Cincykids 06

Good Times! I think it's going to be a huge thing someday like SOS. I am sure that's encouraging to VCC staff, as long as it's just 3 evenings and not 5 entire days. They pretty much live at the church during SOS....long crazy days. It was wonderful, for it's inaugural year. Perry had fun. Such cute stories from the block party today. Block party= Vineyard providing everything needed to throw a block party in an low income neighborhood, everythings free, lunch included. Music, games, prizes, raffles....love on a neighborhood for an afternoon. I didn't get to go, I was at work so I sent Geegaw. Signed her up to take tickets for prizes with Perry. I was curious how this would work to attempt to get 6-12 year olds to help, when you'd know they'd want to play. And play they did, although many of them helped a little. I guess the best part was that our kids were basically playing alongside the kids from the neighborhood, Hartwell for those local folks. That's when the ministry started to happen. Just for our kids to who can experience that stuff often, experiencing it with kids who wouldn't normally get to do that kind of thing.

They were sharing prize tickets, sharing prizes, and all having a blast together. So many cute stories shared this evening from the block party. With the help of some hand genstures, and strategic stomping Perry learned his bible verse.

Acts 1:8 "but the Holy Spirit, will come upon you and give you power, then you will tell everyone about me, in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world." One of the best scriptures ever!

They did a little salvation prayer thing at the end. So cute. It was after the awesome juggler evangelist named Jessie. He was great. So they had a little altar call, and almost all the kids went up. Perry didn't, he stayed in his seat, but as she was saying the prayer of salvation. I looked over and he had his little praying hands on, with his little eyes closed, repeating the prayer right along with her, all by himself no prompting. Yeah it got me a little misty myself, so sweet. The interactive prayer rooms were probably my favorite part. Perrys favorite was the super cool juggler. I'll post more picture tomorrow....I'm wore out.

Hands and Feet

I know I've been a blog slacker all week. I throw in one activity, and my life is consumed. Perry and I are doing Cincykids. The Vineyards version of VBS sort of, but not really. They never do things that are normal, but always good stuff. Good God stuff going on with the kids. Worship songs, a memory verse (Act 1:8), bible lessons about Peter and John healing the lame man, and all sorts of fun stuff. My favorite part by far has been the interactive prayer rooms. So cool, it really grabs the kids attention to show them that prayer is truly dialogue between you and God and it can be totally interactive. I took some pictures tonight of parts of one of the rooms. Stuff like praying about taking a leap of faith and loving those who are different than you. At which point the kids got to hop on some pillows. Praying for kids who like to do the same things you like to do, and while you pray for them draw a picture on this big banner of what you like to do. Perry drew a picture of a TV, I drew a scrapbook. Praying for those who haven't been nice to you or may have said mean things to you, while doing that they got to write their prayer on a heart and stick it to a picture of a bully. Those are just a few examples. So cool. I hope to take more pictures of of some of the things tomorrow. Tomorrow, mom and Perry are headed out to help with a block party in Hartwell as part of Cincykids, to show God's love in a practicle way. So if you aren't busy head over to Vine and Galbraith to the Hartwell Community Center to play some games and hang out and have fun with some kids from a different neighborhood. It's from 11 to 2pm........If you can't make it, send up some words the weather is nice and not too hot, my mom's an old lady.

Amazing!

We sat in awe of these ginormous Hot Air Balloons, lauch right over top of us. Simply Amazing. This was my favorite shot of the day.....so cool, they inflated them right in front of us in a large field, in Middletown, Ohio. This was the final launch of the weekend, all the others were in an airfield farther away from the park. How lucky we chose the final launch to check out.




 

It's a Date

So I have a date with a younger man at 9:30 pm. So I guess you are wondering whatever for? Well it's this little thing called Toontown, it's this game you subscribe to, and in so doing you get to defeat Cogs (robot bad guys), with a toon you created yourself. And you can interact with other toons who are hanging out in toontown.....CRAZINESS.....You get toon tasks to complete and with each task you complete you get access to more of toontown....SWEET! I have a Toon, P has a Toon, and Ron has a toon....not to mention, my co-worker and her family, they all have toons. So her son is super excited that I am a resident of Toontown....so I am to meet him at the Gagshop at 9:30....cool....if I make him my friend he can use his Jellybeans to buy me a present.

Ok I just read through all of that and I am a little bit scared of me.....

Art Love....

At the end of my first successful small group, I asked everyone to write down things they liked about everyone in the small group and give it to them. Or they could be creative and do something fancy. I can't remember what I did honestly it was like 2 or 3 years ago. 2 of the guys in the group got really creative. One made us all magnets with our names on it and the other made me this flippin sweet bowl. He's got major pottery throwing skills. This is amazingly cool, he's so creative. And me the non-hugger......gave him a hug, in front of a crowd of people at church. This is definately something for Stacies Art and Faith blog! 

I Scrapped....

Yes I know it's nearly 3 am....but it's what I do. I scrap, then I post what I scrapped, it's how I role. It's almost that time again to start making ATC's for Stamp Away. I got some practive for a RMH swap, and I used Connie's Art Declassified stamps....love them....need to get me some, or hang out at Connies more often.




With the creation of this 3 page spread. I am officially done scrapping last years summer camp. Now on to this years. It never ends.....and Thank God for that!

God's Plan....

So when you are in the midst of a crisis, you don't necessarily consider, hey this right now may not be part of God's plan. You just keep thinking "I" have a plan and this is how it goes. Forgetting that God is the one clearly in control. Duh! Boy I was somewhat of a pathetic mess 2 days ago. I got my hopes up and had told myself I wouldn't do that. I heard back from Springer and she mentioned briefly that we'd be better off waiting until the following school year. So the doors not completely shut. I still haven't a clue why, as in details, I know he has a borderline IQ score, which makes it difficult to label him for sure. Funny when he started school I was reluctant to even go down that road of labels. But once you know what it is that is wrong with your kid and know how to treat it, it makes a world of difference. That doesn't mean I am always willing to inform folks upfront that theres something "different/special" about Perry, because they then form an opinion about him before they even meet him. Which I think is what happened with Springer partially, and it could have very well effected her approach to him. I'm sure he picked up on that vibe. She had access to his entire file before even meeting him. There are people he warms up to immediately, and isn't shy around at all upon first meeting others, he is shy around. His basketball coach, was very warm to Perry and Perry responded positively to him immediately, because I think the coach could tell Perry was going to be some extra effort on his part, and he took that time to be one on one with him, this really helped Perry feel like a part of the team.
So now I get on my armor to take on the public school system. Prepare myself to be assertive and make sure he gets the help he needs. Possibly throw in a parent advocate for good measure. Keep prayin.

Why I do what I do....look at that silly grin....

Jeremy....

I think Jeremy Camp is my latest musical love. Thanks Spirit Song and Cyndi! Through my most recent major meltdown, instead of turning to Limp Bizkit to let out my frustrations, I turned to Jeremy....and found it to be a bit more healthy. Take my Life for instance, he gets pretty loud, and says what needs to be said, and he's not cussing someone out. Ahhhh....theraputic indeed. Although at one point in that song he says "I can place you on my shoulder, and know that you are there......." Which to me sounds a bit comical, I picture Tom and Jerry, when Jerry would have an angel on one shoulder and a devil on another. Other than that it's a great song.

Thanks so much to everyone for your kind comments, your prayers, and making me feel genuinely loved. It's means a lot to me. Thanks Heather for your comments...or as my husband referred to it as your "mini blog", LOL.....it was a tremendous help. Thanks for being real smart in an area I otherwise would not know much about. Makes me greatful to God for planting folks in your life that live clear across the country. If you ever need help getting a life insurance policy reinstated I'm your girl. Or I can cook a decent meal. Just don't ask me to do a cartwheel....cause well that wouldn't be pretty. And thanks to Cyndi for going to get Coldstone with me, something about good ice cream and a listening ear, erases the calories and fat grams you are consuming.

I e-mailed the lady at Springer, just like Heather told me to, shared my thoughts and asked a few questions, I'm back in the game. Keep sending up words.

