It never ceases to thrill me when I put fresh seed and suet out.
The birds flock in.
Blessed.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
winter
Just a few images I've captured this winter.
It never ceases to thrill me when I put fresh seed and suet out.
The birds flock in.
Blessed.
It never ceases to thrill me when I put fresh seed and suet out.
The birds flock in.
Blessed.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Just wait....
Something extraordinary happened last week!
It's been quite the month.
I have learned to sit still and heal.
Sitting still is so very difficult!
I was unable to be with the one I love the most
in her hour of greatest need.
I believe that others needed to step in.
I believe that God is always in control.
I believe He was telling me to let Him handle this,
because He loves her so very much more than I could even imagine.
He called my Grandma home.
I was able to help plan and celebrate her life!
It was a beautiful life.
The day after her memorial,
an old friend contacted me on facebook.
He wanted to let me know that he had been thinking of me
in this difficult time, and wondered if I was ok.
As we chatted and caught up on our families,
he mentioned that he wanted to return something to me
that he had kept for over thirty years.
(Ya that hurts even to write!)
I couldn't imagine what he was talking about.
He told me that he was holding something in his hand
that my grandmother had given me, and I had given him.
He felt it was time to return it.
(my initials KVT engraved on it)
I received the necklace in the mail today.
It is just as I remembered it.
And I remembered it as if it were yesterday,
when he told me what it was.
I had no words.
Thank you.
For thirty years God has been saving this charm in my friend's hand.
I had forgotten all about it.
God knew that I would need this gentle reminder
that He loves me and thinks of me every moment.
This dime sized charm began to stir in me,
that in every area of our lives,
the happiest of days,
when a child is born;
you find and marry the love of your life,
the spring sun shining brightly after winter's gloom,
or the most horrible of days,
saying good bye to a loved one;
loneliness,
illness,
during natural disasters,
that God is thinking of you.
He always has the perfect gift for you
even if it takes decades to arrive.
He has been planning this all along.
I will wear this reminder for a while.
Then I will put it into another treasure from Grandma
that was given to me last week.
In 1984 I now remember
buying her a music jewelry box for Christmas.
She loved music boxes.
This one plays "Somebody Loves Me".
Inside was the note I had written her,
and the note she had written under my own.
"This goes to Kris Ballard after I'm gone,
a loving thoughtful granddaughter.
Grandma (Dorothy) Shaffner
Thank you God, for loving me!
It's been quite the month.
I have learned to sit still and heal.
Sitting still is so very difficult!
I was unable to be with the one I love the most
in her hour of greatest need.
I believe that others needed to step in.
I believe that God is always in control.
I believe He was telling me to let Him handle this,
because He loves her so very much more than I could even imagine.
He called my Grandma home.
I was able to help plan and celebrate her life!
It was a beautiful life.
The day after her memorial,
an old friend contacted me on facebook.
He wanted to let me know that he had been thinking of me
in this difficult time, and wondered if I was ok.
As we chatted and caught up on our families,
he mentioned that he wanted to return something to me
that he had kept for over thirty years.
(Ya that hurts even to write!)
I couldn't imagine what he was talking about.
He told me that he was holding something in his hand
that my grandmother had given me, and I had given him.
He felt it was time to return it.
(my initials KVT engraved on it)
I received the necklace in the mail today.
It is just as I remembered it.
And I remembered it as if it were yesterday,
when he told me what it was.
I had no words.
Thank you.
For thirty years God has been saving this charm in my friend's hand.
I had forgotten all about it.
God knew that I would need this gentle reminder
that He loves me and thinks of me every moment.
This dime sized charm began to stir in me,
that in every area of our lives,
the happiest of days,
when a child is born;
you find and marry the love of your life,
the spring sun shining brightly after winter's gloom,
or the most horrible of days,
saying good bye to a loved one;
loneliness,
illness,
during natural disasters,
that God is thinking of you.
He always has the perfect gift for you
even if it takes decades to arrive.
He has been planning this all along.
I will wear this reminder for a while.
Then I will put it into another treasure from Grandma
that was given to me last week.
In 1984 I now remember
buying her a music jewelry box for Christmas.
She loved music boxes.
This one plays "Somebody Loves Me".
Inside was the note I had written her,
and the note she had written under my own.
"This goes to Kris Ballard after I'm gone,
a loving thoughtful granddaughter.
