Jerelene's Journal

Apron Giveaway Contest

2011-09-02T22:37:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this....you must go check out her page and enter in the giveaway:) I LOVE her pink one:)
Jen at 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven is giving away a Flirty Apron!

Go HERE to enter!

Thankfulness and friends...some of them furry :)

2011-08-20T23:22:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my friends:) Thank you so much to all of you that have been checking in on me..either here or on Facebook. I actually did alright with the epidural steroid shots. I felt rough for the first couple of days..but after that I have gradually felt just a tiny bit better. I also went to see a new doctor. He goes to church with us and so I knew him and his wife. I know his wife better because he isn't always there with her. He is often at the hospital with patients. He is very kind and took lots of extra time to answer all my questions and discuss everything with me. He did want to know what happened with the other doctor which was awkard for me because I know that they are sort of friends...so I treaded gently with the subject and was as kind as I could be and sort of chalked it up to not clicking with each other. My new doctor suggested another couple series of epidural steroid shots. But he won't be sedating me..and that makes me extremely nervous. He is giving me valium to take before I have it done. He said after we do these then he will get me in with another doctor in the office that deals with neck pain and migraines. He said he would probably give me injections in my neck. That also scares me to death...but I would love to have some relief. I think the steroids have lowered my immune system even more than it already was. I've had a sore throat, eye infection and ear ache all week. The dizziness returned this week with a vengence and the headaches as well. My Mom has been checking my blood sugar. It has been higher than it should be. At one point this week it was lower than it should have been. I had felt bad all day and couldn't figure out why. My Mom had me drink some orange juice and that seemed to have helped a little. I was suppose to get my glucose and potassium checked again after 2 weeks which was last week and I forgot. So I will be making a call to the doctor's office Monday to set up a time to do that.
My Mother is doing very well from her surgery. I couldn't be happier:):) She was sent home from the hospital the very next afternoon. She went in for a follow-up with the surgeon on Friday and he gave her an excellent report..:)
I am so relieved...more than I could possibly put in words.
My friend Diana also had surgery..she had both knees done. I have been keeping her in my prayers as well. She is a brave lady:) I'm glad she will be able to do all the things she wants to without pain, when she is all healed up and done recovering. She doesn't live to terribly far from me. Maybe when she feels better she can meet me at our mall and we can visit and shop..and maybe have a coffee or tea too:) Diana, I am keeping you in my prayers.
I have been having daily prayer...(if we're able) with my sweet friend Shelley. We are recieving such a blessing from praying for each other and everyone on our prayer lists...
My sweet Mother gave me this beautiful mug before she had her surgery. With me not feeling well..it gave special meaning to me. It isn't just beautiful on the outside. It is beautiful on the inside too..

It reminded me to be thankful for all the little things that maybe I've been forgetting about. I think sometimes..speaking for myself of course..that when we feel badly..we just sort of forget all the wonderful things that God does for us on a daily basis. The pain medicine of course has made me groggy and not thinking well. But now since I'm not as medicated I have no excuses. So many things have been jumping out at me every time I take a sip out of my sweet coffee mug. I have a wonderful family...I have a roof over my head...I have food on my table..I have the most wonderful friends that a person could ever ask for. Old ones, new ones, even ones I have never met... But each one of them are precious gifts from God. For each kind word, and each loving prayer, I thank all of you :) I am SO grateful :):)

I'm especially grateful for these little furry gifts from God.....I've had lots of good days, and lots of bad...

And on the bad days, these little guys are busy loving and caring for their Mommy....And yes, Teddy is is here and loved too...he just doesn't like laying up close to me like these two fur babies...He has more fur and doesn't get as cold as they do...

Aren't they just adorable? They are like little heating pads. I just love them so much. My family has been really helping a lot too. It is so hard having to realize that some things I just can't do. And that I am just going to have to make adjustments depending on how I'm feeling each day.
I go back in to see my rheumatologist on Tuesday. Next week will be a busy week for me. I'm hoping it all goes well.
I've made a new friend that is suffering with such similar health issues as I am. It has been so helpful writing back and forth...she gives me some encouragement which I definately need. Thank you so much Tabby :) If you have fibromyalgia like I do...her blog is full of information and encouragement. I am so glad to have met her:)
That's all for now. I'ts been a long day and I am ready to head to bed.....
I hope everyone has a wonderful and rested weekend..
1 John 4:7 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (NIV)

With Love and Blessings,
Jerelene

Mothers, Flowers, Chickens, Maci, Health and Prayers

2011-07-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened since I was on here last...I know that most of my friends see me on facebook too...but to be fair...I'll post on here too...and try to tell a little more than I did there. I started my morning today...off with a nice brunch of pancakes...I'm hoping today will be better as far as feeling better..than yesterday. Isn't it funny, how even at 43 yrs. old, that when you're sick..you still think and sort of want your Mother? I have found that I've always tended to be that way...strangely enough, even more so as I've gotten older. My Mother is such a dear lady, she was always..when she was younger and in better health...the dear one to invite visitors, or any of the people from our church...esp. the newest members... home for a lunch after church...sometimes keeping them there visiting and then playing board games and having pizza that evening. My Mother truly had the gift of hospitality. I don't see that in people as much these days. I guess because everyone is on such a strict budget? Or maybe they are so busy with their own families they feel overwhelmed at the aspect of company...I'm not sure which it is.. Church was always a pleasant time for me..even as a child. I feel like I learned so much more from all the time spent with the older people in the church. We didn't have the big youth groups that the churches have now. My time with the older people gave me insight into so many interesting and valuable information...(good information) that I would have never learned from young people my age. Sadly, I think the young people today...(which I hope I don't hurt any one's feelings) miss out on so much from being separated from the older people. They have such wisdom to share..it's a shame to miss out on it. :) Anyway, my dear Mother, will be having a surgery on her hernia next Friday..She is diabetic and always seems to have a hard time with things...so please remember her in your prayers if you could. This picture was taken quite a few yrs. ago..probably when my older kids were young.. She was as beautiful on the outside as she was on the inside...and still is :)

I know this picture was posted on my facebook..as well as the one at the bottom. But, as I've not been feeling well over this summer....my flowers have been a big blessings to me. They have given me great pleasure..either from the window or in a vase, jar or cup :) Roses, Hydrangeas and daisies of any kind are favorites to me...I do like my black-eyed susans too. I had a couple of rows of Zinnias last year, planted in the garden. The butterflies loved them and they looked beautiful brought in and put in a vase. I sure wish I'd been able to (I forgot) plant them this year. But I've made do with what I have...the chickens have kept me busy...so I didn't really have time to feel sorry about anything I didn't plant....except the giant pumpkins...I had promised Sam that I would (try) to plant some again this year...It didn't happen :( It is so exciting watching them grow from a tiny orange ball into a huge pumpkin..and they make such nice pictures...

One thing we did have plenty of was corn :) Every year Mark says..."I don't know...I think maybe we shouldn't plant the corn," then I say "Please!! Please!! " :):) I LOVE to watch it grow and see it blowing in the breeze...and the eating it part..isn't too bad either:)

The chickens have NOT been enjoying this heat...and no one...including myself...has been enjoying going out to feed and water them...on the days that we have had excessive heat warnings. It was brutal...I took frozen 2 liter bottles and big frozen blocks of ice out to them. I also put ice cubes in their water containers. I froze goodies that they could share from me and took it out to them..such as left over food that is edible for chickens...or tomatoes that fell off onto the ground. They LOVE left over spaghetti noodles!! I think they think it's worms :)

The barred rocks are almost the most friendly I would say...that's the black lacy looking ones. We have one of them that's named Bitsy...she was and is still...smaller (just a little) than the other ones...She kept getting hold of the camera strap...and then trying to pull it and run:) She made the funniest noises when she got hold of the strap..and looked so disappointed when I wouldn't let her have the camera :) They are funny...and so fun to watch :)
Maci is growing like a little weed :) She is crawling and pulling up! And...saying Momma like crazy. When Sarah is eating...she begs for her food...and screams when she won't or can't give it to her :) When that little girl smile....it just makes me melt...I just love her SO much. I hate it because I've not felt well...it seems...since she's been born. I didn't mean for that to happen..it just did:( I'm hoping that soon I'll feel better and be able to do more with than I have in the past. She has her Aunt Liz's smile...that big, beautiful smile:) Being a Grandma...is beyond words...It just MOVES you...totally...into wanting to be even a better person, Christian, woman, everything:)

I know I promised to tell you about what's been going on with my health...and got carried away with everything else...I had a sedated mri done of my neck...it showed quite a bit of degenerative disc disease just like the lumbar region...of course. And it also showed foraminal stenosis and foraminal encroachment in a few places. Disc osteophyte complex in a couple places..flattening of one of the dural sacs and dehydration of three of the interspaces? I'm not sure about some of the stuff on the paper...but, I do know that the foraminal stenosis and encroachment means that I most likely have some pinched nerves. The doctor just would not discuss the neck pain with me at all. He did an electromyography on me and huffed and puffed and sighed the whole time. I had taken Sam in with me...my in-laws drove me because I've not been driving much due to dizziness..High blood sugar and low potassium is what the lab work showed...that's another story. Anyway, the doctor evidentally was rolling his eyes at me quite a bit while doing the test too. I came home with a couple..(one was really bad) big bruises. He and I for whatever reason..were not clicking..I went ahead and had epidural steroid shots in my back on Wed. I was scared to death!! It actually went ok...he did not say one word to me before or after. So I got a call from my family doctor and he had sent notes back to them saying I have carpal tunnel in both wrists..one much worse than the other and that I needed to be referred in with a hand surgeon. The pain is radiating down from my neck into my shoulder, elbow and wrist and hands...still he would NOT address my neck. So I told the nurse at my family doctor's office what had been going on and asked to be sent to another doctor. There is one that I go to church with...I should have asked that to begin with...but didn't. So I go to see him next Friday. He loves God and is a very, very kind person. I am relieved...I still see the foot doctor at the other place..but he was very nice. He even said he thought I was having some major issues of radiculopathy...with my arms and legs...So I felt pretty rough after the epidural..esp. that night. Yesterday...I felt ok when I got up...then I think I did too much...was up too much and I was running a pretty good fever. I called after hours at the surgi-care where they did the procedure and the nurse was very nice..(all the nurses were incredibly nice before, during and after my procedure.) They said the fever could be due to the steroids putting my body into overdrive...trying to heal itself...or I could be getting infected..but to just take it easy...stay down(take it easy, which I seem to sometimes have a problem with :) and drink lots of cool fluids. My temp was down some when I got up this morning...I'm hoping it stays down..I am still sore, but they said it could take a while. So many people that I've talked to...have so many different outcomes with the epidurals...they either help...or they don't...But sadly pretty much all of them that had ruptured discs tell me that they all eventually had to have them fixed surgically. I'm praying that doesn't happen. But I've had this pain..in the lower back and neck for a couple of years...So, I'm trying hard to be optimistic and to put my faith in God. It's sometimes hard for us to do..or at least it can be for me..but I've been praying so much more than I ever have before...Not just for myself...myself at the least...but more so for my friends...(a couple in particular:) and my family...A dear friend so sweetly gave me the nicest little book...on arthritis..it is full wonderful, and promising Bible verses...I have been praying with these verses and have found them to be a blessings to me...

I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power. Then I will praise God's name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving Psalm 69:29-30

I am so thankful for all the wonderful friends that I have...even if I've never met you in person...The prayers are still just as important and the kindness that you bestow upon me still as precious....

The picture at the bottom I also posted on facebook..It's of my moonflowers...It's such a blessing how God even gave us such beautiful things that we could enjoy at night:)

I'll end with this...

And so, dear Christian friends, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. Romans 12:1-2

I have found the last verse to be very important to me these last couple of months...

That's all for now....May the love of Yahweh be a blessing in your life....

With Love and Hugs, Jerelene

Friends and Prayers

2011-07-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

Hello to everyone!

It's been a while since I posted anything. The last time I was on I mentioned going to the doctor. The doctor said the x-rays that they took showed Degenerative Disc Disease and that I needed an MRI of the neck and lumbar. So, I went to have the mri's done and I freaked out in the machine. The tech that was doing the test wasn't very nice about it either. I managed to get the lower back done...all the while boo-hooing and crying and praying...I have been having a hard time walking and getting around so I just knew that I really needed to stay in there for that one. I was close to the opening on that one..so they were able to get that one finished. I had to be rescheduled for the one on my neck. They redid it last week with sedation. I have since then, found out from the nurse that I have spinal stenosis in my neck. I got the feeling that it might be pretty significant, but I don't know yet. I go back in to the orthopedic doctor Friday morning. From what I understand..the spinal stenosis is a progressive problem and doesn't go away on it's own. I think it usually progresses to the point that they have to operate, depending on how compressed your nerves are. This might explain the shoulder pain, the dropping things, and the numbness I've been having in my cheeks and lips.. I have a ruptured disc in my lower back with arthritis in the facet joints. The doctor has put me on oral steroids first to see if that gives me any relief...and I'm going to physical therapy. I think the steroids have helped a tiny bit. I am able to walk just a little while without my legs locking up at the hips...but if I do too much...then I start having trouble again. I'm just moving very slowly and awkwardly. The foot doctor gave me inserts for my shoes..I was diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis. The inserts are suppose to help raise my left leg up to be even with the right and to help my feet not to be flat..He also gave me a steroid shot in my foot. That was CRAZY painful :( And to make that worse....my foot hurt worse for 2 days afterward. And it hasn't helped at all :( I went back yesterday and the foot doctor seems to think that some, or all, of the pain in my foot may be related to what's going on with my back and neck. He said he was going to speak with the orthopedic doctor about it...he looked at my mri results from both mri's...both doctors are in the same building so they can easily discuss things with each other........I am somewhat close to feeling slightly depressed about it all...I guess maybe I am actually depressed about it....When I push to do the things I want to do...it just backfires. My family has been pretty helpful to me. But, I still hate relying on everyone else to do things for me..

So, if you could...keep me in your prayers. I know I need to keep looking upward...and not downward (except of course to pray :)...but it is hard to not feel a little overwhelmed. I know that I have some of the most wonderful friends to pray for me...and I appreciate it SO much.

I had the nicest present come in the mail...just out of nowhere...and I had been thinking about this person...and I came home from church...and there was a box on the table!! It was full of goodies...

this person is just an angel to me :) It's been a couple of weeks ago..I just haven't felt like getting on..but this dear friend couldn't have picked a better time to think of me! The holy spirit must definately have led her to think of me...and I am so appreciative!! Marci..you are such an angel and a dear, dear friend!!! I love you bunches!! Thank you so much :):)

Then after all that...I was suffering with a kidney/bladder infection and a cold...and another dear friend who was recovering from surgery...sent me a huge and lovely fruit basket!! She is a dear sister from church who I just love dearly :) My camera has quit working for me :( So, I don't have a picture of the yummy fruit basket...But, just imagine...yummy grapes, bananas, apples, oranges and pears...Thank you so very, very much Shelley :):) I am over my cold and infection now..and I am grateful for that!

Even though I might not be feeling super...I am super blessed :) ...to have such wonderful and dear friends..

Speaking of friends....I have made a new friend from South Africa...Thandi :) I LOVE to meet new people :) You can meet her here :) Thandi, I am so glad that came here to visit me...I hope to get to know you better :)

Oh, yes....Marci, you were also so kind as to send treats for the furry babies...so here's a couple pics of them getting their presents...And Mickey was the first one to grab one :) Thanks!!!..from Teddy, Mickey and Peanut :)....(I just realized I don't have a pic of Peanut on the sidebar...note to self....I must add him!! :)

I am feeling just a tad better....but, lots of trouble sleeping and still hurting quite a bit. I have spasms really bad at night when I try to lay down :( I guess I'll find out more on Frid.....

One last thing.....Maci is crawling...really well!! In to everything!! And she is pulling up and standing...I don't think it will be long now and she'll be walking..She is SUCH a cutie!!

I will end with my very favorite verse from the Bible.

He giveth power to the faint: and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles: they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:29-31

With Love and Blessings and Hugs too.......Jerelene

Hot weather & Blessings

2011-06-08T22:22:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my dear friends :) Boy, has it been HOT here! I hate when it is this hot and humid. I don't mind it being in the 80's; but when it is up in the 90's and very humid...it is miserable:(

I have been keeping myself busy with the our chickens. I just LOVE it!! I don't even mind cleaning up after them....Yeah, ask me in a couple months and I might not be as thrilled. But, for now...I am loving the feeling of farm life :)

Our garden is suffering from all this heat. Poor Mark has been watering things. But the heat is quite hard on new little plants. I am hoping we get some rain soon. We had big storms come through last weekend...but all we got was a few sprinkles. You would think after ALL the rain that we had in the spring..that I wouldn't be asking, or hoping for rain. But now that it's so hot..we need it desperately. I'll just keep praying that God will bless our garden.

I started a new prayer book & journal with the other ladies at church. We pick partners, and then each of us prayer for each other, our families, and specific people that God has touched our hearts to pray for. I feel like this is such a blessing for me..It has brought new friendship to me that I was definitely needing. It is so nice to have someone call everyday and for us to pray together. It has really helped my prayer life. The book talks about asking for the baptism of the holy spirit daily. That the holy spirit will help us to be able to pray better and to want to live in a closer walk with God. I am SO thrilled about this!! It has been a new experience for me to pray in front of someone else...that was something I had never done..and frankly was a little nervous about. But, since we've started. I feel like God has blessed me and helped me to be able to pray in front of others...and not be so nervous about it..:)

The book is called 40 days...Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming...by Dennis Smith. It has honestly changed my life for the better :)

I also just started reading the book called...Where God Was Born by Bruce Feiler. So far it is a wonderful read and I am enjoying it (as often as I can :)

I suffered from a horrible migraine last week. I woke up Friday morning with a horrible headache starting. I still had it on Monday...so I ended up going to the doctor. They give me a shot which finally brought me some relief. They also gave me some pills to keep on hand if another one was to start. I honestly think that the heat had a lot to do with it. On top of the headache...I have been still suffering with some back issues...neck, lower back and hips. After my last visit with the rheumatologist..he ordered some x-rays of my lower back and hips. He suggested that I try to keep moving around. Well, I think maybe I did too much! My heel and foot that I've not had trouble with in a long time...started hurting me...really bad :( I was diagnosed with plantar faciitis a long time ago. Any time I get up and do too much, it will start giving me troubles. The doctors office said that it could me a bone spur too so, they made appointments with a podiatrist and orthopedics doctors..in the same building for later this month. When I was a teenager I saw an orthopedics doctor because of curvatures and one of my legs being shorter than the other...So I am anxious to see what they say. I wonder if one of my legs are still shorter and giving me troubles? It was bad enough..having trouble moving my hips..and then add in that I can hardly walk on my left foot. I love to (try) to get out and help in the garden and mess with my flowers and roses..so, this has been a hard thing to accept. I am just praying and hoping that God will give me some relief..or heal me from feeling the way that I am :)

On a more happy note, my sweet little chickens...really are sweet! They jumped on Mark when he went out to put them up for the night. They are nice little hens :) We all thought this was hilarious :) They do it to me too...but not like they do to Mark...

Sam really likes them too :)

I'll end my post with a beautiful Bible verse...

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power" _Eph. 1:17-19

May Yahweh bless you abundantly and fill your hearts with love :)

Love and Hugs.......

Jerelene

PS...Be sure to scroll down and visit some of MY friends....

You'll love them too!!

A beautiful day!

2011-05-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful day here :) The windows are open and a gentle breeze is blowing in. Just had to start off with a cute picture of Peanut lounging around :) He enjoys a nice day too! High temp. of 82 and lots of sunshine. I am so very glad that it is NOT raining!

Maci is recovering well from her pneumonia. She is still a bit of a fussy girl..but, I think that may be from teething (she has 2 bottom teeth)and she may also be a bit spoiled:)

Mark has finally been able to get back out into the garden. It was just TOO wet for a good while with all the rain we've had. The tiller had quit on him as well, and so he's got it fixed now and going. The boys helped him get the corn planted..and finally the beans and cucumbers too. I'm a little aggravated with him. I had a row of Black-Eyed Susan's that I had planted last year. I told him I would transplant them...and he didn't wait. He tilled them down....Man, was I mad..Or should I say, disenchanted:)

Every time I make a promise to be back and blog...life steps in and says no :) I just haven't been able to find the extra time with Maci here..to actually sit and write, much less upload pictures...which on my dinosaur computer...takes forever. I LOVE blogging..and I think it is actually good for me. I especially LOVE all my friends in the village :) Even though I don't comment...I do check in on you when I can...Love and hugs to each one of you!

There has been so much going on. Sam had his first cello recital last weekend. He did a WONDERFUL job!! I am so proud of him. He is coming along nicely. It is a pleasure just listening to him practice:)

My chickens...all 12 of them are getting so big!

The are 4 to 5 weeks old now. My Isa Browns were a little older than the others...they're the ones that I think are closer to 5 wks. old. I think Mark and Sam are probably going to be working on the coup and pen this weekend. I feel so blessed to have chickens. It is something I've wanted to do for a long time. It has been a wonderful learning experience for Sam as well. It's amazing, but they seem to grow overnight.

I learned this week, that one of my dearest friends is moving to another state. I am happy for her, but sad as well. Her husband had lost his job and has now found another wonderful opportunity somewhere else. She started in the homeschool co-op that Sam attends, at the same time as we did. It just wouldn't...and won't, be the same without her. Sam has made a very sweet friend in her son as well. I know he is very sad about it too. She is one of the most thoughtful, sensitive and caring, and loving people I' ve ever met. I am so blessed to have been able to get to know her and be her friend in the time that she has been here...Tamara...you will be greatly missed...Love and hugs dear friend :)

Health wise, I am feeling better. All the iron-infusions seemed to have helped. I mentally esp., seem much clearer and stronger. Physically I still have a few hurdles to go. The fibromyalgia and arthritis often leave me feeling weak and very achy. My neck and lower back have been the biggest struggles. The medicines have helped everything but my lower back and hips. There are many days when I struggle just to walk around..and lift and carrying Maci, is extremely hard for me. I know in my heart...even though the doctor hasn't come right out and said anything; that I need to lose weight too. I would love to start walking...if my lower back and hips would just cooperate :) I go back in next Wednesday to the rheumatologist. I guess I'll try to question him some more about the back issues.