CAUTION....

I am a women scorned, is that a phrase? Not even sure it's an accurate statement to describe how I feel. I feel like crap. So many questions and not even sure how to even begin to form them. Why does God give you a peak of how life could be only to not give it to you? Or maybe he is going to give me what I want or desire, he's just making me work really really hard for it. I don't get it, why, what's it all for? For those of you keeping up with the saga that is my life, with a child with special needs, lets have a little recap shall we.

First I'd like to thank all the folks (like 3 maybe) who read my blog on a regular basis. To those of you who have left kind comments to let me know you are thinking about me. And to those who are sincerely have been keeping us in your prayers, I feel it, I know God has a plan, he's just keeping it top secret, for whatever reason.

Now lets recap....

In March Perry completed his evaluations with Childrens hospital, and was diagnosed with a language based learning disability. Diagnosed may or more may not be the correct term since I'm not so sure anyone has actually said "Perry has a language based learning disability, although all the therapists in their reports said "it could be".....why can't anyone be straight with me....and just freakin say this is what he has. The entire report has conflicting information, like them asking me questions and them taking it in a different way and typing stuff out of context....wow feel like a misquoted celebrity. There was only a few instances in the rather lengthy report. For the most part it appears to be an accurate assessment. When we went for our closing interview with Dr. Mason when all the evaluation were complete.

She reccommended Springer. This is the first I had heard of the place, but it sounded interesting, ecspecially after the 2 years in hell otherwise known as public school IEP-BS! So I began investigating. The website described children much like Perry. And lucky us, there was an Open house in a few weeks. This was April. Ron and I attended the Open House. As different administrators descibed Springer and their philosophy on teaching and the types of kids they help to succeed in life, I wanted to cry because it was just so perfect. Like you know that sigh of relief sort of thing.....like someone might actually understand what's going on with my kid. Then we heard the cost of the tuition.....which was like paying for college. And our hearts sank there was no way we could afford it. I took a financial aid form and split, thinking we probably make to much money to qualify, and too little to actually pay for it. I sent it in reluctantly. And heard back from them that we scored 50% tuition aid. It was still pricey but completely doable. Felt like God was on my side. So we met with the admissions director, Ron and I. She had looked over Perry's rather lengthy file, seeing that his IQ was lower than they usually see in their students, and he had some social skill issues they don't normally see. She wasn't sure Perry would be a good fit for Springer. Yeah I know I was devastated too.......How could she say all this having never met the kid? His IQ score is 75-77 for those of you who know what that means. However the therapist who did the test at Childrens said in his report that those numbers should not be considered since he has other focusing issue that could hinder him from being tested properly HELLO, did she skim that part? She said she'd take Perry's file and have a meeting with other administrators, and come to a decision if they wanted to move forward with the admission process. UGH.....

Finally heard back from her, although much longer than she had said it would take. Not sure how that happened but I lose track of time too, it happens. She said they'd like to move forward with the admissions process the next step was for Perry to visit the school. We scheduled a date. Which was today.

I did everything I knew to do to prepare him for the visit. I talked about what kind of school it was. I told him when we'd be going and what I thought we'd do while we were there. I show'd him pictures from their website of what it looked like. I show'd him some things they do there, ect....He was excited. Said he might make new friends at his new school and that would be fun. So we head out, we get to the school and met the admissions director, who is a lovely lady, she reminds me of Cheri Oteri from SNL, the one who did the crazy lady on the porch who'd yell "it's mine I keep it.." and she did the spartan cheerleader with Will Farrel, but I digress....so she's nice. She asked Perry if he'd come back and talk with her in her office for a few minutes, and then they'd take a tour of the school. He was ok with that and went back with her. They were gone at the most 10 minutes. She came out and said that she thought they'd do the tour first. She stated he was pretty much unresponsive to any question she'd ask. Yeah that's cause he don't know you.

So we walked around and he was acting kind of shy, and not saying ANYTHING, he'd point at the ceiling in the artroom that had planets on it and said "cool", but expressive in anyway he was not. She'd ask him general questions like how is this school different than your school, and he'd give a one word response..."bigger"....we finished the tour, which was rather short. We went back to her office, and she said "maybe your mom can come back with us would that make you feel better, he shrugged then nodded......she had a paper with general questions like favorite holiday, what do you like about school, favorite toy, pets name, ect......yeah he answered none of it. As far as I could tell. So she sat right next to him at her desk I was behind them, so she was pretty close, asking him questions and waiting....in silence for a response. "what's your favorite holiday?......." He would look around, squeeze his lips together and look at me....as if to say why is she asking all these questions....I DON'T KNOW HER.... I had this sick feeling in my stomach as I sat back and watched this back and forth of nothingness. Knowing that him getting to go to Springer was going to be solely based on his file of low IQ scores and this strange meeting with the admissions director. It's like the people who are suppose to know the most about kids with learning disabilities, do the things to them that they have to know aren't going to work, as if they are set up to fail. As we ended the meeting of nothingness which lasted a total of less than 45 minutes, she said "we're kind of stuck aren't we?" You think? She said "we'll keep in touch, I'd like to see him here but maybe next year....." That's it? You aren't going to take my kid in your school, because he won't answer your questions about his life? HE DON'T KNOW YOU! Apparently shy kids don't go to Springer. Did you happen to notice LANGUAGE BASED LEARNING DISABILITY?

I am so freakin confused. What was I suppose to do beg? Answer the questions for him? Explain to her it'd be helpful if you got to know him a little bit before you drilled him with question after question and then just sit there while he doesn't answer. As she was behind me, and I was leaving, I had to walk away no eye contact because I was going to cry. And cry I did in the car. I was mad, and I lashed out a tiny bit at Perry. Why not just answer her simple questions? Why not? Why not be your charming cute self you normally are on any other given day? Why clam up when I need you to talk? WHY? Why not draw her a picture something to show your personality? So we went to Deweys, and I sat alone at the table and discreetly wiped my tears, while my non-interactive kid interacted with the pizza making guys, as he watched them toss dough through the window. Waving, smiling and playing peek-a-boo. So I sat a cried.......what happens now? I don't know. I'm numb......

Tagged....officially....

Ok Kathryn tagged me via e-mail. Although I wasn't in her top 4 of people who would respond...I am. Before I do that I have to say the word BOOBIES....makes me laugh! Say it outloud, bet you laugh! Ok...tagged right, here goes....

How well do you know me?
Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Life Insurance Administration
2. 411 Directory Assistance Operator
3. Assistant Lodge Manager
4. Kings Island Food Service Supervisor

Four movies I would watch over and over
1. Life is Beautiful
2. Millions
3. Mansfield Park
4. Napoleon Dynamite

Four places I have lived:
1. Mt. Healthy, Ohio
2. Clifton, OH ( college)
3. Columbus, Georgia
4. College Hill, Ohio

Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Greys Anatomy
2. Dirty Jobs
3. Little House on the Prairie
4. Dick Van Dyke Show

Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Smokey Mountains
2. Ocean Isle Beach
3. Cub World
4. Virginia Beach

Four websites I visit daily:
1. Rocky Mountain Hobbies
2. 2Peas
3. National City Bank
4. A whole bunch of blogs

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Beef Jerky
2. Almonds
3. Chipotle
4. Lu Lu's (chinese noodle place)

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Camping Anywhere
2. Downstairs Scrapping somemore
3. Mexico
4. At a broadway play

Ok if you don't have a blog, I can still tag you, send me an e-mail with your answers. If you do have a blog and you are reading my blog.....you are tagged....do this and leave me a comment that you did it on your blog. Woohoo...good times.

Hooray for Boobies.....

Ha Ha Ha.....after Connie's mention of leaking boobs, not something you see mentioned on my blog, as my child is 9 years old and even when he was a baby I only breast fed for 1 whole day, so no mention of leaky boobs around here. Although my new favorite song entitled "The Bad Touch, by the bloodhound Gang, off the album Hooray for Boobies. The song is RAUNCHY, but really funny and has a good beat you can dance to. I wouldn't suggest listening to it when small children under the age of 18 are in the room. You've been warned. Thanks for the comic relief Connie, I'm sure you needed it more than I, hang in there friend, before you know it both kids will be in charge of their own lives.

