Children's Books

These are a few goodies we found at the library last week.

Scribbleville by Peter Holwitz Love it! My boys totally got the bigger picture. It was a great conversation.

Art Auction Mystery By Anna Nilsen While the actual text was little overwhelming, it is comic book style, the boys loved to examine the art and look at the details.

An Egg Is Quiet by Dianna Aston This is a beautiful book. Enough said.

Lyn

Time

It just astounds me how quickly time moves.

I am pretty smart cookie, but I am still shocked when I hear the date and realize that the month is almost gone and you can't remember what filled many of the days.

What does that mean?

~am I not paying attention?

~am I missing something? should I miss it? will I know I missed it?

~am I just existing when I should be living?

~do I need to change something?

All of these things cloud my thoughts like a fog.

I am turning a bit inward to find the answer.

The blessings for which we hunger are not to be found in
other places or people. These gifts can only be given to you by
yourself. They are at home in the hearth of your soul.

John
O'Donohue

Lyn

Dinner by Wise One

Wise One had a bit of a frustrating day today. Overly tired. Annoying little brother. Not enough activity. So when I least want to be around him I pull him in the kitchen with me and put him to work and he makes dinner. His whole mood changes and he eats everything on his plate as well as learning some life skills.

Chicken Tetrazzini found at www.leftoverchicken.com (I will be using this site again!)

1 T flour
1 T butter
1 c milk
1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1/4 t paprika
1/4 t dry mustard
few drops onion juice
1 t lemon juice
2 c cooked chicken, cut into pieces
3/4 c cooked spaghetti
1/4 lb shredded cheddar (can use Parmesan)
3/4 c bread crumbs

Make a medium white sauce of the flour, butter, milk and salt. Add the pepper, paprika, mustard and onion & lemon juices to the white sauce and heat to the boiling point. Add chicken & spaghetti. Fill 2 individual greased casseroles or one larger casserole with the mixture and top with cheese and bread crumbs. Bake in 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes or until the crumbs are very brown and ingredients are warmed through.

We used up the chicken from yesterday and talked of stretching the food budget. We did not have bread crumbs but we had one hamburger bun so we toasted it up and made our own. We discussed how some people don't like mustard but still cook with dry mustard and never notice. Same with the onion. Talked at length about a basic white sauce and how you can turn that into many meals. He did it all and he enjoyed the heck out of it.

Plus his daddy and brother thought it was very tasty so he was super proud!

Cook with a kid, even when he is acting his worst.

Lyn

Summer

Firsts

Wise one had a busy day.

He was fitted for glasses at 9:30 this morning and sitting in a chair for a mohawk at noon.

The glasses will take some adjusting. I dare say more so than the mohawk!

And I wish I could have taped the lady in the waiting area watching my ten year old get a mohawk. She gave me dirty glances and shook her head the whole time. She was disgusted and I would venture to say thinking that parents like me are dooming society!

What fun is summer if you can't live a little via a new haircut. And it is cute!!!!!!!

Just for today.....lighten up and live. It is hair lady! HAIR! This amazing thing that grows incrediable fast!!!!!!!!!

Lyn

Watching

I am Legend wasted 100 minutes on this one. I would NEVER want kids to see this or be around when this was being watched. Disturbing scenes of creatures. I was dissapointed because I like Will Smith.

The Best Game Ever Played two thumbs up. Nothing for parents to be concerned with, whether you have the younger set watching or the younger set will be in and out while you are watching. The under 10 group in our house loved it as much and the 30 and above group.

The Water Horse two thumbs up. It spawned a whole discussion of The Loch Ness Monster, which in our house is what we like. Movies that bring up discussion. There were many deep parts, war - death - letting go. This is one for families to watch together in case things need to be explained.

Lyn

Talking Thoughts

So Rowdy One comes to me tonight almost in tears....

"My head hurts. There are too many thoughts in there."

I tell him to go take a shower, relax and he will feel better. The thoughts will relax and each will find room and settle down for the night.

I hear something in the bathroom so I go to investigate and he has the radio turned up and he is singing at the TOP of his lungs, to every word, of

We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister

Yep, rasin' these young'un right with bad 80's rock and talking thoughts!!!!

Guys, I really could not make this stuff up.

Lyn

Eye Candy

I really want her!

And this, for the person who has EVERYTHING!

My birthday is coming up. This lamp would be nice.

Lyn

What was that Honey???

What stopped me in my tracks today? While reading the paper on line I hear Rowdy One on the keyboard. And I recognize the song!!!

Now for the past 6 years he has played "his" stuff. But since starting his piano lessons this year he has been learning more and more. His brother helps him as needed, since Wise one has been playing since he was five.

BUT today was the day for Rowdy One. A tune that was lovely to hear! He got it!!!!

Lyn

Stuff

Life. Just smacks you in the face sometimes.

Do you know how many posts I write in my head and then never have time to sit down and actually write? Do you know? A. LOT.

Do you know how many pictures I take to post and never do? Do you know? A. LOT.

Life is busy and as much as I want to document it here, I don't have time. Sadly.

I have recipes to post. Quotes. This and that and alot of STUFF.

At times I need to just get it out so it will quit swimming in my head and making me all seasick. Sometimes I just need to brush up on my typing skills since I mostly type numbers all day. And sometimes I really do have something important to say.

But mostly I don't have time to sit down. and type.

Damn.

Damn it.

Well, e is still sick and she is still making me laugh and think and wrap my head around one day her not being here to make me laugh and think.

Rowdy One and Wise One are still rowdy and wise. Beyond their years. Some days they even switch titles. That seems to be happening more and more these days.

I have a friend having a baby after being told FOREVER that it would never happen. Oh and guess what she is single. And should never have to explain that but she does and she will and well this world is still incredibly closed minded.

I have another friend who has found love after she totally swore it off. She is giddy in love with this man. They are shacking up in their old age and loving every minute.

Another friend is finding the way to her voice. She has a wonderful boyfriend who is walking with her on this journey of self discovery.

Life is moving along. Mostly rather quick like. Wise One is turning ten soon. OY!

Life. Just smacks you in the face sometimes.

