Bloom Where You're Planted

It's been a while... I won't even try to connect all the dots from when I last posted on this blog. For today, I'm here, still "blooming where I'm planted" and excited to write again on this 'Winding Road Home". I love to write and I love to keep in touch with dear friends. I'd also love to read your blog or whatever and stay connected. As I write, I'm sitting in an apartment in the Northwest. One week ago, exactly we were flying here to begin what we think is a new life. Rarely do people have the opportunity for a "do-over" with regard to how life is laid out. You know, working vs. being home full time with kids. Or more like, having to work because of financial choices (mortgage loans, etc..). We feel blessed to be in the spot we are. I pray we don't blow the opportunity. On October 31st Glenn was laid off. He had just celebrated 20 years with a lunch given to him by his company. He said the 25 year mark I would be invited to the party.. Even so, we knew the risks of his job being laid off in So Cal. and we lived with that risk. Having grown up with my dad in the same industry I have always lived with the layoff risk. Over the past 10 years we would talk about "what-if" he were to get the notice... Often we would say maybe we could move to the Northwest - We loved this area and secretly dreamed it might happen. This is where we say, "be careful what you wish (or pray) for, it just might happen"... And it did, quickly!

FOR TODAY
November 13th
Outside my window... rain has stopped -wishing for more.
I am thinking.. so much to do today.
I am thankful for... for God's provision for us.
From the learning room... embroidery on my quilt - so much to learn.
From the kitchen...breakfast - eggs, toast and juice
I am wearing...Calvins and a Portland sweatshirt
I am creating...Christmas wall quilt
I am going...to our church marraige retreat.
I am reading...What Every Child Should Know Along The Way. Gail Martin
I am hoping...for a sweet holiday season, free from family drama
I am hearing...on on the phone (rude, I know).
Around the house...5 year old on my lap
One of my favorite things...time alone looking at yarn /craft stores, fabric stores, creativity abounds
A few plans for the rest of the week: marraige retreat
Here is picture for thought I am sharing..

Mention my blog and offer a link back to the main page of my blog. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY
November 9th
Outside my window... The still of the night
I am thinking.. How blessed I am to have 2 amazing kids
I am thankful for...my family
From the learning room... quilting, and more quilting (loving it)!
From the kitchen...chicken soup
I am wearing...comfy jeans, bare feet and the prettiest blue blouse
I am creating...a rag quilt
I am going...to ballet in the morning (pre school ballet)
I am reading...How To Have A Green Thumb, Without An Aching Back by Ruth Stout (amazing wisdom)!
I am hoping...for a sweet holiday season, free from family drama
I am hearing...my washing machine buzz- the load is done and it keeps buzzing every 5 minutes..
Around the house...Ms. Daisy (chocolate lab) at my feet - watching me with her big yellow eyes - what a dear friend she is to me.
One of my favorite things...time alone looking at yarn /craft stores, fabric stores, creativity abounds
A few plans for the rest of the week: ballet, homeschooling coop, showing a new client (I'm a Realtor), maybe date night, drive the family to the mountains to see a place we have booked for the holidays.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing..

Mention my blog and offer a link back to the main page of my blog. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Homemade Bread

I writing this as my dough is rising - what a concept... homemade bread. I hope it tastes good. I've been enjoying the more domestic frugal aspects of this season in my life. From homemade laundry soap (which works very well) to homemade disinfecting spray (another keeper) to now, my bread making efforts! The big one will be next Spring when I build a chicken coop and buy 5 little chicks. My two little chicks will LOVE that! I have it all planned out in my mind - I'm reading books and have been talking with my fellow chicken lovers. I think I'm becoming an urban farmer. As Martha Stewart says, "it's a good thing". -not that I really care what MS says.

Time to put the bread in the oven! Pics coming soon!

Spring Garden

Homemade Laundry Soap Part 2

Homemade Laundry Soap- 600 loads for only $2.00!

Sounds too good to be true, right? That's what I thought, too. It's hard to believe that for all these years I've spent so much on laundry soap when I could have made my own for pennies per load! Needless to say, over the past few years my laundry loads have increased quite a bit!

Give it a try and let me know how you like it- Here's the recipe:

1 cup Super Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax (20 Mule Team)
4 cups HOT tap water
1 Bar of Fels Naptha or Zote washing soap (bar soap)
Clean 5 gallon bucket with a lid (try Home Depot) -must have a lid.

