gentle reminders

This evening as I prepared dinner for the kids (Noel was teaching class) a song came on the radio that has significance to me. The words of the songwriter mirrored my heart the year our second child was born. There was so much that I didn't understand - like why God allows babies and children (like my son) to suffer for no apparent reason for one - and I was really having a hard time dealing with it. Sometimes I still have a hard time dealing with it. Thankfully, it didn't break my faith, though I was angry with God more than I had ever felt anger before or since. One particularly rough night this song came on the radio and it was the cry of my soul and I was able to break down and cry. I did tonight as well....amidst the spaghetti noodles and tomato sauce, the forks and the cups of milk. Truthfully, I still don't understand. I will never claim to understand - and like Job, I wasn't there when the Lord created the universe or breathed life into Adam. I don't know how the stars are made. I don't know how things exist outside of our "box". But I know God has it all under control - even while I do not always agree with how things are and what He allows. He alone knows it all. And He knew I needed a good cry and a gentle reminder.
Thank you, Father.

Jesse Tree devotion
Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31
God is the creator of all things. God made the world and everything in it: the air and the water, the plants and the fish, the animals and the people. When God finished creating the world, it was perfect. When God first created people, even they were perfect. They did not sin or do anything to make God unhappy.

Even though there is now sin and and sadness in the world, God still cares for us. We have been given a beautiful world in which to live, and God has asked us to take care of it. We can care for the world by showing kindness to all living things.

The world is God's gift to us. God wants us to enjoy this gift, but God also wants us to treat it with care.

Thank you for your redeeming plan. I pray for steady, gentle surgeon hands, compassionate nurses and staff that are attentive and accomodating to our son. Please give our son your peaceful, assured presence to calm his fears. Please allow Noel to be with him as he drifts off to sleep.....keep him safe and bring everyone safely home. And also, Lord, if there is opportunity to share you let it be known.
Amen. amen....

tip toes and pre-op stress

I have one little Prima ballerina twirling around the school room. One of her brothers watches her proudly and clapps to encourage her. It is good to see them getting along after arguing this morning over those silly pop-ons. (or is it pop-onz? *shurg*) It's a good moment for reflecting on the joy my children bring and the smiles they so freely give.
It is also a moment where I realize that my snappiness is really due to pre-op stress. I don't know why I didn't think about it....I guess having such a "break" between surgeries let me "forget"? Anyway, I see it for what it is and there we have it.
If you pray, please pray for ease of procedure, comfort, peace for my child and speedy recovery.

strings of lighted hearts

Please look.
Pray,
&
Remember.

We are all one flesh
in the body of Christ.

and then again...

We went as a family to see the Nutcracker Ballet last night. It was a beautiful performance - even the boys enjoyed themselves and all three children danced to the car afterward. The Russian and the dance of the Rose are my favourites, and of course I love the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. On a not so good note, I had an allergic reaction to someone's perfume and today I am in a full blown state of head congestion with a severe sore throat. *sigh* I vaguely remember this mornings messege at church - something about entering God's rest...I was more focused on not clearing my throat every two minutes or worse, having a coughing fit. When we got home I made it long enough to get the kids lunch and then went to bed with Boo watching cartoons next to me while the boys played video games happily in the living room. When I got back up a couple hours later, I was very grumpy - achy still and generally *UG* feeling. The kids ended up with corndogs for dinner - again. *sigh* I griped at the kids, snapped at the kids, and was basically not a very nice mommy. *frown*

Then at dinner I remembered that this is the first night of Advent and that we were going to be getting our "ornaments" colored for our Jesse tree (which I did not explain very well to my oldest who thought we were not doing Christmas presents this year because, well...I was not clear and there was much confusion about having two trees), and then having our first family devotion tonight. What kind of attitude was I having? Was this conducive to anyone enjoying the preparation for the birth of Chirst? -NO- Would it make a lasting memory? -YES, but not a good one-

All achiness aside, I needed to step off my "poor me, I'm icky feeling" martyr box and realize the JOY. I apologized to the kids who were ever so gracious. I was forgiven and we all exchanged encouragements and then....a little bit later I was being snappy again. *frown* Lord help me, please.