Lyn

Chitter Chatter

Ever have a day when duct tape sounds like a good way to keep people from talking to you? Mainly the under nine crowd that lives with you. And keeps talking and arguing and trying to get the last word and did I say argue and talk and try to get the last word in. And oh yeah, they keep talking to you. CONSTANTLY. Like word after word. After word. And then another word. Oh and then one more word.

Ever think, it seemed like a good idea then to have them so close together?

Ever wonder how many times you must say brush your teeth before it gets done? And then realize it has been said all together AT LEAST 20 minutes and the teeth brushing lasted....7 seconds tops. Ever wonder?

Just wondering, maybe I am the only one.

Ever wonder where they get that tone and why you can't just clean it permanently out of their little sweet precious mouths before you decide to just forget the whole cleaning idea and grab the duct tape?

Well, that has been my day....what about you?

Lyn

Easter...eggs

Easter 2008

1. Lantana

2. Passion Vine

3. Fuschia

4. Hummingbird Vine

5. Hyacinth

All from my mother's yard on Easter.

lyn

Teaching to make future wives happy.

I taught a powerful lesson today. One that mystifies most homes. One that conjures up memories of past generations. One that seems to handpick who is born knowing how to do it.

I taught my boys how to change the toilet paper roll.

It was a very in depth discussion. With detailed steps. And while I do not know if I have set the bar too high, I hope they are able to one day master this skill.

A mother's dream. A future wife's early gift.

lyn

Math Genius

Rowdy One is 7 and almost a half.



We pull up to the local fast food joint for a chicken sandwich. (no comment on the choices of a stressed out mother and a hungry kid, amazing things happen a fast food line)



That will be a 1.08, drive up.



I reach down and grab a five and instantly hear....



She will owe you 3.92.



um....okay.



Um okay. That is all I could say as I am checking him by counting backwards in my a quiet as I can.



I learned to count change at 15. When I took my first job. And it took me awhile to master it.



He. is. seven. And he didn't hesitate.



lyn

Also

Just noticed I have been blogging for two years.

Happy Blog-o-versary!

I think I might do a give away.

lyn

So much to talk about, so little time.

Life has been flying by at a very rapid pace.

We had a bout with the flu, where the little people of the house were knocked on their keesters and where I caught up on some movie watching.

Miss Potter
Becoming Jane
The Jane Austen Book Club

We took a vacation over spring break to Sea World San Antonio.

And of course Easter just passed.

In between all this cooking, some good recipes I plan to share, books read, again will share, laundry, cleaning, working (tax season) and loads of interesting conversation.

I will leave you with this one between myself and Rowdy One on the day we were leaving for vacation:

Are you super excited?

Yes, I am really excited about the wax museum.

Really? Why?

I want to see Teddy Roosevelt.

blink. blink.

Who do you want to see mommy?

Brad Pitt.

More to come......

lyn

Home Alone

I am home alone.

Folding a basket full of socks. Seriously, they multiply like rabbits. Or mice. Or whatever multiplies quickly.

Eating my new obsession.

Waffles.

Spread with Nutella.

And topped with sliced bananas.

Oh. My. Goodness.

MLK

I don't know alot about history. Well, I take that back. What I have learned about history I learned on my own as an adult. My goal is for my children is to know that they can have a relationship with history all their life. Not just when they are old.

Wise One and I watched this on MLK last night. It wasn't the classroom version. I just found this this morning and am eager to go over some of it with him. He is 9 and of the age where he can figure things out even when they go unsaid. He can read between the lines a bit. He is one smart cookie. This age is very exciting.

Of course after that he watched an edited version of School of Rock. He is still a kid, you know. It ain't all Mozart and Einstein!

Read something on MLK today. Stop and think about what the man's mission is. It really is inspiring.

Lyn

Chosen

A few nights ago as The Chosen One and I lay in bed watching TV we realized that it was the 15th anniversary of our first date. Or was it 16? No, no it was 15? Are you sure? Not really. Lets see this happened then and that happened that year and yes it is our 16th year together. I mean, 15. I think after a week we settled on 15. Fifteen years together.

He kissed me one night and from then on we were together. A couple, never really talked about it. Just kept seeing each other day after day. Funny how that happened, when I think of it now. No conversation of I like you and I want you to be this to me. It just was. And still is.

I have dug deep in my relationship with The Chosen One. For myself and for us. Some days we didn't come out right. Other days we were the only things I could make come out right at all. In our early relationship I hurt him.........I know you don't want me anymore, I said. No, I will always want you, he said. Years into our marriage he hurt me.......I don't think I want you anymore, I said. Then I will wait here until you want me again, he said.

Anytime I have asked him for more he has given it. Anything. You need me to bend, just tell me how far, he says. All so that he could love me. That is all he asks in return.

Therapy, paint this, buy that, do you like my new haircut, I want to change jobs, we need to save money, please wear these jeans, I don't like those, can you make it again, will you get me this, just one more please, leave me alone, talk to me more, touch me here, don't wake me up, why did you let me do that.

I am not easy to live with. The struggles with depression and migraines and OCD.......make me want to leave myself some days. But The Chosen One stays. Solid and strong. Flexible and soft. A safe place to land and a safe place to plow down.

There are days when we get it all wrong. We say the wrong thing in the wrong tone at the wrong time. It is just all wrong. But the next day he is always there to start over again.

In the depths of my grief or anger or depression or sadness I have always reached out and found his hand. Right there as it always has been.

Fifteen years. All started when I said yes to a date. I found a true companion. A true friend. A life mate. A co-parent. Sometimes I have wandered how did we get together in this crazy world? And then I remember he was Chosen for me. And I was chosen for him.

That makes it all seem possible, workable, doable. It really is bigger than us, this love we have. Much bigger than us.........

Lyn

a few changes.....

in the way I handle things.....................

just because I start reading a book doesn't mean I have to finish reading a book. I already returned one to the library that did not catch my attention in the first three chapters.

it. is. okay.

when I think of something either do it RIGHT THEN or send myself a reminder.

**oh and a new bird calendar has been hung, in the bathroom, so that they may learn about birds they may never see. they are already excited!

lyn

A few things 2007 taught me......