Grate bar soap on to a plate
Place 4 cups of HOT tap water in pot on stove
Put on low heat (do not allow to boil)
Place bar soap shavings into pot of hot water, stirring to dissolve
Once dissolved place empty 5 gallon bucket into sink then pour the hot soap mixture into the bucket.
Add Borax
Add super washing soda
Stir until dissolved
Fill bucket with tap water
Cover with lid, let set overnight (12 or more hours)
The mixture will be a jello-y consistency.

Using a pot add 3 cups of soap mixture and 3 cups of warm tap water. Stir well removing the lumps. Using a funnel pour this 6 cup mixture into a 1 gallon jug. Optional: add essential oil like lavender (one drop per gallon).
I have a front loading washing machine and only use 1/4 cup per load. Top load machine use 1/2 cup.
That's it! Easy Peasy!
I have the recipe for the dry version -email me if you'd like it.

Where Have I Been?

So it's been a year (almost to the day)... Life happens you know! Truth is I've thought about my blog quite a bit but just haven't sat down (how sad, in an entire year) to write an few lines. No promises, let's just see how I do over the next 12 months!

A lot has changed in the past 12 months! Life is still quite full here and blessings abound, no doubt! We are indeed blessed to have all we have and to be part of an amazing community of beleivers.

The past 12 months have been a time for me of thankfulness. I really am thankful for every person in my life. Starting with my husband and childen. I have so many wonderful friends and family- My heart is full just thinking about how happy I am to be in the place I am. I remember a time when I couldn't say that. I guess that's what makes me so thankful. There was a time in my life when I didn't have too many friends - I always had family and was always well liked, I just wasn't connected. I went to work, then home, church on Sunday and that was it. Sometimes we complain about being busy but the truth is we are busy with people, causes or things so dear to us. For that, I'm especially grateful.

Spring Has Sprung

I can feel it. Spring! I love the freshness of this season. It's after Easter (so early this year), so there won't be another major holiday for quite a while -time to start a Christmas club account.

I have this extemely challenging home, that daily I find myself having inspirations to take on a "project". Here are my current home inspirations:

Organize my laundry room: Install cabinets and a work station (maybe a desk). Builders supply Start a vegtable garden: I have this useless peice of grass in the back -even the kids don't like it. It's close to the fence that has bricks missing making it an extreme hazard. Not to mention it leads to the neigbor's backyard that has a pool (that is not gated).. Can you say danger?

Blogging...

Well I'm back. Feels like I am anyway.

I've taken a break from blogging - intentionally. I felt weird all the sudden that blogging was sort of creepy. That just anyone could get into my head and read my rambling thoughts. Not to mention my poor grammar skills. But now for some reason, I'm cool with it.

I've been journaling the old fashion way -but it's so much easier to blog online and I really don't care if anyone is reading my blog!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Make a free ecard - it's easy!

Happy 10th Birthday Isabelle!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

When is Santa Coming, Mama?

Christmas Card Photo 2006

This morning little Gracie asked me "when is Santa coming, mama?" I was so surprised that at the tender age of 35 months she already knows and seems to remember Santa Claus.

Last year, indeed Santa came to our house! Our first Christmas with our sweet twins, we soaked up every moment! I remember starting to shop in July! Every time I went to Costco I'd pick up a few "Elmo" toys, books, chairs as Elmo was THE toy of choice!

We started Christmas right after Thanksgiving (more on last year's Thanksgiving trip in another blog) celebrating the glorious season of our Saviour's birth. We strung lights, our dear friends gave us a big blow up Mickey Mouse snow globe for the front yard. We drug out the fake tree (made sense with two 2 year olds) and the advent calendar.

Then came the Christmas photo card that we decided would be best taken at the beach. I found two beautiful red velvet dresses, with white furry trim. After church we made the quick trip down to the coast, dressed the girls and stood them on the sand. No one was around, so the sand was perfect for our Christmas photo. Encouraging the girls that this would be "fun" we put their little hats on them and stood them barefoot in the sand. Gentle waves rolling by as they held hands we snapped away! Then looking away for just a moment, I was horrified as I hear the girls scream as a larger than expected wave came in, crashing into them soaking them wet! The Pacific ocean was cold! The girls were wet! Our idea was ruined! We scrambled to pick up the girls and and pull the now heavy wet velvet dresses off of them.

