I need tips....

On how to handle a VERY mouthy almost nine year old boy. I mean VERY mouthy.

I mean VERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any tips would really help The Chosen One and I because we are about at our wits end.

Lyn

Recipe Wednesday

This is NOT a food recipe. It is a cleaning recipe.

In an effort to be a little more green, I purchased this book many years ago:

Clean House, Clean Planet Clean Your House for Pennies a Day, THE SAFE, NONTOXIC WAY by Karen Logan

I read it in a weekend and while I do not totally follow it it taught me several things that I refer to often.

This is one of my favorite recipes:

Momma's Earth Soap

This is a nontoxic cleaning basic. I developed it as a simple floor
cleaner, but I found so many uses for its simple scented-vinegar formula that is
has found a permanet spot under every sink in my house. It's so easy.

Ingredients: White distilled vinegar, water and an essential oil for
fragrance

You will also need a squirt bottle. (Or for major cleaning jobs, mix
in bucket.)

How to Make: Fill bottle with equal amounts white
vinegar and water. Add 15-20 drops of pure peppermint oil (or your
favorite essential oil). Shake to mix.

How to Use:
Squirt this refreshing cleaner directly onto the floor
and wipe clean with a rag or mop. Can be used on linoleum or tile
floors. Try in the bathroom to cut soap scum. Keep it in the kitchen
to clean the sink and counters.

Lyn

Spotlight day

I have to spotlight this:

*************** link ***************

These are friends of mine who lost their daughter to cancer.

It is just simply and utterly amazing to me the emotion I get when I see this site. How much love is in every word. How much thought is in every offering. And what amazing people they are!

If you are so inclined you may donate here.

Lyn

Quote Monday

"Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak
knits up the o'er wrought heart and bids it break."

Shakespeare, Macbeth

The House is Quiet

It's 10:30am and I am sitting in a quiet house. This rarely happens. But today I notice it more than ever.

Wise One spent the night with a friend two streets over. Rowdy One stayed with Nana and Papa for a night as an only child.

As I walked in the kitchen it really hit me. The dog was still outside from his 6:30 potty break. The blinds were still closed. No breakfast had been demanded by hungry stomaches so the stove was still cold.

I miss those little guys. All the noise and excitement. All the talking and singing. All the in and outs through the back door. I miss them terribly.

What will I ever do when they fly the nest? Will I be ready then? Will I be old and ready for the calm? Will I be grateful? Or will I still yearn for the noise and the excitement?

Funny how life hits you at the oddest moments.

Lyn

Rowdy One, The Chef

A friend passed on an Amish Friendship Bread Starter. After 10 days of doing as instructed tonight was the baking night. Rowdy One and I ended up home alone to do the baking ourselves (right up our alley). After mixing and getting our starters ready to pass on to friends, basically putting a cup of the concoction in gallon sized zip-loc bags for their 10 day growth period, we made our own two loaves of bread. While we were waiting for it to bake up Rowdy One headed to his bathroom, I mean laboratory. When the door opened he handed me a big 'ole zip-loc bag of HIS bread starter.

"Flour (most of a bag) and water(just a few drops), mommy. Just like yours. Feel it. Doesn't it feel just like yours?"

"Yes, Rowdy One, it is just like mine."

He is so sweet. I love him to pieces. Everything is fun to him. Life is good!

Lyn

Can't wait to be here again......

Days....flying by

Reading ~

Wicked by Gregory Maguire. A friend highly recommended it and I must say it has drawn me in. I was skeptical and leary but I have been surprised.

Good Poems for Hard Times by Garrison Keiller. Thank you.

Listening ~

Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown

Watching ~

Ladies in Lavendar can't remember where this recommendation came from......but it was someone in blogland.

Eating ~

Garden Salsa Sun Chips Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yummers!!!

Have a great weekend. And give your loved ones a big squeeze!!!

Lyn

Resurrection

One of my favorite songs lately is "Resurrection" by Nicol Sponberg.

I love her voice. I love the lyrics. I love the song.

When she sings ....

"What I've lost to the world what seems far beyond redemption
You can take the pieces in Your hand and make me whole again, again "

I can't help but cry. Every. Single. Time.

Lyn

Movies

We have been watching some movies lately. Some with the kids, some without. One I even watched all by my lonesome. It was nice!

Eragon - PG The Chosen One, Wise One and Rowdy One watched this. They were all over it. I was in the room, but my big comfy chair just made for a perfect napping spot!

The Guardian - PG13 Chosen One and I watched this by ourselves. It was intense in spots but a good movie. I like Kevin Costner and this movie fit him.

Everyone's Hero - G Hand picked by Rowdy One and a hit with everyone in the house!

The Holiday - PG13 This one I watched on my own. It was great. Happy, not real deep, loved the little cottage. All and all a light movie for a rough week. I do not like Cameron Diaz in most things and this really was no different but because of everyone else in the movie I could handle her.

Take the Lead - PG13 There were a few choice words that luckily my boys were out of the room for. I mean two that really had me. BUT, they were used in areas that were real. Not just put in for effect. Anyway, I could have done without them. And there were some situations that were a little over my boys heads. But it was a wonderful conversation starter. Which I never mind. Another crowd pleaser in our house.

Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker - PG Can't comment, the boys watched it at their grandparents. I can only imagine. But they have talked about it, so they liked it.

What are you watching?

Lyn

Downers and an upper!

Seriously, I have thought about not posting anything related to my personal life because it always seems to be a downer. In the last two weeks we have had two more deaths hit the family. One from a distance and one up close and personal.

My uncle passed away very unexpectantly, in another country, last week. While it was not in my face it took me a few days to absorb it. And I was a little stressed until my cousins were safely back in this country after attending to the overseas matters.

This weekend my closest friend's mother passed away. M and I met in 2nd grade and have shared many, many memories. Her parents are second parents to me and my parents are second parents to her. As we looked through pictures of her mother it became very apparent how close we were growing up. "Oh remember when she always wore those shoes." "Remember that vacation, when we went to....." "Oh that was in the old house, remember that wall paper!"

Her mother's battle with cancer was short, compared to what it can be, but it was no less difficult. Luckily, M is in a healthy place about it. There was some peace in that house. And that was comforting to me. Her dad looks very, very tired. This has aged him significantly.

As I sat with M I realized it was time for me to have baby. What a bizarre time, right? But as one more death occured in my life I just had this amazing feeling that is was time for me to give life. And when the end of my life comes I want my children to be comforted by siblings.

The Chosen One and I know we would like more children. Always talked of more. But there is always a reason to wait. Always something that makes us doubt we can handle one more thing on our plate. But yesterday this wave of peace and happiness and time to focus on life hit me. Maybe it is the Easter season. Maybe it is just that time. Maybe I was just still enough to hear the whisper.

Whatever it was I came home and talked to the Chosen One and of course he just grinned.

Maybe it is time. I am waiting for more guidance and whispers. I will try to hush the world around me and focus on listening.

Lyn