Dad's Week...

It was Dad's Week at Preschool this week....and there is truly nothing better than Dad's week!!!

The Dad's are invited to come join us at preschool..they can come for a little while, the whole time, one day or two....It's a week filled with all the things Dad's are great at doing...

* Building with Legos
* Easel Painting
* Marker Drawing on White Boards
* Creating with the Marble Works
* Playdough/Cookie Making
* Puzzles

And, of course the usual, kitchen/house-keeping area, books to read, and blocks to make castles with....

I am so blessed to get to just watch in amazement at what happens inside my little classroom this week. My heart melts as they come bouncing in (or more like Daddy packs them in ) to the room...their faces beaming with excitement & happiness...all because Daddy is spending the day at preschool!!!

They are so proud in fact, that they never let their Daddy leave them (even to have conversations with other Daddies :D) ! Shy personalities open up to outgoing personalities....normal talk-ers become shy...calm become rowdy, and the rowdy ones become calm...everyone is soooo engaged...that I almost feel like I'm on vacation!!!

It always makes me smile during circle time when I ask them to tell their friends their Dad's name...and the majority reply "Daddy"...(He really doesn't need any other name in their eyes!)...the stories of what their Dad's do when they go to work, and what they & Daddy play at home are priceless!!! One Daddy just plays at his work all day...another one fixes things, and then there is the Daddy that doesn't do anything :D

And, I truly can't help but laugh when it's time to pray and hear the little voices saying "Close your eyes Dad, and fold your hands like this", or the occassional..."You're eyes aren't closed!"...and when it's singing time...I definitely heard "Sing with us Dad!".

Snack time is always a HUGE hit, because Miss Susy makes sure she bakes the Daddies some extra special goodies...cookies, brownies...Mmmm...Mmmmm...Mmmmm....!!!

Our week ended with a "Three Little Pig" production! Everyone got to take a turn at being a little pig or the Big Bad Wolf...and after acting it out a couple times, we always asked if any Daddy wanted to be the Big Bad Wolf...to which the kids scream with anticipation at the LOUD voice and HEARTY KNOCKING!!! In one class...none of the Daddies really wanted to claim the spotlight...so, one Dad says, "Okay Dad's we have to DO this all together..." so, instead of ONE Big Bad Wolf...there were SEVEN :D Oh, the sounds and squeals that came from those little pigs trying to get past all those Big Bad Wolves!!! (I'm oh so hoping that the story made it to their homes, and few more games of the Three Little Pigs entailed that night!!!)

Most of all, I am grateful...grateful that I get to teach at a preschool that is blessed with amazing families...that I get to daily see that there are healthy, good, strong families in our world...and, that I get to share Jesus not only with little ones but BIG people too!!!

And, A HUGE THANK YOU to all those Daddies who made time to spend a day at preschool! May their hearts be as blessed for joining us! So, Mama's take a little moment today to HUG the Daddy that lives at your house! Sweet blessings!

HELP WANTED !!!

Okay, all you wives of husbands out there...I NEED your HELP!!!

For quite some time I've tried & tried to find a solution to getting the smell of diesel out of my Mr.'s clothes! I think when he goes to fill up the tractor he must pour half of it on himself :D (Not really, I just really DO NOT like the smell of diesel!!!)

Funny, because there's been LOTS of smells that have come into my house...for awhile Mr. PPRM was a Supervisor for Lamb Weston...French fries just smell good :D Then, he went to an Onion De-hydration plant....Not so much a good smell...but, definitely tolerable.....our house always smelled like something was cooking....then, there's the cow smell...(which I think I've become immune too!), and who doesn't love the smell of horses??? But, diesel....it just never dissipates!!! (In fact, it's so strong, I make my Mr. undress on the front porch and leave his clothes out there until I can put them straight into the washing machine)...but with this cold & snow...that's just not so fun for him : D (or very nice of me...)

