Busy Day

Good morning everyone . . . yes, it's still morning where I live It's a bright sunny day, though cool. We are about to sit down to prayer with the girls. This is a special time for us. I remember the prayer requests I've seen in J-Land, and lift them up. First of course we give God all the glory, pray for our family and then for the prayer requests. When we are finished, there is just peace here.

We have been doing some "spring" cleaning around here.We bought junk drawers for Andrea and Kayla. They each had the two top drawers of their dressers full of junk, most of which I would throw away. I am organizing my space in the bedroom. I got rid of two bags of clothing yesterday. I keep things because I like them, then never get rid of them. Yesterday I was hard on myself . . . If I hadn't worn it in the last 6 months and wouldn't wear it in the next . . . out it goes. Some things I hadn't worn in a year or mare. Man! that was hard. I'm a pack rat - probably more than the girls.

I'd like to give you a heads up about a journal I've been following. She doesn't write every day, but I like her alot. She is our own Krissy and Val's sister, Grace. She has a very interesting name for her journal. I am expecting great things from her over the next year. Please drop by and leave a comment and/or put her on your alerts.

Now I have to do my chore for today.I've been procrastinating. I'm praying God's blessing on you all.

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Happy New Year . . . again

                       

I know I should put my siggy tag at the end of my entry, but I like this one so much and appreciate so much the giver that I want it here, right on top.

We have under 6 hours to midnight here on the west coast.  I am sure that I won't make it to midnight.  My eyes are already drooping.  The girls have asked to stay up.  We said yes.  We said go outside and bang on pots & pans, ask Hank for his foghorn, enjoy ringing in 2007.  Last time I stayed up till midnight was to bring in the new century.  We banged on pots and pans, let the kids do it too.  All 18 of them.  Mexico was very noisy then.  Lots of guns in town.  We lived on the beach then. 

It's been a stressful day for me.  I had a couple of conversations I was concerned about having.  I can't talk about it just yet, but will when the time is right.  I feel good about it now that it's done. 

Rob is sick.  I think he's got the flu.  He didn't get the shot.  I am truly grateful that I did.  I can tend to him without worrying about getting as sick as he has.  I feel bad for him . . . he's freezing . . . he's roasting.  It was a beautiful sunny day here, yet he froze most of the day.  Best I can do is hang in there with him until its over.

I've thought about so many of you today as I visited your journals, prayed for you while stopping there.  I am sorry for not commenting today or for some time.  I try, resolve not to lurk but that's just what I do.  I'm here, guys.  Really I am.  I love you all so much.  You have been a rock for me over this past year.  It's been a tough one, though filled with much love and joy as well.  I won't resolve to do better.  I'll make it a goal.  If I fail then I will start over until I succeed.

As always, you are in my prayers and thoughts and may you: 

 

I'm taggin' it!

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS Got this at <A href=" ? BlueSkiesandGentleBreezes delela1 journals.aol.com http:>Dona's journal.  She's playing tag, so I guess I am too.  Play along if you like.  Snag here or over at Blue Skies, Gentle Breezes

So I'll bet you thought that was all I was going to write.  Not so!  We'rehere preparing for the New Year.  We don't go out or have a party.  In fact, we're pretty boring.  Back when I drank more than my share . . . in another lifetime . . . I didn't go out either. Always called New Year's Eve "amateur night". 

Rob worked very hard (I helped a bit) to give our laundry room a complete revamp.  New old shelves are up and filled with Christmas decorations, and many other things that had had been relegated to the floor under the clothes rack.  A new closet rod has replaced the bulky clothes rack. The room looks wonderful and gives us storage we desperately needed.

We've set some goals for the new year.  We don't make resolutions because we hate failure.  So we're making a list of the things we would like to accomplish this year if possible.  It will be written down so we can see our progress.  Any changes that need to happen to us will be in God's hands.

I have just one Christmas picture to share.  It was thrilling to see how our Christmas evolved.  We are grateful to God for all the angels in our life.

I tried and tried to put the picture here - to no avail.

We look forward to making the most of each month of the new year, well actually . . . each moment the the Lord gives us live.  I personally am grateful to J-Land for giving me a placeto vent, to share and pray.  You guys are the best. 

                          

It's almost here!!!  Christmas carols abound throughout our home.  I'm singing along with my whole heart.  What a beautiful day this has been. 

Kayla and Lupe spent last night with their uncle, so it was just Rob, Andrea and me as the day started off.  I got dressed in a garnet-red outfit, skirt to the floor, garnets in my ears and at my neck and black open-toed shoes.  Peeking out from the shoes were toes painted to match with a silver snowflake on each big toe.  I felt beautiful.  Andrea was wearing a deep red satin skirt, red top to match and black open-toed shoes.  She looked just awesome!

We went on to church where we sang carols one after the other as if we could fill the world with Christmas melody.  As I was singing, somebody tapped me softly.  Lupe stood grinning up to me . . .her red blouse, black skirt and brand-new pink tennis shoes!  She couldn't have been more proud.  She went from person to person giving great hugs, showing off her new shoes.

Kayla was in back with her friends trying to hide her blue satin skirt and white top.  I knew the black open-toed shoes graced her feet because she wanted to look grown-up and dressed down.

The pastor gave the word - ahh - it was like a breath of fresh air!  Not a once-a-year, tried and true Luke preaching for him.  No . . . he taught from scripture about who this Jesus is - the one we celebrate today and tomorrow.  Nothing new, really but new in its presentation. 

                                

After church I was told not to leave right away . . . there were a a couple of things for the girls.  I was surprised to see a smoked turkey, a full turkey dinner and two presents each girl being placed in my car.  I told the gal that placed them all in the back . . . "please tell whoever it was 'Thank-you' " .  She leaned to me and said . . . "it was the local police department."   

