Wemmicks-in-training

Sam'ism VI

2011-11-20T00:46:00.001-05:00

{Setting: mySamuelson and I in the schoolroom/playroom wrapping up a good day of school.}

mySamuelson: "Let me ask you one good question Mom."

Mom: "What is it?"

mySamuelson: "How did baby Jesus get out of Mary?"

Budding Scientist

2011-08-29T11:22:00.000-04:00

Gotta love ebay.

Bought a bag of 100 small shark teeth the beginning of the summer for our "all things science loving Sam".

After this self-motivated stint in classifying ALL the sharkteeth, I now call him my "Brain".

This photo was entered into the I Heart Faces photo challenge.

Mini-Sunshine

2011-08-22T00:45:00.002-04:00

Sunshine's mini sunshine.

*Joining in I Heart Faces weekly photo challenge.*

Firsts

2011-08-21T23:23:00.001-04:00

First day of Kindergarten...

First day, of first year, being homeschooled...

Decisions, decisions...

2011-07-18T12:22:00.003-04:00

Punk took initiative for the first time in her potty-training and went to the bathroom all on her own!

To celebrate such a landmark event, I broke out her kryptonite: chocolate.

Hershey Nugget, Oreo or Candy-topped brownie?

How's a girl to choose?

Joining in iheartfaces photo challenge.

LifeWithmy3boybarians' Sweet Shot Tuesday.

And,

5MinutesforMom's Wordless Wednesday.

The family "firecracker"!

2011-07-10T16:15:00.002-04:00

Happy "belated" 4th of July!

Taking on the "Sweet Shot Tuesday" photo challenge over at mythreeboybarians.

And joining in "5MinutesforMom's" Wordless Wednesday fun!

NO boys allowed!

2011-07-08T13:39:00.001-04:00

The first day of summer, as it usually is, was June 21st.

What better way to celebrate it's arrival than a "Girls Only" Pool Party???

After all, girls just wanna have fun!

Some of us were content with floating about lazily on the inflatables.

While others idea of fun varied just a bit.

Which some of us cracked up over.

We even had Olympic material make an appearance!

And we all flipped

over the traditional bar-b-que spread.

No thanks to the novice griller who lost 2 hamburgers between the grates into the charcoal!

And unbelievably, we ate an entire watermelon!

And if exhaustion is any indicator of the experience,

I'd say the day was an all-out blast!

Anniversary

2011-06-29T02:12:00.003-04:00

9 years ago today, I

this

witty, handsome, kind-hearted, wiley, successful, agreeable, punctual, wonderful, knowledgeable, cautious, generous, ambitious, calm and protective man.

In another words, amazing.

And haven't looked back,

except to thank my God.

"...a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Ecclesiastes 4:12

QUITE the UNDIGNIFIED moment!

2011-06-28T01:11:00.001-04:00

Wonder what she'll do when I pull this one out on her first date in another 50 10 years?

Playing along with "Sweet Shot Tuesday".

and "Wordless Wednesday" over at 5MinutesforMom.

Mirror image

2011-06-27T01:47:00.001-04:00

Join in the photography challenge at iheartfaces.

Found: A Fabulous "Familial Friday" Full of Fun!

2011-06-25T02:27:00.004-04:00

As my "Meet the Wemmick's" intro. in the sidebar shares, we're of the mind that a family that plays together, stays together (that is if they're first "praying together").

Bowling happens to be one of our favorite games.

And when one extremely important and special guy takes some time off work to join us ,

well, the atmosphere surrounding our summertime tradition of spending Friday afternoon's bowling

becomes as heady as a school girl in the throes of her first crush!

Nonetheless, given our collective competitive nature, it should come as no surprise that the guys,

especially one particular little ~~booger~~ fellar,

has to make it a competition!

{Players in order from top to bottom: Mad, Sam, Mom, Dad.)

However, never one to turn cheek to a challenge, us girls

rose to the occasion.

Well, a few of us did that is!

Other's of course would never mention any names, PUNK got a bit sidetracked

and was sabatoged by the competition!

There's just no containing our sincere familial love! ;)

5x7 Folded Card

2011-06-24T04:14:00.001-04:00

Classic Without Edge 5x7 folded card

Modern greeting cards and party invitations by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Redefining frugal

2011-06-22T21:18:00.002-04:00

In the beginning, it was a "desperate times call for desperate measures" kind of deal.

Now, 2 years and 8 months later, it's become something more.

There's an addictive quality to it, a personal challenge.

How much can I save this time?

Even more than that, it's as Sugar so aptly puts it, "Those who have money, don't spend it. That's why they have it."

Why spend more, especially for a necessity such as food, than I have to?

Today, I outdid myself.

(And "yes", all the items bought were items our family will use.)

Watch out big dogs, this pup's on her way off the porch!

Homemade Happiness

2011-06-21T18:56:00.002-04:00

In our home,

(Figure with the unforgiving heat of late, we could do with a reminder of cooler days to come!)

Dad rocks!

The sun sets on him for two special little girls.

And it rises over him,

for an equally special little guy.

Which is why, for that little guy, he made sure his "Best Bud" had nothing less than the best for Father's Day.

And you just can't beat "homemade".

Mr. Personality

2011-06-21T01:23:00.004-04:00

Nothing like some good ole' fashion brotherly love!

Entered in iheartfaces photo challenge.

Priceless Perspective: From the mouths of babes...

2011-06-20T02:06:00.000-04:00

{Scene: Scurrying through ~~Hellmart~~ Walmart on Father's Day night, mySamuelson & Mad in tow, looking for "Dad" gifts from the kids. Briefly side-tracked by display of children's watershoes in middle of aisle (blasted Marketing Dept. does that on purpose!)

Mom: "Ooooh! Punk needs a new pair of shoes for the pool." (Poor child's toes are hanging off the end of the sandals she's currently wearing! ~~(and touching the ground!)~~

Mad: "Look Mom! (in partial, excited shock while stabbing her fingers at a pair of shoes) It's the same kind of shoes the Easter Bunny brought me!" (mySamuelson & I both did a double-take!)

mySamuelson: "The Easter Bunny must shop at Walmart, Madalyn." (dismissively)

Bye-bye bb's, hello buckshot!

2011-06-20T01:25:00.002-04:00

First time shooting the real-deal, a 410!

I thoroughly enjoy participating in "I Heart Faces" weekly photo challenge. Not for the possibility of actually winning the contest, though I would definitely never turn away such an honor ;) but for the fire she lights under my tail-end in getting me out there taking pictures!

Madalyn'ism VI

2011-06-18T01:30:00.004-04:00

{Scene: Driving home from dropping off sleeping bag and air mattress to Sugar and mySamuelson at their Father/Son Campout at our local Chick-Fil-A. Mad beside me. Punk in back.}

Mom: What do you want to be when you grow up, Madalyn? (Curious, for unlike her brother, she's not one to express herself, nor just offer up personal information - even to her parents!)
Mad: Spongebob. (casually matter-of-fact)
Mom (almost careens off road) : What!?! Spongebob?? (Could have knocked me over with a feather! I knew she liked Spomgebob. He was her birthday party theme this year after all. But to want to grow up to BE him????)
Mad: Yeah. (sheepishly smiling)
Mom (chuckling): What would you do as Spongebob?
Mad: Play with Patrick. (Cheshire cat grin)
*Both of us burst out laughing!

The Green Mile of POO

2011-06-16T12:09:00.002-04:00

My Mother-in-law and I were out shopping at a rug outlet a few towns over a couple years back. It was my first outing as a "mother of two"; son was 2 and newborn daughter but a few weeks old. On the return trip we had stopped in one of those restaurant/gas station deals (this one a Burger King) for lunch. At one point during our meal, our noses picked up that extremely obnoxious, yet familiar smell. As I reached in to check my infant daughter's diaper, my fingers encountered the "goo" before I even managed to touch her. It was EVERYWHERE! All over both her AND the carseat she was half-asleep in! How in the world ANYONE, even a child, can sleep through something like that, I'll NEVER understand. (shaking head in consternation) Although have a pretty good grasp of the English language, words seriously fail to convey my UTTER mortification when I reached in the diaper bag, in the midst of changing my precious girl on the proverbial changing table in the Ladies handicap restroom stall, and came up with naught but an empty pack of wipes, tube of vaseline, travel size bottle of Magic baby lotion and a handful of toys. NO, I repeat, NO diaper. And NO, oh my, NO spare change of clothes. (Refer here to afore-mentioned "New Mom of two" statement!). Couldn't leave treasure on table unattended. No wipes to clean her up. NO WAY was I going to attempt to carry her, covered in feces the way she was, out to the PACKED dining area (height of lunchtime) to enlist mother-in-law's aid. So I did what any semi-experienced Mom in said situation would do: I waited. I knew my mother-in-law would come search us out eventually. Little did I realize it would take her 25 minutes! Thankfully, that time is but a blur in my mind now. When she returned from being sent to the gas station next door with nothing but wipes, the situation quickly took a turn toward the satiric. The gas station was OUT OF DIAPERS! I'm sure the expression on my face when I heard this could have "moored a thousand ships". No "Helen of Troy" here! Ingenuity saved the day in the hated form of the maxi-pad. Funny how the gas station was stocked with those. Guess they didn't want to risk a PMS'ing woman coming in for a pack, to be told they were out. Talk about incurring wrath! ;) Once I arranged my cherub, naked, in the carseat, with the pad situated under her bottom and tucked between her thick thighs, we walked the "Green Mile" to the car. I never once looked back: until now!!! Thanks 5MinutesforMom for the trip down Memory Lane!

Burgeoning Writer WINS Music Scholarship

2011-06-16T10:39:00.004-04:00

Received notice a few months back of a writing contest sponsored through the Fountain Inn Civic Center. It was open to the chidlren who were residents of the cities of Ft. Inn and neighboring Simpsonville. To enter, children ages 5-14 were instructed to write an essay, "Why I like music" accompanied by a drawing (optional). Those who were too young to compose an essay were encouraeged to just draw a picture about why they liked music.

Winners were given scholarships to local Summer Music Camps, worth $150.00+!

Having a love for writing myself, shared the opportunity with mySamuelson and Mad. Showing a bent toward mathematics, versus English, Mad reluctantly agreed to participate. Personally, I think the only reason she didn't put up a fight is due to the fact that she was to "draw" a picture: child LOVES art. "Art" and "Math"??? Go figure! Maybe a blooming architect? mySamuelson, however, took the task and ran with it! He set me back on my heels with a one-and-a-half page composition penned in very good handwriting, with a picture that told the exact same story as his written word! It was a moment I'll never forget. My mini-me. ;)

A few weeks ago, a lady from the music club where the camps were to take place, called to share the news mySamuelson had won a schoalrship in his age division and would we be willing to attend a City Hall meeting to have the award formally presented by the Mayor!!!!

We are one PROUD family!

Pulling back the pages: 2011 Summer Reading List

2011-06-15T01:31:00.004-04:00

One of my earliest memories is of sitting in my Mother's lap listening to stories from a series called, "The Value of..." The stories taught characteristics such as determination and perseverance using historical figures like Eleanor Roosevelt and Helen Keller. I now read that same set to my own children.

Have been the proverbial "Bookworm Nerd" since discovering Laura Ingalls Wilder in 4th grade. This fascination continuued on through adolescence where my most memorable Christmas present was a large, brown cardboard box filled to the brim with books of different genres and caliber. I packed the love off to college with me, applying it to my education in the form of a Minor in English.

Unfortunately, like most, have little account of what I've read during the course of my life, other than what my memory will recall and what I've managed to hang onto through moves, marriage, children and sweeps for Yard Sale fodder.

I know, it's a tragedy.

But now that I'm keenly aware of the gross oversight, am responsible for reparation.

Therefore, have decided to throw myself in front of the buck and stop this atrocity here-and-now!

Below are the 5 books I’ve selected for my summer reading, along with either the information from the back of the book, a review from Amazon.com, or both.

You'll probably notice the wide variety the list contains. Some are for pleasure, some for educational purposes. No matter the intent, am looking forward to a summer of reading fun!

