tears and joy in a strange commingling of emotions.

My family presently finds itself walking through a trial that is difficult for all of us in many different ways.

Ten months ago, we opened our hearts and our home to a puppy. She was 6 months old when she came to us. She was a beauty to us, but not trained at all. Not only that, but when she came to us, deep seated fears came to the surface. For my youngest daughter, it was her fear of dogs. She would not even pet a docile dog that on occasion visited the library. For me, it was the fact that we had attempted dog ownership before, but it ended with the animal biting me not once, but twice. And this new dog looked eerily like the old dog to me. Slowly, both my daughter and I overcame our fears. Slowly, we learned to reach out to our dog and not be afraid.

Along with fear issues, we needed training. After much work, we got her to a point where she would willingly walk with us down the street. But I recall a number of walks where she would flop over and roll on her back in a yelp designed to sound as painful as possible. But we were consistent and told her no and even though it took us 20 minutes to get down the street and back with all of the neighbors staring, she finally learned to walk with us.

And while she never was destructive, she would find ANYTHING left on the floor and chew it. We were forever pulling things out of her mouth. I will never forget our first day of school when she swallowed a five foot therapy band and I had to learn how to induce vomiting. Or the first time she found a rolled up sock. I don't know who was more scared...her or us. I quickly learned to always have toys for her to chew. While our selection dwindled to a choice few, she grew to be content with those toys and they kept her quite busy.

We fell into a pattern and our care for her grew into love. Unfortunately, as these things grew, my health began to deteriorate. While I knew I had something a little more than exercise induced asthma, I only had asthma attacks once in awhile -- usually outside. Not long after we brought her home, I began having daily asthma attacks. I finally saw an allergist and discovered that my lungs were quite compromised. When I saw the allergist in Nov, my nasal passages had improved, but were still quite bad. And finally over the last two months, things had grown much worse. After never having a sinus infection, I had one massive one that needed two antibiotics to kick and led me to be ill for the entire month of Feb and most of March. So we made the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye to our beloved dog.

It is difficult to be in a place where you know what you decide will deeply hurt those that you love the most. This is my children's first experience with death (other than their brother who they did not know, really). While it isn't a REAL death, it is the death of a deep and close relationship that they had. It breaks my heart time and again to watch them go through this. And yet, I have assured them that we will be happy again someday. And it will be ok when we are happy. It breaks my heart to think of how difficult it must be for my dear husband to know how much pain this choice has caused us all. I do not envy his position as father and dad, but I deeply admire and love him for his gentle leadership through this time. We all love him and know that the decision was the right one, but our hearts are hurting.

So today...we spent the day, half of us still not feeling well, spending time together. We cried through lunch, had some flavored ice at Rita's, getting flowers, cried some at home, talked and hugged, and remembered our dear friend, had some dinner, listened to my amazing daughter sing her grief to us, cried some more, and watched a movie together. It is amazing to hear my children speak to me about their perspective on the whole thing. It is amazing to hear what they think God is doing through it. And how they all listen and remember in their own way. Someday, when someone they love dies, I know they will look back and remember and use what they have learned now and in the days ahead. How everyone grieves differently and how even if friends don't understand or seem to care, the people who are going through those things do. I pray this brings our family even closer as we cling to each other through our grief. What a gift our Belle would give us if she left us closer as a family than when she found us.

Thank you, Belley dog, for loving us unconditionally, teaching us to work hard, helping us to learn to love you, and for bringing us joy!! We miss you, dear Pupperdoodles!!

Ski...123

2010-02-15T21:56:00.001-08:00

From the bottom of my heart, I'd like to thank you for...

taking the time to get to know me.

thinking I was cool

being my friend

wanting to be a leader and do things the "right" way with me because you messed up before

taking me exploring with you

telling me that you still loved me and wanted me with you because love is more than a feeling.

listening to Drew's advice

asking my dad

asking me

loving my family

dragging me down here

holding my hair.....at lease 8 times, but definitely more

working harder than ANY man I know

walking through heart surgery

holding my boys for their scans

putting my babies to bed

holding me while I cried in Blowing Rock and sitting by me in that cafe in Valle Crucis...while I cried

letting me walk through grief at my own pace

loving me and caring for me when you didn't know what to do

suffering without complaint when no one else knew

letting me sleep at the hospital with our kids....even though you missed me

telling me "things will be ok" even when you aren't sure yourself

Walking with me through so many dark days and hard times and "Considering"

holding me as I cried at the hospital...again.

being the STRONGEST man I know

washing my hair and sleeping in the den because I couldn't go upstairs

not dieing....

making me laugh

treating me better than I deserve

loving my kids

being my best friend

loving me with a sacrificial love

having fun with me

listening to me

learning to become more adventurous

still thinking I am beautiful

being my valentine

There are so many more things I could say, but these were just highlights that came to my mind...

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!

Good Intentions

2010-01-24T23:44:00.000-08:00

This is the story of how Christmas decorations, laundry detergent, and a slow computer culminated in a late night misadventure.

This story began almost a month ago, but I had no inkling it would end up like this. Not long after Epiphany, we spent a happy Saturday putting Christmas decorations away. One of my children was feeling extra diligent and blessed us by putting the Christmas decorations away up in the attic above the garage. Ski was pleased that all was done. And all was very happy until this past week.

While Ski and I were laying in bed, drifting off to dreamland, there came a loud and sudden noise. It was not a burglar kind of noise, so we were brave and went to check it out. We opened the door to the garage to find part of the drywall attic floor hanging down. I quickly surmised that our helpful child had not set the boxed upon the rafters and had instead set them on the floor. This had caused the floor to cave in. Two boxes fell, one was precariously perched, and plastic tote hung by its rim.

Ski thought about tackling the problem this weekend, but his work load demanded some attention so the hole remains.

This afternoon, I was quite tired so I ended up taking a very long nap in my room. After the kids had gone to bed, I decided that I needed to delete cookies. Some of my children, who are compelled to cause me distress, tend to gunk up my computer with bad cookies. I don't know where they come from. And they download unnecessary things when they play their computer games so my computer ends up being slug-like. It frustrates me no end when this happens. But I cannot fix it during the school day and on the weekend, I forget. So tonight it crossed my mind to work on solving the problem once again.

Even though my eyes were blurring while looking at lists of cookies, I wasn't too sleepy. Ski went off to bed and I had planned to be finished when....I heard a LOUD crash.

Fearing the hanging tote with our Christmas ornaments had finally fallen, I opened the door to the garage. To my relief, it was only the large piece of hanging drywall that had fallen. I know that sounds really funny. Well, I thought, at least Ski would not have to saw it down. I walked closer and spied a bottle of laundry detergent on the floor. I store my detergent on a shelf next to the ladder to the attic. I didn't think much of it, but as I picked it up, I realized it was a dripping mess. There on the floor was a GIANT spill of laundry detergent. I got a box and a sponge and tried to sponge up what I could. It was at least half a bottle!!! Oh my!!! It was an enormous pile of goo! What a mess!! I finally got most of what I could into my container and headed to the kitchen. While I was washing my hands, I almost knocked the container of detergent onto the floor. I had thought about throwing the detergent away, but decided to pour it into the bottle. Silly me....I was more tired than I thought. Instead of placing the bottle in the sink, I put it on the counter and then I stuck a funnel in it. I overflowed the funnel sending detergent down onto the counter and over part of my dishwasher. I finally finished that task and then headed back to the garage.

The thing about cleaning detergent is....the more you scrub, the messier it gets. It began foaming and it was still gooey. Yuck!! I finally gave up and threw a box on top of the spot. I'll deal with it tomorrow!! I was so thankful that the detergent was unscented. I hate nothing more than the detergent aisle in the grocery store so I don't think I could have survived working with this mess for long if there was an odor to it.

Now with my luck, my child who doesn't like chores will suddenly choose to do chores tomorrow a.m. and we will have to take a trip to the er for a fall on my soapy mess.

There must be a lesson in this, but at this late hour, I can't find one.

Date Night Misadventures

2010-01-19T20:54:00.000-08:00

Tonight was another one for the record books.

Plan #1: Our usual night out is on a Thursday. This week, however, things were different. We had a friend offer us the chance to see a preview of a movie. So, we planned to go tonight instead. But things did not work that way. Somehow, we never got the information that we needed from our friend. But since Ski is a planner and had already planned to go out tonight, he stuck with that plan.

Plan #2: Ski thought about going to a new place that he had heard of. Unfortunately, that place happens to be closed on Tuesday nights.

Plan #3: I have seriously been craving Middle Eastern food. We ate at a wonderful place in town once so Ski decided to go there. It is way out, but so worth the drive. We finally got there only to find that it was no longer there. It had vanished and there was no sign of it at all. SUCH a disappointment!!!

Plan #4: Try another place en route to home. I directed Ski to where I remembered it and I either did not remember clearly, or the place no longer existed.

Plan #5: Try a place listed on the GPS. We headed there and it was not longer there. It was now a Shomars.

Plan #5: Try another place on the GPS that sounded interesting. It was. In fact, it was a bit too interesting for Ski. It was Eithiopian cuisine which we would have tried, but it was a tad pricey and I felt the setting was slightly creepy. I'd rather have a recommendation from someone for that place.

Plan #6: A noodle place. We drove there, walked up...it had just closed.

Plan #7: A Mexican place. We weren't sure what the prices were and decided that if we were thinking about that, maybe we should just drive closer to home and try a Chinese place.

Plan #8: Chinese. Friends had mentioned this place as having large portions and good prices and good food. Finally we had success. It was pretty good food. The portions were very large and prices were good. The ambiance...Ski wasn't fond of it (her seriously would not have liked the Eithiopian place!!). The music was REALLY funny. It was really jazzy versions of 70s and 80s music. It was hysterical. It reminded me of the German movie that we saw recently that was mostly set in Japan.

Then to top it off....I have been knitting a scarf. Between plans 3 & 4, I asked Ski to stop by A C Moore so I could pick up another skein. I have been in two other A C Moores recently looking for this stupid yarn. At the last one I visited, I asked a clerk for help. She looked at me and kept walking and I had to talk fast so she would half stop and talk to me. She wasn't any help anyway. Tonight, once again, I was disappointed. Yarn in every color but the one I needed.

So we talked a lot on our date, but between the last two plans, the conversation lulled and consisted more of "watch out!! Did you see that guy" and "I hate how people drive around here." And all the way home, I lapsed into a Chinese accent which I do very well.

2010-01-06T11:18:00.000-08:00

Last week, I learned that Harris Teeter was having super doubles this week. I was disheartened because I knew I had done most of my shopping and therefore had little money leftover. But God always surprises me.

Yesterday, we had stew for dinner. This is rare because Iz is allergic to beef. I had bought fish for Iz for this night, but had unexpectedly served it to his sister. This necessitated an errand to the store. I routinely buy fish at Harris Teeter because they have a reward program....and their fish seems a bit fresher. So off I went. I found that they still had some trout (our favorite) left that was on sale. I decided to spend more money than expected so I called home to ask Ski if he could check my balance. I was using a different account for this trip, but I wanted to know if there would be extra in my other account. Now I was in for s surprise. I had much more money than I had thought.

You see, when I shop, I overestimate each visit. I round my totals to the next ten and try to keep a running tally in my head. This way, I don't have to write everything down as I go and I have never over spent. But I last did my shopping on New Years Eve. I was in a hurry and wasn't keeping track as well. When I thought I had spent too much, I stopped. I had not checked the account since.

So my first surprise was a small surplus. Ooooh!!! Now I could do a little super doubles.

But first, back to my fish. I bought three fish. One for that night and two for us later. Mmmmmm..... This brought my total for the fish club to over $35. Now I had a $5 credit at the store. That would come in handy with super doubles!! So last night I spent a bit of time sorting and planning.

When I hunt for used books, I don't stress and worry, but have come to see that the books that I find are those that God has provided for me. I have been to a sale where I have found treasures that others have overlooked and I have overlooked treasures that others have found. Likewise, I have seen the same thing happen with me and food shopping. I have a firm belief that the Lord enables me to find bargains and deals so that I may more abundantly provide for my family. I know many would disagree. It is all coincidence. But you won't be able to convince me otherwise.

I found everything I was looking for. I had a trunk full of groceries for under $20. I made two stops to do it, but at my first stop when I had a bunch of bags worth of groceries for around $10, the lady behind me commended me for my good work. I did put a little work into it, but time and time again, I see where God has just blessed me abundantly with bargains and deals. I never share what I spend on food anymore. I have had one too many people balk at the amount. But my cabinets, fridge, and freezer are always full and we have never lacked. Even when I didn't coupon, I had more than enough. Many years ago, when it was only Ski and I, I had only $30 for two weeks of food. I will never forget how God supplied for all of our needs for those two weeks. Since then He has never let me down and has continued to overwhelm me with His goodness.

When people see all of our children, one of the things they always say is, "Your food bill must be astronomical." I just laugh with a little twinkle in my eye.....

Bread and Discontentment

2010-01-04T19:53:00.000-08:00

For those who do not know, Iz has been eating wheat since before Thanksgiving. This is a major step for all of us. He has been doing well for the most part. That has taken me by surprise. Adding wheat to his diet has opened up a whole new world to me in cooking. But with it comes new responsibilities. First and foremost, I now must make bread for him weekly. This is because I have not been able to find any safe store bought bread for him other than the gluten free bread that he has been eating up until now.

Today, I noticed that the bread needed to be made once again. I am not good at making bread. In fact, I kind of stink at it. No, I don't stink at it....I am a LOUSY bread maker!!! I have tried about five recipes and each one disappointed me. Last time, however, I had a success. So today when I noticed I needed to make some bread, I was a little less apprehensive than usual. Everything was going well. I normally use my Kitchen Aid and this has helped me tremendously. When my bread was in the kneading stage and whirling about in my mixer, the bowl suddenly tilted sideways and flew out from under my mixer. This was NOT supposed to happen!! So, I unlocked my mixer, raised the head, fixed the bowl in place once again and made another attempt. Once again, my bowl flew out from under the machine. Realizing that the mixer was not my friend today, I took my dough and went off to the table to knead. It is amazing how easy it is to knead when you are angry.

For the rest of the evening, I found myself wallowing in unhappiness. While quickly borrowing a friends' bowl showed that all I needed was a new bowl, this still did not make me happy. I have Christmas money that would cover the cost of the bowl. But that makes me even more unhappy since I had plans for that money. I am so angry because I am so discontent with the situation I find myself in.

It is funny how one little incident just sends ripples of discontentment through my heart. I start mulling and thinking about all the things I see that are wearing out, or my children have mistreated, and that leads to personal responsibilities I have that are calling me from outside of my home and the pressure I feel from them. I find myself regretting things that I shouldn't. I find myself getting angry at people who lack care and sense of responsibility. I find myself saying things I shouldn't. I think about the teapot I bought for my birthday and used only once before a careless child broke it....and how it is still not replaced. Sigh.... And what is more shameful is that the teapot incident occurred YEARS ago.

What I would normally do is every time I look at that stupid useless bowl that needs replacing, I would once again take the dive into discontentment. But I think this will be my goal...

