Let Go of the Fret

Never watch the news before breakfast.

It ruins your appetite and will give you a knot in your stomach the size of a cantaloupe.  For me, it gets me fretting and worrying about where this world is headed, what kind of future my kids will have 20 years from now and how much longer can we survive as a country as we know it.  

And that's just a start.

So before I've even had my cup of tea and my brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal, my day is in turmoil and I am feeling a great amount of distress.  Thankfully, today l made time for my 'daily bread' and it soothed my sour stomach like nothing else could.  Here is what it served today:

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes. (Psalm 37:7)

Feeling a little better but there was more:

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging...Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress....Be still, and know that I am God.  (Psalm 46 2-3, 6-7,10)

I can hear Him this morning "Be still...do not fret...do not fear...the Lord Almighty is with you...be still."  His words, soothing me, comforting me, calming me...

A couple of years ago a friend shared a word study she had done on Psalm 46:10.  She said that in the original language the words 'be still' meant 'let go'.  I'll say that again:  the words 'be still' mean 'LET GO'.  As in let go of the fear, let go of the worries, let go of the doubts, just let go....

How many things do I hang on to and think about over and over until I am all worked up?  How many times have I laid in bed at night stressing out about some issue that in the end, really wasn't that important after all? How many times have I obsessed about a circumstance until it took over my day, my attitude...my hope?

I needed to be reminded this morning that I am not in control. 

And my fretting and worrying will not change one thing.  

(Except to give me a sour stomach and a bad attitude.  What a great way to start the day, huh?)

I needed to be reminded that though "the mountains may fall, the waters roar and foam and the nations are in an uproar," I can (and should)

Be. Still.

Let. It. Go.

And know that He is in control. 

Ahhh...So. Much. Better.  

(Anyone up for some breakfast?)

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What things do you need to let go of today?

I had something totally different planned for my Weekly Wonder but then I came across something that totally got my attention.  I mean, I literally stopped what I was doing and said outloud, "Wow."

It all started when I purchased these canning jars at my local Walmart.

 

Oh, you're impressed.  I can tell.

Serously.  Hang in there. It gets better...I promise.

My Little Treasures

I went to a craft show with some friends a couple of months ago.  I wasn't convinced I would find anything I had to bring home with me but I was definitely excited to just get out with 'the girls'.

So off we went. 

There was SO much to look at but nothing really impressed me until I came across some rocks.

Yes, I was impressed by rocks.  

In fact, I fell in LOVE with these rocks.  

They were everything I had ever dreamed of and everything I could ever want.  

They captured my heart the moment I laid eyes on them and would not let go.

They expressed a part of me that I just cannot hide. 

In fact, I think they represent the BEST parts of me in every way.

I. Had. To. Have. Them.

So what is so special about some ordinary old rocks?

Let me show you.

See?  I told you.  Aren't they beautiful?

Simply. Precious.

And everything that really, really matters...

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  (Matthew 6:21)

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Your turn: What little things in your daily life remind you of your true treasures?

My Weekly Wonder: Military Corners and Yes, Maam's

If you haven't subscribe to my new and improved blog, Randerings, please do so soon.
I will discontinue posting to RTofaSTG at the end of September.  Thanks!

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Today my 'Weekly Wonder' is this:

What is so 'wonder-ful' about a bed, you ask?

Please look again.  Closer...closer... 

Please note the bed is made.  Neatly.  The quilt, hand made with love, is straight and even.

This bed was made by my son.  Without being told.  Before lunch.

Are you in as much awe and wonder as I am?

New Day, New Blog Address

Well, I did it.  I went and changed my blog address.

For you that have been following me, can you do me a favor?  (Its not too tough, I promise.)

1. Would you go to my NEW blog, Randerings, and subscribe to email updates.
2. Once you have done that, please email me or leave a comment on my last Randerings post and let me know that you have subscribed.
3. Finally, check out the 'About Me' section on the new blog.  Yes, my blog actually has two pages now. (Are you impressed?)  Just click on the 'About Me' tab on the top left of the page. (This would be a good place to leave your subscription comment, too.)

Thanks for taking time to read what I write.  I really means a lot!  And if you read something you like, please leave a comment on my blog.  Positive feedback is always good!   I would also love it if you would share my blog, too, with any one you think may be interested.

Thanks, again - have a great weekend!

Dawn

My Weekly Wonder: Bubblin' Bubblin Pies

I baked two beautiful rhubarb pies today.  Now, the fact that I baked two pies is not my 'Weekly Wonder'.  

In fact, I am a pretty good baker which is the better end of the meal to be good at anyhow.  

I mean if your main dish is 'bleh' you can always make up for with a good dessert, right?

