JPN - Thunderstruck!

Just Plain Nuts!

Last week ended rather nicely with a lake cruise.

This week has been up and down with nutty things happening. There was a rather wicked storm that blew through several nights ago. I found Nathan 'holed' up sleeping in the bathroom .. on the floor .. near the toilet .. with a few towels and his pillow .. exhaust fan and lights on .. Why? Was he sick?? No, just trying to drown out the thunder and lightning that had him in a tailspin meltdown. Of course, that meant the dawg went nuts as well. She was pacing back and forth in the garage .. the likes of a mad dog. I put up a baby gate to block her from coming up the steps leading into our home .. gate now has bent wires. Said dawg was put in her kennel (willingly) .. but proceeded to paw and tooth her way out .. chipping off her top canine teeth (her nickname is DAD .. dumb a$$ dog). We have a sedative to use for such 'events' .. fireworks on the Fourth .. etc. I had already given her a few doses the past few weeks so didn't want to have her 'pop' so many pills. The effect is pretty much a triple margarita hangover (so the vet says .. not from my prior experience and lasts for an entire day. I'm taking up a collection for the vet bill should anyone wish to contribute ;)

Out And About

Saturday was a most perfect day. Warm temps, blue skies, a lake boat cruise with Nathan. Now this trip was to observe osprey birds and their nesting habitats. I forgot Nathan doesn't like birds. Think Alfred Hitchcock's, The Birds, movie ... and you have a picture of Nathan's terror. We went with a neighbor and her visiting little grandson. All was well until birds were mentioned. Nathan balked and found a quiet little niche away from the display and caged birds brought on board the cruise. He somehow managed to enjoy the sights (minus the screech sounds) from his
own little perch.

Photos: Mrs. Mac and little friend taken by Nathan, osprey in flight, lake shore, old 'binocular eyes' Nathan, eating a cinnamon roll & watching birds .. Nathan

Life Happens

Edit .. update of Nathan with proof of liking his bath :)
The past two weeks have been a nice mix of milestones for Nathan. The child has had his ups and downs in life ... and I have developed much patience. He recently acquired the gumption to bathe himself! After 13 years of ME having to give him a bath, a chore much like giving a cat a bath, he has decided that being a clean teenager is more conducive to having a little gal pal ;) Just the mere mention of her name makes him stand up and pay attention! He is quite smitten and is not ashamed of his affection for a certain girl. It's not as though they see each other often. In fact, not since the first part of June have they had contact. But, he holds her in his heart strings and that seems good enough for him (a good thing by me). Whew!

About a week or two ago, I heard an unfamiliar sound from the bathroom. It was Nathan in the tub not sure how to set the water to the perfect temp for his bath. He was able to wash and dry himself off. His maturity in self grooming has greatly improved. Now he is capable of putting on his jammies and brushing his teeth as well. To say I'm ecstatic is an understatement.

Whatever Happened To: Lazy Days?

I think 'lazy days' are a fond memory from my youth. I can remember at a very young age having the freedom of roaming the neighborhoods with my siblings and little friends. Our parents didn't have to worry about anybody kidnapping us ... we just made sure we behaved decent and came home for lunch and dinner. Some days we'd go to the local appliance store and snag large appliance boxes sitting out in the back alley. These boxes made the perfect fort in a vacant lot just down the street from our apartment. Imagination was the key ingredient to having fun as a child. Being outside in the fresh air, roller skating down the sidewalk, making our own scooters from discarded parts, attaching playing cards with clothes pins to our bike's spokes to make engine noise. Even digging in the couch cushions for the spare change that was always there to walk to the store for a frozen ice slushy. My grandpa would often spring for treats for all the neighborhood kids when the ice cream truck would make its rounds. We played in the gutter water and never got sick! It made the perfect canal to float large leaves. Not one of my friends was overweight ... we ran around all day long ... and slept sound at night. What a different world it is today. We had common sense ... something lacking today.

Ann is returning this afternoon so I'll be making a run to the airport later. DH is heading back to work keeping the world a little bit safer. Nathan ... well, he will be exploring the great outdoors with his pooch and playing ball. I'll be weeding the flowerbeds, cleaning house and tending the garden. Have a wonderful day.

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,