When I see my bowl, or paper towel holder, or the things that remind me of my discontentment, I am going to try my hardest to think on the ways in which God has blessed me. And as I make my bread by hand until I finally get that new bowl, I will try my hardest to be thankful and think on how good God is and how faithful He is to me even when I am so unfaithful to Him.

Entreaty to the Skibums

2010-01-01T21:16:00.000-08:00

After seeing many instances of requests for votes for person X as a number one Packer fan, I feel the need to give you a warning.

If you give this person your vote, no matter how nice she is or how much you like her OR no matter how much Ski thinks she is cool because she is a Packer fan..... Well, let me just say that you will put your life as a Skibum at risk. Let me explain...

As a Skibum, you should know that there is only ONE number one Packer fan in your world. That is Ski. In case you are not aware, he only roots for the Panthers because Mr. S and Mr. M convinced him to. Yes, he has a few other reasons, but he needed convincing.

As you know, Disney World (or Land or anything associated with it) is Mecca. Remember Mecca? Well, if there was a place that Ski wanted to go that wasn't Disney, it would be to the Frozen Tundra. He is a Cheesehead if there ever was one. Have you seen those yellow shirts? I mean, you all know how to say that name on the back of the jersey. Not many other people can say that!! And have you heard how many times he has been riddled over that jersey?!?!? The man loves the Pack!!

I think that for as long as I have known him, your father has been a Packer fan. He liked the Packers before Brett Favre came along. I still remember watching the "Minister of Defense" and it was bittersweet when he retired and then came to play for the Panthers. The green and gold are so indoctrinated into the family as the Packers colors that when Iz saw the Univ. of Oregeon football team today, he got all excited about the Packers since he was only looking at the colors.

We all make sacrifices -- especially when we love someone. Someday, when you are all off on your own, Ski and I will head north and pray for snow as we watch the Pack in Lambeau Field. Do you know how cold Wisconsin is in the winter?!?!?!

Those crazy British films....

2009-12-27T21:03:00.000-08:00

Tonight we were watching Masterpiece Theater. As is the norm, there was a British piece on very much in the style and dress of all of those Jane Austen movies. We happened to be watching a somewhat tenderhearted scene. A older man was wooing an older woman. They had a history and had almost married at one time. Here, years later, they sat in a room and he asked if he might call upon her after he returned from a trip abroad. As is customary in films of these time periods, the language was not obvious. It was not dripping with affectionate statements. It was rather on the formal-side. I often wonder how much my younger children understand when we watch these pieces. But, I did not need to wonder for long...

As the scene ended and the suitor parted, Lyd said with much dismay...."He's going to die."

I was puzzled by the statement. Why would she say this? Did she think the somber tone meant that he was dying? So I asked....

"Well," she sighed, "It always happens in movies like this. Whenever someone likes someone, they die."

I laughed, knowing full well that she was right. I then said that maybe this time, things will be different.

As the program drew to a close, we learned that on the trip back home, our suitor caught a cold which turned to pneumonia and yes, he did indeed die. I must say I was disappointed at this turn of events. But our no-nonsense girl was once again correct and our heroine was left broken-hearted once again.

Next time, perhaps I will save myself some time and just ask Lyd how it will turn out in the end.

The return.....

2009-12-26T17:33:00.000-08:00

I know that Ski has posted that our blog is now defunct. However, I recieved a request to keep going so here I am. I will be back in a day or so to post again once I get me thoughts together. :)

So stay tuned.....

Transitions....

2009-11-21T20:09:00.000-08:00

I received an email from a dear friend and sister in the Lord that I used to work with back in my days with the "green/blue bank". She mentioned that she reads and enjoys our blog. It was great to hear from her again and to hear that someone else reads our little space in the blogsphere.

Over two years ago, my friends and even a few pastors in our church started talking about social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook, GodSpace and other sites that I never really knew anything about. Some of the bands I listen to like the Lost Dogs, Family Force Five and others have links to their MySpace pages where you can listen to songs and stuff, but I never really "got" the purpose except for fans to post "thanks for the add man" on a big list of evergrowing comments.

Our caregroup leaders have their own blogs and I've seen them refer to their FaceBook status and mention that it's quick and easy to update where a blog takes a good bit of time to compose. Last year our kids did an Abbott and Costello routine for our Homeschool Arts festival and one of my friends said he had posted some good pics of them on FaceBook. I've heard the podcasters I listen to talk about Twitter and FaceBook but over the past year I heard more and more people talk about things they were sharing with friends there. I tend to be a very slow adapter but I knew several of my friends had FaceBook and blogs so I thought I'd check it out. I asked them a lot of security-type questions and it seemed that MySpace was still pretty open and exposed while FaceBook was not.

Well, that was almost two months ago and I've got to say that B and I are BIG fans of FaceBook now. It's probably the main reason we haven't posted anything to our blog in a LONG time. The status messages in FB have a character limit so it lends itself to shorter, often more current content updates--which is easier for me personally.

SO, given the title of this post, I'd like to encourage all who read our blog to continue to follow our family's daily goings on by creating a FaceBook account (a VERY easy process) and sending us a "friend request". You'll get a much more accurate picture of what's going on with us if you do. We post pictures and have been able to reconnect with long lost friends and relatives as well.

If you're ready to join us, you can view my page on FB using this link. I'm doubtful I will have time in the future to post anything further to this blog. Becky might and I think she has set it so this blog can post on her FB page too.

Thanks to all (or the few) that have read this blog in the past. PLEASE come join me on FaceBook. It's very secure and can be a lot of fun with fairly little effort on your part.

Don't Be Afraid to try Something New

2009-09-30T17:26:00.000-07:00

My mother made fish when I was a kid and I HATED it. She bought fish fillets frozen in blocks. When I was first married, I thought we would try some fish. The kids were little and I made some. I took one bite and almost hurled. I made the kids eat it and they STILL remember.

Since then, I have tried tuna, salmon, tilapia, and mahi mahi. I have liked them all. I eat them plain. They are all pretty mild tasting except for salmon. However, I always liked canned salmon.

Since the allergist has said that ds can have fish, I have been trying to feed it to him regularly. It is a common thought that if in the past you have had an allergy and then begin eating it that you should do so on a regular basis in order to prevent recurrence. Isaac had very mild reactions to fish in the past so we avoided it mainly on principal. We figured late introduction would be better than early with a kid like him. At our last appointment, we asked for them to skin test for fish. All went well so we tried. Our first try produced an itchy rash on his face, but he also gets this with chicken. Wierd kid, huh?!?!

So, today I went out to pick up our fish. A local store had dressed trout on sale. I thought that sounded ok. But when I got there, I found out what that meant. The fish was whole with a head and everything!! I hesitated, but the guy told me to fry it. So I bought fish with heads and eyes!!

I came home and breaded it with cornmeal and fried it in an iron skillet. Oh my!!!! It was sooooo good!!! It almost tasted like chicken. I am tempted to buy more, but I am not sure that they would be as good frozen. Only Isaac and I ate it because Ski doesn't like fish and he made something for him and the rest of the kids.

One small step

2009-08-29T08:21:00.000-07:00

I'm more principle-driven than goal-oriented. For me, that seems to give God more leeway to rule in my life than setting specific expectations. Nonetheless, one "goal" I had for myself this year (well last year actually) was to run an actual 5K race. I run about 9 miles a week and have done so for over a year now, so I've covered the distance many times over. I also do all of my running (so far) outside instead of using a treadmill.

But I knew there would be a different dynamic when 673 other people were running the same course. One thing I didn't know was where to walk into the starting corral. C and L (my cheering team for this race) thought I should start near the front, but I knew MANY people would be passing me and I didn't want to get run over (literally).

The race was the Yiasou Greek Festival 5k and all I really wanted was a t-shirt, my two free tickets to the festival (a yearly date nite tradition for B and I), and to finish under 16min/mile without stopping or dying.

I had the pleasure of meeting up with a brother from our church (he encouraged me the last 400 meters to finish strong) who was also running so that was nice.

I finished 561st out of 674 runners with a 5K time of 31min, 39seconds. My iPod told me I also ran a personal best for the mile, which was cool. I averaged a little over 10min, 12 sec/mile, so goal met. I knew I started faster than normal, but I wasn't sure if I could keep it up all the way. The top three uber-runners in my age group (40-44) ran a 17 minute race so my time is about twice theirs. I finished 79th out of 104 dudes in my age group.

Overall, I think I was able to find open spaces in the crowd to run comfortably in. I didn't dare look behind me 'cause I knew that would slow me down. I was also really tempted to join the growing crowd of walkers during the last half of the race, but I've promised myself never to stop until the end. (keep putting one foot in front of the other and listen to the tunes)

My camera battery was low but C did manage to get one pic of me right after the race. Boy, I look beat! (=

Now I'll start training for a 10k. All glory goes to God for endurance and strength to persevere. He is good!!

Half of a Century

2009-08-26T19:39:00.000-07:00

My initial trip to PA was due to the fact that my parents celebrated their 50th Anniversary. My mother said that she never thought that she would make it to her 50th. There is good reason for that. Both of my parents graduated from college and taught for a number of years before they decided to attend Seminary. My mother did not marry until she was 32. They knew each other a short time and were engaged within a matter of months. When my father finally asked my mother out, he asked her for TWO dates. But you see, the odds were against my father and very much so in my mother's favor. There were only a handful of women at the seminary amongst a sea of men.

We only had a small family celebration at my parents' home -- mostly because my brothers and I aren't great at planning.

The following Sunday, my brother took my parents to The Hershey Hotel for brunch and I got to join them. What a yummy treat for all of us!!

A look inside

2009-08-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

**Behind the scenes at BnSki**

Turns out B and I were posting (450 mi away from each other) at exactly the same time last night. That's typical for us. I hit Publish and I looked and there were two posts, with exactly the same post time (8:36pm). After reading hers, I HAD to change the date on mine to de-emphasize it. As usual, B's post (even though self deprecated in her comment) was poetic, profound and very well written. It's like she's able to concisely describe the types of things that are always in my head, but I seldom talk about. I've been fortunate to visit three of her parent's homes and she captures the essence of them beautifully in a way that brings so many similar experiences of my own life to mind.

While she's been up north dealing with emotional, sentimental, often difficult but extremely important, once-in-a-lifetime things, my days have consisted of the "every day" of life that she handles so much of in our home. Dishes, meals, the dog, laundry, sweeping, getting 6 ski-bums where they need to be on time, groceries, pharmacies, and trying to remember to meet with God, laugh with my kids and do or speak something affectionate to my beautiful spouse that I miss so much. Oh, and that doesn't even count things like school, attitudes, yard maintenance, alleriges or extra-curricular activities.

As I read her beautiful prose and consider the typical nature of my "gee whiz, looky here" posts, I am SO THANKFUL for all the beautiful things God gives me through my sweet B--and all the hard work and sacrifice she does for our family. It's my privilege to honor her here, publicly, and to release her to do whatever God calls her to do outside of our home.

I miss you honey. I'm glad you're coming home soon. I'm SO grateful for you.

So until I kiss your smiling face again...1,2,3.

The Pieces of our Lives

2009-08-24T20:36:00.001-07:00

I have been spending time with my dear parents these last few weeks. They are hoping to move at some point in the not so distant future. For many reasons, they needed help getting started sorting through things in their house. I have only been able to make a small dent, but anything is progress.

Today, I loaded up the van with about 17 boxes of books. Hmmmmmm....I must have inherited my love of books from them. There are more books that need to leave, but they have another destination. The books today each had to travel in my arms up a flight of stairs and across the yard before they reached the van. I then drove them about 30 minutes to a place which might only be a lay over.

It has been an interesting experience going through things. I find myself chuckling to myself as I am reminded of people and events in my life. As mom and I sorted through the many books, she told me stories here and there. As I tried to make dad's workbench less chaotic and I found little items that just reminded me so much of my dad.

Boxes of bows, decorations, puzzles, photos, and little doodads belonged to my mother. She has always had a well decorated home. I don't know how I could be her daughter. I only decorate at Christmas. My mother has decorations for each season of the year. She has always been kind and generous and a package is not wrapped if it does not have a bow. In my house, there are rarely bows -- especially on the gifts that I give. But I am very sentimental. Just like my mom.

Music, books, tools, loose change, projects, flashlights, and tiny religious books found in nooks and crannies of drawers reflect my father. He was the boy scout that I don't think ever grew up. He always loved woodworking and craft projects and there were treasures that any boy would love to be found almost anywhere you looked. In my head, I hear the Baritone of my father's voice and the mellow sound of his trombone. To this day, when my Ski plays his Jackie Gleason, the sobbing trombone makes me think of my dear father.

I always thought that my dad was the coolest guy. It's funny. He reminds me a great deal of my dh. And even more, I see so much of my dad in myself. He is so mischievous and when I find myself pestering my kids, it is sometimes like an echo of my father's voice.

I have seen this week the games I played as a child, the plates I ate from on family camping trips, really neat scrapbooks that I had never seen before. I've used the pots and pans that my mother bought from her uncle many years ago. And those pots are still wonderful. I wish I could find some just like them.

While many of this will not be claimed by family members, these items are not merely things, but moments of our lives. They are gifts given and received, souvenirs from trips and reflections of long hard times of work. It is so funny to me that when I look at a item from our vacation to Florida, I can smell how our closed up house smelled upon our return. As I look at recipes, I can taste my grandmother's cookies and I can smell her pantry. And every time I walk down my parents' walk, I wonder if I will remember it years from now. For even now, I remember how I used to ride my cousin's bike when we stayed at my Grandmother's house. I would follow the paths through her front yard and as it wound its way around to the back and then into the side alley. I wish that I could give all of these memories to my children. I wish that I could look at everything here and sit and tell my children all of the stories in my head.

Every time I come back here, I feel this countryside pull my heart. I don't think I will ever live here again, but as I drove through the rolling hills and curvy roads this afternoon, I once again felt a longing not to leave. There is something for me about seeing a buggy pass buy, the smell of a cow pasture, rows of corn, and those old farmhouses that makes me a little homesick.

But my experiences here have made me feel like one of mom's puzzles. Every piece seems to have different things going on. Together it makes a sometime messy, sometimes crazy, sometimes beautiful, and sometimes serene scenery. But the pieces, no matter how fragmented make up a complete picture. And so, while these things do not make us and while there are many moments in our lives that seem like clutter, the experiences we have make us as individual as we can be and without them, we would not be the same.

iPod wOrthy: FF5

2009-08-23T20:36:00.000-07:00

No, not FFH. FF5--Family Force Five. These guys are totally nuts. They're my #2 band (Lost Dogs, FF5, U2) and I REEEALY hope I can get a chance to see them when they come to town in October. We'll see. Their music swings back and forth between keyboard infused "dance" songs and harder rock. They throw guitars across the stage to each other--DURING a song and they all have surnames like SoulGlowActivatr, Phatty, and Chapstique.

There are some bands/musicians I listen to because their talent is just WAAAYYY beyond anything I've seen (and I've seen/heard a LOT of music in my 43 years). There are other bands, though, that give me a similar feeling to looking at modern art. Half of it's "Heck, I could've done THAT!" the other half is "Brilliant!! Why didn't I do that!" or even better yet, "Boy, I'd love to do SOMETHING like THAT some day" Family Force Five is a "some day" band for me.

