tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41218768623233640112023-11-16T04:09:38.665-08:00My Wandering Mindraising a family, gardening and playing with fiber in the Valley of the SunUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-88484061026478397792014-08-14T18:03:00.002-07:002014-08-14T18:03:52.928-07:00Time for my annual post. For me August is a busy month of celebrations and commemorations. My wedding anniversary as well as the anniversary of my parents and grandparents take place in August. Birthday's of several friends and extended family takes place in August. It is the month I started Nursing school, it is also the month my mom received her kidney transplant. <br />
August 6th marks the 8th year since my daughter and I joined my brother and his family at <a href="http://www.gktw.org/">Give Kids the World </a>in Florida. It is pretty much the most wonderful place in the world. It was for my nephew Tommy's trip through Make a Wish. I am a Wish Aunt. Everything they do at GKTW is for the children and their families, it is all about service and giving. It is a moment of respite for very sick kids and their families. When my daughter is old enough , I hope to be able to take her back to the village at Give Kids the World and spend some time there volunteering, in honor of my nephew Tommy. He was pretty much one of the most wonderful kids in the world.<br />
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This year I got together with some friends to sew totes for an oncology ward at a local pediatric hospital They are going to be filled with fun things , note booked coloring books, small toys etc. I like to call them "boredom buster" bags. We have a facebook page for the project. Our origional goal was to make and fill 50 bags. So far the count is 164 bags made. We have also been collecting donations of crayons, pencils, coloring books, stickers, play-dough Its pretty exciting. The best thing is, I know Tommy would love them. <br />
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I don't post very much I don't expect that there are really one who reads this blog. My reason for typing and posting this every year is to honor Tommy's life. My hope is that my children and friends will take the opportunity to do something nice for someone, and have fun. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-17377927950022812462013-11-20T07:02:00.000-08:002013-11-20T07:02:02.134-08:00Given a life<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't remember if I've share this story before on my blog, I can't seem to find it so I'm going to take the opportunity to share it here. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mom rec'd a kidney transplant in August 1987. Mom had been on the transplant list and receiving dialysis for almost a year.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"> I was taking some classes during a Summer semester to finish up pre-req’s for nursing school and had some finals coming up. I had a day off from work and had stayed at school late to get some studying done, but made it home in time for dinner. Mom and I had just barely sat down for dinner and we rec’d a call from the hospital. I answered the phone, and was told that there was a kidney available for my mom, but I had to get her to the hospital with the next two hours. We were there in 20 minutes </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">My brother was at work and my father was also working, he was a bus driver for Trailways and had left that morning for Reno.</span><span style="background-color: white;">I sat with my mom until they took her back to the operating room. She made me go home so I would be fresh for school and finals the next day. I called the my dad’s dispatcher to see if they could get word to my dad, called my brother and went home.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">The next day before school. I went to see her at the hospital, she was still in recovery wide a wake and very excited. Her new kidney was working!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That was just over 25years ago. She still has the same borrowed kidney working for her.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is amazing to me how the human body works, how one diseased organ can effect the rest of the body systems. Mom was incredibly ill and weak from the dialysis by the time she received her transplant. Post- transplant we had to be so careful with her meds and health. She has often said that it was something she would never go through it all again , but the improved quality of life with the transplant. She was there for my wedding and be there for my four children. There has been much joy that that she has been apart of because of this transplant. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am grateful for the family and the person who donated the kidney for my mom. It makes me sad that they died but ever so grateful for their generosity. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Grande, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-85312083452178493552013-09-26T14:55:00.000-07:002013-09-26T14:55:51.673-07:00Remembering Tommy<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; padding: 0px;">