1. If you hang it up for them to see, IN THE BATHROOM, they will see it and learn it! (Small map of the US, pictures and names of the presidents, the art picture of the week)

2. If you tell them WE ARE NOT HAVING A BAD DAY first thing in the morning it usually goes down hill from there.

3. Crappy things happen to really good people.

4. When my head starts to hurt, if I can run to a quiet place and meditate for a bit it seems to ease the headache.

5. I love my girlfriends.

6. Keeping a spotless house is just not really that important to me anymore.

7. Neither is keeping up with the laundry.

8. I love to learn.

9. I am a really BIG pack rat.

10. Retirement isn't always what people want it to be.

Now some of these things I have known but they really were shown to me this year!

Lyn

Oh my....

The Santa Claus Book is a must have. We just now got to it in the stack but it is hands down GREAT! My boys have been so mesmerized by "the elf family tree", "the elf language", "how the elves met Santa", "Santa's Christmas schedule". All of it is great fun. There are jokes, crafts, stories, and the illustrations are wonderful. Reminds me of books from when I was a kid. Not so many eye popping colors that you can't take it all in. Five out of Five stars!!!!!

Oh what wonderful things the library offers.

This is making the rounds in our house. Time and time again. We have taken it to Nana and Papa's, school and I even took it to work.

It. is. that. cool.

One of those finds at the library that may need to be a permanent house companion. One of those finds that makes us want to see everything the author has ever done.

Yeah, one of those.......

Lyn

In the reading stack

Can It Be True? Susan Hill

The Real Santa Claus Marianna Mayer ***parents need to read first before sharing with children. Talks of the legends and may not agree with your beliefs.

The Crunchy, Munchy Christmas Tree Karen Gray Ruelle

All picked up at the library because their covers spoke to us. So far we have not been disappointed.

Happy Reading!

Lyn

Recipe Thursday

Yummy! Hearty! Warms you up!

Lasagna Soup! Crusty bread and you have a winner of an easy meal.

*I just used regular beef broth, broken lasagna noodles and diced onions and garlic. I also kicked up the seasoning a bit. More Italian seasonings and some crushed red pepper.

Twelfth Anniversary

A meal to celebrate twelve years of marriage:

Steak Pizzaola with the works. Fresh salad, with Chosen One's favorite blue cheese dressing. Roasted zucchini and onions. Dessert served in the glasses we toasted our marriage with.

Served on china that was one of our many decisions we made together at the time. Do you remember picking out your wedding china? Not always an easy thing. Funny, we received enough settings for twelve! Eaten using new steak knives that I gave to The Chosen One. We have never had a decent set.

A wonderful dinner with my three favorite guys.

Life is busy!

So busy these days!

I am continuing my work with my project. Progressing nicely. I love the design of it all. The textures of it all. And the satisfaction it brings me.

Monday as I was watching our hummingbirds a butterfly floated into the flowerbed/garden. As the butterfly floated from one flower to another I was mesmerized by it's light movement and beauty. And then, out of NOWHERE one of the hummingbirds dive bombed it! The butterfly flipped end over end. I seriously thought it would have a hole in it's wing when it finally go up right. But it didn't. This continued until the butterfly understood it could have the purple flowers but do not venture to the yellow flowers. THOSE belong to the hummer!! That same night when we got to my parents my mother was itching to show what she found. She took us the to back of the property between to trees pretty high up. All I could see what a big spider web with a big spider. And what appeared to be a leaf stuck in the web. As I looked closer I saw that it was no leaf. It was a hummingbird! All wrapped neatly in a web. The spider would eat for a month off of that thing. Now I know hummers are small but to a spider web!! I thought that was pretty amazing. The spider and handie dandie web had defeated this little force of energy! We continued to watch the hummingbirds on my parents porch. We counted ten that night. I thought to myself.....would have been eleven and giggled! Giggled because in nature you are the eater or the eaten all in the same day. I had always viewed hummers as fierce balls of energy. I have had them dive bomb my head on the porch and have watched them go after each other in the garden but to see them go after the butterfly, well it startled me. And then to see them in the spider web, that startled me even more!

Happy Wednesday!

Lyn

Inspiration of the ongoing project.

The blankets in the last pictures are my current addiction. When my mother in law passed away I inherited fabric galore. Add that to my stash and that of my mother and well you will see a lot of fabric. I wanted to use it up in a wonderful way and I went here for some inspiration. It didn't take long before my idea came together. I am making these blankets for the children at Texas Children's Hospital and Arkansas Children's Hospital on the cancer floor that Brooke frequented. I hope to have about 60 ready for delivery in December.

My goal is to use as much fabric as possible from the stash but I much admit that there have been a few trips to the fabric store! I am trying to back them with something fun and soft. Some are fleece, a few flannel and a couple satin. Something soft and cozy for these little ones.

The process of putting the fabrics together has been a wonderful creative release. The sewing has been a much needed time of focus and prayer. And my mother and I have made many wonderful memories on the afternoons we have spent together doing this. She has been my right hand man for questions and advice and encouragement. I truly feel surrounded by the line of sewers that I come from. Seeing the fabric of my mother in law. Hearing my mother give me advice that she received from her mother so many years ago. It is all so comforting.

I have many more "designs" in my head. I can't seem to sew fast enough!

Lyn

and on-going....

These two are backed in satin.
This is totally from leftovers in my mother in laws stash. I love the colors!

I plan on making more like this to use up scraps. It is backed and a very soft baby flannel. Some of the scraps are from feed sacks that were in my mother in laws stash. I think they could easily date to the 40's and 50's. Other scraps are flannel and then some are from left over baby blankets.

On-going project....

This is all leftover fabric from the boys room when they were toddlers.

These are backed in a very soft fleece. I love the spiderman one!!!

Leftover camo from some PJ pants made for Rowdy One. The organge is a fleece and the camo is flannel.

Well, this one is a favorite. Both sides are flannel and it is trimmed in satin.

Interesting.....

I love reading the news on the web. I read what I want, when I want without much of the tone and hyperness (word?) that you have to suffer through on TV.

Headlines I clicked on today:

The planet's healthiest countries

Bonds' homerun ball

Winner reflects on nightmare lottery

Is it art yet? And who decides?

