What I've been reading and visiting in blogworld

These last few days, while I've been sick, I've had a little more time to visit some blogs I like to read.  I wanted to share a few of these with you.   

• Craig Love thins out the herd of negative voices  (eliminating negative voices)  this was REALLY good. In all fairness, you really need to read all of his "Love" series to fully understand, but it very worth the time. for a matter of the heart. 
  
• The Queen Mommy wrote about Motherhood's Journey in which journaling about our growth, effort, accomplishments and successes through the journey of Motherhood and to see how God is changing us. This really touched my heart as a mom.
  
• Glenda about her daughter following in a legacy of missionaries and moving to England with Reign Ministries.
  
• Shelly at Life on the Wild Side about taking a sabbatical with her husband.
  

  

  Walking across a precipice

• Cindy at For One Another did a review of HOMESCHOOLOPY.   What a hoot!  I think it might be kind of fun, but if you know me, Monopoly is actually call The Divorce Game at our house.  No, it has not caused a divorce, but it sure does not embody fond feelings.  A few years ago, Youngest had a part in our church's Annual Business meeting which had The Great Adventure (Indiana Jones) theme.  As a token of appreciation, he was given the Indiana Jones Monopoly game and it's actually the only Monopoly game we can play without huge disagreements.
  
  
• Due to recent illness at our house, I  made a great large investment in Jello and Kleenexes with Lotion (this has got to be the best invention - really!).  Did you know that Jello has a Jell-O Lounge?  Care to make a guess what that is about?  Hint, you must be 21 to enter.  Yes, recipes for Jello with a bit of a twist.  I had no idea this was out there!

Finally decided to quit feeling like a train wreck and going to the doctor in an hour. Jello and yogurt are only good for so long. 

Well, after two hours at the doctor's office, I have fluid on both ears, high fever (STILL) after 5 days, sinus junk and a myriad of other stuff.  A horribly painful powerful antibiotic shot later,  5 days of free sample antibiotics, with a script for an additional 5 days ($10 a pill), and horrible headache I'm exhausted... Guess it's time to apply MORE Miracle Rub from The Momma.  I was so thankful that Only drove me to the doctor and fixed dinner after gathering 5 dozen eggs and caring for  friend's critter...  Anyone need some eggs? 

Spring Break?

I'm in a bit of a funk... Today is really the next to the last day of Spring Break.  While I must confess it was a much more relaxing week with just Miss H, I'm not quite ready for the week to end. I enjoyed sleeping in  30 minutes, relaxing by reading One Thousand Gifts each morning and actually having the brain to think and write some scripture and gifts down. 


Honey and I enjoyed dinner and took advantage of a movie gift certificate we had to see, Red Riding Hood (his choice).  I enjoyed our dinner time, but I DID NOT like the movie.  I so needed to find a really happy place after we got home, but we found our wonderful German Shepard tore into a poopy diaper in our bathroom because Youngest failed to empty all the trash. We had poo on our bedroom floor.  Yes, I was so mad at big scary black wolves and a poo eating dog that night - our date did not end well... Honey said he really liked it and was exaggerating, but this is my blog and I'm telling you, it was suspenseful and scary!

Only was babysitting for friends and they sent home their wonderful Bissell Carpet Cleaner.  I wasn't planning on cleaning the carpets, but they do look much nicer and they did need it.  I'm still not happy with the dog, but I've forgiven her.

Nap time for Miss H provided uninterrupted time to work on my Blissful Confection quilt.  After some research and "play time" I finally figured out the magic to FMQ (free motion quilting) and already have half of it finished.  Will post pictures when it is completed.  It was so much fun being free from the fear of anxiety of all the mess-ups I was anticipating!  Wahoo!!!

Youngest took off on Wednesday for the Katy Trail in MO, for a  3-day bike ride.  They rode 27 (yes, you read that correctly) MILES the first day, but returned two days early because they were unprepared for the SNOW!!! Yikes!  We were expecting temps in the 60's and only packed a light jacket, the jeans he had on, and short to ride in.

Honey and Oldest headed to his parents to roof their carport and storage building, so that left Only and I to fend for our selves.  It was delightfully quiet, but I missed the guys.  We enjoyed a nice dinner with my friend Ester at Cracker Barrel, stopped at Red Box for the movie Like Dandelion Dust and Life as We Know It.  I highly recommend skipping Red Riding Hood and seeing Like Dandelion Dust.


Only and I decided to head off on an adventure of our own.  Heading off to Sally's Beauty Supply with the awesome notes and hints that Raine (my sweet cousin) sent me, we purchased color to cover my ghastly gray and color to put highlights in our hair.  Needless to say, Only got some Honey highlights that she is perfectly happy with, and I have no more gray. I hope we can work on putting highlights in mine sometime this week. Have you ever highlighted someone else's hair?  How did it turn out?

Honey replaced our leaking kitchen faucet  and hoses that survived the food with Noah, cleaned under the sink (the dark place I don't like to go), and did a great job.  I'm so thankful he is able to do these things!

