Of squirrels and belles.

Since spring has sprung, Theo has been visiting us a lot more. Isn't it funny that he still does his squirrel thing, but he hasn't forgotten us? He knows how to get us outside. Or I guess I should say he knows how to get treats. Food is the ultimate motivator.

The question I get asked most is "How do you keep your cats from getting him?"

Well, I'll tell ya' -

It ain't that hard.

Oh wait!! Wait! There may be movement! Should we guard Theo?!!

Mmmmmm. Nope.










In other funness, we went to a ball and danced and danced! It was so much fun!
You know, every hobby has it's geeks. Everyone tries to lay claim to the term: gamers, techies, book lovers, etc. So I guess this would be the history buff geeks.

Tannehill State Park had their annual civil war reenactment this weekend and I have to say, it was a pretty good time. These people are good actors. They really stick to it. (Except for you, yeah, you, I saw you check your cell phone. Busted!)

The actual battle was a little more emotionally stirring than I was prepared for. For Schyler, too. I was worried for just a minute that it may have been too much for a little girl, but I am glad she has a small understanding of what our soldiers of all wars have been through for her. Her grandfather included. She loves hearing his war stories and I am so glad.

Oh, and speaking of food being the ultimate motivator, we had Indian Fry Bread and cream soda for lunch that was incredible. I'm pretty sure the fry bread couldn't have been very authentic or else obesity wouldn't be a new epidemic, but it sure was good!

Is this the cutest little confederate* you've ever seen? (*That's because we live in the south, not a political statement.)

I believe she was the belle of the ball. They were lovely. I couldn't get a front shot.

It was just lovely! All the whirling and twirling! Actual dancing! Not thrashing idiotic looking bodies! We enjoyed the square dances, but these were the most beautiful. If you haven't done the Virginia Reel or the Patty Cake Polka, I highly recommend you do it today.

It's not all statues and poles.

Yes, loyal readers, I am here, well, and alive.





I have found it hard to make light of things lately, I can't quite explain it. I think I have been going through some deep stuff this past week so my mind has been elsewhere. You know it's deep if I can't make fun of something.





Our job is officially done. Last week we took care of Mama Hen's animals, no, not her children, her actual animals. We had a good time, too. Chickens, turtle, rabbits, cats, all good stuff.





We also took on a friend's chickies, so that's been an adventure, too. So if you are going out of town and you have chickens - I'm your woman. I won't lie, it's nice to be needed.





I had to make some vitamin water for the little chickies and I'm pretty sure I got a little in my coffee this morning. Of course it didn't stop me from drinking it and with the coffee armageddon that I am sure is coming on, I just couldn't bring myself to pour it out.





So if I start clucking and laying eggs, somebody just take me to the vet.








It seems that as I have been in The Word lately, there has been a lot about the dangers and consequences of idols. Now you all know good and well that this has nothing at all to do with me as I would never bow to another, right? Naaaaa. Of course not.





I'm good. And nice. Well, okay, nice might be stretching it a little, but I'm hanging on to good. I am a good person (who am I trying to convince here?).





So I said, "Lord, who is it you would like for me to call out on this? 'Cause I will, ya' know."





Okay, it may have been more along the lines of "what specifically has become an idol for me"?





Let me read to you what I found (??I found??) - what God showed me today -





"...covetousness (that is coveting money, or power, or anything more than the will of God) is idolatry (Colossians 3:5)."





Ouch.





"Get thee hence, satan: for it is written, Thous shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." Matthew 4:10

World Hug Tour Officially On

Well, let the huggin' begin.

I commented a while back that I felt so bad for the people deceived by the May 21sters and that I just wanted to be there on May 22 to give them a big ol' hug and tell them The Truth. I think we had a few others volunteer. Sign up here.

I saw some one's comment saying "Don't feel bad, Harold, we're all wrong sometimes, it's not the end of the world..."

So great. Wish I'd said it.











