Today ~

Today... Relax. Taste, touch, hear, see everything as if for the first time. Feel thankful. Count stars. Indulge yourself. Go barefoot. Pay a compliment. Practice a talent. Speak softly. Take your time. Let go of a worry. Take a chance. Write a note. Return a favor. Praise a child. Hope. Play. Relive a memory. Dare to dream. Hug a friend. Pick daisies. Surprise someone. Watch the clouds. Listen to the wind. Laugh out loud. Trust God. Believe in Miracles. Sing. Try. Try again. Walk in a park. Keep a promise. Create a joy. Be kind to yourself. Encourage others. Let love be a part of every thought and everything you do. Be you.

birthday's & homemade cakes

Today is Rob's birthday. For the first time since he has joined the military, he is actually spending his birthday surrounded by loved ones. In the past, it made my heart ache to know he was spending it alone. His sister Diandra has been with him this last week. Rob was able to take the week off from work so that they could spend some real time together. sigh ~ I am smiling as I type this.

I love this photo of Rob and Diandra on his birthday. Diandra would get so excited over birthday's and I think you can see how tickled she is about Rob's. It is a tradition in our family to make homemade cakes and sometimes even from scratch. Those were the best!

Our Son Rob ~

Our son is a wonderful blessing, a treasure from above. He's laughter, warmth and special charm; He's thoughtfulness and love

Our son brings a special joy that comes from deep inside. And as he grows to manhood, he fills your heart with pride.

With every year that passes, he's more special than before. Through every stage, through every age, we love him even more.

No words can describe the warm memories, the pride and gratitude, too. That comes from having a son to love and to cherish…just like you!

Rob, We are so proud of you!


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Romans 8:28 NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
*****************

You are a child of God, His treasured possession. He created you in His own image. He chose the day for you to be born. He has a plan and a purpose for your life. Cherish your birthverse.

Flying to Nebraska ~

Charlie and I drove our daughter Diandra to the airport this morning. She is on her way to see her brother Rob and our Nessa (his lovely wife) in the state of Nebraska. Although I am sooo jealous (in a good way), I am also very excited for them. They haven't seen each other for almost two years. It has been such a pleasure watching Rob and Diandra growing up and how they have grown so very close. On occasion, I have not only heard them on the phone talking, laughing and confiding to each other, I have also heard them tell others that they are best friends. It warms my heart over to know that not even the time of absence and miles of separation can keep the bond that they have from growing apart.



I called my son Rob to make sure he was there to pick up his sister at the airport. To hear the excitement in his voice and knowing any minute he was going to be reunited in the flesh with his sister... well, I could hardly keep my happy tears contained. I wish that I could have been there to see it. I think it is any parent's dream that their children are close through out the years.

On returning home from the airport, I have found countless little sticky notes all over the house, with scribbles of love written by my baby girl. I already feel lost and lonely without her... and it hasn't even been one day. But, knowing it is so worth it! Babies of mine ~ ENJOY!

The Window

The computer that I do my blogging and check e-mails sits on a table by the window looking out to our front yard. The hummingbird's love to feed from a butterfly bush that is by this window. In the early morning, there will be a cool breeze that flows through the front of our house and I can hear the hummingbird's go to the bush. They draw my attention and I find myself just watching them until they fly away. The feeling that I get when I watch these birds, is not only fascination, but I have also noticed a calming effect that washes over me. I plan to plant more of these bushes in my yard next spring.

* Charlie's scan result's showed that his cancer has significantly decreased in size.
:)

NeRvOuS

This week has been extremely quiet in our home. Today we are supposed to find out what the results of Charlie's scan is. As the hour nears ~ I am nervous. I want to know... but I don't. On one hand if the results come back showing cancer is still there, we will need to know what course of action that needs to be taken. Time should not be ticking and nothing being done in a situation like this. On the other hand, well it is great news. For now. I have come to realize that this is and will be a part of our lives; the testing ~ worrying ~ waiting for it to come back. In this realization, I refuse to let this get the best of us. We will live each day to the fullest being joyful that we are here in the present... together. Taking one day at a time. I am prepared to having some days that it will get to me. All the while knowing what my focus will be. I will not let cancer waist our days in fear.

Whatever the outcome, I know things will be all right. We will have love.

The quality or state of being

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity.

School Rules

Today was the first day of school. It was so sweet to see all of the kids in their new school outfits. Knowing the night before they probably spent hours and endless phone calls between friends trying to decide what they were going to wear. The girls were happy to see each other, while the boys tried to act so cool. The kids were also eager to tell us all about their summer fun. It brought back a lot of memories.