Running With Joy: My Daily Journey to the Marathon

Ryan Hall

Harvest House Publishers/ February 2011

"From the fastest American-born marathoner of all time, here is an intimate, day-by-day account of what it takes—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—to be one of the best in the world. This journal chronicles Ryan Hall’s 14-week preparation for the 2010 Boston Marathon, providing practical insights into the daily regimen of someone training at the absolute peak of human performance. It also reveals the spiritual journey of an elite athlete who is a follower of Jesus Christ.

Discover how Ryan deals with nagging injuries and illness, bad weather, disappointing workouts, and a slavish focus on results that can take the fun out of running. Ryan runs 140 miles a week, often at altitude and a blistering pace. Yet millions of everyday runners will identify with and appreciate his intentional return to running with joy and his lifelong goal of glorifying Christ on and off the racecourse."

The Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck

Penguin Classics/ March 28, 2006

(First published in USA by The Viking Press Inc. 1939)

"Set during the Great Depression, it traces the migration of an Oklahoma Dust Bowl family to California and their subsequent hardships as migrant farm workers. It won a Pulitzer Prize in 1940. The work did much to publicize the injustices of migrant labor. The narrative, interrupted by prose-poem interludes, chronicles the struggles of the Joad family's life on a failing Oklahoma farm, their difficult journey to California, and their disillusionment once they arrive there and fall prey to a parasitic economic system. The insularity of the Joads--Ma's obsession with family togetherness, son Tom's self-centeredness, and daughter Rose of Sharon's materialism--ultimately gives way to a sense of universal community." -- The Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature

The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus

Lee Strobel

Zondervan/ September 1, 1998

"The Case for Christ records Lee Strobel's attempt to "determine if there's credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God." The book consists primarily of interviews between Strobel (a former legal editor at the Chicago Tribune) and biblical scholars such as Bruce Metzger. Each interview is based on a simple question, concerning historical evidence (for example, "Can the Biographies of Jesus Be Trusted?"), scientific evidence, ("Does Archaeology Confirm or Contradict Jesus' Biographies?"), and "psychiatric evidence" ("Was Jesus Crazy When He Claimed to Be the Son of God?"). Together, these interviews compose a case brief defending Jesus' divinity, and urging readers to reach a verdict of their own."

The Screwtape Letters

C. S. Lewis

Harper Collins Edition./ 2001

(First published 1942)

"Who among us has never wondered if there might not really be a tempter sitting on our shoulders or dogging our steps? C.S. Lewis dispels all doubts. In The Screwtape Letters, one of his bestselling works, we are made privy to the instructional correspondence between a senior demon, Screwtape, and his wannabe diabolical nephew Wormwood. As mentor, Screwtape coaches Wormwood in the finer points, tempting his "patient" away from God.

Each letter is a masterpiece of reverse theology, giving the reader an inside look at the thinking and means of temptation. Tempters, according to Lewis, have two motives: the first is fear of punishment, the second a hunger to consume or dominate other beings. On the other hand, the goal of the Creator is to woo us unto himself or to transform us through his love from "tools into servants and servants into sons." It is the dichotomy between being consumed and subsumed completely into another's identity or being liberated to be utterly ourselves that Lewis explores with his razor-sharp insight and wit.

The most brilliant feature of The Screwtape Letters may be likening hell to a bureaucracy in which "everyone is perpetually concerned about his own dignity and advancement, where everyone has a grievance, and where everyone lives the deadly serious passions of envy, self-importance, and resentment." We all understand bureaucracies, be it the Department of Motor Vehicles, the IRS, or one of our own making. So we each understand the temptations that slowly lure us into hell. If you've never read Lewis, The Screwtape Letters is a great place to start. And if you know Lewis, but haven't read this, you've missed one of his core writings." --Patricia Klein (Amazon.com reviewer)

To Train Up A Child

Michael & Debi Pearl

No Greater Joy Ministries Inc./ August 1994

(Read this book about 5 years ago, in dire need of a refresher.)

"Three thousand years ago, a wise man said, "Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." Good training is not crisis management; it is what you do before the need of discipline arises.

Most parenting is accidental rather than deliberate. Imagine building a house that way. We don't need to reinvent training. There are child training principles and methods that have worked from antiquity. To neglect deliberate training is to shove your child into a sea of choices and passions without a boat of compass.

This book is not about discipline, nor problem children. The emphasis is on the training of a child before the need to discipline arises. It is apparent that, though they expect obedience, most parents never attempt to train their child to obey. They wait until the behavior becomes unbearable and then explode. With proper training, discipline can be reduced to 5% of what many now practice. As you come to understand the difference between training and discipline, you will have a renewed vision for your family, no more raised voices, no contention, no bad attitudes, fewer spankings, a cheerful atmosphere in the home, and total obedience from your children."

Of Mice and Boy

2011-06-14T13:29:00.002-04:00

While pulling everything out of garage for a good pressure wash, discovered two baby mice (I mean BABY, like eyes not even open yet!) that had fallen out onto the driveway from something we had moved. This is my sweet, sweet mySamuelson shielding them from the rain. I overheard him tell Mad that they had to sacrifice themselves. He nurtures my heart. He humbles me anew. He reminds me about the important things in life like dancing to "Alvin and the Chipmunks" songs, spontaneous hugs and of course, the importance and art of sacrificing for another weaker than you.

Sweet Shot Tuesday

the simple things

Green Thumb

2011-06-14T01:09:00.003-04:00

Mad's first tomatoes from her first tomato plant.

One of my most beautiful and favorite memories from childhood is that of working beside my Memaw in her vegetable garden.

Am so thankful to have the opportunity to pass this love and tradition down to my own children now.

Picture entered in iheartfaces photo contest.

So many stories, so little time, soooo far behind...Summer 2010

2011-06-11T16:46:00.000-04:00

*O.k, bet you're wondering why in the world I would make this so small. Especially being that it's the Intro to the post! Well, just imagine my mortification when I opened this post to FINALLY FINISH it, and the last edited date was 6-24-10!!!!!!

I know, "For shame!"

Now maybe you can better understand the eensy-weensy print?

WARNING

You are about to enter a "catchup" zone. (No. Not the condiment! That's spelled. "c-a-t-s-u-p". ) This is an attempt to bring myself up-to-date in my journaling. Some will have pictures accompanying the story. Some will have many pictures. Few others will not. Some will be short. Others a fragment. None lengthy due to the sheer number of stories. A dose of Wemmick History to follow...

Not every day can one claim to buy a gun. Next to never can one claim to have bought it from their Pastor!

June 22, 2010 deal sealed on this 380 Kel Tec that will accompany me everywhere.

Some form of illness hit every one of us this past summer.

I was under the obvious mistaken impression that viruses hibernated, for the most part, during the summer months. Sugar ended up with Swimmers Ear after a botched dive off our diving board. Poor fella. Woke for a midnight snack and discovered him sitting in the office with his head in his hands. One of the kids ~~came into contact with a virus some child left in a public place their irresponsible mother took them to!~~ picked up a virus that cut a slow path through our entire family. Started with Miss Grace, then Punk, mySamuelson, myself (over our long weekend at the Lake, to boot!), and ending with Sugar. It was a nasty, packing with it a fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat and explosive headache.
Ugh.
And that's all I have to say about that!

Have made all the talk, "should's" and "could of's", a reality and ironed-out a bi-weekly budget.

Although going to be a bit challenging, have already encountered my reward in seeing a good deal of stress slide off the shoulders of my Sugar. A little bit of sacrifice for providing the continued blessing of one of us remaining "at-home", eliminating debt, ensuring our children benefit from a private christian education, and overall "breathing room".

Miss Grace finished up her first Summer Art Camp. She's our "artsy-fartsy" one. ;) Painting is her current passion. One of the absolute joys of parenting is watching to see if that "current" sticks around and flourishes from an interest to a full-blown hobby, or can be chalked up to a passing fancy.

*She's in the black top.*

Spent the day (June 25, 2010) at Discovery Island Waterpark: just me and my boy.
It made my heart sing with zeal!
I must be getting old, however, because four hours in blazing 102 degree sun had my lids drooping at 8 p.m. on that Friday night!

Enjoying a cherry Icee!

Sam hanging on for dear life!

VBS June 27-July 1, 2010

The motley crew who ran Preschool Recreation (Me in the pink shorts in the middle.)

Chickens have dearly departed.

And I must admit to my mourning phase lasting all of about 2 minutes (maybe). Sold a handful to mySamuelson's Science teacher, Mrs. Kahue. The remaining 8 or so went to a man she recommended: the head maintenance man at mySamuelson's school. Was an interesting ride, as usual, Sugar led us through in another of his short-lived interests! Wouldn't trade the experience, or Sugar for that matter, for anything in the world though!

Ariel Star...

turned out to be an "Aaron Seth"!

Rick got a call from the vet a few hours after he dropped ~~her it~~ him off for spaying and front paws declawed. We had decided to make her a strictly indoor cat. The vet was calling to ask permission to, "... neuter, ummm, Ariel." We haven't broke the news to Mad. And have no plans to.

Mad ~~adores~~ ~~dotes on~~ loves that cat.

And as any "girly-girl would, unsurprisingly, she loves that he's a girl. I know, I know. That just didn't sound right at all! Have no doubt though. ~~Aaron~~ Ariel would be cast aside amidst heartbreak and tears were ~~his~~ her real gender exposed. I told Sugar we had a drag queen cat now: can't get a much better stage name then "Ariel Star"! LMBO! :) Yes, am aware that was a bit crass, but still absolutely hilarious!

A magical number for a little guy.

We celebrated mySamuelson's 6th birthday two different times: a tradition we started years back. On the actual day (March 4th), we had a private, family-only party at our home.

The "Scavenger Hunt for the presents" tradition we started when he was 5, once again was an H-I-T!

Two peas in a pod...

It's amazing to see how far the Technical Age has brought us.

From this...

which is what I played with when I was mySamuelson's age,

to this...

in 30 years.
Sorta gives me the heebie-jeebies to think what another 30 will bring...

What we dub the "Friend Birthday Party" was thrown at a local bowling alley (mySamuelson's favorite pasttimes) with a number of friends invited.

A friend-of-a-friend did the cake.

I know, too cool.

Checking out the score.
"Competitive" his middle name.

The cake and ice cream room.

Miss Grace and Punk

The presents remain the most exciting part of the event.

I asked mySamuelson recently to please quit growing so fast. He matter-of-factly answered a question with a question (which is his Daddy through-and-through!) "Don't you want to meet your grandkids, Mom?" Jeeze Louise...what was I thinking??? ;)

A sweet age for a Wemmick Princess.

In honor of the extra-special ocassion, we celebrated extravagantly.

Just like Princesses should!

The morning dtarted off with a brand new helmet and...

bike waiting for her in the Office!

After a few spins on the bike, we toook off for an afternoon of "pampering".

Although a bit unsure at first...

those feelings soon faded with the distraction of a Princess cupcake.

The beautiful up-do.

A bit of glitter.

A tad of lipgloss.

(No other make-up until an adolescent!

Yep, Sugar and I are quite traditional!)

And a starlet is born!

Of course a mani...

and pedi.

Introducing,

Princess Madalyn

Princesses have to eat too, so we swung by "Stevie B's" for that awesome staple, pizza!

Neat thing about "Stevie's" is they'll make you just about any type of pizza you can dream up!

One of my faves,

Mac N' Cheese pizza!

I promise it tastes alot better than it looks!

Although a mac n' cheese lover, guess the sight deterred Miss Grace who stuck with the traditional, and safe cheese pizza.

Played a few games in the Game Room,

and won BIG!

(Of course we expected no less given the specialty of the day.)

Yes, princesses are known to enjoy an occasional sport.

We wrapped-up the "day out" with a trip to "The Glazing Pot" where Miss Grace chose a cat treat jar to paint.

While I painted a coffee mug, with her handprint on it, to memorialize the blessed day.

The surprise that awaited her at home.

Her friends

celebrated with her a week later at McDonald's.

Care Bear cake

Hello Kitty paraphernalia

and good food

made for a great party!

"Daniel and The Lion's Den"

mySamuelson found a black widow and scorpion, within 24 hours of one another to boot, on our back porch! They have been frozen alive (yes, my conscious still twinges a bit at that), thawed, sprayed with hairspray (to immobilize) and pinned to a display case hung in his room.

