I've been BAMBOOZLED!!

When my brother and I were kids my parents would go out on dates and we would have a babysitter. We enjoyed having babysitters and most often they were college gals that would play games with us, let us watch television and stay up past our bedtime. Another highlight was we ate CERTAIN foods for dinner. I am talking about the 70's so there was not the huge amount of prepared foods there are today AND my mom would not have bought them had there BEEN many choices. But, on these particular nights our dinners were either store bought chicken pot pie, macaroni and cheese or Chef Boyardee RAVIOLI....oh we loved this! Of course, we were too pathetic to realize that all the "from scratch" food my mother regularly prepared was certainly tastier and better than a frozen pot pie. The point to this little story is...that I have a fondness for ravioli to this day. My kids have enjoyed it and it has largely been a canned food item that is relatively UNharmful to eat...until LATELY...I am infuriated to learn that my buddy Mr. Chef Boyardee is now adding Monosodium Glutamate to my childhood favorite!!
And I say to you...Why!!!!???
Why!!!!???
Why!!!!???

LAUNDRY - loads and loads of fun!

Hmmmm, there is no such thing as laundry day at my house...well, there is...I do ALL the laundry, every last load and then I smile to myself having accomplished this great miracle and then I look at the hamper and it is FULL again!! How can they dirty so many clothes? Do tell! And, then, of course now that cool weather has shown its face the flip flops are disappearing and the kids are wearing socks again which means the game of "Find the missing sock" has begun again...WHERE DO YOU THINK THEY GO? Is there really a sock monster!!!???????




I wrote a blog entry on this exact topic just about a year ago, Pockets...not just for lint anymore ...one can be most certain that laundry is a constant in my life!!

SPIRIT WEEK!

Our school Homecoming was this week and with that there are contests and games and extra activities. Here are a couple of photographs of the kids sporting their "Theme of the Day" outfits.



Team Jersey Day found the boys at odds with Nate dressed up in his OSU garb and Mitchell sporting his coveted Colts jersey!!!


Rock star day was the girls' favorite and Madeleine won the prize for her first grade class. They were a WILD group!

Pajama day is my favorite...they are so cozy and fun! It was pretty chilly that a.m. so the girls just put on their robes before they walked the lane to the bus!

Zip A Dee Doo Da

What is it about Fridays that is SOOOO uplifting and optimistic!?? We could have the craziest week and the BUSIEST weekend plans and yet Friday is still a day of excitement/expectation. A song jumps into my head this a.m. as the kids prepare for school...I am singing it (I think I get that from my Aunt Lois...she is known for breaking out into song at ANY moment)which then reminds me of a favorite childhood movie...Song of the South...I just love Uncle Remus! With fall in the air maybe we can sing this song on a Monday too?? I know, I am stretching it!

"Now, that's the kind of day when you can't open your mouth without a song jump right out of it!!!!" ~Uncle Remus

Autumn

This week has been FULL of excitement...our power and water were restored which was cause for GREAT CELEBRATION and the beautiful season of AUTUMN began. The kids were absolutely ENERGIZED this a.m. as they prepared for school. They sang, chanted, skipped and goofed off as they walked down the lane to catch the bus. I sat on the porch with my yummy coffee and Clarice sitting in my lap and shivered a bit it was that chilly...BUT, oh, it is soooooo lovely! The leaves are starting to show a bit of red and gold and it just SMELLS like fall. I am thankful!


I love poetry and especially this little nugget of joy:

"Every leaf speaks
bliss to me,
fluttering from the
autumn tree."

Emily Bronte

Whispering secrets of days of old...

