A break from school and work is RIGHT ON TIME this year!
Spending some "down time" with The Kiddos.
See you in a week!

Her Crowning Glory

I read a lovely post about the classic and beautiful Chignon hairstyle at Willow Manor. My grandmother, whom I called Mamaw, always wore a chignon. I have no recollection of her EVER having any other hairstyle. My grandmother's luxurious hair was always WHITE in my memory although there is picture proof that she had dark locks in her earlier years. My Aunt would come regularly to Mamaw's house and shampoo, roll and set her hair. My family lived next door to my grandparents so my Mamaw's house was a natural extension of our home. I can vividly remember my fascination with my grandmother's hair as it cascaded, white and wavy around her shoulders as it dried. Most people would never have seen my grandmother with her hair down, it was somehow, a very intimate thing about her. Then the process of putting it up on her head began with skillful twisting and the use of bobby pins to hold it in place. At some point a hair rat was used creating a slightly different upstyle. Mamaw always had it swept up at the back of her neck and I adored her and her beautiful hair.



A precious memory of a precious grandmother now gone almost 21 years.

I was cleaning up after a training session on parenting kids with disabilities last week when a parent approached me and said, "I just want my son to be normal."

Hmmmmmm. All I heard was the word: "NORMAL"
WHAT is normal?
Is ANYONE normal?
Do YOU know anyone you would characterize as "normal?"

I am not insensitive. I know what this mother meant. I allow myself to "dapple" in the "what if's" from time to time. This mom was being HONEST. She watches her son struggle. She takes him to numerous appointments and therapies each week. He struggles with tasks that typical kids do without a thought. He may never be independent, get married, hold a full time job. Yet, he is her son,her reality. Without him she would not be the woman she is today. She is a good Mom. She is dedicated to her son and his quality of life. She celebrates the smallest milestone because he gives it his best shot. He is NOT defined by his disability but his disability is an integral part of WHO he is and without that HE would NOT be the child she loves ferociously. He is a teacher to all he comes in contact with as his enthusiasm and acceptance of life as he knows it is contagious.

So what if all the kids/people we know that have disabilities/differences were "NORMAL." What would our world be like?
God does NOT make mistakes.
Normal isn't so great.

SPRING HAS ARRIVED

I cannot remember a year when spring has been MORE welcome!
WELCOME SPRING!!

Check these out!

Spring gets me itching to be outside and GET ACTIVE! We have 60 degrees today and I cannot remember a year when it has been MORE WELCOME! I have never been a runner/jogger but I often WISH I loved to run! Walking our Golden Retriever is more my style and might I add good exercise too? I have had my eye on these running shoes for some time because the designer of these shoes is PURE inspiration!

I LOVE bright spots of color in my life and these shoes are REALLY special.

Shelby Lee, came home from China in 2007. She had multiple congenital heart and lung defects and a projected life expectancy of only four years. Doernbecher Hospital changed the outcome of her story. After several surgeries Shelby is a healthy teen today! She designed a limited edition Nike running shoe as part of the Doernbecher Freestyle program, where patients get to design shoes that are sold to support the hospital.

If you would like to see a little more of Shelby's amazing story check out her video.

Happy Weekend dear friends! Get out and get some exercise! Good for the soul!

Luck of the Irish to ye!

May those who love us, love us
And those who don't love us,
May God turn their hearts
And if he can't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles
So we will know them by their limping!







A little celebrating at Killeny Glen today! Don't forget to wear your green!!

~google images

Beauty in the eye of the beholder

I posted a photo last week of one of my favorite barns near The Glen. It is old and dilapidated and beautiful. I had no idea how many others are intrigued and interested in the charm of old barns. I'm joining Tricia today for BARN CHARM.

When the horrifically dilapidated farm house that went with this barn was torn down MANY years ago I feared the barn would go too but it was left to hold court over this immense corn field.

I have been a fan of this structure my entire life. It has miscellaneous junk and equipment still stored in it although it clearly is not structurally sound.