Anywhoo, on top of two rhubarb pies, 

I also baked some Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies and a Peaches n Cream Cheesecake this week.

 

Mhmmm, yummy.  Taking them over to a friends house tonight for a fish fry.  

Well, except for the Peaches n Cream Cheesecake.  

What you are seeing there is the last piece and I ate that this afternoon before the kids came home from school.  

(Yeah, sneaky, I know.)

What made me sit back in wonder was what happened after I took my pies out of the oven and set them out to cool. 

They just kept bubbling away - popping and sizzling. 

The combination of the sights and sounds made me giggle like a little kid. 

It looked and sounded something like this:

(Watch on full screen for best enjoyment factor.)

Isn't that just the coolest?!?  Lo-ve it!  It's like Rhubarb Lava Pie.  (tee-hee)

Have a great Labor Day weekend!  

Hope YOU find something to wonder at.

Don't Buy Stuff

I am borrowing this post from Laura over at Heavenly Homemakers.  It is short, to the point and made me giggle.

Don’t Buy Stuff

By Laura · Sep,02 2010

That’s it.  My title is my post.  Don’t buy stuff…that’s all I have to say.

When asked what my favorite frugal tip is…Don’t Buy Stuff is the best thing I can come up with.

When you buy stuff, you have to pay for it with money.  And then you have to find a place to put it once you bring it home.  And it won’t stay where you put it because someone will get it out and not put it away.  And then it will get lost.  Or broken.  Or forgotten.

Buy food.  You need to eat.

Splurge on toilet paper.  It’s very useful.

Invest in soap…using soap is good.

But don’t buy stuff.

You’ll save a lot of money.

And…if you didn’t really need it in the first place, you won’t even miss it.  ;)


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Well said, Laura!  As I am purging 'stuff' from my basement and closets today - it was just the motivation I needed!

My Monk Moment and I Think My Therapist Is Out To Kill Me

A couple of weeks ago I finally took the plunge and made an appointment to get some therapy for my lower back which has been aggravating me 'something awful' for quite some time now.  Things have been going really well. I'm learning different stretches/exercises to 'loosen that which is bound' and 'strenghthen that which is weak'. 

(Sounds like the beginning of a sermon but no worries...) 

I really liked my therapist, too.  Until today, when he tried to kill me.

Oh-ho, you laugh do you? 

I. Am. Serious. 

That man who I thought was so kind and helpful has a sadistic streak I never saw coming.

It all started with a new exercise called the 'plank'.  The idea is to lean over a counter and use your stomach muscles to support your lower back. Here is my therapist's very artistic sketch of the 'plank'.

I had been doing this for a few days at home with good success.  And then today, Tony (oh, yes, he does have a name) casually informed me that I was going to 'switch it up a bit'. 

(Warning:  When anyone casually says you are going to 'switch it up a bit' - run for your life.)

And that was when he introduced me to the 'ball' and explained to me how I was going to do the 'plank' on this wiggly, rubbery, slippery ball for 30 seconds.  

Uh...ok.  Sure, Tony. 

But before Tony could do me in, there was a problem.

I approached the ball and attempted to get into 'proper position'.  

I put my arms out and tilted to the left.  I tiltled to the right.

I could not do it.

I hesitated.  I cleared my throat.  I blushed. I croaked...

"Uh, Tony...the ball is...uh,...crooked."

Tony looked at me like I'd. Lost. My. Mind.

I couldn't believe it.  I was having a 'Monk moment'.  In public.  In front of my therapist!

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OK - pause the story. WHAT is a 'Monk moment', you ask?  A little explanation. 

"Monk" is a character on a show called...well, "Monk".  Here's a description:

"Adrian Monk is a brilliant detective for the San Francisco Police Department despite retaining limitations rooted in his obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Monk's compulsive habits are numerous, and a number of phobias compound his situation, such as his fear of germs and cups. Monk has 312 fears, some of which are milk, ladybugs, harmonicas, heights, imperfection and risk. The OCD and plethora of phobias inevitably lead to very awkward situations and cause problems for Monk and anyone around him, as he investigates cases. These same personal struggles, particularly the OCD, are what aid him in solving cases such as his sharp memory, specific mindset and attention to detail."

OK.  Got it?  Good.  Back to the story. 

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Now where was I...

Oh, yeah, Tony thought I had lost my mind. 

You see, the stripes on the ball were crooked.  How could I lean straight on a ball with crooked lines.

I just could not do it!

Here is what I mean.

The ball with crooked lines.

The ball with straight lines.

This was So. Much. Better.  

Tony held the ball straight.  "You can do this!" he encouraged me.