At seventeen

Mommy's little helper

On any given day I am clicking weird headlines as well as intense news feeds. It is very interesting. I go through spurts of being a total news junkie to never checking the headlines.

What do you read?

Lyn

Sewing Room

I want to borrow my sister's camera tomorrow to show what all I have been doing.

When my mother in law passed away I inherited all of her sewing room. ALL. OF. IT! It includes everything she received from her mother upon her mother's passing. I have been going thru trying to decide what to do with some items, what are some items and what she intended for many items. It has been a time of reflection, of excitement and of sadness. I have found several things cut out. Several things marked for projects. I have recognized material from shirts she wore, jumpers she made grand kids and tablecloths.

When The Chosen One and I were first married I made a guilt with her. I cut and designed and she sewed. I am seeing a lot of the fabric we used. It brings back special memories.

Tonight I solved a mystery that had me stumped. She had tons of linen. I mean loads of it. I wondered if it was from a shop going out of business that she frequented. Or maybe someone handed it down to her. Tonight the mystery was solved. They are feed sacks. I found one still intact. This one has a sticker with dairy ration on it. I found another with a bright red chicken on it. They are all in wonderful prints and colors. I am excited about them and have actually already used one from another batch in a lap blanket I made.

I really must get pictures up. Of the projects I am doing and the unique items I have discovered.

Lyn

Hurricane Season

This time of year the perks of living on the coast are greatly overshadowed by hurricane season.

Watching the news. Waiting till Monday to decide if we need to head north a bit.

Weather sites I rely on:

accuweather

wunderground

Lyn

Reading

On my last trip to my aunt's house I came back with a big o'bag of books.

So far I have read:

Rise and Shine ~ two thumbs up. I enjoyed the story about the two sisters. It kept me interested and had enough real life in it to make it believable. I laughed out loud and cried as well.

Lost & Found ~ at first I wasn't sure that I could handle the content about a husband dying of a heart attack but it was actually healing, in a sense. I felt the author rushed the ending and I wasn't really happy with that but overall the book was good one.

the curious incident of the dog in the night time ~ interesting and more interesting. Not only the story line but reading it from an autistic veiw point.

Lyn

Thirty-Five

Chosen One treated me to a wonderful weekend away. I needed it. Lots of things swirling in my head about being thirty-five.

I decided to list 35 things I like:

1. Dr. Pepper
2. loud music
3. chips, mostly any kind that crunch
4. to read
5. the color purple
6. and green
7. hugs
8. pens
9. fabric
10. books
11. freshly mowed grass
12. lemons
13. soft sheets
14. socks
15. sharp pencils
16. bright flowers
17. quilts that just come out of the dryer
18. artwork by my kids
19. necklaces
20. rocks
21. and stones
22. seashells
23. the beach
24. the sound of waves
25. the feel of sand
26. the sun on my face
27. sitting in lawn chairs
28. cold, cold water to drink
29. cooking pasta
30. making cookies
31. a freshly vaccuumed room
32. a clean sink, shiny like
33. a free hour
34. hearts
35. blank paper to doodle on

Happy Birthday to me!

Lyn

Quiet

It has been a year.

It seems like a lifetime since I saw your smile or heard your laugh.

Seems like only yesterday I stood in the cold hospital holding your wife.

Lyn

It's raining.....

A.G.A.I.N.

Some more.

For like the 100th day in a row.

Well, at least that is what if feels like.

Rain in my parts of Texas mean a) the heat intensifies and b) mosquitoes are hatching babies upon babies.

URGH!

Lyn

Sweet boy!

The other night the boys were playing with the neighborhood kids. On their bikes up and down the street well after dark. Giggles could be heard even when their faces couldn't be seen. I hated to call them in. Playing after dark on a hot summer night. What fun.

At one point as Wise One was making his round around the street he looked back at me and yelled "I love you mommy!" I yelled it back to him and smiled. And then really smiled. I was looking at a nine year old face. He's nine. When did that happen? He is on a bigger bike. He is big enough to ride in the street. He is old enough to go to the end of the street and back. As I sat on the driveway I thought of all the ways he is still three years old to me. Chubby fat little fingers gripping my hand. Reaching up for me to carry him. Staying "only on the sidewalk" with his tricycle. But he is not three any more. He is a sweet young man who needs me less and less but at the same time more and more.

And he still calls me mommy. And he still screams he loves me at the top of his lungs amongst all his friends. What a sweet boy he is. Enough to make my mommy heart hurt!

One day I will look up and he will be eighteen. Where will the time go? Plenty more bikes to out grow and plenty more nights after dark having summer fun. I hope I always remember to slow down long enough to breathe them all in. Take deep, deep breaths of my boy.

Lyn

Late birthday presents.....

are always fun, unexpected and just what we needed today.

Wise One received this in the mail today from my aunt. It looks deliciously fun and I can't wait to read it! He was tickled, of course, to get mail. As he flipped through the book he got even more excited with the content page: The Greatest Paper Airplane in the World, Fossils, First Aid, Making Cloth Fireproof, Secret Inks, Sampling Shakespeare...(just to name a few) he can't wait to read it either he has settled in his room with it already.

Lyn

Watching....

It has rained a lot here lately. Perfect weather for sleeping and movie watching.

Man of the Year with Robin Williams. I love Robin. I will watch movies just because of him. One Hour Photo was B.A.D. but I watched it. The Night Listener. Another bomb. I am not even including links. Don't waste your two hours! But Man of the Year.....witty, thought provoking, intense, not at all what I expected. But true Robin. I can over look a few bad script choices to be able to see him in a movie like this.

The Whale Rider. Wise One and I watched this together. We were both mesmerized by the culture, the tradition and the acting of Keisha Castle Hughes. Wise One made several comments about her not getting to be involved in the traditions because she was a girl. It was a big bite of food for thought for him and I was very glad we watched it.

What are you watching?

Lyn

Almost July

We have been busy reading, watching, shopping, x-boxing and, oh yeah, a brief trip to the ER!

