jennydee

Must read

2008-10-30T09:21:00.002-04:00

If you don't believe that miracles happen in these days, you must read the autobiography of a Chinese man who is called Brother Yun. Likewise, if you don't think Christians don't face much persecution in the world, read it and your eyes will be opened.

The Heavenly Man

Beyond that, he's written a book geared (I believe) towards the Western world and church. It's a totally refreshing and challenging look at what it means to be a Christian - far from our traditional church-y habits. Even if you don't get a chance to read the autobiography, this book is wonderful for morning reading.

Living Water

I wish I had enough money to buy these books for my friends and family to read. Maybe I buy extra copies and pass them around with hopes that they will be read.

Gem Mining in Hiddenite NC

2008-10-23T17:35:00.006-04:00

We went to Emerald Hollow Mines in August twice. Once, just the three of us. Then the second time we had my parents, 3 nephews and niece with us. It's about a 30 minute drive from where we live and we enjoyed it thoroughly.

We found some pretty gemstones and the folks down there helped identify what we had. Next time we go, I'd like to spend time in their open mine to dig our own dirt.

Graduating from college furniture

2008-08-07T10:15:00.004-04:00

After too long with our mattress on the floor and our mismatched bedding, Jason and I decided to bite the bullet and get a completely new bed. Sears had all of their mattress sets 50% off, so we went with a much better quality than our previous mattress we've had since we got married.

It was so much fun to spend money (even though it was really on a credit card) and to pick out what we wanted. Ezra and I went shopping for the bedding at JC Penney and got a really good deal on a comforter, bedspread, shams, bedskirt, new sheets, and four pillows. He even helped me make the bed and style it!

It's so much taller than our last bed (which was on the floor anyway) and we are enjoying a good night's sleep on it.

In our own backyard

2008-08-04T19:03:00.004-04:00

We are blessed to have a new greenway that runs alongside of our neighborhood. Ezra, Haggis and I decided to go on a nature walk on the hottest day of summer the other week. We practically gave our poor dog heat stroke! Once we got to the shaded parts, it was quite pleasant.

Here's a blairwitch-like video my son took while we were taking a break.

Three cousins and a birthday

2008-07-22T10:25:00.008-04:00

Kassidy and Ezra in the morning. So sweet. Ezra became very attached to Kassidy (and to Ally) while she was here. I should be getting some pics of Ally soon.

Ezra and Jacob sleeping in. Aren't boys precious?

The treasure chest cake. In the background is a robot made from recyclables that Ez made. He filled his head (tin can) with rocks that he got while up at Tweetsie with Nana, Poppy, Kassidy and Jacob.

This summer, we've had the joy of a few of my nieces and nephew to come and stay with my mom and dad for a while. Ezra's had a blast being with Jacob, Kassidy and Ally. Now that there's a break between cousins, it's quiet around here (unless you count Ezra's lengthy stories and non-stop sound effects and humming!).

I don't have any pictures of Ezra's 5th birthday yet, our camera wasn't quite ready for pictures. Either the batteries ran out or the memory card was full, I wasn't paying attention (bad mom!). My parents have some pictures that I will post later. I do have a picture of his cake though. Jason helped with the design. He had the idea of making an extra cake so we could make the treasure chest look like it was half-buried in the sand. Yep, he watches Ace of Cakes with me occasionally.

I need an Ocracoke morning

2008-07-11T10:19:00.002-04:00

That's the phrase I thought of yesterday as I was feeling a little weary and thought it would make a great tagline for an Outer Banks campaign.

But I really do need an Ocracoke morning, or two or a week's worth. It seems everyone I know has been enjoying vacations. I am keeping my eyes on two of my neighbors houses next week as they will be gone, and my other neighbor was away a few weeks ago. It doesn't look like we'll have a vacation this year, although my husband is talking about going to Mississippi to visit his dad. Not quite a vacation when you visit in-laws in MS. But, we'd make the best of it.

Ocracoke is my favorite O.B. location though. So quiet and calm. You have to take a ferry to get to it. Ride your bike all over the place and stay at the beach all day. Ahhhh.... My son made some contraption that I keep by my desk that reminds me of the ocean. He took an empty root beer plastic bottle and filled it with pea gravel and water. When you tip it over and back, it sounds like the ocean. It's my beach in a bottle!

Graduation Day is finally heeeeeeere!

2008-06-16T09:02:00.006-04:00

Here are some pics from Ezra's preschool graduation. I always used to guffaw at people who went overboard with a Pre-K graduation, but I couldn't help it. They all look so cute and are very proud of the fact that they're moving onward and upward. Ezra has been singing his graduation song all the time and it gets stuck in my head.

More important than a lightbulb burning out...

2008-06-13T15:18:00.004-04:00

Ez: Jesus is more important than crashes, or a lightbulb burning out or bad things. Jesus is more important than people dying.

Mom: Yes He is.

Ez: Can I go to heaven one day?

Mom: Yes you can. Jesus loves you so much and wants you to be in heaven with Him.

Ez: Can I love Jesus too, you know, since He's a boy?

Mom: Yes, think of God like a Daddy. He's like a Father to us.

Ez: So, I can kiss him, like I kiss Daddy before he goes to work?

Mom: yep! I bet you can.

Ez: And I can miss him too?

Mom: yes we can miss Him.

A Prayer for Fathers

2008-06-12T21:23:00.003-04:00

After a particularly challenging week, I let myself get pushed to frustrated tears again tonight. And the funny thing is, I think I am about ready to start my period. But then, God has a funny way of using seemingly uncontrollable things such as hormones to bring me to prayer.

I took a timeout on the back porch and brought my Bible and a book called The Power of a Praying Wife. The next chapter I turned to was on Fatherhood. It was so timely, especially with Father's Day coming up, so I thought I would write Stormie Omartian's prayer here and claim it as my own prayer for my husband.

