Not Me Monday - the Best Laid Plans

This blog carnival was created by MckMama! everyone should head on over and join in the fun!

• I certainly didn't plan to sleep in until 7:15 woke up at 3 a.m., finally got up at 6:45 *sigh*

• Plan a great school day with the kidss It wasn't me that skipped math on Friday so I could work on baking... Not Me... It wasn't me that sent the boys outside for "recess" so I could get ready for GNO. I would NEVER do that!
  
  
• Wasn't me that decided to fix a NEW recipe, Fruit Crostatas, for Girls Night Out and have it completely flop... Nope!
  
• Okay It was supposed to look like the picture on the right, but rather it ended up looking like the horrible mess on the left... Plan B - Homemade Guacamole in a rush... It was a bigger hit anyway.
  
  
• Girls Night Out -It wasn't me that left Honey at home with all the kids while I spent the evening with Sisterchicks and had a great time of a great massage chair and therapeutic foot soaking. It wasn't me that had such a relaxing time of time away and some honest sharing... Who would have known that we had so much in common that bonded us even more. That common bond may have not been the prettiest to share, if anything a even a bit startling and raw, but you know, it was good.It's not me that can't wait until next month's GNO!
  
  
• Saturday lunch BBQ with Friends - It wasn't me that was hiding in my friend's kitchen, sampling the smoked chicken, groaning with pleasure because it tasted so incredibly good. Not me! I certainly didn't enjoy watching the Kids playing outside in the leaves, the awesome smoked chicken and ribs, grilled tators, yummies galore... Nope, it won't be me who gained 5 lbs this weekend!
  
  It wasn't me that asked Only to write LOVE on my arm in support of "people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide" and then wish it would not fade..
  
  
• It wasn't me that looked forward to Relaxing evening with Family evening to myself. My kids did not scatter in different directions: Only at play practice all day, oldest spent day roofing with friend's family and then played basketball with the guys. Honey and I did not take Youngest home - so I could graded papers and Honey watched sports!
  

It wasn't me that told Youngest that I used to build fires as well, when I caught him starting one on the patio - something he learned in Boy Scouts... Not me!!! I would NEVER have done that with my first two! I did NOT tell him that using a magnifying glass even better than matches!

I wasn't me that thought Saturday had perfect weather, wishes the fridge wasn't so full of leftovers, or had a great time with friends. It's not me that will cherish getting a hug from Only... *sigh*

Thank you

"Thankful today for our founding fathers who pledged their lives, fortunes , and Sacred Honor for we who follow after and for all those who have worn the uniform to defend that pledge." Jimmian Yoder, wife of Fire Chief

I just wanted to pop in and say Thank you to all the men and women who have served our country to keep us free. My dear father-in-law, Floyd Hardwick. He served in the Korean Conflict, on a Navy Transport Ship, as well as on Guam. What a blessing he has been. The stories he's told, the influence he has had over so many. I'm thankful for this giant of a man for his willingness to serve all those years ago.

There are many that we know through school, everyday life, church... They have been a great example for us in serving and protecting, but their families have given up so much as well... Thank you!

What I feel like is not who I really am

Only and I just finished a Beth Moore Bible Study, a first for both of us (doing a BM Study), on Ester. One thing we heard over and over was it is tough being a woman. I could elaborate on this by adding it's tough being a mom, it's tough being a _______ - you fill in the blank.
There have been times in my life that I feel I'm fighting my own battles, though I know He is there going before me.

There have been times that life is so wonderful that I've felt like I would burst like fireworks - a zing for life!

Other times I feel like a dripping faucet - irritating and annoying to others and God. How can they stand to be around me???

Yet again, there are days that I feel close to Him, and know He is the Creator and This is the Day He made... How could anything ever go wrong.

Need I explain about those Titanic day?
Other times I feel as beautiful and colorful as the most beautiful butterfly He has ever created...

This last week has been tough with a daily headache looming around in my head, a child that has a thirst for life, adventure, and probably is a little more than ADD, and overwhelming thoughts of what do I try to do first... This morning, I knew I would not make a good Paul in the jail - my song would probably be more of a sad country song rather than one of Praise... I'm so thankful that God doesn't base His love for me based on how I feel. There are so many out there who are really struggling - Mollie with lung cancer, friend who just miscarried, broken marriages, lost jobs, loss of loved one, etc... Thank you for loving me when I don't always feel lovely!

You did it: you changed wild
lament into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
and decked me with wildflowers.
I'm about to burst with song;
I can't keep quiet about you.
God, my God,
I can't thank you enough.

(The Message)Psalms 30:11-12

Time alone

Yesterday I had the opportunity to stay with a friend's son, who has the flu, while she went to an appt. This meant leaving Only in charge of 2 eleven year olds and Princess Izzy - which she handled wonderfully! I wonder if I was even missed? Oh, back to my time away... Knowing we have not been victims to the flu, minus Oldest, she cleaned and sanitized things I might touch - which wasn't much. I only saw her son once and he had a surgical mask on... He looked so tired!

I must say that I truly relished my time away. It was quiet, except the TV which was playing McHale's Navy. I graded papers, laughed at a good movie, and enjoyed the view out her front door. They have the most beautiful trees - gorgeous colors! The picture I took doesn't do it justice - but I wanted to share. Just at a point when I was feeling overwhelmed with everything I felt I needed to do, God provided some time alone... I'm so thankful that he uses a very colorful paint brush each Fall!

I believe I have tree envy!

Up in the Air and Down

Looking back in my picture files
I found this one of Youngest and Only
and it Reminded me of a poem I had to memorize as a 2nd grader.
Do you have a favorite poem from your childhood?

The Swing

Robert Louis Stevenson

How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
River and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside--

Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown--
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!

Sanity Day

Today I took a day off, kinda. I've been feeling run down - burning the candle at both ends eventually makes the candle go out! Waving to my family as they drove off to church, I felt no elation, as I would miss worship and the message. I fully intended to get a much desired shower and fix lunch, Braised Beef Short Ribs and Root Veggies over Egg Noodles, but alas, I spent my whole time cooking. You can find the recipe for the stew by clicking on the recipe title.

I was thrilled yesterday when Only and I went resale shopping and found 8 items for just $30. After returning home we began constructing the skirt for her costume she will wear in the upcoming production of The Christmas Carol. I'm so thankful to have a serger that makes this so much quicker!

Only and I had a great time watching Riverdance on Friday and were so thankful for the opportunity to see the Irish dancers.

One thing I love about Fall are the beautiful colors we see in the River Valley, but also the chance for the kids to play in the leaves. Last week when we were having a difficult school day, I sent the boys outside to rake leaves and jump in them. They had such a good time, I'm starting to think that was a conspiracy against me! William had not raked leaves before, but found out it's a lot like sweeping the floor - but more fun.

Well I need to get some papers graded and enter grades in the grade book... maybe I'll just grab some M&M's on my way...