New camera.

Takes great pictures. "Great", that is, when we occasionally hit the mark and manage to maximize its potential. Those who write manuals for electronics, whoever they are, hang steadily in the top 5 of my TP List. We have ~~no idea~~ very little idea how to use it.

Army National Guard plaque

I surrounded the plaque with pictures of my little sister in varying military scenes; among them, building bridges on the Euphrates in the Iraqi Freedom War and learning how to use chemical warfare gear in a training session back in the States. She surprised me with this gift, which contains an American Flag patch and reads:
"Presented to an American Patriot for support of National Guard Soldiers who are Defending Freedom at Home and Around the World. The American Flag in this Case is a Replica of Those Worn by National Guard Soldiers.
The Flag Insignia is Reversed to Suggest the Flag is Flying in the Breeze as the Soldiers Move Forward."

Honor, Pride, Love, Self-Sacrifice, and Patriotism are but a few words that come to mind when I think about this sister, this extraordinary soldier, this amazing young woman.

She is MY hero.

For the past three weeks, Sugar has been calling from work inquiring if the mail had run. "Was there a letter from the DNR?" A few months back he registered to win a tag to go alligator hunting in the lowcountry of our great state (South Carolina).
Yep, I said "ALLIGATOR HUNTING".

Nope, you're eyes aren't deceiving you. It's so crazy its earned a repeat:
"ALLIGATOR HUNTING".

Point blank, he's nuts.

Told me he'll be able to scratch this off of his Bucket List.

Only if he's still got an arm and hand left to hold the pen to scratch it off!

N-U-T-S if you ask me! I'll stick with getting my "high" from running!

Speaking of "running", completed 2 more races since the last one I posted. On May 29, 2010, Memorial Day Weekend, I competed in Freedom Weekend Aloft's Freedom 5k.

I ran it all!

First race I didn’t take a walk break!

HOOAH!

And I couldn’t think of a better race to accomplish this. With family members having, and currently serving in the military, as well as a love for my America, this race held special meaning that reached a peak the final fifty yards to the finish line. American flags lined the course, leaving us running in between the glory of the stars and stripes. Most humbling. Most proud.

I finished 101 out of 155 participants, with a chip time of 28:49. Due to an ominous-looking sky, officials shortened the race to 2.8ish miles.

The Go Drive Run 5k was...

HOT!

And I'm not talking about "uncomfortably" hot.

I'm talking a heat index of 103 degrees!

Most miserable run, race or otherwise, I've ever ran.

Pre-race

looking fresh.

Post-race

anything but "fresh"!

I did manage a 33:57 chip time, landing me 124th out of 212 and 6th out of 11 in my age group.

Given the weather, I'll take it!

I do have to share the humor Sugar wrung from something only the likes of him would pick up on!

Pay special attention to the black gentleman in the next three pictures.

Sugar teases me he crossed the finish line before me!

We don't know where he came from or what he was doing. What's not pictured is how he walked off the course immediately following crossing the finish line!

Maybe he just wants to be able to say he "finished" a 5k!!

Part of the reason for running this particular race was the perks.

The "Greenville Drive", for which the race is named for, is our town's Minor League Baseball team.

Runners were granted free admission to the game, free food and beverages and a special VIP lounge area at the stadium.

Enjoyed a rare date with the hubs!

Priceless Perspective: From the mouths of babes...

2011-05-28T02:58:00.001-04:00

{Scene: mySamuelson sprawled across office couch, playing V-Tech handheld game. Am working on computer across from him. Miss Grace playing a Game Cube game in Den nearby. Punk playing next door in Playroom.}

mySamuelson: (Frequently looking up and towards den, listening to Miss Grace's game.) "I don't know how she does it, but I want her autograph!"

Priceless Perspective: From the mouths of babes...

2011-05-28T01:10:00.003-04:00

{Scene: Running a bunch of errands. Miss Grace in carseat in back.}

Miss Grace: (Out of the silence) "Mom, does God have a brain?"

Madalyn'ism V

2011-01-06T12:57:00.003-05:00

{Scene: Miss Grace waiting on me to hand her a piece of paper. Am sitting at my desk.}

Mom: "Why are your eyes watering?"

Miss Grace: "They always do that. I guess my eyes don't like me."

Wordless Wednesday: 1st Haircut, Last Child (sniff, sniff)

2010-08-18T11:58:00.001-04:00

Before...

After...

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, swing by 5 minutes for Mom.

Courage & determination: that's what heroes are made of

2010-08-05T12:45:00.004-04:00

Everyone needs a hero, meet mine...

Wordless Wednesday: Bowled over

2010-08-05T00:57:00.000-04:00

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, swing by 5 Minutes for Mom.

Wordless Wednesday: Exclamation point!

2010-07-28T12:41:00.001-04:00

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, swing by 5 Minutes for Mom.

The Night She Never Knew She Waited For

2010-07-10T15:29:00.002-04:00

Our Mad, at the tender Princess-age of 4...

had no idea what was awaiting her the evening of June 5th.

But we did.
And our anticipation was tangible.

I suppose she expected another dance class.
She really didn't say.
She's our quiet child.
Our somber child.
Whose laughter, when it takes flight,
rings more beautifully than any tower churchbell.
Not a people-pleaser.
But people try to please her.
Including us.
She avoids the spotlight like the plague,
but delights in...
Art
Cats
Coffee with her cream
Dance
Princesses
Flowers
Hairbows
Yogurt
Stuffed animals
Our delight is her.
And we wouldn't have her any other way.

We've watched her grow through 2 pair of ballet shoes...

and two pair of tap shoes...

during this "first year" of dance.

Her class...

was second to hit the floor.
{Middle row, last one on right end)

Both a blessing and a curse.
She didn't have time for "nerves" to kick in, but had two hours on her hands backstage waiting on all the other classes to perform.

Unfortunately, we have no photographs of her actual performance.
As soon as Sugar snapped the first picture, Ms. Camera Nazi, disguised as spry elderly lady Usher, bore down on him....FAST.

After the curtain dropped on the finale, 3 hours later, they took mercy on us writhing, foaming at the mouths, snapshot-deprived parents and gave our cameras a thumbs-up.

And a good thing, too, for the Awards Ceremony immediately followed, onstage.

{Fifth from end of line}

{Medal being hung around her neck.}

I do believe when we met her in the lobby, bearing many flowers and gifts, we might have overwhelmed her a bit.
Well, a bit more than she already was, that is!

However, those flowers and stuffed animal gifts had to move over to make way for her surprising fascination with her new medal!

As we left "The Peace Center for the Performing Arts" behind, along with all its beauty and pomp,

I of course called for a photo shoot.
(Did I mention this event was in the evening? Just so you know not to expect the following candids with the above background!)

{That's my mother, Lorraine, at the far left end.}

She then wasted no time in reaching up to her Prince Charming,

whom her sun rises and sets upon.

And danged glad I am about it, too!
(sentimentally smiling)

The perfect ending to a perfect night for the sweetest dancer in the world?

A pit stop for one of her favorite treats...

Starbucks.

Wordless Wednesday: Sink Bath

2010-07-07T17:49:00.001-04:00

Leah Ella-Sue

16 months

Sam'ism V

2010-07-07T09:32:00.000-04:00

{Setting: On phone with "Dad" walking through the Breakfast Room this morning.}

mySamuelson: "It's just not fair, Dad. I get a break (summer) from school and you don't get a break from work." (quite dejectedly)

Post-It Note Tuesday: The Prodigal Sock: with a rather "un-prodigal" welcome

2010-07-06T18:12:00.001-04:00

To join in "Post It Note Tuesday" fun, hop over to Supah's.

Wordless Wednesday: Blessed Baptism - June 6, 2010

2010-06-23T00:29:00.002-04:00

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, drop by 5 Minutes for Mom.

Post-It Note Tuesday: Open Germ Warfare

2010-06-22T02:57:00.000-04:00

Been too many weeks since joining in the fun of Supah's Post-It Note Tuesday.

Hop on over and link up!

Candlelight 5K

2010-06-20T13:00:00.012-04:00

I now own the piece of hilly road last night's Candlelight 5k took place on.

Actually it was a bit more than the exact 3.1 a 5k is.
3.2

Yep, gonna squeeze every bit out of it I can!

Any self-respecting runner would.

After all, we push our bodies beyond the maximum; setting new boundaries consistently.

Pushing even harder in a race.

For a female runner, it's comparable to childbirth in a number of ways.
Both tax you physically...
In childbirth you leave your placenta on the table...
(For those "visual" people, please excuse the gross image I know this conjured up!)
In running you leave the concept of "limitations" on the road.
In both you leave sweat...
sometimes blood...
sometimes tears...
sometimes even vomit in your wake.
You walk, or in the case of childbirth, wheelchair (as hospital law regulates) away with blessings beyond measure and memories that last a lifetime.

This particular 5K's story climaxes at the finish line.
In the home stretch, the last 30 yards, got neck-in-neck with another runner.
I caught her out of my peripheral vision.
Had already "kicked it in" when the blazing lights and poised photographers came into view 50 yards back.
With no further thought, pulled my head in and down...
and let it all hang out!!!
Imagine a corrida de toroa.
Literally meaning a, "running of bulls".
My matadore???
The finish line.
Sacrificing it all,
my foot hit the line seconds before the bull next to me.

STATS

31:53 chip time
Pace: 9.85

627th place out of 1286 runners

Not my best, but not my worst time/pace either.

Given the conditions: humid and hilly.

And circumstances: been running but a year, only fourth 5K I've ever tackled (not to mention they were all within 6 weeks of one another!) and a 16 1/2 year ex-smoker ("ex" as of Oct.
09'), I'll take that "time" and run with it! ;)

One more quick gulp of Joe before the race.

Strong, black and packed with caffeine, baby!

Pre-race potty break, of course! Nothing like getting in the middle of a 5K and trying to do the "pee pee dance" while running!

Always a blessing to run into a friend (and his son).

Even if he rocks out 7 minute miles that makes my 10 look shabby!

The starting line.

Lining up.

And we're off!

What an absolutely amazing feeling to be a part of something so good, so much bigger than I am.

The finish line.

Moments post-race..

catching my breath!

Minutes post-race.

Priceless Perspective: From the mouths of babes...

2010-06-19T02:48:00.003-04:00

{Setting: mySamuelson standing on counter (yeah, I know...horrible mother!) getting a cup out of cabinet for a glass of lemonade. Mad watching on.}

Mom: "Let's go before it gets too dark. The lightning bugs are only out for a little bit.

mySamuelson: "Be careful, their butts may be hot cause they're lightning." (Directed at Mad in all seriousness.)

Mad: "Yeah, wear gloves." (Just as seriously.)

*Am still laughing my tail off over this one!

Wordless Wednesday: No kin to the Sasquatch!

2010-06-16T04:12:00.008-04:00

Catching a glimpse of me dressed in something besides running gear or loungewear is as rare as sightings of the elusive Sasquatch!

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, stop in 5 Minutes for Mom.

Sam'ism IV

2010-06-13T17:56:00.003-04:00

{Setting: mySamuelson bent over this monstrous catfish he had just caught in Lake Greenwood May 30, 2010.}

mySamuelson: "It's not a nightmare. It's a nicemare!"

Nostalgia In The Making

2010-06-11T18:25:00.006-04:00

Have been pondering this post for awhile now.
21 days to be exact.
Finding words was rarely an issue...
until the kids came along that is.
Now I regularly find myself speechless, awestruck, basically outright dumbfounded.
Thank God for photography and a picture being worth a thousand words!

But I digress.
Back to the issue at hand:
"post conflict".

Perhaps it's the nature of the post...

{mysamuelson is in the third row from bottom. From left side of picture, the first student.)

Or maybe the content...

(Once again, mySamuelson is in the third row from bottom. From left side of picture, the first student. We recently wisely invested in a new NIKON D3000. Adios crappy pictures!)

Really, I couldn't imagine why I would be so tongue-tied.

(You can't imagine my combined frustration and disappointment in the quality of this only picture I managed to take of him receiving his diploma.)

After all, it's just my firstborn...

my only son growing-up...