We are getting ready to partially finish up for this school year. He has some science and math that he is going to continue to work on over the summer. With Sarah having the baby, and me having had surgery...he still has to finish some of his Math. The science is just to encourage him to read and learn something fun over the summer. I am probably going to have him do the summer reading program at the library.

I had the nicest day yesterday. One of my neighbors from across the street came over and told me she had something to give me. I told her I'd be over as soon as I got done helping Sam with schoolwork. I went over and she had a beautiful teapot for me. I just LOVE it! While there her husband said, "Well, if you like that one, I've got another one you can have too!" She had given me a gorgeous black with speckles teapot. The spout has a little bird..looks like a chicken:) He then brought out a cow teapot. Her eyes are faded off (I think I can get my oldest daughter, Elizabeth to put some back on for me) but she is adorable. She has a cowbell and a tail!!

What a nice gesture and it made my day!! Then to top it off...the neighbor next door to them, gave me 2 of these beautiful and huge yellow roses! They really are huge and they smell heavenly!! It was his 70th birthday yesterday(the neighbor) and my youngest daughter Sarah (Maci's Mom) turned 19 as well :) Happy Birthday (yesterday :) to Sarah! She was a big girl when she was born 9 lbs. 9 oz. Wow, how time flies!

It was a nice day for birthdays and I am so glad that that my sweet neighbors thought kindly of me and made my day special as well:)

This verse just sort of jumped out at me, and so I thought that it would be a nice way to end my post. Much Love and Hugs too, from me to you :) Jerelene

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25

Rain, Rain, Go Away!!

2011-04-25T13:45:00.000-07:00

Wow...if it rains much more I think we're going to have to get a boat. We have had so much rain and severe storms...I am sick of it :( The dogs hate going out in the rain to go potty too! As I sit here and type it is thundering and lightning again :(

I did lose my little chick that was sick..I felt so bad..but there wasn't anything I could do for her. It's amazing to see how quickly they grow...overnight it seems. Sam has already picked one out as his own. It's one of the Isa Browns. It's a little darker than the others and easy to tell apart. He named her Brach. I guess you could spell it Brock..but that sounds more like a boy name. I'm just hoping that it's not a him :)

I've been getting iron infusions to help with my anemia. I think it has definately helped some. I am feeling a little more clear minded. I'm still tired though. The rheumatologist has checked my blood levels and I'm waiting to hear back if I need more iron infusions. I have fibromyalgia so my tiredness may well be because of that. My back has been what's really bothering me. I am hoping it lets up. When (and if ever) it quits raining..I am wanting to take Sam and Maci for walks every day. Maci is sure growing! Just like those cute little chicks...cute little Maci is getting bigger every day too! She sure loves the dogs! They are entertainment for her :) Now that her hand and eye coordination are improving she's able to reach out and grab things. Including her Grandpa's moustache..She reaches for the dogs too..they are her favorite thing to go after.

Homeschooling with a baby in the house is quite interesting. Especially when they are fussy! There's a lot of this going on at my house..So naturally when I have moments like this...they are to treasure. I thought the view from my lap was quite lovely :) If you notice, the dogs (babysitters) are all sleeping too. Even Teddy in the background...Ahh...the sound of silence :) Speaking of Teddy...he is getting his haircut today. He's needed it for a while..and I can't wait to see how cute he looks! I guess that's about if for now..

I want to end this with a wonderful quote I found on a friend's facebook page...

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and famous?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. there is nothing enlightnened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."-Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural address. Written by Maryanne Williamson

Until next time, With Love and Blessings, Jerelene

Babies :)

2011-04-21T23:18:00.001-07:00

Today we did something we've wanted to do for a LONG time :) We got some chickens :) Yay!!!

Sam is very excited about it. We got a few different kinds..4 Rhode Island Reds, 3 Barred Rocks, 3 Brahma's and 3 Isa Browns..We might get a couple more..I want to see how we do with these :) One of our Reds is kind of sickly looking..I hope she doesn't die..I guess this will be a definite learning experience for us.

We've been having to be creative with getting our school work done with Maci here. She's been a fussy little girl...busy cutting teeth. Sam is reading "Our Island Story" for History. He's also doing a Progeny Press literature study guide on "Redwall." We just finished our latest read aloud, "The Door in the Wall." It was a good book. We are now moving on to "Swiss Family Robinson." Along with it he will be study Oceans and Sea Creatures. He is looking forward to it. He is studying about the platypus right now. It was something he wanted to learn about just for fun!

Our garden has been started..but it's been storming and raining so much that we haven't really been able to get as many things out there as we would like. I say we...but Mark is the one doing it :) I'm busy being a busy Grandma :) Miss Maci is growing like a little weed :) She is 5 1/2 months now..And her Grandma loves her SO much!! In case you can't tell.

I guess I'll end it here for now... I do hope everyone is doing well and that God's blessings are showering down on you :)

Until next time...(Hopefully soon:)

Jerelene

A give-away at Weather Vane :)

2011-01-26T14:13:00.000-08:00

So the snow that was suppose to be just some flurries, turned out to be 1 1/2 to 2 inches here :) The local weathermen were not expecting us to get any measurable snow at all. When I saw it coming on the radar..I thought that they were going to be wrong...and they were wrong! At first they had the local schools on a 2 hr. delay. Around 6:30-7:00 they announced they were cancelling. The kids around here are getting lots of snowdays ;) Except for us..

We have been consistently having some snow just about every week. I think they are calling for some more next Monday too.

We are having some meatballs that I made from a recipe on our corn-flake cereal box. They sound yummy so we shall find out in a couple of hours if they are indeed delicious. I think we're going to have some mac-n-cheese and some broccoli with it. Possibly some rice-krispie treats for dessert :) If the meatballs turn out to be yummy I will share the recipe!

A new friend is having a give-away. It is an adorable hen spoon holder. Her name is Rae. She has a lovely blog and you should go check it out! Go to weather vane and drop by for a visit!The snowmen floral arrangement was a gift from our church to me when I had my hysterectomy. Even though it is sort of Christmasy..I love snowmen and they stay out for a while after Christmas at my house :) It's a short post for now as Sarah and Maci are here. Mark is feeling better, but Sam is still not 100% better. He's just been laying around a lot. We did a little Math and he watched a series on Ancient Rome on You tube with Mark. I'll do some read alouds later. Off to finish supper! ~HUGS~

With Love, Jerelene

Hot chocolate, a poem and a prayer :)

2011-01-23T20:33:00.000-08:00

It's been a cold weekend here. Sam is still feeling under the weather and Mark has started feeling a lot worse today. I think he is going in to work tonight and checking things out, and then coming back home.. The terrible cold and snowy, damp weather we've been having is not helping at all. It makes you want to stay in and settle down with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book.
Sam likes his hot chocolate with a candy cane it it!! It's very soothing when you have a sore throat :)

I spent some time cuddled up in my quilt doing some knitting this afternoon. We watched "Despicable Me" this weekend. I wasn't sure if I would like it or not, but I did! In the end the "bad" main character turned out to not be so bad after all :) I'm a sucker for a happy ending :)

A few days ago I ran across a great poem on a new friends blog. Her name is Anita and she has a lovely blog... I am so glad to have her as a new friend:) I of course had to ask her if I could use the poem here...and she said yes! Please check her blog out..I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I do...Busy Hands Busy Mind :)

As many of you know, I do a lot of reading aloud to Sam, due to his Tourettes. So, naturally this poem hit a soft spot in my heart. I immediately thought of another friend,..Lori...who's son suffers from Tourettes as well..You can meet her at her blog here...Jehovah Jireh Dwells Here..

So here is the poem...I loved it and hope you do too! Thanks Anita for sharing :)

When Mother Reads Aloud

Anonymous

When Mother reads aloud, the past

Seems real as every day;

I hear the tramp of armies vast,

I see the spears and lances cast,

I join the trilling fray;

Brave knights and ladies fair and proud

I meet when Mother reads aloud.

When Mother reads aloud, far lands

Seem very near and true;

I cross the desert's gleaming sands,

Or hunt the jungle's prowling bands,

Or sail the ocean blue.

Far heights, whose peaks the cold mists shroud,

I scale, when Mother reads aloud.

When Mother reads aloud, I long

for noble deeds to do--

To help the right, redress the wrong;

It seems so easy to be strong,

So simple to be true.

Oh, thick and fast the visions crowd

My eyes, when Mother reads aloud.

I had the pleasure of babysitting sweet little Maci this weekend. I've already posted some pics of her on my facebook page..But, I couldn't resist putting one on here too!
She is really growing. It seems like time passes so much faster when we get older. I remember as a child waiting on birthdays, Christmas, summer break..it seemed that time was so slow! Now I feel like I'm on a snowball and it's rolling down the hill at 100 mph :)

On a not so happy note, I found out this weekend about a homeschool family that's children were taken away from them...SO sad! I thought I would post a link and that maybe everyone could keep them in their prayers. It's always sad to hear about families being split up..the poor children :( Please if you could, ask other friends and families that you know to pray for them too!

Here is the link http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=253365

I know I've shared here that I've been dealing with a lot of heartache this last year. My wonderful new family doctor suggested that I read a book called "Life's Healing Choices" by John Baker. I started on it before I had my hysterectomy, then I felt like I couldn't get BACK into it..I think I found some of the personal stories of others' trials and heartaches to be too much for me. So, I am going to make an earnest attempt to finish it..even if it means scimming over some of the testimonies. One of the first things in the book is a prayer to pray...I thought I would share it here. The book deals with helping us (through God) to get over life's hurts, hang-up, and bad habit..Of putting God in charge...REALLY in charge of our lives....

Dear God, please help me not to ignore this pain You are using to alert me to my need for help. In the past, as I've ignored the denial busters You've allowed in my life, I have actually refused Your help. I am so sorry for this and ask Your help in facing the truth and trusting You to care for me. You know and care about all the pain and hurt I have in my life. Today I need Your help. I can't do it on my own. I have tried, and I keep coming up empty.

First, I pray for Your power in my life. I need Your power to break habits I can't break. I need Your power to help me to do the things that I know are right but can't seem to do on my own. I need Your power to break free from my past. I ask for Your power to get on with the plans You have for my life.

Next, I pray for love. I want real love. I want to be able to love people and have them love me. I pray that with Your love I can let go of past hurts and failures so I can tear down the walls of fake intimacy. God, I ask You to help me have genuine intimacy with You and others. Help me not be afraid of really loving and of really being loved.

I also pray for real self-control. I realize that I'm really not in control until I allow Christ to be in control of my life and circumstances.

God, please grant me Your power, love, and self-control. Help me to continue making healing choices. Amen.

I'm sorry for such a long post, but I felt moved to share that prayer...I think the control issue is probably a struggle for most of us. Really giving in and letting God control everything..that can be SO hard to do.

I better go for now. Since Mark has been working 3rd shift, it's been a struggle for me to not follow in being up at night. He calls me on his breaks and so then I'm up at night:( I feel like I can't tell him not to call. He is the only person there at the school at night..so I'm sure he gets tired and lonely..So, when he calls...I talk ;) What's a wife to do? I think he's being protective too..calling and checking up on us, to make sure we're safe here :)

I hope your weekend was a happy one and that the week starting will be happy and blessed as well.....Love and Hugs, Jerelene

PS...I always find it funny that spellcheck tells me that I'm mispelling my name :) HUGS

Books, Boots and Baby Maci

2011-01-19T19:17:00.000-08:00

It snowed today! We got almost 3 inches here at my house. The public school kids were out today and will be out tomorrow as well. School has been kind of slow around here this week. I have been fighting a sore throat and temp. and now Sam and Mark have it too. The Doctor started me on an antibiotic yesterday. Sam will have to go to the Doctor too if he doesn't get any better by Monday. He is running a pretty good fever tonight. We've still been doing some school work, such as Math and some reading. I've been taking advantage of Netflix and You tube with watching movies on Ancient Rome and on Earthquakes and Volcanoes. When you aren't feeling well it is SO nice to be able to just relax and watch some movies. This is my current read...I am really enjoying it. I love it when I can find a book that goes along with what we are learning in the school work. This book is part of a series. I think I'll be reading more of them. It is a very interesting book.
Sam's current read aloud (read together :) is the Bronze Bow. We just started it, but I can tell it is going to be really good!! This is part of the stack of 11 books that came home from the library with us this week. We are studying Ancient Rome, Geology and Rocks and Minerals, Handel and the Messiah. We have been working hard on our Greek and Latin roots as well. I like to have Sam act as the teacher and test me on them. It's fun for him to play the teacher. And he's learning along without as much stress. I'm learning too...he thinks it funny when I miss them :)

Sam is currently reading this book as well. It is not on Ancient Rome. But he's been showing a lot of interest in learning about Hitler, and so this book was perfect. Especially being that it takes place in the winter. We will be learning about modern American History from the Civil War on..next year.
In our free time Sam has been having fun playing on his new X-box that he got for Christmas. The dogs are enjoying cuddling up with him to stay warm. They are constantly snuggled up with someone. Especially Mickey. He is ALWAYS cold :)
So, as some of you know..my favorite color is purple. It has always been my favorite. Through the years I acquired more favorites as well, but purple still has a special place in my heart. It's my birthstone too, so maybe that is part of it. When I was a little girl, I even had purple carpet in my bedroom!! Well, the point to this is..my Mom got me some boots as an early birthday present for me. (My birthday isn't until Feb. 12.) The boots are PURPLE!!! I was thinking that maybe I'm too old for such cute boots...but I had to wear them to the doctors office and try them out :)...and the nurse practioner and nurses all really liked them. They are a bit more of a heel than I am use to. But, they did grow on me after I wore them around. I originally thought that I would give them to my oldest daughter Elizabeth; being that she has her birthday after mine. But then I changed my mind. I think she was really disappointed. Especially after she tried them on :) Now I just need a purple handbag to match! She is such a pretty young lady. I think she is hoping that I will change my mind!! Here is a picture of Lovely Liz wearing my purple boots :)Maci is doing well except for her eyes. She is on her 3rd round of eye drops. Both eyes keep giving her trouble. I suspect if the newest drops don't work that they will be sending her to a specialist. My oldest had a clogged tear duct, but only in one eye. It got better after a LOT of eye drops and a lot of massaging it. Maci is over 10 lbs now. She is such a cutie. Her Aunt Liz just loves her SO much. It is obvious in the way she looks at her little niece. I think Maci loves Aunt Liz too!! What do you think?
I'm going to end this post with my favorite Bible verse. Sam is currently memorizing it and using it for copywork. I hope that everyone is staying warm and safe and that God's Love and Blessings are with you and your family :)
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall; but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40: 29-31
With Love and Hugs, Jerelene

Happy 2011!!

2011-01-07T15:31:00.000-08:00

Hello! After a long absence I have finally returned :) 2010 proved to be a very eventful year for my family. Including a new member to our family. Little Maci Evonne Postin was born Nov.10, 2010. She weighed 5 lbs. 2 oz. and was 17 3/4 inches long. She was born a month early..but, came out healthy, only needing to be given oxygen and monitored for a short period. We were so happy that she didn't need to go to the NICU. Although, she wasn't born into the perfect family situation..(Sarah and Maci's Daddy aren't married,) we still LOVE her dearly and pray that things will work out for the best given the situation. Trever (Maci's Dad) was in the delivery room and watched her being born. He has been doing pretty good at helping take care of her.
She is growing like a little weed and has quickly made up for being early. She is now weighing about 9 1/2 lbs. :) All I can say...is that being a Grandma is heavenly!!
Little Angel... Just a couple hrs. after she was born....

She had her days and nights mixed up...but, she's doing a little better now. She wears her Mommy out :)

Growing SO quickly:)
On December 13, I had a hysterectomy. I have been so sick for so long...so, this was a GOOD thing. I am finally feeling a little better and seem to be less tired and moving around a little better every day. I go back to the Doctor to check in on Tuesday. It is SO hard not to do what you aren't suppose to do :) I did learn quickly that the bending over didn't feel so good....I tried not to do that very much. I also had a swollen belly up until about a week ago. Now I am hoping that the severe anemia issue may hopefully get better for me. I won't know for sure if my blood count is up until they check it again. I am hoping they do that pretty soon. If it doesn't get better, they may refer me to a blood specialist or to a rheumatologist. I have trouble with arthritis and hurting everywhere. My family doctor has done some tests in the office and seems to think I definately have fibromyalgia too. She has give me medicine for that too. So, hopefully I am on the mend for 2011. I am SO ready to feel better :)

The last time I posted...we had a new puppy at the house. Peanut....Well, he is still here with us and Mickey finally adjusted and they get along pretty good. They even cuddle up together. They do have little spats over the toys once in a while..but all in all, they are buds. Teddy even joins in on the fun sometimes :) Peanut likes to watch out the window for birds and kitties too!

Sam is doing pretty good too. We had a really rough fall with his Tourettes. It was probably the worst that he's ever been. We literally had to take about 3 weeks off from school. He had a cat-scan done on his brain, and then started on some new medicine. It seemed like it had been helping a little to begin with but, now it seems his tics may be coming on stronger. He is suppose to see a new doctor here in town the first of February. It will be a regular Neurologist, not a Pediatric Neurologist this time. Since he is 13 now, I figured we could possibly go in that direction now. Plus, this doctor is much closer by...not an 1 1/2 hrs. away. School work is sometimes a challenge. He has a biting tic..which makes him have to bite things when he is reading. When he is writing he has to beat the pencil over and over...so things take a while to get done. In comparison to the terrible tic he was having in the fall...this is somewhat better. He had a terrible tic where he had to pull his head down forward into his chest as hard as he could..over and over. It was to the point that he couldn't talk, and hardly breathe. It was really serious. His vocal tics are still there too. It's really hard to watch as a parent. And still, so many people don't realize what Tourettes really is. I pray that someday there might be a cure. Until then, I guess awareness is SO important. I know God is in control...but sometimes it is hard. I am going to make an effort to post at least once a week. That was my New Year resolution ;)I have been suffering with depression and just couldn't seem to find it in me to post. My family doctor...who is a really super sweet lady, recommended that I read "Life's Healing Choices, " by John Baker. I am taking something for the depression as well. I just couldn't seem to get out of dark hole I seemed to have been in. I seem to be doing a little better. Just the fact that I've been able to sit and put this together is amazing :)

Please keep my family in your prayers. My oldest son has still been having troubles and got himself into some pretty big trouble. He could really use some HUGE prayers as well.

Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting,) but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting. II Corinthians 4:18

And he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

Hoping each and every one of you are doing well and that your new year is off to a beautiful and blessed start! With Much Love, Jerelene

A few pics from our house :)

2010-07-12T16:31:00.000-07:00

Hello! I hope everyone is having a nice summer :) Peanut and Mickey have become good buddies now. Mickey is still not wanting to share his toys very nicely...but, other than that...they are getting along great! Teddy runs around and plays with them sometimes, but mostly would rather that they just leave him alone. He is getting older and I'm sure probably gets pretty jealous of all the attention given to the chi-babies...Peanut is around three pounds now. I think we should call him puddles, as he leaves lots of them for me :)

Out in the garden...my sunflowers are gorgeous!! I planted mammoths and red velvets. The mammoths just started opening a couple of days ago. Mark wasn't thrilled about me planting a row of them in the garden...but I won out :) I LOVE them!!! You wouldn't believe how tall they are. I should take Sam out there and take a picture of him standing in front of them. I will definitely have to do that...
We have carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, green beans, cabbage, brussel sprouts, eggplant, corn, several different kinds of peppers, potatoes, beets, decorative corn and gourds and pumpkins for Sam. I also have some Zinnias growing in there too...as well as my sunflowers. I planted some beans with red flowers that are climbers...but, something keeps eating the beans off!! :(

You can see the decorative red green beans on the left in the pic below. They are climbing up the fence. Sorry that you can't see the red flowers. They are pretty:)

Sam's decorative gourds and his pumpkins...
In the front flower bed I have been blessed with 3 lovely red double knock-out rosebushes. They were a gift to me from my Aunt Audrey. I love them!!

She also bought me 3 more for the flower bed at the side of the house. A pink and coral bush made my the same people that produce the knock-outs. An Altissimo climber and a Julia Child's Bush. Then Mark bought me one for Mother's day. It's called opening night. I planted lots of flower seeds this year too. I never had Zinnias before...but they are lovely!!! I have them in the garden and a couple in the flower bed..

This is one of the red velvet sunflowers. Most of them are much more burgundy color. Especially when they first open. This one just happened to be right in the sunlight...Very Pretty!!
Moonflower vine growing outside my window...still no blooms on it yet...soon I hope :) I also have a huge pot of moonflowers. It is blooming like crazy. I will have to post pics of it next time..
Outside Sam's window the red velvet sunflowers are blooming away, making for a lovely view...

from INSIDE Sam's window :):):)
It's been busy with canning and baking zucchini bread. I've been trying to get the hang of making homemade bread too...Mark got on full-time with the school corporation...an answered prayer :) He started last Tuesday. We also found out that my youngest daughter is expecting...I'm not happy about the circumstances, but the baby can't help that. I am expecting a granddaughter :) She is due December 6th, but because of being high risk the baby will most likely come early... Please keep this situation in your prayers.

I think of you all often and please know that you are in my prayers as well.

