What is this about??

I took this picture for a reason. I wonder what it was?

Maybe I'll have a contest and you all can name the photo--

maybe I'll even give you a prize if I like your name the best.

Maybe not. Don't you just love a mystery???

For Le-Le

This is what Correll ware looks like after it DOES break
This little plate made that big mess, and got swept into this little pile. Then it got vaccumed, and then it got wet-mopped. Those shards are so hard to get up.

Entrepeneurs

The advertising...
The products...

Yesterday the girls decided to have a sale. They were quite serious about it, too, and spent a lot of time making their sign and inventory. I sat in my chair and watched out the door while they got all set up, figuring they would work it out. Imagine the great excitement when they actually made a sale! They had planned to be out there when the neighborhood kids walked home, so that's who they lured in with the colorful sign. They sold 5 things, made 26 cents, and got 1 special order. Today, they got another special order, and were making plans about what to sell in the winter months. You can't say they aren't determined!

Things that make you go "Hmmmm...."

This is what I found under the dishwasher today--mold.
Under the sink--mold

Today a nice man (whom I didn't have to pay) came and installed the new dishwasher (that I didn't have to buy). When he pulled out the old one, I thought I'd clean under there just for the heck of it. This is what I found. Mold. Black mold.

I did what I could to clean it up and tried my best to hold my breath while I did it. I recall a few weeks ago when I was tested for allergies, one of the positives was ---mold. So, tonight, I'm just thinking "Hmmmmm......."

What's your opinion?

I've been busy

I guess.......What else would explain the sudden lack of interesting posts for you to read? Hmmmm......

Really, we have been busy. It seems like the days just fly by, and all of a sudden it's 4:30 pm. Then we go to Tae Kwon Do or have supper and read a few chapters of our latest story, and BOOM! it's 8pm. Kids to bed, knit a bit, watch the news and off to bed ourselves. Wake up, start all over again.

It's supposed to get cooler in a few days, and maybe rain, too. It was in the 80's today--just so weird for October 23rd. Wonder what it's looking like in Iowa.........someone send me a photo, huh? I do hear the crops and prices are great this year, but the farmers and having to wait for things to dry out to get in the fields. It sure would make me smile to be driving behind a slow moving combine right about now :~)))

More birthday fun

Amy opted out of the traditional birthday cake and had no'bake cookies instead.
Brand new cabin made with the brand new Lincoln-logs.
Sarah had the traditional birthday cake. It was chocolate, with chocolate frosting, chocolate chips and mint-chocolate chips on top.
We had circus entertainment
and silliness, too.

Two brand-spankin'-new nine year olds!

Here you can see Amy and Sarah as they open their "Mama made" gifts at breakfast. Sarah got knitted clogs, which are shown both pre- and post-felted. Amy received a firetruck, still to be finished wth lights and a hose. Then, there's the loot just before we opened packages.

Pitter patter

It's raining, it's raining, it's raining!!!
I know you all in Iowa are thinkning "Yeah, it is here, too, and it needs to stop!" However, here, it NEEDS to rain for about three days, non-stop. We are so dry and they are talking about water restrictions. Of course, that only means not watering your grass.....

It makes me so angry to hear them fussing about not having water to last 3 more weeks, but the yard watering can continue on Saturdays between 5 and 8 am and pm, by soaker hose or hand watering. Come on!!! Have they never really been out of water? Like when Lynn had to wash laundry in the middle of the night so the cattle could have water during the day? now that's being out of water.

Anyway, I'm so happy to hear the rain on the roof. I hope it rains all day.

Status report

Some details on several issues for those who are interested

9X2 birthday officially begins: 16 minutes
Groceries purchased--yes
Presents wrapped--partially
Cake baked (Sarah)--no
Slippers finished(Sarah)--yes
Firetruck finished(Amy)--no
Box for game(Sarah)--no
Cookies made(Amy)--no
Important Package arrived--today at 2:30 pm, thank you, very much.
Mother on computer when she should be busy with these things--yes


Dr visit today: Hives returned last night, but think we know what food triggered them (or at least what additive in the food). Found other issues that are contributing, and have taken action on those. Getting better, and not starving anymore. My black eyes (aka: Allergy Shiners) are almost gone-- I look years younger. OK, I can dream.