(sniff sniff)

Congratulations on a successful year and earning that Kindergarten diploma, Sam!
We couldn't be more proud of you!

To quote myself, "Work hard. Play hard."

Time to play hard, baby!!!

Wordless Wednesday: Old-time summer fun

2010-06-09T18:03:00.001-04:00

Nothing replaces the fun of an old-time hard plastic pool!

Not even...

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Up and RUNNING

2010-06-05T01:49:00.003-04:00

I used to be one of those people who mouth-off, "The only time you'll catch me "running" is if someone were chasing me!"

Then cancer, HORRIBLE, EVIL CANCER struck our lives.

June 1st, 2009, we sent our good friend, man and woman's best friend, Weston, off to the Meatybone gates.

We adopted Weston as a puppy a few scant weeks before saying our "I do's".

Lymphoma claimed his life a tender seven years later.

I felt his loss deep in my bones.

I wept and prayed.

Prayed and wept.

Devestated.

Heartbroken.

He was my "Fwend".

*January 2009*

*A few days after his diagnosis (April 2009).*

One afternoon, a few days following his burial, was leaning on the strength of a beautiful friend.

"I feel like pulling a Forrest Gump, getting up and running.

Just running. No particular destination. No goal. No direction. Just run."

She then asked the question that might not have launched a thousand ships, but launched my feet and subsequently the healing process,

"Why don't you?"

June 1, 2010 marked the 1 year anniversary of Weston's death.

It also marked a year of "running" that somewhere along the way discovered a destination, created a goal and found direction.

It also culminated in finishing my first 5K on May 1 2010, followed by two more that same month.

It runs through my blood now.

Pounding pavement.

Perspiration.

Going the extra mile.

Adrenaline.

Competition...

*1st Run*

"SCS 5K and 1 mile Tot Trot"

{SCS is "Southside Christian School": the kids school)

Mom & mySamuelson running the 1 mile Tot Trot

Mom running 5K.

Family Chick-Fil-A picnic post-race.

Time: 31:(Not sure of seconds for the race wasn't time-chipped.)

*2nd Run*

Greenville Hospital System "Swamp Rabbit 5K"

Time: 38.47

*3rd Run*

Freedom Weekend Aloft "Freedom 5K"

Time: 28.49

*First 5K I ran the entire way!*

Acceptance Speech

2010-06-02T18:02:00.014-04:00

Awards?
Again??
No to mention so soon after the other two???
Am ~~practically~~ speechless.

O.k....

"speechlessness" over.

That wiley ole' tongue of mine has never been good at hide-n-seek!
Having a hard time grasping that there are people out there who enjoy my blogging/writing to such a degree as to bestow such notable awards on it.
Once again, am truly humbled and most appreciative.

*Webster's definition.*
Versatile

Date: 1605

1 : changing or fluctuating readily : variable
2 : embracing a variety of subjects, fields, or skills; also : turning with ease from one thing to another
3 a (1): capable of turning forward or backward : reversible (2): capable of moving laterally and up and down b of an anther : having the filaments attached at or near the middle so as to swing freely
4 : having many uses or applications

*Cleo's definition*

Versatile

"Wearing many hats."

Thank you, laughing Sarah, strong and kind, for a label that does me justice. ;)

In keeping with the rules of the award, below are seven little-known personal facts...

1) I nurture a passion for muscle cars. No way could we presently afford Eleanor (see Nicholas Cage's "Gone In 60 Seconds"). Private christian school tuition takes a CHUNK out of our income. Sooooo, about 20 years from now, when you hear a super-charged revving engine at a stop light, and you turn and see a middle-aged woman with an impish grin and a "Let's do this!" countenance..that's me!!!!

2) Dirty microwaves (the inside of them) make me cringe.

3) A sophomore in college, I played a game of darts one night at a pub with Green Bay Packer's famous quarter back, Bret Favre. Both him and his agent were "checking out" our wide receiver, Randy Moss. Pretty understandable, given that encounter, to think I'd be a #1 fan. Sorry to disappoint, but "NO WAY!" While I can appreciate, and even admire that throwing arm (yes...he won the dart game...any doubt?) that took him and his team to the Super Bowl twice, his character left a bit to be desired.

4) Same year in college, went to the Kentucky Derby with a then "potential boyfriend". A party, like few others, in the infield where we spent the day shocked the daylights out of us both!

5) My PMS is so bad the medical profession even has a name for it: Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Take the average woman's PMS and multiply it by 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 and you've got me about five days out of the month. Funny thing, when I was pregnant it vanished! Yes, Sugar has, albeit briefly, considered keeping me in that state because of this! (insert a don't-think-so-chuckle here!) Am getting a better handle on it...BY THE GRACE OF GOD!

6) Webster & his cousin, Thesaurus, are two of my FAVE books. SERIOUSLY.

7) Have walked that old Roman Road to the foot of Calvary where my Savior died for me. I stand on the promise of John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I rejoice in the assurance that He rose 3 days after burial in a tomb and LIVES! (John 20:18) One day soon He will return for me! (Revelation 1:3) HALLELUJAH!!!

Tippin' my many hats to...

Rachel @ Yarn Over

Stephanie @ A Pocket Full Of Buttons

Melinda @ Blue Jeans and Cotton Tees

Melodramomma

jayaycee blog
___________________________________________________________________________________

*Webster's definition.*

Sunshine

Date: 13th century

1 a : the sun's light or direct rays b : the warmth and light given by the sun's rays c : a spot or surface on which the sun's light shines

2 : something (as a person, condition, or influence) that radiates warmth, cheer, or happiness

*Cleo's definition*

Sunshine

"God's light."

Thank you, sweet Lori, my sister-in-Christ, for allowing our God to work through you in encouraging me with so beautiful an award.

The following are five rays of sunshine in my life...

1) Christ in my heart.

2) Sharing the best and worst life has to offer with my best friend: a man I am so proud to call my husband.

3) The honor of full-time parenting my three most-undeserving, beautiful blessings: mySamuelson, Mad & Punk.

4) Home. Not a house, but our home. A "house" is a building that serves as living quarters. A home, on the other hand, is a haven. A place to retreat when the world has turned a cold shoulder to you: with the knowledge that love awaits you there. A place where laughter, spilled milk, bubble baths, tears, hugs, bad hair days and everything in-between abounds within the family who dwells there. A "home" is a "house" with life.

5) The few hobbies/interests I can squeeze in: gardening, writing, running, couponing and reading.

Passing the Sunshine on to...

Dina @ 4 Lettre Words

Kayce @ Our Boy And His Cricket

Jennifer @ The Pages' Page

Doreen @ They say everyone has a story...this is mine...

Lisa @ Advent's and other Fine(nell) Adventures

Stop in for a visit with these ten wonderful, award-winning women.

Can promise you'll be forever "changed"!
I am!!!

Fine Print

Attention Honorees of awards:

To accept...
...upload the award image somewhere within your blog (in a post, on a sidebar, etc.)
...list seven personal little-known facts about yourself for the "Versatile" award.
...list five things (i.e. people, places, etc.) that bring you sunshine for the "Sunshine" award.
...pass the award on to five other bloggers.
...let the nominees know they have recived the award by commenting on their blog.
...share the love and link the person who gave you the award.

Wordless Wednesday: Memorial Day "Freedom 5K"

2010-06-02T01:23:00.000-04:00

Madalyn'ism IV

2010-06-01T01:37:00.002-04:00

{Setting: Mom tinkling in salon bathroom, watching Mad finish pulling her shorts up after a turn on the toilet. She, in turn, intently watches Mom. Mom gets uncanny feeling she's being "sized-up".}

Mad: "Your butt's too big for that seat, Mom."

Old Man Loafers

2010-05-27T02:31:00.011-04:00

Although not "sugar and spice and everything nice", am hoping mySamuelson's tacky taste in dressing is a straight shot from his father's genes.

The alternative isn't even considerable!

Although I must admit to wearing pj's everywhere when pregnant with said child.
From the couch...

to the supermarket.
Yes, sadly, am serious.
Any "fashionista" I had in me "pre" children I left on the birthing table along with my ~~placenta~~ gobbledy-gook.

About 2 months ago, as we were walking into my Doctor's lab to give blood for my upcoming physical, I really looked at mySamuelson.
You've got to put your "imagination caps" on for this one folks:
T-shirt seen better days with a host of fresh, new stains to add to those that had defied repeated "Resolve Spot Remover" attempts.
Dressy, pleated khaki shorts
(appropriate for Sunday morning church),
leprechaun-looking socks
(oh yeah...LOUD green),
and these loafers...

which he wore with anything, everywhere for weeks on end!

Mom: "Why don't you start wearing your sandals or flip flops, Sam? The weather's warmer and those shoes are going to make your feet sweat." (Am thinking: sweat = stench. And to be brutally honest: mySamuelson = jakey.)

mySamuelson: "Nah. These are my favorite, Mom."

Mom: "You know, those look like old man shoes." (Am thinking: they really do.)

mySamuelson: "No they don't!" (smiling, with laughter lacing his words)

Mom: "Yes they do!" (Sometimes the allure to get in a "No it's not/ Yes it is" verbal spat with one's child is irresistible!)

mySamuelson: "Moooom! They don't look like old man's shoes!" (Still smiling, but with a bit of consternation in his profile.)

Mom: "The next time we see an old man, look at his feet and I'll bet you'll see loafers that look like yours."

mySamuelson: "O.k. But you're going to be wrong!" (A tad unsure but excited nonetheless to be challenged. A state-of-being he THRIVES in!)

* Must interject here that my primary care/ family physician is an Internist. Thus, it should come as no surprise when I share that there are alot of elderly people in the waiting rooms. A good number of the Doctor's in practice with mine specialize in one particular area: pulmonary, cardiology, etc. Hence, the large number of aging patients.

Mom: "Sam! Look!" (pointing at a 60-something man sitting in the lab waiting room we were walking by)

mySamuelson: "Oh my gosh, Mom!!! That old man has shoes on just like mine!!!" (in disbelief with escalating excitement)

{Aside: They were carbon copies of Sam's! Couldn't have planned it any better!}

*By this time, we had entered the lab and were looking for a place to sit. mySamuelson's eyes were glued to those old man's feet the entire way. Then...

mySamuelson: "Mom! Oh my gosh! Mom! Mom!" (With unchecked eagerness: jumping up and down in front of me, pulling at my sleeve...with quick, stolen glances to his right.)

Mom: "What, Sam!?" (aggravated, of course)

mySamuelson: "Look, that man has old man shoes on too!" (a LOUD whisper)

Mom: "Yes, I know. We already talked about it." (distracted with a roaming Punk)

mySamuelson: "No Mom. Not that man. That man!" (pointing at a 70-something man sitting to our right, a few chairs down)

Mom: (Throws a quick, placating glance to her right. Breath catches in her throat that eventually comes out a guffawing hee-haw as she confirms mySamuelson's keen observation!)

mySamuelson: "Can you believe there are two old guys here with shoes on like mine, Mom?!" (grinning ear-to-ear)

No, Mom can't!!!!

Guess they're more popular with the "elderly-man crowd" than I originally thought!

Unfortunately, these (along with about 25 other pairs of shoes) met their demise at the jaws of Dog-with-no-brain.
To quote Eustice on Courage the Cowardly Dog,
"Stupid dog!"

LOVE that cartoon!

Wordless Wednesday - Imp

2010-05-26T01:16:00.000-04:00

For more "Wordless Wednesday" fun, visit 5 Minutes For Mom.

April's sunshine NOT showers bring May flowers!

2010-05-20T11:44:00.004-04:00

How can it be that our Punk have not one post dedicated strictly to her???
(With the exception of her introductory post created back in January!)

Well, that buck stops right here, right now!

*Sugar's first deer-mount.*

The following wordless (with exception of date photo taken) April photo collage is in honor of "The Punk".

April 6, 2010

April 14, 2010

April 17, 2010

April 29, 2010

This little light of mine... I love her all-consumingly!

Black & White Wednesday: My hero's hero

2010-05-19T10:54:00.005-04:00

Although this won't reflect well on my "wifery" skills...
am hoping it will aid in purging the guilt.
(wink)

Have been in that holy state of matrimony for almost 8 years now and until this past Saturday,
could not have told you who my Sugar's hero(es) is.