I better go for now. Sam is at the library and it's time to go pick him up. Until next time.....

With Love and Hugs too!! Jerelene

Meet Peanut :)

2010-06-09T23:39:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends :)
I hope your summer is off to a wonderful start. We've been busy in the garden and have already been getting some veggies! Enough that we've even been able to share...what a blessing! I am hoping this trend will continue and that we will have a wonderful garden just like last year.
We've had a new addition to our family. Sarah (and her boyfriend) got a new puppy. The puppy was suppose to stay at the boyfriends...but, they broke up last week and so now it is at our house. Needless to say....Mickey is not very thrilled about this :( Teddy doesn't care one way or the other. He does fine with any animal. The first few days were pretty horrid for Mickey. He has come along some..he runs around and makes an attempt to play. But, I know he is still not 100% thrilled with the situation. Meet Peanut..........All 1 pound & 6 ounces of him :)

Yes, he's a baby Chihuahua.....7 weeks old. We are expecting him to be a lot smaller than Mickey. The Daddy to him was supposedly a teacup and the Momma very small too. We shall see how that turns out later :) But, so far he is smaller somewhat than Mickey was.
As you can see...poor Mickey was heartbroken. He LOVES Sarah so much and this just devastated the poor guy. So lots and lots of hugs and kisses to him from me...believe me I'm trying very hard to cheer him up ;)

The new puppy is loved by everyone else. (Sam especially :) This is my oldest son holding the baby, as we call him. Sarah brought a playpen home from her boyfriends. This has proved to be very helpful. It's hard to get much done without a break sometimes. He is really small so we have to be careful just walking around..
Oh yes...before I forget. Elizabeth and John are no longer together. He called a few weeks ago and broke it off with her. She was hurt..but, she is doing better now. I guess it is better that it happened now and not later.
Now that are garden is busy growing and producing I will have something to take pictures of :)
I better head on to bed. I was trying to change my background and that took forever. Everyone else is asleep and that is where I need to be too :)
More pictures soon.....
With Love to all........Jerelene
PS....say some little prayers for Mickey :)

Busy, Busy

2010-05-17T19:52:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my friends! Several of you have been e-mailing me and asking me where I am :) I am so thankful to all of you for your continued comments and e-mails to me. Life has just been extremely busy and crazy around here. That and lots of personal family things that just didn't leave me a lot of computer time. I guess I've been a little depressed too. You know when things aren't going as smoothly as you would like them too...it causes some stress. I have still been popping in and reading your pages...but, just spending a lot less time on the computer. I missed everyone terribly!! You are all such sweet friends, and I am very lucky to have you :) My computer has been giving me troubles with trying to upload pictures...this also stressed me. It took me a while, but I got some to load :) These are just some of the things we've been busy with. The garden is again as big as it was last year. We have been EXTREMELY busy out there planting. It is great watching everything come up :) Sam and I even had a field trip day to a friends house to learn to make homemade bread. He made 2 loaves and so did I! It was really fun and educational. She did a great job in talking with him about the yeast and how it works. It sure made me appreciate all the hard work that is involved in making homemade bread :) As a spring science project/Easter present from us...Sam got a praying mantis pagoda and egg. I wanted to do a butterfly, but Sam insisted on the praying mantis egg :) Well...it hatched and boy did we have babies!!
When all was done....we probably had at least a couple hundred. It was AMAZING!!

Sam also got a trampoline for Easter. He had asked for one for a very long time...so, we finally gave in. But I insisted that it have the sides on it. The kids helped some in putting it up, but Dad had to do most of the final touches :)

Then came the fun!! We thought it would be good for him with his Tourettes, to be able to jump and release some energy and frustration too..
Sam was also in the play, " Treasure Island " with his homeschool co-op drama class. He was a british townsman. He did very well and had a lot of fun too. He is still charming us with his British accent :)

Sam sang with the choir and also played his cello...but the videos wouldn't show up on the computer :(
After they had the concerts and play, they had a field day with lots of games and fun. Sam especially liked shooting the bow and arrow..

He was pretty good too!! (His Dad worked with him some here at home :)

Sam and I are also attending a creation vs. evolution class on tuesday evenings. It has been very fun and educational. My Dad even came with us last week.

Sam even did a couple of lego classes on levers, pulleys and will attend the 3rd class..gears the first of June. Last friday evening we went to a youth philharmonic concert. Several of the homeschoolers from his co-op were in it. It was wonderful!! The kids were extremely talented. I was truly impressed. As you can see..we've been staying VERY busy. I'm almost hoping for some time to just relax. I guess too, that may be some of the reason I've not been on the computer much. I hope everyone is happy and healthy :) I need to go for now. I am starting to feel pretty worn out tonight. We've had a virus going around here and none of us have been feeling well all week :(

Love to each and every one of you!! Big Hugs too!!!

With Love, Jerelene

And so it begins :)

2010-03-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a busy day here. My Dad came up to our house to help Mark with a few things on our fix it list. One was a leaky faucet in the bathroom. The other was to help Mark work on the new tiller that our neighbor gave us. Well, Dad got it going and so of course they had to try it out. Mark had been hoping to get some of it tilled up...and he did :) My Dad grew up on a farm...and loves working on lawn mowers and tillers...so this he didn't mind at all...
The new tiller does a much better job than the other one...so Dad was trying to go back over what Mark was tilling...They didn't seem to mind me clicking pictures of them. They got used to that last summer in the garden :)
I'm not sure why some of my pictures turn out like this...I don't think it was the glare from the sun...any ideas? I know I don't have a wonderful camera. It's by far nothing fancy...

This picture had a glare too :( But, it was nice seeing my Dad and Mark working along side each other :)
But this picture...I really liked!! Even though it was a little blurry, it was still a nice picture! I like the way the tillers were lined up next to each other...kind of neat!!
This is what's going to be going in the dirt....to start with....

As I was standing there taking pictures of Mark and Dad...I looked up and noticed this tree with pretty pinkish-red buds. It looked so pretty next to the sky. So, of course I had to take a picture :)

Even though I don't really enjoy having these little guys in the yard....I was excited to see blooms :) See how amazingly clear this picture is? It is such a pretty yellow..just like my daffodils.......I just had to throw this in...even though it doesn't have anything to do with spring or the garden. My Mom got me this skirt for my birthday. I just love it!! I have a new fondness for robin's-egg blue. And this skirt is close to that color. I know not everyone knows this about me...But last summer I decided I wanted to start wearing skirts or dresses all the time. I don't feel that it's sinful to wear pants, so don't misunderstand me :)...At first I just wanted to try it. Then once I did...I just decided it felt really comfortable and feminine. I guess it just stuck with me. I have only once, wore pants since then. It was when it was really, really cold. My Mom had bought me some really pretty black boots for Christmas and that remedied that problem. My girls kind of tease me about it some. But, I've always liked the way women used to look....so feminine and lady like. Well, now you know something new about me :)
Mark is busy in the kitchen painting my cabinets. They've needed painted badly since we've been here. I just couldn't decided what color. I decided just to stick with white. We got satin paint and now I'm wondering if we should have got a semi-gloss. I just didn't want them to look like the trim will. We've had so much to paint and it seems like the paint bothers Sam a lot. So, we've put a lot of it off. I just couldn't stand it anymore...and since Mark has been home a lot...I begged him to work on them. Next will be the bathroom. If you remember, our home was dated back 1890-1900. It's ancient :) So we are staying busy here....

I hope your weekend has been a happy one!!

Happiness walks on busy feet. ~Kitte Turmell~

With Love, Jerelene

A Lovely Friday!!

2010-03-19T15:23:00.000-07:00

What a lovely day it has been here in Southern Indiana. Just gorgeous!! It has been a sick week for poor Sam. I took him in to the pediatrician this afternoon just to make sure that the cough wasn't anything severe and that his throat and ears were alright too...No bronchitis and no strep!! At least that's what the rapid strep test showed. They'll culture it and hopefully nothing will show up. His ears were alright too. Just hurting from the pressure of his swollen tonsils. He has been running a pretty high temp all week. Today it seems to be staying down some, so I am hoping we are on the mend :) Besides, the weather is too wonderful to be sick!!
When we came back from visiting the doctor I decided to take a walk around the yard. Everything is starting to bud and turn green. Last night I even saw a spider making a web outside our back door. This has got to be a definite sign that Spring is here to stay :)
My daffodils really opened up yesterday, and today they were just lovely!! And there was such a sweet smell in the air too!!
They look like happy little faces smiling up at me. And what a cheerful color too!! I am SO happy that Spring is here:):)

Then I took a little detour through some of our bush honeysuckle. They make a lovely little arbor. In the summer it makes a nice little hiding place for Sam. When we cut all the others back. I insisted that this be left for him. I just love the way the branches twist around. Evidently our pet possum loves it too. Every couple of nights...he comes out and sits here. Sam has enjoyed looking at him so much. Who knew that a little wild animal would make such an impression on Sam. Sam even named him Peter the Possum. Sam got a couple of books on possums at the library and even took one out to read to him :) Oh well....it doesn't take much to make us happy around here :)
After walking through my little arbor....I found this!! I've only had yellow ones...so to find this little dear made me smile :) Isn't she pretty? The most lovely shade of lavender!
These little guys were growing around in several place too!! So Sweet!!!
I am not sure what this is. It was here last Spring and never did anything. I was hoping that after we cut back some of the bushes...that it would get enough sunlight and might bloom. We shall see....Any guesses on what she is?
My Forsythia bush is coming to life too. It was an anniversary present from my Aunt to Mark and I last April for our anniversary. We will be married 23 yrs on the 18th of next month!! Wow, time flies doesn't it?

This is my new wind chime...It is as pretty as it looks in this picture. I didn't spend much on it...but I LOVE it!! So pretty :)
On Wed. I went to the library. They were having a book sale. At first I wasn't even going to look. But then I saw a sign that said "A buck a box." Well, needless to say....I got really lucky. A lot of the books that were on Sam's reading list for next year were on the tables. I got all of these for one dollar!!! I also got 2 movies and a book for me..:) I was so thrilled that I was able to get The Golden Goblet, Adam of the Road, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Call it Courage and Snow Treasure. What a great way to spend a dollar!!
I hope that everyone has a lovely weekend!! Lots of love and hugs to all my sweet friends :)

Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible. ~unknown~

With Love, Jerelene

What happens when it hits 74 degrees?

2010-03-10T22:01:00.000-08:00

Yes! It hit 74 degrees today :) Spring is definitely in the air and I'm loving it!!! To start the day off...we took Teddy to the groomer for a MUCH needed haircut. Now he looks like a little Easter lamb!! He feels so much better and we feel better having him snuggly and soft!!I actually got to open some windows and let the lovely warm breeze in...and yes, it was heavenly!!

Mickey didn't even want to come in....He just sat out there and almost looked like he was smiling. I would yell and he ignored me. Apparently he was enjoying the day too!!

This was also possible....which was really nice!!
Surprise Lilies coming up :)
Blooms on the lilac bushes :)

And some pretty crocuses....my daffodils are looking pretty good too...and I can't wait!!
Sam hasn't been doing very well with his Tourettes. His tics have been the worst ever. Vocal tics that are at screaming level. Body tics that are quite powerful as well. His peds. neurologist had us double his medicine....I can't tell that it's helping yet. They told us to give it a week....We're still hoping and praying. I've not been getting on the computer too much. I give myself a time limit and try to hop around and visit when I can. I felt like my family has to come first. So, I've been trying to spend a little more time off the computer :) I've been thinking of all of you even if you haven't heard from me. I do sometimes peek around and not leave any messages if I'm hurrying :)

With today's warm weather comes thunderstorms tonight...I am sort of looking forward to hearing the thunder...it's been a while :)

The flowers appear on the earth: the time of singing has come.

Song of Solomon 2:12

I'll try to not be gone so long again :)

With Love, Jerelene

Animal pics from our house

2010-02-23T14:23:00.000-08:00

Mark loves Mickey....and he loves to play with him too. He likes sticking one of Mickey's babies in his pocket and watching what he does.....See how he is holding his foot up? He takes it really serious. His babies are like gold to him :)
He eventually comes to get it...and he is quick too!! He LOVES his babies..he is SO rotten :)

When I went out to let the dogs out this morning....this is what we saw in the yard! At first, I thought it was the black & white wild momma cat that lives in the neighborhood...but, then I took a second look. I hurriedly grabbed the dogs and ran in the house for my camera. (Thinking of course, I am definately going to blog this :) When I came back out and after taking the pic, I realized there was something very wrong with the skunk. It had evidentally been hit by a car and was having great difficulties just moving its back legs across the yard. We have been so bothered by the skunks in the last couple of months...really badly. There for a while we were smelling it almost every night. Mark had went to get something out of our old shed at the back of the property and opened the door and was greeted by one. Thankfully, he got the door shut before it sprayed him. So, I hate to say it...but I won't miss this guy. I called animal control, but no one called me back. It ended up crawling away...south of our house, hopefully to die. I hated that Mark wasn't here. Maybe he or one of his buddies could of put it out of it's misery. I'm just glad that me and the dogs didn't get sprayed :)

Saturday night we had another visitor by the house. It was very warm here over the weekend. 58 and 59 degrees. It was lovely...like spring :) My crocuses are blooming and some of the trees have buds on them. Mark was out in the building out back and I had came out to check on him. I was standing in the doorway and he looked at me and said...."go in the house and get your camera." I said..."why?" He said, " turn around and look in the bush." When I did...this is what I saw! Can you tell what it is? I don't know how to make the picture bigger..and my camera doesn't do very well at taking pictures in the dark. Mark walked up very close with Sam and I standing behind him with me holding the camera out, trying desperately to get a good picture. This was about as good as I could get.....If you can't tell...it's a possum. Or do they call it an O'possum? He didn't growl or hiss at us...but I was just a little bit scared of him. They sure are strange looking. We didn't bother him though. We just went in the house and he finally went on his way. It was really neat for Sam to get to see it up so closely. I just wish we could get that lucky with an owl. I would love for Sam to see one up close. They are so neat to look at and to listen too. We have on occasion had deer in the yard. The neighbors have all seen them, but we haven't got to yet. I'm sure once we get the garden going, that they'll be back.

If I could ask everyone to still remember my family in their prayers. Especially my oldest son...he is going through some very serious problems...and it is affecting the whole family. Also, Sam. With the stress with Zachary...it is not helping Sam with his tourettes at all. His tourettes have been the worst that they have been in a very long time. He is hurting constantly every day from the severe tics. His back and kneck, and now his eyes from blinking them so much. His vocal tics are to the point of pretty much yelling. It is hard to watch him going through this. It is making it very, very difficult to even get school work done. He is taking his medicine. I don't know if maybe his medicine is starting to lose it's effectiveness or if it's just a bad spell that he is going through. I happened to run across this web site for a little boy that also suffers from tourettes. I thought I would share the link with you. If you don't really know what it's like for a child to have tourettes, you can go to the link on Jaylen's page that says videos. This is a lot like what Sam is going through. He has done a punching thing similar to this at times...but right now he is flexing his back backwords and jerking his neck and eyes. Here is the link Jaylen's page.

Unless you've been through this yourself, it's very hard to grasp what it's like. So, again...please remember Zachary and Sam (and Jaylen) in your prayers.

I do hope all my dear friends are doing well...Life has been kind of busy and crazy around here. Mark has been offered a job opportunity. The pay isn't huge....but, with him working at night and not having anything to do during the day...it will be a big help. Hopefully he will get the job. It is another custodial job...but as jobs are rather hard to come by right now...we just hope and pray that God will provide :)

You are all in my thoughts and prayers...

With Love, Jerelene

Veggie soup, Mickey and some music ;)

2010-02-08T19:10:00.000-08:00

I am just LOVING the new crock pot my Mother gave me for Christmas. I have been chopping more veggies and peeling more carrots than I have in a very long time. It is so nice just to throw everything in it and let it cook. Chicken is just so much better after cooking for hours in it. Saturday night we had vegetable soup. Yummy carrots, celery, cabbage and green beans cooked in a tomato juice broth. It turned out really yummy. I think cabbage always makes everything delicious...
And what goes on when you are trying to dip some out into bowls? This...............he thinks it was good too :) No this isn't a joke..he really was standing next to me and I happened to catch him licking his lips..You can see why we love this little guy so much :) And no, he isn't spoiled at all!

Here's a little something just for fun...I ran across it on another blog and it made me smile..I hope it makes you smile too :) Just be sure to scroll down and turn my playlist off before you play the video.

We are under a Winter Storm Warning until tomorrow afternoon. We are suppose to get 3 to 5 inches of snow. It's coming down hard now...it's really pretty :)
Stay warm, stay safe, and stay happy!!
With Love, Jerelene

Daffodils and the Quiltmakers Gift

2010-02-03T13:53:00.000-08:00

I just had to share this with everyone....yes, this is daffodils popping up in the sunlight. Unreal huh? See Rebecca...I told you :)

And just to prove how wierd this is....you can see the remnant snow from last weekend. They are calling for some more snow possible this weekend. We actually got around 6 inches last weekend. It was pretty...
Sam just read this wonderful book..to me :) We both really liked it! It has the most wonderful message...No matter how old you are....I think you couldn't help but love it...
The pictures are beautiful too...It tells the story of a quiltmaker who only makes quilts for the poor. The king wants a quilt badly...but she won't make him one. He already has everything...but isn't happy. He finds out that giving all of his precious belongings away to those in need...is what really makes him happy. Then....when he has nothing else to give away...she gives him a quilt. I LOVED this book. I think we all struggle with having wants...this book is a wonderful reminder that you can have everything and still not be happy...that belongings aren't what brings us happiness....
This is another book about the quiltmaker...this time you learn where she came from. I couldn't help myself and went ahead and read it...Sam hasn't read it yet...but we will read it very soon...I LOVED this one too :)
Here is a link to the website for these books. It has neat links about the author & the artist, about the books, quilt stories and a quilt gallery........go here :)
Sorry I've not posted about pen-paling before now...but we've had some family issues and I just haven't had my mind able to think straight...Please keep us in your prayers as my oldest son Zachary is having problems...and Mark is laid off from his day job. He still has the part-time school work in the evenings...but it's been tight. So any prayers would be so greatly appreciated.
As for the pen-paling....I have Bernie, Marcy and Eileen. If I have overlooked anyone that wanted to...please let me know. I can't remember pen-paling with Marcy at all...so I will pen-pal with Marcy and Bernie and Eileen can pen-pal with each other....I hope that sounds ok...If not...please, please let me know..Bernie...I promise to pen-pal with you next month :) :)
That's all for now.....
Big hugs from me to you :)
With Love, Jerelene

Dave Pittman on American Idol

2010-01-28T15:10:00.000-08:00

I just came home from the library...the librarian shared with me that a young man on American Idol last night..had tourettes. I had taped last nights show and hadn't watched it yet. So, for any of you who didn't see it....I'm sharing it with you. This, of course, is touching to me...because of Sam having tourettes. What an amazing performance...I am so thrilled for his opportunity to share with people...his abilities and his story. I can't wait to see how he does...I hope and pray he does well. It would be nice for America to see someone with Tourettes to make it "big" on TV...:) Hugs to all of you....Love, Jerelene...PS Be sure and scroll to the bottom of my page and turn my playlist off so that you can here it better :)

AI9 DA 4 @ Yahoo! Video

Thursday...

2010-01-28T10:18:00.000-08:00

We are suppose to get some snow tonight and tomorrow. There is a winter storm warning just south of us and we were given a winter weather advisory through tomorrow night.
This is a book that I got from the library for Sam. It is a little easy reader with wonderful pictures. But, it is a wonderful book! It goes through the ABC's with a revolutionary theme...

The pictures are just wonderful...and so are the themes it picks to cover for each letter....We read it yesterday and really enjoyed it.
I'm going to be taking it back to the library this afternoon to give to another Mom...she is bringing me some books that she has finished up and will be so kindly sharing with me :)

This is one of the science books we just started on this week. It is really interesting learning about the first doctors and how they started off learning how to care for people. We have learned about Hippocrates, " the Father of Medicine." We learned about the hippocratic oath...

It was interesting to learn that people tried to bribe doctors back then to actually harm people that they didn't like. Hippocrates taught his students to not practice medicine that way...to treat everyone the same...."both friends and foes, rich and poor...sometimes give your services for nothing." "For where there is love of man, there is also love of medicine."

Did you know that in Europe in the 1500's..that barbers, not doctors, performed minor operations, pulled teeth and treated cuts? Barbers who gained skill in closing wounds were called barber-surgeons. The stripes of a barber pole still show the red for blood and the white of bandages. The greatest of the barber-surgeons was ambroise Pare'. I never knew that...it's amazing all of the things I am learning along with Sam......I am really thankful for the nice friend at co-op for sharing this book with us...it is full of the most amazing things and I think Sam is going to learn a lot from it :)

This is just a cute picture of Mickey sleeping on Mark's legs...just because :)
I thought I would share pictures of something my Mom gave me for Christmas. I just LOVE it!!
It is a cross that looks like stained glass. I really love what it says...It sits in my room where I can look at it when I'm laying down...but it gets moved into the kitchen sometimes. It lights up and the colors change....it is just beautiful. I love it SO much....thank you Mom.....

When the lights are off................
Since we're expecting some snow tonight...I thought I would share this cute little flannel snowman gift bag. My Mom give it to Sam a couple of yrs. ago. During the winter it hangs on the door. I really like him....he makes me smile :)
This is what I've been working on for my Mom. Her birthday is coming up next month....I don't think I'm going to get it done. It's a prayer shawl. I've been knitting like crazy at night...but it just takes time. Well....if it doesn't get done...she'll just have to know that I'm working on it and that she will get is soon....I really love the colors.....I think she will like it too....

Please have a happy day and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.................