"Lord, teach Jason to be a good father. Where it was not modeled to him according to Your ways, heal those areas and help him to forgive his dad. Give him revelation of You and a hunger in his heart to really know You as his heavenly Father. Draw him close to spend time in Your presence so he can become more like You, and fully understand Your Father's heart of compassion and love toward him. Grow that same heart in him for his child. Help him to balance mercy, judgment, and instruction the way You do. Though You require obedience, You are quick to acknowledge a repentant heart. Make him that way , too. Show him when to discipline and how. Help him to see that he who loves his child disciplines him promptly (Proverbs 13:24). May he never provoke his "children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). I pray we will be in full agreement as to how he is raised. I pray that there will be no strife or argument over how to handle him and the issues that surround our child's life.

Give Jason skills of communication with his child. I pray he will not be stern, hard, cruel, cold, abusive, non communicative, passive, critical, weak, uninterested, neglectful, undependable or uninvolved. Help him instead to be kind, loving, softhearted, warm, interested, affirming, affectionate, involved, strong, consistent, dependable, verbally communicative, understanding and patient. May he require and inspire his child to honor him as his father so that their lives will be long and blessed.

Lord, I know we pass a spiritual inheritance to our children. Let the heritage he passes on be rich in the fullness of Your Holy Spirit. Enable him to model clearly a walk of submission to Your laws. May he delight in his child and long to grow him up Your way. Being a good father is something he wants very much. I pray that You would give him the desire of his heart."

What a nice weekend

2008-05-27T08:25:00.003-04:00

This past weekend felt so festive and more like a Fourth of July weekend than anything.

On Saturday, Ez and I went to his best buddy's birthday party and had a really nice time. The mothers who were there were saying how parties these days outdo anything they try for their child's birthday. It is easy for me to get carried away too, but I am really trying to keep my son's parties to the kind of nostalgic ones I had. Anyway, we had a good time...

On Sunday, we went to my mom and dad's house to catch up with my sister and brother-in-law. They left Texas on Friday to drive to Florida. There they picked up two dirt bikes Greg's friend had for him for the boys. Then they drove up to NC on Saturday. Originally they were planning on leaving Sunday morning, but I am so glad they decided to stick around for a bit. We had a nice afternoon cookout and enjoyed my short but sweet visit with them. Ezra was following Aunt Emily around and loved to talk and be with her!

Then yesterday, we watched Indiana Jones and then had a cookout at our house in the evening. Whew! What a blessing it has been to visit and be with family and friends. I do miss my sisters so much and often wonder what it would be like to live near both of them.

Now it's off to school and work!

It's Back to the Market

2008-05-14T23:44:00.009-04:00

The Hickory Farmer's Market has begun their season. My mom and dad are going to be doing double markets all summer long selling O My Soap!. One in Hickory, the other in Charlotte. And, starting in June, I will be selling soap at the Catawba Valley Farmer's Market in Newton. So, if you're ever around, stop by to see us at the market.

Here are the sights of the market from my son's point-of-view:Ms. Viola's Famous Fried Pies

The "Flower People" sell these bouquets for $10!

See the face in the tree?

We got two beautiful strawberry plants from Chow, the Strawberry Man

10th Annual Catawba Valley Storytelling Festival

2008-05-14T23:35:00.006-04:00

Wright Clarkson and the tale of why cats and dogs don't get along (they used to once upon a time)

Ezra and I had the chance to go to the Storytelling Festival this year as guests instead of volunteers. This year they opened it to the public and I enjoyed all of the storytellers we heard. It truly is like a reunion for the storytellers each year. Some of the best in the business come to Murray's Mill each May to tell their tales to second and third graders.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from that day:Murray's Mill gets a paint job (check out the scaffolding, almost $10K to rent!!)On the porch swing at the Murray Minges General Store

Happy Anniversary, sweetie!

2008-04-30T10:30:00.002-04:00

Today is my 8th anniversary to my dear husband, Jason. Here's a photo of the first week we met. This was taken in Boone on a cold December day in 1998.

Consequences of Discipline

2008-04-10T20:19:00.003-04:00

I've been having a time lately with Ezra. Not any one thing major, but sometimes he has the attitude of a teenager with the way he questions me (not the curious kind of questions, but the authority challenging kind) and the way he tries to talk himself out of doing what I ask him to do.

Anyway, tonight, I gave him a spanking for some backtalk. After our bedtime ritual of toothbrushing, reading and snuggling, I brought up the incident again. I asked him if he understood why he got a spanking. He said, yes he did.

I told him that I don't like to spank him but I want him to grow up respecting adults and those in charge.

Then he said, "That's okay, Mommy. Cause you know what's going to happen every time you give me a spanking?" And then he sat up in bed and moved closer to me. I didn't know what he was going to do!

"This is what's going to happen" and with that he leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. Then I realized that Ezra knows that we love him so much. That floored me.

If only I were that trusting and loving to God when I feel disciplined by Him! No guilt, no grudges, just simple trust and moving forward in sweetness.

Day Twenty-three - Ezra's Photos

2008-04-10T08:58:00.002-04:00

Mom and Dog

A bunch of sickos...

2008-04-09T22:19:00.004-04:00

Ezra had a fever and earache last Thursday, but I kept him from the doctor thinking that it would go away. I hate how most doctors seem to prescribe antibiotics for everything these days, "just in case".

He went to school on Tuesday and came home with a fever. By this morning, his cough had gotten worse and fever was still there. Time for the doctor. They said they could work us in (which means a two hour stay in their waiting room). We had a nice quiet time waiting for the doctor. Ezra drew while I brought my notebook and wrote down ideas and dreams for O My Soap!

Ezra drew this picture of a family of birds in a tree. That's him at the bottom getting ready to catch the mommy bird. The daddy bird is on the branch and babies in the nest.