Reading:

Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott an author recommendation by Randi. And one that does not disappoint. This was the only one at the library. Her other titles are being pulled for me. I can relate to this woman. It is crazy relatable.

pg 4 There were dozens of children in that family, or maybe it just felt that way, babies everywhere, babies crawling our from under the sofa like dust bunnies.

pg 41 Mine was a patchwork God, sewn together from bits of rag and ribbon, Eastern and Western, pagan and Hebrew, everything but the kitchen sink and Jesus.

pg 93 It's so awful, attacking your child. It is the worst thing I know, to shout loudly at this fifty-pound being with his huge trusting brown eyes. It's like b!tch- slapping E. T.

pg 167 And soon my prayers were answered, first when patience miraculously descended like soft, chick-yellow parachute silk.

She is so honest. So true. So raw. I was sad when the book was over. I wanted to continue the conversation.

Watching:

Some Like It Hot This made my boys g.i.g.g.l.e!


Fabulous sale at JcPenney lead to an update on work clothes. It was much needed and I am very happy with the new duds!

Oh yeah and that trip to the ER. High blood pressure that is being handled with meds. So far I am not feeling the negative affects.

Enjoy something. Laugh at something. Suggle with something. Summer is flying by.

Lyn

It's shiny.....

and BIG!

As a combo Mother's/Father's Day present Chosen One and I bought this. He and Rowdy One are putting it together right now. And believe me the conversation is pretty dang funy between those two. Patience is a little thin and Rowdy One is up way past his bed time but I believe we may have a working grill when it is all said and done.

Wise One is off at Camp Auntie in this great city! I miss him terribly. I missed his before he left. I will really miss him tomorrow. And I will miss him more by Thursday because by then I will have had my fill of Rowdy One being the only child and missing Wise One much more than me! Last year he had a wonderful time and we all survived without him. I am sure this year will be the same!

Lyn

They came!

Our caterpillars are back! We are very excited! We get to watch them from tiny little worm to big ole caterpillar and then many stay around and make their cocoons on our eaves so we get to continue watching their journey. Soon they will be beautiful butterflies, of the monarch sort!

Lyn

Guidance

This is what I am thinking about.

Hope you will join me.

Lyn

The most recent smoothie creation.

In all the literature I have been reading Rowdy One and I need to stick to a very similar diet. Me for migraines and PMS and he for ADD. That is a higher protien higher calcium lower carb diet. Let's just say he is my child.......we love chips. I mean love. Really have a strong affection for them. Like we could write *I heart chips* all over our spiral notebooks in rainbow colors. And neither of us are really big meat eaters. Add to that I am lactose intolerant and he dislikes milk and well we are two peas in a pod.

So I have been looking for a higher protein/calcium combo to get some of this in our body in a way that we can handle. Enter soy milk. Not regular but vanilla or chocolate! Yummy!

Banana Split Smoothie

Chocolate Soy milk, we used 8th continent
one container vanilla yogurt, we used Activia
one banana
4-5 frozen strawberries

Blend in blender and enjoy!

Lyn

ADD and my child

I am only just begining what I know will be a long ongoing journey with my youngest son. Rowdy One has always been full of life, full of movement, full of emotion for most of his life. And the name I gave him for this blog fits him well. As he grows it is becoming clearer that he has what appears to be classic ADD. I tend to leave the H out because I do not see the hyperactivity in him that is customary for these children. Rowdy yes but to me he is well within the normal area of activity for a happy healthy six year old boy.

Classic ADD symptoms that he exhibits: is easily distracted; has difficulty sustaining attention span; has difficulty following through on tasks and instructions; has difficulty keeping an organized area; has trouble with time; has tendency to lose things; is forgetful; is restless; has trouble sitting still; is noisy; is impulsive. While some are mild more than half are increasing as he ages. One of my main concerns is his impulsiveness. While he does well most of the time I can not ignore the many times he does not. Many red flags go up on a daily basis with him and I can not deny the fact that as a parent and who I am I must investigate and be proactive for my child and my family.

This is the road I am currently on. Learning more, reading, researching, discussing. Making subtle changes. Becoming more of an advocate for him/us so that our family will be better prepared as he ages.

The statistics startle me. Not that I didn’t know what was going on but that my child has a higher percentage of falling into them.

52 percent of untreated teens and adult abuse drugs or alcohol. (many
times as a way to self medicate)

43 percent of untreated
hyperactive boys will be arrested for a felony by the age of 16.

50
percent of inmates in a number of studies have been found to have ADD. (75 % in
one study)

Parents of ADD children divorce three times more often
than the general population.

Healing ADD The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the 6 Types of ADD by Daniel G. Amen, M.D.

Labels and statistics can be sticky. Much information is blown out of proportion. Many labels are not used properly. But when I look at the over all picture and take in all that I am reading and seeing it is hard to ignore the facts I see day to day. I do not mind a label that is used to help someone. I have issue with a label given to give someone as an out or excuse. Statistics need to come from several different areas and sides to be useful and balanced. As a responsible parent this is what I am using as my guide for statistic and labels.

My therapist has been telling me that at some point Rowdy One will need to have medication. Not telling me to push it down my throat but telling me so that I have time to get used to the idea. In most of what I am reading I see that she may be right. But there is also a lot my family can do first.

Last week as I sat down to read with Rowdy One I saw up close and personal, and very clearly I might add, some of his struggle. He is a very good reader. He learned quickly and enjoys books. He was reading a story about a frog and a fish to me. He could not finish a page without getting distracted. Not distracted as in frustrated but distracted as in something he read made him think of something else. Fish hid beneath a rock lead him away from the table to look for his rock that looked like what he saw in the book. Frog played hide and seek with fish lead him away from the table to find his Froggy book. And each time he returned he had to find where he was and get back on track. The thought of my child not being able to finish reading a book made me sad. I do not want him to give up on reading at some point because it becomes to difficult to focus. I do not want him to lose the adventures reading will provide him because he can not remember where he was and can’t keep other things from distracting him. That was a crystal clear moment. I have to become proactive. I must.

I am sure I will fill many other posts about this journey. I would love to hear any stories, encouragement, advice or ideas on the subject. Whether it be books to read, diet plans or personal stories. Please fill free to leave a comment or email me directly at njherbst at hotmail dot com.

Lyn

Dinner

After having several recipes that failed I am so happy that this week the recipes on the menu have been superb!