14 years ago tomorrow my nephew Tommy was born. With him he brought unconditional love for everyone who would cross his path. He was a fun and loving kid. As an Aunt it fills my heart with joy to watch all of my nephew and nieces grow and learn. With Tommy it was fun to watch my brother, his father, grow along with him. </div>
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in Fall of 2005 Tommy had spent several days ill with flu like symptoms. Just after his 6th birthday Tommy needed to be admitted to the hospital. It took what seemed like weeks for him to be stable enough to have tests that would lead to the diagnosis of nueroblastoma. For several months Tommy went through radiation and chemotherapy treatments. With the help of his parents, family and friends those months were also filled with fun, adventure and love. </div>
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Just before his 7th birthday Tommy passed away in his parents arms. I cannot find words strong enough to convey the heartbreak my brother and Sister in law went through. </div>
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Through their pain they have looked for ways to serve others. My Sister inlaw started up a foundation collected money and toys for children going through treatment for cancer and blood disorders. They also participate in “Cure’s kids Conquer Cancer” with fundraising that goes to childhood cancer research. </div>
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I do not like to inundate family and friends with catalog parties or ask for money. I would like to ask you to consider going to Tommy’s page. </div>
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<a href="https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/tommy-peterson/2013-cures-kids-conquer-cancer-one-day-at-a-time">https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/tommy-peterson/2013-cures-kids-conquer-cancer-one-day-at-a-time</a></div>
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Read it and share it with your friends. If you combine "all of the types childhood cancers, receive only 4% of federal funding for cancer research". September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Help with finding a cure or better treatment can help save parents and families from having to say good-bye to their child</div>
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Tommy about 10 months old</div>
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Tommy with best friend Luke</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-25765059994157822322013-04-06T22:27:00.001-07:002013-04-06T22:27:31.802-07:00KitM 2014 Countdown Clock | CountingDownTo.com<a href="http://countingdownto.com/countdown/267838#.UWEDujm-T5g.blogger">KitM 2014 Countdown Clock | CountingDownTo.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-68788438124600630022013-01-15T18:48:00.003-08:002013-01-15T18:48:59.211-08:00Deep stashThis last year I found out that I'm more productive with my knitting and general crafting if I set goals and am more mindful of who I am knitting for. This year I am joining in on the Double knit Podcast Deep Stash KAL Here are a couple of items I've competed this month as a part of it.<br />
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First I crocheted some vintage potholders in Tahki Cotton classic purchased at my first big yarn sale sometime between 2003-2007 not quite sure, since Ravelry wasn't around before 2007</div>
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Alisha Mitts in yanr bought 2008 ish</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-4621991006466252222012-12-26T21:37:00.000-08:002012-12-26T21:37:16.491-08:00Christmas JoyI love to collect ornaments. Not expensive or a certain brand but ornaments that mean something to me or members of our family. Something that symbolizes where we've been or things we've done together as a family over the last year.<br />
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New Cardinal for the year. Cardinals or little red birds hold a special place in the heart of our family</div>
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BLown glass ballon ornament purchased at Balloon festival this year (2012)</div>
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Nutcracker bought at local production of the Nutcracker. I took my niece and daughters to watch. Its was short sweet and fun</div>
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Elf not a shelf elf but still and elf, my youngest so wanted and elf to sit around the house this year. This was given to us by a dear friend</div>
