THE DEER STAND and a few dog impersonators

This is going to be Joe's new home for a few days this winter. For some reason he is excited about it. After seeing the finished product, I'm not sure why. It must be the fact that he can get away from the messy house and wild kids, find peace in the woods and forget about all of his responsibilities for a while. For a moment there it was sounding pretty good to me too, but I think I need more than a little bench in a tree. It took longer than I thought it would to put up. He had the bench already assembled when we went into the woods so all we had to do was put the ladder together and strap it to the tree. That was harder than I thought it would be too, we could have used another set of hands. The kids were great though, they entertained themselves and Levi took pics when I told him to. I had to document this for future blackmail. See the black arm in the background around the 2nd step down on the ladder? I am holding on to two strings that are keeping it next to the tree. (That was the hard part).
Just to show you how high up it really was. It was hard to get a good perspective.
The kids entertaining themselves.
Taking turns. Aren't I a good mom? It's not a rope, so why not let them put the cord around their necks?? (Just kidding, I did stress the fact that it could kill them and not to do it anymore).
They were ready to eat dinner and spend the night. The messy house with no crazy kids sounds better all the time. Ya'll have a good time.

EVENING WITH THE STARS

This was it! We look totally posed in the pic, but it is what it is. Thank you all so much for your advise on the dress. It felt sooo good, and I got a TON of compliments on it!

Of course, I can't tell you about the fundraiser without telling you the whole story.

It all started last Sunday. Once the weather turned cooler, we were itching to get out to the farm. Joe had a deer stand that he wanted to put up, so we thought we would go out there for a couple of hours. That turned into 9:00, which meant we had bust a move to get things done for the next day. Once a month I work extra and it just so happened it fell on this Monday. Long, but OK. I had also committed myself to work everyday last week. Which would have been OK too, but the weather had turned cold the weekend before and I was freaking out that I would be cold on the big night. I felt like I need to find an alternative to the outfit I had picked out. I know it sounds crazy, but my night would be ruined if I was cold, and I get cold EASY! So I took every opportunity to do a quick pass through the stores that I thought might have something different that I could work with between work and picking up kids. There was also a big meeting I had to attend for Elijah in the mix. And to top it all off I had volunteered to make beer cheese! Whew, that wore me out just saying it!!

Fast forward to Fri. (ha ha) Work, pick up younger kids (Joe has to get Elijah because he has a choral festival to attend). Get to school, Naomi has her hand over her eye, said that mulch had gotten in it. I look at it, she is crying, red, swollen the whole bit. Not to worry, we already had an appointment with the Doc for Levi's yearly check up. We go home, I flush it out, Naomi's crying holding her eye. By the time we get to the docs it feels better but looks terrible. He checks her out and confirms she is OK. Now off to help with the set up that started at 3 (better late than never), there was not a lot of people that showed up so I was glad we made it. The one's that did had their kids so Naomi was loving it. Levi got to stay for a little and then Joe picked him up to go to soccer. We were able to set up 50 tables and 200 chairs before we left. Do a few more things but had to be back the next morning for the real set up. Which worked OK because Elijah had to be back at the University early the next morn anyway.

Now to the big day. The weather forecast was HOT AND DRY. Perfect for the party as far as I was concerned but we still had to get through the day. Work till 1 setting up, race home, eat lunch, jump in the shower and get to the soccer game by 2. It last till 3, come home, freshen up, get concert clothes on, drop Naomi at a friends and head down to Elijah's concert. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL, I will post on that later. Pick up dinner for the boys, freshen up again and leave for the party! Did I mention about 1 I wanted to come home and lay on our tile floor like a dog after setting up? I was hot and tired. The shower really helped and I couldn't even think about slowing down then.

We got to the event and everything looked soooo good. All our hard work had payed off. There were 150 tickets sold, people everywhere, looking great smiling and having a great time. The food was awesome , we had beef tenderloin, smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail with some great sides. It felt so good to be a part of so much happiness. The silent auction went really well, we had some great things to bid on. The music was entertaining, and winning the football game put everyone in an even greater spirit. All in all, it was worth it.

I hope I didn't wear you out with the details, that's just my style (skip over the boring parts). I met and worked with some really great people. One's that I would like to get to know better, share in the friendship with our kids and branch out a little more. Our lives are always evolving, open to experience new adventures and be bless with the outcome.