Here are a few post that I want to share with you.  I hope you'll take a minute to visit them:

• Shannon at Rock in My Dryer made me cry with her post of a Mystery that happened with her son.  Sigh, I'm living this as I order Graduation Invites/Announcements for Oldest.  This IS NOT happening, please tell me Oldest didn't grow up in the blink of an eye.
  
• Chris shed some light on Darwin, Ds (Downs Syndrome) and Evolving Thoughts on Evolution. I loved her perspective!
  
• The Vintage Rose has me longing to visit her shop in Tasmania - her "All you Need is Love" photo is quite beautiful!
  
  
• Lorie touched my heart writing about words that have haunted her: Mental Retardation and what it means in regards to Autism and Fragile X. She is gifted photographer, has a true heart for Christ, and is a great mommy to her kids.
  
• I  was glad to hear that Debra and her kids made it safe to TX after evacuating from Japan, where they were stationed. 
  
  
• mamaslaundrytalk.com  Mama shared tips proper care of kitchen towels and cloths.

  
  

  

  I'm so glad you stopped by today and I hope you had a good week.  I'd love to hear a tidbit of what you've been doing and any great post you've read this week.  It is a great encouragement when I read your comments!

Recaping the week: Sickness, blessings, and possibilities

How are you doing?  I mean REALLY doing?  Did you have a great week, an okay one, or are you thankful for the weekend? Are you ready for this coming week?

We've had two sweet little little girls, The Princess and "H", were diagnosed with RSV as well and we can't figure out where they picked it up from. Both have had meds to help with the coughing, of which they act like crazy little happy monkeys after taking it. I feel so bad for them. 


Did you know it is entirely possible to go through an ENTIRE roll of Charmin Jumbo roll TP in one day just by blowing one's nose?  Yep, it's been one of those kind of colds! 

On the 9th, I started reading One Thousand Gifts by Voskamp, and I've slowly, paragraph by paragraph, page by page, made it to chapter 4 writing down thoughts and scripture.  It is slowly teaching and revealing to me that inside each event, person, thing, experience... to look for the blessing - even if it's not always easy.  I'm not great at this, but I'm learning. It has made me think differently about Jesus during the Passover Feast with his apostles in Luke 22:19.  Which lead me to Philippians 4:11-12 and Ephesians 5:20. I'm up to #17 on my own list. 

This coming Tuesday, I will welcome the third sweet little girl(15 months old) to our crew, whom I will be caring for during the day.  There will be many adjustments for all.

Many of you know that we have a German Shepard who is terrified of storms, loud noises, hates riding in the truck,and gets terribly anxious when I leave the house. I was so excited when friends of ours told us about a "Thunder shirt" that they got their dog in dealing with anxieties and acceptance. They said they thought of us when they were talking with their pet therapist about it (I know, I'm in the wrong profession), so I did some research.  Could this be the solution that helps our Lady to feel less anxious? Next week I'm going to see about getting her one of these - I've had enough of sleeping on the couch with her!  



Here are posts that really touched me as I visited them.

• Pickie Palate posted about the most sinful looking Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip cookies.  Just the name makes me melt! You should see these beauties!  
• TracyLou at Where a Second Glance made a great business card holder - She's one  creative and gifted lady. 
• Glenda blessed with by allowing us a glimpse in the studio of talented Drenda Duff
• Lisa really blessed and challenged me in writing Your Life is NOT about you! Being on the worship team (I play the flute), sometimes one may lose focus, distracted by technical malfunctions, or a song set in a strange key that only guitars like, but that's not why I'm really there. It's all about Him.
• Lorie at Thinking Out Loud, in grief about the sudden death their pastor LAST NIGHT.  I cannot imagine the grief of their congregation, family, or the people that he touched.  Can you join us in praying for that congregation, his family, and community?
  

  "When life takes an unexpected turn what do we do?
  We turn to God..." Bishop from First United Methodist

    "Grief is the Price we pay for love" CS Lewis
  

I need to sign off and get some things done, but I want to leave you with a new song I hear  "This Is The Stuff" by Francesca Battistelli 

"This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use"

Catching up and a little ennui

Kernels are popping, butter is melting - a sure sign that it's Sunday evening at our house.  Honey and Only are watching Winter XGames and football.  Yep, Honey has control of the remote.

 Sunday - it's a day I usually do lesson plans in the evening while the kids are at youth group, Honey relaxes by watching some game (this is a fancy way of saying he's taking a nap) or we'll sit and talk.  All weekend I meant to get out my sewing and work on my quilt, but the weather was just beautiful!  So what did I do?  I took some time to catch up on some blogs and friends I've missed reading.

Glenda over at Gg is settling in her new home and received a lovely blog award - she has a rich and wonderful story to share - always encouraging.

My friend Kelly is expecting another miracle

The Momma found a way to find joy in laundry  (she masquerades as the Quilt Lady)

Lorie is celebrating her momma moving closer to her

My friend EM is finding her week a little more calm and answers to questions being answered.


and where did all this lead me?  Blog surfing!  I found this lovely blog that Felicity from Australia, Gifts of serendipity.    She posed a lovely idea of creating a strand of Lustrous Pearls honoring women in our lives:

"They are women we admire, they are women we care about.

They inspire us, they help us reflect on our own lives and give thanks for what we have."