I lined myself up with the straight lines on the ball, lifted knees up off the ground and promptly flipped over onto the floor. Tony tried not to smile.  I tried not to say mean things.

"No problem," Tony says, "let's try it again!"

I lined myself up...again.  Elbows straight.  Head down.  Stomach muscles tight.

1...2...3...holding...holding...holding but shaking like a fall leaf in a 40 mile an hour wind.  My stomach muscles are cramping, I am sweating like an obese plumber and my head is about to explode.  I can no longer breathe and my heart is ready to force its way out of my heaving chest.

5 seconds...7 seconds...15 seconds!  Tony says that blessed word "Stop."

He lets go of the ball and I flop over onto the floor like a water soaked rag doll. 

Tony says, "Take a break and then you'll do it again."

I struggled to my knees and yelled (yes, I yelled), "Se-ri-ous-ly?!?" and gave him a look of death that only my husband could appreciate.  He then wisely decided that maybe "'we could move on to something else."

I heard a therapist in an adjoining room laughing.  Thinking she was laughing at me, I turned to share 'the look' with her.  She giggled some more and said, "I love it when the clients tell off the therapists."  My glare melted and I laughed all the way from the bottom of my cramping belly.

And that is how my therapists almost killed me.

Now about the 'Monk moment'.  I confess it's not my only Monk 'issue'.  Here are some of my other ones: 

• I hate crooked pictures or towels.
• My food Must. Not. Touch.
• I turn my plate as I eat and eat clock wise - ONE food at a time.  Usually my veggies first.

(My cousins found this highly entertaining growing up.  I'd often hear, "Hey, let's watch Dawn eat!" at the dinner table.)

• The toilet paper must go OVER.  This is not up for discussion, so don't even start.
• Just like Monk,  I always try to have an even number of something.  Why have 9 of something, when you can have 10?
• I ALWAYS have to wash jeans last when I do laundry.  It is the rule.  Don't ask me to explain.  Don't blame me if you screw up my system and have to suffer the consequences.  Including possibly watching me wash the jeans again...last.  Like they are supposed to be.

Ok..that's enough for now.

Am I concerned about this?  No.  Because I know we all have our 'Monk moments'.  

It's what make us unique and keeps us humble.  

And it gives us something to laugh about.  

And our family something to harass us about. 

It's all good.  Honest. :)  Anywhoo...

Now its your turn.  I would lo-ove to hear what some of your Monk moments or issues are!

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One last funny 'Monk Moment':  Isaac got his locker assignment the other day at the middle school.  He was so excited when he found out his locker number was...100!  Ta-da!  Monk would've been so proud :)

PS - thanks Mom, for getting us addicted to this show. We are just finishing up the last and final season on Netflix.

 

Good Chocolate Deserves to Be Devoured

I have a new favorite chocolate, thanks to my very sweet friend, Brooke. 

(Sweet - get it? 'Sweet'...yeah, I crack myself up.)

She showed up at my door Friday with a bag of these to share.  Good host that I am I totally spaced it out and did not remember to open the bag until she was about ready to leave.  

(Yeah, maybe that's why I don't have more friends come over, eh? 
That and my fantastic sense of humor.)

ANYHOW....

We cracked the bag open Saturday morning as motivation to continue our clean up efforts in our basement dungeon cave play room. 

The chocolates that she brought were Hershey's Chocolate Kiss Meltaways. And they do literally, melt-a-way in your mouth.

They say a picture is worth a thousands words, so...

Looks like chocolate...

Tastes like chocolate...

What's left of Mom's chocolate.

Oh, yeah.  It was SO worth it.

(Oh, and Brooke.  Next time I promise to share :)

Deslobification...

'Deslobification' (de-slob-i-fi-ca-tion) is one of my new favorite words.  Add it to 'fantabulous', 'Monkish' (I'll explain this one in another post), 'gigantinormous', 'chillishcious' and 'uff-da'.

I came across 'deslobification' at one of my new favorite blogs: A Slob Comes Clean  by "Nony the Slob".  I lo-ove it!  She talks about her daily journey to rehabilitate her slob-by tendencies.  

She's funny, she's real, ...she's a lot like me. 

(OK, AFTER posting this and AFTER re-reading this, I realized how that sounded.  I meant the 'messy' part.  I'll let you judge the 'real' and 'funny' part.)

I am not a natural slob, though.  Clutter is chaos to me and totally, TOTALLY stresses me out.  My high school friends will tell you what a neat freak I was in high school.  Jane will tell you how I used to come over and immediately straighten their bathroom towels.  Robin will tell you that when she stayed over night I had to clean my room before I went to bed - even if it wasn't messy. And I organized my socks - color coded them, in fact (ok, I still do that.)