I am determined and have purposed in my heart for this to be a wonderful experience for our children and to create warm, joyful memories this year to be thought upon with loving reflection in years to come. I want to impart to my children that this is not just a time for "getting" and "giving" but foremost "receiving"(Christ).

Our devotion tonight is:

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-2
Reading: God has a plan for everything. Long before Jesus was born lived a man named Jesse. Jesse had seven sons; the youngest was named David. When David grew up, he became a great king of Israel. God had a plan for Jesse and for his son David, even before they were born.
Jesus was also a part of Jesse and David's family tree, born many, many years after David. People waited a long time for the birth of the Savior. The season of Advent is a season of waiting for us, too. We wait for Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
It is hard to be patient, especially when we are waiting for something wonderful like Christmas! But it is important to learn to be patient, and to trust that God has a plan for us, too.

Patient?! Exactly the characteristic I lacked today. Lord have mercy and thank you for your grace! Let this be a season of great anticipation and joy! Amen.

Blessings. stuffings. naked trees.

I'm sitting here taking a "break" from what I am preparing for tomorrow and the upcoming Advent season. I'm pondering and answering my youngest as she gets progressively louder in her request for more crayons. *laugh* She has more than she can use already - but she wnts more none-the-less. Isn't that how we are? We have much and we still want more....Lord, thank you for your ample provisions!!
This will be a very jumbled post - I just want to get some thoughts out and share a few things.
Today I am making pies - 2 apple and 2 pumpkin, preparing a vegetable tray, and making two cheese balls for pre-dinner munching. I also want to get some aspects of the house a bit cleaner and hope to get all the clean clothes put away!! I printed out the Jesse Tree ornaments for the kids to color at our family devotions, as well as the devotions themselves. *smile* I love Advent! I'm also looking forward to crafting an Advent wreath this year. This afternoon the children are going to make a "Thankfulness Banner" .
I read a book yesterday that shared a really good point - the wording was excellent and I want to share that:

You see, my friends, deep down inside where no other person can go with you, in the innermost chamber of the heart, only two options exist. You are either alone, or you share that inner sanctum of the soul with your heavenly Father. No one else can go there. Not friends, parents, husband, wife, no one. Either you and God live there together, or you are by yourself. And if you are alone, it is an aloneness that will remain for all eternity.
~Michael Phillips, Destiny Junction

That's it.


Now there is something from a parenting angle that I wanted to have here so I can refer to it at a later date if I want so I'll post that as well.

Basically, I believe that my job as a mom is to be a suffering servant for my little one and always wash her (adorable little)feet before I take any glory myself, because she is the "least of these" in our family. It's a pain in the butt sometimes, and I do resent it sometimes, but that's because I'm sinful. I don't think that Jesus resented us, and He suffered all the way to the cross for us. And I am called to do the same for my babies. I just do it sinfully.
That's what I think AP is, putting your kids' needs first, and not giving them any reason to think that they are lesser than their parents, or that they cannot count on them, or that their needs are unimportant. But not that they can get away with whatever they want to.

~Devona www.loveandblunder.blogspot.com (which I read posted by TulipMama on the GCMblog

Alright, now I must away with me...more to do, think, and see!

And of course,

Happy Thanksgiving!

sluggish updates

Ok..so I am sort of dragging along here. I did take a nap on the couch with Cosette on Sunday afternoon. *smile* But that was really the extent of my relaxing. *sigh*
So, in honor of blogging and just because I can and truthfully, because I can't think of a single thing I've wanted to share in the past couple weeks, I shall post today's TO DO LIST. Drum roll, please.....*drumming of fingers on desk*

*put my clean sheets in the dryer DONE - even got my duvet cleaned! yeah!
*put boys sheets in washer DONE- and dried
*sweep up doggie's grass off the floors (she rolls...and rolls..and rolls) DONE
*bathrooms - intense cleaning this time (includes wall tiles around boy's toilet & under the base) HALF DONE - ONE DOWN AND ONE TO GO
*mop floors
*dust (including fan blades, mini blinds, and window sills) DONE
*vacuum DONE
*laundry, laundry, laundry...........
*plan dinner DONE - yummy
*poison my crunchy invaders...again DONE
*make out a couple thank you notes DONE
*post some of a reading list for an aquaintance DON'T HAVE TO - will exchange later *grin*
(of course this is after school is done *wink*)

oh, and just to state something to vent a frustration - grits can get EVERYWHERE!! (esp. when a 2yr. old eats them. *grin*)

edited one time to mark finished items. YEAH!!! Currently enjoying Pride and Prejudice on A&E.
ahh............*sigh&smile*

update

I've neglected. I'm sorry. I'm pooped. *laugh* Hopefully, I'll be able to update in a refreshing way tomorrow. *yawn* Now, I need to move away from this chair before I fall asleep.......back to work! *groan*

nothing

Nothing to say except that I am early to bed in hopes of being early to rise.
*shrug*
oh, and it's fall cleaning time.