All said and done, he has walking pneumonia. It sounds awful, and it really is for him, but at least there's no future of hospital beds with this kind of illness. He hates to take medicine to the point where he vomits it up because he gets so worked up. But today, I forced him to take it. I was too tired from everything to make a game out of everything else he's hesitant to do. I just wanted him to take the darn medicine because I said to and because he had to. He finally did.

Later on in the afternoon, he developed a painful earache and he and I went to CVS to get some homeopathic eardrops from Similasan. He was doubtful, I was hopeful and about 40 minutes later I noticed he stopped moaning and crying. His earache had lessened. Thank the Lord for that. His fever spiked tonight to over 102. We were watching old video of when he was a one year old. How sweet it was to see my little baby.

Anyway, now I am feeling yucky. Maybe Aimee gave me a virus through the computer - ha ha ha ha. Just kidding sweetie. Everyone stay well and remember to wash your hands. :)

I've been tagged!

2008-04-07T16:23:00.003-04:00

This is the second time I have been tagged by my friend Aimee in Knoxville. The first time, I ignored her and hoped the request would go away (ha ha ha), now I must do it. I want to keep my friend happy. :) Check out her blog, Daisyeyes

1. I spent two summers living at the Salvation Army shelter in Atlantic City where I sang on the Boardwalk all day for 5 days a week. We collected money for the shelter and traveled to churches to sing on weekends.
2. I have dandruff (that's the weird fact, and a little random too).
3. I knew my husband for about four days before I offered to drive him (alone) from NC to Mississippi. And his friend ran a background check on me. I don't know who was crazier!
4. I want to buy an old building in our downtown and live upstairs. Downstairs would be a comic book store, coffee shop and then a separate shop for O My Soap! I would have a rooftop garden and have so much fun designing a loft home. I've always wanted to live in a city environment, but as I have grown older, I like the small town. So this would be the best of both worlds.
5. Things I used to want to be: an archaeologist, a missionary, a coffee shop owner, and an artist.
6. When I was in 7th grade, my science fair project involved live mice. I had to get special permission to use them. One group was fed junk food, the other healthy mice food. The junk food group turned into cannibals and my dad threw them out in the field. Can't remember if I reported that in my findings though.
7. I love the mountains and the beach and long for a time when I can relax with my family in either of those locations.

I will tag others in a bit, my dog is wanting to go out.
Here are the rules:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog. Some random, some weird.
3. Tag up to 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Test of faith

2008-04-06T12:55:00.005-04:00

The first of the month has historically been a tight one, and April is no exception. With our tax refund, we paid the remainder of our car payment and a good hunk of our credit card (computer). We also switched to Bellsouth bundling and dropped Charter and are saving $50 a month.

Even so, this month is tight and this week I had the choice of writing our tithe check or having grocery money. So, against all common sense (according to the world), I wrote the check out on Friday, trusting God to provide since it's a long time until our next payday. Plus I had a "backup" in the form of our savings account (set up for a really rainy day).

Well, on Saturday morning, we received a reward check from Bellsouth (since we switched to DSL). And on Saturday evening, we got a phone call from our Iwanna ad about Ezra's train table. The family came and picked it up right after church today.

God constantly reminds me that He will take care of us if we obey and trust in Him. Some days I forget that. And some days I doubt - hence my backup. Even in my partial trust, God has blessed me by reminding me that money is in His control as much as the rain or the rotation of the earth. Money is nothing to trust in. God is the only constant in my life.

Day Twenty-two Ezra's Photos

2008-04-06T12:52:00.005-04:00

On the hooks

Sensitive morning, chocolate chip pancakes

2008-04-05T10:58:00.002-04:00

So, Ezra's been a little out of commission with an earache, cough and fever. He did not go to school on Thursday or Friday. And this morning it is rainy and dark. I think Ez is getting a little stir-crazy because since he woke up, every little thing is cause for tears.

Can't draw an 'S' the right way? cry
Can't get the tape dispenser out in time before a handmade envelope pops open? cry
Not allowed to use real stamps on the just-made envelope? cry
Didn't get to say goodbye to Daddy before he went to work? cry

So, I made some cornmeal chocolate chip pancakes with cinnamon (yum-my), helped my son draw the words "Star Wars" on a piece of paper, yelled a few times for him to stop crying (which made it worse), drank some coffee while he had a meltdown, brought the tape dispenser to him, suggested he draw a stamp instead of use a real one, and have him call Daddy at work.

Whew! No more tears after that...oh, and eating the pancakes helped too (me...not Ezra)!

Have a good morning and may your child's meltdowns (or yours) be few.

Day Twentyone - Ezra's Photos

2008-04-05T10:57:00.002-04:00

Daddy's Home

Day Twenty - Ezra's Photos

2008-04-04T09:13:00.002-04:00

Jabba the Cute

Portrait by local artist

2008-04-03T18:46:00.003-04:00

My 4 1/2 yr old son, Ezra, drew this picture of me. I think he captured me! Even my bangs and red eye makeup! ha ha.

He has been drawing all the time. Even when we go into the car, he likes to take a pad of paper and a pen. His hearts are really good and he drew a picture of Jason the other day putting flags into two vases with flowers in them (each vase had a different type of flower). It's so amazing to see his creativity and gifts being developed! God has blessed us all.

Day Nineteen - Ezra's Photos

2008-04-03T09:30:00.002-04:00

Untitled No. 3

Day Eighteen - Ezra's Photo

2008-04-02T08:13:00.001-04:00

Dog on the move

I'm pregnant!!!

2008-04-01T09:56:00.001-04:00

Highlight the text below for more details!
April Fool's (hee hee, couldn't resist!)

Been a while

2008-04-01T09:38:00.003-04:00

I last posted a few weeks ago! Even my daily photos from Ezra were being neglected.