But then I grew up and acquired a husband, a dog and three kids. 

And we all live in a small (did I mention small), little house.  

(NOT my house. Photo is for demonstration purposes only. But it does vaguely remind me of our basement.)

 

Now, 20 years later,  I am an overwhelmed, perfectionistic slob.  

Meaning, if I can't do it ALL, clean it ALL - everything, everywhere, ALL at ONE TIME and do it PERFECTLY...I become overwhelmed and then just sit down and don't do anything at all. 

Whew...and uff-da.

But after a husband, a dog, and three kids, I am learning.  Slowly...

One of my favorite phrases comes from the "FlyLady" - she addresses the perfectionism syndrome by saying

"Just remember, it's cleaner than it was before."

Cleaner than it was before!  I have come to love, love, love those words!!! 

There is FREE-DOM in those words.

Those words mean I don't have to get out the bleach and the 10 gallon pail, wash down all the walls, wash all the curtains, purge and sort through every closet and drawer, and hide every toy...just because I know the mailman is coming to the door with a package. 

  Those words mean that if I took twenty seconds to pick up a pair of shoes, wipe off a counter, throw a load of clothes in the dryer...I have made a positive difference in my home. And I can be OK with that.

Whew...deep breath...sigh of relief. 

Yeah, I think you get the idea.

Busy, Busy, Busy & Mhmmm Good

OK - so Keith and I never got the HUGE garden planted this spring that we envisioned all winter.  

We got some peas planted (which have all been eaten already. Yum-Yum!)

I was really hoping for a bounty of tomatoes this year - which would have meant salsa (America's favorite condiment 'cuz everyone likes to say "SALSA!"). 

However, I procrastinated and didn't get any planted.  

Well, technically I planted 4 plants in some of those fancy space saving planters you see on TV.  MIne aren't 'Topsy-Turvy's' but 'Upsy-Downy's' (honestly, that's what they are called.)  

After 3 months of neglect and starvation by me - this was my reward. 

 

I was actually excited about this - otherwise, would I have taken the time to snap a picture?  Think not. 

We also got some cucumbers planted - which means pickles!  That is the one thing the boys really wanted us to get done this year.  So far I've only canned about 8 pints along with 2 pints of beets I purchased from our local farmer's market.  (Since I am the only one in my house that likes beets these will probably last me all winter.)  Tomorrow we should have enough cucumbers ready to do some more.  

These 10 jars of pickles/beets really make me puff my chest out in pride (Yeah, yeah - I know...Pride is bad.)  But for years I avoided canning like the plague - mostly because I doubted my skills and was afraid if I fed anyone something I had canned they would GET the plague.  But I've canned about 3 years now and no one has had so much as a stomach cramp.  I'm impressed...aren't you?

We also got a bunch of corn from the Cub Scouts/Kinship - beautiful corn at only $3/dz!  Couldn't pass it up.  We blanched and froze that corn plus some Keith got from a field at work (he works for an agronomy center) - enough for about 25 quart size bags. 

This will taste SO good in the middle of January when we are fantasizing about next summer's garden.  

That garden probably won't get planted either - but that's why its called a fantasy...uff-da.

John Jr and other tragedies...

OK, gluttons for punishment that we are, we made a Wal-mart run last night after the Redhawks game to buy a new fish. After a little 'guidance' from Mom and Dad, Colin decided on a fat Fantail Goldfish.

So without further ado, please meet John Jr. (and no, I'm not kidding about the name.)

We have had him for almost 36 hours now and he seems to be doing just swimmingly. (Yeah, I know that was a bad one.)

I am still a little nervous about letting Colin move him up to his room. My concern is if he wakes up in the morning to see John Jr. doing the dead man's float, it may traumatize him for life.

Needless to say, each night when we say our prayers, at least for a while, John Jr. will be at the top of the list.

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OK - I think blogging about fish is bad luck.  I had no sooner finished this post than the boys came running out of the house (I was out on the front deck) shouting "Mom, Colin's fish is DEAD!"  Sure enough, there was JJ floating in his bowl.  
Ugh...we are so done with fish.  

I commented to the boys that I "didn't think fish were our thing."  
Of course, with a big smile Colin immediately responded with "I think we should just go ahead and get that cat."

I just don't know.  I'm thinking maybe a hamster or gerbil.  
Or maybe a turtle - after all the money we've invested in a tank, etc I'd like to get more than 36 hours of use out of it.  

Thoughts anyone? At this point, I sure am open to suggestions...uff-da!

John's a good name for a fish, don't you think, Mom?