If a bunch of crazy dudes from Atlanta can create "comic book hero-type" faith- based rock and dance music and not let any lack of talent (which they have) or dancing ability (which, well...never mind) get in the way of having a good time (while not taking themselves too seriously), hmmmmm. I believe I'll have a piece of that!

Family Day....

2009-08-11T13:49:00.000-07:00

Saturday, was my son's birthday. It was supposed to be "Family Day," but my three oldest and Ski went to a church thing all day. That's ok. It has been a few years since we had "Family Day."

Life turned out differently than I had planned.

Most people in my life now have no idea about the fact that if I chose my plan for my life instead of God, I would have four teens right now. It is very strange to think that so many people don't know about such a big turning point in my life. I don't mind talking about it at all. It just doesn't come up. It's funny. My mom was always freaked out by death because of some experiences she had as a young child. I never was. I went to many funerals growing up and I just looked at it as a part of life. I worked in a nursing home after college and I often did after death care and I stayed with people as they died. Many times, I did this alone, because the other girls were freaked out. So, I think I have kind of passed that all on to my kids. I have always been very open with them about death and find it so surprising when people want to hide this from their children. In fact, my openness about death really helped my then 4yo dd prepare for the death of her brother.

It had been a few years since I had been to the cemetery. Life goes on and you move on and things get busy. I don't think about it every day and there are times when it seems a long time passes without me thinking about it. We used to go on Memorial Day and July 4th and decorate the graves, but hadn't done that in a little bit. I would be over that way in town, but I always had a time schedule to keep up with. Not long ago, I did stop with 'Stelle on the way home from the French festival. After church this Sunday, we all stopped by. It is not so much sad being there to see our son's grave, but it is really sad to see all of the graves nearby. Almost all of them are children. Some have one date on their graves and others were only a few days old. And some were a year or less or a little more. And still...after all these years, we get a little misty eyed. I don't know why. I guess it is a heart thing.

It was funny...
As we were driving away from the cemetery, the kids said..."Hey, we could have called him A.J." I kind of laughed and said "Yeah. We had planned on that."

I hope that you all don't think this post is morbid. It just seems like a big milestone...would have been 13...that I just can't let it go by and not say anything. I am grateful for all that came from my dear son coming into my life. It's something that I don't expect anyone to understand. People look at me funny when I say that. Oh well....

Ski says...I agree. At 13 I start taking my teens out for coffee and "daddy dates". I enjoy trying to get in their heads and figure out what their dreams, wishes, goals etc. are. N, H and C really seem to enjoy it. I do too. (sigh) Some day I want to see if he's a grown-up in eternity or still little. Somehow I picture him grown and working on my mansion, or wherever God will have B and I (it wouldn't be heaven without hangin' with my sweet B) spend eternity. My heart longs to give him a big father/son hug. Some day....

Biltmore and more, and more

2009-08-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

Some shots of the Biltmore House in May...

Wouldn't be a trip without Starbucks right outside the gates--how convenient!!

Whoa...cute chick alert!!

Shots of the gardens next time!

In Search of....the perfect dog toy

2009-08-07T13:49:00.000-07:00

If you don't own a dog, I bet you have wondered WHY are there so many dog toys out there. Maybe you have also wondered why someone would spend so much money on dog toys. Well, I am here to let you know.

Go ahead and laugh.
I know it is so obvious, but we are first time dog owners.
When we picked up our sweetie, we headed off to the pet store. Naively, we picked out a few toys.

Many times, our doggie appears to be very stupid. However, when it comes to her toys, she has a knack for finding the weak spot and gnawing away. She is also a ripper. Here is the short list of toys that she has gone through...

This toy is still alive. It no longer has legs or a tail. However, it has lasted longer than any of the other toys. In fact, when this toy bites the dust, we just might get another one like it. The kids call it an Ikea dog. I am not sure WHY. It squeaked when it was new and somehow, it still squeaks. That is a major achievement with her. The Kong donut tennis ring is still around, but it lost its squeak within 5 minutes of play. Not quite worth the money that we forked out for that one. Of course, the Kong still is in one piece. I can't figure out what to put in it besides their treats. Everyone says to put peanut butter in there, but of course, that is out. Sunbutter is a bit too runny. She does like it, but it led to her trying to steal Iz's sandwich off of his plate.

This one I found at Harris Teeter for an awesome price. She liked it, but only after most of her other toys were destroyed. When she finally took an interest in it, she began chomping off big hunks from the ends. I was afraid that she would swallow them, so I had to toss this one in the garbage. We have since tried a stronger and sturdier nylabone and it seems to be holding up ok. It has teeth marks on it, but that's ok. If this one doesn't last, we will have to start buying the heavy duty super expensive bones that they make.

Tennis balls designed for dogs. These are great while they last. Her favorite thing to do to these is rip the covering off of them. We found a bunch of these at Harris Teeter on clearance and we thought it was a bargain. Not much of a bargain when she just rips and strips.

Then we saw a seemingly awesome toy. Boy did that thing look sturdy. It had nylon rope and tennis balls on it. We got home and gave it to her. She love it soooooo much that she shredded the thing in minutes. I don't know HOW she did it. That thing looked super strong!!

We bought a cute kangaroo, but she ripped its head off. There have been a few more toys that have crossed our threshold, but those are some of the more memorable ones.

I just spent big bucks on a dog toy and in less than 10 minutes, she has ripped part of it off. The main ball is still in tact, but since she ripped part of it off already, I am not convinced that this toy will be sticking around long. I bought this toy because it was supposed to be very sturdy. People highly recommended it to me. In fact, when I entered the store and made a beeline to that particular display, the proprietor said, "Oh, I see you have a power chewer." Apparently, the toy was made for a dog a bit more ladylike than my girl.

Well, at least ice cubes are cheap and Bully Sticks seem to last. Don't even ask about the bully sticks....

And I bet you're wondering why I would keep buying all of these doggy toys, right?!?! Well, you see, she has not begun to chew on my household goods yet, so I am just trying to keep her interested in ANYTHING but my furniture.

So, if anyone out there is a dog owner and has a very sturdy toy, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE give me some ideas for my Belle.

Not a Thing....

2009-08-05T13:33:00.000-07:00

I have pulled up my page to blog a number of times, but I just haven't been able to.
I have been thinking and thinking of fun things to say, but there is not a thing to be funny about.

On Monday, Ski, Iz, and I made the trek to Durham.
We got there later than we hoped, but that was ok. We had nothing planned. For a little bit we vegged in front of the tv and watched "Cash Cab" which Iz thought was cool. He even got some questions right. Then we hunted for dinner. We made a quick stop at Whole Foods and then we found a cool little Middle Eastern place. Well, it wasn't that cool. But I love middle Eastern food, so I thought it was pretty neat. Ski and I split our plates of gyro and kafta. They had the most amazing tahini and hummus. We ended up eating outside because if you wanted to, you could smoke a hookah. No one was doing that, but we thought we had better eat at the outside tables just in case. But seriously, I have decided that dh and I should move to Durham to get our Masters at Duke so we can eat all of our meals at this place. The hysterical thing is that they have a "no Ketchup" rule and even t-shirts that say this, but the guy plunked down a bottle of ketchup at our table with our order.

After dinner, we tried to find coffee, but couldn't find a Starbucks until 10:30 and they had already closed. ;( So, we went off to the hotel for bed. I then woke up at 4:30, 5:00, and 5:30 when I finally got up and took a shower. I am NOT a morning person. I do not sleep well anywhere that is not my own bed.

Iz had breakfast and we all went off to get coffee (or juice) and we ended up at Iz's appointment 45 minutes early. The long and short of our appointment....Iz badly failed the skin test for egg. He developed a huge welt and the allergist said that even if his blood work looked good, we would NOT be doing an egg challenge. When he had his blood drawn, he barely flinched and he DID think it was cool to watch the blood run through the tube. He got a cool floppy dog from the treasure chest and a build-a-bear dog from the lobby table for Chidren's Hospital patients. He also got two cool Hurricanes posters from a guy in the lobby.

It will be a month or so until we find out the results of blood work. Unless there is something earth shattering in that blood work, it looks like we will be status quo (no diet changes) until next August. I am learning not to get my hopes up too much. Not sure if that is a good thing or not.

For Bo

2009-07-31T09:48:00.000-07:00

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ LOVE YOU ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

More Than Just for Paper

2009-07-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

Ohh.....the wonders of childhood!!!
Swinging on a tire swing from and old tree....
Hunting for frogs along a creek bed.....
Playing hide and seek with your friends....
Tossing a stick to your dog....
Jumping on the bed....
Spinning in your dad's new office chair.....

Hmmmm....which one of these might cause you to visit the Urgent Care?

Bleary eyed, I was awakened by my dear Iz with his sad voice saying...."I hit my head on the desk." He didn't cry much and moments later he was gone. But within ten minutes, he was back saying "There's blood!!!"

Now, you must know that the sight of a tiny speck of blood in my family causes a reaction beyond belief. Iz is especially prone to this overreaction. It is usually due to the fact that he has picked at a scab or eczema and NOW THERE'S BLOOD!!! I am almost always in the "buck it up" club and tell him that if he hadn't been picking, there wouldn't be blood so next time, don't pick. I learned long ago that the best response to a not so iunjured but fussing child is the kind that checks him over quickly and says, "You'll be fine, dear." So...when my child presented in the doorway with the cry of "Blood!!!" I knew better than to overreact.

Ski got to him first and took a look. When he said "Oh my..." I knew I was in trouble.

Everyone fetched the necessary equipment for an injury and brought them forth -- a nice big towel, the trusty brown bottle of peroxide, and my bowl of cottonballs. While there was not nearly as much blood as I know a head injury can produce, there was a bit. And as I looked, I doubted that this problem could be solved with the materials I had on hand. I cleaned as best as I could and the flow of blood seemed to be slowing. So....after dressing myself, I proceeded to call my ped. Unfortunately, they only remove stitches and don't put them in. At least that saved me an hour trip to the other side of town. So, off we went to UC -- or as Iz calls them, his "arm doctor."

Wouldn't you know, we had the same dr as we had the last time. It makes you feel like a very bad mother when you see the same dr for an injury to the same child in only a matter of months.

In the end, he got 6 staples in his head because his older brother and sister thought it would be great fun to spin him in Daddy's office chair. And hopefully, the spinning in chairs will not be happening again. He has a deep scalp laceration. Oh, and my kid is a super trooper. He said "Ow" once while the staples were going in and smiled the rest of the time. He got treated to fries, cranberry juice, and some soy icecream. And mom and dad get to wake him at 12 and 4am for two days. And Iz gets the honor of being the first in all 8 of us to have had staples.

Adventures in Dating

2009-07-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

I love date night. There is always something interesting going on. Even if we go somewhere boring, something unusual is bound to happen. Tonight was no different.

I inherited a strong desire for pie from my mother. Of course, I grew up in an era of automats, Woolworths lunch counters, and pie carousels. Mom's favorite thing to do was to shop with her mom and stop for coffee and pie. At a very young age, she introduced me to the delights of pie noshing. To this day, I crave pie. Unfortunately, it is increasingly difficult to find a place that makes good pie. Ski knows that I long for a good piece of pie so he is always trying to hunt a place where we can have some. I think it is a lost art. Pie evidently only comes in a box from the deep freeze at Wally World or something.

Tonight, we walked into a place that had a case with cakes and pies. I thought yipee... My heart raced at the thought of bakery delicacies melting in my mouth. As I perused the menu, I saw what looked promising. There, among other more mundane pies and cakes was listed coconut crème pie. I began thinking of mounds of whipped cream like substance billowing over a yellowy pudding-like coconut concoction and nestled into a delightfully flaky pastry crust. Ohhhh....it is one of my very favorites!! While I had my eye on that and was dreaming and drooling, Ski spied blackberry cobbler. Ski is nutty about blackberry cobbler. He thinks that the messier a food is, the better it tastes. It doesn't get any messier than blackberry cobbler with ice cream melting over a flaky crust hiding extra gooey blackberry goop seeping out. The melting ice cream makes lovely swirls of pinkish purple and the warm/cold combo is just heavenly.

The waitress came and we placed our orders. We chatted while we waited.

In a little while, the waitress deposits two plates in front of us and is gone in a flash.

What is this?!?!?!
My pie resembles nothing I have ever seen before!! It is almost frightening to look at. BTW, the above pic is NOT my pie. It is merely a vision of what I had hoped and dreamed for.

My heart begins to beat rapidly as I realize that the pie I ordered has been made by someone who has no clue what coconut cream pie is. How can that be?!?!? Did they let the guy who washes the dishes try his hand at making pies tonight? As I am so sadly disappointed, I look up to take a peek at Ski's dessert. Now HIS looks like dessert. But, he gives me a look and a disappointed sigh and says quietly...

"This is not what I expected."

Yes, they made blackberry bread pudding and sold it as cobbler.
How could they?!?!?!

I ask if he wants a bite and he asks me the same.

Selfishly, I am hoping that he loves my pie and will beg me to have it. Such is not the case.

As we are deciding whether he is just being nice to offer to eat my pie or whether he actually prefers mine to his, the host comes over.

"How is everything?"

We look at each other -- thankfully with food in our mouths.

We both nod.

"Are you sure?"

I say, "Yes, it's good!!" as Ski mumbles something similar.

"Oh good....for a moment, I thought that there might be something wrong." Relived, he wanders away.

Ski looks at me sadly and says...."I just lied!!!"

We switch desserts and when the waitress comes and asks cheerily if we are enjoying everything, Ski just nods and I say "yes."

Ski says with great shame..."I just lied -- AGAIN!!"

Me?!?!?
I don't care.
I have no guilt!!!!!
Well, what am I going to say?

--Do you call that coconut cream pie?!?!?! It is like and easter egg without the benefit of chocolate. It is like pecan pie with coconut instead of pecans. This is NOT coconut cream!! Where are the fluffy topping and the pudding-y yellow insides? Are you INSANE?!?!?! This is NOT coconut cream!! Give me a cookbook and I will show you what coconut cream is!!

--And since when is bread pudding a cobbler? Where is the sickeningly sweet goop? Aren't Southerners supposed to know how to make cobbler?!?!?!? Even Wikipedia knows how to make a cobbler!!!

So, yes....its food and its edible, but NOT what I wanted.

Ski wanted to buy some cupcakes. They looked innocent enough. I begged him not to.

And for those of you who don't know what a pie carousel is, here's a treat for you...

Pie Carousel from glass on Vimeo.

BTW, did you notice which one pie is missing the most?!?!?! I'll tell you....it isn't lemon meringue!!

Oh, and for my family who thinks I love Key Lime pie....
I like a REAL one once every say....10 years or so.

Of Cats and Dogs and Other Things

2009-07-22T10:34:00.000-07:00

Or.....
How I can relate to my son.

