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.