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. Ps. 31:24

With Love, Jerelene

A few favorites :)

2010-01-26T10:12:00.000-08:00

It snowed last night. Not a lot...but just enough that everything looks white :) They are calling for more snow on Thursday. We actually did get to see a few peeks of the sun. But, it is windy and definately cold.
If I could ask again...I would love definate names for exchanging Valentines. (Pen-paling.) I think that I had Eileen, Marcy and did I get a yes from Bernie and Jackie? I know Bernie can't seem to access my blog...so I will e-mail her and ask her. I love Valentines Day. It is a favorite holiday for me. :)
Speaking of favorites...I thought I would share a few of my recent favorites......This was my first apple pie...yes, you heard correctly. I had never made an apple pie before. I was so proud of myself. They are so much better homemade than from a box!!

I thought I did ok...for the first time :) It tasted VERY good too!! I have also found that I love these.....my Aunt got me a container for Christmas...and I just love them!! When you're in a hurry for something warm and quick...these are yummy!! I can't decide which one I like better..

I also LOVE this dish detergent!! It smells heavenly, and it does seem to be helping with the dry, winter skin :) Plus....it's purple!! You gotta love that :) I love my snowman too!
That's a few of my favorite things.....I hope that everyone has a wonderful day!!! Off to do more schoolwork...........
Thank you for the world so sweet,
Thank you for the food we eat.
Thank you for the birds that sing,
Thank you, God, for everything.
Amen - Author Unknown
With Love, Jerelene

The Revolution and some pictures too....

2010-01-23T11:57:00.000-08:00

Our home school co-op was nice yesterday. Sam had a good time and so did I. He isn't that thrilled with doing choir, but I didn't give him a choice on that. He sings really well. As a matter of fact he sings a lot. More than any of my other children ever did. With him starting cello, I personally feel like it all goes hand in hand. If you have the pitch with your voice...it will follow through with your instrument. Your voice actually IS your own personal instrument...so to develop that, helps with everything else. I have definately been blessed with meeting some really terrific Moms at the co-op. They have the ability to have such different ideas on some things and yet smile and laugh the whole time...I love that!! That's what makes the home school world go "round. Being able to do what you think is right and personalize it for your kids :)
We just finished "Mr. Poppers Penguins." Sam really LOVED this book! He really likes penguins and so this was the perfect opportunity to really study the penguins and have fun too! He was upset that there wasn't a part 2 book. There isn't that I know of....I wish there were :) We also just finished a really old book by Augusta Stevenson. "George Washington Boy Leader."The copyright was 1942....the book really had an old look to it and you knew you were reading something from a very different time period. Even the pictures were different...like shadows. We both really, really enjoyed this. It told about how George learned how to do so many different things and how this helped him to become the great man that he was. It gave a very good feel of how it was to live in that time period. I would recommend this book to anyone. She also wrote on Abe Lincoln, Ben Franklin and Andy Jackson. These are also stories of their boyhood. If the library has any of these...I think we will read them too.
We are getting ready to start Johnny Tremain next week. I am looking forward to it...it comes with lots of really great reviews and so I am hoping Sam will enjoy it. The boy in the story actually loses the use of his hand, and so has to overcome his disability. I think this story will be good for Sam in more than one way :)
I am reading (and sharing some of it with Sam,)..."Patriots in Petticoats" by Shirley Redmond. It was actually in the children's section at the library; but it is a wonderful book! I didn't realize that knitting had such a place in history...but it did! Young girls spent lots of time learning how to sew and knit. The women had many sewing circles to make quilts and knit socks for the cause. They had huge spinning bees as well. One of the stories tells of a spinning bee where about six hundred guests showed up to spin or to watch. They made their own cloth so that they didn't have to pay the taxes on the expensive English cloth. They of course, didn't have sewing machines back then, so it was important to learn how to sew by hand. The young girls spent more than an hour a day practicing their stitches. They embroidered pretty designs and common sayings like "Home Sweet Home" on pieces of cloth called "samplers." These were framed and hung in their homes. I'm so glad that some of today's women are learning to do these things and passing them on to their children. I recently showed some interest to my Aunt in learning how to do embroidery. It is harder, (I think) than it looks. My aunt has done some of the most beautiful embroidery and cross stitch pictures that I've ever seen. That would make a lovely post...to show you some of her work that hangs on the walls in her home. But back to the book... the book shares stories of some of the most famous women in history and the brave things they did to help the Revolution. It is incredible to read of their bravery. I'm almost done with it and have loved reading it. They have a book on women of the civil war too...I've read it before, and it was really good too!
We haven't saw the sun in days here. It has just been cloudy, dreary and then very foggy at night. Periods of rain as well. I think tonight it is suppose to be windy and maybe even stormy. I miss the sun!! This weather just seems to make everyone tired and grumpy....It seems to be playing havoc on my joints too. I ache and have headaches everyday....arghh..I really hate this. It would be nice to even have some snow. Anything!!
I thought I would share some pics of some of the cross-stitching my Aunt has done for me. I know I've posted a couple of them before...but it's been a while. The smallest and first one she gave me for Christmas this yr. You know how I LOVE cows :) Also, I thought I'd show a picture of the lapbook that Sam and I are working on. We're not done yet...so some of it isn't finished.
Here is a picture of the lapbook....

And here's my pretty cow pictures....I just love them and my Aunt who made them :)
Before closing this post...I thought I'd share some pictures of Elizabeth meeting John at the airport. He has gone back to his marine base in California now until he is officially and hopefully out by summer. We are just very happy and glad to have him safely back home in the states (from Afghanistan.) A picture of the plane.....bringing him back to Indiana to see his Mom & sister and Elizabeth of course :) Sam and all the rest of us were glad to see him too :) :)
How SWEET :)
I think she looks kind of happy...don't you?
The ride home in the car.....silliness and giggles too...

Spending time together :) What a handsome couple..........
And yes.....John brought a ring home for Elizabeth too....but that's another story :)

"Do all the good you can

In all the ways you can

As long as ever you can

By all the means you can,

In all the places you can." ~John Wesley

With love, Jerelene

Monday evening....

2010-01-18T19:44:00.000-08:00

Was it a nice Monday for you? It was for me. Cloudy and dreary...but warmer. It is finally suppose to warm up quite a bit. I haven't been enjoying the cold so much this year as I usually have in the past. I do love watching it snow though. We were lucky enough to get a little snow...but it's gone now. I love it...but not driving in it.

I've not been able to take any pictures...so I think that has slowed me down from wanting to post. John came in from California on the 8th of January..and Elizabeth has been staying with his Mom and has taken my camera with her. He will have to go back to California this week. I am so glad that he is home from Afghanistan and safe :) He was hoping to be leaving the marines within a few months...but, with everything going on...I am wondering now if he will be :( We shall see......I'm praying that he is able to come out and come home.

After visiting around and peeking in on my friends....I'm noticing that there is a lot of sickness going around. I see that poor Jackie is sick....I will be keeping her in my prayers. I know how bad it is to be sick. We've had more than our share around here. Big hugs to you Jackie :)

Friday was the first time back to co-op since my surgery in December. It was really nice to see all the friends I've made there and to visit and talk. Friends are such a blessing ;)

I have been so saddened by the earthquake....just like the rest of you....the people there and the people that have went there to help, are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Not much going on around here...just schoolwork and housework...same old stuff....kind of boring probably :) We are learning about George Washington, Paul Revere, the Boston Tea party and Antarctica and penguins...

We had a yummy supper of lentil soup, cornbread and chocolate chip cookies for supper :) I will try to do a post on pen-paling tomorrow. I'm thinking about maybe waiting until the end of the month and then swapping Valentines. How does that sound? Anyone interested?

With Love, Jerelene

Checking In With A Birthday Wish For A Special Friend

2010-01-13T22:04:00.000-08:00

Hello to all my sweet friends! I know you've been wondering where I've been. We've all had sore throats and colds that have just been lingering and being passed around. Even Mark got in on the action. I had to take the 2 youngest kids in to the doctor today. They both had sinus infections and were started on antibiotics. So now if I can just get over it....I think if I'm not better tomorrow I'm going to have to get in with the doctor. All the extremely cold weather here didn't help either. With lows anywhere from 2-5 degrees at night and highs only in the teens...it's no wonder we've all been sick. We actually got some snow last week too. But it was too cold for Sam to get out and even enjoy it. He was sick and wouldn't have been able to anyway.
I've been spending time reading and doing some knitting....cuddled up under a quilt. I've been knitting something for my Mom. I think I just needed a break. Time to spend with the family and just trying to relax and recooperate. My nerves have been bothering me a lot too...The week before Christmas I found out that the little boy that I had asked prayer for (Andrew in my side-bar) had passed away. I took this really hard and cried a lot over hearing this. It was greatly on my mind even Christmas day. The thought that Melanie was spending her Christmas without him broke my heart. I had been spending a lot of time praying for him and she had wrote me and told me she was going to pray for Sam. This really touched me that she would do that....Sam's tourettes has been pretty bad again for the last couple of months. I haven't really posted much about it...it's been bothering me quite a bit too..It's a hard thing to see...Maybe you could remember Melanie in your prayers and maybe Sam too. It made him sad to hear that Andrew had passed...we had both been praying for him to be healed...

On a happier note....I want to wish my dear and sweet friend Eileen at Umma's World A Very Happy Birthday!! She is such a kind and loving person....a real life angel :) I feel so lucky to know her and to be her friend :)

To start the celebration.....some flowers!!

And a wish from the heart..........

And some pink cake............. or cupcakes if you prefer :)

and some penguins to share it with :) (this was from Sam :)

And lastly.... my favorite kitty choir singing in their most lovely voices....A Happy, Happy Birthday to dear, sweet and wonderful Eileen :) Have a beautiful day XXOO

With Love, Jerelene

PS.....I've missed everyone......I'll be back soon :)

Merry Christmas!!!

2009-12-23T11:51:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful time of year....I just love it don't you? I love just getting in the car and going for a drive and looking at everyone's homes all lit up with lights and ornaments. I love peeking in the window at all the lovely trees that have been decorated with love. Children home on Christmas break from school...running around excited and giggly waiting for Santa to come :) This has been a hard year...but better than last year..It has also been a good year. Many new friends have came my way....such huge blessings to me......each one of you!!
I wanted to share a few more of our Christmas decorations with you....I've had all of these snowmen for a long time....last year we left the tree up and decorated with snowmen and snowflakes for a winter tree in January....then in February, the snowmen stayed and we added hearts for Valentines :)

This cutie...was a present from my dear Aunt Audrey....don't you just love him?
These were handmade ornaments at a local ceramics shop....this one Elizabeth did...
This was a present for Sarah last year...(she loves pink:)
another snowman...
This is one of my favorites....he just needs a girl to go with him :)
another snowman...
This was a present for Elizabeth...from her (sister friend...Shaina)
This was another handmade from the ceramics shop....Sam did this one :)
This is the one Sarah made.....(pink of course...what else would it be?)
This was a gift from a friend that I worked with when I worked at the church-school. He is actually a snowglobe...I lOVE him!!
This is our new star...I meant to try to get some gold & red ornaments...but I got sick and it just didn't get done...I wanted some gold bows too...I really like it even though it doesn't light up. I had a gold and red angel picked out and when I went back to get it, she was already gone. So, I ended up with this..I do like it though...there's always next year :)
This was made by Elizabeth in school years ago....
And this is the tree....it has a pink glow to it...the pink lights show up the brightest :)
Wishing all of my dear friends....The most Wonderful, Happy and Blessed Christmas Ever! With many hugs and kisses from me to you!! Thanks for being there for me....
With Love, Jerelene XOXO

Pen Pals...

2009-12-14T18:30:00.000-08:00

Hello!
I just realized that I really hadn't addressed the pen-paling for this month. If it's alright...I think I'm just going to leave it up to everyone personally as to what they want to do for this month. I personally am going to send everyone a card...but don't feel that you have to. If some of you want to take a break...I completely understand..and for those of you that want to send cards out, just send as you want to :) I will try to get back into the swing of things for January, maybe we could send out Happy New Year, or even a winter or snowman theme :)
I am still sore, but I think it is just going to take a little time.. So continue to keep me in your prayers...
Thank you so much to my dear friends that have sent me get well cards....you are so sweet! I have them hanging on my fridge:)The picture above is of a tree that we cut down and brought home a couple of yrs. ago. I haven't uploaded the pictures of our tree yet...so I thought I'd post an old picture just for fun. I thought this picture was really neat...I think Elizabeth took it. It's so strange, but pretty how the lights turned out in the bluriness of the picture. I thought it might be a nice one to share. I will try to post a picture of our tree from this year next time I'm on. We used to go and pick one out and cut it down, and then bring it home. The place we go to grows white pine I think. They are lovely and soft to the touch.. I know the kids have been missing it...but I just wasn't up to it this yr. Maybe next yr. :)

"Friends are the siblings God forgot to give us." Sent in by Hillary

"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with friendship." -Ralph Waldo Emerson -

With love to each and every one of you....Jerelene

Home from the hospital :)

2009-12-12T15:16:00.001-08:00

The kidney stone is gone! I got very sick and ended up back in the hospital tuesday morning. The kidney stone that put me in the hospital in October was still there (as I had suspected..but no one was listening:)and it had grown..It had got so big they said there was no way for it to come out on it's own. So Wednesday evening they took me by ambulance down to the hospital in Evansville, and did my surgery Thursday morning. The ambulance ride was unerving to me..I can't explain it..but it just made me very uncomfortable and nervous.. They had to go in and blast the stone.. I was pretty nervous about the surgery. I've never been put under general anasthesia...and was scared. As they were wheeling me back to surgery I was thinking I wish my dear bloggy friends had known so they could have been praying for me ;) If you've never had surgery...it is a scary thing.
They put a stint in and that is a bit uncomfortable. I'm still running a bit of a fever too. I'm suppose to pull the stint out at home here Monday...and that scares me to death!! They said take a pain pill first..that it will be quite uncomfortable. Scary too!! I'm still passing blood when I urinate..which they said I would for a while. But, the horrible pain in my back and side is gone..and I am so HAPPY!! They said the stone had totally blocked my urine and was backing it up into my kidney...which explains my kidney infection..evidentally that can be fatal if not taken care of quickly. I can't imagine that anyone wouldn't seek help as painful as it is...
The urologist was quite concerned about my anemia too. He told me that was the next thing that needed to quickly be taken care of...So, hopefully I'll be taking care of that problem soon :)
Please continue to keep my family in your prayers...We had all had the stomach flu last weekend before I went in the hospital. Sarah actually dehydrated and I had spent a night at the hospital with her..then Sammy got it too..It's been busy here..
I'm so thankful for all of my friends here...you are such blessings to me...I feel badly that I've not been on and commenting back as much as I should...please forgive me :)
You are all in my thoughts and prayers daily...I love each and every one of you!!
Hugs...
With Love, Jerelene

My Thursday...

2009-12-03T17:34:00.000-08:00

It was a busy day...The visit to the doctor was tiring. She was running late and I had a bit of a wait. So, I made good use of my time by reading my book. I have started reading the Bestselling "Mitford Series" by Jan Karon. They are wonderful books to read. I finally finished the first book, " At Home in Mitford." Now I've started on the second book, "A Light in the Window." My Aunt introduced me to these books....and I LOVE them! I would highly recommend them if you like a clean, relaxing and entertaining read.

Once they called me back and did the unpleasantries like weighing me..yikes...I got settled in the room and waited to meet with the doctor. She said they are still waiting on my thyroid and rheumatoid tests to come back. My hemoglobin was up just enough to keep me from needing the blood transfusion..however, still low enough for me to still feel horrid...lovely :) She changed my iron pills to something with a prescription? It's a time-released form. She also put me on something for restless legs, which is a result of the chronic anemia. I also got a B-12 shot. I then told her that I'm still having back pain and hurting down low in the bladder area. They had me do a urine and came back and said they I have a definite infection...I guess that explains the pain. I have took every one's advice to heart. Cranberry juice, lots of water, and yes beets (Jackie:) So, they have started me on an antibiotic for that. I'm hoping that helps me feel better quickly. They are still going to get me in with a specialist. I have needed a hysterectomy for a long time now. I don't know until I get in with the specialist if they would be able to do an ablation procedure or not. If you have fibroids (which I do) if they are too large they can't do it. I guess time will tell and I'm just going to have to wait and find out. Until they do, I will be battling this chronic anemia.

Tomorrow is Sam's co-op. I hope the day goes well. It is a very long day for Sam and for me. We get there at 9 and finish at 3. Last week Sam and I both came home and took a nap. Things really wear me out easily. It will be his final practice, other than dress rehearsal for his Christmas concert next Tues. evening.

I have been putting a few things here and there around the house. I actually put the Christmas tree together the day before Thanksgiving. Now to finish decorating it ;) I am getting there slowly. This is our newest ornament. Elizabeth got if for me last Christmas. I just love it!!

This was also a present last yr. It came from Sarah's longtime friend Brandi. A cow-lover can't go without a cow Christmas ornament :)
This lovely fiber-optic angel..sits in front of our front window in the girls room. She is very pretty! I'm thinking...if I feel like it...of getting another little tree for their room. If I do, she's going back in the living room where I can see her all the time.
Since it's turned cold...Mickey is a sleepy boy! He wants to get under the blankets and try to stay warm. The poor little Chihuahua..he gets cold so easy. You can't tell how much Sam loves him can you? He was a Christmas present for Sarah last year....the most wonderful one of all!! I better go for now...I will try to stop by and visit everyone this weekend...I've kind of been peeking around...Some of you have gorgeous Christmas pics of your homes. I love Christmas decorations :) Hugs to All of you!! Thanks for all the kind and sweet comments, prayers and Hugs!!

"A hug is worth a thousand words. A friend is worth more."- Sent by Jasmine Fitzwilliam

With Love, Jerelene

Resting...

2009-12-02T16:24:00.000-08:00

Hello friends!
Sorry I've not been writing...but I am still sick :( I go back to the doctor tomorrow. They did labwork again today...I'll find out tomorrow what they have to say..They did another blood count, checked my thyroid and checked for rheumatoid..The lab tech wasn't happy with how my blood looked..I guess it was too thin and very watery...a sign she said...of how very anemic I still am :(
I've been taking it easy and just laying around and being a couch/bed potato :) I guess maybe, I should feel bad about that...but I don't. :) I really need it I think.
We did start putting up our Christmas tree. In the past, we've always went and cut one down. But last yr. we bought a white one. It's not that big, and nothing fancy...but I like it. I think I just don't have the energy to get really creative this yr. Once I'm finished with it I promise to take a picture...but I'm not done yet :)
Sam has a concert with his co-op next tues. Next week is going to busy...and I'm not looking forward to that...
Sarah is feeling better from her surgery...she had her stitches taken out yesterday. He started her on something to try to stop or at least slow down her periods...
I am so looking forward to feeling better...the sooner the better.
I am curious if the pen-palers want to pen-pal this month...
I thought it would be nice if we sent Christmas cards to everyone on the list this time...If you would rather just send to one person...that would be ok too...just comment and let me know :)
That's all for now....
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7
With Love, Jerelene

A quick post..

2009-11-25T11:23:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone! I feel badly that I've not been on in so long. I am still not feeling too well; so I've been trying to rest and take it easy. Sarah, my youngest daughter had her surgery this weekend. It didn't turn out like we had hoped it would. The Doctor was not able to fix her uterus. He was hoping it was just heart shaped and that he could clip the part hanging down. It turns out that she has 2 complete uteruses. They are smaller than they would be normally...but it is 2. This explains why she has had so much trouble from the beginning. She actually has periods from both!! If he could have fixed it, it would have made it where she wouldn't have trouble with miscarriages. But, because he couldn't...she will still likely have trouble in that way. He said she would be able to get pregnant, but that the baby would come early. She did also have endometriosis in each uterus, and he said he would discuss that with us when we come in for her follow up appointment. I was pretty upset when the doctor came out and told me. We had really been hoping he would be able to completely fix her. She took it better than I did I think...but, I don't really know. She's been in a lot of pain from the incisions. There were 2. I feel badly....I just wasn't able to get on before now. I hope you all know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers anyway :)
I hope that everyone's Thanksgiving is Wonderful and Happy! Thanksgiving is such a great holiday. It' s a happy time for families to spend time together and reflect on what they have to be thankful for :) It's also a time to reflect on how grateful we are for the wonderful and sweet angel friends that God has sent our way. I am so thankful for each and every one of you...for all the sweet comments, e-mails and cards....I am so lucky to have such a blessing of friends :)
A Very Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you!!

With Love and Hugs!!! Jerelene

Morning Glories.........

2009-11-14T13:20:00.000-08:00

Hello to my friends and I've missed you all! I've been trying to take it easy...but life keeps throwing BIG hurdles my way. When you're trying to rest and recooperate, that is not exactly what you need :( I know the Bible says that "God will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able: but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
* Cor. 10:13...I am feeling like I have reached my limit of earthly (battles) and trials. Please continue to remember my family in prayer. I try hard to be a positive person and to always put others first. But lately...I'm having a hard time in that area. I seem to not be able to pull myself up and out...and to see past my own hardships. So please pray that God lead me out of the sorry path of problems that keep coming my way...
I got a lovely card from Eileen and a lovely post card from Jackie! I appreciate your kind thoughts and your thinking of me and keeping me in your prayers...thanks so much!!
I've been trying hard to find things to be thankful for....I was pleasantly surprised when I walked outside to make a trip to the garden and found this...Where I had found a couple of blooms a while back....I found my windmill covered in the most beautiful flowers...I had thought it wasn't going to do much. But this, was a wonderful and happy thing to see :)

Some of the blooms were tipped in purple.....just gorgeous!!! This did bring a happy feeling to my melancholy outlook :)

Our pear tree out front was also trying to make me smile....and it did!!