So...give me your words of wisdom and advice girls...HOW do you get that SMELL out of their clothes??? I so can hardly wait to find the solution....

Thanks sooooo much for helping me out!!!! If I can ever return the favor, just let me know....Happy Sunday...May your new week be filled with GREAT things! Sweet blessings!

On & On.....

I just couldn't believe my eyes yesterday morning when I woke up and saw...SNOW!!! Oh, I so didn't want it to snow...in fact, apparently I didn't want it to snow so much that I kept going on & on & ON about it...until my Mr. said "Tam, it's here, it's snowing, it's not going away, there is NOTHING you can do about it."...Mmmm...I think he might of been telling me to Shut-up politely!!! But, he was right...it was here, and there was nothing I could do about it.

I had offered to deliver our meat orders to the Tri-Cities for him (and, we all know I'm a big baby about driving in the Tri-Cities anyway..and now with snow???) but, thankfully, my amazing husband said, "I'll go with you..and I'll drive"...so, what began as a trip alone turned into a great time with my husband. There is this cute little place called the "Roxy Theater" on Kennewick Ave...(I think I posted on it earlier..sorry!) Anyway, they have the cutest little corner coffee spot...so we sat, had some warm drinks, shared a sandwich and some soup...and just got to be in each other's presence!!! It was a sweet time!!!

The other reason I so did not wanted snow was because a few friends & I were going to be celebrating another friends "40th" birthday..the plan included going to the Tri-Cities for make-up make-overs :D, dinner at the Olive Garden, then, a play. Well, after several conversations back & forth, (Snow being included in the conversations :D) a decision was made to celebrate in Hermiston. The new plan was an early movie, dinner, & of course cake! So, we all met at the theater...watched the movie Bride Wars (it was cute :D) then, caravan to La Palma's for some great Mexican food, lots of laughter, stories, and finally an out of this world Chocolate Cake...and home by 9:00! It was truly a great evening out with friends!!!

So, even though the roads were getting slippery on my way home, (and while we were at dinner my car piled with another half inch or so of snow)....in the end....the SNOW did not win!!! There was no need for me to go On & On about it....my Mr. was right...I simply needed to make the best of it! And, this morning...I'm so glad it SNOWED and my day turned out just as it did!!! It was truly a day of Sweet blessings! May each of you find as many things to make you smile while the snow is sticking around....Sweet blessings!

What's in your fridge???

Okay, apparently, lately I like finding out or sharing what is in different things in my home...now, the topic is the Refrigerator??? So here it is...


Ours seems to be filled with most the usual things...Milk, Water bottles, yogurt, cheese, the usual condiments...(mayo, mustard, ketchup), veggies, fruit...

And..then, there is THIS....





It's true...the things you are looking at are for the COWS!!! Just like human babies & Mama's...Cows & their calves need vaccines too...and, guess what they have to be refrigerated...So....as you can tell...the whole door of my refrigerator is filled to the fullest with all the "necessities" or "just in cases" :D

And, that's not all...Take a peek at my Laundry room closet.....(but, ignore the clutter :D) Or should I say lack of organization...Mmmm...that sounds much better to me :D



A few more "just in case" necessities when you own animals....everything from needles & syringes, to horse antibiotics & salves....Believe it or not..there are so many things we use as people that can be used on animals too...See the Epsom Salt...well, just like us...when a horse gets a sore hoof...you can soak it in Epsom Salts!!!

The things I've learned that I never really needed to know :D

Sometimes, I think all the "animal supplies" need a whole room of their own....my Mr. thinks he just needs more shelves in the laundry room closet???? Mmmm...the amazing blessings of having animals....So, what' in your fridge..??? Hope you have fun looking...who knows maybe you'll find a funny thing (or two) ! Thanks for looking....Sweet blessings!

Playing along...

Okay, I hardly ever reply to these questionaires...but, hey, it's a new year, why not?!?! So, here's some info about me to start off 2009 with a laugh or two!!! Happy reading!!!

