Lavender Soap

Tyler and a couple of other students have math tutoring three days a week with Mrs. Sombs,

aka "Deb". She has the most adorable newborn that I have the pleasure of holding while she imparts wisdom to her three students.

Claire (one of Deb's Tutees) and I were extracting the essence of my lavender plants one day before tutoring. She took this experience and let it blossom. Today, she brought all of us lavender infused soaps. I can't stop smelling this soap cake!

Everytime I walk by this soap I feel calm :-)

Part of this is thankfulness to Claire for bringing soap cakes to all of us.

Ultimately, I am so thankful that a young girl seized the opportunity to bless others

with a calming scent to bless their days.

Thank you Claire!!

Ongoing Knitting Project

Doesn't look like much~~ does it?? Truth

be told this is a sweater in the making. Deb is helping

me knit a sweater from her hand spun yarn. She is a

very patient tutor. I am working on the back and I am

almost ready to put the shoulders onto stitch holders!

I'm hooked (or knitted). If I have a free moment, I knit another row.

I don't even care if this sweater is ugly when I'm done. I'm having such a great

time knitting...I don't care!

Happy Birthday Lizzie!

Happy Birthday Lizzie!

O.k. all you blogger friends...back up and read the previous entries. I am blogging backwards!

You, my dear girl, were prayed for from the beginning. I remember a 4th of July outing to the coast. I was walking along the water line just praying for another baby. The longing was so intense. That night we watched fireworks on TV. I just knew God was going to give me another little one.

When I went into labor, it was false, just a tease. Then, two weeks later...I was dropped off in the patient zone at Kaiser Hospital at 6:30 a.m. Daddy couldn't come because he had already used up his leave.

Oh, leave it to me to follow the latest new age, pro-child program around. I chose to have you naturally with out pain medication. I wouldn' t trade this experience for anything. Yes, your birth was intense--with much pain, but you weren't exposed to any drugs. You nursed for 12 months, ate totally organic, healthy food and were a complete blessing to our lives.

Yes~~you have always taken the challenge. Just as in birth. Only me and you--no drugs, just stamina.

So...June 3, 1983

You were born and life has never been the same.

Happy Birthday Chris!!

One of my children challenged me to do birthday blogs for my other children. I am starting backwards.

Happy Birthday Chris!

I was knitting a sweater for you-- yellow, because that was in the day before ultrasound) when I realized something wasn't quite right. Daddy was sleeping so I just sat up knitting until the pains were 5 minutes apart. We drove to the hospital at 3:00 a.m. with me breathing really deeply.

Oh my, we were such novices. Twelve hours later you were born!

We took you home to the best nursery in the world. Being our first born, we had just everything ready for you. You were a fantastic baby right from the start.

You never gave us a moment's worry. You were calm, scheduled and clean.

What more could a new mom (18 years old) ask for??

Later, when Jenny was born, you took your role as a big brother very seriously. You have been a protector and planner all your life. When you were 6 or 7 you invented a baseball game on a board using buttons for players. You have always had an aversion to mayonnaise and a love for children younger than you.

Happy Birthday!!

Our Daily Bread

I picked up a bread machine at a Thrift Store for $10 recently. I used to have a bread maker but, alas, I used it to death.

I don't know if it is our crazy weather or my recipes that came with the bread maker, but my bread has a very porous texture.

In the whole scheme of things, this is a very small problem. As I read my dear friend's blogs, I notice there are families in real turmoil. I only have to get to the "D" page in my address book to realize someone needs prayer, a meal, money etc...

So why am I worried about the texture of my bread?? Because my bread will go with a Beef Stew or Chicken Soup for a family in need. My bread will fill my home with the aroma of growing up safely with God as the Cornerstone. My bread will give me the opportunity to reach out to YOU for suggestions on a better loaf :-)

Yes, my "new" bread machine is doing a great job of reaching out!

Happy Birthday Jenny!!

Once you become a Mommy, your special birthday celebration goes out the window. That's not to say that you don't continue to need or want this special day~~it's just that you have to give it second, third or fourth place in your ordinary day.

Oh, but remember Jenny~~God chose this particular day among others for you to be born. You came into this world without a complaint. You were a sweet baby, never giving us a moments concern until you had pneumonia at age 18 months. There you were in your hospital crib, tied down so you wouldn't pull out your I.V. So it was during this hospital stay that your were potty trained because you couldn't stand to have the collection bag attached to you. Yes, even at that tender age, you were modest!