Grandma (Dorothy) Shaffner
Friday, January 25, 2013
True gauge is in the eye of the beholder
I found an adorable sweater pattern that I have been wanting to knit for myself.
I have been putting off knitting because I have been concentrating on spinning
and completing my master spinner #1 class.
Then I broke my foot and was scheduled for surgery the next day.
I found some icelandic yarn I had dyed this summer with madder.
I knit a 4x4 gauge and found that it was way too big...
the yarn was more bulky and the needles too large.
So I went down a size needle and chose the next pattern size down.
I happily cast on 341 stitches, onto 40" circular needles,
with a beautiful wrapped yarn I had been wanting to use.
p1, slip 1 across wrong side, K1, P1,
slip 1 to end, K1 across the right side, for an inch and a half,
then started stockinette knitting.
I took my project to the hospital with me,
and happily passed the time waiting on my surgery.
I was definitely a novelty with the nurses and aides..
I switched from the darkest to the lightest dyed yarns in wonderful stripes
throughout the sweater over the next three weeks.
Yes, I noticed some bleeding of dye on my hands as I knit,
But that didn't bother me too much until I got to the white yarn.
Not only was there a bit of bleeding onto the white, but it was a much thinner yarn.
I decided to rip out the two rows of white and double the yarn.
When I took the needle out, I wrapped the sweater around me to check size,
as it is really hard to find a true size on circular needles,
when you are knitting in one piece.
To my dismay, I discovered that my sweater was going to be 36" too wide!
Now, I was knitting the 2x size, so it wasn't going to be a small sweater to start with,
and I like roomy sweaters.
I ripped all 11" of knitting out and began again.
However this time, I rinsed the yarn until no color bled out.
This took forever, and I am not looking forward to my water bill.
It was kind of fun though, as I am writing my reports for my spinning class,
and part of the description of wool is that it is hydroscopic...
which means it holds 30% of it's weight in water before feeling wet.
This was made very clear to me as I held the skeins under a full stream of water,
and it was only trickling through the yarn into the sink.
Fun!
The skeins are still drying and I have cast on again.
This time, I cast on 220 stitches and am making the extra small size.
I love the yarn and hope that the size works better with the yarn.
If not, I have no objection to ripping out again
and spinning a smaller fingering yarn to begin again.
I have been putting off knitting because I have been concentrating on spinning
and completing my master spinner #1 class.
Then I broke my foot and was scheduled for surgery the next day.
I found some icelandic yarn I had dyed this summer with madder.
I knit a 4x4 gauge and found that it was way too big...
the yarn was more bulky and the needles too large.
So I went down a size needle and chose the next pattern size down.
I happily cast on 341 stitches, onto 40" circular needles,
with a beautiful wrapped yarn I had been wanting to use.
p1, slip 1 across wrong side, K1, P1,
slip 1 to end, K1 across the right side, for an inch and a half,
then started stockinette knitting.
I took my project to the hospital with me,
and happily passed the time waiting on my surgery.
I was definitely a novelty with the nurses and aides..
I switched from the darkest to the lightest dyed yarns in wonderful stripes
throughout the sweater over the next three weeks.
Yes, I noticed some bleeding of dye on my hands as I knit,
But that didn't bother me too much until I got to the white yarn.
Not only was there a bit of bleeding onto the white, but it was a much thinner yarn.
I decided to rip out the two rows of white and double the yarn.
When I took the needle out, I wrapped the sweater around me to check size,
as it is really hard to find a true size on circular needles,
when you are knitting in one piece.
To my dismay, I discovered that my sweater was going to be 36" too wide!
Now, I was knitting the 2x size, so it wasn't going to be a small sweater to start with,
and I like roomy sweaters.
I ripped all 11" of knitting out and began again.
However this time, I rinsed the yarn until no color bled out.
This took forever, and I am not looking forward to my water bill.
It was kind of fun though, as I am writing my reports for my spinning class,
and part of the description of wool is that it is hydroscopic...
which means it holds 30% of it's weight in water before feeling wet.
This was made very clear to me as I held the skeins under a full stream of water,
and it was only trickling through the yarn into the sink.
Fun!
The skeins are still drying and I have cast on again.
I love the yarn and hope that the size works better with the yarn.
If not, I have no objection to ripping out again
and spinning a smaller fingering yarn to begin again.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Change of direction
The holidays and New Year have brought many changes to our family.
We celebrated Christmas this year, for the first time in eight years,
without any boyfriends.
It was nice but different.