Shoot, didn't even know he had one!
(bowing head in abject shame)

After learning who it is, I must say my heart swelled with pride and my Sugar solidly moved into position as one of my heroes.
One sure can tell a lot about an individual by examining their hero(es)...who they look up to...who they admire...who they pattern themselves after.
We should all have one hero, at the least.

he·ro

Pronunciation: \ˈhir-(ˌ)ō\

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin heros, from Greek hērōs

Date: 14th century

a: a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities

b: one that shows great courage

Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North

Specs

combat decorated 22-year Marine: silver star, the bronze star for valor and two purple hearts for wounds in combat.

#1 best-selling author (eleven books)
founder of a small business
inventor with three U.S. patents
syndicated columnist
host of War Stories on the Fox News Channel
member of the NRA board of directors
founder of Freedom Alliance (A foundation that provides college scholarships for the sons and daughters of service members killed in action.)
United States government’s counter-terrorism coordinator 1983-1986

***Yet, he claims his most important accomplishment is to be “the husband of one, the father of four and the grandfather of eleven.”***

A family man.

A man's man.

A hero.

In order to make the Colonel stand out...

though if you ask me, he accomplishes that quite well himself!

For more arresting black and white's, visit Lisa at The Long Road to China.

Wordless Wednesday - Home Office decor

2010-05-19T00:38:00.000-04:00

*For more "Wordless Wednesday fun, link up at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Tutorial: Making HOMEMADE strawberry jam

2010-05-18T01:01:00.020-04:00

I have a friend allergic to strawberries.

Yep...you read me write...

ALLERGIC TO STRAWBERRIES!
What the heck???
Yep...
that was "heck" I said.
Am an old stick-in-the-mud.
(said quite proudly)

I retired the potty mouth when mySamuelson was born.

These days, "hate" is a bad word in our household.

Not that I'm a "bleeding heart".

FAR from it.

(Verification here and here.)

Hearing such a strong, negative word on the lips of a child is akin to seeing a picture of said child holding a machine gun.

So sadly, that is the state of many parts of our world today. :(

I wish I could share memories of making jam with my mother, grandmother, an aunt...someone...anyone.
Alas, that is not the case.
I am blessed, however, with heart-warming memories of learning to grow and tend a vegetable garden at the hands of my Memaw.
I can distinctly remember kneeling beside her with a plant in our hands...

As Sugar and I discovered a few years back when we started making jam, the process is simple and yields a better tasting jam then any manufactured you buy off the shelves.
All of those additives they use: preservatives...artificial flavors...etc., etc. might serve a number of purposes, including longevity of the jam and of course, decreasing overhead.
There is a costly exchange, however.
It rapes the jam of its natural flavors and health benefits.

We happen to be in a part of the country with conditions (rich soil and warm spring temperatures) that make it relatively easy to grow strawberries.
For some reason, though, my green thumb just refuses to cooperate in nurturing this fruit.
Strawberries and roses.
What on earth is it about these two plants that makes it impossible for me to grow???
And I'm not talking practically impossible.
I'm talking outright impossible!

Fortunately, we have a few farms within a 30 minute drive that grows strawberries.

Each year we make a trip out to one of the fields.

We've grown especially fond of "Stewarts Farm".
Good pickin' and warm, friendly farm staff faces.

It's time well-spent.
Any time spent together as a family in pursuing honorable, basic & simple pleasures is time "well-spent".
And "God-blessed" with HIS stamp of approval.

***I know...Giddy-up, Cleo!
On to the tutorial!!!***

Ingredients & Items Needed

5 cups mashed strawberries
7 cups of sugar
1/2 teaspoon butter
1 box of Sure Jell Fruit Pectin
5 pint-size Mason jars
5 Mason jar lids
5 Mason jar bands

*WalMart, Big Lots, Target...just about any store sells canning equipment: especially at the height of the season. (NOW!)
*Sure Jell can be found at any grocery store.

Set-up

Wash strawberries.

Allow me to offer a little clarification here.
We don't actually wash each strawberry.
With the large quantity we're working with, we would be there an hour!
We put them, all at once, in a sink full of water and allow them to soak for about 15 minutes.
What this method misses in removing dirt, bacteria, etc., boiling them at an extremely high temperature manages to get.
That "15 minutes" also gives you time to start working on the rest of the prep.

Sterilize your Mason jars.
(I always sterilize one extra jar: just in case.)

We put ours through a wash cycle, by themselves, in the dishwasher. The temperature gets high enough to accomplish the task, and it avoids the more involved process of a water bath on the stove.
God Bless the man/woman who invented the dishwasher!

Sterilize the lids and bands stovetop.

Do not put them in the washer with the jars, for they need to be moist and hot in order to create a good seal.
A condition (i.e. moist & hot) boiling them on the stovetop creates and is easy to maintain until you're ready to use them.

Cut the tops/stems off the strawberries.

Using a knife you can slice them off.
Or Pampered Chef has a gadget...

that I love, for it cuts back on waste.
When you slice the stem off of a strawberry, inevitably, a good bit of the fruit goes with it.
We don't like "waste" round here.
I don't remember the name of this tool, but know it's a "corer".
Have had mine for 5 years now.
I went to Pampered Chef's website and found an upgraded model with two different "corers": one at each end!
Cost - $10.50
Obviously some inventor's been hard at work in the lab. ;)

Mash the strawberries, a handful at a time.

Or you can throw them all in a food processor.

I prefer the "mashing" method, for it seems every time I use the processor I end up pureeing them.

"Pureeing" is good if you're making jelly, but this is a jam recipe!

Jam should have bits-and-pieces of the delectable fruit!

Cook

Pour the exact amount (5 cups) of the prepared fruit in a 6- or 8- quart saucepot.

Stir one box Sure Jell Fruit Pectin into prepared fruit in saucepot.

Add 1/2 teaspoon butter or margarine to reduce foaming.

Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring frequently.

While waiting for the fruit mixture to boil, pull your mason jars out of the dishwasher and set them up on a flat, heat/burn-proof surface.

Measure exact amount (7 cups) of sugar into a separate bowl.

***IMPORTANT NOTE: Reducing sugar or using sugar substitutes will result in "set" failures.***

Once the prepared fruit mixture reaches a full rolling boil, stir in sugar- quickly.

Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Can

Ladle quickly into jars, filling to within 1/8 inch of tops.

Screw the lids on, over the bands, tightly.
Let stand at room temperature 24 hours.

Store unopened jam in cool, dry, dark place up to 1 year.
We put them in that small cupboard above the refrigerator: you know, that one that stores stuff you hardly use because it's so blasted hard to get to!
Refrigerate opened jam up to a month.

ENJOY!

Madalyn'ism III

2010-05-17T00:22:00.002-04:00

{Setting: Mom, mySamuelson, Miss Gracie & Punk in their respective vehicular seats.}

Miss Gracie: "Mom, that brown polka dot isn't coming off my leg. (Simultaneously points and scratches at the brown dot.)

Mom: (Grin growing as she realizes what said "brown dot" is.) "That brown dot is called a freckle, Dear."

mySamuelson: "What brown polka dot?" (Ears are always tuned in!)

Miss Gracie: "The brown polka dot on my leg."

Mom: "It's a freckle." (Hmmmm... Wonder how many times I'll have to repeat that?)

mySamuelson: "Oh. I have freckles on my face." (dismissive)

Miss Gracie: "I have one polka dot on my leg and it's not coming off." (concerned)

Miss Gracie: "I'm trying to scratch it and it's not coming off!" (a twinge of panic)

*I have very little doubt now to which child my OCD genes went!*

Friday Fragments: Scene 5

2010-05-14T13:52:00.024-04:00

Was going to skip Half-Past Kissin' Time's

this week.

Am really trying to finish up a tutorial on "How to make homemade strawberry jam".

However,

it's been such a busy week, with so much to recap, that I don't want to miss getting them in the archives.

This is probably one of my favorite meme's, just because it gets me blogging about those smaller items that happen in the course of a week which are usually brain-dumped...usually within a week or so after they happen!
Catch the "week" thread there??? (abashedly smiles)

*** mySamuelson and I met with our Pastor

(one of world's greatest Southern Baptist preachers, just so ya know!)

earlier this week.

Out of the the three pastors (which includes the Music & Youth Ministers), he was without hesitation in choosing "Pastor Brad" to discuss his desire to get baptized.

This decision was slow in coming.

Slow for mySamuelson that is: his decisions, tasks, etc. usually happen in supersonic speed.

By the way, "supersonic" speeds are greater than 750 mph, but less than 1,500 mph.

Interesting bit of aeronautics fact.

If nothing else, you'll be ready for that Jeopardy answer!

What 6 year old would'nt be freaked-out about baptism?

mySamuelson's spent his life watching a man he's supposed to trust, a role model, take people and push them under water!

And as if that weren't bad enough, he does it in front of the entire church!

Just last year mySamuelson started "going under" in our pool.

A landmark event!

So it came as no surprise when he asked if he could wear goggles when he was baptized!

LMTO!

(Laughing My Tail Off!)

During our meeting, Pastor Brad addressed his fears without mockery and with a respect and acknowledgment that solidified his position as a role model in the heart and mind of mySamuelson.

I saw it in his eyes and in his body language as Pastor spoke with him and took him down into the baptismal for a trial run.

I heard it in his voice the next evening on the way to the church's weekly Wednesday night dinner when he shared, "I'm going to sit beside Pastor Brad at dinner, Mom."

Did I mention what an amazing Pastor he is???

(winks)

***Ran my first 5K last Friday (May 7, 2010).

Am DYING to share all the details and pics, but this personal accomplishment deserves a post all its own!

Coming soon!

***Dude

went in for his second round of heartworm treatment earlier this week.

2 shots in the large muscle of his back.

Have to keep him confined another 30 days.

Ugh.

Alternative, he throws a blood clot from the mass of dying worms breaking off into his bloodstream and he dies.

No brainer.

No alternative.

***Mother's Day is a most humbling day for me.

Am not accustomed to accolades.

Nor a "fuss" made over me.

Have no problem making a "to do" about another.

But leave "me" out of it!

This is so contrary to my childhood years.

Mother informed me years back when we were discussing this "turn" in my character that as a child I "demanded" center stage.

Spent my college years with a similar mentality.

Wonder what happened???

Now I happily stand behind my children (when I'm not guiding) encouraging, cheering, admonishing.

Maybe that's "what happened".

mySamuelson.

Miss Gracie.

Punk.

Children have a way, like no other, in turning one inside out- pulling the carpet out from under one's feet- tilting your world sideways...

bringing out the best...

and the worst in one.

And as odd as this might sound, am so very thankful they draw that "worst" out.

It enables me to exorcise it through the grace and mercy of God.

Sometimes I'm not even aware of the "worst" until it's brought forth into HIS light, usually kickin' and screaming, and thrown under HIS PERFECT WILL.

"Worst" that includes impatience, irritability, pride, selfishness, and laziness to name but a few.

It's then I go to my knees in petition for forgiveness.

And rise a better daughter of the King and mother to my children.

Sugar and the kids woke me that morning with my favorite breakfast:

old fashioned Quaker oats, toast & coffee.

No better way to start a day then opening one's eyes to the smiling faces of three of the four (Punk was still in bed) most special people in the world to a wife and mother.

After a moving "Mother's Day tribute" service at church, we spent the afternoon strawberry pickin'.

With special guest...

Grandmaw Janice.

(Sugar's mother)

An elderly man from our church passed away a few years back in a strawberry field.

Can think of no better setting to meet my Lord...

or to to spend "Mother's Day".

My family R-O-C-K-S!!!

Thank you for the blessing of each of them, Lord!

***Met "Crazy Harley Man" Saturday.

Very briefly touched on the encounter in "Post It Note Tuesday".

What turned out to not be the fender-bender "Crazy Harley Man" screamed at me via epithets, in the middle of an intersection, he turned into a scene from Mad Max.

While waiting on the police we both called, him to laud his idiocy and me because of his threats, I hear a low rumbling that quickly twisted my stomach into knots and shut my air passages down as the noise grew louder and the source became apparent..