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The ornaments on the tree are all different and kind of go together. They all hold special memories in them and its fun to watch the kids put them on the tree and talk about the stories that go with each oneUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-89143985516712950362012-08-10T15:33:00.001-07:002012-08-10T15:33:43.748-07:00<br />
6 years ago this week, my daughter and I were privileged to spend some time with my awesome nephew Tommy and his family at this wonderful place. GKTW where kids can be kids, and they can have ice cream for breakfast.<br />
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<a href="http://www.gktw.org/">http://www.gktw.org/</a><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-51117022618519799152012-06-11T08:01:00.004-07:002012-06-11T08:02:16.783-07:00Summer schoolI put my 15yo on the bus to Summer school this morning, It was almost harder than sending him to kindergarten. He qualified to take an accelerated math class last January and he really wanted to do it. Six months later when the class starts, the thought of spending half of his Summer vacation getting up at 6 am and spending 7 hours in class isn't as appealing as it was. <br />
I'm real proud of him he is my child with ADD who didn't start talking until he was four years old, wasn't reading at grade level until 4th grade and up until 7th grade I couldn't read his essays or handwriting. He had an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) up until 8th grade. For his final report card of the year he had straight A's except for the Honors History class for that he had a B.<br />
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My oldest son and 11yo daughter both qualified for the gifted program. They are both good kids but I've seen them waste their time and talents, they don't have to work as hard to get good grades, so they don't. <br />
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My 15 yo works really hard to get to where he is at, and is more meticulous than my others, he has had to be. Even so I had a difficult time watching him get on the bus that was going to take him to Summer School for the day. I was glad that he found a familiar face to hang out with in the crowd of other sleepy-eyed teenagers. I wasn't the only one there. there were several other parents waiting in their cars, waiting for their child to get on the bus, watching the bus drive off. <br />
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Wash, rinse, repeat....we get to do this again tomorrow and then again. Its only for three weeks. We can do anything for three weeks. Right?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-68498377730789487632012-05-28T23:20:00.000-07:002012-05-28T23:20:12.893-07:00Getting bigger and bolder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The little guy is getting more adventurous. Flying soon? I hope so. Yesterday we discovered another "chick"still in the palm tree next to the nesting box. <br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-86626021711785192762012-05-25T22:03:00.001-07:002012-05-25T22:03:32.543-07:00baby (bird) updateThe little bird has been in the backyard for the last week. He is getting bigger and is starting to feather out. The parents are keeping him well fed and doing there best to keep him safe. Everytime one of my family steps into the backyard the give us a talking too. We do our best to not go into the backyard but sometimes we need to take out the garbage etc.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-68735957540076702642012-05-19T19:58:00.003-07:002012-05-19T20:17:58.339-07:00Urban backyard wildlifeSeveral year ago my husband noticed small hawk like birds in our neighborhood. After consulting a bird watching hobbyist and our friend we found otu they were Kestrels. This sparked an interest in following and taking care of birds of prey. He got plans and built a Kestrel nesting box placed it in our palm tree in the back yard. That year in November when the kestrels came back to town they started taking up residence in our box. My husband then installed a webcam in the box and we watched and shared with the world, or at least who was interested, the lives of the kestrels in our backyard. They layed eggs, they hatched and it was interesting to watch the the chicks grow into fully fledged birds. This process went on for a couple of years my husband became a certified and built a pen to house injured birds of prey which he used to educate scout and school groups. We housed red-tail hawks , and kestrels while the wild ones flew free. After a few years of doing this our schedules got busy income was tight and our family grew. We didn't seem to have time to take care of the birds anymore so we took down he site and returned the other birds to the wildlife rehab center that had loaned them to us. <br />