Last night for dinner we enjoyed Tangy Grilled Pork Tenderloin, rice pilaf( 90 sec Uncle Ben's variety), roasted broccoli and roasted peaches with ricotta and almonds(from a new fav book The Best Life Diet).

Seriously, as we ate Chosen One and I both commented on how nice it is for a recipe to work and be well received by the family. I have tried several things that failed in one or both areas!

Happy Eating!

Lyn

Organ Donation

This is a Public Service Announcement on a serious note today at the What Was That? blog.

I have had to sit by 3 friends as they were on the phone with the organ donation staff. I sat next to them as they struggled with a decision they did not want to have to be making but were. They struggled because they did not know what to do and they were already dealing with an overwhelming amount of emotion.

Discuss your choice with your family. Make it known if you do not want to be a donor. Make it known if you do. Just make it known.

It is very hard on a family member to have to make these choices when they are already dealing with so much.

Go here to find out more about being a donor.

The important thing is to let you family know your wishes, either way.

Lyn

Enchilada Jackpot

I found a new friend! And since she provided me with the best cheese enchilada recipe that I have tasted I will be indebted to her for a long time.

Chosen One and I placed this wonderful creation in our mouths and our eyes met and well......the rest is dinner history. These are the BEST DANG cheese enchiladas this Texas girl has tasted.

Seriously, I wanted to run around the block and give everyone a taste. I called my mother and my sister! We all have a favorite place to get our cheese enchiladas but to be able to create them in your own home, so easily, anytime you want.........well, that is almost to much for a girl to ask for.

I used:
***chicken broth
***regular oregano
***2 cups shredded velvetta and 1 cup shredded cheddar
***and no onion

Go, go now and check out the recipe. Make them tomorrow night. Your family will love you!

Lyn

New favorites

Cashed in on some old books and just had to have these. Not to bad, turn in 15 take away 3.

The Wisdom of Forgiveness by The Dalai Lama and Victor Chan

Betty Crocker COOKBOOK

The Best Life Diet by Bob Greene

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

From the last one I found a new favorite recipe.

Berry Smoothie

1 1/4 cup vanilla soymilk
1 cup frozen unsweetened blueberries
1 6oz container french vanilla yogurt, I used Yoplait.

Mix in a blender and enjoy.

This will become a breakfast for me. YUM-O

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

Dinner consisted of many new favs.

Beef Tips, one of the best sauces I have tasted.
Rice, this really was that easy.
Veggies, our produce has just not looked good so I checked out the freezer section.

Happy Weekend!

Lyn

Housekeeping Update

I have finished the labels and I tidied up my links to my friends. Added one, updated addresses and blog names.

Ahhh.....much better. That was bugging me.

Have a great weekend.

Lyn

Admin

Working on getting everything "labeled". It is a little time consuming but I am liking that in one click I can see all the recipes I have listed!

Lyn

"There is a destiny

That makes us brothers:

None goes his
way alone:

All that we send into the lives of others

Comes back
into our own."



Edwin Markham

Recipe Thursday

I believe this is a recipe from a Pampered Chef recipe book.

Fluffy Peanut Butter Dip

1/2 cup cream peanut butter
1 - 8 oz contact vanilla yogurt
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/2 thawed frozen whipped topping

Mix first 3 items and then gently stir in whipped topping. Serve with apples, pear, celery, crackers...whatever your family likes to dip.

I am trying to keep things handy this summer that are on the healthier side and that will fill my boys up. They are growing which means on most days they are eating pretty much non-stop or at least it seems that way.

Lyn

Away time....

Chosen One and I are away for the weekend, sans children. Those little creatures are wonderful but when I have a weekend away I realize how LOUD my life is. How busy and how much movement my life has. And how little time I actually spend with Chosen One.

We are at my aunt's, which is like a mini bed and breakfast for us. She is out of town so we have the place all to ourselves.

So far we have eaten, watched movies, eaten some more and watched more movies. We ventured out a little this morning, burger's here and groceries here, but really we fully intended to stay in and catch up on us time and movies that can't be watched at home with countless interruptions or little ears.

Music and Lyrics, was not a hit with either one of us! Chosen One said "just plain stupid" and while I laughed at parts I really do agree with him.

Ladder 49, thumbs up. Predictable, yes. Outrageous fire scenes, yes. Story, good.

Blood Diamond, now that was a powerful and thought provoking movie. Makes me never want to wear or purchase a diamond again.

Up next......Crash, Out of Time, and Changing Lanes. All pretty intense. Like I said, not ones to view around little ears.

Oh! And more food. Chosen One is fixing it as we speak.

Lyn

Why DO I love this book.....

Let me count the ways.

I first spotted Why Do I Love These People by Po Bronson here. And then one day, totally by chance, I walk in the library and there it is. In. And waiting on me (I just know it was!). What are the chances? It had been checked out for months.

The first chapter was life changing for me. This book will be on my shelf for many years. I will smile at it. I will thank it. I will read it again and again.

Now the life changing part is not for everyone. Two years ago my little Rowdy One fell in a pool, fully clothed, while playing knights in shining armor with his brother. His sword fell in and he tried to reach it. He drowned. He had no pulse. He had blue lips. His life was saved by CPR. It was and has been a nightmare for me. I was there along with five other adults. The kids treat this house like there second home. They have swam in the pool and played in the yard, many times. They are familiar, as am I, to the surroundings. It was the day everyone had returned from evacuating for Hurricane Rita. We were all stressed out and this was supposed to be a relaxing evening. Grilling, the kids playing on the fort. It all changed rather quickly. The boys, my two and another that is Wise One's age, were in and out battling the villains that were attacking their fort. They were equipped with swords and a healthy imagination. They were all under foot or out on the fort. We were helping unpack boxes from the evacuation and telling stories about our trip. I went to the bathroom and then was frozen at what I was hearing. The other little boy came into tell his dad that Rowdy One was at the bottom of the pool. I was in a totally different part of the house and it was like he was whispering this information in my ear. I run to find my friend diving to the bottom of his pool to pull my child out. I will never forget what I saw and what went through my head. The nightmare began with those imagines.