Mema was not feeling well, so we visited her on Christmas day
instead of bringing her to my house.
Terry was home for a few days and we enjoyed every moment!
December 28th, V and Hil and I began our trek to Austin TX.
V finished her Masters in English and her thesis,
and decided to move south.
She will write and begin her adult life in a wonderful city!
She is a most excellent wordsmith and I look forward to her musings.
A new dog will be involved as she has adopted a Besenji.
2 year old Roxy who is a rescue dog.
She is on the jogging team, so Roxy will be an excellent companion
as V loves to run!
Now the 35 stairs to her apartment may be a challenge at 5 in the morning
for puppy potty trips, but hopefully a two year old will be accommodating!
Hil just returned last night from an extended vacation:
Texas, a youth trip with LSC to Ohio, and a 30th birthday trip of her friend
to Las Vegas.
Oh to be twenty three/four again!
She was very lucky and plans to take me to Four Winds soon
to teach me the ropes of Black Jack!
I was very much looking forward to spinning,
exercising and continuing the etc of my life in 2013.
God had a different plan.
Lest Wednesday, as I was walking Charlie,
I slipped on some slushy snow.
Didn't fall, just a twist of the foot.
I thought nothing of it.
I finished the walk, washed dishes,vacuumed,
fed the birds, mopped the floor....you know every day stuff.
Sometime in that list, my foot began to hurt a bit.
Just a slight annoyance.
Later that night, I looked at my foot and the side of it looked a bit swollen and red.
Hil made me call the doc the next morning.
Now with my Charcot, http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/charcot-foot.htm
I feel no pain at all. So when I do feel pain, say a 3/4
for anyone else this pain would be a 9/10
I should have noticed and stopped my activity.
Doc was out of the office the next day so I stayed off my ever swelling foot.
Friday I went to the doc with an xray.
He walked into the room and said
"Shit."
Scheduled me for surgery the next day to put a plate on the metatarsal of my pinkie toe
that had broken in half.
So, here I sit, with foot raised, new rollabout by my side
(as crutches are hard to learn at age 48)
and spinning wheel sitting forlornly in the corner.
I have been saying that I needed to get my paperwork completed/started
for my spinner's course.
At least I have all of the sheep breeds spun,
and ninety percent of the other spinning done.
I only have to wash and spin the five sections of a sheep fleece,
and desrcibe the differences.
So now I will begin reports on the ten sheep breeds,
different ways to spin, my spinning wheel and proper posture for spinning,
wool processing equipment, difference between woolen and worsted,
and a glossary of terms.
Hopefully I will be able to spin soon enough to complete my final project:
wash, prepare, dye, spin and knit an item.
Thinking maybe a pair of fingerless gloves.
However, as I am sitting here, I am also knitting a cardigan for myself
out of hand spun and dyed icelandic.
Hil is taking very good care of me.
My mom was with me through surgery and recovery and took very good care of me.
(As my whole family was out of town when this happened)
I have the best friends and care team anyone has ever been blessed with!
We have so much wonderful food coming in!
I will be fine.
Again, I feel no pain, so Tylenol for the sore shoulders from crutches
is the only pan meds I need.
This is a blessing and a curse, because my mind thinks I can just get up and go.
My body won't tell me through pain that I must rest and heal.
I'm trying!
I'm blessed.
We celebrated Christmas this year, for the first time in eight years,
without any boyfriends.
It was nice but different.
Mema was not feeling well, so we visited her on Christmas day
instead of bringing her to my house.
Terry was home for a few days and we enjoyed every moment!
December 28th, V and Hil and I began our trek to Austin TX.
V finished her Masters in English and her thesis,
and decided to move south.
She will write and begin her adult life in a wonderful city!
She is a most excellent wordsmith and I look forward to her musings.
A new dog will be involved as she has adopted a Besenji.
2 year old Roxy who is a rescue dog.
She is on the jogging team, so Roxy will be an excellent companion
as V loves to run!
Now the 35 stairs to her apartment may be a challenge at 5 in the morning
for puppy potty trips, but hopefully a two year old will be accommodating!
Hil just returned last night from an extended vacation:
Texas, a youth trip with LSC to Ohio, and a 30th birthday trip of her friend
to Las Vegas.
Oh to be twenty three/four again!
She was very lucky and plans to take me to Four Winds soon
to teach me the ropes of Black Jack!
I was very much looking forward to spinning,
exercising and continuing the etc of my life in 2013.