My kids didn't like the cafeteria food. I always made their lunches. Although they would bring their school lunch menu home and we would go through each day to see what they were having. At that time, if the lunch looked or sounded good, they would decide if they would try to eat in the cafeteria that particular day. I find it funny now that I work in one.

I was reading our local news paper and an article gave some really good tips to packing your child's lunch. It is very important that your child eats their lunch and breakfast for that matter. That is even more important! You would be surprised how many lunches go into the garbage untouched, or how many children come into the cafeteria after school has started complaining about feeling dizzy or having a headache from not eating.

I am passing it on to those of you that have children in your lives. It may help them to want to eat their meals... and then do better in school.
;)



Back-to-school lunchbox peeves and possibilities

More often than not, if you ask kids what school subject they like best, they'll say, "Lunch!"
So why do so many meals end up back home, only partially eaten, at the end of the day?
To solve the puzzle, Family Fun magazine went straight to the source, a cafeteria full of kids, to compile a list of pet peeves and solutions.

PET PEEVE No. 1: "I can't stand soupy yogurt and warm drinks."
SOLUTIONS:
*Use a frozen juice box to keep yogurt and other foods cold by wrapping the two containers together with a piece of aluminum foil.
*The night before, fill a freezable drink container halfway with the beverage (non carbonated) you plan to pack. Freeze the liquid overnight. In the morning, fill the rest of the bottle with more of the same beverage. By lunchtime, your child's drink will be just cold enough.

PET PEEVE No. 2: "I hate when sandwiches are soggy, like egg salad on mushy, wet bread."
SOLUTIONS:
*Use cream cheese flavored with herbs or spices instead of mayonnaise. If you do use mayonnaise- in tuna salad, for example -add just enough to bind the ingredients.
*Pack condiments separately or butter the bread before adding condiments.
*For PB&Js, spread peanut butter on both pieces of bread and a layer of jam in between.

PET PEEVE No. 3: "The fruit's always squashed, and the lettuce is wilted."
SOLUTIONS:
*Pack fruit salad (instead of loose fruit) in a sturdy plastic container. And save overripe bananas for banana bread, which makes a great lunchbox addition.
*Pack lettuce, sliced tomatoes and other veggies separately so kids can add them to their sandwiches at lunchtime. Another plus to this method is if your child decides last minute that he doesn't want veggies on his sandwich, he can simple leave them off instead of trashing a perfectly good sandwich.

PET PEEVE No. 4: "I won't eat it if I don't know what it is!"
SOLUTIONS:
*Don't get radical. By all means, try changing the presentation to spice up things a bit, but stick to variations of foods you know your kids already like.
For example, try using bagels, pita bread or even date nut bread instead of the usual white or wheat. Or cut a sandwich into puzzle pieces. But don't pack a tomato and pickle salad or meat loaf on rye unless that combo already has passed muster at home.
*Consider setting up a system where your kids get to pick sandwiches, snacks and beverages from a predetermined list of choices. After all, they're more likely to eat their lunch if it includes items they've requested.

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Pack a healthy lunch
*Buy 100 percent fruit juice. The carton can be frozen to keep the lunchbox cool.

*Yogurt and real fruit can be blended for a wholesome drink.

*Dried fruit provides energy for active kids. Raisins have lots of healthful phytochemicals.

*Red, black and green grapes will add color, as well as nutrients, to the lunchbox. They also are delicious frozen.

*Water is the healthiest choice. Small bottles are just right for little hands.

*Keep the skin on the apple for insoluble fiber and vitamin C.

*Add a little fun to the vegetables. Homemade dips can be placed in resealable containers.

*Kids love "little trees." To make cauliflower a vivid yellow, saute' it briefly with a spoonful of turmeric.

*Buy baked snacks in large containers and portion a handful in a plastic bag.