It's been a long month of March. And now it's April already! Last week, while Ezra's school was out for Spring Break, I started a mural in the baby room of Noah's Ark. I say "started" because it's not finished yet. I hope to work on it from home (using some luan cutouts) and have it completed by the end of this week. I volunteered for it last summer, so I am wanting to have it off my plate.

My mom advised me that I need to declutter my life. Right now, it's very filled with lots of projects and obligations - even more than at the beginning of the year. That one week I took off from work was wonderful, but I realize that I actually added more during that week than took away.

I think my time with my current boss will soon be coming to a close. I think I need to do this. The trick is to convince my darling husband that it is a good idea. It's hard to leave something we've grown financially dependent upon, but I feel like God wants me to take that step of faith in order to trust Him to do something big. I've been gearing up toward a change by trying to buy some more respectable clothing (instead of jeans and t-shirts) so I can make a good impression on someone. At this point, I feel led to work more with O My Soap, and I'd really like to see us get an account with Mast General Store (one location to begin with). But that won't happen until someone actually makes the effort.

Anyway, lots in my head. I need to finish a newsletter template for Tony. Our newly redesigned and much pared down insurance community should be back online soon - http://www.ultimatestaff.net. And Jason and his friends just launched http://www.eldritchrpg.com last night. I am proud of the work Jason did programming the site. He has put soooo many hours into it. In fact, I am letting him sleep in this morning to help revive him a bit. Maybe I'll get to talk with him more now?

Have a good day everyone!

Day Seventeen - Ezra's Photos

2008-04-01T09:37:00.003-04:00

Portrait of Haggis - one of my favorites

Day Sixteen - Ezra's Photos

2008-03-19T12:31:00.003-04:00

Knight in shining armor

I Heart Charlie's Soap

2008-03-18T17:57:00.003-04:00

Don't worry, I haven't stopped loving my Mom's soap. Charlie's Soap makes an All-Purpose cleaner and Laundry powder that I have been using. I just ran out of the supply I purchased in July of last year. They are a smallish family business based out of North Carolina. Their products are non-toxic and biodegradable.

Their all-purpose cleaner is great in the bath tub and shower stalls. Really cuts through the grime and soap scum. I use their laundry powder on my towels and sheets. It cleans them wonderfully and without all those detergents and leaves them smelling clean and fresh. I tried using it with clothes, but noticed that it tends to fade dark clothes at a quicker rate.

Day Fifteen - Ezra's Photos

2008-03-18T17:55:00.002-04:00

Sticky ball

Day Fourteen - Ezra's Photos

2008-03-14T10:39:00.005-04:00

When? Again. Never.

Take time out for little ones

2008-03-13T21:35:00.005-04:00

I Took His Hand and Followed
Mrs. Roy L. Peifer

My dishes went unwashed today,
I didn't make the bed,
I took his hand and followed
Where his eager footsteps led.

Oh yes, we went adventuring,
My little son and I...
Exploring all the great outdoors
Beneath the summer sky

We waded in a crystal stream,
We wandered through a wood...
My kitchen wasn't swept today
But life was gay and good.

We found a cool, sun-dappled glade
And now my small son knows
How Mother Bunny hides her nest,
Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows.

We watched a robin feed her young,
We climbed a sunlit hill...
Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky,
We plucked a daffodil.

That my house was neglected,
That I didn't brush the stairs,
In twenty years, no one on earth
Will know, or even care.

But that I've helped my little boy
To noble manhood grow,
In twenty years, the whole wide world
May look and see and know.

I found this poem from this site and I thought it was lovely (I think I'll start using that word more often too).
http://www.besthomeschooling.org/articles/lillian_jones_ps_kdgtn.html

Your Life's Melody

2008-03-13T13:42:00.003-04:00

Thanks to my mom, Dorothy, for allowing me to share this amazing bit of encouragement with you. She wrote this the other day and emailed me with it.

“He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.” ~Psalm 40:3

I recently bought the soundtrack of South Pacific, a favorite of mine. I’ve always loved the old classic musicals; West Side Story, Oklahoma, My Fair Lady and of course, South Pacific to name a few. I was listening to “Happy Talk”, one of the songs of South Pacific and noticed how the notes went all over the place…up and down…a charming, catchy tune. It occurred to me…kind of like an epiphany….that our lives are so similar to a melody. We have our ups and downs in life.

And I was wondering if you were able to chart your ups and downs on a musical score, a melody would surely form. What kind of melody, I’m not sure! But it gave me some encouragement that maybe I would like my melody, created by all my life’s challenges and battles, better than just looking at the musical score with just one note all the way through the song. Like “johnny one note”. Pretty boring, wouldn’t you think?

Normally we Christians don’t look at our battles as something we like. We do everything we can to get out of them…mostly on our own accord. But the thing is…the thing that just came to me….is that we need these ups and downs to have a life worth playing! And the greatest conductor, the One who can take our paltry songs and change them into something worth listening to, is Christ. He can change our little song into a magnificent overture!

Day Thirteen - Ezra's Photos

2008-03-13T08:52:00.003-04:00

Books

Day Twelve - Ezra's Photos

2008-03-12T08:16:00.003-04:00

Haggis the Bearded

Day Eleven - Ezra's Photos

2008-03-11T08:18:00.003-04:00

Ben 10 watch

Day Ten - Ezra's photos

2008-03-10T09:08:00.002-04:00

Black dog with orange paws

Teddy Bears' Picnic

2008-03-09T21:20:00.002-04:00

When we first had Ezra, Jason's mom gave us Jason's bear that he had when he was a baby. So, almost every night when we put Ezra to bed, we would wind up the bear and leave his room as the bear played Teddy Bears' Picnic.

About a year and a half ago, the music box broke. It lasted a long time considering it's over 30 years old. You could play the song if you twisted the handle backwards. Every now and then, Ezra will say how he wishes it was fixed and each time I say, I'll get a new music box for it. Have I? Nope. I even have three websites bookmarked for music boxes! It just wasn't at the top of my to do list.