It has had the most beautiful colored leaves appear this week! Beautiful burgundy..just gorgeous! And you can see all the brown oak leaves...Mark is going to have some fun with those tomorrow :)
I thought this pot of mums was done blooming as well. It surprised me with some beautiful blossoms too! (It's sitting next to Sammy's big pumpkin...yes, it's still with us!)
Marks fall garden has been providing us with some very delicious broccoli! He planted 18 broccoli and 18 cabbage plants. The cabbage will be ready soon! We've been having some yummy meals of vegetable soup and broccoli with cheese and rice....It is so much better than from the store or frozen...

I finally finished my other little quilt...it's a nice throw size. I love the cute little teddies on the back!!It's been nice to cuddle up with since I'm not feeling well. I can cuddle up with the book I've been trying to read. Normally, I'm a quick reader...but since I've not been feeling well...every time I start reading..I get through a few pages and get tired and end up falling asleep :) I'm hoping to sit and try to get done with it this weekend. (If I can stay awake :) Elizabeth got a call from John in Afghanistan today and also on thursday...I was so happy to hear that he doing alright. He is suppose to be home in the U.S. December 18th. I am so happy that he will be home soon!! Please know that I think of each one of you daily and keep you in my prayers. You are all such kind and thoughtful friends...I appreciate that so much!
Thank you for your prayers too...The (village) is a wonderful place to be :) Love and Hugs to each one of you!!!

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Heb. 10:25

With Love, Jerelene

Tired, but happy :)

2009-11-06T19:37:00.000-08:00

We had a good day at Sam's homeschool co-op today. I took the elevator instead of the stairs...which helped a lot. I didn't get completely worn out from the start. The other Moms treated me like a princess today. They are so sweet and it was so appreciated. They all pitched in and did all my stuff for me...now, if only I could get that to happen at home:) Sam even had a good day...I saw him talking a bit more today with other kids and even the Moms...that was nice too!
The church where they meet at has a womens candlelight dinner every year. The ladies that want to get to decorate a table in the theme of their choice. Then they invite all their friends and relatives to sit at their table. They have name tags and gifts for each person. Most of the tables have a biblical theme of some kind as well..on the name tags or placemats or with the gifts..
I could have cried when I realized I didn't have my camera. As sick feeling as I was...it was so enjoyabe walking around and looking at all the energy and thought that each of these ladies had put into their tables. The ladies that were there..of course I spoke to and congratulated on doing such wonderful jobs..It was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful...each one!! My favorite was a teddy bear table...the centerpiece was of teddy bears spiraled around like a rising christmas tree. There was a pink candle at the top and ribbon wrapped around that said...Bear ye one another's burdens...It was very sweet...my emotions got the best of me...it touched my heart :)
There was a candy cane table, all done in red and white and candycanes...and an ocean table...complete with sand, starfish and shells and a betta fish. A brown and pink polk-a-dot with chocolate...and every color scheme you can think of. I could just kick myself for not having my camera. So I came home and thought about the church website...and guess what! They do have pictures from last year!! Maybe soon they will post pictures from tonight..Today's tables were even better...much better than the ones from last year...I'll try to keep watching for them to post them up...
I kept walking around, thinking of all of you and how much you would enjoy seeing it!
It made me smile and happy so for that I'm grateful...it was like going to a museum or a fancy art show! Last years pictures really don't do this years justice....but I thought you all would enjoy seeing them so here's the link PICTURES
My very favorites were pictures no. 101, 071, and 169 was my most favored....I did however really like 140,141,143,145 and 154...
These gorgeous tables made me think of you Eileen!!
I've had a really good day...even though I'm still tired...it was a good day...I even got to talk to a sweet bloggy friend on the phone...Lori from Morning Glories and Moonflowers....Lori...I really enjoyed talking to you!! It was the perfect ending to a great day!!
Hugs from me to all of you!!!
I'm off to bed.....hopefully having sweet dreams of beautiful candlelight dinners :)
With Love, Jerelene

My doctor visit...

2009-11-05T19:27:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends...
My visit to the doctor was exactly how I thought it was going to be. She said I need to be given blood. Do they call that a transfusion? I'm sort of confused with that. I will have to talk to Mark about it when he comes home shortly. They are also sending me to a female specialist...My female troubles are why I'm so anemic...I have been very anemic since 2006...and they've tried to work with me...but this time it's severe enough that something is going to have to be done, probably...The severe leg cramps are from the anemia. She gave me a script for huge amounts of iron 3 times a day. This will also make me sick...as I've done this before :(
So, I have some decisions to make....I heard this song on the way home this evening. I guess I related to it because it touched my heart...I am just so tired of feeling badly...I just want freedom...from feeling badly..I told the doctor I thought I was being a baby...I have even felt like something was wrong with me mentally...why can't I do the things I need to do...just keep going. She told me that I was sick...and that we were going to have to do something about it. She said to me "you aren't being a baby, or lazy....you can't do...because you can't do....." so..I guess I'm not crazy :) I cried when she left the room....I really was thinking maybe I'm crazy.....It felt good to know that I wasn't.....
Keep me in your prayers...Sam has co-op tomorrow. I'm not up to it...I'm actually dreading it... But I don't want him to miss again this week.
Hugs to all my friends....thanks for the prayers in advance :)
With Love, Jerelene

a quick post....

2009-11-05T09:32:00.000-08:00

Good Afternoon! This is a picture of Mickey....it had been a while...and this little guy has been my constant shadow since I came home from the hospital. Everytime I sit down...he is cuddled up..just like in the picture...right next to me. I guess he's afraid I'll leave again. He sure is a lot of fun...always playing and making everyone laugh.

I have e-mailed everyone with their pen-pals for November...so watch your e-mails :)

I have a favor to ask...could all my sweet pen-palers...with the exception of Marcy and Jackie, comment and give me your birthdays....:) Please :) I think I started asking before and didn't get it all wrote down. I think Linda, that I remember you telling me that yours is in February...mine too! Mine is the 12th. I'm trying to get my address and birthday card book all filled out.

I'm off to the doctor today...so I hope that goes well :)

Thank you guys so much for being such great friends....I'll try to check in with you later this evening..if I can :)

"A sweet friendship refreshes the soul." Proverbs 27:9

With Love, Jerelene

Pen Pals for November :)

2009-11-03T19:27:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone :)
I sat down to write everyone's names down...and realized that I am quite confused. I think I've lost track of whom has pen-paled with whom. I'm surprised I can even write everyone's names down...the way I've been feeling :)
Terrie....from Terrie's Spot has asked to join in and I'm thrilled!! Yes, Yes Terrie...you can join in and I am happy that you are going to be taking part!
Would it be too much trouble for everyone to maybe comment me and let me know if there is someone that they have not pen paled with? I know some of you just joined last time...so especially the others that have been with me from the start. My poor mind is slipping so any help would be greatly appreciated :)
These are all the names....
Jerelene (myself)
Linda
Marcy
Lori
Diana
Jackie
Bernie
Eileen
Terrie
I apologize again for not linking everyone...but I'm just sort of doing well to post at this point. I've always tried to be good about that...as soon as I have a little more energy..I'll be better about it again..I promise :)
I am hoping maybe we can send Thanksgiving cards out...Thanksgiving is one of my very favorite holidays. It's just a really special time for families...I'm also wanting to send everyone a card for Christmas...at least this one time. If anyone else would be interested...just comment and let me know. It's something that I've had on my heart for a while...and something that would make me happy. If it would be a hardship on anyone...they wouldn't have to...but if any of you would also want to do that just let me know :)
For some reason...Bernie has alerted me that she can't get on to my blog. I'm not computer savvy at all...and I feel badly. I will try to e-mail her and let her know what's going on. If any of you have any ideas why it would be doing that...I'd be grateful to know...
It's been a busy day here...and I am exhausted. I hope that you have all had a wonderful day where you are..
I'll be glad to here from everyone!
With Love, Jerelene

Hangin' in there....

2009-11-02T18:47:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

I bet you were wondering if I've been on vacation :) Just kidding...I know you know me better than that. I appreciate so much all of your sweet e-mails and comments wondering how I have been...it meant so much to me to know that you all cared and were worrying about me..

I am feeling better..a little. I am still very weak because of the anemia. I still haven't seen the kidney stone. The doctor said it could take a couple of weeks to pass from my bladder. Or...it could dissolve and I wouldn't know that has passed. I'm hoping for the latter. I am going back to the doctor on thursday. I guess I'm curious what they have to say about my anemia. I can't go on like this. It is low enough to be causing me some issues. I literally feel like it takes everything I have to even get out of bed, much less get through the day. I'm fairly sure that I will need b-12 shots again as well...I just want to feel better. So many things to do and things I want to do and not enough of me to do it all....I'm sure some of you know exactly what that's like. It's just so aggrivating. I was just trying to do the most simple things this weekend and was out of breath like I'd been trying to jog. The anemia is affecting the mitrol valve problem I have with my heart too.

Sam is better...YEAH!! :) He is still coughing some...but the antibiotic is helping and for that I am very grateful. When I took him to after hours...I think they thought I was cracked in the head for even being there...but the girls were at work and so was Mark...so that only left me and I couldn't get him in during the day..they've been too full. His chest was clear..he had a sinus infection as I had suspected...He always gets those. And then, coughs and coughs. He did get to go trick or treating. I wasn't able to take him so I begged nicely for help... Sarah took him and his little friend Chase around the local square in town and to relatives and friends homes too. They got a lot of candy and had a good time. We also carved too pumpkins...I apologize for lack of pics...but they're starting to look acky..so I decided to just share the fact that they had 2. Elizabeth carved one and Sam and I carved one. Elizabeths had ears....ours looked like Patrick from spongebob..It was fun..we hadn't done that for a very long time...

Before I got so sick my Mother sent 2 presents home with me.. This first one I have on my bed now...It is so pretty..the picture does not do it justice. I took it at night and you can't see how bright and pretty it is. It is mostly hand quilted and just gorgeous!! It has the prettiest pinks, purples and blue in it. I should take a picture of it in the daylight. I just love it. I couldn't wait to come home from the hospital and climb in under it. I got a new picture from the library to hang over my bed. At our library you can check out pictures like books. You get to keep them longer though. I get to keep it til January. It's a big picture of a beach and lighthouse in the background. (Eileen, I thought of you and my sea shells when I saw it :) I will take a picture of it and show you...it's very relaxing...which I can't get enough of...

This second quilt...was a wedding gift to my parents from my Grandma...(My Dad's Mom)

Green is not my favorite color...but it is so colorful and bright....and she did it all by hand....It is gorgeous and I LOVE it!! I have it hanging on my quilt rack. I probably won't use it as much..just because I don't want the dogs tearing it up....it is special...I even remember many of the fabrics....I am so happy that my Mom gave it to me :) when I brought it home, I stretched it out on the bed and looked at every flower and examined all the stitches. It gave me the warmest and happiest feeling to think of my Grandma's hands touching all of those flowers and stitches....It's so wonderful when things like this get passed on to us. Thank you MOM!!!
My sweet pen-pal partner for this month..Eileen...really outdid herself! She sent me a post card from Disney World...see the Castle on the right...that's where I wished I'd been instead of the hospital :) The sweet card in the middle played bibbidy bobbidy boo...I am so sure that isn't spelled right...but just forgive me if you can. I loved it and so did Sam and the rest of the kids..I think they're jealous of my sweet card collection. Then she also sent me the sweet punkin card on the left....I don't know what I did to deserve 3...but thank you so much Eileen...you are the sweetest friend....and it was very appreciated...especially with me being sick :)
Then today....I got this gorgeous card from Fiona in South Africa...It is absolutely beautiful!! So were the stamps on the envelope....I should have posted pics of them too!! I didn't post links...I apologize..forgive me again :) Not only did Fiona send this gorgeous card...she sent me a really
great calendar too. It has the most wonderful and beautiful pictures of South Africa.

Thank you so much Fiona for the card and calendar...you are a super sweet friend and I feel blessed to know you and to be YOUR friend!!!

Sam and I took Elizabeth to work this evening and went in to visit our new friends at the nursing home. Barb and Betty were delightful....I don't know who was more excited about the visit...us or them!! We did lots of talking and by the way....they loved Sam!! (I know that will surprise all of you :) We talked about my blog and about all of my sweet friends here....were your ears burning? I showed them my cards I got this month and we asked what their favorite cookies are. Peanut butter and also oatmeal and raisin. I see some cookies being baked in our near future. It was a delight to meet them and I can't wait to go back. I hope that it was appropriate for me to tell them I wanted Sam to meet people of all different ages and not just his own. I worried about that after I left....I hope it was o.k. I told them how much it had meant for me...to have friends that were older when I was Sam's age...It really helped make me a better person...I think and HOPE....Thank you all...again....for being such wonderful friends to me.....I love each and every one of you...I will be by very soon to say hello!! Please continue to keep us in your prayers as life continues to keep blowing hardships our way....I'm trying to keep my chin up though....just pray and march on :) Hugs to Everyone!!!

With Love, Jerelene

Kidney Stone..

2009-10-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

A very short post...I just got home from the hospital. I was admitted Saturday morning with a kidney stone. I knew I'd been under the weather...and I kept thinking I was trying to get a bladder infection for the last couple of weeks. Well it progressed into unbearable pain on Friday and by Saturday morning I had my Dad take me to the hospital. The cat scan showed a kidney stone in my left ureter. On top of that my hemoglobin is extremely low. It was 8.3 when I left the hospital this afternoon. I still haven't passed the stone so they've sent me home with a cup and strainer to strain my pee. I probably won't be on for a while...I'm going to try to rest and take it easy...which is very hard for me :)
Sam is still sick too....he's been coughing quite a bit. Please continue to remember my family in your prayers. It seems when it rains around here..it pours....
I'll try to check in with a post in a day or too..if I'm able..
Love to All.........Jerelene

Hello! sniffles, new friends, knitting and pen pals :)

2009-10-22T19:33:00.000-07:00

Hello to everyone!
It has been so busy around here. We've had sickness and all kinds of troubles...toilets not working, roof leaking, heater not working...it's been crazy and seems to continue with this trend. My Dad came and fixed the heater...so that's one down and a big THANK YOU to my dear Dad :)
Sam was sick with a head cold...and Mark too. Both of the girls had sniffles too. I had a little sniffly nose, but mostly just aching neck and sore throat. My neck always hurts me...but when I'm sick..it's really sore. It seems to settle in my neck when I'm ill. I'm feeling better and so is everyone else...still some sniffling but everyones better. I still have to worry about Sam though. He tends to go into sinus infections frequently after being sick..I'm hoping we'll sail through this time...:)
My oldest daughter works at one of the local nursing homes. I had been wanting to do some kind of volunteer work or just something helpful...(community service type stuff)with Sam. After she had started working there, it came to mind that maybe Sam and I could adopt a grandparent. Now...we're not really calling it that to her...but I went in and asked and Elizabeth and the nurses found the sweested lady for us :) Her name is Barb and she only has one relative that lives states away. She doesn't get much as far as visitors...but she is really sweet. She sales Avon to the people in the nursing home. When Elizabeth went in and asked her if she might like some new friends and told her about Sam...she got very excited. She wanted to know his name and how old and when were we coming...Sam is extremely excited as well. I understand that her room mate is very sweet too, so we may be making some new friend(s)..There is couple of sweet gentleman there too. One is a veteran and he and his room mate always talk to Elizabeth and are very kind too. I am hoping Sam gets the chance to talk to them too. Oh the stories that they could tell. The stories my Grandma used to tell me were just so wonderful!!
I just want Sam to be very well rounded person and be able to be around our lovely senior citizens there and not be afraid. He has a lot to offer them...and I know they have a lot to offer him too.
They have a grand piano there and have told me that I can come play anytime...I'm hoping Sam and I can play violin and cello for them too. I think that will be good for him :)
I've asked about joining our local homemakers extension group. It's something I've wanted to find out about for a long time. They've had an exhibit up at the library and today, at the library, I was knitting while Sam did his work...and a gentleman came up and started talking to me about his wife knitting and that she was in the homemakers extension group. I couldn't believe it! Talk about being in the right place at the right time. I gave him my name and number and he said his wife would call me and talk to me about it...I am so excited!!
I talked to one of the librarians that knit a lot...about doing a knitting class with her...I suggested teaching the basic knit stitch and using chunky yarn and needles and making scarves as Christmas presents. She loved the idea..so I'm hoping that we'll be doing that. The last time she had a class...Sam and I both went. (Sam can do the knit stitch...he actually made a scarf for himself!) As you can tell....I'm sure trying to keep myself busy....Is there a saying like..a busy heart is a happy heart? I'm definately trying:)
Could all my sweet pen-palers let me know if they've sent their partner a card? If they could let me know...I would appreciate it so much :)
I hope everyone's week has been a good one...
Tomorrow is co-op for Sam...a busy day ahead!
I've been trying to make my rounds to everyone...and I think I'm not getting everyone...if I've missed you...I'll come see you this weekend...I'll be thinking about you too! Would you believe it's raining here again? ARGHHH.....
Hugs to everyone....sorry no pics....I'll try to post some pictures this weekend...
With Love, Jerelene

Prayer Requests......

2009-10-13T19:38:00.000-07:00

I've not known Janine long.....but I do know this......she is one amazing woman!! I ran across her blog Sniffles and Smiles...through some of my other sweet blogging friends. Ever since I started reading her blog, I have been amazed by her wonderful posts, her amazing strength and her wonderful and sweet personality :) I hope everyone will visit her page and leave a kind comment. My hope is that everyone will lift her up in prayer and pray that God will be with her every step of the way...through her surgery this week and afterwards also. I pray that she can feel the love of all her friends, even though some of us are miles away....
Praying for you Janine....

Also, if you could please at the same time, pray for Melanie's son Andrew at Bella Mella...it would mean a lot to me...he has been on my heart greatly for the last couple of weeks. I guess this touches me deeply because I have a son the same age....

Please pray for both of them, and everyone else here that we blog with too. I think in these days, there are so many hardships and trials, sicknesses and suffering....we all need prayer....I know I do :)

Janine and Melanie(Andrew too).....please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.....

With Love.......

Jerelene

A lovely monday!

2009-10-12T17:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday Evening!!
I hope everyone had a wonderful day and that the sun was shining where you are!! It actually was shining here...and it was wonderful :) We've had so much rain here lately, that it was truly a blessing to see the beautiful sun shining in the sky!!
Our school day was a good one, and we even took a lunch break to meet my Mom and her friend out for mexican food. Sam is doing well and is moving along nicely on the cello. It is so fun getting my violin out and playing along with him..I LOVE it!!
We had a nice supper of chili (with our garden tomatoes and bell peppers.) It was yummy! We had some yummy cookies for dessert. It's been such a nice day here :)

I had a busy Sunday....working on something I wanted to do....and it was very nice!! I had saw a quilted scarf on another blog...and thought to myself that I would like to try my hand at it. I had a lot of fun with it! It is big....but I wanted it to be big and warm where you could really wrap up in it. It is really quilted, with batting on the inside and yummy corduroy on the back. I used the cutest little swirly floral stitch to quilt it.. I think it turned out really well and this was a starter for me...I hope to make some with snowman fabric and maybe something boyish for Sam...Elizabeth loves the orange...so this may end up going to her....Sarah loves pink....I think it would even be cute to put pockets on the bottoms with fleece lining....The ideas are endless for me! I can't wait!!
It's wrapped twice around Sarah's neck...so you can see it's pretty long...I haven't officially measured it yet...but I'm 5' 2 and when I held it up from the floor I held it over my head. It is so cozy and warm though. I can't wait to make more!! Have a Happy Night :)
I want to feel little,
more simple, more mild.
More like our blest parents,
and more like a child.
More thankful, more humble,
more lowly in mind,
More watchful, more pray'rful,
more loving and kind. Anonymous
With Love, Jerelene

Friday favorites (the night before!)

2009-10-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to be home tomorrow...(Sam's homeschool co-op)..so I'm going to post some Friday favorites tonight! The weather here is ucky again! We are under a flood watch and a tornado watch is right next to us...I've seriously had enough of this rain...On to better things....The first picture is of a purse that my Mom bought for me last year. It is HUGE and is so nice if you're carrying books or knitting with you...I just love it...I love the colors and how it looks quilted. The angel pins are from my Mom :)
Next is a cute little frosty pumpkin that I got from our local dollar store this afternoon...I just love it!! It looks really cute with my pumpkin bears :)

This is my favorite find for the afternoon.....I had eyed it once before, and didn't get it...but I couldn't help myself today...it was marked down...which meant I definately should grab it...right?

It is just adorable and a really cute way to enjoy my yummy coffee with white chocolate mocha creamer :) and...it's a lovely addition to my small mug collection!
After posting the Dutch girl dish towels...I just knew I had to post these too! My Aunt Audrey made these for me...(she made the cross stitch cow pictures too..) They are absolutely adorable and you almost have to see them to appreciate the beautiful work that she did!
These are two of my favorites!! The one on the right has blue eyes! The one on the left has earrings! Aren't they just darling?

I better go for now as there are some really strong storms headed our way. I usually turn the computer off when it storms badly. I don't want it to get fried by the lightning..

You are ALL in my thoughts and prayers...

With Love, Jerelene

Pen Pals for October!

2009-10-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! It's starting to look a little like Halloween....:)
We had a busy afternoon learning about Holland...it has been a lot of fun learning about this beautiful country. I wasn't lucky enough to get to visit there when I went to Europe (a long time ago)but, I would have loved to have went there. I have Irish, French and Dutch in my family-tree...so it has been a lot of fun reading all about it! They have some of the most beautiful castles there too.
Mark went out to the garden and brought this in for Sam. He won't eat it...but it was nice to see that the garden is productive. I actually cut this beauty up....and she was VERY spicy!! A little too much for me....The broccoli have little heads on them now...It was too wet for me to get in the garden and take any pictures...
I tossed our names around and came up with the new list for pen-pals. I thought it would be fun to have a fall theme or Halloween..whichever you prefer.

