Greedy!

So many wonderful books!
I feel kinda bad being so greedy!
I better get busy reading so I can get these back to the library!

p.s. my library system allows you to go online and reserve the books you want, then they let you know when they are available and ready for pick up. They hold them at the front desk in a nice big bundle! Check and see if yours has that for you, you'll love it! You can also renew up to 3 times online, love that!!

My Visit To Idaho

Here is a picture of Lynn in front of her new business. She and Bob opened another body shop in Meridian. I am so proud of them, both shops are so nice looking and professionally run. I know that their dream of having their own business would not have come true had they not moved to Idaho. It is the best decision they could have made for their family. The kids have good lives there too. I miss her terribly, I miss the kids too, but I know that she is where she should be.

I love my visits to her house. It's truly a vacation for me. They all make it such fun, so relaxing, and it's beautiful there. I am glad I have been able to make the trip as often as I have been, being able to keep in touch with all the kids is so important to me. Until next time, I love you all, especially you Lynn!

My Mu Mu

The dreaded mu mu! I remember seeing my neighbor in her mu mu and thinking I will never wear one of those! It's called a house coat too! Barry reminded me of that when he asked me if it was one and asked, "didn't my mom used to wear them?" Oh boy, poor guy, his wife is now reminding him of his mom in a mu mu! I feel bad for him but when it's hot out, there's nothing like a light weight, cotton, loose dress w/out the bra! I am sparing you all a picture of me in it, just the fabric! I wish I could find more of these, sorry Barry.

Random Yard Stuff

My mom gave me these chase lounges and I nap there in the shade and when I look up a hummer is always perched high on a branch in the tree, I talk to him and he looks at me.
I love how the dew has collected just on the edge.

Climbing roses, I love the color.

A limon!

I like how it is half and half! I can always find something cool in nature. Just look around!

My Children, My Cathedral

I loved this post which was on my niece's blog, so I copied it to share with all of the mom's who read my blog. Once you are out of the day to day, all day, hour after long hours of raising your children, you can look at your grown kids and know that they are the important, the long lasting cathedrals that you have built, built with your own two hands, your whole heart, even your very life. What a monument, a tribute to a mother, a decent, kind, compassionate, productive person to send out to all the world.

Go ahead and read:
I'm Invisible. It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.The invisible Mom.Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more:Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being.I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?'I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?'I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, and she's gone!One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'In the days ahead I would read - no, devour – the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals – we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And, the workman replied, 'Because God sees.' I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime, because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home.And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

It's My Happy Day

It's my happy day and I always love my birthday, the more the better! I think this is going to be a birthday week, concluding with a Mother's Day celebration!
Aren't my flowers so pretty, I love the variety and they smell so good too! Thanks to Dustin, Heather, Kadence, Brandon, and Cheri.

Use it up, Make it do, or Do Without!

These are bits and pieces of my favorite type of reading glasses. I didn't pay a whole lot for them but they were hard to find, so when ever they broke I would save the pieces and use them to remake another set...but it's finally come to an end when screws became stripped and ear pieces were stretched...I had to buy some new ones, I like them too, but miss my old style. Oh well, wish I could do without 'em...contacts, maybe??

Grateful Reflections

Yesterday I had to go to the hospital to have some tests after my Dr. found some lumps under my arm. For a week prior I felt assured that it would be nothing and was not worried, but I had to have a mammogram and an ultrasound of the area. I had to go to the hospital and not a regular office so a radiologist could read the results on the spot. It wasn't until I was there and in the room, which they made to look like someones living room, only with a big machine to squish boobies in it, they told me it had been since 2004 since my last mammo that I got a little nervous. She took the images and put them on the lighted wall and asked me to put on the gown and wait to get the ultrasound. As I waited and looked at the xrays my anxiety level elevated. I could see some white spots and some looked big and spread out. Could it really be?

Laying there, waiting, in a room that had sunflowers everywhere, even floated above me from the ceiling, someones idea of making the experience we women have to go through a little more calming , I felt peace come over me. I didn't know if the Dr. would come in and give me bad news or not. So I went to my place. A place I marked in a moment of time...I may need it, I may want to use it at some time I thought...it was in the summer of 2006, at the lake, Bass Lake and I was floating on a round tube, in a beautiful cove we had stopped in to make lunch and hang out. I looked up at the blue sky, surrounded by tall pine trees. The water was deep green and just the right temperature. I could hear my family, talking and laughing, my kids, my grand kids, my husband. It was perfect, all I could ask for. I book marked it right then and there in my mind. I can use this moment in time, my perfect everything!