Happy 4th....

Since we've been viewing fireworks for many years on the 3rd, the 4th is never all that exciting for us. Just a day off really. We went to the Aquatic Center last night with Cyndi and Ben, David and his dad Mark were there as well along with 100's of other people. It was quite crowded but a great spot to view the fireworks. Probably the second best we've experienced. The best by far was at Harbin Park, which is where the set them off from, that year we were right under the fireworks, very cool. This year we were a few miles away but up on a hill. Something about swimming that relaxes you. Except when you got on an old ass (or should I say ASS SHOWING) swim suit, which you knew was getting kind of thin but you didn't think you were exposing anything. I've had this suit for 5 years I love how it fits, and I feel comfortable in it, until I find out, it's so thin in the back you can see my butt crack.....apparently clear as day. Ron was sure to point that out last night as I'm walking towards the pool, he says holy cow you can see you butt. I can't really see my back, so how the heck would I know? I just wore my suit in front of him Memorial day weekend. Guess he didn't notice my backside. Not only that but I've worn that suit to Cub Scout camp 2 years in a row. So I said to Cyndi, you didn't notice that you could see my butt through my suit? She said "I thought you knew...." Bahahahahaha.....Ok to Cyndi's credit she's only known me for a little over a year, so for all she knows I'm somewhat of an exhibition's....or I'm French! So needless to say the tightwad of man who's got a tight reign on our finances let me purchase a swim suit. Same brand, same style different color, so all is well and it's one size smaller than the last one....woohooo....

Wee Gnome goes to Cub World

Nice Spray of Water
Originally uploaded by Yoda0419.

Well you've not seen him in a while, but he made an appearence at Summer Camp. Their hero of the week was a dude dressed up as a garden gnome. So the Wee Gnome had to make an appearence.

While you were out....

It appears the dogs have fell in love. This was taking before we went to summer camp. Mind you we had to put the end of the rope in Maizy's mouth, otherwise she wouldn't have anything to do with Kipper. He however always wanted to play, and she didn't get it. Well apparenlty while we were at camp.....a "love connection" may have happened.

Now it appears they like to be close to each other. No I've got no pictures of the pornographic behavior you sicko's. Not to mention I can't remember if Maizy's been fixed. I'm all over that little investigation tomorrow. You'd think I'd know something like that, well I don't.

Perry and I had a blast at summer camp. Interesting mix of personalities as far as the mom's are concerned but we all seemed to get along ok. We definately all have different parenting styles, some are more tolerant than others. I would like to think I fit right in the middle. Perry was good, seemed to be more of a joiner this year. Not to mention it wasn't as hot as it was last year. We did have a big storm Wednesday night, we had to take emergency shelter in our rooms and weren't allowed out. We entertained with ghost stories, and the boys were almost unaware there was even a storm going on. Perry was so cute with his "Give me my bone" ghost story.

One of Perry's most favorite things to do at camp is to high five the counselors as they come out in the morning or evening for the flag ceremony. Last year the kids would line up.....but this year Perry seemed to be the only one, since the counselors would then go around the circle and high five all the packs in the circle. But it was dang cute Perry with one hand over his ear to block the loud music, and the other out ready for a high five. Granted the counselors were less eager to high five by day 4, probably tired and ready for the week to end. So the last nights flag ceremony one of the other parents told Perry no when he went to high five them as they came out, and wouldn't let him do it. I don't see what the harm was for him to do that? Perry wasn't bothering anyone, even if the counselors were high fiving him he didn't notice, he just liked to do that. And if I'm there who is he to discipline my kid? I was way fired up. Wishing I was someone else more outspoken and could have told him to lay off my kid. That is my major gripe of the week. It's one thing if you have a bad kid and you are there and you aren't disciplining him, and he's annoying to everyone around, then sure others have the right to discipline your kid. But if you have a good kid and you do discipline him when needed then folks need to leave him alone. Nuff said! Back to work tomorrow....then off for the holiday....work 2 more days....off Friday, going to take Perry to visit Springer, then I'm off to Spirit Song.

I'm Alive!

Exhausted. I would rather not see a 8 or 9 year old little boy for at least 24 hours. But alas one lives in my home. We had a blast....I'm tired more tomorrow with more pictures.
Here we are day one before we had a chance to get smelly. Perry loves summer camp!

Yes I am Crazy....

So in regards to my post of last night.....yeah I got no supportive friends. None...so apparently I was wrong. I know this! And mom enabling me?? That's what mom's are for! Seriously I'm on the road to recovery and my husband likes me still. I had a budget friendly lunch at Kings Island today....I fed myself, and 3 kids with a large popcorn, 1 soft pretzel with cheese, and thank the good Lord our drinks were free. Yeah however what I did pay for cost $9.50......what the?? Usually I pack, and smuggle in my own food. But today I was ill prepared and decided to take kid #3 at the last minute. That's right me and 3 kids BY MY FREAKIN SELF at Kings Island, what the hell was I thinking? 3 kids together is always a really bad idea. Once I was down to 2 kids only it was far more manageable. Favorite ride of the day for me and Maddie hands down was the Avatar....I highly reccomend it even if you don't like scary rides, it's really smooth. We had a great day and it wasn't crowded at all.

Issues.....

Ok, my pictures from SOS.......are horrible. Sorry, but I brightened this one up so it at least looks kind of artsy. SOS was good times. Didn't do a whole lot of praying for folks, but it was my first experience, so I think I did well for my first time. Considering the first night I completely bailed because I didn't know what the heck was going on, so I took off. Night #2, I prayed by myself for a few young girls, but really felt like God was using that time to fill me up, since Matt Redman delivered some powerful worship music. Little did I know our own Matt McCoy was going to be way better and just blow the roof off with some amazing worship. So Wednesday night was the best....the Holy Spirit really show'd up....and I was genuinely hearing words from God to speak to people. Very cool. I was initially reluctant to pray for folks,.....strangers if you will and on top of the fact that they are strangers, they are teenagers too. So Wednesday night we were officially paired up with other people so that was nice. As we are leaving the prayer team meeting the person who chose to pair up with me informs me...."I've never done this before, so I'll be looking to you for help...." With confidence I look at her and say...."ok that's great!" Not informing her that I haven't prayed directly for a stranger in 5 years. (except for the 2 young ladies the night before) I just let her think I had major skills. Thinking to myself, holy crap, do they not check these people out when they volunteer? Isn't there some sort of screening they put them through....heck do I even qualify myself?? LOL.....Um....yeah God will use you, all you need is a willing heart....of which I have. And apparently Jackie the non-prayer had as well.
So when its time for ministry time I stood in the back with Jackie, and a few girls came up to us for prayer. Suddenly I was consumed with confidence, and intelligent Godly words spoke from my mouth....I mean I knew what I was saying.....and oddly you pray for strangers the same way you do for someone you know. You just say what God puts on your heart to say...duh! LOL.....As I finished with the first girl, I really got a strong feeling God desired for me to speak purity into someones life. Like I needed to pray for purity over a girls life. Wasn't really feeling it was the girl we were currently praying for. ........

Hearing from God Lesson: If while praying for someone, or when you yourself are seeking to hear from God, and you hear the same word over and over and over, like you can't shake it....yeah that's God talking to you.

So as I waited for the next person....purity....was all I could think about. So a girl named Lisa(not her real name) came up to Jan, a lady manning the doors and not on the prayer team.....she appeared to be alarmed and not prepared to pray so I intervened because I am now skilled in this function....no longer a rookie! I ask Lisa ( again not her real name) if there was anything specific she needed prayer for.......So cute, sweet Lisa, all of 13 maybe, says........"well like theres these boys, and theres a lot of them, and they're all really cute and I feel like I'm attracted to them, and I like don't know what to do about it....." HELLO....PURITY PRAYER COMING RIGHT UP......"LOL. Love it when that happens.