Once you came home and continued to heal, you slept through the night and were completely potty trained with pretty panties.

You had a very spirited side that we loved. You would get off the school bus at another stop just to have an adventure. Just goes to prove that later in life you would embark on a missionary trip to another destination and make life long friends.

Your attention to detail (right down to the very smells of the events) continues to bless all those who receive birthday cards ten or more years later!

So, on this day, your 34th Birthday~~We wish you love.

Before and After

Here is a picture of what I was up to this morning:

And, Here is the After Picture!

Yes, these are homemade dog treats! My Aunt proclaimed me crazy. My Mom agreed. I had so much fun making these. Thanks to Lizzie and my friend Deb, I was able to make two sizes of treats. The whole house smelled like freshly baked wheat bread. I suggest you try this fun activity. Bonus~~Bella loves her treats!

Next Steps

When our babies were little, we cherished the "next steps". Sleeping through the night, the first time they smiled, rolled over, stood up, uttered their first words...

Then, later in life, we take care of our parents and become increasingly aware of brain chemicals and how they interact. Among the mumbo-jumbo of medical terminology, we come back to the basics. Good Nutrition, fresh air, stimulation and sleep. Oh, but one more thing for our parents~~respect.

It is very " easy " take our newborns home and practice life--"trial by error". Not so with our parents. They already know what works and what doesn't.

So... we embark on this journey, totally unprepared with hands on experience. We can read medical journals, glean advice from friends, surf the web...Bottom line, we are on our own.

EXCEPT...

We have God! He is always available to answer our health, finance, insurance, nutrition and medication questions!

James 1:5 " If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking."

AND...We don't need a library card, access code or password to ASK!

Garden of Eating

My "other daughter" Emily dropped off this beautiful produce from her Garden of Eating today. Imagine my surprise when I walked in from a myriad of doctors appointments to find this beautiful array of fresh veggies. Along with the veggies was an ever so sweet note from her. Em, please know that God channeled His Love through you to us :-)

We had the most fantastic salad tonight with our leftover pasta!

I'm hooked!! I may just be like Peter Rabbit and raid your vegetable garden while you are asleep!

Learn To Knit

Tyler's Math Tutor is also my Knitting Tutor. She has spun an abundance of beautiful wool for me to knit.

So...I have cast on the necessary stitches for a "simple" sweater. I love the feel of the yarn flowing through my fingers and the needles. Deb has done all the math that has to do with stitches per inch and inches per .....

I told Deb I could just knit on and on with her homespun yarn. It feels so good to just knit away without a care in the world.

REALITY HITS!!!

I either have the most HIP potholder or the smallest sweater front!!

For those who are knitters:

It's all about the guage -)

Reaching Out

The next time you receive a call to help a family in need, please say yes.

Don't elaborate on how much you need help. God already knows that. Don't give excuses for time, finances, convictions...

God knows that also.

Just say yes.

Can you provide a meal, a beverage, diapers, snacks, prayer, paper plates...

How about cutting the lawn? Dragging the garbage out to the curb?

Do you have DVD's you can loan out for a week or two (without late fees?) Why not add a two liter soda and some microwave popcorn?

You get the idea :-)

Stewardship

I don't think there is a Pastor alive who relishes a sermon on Stewardship. Our Pastor presented this topic in a most Blessed way today. From the announcements, to Worship, Preaching and then the offering~~Everything was based on God's Holy Word.

Our local church is falling on hard times. Our Shepherd has taken the lead with a significant financial cut.

Other ministries have taken cuts apportioned to our Pastor's cut.

Bottom Line~~ We are God's servants. We can either be wholy surrendered, living lives of sacrifice OR otherwise.

I know I have something to think about tonight.

Light My Fire...

We just love our little fire pit!
All we have to do is light a duraflame log and just sit back and relax.

They even have one with colors that circulate through the life of the burning log. Sort of like fireworks without the sparks!!

We just love to sit out on our deck and enjoy the summer nights, stars in the sky and fire on the deck. Who could ask for anything more??