After tonight, though, it became a top priority. As Ezra snuggled into bed, he grabbed his teddy bear and held it close, then started to twist the knob backward. I offered to do it for him so he could hear the song. As the melody played, I could see him snuggling even closer to the teddy bear. In the dark, I saw tears in his eyes. Then, he started to sob. Oh, it broke my heart! He said that he missed the bear's song. I gave him a hug and wiped away the tears. I told him that we used to play the music box every night before bed and he must have really nice memories of it.

He said his prayers and added at the end, "...I wish that the bear wasn't broken anymore."

After I left his room, I went right over to the computer and ordered the music box. I want to make sure that I do what I tell him that I will do and not break my word. Plus, how could I ignore such a sweet expression of his innocence? I can't wait to surprise him with it one night after it arrives!

Daylight Savingshuh?

2008-03-09T11:50:00.003-04:00

Despite the fact that I have been reminded by the radio, calendar and even television commercials to Spring my clock forward last night, I didn't even think about doing it and was surprised this morning when I realized how late it really was! Duh. So, I spent this morning (or what was left of it) making pancakes for my family and drinking some coffee.

Day Nine - Ezra's Photos

2008-03-09T11:48:00.003-04:00

Abstract Dragon "glubs" (gloves)

Day Eight - Ezra's Photos

2008-03-08T09:07:00.003-05:00

Series of CD baskets

Day Seven - Ezra's Photos

2008-03-07T09:39:00.002-05:00

Can anyone guess what this is from?

Happy Birthday, Mom!

2008-03-06T08:21:00.002-05:00

Here's wishing the best Mom in the world a wonderful birthday and even better year ahead.

Day Six - Ezra's Photos

2008-03-06T08:17:00.002-05:00

Self portrait of the artist

Day Five - Ezra's Photos

2008-03-05T07:52:00.003-05:00

Abstract Games

Smurfy!

2008-03-04T23:45:00.004-05:00

Did you know that the Smurfs are 50 years old this year? They started in 1958 by a Belgium artist (I always guessed they were from Japan). I'm pretty sure Handy was my favorite.

Weird, huh? Try using the word "smurf" in place of another word today. Even if it's a faux cuss word, like, "Aw, smurfit". hee hee

http://www.smurf.com/home-en

Catawba Handmade is now live

2008-03-04T08:08:00.003-05:00

As if I didn't have enough going on...

But putting this site up was sooooo easy with Yahoo site builder (I sound like an ad). Sure you can't change the color or the graphics, but for now, it's perfect for what we need.

Anyway, CatawbaHandmade.com is the site for our growing group of artisans and craftspeople in the Catawba Valley area. All members belong to Etsy (That's how we met), but I suspect that we'll get some members who have never heard of the site.

We're meeting at Barnes & Noble tomorrow for coffee at 10 AM, if any soapers want to come join us, hint hint. :)

Right now we're just forming, so there's no huge mission statement. But the idea behind it is to help our community know that they can support our local economy by buying handmade and shopping local. I also have grand ideas like starting a supplies bank for folks who do not have the money to spend on craft supplies or for school systems to use, underprivileged or at-risk teens, maybe even teen mothers to learn how to knit or crochet. Stuff like that. Anyway, check out the site. I need more photos, but so far, none of our members really know its up yet! www.catawbahandmade.com

I have lots to do today. I may ask Tony for this week off. Thank God for mornings, when everyday starts over again (yesterday was just icky, to put it lightly). Nothing major was wrong, just was in a rotten mood and feeling cagey.

Day Four - Ezra's Photos

2008-03-04T08:06:00.002-05:00

Camera-shy feet

Day Three - Ezra's Photos

2008-03-03T08:30:00.005-05:00

Coulda had a V-8

Father/Son Pattern does not mean both

2008-03-02T22:46:00.002-05:00

So, Ezra's been bugging me about making a robe for him for the past few months. I think it's less about being cozy and warm on chilly mornings than to wear it around the house to feel like a Jedi. Must be why he chose the dark brown fleece over Spongebob.

Anyway, big sale on patterns today, 99 cents instead of $6. I bought one that was labeled as a "Father and Son" pattern, meaning you can dress your child like your husband. How cute, I thought! And what a deal!! I can buy this one pattern and it will have all the sizes I need for both Jason and Ezra.

I was surprised, however, when I unfolded the pattern tonight to cut. It's either/or and I bought the adult size. Duh.

So, knowing Jason probably would never wear a robe, I guesstimated Ezra's size. This should be interesting. The size pattern I had was for an adult male small, medium or large. How that will transpose to a little four year old, we'll have to see. I will post the photo when it's done.

Next time you think it's too good to be true, just remember it probably is and that you're not as smart as you thought you were! ha!!

Day Two - Ezra's Photos

2008-03-02T12:44:00.003-05:00

Singer Sewing Machine, circa 1958

I like this one in particular. This sewing machine belonged to my Grandma Dottie and is 50 years old this year. I wonder how many garments were lovingly sewn on this over the years? I have rediscovered the joy of sewing lately.

What kind of flower are you?

2008-03-01T14:12:00.002-05:00

I am a
Snapdragon

What Flower
Are You?

This is a fun quiz, but I want to know why I am a snapdragon!

It's cute. I had to highlight the text because it was all white on a white background for some reason (may be just my browser not compatible with it).

Day one of Ezra's photos

2008-03-01T09:02:00.003-05:00

Snacktime. Doesn't that M&M look a little evil?

A month of photos

2008-03-01T00:33:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I was busy with getting some new labels done for my mom's soap and Ezra wanted to play with me. Haggis also wanted to go outside and was whining at me. Ezra saw the camera and said he wanted to take some pictures. Well, I gave him a quick primer and told him not to drop it and I was off to take Haggis outside.