Tonight was fairly uneventful at SOS for me.....except for the talk....yeah that talk was suppose to be for the kids not the adult prayer team people. Not to mention I've been to conferences myself as a teen tons of time heard that message , over and over again, yeah I'm 37 now why am I not getting it? You know the message about how when we are doing Gods work, or living our life according to what he's called us to do....(me, prayer team SOS) we tend to have our guard down, and the enemy.....that would be Satan.......mess's with us, and gets us where it's easiest for us to be gotten. Why am I such a sucker, time and time again? I spent $$ I didn't need to spend, and stuff I really don't "need"......and got in a huge amount of trouble. Like the man's real mad at me. I had to wait for snoring before I emerged from the basement. Thankfully my mom's going to bail me out, pay the man back for my tiny little financial error. And we'll give this whole budget a go again after camp. (serously tips on how to live on only $20 a week for spending money would be helpful!) Pray for me people.....finances....is something I have a hard time letting go and giving it to God, "Hi my name is Jodi, and I am a shopaholic....." And I ain't thrifty either.....Oh boy I got issues.

I'm still Alive...

Well I survived my first official night of SOS prayer team. Felt kind of out of place, but certainly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, like in a huge way. I remember that energy, from when I was a teenager, and attended many a conference just like that. I felt the energy in a different kind of way this time, it was good stuff. Did get to pray for 2 strangers, and they seemed ok with it. I will say teenagers ecspecially girls are overly dramatic, sure a lot of it is the holy spirit, but a lot of it is drama, hard to tell when they are being genuine, but that's really God's job isn't it. It's just good they are there, and getting that kind of experience. The pressures now compared to when I was a teenager......wow.....kudos to those who make a commitment to follow Jesus at this age. Matt Redman rocked tonight. I'll try and take pictures tomorrow.

Break Stuff.....

Is the name of the song by limp bizkit that I like to sing when a day goes NOT as planned. So as of right now we are a one car family. Very long story......we just are. So Ron gets a ride home from my brother everday until we get car #2. I volunteer'd for SOS all week for prayer team, so I had to coordinate a ride for Perry for Vacation bible school. My mom had Tues., Weds, and thurs. covered so I only needed a ride for Monday...which is TODAY.....my brother was being non-commital, wasn't sure what was going on, wasn't sure if he could make it happen since he would just be getting home and he'd have to run Zack (my nephew) and now Perry up to church. He brings Ron home everyday so I didn't want to overcommit him anyways. So I got Perry a ride with Aunt Layni who lives 2 blocks away. Even called her at work to remind her, and called her house and reminded Ashton to not forget Perry. ........Right........SHE FORGOT HIM! Things not going as planned #1....oh but wait theres more. So I've been overly nervous about SOS all day. Since the last time I had to pray for strangers, was when Billy Graham was in town and he pretty much did the praying I just had to talk to folks about their decision to follow Jesus. Besides you can pretty much do anything when you are in the presence of Billy Graham. So now here I am a prayer team volunteer with little to no stranger praying experience.....suddenly I was feeling the pressure. So I get to SOS and theres tons of folks standing outsite. I was a little early but they said to be so you could register as a volunteer. Get to the door.....you can't go in.....no electricity and the fire alarms are going off. They send us up to the chapel where hundreds of teenagers are beginning to pile in. When I get to the chapel theres electricity I'm guess from back-up generators....but no AC...it was getting a little bit steamy. Then boom the electricity goes out. Wow Satan ain't messing around! So some dudes grab guitars, and a bongo, and they start doing worship. Sounded like the plan was to do some worship, pray and leave. But then more teenagers start showing up, and without a microphone, it's a little hard to control some teenagers. So I split before I was forced to be crowd control. (I think the power did eventually come back on, but I split and missed it. Kind of got lost in the chaos, and wasn't clear on what the heck was going on.)
Things not going as planned #2
Theres a girl at work who wants a pink cheetah blanket for her step daughters birthday which is this weekend. I went to one store in search of pink cheetah before the SOS debachle, didn't find it. Went to 2 more stores after leaving SOS, still nothing so the chances of us getting it done by thursday now aren't looking good. Things not going as planned #3.
I am going to go to bed now....I know it's only 10:15 pm, but I'd like this day to be over with sooner rather than later. Heres to tomorrow being a better day!

Feels Good

To be creative.

It's late I'm going to bed now....but I scrapped today.

God's Plan

Funny how sometimes you think you know what God's plan is and you are completely off base! Funny how some relationships withstand a storm much better than you thought it would, yet others can be destroyed by the same kind of storm. Or say that same storm happened in a different time in your life would the response to it be the same. Who the heck knows? All I know is shit happens, lessons are learned and life goes on. Unexpected crap that blindsides you is always what makes you grow stronger. Staying faithful to God through the whole mess is a good thing, although I'm still not sure why? Do I need to know why? Not why stay faithful, why crap happens like when you don't expect it or don't feel like you really deserve it. I don't know.....I think I'm just talking. Beatdown and broken is what I am! So what do you do in that case? Get a haircut....not taking a picture of it till I actually fix it myself. Miss spending $$ to be pampered. The girls at great clips can work wonders for $12, but it's just not the same. Not to mention sometimes the conversations can be a little scary.

Thanks to my peeps for sending up some words for me. Keep praying. Someday I may share what the heck it is I'm talking about. In the meantime make up your own story. I just feel like theres folks who read my blog, who wouldn't get it, or talk trash about me, or judge me whatever, who cares I'm still not sharing!

Trying Times....

Check out the art and faith blog...link to the right....nice photo of my pudgy hand. Those who are close to me know of my issues and trying times. Those who don't know my business understand and pray anyways. I'm so so so very thankful to both parties your prayers mean a ton to me. When I get to see God face to face I can't wait to ask, "what the heck was that about anyways?" I'll probably already know by then but that's what I'm screamin now. Seems you gotta get a little shaken and beatin up to become the person God meant you to be. It's the beating we take that's the most difficult in the process. Those who think no beating is required are in denial. Our lives are much like those chemlites, we don't shine brighter until we are broken and shaken. That concept was used during one of my many Alpha trainings a few years ago, and it's more true now than ever before. Oh Oh....heres another concept or analogy. The light doesn't hold if you don't freeze it to hold on to the light. Hummm....how can that be interrpreted and applied. You have to learn from your mistakes, so that the next time you are broken and shaken you'll shine brighter? Not sure if it works completely since I think the chemical fades over time. Yeah I just killed that analogy completely. LOL....but the initial concept works well. So heres the thing, we aren't out of the woods yet. I've been praying it forward like crazy, and feel like a life lesson is being learned. In the meantime we could use continued prayers. Stacie was right we are strong people to put up with much crap, most would be drunk or strung out on crack, notus we just pray some more. This too shall pass.

Then and Now....

It's only been a year. Last year we were camping for Ashton's 12th birthday, like we have every year since she was like 6. This year it was a "Red Carpet" party by her request NO CAMPING???? What? The Red Carpet deal makes her look way too grown up. She's now 13....YIKES....how'd that happen. Teenagers scare me.
Wearing make up and dancing. Did I do that at 13? I don't remember wanting boys at my birthday party that was for sure. It was fun sitting with the boys, and listening to things they like to talk about. Music, concerts, girlfriends (although that was kind of scary, yet enlightening, since they were nice boys.) That don't mean I don't wanna camp next year. It was fun for a year now back to what we do best, campfires, swimming, hiking, Scootering, being dirty and sweaty, not caring who was going to see us. Yeah I like camping a lot. Did I mentions she is now 13?? Ok so speaking of teenagers, I've not changed my mind they are a little disturbing now a days. So to get over my fear of them or dislike for them I decided to saturate myself with them.
I volunteered for SOS. That's 5 days of a whole lot of teenagers, I should be able to get over my fear of them by praying for them. Oh goodness....PRAY FOR ME!

MEET.......

MY BIG GAY BROTHER!!!!!