So I procured a few unmentionables. Now I am all about some hand-me-downs and second hand treasures, but come on ladies. There IS a line. A definite bold line. And it is most assuredly crossed by giving your granddaughter in law something her mother in law could have been conceived in. *shudder gag shudder*

Again. I give you time to hurl. I'll be here, go ahead.

That's it. Get it all out. It's okay. You can't help it.











Later, a rather well rounded gentleman from our telephone company came to finish up some work they are doing around here. He tried pretty hard to extract his lungs from his body through his esophagus, but they obviously wouldn't budge. About the time I decided I needed to see if he was in need of medical attention, he got quiet.

Great. I hate it when people keel over in the driveway. Quite an inconvenience.

Thankfully, he was in fact alive and seemingly much better.





In all seriousness, I am in a big funk. I hate sin, especially when it's mine. I'd much rather just complain about other people's. But not today. Have to deal with mine. Poo.

Another separation.

AAAAAAGGGGHHH!!! All the random thoughts clogging my brain!! Can't... get... them... out!!

We have been without phone and internet service for several days and let me tell you - you have missed out on some stories.

Namely, the repairman trying to die in my driveway a few hours ago.

Anyhoo, I have got to go get up to date on all of you and get my thoughts in order before I can tell you about my husband's grandmother giving me her, um, er, special undergarments. (I'll give you time to go puke before I finish)

*whistling, twiddling thumbs, whistling*

All better now?

Schyler seems to still be recovering from pneumonia. She's better, but still tired and yucky.

I've also got to get some good garden pictures on here.

I know, what have you done without me?

Mystery: Solved...possibly...maybe...well, I'm not really sure.

Hello my friends! It is so good to be back!

*gasp* What do you mean "was I gone?"

Why, of all the nerve! You didn't even miss me. *sniff sniff*

Well I'm sure most of you know blogger was down for a while. And I have big news regarding the humming for you -

I know most of you have leaned toward the cicadas, but I am telling you this was not a cicada sound. Promise. Not that it's not time for them, this just wasn't it.

So anyway, the day after the story aired, guess what?

Linemen show up!

Yep. They've been working on our lines (that's where else I was - no internet), and guess what else?

No more humming!

Mystery: solved.

Yes, we felt we could safely remove our hats. My super creative daughter turned her hat into an offering plate and we played church. I did give, but then later found out that my offering was going to the "decorate Abbie's room fund". So just know, Abbie, that about thirty seven cents of that decor came from me.

Nighty night. A good weekend to you all!

It's not all in my head!

Whew, it wasn't just me. This guy heard the aliens too. Just kidding. It's just that there is this terrible humming noise around here, so when I saw this story, I got that great "I told you so!" feeling. Now I don't know if the sound in that story is accurate or maybe added, but it doesn't sound exactly like the humming going on here.


Some people say it's the cicadas, and it could be. I think it has been about 13 years since we heard them last, but I know cicadas and this doesn't sound like cicadas to me. This is more of a low humming sound, like when you are near a power station, than it is a buzzing of cicadas. Who knows? My husband said maybe the rocks are finally crying out. It's not like there wouldn't be reason for them to!


I wonder if it has something to do with the electricity. I did notice it after power here was restored and there is just so much going on, some things just may not be quite right. We do still have loose lines lying around, crossing the road, and trees still blocking parts of our road. I can't imagine that is helpful. Some of our lines may be temporary or something. Just to be safe we are all fashioning tin foil hats. Never can be too careful about these things.

Read something beneficial for a change.

Here is something a whole lot more worthwhile for you-

Sola Sisters.

I bet a lot of us grew up with the "Did you say 'The Sinner's Prayer'" theology. Can someone please find that "sinner's prayer" for me in Scripture? I mean seriously, could you? Because I would be happy to know where it started and/or came from.

There was more teaching in security of a date than there was a changed life, hatred of sin, a continuous walk with Christ.

Unfortunately I used that false security of a date to commit a whole bunch of ugly sin of which I carry the consequences for always.

Have they been forgiven? Oh yes!! But that doesn't mean I don't get my toys taken away!

I pray that all of you are truly born again and have the security of a continuous walk with Jesus.