1.
What is your occupation right now? I teach three year old preschool :D And, I LOVE IT!!!
2.
What color are your socks right now? White..that's the answer everyday! I'm a white sock sorta girl :D
3.
What are you listening to right now? Just my computer whizzing along

4.
What was the last thing that you ate? An apple

5.
Can you drive a stick shift? Yes...in fact, that's what I drive everyday :D
6.
Last person you spoke to on the phone A preschool parent

7.
Do you like the person who sent this to you? No...I LOVE her! She's one of my favorite friends!

8.
How old are you today? Well I feel 22...but, if I have to be honest, okay 43!
9.
What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? NCAA Basketball :D I somehow, turn into quite the college basketball junkie each year as the tournaments roll around!

10.
What is your favorite drink? Starbucks Ice Tea

11.
Have you ever dyed your hair? Not totally, just some highlights here & there

12.
Favorite food? (Okay, don't tell my Mr...but, it's NOT beef)....I LOVE Mac & Cheese

13.
What is the last movie you watched Made of Honor

14.
Favorite day of the year Valentine's Day...Love is a good thing!
5.
How do you vent anger? I just hold it in and get quiet
16.
What was your favorite toy as a child? My Baby Alive Doll
17.
What is your favorite season? I just can't pick one...so, Spring & Fall

18.
Cherries or Blueberries? Blueberries


19. What is on the floor of your closet? Oh, I truly DO NOT have enough room to list all the things on my closet floor.... :D

20.
What did you do last night? I curled up on the sofa and watched the President and First Lady dance!

21.
What are you most afraid of? Snakes!!!

22.
Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Plain....I'm a plain-jane girl :D


23.
Favorite dog breed? I just LOVE all dogs!!!And, I'm hoping for my very own one day :D

24.
Favorite day of the week? Sunday

25.
How many states have you lived in? Just OREGON

26.
Diamonds or pearls? Oh, I LOVE both!


27.
What is your favorite flower? Roses...but, lately I've discovered I LOVE Black-eye Susans???



There!!! Everything you always secretly wanted to know, but didn't feel right asking :D Feel free to copy it to your very own blog!!! It's funny how you think you know yourself until you start answering questions, then realize there are things that have changed :D ha, ha.....Have a great Wedesday! Sweet blessings!

A new Chapter...

Happy Tuesday....

Happy Back to Work day....

Happy History-making day....

Today, we are beginning a new Chapter...in our Country....I can hardly wait to see where it takes us...and I'm praying that in the midst of all the changes God will be ever present!

"This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad IN it". (Psalm 118:24)

The verse above was our "homework" from Church this week...a challenge to start each day, the minute our feet hit the ground with declaring this verse ALOUD! !! I can't wait to see the changes this brings to my week too!!!

So, on this beginning, this new start, this new Chapter in History....may each of you take time to notice, observe, capture, some of the Hope that's in the air, the hope that always comes with new beginnings !!! Sweet blessings!

What's that???

First, Thank YOU again sweet blogging friends for all your sweet comments, prayers & thoughts....it truly warms our heart...and I'm pretty sure it is helping speed up my Mr.'s recovery!!!

Well, life definitely is never dull here...a few weeks ago, I notice the cabinet doors to underneath my sink were not closing all the way...Mmmmm...we do live in an old house, maybe it's settling??? OR maybe it's the moisture from the drying towel I keep on a rack on the door???

Next, I find a puddle of coffee on the floor under the door...our coffee pot sits directly above, next to the sink...(and, sometimes, my sweet husband can't pour straight into his coffee cup :D)...I clean it up..and every day it seems to reappear???