Since Chris left for the Marines and Isaac moved into a different bedroom, we have had a few struggles with Colin - to say the least.  The other night he had another tearful meltdown and confessed he doesn't like being in his new room 'all by himself'... and that he's lonely... and if he had a cat that would make things ALL better. Well, even though he really wants a cat, we are not sure the dog is ready for one.

So after some hugs and compromising, we agreed to take the plunge and invest in a fish - with the idea that, if he takes good care of it, we'll talk about a cat next summer.

I just pray this fish lives until then or we'll have another situation to deal with!

Oh, and yes, Colin named the fish all by himself.

 

"John" the fish.

Ever feel like you're living life in a fishbowl...?

AJ thinks something smells a little fishy...

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"Mom, I really loved that fish..."

Update:  Not too long after I posted this we noticed something a little, well, fishy, about our new fish.  He seemed to be taking an uncomfortable looking nap along the bottom of his bowl.  A slight poking and stirring of the water confirmed our fears that, yes, John was dead...already.  At this point we are listing the cause of death as a result of Mom's driving and the very inconvenient road construction detour on Highway 210. (Long story but here's a hint: If the sign says 'Minimum Maintenance Road' what it really means is "Danger! Do Not Enter! Run The Other Way!"  Enough said.)


We made another run to the store for some more supplies and to have a chat with the 'fish man'.  He was very helpful and after making some preparations at home tonight, we will be trying another fish tomorrow.


Of course, this whole experience was not without some sorrow.  Colin tearfully informed us that in the short time he knew "John" he truly grew to love him.  We buried him in the back flower garden.  Colin lovingly placed a flower on his grave so "we wouldn't forget where we put him" and we said a short prayer. (Something like "Thank you, God, for John.  He was a great fish - while we knew him.")


Could be a long winter.  I am thinking maybe we should just go get that cat.

He was a great fish...

Reason 1,001...

After picking and selling corn for 3 1/2 hours this afternoon, I dropped the boys off at VBS and headed home to put up my feet and cool off.

I walked into my messy "still-have-not-had-time-to-unpack-from-vacation" kitchen and what to my weary eyes did appear but this:

Flowers - for me! Not from my husband or one of my 3 boys but from my oldest son's girlfriend, Karli. 

Now you know the 1,001th reason I love her so much. (And yes, that beautiful girl in the picture is her.) She has been such a blessing to me and my family and I sure will miss her when she heads off to college in the fall.

Plus, while she is gone who is going to come over and help balance out the testosterone levels at our home? Oh, dear...

Someday You'll Think This is Funny...

Due to the recent rains my husband, Keith, has not been in the fields. Last Friday he came home at noon and announced he was going to finally install the laminate flooring we bought for our kitchen/living room a year and a half ago (The intent was to get it in done in time for our first born's graduation.  When that didn't happen, we lost all motivation.)

The project was going along fairly smooth...until Tuesday night.  We were up until 11:30 trying to get a section done and realized that we were not going to have enough underlayment to finish.  Since Keith would be too busy in the fields to work on the floor once the rain stopped, we knew we had to get the floor done in the next couple of days. No problem, we thought, I'll just get some more underlayment tomorrow.  At worst, I'd need to run the 25 miles to Fergus Falls to pick  some up.

No problem, we thought...

So Tuesday after work I started making calls.  After a couple of dead ends, I called one of the local carpet stores and the guy asked if I needed the 'blue stuff'.  I said "Yes" and he told me it was no problem, just come over and he would get me what I needed. I rushed over there giddy with relief and excitement.  They took the roll off the shelf and were just about to start cutting when I yelled at them to stop.  Their 'blue stuff' was not the same as our 'blue stuff'.  Ours was a thicker recycled (gotta be green, you know) felt with a blue moisture barrier on top.  Theirs was a very thin foam type stuff.  I ran out to the van and grabbed a small remnant of our stuff (why I didn't bring this into the store right away, I have no idea) and showed it to them.  They said they did not carry this - and no one else in town did either.

Half hour wasted but I was not discouraged.  I ran home, grabbed the 3rd born son (middle son loves to stay home by himself and read: in peace and quiet!) and headed off to Fergus.  In an hour, I'd be back just in time for Keith to get home from work and we could start back up where we left off.

First stop, Home Depot.  I knew right where I was going and charged back to the flooring department dragging #3 behind me.  After a frantic search, all I could find was plastic sheeting and some weird red and white stuff that looked like it was made from shredded packing peanuts.  I hunted down an employee and showed him my sample.  To my frustration, he confirmed they did not carry anything like that and started to give me directions to several other local flooring stores.  After recognizing what was my deer-in-the-headlights look, he very graciously pulled out the phone book and started calling other local flooring businesses.  My optimism drained with each phone call. No luck - NOBODY carried this kind of underlayment.  He apologized and suggested I try Fleet Farm.