Kids having fits because it's someone else's birthday: 1--sent to bed with lecture on how we can be happy for others instead of wanting all the attention to ones self all the time.

Refrigerator in house in Creston: being taken away by Matt's friend.

House in Creston: Closing next week, feelings mixed on that.

Ft. Bragg 50 year contract: American Water was not the winner. Corporate has talked with Matt about future possibilities. Several of those; moving to New Jersey was mentioned and given a negative review (by wife). Illinois and Indiana received positive reviews. Watch for updates.

Papa teaching school while headmistress was away at Dr: Work finished, table looked like school bomb had gone off. (To be fair, it always looks like that when a lot gets done in school--it's a good sign).

Level of tiredness: High.

The boy can Read!!!

Theo "officially" read his first book today in shcool. He can read more than this, but officially, he is now a reader! Way to go , Buddy!

This is all one big molehill

That is, my problems are molehills compared to what 2 of my dearest friends are living with today. I think I'm getting the message, God, and I will quit whining now.

First, please pray for my friend who did not receive good news at the Dr. today. She is facing surgery because it is the only real option in her case. There is a possibility of the "C" word coming up, and damn! she's too young for that crap. I have been where she is (on the surgery part) and it's just so hard to come to terms with. She has my prayers and love, and I so wish I could be with her and give her a hug today.

Second, my old, old friend Frannie emailed me today after a long time. We met YEARS ago and have always managed to stay in touch through a lot of changes in both of our lives. She is in Oregon and had married a wonderful man who was what she so truly deserved. Her email told me he died on Sept. 6th.. My heart is so sad for her. I cannot imagine the pain, the loss, the confusion, she must be feeling, and all so far away from home. (She moved out there from Iowa about 10 years ago). Frannie, if/when you read this--I love you--hang in there--I'm so sorry this has happened in your life.

So, like I said, I'm done whining, and I am determined to see this as an opportunity to get healthier and stronger so I can enjoy the life I have. It could change at any given moment, and then it could get really hard.

Apparently, I am being refined.....again.

Well. We have a verdict on the hives, and it is not good. I have "sensitivities" to potatoes (including sweet and yams), egg yolks, trans fats, corn syrup, and wheat. Ummmmm...aren't those the 5 food groups for an Iowa girl?

I do not know how to eat anymore, and have had a salad for the last three meals. If I don't get a piece of bread soon I will ---well, I don't know what I'll do. We went to the store tonight and came home with only $16.15 worth of food and me near tears. The tears came later, in my closet, without little ears/eyes around.

I was not prepared for the sadness this has brought. Naturally, I don't like the whole scenario, but I also don't like that the kids feel bad for me and say that over and over. I am sad that when we sit down to a meal, I eat something different than my family (like I could ask the kids to eat VEGETABLES?!?!?). I feel terribly sad that I cannot bake special things anymore and enjoy them with the kids. I don't think I even have the constitution to bake and and not eat. I am pretty much devastated by this turn of events, even though keep telling the kids that "I'm glad we found out why I was sick, and now I can get better."

There is a chance that after I heal my gut, I can eat these things again, but for the next 5 weeks, I am off those foods. And, if I don't lose weight now, then I am forever doomed to being this fat. How could one NOT lose weight if they don't eat wheat and corn syrup and fat? Maybe that will be the upside to this. Whatever. God knows what His reasons are for this and I am having trouble not being very mad at Him. As usual, I must need more refining.

On another front, we are planning to travel to Iowa in November for the girls to receive their First Holy Communion in Creston from Fr. Kenkel. I talked to the DRE there today,and was just irked. She wants us (yes, the girls and Matt and I) to have a retreat before that day. Like I have time to have a retreat after driving 1503 miles to see our family and friends. Sure, we'll take an afternoon out to fill in the blanks on some worksheets and do a craft so that my daughters will understand the meaning of the true presence of Christ. Guess what? If they didn't get it before, the worksheets and craft aren't going to do the job just because the DRE thinks they are meaningful. Oh. Wait. Isn't that one of the reasons we home school? You know, she probably shouldn't mess with me just now.