Joe got a Muskie fishing trip out of the auction that he is really looking forward to. We don't know all the details but we are hoping to get to invite a few family members. We'll keep you posted on that one.

And last, it you want to check out the pics from the evening go to http://www.topsinlex.com/ and look under evening with the stars.

I NEED HELP, asap

I bought this dress at the beginning of summer and haven't touched it since, with the plan of wearing it to the big fundraiser party. Now that the party is here, I tried it on again but need some advice. The only problem is, the party is TOMORROW!!! So please let me know what you think, belt or no belt. If I don't wear the belt I will cut the belt loops off. That was my original plan but I took the pics to get a different perspective and now I JUST DON'T KNOW. Thanks for your help as time will be tight and I need an opinion other than Joe's>

TEEN'S PRAYER

I want to share the prayer that Elijah was given on the first night of confirmation meetings. I'm not sure who made it up, but it is very fitting.

Lord, help me to relax about insignificant details beginning tomorrow at 7:41:23 am MST

God, help me to consider people's feelings, even if most of them ARE hypersensitive.

Lord, help me finish every thing I start.

God, help me to take responsibility for my own actions, even though they're usually NOT my fault.

God, help me to not try and RUN everything. But, it You need some help, please feel free to ASK me!

Lord, help me to be more laid back, and help me do it EXACTLY right.

God, help me to take things more seriously, especially laughter, parties, and dancing.

God, give me patience, and I mean right NOW!

Lord, help me not be a perfectionist. (Did I spell that correctly?)

God, help me to keep my mind on one th--Look, a bird--ing at a time.

God, help me to do only what I can, and trust you for the rest. And would you mind putting that in writing?

Lord, keep me open to others' ideas, WRONG though they may be.

Lord, help me be less independent, but let me do it my way.

Lord, help me slow down andnotrushthroughwhatIdo.

Amen

FOLLOW UP TO TODAY, a week later

THE NUMBER SEVEN and the Bible.

The number seven = perfection, to explain;
the #4 represents the 4 elements which =earth
the #3 represents the trinity= the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit
You add 3+4=7, perfection

Christ spoke 7 last words before he died.

God made 7 days of the week.

There are 7 Sacraments.

There are 7 miracles in the Gospel of John.

There are 7 Virtues.

There are many references in the Bible to the #7, these are just a few. I hope to learn more in the following years as my children grow in their faith. Hopefully, I will be able to share some of it with you. I hope it was worth the wait.

A BELATED BIRTHDAY TO JOE'S BROTHER SAM

We love you! Hope you had a good one!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAX, some kids never grow up

Happy Birthday! Max is 16 today!!! I will never forget the day he was born. My sister let me come into the delivery room while he was being born! I always thought I wanted to have a baby but she made me promise that after seeing one born I wouldn't change my mind. Three kids later, I guess it didn't.

Max is an awesome kid who likes to have a good time. These are just a few of the pics I have of him. Most of them are not on my computer but these tell his story well. Enjoy. Two of a kind. Max's shirt says, Good. Fast. Cheap. Choose two. You can see what Elijah's says.
Funny boy showing us what he can do.
Apparently checking for size.
Elijah can't stand it!
These boys started out young!!!

NEW REVELATION

In today's newspaper there was an article about home buying. They clearly defined who was buying the homes by their generation. The article was interesting in the fact that it it broke down what was hot and what was not. I determined our house was in the middle, and since we only have 10 years left to pay on it, it is almost payed off! Here is what I learned.

HOT
In ground swim pools
Floor plans with open, flowing spaces
Bold colors
Granite counter tops
Wall-mounted flat-screen TVs
High-tech appliances
"Green" concepts such as high-efficiency water devices

NOT
Compartmentalized layouts
Dark paneling
Formica counter tops
Separate formal dining rooms
Large entertainment centers

So, I guess being in the middle isn't so bad when you have such a diverse generation living under one roof. According to the paper our household consist of, one baby boomer, one generation X, one generation Y, and I guess (yet to be named) two generation Z!


Since I skipped yesterday, I must get today's thought out.
GET IN BALANCE
I think that says it all. Joyce's thought is about love and God but I think we can apply this to so much more. From our inside to our outside, balance is the key. We need to find what keeps us in balance and make the point to keep that in check.