 I loved perusing, being encouraged, and I love her Word of the Week!  Something I learned today that I wanted to share with you.

ennui

[n] mental weariness from lack of occupation or interest.

The feeling of being bored by something tedious.

Listlessness, tedium, lassitude, languor.

Do you see where I'm going with this?  Finally a fancy name for The Blahs!  Now if I only knew how to pronounce it!  Well, I'm  must confess that I feel ennui at the thought of heading out into the night for last minute groceries, when I'd rather stay home and watch the Hallmark movie The Lost Valentine...

Blogging in my dreams

My friend and I were attending an elegant wedding.  The ceremony was wonderful, the couple looked so beautiful together as they said their vows.  You would have thought they were the only ones in the room.  At the reception, sat at our table, watching the festivities and suddenly, there he was, standing all suave and confident behind the wedding cake, serving cake. He, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (NASCAR driver), (yes, that's who I said) ,  beckoned us over with his million dollar smile and inquired "Would you like a piece of $28 a slice wedding cake?" 

Whoa!!!  What groom invites us to eat some cake and tells us how much it cost per slice...  Taking my expensive tiny piece of cake back to the table, my friend and I sit down and grab our phones...  yep, we couldn't resist!  We were going to blog about this one! As I sat with my iPhone in hand, typing out a post to my blog, a beautiful melody, Bella's Lullaby, began playing and people began taking the dance floor.. It was the most dreamy scene..

ARGHHH! Silly me, it was only a dream!  Reaching for my alarm, I tried to silence it before it woke Honey up. See he was taking Friday off and I wanted him to get a chance to sleep in... Rats! 

"Is everything okay," he mumbles. 
"Um, yeah, I just had a dream about Earnhardt Jr. serving me $28 a slice wedding cake."
As I slipped into the bathroom, I could hear him chuckling... , I don't even like Earnhardt Jr, so what was he doing in my dream?  The only thing I can think of is I was missing blogging and my brain was telling me to get with it!  Blogging was invading my sleep and inventing things for me to write about...

Now before you think I made this whole thing up, I didn't.  I actually dreamed the whole thing!  I'm still not sure what the $28 a slice cake had to do with it other than it was breakfast time and it looked so scrumptous! Maybe Ace of Cakes or Cake Boss made it, who knows. Have you ever had a weird dream about blogging ?  I'd love to hear about it and know I'm not the only one!

Awwww! Sweet Reward from a friend...

Thank you Michelle of Flour Child for my first award! I love how she writes so wonderfully about her beautiful children and National Champ for a hubby! She bakes the most yummy looking dishes - an inspiration to me. She's creative, takes wonderfully pictures, and lives in an amazing beautiful place. There is a "meme" (i.e., chain letter of sorts) attached to this award, in the form of lists of sevens. Heck, I'm game! But if I "tag" you below, and you don't feel like playing along, that's fine by me. I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy your blog! 7 things I did before 1. worked at a cemetery in high school 2. assistant in a computer lab 3. work in the grill at Bible College 4. Sutherland's store cashier in the days before scanners or auto cash registers 5. Sylvan Learning center tutor 6. Test administrator 7. Substitute teacher 7 things I do now 1. Laundry, laundry, laundry 2. Drive my children around to all their activities. 3. Homeschool teacher 4. cook & bake 5. Keeper of the Calendar 6. Clean and pickup the house 7. play my flute in the church band/worship team 7 things I want to do 1. Travel to Ireland, the East Coast, Australia with the family 2. Start scrap booking again and finish all those unfinished albums 3. Be a better listener and really hear what is being said 4. Become a better money saver 5. Listen and Play with the kids more 6. De-junk the house (okay I'm really talking about the garage) 7. start sewing again 7 things that attract me about the opposite sex 1. A great sense of humor 2. compassion 3. eyes, it's in the eyes 4. attitude 5. the way he treats others 6. it's the little things he does 7. Responsibility 7 Favorite Foods 1. Ice cream 2. Lasagna 3. Macadamia Crusted Tilapia with White Chocolate Beurre Blanc4. Macaroni and cheese (Red Lobster) 5. Steak - just - just a little pink 6. Chocolate chip cookies dough 7. Chicken Spiedini 7 things I Say Most Often: 1. What did you do now? 2. There are privileges for staying, there are privileges for going. 3. Do you have homework? 4. Is this a need or a want? 5. Oh look! It's a "smart" driver. 6. Did you do your chores? 7. Did you write it on the list? 5 Tags (and award too; pick one up) I've chosen to tag some blog that I enjoy reading. They encourage me, educate me, make me laugh, and even bring me to tears. They write of celebrations of life, frustrations, joys, and times of sadness. I appreciate their honesty and what they share. Celebrating Life from artags.blogspot.com (special friend, heart for her kids, family, and God, and saving money) the momma from Finding Joy in the Little Things (special friend, heart for her kids, family, and God, and saving money) Mck Momma from My Charming Kids (she puts her heart into it and has a heart for God.) Stephanie from A Year of CrockPotting (what great recipes she gives and a challenge she is meeting) Marie from Breadbasketcase ( I love to bake bread and Marie