A few years ago, I started running with Ski. My running didn't last long. First of all, my knees couldn't handle it. I have torsion in my legs and have always had issues with my knees. That constant pounding on the pavement was just a little too much for them. However, before my legs gave out, I discovered that I had exercise induced asthma. When I went to see my dr, he asked me a bunch of questions and told me I was pretty much textbook. That was a few years ago. Since then, I have had a few times when things popped up here and there. Driving in the car, I would have a major coughing fit. Sitting outside, I would do the same. Having a ds with asthma, I knew that this was not a great thing. Also, I would frequently have coughing fits as I laid down at night in my bed. Of course, like most people, I put off seeing my dr about this. Just a coughing fit now and then... Well, in the middle of June, I had an asthma attack daily for two weeks. I would try to go without using my inhaler and finally, I'd give in. I finally called for an appointment with an allergist who could not see me until the end of July. I went to my gp and he patiently listened to me and although my lungs sounded clear, he took me seriously and gave me some medications to get me through until I saw the allergist. His parting words were, "Be sure to tell the allergist that you recently got a dog."

So, this past Monday, I saw the allergist. My lungs sounded great to him. My nose, however, must be astonishingly blocked because my gp wondered if I could even SMELL out of my nose and the allergist also commented on how swollen and pale it was. Not encouraging words to hear. I basically failed two asthma tests. One told the dr that I had tons of inflammation in my lungs. After the second test that I failed, the nurse came in and told me that she was going to give me 6 puffs of Albuterol. I was incredulous. I said "SIX???!!!!" I normally take only two at a time and that makes my heart race like mad. Thankfully, she must have heard the panic in my voice and only made me take 4 puffs. I was able to barely pass the test, but I became incredibly silly. Just ask Ski. I laughed uncontrollably and I had a difficult time calming myself down.

In addition to the breathing tests, I got 66 skin pricks on my back which were both ticklish and painful all at once. I also had about ten intradermal shots on my arm which just plain hurt. Of all of these tests, I discovered that I am really allergic to cats, dust mites, and also walnuts (no surprise here) and pistachios, but I am hoping that pistachio is a false pos.

I have new asthma medications and get to have a joyful week on steroids -- or as we call it, "joy juice." Lets just say that at the moment, while typing this, I'd like to sit here and have a good cry. If you'd like to know more about steroids, just ask Simon. He loves them....

All of my life with the exceptions of a few years early on in our marriage, I have had a cat in my house. My mother loves kitties and we have had at least one forever. We have one now, the size of the Hindenburg, that lives in my house. Interestingly, since the dog came to live with us, the kitty has been mainly upstairs and had taken to sleeping under my bed. She is now banned from my bedroom. I need to clean out my bedroom thoroughly and cover my mattress, boxspring, pillow, and probably get a new comforter since my old one is dry clean only. Oh, and then there's the blinds and curtains. Everything needs to be either covered or easily removable and washable. Sounds like fun, huh?!?!? So, since we have this kitty that my dd would die if anything EVER happened to her, and dust mites are basically everywhere, we are seriously considering that I do immunotherapy (40 shots -- once a week).

And lets talk about walnuts. Do you know how much I hate those things?!?!?! My mother is nut obsessed. Her favorite candy is chocolate covered nuts. In fact, my mil I think is her long lost sister in terms of the nut/cat thing. Dh and I spent our childhoods picking nuts out of everything. And guess which nut was the ONLY nut my ds tested negative to on his allergy tests!! You've got it....WALNUTS. Well, I don't care. They now have good reason to stay out of my house. Oh, and I noticed that when it said walnut it said "Walnut (English/Blk)". Black walnuts taste like dirt!!! Blech!!!!

Hungry for drive-thru?? Got $42.69???

2009-07-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

These guys have more nerve than I'll ever have. I'm told this idea has been around for a while using rap, but this is great stuff. Oh, and my sweet B used to run drive thru for Roy Roger's in PA (even got a mega-high score from a secret shopper--though not perfect--'cause the company doesn't EVER award a perfect score). Anyway, this is in her honor......(I love watching the order screen (= )

Cat Stories

2009-07-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

Iz, who is 6, has a very creative mind.
One Sunday morning, while on our way to church, he began telling us a story. It involved one of our kitties and these have evolved into what I affectionately term as Cat Stories. I think it all began in response to an incident where mom and dad asked once again which child was responsible for a mysterious event in the house. Of course, no one claimed to be the guilty party and I probably said something like...."Well, I guess it all happened by itself." Iz took that and ran with it. He began relating how Missy had done this or that which eventually led to the incident in question.

Now, when I am bored or the two of us are alone somewhere or we are driving as a family in the car, I ask him to tell me a Cat Story. They end up being hysterical. They are all about the misadventures of our kitties. They play games, cook on the grill, make spaghetti. You name it, our kitties have done it!! It is especially funny to picture one of our kitties doing these things since it is very obvious that she does NOTHING but eat and sleep. Sometimes, the other kids will try to join in, but their stories are not nearly as creative or funny as Iz.

Heck with June, what about July?!?

2009-07-15T06:39:00.000-07:00

Those of you who blog know how much of an effort it sometimes is to think of something amazing/interesting to post about consistently. Esp. when life outside the computer desk gets busier (in waves).

No, we're not giving up the blog. I'm still aprehensive about Facebook--though I don't really have a reason why. So we'll continue to do our thang in this space.

I have a post I began in May about B and my trip to Biltmore. I have a lot of pics and have been attempting to add them to the post but have failed to finish at the moment. I think I tend to write longer posts when I could probably break them up and get more out. So, Biltmore and Biltmore Garden pics are coming.

I'm also transitioning to working from home full-time (still with BofA). Much of our recent evenings have been spent painting the former girls/toy room and assembling curtains, desk, file cabinets. etc. I have a few "before" pics and plan on taking some "after" ones and posting them too. I'll be hanging shelves and getting a new chair and monitor (from the bank) next week.

So thanks for sticking with us and reading my boring post. As a reward, here's a video from Weird Al that made me smile about WDW's Jungle Cruise. (not my favorite attraction by any means--I'm a Pirates, Haunted Mansion, "old School" Tiki Room and Mr. Toad fan)

Skipper Dan

WHERE On Earth Did June Go?!?!

2009-07-03T14:51:00.000-07:00

Hey, I bet you thought that we were swallowed by our dog!!
Nah....
We're still here. Out doggie does try to eat everything she sees, but so far, we are still here.

Not much is going on. No, I mean REALLY!!!

My garden is not doing too well. While I have about a gallon of roma tomatoes on my counter praying I will turn them into some sauce, my plants are in sad shape. I can't figure out whether it is fungus, bugs, or what. I bought some neems last week and I hope to salvage as many as I can. Two of my tomato plants are beyond hope. Out of 6 zucchini plants, I have a grand total of ONE zucchini. I do have lots of cucumbers, but I think that they are all pickling so I guess I'll have to pickle them. I have some beans, but they aren't producing well. I will never try beans again. LOL. I have two peppers working on growing. I do have watermelons the size of marbles.

The doggie is getting fatter. The vet keeps telling us to feed her more. She loves us tremendously. I had to place a frantic call to the vet when she ate a prune that dropped to the floor due to an expression of sweet brotherly love. Prunes are fine even though if you look online you will find them placed with raisins and grapes which are toxic to dogs. She also seems to have a great fondness for gluten free bread. This she snatched from her first try at counter surfing. She doesn't like angry dogs barking on tv.

The older skibums are reading Greek and Roman classics through the summer. Nat, of course, is thoroughly disgusted. Iz is working on reading, although the last two weeks were somehow lost on me.

Soooooo Proud!!!

2009-06-08T14:17:00.000-07:00

This morning I took my oldest for some coffee. We had celebrating to do!!

She is now the proud owner of her very first driver's permit!!!!

Three cheers for my Bo!!!!
Way to go, sweetie!!!

B and Ski's Excellent Adventure: Part Two

2009-06-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

First a puppy update: Belle's doing much better. We're walking her every hour since she's, well, let's just say she probably had a lot of IV fluids to work through her system!

!!!!!!MASSIVE SUBJECT CHANGE!!!!!!!!!

(whew) Ok, here are some pics from our mountain getaway. We stayed at the Madison Inn. Let me just say if you're looking for a great little room for under $100 near Asheville (in our case WAY under), you'd be stupid not to at least TRY this place. I was a little concerned that it was a cinderblock building when we arrived but our room, the delightful "Charleston", was decorated with lots of romantic touches that made us feel like royalty, rockstars, or a couple out of the Great Gatsby. Everyone on staff was SO nice. We were the only guests and enjoyed talking a little to one of the owners during breakfast. "I hope you're hungry!" he said and repeated to us. We were, and breakfast (included with our stay) was DELICIOUS!! (birds in a nest, delicious fried potatoes, strawberry pancakes, bacon, oj, coffee--I'm getting hungry just writing about it). Excellent food, intimate atmosphere (Sinatra on the Sirrus radio in the background) and the most beautiful girl in the world at my table. I HAD to take a few pics!

We had a chance to walk around before checkout and take some pics of the outdoor eating areas too. Fountains, waterfalls (right above our room--we thought it
was raining all night), flowers, lanterns--really cool and relaxing. I wish we had time to just hang out and read in the rocking chairs! Maybe next time!

I also wish I had the presence of mind to take more pics of Black Mountain. (again, maybe next time) I really fell in love with the place--totally unexpected. LOTS of funky shops, a bookstore, antique shop, music store, restaurants (we need to try My Father's Pizza for lunch next trip as the German restaurant was quiet, but not very good), even a few night spots. Very non-commerical. It was great!! B already mentioned Ole's Guacamole where we ate dinner our first night. I'm not much into Mexican food, but it was THE BEST Mexican restaurant I've ever eaten at--AND it was dirt cheap. I think we got out of there for a little over twenty bucks including drinks. Wow, what tasty food! I took some pics outside which are more festive than the scary looking pic on the link above. TRY IT!!

So, add Black Mountain to Blowing Rock and Topsail Island on my list of favorite places in The North State, oh, and some day I'd love to buy a home in McAdenville.

Coming soon--pics from Biltmore. Stay tuned!

Poor Old Belle....

2009-06-02T19:30:00.001-07:00

Our sweet puppy was spayed today and was gone all day.
She is so tired and sad. She gave us some wags and we have given her some quiet gentle voices and pets. She took her pill and medicine without a complaint and although we knew she didn't want to, she obediently went outside for us before going to sleep. We all feel so bad for her. The poor thing would whine until she got some love and then she would fall asleep again. At one point, I was laying on the couch and reaching down to pet her and talking sweetly to her. She sat up, rested her head on my hand for a few moments and then laid back down on the floor to sleep.

Great product

2009-06-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

This is a boring post and I am going to warn you ahead of time. However, recently, on the boards I visit, there have been lots of people who have been asking about clogged drains. So here is my story....

Our house has always had slow drains. I am sure that it doesn't help that my three dds and I have longer hair. A few years ago, the drains were so bad that we were buying drain cleaner once a week for our drains. Since I am so frugal and have the opinion that there MUST be a better way to do things and I was worried about the effect of that much caustic substance in my pipes, I did some research. I couldn't find anything, but about the same time I tired of buying drain cleaner, I chanced to hear someone mention the zip-it. So the next time I went to Lowes, I spent less than $3 and bought this little gizmo.

A zip-it is a long, flexible stick. It has jagged little teeth on both sides. What you do is shove this stick down your drain and then pull it back out. What you pull out is absolutely disgusting. It stinks, and it looks dreadful. But if you do this once or twice, your drains will will be clear. Since I bought this product, I have not bought a single bottle of drain cleaner. When the drains start to slow, I just get out my zip-it and we are back in business. You can even do your tubs and showers!! The only drain I don't do is my kitchen sink.

If you want to check out the website, go here. I will warn you that they have pics of the gross stuff that comes out. It is the best $2 and change I think I have ever spent!!

Alone....at Last!!!

2009-05-28T17:38:00.000-07:00

My Ski is the most amazing guy!!

Last November, he had planned for us to go away. Unfortunately, I broke my leg and badly sprained my ankle and we had to cancel our plans. It was such a sad time for me. I had been looking forward to it a great deal and between my disappointment, medication, and the frustration of a broken leg, I really cried over this. However, Ski rescheduled and while the location was different, we had a great time. Through research, I found a great little inn with even better prices. They even gave Ski a discount on the rate that he saw. It wasn't overly fancy, but it was just what I needed.

You see, we have only been away overnight by ourselves twice since having children. Once was when our son died. My parents very graciously watched our three oldest children while we went off to Blowing Rock. All I remember of that trip was basically that I cried the entire time. It was a very sad time, but my friend HIGHLY recommended that we do this and I am so glad that we did. It was the only extended time that we had to grieve together without the children being around us. The second time that we tried was when our youngest was about 1yo and he came with us, so I guess technically, this doesn't count. It was around this time that we had begun realizing that he had food allergies. He wasn't the best companion and to add to that, our hotel room had a power failure and we were moved TWICE during our short stay. This did not make for either a restful time or a happy husband. Oh, and it rained and it was cold...October at the beach.

But this time we had a splendid time. Just the two of us for two entire days. Yes, it rained and sometimes it even poured. But we still had the best time.

We ended up spending one day poking around little shops in Black Mountain. We stopped in a German restaurant where I think I had the driest sandwich on earth. Ski had a Reuben which I think I would have liked, but it was not to Ski's liking. But still we laughed while I took great gulps of drink to keep from choking. There is a cool old fashioned hardware store that was neat to look at. We went to the thrift store and the used book store, of course. The guy in the bookstore told us all about Black Mountain College and showed us books and told us what he knew about it. In that store, I also found a copy of a book of Kate Greenaway plates. It was nothing to look at on the outside, but inside, it was just beautiful. Oh, my!!! I could barely hold it and I could NOT afford to buy it. When I gushed about the book to the store owner, I think it pleased him. When a lady in a Earthy/stone/crystal/gem kind of store found out it was my birthday, she let me pick a stone out. I didn't think about it at the time, but we went back the next day to ask her to make a necklace out of it, but they were closed. I think Christelle will try to make one for me, though. I thought that we could use some silk cord to do it so I could actually wear it. LOL.

We thought about eating at our inn, but it looked kind of fancy and we had brought only jeans along, so we ate at a Mexican place that someone recommended to us. All I can say is WOW!!! It was awesome food!! The owner is Mexican, I guess, and it was authentic food and CHEAP and FAST!! There were lots of locals eating there, so you know it was good. I had chicken mole with poblano peppers and it was soooooo good. I do NOT like hot things and this was really spicy to me, but it was so good that I ate all of it. I just ate lots and lots of chips and went through 3-4 drinks.

In the morning, we were served an awesome breakfast. We were the only guests there that morning so we had the restaurant all to ourselves. Imagine eating breakfast to Frank Sinatra under blue Christmas lights. It was so cool!!!