Ezra was engrossed in taking photos. In fact, he took so many that the batteries ran out and the memory card became full! When we uploaded them to the computer, I was honestly surprised at how good they turned out. He has an eye for it, in my opinion.

So, each day in March, I will post a photo of his for your viewing pleasure. Keep in mind that he is 4 1/2. Stay tuned for each day's photo and caption.

Here's his first photo:

Haggis - our beloved dog

On a postive note...

2008-02-11T21:55:00.000-05:00

I just got back from the downtown Newton Community Vision meeting. And let me tell you, I am fired up! Previously, a community survey went out asking residents to rate the downtown and give their opinions on this and that. Tonight was an open meeting to go over the strengths and weaknesses of our downtown and then to come up with our own vision for Newton in 5 years.

Lots of people in business attire (I was wearing jeans and sneakers) and lots of schmoozing. But I still felt confident going in there, because the revitalization of our little town is something I have been thinking about for a long time. This afternoon, I got to talk with Phyllis of Phyllis' Crafts, a downtown shop that has been there for over 20 years. The name says 'crafts' but it should be considered more of a fire hazard...simply because of the huge amounts of products she has stacked in there. She's actually my neighbor behind us and we started talking about that, then about the forum tonight. I think she's just tired of the business. She has tried radio ads, putting everything (literally) on sale, so on and so forth, but her business is really slow.

So, two hours later, I was leaving there and I felt like I had made a friend.

Anyway, the forum really energized me and we all talked about the things we want to see happen to our town. There were more than just business owners who showed up. Residents and other business people other than from the downtown area showed up. And I think, by the end of the forum, people really believed that Newton could become this little destination where there are greenways, live music, shopping, variety of restaurants, a community garden and a spa. I saw so many people smiling and hopeful that something like this was not a crazy idea. And it's not just up to the downtown business owners to make change happen. Our community has to buy into the idea that it is up to them. To support, to volunteer, to be a part of the change, and not just to enjoy it if and when it comes.

Anyway, there are some interesting developments approaching. Melinda told me about a new possible part time position opening with Conover and the potential farmer's market opening there. Then I was told about the part time position opening with the Downtown Newton Development Association. Apparently, though, the business owners drove the current employee away by the politics and the stubbornness. But after tonight, who knows what is possible. And it is clear that it is not only for the business owners to be involved with. It is up to families and churches and clubs and schools to all get involved to make our town more valuable.

I was even told by some of the business owners after reading my vision that I should run for mayor!! :)

Maybe I missed my calling, or maybe I am just beginning to see it develop. Yet to be seen I guess, but I won't be leaving this thing alone.

Sluuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrp!

2008-02-11T21:45:00.000-05:00

What's that sound? Did you hear it? Ah, that's the sound of joy being sucked out of life. If you were to go into the dictionary and look up the word 'encouragement' and then look at the antonyms, you would see my husband's name there.

Seriously. I am just now coming to the reality that: A. my dear husband is the most negative person I've ever been influenced by, and B. that I have wasted so much time by letting myself listen to the negative remarks that pop forth, and C. I can't do anything about it! I just need to keep my mouth shut apparently and never tell him about anything I get excited about or anything that I am thinking about, because...it never fails...he'll literally go out of his way to try to discourage me. Makes for a very boring and predictable life, I'll tell ya.

This isn't a Jason-bashing session, I just have to realize how he is and accept him! I love him very much, but my goodness....how did I not see this before?!

I know he loves me. But I don't think he's capable of ever thinking about life the way I do. I know some people who care about me very much are reading this. And if they do, the best thing to do for me is pray and be the encourager to your spouse that mine isn't for me. It will take a miracle if things change. And I am sure I am not telling you anything you didn't know already.

Windy day!

2008-02-11T08:32:00.000-05:00

Wow! We saw some powerful wind yesterday with gusts up around 50 mph. Our neighbor's deck was damaged by some of the panels coming off and some of our fascia was blown off. When I was walking the dog outside, I had visions of random objects hitting me and ripping through my body. Nothing hurt me though...just had an overactive imagination.

Living your values

2008-02-08T10:03:00.000-05:00

Today is a quote, not my own, but from Keri Wyatt Kent's book Breathe.

"...a key aspect of simplicity is living your values. If you say that you value people over stuff, if you say that you value helping the poor, if you say you want to spend time with your family but you don't arrange the details of your life to be able to do those things, you create an inner anxiety for yourself. Thoreau wrote, 'Your priorities are what you do.'"

and later-

"Much of the violence in our lives, and hence, the stress, comes from our effort to win and to control...Success and gentleness seem to be at odds. 'A successful life has become a violent enterprise,' writes Wayne Muller. 'We make war on our bodies, pushing them beyond their limits; war on our children, because we cannot find enough time to be with them when they are hurt and afraid, and need our company; war on our spirit, because we are too preoccupied to listen to the quiet voices that seek to nourish and refresh us..."

Goodbye little crabbies

2008-02-07T22:54:00.000-05:00

I came to the decision a few days ago that I really need to find another home for our hermit crabs. I do not have the time to keep their home adjusted and clean and helpful for happy crabs. We've had them since about May, when Grandma bought Ezra his first, Spongebob.

It was a tough decision, because I have grown attached to them in a weird way. They are fascinating little creatures and have had five successful molts! We started out with the teeny tiny cage they give you at the beach shop, then we got a 2 gallon tank. Reading more, I decided to go to a 10 gallon tank and get them a few more friends.

There's too much going on at my house to care for them the way I'd like to. I decided to post something on the Freecycle group I belong to. The next morning, I got an email from someone who has had 2 crabs for 6 years and before that owned many crabs in Florida. I felt really good about choosing her to be their new mother.

When it came to telling Ezra, I knew I needed to tell him and not just get rid of them on the sly. I told him this afternoon that they were going to a new home tomorrow because I couldn't give them the care they needed. I saw it register on his face, then he started to cry a little at first, then even more. I felt so bad.