A man and woman had been watching all this unfold from down the beach and walked by asked "didn't you see the sign?" "WHAT Sign?" We asked? She pointed to the sign posted up the coast, a small wooded stake and paper posted, Glenn raced over and read that the beach had been closed due to bacteria in the water! We picked up the girls and ran them over to the outdoor showers (which was freezing cold water) drenching them in the water attempted to wash them off! We felt awful! The girls were miserable! So much for THAT idea! We wrapped them up in our stroller blankets and began the trip home.

I was soaked in wet jeans, feeling so bad for putting them through all this. Once home, I ran the bath and Glenn looked up the web address listed on the posted sign that we failed to see. Turns out the bacteria was a low level and only an issue if you drank the water. What a relief! Naps were followed by the bath. Later, we laughed about the whole thing and did end up using one of the photos from the days shoot.

All this to say, this year we will NOT be taking the girls in their pretty Christmas dresses to the beach for Christmas card photos!

Mom Song...William Tell Overture

Scenes from St. Stephansdom, Vienna

St. Stephansdom, Vienna, Austria

Last night, just before bed I found some photos in a file that I had forgotten about. Funny how pictures sometimes bring a flood of memories back. Some, so specific it's as if you are reliving the actual moment. That happens to me a lot. These pictures were from a time when we were traveling often with a group of people we know, sort of a travel group we were very involved with for a period of about 3 years. Arm in arm, wrapped in cozy down jackets and hoods pulled up we stood in Vienna, Austria in front of St. Stephan's Cathedral. I remember marveling at this amazing building. A church that cover the entire square, seemingly out of place as lots of buildings (even a Starbucks) perched all around it. History says the cornerstone was laid in 1137. A young man who directed the building ops was the same person who appeared to Count Heinrich (the founder of the Schottenstift of Irish Benedictines) in a dream- thinking this must be a divine mission he ordered St. Stephansdom to be built. After the celebration of the new church in 1147 (10 years later) this master builder disappeard without a trace - my books say that in view of the extraordinary beauty of this place, it seemed obvious that the mysterious master builder could have been no one other than Jesus Christ. Psalm takes on a particular appropriateness for St. Stephan's "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it". Psalms 127:1 (I've had this verse hanging in my hallway for 20 years as a reminder to me).

My neck craned to see the vastness of this place! A moment I obviously "marked" in my mind to keep - better than any scrapbook! I can picture walking past the homeless person (all wrapped up and in a half fetal position), I couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman. I stopped, again never wanting to forget about that poor person, reminding me of Jesus. I remember feeling helpless, as I was rushed in with my group. I thought and still do think about that person. Who is this person's mother? She loved him/her. Very sad.. Anyway, we entered this place through very heavy arched wood doors, ushering in behind a sea of other people. We were told to hold on to our bags and this was a mecca for pick-pockets. As we entered St. Stephan's Cathedral I remember feeling strange. It was dark, warm and lots of people. Candles were lit all over and the stain glass windows showered us with (much needed) light. I remember looking for Jesus. He was not where I would have guessed Him to be. Not in front but rather off to the side area (as the case in most of the cathedrals we visited in Eastern Europe). More like, Mary or some other saints were front and center. G understood why and as we walked along he shared. The walls of this place were I think, limestone? Light in color and a layering look of stone upon stone. Very pretty. Very old. The story goes that generation after generation worked on building this place- to the tune of 400 plus years! Talk about dedication! So, you live your whole life working on a building that you never see completed - not to mention your children, their children (you get the idea) will never see finished! How frustrating! Well, I'm here to say, I SAW IT! Good job! A beautiful cathedral with amazing history and a sanctuary for all who enter. As I walked along inside of St. Stephan's I noticed that people were praying, kneeling and some just talking- as if conducting business or connecting socially. Again, not what I had expected. This place was SO huge inside there was room for all this (and of course, a gift shop)! I remember specially, the stain glass master pieces all around the upper walls and ceilings. Sort of a hollow sound as people walked through. Lots of dark coats walking around and sitting in pews. A chain link fence (which blew the overall look) sectioned off an area where the priest was to hold a mass. We stood there and tried to participate by listening and acting respectful, then moved on to the gift shop where I bought what my better half kept saying would "end up in a box in the garage" (he said that every time I attempted to buy something- it got old). He was wrong (love that!) and I'm happy to report, those few books are still being enjoyed. St. Stephan's Cathedral is an amazing place. I hope someday to return to share this place with my girls. I can image that if man can build that, I can only dream of what a "mansion in heaven" could look like!