I am a collector of old linens...aprons and kitchen linens are my main interest...up until recently I thought this was a very unique thing to do...but through you, my bloggy friends, I have realized that this is a VERY popular thing to do. My interest began 18 plus years ago when my "Mamaw" died. My grandmother was a very simple woman and she did not have many worldly things but the legacy she left was her love of God and family. She ministered to her family through cooking...oh did she cook! Not only did she raise and feed nine children, she fed an OCEAN of grandchildren over the course of her life. I had the privilege of growing up in the house next store...I tasted her delicious meals and treats on a regular basis. Fried chicken and fruit pie from her kitchen was absolutely incredible. Mamaw wore aprons...Mamaw also wore "house dresses." These dresses were a very simple style and they were typically made out of basic floral print fabric. I loved these dresses and aprons. When she died I took some of her aprons and house dresses...someone said, "They are stained and worn...put them in the rag bag" but to me they were a memory I could not let go. Oh, one of those dresses I used to make a rabbit doll for My Emma and a pillow that sits on her bed...another I just kept because it is clearly stained with tomato juice, mostly likely from the COUNTLESS jars of tomatoes she canned every year. I now stop at estate sales and garage sales and sift through the linens...picking up one because it is beautiful or unique in some way. I hang it in my kitchen or dry my dishes with it and know it has its own unique story of a woman who served in some manner...such a simple thing whispering of adventures of the past...

My new profile photograph!

Oh, I needed a new photo for my Blog Ad and so here it is!!! I think it is a good one since I have decided showers, makeup, jewelry, hair color even deoderant is HIGHLY over rated!!!!!

Ten days and counting...

I have decided, this, our TENTH day without power and water that it will also be my LAST to blog or "go on" about it! I am bored stiff with the topic...I am annoyed with the constant thoughts of will the power be on when we get home? What will we eat for breakfast? When can I grocery shop again? How will we finish the homework with candle light? My kids are now officially weary of this whole saga and yesterday came home quite defeated as the bulk of their friends at school now have power.

We are so grateful for the fire that we have to heat water and warm us up! The candles galore that we have burned around the house. It has been life giving during this time and has made our evenings more palatable. We are thankful for all the blessings we have and will not complain. (maybe a little)

I am reminded of this song by POINT OF GRACE:

~This helps us remain focused on what is TRULY important!

You think you're alone
There in your silent storm
But I've seen the tears you've cried
Falling down and trying to drown
The flame of hope inside
Let me tell you now, tell you now
CHORUS:
When you're walking in the dead of night
When your soul is churning
When your hope seems out of sight
Keep the candle burning
All it takes is one steady heart
In a world that's turning
Shine a light and pierce the dark
Keep the candle burning
Keep the candle burning
When you're down and you're discouraged
When the darkness clouds your view
You've got to gather up your courage
You know the Lord is gonna see you through
Let me tell you now
Tell You now
CHORUS
One ray of light always breaks through
Follow wherever He takes you
Wherever He takes you
CHORUS

No longer Killeny Glen...but welcome to WALNUT GROVE!!

Okay, so here is the deal...Bob and I will now be called, "Pa" and "Ma" and will haul water and cook up griddle cakes for the youngin's...but I will tell you what...if Bob starts playing the fiddle around the fire after we have brewed our coffee...I am moving to a hotel!!



****Many thanks for the countless offers of help...from ALL over the country...we are doing fine...but I will not lie...we are truly weary of this adventure. BRING ON THE ELECTRICITY!!

Ode on Melancholy ~ John Keats

MELANCHOLY = Noun; sadness or depression of the spirits; gloom


photo by WAINWRIGHT


NO, no! go not to Lethe, neither twist
Wolf's-bane, tight-rooted, for its poisonous wine;
Nor suffer thy pale forehead to be kist
By nightshade, ruby grape of Proserpine;
Make not your rosary of yew-berries,
Nor let the beetle, nor the death-moth be
Your mournful Psyche, nor the downy owl
A partner in your sorrow's mysteries;
For shade to shade will come too drowsily,
And drown the wakeful anguish of the soul.

But when the melancholy fit shall fall
Sudden from heaven like a weeping cloud,
That fosters the droop-headed flowers all,
And hides the green hill in an April shroud;
Then glut thy sorrow on a morning rose, 15
Or on the rainbow of the salt sand-wave,
Or on the wealth of globèd peonies;
Or if thy mistress some rich anger shows,
Emprison her soft hand, and let her rave,
And feed deep, deep upon her peerless eyes.