Diatomaceous what??

Diatomaceous earth. Now, there is an alternative to aerosol neurotoxin to eradicate my bug problem. *giggle*
Ok..actually, I am serious. But I just love that word. *grin* Gives me flash backs to biology in ......*thinking*.....oh, 9th grade. Sitting in the back ooohhhhing and aaahhhhing over hugely enlarged pictures of diatomes and my friend Becky deciding then and there she would be a marine biologist. *grin* I think she joined the armed forces actually after attending Notre Dame. We lost touch when I moved State-side. Wonder what she's up to now???
Anyway. Something else. Back to what I was posting about - DIATOMACEOUS EARTH. (IF this were a miniseries that would still be echoing. *laugh*)
I think it would be an even better choice than the Boric acid I have been using. Either way, it must be understood that it isn't completely without hazards - I mean, you still don't want to inhale the stuff. Who needs microscopic bits of fossil lodged willy nilly in their lung tissue? Not me. *grin* And keeping in mind that we need beneficial insects (yes, I know that the others are beneficial in their own ways but I'm not addressing those) we don't want to use this where it might cause a worse problem in the garden if sprayed all over or erratically without thought. (isn't that last part redundant? *laugh* " ....red tomato..most tomatoes are red....it's redundant." *laugh*)
Apparently, I have no focus today. *grin* So, I'm going to stop. Feel free to check out the link or do a google. *smile*

*ug*

So, I'm doing laundry today - a lot of it. I've been in and out of the laundry "room" several times this morning. Because it is part of what used to be a back patio there are lots of cracks and holes along the floor and the door. Because there are cracks and holes we get bugs. We also keep the dog's water and food back there - so it looks like a buffet, I guess.
I am not co-habitating with yucky bugs. Now let me define what is yucky: roaches, those big ones with the hard, reddish black, segmented exoskeletons. Ew. They creep me out. I can't even step on them because they "crunch" loudly. *shudder* SO. I decided to poison them. I put boric acid in the cracks, in the holes, and under my machines. *frown* And it works. Not instantly mind you - they still come in and wander around in the dark after we go to bed - but they don't live long enough to make a home and breed. This is a good thing in a way - for me. It's not so good for them. *frown*
I'm getting weird.
About 15 minutes ago a roach came out in daylight by the back door. It didn't run away at my approach. It sort of floundered - if a bug can do that. So, there it lay with legs twitching and and writhing in what must be a painful death.
And I feel sad. *frown* And guilty.
*UG*

Borrowed Meme *laugh*

I took this from Pearl. *grin*
The idea is to get pictures of key places in your life (I added one):
*Where you were born
*Where you were raised
*Where you are now
*Your name
*Your Mamaw's name
*Fav. food
*Fav. drink
*Fav. song
*Fav. smell

So, here you go - "about me" in pictures. *laugh*

I was born in Panama:



I was raised in these places:

Ft. Carson, CO. This is Pike's Peak.


Ft. Sill, OK. This is New Post Chapel, where we went to church and youth group the second time we moved there.


Pirmasens, Germany


Dunsen, Germany (So small all I could find is this map! *laugh*)


Ft. Irwin, CA NTC near Death Valley


Augsburg, Germany


Where we are now: Almost right back where I started. *laugh* This is just outside of our "busy" town on the Great Plains. *wink*


My name - that yielded pictures of Christie Brinkley and Christy Turlington. *laugh* I think I'll leave them out. *sticking tongue out*

My "Mamaw's" name


My fav. food *laugh*


My fav. drink


My fav. song (ok - one of my fav.'s) Take On Me: A-HA


My fav. smell.....ummm....*shrug* That's really, REALLY, hard.
Babies, freshly mown grass?? I'm perplexed. *laugh*

There. I'm finished. *wink*

Top Seven

Top Seven
I was tagged by Rabenstrange.