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Through the years wild kestrel continue to return to the nesting box, lay their eggs and raise a family of birds. We have enjoyed watching them as the parents take their "kids " out for their first flights, usually around the end of May. Last night while my oldest was in the backyard taking garbage out to the dumpster in the alley, our neighbor called over to him and handed him something over the wall, saying. "I think this belongs to you guys". It was a small very young kestrel that had fallen out of the tree, it didn't even have all of its feathers. <br />
My son placed the little guy/girl in a bird cage, took the top section of the cage off so the parents could still get to him/her if they wanted too. This morning my husband gave the bird a small lizard he had caught, and we've watched the parents flying and feed it through out the day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CJYKnSEPa9lj0XcxejtXzJxUnSCxvY1lDv7jS5cNnlZfHJrDgC1WJAZ2CqL5RTUeE18npWZx5qFLA8psDymB30LWc0yNuGbHHrMqBvkUU1qZ7U9KixZu26WGPY1s6weeQ3pkB_oNXaU/s1600/baby_kestrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CJYKnSEPa9lj0XcxejtXzJxUnSCxvY1lDv7jS5cNnlZfHJrDgC1WJAZ2CqL5RTUeE18npWZx5qFLA8psDymB30LWc0yNuGbHHrMqBvkUU1qZ7U9KixZu26WGPY1s6weeQ3pkB_oNXaU/s320/baby_kestrel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is a current picture of the nesting box. 8 years ago the tree was shorter and the box was actually covered by palm fronds a nice shaded place to raise baby chicks. We talk of trimming the tree but there is usually birds nesting there when we want to do it.<br />
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A pic of the cage housing the young bird. We've got it safely nestled between the citrus trees in the shade. Hubby has been putting the lid on at night so the neighborhood cats can't get in<br />
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Hopefully this video gets through okay. You can hear the parent bird either telling me to back off or its baby everything was going to be okay. Either way they weren't too happy that I was there. It amazes me how natural that protective and caring instinct occurs in the different species. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw-IIWT0ihV3cjHWynZt5vc-G5eTqNNFAUkMk_p6hZxrJW4yO-Wu0q0pTihDHXZd7370IqTCNhU_0Asb_dcnQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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*My husband has had several years experience in caring for
injured birds of prey and working with wold life rehabilitation centers. He is trying to keep the bird safe and at the same
time facilitate the parents in caring for their kiddo.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-81485970076281280602012-01-28T19:24:00.000-08:002012-01-28T19:43:06.957-08:00Cake BOSSing mom around<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My daughter's love to watch Cake Boss on Netflix. I should know better than to let them watch it. I mean its a pretty family friendly show, minimal cussing and it shows a close, really close, family that works hard together. However when my oldest and creative- minded daughter watches it for two or more days in a row she gets an itch to try her hand at cake decorating. Last time she got the urge We tried our hand at fondant....not very tasty and met with mixed result. This time I stuck with what I knew..... butter cream frosting and good old-fashioned food dye. We didn't even use the fancy Wilton colored pastes. I tried to show her how to hold the bag and get different effects with the different tips, but no she wants to twist the bag like the Boss does. No styrofoam cakes to practice on so she worked on an empty yogurt container and cupcakes.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4GQ3gGh-XmHTxJjnfIgpZ_E304FQNTN78ee0-P5X9U9xstNTAgYjJ7hkZHUCHR8mZX_Ldi332FRjgvOHSILzsSGk6OKLM59SspYcUbgX19SK6eLwhtZijw04EFxQoAPIl-NIJY964Ug/s1600/cake_decorating+005.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa2BVoQRbbMu371GzwAhyphenhyphenz_oqKxrC7RG6TOfdZcr7zAIRTl01Hi7pTvBuJg_gMzSvUj5GjX8VfYuKMu5aZ4-9J2ZswJz1vHAEGY7JQrtIGwaURaP0RnANODuSXqiOyZTtv47OAcDldU0/s320/cake_decorating+001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702890980886650962" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>These are what Banana Girl (aka the little sister did with help. The pink glob on the cupcake on the left side is suppose to be an eye (I)</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4GQ3gGh-XmHTxJjnfIgpZ_E304FQNTN78ee0-P5X9U9xstNTAgYjJ7hkZHUCHR8mZX_Ldi332FRjgvOHSILzsSGk6OKLM59SspYcUbgX19SK6eLwhtZijw04EFxQoAPIl-NIJY964Ug/s1600/cake_decorating+005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4GQ3gGh-XmHTxJjnfIgpZ_E304FQNTN78ee0-P5X9U9xstNTAgYjJ7hkZHUCHR8mZX_Ldi332FRjgvOHSILzsSGk6OKLM59SspYcUbgX19SK6eLwhtZijw04EFxQoAPIl-NIJY964Ug/s320/cake_decorating+005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702890983240168930" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>The results of the Boss (y) Girl's hard work.