At the hospital I had to face my parents and my husband, none of which were at the house. I had to face Wise One, who discovered his brother missing, and help him deal with what he saw and the guilt he felt. I had to answer questions from the drs. Look at the faces of the nurses. Deal with ALL the questions with the tone of how stupid a mother are you.!?

The whole while I had a vision in my head. A vision of Rowdy One struggling to reach the side. Calling for me. Wondering where his mother was. Why she was not there to help him. Save him. Why this water was taking him and his mommy was not helping him. I had a vision of him knowing he was drowning and struggling with it.

I have lived with this vision. At times it has consumed me. At times it has beaten me down. At times it makes it hard for me to breathe.

The next day he spoke of a bright light and reaching out for it, that is a whole nuther post. He spoke of falling in and not remembering after that. We got back in the water a week later. It was fall but we got in the very same swimming pool and swam. He didn't want to go under until the following summer. Now he swims like a fish and talks of getting to ride in an ambulance when he "drownded". That is all he remembers.

I on the other hand still struggle. I have a very hard time watching movies where someone is drowning. I have a very hard time reading about people drowning.

And then I opened this book.......and the first story is about a mother who almost drown. On the second page of the book this is what I read:

..... Some would say her soul was saying good-bye to her bag of bones. Some would say she experienced a hallucination caused either by lack of oxygen or by calming endorphins that numb the brain to alleviate the suffering of death. ......

Calming endorphins!!! What the hell are those and why has no one told me about them? A wave of emotion hit me. It was some relief to know that it very well may have been what happened to Rowdy One. He was taken care of by his amazing body. His fear was subdued.

There are loads of other explanations. Believe me, people feel free to share their opinions on this with me. There is still enough guilt to last me a lifetime. It didn't really alter that. But is was comforting to know that maybe, just maybe, Rowdy One didn't struggle like I imagined. Maybe.

He is a happy, healthy, rowdy one. He shows no ill effects.

I am a grateful, thankful mother. I grew a tremendous amount during this time. I still battle my demons. I am still overprotected. But this book gave me another look. Another side. Some comfort. It helped me grow more.

Thank you Mrs. Mmv for showing me this book. Thank you Mr. Bronson for writing this book. For helping these stories reach other people. It is an Honest and Amazing book of Real People.

Lyn

Quotes

How many quotes I come across in my day. The TV, the paper, the magazines, the books. All screaming quotes at me. But once in awhile, more often lately, some quotes hit me smack dab in the middle of my gut and say "HEAR ME". Oh sure sometimes they whisper but they still hit me in the gut with the realization that I need to stop and pay attention. This is good stuff I am being told.

Listen...........

"Life comes in clusters, clusters of solitude, then clusters when there
is hardly time to breathe."

~May Sarton, American writer

Quotes really do help me put life in perspective. I let them sink in. I post them on the refrigerator door. I tell them to my friends and family. I read them to my boys. I keep a log of the ones that help me make sense of my time at. this. moment.

The quote above promises me a cluster of solitude. And I believe it. I will hang on to it. It will get me through this cluster.

Some seem like they are reading my mind. Others I see telling the future. And still some give me great comfort on my roughest day. Oh, sure they are simple. To simplistic for some. But I have found life really is simple. I just make it very complicated most of the time.

Many time I read a quote or hear a saying and look up and say "thank you Lord, I heard it." He really does have to get me in many different ways. I am a slow learner. Putting myself in charge and in control. A quote can really slow me down. He knows my language. I am thankful for that.

A good quote can be like a life raft on a day of drowning.

Enjoy the quotes you hear today.

Lyn

Reading and Watching

Watching:

Superman

Bringing up Baby I thought Wise One would pee in his pants during the scene where they are trying to leave the restaurant and her dress is torn. F.U.N.N.Y!

Reading:

Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert

Wicked, yes, still working on it. It is very good just been pushed aside for a bit.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo This cover is so endearing to me. A little mouse with his needle sword. This is Wise One's second time around with this book and Rowdy One's first. A very sweet read aloud.

Just finished:

Over the Hills & Far Away by Chris Conover This is a book Rowdy One and I shared together. The illustrations captured both of us. The endpapers show Tom's family tree. The first thing Rowdy One did was recognize that it was a family tree and remember when we made our family trees and hung them on the fridge. I love books like these. My boys "see" themselves. Something familiar about how it all works.

Why Do I Love These People by Po Bronson In another post I will tell you what this book meant to me. It has truly changed me. And it all started in the very first chapter. I love books like this one. This will be a purchase to live on my shelf for the future and it will be a gift I pass on to many friends.

Lyn

Positive Thoughts

"Most of us can, as we choose, make of this world either a palace or a prison."

Sir John Lubbock

Mothers Day

I have no words for what is swimming in my head. I have no words for what is in my heart.

My coping mechanisms have taken over and hopefully they will get me through.

I am sliding into my shell and riding out the storm.

I want to come here and be hopeful and excited but it all seems so fake. So I just don't.

I will continue to post quotes that help me. Books that I enjoy and recipes that are getting us through but probably not much more right now. It is all to depressing.

My husband and one of my closest friends will celebrate their first Mother's Day without their mothers. Another close friend will celebrate without the person that helped make her a mother. And yet another enjoys everyday she gets to BE a mother knowing cancer could take it all away.

Life is happening at a rapid pace for my circle of friends. We know we can't stop it or even slow is down but we are trying to hang on to each other through the journey. We know there is another side but right now we are just surviving the storm.

There are bright spots. I do smile often. I laugh as much as possible. I always see the sun as a gift. I love and I live. But it is shadowed at the moment with a big gray cloud.

"First do what is necessary, then do what is possible, and before long you will find yourself doing the impossible."

Frances of Assisi

Lyn

Big Plans

Wise One turns NINE on Sunday.

Nine years old.

Not eight. One less than ten. Oh, the poor mother's heart!

We have a movie sleepover planned for Saturday. We will be veiwing: Back to the Future, Space Jam and Night at the Museum. We will have pizza, popcorn and cupcakes and share them with two family friends. So that will be four boys under the age of ten to watch giggle and act silly and make loads of bodily functions, I am sure!

Then on Sunday we will go here as a family to see this exhibit.

I really can't believe he is NINE!!!

Lyn

Guess where I was today?