Ok so he ain't gay. But this picture sure makes him look a little light in his loafers. Besides that's totally a quote from the movie Heathers....dang that's a good movie. He's definately not gay. Although I call him Kelly, which he hates. But I've called him Kelly my whole life, why change now cause he's a man who wants to be called Milt? Hummmm....Milt or Kelly....I prefer Kelly because everyone I know whose named Kelly men and women are cool so what's the big deal? Oh he has some cute kids too. That's them there the ones with the same color hair. Yeah they're cute ain't they? The one with the reds hat on is mine and he's dang cute too.

I'm fine.....Really...fine.

It's just a little bump in the road of life. Nothing we can't recover from. I know these things happen for a reason, just not sure what that reason is and "why me". God will need to turn up the volume a bit if he's trying to talk to me. Or maybe I need to take some time to be quiet and freakin listen. Yeah that's it. I am feeling generally better than I was when I posted the last entry. Still a bit stressed, but much better.

I know I am loved by many when I post a blog entry like that one, and get 4 e-mail wondering if I'm ok, wow, feel very blessed thanks to my peeps sending me some love!

Prayers Please....again...

Send up some words for me. I feel amazingly overwhelmed, and it feels almost worse than the "mean reds". Feel a little out of touch with God, and not sure why? So if you could pray for me that I might find my way in this screwed up world, and feel a little more secure, and firmly planted.

Embarrassment.....

Apparently I am an embarrassment to some people. Well what they would define as embarrassing and what I would define as embarrassing are 2 completely different things, so to them I say WHO GIVES A CRAP! Shit happens, lessons are learned, and something good comes from it, nuff said now get on with your life! Yeah, I am specifically no sharing about the embarrassment to not further humiliate myself.

Poor "P" had a head-ache tonight so after dinner I layed down with him and fell asleep, didn't wake up until 11 pm.....a wasted evening to say the least, considering it's 12:30, and I have to get up in 6 hours. How does life go by so quickly?

Ipod Anxiety

It's crazy what ipod addiction can do to a person. Ron's died today, even has a sad face on the screen. According to the good people at ipod, he's got 6 days left in his 1 year warranty....so we'll be making a dash to the Apple store to restore his ipod loveliness. My advice to ipod owners of the world....DO NOT DROP IT.....Ecspecially if it's out of warranty, which mine is. Which means if I drop it, and it crashes forever....I have to buy a new one. Just something I can't live without now. Nuff said.

Finally a respectable wedding. Seems when you are in you 30's, wedding invites are few and far between. Since everyone you know is now married, except Abby and I'm working on that for real. So if you will recall the wedding's we've been attending in the past year weren't all that....well.....traditional. So tonight, Ron and I stepped out like respectable folks and attended a respectable wedding, with a respectable reception. The church was beautiful! The bride had 8 bridesmaids......cool.....I had 7! Love big weddings. The food was PRIME RIB, along with really good sides.....Bruschetta and other yummy goodness for hordeovers. OPEN BAR, so once again a weekend of drinking, I'm becoming quite the lush....NOT! Oh and the reception was at the Music Hall ballroom, gotta love that. Last time I was there was for Great Americans Christmas party, and then it was packed, it looks kind of empty for the reception of maybe 200....but it was nice. Ron and I had fun. Justin is a guy from Ron's national guard plattoon, they spent quite a bit of time together while they were in Louisianna. Strange bond army dudes have with each other. They can go months without seeing each other hook back up and it's like they see each other everyday. It was a nice time. These guys are at least 10 years younger than us. Most of them. Theres like one other guy who is Ron's age the rest are early to mid 20's, so funny the difference. Makes you feel kind of old!

Hello Poochie....

My good Lord it's like having a newborn. Likes to sleep a lot and likes to play at wierd hours.....like right now it's 1:16 am.....I had him out for a while playing he was crashing on the floor at my feet, seemed like a nice time to put him in his cage for night night.....now he's not so tired....won't be long and he'll be sleeping with me. I'll need a container for all my flippy's, that are nice and chewy to a puppy. He got a hold of Perry's favorite black flippys and chew'd the strap in half...now Perry's sporting a new style....duct taped flippys....it'll be a trend.


Good news, everyone can get on with their lives now I passed LOMA....the first freakin test anyways! Only after 4 trys, who the heck cares I passed! Thank God....one more and the insurance Gods will leave me alone, and let me get on with my non-ambitious life.

Glutton for Punishment

Ok that test that made me feel real dumb last week. Well I'm re-taking it TOMORROW! Lost a day since I thought today was tuesday. So much prayer is needed so that I don't further humiliate myself.

Ouch!

The puppy finally stopped crying thank God. I'm afraid to go in the area of which it is.....cause my good heavens...it was loud, and Maizy is none too pleased. They seem to get along ok, Puppy wants to play with Maizy....a little too rough....Maizy's not a big dog, so she doesn't know what the hecks going on. We just got home from camping all weekend. I am exhausted, and am going to bed like now. Had me a little Boones Farm this weekend, thanks to Layni....(she spares no expense for her best friend, LOL! She knew I'd like it...since it tastes like freakin Kool aid) so ok ok....more than a little a whole freakin bottle except for the cup that Ron had. The rest was all consumed by me. Does you good to get your drink on like once or twice a year so this is one for me. Best thing is to be outside, where you can make use of recreational wheeled objects. This is who this wheeled toy is meant for. He can barely make it go, but he loves it. This other photo however is who it's not for.....there is a weight restriction on those things. It held up quite well, but I am getting a bigger one. Layni rolled out on her roller blades, me on Perry's Scooter and Ashton on her scooter. Crazy!

spam

This skit makes Perry lose his mind.....he gets to giggling so much he can't stop. I have to admit it's dang funny!

It's all about Being Honest!

Ok when I was a teenager having never had a boyfriend. I decided I wasn't going to get married until I was 35. To me at the age of 14, that seemed like a good plan. And surely it would take me that long to find someone to fall in love with. At the age of 14 I decided also that I did not want to have children. Seemed like too huge of a responsibility. Man I was smart for a 14 year old. So what the hell happened with that plan? Apparently God had something a little different in mind. I fall in love, way earlier than I was suppose to, and end up married at 22, and pregnant with that child I wasn't going to have at 27. Falling in love changes your priorities. And having a child you actually planned for really screws things up. Now you are responsible for something that is the largest responsibility you will ever have in your life and if you screw up, well the consequences are dealt with for many generations. Then not only do you have a kid you said you weren't going to have, but you actually ask God for one thats unique and different, that part God heard, so I got what I prayed for.

Ok sorry for the rant. Met with Springer School administrator today. Getting into springer ain't as easy as saying......"Childrens hospital says my kid has a learning disability, heres some money, now work your magic." It ain't that easy....might be for some but not for P-man. His IQ is low, his social skills issues aren't what they normally see, and he's got some sensory issues. He's not typical of a springer student. My hope is they will see him as a challenge and something they want to figure out....so it's going before a much larger committee, so pray the right decisions are made and I'm not begging for something that can't help him. And if that's the case then what? Since clearly the public schools aren't working all that well for him. I want him to excel, not just squeak through. Is there really a clear cut answer to this problem? Why is God messin with me, I don't get it?

Busy...Busy....

Dreadfully busy....Madame Blueberry anyone? Or wait is that "Are you my neighbor?" Yeah it's are you my neighbor, Veggie Tales miss those days. Now we are knee deep in Cars, and the movie's not even out yet.

So Loma is over for now I'll sign up and retake the stupid thing as soon as I can so I can retain what little I do know and build on that lack of knowledge. I know I ain't stupid, really I'm not I write this crap don't I? And you people read it. So it must be fairly readable, like I make sense most of the time. We're getting out camp on this weekend, so from now until we leave it's going to be crazy busy. Hope it doesn't rain. I'll camp in the rain, but it sure gets messy. Have a great holiday weekend folks.......