TODAY

First I would like to say Happy Birthday to Alika. I can't wait to meet you in person, I have heard so much good about you!

Next, I just watched a show on one amazing man; C. E. Babcock- a agriculture entrepreneur. He had so much to do with what we take for granted today. He came up with the idea to put tires on tractors, make the deep freeze, put labels on food, instrumental in the first food co-op stabilize the economy after the depression, and so much more. I will definitely do a little more research on him!

Last, the thought for the day. I have been reading a daily calendar from Joyce Meyer that is based on the bible. I think she has some great points and if I write them down, they stick in my brain a little better. So today's is, BE SLOW TO SPEAK-use words that speak healing to others.

Oh, I have to get this out too. Even though I don't think I will forget, at least not this time. I'm sure I have heard it before but it was drove home last night at Elijah's confirmation meeting. The #7 and the bible. FASCINATING!!! Let me know if you have heard about it before, and what you know. Then I will see if I can remember all the facts that she told us last night.

INTRODUCING...

Levi's class! We are working on a art project for the fundraiser coming up. The idea is to form a group picture of all his classmates on a bed tray. We ask them to do a self portrait using things that their parents might identify them with. Some things you can tell easily what they are and some are a little more difficult. They had done this already on the cover of a journal that they had in class. We gave them 2 1/2 by 4 inch papers to use and this proved to be a little more difficult. We ask them to take up most of the paper but some of them just couldn't do it. That is why you see a size difference in them. Most of the smaller ones are the shorter kids which I think is interesting.

Joe and I both went to help but didn't want to help too much. I wanted to see what they could come up with on their own. If I saw they were really struggling I would step in then and do minimal. One child ask me to draw her a smile so she could show her teeth, so I did. She said she was happy with it and proceeded to draw the teeth. I came back around later and noticed she had erased it. I had to ask her if she didn't like the mouth I had drawn and she said it made her look mean. I guess it' s one of those things you just don't know until you try it! We had a great time even thought it was a little exhausting. Only the part that you had to keep telling them to stay on task.

See if you can pick out my boy. Only one hint-he is on the left side. Now go on and give it your best shot.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY....a little late

CONTROL YOUR TEMPER-it seems simple, when you say it. We all know that it is not easy in real life. We need to learn how to respond to life instead of react to it, a lesson worth learning.

REMEMBERING 9/11

Today is the day I hope we never forget. Like so many other memorable days in our history, one that I hope never is repeated.

Take a moment today and remember all those that have gone before us.

HAD TO

Just checked my e-mail, and got the biggest laugh. Elijah got a less than stellar grade in French, so I thought I would e-mail for a little early intervention. The teacher is a young lady full of energy and very motivating (she also told us she LOVES getting e-mail) so I thought what the hey. Our first e-mail started out with what the options were to get a better grade. She told me that they had free tutoring! But that if I wanted to purchase a computer program there were several available. She started off with the $500 price range and then in the end mentioned a couple for $50. I wrote her back thanking her, especially for the lower range as I was in no position to spend more. That's when it got funny.

She e-mails me back:
I can't afford ANYTHING for $5oo. I see these girls with the purses that cost more than that. Ah, the plight of teaching.

How funny, I know I am not the only one that lives in reality, I just don't hear to many other people saying what I think. Elijah tells me that most of the kids at his school are rich and spoilt. I just remind him that he is rich in love and most definitely spoilt. Don't let it go to your head!

BACK TO REALITY

Which is OK, but I do need my list, or I am lost.

I'll spare you the details today.

I do have some food for thought. As I have said before I try to be positive, and being the person I am, I try to influence others too. So, my thought is, try to put a little piece of what I come across on a daily basis out there for you. Take what you want, leave the rest.

So, here it goes, plain and simple. BE POSITIVE
Bring life to whatever situations you face.