Welcome Fall

October 2007~ Hard to believe fall is here! The crisp morning air and the leaves beginning to turn colors in anticipation for the winter season. I love this time of year. Even though there seems to be more pressure on us then ever, I always find peace during this change of season. Not so much when spring turns to summer.

This past weekend was no fun. Tension around here rose and sweet R got clobbered by the fireplace mantle as it came tumbling down on her little body. Paramedics, a doctor visit and several x-rays later she was just fine. Smart, pretty and tough, is that little one!

I was reminded last night of the importance of play. In class my professor had us play games~ one would think that would be easy - except I'm not so into playing games. It was hard for me to get started. I enjoyed the time in the end. Lots of memories of my childhood days of playing games to pass the time at our family cabin in Big Bear. Games are a fun way to connect and put aside all the cares we adults carry strapped to our backs/shoulders. I forgot for an hour about all that I'd been thinking about.

I look forward to the harvest. All that God has been sowing in our lives this past season and all that (only) God can harvest this season of our lives. We are ready for some harvest!

Silence

Do you hear that....? Silence. It must be nap time at my house. Yes! Silence! When two year old twins are awake there is no silence! No way! So much to say!

"Why mommy?"
"What for, mommy?"
"OK, mommy?"
"Me too, mommy?"
"No, mommy?" -That one is a problem!
And the list goes on and on!

Most endearing, most challenging and I'm most grateful for the experience! I know this time will pass and like a blink they will be young women with ideas of their own and desires for their own life and well ... it will be silent then, I suppose.

I don't wish for the silence. I know with the noise comes great joy and a lots of fun. Did I say work? I'm so tired! If only there was a pill! I'd take it! An energy pill (I guess there are some but.. well, I'm not that desperate).

The best part of nap time is that I get a nap too! Gotta go, they'll be up soon! Shhh!

Boom...Bust!

We all knew it was coming. How could we not? People buying half million or million dollar homes with virtually NO money down? How could that be? Especially the buyers who were renting for $950. per month! As a Realtor it makes me sick! I watched it all go down. Selling real estate since 1997 I've watched the market steadily climb and well, fall right off the cliff! Many of the lenders and Realtors, all who collected fat commission checks are long gone. Those poor families who were promised they could "just refinance when your payment spikes" are stuck - really stuck and soon will be homeless. Dreams crushed. It's a tough business to work in.

There is hope! Always!

All markets cycle, albeit this is a huge bust - greater than most and who knows where things will really land. We, as a country have been through a lot and we will recover from this, too. I believe that. Hard lessons learned (again). As we recover I pray I can walk along side of those sellers and those buyers and offer comfort and wisdom through it.

September 11, 2001

I remember the morning so well. I was ironing and felt prompted to turn on the morning news. I would normally run out without so much as reading the paper or even a cup of coffee. That morning, Tuesday, September 11, 2001 I felt led to slow down and listen in on the news. I'll never (ever) forget the image I saw on the TV as I tuned in. CNN was reporting as I saw one of the twin towers on fire. I remember standing there thinking how could this be? This huge building is on fire? Then across the screen came an image, again my mind at the time could not even compute this image as an airplane!

I gasp! I remember physically feeling ill. I could hardly stand! I just starred at the TV - the news people were yelling and replaying the information. I was in shock at the reports of the Pentagon and Flight 93. I remember calling Glenn and praying, but mostly I remember seeing this image of that second plane, which seemed to replay over and over and the realization that we, my Great America was under attack! In the clip I've posted here from You Tube, it shows that same image -I really hate seeing it- but, it's SO important we don't forget the truth of that day.

I love Garth's song The Dance. How fitting. The video is graphic - as was that day and the reality in which we live. (I apologize for the added clips - which I do not want on my blog, but just don't know how to add a clip from You Tube without all the other clips below-I'm still new to Blogging).

God Bless those families, our country and our soldiers!

May we never forget!

We Shall Never Forget - p2...

Monday Night Class

I love to sit in the front row of class. It's helpful since most all of the other (kids) women in my class could be my children. Except for Erica. I would have have given birth to her at the age of 11 (she's 30) and she sits right next to me (in the front row). My theory is that if I'm sitting in the front of the class, I'll forget that I'm the oldest one in the class! These girls could be my daughter's! My professor is my age for sure... Just by the references to the '80's big hair and music.. She listens to Sirius music on her laptop before class and makes references to all the same things I like.. definitely a "generation thing".