Warning: Not Intelligent

Ok you've been warned, heck I don't even know if that's spelled right. I don't think I'll have anything intelligent to say this evening. Go check Stacie's blog, she was rather profound and I had something profound in response to her profoundness. Could be all I have for at least a month, so keep checking back......but I can't promise what you see will be anything you want to read. So ya'll are saying why so glum chum? LOMA that's why so glum......this stupid test I have to take to prove I am worthy to continue working as an insurance administrator. I knew when I took the job almost 3 years ago, that eventually I'd have to suck it up and take the stupid test. Theres 2 of them and I've now failed the first one 3 times. How hard can it be? I work with the stuff on a daily basis. Right.....you see, I'm more like a trained monkey. Teach me the process, and I can do it, but don't ask me to explain why, or how I do it, I just do it. I do it all day everyday for 8 hours then I go home and experience real life. I have no interest other than it's how I get paid, in life insurance. Is that bad? The thing is, I like having a job that challenges me mentally just enough to keep me awake most of the time. Where I can listen to my tunes, in my own space, nobody breathing down my neck, work shows up I do it and go home and never give it another thought. I have all sorts of energy left to stress about cub scouts, school, scrapbooking, relationships, ect....because my job takes up very little energy. So the fact that I can't pass this test, does that make me stupid? In some circles possibly.....but who wants to have those kinds of friends anyways? I can think of one person who enjoys talking about this stuff......my friend Amy she could talk for hours about insurance, it's her job she's an agent, but when she starts my entire brain completely shuts down. I even know pretty much what she's talking about but, it's like my ears are in no way stimulated by that nonsense. So now you know....so don't ask "Did you pass your test?" because I don't want to freakin talk about it ok....NO I did not pass the test. I got a big fat F. Now go read Stacie's blog!

Prayers Please.....

Guess things can't always be great and wonderful. This Monday from hell, I could very much end up in tears. I am extremely overwhelmed so I am pleading for some prayers from my peeps. Thanks!

iSCRAP

Look it's like Ipod....only it's IScrap. Ha...has anyone already discovered that? It could totally be a t-shirt....wait....no I've gone and said it outloud so much for my get rich plan. I scrapped today. Yes I know I should've been studying LOMA....barf...don't ask. It's sort of necessary unless I want to fail a test a 3rd time, and pay $75 dollars. Like I said don't ask....I'm 6 chapters into an 18 chapter BORING book about insurance, 12 to go before Tuesday, it can happen. Besides I'm not reading the book I'm doing the study questions over and over....I'm thirty freakin' seven years old I am so over cramming for a test. I should be pinning blankets too, orders are still trickeling in, keep em coming, I'm just trying not to burn out my sewers since they are volunteers. We seem to be moving at a good pace and average about 5 blankets a week, I think that's really good since we all work. So ok Iscrap...... This page was my favorite.....

Then we went to dinner. Layni and I split a Bowl from Chipotle and it was like the perfect serving. I need more friends who are willing to split...so I can maintain my weightloss. Then I hooked up this sweet Cub World layout for the pictures from our fall campout. The boys have changed so much just since the fall. Dang they grow too stinkin fast!
I did two other pages but that weren't all that great so I'll spare the blog viewing public.

Dogs

Ok we've established that I'm not a dog person. My husband however is. He'd fit right in with my co-workers, primarily the ladies I have lunch with everyday. They like to talk about their dogs. It's just what they do. I usually gripe about my dog. The fact is she's a good dog, pretty well behaved, she likes to give kisses if you allow her to, but will go away if you make her get down. So anyways I'm just not into her like my husband is, that's because he's a dog person. Meet the neighbor dogs.... don't know their names because I've never asked. They are friendly enough, I give them treats several times a week, because my dumb dog never eats her treats. So they get a few treats a piece. Then theres my dog Maizy the wonder dog. Yes she got her hair did, so now she's slightly pretty. So then we go visit some puppies this evening. Ron has always wanted a big dog. Thought Maizy was big enough really she weigh like 9 lbs. And theirs the lovely dogs next door they are big dogs who don't have to live in my house and eat my furniture. Cause that's what big dogs do they eat furniture. Now all the sudden we'll have a puppy who will grow to be a mid-sized dog. He's an Australian Shepherd. Fluffy cuddly and cute.....and no he ain't sleeping with me! We've decided to name him Kipper because we like to name our animals after cartoon characters. Heres the real Kipper. This is the cutest cartoon ever for toddlers. He's got the cutest english accent. Anyways we've named the dog KIPPER!

Cube Jamming!

Ok so I'm not a huge Kelly Clarkson fan, however I believe she's very talented, and she deserves every bit of her success. This song is a good one, and the chic in the cube in the video....yeah that's totally me! I wouldn't necessarily wear a suit like that unless I had an interview or something, but I do enjoy rocking out in my cube.....kind of a funny mental picture. Oh and I'm am totally into Kelly's nose ring, I seriously want one like that for my 40th b-day.....whose with me?

Blessed beyond Measure

Ok wow...wanted to acknowledge the fact that I am truly blessed. As in knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt I am heading in the right direction kind of blessed. It's such an amazing feeling. Today I went to my mailbox at work, and there was one of those big interoffice mail envelopes. Doesn't matter if it's work related or not "Big Mail" excites me....at work or at home a big envelope gives me that "Oh it's something big" kind of feeling. Usually at work it's not all that exciting, but I had a feeling today for some reason. So I open it up and it's a torn off half of a peice of notebook paper, with my name written in red marker.....ok not very business like, strange way to deliver a fax of some sort, so it wasn't that....and it's folded in half with staples around the outside. Felt a little big like a ransom note. I open it up and a $20 bill falls out, so then I'm thinking it's a blanket order. But it's not, it's a donation to Perry's tuition fund. And an annoymous note came with it. Just saying the saw my ad on the bulletin board and didn't want a blanket but wanted to make a donation. What? Really? Wow, that's pretty stinkin' cool...Blessed indeed. Investigated a little bit, but something told me annoymous meant just that......So we'll say it's from God.....thanks God, and God's messager whoever you might be, maybe you'll stumble across my blog, THANK YOU SO MUCH......it means a lot to me knowing there are people like you in this world. In other news my friend Connie had her baby. Bit stressful getting her out, but no major complications. We're happy she finally arrived. Meet Emily Grace Petertonjes......pretty name for a beautiful, perfect baby girl.

New Family Member.....

So I tell my friend Abby she needs to find a man. Plain and simple, she's single and she don't like it so she needs to get out there and find a man. Do things that would require her to socialize with single available men. I told her she needed to do something to begin this process at least once a month and in no time at all she'll find that Mr. Someone. Well she's made that first step in the process. Meet Abby's new man. Yes he is a bit hairy. And he makes funny noises when he's petted to inform you that he's enjoying it, but he sure is cute. The best thing about this new man of Abby is that he can be caged. Nothing like a man that can be caged!

Your Song....

So I went to the WC tonight and I don't mean the water closet. I went to the Womens Community Meeting tonight, they've been doing it monthly since September and finally I got to go. It was nice and the women leading worship Julie, could seriously sing. She also gave her testimony that was significantly moving. And shared that in her time of despare instead of getting wasted (like she wanted to) or getting pissed off, or just wanting to die....although she had all those feelings in a matter of minutes, she chose to worship. Not call up you best friend and vent, or trash the person who had wronged her. She chose to cry out and cling to God. Alone just her and him. This is not a new concept to me, but I don't think I've ever heard it verbalized. Like someone actually saying it now gives me permission to do that, although I think I have before. She said the song for her that she cried out to God (rather elequently I might add, with some amazing power) was "Bless the Lord, oh my soul" You know the one that goes....."Bless the Lord oh my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name....." Very nice....try it with your eyes closed, and completely focused on God. Except that ain't my song, my song that I sing in those moments when I am crying out to God (thankfully it's not been recently) is "I surrender all...." That one works for me, and yes I have had times on my face before God crying out, because I didn't know what else to do. "All to Jesus I surrender, all to him I freely give, I will ever love and trust him in his pressence, daily live....I surrender all, I surrender all, all to thee my blessed savior, I surrender all...." Do you have a song? If so what is it, leave comments I know you people read this thing! We won't discuss my pissed off song....you know the one.....by Limp Bizkit? I never said I didn't have a scary side! Thank God I know more God songs to cleans me after a good round of Limp Bizkit!