He said, "I'll help you take care of them, Mommy."

That broke my heart. I didn't count on him being so attached to them, since I am the only one who takes care of them. He begged and pleaded, but I tried to convince that they will be happier with some new crab friends who have a nice home. The woman who is taking them said that her crabs actually *sing* to each other, which is very rare in captivity (it means they're happy). I talked to him that maybe later on when he's older, he can get some more hermit crabs and take care of them with me. And maybe we'll get some fish. Much less upkeep.

It will be sad to see them go, but I know that I need less stress and responsibility on my plate...and that they deserve to learn how to sing!

My brain overfloweth

2008-02-05T11:08:00.000-05:00

So many ideas and desires to do things that are not in my realm of reality right now. Now, my boss is asking me what I think should happen with the site I work on. Honestly, he is wasting a lot of money on it, but some of that money pays for our groceries, daycare, bills, etc. And seeing that security go away is scary. I think that deep down he just keeps the site going so he can justify paying me to keep around and take care of his ideas and whims.

One week it's this thing, next week it's another. Oh my, the plot is thickening as I type between here and my IM. Could this be it? The axe? The cutting of the ties? Tony's agreed that things aren't working with the site, and he said that it's all about me and not the site.

Ay yi yi...This may be the moment I have prayed for and dreaded at the same time. If I don't work for Tony, I'd have to get a full time job somewhere to make up what he pays me. But then I'd have to put Ezra in fulltime daycare. Can my husband really believe that God will supply our needs if I don't work full time? I have all these projects and things I want to do, but after years of living the way I have, I feel guilty for going after them 100%.

Maybe he'll keep me on and work on other projects. We'll see. It's just a crazy ride, not sure what to do or if I should even do anything. I am almost waiting for Tony to drop me. But he thinks that I am the way to profit somehow. More on this later, just had to vent.

A poor reflection of myself

2008-02-03T13:35:00.000-05:00

One of my conversations with Ezra today included him saying that he doesn't care if someone gets hurt. He said he doesn't feel sad for them. Concerned, I questioned him further about this, worrying that my son will be a sociopath. He said, "I can't help it, it's how God made me!"

We spoke about compassion and what that meant and how God tells us to have compassion for others. When others are sad, we are to be sad for them, and if others are hurt or sick, we are to be kind to them. I told him that God told us in the Bible to love others, even those who are not our friends or family. For a reality check, go and read Luke 14:12-14.

Then we got to talking about strangers; nice ones and mean ones. He claimed that a mean stranger was one who had "yucky things" and a nice stranger was one who had "cool things". Another can of worms! Without trying to mess up the whole don't-talk-to-strangers mantra, I tried to explain to him that it does not matter what a person may have or wear...that doesn't make him a good or bad person. It's how they treat others and what's in their heart that matters. How do you teach a four-year-old this kind of stuff and hope that he truly gets it?

I thought I was so good at teaching through example. I am so careful not to comment on what a person is wearing, their social status, or on their physical appearance. But my son is still influenced by the tons of information coming his way. Somehow he likes Hannah Montana and Zack and Cody (television shows geared toward preteens). How? Do I let him watch this stuff? And how is he so concerned about what "looks cool"? He told me he liked me because I have a pretty face (thanks for the compliment, but the implications are not lost on me). It's a fact of life that my son is not only influenced by me and my husband, but by the great big world around him. And that influence that we, as parents, have on him is going to be strong and weak at times. It also makes me regret that we had never let him get involved with some of the shows and toys and attitude about collecting things that are already ingrained in his little mind.

How often do you, as a parent, sit down and think of consciously telling your small child basic concepts such as sin, compassion and the fact that God shows no partiality based on money, power or influence?

Yet, the Bible tells us to do so, in Deuteronomy 6:5, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

So, my example alone is not all that I should do. Although I'll admit that my example needs to be more deliberate. But to constantly speak to him about the truths in the Bible that God wants us to pass on. The good news of the Bible is imperative, but our children need to know why there is the gospel to begin with.

Thankfully, God will always give us wonderful teaching moments that, if we are paying attention, we can use to teach our children about what God has to say on the issue. And many times, those teaching moments will come up by the questions our young ones have that force us to sit and think about the simplest and most often elegant answers.

Better bag alternatives

2008-01-29T14:42:00.000-05:00

After doing a little research on grocery bags and looking for alternatives, the cost, etc. I found this site: http://www.reusablebags.com/ They have a ton of bags you can buy to use for shopping as well as lunch boxes/bags.

I have been wanting to find Ezra a new lunchbox before he starts kindergarten and have found Bento boxes to be a wonderful idea. I am constantly buying zip-loc bags because I can't find plastic containers small enough to fit neatly into his rigid plastic lunchbox (currently he has a Yoda one purchased at Big Lots). I also want to find a small thermos. Since he loves soup and chili, I'd like to send him to school with some during the cold weather, but not have to microwave it. So, I am still on the lookout for the perfect squatty yet petite thermos.

Anyway, I just got to reading about the bag/plastic issue and came upon this news article about soft vinyl lunchboxes. One out of five tested had large amounts of lead! Read the article: http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=1318

So, I am working on making some more grocery bags (see below) and hopefully have enough to sell at Charlotte Farmer's Market. Wouldn't that be fun?! I could try selling on Etsy, but it is so saturated right now, and I really have found that when I post things on Etsy to sell, I find myself checking my email and how many hearts I have waaaay too much to be productive.

Shopping bag

2008-01-27T22:22:00.000-05:00

I am so excited and encouraged about this. Tonight my mom and dad have Ezra spending the night and so, I felt the urge to sew. It's not related or anything, but it does definitely give me some extra time and energy. I have been wanting to get some cloth shopping bags for a while, but can't bring myself to spend money on them.