"Under Construction"

If you have noticed my new blog look you can thank Jenny! She just seems to capture the essence of wh0 I am. The color she has chosen is the color of my living room. We live in the newest grape growing region in California, so Jenny chose the beautiful grape vine. Also, I can't help but be reminded of the Scripture, "I am the Vine, you are the branches".

I could go on and on about her talents. She would protest. I have come to realize that computer stuff is just not me. So, I honor those, such as my Jenny, who can put it all together. What is your talent? Do you cook?

Do you starch and iron a shirt worthy of note?? (I don't~~so please, give me your number) How about your green thumb? Could you share a bit of it?? Baking? Reading to children? Knitting? Mechanics??

You get the idea. Share your talents. Swap your talents.

Jenny, I can't swap anything with you~~you already do everything better than I could ever dream :-)

Grandma's Posse

So here they are~~"Grandma's Posse" They are all sitting around the living room watching Daytime TV, namely Maury. Today's topic was "Who's The Baby's Daddy?" To all my friends who are confused and angered by this...don't be. My Mom has dementia. These precious boys are sitting with her and just doing what comes naturally to them...eating, posing for the camera and just being there for Grandma. Yes, I am monitoring what they see and hear. I can change the channel faster than the road runner!

All my Mom remembers is that she watched TV with all her friends.
Thank you Jesus!!

Coffee, Tea, Juice??

As usual, I prepared the coffee for the morning, but there was one difference...Jared, Caleb, Grace and Lily's cups were on the counter. I had just washed them and put them out to dry. Ouch!! By the time you read this they will be back in Washington. This is a really good thing. Caleb was so ready to go back home :-)

We had a great visit but I'm so happy you can be back in your own home. Daddy told me you don't need your sippy cups anymore so I will just keep them on the shelf f0r when we have little friends come to visit. I will tell them that these cups belong to my grandchildren but they will be happy to let you drink out of them. Don't worry kids...I won't let our visitors keep your cups :-)

Family Day

We had a great family day today.

We went to Chris and Carol's house and then set out for the local wine tasting room.
Kiah could care less about the year or vintage, so I took this as my cue to play outside with her. We took turns taking pictures of each other. I had my camera and she had her View master. Every time she took a picture she would say "Barney!"
Grandma is enjoying a quiet moment in the courtyard.

Back at home...Kiah set the table for us. Doesn't it look great??

Yard "Sales"???

My daughter Jenny and I went to a couple of yard sales today, or as the sign says~~ "vard sale"

One had everything organized on tables according to price ~~ good prices let me say.

The other was a free for all. Clothes and toys everywhere. Random signs advertising Pepsi Machines and other questionable items. I mean, really--who has a commercial sticker machine (like you see in the lobby of a grocery store) and how do you fill it??? Not to mention it was going for $50!!!

We developed some "rules" for yard sales:

1)Don't tell everyone how much you paid retail for the items. You are selling your junk!

2)Display everything neatly--don't just throw stuff on the lawn and expect people to pay top dollar.

3)Price to sell (do you really want to haul your junk off?)

4)DO NOT over price your junk!

Have a dollar table, a $2.00 table etc. Label everything then be prepared to bargain. In the words of my wise daughter, "People want to be able to buy an item with the few dollars in their wallet".

5)Final advice, be prepared to give away small items to children who are shopping with their parents. Are you really going to miss that small stuffed animal, color book or puzzle???

We're Havin a Heat Wave...

We're having a heat wave. Right now at 7:30 p.m. it is still over 100 degrees outside :-(

My tomato cried out so loud I could hear it from the house!

Yes Petunia, I hear you too!
Black Eyed Susans seemed to be showing off a little!

I tried to re-set the automatic sprinkler system but, alas, I don't have a degree in Home Depot.

We are supposed to see a cooling trend this weekend~~down into the 90's!

Brunch and Lamentations??

My Mom and I attended a Ladies Brunch at our church today. The food was absolutely delicious. Everyone seemed to have a "favorite" on the buffet table. We had egg bakes, fruit, coffee cakes, muffins etc.

We also had a wonderful guest speaker, Jena, who is a missionary serving with Campus Crusade.

So why did we "lament?"

Our speaker took us through several lamentations in the book of Psalms. We broke into small groups and read several of David's laments. We came away with a greater understanding of what it means to lament, and how it is O.K. with God if we do lament.

God hears our lamentations. He desires to heal us and causes others to worship Him as we come through the despair into Praise.