FAMILYFUN MAGAZINE and LEXINGTON (KY.) HERALD LEADER

In Saying Goodbye ~

One of the things that I love about getting away to the area of the Sierra Mountains we visit is not only that there aren't any towers for your cel phone's to work, television's are extinct there too. There is one store with three pay phone's; that is it. I will bring at least three books to read during our stay. During this visit, as I was reading, I laid beneath the sky under the trees and would occasionally look up at Charlie to see what he was doing. Sometimes I feel a little guilty getting into a good book and not wanting to put it down. This one time, I felt him staring at me and looked at him looking at me, lost in a serious thought. I asked him what he was thinking about. This is what he said to me... "How I am going to write you a goodbye letter." I felt like the air was knocked out of me and the rug was pulled out from under me. I was in no shape or form thinking that I would hear that in response to my question. I thought maybe something like, "Oh... the fish that got away." Tears immediately welled up in my eyes, and I looked away from him. I couldn't believe he said that to me, let alone ready to hear that. I tried to hold my tears in and not show him how upset it had made me. Although he quickly changed the subject seeing that it had upset me. I still couldn't look at him. I just stared up into the sky and watched the cloud that was above me twirl around like someone was blowing into it. I tried to ignore whatever my husband was saying to me as I tried to regain my composure, only to have the tears just keep flowing from my eyes. He then asked, "Are you angry with me?" I initially wanted to spare him by shaking my head no, then before I knew it, I blurted out, "Yes, I am angry with you (I don't want him to leave me)! Why are you thinking like that?" He said with brokenness in his voice, "If something happens to me, I want you to know how I feel about you. There are things I need you to know." I started to cry hard and tried to get out, "I know how you feel about me. Don't think like that!"

I underestimated that the c-scan he will be having this week and finding out the results is weighing heavy on our minds. We have been keeping ourselves way too busy with life, family and the grand-kids to even talk about it. Mindfully so, maybe that we couldn't talk about it. I think it is best that we cross these bridges when we come to them.

As I laid there after our conversation, I just watched the clouds and pondered what he must be feeling. If one knew they had to say goodbye... I could only imagine. I got up, walked over to him and gave him a kiss and a long hug. I told him that I wasn't angry anymore, but I couldn't have him think like that... only positive thoughts.

Change of Course

Charlie wanted to head up to the Sierra mountains for a little R&R. We were there for five days. I was a little (okay, A LOT!) reluctant to go, simply because it was my last week before school starts. I had plans to have some "one on one" time with family and friends, and go places that I had wanted to for quite some time... and it didn't happen. To say the least, I was bummed. All summer my focus not only demanded to be elsewhere, it needed to be there. It is at times like these, I have learned that you truly have to live in the present moment. Life is always now. When I let go of my expectations and just live in the moment, I am happy. Sometimes it takes me more time to realize this than others. Everything that I wanted to do was not going to happen in one week. I knew in my heart it wasn't the right time for me to do those things anyway. It will happen when the time is right. I just feel like I have had to let go of a lot of things that matter to me. In saying that, in the end, right now... I want Charlie to be rested and happy. That is what matters to me and is foremost important.


Sophie enjoying the ride


Some wild flowers on the side of the road... they weren't perfect, but I didn't care. Isn't wild suppose to be unruly?


I hadn't seen these flower's before... they remind me of "Horton Hears a Who!"


Looking up ~ taking a deep breath and exhaling ~

:)

Farmers Market

It has been a blast working at our local Farmers Market. I have established new friendships as well as meeting so many interesting people. I have gotten to know the regulars that come like clock work and we exchange idea's for meals and share recipes too. The contributing vendors are like a little community that look out for each other and genuinely care for one another.

All in one city block at the market you can find different flavored olive oil, dipping sauces, nuts and dried fruit, three different cheese vendors, honey, plants, eggs, two different baked bread and pie vendors, coffee, smoothies, salsa, preserves and condiments, three different flower vendors, herbs, lavender ~ lavender oil and lotions, kettle korn, gourmet dog treats, and of course any fruit or vegetable that is grown in that particular season. During the weekend there is always live and local music as well as restaurants that trade off doing demonstrations of a selected meal of their choice.


Rise and Shine... setting up for the market.


The early birds get to enjoy the pickins'.


An array of plums, peaches, nectarines and apricots grown locally in this part of the valley.


You can also pick out an assortment of flowers.


I always bring home some doggie treats for my four sweeties. They are all natural and no preservatives. They are made of whole wheat flour, oatmeal, peanut butter, safflower, eggs, honey, non-fat milk, molasses, and salt.

My family look forward to the days when I work at the Farmers Market and enjoy what I bring home. We love and appreciate the seasons fresh fruit, vegetables and what it has to offer.

Are you enjoying your local Farmers Market?

occupational therapy

: therapy by means of activity; esp: creative activity prescribed for its effect in promoting recovery or rehabilitation ~


I have been working on this scarf for a friend since the beginning of June. It feels good to have it finished. I have some yarn left over and I love the color of this green so much that I think I might knit one for myself!


I have been putting some of my photo's to card stock... just playing around really. My girl-friend has many talent's and one of them is making cards. She suggested that I could put color paper behind the photo's. I started laughing and mentioned to her that I had tried to pick some paper out to do just that. I found it very overwhelming and decided to keep it very simple.


In the morning, I have been enjoying my quiet time.

I would like to know what kind of occupational therapy (if needed) you have prescribed for yourself?