Six more Harley-driving men, two with women on the back (at least I think they were) pulled into the gas station we were sitting at.

They slid off their bikes like the evil serpent in the Garden and made their way to Crazy Harley Man, then insiduously surrounded my vehicle.

I shudder to think what might have happened had the trooper not pulled in at that very minute.

And yes, one of the kids were with me: mySamuelson.

He's still talking about it, sporadically.

Fortunately, he's accustomed to hearing me "loud".

Was raised in a home where the loudest person was heard.

And "loud" I was in diatribe with Crazy Harley Man.

Have never been one to pocket the sh#&.

I'll catch it...add my own to it, and sling it right back in your face.

My explanation to my boy?

"Some people make bad choices, Sam. Well, we all make bad choices. But some people aren't sorry for their bad choices. That man is a criminal."

No report was written, for there was NO damage to either vehicle!!!!

I won't be caught unprepared again.

There is no safety in "public" places anymore.

That's no longer the case.

The freaks don't just come out at night these days.

Bleeding heart lawmakers. "special interest" groups and "human rights" activists are making a mockery of our judicial system.
Laws are so weak in punishing the guilty (the few that are found "guilty" that is) that the pro's outweigh the cons for the criminal in their evil intentions.

This sorry excuse for a man could have cared less that he had an audience!

He relished in it: approaching the other cars waiting for the light to turn, screaming, "Did you see that?!?!?!" Did you see what that fu&#*ng moron did?!?!?!"

Everyone within earshot was fuel for his irrational anger.
"Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is."
Ecclesiastes 10:3

Am working on my concealed weapons permit.

Have spoken with our Pastor (who knows a good bit about guns) as well as two troopers (friends from church) about the type of gun that would best suit my needs.

Tomorrow Sugar and I head out to Charlotte, NC for the NRA's "Celebration of American Values Freedom Experience".

I plan to return, ARMED.

Beware all Mr. Crazy Harley Men out there... as well as your posse's.
Fools each of you are.

Black & White Wednesday: BEEtween Father & Son

2010-05-12T11:33:00.006-04:00

At the beginning of mySamuelson's school year, all the parents were asked to fill out a general interest form if they planned on volunteering in the classroom.
Pre-children I was a teacher.
Am currently a SAHM.
Second only to Sugar, my kids are my life.
Would I be volunteering?
DUH!

The very last question on that form was, "Are there any hobbies or special interests you or your spouse would like to share with your child's class?"

Hands down I'm thinking a woman put this form together!

I was actually being asked to speak for Sugar!

Red light, yellow light, GREEN LIGHT!!!!!

I could feel the pulse pick up a bit.

Never occurred to me to panic, knowing he was filling out an identical form.

What for???

He knows how well I can express myself.

Cross his mind to speak on my behalf?

Ha!

~~Highly~~ Unlikely.

HOWEVER...
as the dutiful wife,
and knowing my ~~self-created~~ wifely responsibilities ~~like the back of my hand~~,

I included some of his hobbies alongside mine.
A job well done, I thought.
That was until I approached him a few weeks ago sharing, quite excitedly, that I had arranged for him to
give all of the Kindergarten classes at mySamuelson's school an Apiary (Bee) presentation/exhibit.
"Of course I took the initiative and contacted the teacher", I happily answered him.
The "thoughts" he then began to entertain on my behalf became just downright unkind!

(Humph!)
No, he didn't verbally (keyword here) share those thoughts.
But he wasn't wearing no poker face, either!

I didn't even get any love for leaving out his retired interests.
And trust me, there are a striiiiiiiiing of them!
Much to my consternation.
Jack-of-all-trades he surely is!
In my opinion, he's stuck with beekeeping this long (3 years) because of the large amount of money he's sunk into it (the extractor alone was $1,000+)!
That and he's an entrepreneur at heart!

Needless to say, when we told mySamuelson, he characteristically broke out into antics that would have put even the Taz to shame!

Last Spring, he was finally big enough to fit in the smallest bee suit manufactured and has since been working alongside "Dad" learning the ropes. (see picture in my header)

He did have his enthusiasm checked at the door one afternoon late last summer when a bee got in his suit and stung him.
My poor baby. :(
Am ever so thankful though it wasn't a sting to the head similar to Sugar's almost 2 years ago.

Our blood lies so close to the surface of our skin on parts of our body like our heads, trauma to those areas tend to bleed more, swell more, etc.

This pic was taken three days after the sting when he was on the upswing.

That first day was Rated R.

(Had to keep this pic in color to preserve the full effect.)

Though still interested in beekeeping, mySamuelson now approaches the entire hobby with a respectful caution.
Which is as it should be considering the inherit risks involved in such a pursuit.

Not surprisingly, given the procrastinator in Sugar that refuses to lie dormant (even at my firm insistence!), he waited until the last minute....the NIGHT BEFORE to put a rough outline together.
One guess who took those bull's horns...
...11:30 p.m. brainstorming together (both of us).
...12:30 a.m. typing outline (me).
12:45 editing (me).
1:00 a.m. proofreading (me; Sugar had fallen asleep at this point).
1:15 a.m. emailing outline to Principals and teachers (me again).

Suiting up

mySamuelson's grand entrance from the school flower garden.

Somehow he managed to time that entrance with the arrival of his fellow classmates (on the right). ;)

Educating on everything from bee safety to the different types of bees and their roles.

In the pic below is "yours truly" leading the students and teachers in the two different bee dances: mySamuelson got cold feet the last minute! And "yes", bees really do dance. Move over Timberlake & Travolta!
"Dancing" is their primary means in communicating the location of food with one abother. If the food source is far from the hive, the worker bees do what's called a "Waggle Dance" when they return from scouting. A movement involving flapping their wings and shaking their bodies. If it's close, they do what's called a "Round Dance". This "dance" isn't quite as involved: the bees simply walk a straight line, make a tight u-turn, and walk a straight line back. Needless to say, these were quite popular with the children! Especially the "Waggle"!

mySamuelson "manning" the bee equipment.

"Equipment" he was able to demonstrate for his fellow students.

Am not one to hold back in giving credit where it's due. And it's most definitely due my Sugar this go-round.

One of Webster's definitions for "Fathering" is, "1 b: to be the founder, producer, or author of".

Along with the child Christ blesses us with comes their blank slate, as well as HIS trust that we will take that slate and train that child up in the way he/she should go. (Proverbs 22:6)
Quintessentially, we've been given license to "author" that child's life.
For a little while, that is.
A "little while" that has the wings of an eagle.
And when they have passed through their childhood, they take up "authorship" of their own lives.
But alas!
We are not left empty-handed!
We have so many treasures stored up...
memories...
relics...
badges of honor (i.e. stretch marks! LOL!)...
...more importantly, we have Christ's promise in the remainder of that verse above (Proverbs 22:6), "...and when he is old he shall not depart from it."

Sugar, across these pages of our son's life, you've left your matchless, beautiful signature. A "signature" in a permanent ink that will help shape him into that disciple of Christ we so fervently pray he becomes.

*For more "Black & White Wednesday" fun, link up at Lisa's The Long Road to China.

Wordless Wednesday - So close... Yet so far away...

2010-05-12T00:50:00.003-04:00

Take particular note of the stickers on the bumper of the Escalade and under the wiper on the Escape's back window.
Although physically within arms reach of one another, the owner of this vehicle and I are worlds apart in our values, beliefs and ideologies!

One guess as to which one is mine...;)

(BTW, the first "A" in the sticker on the Escalade has a picture of an ass (donkey) beside it.)

For more "Wordless Wednesday" fun, link up at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Post It Note Tuesday: Strawberries & Guns

2010-05-11T12:06:00.003-04:00

For more "Post It Note Tuesday" fun, link up at Adventures of Wannabe Supah mommy

Friday Fragments: Scene 4

2010-05-07T02:23:00.009-04:00

All I got to say is..............TGIF!

Can I get an, "Amen!"???

This has been one.long.week.

There's been some good, some bad and some ugly...

(You make "bad" look "good", Clint!)

since last Friday's

The Good:

>>> Went out to eat after church Sunday.
I have to make mention of it, for it's a "whimsy" we rarely indulge in these days.
Bad economy + Private School tuition = Depleted account
Sugar's hankering for some Chinese landed us at a local buffet that the kids grimaced and "yucked" over.
To their delight and my amazement, the buffet contained two (surely golden to the children) trays: one with chicken nuggets, the other french fries.
Nice to know we're not the only culture out there feeling the strains of a melting pot prepping to boil over.

Fortune Cookies...
Sugar - "An important word of advice may come from a child."
I almost fell out of the booth LMBO!

Mom - "Something on four wheels will soon be a fun investment for you!"
I've always wanted a CJ-7 (soft top Jeep Wrangler). With this economy in mind, however, it's probably referring to a pair of roller skates!

mySamuelson - "You shouldn't overspend at the moment. Frugality is important." Am extremely thankful he's not displaying any signs of being materialistic. At least at this point in his life. Quite the opposite actually! He has a wallet full of dollar bills from his allowance that are growing roots into his nightstand.

Miss Gracie - "You will find your solution where you least expect it." Say a prayer with me for that "solution" to have something to do with her going to the potty to tinkle, not her panties...and not hiding those wet panties under her bed!

Punk - Be prepared to receive something special." Yeah...I'm going to give her "something special": A good finger-wagging stern lecture about... (See "The Ugly" below)

>>> Miss Gracie had a playdate with her aff (absolute favorite friend) and rode the emotional high it brought for days following the event.

The Bad:
>>> There's really no other way to describe this...

then to say it was a "bad" situation.

And yes, that is a...

foot tangled up in my SUV's seatbelt!

But not just any foot.

And not just any tangle.

A foot with "piggies" that I used to take to the market.

And a tangle like no other.

mySamuelson after sharing that it might require a trip to the fire department...

En route, we swung by Dad's office, on the ~~minuscule~~ off-chance he might be able to work some nimble magic.

He has a sleight-of-hand that would have been the envy of Doc Holiday had he lived that era!

The Ugly:
>>> Punk's up for an Oscar this year for her leading role in "Breathholding Spells".
Rolling eyes, flappin' arms, arched back and creeping blue...

Had me on my knees, praying FERVENTLY first time it happened.

A little research and a trip to her Ped later... unbelievably this is normal and nothing to get worked up over.
Watching my daughter turn blue and go limp in my arms is ~~horrific~~ ~~and~~ ~~heartbreaking,~~ for me, "...something to get worked up over."
"Just walk away. Don't reward the negative behavior with any attention."
Think her Ped has recently started moonlighting as a comedian down at the local lounge!

It's bad enough holding her tight when she courts a spell.

But to watch it from across the room... as a bystander.
"Huh Uh!"

(emphatically shaking head in the negative!)

Wonder where she got that iron will??? ;);)

Sam'ism III

2010-05-06T01:26:00.001-04:00

{Setting: Mommy Wemmick cleaning kitchen. mySamuelson finishing homework and Miss Gracie coloring at breakfast table. Punk wandering about like a nomad with "ba ba" hanging out one side of her mouth.}

mySamuelson: "Mom, we haven't had any brownies in a long time."

Mom: "We had some a few days ago, but they're all gone."

mySamuelson: "Who ate them all?" (Looking up from his homework. Voice laced with disappointment.)

Mom: "I ate most of them." (Feeling like a first-rate fat jerk pig!)

mySamuelson: "Mommy!" (disbelieving & disgruntled)

Mom: "Brownies are one of my favorite desserts, Sam. You can't just leave them lying around. I love me some chocolate!" (semi-sheepishly grinning)

mySamuelson: "But Mommy... that's not fair to the kids!" (earnestly)

Wordless Wednesday - Love Notes

2010-05-05T12:12:00.002-04:00

To join this wonderfully wordless meme, link up at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Post It Note Tuesday: A punk

2010-05-04T11:01:00.002-04:00

Join in the fun of "Post It Note Tuesday" by visiting Adventures of A wanna-be Supah Mommy!

Getting to know ME! {Chapter 3}

2010-05-02T19:53:00.006-04:00

1. Are you superstitious?

Webster defines "superstition as: 1 a : a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation b : an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition

2 : a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary

In examining #1 a, all I have to say is, "I'm no fool."