</u></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNPj0JsdMszj6uwYtZt5GYIu7lj2XqsqViBPHEgvL8wdpr3dKtoE6EFVj6WbO6Pb8KV63AWGiGzUW5sDbtKX2LEoBLQuAPqcoJunesj9aGbWM0yQlnPV9CrEmXdks_8MQdQRGcdEzn0Q/s1600/cake_decorating+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNPj0JsdMszj6uwYtZt5GYIu7lj2XqsqViBPHEgvL8wdpr3dKtoE6EFVj6WbO6Pb8KV63AWGiGzUW5sDbtKX2LEoBLQuAPqcoJunesj9aGbWM0yQlnPV9CrEmXdks_8MQdQRGcdEzn0Q/s320/cake_decorating+002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702890983534693234" /></a>It was fun, minimal work and it took care of the girls creative "itch"<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-77315063301050801352012-01-13T21:11:00.000-08:002012-01-13T21:22:46.980-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQtknDMJ2qbKeibUF6ZylEHZUow7Mx8q1TqdxVa37ctNPDcWaRUXtlI9VfFDXLMFzORkiI0tmZsCBwacER0wmiWyFRhu0NoGz4nTUC0aThtMKP4ZhDfhP8AxPHRek8ttSaEbC1mm12HI/s1600/DSC00337.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQtknDMJ2qbKeibUF6ZylEHZUow7Mx8q1TqdxVa37ctNPDcWaRUXtlI9VfFDXLMFzORkiI0tmZsCBwacER0wmiWyFRhu0NoGz4nTUC0aThtMKP4ZhDfhP8AxPHRek8ttSaEbC1mm12HI/s400/DSC00337.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697352849601063666" /></a><br />I am full of gratitude. A couple of weeks ago my oldest returned home. He had been away from home for 2 years on a mission for the Lord through the LDS church. on someways he has changed auiet a bit in other he is still the same. He still has the same dry sense of humor that his dad my husband also has, Its a hoot but can drive me nuts. <div>Different in that he is very helpful he does his own laundry and will help with meals without being asked.</div><div>Regardless he left as a teen and came back as an adult I need to keep reminding my self this and am trying to give him some breathing room as he establishes a new routine. </div><div>I am happy to have him home and his younger sibling are also enjoying having around to hang on and do things with.</div><div>emotions are all over the place. Happiness to have him home, satisfaction in seeing what a fine young man he has grown into, and a lot of hoping that he is able to continue to work and that he'l have a happy life.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-21421521077700272582012-01-03T20:59:00.000-08:002012-01-03T21:33:25.703-08:00Traditions and Themes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBH-5b6GWtUMldHqT91mrCHQoDzJzIff1YqpLqboMl8FXPrqRrGS8oZsRbu7l7ZTGJmvRq_4VI2aTxKX8RirHJZ2ju-faAbRDDK6NMwLzJEw3PcSyxevQwwEsJp3q7Yt8z1HTdABJgfxQ/s1600/dna_price003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBH-5b6GWtUMldHqT91mrCHQoDzJzIff1YqpLqboMl8FXPrqRrGS8oZsRbu7l7ZTGJmvRq_4VI2aTxKX8RirHJZ2ju-faAbRDDK6NMwLzJEw3PcSyxevQwwEsJp3q7Yt8z1HTdABJgfxQ/s400/dna_price003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693641016576804066" /></a><i>In a World where there is one family, four children, different years....one brave second grade teacher willing to teach them all....</i><div>We are so lucky to have the best 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nd</span> grade teacher for all of my children. She has the ability to work with the easiest to the most difficult child. Artistic, mathematically inclined, learning issues, she can work with them all and do it in a loving kind and gentle manner. Over the years she had her students make the same snowman ornaments for Christmas. I'm so tickled that I have a complete set now. Special ornaments for each child every year has always been a tradition. I love these sorts of traditions.</div><div><br />Usually this time of year the some of pod-casters I love to listen to talk about their goals for the next year. This time a few of them are talking about "themes" or what they value or trait would like to build into their character/being for the coming year. I think my themes for 2011 would have been "chaos and procrastination" for 2012 I want it to be "Finishing (projects) and Balance"<div>This past year I feel like I spent a lot of "putting out little fires" taking each task or event as it came along not really preparing for it. I started working part time at my daughter's school 4 months ago. No I can't seem to get laundry done or meals cooked and meal planning has gone completely out the door.</div><div><br /></div><div>I need to be able to plan better so there is less chaos in my life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finishing is self explanatory. I have a lot of Unfinished projects that were started in the last year that are stuffed in bag hidden in the back of my closet. over the next couple of days I'm coin through those bags and either rip them or start to finish them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Its been a good year , interesting but good. could have done without some of the dramatic stuff, good thing is that we made it through all the trials. I am grateful for my family, the circle of friends I have in real life and on-line. I feel that the Lord has truly blessed me.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-78329229973885791462011-12-03T07:14:00.001-08:002011-12-03T07:14:22.614-08:00Green donutsA: Mom? You know those things? Those round things ?<br />