Back in the examine room, I lay there thinking whatever happens, I am at peace. All I ever wanted was to be able to raise my kids to adulthood, not to die when they were kids and when they needed me so or would be devastated and sad without a mom. I can't think of anything other than losing one of them that would be worse. I used to worry so much about this that I sought counseling and I remember a session in which my therapist had me envision a time many years in the future in which I would be a grandmother and sitting at a table with lots of grandchildren and I would be so joyful. He promised me that I would have that. I cried, really broke down and sobbed at that image and believed in it and it brought me peace. That is where I am at this point in my life, all I ever wanted. It would be sad to get bad news, terrifying, but I knew I could deal with it, I have my faith which is strong and I've raised my kids to be strong and they have each other, they would be ok.

I thought of the other women, in the waiting room, those in the past, who have sat in my spot and did receive news that would change their lives and I felt sorry, so sorry for them that I said a little prayer for them. Life, you just never know. It's good to be prepared, to have faith, to have loved ones to love and support you, to have a place you can take yourself to feel at peace. Thankfully I am fine (I do have to see a surgeon for one last ck), thank to have had this experience in which I had a chance to reflect and be ever more grateful.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Missing Piece

Chewed up piece

Ta Da, as finished as it can be!

I love to work jigsaw puzzles, do you? I do them pretty quickly, but not quick enough to prevent lost and damaged pieces. I would like to glue and frame a few, but with kids and puppies it's not easy to get a complete picture! Oh well, 'joy in the journey" right!

Break Down

Yep, after another grueling weekend doing landlord work in Laughlin, my van croaked. We were riding along, up hill, fully loaded with work equipment, and my temp gage started to go up. Then I heard pinging, and it went down hill from there. We lost power and had to coast off the freeway to a deserted road, which I was sure we were going to be killed on (too much tv drama watched by me) There was smoke, steam, minor cursing, and AAA. We were towed back to Needles, CA. Barry bought a very expensive bottle of anti-freeze and tried to get us going again. No such luck, the temp spiked again, so we found a decent motel and spent the night. Quite an adventure! Barry got up early to see what and how to fix the problem and I slept in and watched tv till noon, then ate the breakfast he brought up to me. Glad to be a girl! Anyway, we called Dustin who was ready to roll on out to Needles to get us, Brandon too was going to leave work early and come to our rescue. Glad to have grown up sons! In the end, Dustin had a fabulous idea, he added us to his premium AAA and got us a tow to Victorville, which would have cost us $2000.00! We spent a nice night at Brandon and Cheri's house and Barry felt lucky and drove the vehicle home. He put water in the radiator and it didn't overheat. The problem was a crack in the radiator causing water to leak, causing over heating, and then a cracked head gasket. Big ticket item! There goes my new couch! So I am a foot for a week until the van is fixed. Thanks boys for all of your help.

A Couple of Goals for the Week & Maybe Next Week Too.

Throw away at least 10 items a day.
Never leave a room empty handed.
No cussing.
Be a more courteous driver than I normally am.
Clean out a drawer, closet, or portion of the garage.
Work on cookbook.
Cut out coupons.
Use some of the coupons.

Next week make the list sooner, I am already half defeated!

Thank You God

Today I was sitting outside, not feeling like myself, and God sent a little flock of yellow finches my way. Thank you God for thinking of me and knowing what I needed. They made me smile.

For Amanda ~ Holiday Traditions

As I told Amanda, I remember the very day I realized you could extend the holidays so that you were celebrating continuously all year. So since I missed New Year's and Valentine's Day, I will tell you what I did for those days too.

New Year's Eve: Kids stayed up and banged pots and pans along with the neighbor kids. Can't remember much else, hope that doesn't mean I was a drinker (LOL).

Valentine's Day- It was always fun to go to the store and let each kid pick out their own valentine's to be addressed to the class. The boys didn't like doing this that much, I remember writing their names for them on the backs of the cards. It was always fun when they came home from school with their little sacks of valentines. I even have fond memories of myself as a child doing that. Anyways, valentines were always strewn about and the candy eaten.

As time went on and I grew as a mother I did more things, pink milk, pink pannycakes with sprinkles, parties at school and the making of sugar cookies, even matching homemade shirts for Jess and a friend. Now I make holiday pillowcases for my G-kids.

Always, always there were decorations and they were left till the next month, the next holiday.