Finally, yesterday morning...I realize since the whole staph infection ordeal..I've been the one pouring the coffee..and I KNOW I didn't spill??? I wipe up the coffee colored puddle and look inside the doors...Mmmm...I don't feel anything, but along the edge of the cupboard feels wet...Somehow I got sidetracked...and again last night after doing my dishes decided maybe I should further inspect...Guess what I found....sure enough there was a leak...I took everything out (all the things one stores under the sink...cleaners, bug spray, old vases, etc. :D) and underneath the shelf liner it is totally wet...take that layer off, more wetness...another layer and now I'm down to the wood....Uh, OH!!! I can feel the cold water pipe has water dripping down it...but where is it coming from...???? An hour later, after checking under the house, waiting & watching...I find that it's the upper joint of the copper pipe....THE REAL PROBLEM is our house is OLD..and there is NO shut-off valve....other than turning off the whole house water, there's nothing to do, but wait until the next day to call a plumber. That would be Saturday, today :D Why, oh why do major things like that always happen on a weekend????

Thankfully, I called Mr. Rooter and they sent out a plumber from the Tri-Cities...poor Mr. PPRM had to be the one to help him because I was gone to a funeral. When I got home, the leak was fixed, there are now turn-off valves under the sink to both the hot & cold water...and it only cost $283.17!!! (Much better than the $800 I was invisioning!!!) So, another problem solved...and even though he's still not up to par, my MR. even put our little heater fan under it too help dry it out (Don't worry, I'm paranoid about fire...so we WILL watch it..and turn it off before we go to bed :D)

So, that was our Saturday fun...hoping and praying that tomorrow brings a quiet day...to just worship our Lord, rest & catch-up! Hope all of you had a great day..and that you didn't have to answer any "what's that" mysteries.....Sweet blessings!

A sick Mr.

Hi there...it feels like forever since I've sat down to post on my blog...life has been a bit of a whirlwind here lately....Mr. PPRM has been quite under the weather. But, God is good and He is much better now!!! It has been truly amazing to watch God's hand at work..from the beginnig of all the symptoms to a diagnosis and now the road to recovery. It turns out he had a staph infection known as MRSA...which stands for "methicillin-resistant staff aureus". Unlike a common staph infection, Mrsa bacteria are resistant to the usual antibiotics and harder to treat. So, when we visited the local Dr on Wednesday and found out the culture they had taken (from a sore on his backside :D) showed up as Mrsa, we were told we needed to check Pat into an emergency room where they would most likely admit him for a few days and put him on IV antibiotics and may even put him in isolation. The Dr. was concerned the that the staph might already be in his bloodstream (which of course, would NOT be a good thing). Our choices were here or the Tri-Cities...we knew the Tri-Cities had an infectious disease control center, so we opted to go there. It caught us both off-guard, and caused quite a bit of worry...we headed home, packed our things, made the necessary phone calls (Pat's work, mine, the animal care, etc...) Once we got to Kadlec, it was like NO big deal..honestly, the triage sign-in nurse was like "Oh, we see this all the time...you are fine to wait in the waiting room by others"...then, once back in the ER room the nurses & doctor were the same way..."It's something we deal with two or three times a week...we are just aggressive with the treatment and you should be fine.". The Dr. lives in another part of Washington but works the ER in Kadlec for 8 days a month...he was truly wonderful....took time to answer all my questions, explain it all in detail, and even said we could call once we got home if we wanted or needed anything further! Wow! He actually cares about his patients!!!

So, next, they put an IV in Pat's arm, added some pain med., took some blood so they could do a blood work-up, plus a blood culture, then set to work on the abscess. They basicall made an incision and cut into the area about and inch to two inches down releasing all the toxin..then, packed it with what looked like a long shoe string...(It was pretty uncomfortable for him, or so my hand said through all the squeezing :D) Then, they began an IV of antibiotics that took about and hour and a half. Next, they gave us a prescription for oral anitbiotics, some more pain med...and said we could go and come back the next day! Finally, that night he slept good. We actually stayed the night in the Tri-Cities because it was after midnight by the time we got the prescription filled, and with the fog and all the excitement/stress of the day that felt like the best answer.