Me: what round things?<br />
A: those round things like green donuts <br />
Me: what green donuts?<br />
A: we see them when we walk around the neighborhood. People hang them up<br />
Me: oh, you mean a "wreath"<br />
A: yeah a wreath, can we get one?<br />
This was a conversation I had with my 8yo daughter whose smile can melt the hardest of hearts. How could I refuse. A "green donut thing" now hangs on our door.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-49383749204635062572011-11-16T07:44:00.001-08:002011-11-16T07:44:55.304-08:00Day 15/16 because I can<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/3553526818/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3553526818_27d19dabf1_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/3553526818/">1988</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/">dnaprice66</a></span></div>SO...yeah... I forgot about yesterday. Yesterday I was grateful for the new Clairol hair dye, you leav ion for only 10 minutes. Still smells bad and Imy hair still looks funny for a couple of days but 10 minutes is way better that 30.<br /><br />Today I am grateful for my DH. When he looks at me I feel like he sees the pretty young thing he married 23 years ago, instead of the tired overweight middle aged housewife I am. He is patient kind and understanding . he still can't read my mind when he needs to but he does listen to me. I love him.<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-89252167041122492892011-11-14T20:04:00.001-08:002011-11-14T20:04:17.072-08:00Day 14 Thanks<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/6345843899/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6099/6345843899_09d2453207_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/6345843899/">no-cancer-sign</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/">dnaprice66</a></span></div>I'm having a difficult time finding something to be thankful for today. A few days ago I got a message on my voice mail from my much loved SIL. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, today she met with the surgeon, heard the final pathology report and treatment options. <br />I don't like cancer and frankly am tired of it hurting my family and friends. I guess I should say I am thankful for my health and that advances in medicine have advanced so much over the years with early detection and treatments. I just know that you can never turn your back on cancer and that it doesn't play by any set of rules. I am grateful for my SIL, she lost a son to brain cancer 6 years ago. She is facing this new hurdle in her life a lot more graceful and strong than I would. She has always been a source of light, strength and joy. I am grateful for the example and influence she is in my life.<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-71541983328193601022011-11-13T18:04:00.001-08:002011-11-13T18:04:17.069-08:00Day 12 and 13<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/3927047120/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2646/3927047120_e6c2f0390e_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/3927047120/">S6301380</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/">dnaprice66</a></span></div>I fell off the train and need to catch up<br />I am grateful for sewing, that I know its something I can do and make beautiful things for people.<br /><br />Day 13. I am grateful for the knowledge of Christ's redeeming love. The sacrifices He made so we may return to our Heavenly Father one day.<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-6615626806689375472011-11-10T21:16:00.001-08:002011-11-10T21:16:15.283-08:00Hey there Delilah _day 10<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/6315117281/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6105/6315117281_3ef02e8567_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/6315117281/">Hey there Delilah</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/">dnaprice66</a></span></div>not very exciting to day, but I'm going for quantity not quality. I'm grateful for this particular knitting project, pattern is Oh Delilah by Sharon Dreifuss it was part of a bonus mini mystery KAL that precluded the Tuck Shawl Mystery KAL. Anyway I'm 2/3done. A lot further than I've been along on any sort of knitting project lately. Have I already said I love knitting? well I do.<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-72945843451500241392011-11-09T06:25:00.001-08:002011-11-09T06:25:37.747-08:00Day 9 Thanks<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/5019961179/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5019961179_0e236b80f5_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/5019961179/">0105egp3</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/">dnaprice66</a></span></div>I am thankful for old friends. My oldest bestest friend is Janett. We've known each other FOREVER. .... well for at least for most of our lives. She has seen me at my best and my worst and still loves me anyway. I've done the same for her. 25 plus years of unconditional love and support....