Linda & Marcy

Lori & Diana

Jackie & Bernie

Eileen & Jerelene (Me :)

If anyone doesn't want to do it this time then leave me a comment..If I don't hear then I'll assume everyone is still in :) If you need your partners address then just let me know :)

I have been having so much fun with this and I hope that you all are too!!I thought I would end the post with a silly picture of Mickey that Sam took..It's funny how it looks like he is sticking his tongue out at him!! He is always making us laugh :)

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 With Love, Jerelene

I might be a redneck....

2009-10-06T13:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday!! I hope everyone's had a good day! I got this e-mail and I really felt like I wanted to share it...
You might be a redneck if: It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, 'One nation, under God. 'You might be a redneck if: You've never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places. You might be a redneck if: You still say ' Christmas' instead of 'Winter Festival. ' You might be a redneck if: You bow your head when someone prays.You might be a redneck if: You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem. You might be a redneck if: You treat our armed forces veterans with great respect, and always have. You might be a redneck if: You've never burned an American flag, nor intend to. You might be a redneck if: You know what you believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening. You might be a redneck if: You respect your elders and raised your kids to do the same. You might be a redneck if: You'd give your last dollar to a friend. If you got this email from me, it is because I believe that you, like me, have just enough Red Neck in you to have the same beliefs as those talked about in this email. God Bless the USA !
Ok...I saw this on facebook...I'm not going to comment on it...but I thought I would at least share it with you all.....feel free to comment....Honestly...I just don't even know what TO say.... be sure to scroll down and turn the music off first :)

I'm going to try to get a list together of names for the pen-pal exchange...I thought it would be nice to be able to send Halloween cards if we wanted..Then next month we'll have Thanksgiving. :) I'll have to look back and see who's pal'd with who so that everyone gets someone new...I'll try to do that this evening.....

I'm praying that your day is filled with the richness of God's blessings...

With Love, Jerelene....I'm leaving you with something a little more pleasant...actually, I just loved this!!

A sweet surprise!

2009-10-05T18:33:00.000-07:00

Hello! It has been a pretty week here so far ...the temperature has been cool and we actually hit 40 degrees last night! I got the nicest surprise in the mail today. My sweet pen-pal for the month...Linda at Linda Lu's Been There Done That....didn't just send me a card...she sent a sweet little cow card (sorry it's a blurry pic )and.......
She sent me a cute little plaque......I LOVE what it says...I have been so blessed by having such sweet friends as all the villagers are :) and Linda....you are a blessing to me and I appreciate your friendship and kindness so much!! She actually cheated a little...she was only suppose to send a card...but I forgive her :) Thank You so Much!! For all the villagers that have Linda in their thoughts and prayers for her surgery...I actually spoke to her on the phone this evening. She seems to be doing well and is home recovering. I'll let her give everyone the details herself when she is feeling better and posts...but I asked if she would mind me telling everyone that I had talked to her and she said to tell everyone that she is doing well and appreciates all the thoughts and prayers....She is such a sweetie and I enjoyed talking with her so much!!

And she sent Sam these adorable Halloween decorations....Aren't they sweet? And they're sparkly too!! Sam was so surprised when he realized that they were for him...He loves them!!
It was so nice of her to think of Sam :)

I took a walk out in the yard yesterday and took a few pics. This is our Maple (I think it's a Maple) tree...It was the prettiest tree in the yard last fall. I am looking forward to seeing it in it's full glory :)
Mark's fall garden....cabbage, broccolli and he planted radishes and turnips too..You can tell we had a lot of rain over the last week or so......
And this is something that really makes me happy. Sam and I had planted Morning Glory seeds in jiffy pots in the spring. This Morning Glory plant is growing around the bottom of my old wind mill. I had just about given up all hope of it blooming. I happened to look out the kitchen window and low and behold.....I saw the most beautiful blue glow.....I quickly ran outside and proceeded to cheer and bellow like a child...I had really wanted to see this and had thought I wasn't going to get to....There seems to be a few more blooms coming on so I am very thankful. They are just so beautiful and exciting to see!! Isn't she pretty?

I'm hoping to maybe try to get names together again before Halloween for the pen-palers...if everyone would like that. I think it would be a lot of fun to send Halloween cards...what would everyone think about that? Just leave a comment and let me know :) I've been thinking about each and every one of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily and I feel so lucky to have such sweet friends as you!!

Across the miles though far apart, God's love joins us heart to heart.

With Love, Jerelene

Sam's 12 !!!

2009-10-01T18:55:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've not checked in with everyone, but yesterday was just so busy I wasn't able to sit and post anything. The night before his birthday I was still busy at the sewing machine...
12 yrs. ago...this sweet little guy arrived. They pulled the pacifier out and then snap went the camera...I wasn't too happy. His little mouth didn't even get the chance to quit puckering :) He had the prettiest blond hair that looked frosted in the back. He was adorable....8 lbs. 6 oz. 22 inches...(he was my tiniest...all the rest were 9 pounds or more..) They take such cute pictures of the babies nowadays....they didn't then :( But he was a beautiful baby!!
He got even cuter...or we think so anyway :)

Here he was in preschool...He's the only one of my kids with blue eyes like his Daddy. I think that is what gave me the heartburn for 9 months....
And of course he grew and turned into a sweet 12 yr. old!! He got an mp3 player...
He also got some other little toys too....Then the oldest sister, Elizabeth...took Sam out for lunch at our local Mexican restraunt.

Burritos.....yum!!! Sam had fries with his...
Big sister sharing fried ice-cream with Sam. She really wanted the guys to come and sing Happy Birthday to him...then they smash the ice-cream and cool whip in your face...But Sam didn't want to do that...so she just got some and shared :)

Later.....for supper....out with Grandma to Cici's Pizza!! This is Grandma (my Mommy :)

Sam got some stuff for his train track from big brother and......

A new train from Grandma!

And....I know you've all been wondering....I DID get the quilt done the night before his birthday...And yes, he LOVES it ........

It was a good birthday for him....and I appreciate everyone that left comments..wondering if Momma got it done....thanks for the encouragement! I needed it :)

I got a call from the specialist's office who is suppose to do Sarah's surgery on Saturday morning. They said they had called the insurance people this morning and that they wouldn't authorize it because they had to have 48 hrs...to process and authorize and that Saturday didn't count. So unless I can straighten something out with them in the morning it looks like we may probably be rescheduling her surgery. She is pretty upset. I will find out for sure in the morning. A friend from our homeschool co-op reminded me this evening to keep in mind that God has his reasons for everything...so I'm trying not to be upset...but we've had this scheduled for 2 weeks. They should have took care of things in time....Oh well...

That's all for now...It has been a long day and we have co-op all day tomorrow. I've not felt well this week either...so I'll try to catch up and say hello to everyone this weekend...I apologize for not making my rounds...forgive me :)

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement....." Philemon 1:7

With Love, Jerelene

A quilting update...

2009-09-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd give everyone an update on the quilt. I stayed up very late last night and I managed to get all the binding pinned on. It was harder than I thought it would be. I figured when I got to that part it would be a breeze...no such luck. All I have left to do is to sew that on..then I'm finished. I feel badly that I didn't try to finish it today. But, the weather here was gorgeous and I really wanted to get out and get some fresh air. Mark mowed and worked in the garden. I worked in my flower beds. He pulled up all the tomato plants. They were still holding a few tomatoes..but the plants were definately dying. Our cabbage plants and broccoli plants look pretty good. He planted some turnips and radishes too. They have come up, but the turnips got washed around in the rain. We'll see though..maybe they'll do something. We don't really like turnips that well. I can eat them, but they're not my favorite. Mark just wanted to watch something else grow out there :) Then he ran the tiller around some. He took Sam fishing this afternoon, after he finished with everything else. Unfortunately, they didn't catch anything..
Here's a picture of the binding on Sam's quilt. I don't remember if I told everyone..but Sam did all the squares himself and then I helped some on putting them together. He managed to get a couple of the same squares close to each other as you can see by his flames squares. I think he had 2 christmas ones close too. You learn after you do the first one to lay it all out and look really well before you start sewing all the rows together. Well, this one was a learning experience .
This is what the binding looks with the backing. I'm glad I went with the golden yellow. I think it looks very nice :)

I thought I would show a picture of what we had for supper tonight. Pizza pie! I just line the pan with pie crust. Then cover with meat (and whatever you like such as mushrooms, onion, peppers)mixed with pizza sauce. Then cover lightly with cheese.
Here's a picture after you've added the meat and cheese....
Then you cover with more crust and more cheese. Then you bake it in the oven. My family all likes it really well. There usually aren't any leftovers when I make it :)

Today was my oldest son Zachary's birthday...he turned 21 today. It's wierd how he turned 21 and Sam will turn 12 on Wed...The same numbers but backwords. The pizza pie was one of Zachary's favorites. We had cinnamon rolls for dessert. Another of his favorites.

With Sarah having surgery this weekend...and several of Sam's friends are heavily involved in Soccer. I think we'll have a little party for him the weekend after this one. That way I think his friends may be able to come and Mark and I both will be here. I have no idea what kind of weekend we'll have after her surgery. You know how things like that go..

Has everyone remembered there pen-pal partner for the month? If everyone could let me know I would appreciate it a lot :) That way I won't worry....

I'm going to head to bed early this evening. Well..earlier I should say :)

I hope everyone's weekend was a happy one and that tomorrow is the start to a very happy week too! I'll leave everyone with some leaves.....:) This was something Sam learned in his art class. I thought it sounded really neat when he told me about it..so he attempted to do one for me here at home. I think it turned out really pretty! It's hanging on the glass of our kitchen door. It looks pretty when the light shines through....

"He has made everything beautiful in it's time." Ecclesiastes 3:11
With Love, Jerelene

A giveaway at Doodles by Lauren

2009-09-26T11:33:00.000-07:00

Is everyone having a wonderful weekend? I hope so!! I have something to tell you about that will make it even more wonderful....How about visiting Doodles by Lauren ? She is having a giveaway in honor of her 100th post! She is a very talented artist and has the most beautiful family! You will enjoy visiting her page :)
It's pretty out now...I was hoping it would stay that way...but there are thunderstorms on the radar. No! I don't want anymore rain. I hope it misses us :)
I better get off this computer and get to working on a certain someones' quilt :)
Have a great weekend....:)
With Love, Jerelene

Hello...wow..I posted!!!

2009-09-25T17:39:00.000-07:00

Hello to everyone! I know it's been a week since I've been on....Life has just been busy around here...With Sam's upcoming birthday..I've been busy working on his quilt. It's been taking longer than I would like and I'm hoping I'm able to finish it by Wednesday. Sam will turn 12 on Wednesday..Time sure does fly by. I can't believe my baby will be 12!!
As you can see from this picture...Mickey continues to be a spoiled little baby...It's like we all can't hold him enough :) As you can see from the picture...not much has been getting done in my kitchen either... The sewing machine has taken up semi-permanent residence at the table. It gets moved around, but not off the table. Every chance I get I'm trying to sit down and get the quilt done. Wish me luck!
Last weekend our neighbors had a yard sale. I resisted the temptations...and oh, there were so many! She had all kinds of angels and cows!! I did well though...I left with only a pumpkin medley home-interior candle, this really nice address and card book..it is wonderful! I'm trying to get everyone's birthdays and addresses down it....It's full of the sweetest little sayings and Bible verses..Really nice..It's very nice for helping me with the pen-pal exchange. I can put everyone's info in it :)

This is my favorite thing that I brought home...a quilt rack! It's got some scratches..but look at the cute little wheat print down the side :) I left the sale and had only spent $5.00! And the best part was I didn't get anything that I really didn't need...(except for the candle...but, for a $1..it was worth it!)
Sam's co-op went well this week. He still hasn't bonded with anyone yet...but, I am keeping my hopes up..During the classes they can't really talk and visit, so it may take some time for him to really get to know everyone. But I am really getting to know some really nice and sweet ladies! (One in particular) has been very nice to me and it's been really great. I've really needed that so it's an answered prayer on my part :)

It's been raining and pouring here all week. I think the rain has finally ended and they talk like we'll have a nice weekend. I hope so, I need to get out and weed my flower bed..if it ever dries out! Mark's cabbage and turnips are coming way up..I'm surprised the rain didn't completely wash them all away...Actually, it did run the turnips over the edge...But the cabbage looks pretty big now. I walked out to the garden this afternoon to take a peek. It was so muddy that I practically sank into it! I had left one pumpkin out there and was determined to grab it. I did..but my shoes paid the muddy price. Well, flipflops can be washed, so it wasn't too bad. I'm so glad the rain has stopped!! The mosquitos have been terrible and all the rain is just going to make them worse!

With the ACTUAL first day of Autumn this week...I thought I would share my 5 Favorite things that I love about Fall.....
1. Pumpkins (how could you not?) On the way to co-op this morning, we drove past a local greenhouse. They had the field covered with pumpkins. And beautiful mums too! It was gorgeous...I don't know who OOHED more...me or Sam.

2. Pumpkin scented candles...those are my favorite..those and Home Sweet Home from yankee candles.

3. Scarecrows and decorations (mums too!) (I know that's more than 1)

4. The beautiful color of the trees...I especially love the deep orange ones!

5. The leaves blowing in the wind.... :)

Even though I've not been on since last week...I have tried to look in on everyone...I love each and every one of you!!
I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend...and keep me in your prayers..that I'm able to get the quilt done :)

"I always thank God for you...." I Corinthians 1:4 NIV

With Love, Jerelene

A beautiful fall day....

2009-09-17T18:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Thursday evening!! It has been a beautiful day here in Southern Indiana. The leaves are definately changing colors...the air wasn't humid..and there was a lovely little breeze. I opened the windows and let the curtains blow in the breeze. I hope it is this beautiful where you are too!
Sam started on this book this week. It is a lovely story about some school children in Holland trying to get Storks to come back to their town. It is very well written and so far it is very interesting. Along with reading it I think we'll study some on Holland and on Storks. Reading this book reminded me of something my Mother gave me in the recent Great Giveaway :)

These little Holland Girl or Dutch girl...dishtowels. The little girl in the book wears the hat like this and the little wooden shoes. These were my Mom's neighbors and she gave them to my Mom. I just love them.....
These are a couple of my favorites. The one on the left reminded me of Marcy...she told me she always hangs her clothes out...(I like to sometimes...but not all the time...it takes a lot of time to go hang them out and then take them down...I have much appreciation for those who do this all the time :) The second one reminds me of Diana....with the little mop. I bet Diana looks this pretty when she mops too :) I just thought some of you might think that these are cute...I love the little aprons too!

It's a short post tonight...tomorrow is co-op so I'm going to try to head to bed early!

Hugs to all!!!

With Love, Jerelene

Pen Pal follow up...and some pictures!

2009-09-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon! I am so excited...Linda and Bernie are joining in on the pen-pal exchange. Bernie and Linda....it doesn't have to be a long letter or anything like that...just a little card with a few kinds words written inside :) I just randomly picked names....I was getting too stressed last time :) I'm thinking that most of you already have each other's names and addresses...so if you think they or I don't...just e-mail me..

O.K......Bernie & Diana
Eileen & Lori (at Morning Glories and Moonflowers)
Marcy & Jackie
Me & Linda
I hope that sounds alright with everyone :)
I'm just going to keep Fiona to pen pal with me at this time because I am not sure as to how long it takes for us to send letters back and forth from South Africa. I think it takes quite a while judging by how long it took her to get mine...so I don't know if we would be able to get hers once a month....
Linda...you can just e-mail me. And Eileen and Lori I will e-mail each of you with your partners address...Jackie and Marcy I will e-mail you each other's e-mail addresses unless I hear from you. Bernie as soon as I have yours..I will send you Diana's and yours to her :)

Here are some pictures of what I was busy working on this weekend...Quilting this....Front.........
And the back....aren't the teddies cute?
All I have to do now is put the binding on. I am thinking red.....This was my practice project before I start quilting Sam's...Sam did all the squares himself...and helped me put them together. (I want to try to get it done before his birthday on the 30th...so keep your fingers crossed)
Can you see the little cat and the hat square? Sam liked the martians......
This is the back of it.........
These are some of the fabrics I was playing around with this weekend........
I'm trying to get some more squares done for Elizabeth's raggy quilt....Don't you just love the pumpkins?

Elizabeth likes orange and purple...so these are some new fat quarters that I got last week...
See the pretty glass red birds in the window? Another sweet present from my Mom! Mickey's just looking for cats...he just can't help himself.........
I'll end with a pick of Sam (with his eyes closed...the sun was blinding him...)with some of his pumpkins..This is the big one...but the pics just don't do him justice...they really don't! We had to roll it up from the garden because it is too heavy to pick up...This is taken from above...you can't tell how tall it is!!
I'm off to take Sam to the library....so I won't send or check my e-mails until later on....probably this evening!! Everyone have a Great Day!!!!

With Love, Jerelene

Pen Pals...

2009-09-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

I'm just wondering if everyone wants to pen pal again this month? If everyone could let me know a yes...I'll just pick names for everyone and post it tomorrow :) I'm hoping that you all want to do it again. It's such a nice way to send love and hugs to each other!!
I've been busy this weekend playing with my sewing machine, cutting fabrics, and quilting...I will try to post some pictures tomorrow!
I hope you all have been having a wonderful weekend!!!
Some pics tomorrow!!
(Yes...I'm feeling better...I can finally hear :)
Love and Hugs to all of you!!!
Jerelene :)

Remembering 9/11

2009-09-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

We're home from the co-op and it was a hit! There was only one class that Sam got a little nervous about...but it was the first class of the day..and the teacher was gone on vacation. They watched him on video and the mom's helped out..The rest of the day went well. I'm tired though. It was a long day and it wore me out. I still can't hear all the way out of my ear and I' m still feeling a little drained. It was very nice though visiting and talking with all the Moms. I think we've made a very good choice with this co-op.

I thought about posting something about today being 9/11...but I'm glad I didn't. The reason I say that is I couldn't have done nearly as well as Eileen and Marcy have done...not even close. If you read my page you should definately read their wonderful and touching posts. Hugs to the both of you!! You are both such sweet and loving friends :) Sam and I talked about 9/11 today. The rest of my family remembers with a sad heart too. Isn't it amazing though how we are all friends here in this wonderful country and yet we are all so far apart? That amazes me...the internet is sure a powerful tool. It is truly a blessing to live here in this country. I know when I returned from Europe as a teenager...I remember wanting (literally) to lay down and kiss the ground...I was so glad to be home.

One last thought...please remember our favorite Marine John as I know things have been pretty bad in Afghanistan lately. Please keep him in your prayers as we await his safe trip home. I'll end this post with just a simple God Bless America!!

That's about all for now...

With Love, Jerelene

Getting ready for tomorrow..

2009-09-10T18:52:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is a big day here...Sam starts his co-op classes tomorrow! He is very excited! We had to go and get the last of his supplies that he needed today. I treated him with a stop at the donut bank...yummy! Then off we went to the newest Wal-mart in our area. We hadn't been there yet and I wanted to check it out. It was very nice with much wider aisles than the one here in our town. We were walking around and I happened to look up and see my daughter Sarah's ob/gyn. I immediately smiled and said hello and made a quick move in her direction. All day yesterday I had kept thinking that I wish I could see her and thank her for referring Sarah to such a nice specialist as she had...and lo and behold there she was. (Answered prayers...or God just sending the right people to the right place at the right time?) I don't know which...but it was so, so nice to be able to talk to her about our visit with the specialist yesterday and to be able to thank her. Sarah wouldn't have been able to see this wonderful specialist if she hadn't referred her. So..it was just such a blessing to be able to thank her like I did :)
We got all the shopping done and Sam is anxiously awaiting the morning...He is so thrilled about going...it was funny but all the while we were getting things and putting them in the cart..he just kept saying "I'm so excited about tomorrow...and thanks so much Mom"...it was really sweet. I know he is looking forward to making some new friends. (And..so am I :)
So..the new back pack is ready..and the new lunch box..and the cello awaiting it's first class..We're excited!!
After the shopping, I stopped by to visit my parents for a while. My mother decided to clean out her china hutch and give me a bunch of her pretties out of it. This will definately be another post..It was sort of strange to take them all and bring them home. I'm still waiting for Mark to paint my hutch..and it's not got done yet..I'm not happy about that..but, this might prompt him to do it. If not..I'm going to step in and do it. I went ahead and put all the things she gave me in the hutch. It will be a nice post to show you everything. She went through the kitchen drawers and gave me some old pot holders and some old...beautiful dutch girl days of the week dishtowels..they're adorable! They belonged to a really sweet neighbor that used to live next door to my parents. She's getting up there in age now..and she was always so sweet to us. It's very nice to have something of hers.. My Mom also gave me a big ole yellow and gold cookie jar that looks like a fancy teapot. It belonged to some close family friends of ours..it was a wedding gift. I love it because it reminds me of my Mom and Dad's house...well the kitchen...Mom has always had it on top of the fridge..that's where I put it too..

They also gave Mom the amber glass dishes they got too. She's giving me those too..but I told her not today..
Mom gave me a big pretty cross too. I have it sitting on top of our entertainment center for now. I might move it..I don't know yet. It actually is longer on the bottom and has a base..it's down in the top of the entertainment center..I like it though...
It has been a busy week. A week full of so many different emotions and ups and downs..mostly ups though :) I'm so thankful to God for the many blessings he has passed my way this week...very thankful....
There is no event so commonplace but that God is present within it.
~Frederick Buechner~
With Love, Jerelene

Past and future....

