A most sincere pumpkin patch was found…..

 Mission:

To find the perfect pumpkin.

Problem?  To whose description of “perfect” must one subscribe?

Our family is as opinionated about pumpkins as it is about everything else.  So a Pumpkin must be found for each member- to meet their specific requirements.  (I did not,however find one without guts… I hate the smell of pumpkin guts)

First- we had to find a great pumpkin farm. 

Done. Within a mile of home- and u-pick;)

Next is the search….

Short round fat pumpkins?  Tall pumpkins for big grins?

Tiny pumpkins for tiny people?  White pumpkins?  Smooth or bumpy pumpys?

We managed to find one for each of us- and pretty much covered the pumpkin preference bases;)

Just have to fend off the pumpkin smashing hoodlums for a few days and we’ll be set.

 Well- except for the whole gutting thing….I’ll wait till the last minute for that;)

Now to find a copy of “The Pumpkin Patch Parable”

And try to convince Noah to dress as something I am capable of costuming…… that should be fun.

How bout a bag of leaves?

 

Extreme adventures in family camping… or at least in surviving the drive home.

Wednesday was a Holiday…so, we had plenty of time to pack up and make sure the house was clean before we left for a family camping trip. Bad (but sweet) Dog Sami was at her favorite Pet-Sitters. The cats were prepared (as always) to take over the house. Laundry was ready for the trip AND for the re-entry upon our the return.

Although we were surrounded by campfires, playscapes, fishing hooks and hatchets…. there were no major injuries. Even the great Beetle bombardment, was fairly quickly quenched.

There was much:

Toe toasting by campfire

Perfect S’more’s making

Go Carting… (this look on my middle son’s face worries me about drivers ed)

Fishing

Bumper boating… (which resulted in a soaking wet Dad, and happy sons)

Our “Little House on the Campground”

A bit of beaach front near fort gratiot lighthouse

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse- (well- all that I could get in the lens from the terrible angle we had:()

A fruitful trip to Mary Maxims: below left to right: Aracania Nature Cotton, Debbie Bliss Pure Silk, Austermann Step, Mondial, Lana Grossa Cotton blend….a few notions and such;)

There was also: Yahtzee, wifi, and plenty of bacon and barbeque. (WIth the exception of Chinese one night… what can I say?)

The trip had gone too smoothly- I should have known a storm was on the horizon.

Let’s start with leaving for home on a day with 102 degree heat. In Michigan? Yes-

Here’s the proof:

Next- let’s add the air conditioning dying in my truck- about 30 minutes into our ride home.

Add 2 adult sized sons and a car seated preschooler to the back seat of my way to small and air-conditioning free- mini suv.

Add a slight sunburn and the desperate need for rolled down windows. (Ouch… let’s just say my left shoulder smells a bit like barbeque… but it’s just me, roasted.)

To the mix… please add strange car trouble which created the uncanny ability of my truck to not be able to travel faster than 30 mph.

The result? Well- let’s just say that our 90 minute relaxing drive turned into a 3+ hour sauna. I didn’t even lose weight. (I weighted myself when I got home.. just to check…) Somehow- I managed to sweat AND swell…. GREAT. Just. My. Luck.

The topper? My husband’s need to leave this morning for a business trip to Denver. This made stopping and getting a room and fixing the vehicle this morning (we came home on Sunday… no chance of car repair on Sunday afternoon..) before finishing the drive home- impossible.

People. I put my knitting DOWN… I was working on a Monkey sock…

and it was too hot to knit. A SOCK! Unbelievable. (Trekking XXL Pro Natura- Monkey sock pattern By Cookie A.. on Knitty.com)

Well- as I am posting- you’ve already surmised that after cool showers, a nice tubby and many glasses of cold water on arriving home… we made it.

Maybe we were towing too much weight… it could have been one of wo things that put us over.. my shoes, or my knitting bag. Both of which were certainly necessities;)

More tomorrow… when I’m finished with the laundry and cleaning out the camper (I hope;)

 

If you don’t have anything nice to say— shut up. Or at least- say it privately, and to THAT person.

Nice title huh? If you’re offended, Sorry. I have a friend who calls “shut-up” the “S” word….(she’s cute- you’d like her) I usually laugh and say that’s not the “s” word at our house….But- it IS rude. Just using it to blow off steam. (Besides, it really isn’t the “S” word we avoid at my house;)

I have confession. I’m annoyed. With brother and sister Christians, actually. Not all of them– just some of them- and then- just sometimes. It seems like in a lot of places I click… criticism runs rampant. I don’t get why people have to complain about, criticize and gripe about other Christians, publicly or otherwise. Even, making fun of their convictions and their perspectives. Often times the people doing it, are leaders.