Recognizing what was my deer-in-the-headlights look...

So off to Fleet Farm we went.   Once again, I and #3 (who was at this point really regretting he had agreed to come on this 'quick' trip with me) trucked to the back of the store (why is all the flooring in the BACK of the store?) They did not have our rare blue stuff either but they did have a thicker yellow foam that was very close in thickness and density.  By now I was desperate.  I said good enough and grabbed a roll.  #3 who is very wise for his age, told me we better get 2 "just in case."  I agreed. We headed to the front of the store, stopping off in the camping section to grab a mess kit for son #2's upcoming Boy Scout trip, paid for our stuff and loaded up into the van for the 1/2 hour trip home.

Half way home, favorite son #2 called me on my cell to tell me he had heard a boom/crash sound in the basement and the dog was down there barking at 'it'.  Freaked out, he said there was no way he was going down there to check it out.  I assured him it was fine and I would figure it out when I (finally) got home.

2 hours later I was home with my 2 precious rolls of yellow stuff.  I hauled it in the house, trying to ignore the headache that was creeping up the back of my head.  After a few minutes of listening to me relate every frustrating moment of my trip, precious son #2 reminded me about the creepy situation in the basement.  We flipped on the basement lights and eased our way down the steps.  We slowly checked every nook and cranny until we got to the far back corner.  Nothing...everything seemed to be fine.

I was appreciating the big open, empty spot where our laminate flooring had been stored for the last year and a half when I noticed a roll of carpeting stuck in the back corner.  Curious as to how much might be on the roll, I peeked in the end of it to see how much was there. I was surprised to see what looked to be a plastic bag.  I gave the bag a tug and what did I pull out?  Nothing other than a full roll of our rare and unique blue recycled felt underlayment.

I let out a huge "Ergggghh!" and was about to start throwing a mini temper tantrum when I looked over to see son #2 laughing so hard he was leaning against the dryer to hold himself up.  I told him it was NOT funny. He just laughed harder, his dimples showing up and making the grin on his face too cute to ignore.   This mommy heart gave in and released a little chuckle.

It took a couple more hours for my annoyance to complete dissipate but I eventually got over it...mostly...I still have 2 rolls of yellow foam to return to Fleet Farm.

We never did find out what made the noise down in the basement.  I'm just going to accept that it was God helping us to find that which was lost.  It shouldn't surprise us.  He's kind of in the 'finding that which is lost' business, after all.  And it wasn't a completely wasted trip.  Son #2  got his mess kit which he spent the rest of the night taking apart and reassembling.  At least I won't have to return that...unless I find out I bought the wrong kind.  Oh, brother...

PS: I'll post pictures of the finished floor when it is DONE!

Warning: Brag Alert!

OK - I warned that on occasion I may use this space for nothing other than to brag about my kids.

Well, this is one of those occasions.

I would proudly like to announce that my favorite first born son is now a Lance Corporal in the United States Marines. He received his promotion on Monday and we are so excited for him.

Ooh-Rah, Semper Fi and Way to Go!  

We love you, Christopher!

Lance Corporal Christopher M Samuels

Going the Distance: A Little Inspiration

For a little added inspiration following yesterdays post, read this from the Fargo Forum in Fargo, ND.  Truly inspirational...

Going the distance: Wheelchair team sets goal for Fargo Marathon

Rory Eidsness and Rollie Johnson will tackle the Fargo Marathon as a two-man team with a silent partner.

Eidsness, a former Fargo fire captain who suffered a stroke four years ago and has very limited movement, will ride in a customized racing wheelchair while Johnson pushes.

The two 50-year-olds completed the half marathon two years ago after Johnson came up with the idea as a way to challenge himself physically and give Eidsness a chance to get out.

“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him in terms of what I can do and what he’s not able to do,” said Johnson, director of contemporary ministries at Fargo’s First Lutheran Church.

This year, they decided to attempt the full 26.2 miles but first enlisted the help of North Dakota State College of Science welding students to design a wheelchair that would fit their needs.

And this isn’t any ordinary wheelchair.

The three-wheeler is designed to look like a dragster car and is customized just for them.  The car is aluminum with carbon fiber wheels and weighs less than 50 pounds. It has hand brakes for going downhill and is insulated to keep Eidsness warm. The hood detaches so Eidsness can be lifted inside, where he fits snugly in foam and padding.

Eidsness primarily communicates by nodding or looking up with his eyes. A mirror will be mounted on the windshield so Johnson can communicate with Eidsness without stopping.

“They really nailed the design,” Johnson said. “It is really a smooth-pushing machine.”