2009-09-09T17:51:00.000-07:00

Hi there! Guess what...I'm finally feeling a little better...not 100%..but better :) Even though I was happy about Mark getting the job..I still didn't sleep well. I was worried about a doctor visit that was going to be happening today. Some of you that have been reading here for a long time may remember what we all went through here last yr. If not then go back to my November 2008 post and January of 2009 before you read any further...those posts will tell you what we went through and explain the rest of this post from here on....................(Blogger wouldnt let me link it!) Sarah has a heart shaped uterus and only one kidney. October 3 they will do surgery to see exactly how badly mishaped the uterus is..Endometriosis is also common with this condition. If it is anything he can fix while she is under...he is going to fix it. If it's Endometriosis..there is a particular procedure that they do for that. Then she will have to take some kind of medicine that makes her pituitary gland stop her from having periods until she's ready to have kids. Last year was very...very hard on me. I still cry if I talk about it...and I try not too. I'm not proud of what happened..It made me very sad..but it still happened and it still makes me cry too....It would have been my first grandbaby and that makes me very sad. I am so glad that this doctor is going to try to fix her and that something good can come from all the sadness that we had happen to us last year..This is a picture of my 2 girls...Sarah on the left and Elizabeth on the right, with Trever on the left and Jared on the right...Even though Sarah and Trever aren't together now...he still holds a special place in my heart...and I miss Jared.....a lot. He was a great guy..

On to a more happier subject for me...Fall decorations! I sat these little cuties out a couple of days ago. They were a gift to me from one of my cousins. The girl bear is a little rough around the edges...but I love them :)

This came in the mail today...it was waiting for me when I got home...what a great magazine! I love these...If you haven't ever looked through one, you should order them...they are full of the cutest stuff! (Eileen...look owls!!)

These are pictures from the wonderful quilt book I've been reading from the library while I've been sick...I can't say enough good things about this book! It is a wonderful read and full of the most beautiful pictures!!

Another gorgeous picture....What a cozy kitchen!
Here's the front cover of the book...If you like quilts at all....you will LOVE this book!

It would be well worth your time spent to read it....It has pictures of real...beautiful quilts too!

I made a quick little trip around the yard this evening...it was quick too! The mosquitos..or Mozzies if you're in Australia...are horrible!! I didn't stay out there long........This is a picture of the berries that are now on all of our bush honeysuckles....Later on the birds will eat them, but not for a while......
These are pictures of some really old bottles that were dug up on a job that Mark was on in the old, historic part of Evansville. I didn't know that this was such a popular thing to collect...but we found out since Mark has been doing these foundations for Habitat for Humanity...that people love to collect these..They've been doing a lot of digging and building in that area and they find a lot of these. The one in the very front center is an old lysol bottle. The back left is an old milk bottle..the one on the bottom left is an old medicinal laxative..I think... a lot of the others I'm not sure about yet. We still have to clean them up...but I got sick and it didn't get done yet. I did look on the internet and found out lots of wierd things that bottles were used for...One is that they used them for embalming bottles...I don't know really what any of the others are...reading that made me queasy and I didn't really press on...I guess I was getting sick at that point. I am looking forward to cleaning them up though...It will be neat to see what they look like. I'm just scared of breaking them. Some of them do have cracks too..so that makes the cleaning part kind of difficult.. I thought you all might like to see them though.
These are some of my mums..aren't they pretty? I have pink and yellow ones in the front flower bed. These definately look like fall though...

I apologize for the poor quality of this...but the skeeters were eating me up!! Mr. Pumpkin is still there...he's grown some too! He is the prettiest orange too :)

I'm so thankful for all the well-wishes and prayers that have been sent my way from all of you! You are such a blessing to me and I just wish that I could hug each one of you!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart :)

Though we may be many miles apart, the ribbon of your friendship binds my heart.

With Love, Jerelene

YEAH!!

2009-09-08T18:55:00.000-07:00

OK Ladies...finally some GOOD NEWS! They called about 20 minutes ago..he got it!! He will start tomorrow and he will work from 3 to 7 pm mon.-friday. Yeah...it's part-time..but he's in. Now when a full time position comes available he'll be able to apply first. He can still work during the day for the guy he works for now. And, they said he could sub during the winter for ball games and during the day shift if he was able to. Such great news! It will be a big help. That and he won't be gone all night long either..the other shift that was open had been 10-2 am...Yikes. It would have been really hard on him to work in the middle of the night...and then work the next morning. He's done it while subbing...but its hard on him.
That's all for now!! I'm relieved...and happy. Village prayers were answered :)
With Love, Jerelene

An Update...

2009-09-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! I have the sweetest friends ever! You guys are so thoughtful :) I am feeling a tad bit better today.. And I do mean tad :) The pain has lessened some..but is still there. I cannot hear at all out of my right ear. Everytime this happens I really freak out because Meniers tends to leave people deaf. So, I get really freaked out when I can't hear at all out of it. That and it kind of makes me nauseous and dizzy too...which goes along with the meniers too. The (NICE) doctor at the ER suggested I be updated on my tetanus shot and so they kindly gave me a DTP..which covers not only the tetanus, but diptheria and pertussis as well. So now, not only is my ear still hurting...my arm is too :( I'm sort of laughing as I type this...because..it's pathetic...I'm so tired of feeling cruddy. I just want this to be over and I'll feel like a new person!
I wasn't too happy about my visit to the ER. Last time I had trouble like this..I ended up at the ER. I know it took about a week to get over it last time. Longer than that before I could hear at all...but the Doctor last time was much nice to me. They sent a doctor in at first...then moved me to another room and made me wait even longer...it was almost 3 hrs before I got any pain medicine...they didn't give it to me until they were giving me my papers to leave. That and even though I was wearing a bracelet for allergies....they still tried to give me pain medicine with acetominophen in it. I sat there and told the nurse when she brought me a pain pill..that "I can't have tylenol...does this have tylenol in it?" So then she went out and came back and said ...Oh gosh...they said at the pharmacy that it DOES...they're sending something else up...Good grief..and they did this to me the last time too! Only the doctor was nice enough to give me a pain shot and numbing ear drops fairly soon after I got there. Not this time...they sent me back a nurse practitioner and no shot or pain drops either. I still am pretty disgusted. They even gave me a script for the same pain medicine that I told the doctors I already had here and wasn't helping! I think once I feel a little better that I'm going to complain. They usually send a patient survey to the house...at least they did last time..That or they call. I definately have something to say this time :(
On to something else...The school board meeting is tonight! I hope it goes better this time :) We will definately know something for sure later this evening...probably after 8:00. Keep the prayers going up ladies!! I will try to make a quick post and let everyone know what we find out :) We still don't have a phone. Evidentally they had widespread electrical damage...The lightning actually hit very, very close to the house several times. And the whole top of the neighbor ladies tree was jammed in the ground. It was SCARY!! It's not really open area here..but lots of big old trees. Our tv's are still messed up too :( It's wierd but someone said take a magnet and run over the screens. It helped some..but the corners and edges are still wierd looking..boo-hoo...
I better go for now. My ear is now itching way down inside. I'm wondering if i'm allergic to the wick they put down in it or if that means it's trying to heal. It's sure wierd to hurt and itch...I am praying for a quick healing :) I've been keeping myself busy reading quilting books :)
Thanks so much for all the prayers and sweet comments! I love All of you so much!!
Talk to you soon!
With Love, Jerelene

Under the Weather...literallly

2009-09-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

Hello! Just wanted to post a quick hello...I've been sick and haven't been able to get on the computer. I ended up going to the E.R. last night. I have a really bad ear infection and my glands are all swollen. I've still been running a fever too. They started me on some antibiotics so hopefully I'll be feeling better in a few days. I can't hear out of my right ear at all. It was my bad ear that I always have problems with. I have Meniers and worry about losing the rest of my hearing in this particular ear especially. If you don't hear from me again for a few days you'll know that I'm taking it easy..
We had a terrible electric storm here last night...it knocked out our phone and messed up all the tv's. I saved the computer when I came in from the ER..I unplugged everything. Sarah had driven me to and home from the hospital. The storm followed us home. It lightninged so bad we could hardly see to drive...it rained very hard too. The lightning took a couple of really good hits here directly. The next door neighbor had the top of one of her trees completely knocked off..I'm not exaggerating about it being bad..it was BAD..The phone company was supposed to make it out here today..but didn't. The neighbor lady said she called and they said it would be tomorrow. So I guess it will be a while yet...
The school corporation has their meeting tomorrow evening. They didn't have it tonight due to the holiday...I hope they call tomorrow evening with good news!
Keep us in your prayers! I'll check in on everyone when I get to feeling better :)
Love and Hugs!! Jerelene

Monday

2009-08-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

Good Morning to Everyone..We are still sniffling a bit around here..but I think we're feeling a tad bit better :) I was mistaken on the date for the next school board meeting. I thought that they met every 2 weeks..but it was evidentally twice a month..and the next meeting is down for the 8th..So, we get to wait a little more than I thought. The weather here is beautiful! Yesterday's high was 78..today is only suppose to 72 or 75..and that is suppose to be the weather for the next couple of days...YEAH!! I love it!! Mark planted 9 broccolli starts and 9 cabbage plants last week and over the weekend I helped him plant 9 more of each. He also planted some winter radishes and turnips..Now, I'm not a big turnip fan..but, my dad likes them and we will probably just give them away if we get any. I do like the radishes, cabbage and especially the broccolli. Mark said he just wanted to watch something else grow..so I hope they do as well as everything else has. That's about it for now...I've got schoolwork to get to and laundry calling my name :) I thought I'd share a picture of our little watermelon that we were able to enjoy last night. He wasn't really that big..but it was sweet and delicious.. also, a cutie that I got in my e-mails this morning!

Have a Great Day!!! With Love, Jerelene

An oldie but goodie GRANDMOTHER OR NOT, YOU WILL LOVE THIS Subject: This is so cute!!1. She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she'd done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, "But Gramma,you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!" I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye...2.2. My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, 62. My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, "Did you start at 1?"3. After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room,putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, "Who was THAT?" 4. A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: "We used to skate outside on a pond I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods." The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!" 5. My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandma, do you know howyou and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo and I said, "No, how are we alike?'' "You're both old," he replied. 6. A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather's word processor. She told him she was writing a story. "What's it about?" he asked. "I don't know," she replied. "I can't read." 7. I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me and was always correct. It was fun for me, so I continued. At last, she headed for the door, saying, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these, yourself. 8. When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, "It's no use Grandpa. Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights." 9. When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, "I'm not sure." "Look in your underwear, Grandpa," he advised, "mine says I'm 4 to6." 10. A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, "Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today." The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool.. "That's interesting," she said, "how do you make babies?" "It's simple," replied the girl. "You just change 'y' to 'I and add 'es'." 11. Children's Logic: "Give me a sentence about a public servant," said a teacher. The small boy wrote: "The fireman came down the ladder pregnant." The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. "Don't you know what pregnant means?" she asked. "Sure," said the young boy confidently. 'It means carrying a child." 12. A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog's duties."Theyuse him to keep crowds back," said one child. "No," said another. "He's just for good luck." A third child brought the argument to a close."They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrants 13. A 6-year-old was asked where his grandma lived. "Oh," he said, "she lives at the airport, and when we want her, we just go get her. Then,when we're done having her visit, we take her back to the airport."14. Grandpa is the smartest man on earth! He teaches me good things, but Idon't get to see him enough to get as smart as him! 15. My Grandparents are funny, when they bend over; you hear gas leaks, and they blame their dog.

The watermelon was called Crimson Sweet....and it WAS!!
Sorry, I couldn't help but throw in a pic of Mickey..since the windows have been open...he is really busy being guard dog....that, and he's just nosey! Nothing gets by him :)

Happy Birthday to Marcy!!

2009-08-28T07:17:00.000-07:00

Today is a very special day! Today is Marcy's Birthday!

Marcy has brought so many new friends my way...there are no words to thank her enough for that :) She is always thinking of others and putting them first..The world is a better place because of Marcy..she brings people together and sends love to each and every one of us through each delightful post!! I am so very thankful to have you as a friend Marcy!!
This is a Happy Birthday Cake from Sam!!

This is a Happy Birthday Cake from Me! It's a princess cake for Princess Marcy!!!!
Flowers for YOU!!

Village Bears singing the most Beautiful Happy Birthday to you!!

A cake AND flowers...Because Marcy is such a special friend!!!
Happy Birthday to YOU!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Happy Birthday Dearest Marcy!!

Happy Birthday to YOU!!

& Many, Many More!!!!

Village Kitties singing especially for you!!!
Wishing you the Best & Happiest Birthday EVER!!!
Love You Marcy!!!!
Hugs!!!! Jerelene :)

Sickness:( & Presents :)

2009-08-27T13:30:00.000-07:00

We're having a sick day here again today. Sam spent yesterday and today lounging in bed with a fever, sore throat and runny nose. No coughing yet..but, I'm afraid that may come along soon :( I had originally planned on showing these pics after my last post..but then Sam got sick and I didn't get back on. Mark and I escaped for a little bit by ourselves the other evening. So I went to the dollar store and couldn't resist these goodies! The glasses were actually a necessity. We had been using my canning jars from the past to drink out of...and I sort of stole them all out of the cabinet and used them. ;) So, we were down to a few glasses and the mugs...so I don't feel too bad about getting them. They are adorable! But the candle..that was just a splurge..and it smells HEAVENLY!!
In honor of my festive Autumn mood that I've been in..I got this out and hung it on my back door. I just love her..she really is adorable!

I received a gift box from Eileen at Ummas World today! It was such a pleasant surprise on a day when I could certainly use a surprise!! With Sam being sick...it's been kind of ucky around here...so opening the door to this was just WONDERFUL!!!! Inside was the cutest EVER...Cow Basket...See, she even has udders! How sweet :) I love her bunches......I will find the perfect spot for her...I promise!

Next, were these sweet little cow eggs....(SAM LOVES THESE!) By the way..I let Sam help open the box and take everything out....He got a huge SMILE out of helping!! Which was really nice since he's feeling sickly....Aren't they cute as an be?

Then...we found these....Eileen was so sweet as to know that my favorite color is purple!! I stuck all these little purple ones inside the big one she sent...and if you look very closely...you'll see on the bottom left that 2 of them look like hearts..... I love them!!!
And lastly was this! Isn't it beautiful? Right when I saw it I knew right where it was going....
Right above this...This was my Grandmothers. My Mother bought it for her and when she passed away..it came back to my Mother. A few yrs. ago..she gave it to me..and since then it has been hanging right next to my bed..literally. I love to look at it before I go to sleep. I was very close to my Grandma and to have it means a lot to me :)

It's hard to see all the little details..but it has little music notes and such on it..so they look really good hanging together...at least I think so...it's a special place for me..so it is the perfect place for this beautiful present from Eileen!

Thank You So Much Eileen!! You are such a good, sweet, thoughtful friend!!! I'm so very glad to have you for as my friend:)

Sam still isn't feeling well..he's still running a fever :( So, goodnight for now....With Love, Jerelene

Interview and a Giveaway at Morning Glories and Moonflowers!

2009-08-25T17:59:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I wanted to let everyone know that Mark's interview is in the morning so please, please keep us in your prayers :)

Also, my sweet friend Lori at Morning Glories and Moonflowers is having a button bracelet giveaway in honor of her 700th...yes, you did read that correctly ;) post!! Please take the time to stop by visit her page...she is very talented and you won't be disappointed.....

This is going to be a short little post as I am feeling better..but I am trying to just sit around and relax this evening..We had a yummy supper of chicken with peppered milk gravy, green beans from the garden and yummy sugar cookies fresh from the oven :) Yum-Yum.. So after the clean up I'm just going to sit around with my hubby and maybe watch a little TV..

Hope everyone has a restful evening too ..........

With Love, Jerelene

Itching in Indiana...

2009-08-24T19:51:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day here again in Southern Indiana...a little warmer, but definately gorgeous! I stayed outside a lot this weekend and really enjoyed it...That is until yesterday afternoon :(
I told Mark that if he cut the corn down..(which he did)that I would decorate with it..remember...I LOVE fall! So, I decided to tie it up in designated areas and put a pretty bow around it..Well, not too long after I started dragging it up from the garden towards the house..I started itching really badly. I looked down and I had hives coming out all over my arms! Well, that spread and soon I was itching ALL over. I am and always have been, a very allergic person. (I'm even allergic to Tylenol..wierd, I know!)I decided to go ahead..remember, I LOVE fall..and finish what I was working on. Well, by the time I came in my head was hurting so bad that I thought I would throw up, and I was still itching badly everywhere. I ended up taking a pain pill and some benadryl. I was also aching all over from all the weeding and bending over that I've done this weekend...so I was feeling pretty cruddy!
Well, the benadryl and pain pill kept me up all night..and I was still itching! I got up at 4:00 in the morning and took some more benadryl and some advil..hoping and praying I would go to sleep. I finally had just started to doze off when Mark's alarm clock started beeping at about 5:10...Now, Mark does something very annoying to me...he likes to push the snooze button...many, many...many...times...At this point I am ready to take a hammer and mash the clock into tiny pieces...Please, keep in mind..I am still...itching and have had NO sleep...Well, finally I manage to doze off after he leaves for work..to then be woken by daughter number 2...leaving for work..Then daughter number 1 comes in and wants to talk to me about John having just called her from Afghanistan. Now, I just want to go to a hotel or anywhere quiet. Maybe..just go to the van and try to sleep. I did finally get to fall asleep for about an hour..then had to get up and take a bath and start school with Sam. I only hope and pray that I sleep tonight..because if I don't...I may not be a very nice Mom or person tomorrow ;) I am feeling better this evening and felt a lot better once I got moving around and had several cups of coffee with my snow man mug :) Sam and I took a break from the school work to come out to the pumpkin patch and pose for a picture..He is awfully proud of the pumpkins!! The patch is starting to die back some...but we still have vines growing out into the yard that look pretty good. They even have flowers. We have a few smaller ones coming on too..
Just so you don't think I'm nuts...we are seeing a few signs of fall here at my house. My crabapple tree actually have some leaves turning a beautiful shade of red...If you look closely you'll see the birdnest....

If you look closely in this picture..you'll see I tied up some corn stalks with ribbon on the handrail on the front steps..I have a basket with fall flowers and leaves that is suppose to be on the door..but I was trying to get my oldest son to put another coat of paint on the door..so I had taken it down. Our little old house...nothing fancy..but we like it here...

I'm hoping to put a scarecrow out in the middle there and some more of Sam's pumpkins later on. I'm wanting to hang one of the stars that I see everyone hanging on their houses...between the windows, higher up in the gable part..maybe a black one..I wonder if they have a meaning or symbolize something. I've wondered about that before I decide to hang one. I thought maybe that they are just Americana or something..If you know..I'd love to hear :)

Here's (above) a picture of one of the trees that you see when you come out my back door..which is what we go in and out of all the time..I put them all the way around the tree. I'm hoping to have a birthday/weenie/bonfire/outside/ birthday party for Sam on Sept. 30...He wanted to last yr. and they had a burn ban because of the drought conditions in our area.. so, I'm trying to decorate a little bit for that too.. And below..is Sam working on his school work today. I was going kind of slow today..due to lack of sleep and energy :) He did pretty good though.( I secretly think he was scared I would snap..I was a little, tiny bit grumpy...)
And lastly, I got a beautiful card from Lori...my pen-pal exchange for this month..today!! Isn't it pretty! I just loved the colors and especially the cows...How did she ever know that I like cows?

The artist is someone that Lori knows evidentally..she told me she has artwork done by the lady that did my card...It says Wilson & Wilson folkart co. on the card. I looked it up and here's a link...please check it out :) There's lots of pretties there from the peek that I just took!

The end of the month or the 1st week of September (around there somewhere :) we'll exchange names again. Fiona that lives in South Africa...did sound as if she wants to participate too. I will talk to her some about it this week.

I hope everyone got a card..and if for some reason you didn't....Please, please let me know :)

One final note....I got another call from the school corporation...they are bringing Mark in on Wednesday morning for another interview. They have 2 more part-time positions available. I sure hope the Lord will move the right hearts to allow Mark to get in this time...He is working now some during the day..but the work is still slow and when winter comes...he could really use this to help...it is for 2nd and 3rd shift. Please, please...continue to pray :) It would help us out so..so..much!

Wishing a wonderful week to everyone..with lots of love and hugs from me.......
"Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together." ~Woodrow Wilson~

Love, Jerelene

A boy and his Cello.....

2009-08-22T14:01:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! I promised you I'd post a few pics of Sam and his new cello. He still has to learn how to hold the bow correctly..(we've been working on it) He really loves it though!! It has the most gorgeous sound :)
Remember my clematis? It has been blooming like crazy since I posted the first set of pics. The blossoms are really thick now...It is just beautiful..and it still smells heavenly!!
And just for cuteness...here's a baby pic of Mickey that we ran across recently...Isn't he adorable?
When he would eat his back feet would lift off the ground...
It's been a lovely day here...I opened the windows and took my sheets and towels out to hang on the line. The clouds look like you could pull them out of the sky like cotton candy...
I weeded my flower bed and spent a little time outside since it's so beautiful today. I don't know if it's cicadas or what...but the insects are just humming like crazy in the trees. I'm hoping to leave the windows open tonight and let this lovely breeze that we're having blow in...don't you love watching the curtains blowing in the breeze?
I decided to add this.....It was sent to me and I thought everyone would enjoy reading it..here's the link...it's worth looking at:) go here It made me smile!!
Have a wonderful weekend!!!
Hugs to Everyone...talk to you soon :)
Love, Jerelene (Why does spell check always tell me my name is mispelled ?) Smiles!!!

Catching Up..

2009-08-19T17:11:00.000-07:00

Hello to everyone! It's been a busy week here so far! So I guess I'll try to catch you up on everything that's been going on.