As a christian, #1 b is the ANTITHESIS of my "attitude of mind" toward my Savior!

For response to #2, see answer to #1 a.

2. If you were an animal..what kind would you be?
Lion

King of the jungle!

Top of the food chain!

3. You would never catch me wearing.........?

Hmmmmmm...

Initially wanting to reply, "granny panties". But to be brutally honest, they were some of my best friends during my 3 pregnancies.

Astounding how as one ages, one begins to find themselves doing things they said they never would. Sure does tend to breed caution! Mayhap that's why older people ~~(like I'm growing into)~~ tend to be more prudent!

*Update*
Just realized I never fully answered the question. Hands down it would be those jeans that sit at or above waist level. UGH! If I want something hugging my waist, it'll be a dress or Sugar!
Oh...and you can keep your tapered-leg jeans, as well!

4. If someone posts a VLOG..do you watch it?

Huh??????

Guess I just reared my blogging greenhorns!

5. Have you ever waxed your girlie/manly parts..or any other part of your body?

Eyebrows only.

Although I do wish I had indulged (or should I say "suffered" through!) a bikini wax when we went to Hawaii in 2006...

...I forgot to "clean it up" before hitting poolside at our Maui resort!

6. Are you a spender or a saver?

Thrifty spender... married a saver.

By the grace of God, managing to meet in the middle.

7. If you were starring in a movie..who would you want to play your leading man/woman?

~~Christian Bale~~

Sugar of course!

8. Smoker..never smoked..social smoker..or smoked back in the day?

Recently retired smoker...

PRAISE GOD!

After 16 1/2 years, our Lord took the addiction and removed it from my life in October, 2009!

After MANY failed attempts on my own, that is.

The final few months prior to cessation, I mentally fought HIS Spirit with every rebellious streak in me.

mySamuelson came home from school one day asking me to quit smoking.

He had recently started the bad habit of biting his fingernails.

I asked him to quit biting his nails.

We both went to bed that night, praying about our requests of one another.

The next day I took the opportunity to teach him about "covenants".

We made one with God and each other and, with my eyes turned heavenward, NOT DARING to look away, he led me through the valley of the shadow of death (3 days of withdraw, which HE thankfully "watered down"...though still a great physical challenge) and came out the other side VICTORIOUS!

HALLELUJAH!!!

To join the fun of...

link up at MannLand5.

SNEEZING those Particularly Prolific Posts

2010-05-02T14:56:00.008-04:00

[ALERT: This is an on-going meme that has no "end". Do not be put off by it's post date. Even if you've run across it a year later, I encourage you to participate. You'll better understand "why" after you read through it.]

At the recommendation of ProBlogger (aka Darren Rowse), upon whom I stumbled over at The Secret is in the Sauce, I recently began pilfering through my archived posts in search of "the best of the best" to spotlight in what Rowse has coined a, "sneeze page".

Quite the brilliant bloggy idea.

The sneeze...

...spotlights your really good posts that get lost in your archives.
...creates deep linking which is good for SEO.
...makes great content in your blog more readily available whereby the visitor is apt to stick around your site (“stickiness”) longer and more then likely become a follower/subscriber and regular reader.

To create a sneeze...

pick out some of your best content and create a post that links to those posts.
you can also use a theme for your sneeze page such as time (“Best Posts of 2009″) or topic (“Top Ten Recipe Posts”).
every month or so, rifle through those posts that followed your sneeze's creation and move new one's in and out as you deem fit: remember, your writing improves the more you do it.
in order not to bog down and "lose" the visitor, stick to a minimum of 10 post links in your sneeze.
be sure you publicize it! Put a link to it (or them – it’s OK to have more than one sneeze page!) in your sidebar and/or your navigation bar so readers can find it easily.

Am going to turn this into a one-time meme using Mr. McLinky (isn't he just a dandy?)
Once you've created your "sneeze page", come back, leave a comment at your leisure and link your sneeze at the bottom of this post.

Then share the love and visit the other "linkers" and their eye-popping posts!

The absolutely wonderful part of this meme is that it's a one-time only link-up that will increase your blog traffic: maybe even culminating in a traffic jam!
**Be sure to check back frequently for new "linkers"!!!**
**The button is located toward the middle of my sidebar labeled, "Catch a SNEEZE!"**

Below are my self-proclaimed "Top 5 Posts of 2010".
Don't forget to link up at the bottom of the page!

Family Plant Day

Tutorial: Overhauling a down-on-its-luck dresser

"And the awards go to...Mommy Wemmick!" Huh???

Black Fingernails; Beautiful Hands

Dead Goat Ninjas with Milestone

Friday Fragments: Scene 3 & hatching chicks

2010-04-30T16:20:00.009-04:00

Have really begun to look forward to Half-Past Kissin' Time... Time To Kiss Again

Besides meeting wonderful new bloggers who develop into cyber-friends, it gets me posting about the "happenings" in our lives that are important for posterity's sake, but wouldn't make it to the blog otherwise: after all, there are only so many hours in a day and that family I blog about does need the ocassional "tending to"!

Click on the button above to link-up and play. :)

* Miss Gracie's pediatric urology appointment finally came around yesterday: 7 weeks out from the pediatrician's referral. Has our narcissistic Prez's self-proclaimed ground-breaking, "fix-it for good" health care plan, which includes killing the people he proclaims to help with it (see the bill's plan for the elderly and abortion), already winding its spidery fingers throughout my healthcare? And of course I have to use code words like "Prez" and sound like a literary lounge lizard for fear of reprisal from his internet police. Next thing I know they're knocking on my door, with his agricultural police behind them ready to confiscate my garden. Up until this point, we have been blessed with amazing physicians and specialists with bedside manners, experience and skill leaving naught to be desired.

One particular physician demanding to be noted, my OB/GYN, always comes to mind when I count my many blessings.

This wonderful man delivered Miss Gracie and Punk: reason enough to lay my loyalty at his doorstep. However, this remarkable Dr. went above and beyond his calling, redefining "doctoring" when he walked alongside me through 3 miscarriages. He mourned with me. He held my hand and wiped my sweaty brow as I was wheeled down that green mile for a DNC. Go to bat for him? Hot coals? Bring it on!

But I digress. I've noticed I do that alot. Perhaps I need to start a meme...something along the lines of "A Rantin' Thursday" or something similar for "venting" purposes! Anyways, once again, back to the subject at hand. ;) Guess our successful running streak with doctors was bound to end at some point. And end it did in this particular Specialist's office. Just as a good many vertically-challenged people cater to what I've heard dubbed a "Napoleon Complex", somewhere along the way, the phrase "God Complex" in the same breath as "doctor" has been mentioned. Perhaps you've been in one of these said physician's audience at one time or another? In this case, the NP (Nurse Practitioner) and Dr. were discussing the details of Miss Gracie's urinalysis. During this brief, but very important discussion, neither looked at me nor addressed me: no acknowledgment WHATSOEVER! And being without a medical training background, minus the humble on-the-job-training one gets as a mother, their jargon was just that, gibberish jargon...a foreign language. At one point I heard the word "low" and caught a fleeting, concerned look pass over the Dr,'s face. Without hesitation and much aplomb (and perhaps a bit of glee) I quickly became the rude, obnoxious person in the crowd interrupting the performance. Miss Gracie herself, however, saved what could have turned into a cold and rigid affair. During the course of this entire exchange, she had sat on the bed brushing her hair (unlike her mother, she takes her purse everywhere). Not long after insinuating myself in that conversation I should have been a part of in the first place, she quite collectively put her brush away, zipped it closed, gave a "Hurumph" and looked at us as if to say, "Are we done here, yet?" Even the Dr. laughed out loud! Have no doubt the phrase "breaking the ice" was coined after a child!

* Our church held its Spring Revival earlier this week.

It turned out to be a Revival like no other. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, saw fit to work through our visiting pastor, Dr. Phil Hoskins, and answer part of my most fervent prayers: mySamuelson made the most important choice of his life. Visit my "Wordless Wednesday" post, A Roman road... A perfect choice... for the entire story.

* mySamuelson had a pretty eventful week, for on top of ensuring his destiny, he was accompanied by his paternal grandmother, Grandmaw Janice, and the kids' adopted, resident Granny, Granny Carolyn, to a special school play called "Fixin' the Fence". The High School Seniors and teachers put it together along with a tea and autograph signing party that immediately followed the performance.

On the way out the door...

* Two of our 37 incubated eggs hatched Sunday afternoon! Was sitting here at my desk in the office, blogging away of course! Suddenly, I hear a, "Kerthump!" I looked around for a fallen comrade, Miss Gracie's one-paw-on-the-rocker-one-paw-off-kitten and its senseless antics... The quick visual scan revealed notta. I glanced over at the incubator sitting on my Hope Chest and thought, "Hmmmm... not supposed to hatch until tomorrow, but just in case..." I sauntered over there, saw this...

and all heck broke loose as I screamed for my camera and the kids and they screamed for Dad, which all resulted in senseless, frantic sprints and panic-laced garble. Moments to never forget!

That's the good news. Have come to realize there's always some type of bad news that leeches itself to the good. {Aside: Thanks alot Adam & Eve!} Neither chick lived. :( The first chick was flourishing until the second one arrived on the scene. Other than a small hole the second one managed to peck out, he/she couldn't break free, so as researchers suggest, I assisted.

There are a number of probable reasons to explain why the chick was sickly from the beginning. Anything from a "bad egg" to inadequate humidity (that was hard to maintain) could have caused it. Not realizing that its body would be spreading bacteria as it died, I didn't remove the other chick. In all likelihood, this was the healthy chick's cod (cause of death). mySamuelson, as my sensitive child, took it hard. While we don't want to shield him from the oftentimes grim reality of life (though only allowing that which he is developmentally prepared for to hit him), we also want to help him lay claim to Christ's promise to all of His children in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Thus, the day after the healthy chick passed, Sugar found some baby chicks for sale and brought home 6. :)

Regardless of the sad outcome of our first incubation experience, mySamuelson summed it all up quite matter-of-factly with his repeated proclamations that, "Well, I guess I'm a grandpa now!"

Not wanting to leave you with the "bad" in mind, and to accompany that chuckle mySamuelson's quote surely brought about, below are some pics of the first few minutes following the discovery of the chicks birth... Definitely breeds warm fuzzies. :)

Wordless Wednesday: A Roman road... A perfect choice...

2010-04-28T12:13:00.004-04:00

~~Happy~~ ~~Ecstatic~~ ~~Overjoyed~~ ~~Delirious~~ ~~Humbled~~ practically speechless ;) but surely BLESSED BEYOND BELIEF & MEASURE is the mother who watches on as her one and only son makes the most important choice of his life. What can be considered the only "perfect" choice man can make. The one choice that will determine his destiny...

mySamuelson asked Christ into his heart on the second night of our church's Spring Revival, April 26th. During the Invitation, I heard soft whispers in the pew beside me and took a peek; God forgive me. ;) mySamuelson had his head bowed, eyes squeezed tightly shut with mouth moving. In reading his lips, I quickly realized he was walking that Roman Road to Calvary!

"Oh, happy day! Oh, happy day! When Jesus washed, my sins away!"
(in a singing voice laced with tears)

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:4

*The picture above captured mySamuelson's first ever trip to the alter to pray a few months back.

Post It Note Tuesday: Laundry Overload

2010-04-27T01:30:00.006-04:00

To join in this rabid fun...

"And the awards go to...Mommy Wemmick!" HUH???

2010-04-25T03:36:00.015-04:00

When I received notice, from my new (& FABULOUS I might add!) friends-in-training, Julie at The Peanut Gallery...Exit Here and Misty at Miss Fit, "HUH???" was exactly the expression of the moment.

"Me?"

(in disbelieving shock)

You've probably already figured out these are my first.

Sweet Friend Award

Honest Abe Award

Put the two together and you get an "honest, sweet friend".

What a most humbling, beautiful sentiment.

A big part of me wants to scream out, "But I'm not worthy!"

They might not know that.

And you might not realize it.

But God does.

And as His willing servant, I know these accolades rightly belong to him.