After checkout, we bought an umbrella at the hardware store and made our way to Asheville. There we toured Biltmore. Since this was only the second time we were there, we were surprised to see that there were Spring flowers in all of the vases. Someone was playing the organ in the Banquet Hall, and we saw four new rooms that were just opened. I had asked Ski if we could see the Gardens since last time, we were there in Feb and there were no flowers. I have been wishing for a visit to Longwood Gardens, or as my father calls it, Dupont Gardens. Growing up, my family would often visit Longwood almost any time of year. My mother loves orchids so she loved to visit in winter when the orchids bloomed in the greenhouses. I really miss having that wonderful place nearby. So I really wanted to see the gardens at Biltmore. Before we even arrived at the gates to the gardens, we could smell the scent of roses wafting up to us. We chatted with one of the gardeners and complimented her on her work. Only two people tend to the two HUGE rose gardens. They only use extra help when they have to dead head. I was impressed!! I noticed lots of lavender on the walls near the rose garden and I can only imagine how wonderful the aroma of both roses and lavender commingling would be. I wish that I could bottle that scent and take it home with me. When will someone invent smell photos?!?!!! Once again, we didn't make it to the farm, but we did stop by the winery.

I will stop here and I am sure that Ski will share more and the pics that we have from the trip.

Howz your week?

2009-05-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

Things are CA-RAY-ZEE for us at the moment. Lots of activity going on this weekend through next week. The family's going on our annual trek to see the spider lilies, B and I are getting away for a few days, plus we have an annual pest inspection, vet appt., friends graduating, etc. etc. etc. WHEW!! I'm tired just thinking about it!

So to help you smile your way into the weekend, here's another "so stupid it's funny" video from Ski. Enjoy!

It's those eyes

2009-05-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, we have a newsflash for y'all. We have a dog. Actually a puppy.

A BIG puppy.

Her name is Belle.

Someone on our neighborhood Yahoo group was giving her away for "free" after their son brought him home without checking with his parents (who already have a dog). She's supposedly nine weeks old and is pretty much crate trained and housebroken. The headline of "free Basset" caught B's eye and when she looked at the pictures, that was all it took.

So after three days of new dog ownership, we're all learning about authority, mercy, patience, and unconditional love. We had an old, grumpy basset years ago that liked to play mind games with us (hunger strikes, biting B, etc). We eventually brought him back and he lived his remaining year or two with a single guy, and was grumpy 'til the day he died. We've been burned by canine ownership before.

But so far Belle has been a very sweet, quiet, and quick-learning addition to our family. She seems to be a mix of basset and some breed with brindle (maybe she's a pitbull (= ). She definitely has some hound in her 'cause she sniffs and tracks almost constantly on her walks. Mistletoe, our indoor cat, is still very fearful of her and is temporarily eating upstairs. But Belle and Mocha, our outdoor cat, are slowly coming to an understanding of each other.

Of course H and C are thrilled. They've been asking for a dog for years. And I KNOW it's not free. The receipt for the crate, food, toys, leash, collar etc. etc. etc. show that. And her first doctor visit is on the 29th (yay).

But we're still happy to have her as our newest addition and for the lessons that she, and we, are learning. Enjoy the pics.

Strawberry Picking and Lessons in Ethics

2009-05-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

The other day, three of my children and I went strawberry picking. The other three chose not to go. Iz stayed home even though he went last year. I guess he doesn't have fond memories of the experience. At the place we pick, they tell you which fields that you are allowed to pick in. I explained to the kids how to pick and how to look at the berry before you pull it off. After we had been picking a few minutes, Si said to me, "You're not allowed to eat while you pick." Realizing that I had forgotten to mention this detail, I asked him why he said that. He told me that he had seen a sign of a berry with a bite in it in a circle with a line through it. I told him that was correct. I explained that since we pay by the container that if you eat berries before you pay, it is like stealing.

Not long after that, I noticed Simon walking towards field #3. I called to him and said that we were only supposed to pick in fields #1 & #2. A woman who was already picking in field #3 was very close to him and I am sure she heard me, but kept right on picking. So when we left, we saw the woman with her HUGE basket of contraband strawberries.

After I paid, Lydia asked if she could have some strawberries. I told her that when we got to the car, she could. The lady in the stand said, "Do you mean to tell me that you didn't eat ANY while you were picking?!?!?" The kids said "no" and I told her how I had explained that it was stealing to eat while picking. The lady said, "Of course, you can eat while picking!!! You just can't eat ALL of the berries." If I had my wits about me, I would have asked her about the sign and if I should have had my kids disobey the signs posted in the field. I am glad that my kids still felt it was wrong to eat them if the SIGNS said not to.

My kids are CRAZY!!!

2009-05-18T19:35:00.000-07:00

I went to a home school used book sale this afternoon that was a few towns away. It was pretty much a bust, but that's ok. Five of my dc went with me and we had lunch in the town park.

On the way home, I ran some errands. I stopped by a plant store that was really cool. They were sooooo nice there. Then I picked up a few groceries here and there. Between the long trip, a busy weekend and the fact I took zyrtec, I was extremely tired by the time I got to Walmart. All I wanted was something fast for dinner and something to wake me up. But, as we always say, Super Walmart sucks you in and never spits you out. It was not a good shopping trip. My kids were worn out and were wearing me out along with them. After awhile, they started to play a game. They followed single file. If I asked a question, apparently, they were to give an incorrect answer. If I said anything, they were to repeat it. If I asked someone to get something, they then went to the back of the line. At one point, I asked how someone got sent to the end of the line and they told me the rules. Si and Lyd would keep stepping on my sandals so I asked them to get things. Ha, ha, ha!! Another thing that they would do was to sway back and forth while they walked behind me and they sang "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." I don't know why. It was peculiar. And wow did we get some bizarre looks from people!! But at least they weren't bickering and complaining. :D

Cinnamon buns are yummy

2009-05-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

Took C to her first visit to our area IKEA store on our daddy date tonight. I bought some candles of various shapes that were marked down to $1.99. We had a good time pulling open all the drawers in the model kitchens to see where the room designers hid all the pots, utensils, food storage containers and other items. It was pretty fun.

After checking out, I decided to see if their cinnamon buns tasted as good as they smell. While they have less goo than the delectable Cinnabon ones in the mall, (and really, who over 40 goes to the mall any more?) they were pretty tasty--and only a buck. I'll be buying a pack to bring home to B next time if I'm there with our teens.

Our semi-wounded warrior

2009-05-15T21:01:00.000-07:00

Thursday night IZ took a tumble off of a slide in the backyard and seemed to be crying more than normal about his arm hurting. Fearing it may be broken, we brought him to an Urgent Care center for an x-ray.

The x-ray came back negative which is a good thing on several fronts. Since B will be going to her last orthopedist appt in early June, it would nice if no one had any ongoing bone injuries to follow up with.

The other positive thing is we now know IZ's bones are good and strong and not brittle even though he can't have any dairy in his diet. God has been so good in keeping him safe and helping him grow strong.

We're keeping his arm wrapped for now and giving him some Motrin to help with the pain. I guess he just has a bad sprain.

WooHoo!!!!

2009-05-14T20:34:00.000-07:00

The 'Canes are in the finals!!!
Gotta Love It!!!

Maybe I'll actually get to see a game now.....!!!

Gardening again

2009-05-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday afternoon I saw a neighbor out. I have always admired her yard so I went down to tell her how much I liked it. She ended up taking me into her back yard and I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO Jealous!!!!! Her dh used to be a contractor and he apparently loves gardening and projects. They have a nice hill in their backyard. It is kind of steep in one area so they dug a deep pond and made a waterfall. It is absolutely gorgeous. She said it took them a long time to do. It is made with flat stone and the walking surface is slate. They have a bunch of Koi and one is even 10 years old. Her dh also made a pergola and they are training Wisteria to grow up it.

She was really sweet and gave me some plants this evening that she dug up. I have no clue what they are. She doesn't know either. She told me that if she sees a plant that she likes, she asks for a cutting or to divide it and then plants it in her yard. These are green leaves that remind me of hostas, but they grow a large yellow flower.

In my yard, I am now desperately trying to think of how I will make my little perennial area beside my house. I have a Southern exposure and along part of it, I planned to plant some Purple cone flowers. I have them started and they are doing well. I think I will also add these new plants, but that means I need to get busy digging!!!!

I have also been thinking about a rose bush on this side. I have a terrible looking area in my yard that we call the "weed garden." It has some rose bushes in there that smell lovely, but are not very pretty. Plus, they are overrun by bugs. Blech. Also, there is wild mint and wild berries that never get juicy enough to eat unless you are a bug or bird. I was thinking of transplanting the roses, but I am not sure. I have been hearing lots of good things about the knockout rose and I saw one today at the neighbor's house. It is lovely and smells wonderful. I am considering planting one of these and ditching the entire contents of the "weed garden" with the exception of the daffodil bulbs that are buried somewhere in there.

The girls planted their tomato plants in pots today. And yes, I relinquished the cucumber to dd. I also looked closer at my cucumbers because I stuck a trellis in the tub. It turns out that one of them is a pickling cucumber!! I had not planned on that. My mom made pickles once and I didn't care for them. I am not sure if I am up to pickling cucumbers!!!

BTW....I wrote this post earlier, but didn't post it. My friend tells me that the plants my neighbor gave me are cannas. After reading about them, I debated whether to plant them by the window. Apparently some varieties can grow up to 15 feet!!! I am hoping that this is not the case with mine. If they grow too tall, I will dig them up and plant them somewhere else next year. But for now, they are staying.

And speaking of tanks....

2009-05-13T11:42:00.000-07:00

No, thank goodness, not another post about, ahem, well, you know.

This one's for my "big bro'" JayPa. He has a really cool blog about roller coasters that is currently kinda quiet since he's currently between jobs. In the meantime, he's serving B's family so well by laying down his life and caring for B's mom and dad as they deal with some medical issues. So it's my privilege to pump up his site to our readers. (BTW, If you're looking for a writer, editor, photographer PLEASE contact him)

Anyway, The Koaster Life did a story in February about the new Manta ride at Sea World. Orlando Attractions magazine recently posted a video of the new attraction's opening. So as a follow up to JayPa's post, here's a (somewhat grainy) video:

JayPa, someday you, me, and any brave ski-bum have to ride this thing together!! (=

Just a Few Things to Add..

2009-05-12T09:15:00.000-07:00

I really must reiterate how proud I am of Ski.
His persistence was really amazing. I thought I was going to cry when he said "One more time," but he triumphed over the porcelain!! It was a project that was beyond frustrating -- esp since our bathroom is the size of a pigeon hole. And though it was a tight squeeze and plumbing is not Ski's favorite way to pass the time, he got the job done. BTW, we both think that toilet removal is by far the easiest part of this job!!

Through it all, I learned all about flanges and that they are so named closet flanges after the water closet. I also learned that there is such a thing as a toilet shim. And while someone told me that wax rings smell, I learned that this is only the case if it is old. New ones have an unusual odor, but it is neither strong nor offensive. Oh, and I learned that it is really important to read a box before you buy and that bigger is not always better. The extra wax reinforced rings are for commercial toilets and not your run of the mill household toilets.

I think that there is an old lady who works in a Lowes near us who is concerned for out sanity. After so many visits and issues with our installation, we were getting a bit goofy because this is what you need to do or you will become angry or cry. So, we were telling her how we were never going to return to Lowe's again. I think she is convinced that we had been sniffing too much sewer gas.

But God is really good to us. One small example was when, at the last minute, I noticed that the rag was STILL in the sewer drain. Ack!! That would have been bad news. But before we set the thing down, I saw it and pulled it out. Oh, and when the toilet was a bit uneven, I remembered the silly Home Depot book had mentioned toilet shims. Who would have thought it!! Oh, and another thing that I think was completely miraculous is that with the number of times we did and redid this project, we did not break a thing!!!

Oh...and just so you know...the pic above is NOT our bathroom. I want you to know that just in case you are thinking like I am that their bolt looks a bit crooked. LOL

Man Beats Toilet in Ten Rounds

2009-05-11T21:22:00.000-07:00

**Fade in background music, "We Are The Champions" by Queen....."

It took 4 days, 10 trips to Lowes, (plus one to Walmart and Home Depot)....

...two assistants (B & NateGeo to help "line things up" and keep me from my "paralysis of analysis" tendencies by answering nagging questions in the back of my mind during the process)...

a new mini hacksaw and caulk gun plus misc. plumbing supplies.

But aggravation, from starting the process over three times, and gas, plus Starbucks $$ aside, I think I saved the $97 I would've been charged from a plumber install it.

Yes folks, I've successfully installed a toilet!!! This project kicked my butt two times, but the sweetest thing B said to me afterwards was she admired my perseverance in that I WANTED to try just ONE MORE TIME (though I was ready to call in my friends to rescue the project if I messed it up this last time--three strikes and I was ready to be out!!)

SO please pardon my posting a picture of my new commode on our blog (hope none of you are eating). All tests seem to indicate this was a sucessful install. We're still letting all the sealant dry for at least 24 hours before anyone will be given permission to use it.

(But seriously folks ---God is gracious to me, a man of unclean lips. To Him I give credit, thanks, and glory for His everyday grace shown to me, as I bring absolutely NOTHING to the table on projects like this!!!)

I'm a cotton-headed ninnymuggins

2009-05-09T19:47:00.000-07:00

I am NOT Mr. Fixit. It took me HOURS to replace a ceiling fan a few years ago (with B's help) 'cause I didn't know about the correct "existing electrical" box. But it works great now and I had the confidence last year to replace our bathroom light fixture--which was not to hard.

Friday I got a call that our downstairs toilet was leaking when it flushed. We had suspected IZ was "missing" when he used the bathroom, but we were wrong. Not knowing if there was any other damage, I thought we'd buy a new commode. Everyone assured me it was EASY to replace the wax ring seal and set the new one on the flange piece, which in our house is made of PVC and you put your bolts up through it to anchor the toilet. Sounds simple huh? Well, as one of my favorite phrases says, "Nothing is fool-proof to a sufficiently talented fool." and I am one!! Not only are my knees old, my shoulder's too big to squeeze in to the tight spaces of our half bath for "good tourque". But the worst thing I did was install the new wax sealing ring, that was probably the cause of our old one's problem, UPSIDE DOWN!!

SO tomorrow we'll go back to Lowes for a fifth time in three days and see about buying a new wax ring (and maybe some bolts). So far I haven't spent more than the $97 it would've cost to have a plumber install it--unless you can put a price on frustration.

I'm glad my Lord and my dear wife love me, not for my abilities and talents (or lack thereof). The attached pictures show me still smiling after Lowes trip #4 (for an extension to our water hookup). But aside from God's grace, and B's company, check what's in my hand that also helps me through this humbling exercise. (it rhymes with "car ducts") (=

One tomato, two tomato, three tomato.....

2009-05-08T06:32:00.000-07:00

I tried to start some seeds this year in peat pellets. I must have done something wrong because they began to die before I had a chance to plant them outside. I didn't even get to the two pairs of leaves stage. Maybe next year? Funny, though. I started some flowers not long ago and they are doing VERY well. Go figure....