PRAYER for the day by St. Ignatius Loyola

Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous: teach me to serve You as You deserve: to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward save that of knowing I am doing Your will. AMEN

MY TIME

Just for you. I want to tell you a little about my Sunday. I had a "me" day. I got up leisurely, had Joe pick up some doughnuts for us. Had my coffee and doughnut while reading the paper. We had got new tires put on the van the day before so we left it at the shop. Well, Joe ask me if I want to go get it shortly after I finish the paper and I thought, this feels pretty good, just relaxing. So I ask him what kind of plans he had for the day. He wanted to go shopping, pick up the van, work on the rock wall and a few other things. The rain had set in, there was a chill (compared to what the weather had been like) in the air and I didn't want to leave the house. I knew we had to get the van but it could wait. The kids weren't in any hurry to move either and I didn' t feel like being a prod. So he went on his way. We (the kids) played on the computer, painted with water color and then Levi and Naomi watched a movie. I joined Joe outside to watch him work and get in the hot tub. By this time we needed to get the van.

Once we got home I decided to work on myself a little. I gave myself a facial, cut my hair and gave myself a pedicure. I wish someone else had done the work. It felt sooo good, someone else would have felt better! After all this I got the kids to make pizza for dinner. They were so proud of themselves and I felt great too. Now for all those dishes I let pile up yesterday!!!!!! So what do you think, refreshed? You should see my feet!

MY DAD

Here you go! I thought you might enjoy seeing the few pics I have of my dad as a little boy.

I'm going to take a guess at his age, not sure if I'm right. Maybe he will post a reply with the correct age. Anyway, I think these are good. He hasn't changed too much from the bottom one... except for the hair. He looks to be 3 in this picture. Am I right???
Definately 12! I like the sailor look. What do you think, right????

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!

Today is a special day, the day my dad was born! I can't say enough good things about him. He is very special to me and I am so thankful to have him around. He has always been there when I needed him. Which seems like a lot (to him for sure), but I can't think of anyone else that would do the things he has!

I hope you have a great day Dad! You deserve it!!! Celebrate, and we will see you tomorrow. With a special surprise of course. If your lucky, I will try to find some younger pics of Dad. Come to visit.
Play with the kids.
Always willing to lend a hand.

TIME FOR PLAY

I didn't want you all to think we only had time for work this weekend. We got to play A LOT too!! It is amazing what one can do with just one more day. This was Sat. we went to a festival, church, over to a friends for dinner and had a friend stay the night! Which is how we got so much done on Sun. The friend ask Naomi to come to her house so we called a friend for Levi. The day just evolved with a little work and some time to ourselves. It was really nice just to be together, even if we were working! Believe it or not, we still had time to pick up a friend for Elijah and go fishing yesterday. What a weekend!!! Lots of fun, lots of work. It is all worth it to me. There was going to be face panting at the festival so I thought I would get Naomi in the spirit!
A very sweet lady selling dressed up gourds let Levi and Naomi have a go at it. My daughter is a natural weaver!
I was checking out the leather bags. I got some great ideas for the gourds, we have a ton of them.
My boy FINALLY made it to the top this year. He wanted to so bad last year but just couldn't. Way to go Levi!!!
You can see the lady in the background helping Naomi. She was asking $25 for the leather bags. It makes me realize I really could do some cool art..... I just didn't see any one buying.

HARD AT WORK

The coat rack, and view down the hall.
The view from MY room.
Caroline, the owner, hard at work.
The girls, taking a pic for Joe.
Levi, showing his support.

CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE

To most, this will be a subtle change. To me, it was a weekend and a new outlook.

I have been at the salon for seven years now! It seems like only yesterday, but when I start adding up the years, they total 7!!! The owner has spruced up the salon in the past, and we have had people cleaning in on a regular basis. Nothing compares to a good paint job and a DEEP cleaning. That is what took up time on this weekend.

It all started out small, with changing the valences. Then it was, we need a new coat rack. Well, if we are going to do that we need to touch up paint. Great! I am willing to help!!! I was getting tired of my room. The chair I had chosen from the beginning had made some ugly marks on the wall. I kept the room looking fresh by changing the artwork but after 7 years my clients had seen it all. So I set off to find something new and exciting for my home away from home. In the process, Joe made us an awesome coat rack! I found a mirror to brighten up the place and some cool stuff for my room. Oh, and we totally had to paint the WHOLE salon. Well, almost.
Come in, have a seat.
Cool new things!
Comfy seating with a place to put your drink.
More new, the pic and valence.

Secret-------The fuse box is behind the pic.