She dwells with Beauty—Beauty that must die;
And Joy, whose hand is ever at his lips
Bidding adieu; and aching Pleasure nigh,
Turning to poison while the bee-mouth sips:
Ay, in the very temple of Delight
Veil'd Melancholy has her sovran shrine,
Though seen of none save him whose strenuous tongue
Can burst Joy's grape against his palate fine;
His soul shall taste the sadness of her might,
And be among her cloudy trophies hung.

Hmmmmmm, another day...well the news is that it will take longer than the original estimate for recovering electricity and water...we are a bit down...especially after the sun goes down...we will look forward to the morning.

NUFF SAID!

NEW appreciation...

As we enter into our sixth day without power and water I am reminding myself that this experience is a GOOD experience on many levels...

~The kids have had HOURS of fun outside and NOT in front of the television and computer

~We have read books on the front porch and enjoyed the sunsets which have been spectacular

~We have been blessed with amazing weather...no worry about too cold or too hot

~I have experienced the unique camaraderie of hanging out at the laundromat with MANY other people who are experiencing the same obstacles we are...

~Our home is secure and we are sleeping in our own cozy beds

~Most of all...we realize how much we take for granted...how poshy and spoiled we truly are and how thankful we are for running water and electricity...NOT our RIGHT but our PRIVILEGE.

AAaaaaaahhhhhhggggg!!

NO water!
No Electricity!!
Makes me a VERY unhappy Blogger!!
Hopefully back SOON!!

Please continue to pray for those in Texas.

Hurricane Fall out

Quick update on the old Midwest...we are on our 3oth plus hour without power after Hurricane Ike made a brief but nasty appearance in the old Midwest! Hard to believe he made it this far! Pray for the people of Texas as they reach safety and figure out the next step in a long transition back home.
Although we are without power and water the kids think it is a grand adventure chopping and hauling wood, cooking on the grill, right down to the bucket baths they took before bed! I am working on limited battery so will be back in a day or so...I trust...our power company is saying 2-5 more days without power! We are blessed to be going to bed in our own home tonight and will pray for those displaced!

Until God brings us home...

Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act. Proverbs 24:12



My heart is often heavy for the orphans of our world and God challenges us with the responsibility to care and protect our widows and orphans...the faces of these dear little ones are often in my head and as I think of these sweet children, I pray that they too, will know the love of a family. This is Liza...isn't she precious??

Pie, Pie Me Oh My!

Oh goodness...my mom made the best pie of my life today...fresh peaches, the shortest, most tender crust ever and it was BEYOND delicious! Fruit pie speaks to me dear friends it SPEAKS TO ME!

Andie McDowell sings it best in the movie Michael:
"Pie,Pie, me oh my
Nothing tastes sweet with salty and dry
all at once, oh well it's pie
Apple! Pumpkin! Minced an' wet bottom.
Come to your place everyday if you've got em'
Pie,Me oh my
I love pie."



I am VERY grateful to have been included in the eating of this delectable treat!

Bob's new friend John...

Hmmmmmm, what is the saying about a boy and his toys??? Bob is a city slicker but since coming to The Glen he has found his relaxing niche with a few new toys...a chain saw, and now his John Deere tractor!! Oh does he love that machine!





At one time Bob wanted to buy a pig farm and we ACTUALLY looked at one!! We are all thoroughly enjoying our new country life...Mitchell said the other night..."it is so peaceful here" and he is right!

Nothin' like a porch swing...

My porch swing has become my haven of rest...it is simple,it has an almost magical quality...a place of quiet contentment, meaningful conversation, or light-hearted chatter, all who succumb to its charm seem to walk away with a rosier outlook. When things are a bit out of sorts...I steal away for a moment to my favorite perch, a cup of coffee and add a soft kitty cat on my lap and I know it is a glimpse of heaven!

That Sam I am, that Sam I am...

First Day of preschool and Sam is ready to go!


Little Boys


Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,
Shy and adventurous, full of surprises,
With misshapen halos and mischievous grins,
Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.

They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while
Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.
And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy
Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!