My class on Monday night is in Human Development. Who knew at 41 I'd be on this journey, first kids at 40 and now a class on what to do (and not do) with them! Really, I wish I would have taken the class 2 years ago! I do love kids (especially mine) and love learning - I think this is a good fit for me! Tonight we learned how important it is for caregivers to respect infants and toddler's. Sounds simple, but these little beings are people too! Learning that connecting with them in a REAL way vs. working around them as if they do not understand. It was only my second class, but I enjoy it very much. Tomorrow I'll practice on my kids, sort of my "lab".

Another part of Monday night is leaving my other half home alone caring for our children. My "great escape" as I think of it sometimes! It's good to get out alone, even if I am sitting in a room full of 20 year old girls with their pants WAY too low and their face pierced, eating Cheetos and talking on their cell phones. I just focus on the teacher and the lesson! Not the fact that I could be their mother and if I were, I'd ask them to tie a sweater around their waist so that I didn't have to see their, well.. anyway.. Being away one night a week is good for me. It's hard to leave the kids. I tell them that mommy is going to college. They say they want to go to college (one of my dreams for them)! I'm delighted for them! Just hearing them say it! I realize at 34 months they have NO clue what college is! In time..

I'm blessed to come home (even though it's very late) and peek into their rooms, whispering that "mommy is home from college". They smile and roll over going back to sleep. Maybe dreaming of themselves going to college.

Mother Teresa

One of my favorite people who someday I'll meet in heaven!

Memories!

Two in the MUD!

I remember playing and making mud pies as a child, growing up in LA. My sister, brother, and I along with a group of neighbor kids my mom babysat. We'd create and sculpt these pies almost good enough to eat! I also remember sitting on the front porch (back in those days, mom would kick us kids out of the house and say "go play" can you imagine that?) chewing bubble gum bought from the Helms man - he and the milk man had our neighborhood wired! All the moms were home and all the kids were outside (in front) playing! Truly another time. It wasn't perfect but we trusted in the greater good and watched out for each other. I firmly believe we still do, today but we are all so busy (blogging) we don't see the simple things as clearly as people did back then. We kids were adventurous! We'd play snake in the grass, hide and seek, kick the can, and of course we'd play in the mud ... usually via the sprinkler or the slip 'n slide! I remember chewing our gum and all pulling it out of our mouths connecting it into a big wade in the center (there would be about 8 of us)! Then we'd chew towards the center - who ever got there first got to enjoy the biggest piece of gum !Eeeewww! Think of that? We were kids - We believed in each other, had tremendous faith and absolutely no fear!

Twin Bond

Saturday afternoon I was reminded of the very special "twin bond" my sweet girls share. As we battled the latest virus I ended up in the ER with sweet Ruthie. She immediately won the hospital staff over upon arriving. Even though she wouldn't eat or drink all day her sweet spirit was ever present. Warm brown eyes and black lashes smile with just a glance. The nurses and doctor got to know her quickly as she was given an IV and soon came back to her little chatty self. For being so brave she was awarded her first (and hopefully last) tattoo of a teddy bear. Honestly, I cringed when the young trendy nurse put it on her as an "award". I mean, what could I say at that point? No harm, no foul. Ruthie was delighted at her new artwork displayed on her forearm and her sister would soon be very jealous she did not have such a teddy to display for the world to see.

Swimming pool water laced with chlorine have already begun to take little teddy's toll so I thought it best to capture the moment with a snap.

I wasn't so surprised after coming home to see the girls embrace. This was their first time apart for more than 45 minutes. I had taken Gracie to the market one day with me while Grandma and Grandpa Florey were here. Other than that day at least a year ago, the girls have never been apart. Right or wrong, its just the way it's gone. They are hardly damaged by it. They share such an amazing bond. To think there was a woman in Russia who attempted to adopt "only one of them". I still thank God for His mercy on them and on us. We are so not worthy of this wonderful, awesome experience we call parenting.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

I Heart Happy!

Someday we'll help Happy write his autobiography. He's an adventurous 5 pounds 3 ounces. Dodging twin toddlers all day is tiresome and quite dangerous! Good thing Happy has that ability to spring into action, seeking higher ground atop the sofa and love seat in the living room. He is also quite talented in scrimmaging throughout the house in between dining room chairs, under cribs, and bar stools.