The school corporation did post 2 more part-time jobs. So please pray even harder. I'm hoping that this time Mark might actually get one of them...nothing would make me happier.

I would love to hear from all my pen-palers. I'm hoping that everyone got their cards out to their pal for the month. If you could just leave me a comment here letting me know..I would feel a lot better knowing that each partner got a card.. I've had a bit of a tummy ache here Sunday and Monday. I've got a card to send to Tamara and I will try to get it out to her right away. I also sent Lori, my pal for the month a card.

I have a little bit of a story to tell...Saturday evening I had went to our local Wal-Mart with my Mom and Sam. While I was walking around I happened to notice one of the ladies that had helped out with Sam's dog show club. I felt the sudden urge to go down the aisle and talk to her. I even started to walk away and again felt a strong urging to go speak to her. So, following my instincts I walked down the aisle and said "Hello!" I then told her that I was Sam's Mom and she said oh yes, I remember you.. Then I proceeded to tell her that I really appreciated how kind and helpful she was to Sam during the classes. I also told her that he was thrilled having got 2 blue ribbons and that he had really enjoyed the class and that she had been a huge help to us the day of the show. She literally teared up and told me she really appreciated me stopping and talking to her. She then started telling me that she hadn't been well and had been thinking that maybe she just might not do it anymore. I then asked her to tell me what was going on with her healthwise if she didn't mind. So, she did and we got into a deep discussion about life and Sam's illness and hers. She then told me just had been really down about everything in general. She said her co-workers didn't really befriend her and that her husband works out of town a lot. I then could just tell that she was really lonely..and sad. So I just felt moved to ask her if she might want a friend. Well, this really put her into tears and then she asked if she could hug me. I of course said yes. So, then I told her I would love to have a new friend; that I don't get out much and that I would love nothing more than to go sit together and have a coffee or coke and just talk whenever she wanted. She agreed and we exchanged numbers. It was a very moving experience for me. It was one of those few times in your life when you feel like God was really using you for something worthwhile and that you have a purpose. I've always been very talkative and not the least bit shy. This was the first time that I felt like this was a blessing from God. I left Wal-mart feeling a lot happier than when I went in. Her name is Norma..I haven't called her yet..but I will...
I went to the parent meeting for Sam's homeschool co-op on tuesday evening. Sam will be taking beginning strings..(cello,)choir, beginning drama and art. I didn't know it before hand..but the kind ladies that are the chairpersons for this..asked me to get up and talk about Sam's Tourettes and about Sam. I wasn't expecting this AT ALL. I did though, at their urging, rise to the occasion in front of 60 families and the teachers..none of which I had ever met before...except one family...get up and give my little speech. I actually think now, that it may have been good for me. I told them all about his getting diagnosed, everything he's been through as far as meds and all the tics and how I didn't know until recently if he was even going to be able to do this co-op. I also told them that I would love it if they would talk to there children about Tourettes and about Sam...I told them that sometimes kids, even adults either laugh or shun him and how he wants to make some new friends...and, that I hoped they would all tell their children to please take the time to get to know Sam...that he is a wonderful, sweet, caring, intelligent and special person. I closed with telling them all how happy I was to be there and how excited Sam was to be coming to the co-op. Afterwards, many of the parents and all the teachers came up and talked to me and told me they were looking forward to meeting Sam..One of the teachers..The art teacher..really touched my heart. She told me that one of her teachers in college that taught her art, has Tourettes. He evidentally is quite prominent in Society locally and is head over some big Art Program here. She said her teacher was one of the most gifted people she ever met and that in her experience people with Tourettes are quite often gifted in the arts..and that she wouldn't be surprised if Sam was too. Then she finished me off with telling me that I was a wonderful and loving Mom to have got up and spoke as I had and that Sam was an extremely lucky little boy to have me as his Mom...(tears....)
On to happier things...Sam got his cello yesterday and he is very excited. He got to meet all his teachers today and quite a few of the students as well. Things went very well and everyone was extremely courteous and kind to him. I am very optimistic and feel that things are going to be great with this co-op. :) I'm looking forward to making some new friends too! It was nice to be around other Moms and know that they homeschool too. Sometimes, you can feel kind of alone..and it's nice to meet others that you can relate with a little on that subject :)
I will post some pictures of Sam with his cello tomorrow as I am just too tired tonight. It has been an extremely long week. It's rained off and on the last few days and my poor arthritic joints are aching for me to go lay down...so I'm of to rest my weary head! I've missed you guys this week. I tried to pop in with a couple of you hoping you would see that I hadn't ran away...
Please, please let me know in the comments that everyone sent their partner a card :)
Hugs to All of you from me!! I appreciate you guys so very much...you are the best friends ever!

My Friday Favorites...a day late

2009-08-15T16:02:00.000-07:00

A while back I promised to post some pictures of my daughter Elizabeth's ceramics that she made her senior yr. of school. She made quite a bit of it..
These 2 lovely little dishes...the girls' prom flowers are in them..(they've went to a lot of prom's and Christmas dances..)

A purple pitcher that she made for me....It's really unusual...but I like it :)

A close up of the one with her name on it..It's so pretty..and it's shiny blue inside too!
This is the turtle that she made for Sam. It sits on my computer desk next to where my mouse is..it's a favorite too!
That's about all for now...These were supposed to be my Friday Favorites, but I wasn't able to get on here to post. Elizabeth loved her ceramic class and we loved what she brought home.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

I couldn't help myself...I'm in the mood for Autumn...hence, the blog change. I love Fall and this background reminded me of quilt squares...

Hugs to everyone!!

Never apart, maybe in distance,

but not in heart.

Author Unknown

With Love to All, Jerelene

Flowers and More...

2009-08-13T18:50:00.000-07:00

Hello to everyone! The lovely Mary Poppins music is in tribute to Marcy... at Blessing Each Day's post about sugar. She is a very sweet friend and everyone should check out her blog...she's on my sidebar...Go for a visit!!! My old-time clematis has finally bloomed! She was worth waiting for :)She smells just heavenly...She is growing all over about half or more of my clothes line..I will share though! It smells a lot like honeysuckle and the smell is just wafting all throughout the yard. I LOVE it!
And she's pretty too!
Mark is staying busy picking all the tomatoes and we're still getting some squash and zuchinni too..I hate to say it..but I'm kind of looking forward to it coming to a close for the season. I'm tuckered out :) If any of you know anything about saving corn stalks for decorating with..I'd love some info. I don't know if to pick them and dry them or if to leave them where they are...I want to decorate for fall with ours..Any info for me the dummy..would be greatly appreciated :)
I wish this picture would have shown you a peek at our albino zucchini..we've had one plant that has grown very pale, almost white zucchini all season long. I think he was way on the right and I didn't get him in the picture :(

All of that lead to lots of this...and this is just a peek into the pantry.. some of what I've been having fun with!! There's lots of other frozen goodies too..And this is our dear sweet pumpkin and his buddies...he really is getting big and it's hard to tell by this picture...We really like him and his friends..a lot! :) I've lost track...I think there's big guy and maybe 2 others that are turning a lovely orange...and there's a few new babies too...Life is Good here in the pumpkin patch! They make me very happy..always a smile when I go out to take a peek...

And this...is my poor old pink rosebush.. She's had a terrible time with yellow leaves. I was told she's kind of old fashioned and has been here a very long time. I've tried to get out and cut the yellow leaves off and cut back after the blooms some...but of lately I've not had the time. I thought this bloom was pretty and that she deserved to have her day in the spotlight too! I do love pink roses. In the spring, when she first started blooming..she was really lovely. I even brought blooms in and put them in vases. If I could keep the little fur babies from weeing on the bottom of her..I'm sure it would help :)
We do have some fencing around the bottom and that helps a little...

Friendship's Flower

Life is like a garden

And friendship like a flower,

That blooms and grows in beauty

With the sunshine and the shower.
And lovely are the blossoms

That are tended with great care,

By those who work unselfishly

To make the place more fair.
And, like the garden blossoms,

Friendship's flower grows more sweet

When watched and tended carefully

By those we know and meet.
And, if the seed of friendship

Is planted deep and true

And watched with understanding,

Friendship's flower will bloom for you.

~Helen Steiner Rice~

I hope that your tomorrow is Happy and Blessed!

With Love, Jerelene

Someday..I'll have some free time again :)

2009-08-12T20:38:00.000-07:00

It was a nice first day of school here at the Postin house. Sam did really well and I didn't get frustrated...YEAH!! As I told some of you Sarah is going to be participating in the GED class through the local school corporation. She will take a practice test and then they will do classes with her on tues. and thurs. evenings on any parts that she didn't pass on the practice test. We gave her the choice of just getting a homeschool transcript and working with me in this..her senior yr. or doing the GED classes. I think she was kind of tired of working with me and wanted her days free to work at her job. She works at the local Tractor Supply and has been there a yr. now. I'm really kind of relieved..this gives me a lot more one on one with Sam and eliminates the arguing which happened occasionally between she and I. She can be a little hard headed sometimes. I guess that's somewhat normal for a 17 yr. old. But..this does make it a little more her responsibility to get things done. I actually think that will be better than trying to get her to do things for me. She didn't start homeschooling until her sophomore yr. She went to church school her freshman and sophomore yr. At the end of the sophomore yr. we came back home to homeschool. I should say...she spent a couple of months her freshman yr at public school and it just wasn't working..at all. I am not a bit sorry for pulling her out either. The time she spent at the church school and here at home was good..she did learn and wasn't around the crowd that she was around at the public school. We did still have some troubles with her...but all in all I wouldn't change things from what we did...Sam started homeschooling at the start of 2nd grade...he is in 6th grade this yr. and does very , very well with homeschooling.
I haven't felt well yesterday or today..I run a fever quite often and started running one again this weekend. I do think I've been doing a little too much..I'm going to be taking all of your sweet advice's and taking it easy for a while. My heart problem has been giving me a good kick too..so yes...it's time to slow down a bit. I have mitro-valve problem and when I do too much it really starts skipping and making me short of breath. My arthritis is also giving me a fit and so I sat around a lot today and yesterday. I always tend to overdue in the summer. I don't know why that is..but it always seems like there is just so much to do! Does anyone else overdue it in the summer too?
I thought maybe you might like to see some pictures of some of my hobbies when I'm not so busy with veggies. I'm hoping very soon to have a little free time to enjoy some of these again....:)
This is the raggy squares I started on for Elizabeth...Don't you just love the sweet smile on the butterflies face?
I love the little ladybugs...and the green fabric is sparkly...there's another square with the center fabric in it...underneath the little rooster...it says..all things grow with love :)
Yummy, yummy!! The little words say I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

This is just a basic square block throw quilt...well, it will be eventually :) Do you see the sweet little dragonflies and raggedy ann and andy? Oh yes...the sweet little cherries too?

The little girl one in pink is my absolute favorite!! It shows her doing laundry, gardening, ironing and cooking on a little cookstove..you can see the little black chimney at the bottom of the square ;)

I'm hoping to put a back on it and finish it this fall...Sam's is pretty well ready to quilt too...then I got so busy...and a little scared...and haven't finished it yet. When I got the quilting foot it was harder than I thought it would be. I thought I would try to practice on a few things before I started quilting on his...this little project may get done first as a learning experience..

Sometimes if I get the chance I sit down and knit some pretty little dishcloths too! I usually end up giving them to my Mom...she likes them so well and I like giving them to her...sometimes she uses them and sometimes she just sits them around and shows them off :) I love the way the cotton yarn feels..I just hate that purl stitch..it makes me mad sometimes!!

Well, that's it for me tonight! I'm off to bed..I've not been sleeping well either. Is it possible to feel so tired or crummy that you can't sleep? That's kind of how it's been for me lately :(

I wish I could just lay down and sleep...really sleep and not toss and turn and roll around all night. I am cutting back on the caffeine. I think it may be part of many of the problems I've been having. I hope everyone has a great Thursday and that it will be blessed and happy!!

No quotes tonight...just sweet dreams to everyone and many hugs :)

With Love, Jerelene

Hello!

2009-08-11T18:43:00.000-07:00

Hello to everyone! It was a busy weekend here...lots more time spent in the kitchen for me. Salsa, zuchinni relish and zuchinni bread were some of the things made other than the mess. Wow..you really do make a mess when you can..at least I do. When I get finished with the actual canning..then you get to the not so fun part of cleaning everything up :( Yesterday and today I have just tried to take it easy. We officially start school tomorrow..so I felt like I needed to rest a little.
I got the nicest card last week from Marcy...she sent me a card to let me know she was thinking of me. After Mark didn't get a good call saying he would be starting after the much anticipated interview..I had been pretty bummed to say the least. Even though..they did say not to get upset that they would be hiring some more after school started..I am trying to keep my chin up and concentrate on that...Marcy's card stated that when life gives you lemons..make lemonade. I am trying to do just that...It was full of wonderful Bible verses and recipes. I would love to make a lemon meringue pie..I've never made one!! What a sweetheart Marcy is! She is very thoughtful and helpful to everyone she meets. I'm so very sure that Heaven is smiling down on her :) Thank You Marcy!!

I posted previously that we had been busy painting...so I thought I would share a couple of pics...

And this is the Canna that I'd been anxiously waiting to open....isn't it pretty? I gave Mrs. Cow something to really smile about :)
I just realized I didn't take a picture of the shutters...duh!! Well, they're grey now too..They look a lot better now than they did. I'm very happy with the results. Now my next big project is hopefully going to be to finish things in the kitchen. I just love the kitchen shown here...actually I love a lot of the rooms on here...but be sure to scroll down and check the kitchen out..it's beautiful!! (Eileen..this made me think of you!)
For all of you village pen-pal r's....I would love to hear from all of you that participated. It would just be nice to know that everyone sent and received :) I'll be mailing mine out tomorrow (So, Lori...keep your eye out for a card :) And if any of you haven't met Lori...please check out her blog and get to know her as she's participating in the pen-pal exchange :) and will eventually be your partner!
It's been scorchingly humid and hot here...It's stormed here off and on the last couple of days. I am hoping that it will cool off a little tomorrow. The horrible humidity has been giving me the worst headache. It always does...and the rain makes my joints ache horridly..I've been that way since I was a child. I guess it's just something you sort of get used to..sort of..
Tomorrow will be kind of busy...but I'll try to prepare a little something tonight for tomorrow..
I hope your week so far has been a good one...and that tomorrow will be even better :)
There is no distance too great between friends..for love gives wings to the heart.
~Elizabeth Koehler~
Friends are angels...following you through life.
~Melissa~
With Love, Jerelene

Pen Pal Exchange

2009-08-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!
I kind of took Lori @ Morning Glories and Moonflowers suggestion for picking partners this time. I still haven't heard back from Fiona yet and I need Diana to let me know for sure if she wants to..She left a comment on Marcy's page that she did want to so all I need is Diana to E-mail me her address. Since I don't know for sure on Fiona we'll go ahead and make a list without her this time and since I know she did want to pen-pal with at least me...I'll take Fiona too. Marcy, is there any way that you could try to get Tamara's address? If anyone else would like to send her a card that would be great :) I think we'll stick to once a month for now and see how that works. I don't want to overwhelm anyone. And like I posted before...it doesn't have to be a huge letter..just a card with a few kind words inside and that's all :) Based on my comments from last night...This time will do it like this...
Jerelene---and Lori @ Morning Glories and Moonflowers (I'll also write Fiona @ There's More to this Life) and Tamara maybe?
Eileen and Marcy
Jackie and Diana...(Diana I need your address :)
If that sounds good for everyone then we'll go with that for this time..And Marcy..that's sounds good to let Sam pick names. I'll definately do that next time...we'll make sure everyone gets a different partner each time:) I'm excited and I hope that you all are too!!
I'll try to post a little something with some pictures later today...I've got a few errands to run..Today is the last day for Summer Reading at the library. I've got to turn the last few of Sam's books in so he can get credit. Monday they have a pool party and drawing for prizes :)
If anyone knows of someone I've missed or overlooked I greatly apologize...I've had a lot on my mind...just let me know and I'll make it right..Would Bernie be interested?

I'm off for now!! Love to All... Jerelene

I'm back!! Did you miss me?

2009-08-06T17:36:00.000-07:00

Sam and I went to the library today..I felt like I needed to get out of this house..desperately! We actually did a little school work. We've been studying ants. We did some notebooking and then Sam played and I went looking for books to sooth myself :) I actually found some too! I picked out several home decorating books..4 I think. We've been doing some painting on the outside of the house. The foundation was a very ugly faded red. And the shutters were just faded out to an unrecognizable color. I decided on gray for the foundation and shutters and black doors. I think Mark thinks I've cracked up on picking black for the doors. But I love it! I will try to post some pictures of that tomorrow..The house is just white but needs painting too...So now we're discussing that. That will be a long time off, but I'm thinking a cream color would be pretty..
I found a book at the library that I just LOVE! It's all about aprons. It has the most beautiful pictures of vintage aprons..and shows how to make some of them too! If you have the opportunity to check this out at your library, you would definately enjoy it..
See what I mean about the pictures!! They are gorgeous!!
Last winter we had a terrible ice storm here. My bored self made a feeble attempt at making an apron from scratch..It has straps that go around your neck with the little red hearts that my sewing machine makes where the straps are attached. It also has 2 large pockets at the bottom. I put a raggy heart with big stitches on it too...I love old vintage looking fabric..
Here is what the heart stitches and fabric look like up close...

And this is the raggy stitched heart..

It's not anything wonderful...but it kept me from going stir crazy..and it turned out kind of cute I think ;)

One of the decorating books that I got at the library had this picture of a cute kitchen that made me think of Eileen! Eileen can you guess why this would make me think of you? Sorry for the glare..I tried a couple times and it still looked like this...But, I could definately work in this kitchen..I love the little pink shade on the lamp and the little pink hints here and there..I love the polk-a-dot dishes too! Marcy...these are for you!! Mickey absolutely loves the chew bones that you sent..he doesn't like sharing them with Teddy either..If Teddy grabs one, Mickey takes it from him the minute he lets go of it...then he goes and hides it. He keeps one close to him at all times though. I have to take it from him when he goes out to the bathroom...This is him napping...with his bone..
Here he is chewing away with delight! Notice how he holds on to it too..
This one is him chewing it on the side...while laying down... He really does love it..if he could talk he would definately thank you!

Poor Teddy trying to sleep...Mickey is on cat patrol...He hates cats...sorry all of you cat lover's...
But Mickey thinks they are the enemy...He spends his day looking out the window and when he spots one of them...he growls and goes crazy!

Well...here's a couple of last photos for you....What do you think of this? I kind of like it? I think it's definately colorful...and I think I could work in it...what do you think?
Here are the last 2 pictures for now...Mark told me he saw a house like this in the town near where we live. I kind of like it...But I'm not ready to do something that drastic...I definately think you'd have to have the right roof and all the right little extras to pull this off...But I do think it's kind of pretty...Any thoughts?
I think everyone would definately remember visiting if you lived here!

"The happiest moments my heart knows are those in which it is pouring forth its affections to a few esteemed characters." ~Thomas Jefferson~

~We are angels with only one wing...we can fly only embracing each other~

Thanks for all the kind words and prayers...it means the world to me to know that you care!!

My Mom reminded me today that the phrase that I always use on my children also applies to me...That God has a reason and knows exactly what he's doing and why things happen the way they do...Sometimes I guess, I just have to be reminded of what I actually say...I guess we tend to forget when it actually applies to us personally...Thanks for being there!!

With Love, Jerelene

P.S. I will try to get something together tomorrow for pen-paling....If everyone that wants to do it could leave me a comment...I'll put everyone's names down and then maybe everyone can just pick someone for this month...I feel like I'm probably not thinking straight so bear with me. Just comment me and I'll name you tomorrow and then everyone can comment tomorrow as to who they pick for this month...Does that sound ok? Talk to everyone tomorrow!! :)

A quick note..

2009-08-04T10:50:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to everyone...I've not fallen off the earth or anything:)
I've just had so much to do and not enough of me to do it all..so the blogging has kind of been set to to the side for a bit. The tomatoes are now coming in like crazy so I am fixing to start canning. That and a few pickles.
Mark got a call last night and didn't get hired for either the full or part-time. The guy that called said they would probably be hiring some more part-time's in a couple of weeks after school starts and not to get discouraged..We are discouraged...greatly:(
I'll try to get back on tomorrow and visit everyone and post something worthwhile. Right now I just don't have it in me...
All of my friends that are wanting to pen-pal...I've not forgotten you. I think I just need a day or two to kind of absorb this and then I'll be able to get back with everyone..
Love to everyone....
Jerelene

Another day in the kitchen....

2009-07-30T20:51:00.000-07:00

Well..today proved to be another extremely busy day for me. Here's my tally for the day.

I froze 2 gallons of green beans.

I Baked another 6 loaves of zuchinni bread. I'm freezing them :)

And I canned zuchinni relish...courtesy of Rebecca at Renaissance.

I apologize for my lack of luster tonight...by I am just tuckered out...

I'm also trying to get stuff together to can some pickles and hopefully the salsa...SOON

These are just some of what caused my hands to ache. Some of them are for bread and some to make some more lasagna with. I also did some more to make the relish with..
Which lead to lots of this.....

And then this...which is very yummy :) My snowman mug full of coffee has been my constant companion as of lately.. He keeps me going!

And these are what the relish looks like...
Mark was kind enough to help me with some of it tonight...I think he sensed I was getting tired :)

Well, that's all for tonight...I'll try to stop by and say hello to everyone tomorrow...I am literally shutting the computer down and heading to bed. I had promised pictures...I don't think they're terribly fantastic..but I have to say the bread is delicious and the relish smells like it is going to be wonderful...I think it would be yummy on beans and cornbread!

I'm off to Neverland....hopefully with sweet dreams!! See you guys tomorrow!!

With Love, Jerelene