Another funny

This morning the kids were talking about how Marty can eat a lot but stays so skinny. Amy asked, "Is that because he doesn't have a fat bone?" This time, I just cracked up! Oh, how I wish I didn't have a "fat bone."

Really, I do accomplish other things besides sewing!

Another new purse.

There is a pocket on this side
Sarah wanted you to see how it looks when you carry it. The lining is some CRAZY jungle print that was meant to be curtains for the girls a long time ago. It is just right for me though, and very fun to see when I open my purse.
Lots of pockets inside
I told you it was CRAZY! Pockets one side
Pockets on the other side

This purse replaces the green tweed one, which I liked but thought it was just too boorrring for me. Now I wish I'd have made that pattern in this fabric, because this one isn't quite as easy to use as the other. I bought another pattern from the same company as the tweeed purse was made from, and it converts into a back pack.

Guess I'll just have to make another--Muhaahaahaa!!

I have to repeat this before I forget it

Tonight after supper we read Angel In The Waters since it was Respect Life Sunday. It is a picture book of a baby's life in the womb. At one point the baby is telling how "sometimes it is dark, and sometimes not so dark." I asked why it might be darker at some times than it was at others--and here is the gem I must not forget (from Sarah)--"Because the mama opened her mouth?"

Oh, my. It was all I could do not to laugh out loud, it was so sweetly innocent. I'm still smiling, though. Though you'd enjoy!

More Christmas presents finished!

Some giant pinecone decorations. They are sprayed gold, but it's hard to see here.
A set of 4 reversible Christmas napkins. These will go in a basket with some homemade goodies of some sort or another.

The first finished Christmas present

This is an Advent type calendar, where an ornament is added to the tree each day of December. I hung a few to show how they look. At the bottom is a row of pockets where they are stored until ready to hang.
A close up of some of the ornaments. They are on a felt base, and hung with buttonhole thread.

October 4th, Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

We awoke to find all of the animals waiting for breakfast and a story.
The kids broughjt more animals (notice the TKD uniforms already on again?)
They loved the story and were thrilled to receive St. Francis Holy cards as a surprise.

Tae Kwon Do uniforms

And no, I didn't make them. Matt said "Just buy them." Bless his soul!

October 2nd, Feast of the Gaurdian Angels

The Hendersons came over and helped us celebrate with Angel food cake, strawberries and a fun angel craft. There was quite a bit of glitter going on......

At the "Golden D" everything tastes good!

This week, the theme is resturaunt
Here, Chef Theo dishes up the special of the day
This pretty little diner was eating alone at her table
The wait staff takes a break
While the patrons enjoy a delicious lunch of Mac and cheese with a lovely fruit and veggie plate.

St. Jerome and the Lion---Sept. 30th

We painted paper the way Eric Carle does, then made our lions' manes from spaghetti. This was a favorite of Sarah's since she has always loved lions.

This is why they call them "family"

because they will stop en route at your favorite grocery store in Iowa and bring you your favorite Fastco graham crackers, Frank's ketchup, and some Fastco cheese. Just because they are family. Thanks, Aunt Ruth!

Tae Kwon Do------Oh yes, oh!

Did I spell that right?

Today we wrote the best check for $200 we will write in a long time, and signed the kids (all 4) up for Tae Kwon Do in Southern Pines, 2 nights a week. At first my thinking was entirely selfish--all 4 kids in one activity, at the same time and location--easy. We had considered this in Creston, but never followed up.

I can see the error of our ways after one class. With a good instructor, this can be a MAJOR character building activity. "Master Wyatt" as she is called, made them make the Tae Kwon Do pledge to never use it on your brothers and sisters, at school, anywhere outside of class--or else. Or else what, you say? Or else you are out of Tae Kwon Do. Master Wyatt means business, and they know it.

Me? I'm all for anyone who comes in and says, "Be quiet! Line up! Stop now or I will whack you!" I'm all for someone else (who is trained in proper methodology) whacking my kids with a foam stick.

The kids? They loved it!

BTW, we brought home one size triple zero uniform, (the smalllest they make) and it's too big for the girls. I guess I'll be sewing several yards of white cotton canvas this week.