Happy came to us about 6 weeks after we were married. We met a lady with a sweet Yorkie at an antique mall. I missed having a little companion around during the day, so I began interviewing breeders and found an eccentric woman who seemed to know the breed well. Little did we know we'd have an adventure just in meeting her and witnessing first hand her brood of Yorkies. She was married to an ex-pro football guy and had a big spread of a place. When we arrived she greeted us with a big smile, immediately we knew we were in for an interesting time together. Shuffling through the house she ushered us to the waiting area where we giggled as she spoke in what seemed to be a thick German accent. Her short mini skirt, fluffy high heels and low cut blouse were hard not to stare at. Happy and the other pups found what seem to be safe refuge in her cleavage! We sat watching in amazement as she uttered puppy baby talk to each pup one by one. Soon we focused on what we were there for and fell in love with the little spunky one! We named him "Happy" on the trip home.

He was only 2 pounds and I'll never forget the worry that we had the next morning, leaving him alone as we went to church. We decided we'd put in a two hour long movie for his enjoyment while we were away. K-9 Private Eye, with Jim Belushi - seemed like a good idea at the time!~ Happy was home!

I will write more memories about Happy along the winding road in the days ahead. Until then he will continue to dodge and weave the toddlers and seek refuge in his favorite spot near the front window - greeting all who pass by.

Daughters of the King

My children, two precious pearls, my reminder of God's faithfulness to us! Only 18 months ago we were on a rough gravel road, sitting in the back seat of a compact car driving through a village near the Ural mountain range, not far from Siberia, Russia. Quite aware that our lives were about to change forever. Not aware of just how much we would grow to love these precious daughters of the King.

I'm reminded daily of this great responsibility of being my childrens mom. I'm honored at the call. Watching them grow before my very eyes! Their wonder at butterflies, smelling flowers, following their shadow and swimming underwater! I'm often challenged by behaviors such as swallowing a coin (just last week), shoving a pea up their nose (that seems to have stopped) and of course, potty training!! The list goes on..

This Train is Bound For Glory....

I remember that song we'd sing at Sunday school. "This train is bound for glory, all those riders must be Holy, this train is bound for glory! We sang that this morning during the 2 year old Worship session at church. I kept reflecting on our walk with Jesus in this life.

Three days ago our church was stunned as our children's pastor, a young, energetic, Spirit-filled, father of 3 (all under 5) was paralyzed in a diving accident at the beach on a church staff outing. I'm stunned that it happened but I think I'm more stunned by his attitude after it happened. His message to our church via our senior pastor is "Jesus is still worthy to be praised". That stuns me! He can't move! He can barely use his hands and has little feeling in his feet. He's a man who, when three days after being shot down by the arrows of this fallen world, reminds us all that "Jesus is still worthy to be praised"~ (indeed).

I'm thankful to God for this man, for his life. I pray God restores him quickly. This man whom so many look to for guidance, he has a lot of kingdom work to finish before his winding road leads him home (to glory).

The Winding Road

Sometimes I wonder how I got here. Life is a winding road for sure. When I was young I dreamt of my life. I wanted a family, a career (or so I thought) and mostly I wanted security in knowing who I was - my desire was to be happy. I even wrote that in my high school year book senior year "to be happy". At 17 I really did know what I wanted. All the details didn't really matter. I knew unhappiness and wanted happiness. I learned the hard way of achieving happiness. Someone said "Success is 95% failure"- I think it was Henry Ford. For years, through many unhappy seasons of my life I had that saying on my desk at work. It got me through a lot.

My journey down this winding road has been eventful. I have had great joy and great heartache. Still, I'm happy. Happiness is a choice- no matter what. Deciding to begin a 'blog' came from tons of ideas and thoughts and my desire to capture them before they are lost (never to be found again, I fear). My day to day is full and amazing! I'm the most important person in two little peoples lives. As my days go by and I witness their little lives unfolding, I marvel at their growth. Their joy and their eagerness to step out into the world -even if it's a world of Dora, Boots, Veggie Tales and Barney!

For a long time I wondered why people would open their lives up to the entire planet. Then I realized it must be easier to log on and type than to stare at a blank page and worry if you misspelled something. Or if your penmanship was flowing. I do feel a sense of "someone is watching" but I guess there's not a lot the world doesn't see anyway. Sometimes putting your feelings down in print can be a scary thing - everyone has a range of emotion, if your a healthy person anyway. I'd bet if He was able to, Jesus would have had a 'Blog" account in his day!

So, here goes.. Taking the plunge! All my writing on pretty journal pages days are over, I've crossed over to the "blog" side and plan to make the most of it.