The next morning we headed home for awhile, then went back up..where they removed the packing from the abscess wound (OUCH...my Mr. nearly climbed off the table ..) then, gave him another round of IV antibiotics...more instructions..and we headed home again! Each day things are getting better....Now he just has to finish ALL the oral antibiotics, make sure to use the antibiotic cream in his nasal passages (that's where staph likes to live...just a free tid-bit for everyone), wash with special soap and take it easy for the next week.

We are ever so thankful for all the phone calls, emails, prayers, and offers of help that have been sent our way. We are truly BLESSED by the most caring, giving, loving family, friends, church family, co-workers, even people we don't know. THANK YOU!!! God is soooo good!

Here's a couple ways we saw God's hands at work...

1. Pat actually went to the Dr. instead of waiting each time...he said he just felt like he should...(I'll call that the Holy Spirit talking :D)

2. When I was at my Chiropractor's on Tuesday I mentioned about Pat and his symptoms, and she actually said..take him back to the Dr...that sounds just like a staph infection! (God speaking to us through someone else..)

3. The Dr. in Hermiston mentioning that Kadlec had an infectious disease center(another time I think God was guiding us)

4. Even though it was so foggy here...on our first trip up to the Tri-Cities it was like the fog lifted while we were driving....(God's protection!)

5. The fact that we caught it all very early...(God's intervention)

God is good, and we are so praising Him through all that has happened.... Most of all we are thankful...for His guidance, wisdom, protection, and for placing each of you in our lives and the endless prayers we have felt! Thanks again from our hearts to yours....Sweet blessings!

Faith

Every day I wear this bracelet...





it has the word faith printed on it...just like that...no capital letters, nothing fancy...just those five letters that create such a powerful word. (The bracelet was actually a gift a few years ago from one of my most precious three-year olds...Miss Susy's said Believe, and mine faith...) It was a sweet blessing to my heart, because FAITH has always been a special word for me....long before the bracelet,... long before my spiritual weekend journey,... long before I think I even knew what faith was...it was a word that always drew me in.


This simple word (also a gift) adorns our home...reminding us daily how important it really is...




Today our Pastor's message was on just that FAITH....It drew me in too...... :D (Hebrews 11:1-6)


FAITH......

Faith is BELIEVING even when I don't see it...

Faith is OBEYING even when I don't understand it....

Faith is GIVING even when I don't have it

Faith is PERSISTING even when I don't feel like it......

Faith is THANKING God even before I recieve it...

Faith is TRUSTING God even if I don't get it.....

As our Pastor summed it up today...FAITH is a LIFESTYLE!

It's not easy, or seen, or even somthing that can be touched...but it is something that I am striving toward each day...that I may claim that word as a core of my very being....and that it will ultimately draw me closer to Him each day! Praying I can live the faith-filled life He calls us too...Praying that each of you can claim it too...May your week be filled with ALL things good! Sweet blessings!

Friends....

That's just what this picture is of....Two Friends...True friends...friends for life friends, friendship of the heart, true sister-in-Christ friendship...Meet my Miss Sharon!!!

A little before there was Miss Susy, there was Miss Sharon....she was originally Miss Tess's aide...but, her last year at preschool we worked together....we laughed together, we shared day in and day out together...and we discovered we were meant to have a lasting life-long friendship. It's funny there is about 16 years difference in our age...but, when we are together we feel the exact same age...22 or would that be 16 ?!?!!!! :D Well, in the middle of that year, my Miss Sharon and her husband moved to McMinnville to be closer to their college sons and for an employment opportunity for her Mr. Phil.

It's hard to believe that it's been almost 7 years since we've seen each other....we try to talk a couple times a year on the phone, and there's always the faithful Christmas cards...and the promises we will get together during the year...But, FINALLY, it happened.