Author unknown


We just love that sparkling grin...or as Sam would say, "my fancy teeth!"

The dirty dishes can wait...

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait for tomorrow,
For babies grow up, I've learned, to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.

Ruth Hamilton

The least of these...

All politics aside I am inspired and encouraged by some of the new leadership that has emerged in this political race...my inspiration?...the mother of a child with developmental disabilities has chosen to make her life public and I believe that by making her life public she will (through God's amazing plan) help in saving the lives of some babies that might have otherwise been aborted. I watch the news media prey upon this family and use words, when referring to this sweet baby boy as "tragedy" and "affliction" and I am painfully aware of their ignorance.

My mother has a snapshot of Uncle Gary feeding baby cereal to a tiny, golden haired infant as I (about four years old) watch the process with great interest. It is now 35 plus years later that I clearly see God's perfect plan to create Christi as an ambassador for Him. Christi's assignment: HELP PEOPLE GROW SPIRITUALLY, INFLUENCE CAREER PATHS, NURTURE RELATIONSHIPS and HELP OTHER'S REALIZE THEY HAVE COMPASSION AND ABILITY TO SERVE OTHERS THROUGH GOD'S GRACE.

Christi is my cousin, an integral part of my family. I didn't know when Christi was born that she was different or "special." I knew she was beautiful and I loved her. As I grew older words like Down's Syndrome and Autism were used to describe Christi's differences. I did not view Christi or her diagnosis as "sad" or think that Christi "suffered" from or was "afflicted" by these "titles." I loved her long, straw blonde braids, the way she threw back her head with glee when we played in the swimming pool and especially the naughty look on the her face when she snitched a chip off my picnic plate!

When Christi was a young adult my uncle and aunt devised a system where local university students could live in an upstairs apartment and assist in Christi's care. Many of these students gained valuable experience in caring for a young woman with profound disabilities but even more importantly they experienced the love and acceptance that only Christi and her family could give. Because of Christi, I chose schooling and a career in the field of developmental disabilities. Christi also played match maker in helping her older brother find the perfect mate and knowing Christi, it was somewhat selfish as she wanted to have a sister in law that would spoil her! I have been blessed by the many adults and children I have had the privilege of serving. Some time ago, while at work, I read a report that there has been a decline in the number/percentage of children born with Down's Syndrome...I questioned this...how could this be? Then the facts were brought to my attention in that these children are conceived but are not being BORN...early detection of Down's Syndrome in pregnancy and abortion has influenced the number of children with Down's.


Today, when I am at the mall or on the street and see a child or adult with Down's Syndrome I smile and comment to the parents how beautiful their child is...and I think to myself how pleased and thankful I am for another one of God's ambassadors!

God chooses the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty.
I Corinthians 1:27b

Post note: Because I know the e-mails will come in...I just want to add that Christi is alive and well and still working for the Kingdom!

For information on how to help children with Down's Syndrome please go to:
Reeces Rainbow

We are fully into our second week of school and to say that we have a routine yet would be QUITE premature. I have to say that as much as I love, and I do mean LOVE organization and schedule I do not relish the unavoidable running around like a mad woman with soccer cleats hanging out the window...remnants of a peanut butter sandwich being gobbled down, someone saying, "MOM!!! MOM!!! I have to use the bathroom! AND I forgot I have to bring snack tonight!!" Last evening the four oldest all came home with homework...and they all have stories to tell about their days...I love these stories... these are the little gems of information I get as to how my beloved children spend the seven hours away from me each day...these are the stories that let me peak into how they interact with friends and teachers at school and what is important to them. So! They come in the door..and they ALL start talking at once...the sheer cacaphony of voices, back packs, feet on the wood floor threw me into a tunnel of bleary confusion...maybe even an out of body experience!! So that is when I went screaming from the room...okay, just kidding...I got them to settle in and tell one story at a time and we managed to get the homework done, eat dinner and out the door for a soccer game without too many mishaps. In another week or so we will have our routine down and be in full school mode...but in the meantime can I wish for a snow day??