Don’t get me wrong- I’ve been known to think I have “the spiritual gift of criticism.” I know how it feels to believe strongly that something is wrong- and should be (must be) confronted. I totally “get” feeling passionately about truth. I just think you can communicate truth - without ripping people apart. I don’t have to teach my kids the right things- by pointing to other kids and saying– “See that kid? They are bad. Wrong. Stupid. Don’t act like that.” I mainly teach my kids by telling them what’s right. I think blogs/website etc are a perfect place to do that. Say what you think- feel believe- know- without criticizing others.

I also know how important it is to handle the confrontation in a way that honors God. Honestly, I’ve done it both ways. Im not proud- but let’s face it- I learn best the hard way.

This is what I’ve learned: (Granted- it’s nothing new. duh- it’s stuff we know- but forgetto apply sometimes;)

Being right, isn’t license to be mean. It’s a responsibility to be handled with care.

Matthew 18:15-19 gives pretty clear direction for handling conflict/correction.

1) GO TO THAT PERSON.

2) If they don’t respond- take someone else with you and then, go back.

3) If THAT fails- then take it to the church. (The leadership under whom that person is accountable)

4) Not all conflict can or will be resolved. Roman’s gives us a glimpse at our responsibility: It’s on us. Individually. As much as it depends on me- (sometimes a lot- sometimes not so much) I have to live at peace with others.

My bottom line: I think it’s wrong to blog about (or do the same, in other contexts conversations etc. ) other people. When I see it- I usually try to lovingly confront. Though sometimes, I just click away and don’t bother responding. (I figure everybody is human, and ocassionally may blog/speak before we think.) If it’s there enough times- I just. Stop. Clicking.

What we put out here on the web- is viewed by all kinds of people… how are we representing Christ, and the love of Christ, if we’re filling our space griping about, judging, criticizing, His body? 1 John 3 is a good reminder about how we’re to treat each other.

So- Why am I doing exactly what I’m saying not to do? (kind of) Because I want accountability. If you see me post something that is nasty or critical of others-(even if it’s funny) I want you to confront me. (Then probably run… cause if you’re RIGHT… I’ll probably get angry and embarrased- but I usually come around pretty quick;) You can find my e-mail in the profile section. Or-go ahead- leave a comment- tell me not to be a jerk- I’ll appreciate it- eventually;)

“Lord Jesus- It’s so hard to navigate the differences in the body of Christ- I pray for wisdom in how to handle them in a way that honors you and respects others. God, I pray for courage to say the right things to the right people, at the right times. I pray for your people to love each other- with a love that draws others to you- with a love and compassion that comes only from you. Lord- I pray that you’d be represented well-in the blogosphere- and everywhere- I love you Lord- amen.”

PS— Or should I say “PMS?” Double posts in one day are usually a pretty clear warning we’ve entered the “danger zone” of the month….. that is all. ;)

 

Going Blonde. One hair at a time…Or maybe, I’m just getting old.

I’m going blonde. Not intentionally, it just seems to be happening on it’s own.

One. Hair. At. A. Time.

It started years ago- one “blonde hair” would pop up- literally. Straight up. In a crooked way. With a strange wirey texture. Since it didn’t “match” the rest of my hair, I’d pluck it out. (The all things Must Match rule- one of these things doesn’t belong… weird hairs must GO!)

Now- I should have been suspect- that my hair color could shift. As it has changed drastically throughout the years. (Not always through a dye bottle) When I was little- I was sunshine- blonde. As I got into my pubescent years it got darker- well, until I found “Sun-In”- then-BANG (Big, permed eighties bangs- actually) insta-blonde. (Or insta- orange, depending;)

In the late eighties— I got my first bob. I was teaching preschool- so, decided to go with the fairy tale theme. I went very dark….Disney Princess Snow-White, dark. I wore ribbons and bows. (? Yeah- I know. It was a phase. I even dressed as Snow White for Halloween one year, didn’t need a wig. )

At some point in the early nineties- I decided on red. Yes- an Italian/Welsh redhead. (That’s NATURAL. Shut up. I mean- shush. Please. It’s a look. I like it.) Anyway, since then, I’ve varied from Mahogany to an accidental- clearance purchase of “Eggplant”. (a lovely- blackish purple, after which, my kids wanted to have me take them into school so everyone could see my COOL, PURPLE hair. Boys. Only boys think their Mom’s hair is funny, girls would have been mortified. FYI- NEVER buy hair dye on clearance. Spend the extra $3.00- you’re worth it. )

I dye my own hair, (because I’m cheap- and lets face it- I have this one day a month- where I MUST dye my hair. IMMEDIATELY.) Anyway- I pay pretty close attention to “the root” of the problem. The problem currently- is my GRAY Hair. AKA: individual blondes. They are not compliant. Not only, do they stick up weirdly- but they DO NOT want to take the dye. They want to remain white. I mean, blonde. Kind of like highlights- only, not so much.

Instead, they are just weird. Worse yet? They are concentrated right in the front. At the hairline. Can’t even hide them. Hate that.