                     

Placed under our tree and in stockings this year are gifts from what seems everywhere.  Small things from us, small things from others . . . big things from others.  What joy I have to know that Rob, myself and the girls are so loved that others thought to share with us.  As long as I live I will never forget.

            

In a few hours, we will all awaken to Christmas Day.  WE know what we celebrate, who and why.  Tomorrow however, we will all just be kids for a whole day.  The Lord will see us and know that we know and He will be glad.

               

FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS   -   MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

                Rob, Penny, Andrea, Kayla and Lupe

Merry Christmas

 

<TABLE class='MsoNormalTablestyle="BACKGROUND:' cellPadding=0 width="100%" bgColor=#33ff00 border=0 100%? WIDTH: #33ff00;> YOU CAN'T STEAL MY CHRISTMAS I don't know who they are Saying I can't greet the crowd The way that I want to Can't say CHRISTMAS out loud. I walk into a business place See things that I rather not see But dare I not say CHRISTMAS And ask for a "holiday" tree. What happened to freedom of speech And living in the land of the free How can they take my CHRISTMAS money But can't say <SPANSTYLE="COLOR: red?>MERRY CHRISTMAS to me. Men and women have given their lives So we could still go free I wonder how they would feel At saying " <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />HOLIDAY " TREE. Come on AMERICA let's wake up Don't let our freedom escape If they get by with doing this What else will they take. This is starting to get out of hand, And I've begun to keep track Well I've just about had enough I'M TAKING CHRISTMAS BACK. So MERRY CHRISTMAS AMERICA I hope this gets all over the net If we all stand united and take freedom back 'Twill be our best CHRISTMAS YET! EVERYONE <PCLASS=MSONORMAL>     I got this in an e-mail from my sister who got it from a dear friend.  The truth is that it does kind of bother me that the stores will put up "Happy Holidays"  "Happy Kwanza"  "Happy Hanukkah"  but not "Merry Christmas"   I am not offended by the celebrations of other faiths, but what about mine?  I believe in Jesus Christ,  I also believe in the God of Hanukkah.  I honestly don't know much about the celebration of Kwanza, but I'm willing to look it up and fine out.   The founding fathers of our country left England to escape religious persecution.  The Constitution of the United States was quickly amended to provide for certain rights, the first one being the right to speech, religion, assembly, press, etc.   I know I don't have it exactly word perfect, but there you are.   Now the ACLU, with government help is working to take away my right to practice Christianity. Hindu, Buddhist and Islam have more rights than Jews and Christians.  Where is the freedom in that?  What's happening in our country that those inalienable rights are no longer true for the vast majority?   I am proud to be a Christian.  That's whatmy mother taught me and I believe.  If you believe differently, I bet your mom or dad taught you as well.  We are blessed to have parents who love us enough to teach us our faith.   Blessing to you all,

 

 

 

Tags: holidays, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Religious Freedom

I'm Okay - Really

                                

I've got two angels on my shoulder

Thank God for the life of our family!    I'm sorry I waited so late to make an entry.  I truly want to thank you for your concern for us.  Here's what happened and the updates.

Rob was up early.  He was concerned for us because the house was very, very cold.  He turned up the heat and lit a burner in the kitchen.  We had left the heat on low during the night and had asked them to leave their door open so the room would not be so cold.  The girls also got up early to get ready for church.  I slept in.

I heard Rob and the girls trying to wake me.  I just couldn't wake up.  My head was pounding so I just snuggled back into the blankets.  When I finally did rouse, I was disoriented and could not wake up fully.  Even coffee didn't help.  1 bird was dead and 3 were dying.  A nurse friend told me to go outside because Rob had said it was carbon monoxide that killed the birds.  I stayed outside until Rascal died in my hands, about 45 mins to an hour.

Then I came back inside, sat in my chair in the living room.  It was nice and warm.  In a little while I began to feel worse and asked Rob to turn the heater off.  I went to the bedroom.  I didn't get better.

We went first to urgent care then to ER.  They took me right in.  I was treated so nicely even though I was really out of it.  After tests determined I had carbon monoxide poisoning, they put me on 100% oxygen.  They also did a CT scan on my head (apparently I still have at least some of my brain in there).

I stayed some hours before being released to come home.  I went straight to my room and to bed.  Iwas still way too sick.  I was going to make an entry, but could only type just a few words.  That's what you got.

Our landlord bought carbon monoxide detectors and new smoke detectors last night.  After a look at the insides of the heater, he also bought us a new heater.  The range is basically new, so we are all right now. 

I still have a blinding headache.  I'm a tad afraid of the heater.  I know it's safe - we have the detector and the light is green - I can see it from my chair - still, I am a little freaked.  We could have died!  For the cost of a CO2 detector, this never would have happened. 

Please,  IF YOU DON'T HAVE A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR . . . GET ONE!  Our landlord bought ours, but it's not worth putting it off.  Please don't let cost make you wait. That thing was up before I went to bed last night.  Well, I was already in bed . . . but before I went to sleep.  My sister, her husband and grandson were poisoned several years ago.  She was in the hospital several days.  Their grandson survived only because he screamed all the way in the ambulance. 

Again, thank you so much for your concern for us. 

              

                   Rob, Penny, Andrea, Lupe and Kayla

Quite a Day

                                          

Short and not so sweet or not so sweet . . .    Had hard time waking up this morning - Sunday.  Bad headache.  Turms out it is carbon monoxide poisoning.  Spent several hours in ER and have come home.  I'm freaked out.  Afraid to sleep/  Very sick.  Every one else is fine.  Lost 4 birds.  I can't stay awake now.

God bless you all, Penny