<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-1072185917523921462011-11-08T07:23:00.001-08:002011-11-08T07:23:00.469-08:00Day 8<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/3463957507/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3463957507_d0f956f5d0_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/3463957507/">carrots</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/">dnaprice66</a></span></div>I am thankful to be in Arizona 'specially this time of year. The weather is nice and we get to plant a veggie garden. While all my relatives and friends up north are stuck in the "blahness" of winter, my kids get to play outside and ?i can pick fresh vegetables from my garden.....tat is if I can keep the birds from eating all of the seeds. Some years the garden is better than others. Hoping I can get around to something this year.<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-72875765159587598332011-11-07T06:03:00.001-08:002011-11-07T06:03:54.853-08:00thankful day 7<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/6321943441/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6111/6321943441_fb8aefb3c5_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/6321943441/">clock</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/">dnaprice66</a></span></div>I am grateful that Arizona doesn't go on Daylight Savings Time. No nasty adjustments to waking up and going to bed time to mess with. No need to adjust watches, clocks , etc. I just need to know so I can call family that lives out of state at appropriate times.<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-55448423929832002202011-11-06T16:59:00.001-08:002011-11-06T16:59:19.190-08:00Day 6 "Mom"<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/3169325286/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1330/3169325286_7b9b7d7083_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/3169325286/">mom's bag</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/">dnaprice66</a></span></div>I am grateful for my mom. she is a strong woman with a strong personality. She was diagnosed with diabetes in her 20's, went blind and required a kidney transplant in her 40's sh'ea had two hip replacements and various broken bones. like a Timex watch she can "take a lickin' and still keep tickin'. She's a great example or "enduring to the end" and not letting people push you around. With some help and mostly by watching her I learned how to knit, crochet and sew. I am grateful that the Lord saw fit to let me be her daughter. here on earth.<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-14725790678985784822011-11-05T10:04:00.001-07:002011-11-05T10:04:46.084-07:00Mi Hermano<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/6067268573/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6067268573_6de22307d5_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/6067268573/">Mi Hermano</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/">dnaprice66</a></span></div>I am very grateful for my "rotten red-head older brother"<br />Yes he teased and terrorized me when we were kids (he did proclaim that I was his slave for life). But more important than that he protected me from the neighborhood and school bullies. He has always been able to make me laugh when life kicked me int he butt. and he has a matter of fact don't let life push you around , and no whining allowed attitude that has been a an example for me, I'm really grateful for my brother.<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121876862323364011.post-76271152782934081282011-11-04T06:56:00.001-07:002011-11-04T06:56:53.677-07:00Day 4<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/5216305892/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5216305892_f4902ac8f3_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/5216305892/">earflap hats</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22415925@N07/">dnaprice66</a></span></div>I really am thankful for knitting. I haven't done much with it this year either in the way of production or learning new techniques. It has been more of a coping mechanism this year. It keeps me sane while sitting in waiting rooms, car pickup lines after school, and during children's lessons. <br />i can wow people with my ability to take a piece of string and turn it into a hat,shawl or mittens. Strangers will come up and talk to me to share a memory of their mother/grand mother knitting or how they would like to learn to knit,<br />It keeps me from snacking on things that aren't good for me and it helps me focus. Knitting brought into my life a group of friends I wouldn't of gained. <br />I'm really grateful for knitting<br clear="all" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0