For it is His Spirit, in me, which is shining forth.
After all, every good and noble thing comes down from the Heavenly Father.

Separate from Him, I am completely, utterly lost.

I'm not a very nice person.

Actually, I can be quite impatient, judgmental, irate, temperamental, discriminating, controlling...basically all things BAD.

Ahhhhh...but GLORY BE TO GOD for sending His one and only Son to save me from myself!

In lieu of this, I believe some recognition is deserving of the two special ladies who recognized Christ's handiwork in the life of one of their sister's.

Thank you.

I believe this to be the start of two wonderful friendships. :)

For the Happy 101 Award, I've been instructed to list 10 things that make me happy.

1) "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise." Psalm 98:4. Whether it be singing (which the dogs love to join me in), playing handbells or calling out to Him in prayer, happy am I when praising and worshiping my Savior!

2) The homestead clean and organized.

3) A good book The genre's not particularly important: can be a devotional, documentary, various fiction, bible study, etc. As long as it's rich in plot and characterization, I'm in it!

4) The "love look" and accompanying remarks from Sugar. Not the "bedroom" eyes (although that can be quite nice as well!). Am talking about the appreciation-filled stare backed up with a, "You're a good, Mom.", "You're a hard worker.", or "I don't see how you do it.". Ocassionally these sentiments are expressed in a card that never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

5) Hard work and sacrifice paying off.

6) Encouragement

7) My children...my children...my children. Did I mention, all things, my children??? Yes, all. Even the puke and backtalk. Not to mention the sibling fights and whining. (And that's just naming a smattering!) For it's in those challenging moments that I tend to turn more to my Lord. How can one not cherish the person who helps you keep your eyes trained on our Savior??? And then there's the rest of the "all". The many easy reasons "my children... my children... my children" make me happy: an out-of-the-blue hug, tinkling laughter from the girls, robust guffaws from mySamuelson, contagious excitement over a "Family Day" activity, soft-spoken & sincere prayers, "mothers r the best" note (compliments recently of mySamuelson), watching the light bulb go on, and "playing" to name but an extreme few.

8) A "sweat-the-Devil-out-of-you" run... followed by a bubble bath with candles, soft music, #3, & #10 in this list.

9) The great outdoors: fishing, bird watching, gardening, hiking, etc. God's handi-work is AMAZING.

10) Sugar just informed me (and can't believe I almost let it slip by), CHOCOLATE!

Please take a moment to visit the following blogs that I've passed the "Sweet Friend" award along to.

Lisa at Advent's and other Fine(nell) Adventures

Kayce at Our Boy And His Cricket

Melodramommy at Melodramommy
Julie at The Peanut Gallery...Exit Here
Donna at Double Happiness!
{AWARD-WINNING LADIES: Don't forget to copy and paste the award on your blog, list who gave the award to you and create a link to her blog (or hyperlink), list 10 things that make you happy and pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blog to let them know about the award.}

For the Honest Abe Award, I've been asked to share 10 honest things about myself.

I do realize I have the right to remain silent...for I know what I say here will probably cost me a few "followers". ;)

1) My father spirited my brother and I off to the backwoods of the Last Frontier (Alaska) for 3 1/2 years. I say "spirited", for "abduction", even though theoretically that's what it was, seems more fitting in describing a "stranger" abduction.

2) While in college, began working on a memoir of the many experiences I encountered while in Alaska (see #1 above). Harper Collins Publishers replied (still have the letter) with interest in viewing the entire book. I had only managed to write 6 chapters when I sent the letter of inquiry, which happened to be immediately following my graduation. Was hired for my first teaching job shortly after graduation, with mySamuelson's pregnancy nipping at its heels. The unfinished book has collected quite a bit of dust over the past 7 years in storage. Perhaps one day...

3) Wrestle daily with extreme OCD.

4) Have been labeled "adventurous": rode in a hot air balloon, climbed a coal chute, partied in the in-field at the Kentucky Derby, deep sea fished (see recent post: Wordless Wednesday: Out of Hands), driven a dirt bike, panned for gold and was part of a high-speed pursuit police chase where the speedometer moved into that 100 mph+ nether region (YES...was part of the good guys team!) Have to say though, it's no misnomer that as you age, you slow down. And not unintentionally either! I look at this incomplete (yes, there are others!) list and shake my head at myself; "What was I thinking???" I have a deeper appreciation now for the grandmother driving 5 mph under the speed limit!

5) I like guns. Am a huge NRA supporter. Just ask Julie. My first experience with one was moose hunting with my father in Alaska. Shot our pastor's AR-15 last year. Too cool! Currently working on my Concealed Weapons permit.

6) Went into the Army immediately following High School graduation. Took me 6 weeks to get the #%+$ OUT! General discharge. NOT MY CUP-OF-TEA!

7) After Miss Gracie was born, joined a fitness kickboxing class. Fell in love with martial arts. Sugar and I recently enjoyed our first MMA/UFC Event (Mixed Martial Arts/Ultimate Fighting Championship)...ringside I might add! We had a personal interest in the main event: mySamuelson's Kempo (karate) instructor fought! And before any of you start pointing a finger and going, "But you're a christian! That doesn't sound very "christianly!"", keep in mind, the Apostle Paul regularly enjoyed watching feats of physical skill. And I dare say you won't argue his salvation? This is one of the many reasons he is my favorite Apostle!

8) Best surprise of my life: Punk's gender.

9) I believe in miracles.

10) Had some trouble deciding on a major in college. Went from wanting to be a Geologist to an FBI agent to a Psychiatrist to an Ambassodor (International Studies)... finally settled on Teacher.
***I just couldn't pass up sharing the following two, for they're humdingers. And I have edited the above 10 as much as I can. So consider the following a Bonus!
Lived through a volcanic eruption and earthquake (4 on the Ricter scale) while in Alaska (see #1 above).

Hardworking blogs deserving of the Honest Abe Award:

Dina at 4 Lettre Words

Leah at Funny is the New Young
Me, Myself and Aphrodite at Me, Myself and Aphrodite
Carla at Writing to Distraction
Stephanie at A Pocket Full Of Buttons
{AWARD-WINNING LADIES: Don't forget to copy and paste the award on your blog, list who gave the award to you and create a link to her blog (or hyperlink), list 10 honest things about yourself and pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blog to let them know about the award.}

Friday Fragments: Scene 2

2010-04-23T02:17:00.015-04:00

Once again, it's time for Mrs. 4444's "Half-Past Kissin' Time... Time To Kiss Again..."

Hard not to just zero in on the "Friday" part!!!!

WHOOO HOOO!!!!

TGIF!!!!

This ingenious meme Mrs. 4444 created presents the perfect opportunity to recount and memorialize the many "going-on's" during the course of our week that just aren't blog-worthy for one reason or another (e.g. too short, etc.).

Click on her button above to link-up and play. :)

* Was awarded 2, yes, you read me right...2 blog awards this week!!!!! And from two wonderful women, Julie at the peanut gallery ...exit here & Misty at Miss Fit, for whom I'm grateful for the beautiful brushstroke they've already left on my life. A post about the awards coming soon.

* Had my best coupon'ing experience yet: $22.00 for $130.00 worth of groceries!!! Guess it left an indelible mark on the lady behind me as well, for she stopped me in the parking lot to remark on my savings and inquire into my method! Am toying with the idea of having a "Coupon'ing Class" for a handful of friends who want to learn the coupon'ing ropes. It's become second-nature to the degree that, after doing it weekly for 6 months, it's hard to fathom that there are still a great many people out there that haven't embraced it like we have.

* Pollen is downright H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E this year! We're all suffering. mySamuelson has sported a runny nose for so long it's red, raw and bloody. Miss Gracie has the "sneezes". Punk has a stuffy, perpetually snot-caked nose. To quote Sugar, "I feel like I have a cold." As for moi, suffice it to say that the dry throat/tickle/cough has left me literally GAGGING, seemingly in all places public!

* Sugar and I created, and with the help of mySamuelson, presented a Honeybee exhibit ( with a hive and accompanying tools from our Apiary) to all four Kindergarten classes at mySamuelson's christian school. Surely the highlight of his school year! Post to ~~eventually~~ follow!

* Miss Gracie was given her Dance Recital Costume at the conclusion of her weekly dance class (Mondays). We (SAHM's) were allowed, for the first time, to watch the girl's practice their dance routine. Oh me, oh my... She really redefines "Princess-in-training"... "Princess-wannabe". And here she's stuck with a partial tomboy for a mother. Poor kid. Her only other regular female role models are her cat, Ariel, and my "grouchy old woman dog", Sausage. Looking for her to start scooting her butt along the carpet or clawing the furniture any day now!

* Hostessing a "Lia Sophia Party" tomorrow night. After this, am laying off the partying for a bit. This social butterfly needs to recoup, re-energize, retreat! Can feel the "cocooning" coming on!

* Enjoyed a long overdue date with mySamuelson. Went out for pizza , then to see "How To Train A Dragon". 4 stars, by the way! A good friend told me some years back that as her boys aged (both in their teens now), relating to them became more difficult. Am thinking it can be attributed to the distinct differences in the sexes becoming more pronounced. Males tend to enjoy "snakes and snails and puppy dog tails"; While females cater to "sugar and spice and all that's nice". In spite of this, I will always make a concerted effort to find common ground for him and I to meet on. Even if this requires I learn to do some of what he enjoys to "connect", such as soccer or paper airplanes, he's my-Samuel-son...my only son...the child who promoted me to "Mommyhood"...and he's worth any and every attempt!

* Personal Highlight of My Week: Planted our yearly garden. For details and pics, read my recent post: Family Plant Day.

Family Plant Day

2010-04-21T17:00:00.007-04:00

This past Saturday marked one of my favorite days of the year.

Our family's traditional "Plant Day".

Coincides quite nicely with Earth Day (tomorrow!), if I say so myself!

It marks the beginning of the growing season...

...the assurance that Spring is HERE!

More importantly, it ushers in a "Family Day" like no other.

Generally, on top of our weekly "Pizza/Movie/Pop Night Friday's" and Monday's "Board Game/Puzzle Night", every other Saturday is set aside as a "Family Day". This is sacred time that, even as the kids age and gravitate toward wanting to do things with others, I will stand firm in insisting participation.

No, I'll never be considered the "cool Mom".

But just maybe, as they grow and mature much like the seeds we sow every year, they'll come to love and appreciate their roots that we've ensured run deep.
I pray so.

Did I mention "Family Day" is sacred?

Especially when that "Family Day" involves passing along a tradition...
instilling a love for something that Sugar and I love...

Learning to sow...learning to reap...

It's all about the quality time spent with one another.

This was Punk's first time taking part in the planting.

Last year she was but 7 months.

Obviously too young to join in. ;)

Characteristic of her family's nature, she dug right in...

ending up with a face only a mother could love!

This year we decided on corn: Peaches & Cream's the name, screaming with glee's the game!

It's name doesn't do it justice: seriously!

Ambrosia

Simply divine.

Straight 8

A classic.

Crookneck squash

GREAT for deep frying (just ask Sugar)... BAD for cholesterol!

And Red Beefsteak tomatoes...

we have HIGH hopes for this one. ;)

And to give credit, where credit is due:
The muscle behind the garden...

As well as the brains...

{The "country" way of weed management.}

To quote one of mySamuelson's favorite kid's-in-motion, Dash (The Incredibles), "I LOVE MY FAMILY!"

Black & White Wednesday: A Soldier for Many

2010-04-21T11:28:00.003-04:00

This picture was taken in 2003 when this young soldier was but 22 years old. Take note of the barren landscape through the window to her left. And how about the scarf covering her nose and mouth? This was no run-of-the-mill drill within the relatively safe confines of a military base. For a year, this soldier, like SO many others, risked life and limb in Iraq during the Iraqi Freedom War. Did I mention that the "risk" was on our behalf? When you see an American soldier on the street, in a grocery store, on an elevator, do you thank him/her? With the exception of Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross, nothing in this world is free. And that includes our freedom.

Oh, and by the way, this particular soldier happens to be my little sister. And this big sister couldn't be more proud.

For more B&W's, join us in Lisa's Black and White Wednesday's.