God had a different plan.
Lest Wednesday, as I was walking Charlie,
I slipped on some slushy snow.
Didn't fall, just a twist of the foot.
I thought nothing of it.
I finished the walk, washed dishes,vacuumed,
fed the birds, mopped the floor....you know every day stuff.
Sometime in that list, my foot began to hurt a bit.
Just a slight annoyance.
Later that night, I looked at my foot and the side of it looked a bit swollen and red.
Hil made me call the doc the next morning.
Now with my Charcot, http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/charcot-foot.htm
I feel no pain at all. So when I do feel pain, say a 3/4
for anyone else this pain would be a 9/10
I should have noticed and stopped my activity.
Doc was out of the office the next day so I stayed off my ever swelling foot.
Friday I went to the doc with an xray.
He walked into the room and said
"Shit."
Scheduled me for surgery the next day to put a plate on the metatarsal of my pinkie toe
that had broken in half.
So, here I sit, with foot raised, new rollabout by my side
(as crutches are hard to learn at age 48)
and spinning wheel sitting forlornly in the corner.
I have been saying that I needed to get my paperwork completed/started
for my spinner's course.
At least I have all of the sheep breeds spun,
and ninety percent of the other spinning done.
I only have to wash and spin the five sections of a sheep fleece,
and desrcibe the differences.
So now I will begin reports on the ten sheep breeds,
different ways to spin, my spinning wheel and proper posture for spinning,
wool processing equipment, difference between woolen and worsted,
and a glossary of terms.
Hopefully I will be able to spin soon enough to complete my final project:
wash, prepare, dye, spin and knit an item.
Thinking maybe a pair of fingerless gloves.
However, as I am sitting here, I am also knitting a cardigan for myself
out of hand spun and dyed icelandic.
Hil is taking very good care of me.
My mom was with me through surgery and recovery and took very good care of me.
(As my whole family was out of town when this happened)
I have the best friends and care team anyone has ever been blessed with!
We have so much wonderful food coming in!
I will be fine.
Again, I feel no pain, so Tylenol for the sore shoulders from crutches
is the only pan meds I need.
This is a blessing and a curse, because my mind thinks I can just get up and go.
My body won't tell me through pain that I must rest and heal.
I'm trying!
I'm blessed.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
This is 48...
As I was getting a weekend Starbucks for V and I,
I was looking at the young girl who was serving me.
She was in her late twenties and very pregnant.
I began to reminisce about my late twenties,
my youth, and my girls.
So much potential.
I watch my girls and their changing lives.
One daughter is moving, and starting basically all over,
to Austin TX after Christmas.
She just graduated with her masters in English lit
and wants to try her hand a writing.
I am so happy for her possibilities!
My youngest daughter is discovering who she is
and the plans that God has for her.
She is a great stylist, who I depend on for covering my grey hair,
and life is opening up in areas of youth ministry,
which thrills her heart, and mine!
I find myself longing for first loves, future possibilities, just plain future.
These days of being tired and achy and creaky are not fun.
It's not fun waking in the morning and having the sheet marks
last for hours rather than minutes.
Applying moisturizers, wrinkle minimizers, lotions, and cover ups,
to try and change what has taken 48 years to do.
I know this is not realistic, but I would like to slow the process as bit!
And I'm finding it harder every year to lose the weight and regain muscle tone.
And trying to find shoes that fit my "special feet"
is getting harder and less attractive as the years go on~!
Seeing friends' parents age and die, as well as my own family members.
Noticing seasons seem shorter, winters colder and summers hotter.
Menopause turning my thermometer lower in the house
is a contention with my daughters.
Being able to have a full day,
then go out at night until the wee hours is a thing of the past.
I then begin to think of my life now.
(And I know that I am very blessed, beyond my best dreams
It doesn't matter if I don't put make up on
or I wear my pink crocs and mom jeans to dinner.
My marriage is solid after years of working on it.
I am so grateful that I am not trying to hunt down a companion.
Bars were never my scene.
I am loving my relationship with God.
I miss spending time with Him if life becomes busy.
I am through my empty nest time, for the most part,
and am developing a different relationship with my daughters.
I am looking forward to spoiling grandchildren, not raising children.
Making snow ice cream with my grandbabies this past year was a highlight!
(This is a friend's baby...not my own grandbaby!)
I have friends who I can be my whole self with, with no masks or hidden agendas.
I have time to listen to and talk with friends for a s long as we want.
