Tag Times Two

I'm a slow poke when it comes to acknowledging blog awards. Not that I don't appreciate them, for I truly do. My computer sometimes runs so slow that I have to finagle getting pictures posted most days ... but I want to thank two lovely friends from different parts of the world for bestowing me with kind awards.

First, my friend Maggie Ann ... over at the Knitting Kat blog has given me the "Uplifting Blogger Award." Maggie Ann is a sweet, kind-hearted lady that loves God with her whole being. You can't help but have some of God's Word rub off on you when you pay her a visit (a very good thing, I might add).She has inspired me to take up knitting ... and most recently ... she blessed me with a box full of wool samples to practice spinning ... as in making yarn ... there were even directions and a book with nice pictures. Soon ... I will attempt to unravel the mystery of how yarn is made... thanks to Maggie Ann :)

Secondly, My friend Lidj, from the beautiful Philippine Islands has given me the "Kreative Blogger Award" and asked me to name seven things I love that show my creativity. Well, here goes:

1. God's creative touch has always inspired me. Whether watching the sun set from my backyard hammock, or photographing a snowy winter scene, Each day I go out into the world something He created JUMPS OUT at me.
2. Taking something old and discarded and re-purposing it into something beautiful. Much the way God can transform a person from the inside out.
3. Sewing and cooking were my favorite subjects in school. I learned to sew on a tiny little Singer sewing machine my dad bought me for Christmas when I was only five years old. That started my love for stitching up aprons, and doll clothes at a VERY young age.
4. The last few years have been exciting having built our own home from a drawing I made on a paper napkin. Selecting each door knob, faucet, light fixture and appliance. Paint colors, roof color and style, and what color and type of siding. Landscaping the yards and putting in my veggie gardens. Step by step, line upon line. Much like reading the Word of God ... a little each day and soon you've read the whole Book!
5. Gathering my little flock of 'Scarf Sisters' and protecting them, praying for them, acting goofy with them, encouraging them.
   
6. Being the mother of four wonderful grown children. They bless my world each and every day. How lovely it is to watch them mature and become dear friends.
7. Well, one of my four children is a most precious young man that is maturing leaps and bounds. He was created with an extra chromosome that has given him the most sensitive heart. No matter what 'label' he has placed next to his name in his school file, he's truly the most loving individual I've ever met.

Wow, seven things already! God has blessed me with more creative ideas than I know what to do with ... which is scary ... not to boast. Sometimes, I wish there were more hours in each day so I could attempt other creative projects. But God knows best ... and I have to pace myself.

There are so many Uplifting and 'Kreative' bloggers that visit here. It's hard to choose recipients. So, if you think you'd like to accept either or both of these awards from me, I give you permission to participate. Thanks ladies!

Back To Work(ing the land)

The folks left yesterday morning. We had a nice visit with them. This week Ann and Mr. Mac have flown the coup for some visiting with family and friends. That leaves Nathan and me holding down the fort. Here are a few pictures from my parent's visit.

Today finds me in the garden working the veggie beds, putting up some deer netting around a four foot path just outside the garden fence where I've planted corn, cabbage and winter squash. I hope to find time soon to visit with everyone, but for now, I'm swamped!

Photos: Patrick's 27th b/d celebration, Mrs. Mac and Pop fishing at the lake, my beautiful mom, Pop and Mrs. Mac after picking strawberries at a local farm.

Just Lurking

... We have company this week and next ... my folks are visiting ... I've put them to work around the homestead ;) Pop is as happy as a clam working in the garden :) ... Will be sporadic in my rounds of everyone's blogs ... Have a blessed week.

Hugs,

The Duties of The Housewife

I'm not sure if I like the term 'housewife' .. it's gotten a bad rap over the past few decades. And being called a 'domestic engineer' is a rather silly term meant to cover up an often demeaned and frowned upon profession. I suppose 'homemaker' has a softer more gentle connotation. I didn't just sit around when I was in high school dreaming of being a homemaker. I had plans to work. I did work for six years as a secretary. I think that title has been changed too and is now called 'administrative assistant' ... Currently, my job duties are: organizer/short-order cook/dishwasher/chauffeur/laundress/seamstress/nursemaid/house maid/gardener/landscaper/pet sitter/flag raiser/window washer/go to person when something is lost, dirty, broken or missing/toilet scrubber/brave person to open leftover containers in the fridge/bookkeeper/computer repairman/granny daycare/lost and found/mind reader/soap maker/clothes mender/family historian/purchasing agent and wife to husband, mother of four, grandmother of one. With all of these duty skills under my belt, I'd still have a hard time finding a decent paying job in the corporate world ... because I have 'no experience' staying at home the past 26 years.