So- I’m going blonde- one hair at a time. Kind of. I keep dying them. Red. I haven’t given up. I will conquer. There are stronger dyes.

Like “RIT ” If all else fails- I could try that. Maybe, I could even put a bunch of pony tails in and tye-dye it.

We will not discuss the weird, white eye-brow hairs. Or, anything else. That, would be wrong.

Getting old, isn’t bad- it’s just well- WEIRD.

Hair care- it’s in the Bible.

BTW “long” is a relative term.

Age is also a relative term, in the Bible- see Methusaleh

Wanna pick you’re own red?

Herbal Essence Reds

 

The Day My Fat Pants Died.

It’s not because they didn’t fit. (Sadly- they do) It’s not because I don’t like them. (I LOVE my comfy fat pants- sweats) It’s because it was simply, time.

The elastic waist band (two inches of perfectly comfy wide- waistband that sat perfectly on my hips- at one time) had broken through it’s fabric casing. The velour was thread bare in the back end and knees. (That’s attractive) The gaps created by the elastic breaking through the waist band had become dangerous. (No teenager wants his moms pants to fall down- even if she ONLY wears them at home.- It’s just plain disturbing. ) There were small holes at the ankles where a certain BAD DOG liked to try to drag me around by the ankles. (If nothing Sami is gutsy)

I think my husband was sick of them- and too kind to say it. (Let’s face it- if I thought of them as “fat-pants” how “hot” could they be? —I only wore them at night-sexy? NOT)

So it was time. I couldn’t take a picture- because my eyes were “sweaty” ( My DH’s code for tearing up) Ok— I didn’t actually cry… but you know- they were “special.”

We shall now have a moment of silence for my fat-pants.

*************sigh*************weep*************wipe a tear***********move on********

If you were stopping by for something a bit “more” today- Please stop by “Laced With Grace”

You can read my take on Todays’ CWO Quote:

“When God is involved, anything can happen. Be open and stay that way. God
has a beautiful way of bringing good vibrations out of broken chords.”
~
Chuck Swindoll~

 

Random-ness and questions for the universe:

Saw this somewhere- a grand way to waste 10 minutes…..go ahead- make your own….

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Random questions and thoughts:

1) Is having a pain in the butt, the same as BEING a pain in the butt? The answer? Sometimes.

(I had to go to urgent care to get my hip checked out…..from last weeks trip, down the steps…..Am fine- sore. Bruised hip, bursa issues. yuk. Had the Doctor write buttocks pain on the “yellow slip” -discharge info- the boys got a kick out of it…)

2) Dressing gowns at Urgent care. Why bother? They only cover what you don’t care about and leave the bits that should be covered… UN- COVERED. I was just glad I had tucked socks into my bag….at least I had socks on during my x-ray. I swear, next time I’m bringing my own robe.

PS don’t they know all gowns should be BLACK? Hello. WHY do they always make them in WHITE …- needles… iv’s and other -worse ER happenings … can’t go well with WHITE. And the lame prints? Why the torturous lame prints? They have to make you look as fat, pale and sick as you feel?

GROSS WARNING—-DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING THOUGHT IF YOU’RE SQUEAMISH……

3) Fruit Flies and Banana’s - I don’t get it. I’ve never seen fruit fly …ummmmmm larvae…(maggots?) . However, it’s inevitable, a few days after we buy banana’s we have company. FRUIT FLIES. How do they get there? There aren’t any in my house UNTIL I buy banana’s . I don’t see ANY on the banana’s when I buy them. I hate this. I am allergic to banana’s, can’t eat them. They are all-around disgusting. I am sure they are the source of all fruit flies. Sick.

4) Things to do with left over Easter Eggs…..

a) save them for egging on devil’s night…. that’s just wrong on so many levels. I’m sorry.

b) ship them to unsuspecting friends… as GIFTS.

c) Use them as threats. “If you don’t clean up your room, you’re having Easter Eggs for dinner.”

d) Save them and shellac them, they are now “risky, edgy art” Well, in a couple of weeks they will be.

e) Add them to the dogs food…….. (well- you could try it- as for Bad-Dog Sami? She’d rather eat garbage)

f) Use them as organic fertilizer…..( bury them in the yard)

g) Tell you’re family they are chocolate eggs…. no really- you should see how disappointed they get!

h) Blah, blah make deviled eggs, egg salad and other dishes your children won’t eat….

i) Tell your children they CANNOT eat them, they are GROWN up food. Works every time. (Well- it works with most kids… ONCE.)

j) Chop em up and leave them outside at night… whatever is making the dog bark, will probably eat them.

k) Next year paint wooden eggs. You can save them and they don’t smell up the house when you find them under the couch in July.

Add your random thoughts or Easter Egg Ideas to the comments….

Egg Dye stains. Hands, nails and faces. Just FYI.