I have learned grace with friends and family.
I am enjoying discovering friendships with people
I once knew in high school.
People who I was never really close with because of all the games
played when you are that age, and don't know who you are.
We now see the commonalities that were not important back then.
I have figured out the things I enjoy and the things I do not.
I know what my gifts are and enjoy using them.
I am learning to say no to things that I am not gifted in.
(Yes, I am about to shear a sheep!)
And because of menopause, my electric bill is usually around $50!
I'll put a sweater on instead of turning the heat up, and I know the benefits of that!
I read a verse in a magazine that suits me well now:
"Forget what they say about the teenage years.
There is something about maturity that allows one the freedom to grow
without fear of reprisal or criticism
and that is huge."
I am blessed!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Thankful #1 week
This first week of November, I am thankful for everything God has given me!
There.
Now I don't have to do this silly thankful thing all month!
Really though, I am so thankful for His loving me.
I have spiritually grown so much these past two years.
I feel closer to Him, and feel His presence every day.
I see Him in my family,
my church,
my friendships,
nature,
and especially in the peace I have found that He is in control over everything!
My relationships in my neighborhood are growing,
and I am more comfortable reaching out to those around me.
I know that is kind of hard to believe, but deep inside,
I am really a shy person who gets freaked out
about having anything intelligent to say!
Ever since I was in first grade
and my answer to "what is this called: 1/2?"
I said one tooth.
Ya.
Seemed resonable..... one fouth, one fifth, one sixth, etc.
I have enjoyed learning about Him through my husband, friends, pastor and leaders.
I have enjoyed most every morning having the time to study His word,
and apply it to my life!
I have been blessed and led by the Holy Spirit , and through friends
to wade through all the Christian studies out there,
to find which one is ment for me, at this moment in my life!
Every day I am being challenged to stretch what I have come to believe is the truth,
to what He is telling me is really the truth!
Every day is a gift!
Each day I ask Him to show me His plan for me on this day.
Hopefully I am hearing and doing what He wants more and more.
There.
Now I don't have to do this silly thankful thing all month!
Really though, I am so thankful for His loving me.
I have spiritually grown so much these past two years.
I feel closer to Him, and feel His presence every day.
I see Him in my family,
my church,
my friendships,
nature,
and especially in the peace I have found that He is in control over everything!
My relationships in my neighborhood are growing,
and I am more comfortable reaching out to those around me.
I know that is kind of hard to believe, but deep inside,
I am really a shy person who gets freaked out
about having anything intelligent to say!
Ever since I was in first grade
and my answer to "what is this called: 1/2?"
I said one tooth.
Ya.
Seemed resonable..... one fouth, one fifth, one sixth, etc.
I have enjoyed learning about Him through my husband, friends, pastor and leaders.
I have enjoyed most every morning having the time to study His word,
and apply it to my life!
I have been blessed and led by the Holy Spirit , and through friends
to wade through all the Christian studies out there,
to find which one is ment for me, at this moment in my life!
Every day I am being challenged to stretch what I have come to believe is the truth,
to what He is telling me is really the truth!
Every day is a gift!
Each day I ask Him to show me His plan for me on this day.
Hopefully I am hearing and doing what He wants more and more.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Undescribable pain
What a morning I have had.
I am about to go into the privacy of my back yard,
surrounded by wind and trees and leaves,
where no one is around,
and rake, and bag up the old summer garden,
and sob from deep with myself.
If you do not have children, but plan to one day,
or your children are small,
please listen to a bit of wisdom from my experiences.
I feel that this will happen to any parent,
as it should.
It's the way of things.
When your children are small and they play sports,
softball, kickball, even T-ball,
they should win or lose.
None of this everyone wins BS.
A child must learn that life is not always going to turn out in their favor.
Life in this world hurts sometimes.
Kids are going to lose, they will get their feelings hurt,
and most kids I know, tease other kids.
It happens.
(Bullying should never happen and should be immediately delt with
in all manners possible!)
As a mom, your heart will hurt for these pains of your children.
When they get a bit older, their friends will take your place
in the life of your child.
You will be last on their list to spend time with,
Oh, they will need you and depend on you, and run to you to hold them,
but the fun stuff begins to turn from family board games on a Saturday night,
to sleepovers and dances, and just hanging out.
My best advice is to make sure you know who they are hanging out with,
know that there will be some kind of good adult presence,
let your kid know that you will be checking up on them....
even though they will hate this, and they will complain to their friends about
how over bearing you are.