Last weekend, we (Ski, the younger kids and I) went to the Farmer's Market. The big kids were sleeping in. LOL I had heard that they had good deals on plants. Since my seedlings died, I needed to purchase plants because it is getting late. I had never looked in the plant shed there, so I thought I would try it out. I was in search of some plants for my garden at a better price. Almost as soon as I walked in, I found some lovely Roma tomato plants. I bought 9 Romas and 3 peppers and 6 zuchinni. What?!?!?! Am I crazy buying THAT many zuchinni plants?!?! I hope my friends love zuchinni!! Anyway, I paid half the price of plants at Lowes. They were selling them for $1.50 for my big, beautiful tomato plants and $1.50 for three smaller plants like my peppers and squash. Unfortunately, they didn't have any cherry tomatoes. Boo loves cherry tomatoes so I decided that I would grow one plant just for her. We did find one at Lowes and I also got some cucumber plants there.

Well, I thought I was done with tomatoes. Not so!!!

Yesterday morning, the girls and I went to a program at our local library. They had a seed wholesaler speak to us about gardening. It was very interesting. One thing I learned is that you do not need to plant two squash plants. You can just plant one!! But if you only plant one, you need some pretty flowers in order to draw the bees to your squash. Huh!!

Anyway, the guy really likes tomato plants. In fact, he has 150 plants in HIS yard!!!! That's a TON of tomatoes!!! So he really encouraged all of the new people to plant tomatoes because he thinks that they are so easy to grow. He was also really excited to see kids there. He wants them to be interested in gardening. When he left, he gave all of us, including the kids, a cherry tomato plant. So now I have 14 tomato plants!!!! Of course, the girls say that they are not MY plants. We are going to grow theirs in containers so we have only planted one of them in the garden. I need more containers and dirt for the others. My plant went into the garden.

Any ideas on where to fine cheap large containers?

Oh, and the librarian gave me some bean plants and a cucumber. I was going to put the cucumber in my tub with the others, but one of my girls wants it. We will see....

Increasing my carbon footprint--ttttthhhhbbbbppp!!

2009-05-07T07:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, I tried. We had an old lawnmower that died. My friend who can fix tractors couldn't even figure out what was wrong with it. So I drydocked it in our garage (with a nearly full tank of gas of course) and caved in and got a reel lawnmower.

No, that's not a spelling error.

Since gas prices were going CRAZY, my sweet B thought we should look into a push mower. Hey. they look pretty impressive in the videos. So, since my young buck, N is doing the yard (with me breaking trimmers right and left--but that's another post) he liked the workout and used it all last summer.

The problem is if you don't spend inordinate amounts of time (and $$) on your lawn so it's like a shag carpet (and I don't), you get tall weeds, clover, and crabgrass, which, hey, I don't care. The reel mower however just bends the tall stuff and leaves it alone so you finish with the job and you have these lone tall grass shoots sticking up--especially if you have a hill, tree roots and other "imperfections" in your yard.

So you now have four options: 1) do the whole thing again 2) ignore it 3) follow up on the long stuff with the weedwacker/trimmer--which was what we did or 4) spend even MORE $$ and get another gas powered one.

Since, after much hassle, the State of NC finally believed we had six kids living in our house, we got our state tax refund (after almost two months of waiting). One of the first things I did (aside from replenishing our poor savings account) was to run out to WalMart and BUY A NEW MOWER!! (yes, I know, I still don't like WalMart but I've been checking prices and models since we bought the "earth biscuit mower" so I knew what I wanted and how much I was willing to pay).

We're still keeping the reel one. Maybe next year I'll start S on it.

Now I just need to figure out the easiest way to drain the gas out of the old one.

Here's Some Pics

2009-05-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

These are for my mil who wanted to see the Clematis.
She bought this for me a few years ago and the year we planted it, I thought for SURE it died.

Well, look at it now!!

BTW, the color is more dark purple than it looks in the two close up pics. Also, it is getting a little overrun with Black-eyed Susan down there so I should call my friend to come over and dig some up.

My Recipe Creation

2009-05-06T13:09:00.000-07:00

Last week, I had a day full of shopping.
These are my least favorite days. First of all, I don't really like to shop. Secondly, when I arrive home after a long day out, I KNOW I will have to make dinner. Anyone who knows me, knows I am not really a planner. So, I rarely plan ahead for what I will make when I get home from shopping.

So, last week while I was shopping, I found some chicken legs marked down. So, when I got home, I did the following....

In my pressure cooker, I sauteed onions, garlic and zucchini. Then I put the chicken in and poured two cans of diced tomatoes on top. Cook for 20 min and eat. It was sooooo good!! I wish I had a bigger pressure cooker so I could have put more goodies in it.

Yes....Spring has Sprung

2009-04-18T07:21:00.000-07:00

It is so beautiful right now. I thought I would post a little blurb since Ski did recently.

The birds are going nuts. We actually had a nest in our bathroom vent, but the babies have flown and we now have cages over our outside vents. I would have taken photos, but there wasn't much to see. We also found remains of two robin eggs in the back yard. The kids thought that these were cool.

We are enlarging the garden, but I don't have it started yet. I need to get some humus and then we can work on it. I have been to our Lowes twice and they didn't have any either time.

My Clematis that my mother-in-law gave to me surprises me every year. It dies back every year and, every year, comes back bigger. I have given up trying to train it up my mailbox without spending money so I bought a pretty, but inexpensive, trellis to get it halfway up. Hopefully I can get it the rest of the way up from there. I will try to remember to take photos when it blooms.

I am thinking about two gardening projects, but am also trying to figure out the cheapest way possible to do them both. So if anyone who is out there reading this has great frugal gardening tips, please share them with me!!

I ain't no pansy (but I like 'em)

2009-04-16T17:57:00.001-07:00

Spring used to be my favorite season growing up. We lived for 7 years in the dairy country of NJ (yes it's not all toxic waste dumps--sheesh!). Our next door neighbor had a landscaping company so his property was AMAZING and fun to sneak around in. Down the street there was pond and woods everywhere with streams and creeks flowing through them. You could tell when spring was in the the air because everything started turning green and you could smell the wet earth. There were amazing creatures like frogs, crayfish, water striders and minnows in the water and every rock seem to have a cricket, worm or salamander under it.

My mom grew up on a (veggie) farm and her side of the family knows more about plants, flowers and trees than I'll ever learn. My sweet B loves gardening and I just can't help buying her a little plant or flower when we go to Lowes. We're slowly transforming our yard to be more garden-based and I love sitting outside looking at all the flowers and watching the birds for a few minutes rest after my runs. (BTW, did you notice my Nike Me dude is finally happy with me again? I stopped running for three weeks after my surgery in January and he gave me grief for a LONG time after. I'm thinking of running in a 5k in the beginning of May--we'll see).

Anyway, for those of you who AREN'T experiencing weeks of beautiful sunny 70 degree weather (deep breath........aaaaahhhhhh), here are some pics of some of the flowers we had around Easter (crocus--my favorite, and tulips B planted, and african daisies, and pansies I bought)

Favorite Poetry

2009-03-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

Someone asked on my favorite board awhile ago what my favorite poem was.
This is a very difficult question for me.
I was a literature major so I have a thing for the written word. My mother would also call me moody, so poetry seems to fit me well. I actually used to write reams of poetry. I haven't written anything in a very long time. Most people that I showed any of them to, didn't like them anyway. They did not have meter and they rarely rhymed. They were sometimes kind of difficult to understand. Yes, I'll admit it.....I was kind of proud of that. As it turned out, my great grandmother also wrote reams of poetry as well. Of course, hers were beautiful, they rhymed and had a meter and a sense of style and orderliness to them.

Anyway, here are three of my favorite poems:

I bet someone who reads this post will not like this one. I love it. I think it is beautiful and very visual.

Seperation
by W. S. Merwin
Your absence has gone through me
Like thread through a needle.
Everything I do is stitched with its color.

Sonnet 75 from The Amoretti
by Edmund Spenser

One day I wrote her name upon the strand,

But came the waves and washed it away:

Again I wrote it with a second hand,

But came the tide, and made my pains his prey.

"Vain man," said she, "that dost in vain assay,

A mortal thing so to immortalize;

For I myself shall like to this decay,

And eke my name be wiped out likewise."

"Not so," (quod I) "let baser things devise

To die in dust, but you shall live by fame:

My verse your vertues rare shall eternize,

And in the heavens write your glorious name:

Where whenas death shall all the world subdue,

Our love shall live, and later life renew."

And finally.....
As The Ruin Falls
by C.S. Lewis

All this is flashy rhetoric about loving you.
I never had a selfless thought since I was born.
I am mercenary and self-seeking through and through:
I want God, you, all friends, merely to serve my turn.

Peace, re-assurance, pleasure, are the goals I seek,
I cannot crawl one inch outside my proper skin:
I talk of love —a scholar's parrot may talk Greek—
But, self-imprisoned, always end where I begin.

Only that now you have taught me (but how late) my lack.
I see the chasm. And everything you are was making
My heart into a bridge by which I might get back
From exile, and grow man. And now the bridge is breaking.

For this I bless you as the ruin falls. The pains
You give me are more precious than all other gains.

Under Pressure

2009-03-13T12:19:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite gifts that I got for Christmas is a pressure cooker. The only thing I don't like about it is that it is too small. I got one somewhere that was ancient and I fell in love with it. But I needed a new gasket and I couldn't find one. Then, a friend gave me one, but it didn't have directions with it. I couldn't figure out how to open the crazy thing and the pressure didn't seem to lower and I ended up breaking it trying to open it the first time I used it. So, Ski found a new one for me. I made up a chicken dish for it that is really simple....just chicken, tomatoes, onions, carrots, and some black olives. It is really good and it makes a nice juicey mixture that we pour over some noodles.

Yesterday, I was at HT and they had these little "steaks" marked down for a buck something. I snatched them up thinking I could grill them for lunch for Ski and I sometime. When I got home, I started googling for a good recipe. Turns out, these are not little fillets like I thought. They are some gnarly little tough things that they make sound pretty darn awesome on the label. The best way to cook them is to braise -- think stew or soup. So, after a loooooong time searching the net, I came up with this recipe.

Now, I must admit that pouring coke into my pressure cooker did not sound like a good idea. But I thought....what is there to loose? So, I cut up my fillets and browned them. I skipped the wine since I didn't have any I wanted to throw in there and I didn't put an entire can of coke in there -- maybe 3/4 cup. I think I would put less in next time. So then I went off cooking. In about 20 min, I had a really awesome stew with the most tender meat ever!! I made this just for Ski and I, but there was plenty for 4. The kids all had other things, but Hannah, who had gone out before dinner, had some when she got home.

Hmmmm....I will have to keep an eye out for more really cheap cuts of meat to cook in my pressure cooker.

A Lydia-ism

2009-03-11T12:20:00.000-07:00

So, you have heard me mention the Lydia-isms. They really are hysterical. But sometimes they just don't translate to others. Sometimes, you just have to be there. Other times, they are funny because you can just hear her say it. Last night, Ski told me a good one that I thought I would share with you....

First, you need to know what Dots are. They are a common candy found in our house because 1) Ski loves them and 2) it is one of the few candies that Isaac can eat. They are flavored gumdrops that come in lime, strawberry, cherry, lemon, and orange.

The Lydiaism for today is: Yellow Dots confuse me.

First, you must understand how deadly serious she must have said this. I was not there when the conversation took place. But I can hear her clearly in my head saying this. She is not trying to be funny. Apparently, she loves the green Dots, but does not like the yellow Dots. It seems that in her mind if you like lime, you must like the lemon ones, but she is puzzled that this is not the case with her.

Mmmmm...Have a sip!!!

2009-03-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

One thing that Ski and I missed greatly when we moved here from PA is tea cooler.
I had a friend up there who was nearly addicted to the stuff. It is a mixture of iced tea and lemonade. They have other flavors, too, like orange and peach. I think that orange is my favorite, though.

Not long ago, we were in HT and Ski noticed jugs of tea cooler!! Of course, he bought some and ever since I have been craving it. So, since it is getting warmer, I thought I would try to make my own. I happened to find lemons on a good sale, but I plan to use lemon juice in the future. I made it based on hillbilly housewife's lemonade, but halved it and left out the sugar and added tea according to the box minus sugar. Then I added a simple syrup.

Here's my recipe:
1 c lemon juice
2 family size teabags
@ 2 c sugar
Water

Boil water in 2qt saucepan
Steep two family sized tea bags for 10 min
Combine with 1 c lemon juice
Make simple syrup using 1:1 ratio of sugar to water
This made a gallon of tea.

I didn't quite use 2 cups of sugar.

BTW, the smell of a bowl of fresh lemons is pretty awesome!!
And if any of you have not found Hillbilly Housewife, here is a link. I used to use her recipes alot but that was before food allergies came into my life. Recently, I have been combing her site again looking to see if there is anything hiding that I can remake into "safe" food. If you've never checked out her site, you should. Tons of recipes and lots of neat ideas.

Oh, Oh, oh, oh!!!!
I completely forgot that the K. family did serve us the best lemony sweet tea that I have ever had and this helped inspire my recent cravings as well. But their tea was really awesome....

Covert Laundry

2009-03-09T10:57:00.000-07:00

Today is such a beautiful day that it makes me want to do laundry.

Since I was a little girl, I have loved hanging laundry.
I love the smell of sheets dried in the breeze. I loved to hear the snap of the sheets in the wind. I loved the stiffness of my sheets that my mother had just brought in from the line.

At our first home, we had lots of trees and I had two long lines that I hung laundry on. I am not hard core at laundry hanging. My neighbor while we lived in our little house was. She hung every article of clothing that they owned 365 days a year. I will never forget her rows of jeans hanging stiffly in freezing temperatures. I discovered late that they hung all of their clothes because they did not own a dryer. When I heard of a free dryer, I got it for her and she was so pleased even though she wasn't sure they would be able to hook it up.

Last spring, with rising energy costs, people were talking a lot about line drying. That coupled with a few visits to my mother's house where she line dries in the warm weather urged me to seek out the bylaws of my neighborhood. About this same time, I saw someone line drying down the street. I looked and lo and behold, the bylaws did not prohibit line drying. They said that I could erect a line directly behind my house. I decided then to ponder this a bit more. In the meanwhile, there were messages flying back and forth about whether you were allowed to line dry or not. Someone on the board sent an email saying that the bylaws prohibit line drying. By this time, I had decided that I was going to purchase an umbrella dryer so in order to keep a low profile, I decided not to dispute what I felt was erroneous information.

Not long after, I arrived home with my brand new umbrella dryer. I line dried all summer and I ended up keeping up much more with my laundry. However, I made a few rules for myself in order to keep attention away from my laundry. So, this is what I do:

1) I only dry during the week and be sure to have all laundry in by 5pm.
2) If I hang underwear, I only hang it on the inside of my dryer -- I know that people who find line drying offensive usually are the ones who don't want to see undies hanging around. I usually have some jeans which I dry in the dryer, so undies and socks get thrown in with those for simplicity
3) I take my umbrella in every night -- this saves on wear and tear on my dryer as well
4) My dryer anchor is directly behind my house as per neighborhood bylaws

I figure that if I don't make a big stink about it, I can dry my clothes in happiness. If anyone ever questioned me, I would point them to the statement in the bylaws. I just don't want to raise a fuss. BTW, I got my umbrella at Home Depot and while I wouldn't trust it with jeans, I have hung sweatpants, sweaters, sweatshirts, and twin comforters. I don't think that I could fit 4 loads of laundry on it, though.The funny thing is, that I have maybe four or five houses that could see me. My neighbor on one side works 9-5. My other neighbor is home most of the time, but there is a line of trees between us, so there is no clear view. There is a house diagonal to me that I rarely see people at during the day. But someone must be there. Not long after I began line drying, they erected a line as well. Maybe I will start a trend. Until then, I will enjoy my covert laundry drying.