So, I went online and found this pattern to use (free! - http://www.thecreativethimble.com). I have some fabric from my mom's business and wanted to use it some way neat and useful. So, here's my shopping bag! I am so ready to make more. It was fun and my sewing skills don't stink! It's been a long time since I've sewn anything so complex.

The bag inside out. I lined it with muslin and glued the sewn triangles to the bottom to make the bag more sturdy.

Many hours later, the bread was done

2008-01-26T16:17:00.000-05:00

Finally at 9 PM, we were able to enjoy some bread that Ezra made. It was taking a while to rise because it wasn't warm enough in our house. So, I finally turned our plate warmer on the stovetop on and put the dough on top of it.

The bread was very good, a little bit salty (I think he added more when I wasn't looking!), but homemade bread cannot be beat!

Baking bread

2008-01-25T15:58:00.000-05:00

This afternoon after a quick trip to the grocery store, Ezra and I decided that today is a good day to make some bread. While he has watched and helped me in the past making cookies or banana bread, I thought that it was way overdue that he make yeast bread.

No pictures to post, just the vision in my head of him carefully measuring the flour, scraping the measuring cup with the back of a knife to level the flour, then watching him stir and knead and really get into it. We're waiting for its first rise now. Not sure if he kneaded it enough. I tried to butt in a few times to give the dough a few good nudges, but was quickly reminded by my son that it was his turn!

He said, "This is fun for children to do with their mommies..." how sweet. And I really enjoyed it too. Children can do a lot more than we give them credit for. That being said, I was reading about the cotton mills here in Newton back in the early 1900s. The child labor being used was rampant here and most other mills in the South. I looked at some photos of these young children and it made me sad.

I digress... :)

There's a few books by Mollie Katzen of the Moosewood Cookbook fame specifically geared toward children (preschool through eight and up). I am waiting for them to be returned to the library.
Pretend Soup
Honest Pretzels
Salad People

Maybe the next time we cook or bake together, we can get a few photos.

A Snowy Day

2008-01-17T17:09:00.000-05:00

We did get about 3ish inches last night. And though it was raining this morning, all three of us got a chance to go outside and play. We made a snowman with a carrot nose and peanut eyes (the raisin mouth wouldn't stick). We had a snowball fight or two. And since the snow was wet, by the time my husband packed a snowball, it really had some fire in it! Ouch! Then we attempted to sled down our hill--on the lid of Ezra's sandbox! Didn't work, so since then we tried using the lid to a storage container (nope) and a plastic platter from Chick-Fil-A catering (nada).

That's okay. Because later (after building a fort inside thanks to my sister), we went out again. This time it was just Ezra and me since Jason went into work. More snowball fights and we made a snowdog for our little snowman. Then we took a walk and Ez splashed in the melting snow that raced down the gutter. He was laughing so much and I hated to pull him away from it all. It was great to just be there with him as he jumped up and down, contorting his body this way and that way to make the greatest impact on the slush.

Here he is giving our snowman a kiss on the head after making the snowdog.

Ezra as the boy in the Water Horse (it was his idea as we rolled a snowball).

Am I lazy or what?

2008-01-17T17:01:00.000-05:00

So I figured out that I haven't written anything on here for a while and had to think of why.

1. Christmas rush - could be that. The day after Christmas we had my in-laws come in from Mississippi and stay with us. We traveled that week here and there and then they were gone and I got to sleep in my own bed. Then New Years and a karaoke get together. And now it's the middle of January!

2. Indecision - what do I write about? I really have to start thinking of this as a journal, since really only one person besides myself may read this. I want to have deep thoughts about life, but I am too busy trying to avoid thinking and processing everything about my life. Sometimes I think I am waiting for the next big something in my life to happen. And I miss out on all the times in between that have deep meaning.

3. This is it--Laziness-- I have to remember another username and password?! That is my life, usernames and passwords...others, my own...to check on the progress of my work or on my bank account. To make sure I am keeping things organized and afloat until I can come up for a big breath of air. So...I am sure it is the laziness of remembering another set of login info. Although, this time, I didn't even need my password sent to me. There's hope yet!

Christmas preparations

2007-12-19T19:07:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is Ezra's last day at school for about 2 weeks. In the evening, they will have a Christmas play where he is the wise man (ha!). He knows his line well, but says it really fast. Followthestartheresanewkingintown.

Today and this evening, I am working on those little gifts that mothers think we have to give all the children in our child's class. It's okay, and I have had fun making 36 frog and turtle soaps with plastic flies inside. The flies were Ezra's idea. Then, my mom, bless her, made some lip balm from sample flavor oils that were sent to her. I'll give those too.

The big surprise tomorrow will be for the teachers and workers at CMO. The parents all pooled their money together to be able to get each teacher a $50 Target gift card. The floater will get a $20 gift card with some O My Soap items. And the director will get a really nice O My Soap gift basket. I am so thankful to all the parents who pulled through and gave generously. I had the goal of $50 in my head and prayed for it. And, well, God came through.

Okay, here's the pic I took of Ezra before his play. He was the best wiseman (in my opinion) and said his line beautifully! Thanks for reminding me to post Ezra's pic, Aimee!

Let's try this again

2007-12-18T23:05:00.001-05:00

I found a Samson family blog that I started at least a year and a half ago. When I tried to go in and revive it, I met some complications. After hitting my head against my desk fourteen times, I decided to drop it and start a new one.

This time, it is just for me. Not to sound selfish, just to be a little indulgent and post things that matter to me to share with my family and friends. And if no one reads it, then that is okay too. Just to have that satisfaction of putting something into words and leaving it alone is enough for me.

I keep reading that journaling is such a wonderful thing and important in a person's spiritual life. So, maybe this will end up being something between that and a place where I can post my latest creations or funny stories about Ezra and life with a talkative four-year-old.

Anyway, not much on small talk and it's late. Good night.