I don't need everyone to like me. I want everyone to like me.

*Before we start, does anyone recognize the line from my title? Yeah, I totally ripped it off, and I don't watch this show anymore, but I know someone remembers it.


Well, everything is on the fritz here at Mrs. Jennifer's home. (Did that just give you a really weird mental picture, Hubb fam? (Their pastor's name is Fritz))

Anyhoo - kid and washing machine. We haven't been sick in over a year and now she's been sick twice back to back. I'm pretty sure she has croup this time. So sad. She felt so bad that we missed Mother's Day at church and I felt so bad that she was sick.

We've had some pretty deep theological discussions stemming from Veg*ieTal*s. Ooooo do you like my super secret code speak there?? How double o seven am I?? Sorry, I just read some articles about random googlers and hate comments and I am freaked out. Seriously I am so naive. I had no idea things like what I read about went on. I just want to go back to my fun little bloggy world.

So anyway - since she is confined to the couch she's taking the opportunity to load up on making her brain mush. Something about a pie war was on the list of must see. So she tells me,

"You know, Mom. I like VT's, they're good for fun, but really, they're not very Biblically accurate."

How funny is that? I totally agree with her, and am truly not a huge fan. But she didn't really start watching them until after she knew the real story.





And as I said, the washer is down for the count. It wouldn't spin and water started leaking everywhere. I had to squeeze out the clothes and hang them on my much beloved [gagging sound] clothes line.

Now before I get hate mail regarding the clothes line (I'm telling you- it freaked. me. out.), I should tell you, the one I got is a European clothes line. I have nothing against Europe, I'm sure it's a great continent (thoughts of hate comments racing through my mind...), but from my extensive research (Hous* Hunt*rs International counts as research, right?) the way a lot of areas have to do laundry wasn't exactly something I wanted to copy.

This line is in the form of a tiered square. I'm sure for smaller spaces. But it doesn't allow for sunlight and wind to get through very well.

Another reason we women can be so very thankful God allowed us to be born here in the best country ever. So to celebrate I will probably be hanging up my very American clothes line later on today.





Did I tell you guys that Rachel put my blog on Al(dot)(com), a news blog for our state? It was for my account of our tornado. And after reading my ultra exciting past few posts I just can not figure out why I haven't gained readers from it.

Some of my subjects have been:

-sickness
-laundry
-sickness
-deodorant
-laundry



Seriously. People have better things than that to do? I think not.

Talk about being all over the place...

Do you know what is awful? Self pity. I just hate it. But oh, how I act like I love it. Blech. Will I ever get it right?

But wait! I can be pitiful about this - the day after my birthday, I got a graduation invitation from a girl I used to babysit. As a baby. Graduation from high school, not kindergarten. (Yeah, you know who you are, thanks a lot). I don't think any of you will begrudge me of that pity party.

A happy happy Mother's Day to all mom's out there, especially mine. To think that God providentially set us up is pretty great! Would you say a match made in heaven? :)

I am probably preaching to the choir, here, but anyhoo - please teach your boys how to interact with women using correct manners. While waiting at the desk at the library, a young man thought it proper to call a grown woman "honey". Yes, he called me honey. In front of the two kids with me, and others. No, I do not for one second think he was doing it in what he thought was an inappropriate way (i.e.:hitting on me), nonetheless, it was inappropriate. It's just that no one had ever taught him that.

So here's a good little quote for you -

"The ability to laugh at one's self is an admirable trait. This is true regardless of gender. Humor can help us recognize and overcome our foibles..."

(I know, I can't figure out why I'm drawn to it.)

and here's how to keep it in line - "...but trouble brews when we begin to view satire as reality."

That is from "Love Your Husband Love Yourself" by Jennifer Flanders.

Now. I am having some trouble. You see, I think I am pretty mediocre at a lot of things, but I am not finding or focusing on being really good at one thing. Oh, now, besides reading blogs. I am so super good at that. I'm probably going to petition the Olympic council on to make it an official sport.

So anyhoo - I bought a few little magazines with some crochet patterns I wanted to do, and I am having buyer's remorse. Last night when I started on one, I thought "is this really worth it?"