Guess what I'm doing today?!?!?

Getting to Know You

2009-03-07T19:59:00.000-08:00

This post is looooooong overdue, but you still need to hear the story.
Besides my love of hockey, we traveled a few weekends ago to the Raleigh area for a completely different reason. Last summer, Ski and our older Ski-bums went to a youth retreat in Virginia. The kids had a blast and two of them ended up making new friends. One evening, Nate introduced himself to a young man who was playing pool. Both he and Ski met the boy and his father. After returning home, the boys began e-mailing each other. Frequently, their boy would invite us up to their church. One night Ski got the bright idea of seeing a hockey game and visiting them as well. So, we had Nate e-mail and ask if he was serious and if the invitation included all 8 of us. We were fairly sure that they were not serious. Well, it turned out after a few e-mails back and forth with son, mom, and dad e-mailing Ski and Nate, that they were serious and that ALL of us were invited. So, we figured out some days and they were very open.

After the hockey game ended, we made our way to the K. house. It was a bit of a drive and we found ourselves kind of lost. We had to call them, but they got us to the road that we had been unable to find. We found ourselves driving up a driveway in the middle of the woods. They all came out to meet us and the mom rattled off all of our names which is not an easy feat for someone who had never met us. LOL Their home was absolutely beautiful. I was immediately drawn to all of the books. The kids were fascinated by the circular stairway -- until they found the elevator. After they told us not to take it to the third floor, I was deathly afraid that the younger kids would push the wrong button. The boys spent lots of time downstairs which I heard was cool, but I never made it down there. They had a HUGE fireplace which did an amazing job keeping the house warm.

I must say, more amazing than their home and the location of their home was the family themselves. They were so welcoming and kind and just so friendly. Over the next two days, we talked and talked and piece by piece we learned about each others' lives. Unfortunately, we are night owls and they are not early birds either. So, on Fri. and Sat. we stayed up til about 2am just talking. The younger kids stayed up waaaaay too late and the boys....well, I'll just say that on Fri night, they were up later than us. It is really an amazing feat that none of us fell asleep in church on Sunday morning.

On Sat, they took us to a park where we all hiked. The scenery was just beautiful. There must have been five hawks flying around and I love to watch birds of prey. It was nice and flat so I didn't have any trouble. I certainly didn't need an ATV to get home. When we got home, we made dinner. We had turkey and okra and tomatoes and ratatouille and tons more food. The girls, Mrs. K, and I all worked on dinner. Curly chopped all the veggies for the ratatouille. Mrs. K. made a really interesting gravy. It was a Southern style white gravy and it was REALLY good. I wasn't paying attention, but Ski FILLED his plate with the gravy until one of the girls exclaimed, "Dad!!!! That's GRAVY -- not potatoes." Ski and I loved the okra and tomatoes. I got to be embarrassed by my dear Lydia. She always tells it like it is and when the raw veggie platter came to her, she exclaimed quite loudly, "I hate raw broccoli." I am not sure WHY she said this since later in the evening, she ate a good bit of it. Our host got to hear some of her Lydia-isms as well. She has a very dry sense of humor and says very funny things, but they just don't come across the same told second hand.

Lydia and Isaac had a blast playing with their little girl. She is all into playing mommy and Lydia was thrilled to have a playmate because that doesn't happen often. Their daughter was born in China and she is as cute as a button. She really likes to dance and she was really rocking out to the music in our car. Oh, and she also loves to eat -- especially pizza from what I am told. She obviously loves her brothers very much and who could blame them. Their boys are just really neat, considerate, young men. They are so funny and interesting.

After dinner, they were going to take us to see some cows that look like these: But, the place was closed. Apparently, they are never closed. But we still had fun with all 13 of us visiting Harris Teeter together. Someone actually laughed to see us all together. We came home and had chocolate cake and stayed up late again.

Amazingly, we were able to get up and to church on time. We saw three people from our church and a couple that moved from our town years ago just happened to sit in front of us. After church, we went for pizza. It was some AWESOME pizza. When we finally left thier home, it was late in the afternoon and I am sure that they were exhausted. Ski was tired himself, so I drove a bit so he could rest. We got home pretty late and we were soooooo tired. But we had the BEST time at their house. I even thanked Nate for introducing himself to them.

BTW, here is a pic of Nate and his friends.

Nate, of course, is on the left with T (c) and L(r) waiting for pizza....Don't they look like they are starving?!?!?!?!

Unfortunately, while we brought our camera, we just didn't take any pics at all. Shucks.....I guess we'll have to go back and take some pics. So, if any of you K's read this, thanks for the awesome time!!!!

**Ski said: I totally concur with my sweet B about our weekend. What an awesome God we have that He would bring us into fellowship with His awesome people. While this trip was supposed to be a little R&R for me, I DID manage to fire off a few pics of the kids after a hike and the K boys with N (and the sun in their eyes) before our Sunday afternoon trip home. Mr. K, I will be praying that your job becomes "unfrozen" and/or the Lord provides some other path. Thank you for your gracious and adventurous wife and family. They are an evidence of your God-focused leadership and are a HUGE blessing to us.

Your house is indeed amazing and God's grace shown to us through your hearts of hospitality was even more amazing. Philippians 1: 3-6**

Snow pics!

2009-03-02T20:13:00.001-08:00

Per B's post, here are some pics from "Winter Blast 2009". I used the "Snow and beach" mode of my Olympus point and shoot. It probably under exposes the shot by a stop or two. I really am pleased with the color saturation using this mode. Maybe I should use it all the time:

IZ was so happy! The last time we got this much snow was in 2004 and he was only one year old! He had a much more memorable time this year!

One other thing I noticed this year--the kids are a LOT more accurate in their snowball throwing!!

SNOW!!!!

2009-03-01T21:02:00.000-08:00

It has been snowing since about 5pm and it is now midnight and STILL snowing.
It is supposed to keep snowing until about 4am.
It is packing snow, so it should be fun. We have two sleds from a few years ago.
There will be pictures tomorrow!!
STAY WARM!!

That's What I Like!!!

2009-02-27T15:45:00.000-08:00

Growing up in the North, I learned to love ice hockey.
It all began in jr. high when my best friend introduced me to the Flyers. This team became the only Philadelphia sports team that I have ever liked. I will admit to a special preference for Mike Schmidt, but other than that, I disliked the Sixers, Phillies, and the Eagles. I am not even going to mention the Pittsburgh teams....although Mario Lemieux was awesome. My friends father happened to be an avid hockey fan who shared his zeal for the sport with his children despite the fact that they were three daughters. They went to many home games even though we lived hours away from Philadelphia. I grew to love the sport.

When we moved to a different town, my youth group would go to occasional games at the Hershey arena. While they were not the Flyers by a longshot (or my love to hate them Blackhawks), the Bears filled my hockey quota. I sadly took for granted the hockey life up north. I never dreamed that there would come a day when hockey on tv would be hard to come by.

Hockey on tv is the one sport that I can get into. I can be in a room by myself and be screaming at the tv. The only other tv sport this happens with is when the Yanks are in the World Series and then I get so tied up in knots that I just don't watch. But hockey....I love the physical action of it all. Those guys skate better than any figure skater and play sports at the same time. It is just awesome. I am probably the only girl who ever thought that if she were a guy, she would want to be a pro hockey player. While I could never roller skate, I used to love ice skating and the one sport I might have participated in high school was field hockey. Put the two together and it is a match made in heaven. I sadly missed the Stanley Cup when it came to town. I wish I would have gone. I would have kissed it! I know that sounds weird, but that is what you do.

So I was absolutely delighted when Ski decided to take us to see the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh. It was my first NHL hockey game and since it was family night, the tickets were a good price. I was not disappointed!! The game was so totally awesome!! There were fights, penalties, power plays, and great scoring moments. The only down side was looking at all the people there that I am sure had season tickets and went to every home game. I was green with envy....

There is so much more to our trip, but I will make you wait for now to hear about that.

Come celebrate Fasnacht Day with us!

2009-02-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

If B can post about the Poles, I can post about another family tradition we celebrate today, Fasnacht Day.

Fascnachts are made in Switzerland, during an annual festival, and in PA Dutch country to use up the lard, sugar, fat and butter in the house that was prohibited during Lent. The Poles also celebrate their version of "Fat Tuesday" by eating pączki which are usually filled with jelly or creme. So that ties both of our heritages together.

I just like eating donuts--for any reason. I don't care if they're Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts or from a grocery store, though my favorite is DD Strawberry jelly filled.

So get some coffee and join us for a yummy tradition!

BTW, here's some interesting info I found on Wikipedia:

In Romania, they are called gogoşi and are a very popular snack, especially during the summer.

In Iran, they are called "Pi-rash-ki" and are very popular, especially among the children.

In Russian cuisine, the word "pączki" transformed phonetically into ponchiki (Russian: пончики, plural form of пончик, ponchik) or pyshki (Russian: пышки, especially in St. Petersburg). Ponchiki are a very popular sweet doughnut, with many fast and simple recipes available in Russian cookbooks for making them at home as a breakfast or coffee pastry.

In Ukrainian cuisine, they are called пампушки, pampushky.

In German and Danish, they are called Berliner. In Austria they are called Krapfen.

In Lithuanian cuisine, they're called spurgos.

In Portuguese tradition, a similar confection called the malasada is made during Fat Tuesday.

In Hawaii, where Portuguese immigrants worked the sugarcane and pineapple plantations, malasadas are a popular breakfast or dessert item that can be purchased at countless malasada bakeries.

In Brazil, it's called Sonho - Portuguese for "dream".

In Mexico, it's called Bola de Berlín - Spanish for "Berlin ball"

In Chile, it's called berlín - Spanish for "berliner".

In Hungary, it is called fánk.

In Italy they are called bomboloni.

Daj Mi Buzi

2009-02-19T07:26:00.000-08:00

My family growing up was basically half German and half Swiss. Trust me, there are tons of other things thrown in here and there. But, the fact is that my mother is mostly Swiss and my father is mostly German. I spent most of my life near my father's family so mostly the German culture has rubbed off on me. My dad grew up in the heart of PA German country. I was trying to do a bit of genealogy and found that one or two families that one family back there had a whole town named after them. A visit to my grandmother's house always included food and a table set with at least 7 sweets and seven sours. I used to help get lunch on the table and it was a very time consuming process. The breakfast and dinner table were much the same. At breakfast, there was always shoo fly. I grew up with Lebanon bologna, German Ring bologna, schnitz, bot boi, and many other PA German delights. My great Aunt married a Scot and she gave my grandmother a recipe for mince that was a childhood favorite of mine.

When I was about 8 or 9 years old, we moved to the coal regions of central PA. Here, I was introduced to a whole cultural life that was new to me. I fell in love with the foods and folklore of Eastern Europeans. I learned about pierogies, kielbasa, pisanky and golumpki. I learned to dance the polka and how to pronounce foot long names originating from Polish, Russian, and Czech. I had my first taste of baklava and my first gyro and learned how to pronounce it. I met Welsh people and tried to sing in Welsh. All those years living with various cultures gave me a love for foods and cultures of different people. Part of my love for studying language is that it includes getting to know the culture in order to better understand the words.

But I also developed a love for the Poles in particular. As I looked around me, the history of the mines depended greatly on those industrious people from Poland and other nations who came here looking for a better life. I could not imagine working in darkness for much of my life. No only that, but they risked a sure and eventual, yet slow death from breathing the dust from the mines day by day. Then, in 1981, I will never forget lighting candles on Christmas Eve on behalf of those in Poland who were being so mistreated. Here is a link I found to a copy of the speech that Ronald Reagan gave that year.

When I later entered college, I met Ski. Imagine!! I fell fore a Pole!! I will never forget stopping in Ashland at a little diner where he ate his first pierogi. Funny as it seems, while Ski is from NJ and I am from PA, I recently learned that his great grandfather once lived not far from the coal mining town that I once lived in. Since Ski grew up with little Polish culture, it has been my goal to keep a cultural heritage of sorts for my children. It is kind of funny that even though Ski's last name has been anglicized, people still can't pronounce it.

On Shrove Tuesday, we celebrate Fastnacht Day which is a German tradition. We hang a Moravian Star on our house at Christmas which reminds me of my home in PA. On New Years, we have pork and Sauerkraut.

This year, we set an extra place at the table for the Christ Child which is a Polish Tradition. Next year, I plan on adding straw to our table to remind us of the stable which is another Polish tradition. I make a casserole with the ingredients of golumpki, but is much easier to make than the individual pigeons. We also eat pierogies. Unfortunately, I have not found a source for REAL kielbasa. I have not had it in years. But I am always on the lookout. Oh, and we looooove to listen to Polkas. And if I am in the mood, I will grab someone and try to teach them how to polka.

When we went to Washington, D.C., Ski made a point to stop at the statue of Kasimir Pulaski who was a famous Revolutionary War hero. In some places, they celebrate Pulaski Day and it is Ski's dream to someday visit one of these celebrations.

Ski is also part American Indian and whenever we come across Indians in our studies, we try to talk about the kids' ancestry. Something else Ski would love to do someday is to visit the area where his ancestors lived in NY state. Any time I see a book on the Iroquois, I pick it up.

Awhile ago, I came across this cool video on you-tube on Polish history. I thought it would be fitting to add it in here. It is 10 min long, but very well done.

What a Sweetie!!

2009-02-18T17:42:00.000-08:00

While Ski and I tend to be romantics, it has happened that in our 20+ year relationship, flowers have not been commonly involved. I have dear memories of flowers that Ski has given to me. But while he has given me many other things through the years, flowers are a rarity. Do not be mistaken. Ski is very kind and giving to me. He writes things down that I mention all the time. He buys books for me that he has remembered that I liked. He buys me breakfast and brings coffee home for me. He picks up little things here and there and blesses me often with little things. He knows how I dislike my birthday and always tries to make it special for me. In fact, the frequency of his giving me flowers probably matches my desire for them. I rather like his creativity in giving rather than resorting to the same old thing all the time. But I am a female and I doooo love flowers!! Imagine my delight when the doorbell rang last Thursday afternoon and I received these:

Two dozen of the most fragrant and beautiful roses ever. Not only do they look beautiful, but they smell incredible as well. And they are still going strong!!! I tell you, I am a blessed woman!! The funny thing is that they reminded me of when Ski and I had just begun dating. He came by after I returned to my dorm from the movies with some friends. In his hand were three lovely roses that he had found in our college rose garden. It was going to frost and he cut them for me. He told me that he had picked them just so that they could see how beautiful I was. Isn't that amazing??!!?

Hope you all had a great Valentin's Day!!