My Miss Sharon called me last night..and said "I'm in Pendleton, want to go to lunch tomorrow :D" (Her Christmas letter had told me there might be a possibility of it happening...) And, it did! I was sooooo excited....finally, we could be together, catch-up, laugh, and laugh some more! (There's been a LOT of changes in my Miss Sharon's life..her husband has serious health concerns now...) But, the minute she stepped out of her truck, it was like they had never left (Oh, and I should say, my Miss Sharon had to come pick me up, because my husband had my car again today :D..is she great or what?!?!?) The funny thing is our careers have reversed themselves..I started out my three year old career working/teaching preschool in a daycare for 10 years....and, then, I arrived at Bethlehem...Miss Sharon began at Bethlehem and is now working in a daycare....

She truly is a precious gift to my life...even though miles separate us, our lives go in different directions, we are changing too...the minute we are together it's like we'd just seen each other the day before...a rare treasure that is! (I know because that's the same gift my college girls are to my heart!)

It was a perfect day...a true gift from God! And...tonight, we are headed to Pendleton to watch her son's band play at Wildhorse....I made her promise when he hits it big she'll invite me to go to the Grammy's with her :D Most of all I'm praising God for blessing my life with a forever friend!!! Sweet blessings!

Another one down....

It's Friday.....

Whooooo Hooooo

Another one down.....

It feels good to be finished with the first week back after Christmas...why is it that it always feels good to be done with the first week of anything??? The first week of school (be it preschool, kindergarten, high school or even college), the first week of starting a new job, the first week of learning to drive a car, the first week of living in a new home, town, or place, the first week of marriage, the first week after losing a loved one, the first week of....ANYTHING!

Whatever the reason...it's simply is just that....OVER...and it feels GOOD!!!

However, it was a GREAT first week (okay other than the ONE grumpy day :D..which I deducted to it being a full-moon, and the wind flying in !!!) The last two nights we had what our preschool calls "After Christmas Programs"...where the kids sing all the songs we learned about Christmas (unless you are three...then, you mostly stand on the stage looking ever so precious and adorable!) It always melts my heart to watch my "little babies" walk in, hands behind their backs, eyes wide open taking in the fullness of the room, step up to the stage, take their places...and shine....!!! I am BLESSED!!! And, to watch all the Mama's, Daddies,brothers & sisters, Grandma's & Grandma's, waving, clapping, snapping pictures & beaming too...because those are their sweet, precious gifts from God! I am BLESSED!!!

So after such a full, heart-warming first week....what does today hold???? Mmmmm....well, it's almost 10:00 and I'm still in my cozies....my fridge is empty of food, my home looks a little neglected, and my washing machine is feeling lonely...so, guess today holds quite a variety of things just waiting for me to do!!!

Happy Friday to everyone...May you find joy in the simple things today...and may You see God in everything! Sweet blessings!

The GRUMPIES....

The Grumpies...how do they just sneak up on you...one minute you are happy and the next NOT so much??? Well, today it happened...both Miss Susy and I had a BAD case of the grumpies!!! It doesn't happen very often (I'd say maybe once or twice a school year... :D) But, today was one of those times....And, the funny thing is...kids seem to have a radar for those days...and they make the most of it!!! Thank goodness we have each other...because by the end of a LONG day, everything just becomes laughable....

The big one today was "Do You LOVE ME?"....the kids kept asking each other that...and one little guy said "NO...I only LOVE him" to one of the little boys asking...So, you can guess that led to a LONG talk about how everyone LOVES each other, because Jesus LOVES us and He wants us to Love one another..! Then, there was the tattling....lack of desire to pick up any toys at all....talking, talking, non-stop talking and interrupting...and in the end...I have to confess...it turned out to be a two Starbucks day :D

I'm praying tomorrow will be better...that there were enough grumpies for today...that when today ends, we'll both give Thanks to God for the sense of humor He blesses us with...and that I won't have to say "Do you see my face" anymore for at least a month!!!