Should I take all this back and just go buy a baby gift? Am I really going to do a good enough job that I will give this away?

Same thing with needle point. I do okay, but really, is it worth it in the end? Am I being wasteful? I always appreciate those handmade thing and I always admire them when I see them. I never think "why did they waste that time?" So then why do I have those thoughts? Hmmmm...

I told Ma one time I was going to go Google myself and see what comes up. Since it's so good at finishing thoughts, maybe it can tell me what I am really good at and then I can focus on that.

My plan today is to make some lip balm, so I'll let you know how it goes. Also, today is the big day - Schyler gets her babies back. Excitement is in the air for sure.

Not exactly a professional opinion.

Last night upon finding out that my nephew was going to spend the night, Schyler immediately began grilling us with the fact that she was sleeping in our room and she was NOT sleeping in her room.



Typically when he spends the night, she picks a different exotic locale in which to stay "letting" him have her bed. Seriously, exotic. One night it was the bathroom closet. No kidding.



Wait.



Could I get in trouble for that?



*nervous shaky voice* Oh ha ha I was just kidding. I only let my child sleep on a perfectly fluffy completely safe bed.



Anyway, lately when he has stayed over she has made a pallet on the floor in her room.






Well, last time he spent the night and she made a pallet was last Tuesday night.







Our tornado struck promptly before daybreak Wednesday morning.






Could she really be thinking about that? I think so.



Then she actually verbalized that she was. She said, "Ooooooh noooooo. Last week he spent the night on the same night and we had to go through that awful tornado. I am sleeping with you."



Okay. Done.



I know. Blue skies. Not even a chance of rain. Completely illogical and irrational.





But let me explain my experience- on Monday, January 5, 2004, Schyler was about two weeks old. She had just gained back up to two pounds on the dot (she had lost down to 1lb. 11oz.) and something just wasn't right that day.





When I left the NICU at 6:00 that evening, because they close for shift changes, she was okay.





When I returned at 8:00, the doctor met me in the waiting room and informed me of all the details of the cardiac arrest she had suffered.





It was a trying time to say the least.





But that week went by pretty well, improving much.





However...





The next Monday, I prepared to leave at 6:00, as usual for shift change, I broke out into a sweat, I began a little nervous shake, and I had a hard time leaving. I talked to the nurse and she assured me everything was fine.





I knew everything was fine. It was completely irrational. But I couldn't help it.





Could that truly be post traumatic stress? I don't know. I am certainly no doctor, not even close, but I think it could be. I honestly do think that that is closer to post traumatic stress than people who go out and commit heinous crimes and then try to get out of trouble by blaming it on that. I think that would be more like spoiled-rotten-brat-syndrome.





Now of course she will not be allowed to sleep in our room forever, maybe not even for another night. We will diligently (I hope!) pray for wisdom and discernment so as not to be manipulated allowing her to fall in a terrible pit of sinfulness. (*fluttering eyelashes* Not that my sweet perfect little baby would ever manipulate her loving parents.*cough cough sputter*)


We will need to be careful not to "plant" ideas - "Are you feeling scared?" "Are you nervous, angry, anxious?" But to listen to what is said and not dismiss it.





SO - I say all that to say, pray for all the children and parents who have suffered far greater loss and trauma. Pray that parents will seek God for wisdom and discernment and that they will think on what is true. Pray that families will reach out to Him for healing. And listen. Listen a lot.

A crispy thank you.

Thank you my throngs of loyal followers for making my birthday absolutely grand. It was a lovely day.




I'll share -

KayKay said, "Happy 21st Birthday!!! :)"

To which Ma said - "Happy Birthday! (Are you really 21?)"

Why Ma, of course I am not, she was only joking. I'm more like 25...ish...plus one... or two...or eight





But I have to say, my very favorite was from my dear Aunt Mama Hen. That sweet woman. She has definitely grown a tough outer shell since being in this family, God bless her. But let me clarify the first statement on her lovely list -



You don't love me because I leave utensils, you love me because I have a kitchen drawer compulsion. They must be neat and organized, and I located your shears and huge knife that you didn't even remember you had. Well, that or I stole them from Granny's and she's probably looking for them right now...