The design of the roof shingles is a favorite of mine.

This peek catches my eye every time I drive by as it usually has 2-4 red tailed hawks perched up there scanning for rodents. These raptors are very common in our area.

A walk through an open corn field is pure pleasure for me. I am NOT a fan of coyotes though and when I walk way out in a field I always feel as if I am being watched by those creatures!


Be sure to pop over to Bluff Area Daily and check out the other barns.

sign>>>HERE

As I stood in line at the store I heard a lady protesting LOUDLY over some unknown issue. I turned away...I was not interested in hearing her rantings. At one point she shouted, "I did NOT sign up for this!!!" We CHOOSE so many things in life don't we? We have choices presented to us many, many times a day. I prefer the easy ones...orange juice or coffee? Red sweater or black dress? 2:00 or 3 o clock?

BUT, what about the tough ones...

the heart wrenching,

keep you up at night,

gut in pained swirls of anguished indecision?

WHAT. ABOUT. THOSE?

God continually presents himself to me and clearly shows me that HE has it ALL figured out. What am I doing trying to do it all by myself? I did NOT sign up for that. All I need to do is rest in His perfect plan.

I DID sign up for that.

And I am so thankful.


google image

Her loneliness ended 50 years ago...

Fifty years ago on March 11th, Barbie found true love when the SWANKY Ken Carson came into her life.



Over the years Ken has adapted his styles and has managed to keep up with his main squeeze Barbie. Although Ken and Barbie broke up in 2004 I understand that they are getting back together.



Wonder if Barbie got Ken a fiftieth birthday gift?


The Killeny Glen Barbies prefer to date G. I. Joe.

Spring rain

The chilly rain drops put me in slow motion insisting I cuddle up with a blanket and a latte!!

simple pleasures

Well friends, it is FRIDAY and just saying that OUT LOUD brings me much pleasure. This week has certainly zipped by and our weekend is pleasantly upon us!


Thought I would share a few snaps I took over the last week or so that are simple PLEASURES.


No need to purchase cat toys. Who would have thought a Nerf bullet would be so mesmerizing!?? Flynn had a love affair goin' on!

I ate ALL these babies. Why is it that the little ones are SO MUCH BETTER than the full size? Please note the shadow in this photo...THAT IS THE SUN shining brilliantly through my window!

Oh yeah, that's me rockin' the bowling alley with my extreme prowess. My boys made SO much fun of me that I think the neighboring alley occupants were thoroughly entertained. Ummmm, just let me add here...I won. (Nate and Mitchell read this! I WON! I am THE VICTOR!)

I pass this gorgeous barn regularly. I love old barns...NOT the new pole barns that seem all the rage...wood and red paint are my favorites.


Happy Weekend ALL!

A character in the village

Meet Jake**. I look for him EVERY day and I smile and wave at him EVERY SINGLE DAY. My kids comment about Jake daily. "Have you seen Jake?" "What is Jake doing today?" I value his presence in our community. We live in a small university town. People come and go with the university. Then there are those that have lived here for many generations and those that have come here and STAYED because it is a charming place to live. Jake has lived here his entire life.

Like each of us, Jake is unique. He is a gentle man living under the watchful eye of his sister. Jake's days are spent walking the streets of our village. Rain, snow or shine, Jake can be found walking. He sweeps at the hair salon, he empties the trash at the grocery, he shovels snow at the coffee shoppe and he walks the village streets.

Over the years the folklore created by people who come and go has been dramatic and quite laughable. Even Jake knows the stories that are spun about him. At what point do we accept and embrace differences? Not fear them, exaggerate them or avoid learning about them?

Jake is a constant reminder that all is well here in the village. His presence reassures me that some things in life ARE predictable and good and that our goal is NOT unattainable perfection. Jake makes the world a better place to live.

Here's to you Jake!


**Name changed
Jake does not mind having his photo taken but I decided to use some "messy" snaps for his privacy.

MARCHing into spring!

The gray days stay with us here in the mid west...BUT there are most certainly SIGNS of spring!