Monday Morning

Did I mention that sometimes my home is a 24/7 adventure? This week is supposed to be summer vacation: no morning school bus to catch, no lunch to pack, no alarm clock. Will my family please read my blog and take a hint! I need a week of sleep ..... shhhh! No 5:30 AM alarm clock that wakes me up, Ann girl, that dear old mom has to get up and tell you to turn off. No 6:20 AM phone call ('Soldier Boy ~ now forest Fire Fighter in training) ~ son calling to tell me good-bye for the week while you are away at school; I love you ... but I need my sleep ... send me a text or call me on your lunch break. No hammering at 7:00 AM Mr. Construction worker building a home on the lot next door. Sigh ... It's now past 8:00 AM ... OK, I'm awake. Why is it so quiet now?

Saturday Breakfast Fare

1. egg frittata
   
2. musk melon, with lime wedges
   
3. smoked bacon fried up in the big black skillet
4. fried potatoes cooked in said black skillet with bacon drippings
5. toast with home made raspberry/mango jam
6. coffee
7. orange juice

one hubby, one daughter, one son, and one momma

To do List today:

• change beds
• sweep floors
• wash and line dry sheets
• work in potato patch
• knit a dishcloth
• package up a top secret gift swap for a new (undisclosed/mystery) scarf sister (sshhhhhh)
• tidy up guest room for parents arrival
  

School's Out ...

... For Summer~

Yes, I am so looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow. There should be a whole week of not having to nudge, prod, or wear myself out getting Nathan ready to catch his school bus! The trade off: having to drive his little fanny to and from day camp four days a week ...for eight weeks this summer. I know, I know ... there's always a catch.

Next week my parents arrive for a visit.

Father's Day is coming up.

The Mr. and Ann travel to visit old friends.

Need to plant my second crops soon.

Re-coat the blacktop driveway.

That should do it for June.

Help

... my youngest son has OCD (and is driving me nuts). I remember reading years ago that children with Down syndrome like to have order and routine in their day to day lives. Order and routine I can handle ... but OCD is taking over my son's (and my) life.

It started with a new blanket I purchased for his bed. It's very, very soft. He began taking off his bedspread and flinging it onto my bedroom floor every day after school so he could run his hands over the soft nap of said blanket. Then there's the dvd/cds that he strategically places on top of said blanket. A Spiderman ball has to be placed just so at bedtime on the floor, a night light, a white noise fan, the window and shade down until I sneak in at night to give him some fresh air. His toothbrush and paste placed just so, socks on feet at all times (OK, I admit, I have this same fetish), water cup on coaster placed just so at night, and his 'boom' (plastic toy shovel) that goes everywhere with him inside the house. He sleeps with it under his pillow at night (one hand on it at all times) ... Oh, and if you happen to laugh around him, it gives him a 'pain in the head or eye' ... On Monday I switched his bedroom furniture around because he dances in circles to music and I'm afraid he will literally wear a hole in the carpet. Boy did I get an earful for this maneuver. His obsessive compulsive disorder is getting worse as he gets older. I think it's time to attend OCD anonymous and get into a 12 step program.

The Late Great ...

...United States. Sigh,

I says to me self, yes, when I was a wee child in first grade, hiding under me school desk during a 'A bomb drill' ... and remembering back through the fog the teacher's conversation about one day having "these United States taken over by the communists from within" ... to be exact ... she/he said that they (the communist) would plot to take over the land and we wouldn't be able to know they were the enemy because they would dress, talk, work beside us and go unnoticed until one day they overthrew us. Me thinks that day is upon us. No, I'm not 'chicken little' ... just a little chicken. Anyone else remember their teachers having a similar lesson plan?

Wake up America. Oh, I think it might be too late. The enemy has had us in his syrupy grip for quite some time. Remember 'pleasure island' from Pinocchio? We're the boys that are in the process of turning into donkeys from too much sinful pleasure. We've abandoned our call as a united people and have gone from a nation united under God to a mere notion soon forgotten.

Come Lord quickly.

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Revelation 14:6-7 (KJV)