They will secretly, and unknowingly
be better off because you love them enough to do this.
(This is a lesson I learned too late!)
One day the kids will leave your home and you will be in an empty nest.
They will have significant others whom they will lean on most of the time,
they may move back home for a time,
but things will never be the same as when they were your children.
They will question every value that you have taught them.
They will go in the complete opposite direction than you have gone.
Politically, spiritually, health wise, food choices, entertainment...
you name it, they will go opposite from you.
And this is the way it must be.
I have heard, not in scripture, but that our children are only ours for a time.
We are to raise them, then release them, for they belong to God.
I agree with this.
My daughters are their own people.
They suffer their own consequences.
I have made many mistakes while raising them.
I am still here for support and hugs,
but they make their own way in the world.
Hopefully they will turn to the Lord
as I am learning to do.
I pray that they become Godly women, who love and respect others,
and are graceful to those God puts in their path.
However, the growing part is painful.
I believe most especially for moms.
I believe it is more painful to a mom who has spent most of her life
caring for their every moment.
This is as it is supposed to be.
I am blessed with wonderful daughters who have their own minds and lives.
I pray that they learn sensitivity and follow God's path for their lives.
I pray for a personal relationship for them with Him.
I pray they feel loved and whole with Him.
Nothing else in this world is as important.
It is not religion, as the world like to corrupt,
but that one particular relationship.
So off I go into my yard, to sob.
To suffer through the growing pains of my children.
Do I love them too much?
I don't think so.
It is a hard thing to let them live their own lives.
I am learning too.
Just another part of life, no one tells you about.
This must be walked through too.
Again I say, I yell:
I am blessed!
I am about to go into the privacy of my back yard,
surrounded by wind and trees and leaves,
where no one is around,
and rake, and bag up the old summer garden,
and sob from deep with myself.
If you do not have children, but plan to one day,
or your children are small,
please listen to a bit of wisdom from my experiences.
I feel that this will happen to any parent,
as it should.
It's the way of things.
When your children are small and they play sports,
softball, kickball, even T-ball,
they should win or lose.
None of this everyone wins BS.
A child must learn that life is not always going to turn out in their favor.
Life in this world hurts sometimes.
Kids are going to lose, they will get their feelings hurt,
and most kids I know, tease other kids.
It happens.
(Bullying should never happen and should be immediately delt with
in all manners possible!)
As a mom, your heart will hurt for these pains of your children.
When they get a bit older, their friends will take your place
in the life of your child.
You will be last on their list to spend time with,
Oh, they will need you and depend on you, and run to you to hold them,
but the fun stuff begins to turn from family board games on a Saturday night,
to sleepovers and dances, and just hanging out.
My best advice is to make sure you know who they are hanging out with,
know that there will be some kind of good adult presence,
let your kid know that you will be checking up on them....
even though they will hate this, and they will complain to their friends about
how over bearing you are.
They will secretly, and unknowingly
be better off because you love them enough to do this.
(This is a lesson I learned too late!)
One day the kids will leave your home and you will be in an empty nest.
They will have significant others whom they will lean on most of the time,
they may move back home for a time,
but things will never be the same as when they were your children.
They will question every value that you have taught them.
They will go in the complete opposite direction than you have gone.
Politically, spiritually, health wise, food choices, entertainment...
you name it, they will go opposite from you.
And this is the way it must be.
I have heard, not in scripture, but that our children are only ours for a time.
We are to raise them, then release them, for they belong to God.
I agree with this.
My daughters are their own people.
They suffer their own consequences.
I have made many mistakes while raising them.
I am still here for support and hugs,
but they make their own way in the world.
Hopefully they will turn to the Lord
as I am learning to do.
I pray that they become Godly women, who love and respect others,
and are graceful to those God puts in their path.
However, the growing part is painful.
I believe most especially for moms.
I believe it is more painful to a mom who has spent most of her life
caring for their every moment.
This is as it is supposed to be.
I am blessed with wonderful daughters who have their own minds and lives.
I pray that they learn sensitivity and follow God's path for their lives.
I pray for a personal relationship for them with Him.
I pray they feel loved and whole with Him.
Nothing else in this world is as important.
It is not religion, as the world like to corrupt,
but that one particular relationship.
So off I go into my yard, to sob.
To suffer through the growing pains of my children.
Do I love them too much?
I don't think so.