I'm not sure how I feel about this

2009-02-18T12:13:00.000-08:00

Ok, you know Ski loves the mouse. You also know that I can't play a chordal instrument and therefore can't compose awesome tuneages for my Savior or my sweet B. *sigh*

BUT WAIT!! Now Disney has come out with PC software called "Disney Star Guitarist" which is like a cross between Guitar Hero (which I've never played) and playing real chords on a (IMHO) slightly girly-looking 3/4 scale guitar. (maybe they'll put out a black one with flames on it--or a pirate skull)

Oh, and it's for $200. Ouch.

I will be keeping my mind's eye on this since it seems pretty cool and would probably help me learn some chords (or at least some Disney songs to annoy people with). I think, depending on what the price does, it still falls behind a GPS, a Flip Video camera and an HD TV on the "techie lifestyle upgrade" priority list. I'm still pretty much a slow adapter. We don't have Facebook, Netflix or a camera phone in our house either. *sarcastic gasp!!*

Anyway, check out the video from this year's Consumer Electronics show. It's pretty cool:

Oh, and they also have similar software for keyboard. Hmmmm...

14 Songs

2009-02-13T13:49:00.000-08:00

Today's post is a listing of 14 random songs on my Ipod that remind me of Ski....

1) No Ship Coming In by The Lost Dogs -- "By Grace we remain, with hands in the flame, but I will love you forever!!"

2) Twenty-four by Switchfoot --
"Life is not what I thought it was, 24 hours ago....
There's twenty-four reasons
To admit that I'm wrong
With all my excuses
Still twenty-four strong"

3) The Best Thing by Relient K
I'll go back to before we met
Try and erase the past
Try harder to forget cause
Nothing will ever be as good as here and now

Cause when I looked into your eyes
And you dared to stare right back
You should've said "Nice to meet you, I'm your other half"

4) Goldfish by The Wiggles
Bbbbb bbbb bbbb bbbb bbbb bbbb

5) What's Happened to You? by The Call
Don't take this lyric too personally. The Call just make me think of Ski.
What's happened to you
You used to be so unkind
You used to curse at this poor world
So what changed your mind

What stirred such compassion
Is a mystery to me
I don't know what happened
Oh, but I like what I see

6)Beautiful Scandalous Night by The Choir
This song just kills me. Not sure if I can quote part of it. Awesome, awesome song....

7) Fivetweezy by KJ52
WoooWooo!!

8) Any Time at All by T-Bone Burnett
I don't want to save you, rescue or enslave you
I only want to hear you, consider and be near you
No sorrow is too big, no feelin' is too small
I pledge to you my love, forever isn't any time at all
Isn't any time at all

9) Hallelujah by The O.C. Supertones
Happy horns -- makes me wanna spin!!

10) Farther Along by Lost Dogs
When we see Jesus comin' in glory
When He comes from His home in the sky
Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion
And we'll understand it all by and by

Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by

11) If the Bomb Fall by Larry Norman
Still a winner after all these years....
And through the years and all the long hard miles,
We'll shed some tears, but we will share the smiles.
Don't cry, I want you to know I love you.

If the bombs fall, baby I love you,
If they end it all, baby I love you
Through it all, I want you to know I love you.

12) Leprechaun by The Choir
For love of life and chlorophyll my favourite light is green.
And now I hope you're diggin' this way I dance a jig.
Honey, turn the porch light on.
High steppin' across your lawn.
If your thinkin' it's a leprechaun.
Well, it's only me living free tonight.

13) Diggin' Your Style by Steve Hindalong
Sincerely diggin' your style....

14) Nuts for You by 77s
Gotta put the ole 77s in there.

14 Memorable Date Nights

2009-02-11T06:30:00.001-08:00

Since Valentine's Day is coming up, I thought I would post some things with 14.
My first installment is date nights...

1) I guess I should begin with our first date. For us, we call it our first "official date." We were friends for several years and did a few things before we were actually dating. So, our first official date was on Halloween and if I remember correctly, it was a DeGarmo & Key concert in Lancaster. (ski: It was Geoff Moore and Petra) It was very fun. I don't remember much about it, really. I think this was the concert where Farrell and Farrell opened and the female half slipped on stage during the first number and injured herself. But this could have been on another occasion entirely. (ski: yep, that was WhiteHeart--see item 6 below)

2)One year, right before Christmas, Ski came to my house to visit. He then took me to Peddler's Village in Lahaska where we wandered around the shops and looked at the gingerbread houses. In the parking lot, he gave me his class ring. It was such a fun day that we had together. The parking lot was a gigantic sheet of ice and my mother fretted about us going out, but we had a safe trip and Ski made it home to NJ with not trouble at all. (ski: I remember eating a VERY late lunch at Burger King and NOT being hungry for your Mom's dinner--oops.)

3) Our worst Valentine's Day by far was the year that we went to Inner Harbor in Baltimore. It was ice cold and we had a huge argument. I can't recall what the problem was, but we ended up splitting up and wandering in through the shops by ourselves. I remember we somehow managed to meet in the middle and resolve our conflict. I presented him with a bouquet of flowers and he had bought himself a boxful of fudge. Somehow, we made it through ok. I don't know how. We used to have the worst arguments when we went out together. All I remember about that night is that I ate pizza with asparagus and crab meat which was absolutely delicious.

4)I love birds of prey. So, when Ski proposed, he took me to a high cliff that overlooked a river where hawks were soaring. There, he gave me a bouquet of flowers and nestled in a rose was an engagement ring. I was completely speechless. I didn't even give him an answer until about 10 minutes later. I had no idea because he had picked the ring out all by himself. Unfortunately, I had to work that afternoon so we couldn't spend the entire day together. But it was the most romantic thing Ski has ever done for me.

5) My dear Ski loves trains so one year I decided to take him to the Horseshoe Curve for his birthday. This place is an engineering feet in the world of trains. Unfortunately, they were doing some renovations so we were not allowed to go there. We had a huge lunch at Ponderosa and then made our way to my second stop of the day. There is a cool little park in Altoona, PA called Lakemont. I had planned to stop here and then perhaps a state park for some swimming. Since we had just eaten, we decided to go on simple rides like the train and paddle boats. We were having a grand time. Then, we walked past The Monster. I am not much for amusement park rides, but when I did like them, The Monster was one of my favorites. I begged Ski to go on it, so off we went. All went well, but the entire time I was spinning in circles, I felt a bit queasy. I kept telling Ski that I was going to be sick. He assured me that I would be fine. The ride ended without an incident. However, we happened to be the VERY last car that they let down. So, there we were stuck up in the air and suddenly, I couldn't take it anymore. I lost my lunch all over the place. When they finally let us out, the guy opened the bar and let out a huge "WHOOOAAA!!!" I scurried to the bathroom and Ski ran to the car to get my clothes. While I waited for him to return, I tried to be inconspicuous in a pavilion. Not far away from me, I heard a kid exclaim "Ewwww!!" while the guy at the ride hosed my seat down with a giant hose. I cannot tell you how grateful I was that I had packed extra clothes to change into. I don't think we ever ate at Ponderosa again after that and I don't think I have been on The Monster again, either.

BTW, the pic above is actually from Lakemont Park. Cool, huh?!?!

6) Once, before we were dating, Ski asked me if I wanted to go to an signing party at a bookstore an hour away from our college. I happily agreed and as it turned out, I was the only one who went with him. We drove down there and went to the party. It was a good time and fairly unmemorable. When we went to leave, we got in the car and at the first stop we made, the car died. Now, this was in the late 80s and Ski had a big old '72 Pontiac. The thing was a beast, but it always needed fixing. We figured out it was the carburetor. So, Ski went into the mall and bought some spray starter stuff in a can. We managed to go about a mile more with me spraying and him starting. It was indeed a comical scene. Then, it finally died -- the first car at a stoplight. You can imagine the honks, stares and angry drivers. We called AAA and a friend. It took an eternity for the tow truck to get there. The friend who was available to come get us just happened to be the son of my aunt's co-worker. He gave us a ride back to campus, but the people that we were going to go to a concert with had already left and we didn't have a card. Ski finally borrowed a little VW Rabbit or something and we chugged back to Lancaster. We ended up sitting by ourselves and talking a lot. Despite all of the drama, we had a really fun time, I think. At Thanksgiving, my Aunt asked me about dating Ski since her friend's ds told his mom that we had something going on. My mom was not too pleased that I had been stuck with a boy in Lancaster.

7) Once, we decided to go on a hike and have a picnic. This used to be one of our favorite things to do. This particular park had lovely falls throughout. We had a lovely afternoon walking and talking. Unfortunately, we didn't time our hike very well and it began to get dark. I thought that we would have to spend the night in the woods. The only way that we made it back to our car was by looking up at the sky as we walked. This wass no easy task and involved lots of bumping into things.

8)"The Athens," "The Landmark," and "The William Penn." Let's just call these bad culinary experiences. Thanks to "The Athens," any time we see free jello listed on a menu, we head for the hills!!!

9) Most recently, bowling. I think I never laughed so much in my life. It was hysterical and I think I bowled my best ever. I actually HIT pins!!!

10) Once, in the dead of winter, we drove 4 1/2 hours one way to the Eastern Shore of MD, found everything closed, ate dinner and drove all the way home.

11) NYC on Memorial Day. We had big plans, but everything was closed. We went a few places -- like the rest rooms in Trump Towers. We heard "music" on the subway and walked until our feet were numb. It still was great fun just being together. (ski: the Bronx Zoo was the only thing open)

12) Every Christmas in PA, we went to Hershey's Christmas Candy Lane. Afterward, we would stop in the shops and buy fresh chocolate chip cookies. So many fond memories we had there.

13) Trying to find every covered bridge still in existence in PA.

14)When I broke my leg, Ski started a fire, baked brownies, and we snuggled watching movies.

I could go on and on, but as I said....only 14. :D

Uh.....Was that a Date Night?!?!?

2009-02-10T13:16:00.000-08:00

It seems that the only time we have something odd happen it is when we go out on our own.

A week or so ago, I had therapy and Ski had a men's meeting. We had talked briefly about the kids fending for themselves for dinner and I meeting him at the place where he had his meeting and us grabbing something afterward. I got out of my appointment later than I thought, so I gave him a call. Well, silly guy forgot to turn his phone on. So, since I was only a few blocks away, I thought I would drop by the restaurant he had his meeting at. When I walked in, he looked surprised and I was also a bit astonished. There he was having soup, a sandwich (ski: it was technically HALF a sandwich), and a drink. Since I can never resist temptation, I said...

"But I thought we were going out?!?!"

The guys he was with thought that this was going to get interesting, but seriously, we banter a lot and it was nothing out of the ordinary. He said he would have dessert if we went out. So, I told him I would go shopping and he should call me when it was over.

A little later, one of the guys dropped Ski at the mall. After a little discussion, we decided that we would stop by a neat little diner we had been to a few years back. It had been a long time since we had been there and I joked that it had probably closed down. Well, we drove way over there and couldn't seem to find it. We saw a guy on the street and Ski asked him. He looked at us kind of funny and then said, "They're closed--out of business." What a shame. It was a cool place!!

Well, I was driving and I took a wrong turn and ended up on a little "highway" that took us way out into the middle of nowhere. This was the curviest and most rutted road I think I have been on since being in PA. After what seemed to be an eternity, we ended up in a town called Cherryville. Now, there is hardly any name down here pronounced like a yankee would say it and Cherryville is no exception. You say this like that seldom used herb, chervil. So there we were in podunk NC and I was STARVING. Luckily, we found an Italian place so we took a chance.

Upon entering, we should have known it would be pretty good. There were lots of tables and almost every one had at least one very large man sitting at it. And the food was good. But the funniest thing was our waiter. I think he was only 16yo or something. No, he was probably older, but he looked very young. He appeared to be so very scared of us. I am not sure why. He was really nice and polite, but it seemed like his first day. (ski: He reminded me of "Bleeker" from Juno) These were some of our interactions:

me: What are the specials? (I noticed a board out front....)
the waiter: Ummm......Well, there is salmon, trout, chicken and ravioli.
me (thinking): uh, that was about all I could remember from that board. Hey....it isn't Carabba's and I guess he's not trying to sell the entrees.

me: What kind of salad dressing do you have?
Waiter: Oh, you know...ummmmm
me: Do you have French?
Waiter: Sure!!

later....
Waiter: Is the food ok? (this he said like he was afraid to ask)
Ski: Yes, it's great. Thank you.
Waiter: Oh.....(huge sigh of relief) Great!! (ski: maybe the chef was putting fake bugs in the food that night (= )

still later...
waiter: Would you like a box?
Ski: Yes. That would be great!
waiter: What about dessert?
Ski: No, I don't think so.
Waiter: Oh.....ok

Then he brought us our check and boxes, but we sat there a little longer. At one point, he directed us to the front where the check out was. Maybe he got to go home after we left. IDK. It was open later and no one was waiting for a seat. It was kind of funny. Anyway, his tentative demeanor really made me giggle. The funniest thing was less than five minutes after we left this culinary adventure, we came upon a bunch of different restraunts that we could have selected from. But, all in all, getting lost gave us plenty of time to talk and laugh. All I can say is that it was so much better than The Athens and free jello experience.

(ski: final comment--my leftover stuffed shells were MUCH more delicious the next day. Not sure if the sauce marinated more or if I was just less piggy and didn't have a meal beforehand. Urp!)

Get Me Outta HERE!!!

2009-02-09T07:54:00.000-08:00

I have three lovely daughters who share a bedroom. One of them is a neat-nick, but the other two --- well, let's just say that they tend to be a point of frustration for the first daughter. The girls' room is hardly ever clean and I find myself repeating things I often heard come out of my mother's mouth when I was a teen. In short, their room is the bane of my existence.

Yesterday, on our arrival home from church, I noticed that one of my daughters looked flushed. I touched her face and found that she was quite warm. She is not suffering greatly. Indeed, she is only very feverish and very tired and has a nice rash on her face. We know it is not 5th disease, but other than that... I decided last night that I would bless her today by giving her the day off of school and cleaning her room for her.

Well, now I have half of it done and still need to finish the other half. I have waaay too much laundry to do and I am ready to curl up in bed next to her. I have major Spring fever and I am ready to take everything outside and start over again. But the rest of me has a major headache and wants to take a nap.

I don't think I will see daylight for a month....

It is good to know...

2009-02-09T07:29:00.000-08:00

In these days of craziness going on all around us, it can be easy to forget that God is at work. Just last night, I heard about 23 arsons since Jan 1st in the town of Coatesville, PA. That is just loopy!! Then Ski was channel surfing and passed by the Van Impe's show. If you ever want a good scare, just listen to them. :D Seriously, the way he throws around scripture references utterly amazes me, and I know that they intend to be hopeful, but I cannot bear to listen even on a good day. Personally, I don't read or listen to much news. I stay informed, but if I get inundated too much, my temptation is to worry. Yeah....my old man likes to worry a lot -- and I am not talking about Ski. God has graciously kept me from worry and has given me great peace. But still, it is a great blessing when He gives us a glimpse of things that He is doing in the midst of our human turmoil. God is still at work. He still gives hope to the hopeless and He is still greater than all of our trials. He is bigger than the stock market, our bank account, and all of the statistics on the nightly news. And in the midst of it all and above all, He is still a good and loving Father.