My hard working husband even made it home. The department went back to regular off days before everyone turned into complete zombies, so that was nice.


A certain inlaw gave me a very , um, nice, ...clothesline. Yeah, a clothesline. It's...great. No really I am very appreciative, just a little confused. Did I mention that I wanted one? I don't know. Maybe I did at some point.

Anyway, I did use it. Our clothes smell nice, but for the love, it was like getting dressed in cardboard. Sandpaper covered cardboard. I know we used to hang out clothes all the time growing up, so what did our parents and grandparents do about that?

Discipline may work after all!

Ug. Yesterday was a terrible day of punishment around here. I know! So hard to believe. My dear sweet, kind little girl.

The little girl who is almost brought to tears when someone calls her babies "dolls" because that infers that they are not real. And her babies are very much real to her. She spent some of her lemonade stand profits buying real diapers and real wipes for them so she could be a real mommy.

The little girl who thought to grab her cousin's blankie when we were running to safety during the tornado because she knew if there was serious damage he would need it for comfort.

But it was a tough day and Dad knew it had to be, in the wise words of Barney, nipped in the bud.

So the babies had to be taken away for a time.

You have never heard such pitiful crying. Heart wrenching.

As sure as I am that she has to be taught that her sin affects not only her, but others as well, and that sin has to be dealt with immediately, as sure as I am of that, I am also sure that we have dealt too harshly and she is sure to need therapy. I am sure that we have stunted her ability to reason and we have no doubt begun a vicious cycle that she will surely need to be medicated for.

Oh the perils of parenthood. The guilt! The torment!

Won't it be great when grandchildren come around and we won't have these torturous thoughts?

"Was that a proper disciplinary action?" Who knows? No one will say that about their grandkids- just give 'em a cookie. Aunt Mama Hen and I discussed this subject last weekend and I'm thinking I should go ahead and set up a paypal account so you all can begin donating to her therapy fund.


But, thankfully, God sent me some encouragement this morning. He is so Good.


We must labor to do good to our children even from their earliest years. If Satan begins so early to do them harm, we must not be behind him in diligence to lead them to God. How soon in life a child becomes responsible and accountable, is a difficult question to solve. Perhaps far sooner than many of us suppose. One thing, at all events, is very clear–it is never too soon to strive and pray for the salvation of the souls of children–never too soon to speak to them as moral beings, and tell them of God, Christ, right and wrong. The devil, we may be quite sure, loses no time in endeavoring to influence the minds of young people. He begins with them even from childhood. Let us work hard to counteract him.

-J.C.Ryle

Someone commented this - "...In the absence of God’s truth, the human soul will cling to Satan’s lies in its hunger for love, value and security."






Oh and by the way, today is my birthday. Yes I am telling you that so that you can all tell me how happy you are that I was born and all the other numerous wonderful things about me...looks like it may be a low comment day.

Deodorant, shampoo, detergent- all things clean and fresh.

A couple of people have asked me recently about the laundry detergent, so I'm going to give an update. Or at least try anyway. I have had two occasions this week to use post hole diggers and I promise you, I was not cut out for such madness. My arms are like noodles. I was meant for dainty tea and cake type things, I'm absolutely sure of it.


So anyhoos - I do still use it and I still like it. I use the recipe I posted here. If I have some particularly stinky towels or some things I want to try to keep really white I toss in some extra Borax. Or Super Washing Soda, whichever is near.


I use vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser and I also squeeze a few drops of Eucalyptus oil in the vinegar for towels and linens. I'm sure you could do that with any scent in all your loads if you want.


As far as measuring, I don't. We kept an old store bought detergent container and I just use the top and pour however much I think I may need. Now we have very, VERY hard water, so if you don't, take that into consideration.