I was at Rice University to see him.

He was calming. He was inspirational. He was witty. He was awesome. I listened more and spoke less today.

Thanks e for sharing this experience with me.

May I also recommend The Art of Happiness.

My favorite quote from today " ....what matters is six billion people and one Earth." Basically, we are all the same. All human beings. All gifts to each other.

Compassion. Love. Forgiveness.

Lyn

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

Blog-o-versary

My Blog-o-versary. I have been blogging for a year.

March 2006.

Wow, time flies. This all still seems new to me.

I have noted some funnies, a whole lot of cries and made several wonderful friends.

Happy Blog-o-versary!

Lyn

Some Favorites

Some are regular favs, others are all NEW!

I have oily skin but my old tired legs of 34 years were looking a bit.... scale-e, to put in nicely. They needed some tender love and oil. I found this. Normally when I see the word "oil" on anything that is to go on my skin I run the other way but I decided to give it a try. It is wonderful!

As always, this lady gives me much to think about. Some things I have swimming in my head I just can't get them out on paper/computer screen. Others I have never thought of. I always find something of interest!

The Old Man Who Loved Cheese by Garrison Keillor. Plenty of giggles in the pictures and the text.

I showed you guys her wedding announcement. And I hope you have been going back. Always refreshing. She has become a fav of mine.

You must look at her etsy shop. You MUST!!!! I gave her as a Christmas present to a friend and really wish I would have kept it. Really, that is how selfish I am.

And of course....without this in the morning, I am not. worth. much. Fully leaded, on ice,love it with a straw. Tried to give it up for Lent. Failed. Have. to. have. it. For the safety of those around me.

What are some of your favorites?

Lyn

Spring Cleaning

What do you do with:

~ cards that people have sent you?

~ books, that you don't think you are gonna read.....but you never know, you might?

~ magazines. And don't tell me to pull out what I like because I already tried that and have discovered that it is much neater to keep them in their magazine state. I have tons of pulled out pages lying around.

WHAT DO YOU DO????? Help...................

Lyn

Quote Monday

In my thoughts this week.

"We have a tendency to obscure the forest of simple joys with the trees of
problems."

Christiane Collange

Wonderful Day!

The weather was nice. The company was great! What a wonderful family day it was.

We first headed to a Native American Pow-wow, a wonderful heads up from our homeschooling group we still stay in contact with. While we didn't get to see the dancers like we had hoped we saw plenty of artwork, handmade jewlery and Native American tools and weapons. We also tasted a bison wrap on homemade fried bread. Fried bread, I say! YUM-EEE! Rowdy One and I even tried a bit of white sage. Rowdy One declared it to be much like he thought a leaf would taste. I, on the other hand, thougth it to be a bit methol-y.

Next we headed over to Froberg's. Now as long as we have lived in this area and heard of this place this was our first visit. And we will surely be going back. We enjoyed picking our own ruby ripe strawberries and tasting sausage from the smokehouse. We brought home dinner of fresh asparagus, fresh green beans, ribs and sausage. And a wonderful homemade lemon pie.

Wise One and Rowdy One enjoyed being with us and being outside on a beautiful day. I enjoyed making some weekend memories. Chosen One enjoyed the change of pace.

Come on spring time. I think I might just be ready for you!

Lyn

Sometimes......I feel like a volcano

ABOUT TO ERUPT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Going on all at the same time.......around me.......while I am PMSing....

Dinger going off while Wise One practices his math facts. He won't go turn it off because he is finishing up one problem so I have to listen to beep....beep....beep....beep all while having this conversation with Rowdy One........

"Go brush your teeth."

"What is his name?"

"I don't know, Leahy, I think."

"He name is Leahy?"

"Yes, go brush your teeth."

"His whole name is Leahy, that is weird."

"His first name is Patrick. Go brush your teeth."

"Like Saint Patrick."

blink.............

"Yes, like Saint Patrick. Go. Bursh. Your. Teeth."

"Was Saint Patrick a saint?"

"I will not speak to you UNTIL you BRUSH YOUR TEETH."

"Geez.....I just asked if Saint Patrick was a saint."

Back from brushing his teeth.

"Mommy, feel my ribs. Just do this...right here on my ribs."

"Did you brush your teeth."

"Yes, feel by ribs."

"With toothpaste?"

Looking at me with really narrow eyes.....and stomps off!

CALGON...............take me away. With a bottle of wine and some ear plugs before someone loses a limb!!

Lyn

Fish Pudding?

"What kind of pudding is that daddy?"

"Tapioca"

"EWWW!!! Fish Pudding!?!

"Tapioca....not Tilapia, Wise One!"

"Oh! I'm still not eating it!"

Giggle, giggle. We had tilapia on Monday, I guess he thought I used the leftovers to make pudding on Friday!!!! Silly kid.

Lyn

Just when I think I get a handle....

I realize I have a handle on NOTHING!

This poor little blog has become very quiet in the last several weeks. For those that read it...hang in there with me. I have a friend who lives far, far, VERY far away from me who reads it to keep tabs on me. Non ~ I am fine just taking it day by day and that sometimes doesn't allow me to blog. And then there are those whom I have never met that give me encouragement and prayer through this blog. I still need the prayers, especially when I am not blogging!

There is just so much going on in my head these days. It is all a little overwhelming to a simple girl like me. I try to write it, hell I try to think it, and it gets all jumbled and senseless so I just keep it tucked in my head. Some days, that is not a good idea. So if you come here and read a jumbled mess don't worry I am safe and sound, I have plenty real life people around me that know my struggles. I am well taken care of......sometimes I just need a place to release all the stuff in my head. And that place is this little ole blog. It started as a place to document my funnies, my adventures with my family and my deep serious thougths. It has become the place to documents all the tough things in my life. One day I hope it comes back to where it started.

*****funny of the day*****

This weekend I purchased one of these for Chosen One. Rowdy One was looking at it this morning and said, "Is this for daddy to polish his meat with that butter water?" after a giggle and shake of the my head it occured to me how funny his mind must be, or any kid for that matter. The way they think about things. The way they make the world work for them so that it makes sense.

Lyn

So soon?!?!?!

Daylight savings time.

Lyn