Seven things I plan to do before I die:
1) Celebrate the blessings in my life - everyday.
2) Create with my children more happy memories than sad.
3) Write and illustrate a children's story.
4) Keep chickens.
5) Finish school.
6) Become a Master Gardener - harvest a decent garden - can my yummies.
7) Learn Latin, German, Italian, and French - and travel.

Seven things I can do:
1) Bake apple pie.
2) See details - the fine ones.
3) Read. Read a lot. Read quickly.
4) Choose JOY.
5) Keep promises.
6) Help shoulder a burden.
7) Love - even when it hurts.

Seven things I cannot do:
1) Sing. (Had to leave this one here *laugh*)
2) Quick math in my head.
3) Let go of a grudge easily. takes work - sometimes I need help.
4) Swim in water I can't see thru or to the bottom of - includes water with light reflecting off the surface. Someone might drown when I panic. *frown*
5) Eat just one piece of candy.
6) Stand on my head.
7) Eat celery. God meant that for cows. *laugh*

Seven things I say most often:
1) Anyway. Something else.
2) Interesting. *raised brow*
3) just. great.
4) Guess what?
5) I love you. *smile*
6) In a minute.
7) *UG*/ *sigh*

Seven celebrities I would like crushed (Note: This is metaphorically crushed. I am not advocating people running down celebries in their SUVs)(Note: ditto what he said!):
1)Anyone on the VIEW - *UG*
2)hmmm...this is hard because I generally don't pay them much attention.
3)I know that I don't care for H. Clinton's politics
4)There are some actors/tresses I think are crude but I don't know their names
5)Howard Stern pops up
6)hmmm....pictures of some musicians come to mind -
7)just don't know their names...*shrug*

Five people who should do this:
Anyone who wants to! *laugh*
Just let me know so I can read it! *grin*

Quizzeled fish byproducts

Ok...so I have been tagged and "opted in". *laugh*
I will get to those just as soon as I ask Myself, whom I just saw in passing, whether I am coming or going and may I stop yet?! *laugh*

Oh, and note to Self - cleaning out the big fishtank is GROSS!! *shudder*

Love Poem No. 5

Sonnet XVII
~ Pablo Neruda

I do not love you as if you were the salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.


I love this poem - it sounds like it has poured right from my heart. I stumbled across this poem a year ago or so as the result of a quiz...I came across it again today while working on my other blog. It is beautiful. <3

Unser Vater...

Vater unser im Himmel,
Geheiligt werde dein Name.
Dein Reich komme.
Dein Wille geschehe, wie im Himmel so auf Erden.
Unser tägliches Brot gib uns heute.
Und vergib uns unsere Schuld,
wie auch wir vergeben unsern Schuldigern.
Und führe uns nicht in Versuchung,
sondern erlöse uns von dem Bösen.
Denn Dein ist das Reich und die Kraft und die Herrlichkeit in Ewigkeit. Amen.

Child-led weaning

This is for those who have noticed that Boo is still nursing and are curious. *smile*

The weaning process begins the first time your baby takes food from a source other than your breast - whether it's formula from a bottle or mashed banana from a spoon. Weaning is the gradual replacement of breastfeeding with other foods and ways of nurturing. ~KellyMom

So, yes, she is in the process of weaning. *smile*

Now for some bullets from The KellyMom site (such a wonderfully supportive site!):

• It's a myth that the benefits of breastmilk stop at a certain point. Instead, they continue and are more significant and longer-lasting for both you and your child the longer breastfeeding continues. In fact, the antibodies in human milk are more concentrated the lesser the frequency of breastfeeding is (say with a toddler or older child).
  

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer." (AAP 2005)
  

• Many studies have shown that one of the best ways to prevent allergies and asthma is to breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months and continue breastfeeding long-term after that point.
  
  Breastfeeding can be helpful for preventing allergy by:
  1. reducing exposure to potential allergens (the later baby is exposed, the less likely that there will be an allergic reaction),
  2. speeding maturation of the protective intestinal barrier in baby's gut,
  3. coating the gut and providing a barrier to potentially allergenic molecules,
  4. providing anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of infections (which can act as allergy triggers).
  