Unproductive

Ok why is it now that my husband is working days, and is home I suddenly feel unproductive? Almost like I have a guest in my home. So so so wierd. I have cooked dinner every night but one so far this week. Impressive huh? Blanket selling is absolute madness I hope to have pictures to share over on the other blog, I'm up to 27 blankets. Feels good....I feel successful....just hope I can keep up with it.

Scary and Damaged.

It will be hard to every find another show as good and as well written as Greys Anatomy. OMG....that show gets better everytime. The music, the storylines, the character developement, the hot babes....I could go on and on. You are cracking up one minute and crying the next. Tonight I felt like I was crying from way down deep, like it made my heart hurt, the writers get you that involved in the characters. And I was hurting just for a one time character. They are good they are very good. Meredith (character from Greys) always has a reoccuring quote almost every show. This week it was "scary and damaged", of which she is, and it made me think. Aren't we all? I mean everyone has a story, and if we were all to share those stories, we would find more times than not, we are all scary and damaged. But then there are those of us who are Christians.......(yeah how could I not go there, it's perfect)......damaged yes we are, but theres something about grace and forgiveness that makes us a little less scary. Man I love that show!

Buena noche mis amigos

In honor of Cinco De Mayo, we read our most favorite book of all time. And if you've never read this book run to the library and get it, it's the funniest most engaging story you will ever read. LOVE IT! It was introduced to me by my friend Melissa, she has a 4 year old and a 2 year old and one on the way. She visits the library frequently. We were at a wedding actually, right after son #2 was born. And suddenly, in the midst of the fancy cocktail party style reception she begins to discuss in such an enthusiastic manner this little Siamese cat, as if he were a life long friend. I had to get the book as soon as I possibly could. And then asked for it for christmas. Now Skippyjon Jones is part of our family. I never get tired of doing my best spanish accent.

I'm gonna Blow....

I'm sick of my house smelling like a dogs ass.....
I'm just saying. Ever get to that point when things are going so well you just come to the end of the line and anything and everything can and will set you off. Or maybe that's called PMS. Ok don't like the dog. We've established that. But if you are the said party who DOES like the dog, and you forget to put her in the cage before you leave the house, she will poop on the floor and probably pee on your dirty clothes pile. The dog is going to the first willing party who will take her, I've had it. I like animals in my home but not if they like to use it as a toilet. Even cats have been sent away because of this, and I like cats better. She's outside right now, on the porch probably wondering if I will ever let her in. She's lucky I scheduled her a hair appointment for tomorrow. Maybe I'll neglect to pick her up. First one to say I'll take her gets her....better hurry she sure is purty!

Check Me

I'm one of those multiblog people. And you said it'd never happen. I am gaining quite the following so had to create a "Blankets for Perry" space. So when you get a blanket take a picture of it's primary user and I'll post it on the blog. A whole lot of blanket love. I suspect we'll be up to 20 orders by the end of the week. Hopefully I'm not losing track.

I know it's almost 3 am....

Shut up I know! I've been asleep, but woke up since I fell asleep with my kid and hadn't done all the things you are suppose to do before going to bed. Woke up in all of my clothes, and an entire herd of stuffed animals surrounding me. How can a person sleep like that? So thought I'd blog for a moment and then go back to bed. Holy smokes, you know that whole God thing and the positive praying thing, how many times do I have to tell you people it works. I am completely amazed at the power of prayer. So someone bought the Hello Kitty blanket hours after it was posted. No bids on the other, but folks often wait till the last minute. So who knows. I had the bright idea to post a little something about blanket making on our electronic bulletin board this afternoon around 3 pm, I had 6 orders before I left and then 2 others from scrappin peeps, this is all within 24 hours. God knew that if something didn't happen with the blanket money making endeavor right away I'd be discouraged. So he hooked me up, I have no doubt about it. So if you wanna jump on the blanket train you better hurry before theres a long waiting list. Any theme is possible. If the material exists I'll find it!

Pimping Blankets

At least that's what my brother would call it. That's right people I'm on e-bay. Blankets for Perry, is finally started. I started with 2, and have 2 more in reserve to put up once those get going and I am more confident. I am all about using my kids cute face to sell some blankets. Now if you are a blog fan you have the advantage of just requesting a blanket. You can even request a specific theme, and we'll whip it up for you no extra charge. And if you are local I'll just bring it to you. For the low price of $20 or a hefty donation to Perry's school tuition fund will get you many blankets you make the call. Maybe you know a person whose having a new baby....perfect gift. Maybe you have a relative in a nursing home, and the afghan that Aunt Betty made is getting kind of ratty because it's made of yarn and they keep spilling soup on it, these wash up real nice. Maybe you have a preschooler who has a tough time taking naps, well if they had their favorite character to sleep under they might take that nap a little easier. I'm just saying.....PIMPING BLANKETS!

Blankets for Perry

Ok I hope to go "live" with these on ebay tomorrow. If all goes as planned except, I had really planned for a cool photo shoot of the blankets on the clothes line with Perry's cute face peaking through. It appears the weather isn't cooperating. So hopefully tomorrow or I'll just do more pictures like this one. I hope to get $20 a blanket on e-bay. They are 54"x44", one side is flannel the other cotton. My mom sew'd them. They are bigger than a recieving blanket, but perfect for a baby blanket. Plus they are big enough for an adult also. These are perfect to take to summer camp, or for kids who are in preschool and have to have a naptime blanket. I have many that I use all the time. This one's up for grabs if anyone wants it $20 plus shipping unless you are local then I'd just hand deliver it. I hope to make a decent amount off them to offset Perry's tuition cost for Springer School.

Yipeee....

I am doing quite good. I picked out recipes, and bought groceries for those recipes. Go me! Even got me some Fuze, and it was quite yummy and 10 for 10 at Krogers. So today I made Amish meatloaf, for Ron and P to have for dinner, since I was going to a Birthday Party for a friend. Plus now we can have it for lunch tomorrow. This is one of those instances that for years you don't like something and now all the sudden you do. My friend Abby asked me if I'd ever had a cold meatloaf sandwich? I was like gross first of all meatloaf is yucky but cold? But then I was like hummm that might be good, and I tried it and it's off the hook for real! So tomorrow I am looking forward to cold meatloaf sandwiches. I made it with Ground Chuck so it's semi healthy.

That's Better...

I figure if I have the accountability of my blog, and informing the masses of what I consume on a daily basis, it won't be quite as embarrassing if I just eat sensibly. Today....Breakfast, oatmeal, and skim milk (TADA...ALL HEALTHY), Lunch Campbells soup in the hand creamy potatoe, crackers, and a bag of popcorn. (all healthy), and some carrot cake (semi-healthy), Dinner, spaghetti, meatballs that were kind of yucky (at my mom's church), salad, and more cake. Not too shabby, I'm on the upswing.

Dude I'm trying!

So it wasn't exactly a healthy day. After my vow to the blogging world, I still had a hard time being healthy. I desperately need to go to the grocery store. Healthy would be a Kashi granola bar, and a cup of tea for breakfast. I had, a couple bites of Perry left over oatmeal (healthy), a package of little chocolate donuts, and a cup of starbucks, the coffee had splenda in it....(healthy), then for lunch I had Ham and swiss (healthy), on a crossant (not healthy) with lettuce and tomato, and Mayo (not healthy), with some fruit salad (healthy). Then for dinner....did I mention I need to go to the grocery. I tested out a scouting camping recipe, made mac and cheese (less milk and butter it normally calls for) mixed in taco meat with corn. Called it dinner....LOL.....it was actually good and my kid ate it. Oh and I had a pop with that concoction. So this weekend......hummm.....grocery maybe a little Jungle Jims action.

Cleansing???