Welding instructor Lee Larson and his students at the lab in the Skills & Training Technology Center didn’t forget the cool factor.

In recognition of Eidsness’ 19 years with the Fargo Fire Department, the wheelchair is painted fire-engine red and will feature his badge No. 344, flame decals and his helmet mounted on the front.

On Thursday, as Eidsness was trying out the car in the NDSCS Fargo welding lab, Johnson asked, “Whoa, doesn’t that look cool?” and Eidsness nodded and looked up with his eyes to signal yes.

Eidsness suffered a stroke while training with Johnson and other members of a church group to climb Devils Tower in Wyoming.

Kari Eidsness said it means a lot to her husband to participate in the marathon.

“He used to be so active, and it allows him to get out and be part of things that he’s not been able to be a part of,” she said.

Eidsness is in physical therapy to work on his core strength with the goal of being able to sit independently. He’s also in aqua therapy.  Johnson said Eidsness has a lot more neck and torso strength than he did two years ago.

“He’s just a walking testimony to courage,” Johnson said.

But Eidsness, who has a special computer that he controls with his eyes, said through an e-mail interview that his partner deserves the credit.

“I have the easy job with the marathon,” Eidsness said. “I just sit there. Rollie does all the work.”

Johnson is training to not only run his first marathon but run it while pushing his 230-pound friend.

He’s always been active, but Johnson wasn’t a runner before deciding to take on the half marathon in 2008.

Johnson has been doing practice runs with the new wheelchair, sometimes with Eidsness and sometimes with his children and some sandbags to add weight.

Johnson said his motivation is faith-based.  “I believe that when God gets involved, we’re able to do so much more than what we’re physically or emotionally capable of,” he said.  In 2008, the cheers and prayers from the crowd helped them finish the half marathon in two hours, 20 minutes.  “The effect of the crowd and the cheering and the stimulation of that, the adrenaline, was beyond anything I could have ever predicted,” Johnson said.

Eidsness said the highlight for him was running into the Fargodome and seeing their pictures on the big screen.

That year, they used a modified wheelchair, but not one that was custom built or had safety features.

They expect the full marathon may take them four to five hours.  Kari Eidsness will bike alongside them in case they need anything during the race.  “I need to get ready, too,” she said.

Johnson said he doesn’t know whether he’ll be able to run the whole 26.2 miles, but if he has to walk after mile 18 or 20, it won’t be the end of the world.

“I’m really confident that this is a vision born spiritually of God, and if he wants it to happen, it’ll happen,” Johnson said.

I can say 'Amen!' to that!! Talk about not letting a disaster getting you down.  Hope you were as inspired and encouraged as I was. - Dawn

Don't Put Down the Pansies

Last November I noticed the most amazing thing. Peeking out from underneath the blanket of snow that had begun to cover up my seemingly lifeless flower bed were little snips of purple and yellow. Looking closer, I found them to be the pansies that I had planted that past spring. I was confused. They were supposed to be brown and shriveled up like everything else in my garden. Didn’t they know it was NOVEMBER! What were they thinking? They were just going to get frost bite and then they would regret not laying down and dying like all the rest of the ‘smart’ flowers, I thought.

Well, soon enough another layer of snow fell and I forgot about those pansies...until about the last week of March. An early spring had melted away the snow in my front flower bed and the sun was shining. I walked out my front door on my way out to run some errands and what did I see? Those perky little pansies!

There they were, arriving ahead of the tulips, daffodils and even the snow crocuses. Now I have no idea if their blooms truly lasted all winter but they did not seem any worse for wear. I bent down and gave them a good inspection. Green leaves, healthy petals and not a trace of frostbite anywhere! “Well, good for them!” I thought.

Then someone whispered, “Don’t put down the pansies.” 

Now what is that supposed mean? Well, for once I stopped and asked “OK, Lord, what are you trying to tell me?” And this is the answer that I got:

Don’t put down those that seem weak or small or too young. I am enough. If I have called them to do something, I will give them what they need to do it. And that includes you – when you think you can’t possibly do something, that it will be too hard, that you are not big enough, strong enough, that you are bound to fail…remember that when you are weak, I am strong!

Wow, thank you, Lord! But He wasn’t done with me yet. The next morning, I read this:

“The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever.

In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.”

(Psalm 37:18-19)

And this…

“If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm;

though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”

(v.23-24)

When I saw those pansies back in November, peeking their heads out of the snow I scolded them – thinking they were in for trouble. That the inevitable North Dakota winter we were about to enter into certainly meant ‘disaster’ for those pansies. I mean, maybe if they were a hearty hosta or a mighty oak tree….but they were pitiful little pansies and everyone knows pansies are weak and fragile and just plain wimpy.