• Per the World Health Organization, "a modest increase in breastfeeding rates could prevent up to 10% of all deaths of children under five: Breastfeeding plays an essential and sometimes underestimated role in the treatment and prevention of childhood illness."
  

• "Human milk expressed by mothers who have been lactating for >1 year has significantly increased fat and energy contents, compared with milk expressed by women who have been lactating for shorter periods. During prolonged lactation, the fat energy contribution of breast milk to the infant diet might be significant."
  -- Mandel 2005
  

• Extensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement (IQ scores, grades in school) and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest.
  

• According to Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq. in "Extended Breastfeeding and the Law":
  "Breastfeeding is a warm and loving way to meet the needs of toddlers and young children. It not only perks them up and energizes them; it also soothes the frustrations, bumps and bruises, and daily stresses of early childhood. In addition, nursing past infancy helps little ones make a gradual transition to childhood."

There is so much more there to learn! The benefits for moms are extensive in reguard to prevention of specific cancers, osteoperosis, and mothers' general well being. *smile* Breastfeeding not only calms babies but mothers as well!

Kellymom has a lot of support for mothers that pump, tandem nursing, preemie nursing, and mothers adopting who wish to induce lactation. *thumbsup* Please see her sight for references - she has them by the bucketfulls.


I also think this is interesting and I plan to do more study of this when I have time:

Among the Hebrew's, children (whom it was customary for the mothers to nurse, Ex.
2:7-9; 1 Sam. 1:23; Cant. 8:1) were not generally weaned till they were three
or four years old.
Source: Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

Ok...my lactivist post is now concluded.
*grin*

mourning more tragedy

We are still dealing with the effects of such huge natural disasters here in the U.S. and already more people over in India and Pakistan are suffering from yet another huge natural disaster...mourning the loss of family, friends...and their children. I can not imagine digging thru rubble searching for my babies......

Lord, have mercy.

clarification

Let me clarify the previous post. *smile* I am in no way tired of being a mother...of small children or big children. I love being mommy and reading stories and watching them figure things and create things and try new things - even if for the boys the new things aren't always food items. *laugh* I am trying to say (which I did not do very well) that I am a better mommy if I am refreshed every once in a while. A dried up bean isn't going to feel refreshed if you run it up under the water tap...you're going to have to soak it overnite! *laugh*
My point is that I have been relying on myself to be renewed. Relying on myself to find some time of solitude because solitude is how I typically refresh myself. What I needed, and still need, is to rely on God. I don't need to change my situation. I don't need to change my children or my husband. I don't need to change the fact that I ordinarily would draw strength from social seperation - God created me that way! But I do think that there are times when we need to rely on God because it is a chance to shine a light on His strength! Motherhood, for me, is a time where I am really not going to know or learn all the answers. I need Him to guide me and show me the best way to parent my children. Ultimately that's what I want. I want to hear His voice tell which way to go and when to stop. I want to be able to praise Him and show other's how He has led me. *smile*
But when I am weary, I don't listen very well. I don't mother very well. I am not a very good wife. I have a short fuse...impatience is not a trade mark of motherhood - well..not one that I aspire to, anyway! The "fruits" are just as dried and shriveled as I when I am weary and it is embarassing to admit that. It's like my ears are stopped up and all I want is to find a quiet spot - even a closet and hide away until I can relax. (Sadly, I probably look more like my two year old in sore want of a nap!) That won't work for us right now! Situationally, I can't just tell the kids,"Mommy will be back in a couple hours. Have fun and behave." That would be how I found the quietness to refresh on my own instead of drawing it from God little by little thru out my day after a major refreshing to begin. I think I am repeating myself at this point. *laugh*
I guess instead of just trying to learn something new every time I open my bible, instead of trying to commit something else to memory, instead of searching for the verse that will inspire, I need a smaller focus that is not on myself, yet will reflect back to me. I need to let God be the source of strength and renewal I say he is and seek from Him.
Does that make better sense? *laugh* I'm still not sure. I already have a bit of fog rolling in.