Ok so last night I had Burger King, decided to get onion rings because they had them and I wanted to do something different than french fries. Neglecting to recall that my body doesn't care for onions. So I paid for it today, nothing to tramatic just not your normal bathroom day that's all. I'll spare you the details. So after that episode, and this always happens to me, I make a vow with myself to begin to eat healthy to avoid such cleansing experiences. So Perry and I had our last appointment at childrens today. He had his quick breakfast this morning yogurt and a poptart....(trust me, pop tarts are NOT a common occurance in our house), I had one donut hole and went back to bed after he got on the bus, thinking we'd have time for lunch before his appointment. Wrong, we went straight to childrens. So I was starved afterwards at 2:30pm, he was slightly hungry. So I considered stopping at a resturant where they actually serve you, in an attempt to get something a little more healthy than you usual fast food. He however had other ideas. We pass White Castles and he exclaims "I WANT WHITE CASTLES." Far be if for me to deny the child his dose of slyders. Only after having the #4 on my tray with the amazing sweet tea, did I recall the effects that slyders have on ones body. Again I'll save you the details. So suffice to say my body will be sufficiently cleansed come tomorrow, that would be an understatement. So here goes my plea to all the blog fans, which is like 4-5 people who will own up to it. Join with me in my quest to eat healthy. Excersize regularly, and freakin stay away from greasy foods with onions. Any advice, recipes, ideas would greatly be appreicated. My cupboards are just about bare since I've not been the grocery in 2 weeks so starting to eat healthy right now would be a good time to start. I need easy stuff that could be made and consumed just like fast food. And doesn't look funny so my kid will eat it too.

Told You it Works!

So last month I blogged about a different way of praying. I've blogged quite a bit about Springer School, and how ideal it would be for Perry to attend there. Although the tuition is for those who are rather wealthy, of which I am not. Not to mention I'm not so good at budgeting. We are very much a pay check to pay check kind of family, very little savings going on from this household, I am lucky I remember to tithe....I know I know...but I'm being honest. So I did the whole positive praying thing for Springer and all it entails. I filled out the short financial aid form for the tuition and sent it off saying a brief yet meaningful prayer over the envelope itself, and didn't hear anything for a whole month, and then only heard something after I e-mailed the director. The beginning of my discouragement. Feeling kind of like no news is not always good news. Then finally the business director and I played phone tag for literally 2 weeks. Even more discouraged. Thinking ok maybe this isn't going to happen. During that 2 week phone tag period a women who is a Springer parent contacted me with encouraging words about the school and what a blessing it has been to both her youngest children. Ok seems promising but can we even afford it, what about the transportation...blah blah blah....all along thinking to myself those are small teeny tiny details that God will work out because this is most definately what's best for Perry. I have never doubted that. Then the business director finally got to speak to me after I called him on his cellphone. They decided to award us 50% financial aid.......THIS IS AWESOME! That is a large sum of money! The rest is completely doable! It'll be hard but it's doable. Mom and I are going to make blankets to sell to raise some of the money. I just made one tonight and it took me an hour, so this could be a decent money making venture. But how all of this came together is sooooo much an HG hook-up! I mean from the budgetting part. I mean granted I've stretched that 20 dollar budget past it's actual amount pretty much every week, but I'm not spending near the amount I was spending before the man came down on me. So that just shows me I can do it. That happening in the time frame that it did before I actually got word from Springer is no coincedence. It was all part of God's master plan. All sorts of other little things happening when they did is a clear sign that God's got big plans for that little man, and I can't wait to see him when he finally has an oppurtunity to shine. Be sure to check back here to see ways you can contribute to Perry's Tuition Fund.

Happy with Myself!

Well I did something I thought I'd never in a million years ever do. It's one of those ice breaker type questions, "Have you ever gone to the movies by yourself, or would you?" Normally my answer to that question would be "NO!" cause that's just plain wierd. But tonight for some reason, I was completely fine with it. There was a movie I really wanted to see, and didn't think anyone would really care to see it with me. Didn't really feel like persuading anyone really, or explaining the premise of the movie and why it would be good. Just wanted to see it. I hear about lots of movies on the movie reviews podcast. Odd movies you rarely hear anything about but they get a good review, and you wanna see it. Like the Piano from way back in the day. And now this Movie....Thank you For Smoking. It was awesome, really great well done Satire. About a lobbiest for the Tobacco industry, certainly not many of those left, for good reason, because they don't have a leg to stand on. Which this movie pretty much proves. But back to the issue at hand.....I went BY MYSELF........and I don't feel wierd at all. It was completely liberating, and fun! Like a new adventure. I didn't have to argue with anyone on what to see. I didn't have to share my popcorn. I specifically wore clothes that were comfortable and not for looking good. Like my feely t-shirt under my favorite sweatshirt that has a hole in it but I can't seem to give it up. But I wore clothes that were dreadful, so folks wouldn't talk to me and I could avoid being friendly. LOL.....I seriously upon walking in got a look, like "what the hell?" Ha! I honestly don't think I really looked that bad....I got the look before I saw my reflection and then was convinced that the looker was obviously a no class ho, cause I looked fine and comfy. Hooked myself up with a medium popcorn and large coke....ALL FOR ME! Sat right in the middle, front seats where the bar is you can put your feet on. 3 older people sat next to me with a seat in between us. Just before the previews started the older man tapped me on the shoulder.....{me thinking} crap I don't look bad enough and now a dude in his 70's is going to attempt to pick me up. Seriously the man was in his 70's, like grandpa material. And he says to me....."I like you shoes." Dude wasn't gay I swear, he was dead serious! I'm like "Ah...thanks" a little shocked a 70 year old man would compliment me a frompy 30 something mother and wife....on her BUTTER YELLOW CROCS. He said: "What are those?" I said "crocs"....he said "What?" He was in his 70's probably hard of hearing and frankly was probably shocked that I said Crocs, and then in the same sentence said you can get them at "Dicks sporting goods...." So in less than 5 minutes I said "Crocs and Dicks" in the same sentence, that poor man at that point was probably dreadfully frightened of me. But he didn't look scared he completely got it, and will probably have his own crocs come tomorrow. Said his feet get sweaty and since those shoes have holes they'd get some air. And he asked "Are the comfortable and how much do they cost...." Wow....the crocs company is going to owe me a pair in every color. I encourage you to #1 get some crocs and #2 go to a movie by yourself it's completely liberating!

Wicked

Really enjoying the Wicked soundtrack thanks to my friend Julie. Haven't loved a soundtrack to a musical this much since Annie. I loved the Phantom, but I REALLY loved Annie. I remember seeing Annie with my mom downtown. My first broadway musical, it was so magical. Man I'd love to see one actually in NYC....someday, not a hard dream to obtain, it could happen. Busy camping weekend, pray for NO RAIN.

Divine Moment

Ok Ok....don't be a hater because I replaced Jack with the Ladies, it's still a cartoon so be happy. Perry's on a Chicken Little kick, and on spring break which means Geegaws in charge so if he wants to watch Chicken Little a million times a day, and hummm the tunes through his nose all day long he can. It'll take weeks of deprogramming to fix it, but he's having fun.
The picture is one of my favorite scenes. I actually don't even like the movie that well. The characters are awesome. I love Zack Braff, and it's Don Knotts last movie. But what's with the Aliens? I don't remember the story being like that.
I'm a week behind on Erwin, so I listened to last weeks podcast today, while I walked around the block by myself. So nice. Love him, he talked about seizing those divine moments. Whether it be a moment when someone steps into your mess of a life and speaks truth into your life and you are forever changed. Or you can be that divine moment for someone else, and not even know it. I know I've had many divine moments in my life. I've been fortunate in my life to have been effected by awesome people who want to change lives. Or who just care, about you. Unselfish people who care about what you have to say, and who actually listen. Those people who make you feel like you matter to them. I'm not one of those huggy type people who will walk up to people and give them a big ole hug.....the thought actually gives me the heeby jeebies. Although I still hope I have an effect on people that they know I actually care about them. And that what they are saying to me about themselves matters in my little world. Take a moment and think about how you interact with people who are closest to. Those you interact with daily. Do you make them feel like they matter?