I hope each of your days were filled with joy, laughter, peace, & NO GRUMPIES!!! (At least this time Mr. PPRM wasn't the recipient of that day..ha, ha...) Sweet blessings!

What's in your car???

Happy Tuesday...hope it's been a good one :D At least we didn't wake up to any snow here this morning...although, I can hear the wind howling away outside...I can't believe how very full of variety the weather has been lately???!?! And, that the weatherman has been right on with his weather predictions :D (Oh well, guess they have to have some good days in their jobs too...)

Lately, my poor car has become a collect all....And, this week I have to share it with Mr. PPRM while his is at the truck "doctors" :D I know the first thing he'll say to me..."Why do you have sooooo much preschool stuff in your car?? I thought you had your own classroom???" It's true I do, but, the closet in the classroom is full too :D

So, here's just some of the things he'll find in my car:

* Hand sanitizer...Bath & Body Mango scent :D
* My tanning goggles...(oh, yeah, sometimes, I do like to get a little fake color!)
* A little cosmetic bag filled with nail clippers, file, tissues, etc.
* A First-Aid kit
* A fuzzy blue scarf ???? (A girl just never knows when her neck might get cold :D)
* A little black book....(Not the normal kind I know you're thinking of...this one has scripture on the front and just contains writing paper and a pencil inside!)
* A bottle of brake fluid...just in case
* A bottle of Oil
* A water bottle or two...
* Some preschool books :D
* A CPR face shield
* A windshield scraper...good thing with our weather lately :D
* A couple tubes of hand lotion...for some reason my hands always seem so dry while I'm driving :D
* Only a couple pair of sunglasses
* A guardian Angel that sits in my cup tray
* A Lavendar wand
* Lots & Lots of loose change

And, that's just in the inside....in the trunk, he'll find...

* Some more preschool items
* A Bag of Grain for the horses...which I bought in the middle of the snowstorm, and it's yet to make it out to the barn.
* Some plastic cups (I keep meaning to take into preschool :D)
* Some Sunday School/Bible Study books that need to go back to the Church
* A box or two of Summer School Supplies :D
* Some Baling Twine :D
* A couple plastic bags...for emergencies too :D

Hey, wait no where on my list is a blanket, flashlight, and tub of edible items to be used in case of my vehicle & I being stranded somewhere??? (Better work on that one)...

So, there you have it...all the things that are in my car!!! Mmmm...I'm thinking maybe I should add de-cluttering my car to my to-do list :D So, what about you...what kind of things are waiting for you in your car??? Happy looking! Praying everyone is blessed with a great Wednesday ! Sweet blessings!

Back in the Saddle...

It's true..today was a get back in the saddle today (not, the real one of course)...but the life one...back to work, schedules, a morning routine...all the things that make for a good ride :D And, that's exactly what it was...a Good Ride!!!

I LOVED that my kids all came in soooo happy to be back..and so EXCITED that we were having a birthday party for Jesus...it didn't matter to them, that it was three weeks late...it was Jesus' birthday party and that was all that mattered! All morning, I kept hearing..."we're having Jesus' birthday party today"...it was totally heart-warming, affirming, and the sweetest sound to Miss Susy & I's ears....(They totally got all we taught them in December!!!) I am blessed beyond words by my opportunity to teach three year olds!

The afternoon class had already partied before the big "snow storm"....so, it was just an afternoon of reconnecting, playing, and just having a good time!