But maybe those pitiful little pansies were trusting in something greater than my doomsday weather forecast. I know they didn’t survive due to my extraordinary gardening skills (insert sound bite of family’s howling laughter.) Maybe they made it through because they were trusting in their creator, who promised he would ‘weather’ them through the impending disaster. Maybe, just maybe, they had the faith to know that if their little petals fell or their leaves started turning a little brown…he would be there to pick up their heads and bring them sunshine and rain to refresh and restore them. That even when the situation seemed unending and hopeless, he was there to hold them up and not let them wither away. Pretty powerful…for a pansy, huh?

And that’s what I learned from a pansy. That no matter how small or insignificant I may feel or someone else may appear, our God is BIG. Big enough to provide for us when we are struggling, big enough to hold us up when we don’t think we can stand any longer, big enough to weather us through whatever our next disaster may be - even when others may tell us its hopeless and that we should just give up and run for cover.  If God called you to it – he will bring you through it!

In the meantime, I’m keeping my eye on those pansies. Something tells me God’s not done with them yet and I’m thinking that with faith like that, the weeds better get out of their way (I think there’s a whole other lesson there :)

Stay tuned for a Tale of Two Tulips…

A Full Bookshelf

I love to read.  If you come to my house you’ll find books everywhere; in the living room, in our bedrooms, the den, the hall…the bathroom :) One of the biggest blessings in my life has been to see all 3 of my kids catch the reading bug – I love to see them get lost in a story. It is so wonderful to hear them beg “just one more chapter, Mom!”  We’ve got bookshelves full of everything from science fiction to Calvin Hobbes (best comic strip – ever!) to historical fiction to politics to…Well, you get the idea.  Books to me are informative, eye opening, life changing, magical, an escape…and so much more.  Once or twice a year I vow to clean out and purge those bookshelves but then struggle to part with even one of those precious books.

As much as I love to read, one of my dreams is to someday write my own book.  A long, long time ago I was taking writing classes and had even begun writing a children’s story but life got busy, I stopped my classes and never finished the book.  A couple years later, my oldest son asked me if I was going to finish the story.  When I asked him ‘Why?’, he answered, “Because I want you to.” Well,...

That was several years ago.  I’ve had a lot of ups and downs as far as writing has been concerned – in fact, I would probably say, mostly downs. I started this blog at the beginning 2009 with good intentions and high hopes but didn’t get very far and then let discouragement grab a hold of me.  But some things lately have reminded me that it is never too late and I am never too old.  If Grandma Moses could wait until the ripe old age of 83 to paint her first painting, then 40 certainly isn’t too old to write a story or a book or at least a blog post now and then.

So I am going to pick up my pen again (or this case, laptop) and give it another shot.  I am not sure what I am going to write about – it may just be a goofy thought now and then or sometimes it may be serious.  Sometimes I might just brag about my kids.  Other times, I may ask you to put your two cents in.

I am not even entirely sure WHY I am doing this.  It may just be for me.  Or maybe FINALLY, through this process, I am going to finish that story for my son ‘because he wants me to’.  Then I’ll be able to look that not so little boy in the eyes and tell him “Thanks” for believing in me – even when I didn’t believe in myself.  I also hope at times, what I write will encourage someone else, make a difference, change a life.  I know that is asking a lot but we’ll just see what happens with that I guess.

One last thought – or rather word - and actually its the word that started this whole topic churning around in my head today.  It comes from John 21:25…

“Jesus did many other things as well.  If everyone of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

Jesus has been good to me.  Unfortunately, there are too many times that I cannot see it.  I am too busy complaining about injustices like my messy house or having to wait in the drive thru for my Iced Coffee at McDonalds. Yeah, pitiful, I know.  But John 1:16 says “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.”    It reminds me of the hymn “The Love of God” …

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
  And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
  And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
  Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
  Though stretched from sky to sky.

I love the visual picture of writing my thanksgiving and praise on the sky for all to see!  Can you imagine what it would look like if we all did that!  Beyond cool!!

I may not be able to write on the sky but I can fill a journal or two… or write a bog post …or even update my Facebook status once in awhile with something that testifies to the goodness of God (rather than the latest shenanigans of my favorite 3rd born son.) If I took the time to really look around and notice all that God has done for me, I know that I would run out of paper and ink way before I would ever run out of blessings.

And then slowly, I could begin filling my bookshelves with volumes rejoicing in God’s goodness and faithfulness.  How long would it take to fill a book or a shelf or a even a whole bookcase?  Hmmm…good question. I don’t know the answer to that but I guess that way before I fill up that bookshelf I’ll have something even better…a full heart!