Now, here is Heidi's recipe for shampoo:

3 oz Liquid Castille Soap (she sent me Dr. Bronner's)
1 1/2 cups chamomille lavender tea*
1 1/2 Tablespoon glycerin

*Steep 4 teabags. I used 2 cups water to steep and drank the 1/2 cup leftover!

Cool and mix in bottle. Take a brush in the shower with you and brush it through your hair. She says this is very important.

Here are some of her tips and a link for conditioner and she touts her love of glycerin here.


I think my hair is oily. It is thick, but fine, oily and wavy/curly (read: wild). I tried the baking soda mix, but could not make it through the adjustment period. I can see how that one could be great for some people, my hair was fuller and somewhat more tame, but I just didn't have the will to make it through that adjustment.


The first time I used Heidi's concoction, I was coming off of a "volumizing" store shampoo. I guess volumizing is code for very drying. My head itched like everything. I had not washed it for several days just trying to get it back to somewhat normal.


Her recipe felt wonderful! It felt soooo good in the shower. Like medicine for my scalp. I washed it again a few days later and it felt a little on the oily side. Kind of like a coated feeling. So the next night (last night) I took my vinegar/water spray bottle in the shower and sprayed my hair. I didn't shampoo, just vinegar and this morning it feels great.


It feels clean, smells nice, isn't oily at all, and looks good. This recipe gets all lathery and smells good and those are a plus for me. It seems like to me that everyone has to work a little bit with whatever they do to figure out what works. We have trained our hair for a long time to be completely stripped of natural oils and be replaced with fake ones. You don't just fix that with one use.


Oh, also, I haven't had any glycerin, but that is on my list for this week.


Now for deodorant I started out with what seems to be a pretty popular recipe:

5-6 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
1/4 cup Baking Soda
1/4 cup Cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)

Combine dry ingredients, then work in coconut oil. I worked it in just like I do when I make biscuits, use a fork and mash, mash, mash.

NOW! Our pits broke out in a rash (only the left side, what is with that??!) after using this. So I added more oil and cornstarch which straightened it out. I guess the abrasiveness of the baking soda was just too much.

This has worked so well for us. We have found we don't even need to use it every day, of course that may change when the dog days of summer truly arrive!

But, what we found was that, truly, NO store bought antiperspirant worked for us. We would sweat anyway and have more of a smelly-goat-in-a-flower-field aroma. You know, B.O.+perfume. Blech. Not good.

This recipe is NOT an antiperspirant. We still sweat, same as we did before, but now there is absolutely NO smell. NONE at all.

I keep mine in a little glass storage container. I just stick my finger in it and rub it in. It doesn't take much at all, too much may even be abrasive like I talked about above. I can't imagine how long it is going to last!

So there is my super long inside view of our personal hygiene. Pretty exciting, huh?















I'll keep you updated on how it goes.

I've got the power.

We have power! An exciting day here on our road! Although my daughter is a little disappointed. She enjoyed cooking on the camping stove and the slow pace of sitting outside in a communal gathering place connecting with neighbors in the evening. I have to say, that was a bright spot.





We found out that the tornado that came through our road was an EF-3.





My poor husband is still working twelve hour shifts, or more every day. On top of making sure we are cared for and have everything we need. He is so good.





Well, let me tell you about another bright spot! The day after the tornado, my sweet mail lady brought me a box. Listen, you should periodically leave treats in your mailbox for your postal worker. It is so nice.





So anyways - She brought me a box. Well it was from Heidi! It was all the makings for her homemade shampoo! And girls, she not only sent me the ingredients, she sent a bottle to put it in and a funnel to get it in there. She thought of it all! So sweet!





Now let me tell you the best thing. When I got online after our tornado, the first email I got was from her letting me know she heard what was going on and was praying for us. Is that God in action or what? She also said this -



"Between the hurricanes and tornado's you guys have to slog through, I think I'd be packing up and moving out of there! I hear California doesn't have either storms, and where we're at, at least, the earthquakes are more like foot massages . . . ;) "









Very tempting, Heidi. Very tempting.














I am going to post more about her shampoo recipe later. Right now, though, I'm going to go do laundry...I've never been more excited about laundry before in my life!!