It is a hard thing to let them live their own lives.
I am learning too.
Just another part of life, no one tells you about.
This must be walked through too.
Again I say, I yell:
I am blessed!
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Four Bags Full
Today I went to my vet's farm in Lakeville IN
and he let me film and even participate in shearing of his Icelandic sheep!
Let me tell you, I was so excited I thought I was going to hurl....
better than any Christmas or holiday event that I can remember!
I could seriously now, go to meet my Maker a happy woman!
Well, besides becoming a grandma....but very close!
Dr. Rock has about 20 sheep,
way down from the 80 he had last year.
All but two are Icelandic.
The family has one cow, a few barn cats and a big old black lab named Rocky.
There are also broiler chickens, roosters and some banty hens.
Posted are two videos from YouTube...
I don't know how to edit, so unless you love sheep as much as I do,
this could be a boring video..
Fair warning.
http://youtu.be/4gBOnoZcO6U me shearing a sheep
http://youtu.be/_CpCfPXISZw sheep shearing
However here are some photos!
The Rock family moved here from Oregon about 7 years ago.
Both of their families raised sheep, and this is how the two of them met.
What a wonderful, warm; friendly family this is!
I brought four bags home full of wonderful fleeces to work on this winter.
I am hoping to spin some sock yarn for Mrs. Rock's sister before Christmas.
The black is from a lamb born in April and she has never been shorn before!
I can not even describe this fiber to you!
It's almost like cashmere, or very soft angora bunny!
I can hardly wait to work it up!
I am blessed!
And I really want my own flock and farm now Honey.....!
and he let me film and even participate in shearing of his Icelandic sheep!
Let me tell you, I was so excited I thought I was going to hurl....
better than any Christmas or holiday event that I can remember!
I could seriously now, go to meet my Maker a happy woman!
Well, besides becoming a grandma....but very close!
Dr. Rock has about 20 sheep,
way down from the 80 he had last year.
All but two are Icelandic.
The family has one cow, a few barn cats and a big old black lab named Rocky.
There are also broiler chickens, roosters and some banty hens.
Posted are two videos from YouTube...
I don't know how to edit, so unless you love sheep as much as I do,
this could be a boring video..
Fair warning.
http://youtu.be/4gBOnoZcO6U me shearing a sheep
http://youtu.be/_CpCfPXISZw sheep shearing
However here are some photos!
The Rock family moved here from Oregon about 7 years ago.
Both of their families raised sheep, and this is how the two of them met.
What a wonderful, warm; friendly family this is!
I brought four bags home full of wonderful fleeces to work on this winter.
I am hoping to spin some sock yarn for Mrs. Rock's sister before Christmas.
The black is from a lamb born in April and she has never been shorn before!
I can not even describe this fiber to you!
It's almost like cashmere, or very soft angora bunny!
I can hardly wait to work it up!
I am blessed!
And I really want my own flock and farm now Honey.....!
My friend Bruce
I have known Bruce almost my whole life.....
well, from high school on.
We went to the same college too....IUP Indiana University of Pennsylvania
that is until I dropped out and moved to Texas with my family.
In High School, I could always count on Bruce for the best hugs anyone ever gave.
Seriously, I have never had a better hug!
He was always cheery, always sweet, always the friend you always wanted.
ALWAYS!
I know that after college Bruce had some difficulties, and we lost touch when I left school.
Bruce is the one reason I love Facebook!
He and I are friends again.
He married a terrific lady, Ruth, and they have a son, Smith....
both of whom I have yet to meet, but that is on my bucket list.
He has written a book on alcohol recovery, "Understanding 12 Step Programs"
his web site:
He homeschools his son.
I admire this man so much!
He truly lives Christ and in such a loving way.
He is grounded.
He is funny.
He is supportive.
This is Bruce on the left, when we were in High School.
His friend Jan is the brother of an old beau of mine.
(How many lifetimes have I lived in this one life of mine?)
This is the post that greeted me on Facebook this morning!
Bruce Brown Hey - its me your friend Bruce :) I have been seeing a lot of negative things on FB and wanted you to have something positive to focus on ;) You have at least one friend - ME. Here I am smiling and winking at you. Whatever problems you run into today, God cares and can help. If you see something beautiful, feel free to tell Him that you like it :) Have a great day.
I have shared this with all of my FB friends.
Enjoy your day!
Know that Bruce and I are on your side!
I am so glad he is on mine!
I am blessed!
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