*****************************************************************************

Father, after seven hours of sleep I am still tired. I still do not feel well. I have such a full weekend ahead of me. As my wee ones are still sleeping, please draw me into you and fill me with your Spirit. Give me the strength to go about my day joyfully. Grant me patience beyond anything I ever thought I could attain myself. Turn my heart toward kindness - remind me of how you welcomed the little children even in the midst of your work. Help me not to envy other mothers away on retreat this weekend and those at conferences. Do not let me be rude or snippy or snarky. Place a guard over my mouth - I do not want to be held accountable for those kinds of words, but I know that I will be if they explode from my mouth! Continue to help me place others before myself. Please place a cap on my temper. Remove words that accuse like "you always", and "you never" from my lips. Bless my children and my Husband. Father, please guard them with your angels and protect them from the evil one. Thank You for the Faith you have placed in my heart, the Hope of Your kingdom to come, and the Love that You are and always will be. My intent today is to serve my family with love. In Jesus' name I ask these things.
Amen. amen.

\o/\o/\o/

tired

I'm tired. Sure, I'm tired physically after a long day, but I mean I am emotionally, maybe even spiritually, weary. *sigh* I had an epiphany last nite on the way home from a friend's house and I've been mulling it over all day. I visited a new forum, Women @ Home, and was reading a scripture verse that someone shared from their daily reading....and my response sort of mirrored what I've been thinking. Here's the verse:

For he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.
I peter 3:10

And my response:

Good food for thought today.
My tongue is my weakness. Sooo hard to control it. Though I would suppose that if I were persistant in renewing my mind daily in Christ as I am supposed to my tongue wouldn't have so much to say that I could be ashamed of.

(emphasis added for this post)

Here's the verse in mini-context, so to speak:

Romans 12:1-3 (New International Version)
Romans 12
Living Sacrifices
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

Really, here is the key - my epiphany. I am weary. Yet for some reason, as I thought about how much I want to retreat from things - yesterday I kept thinking about how nice a mountain lodge full of books would be - this verse came to my mind. It was a gentle reminder that what I am doing with my children is a worthy ministry. It is a ministry that God has equipped me for and is more than willing to sustain me thru daily...thru the renewing of my mind in Christ Jesus. In my service I am offering myself as a living sacrifice.
Yes, retreats are good. Times of silent contemplation and reflection are wonderful. However, at this present time it is not possible. Rarely do I get to go to the bathroom alone or without "thru the door" conversations! Good news abounds in that God is with me whether I ascend a mountain in solitude or not. I can be filled with his Spirit without a Holy Pilgrimage. Christ lives in me. I do have small moments to capture thru out my day.
So...I'm concluding with the thought that I need to make sure that I am purposfully seeking to be renewed - that spiritual fulfillment. I need to dig deeper, maybe even dig longer, in the Word. Not just a superficial ascessment while reading - taking the grains off the top of the wheat stalk. I need to consume the entire column of grain...chew it...and chew it some more. *laugh* I guess I could be like a cow.
Well, I think my thought process is muddying and I see the evidence above of break down so I'll stop now. Maybe..just maybe I'll add more tomorrow after I've had sleep and can make coherent sentences and spell things correctly. No promises. *laugh*
(I may also include some major editing to this if I come back and read it and it doesn't make any sense! *laugh* *yawn*)

hot and steamy

Amazing...I think I almost forgot. But those are the two best words to describe my iron. *laugh* I almost forgot because I haven't used it in almost FOUR YEARS. *shocked* Ironing was nice. I really had forgotten how nice and crisp things feel when ironed. How smooth. How neat and tidy. *grin*
There was a time when I ironed even bed sheets. Sounds suspiciously untrue, eh? Well, it's the truth. I ironed almost everything...but that's been SO LONG AGO.
My middle child saw me ironing and was bewildered. (Mind you, he's 6 *laugh*) "What is that?" "What does that do?" "Can I do that?" and my fav.: "Why are you doing that?"
Ahhh...because things sew better with neatly pressed seems. And then came the fascination with the sewing machine. "Can I sit in your lap while you do that?" "Can you show me how?" "What are you making?"

Yes...I have neglected certain domestic skills for a LONG time - if you could call what I do with a sewing machine a "skill". (I busted a needle, for pete's sake!) *laugh* We'll talk about justification for neglecting specific domestic "skills" another day. *wink*