If my kids remember anything else I/we did or which will be more likely the case, if I need corrected, please post. Thanks

I Love a Holiday

The next one coming up is St. Patrick's Day. Do you do anything special to celebrate? I always make corned beef and cabbage. Put green food coloring in everything from the milk to the toilet water. Make elf visits to the little ones, sprinkling green sugar trails and leaving a little pot of treats (sorry kids, elf couldn't do it last year, but will for sure this time). You have to get up early to be an elf. Sugar cookies have been done in the past and an elf trap at times were made by kindergartners. We always wear green and decorate the house. I put out the holiday books and we read about elfin magic.

Share your family traditions and if you don't have any, use some of mine and make it a fun holiday for the kids, you'll enjoy it more too.

Write me if you want a recipe!

Things I Need The Boys To Make For Me~ASAP

My Treehouse
A chicken coup, I found chickens on Craigslist, 6 for $20.00

Raised Garden Beds

My Mulch Maker

You know who you are and when can you get started??

Southern California Weather

Boy is it beautiful out. I have been couped up with my cold and computer work for most of the week. I can't believe how beautiful it is, blue skies, warm sun, mild breeze. It looks like spring, even my apple tree is confused, it has blossoms on it already. I wish I felt better I would go out and start digging up my garden area. Today is the 5th day of my cold and I have the predicted cold sore now. I should look especially lovely as I deliver my talk on Sunday. Chapped and chaffed nose and now the dreaded cold sore, luckily I have Abreva, miracle drug for cold sores. I finished the talk and feel the weight of the world (an exaggeration, for sure, maybe the weight of my van) lifted. Good feeling, glad to be asked actually. It forces study and learning.

Anyway, I am grateful for the weather, for apple blossoms and a finished talk.

Stuffy, Fever, Achey Feeling

I got sick again, third time since last September! It started off not too bad, in fact, I spent a quiet weekend reading and watching t.v., kinda a nice break. But now it's not better, my nose is raw, I will be getting a cold sore or two any minute now, and I have a really busy week ahead, so I just need it to be over already. I am babysitting Kadence, teaching a class on Wednesday to the young women at church, and giving a talk on Sunday, which I need to research and put it together. Ugh! I am going to will myself better by going on with life as though I were well, plus, medicating myself up. An aside, don't take Sudafed in the evening, I was up till 4 am wide awake.

I am going to google, runny noses, where does it all come from? Don't you want to know?

The Shack

I just finished reading this book, it's a good read. I am not going to go into all that much, but it had some concepts that I appreciated. It's about a man who spends the weekend with God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost. His account of it.

One was about judging others, you know in the scriptures it teaches a lot about that subject. I do believe that we will be judged as we have judged others, my own take on it. And in the book there is a powerful lesson on that, a segment that Mack had to face how he treated others.

Another point was our real trust and faith in the Lord. I want to work on that, being closer, having a more personal relationship, in which I feel Him with me always. That would be nice. I believe he is there, but maybe I have limited Him in my life.

Another one was the afterlife, I have perfect belief that we will be with our loved ones, and will have purpose and everlasting life. Not sure about how it was portrayed in the book, but I know it will be Heavenly.

Here is an important one, our choice to choose. He doesn't make us do things and he doesn't prevent us from doing things. We choose, if He stopped all bad, then we would have to lose out on the good. We are here to make of our lives what we will. Some times it's the good, bad and the ugly. Only God knows why and where this is all going. There are reasons for everything. We need to take time to see that.

Another was His healing power, to take away all pain and anguish. What a miracle. What a gift. And we can have that now in our lives.

And then this part was my favorite:

Mack was given a choice, to stay or to go back to his life. He asked, Is what I do back home important? Does it matter? I really don't do much other than working and caring for my family and friends.

He was told, Mack if anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again.

Now I don't know if God really told him that, but it's deep and profound to me. Can you imagine if all mankind could really know of their importance in the universe? What a difference that would make.

My Cat and A Song

California dreamin on such a winter's day...la la la. My kitty enjoying the warm weather and sunshine on the top of my van. She was sprawled out until I came with the camera to take a pic. Smart cat, good way to spend an afternoon. I gotta look for a good spot for myself.

My Husband the Super Seller

Barry has discovered Craigslist and has again displayed his super sales skills. We are selling our refrigerator, our buffet, and our piano to get money for new furniture. So far so good, he is getting top dollar, which is 1/2 more than I thought we could get. Remember he is the one who sold my old station wagon for $5000. it was a wreck and 19 yrs old. He sold it to someone who sent it over seas where they thought it was a classic. If he sets a price, there is always someone willing to buy it. I do think that the furniture it worth every penny, by the way, but people just aren't usually willing to pay much for used stuff. So wish me luck, you could be invited over soon for a meal and a seat on my new couch!