Maria

(Pictures taken at her youngest baby's shower)

My friend Maria that I work with, got up the day after Christmas with a bad headache. She got up to take something for it. Things went bad quickly. She had brain aneurysm that ruptured. She was rushed to the hospital and declared brain dead. When her family all arrived into town, they took her off life support and she passed away last night. Why I am writing this is to ask that anytime you might read this blog, please remember her 5 children in your prayers. They need prayers for comfort from the pain that they are feeling and the knowledge that the life they knew has ended and the hope of the new one to come. Things will never be the same for these children. Christmas should always be joyful and these children will always be filled with pain because this is the time of year that they lost their Mom. So if you pray for them now or 5 months from now, or even 10 years from now, please just pray for them. There are 3 boys and 2 girls, ages 15 to 3. Thanks for the time that you give these babies in prayer, I know Maria would appreciate it.

God Bless

Family Picture Christmas 2008
Tiffany, Jinky, Chris, Me
Chris, Tylen, Kaige, Paden

Wreaths across America

When Chris was a teenager there was a man that took him fishing and hunting. Chris began to look at him as a "grandfather figure". Mr. Lloyd Winscott served in WWII. He "sold" Chris the buoy knife that he carried during the war. Chris is now 47 and still has and uses that very knife. He plans on giving it to Paden when he is older and appreciates the story behind the knife.
Anyway, we participated in the "Wreaths across America" Saturday. This a program that honors our Veterans that have served or gave their life for our freedom. Chris and Paden had the honor of placing a wreath on Lloyd's grave. It was much more emotional that I ever expected. Chris cried, I cried and Paden was very somber. I wouldn't have missed that moment for anything in the world. I have pictures to preserve the moment and thought I would share them with you.

He's thinking...if only these weren't my cousins!

My young Man at Thanksgiving 2008

Laundry supplies

I have now done 2 loads of laundry. The towels aren't as soft as I used to but not bad! I made my fabric softener out of vinegar, baking soda and water. I was kinda worried that my clothes would smell like vinegar. I was really amazed that the baking soda got rid of most of vinegar smell. Once the clothes came out of the wash, no smell at all. Nothing, Nada!! I happen to like the "fabric softener" smell so I bought some essential oil from Hobby Lobby (Ocean breeze) and hope it works. The next load will tell.

Oh yeah, I got the recipes from the Internet.
Easy,Easy,Easy!

Something New

OK, anyone that knows me knows I am all about conveniencee......I decided to try something new. I made my own laundry soap, fabric softener and dryer sheets. Easy enough, but not as easy as going into the store, dropping a "few" bucks and walking out with everything I need. But this time
I decided to do it differently!! I made my own. Chris has been having reactions to laundry soap and such lately. I don't know if he is getting more sensitive in his "old age" or actually developing an allergy. So I thought I would do double duty. Try to take care of the allergy and save some money at the same time. Making the laundry supplies wasn't hard at all. Actually VERY easy. Little supplies, Little time. But now for the real test, do they really work? HA!! As soon as I know I will get back with Ya'll.