After work, I had to pick Mr. PPRM up at the auto body shop...he was dropping his truck off to get that little (NOT) dent in the side of his truck (caused by this crazy weather) fixed. Well, it actually was suppose to happen during my break between classes...but, he called and I could tell from the sound of his voice, he wasn't feeling well at all today...that swollen knee was NOT cooperating at all with the prescribed therapy...("Tam, I can't make it there by 10:30" was the exact conversation). So, the next stop was back to the Dr's. office...which is the Gifford walk-in clinic...funny thing is Dr. Gifford IS Pat's Doctor..and has been for years...long before the clinic, but now if you need to see him...he's booked out at least a month...which = using the walk-in clinic and at least an hour or so wait. One step inside the clinic and I knew it would be awhile...so, I sat my husband down..and decided to run home and get all the chores done....(you know my horses & cows are a bit spoiled, not to mention the cats...they know what time feeding time is :D) I got back approximately 1 hour later...and get this...he was just being called in...I had to smile and Thank GOD for His perfect timing!!! Not that my husband needs me to go in with him...he just prefers it, so he doesn't have to answer my zillion questions about what was said when he comes out (Mmmmm...does that sound like someone is just being lazy to you???)

Once in the room, they decide to take an X-Ray...sure enough, his bones look good...then, the Dr. comes in..."It is very swollen"...He tries to get us into an Orthopedic specialist in town..but everyone is booked...so, he takes the matter into his own hands and starts naming off syringe and needles sizes he wants to the nurse...(this is where the cattle knowledge comes in hand...) I know just what he's talking about :D Their needles are a little fancier..but, still needles just the same....So, the procedure went like this (YES...I watched the whole thing...another benefit of cow life...I've seen a lot of goo, eewwww, and "stuff"...so, I'm not in the least squeamish about observing procedures involving needles, blood, etc...) They first sprayed the site with some numbing spray...then, inserted a needle attached to a syringe...pulled back fluid, emptied it, did it again, & again, & again...and then, removed that needle, and put a shot of Lidocane & Cortisone in...done!!! After a couple minutes the Dr. said go ahead and stand up...you will instantly feel a difference...and Ta-Da...he was pretty much right! So, other than taking it easy for a couple of days (meaning probably one :D) my husband is good to go again! Thanks so much for your sweet comments and concern....we felt very blessed!

After all the excitement, we needed some food...so, Dairy Queen it was...and Now...we are home, the house is warm, the to-do list is done...and it's time to just relax, hop out of the saddle...and call it a day! A day that I could see and feel God's Love, His touch, and His blessings! Hope your day was filled with all those things too...Sweet blessings!

Nicknames....

Today, was a good day, although, busy, good! First, I went with my Mr. to the Tri-Cities to deliver meat to some of our customers...and because I somehow knew there would be waiting involved...(& my MR. would be tired of my non-stop talking :D) I took a book a sweet friend just loaned me...called The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson. I couldn't stop reading it....and I can't wait to find time to finish it!!! On our way back from the Tri-Cities we stopped at the walk-in clinic, because last night Mr. PPRM came home with a swollen knee....not a clue what he did or how...it just suddenly became very stiff, swollen, and his mobility limited. (Why I didn't think to grab the book as we headed in is a mystery to me :D)...Anyway, as we waited & waited, I thumbed through a magazine...and read an article on Nicknames....

Nicknames....do you have one??? Did you have one as a kid, and another as a grown-up??? Does your special person have a special name they call you??? I was thinking about the nicknames I've had...when I was younger (since I'm the oldest sibling) my brother & sister use to call me "bossy cow" :D (I still can't figure out why..ha, ha...) Sometimes, my family and close friends shorten my name to just "Tam"...and my Mr. has a couple nicknames for me....sometimes, it's "Tam Jo" (Because my middle name is Jo :D) sometimes, it's Baby, sometimes, it's Sweetness (which is my ultimate favorite nickname!) It's funny how we give "pet" names to those we care about...(even our pets...as we like to call our Missy Cat...Princess :D) it's endearing, somehow heart-warming...and creates a special connection between two people. (Although, there are times when nicknames can be cruel and not so kind...)I've been blessed to associate nicknames with a good thought or feeling....So...think back...what have been your favorite nicknames....I'm praying they are heart-warming to you too...

Oh, back to the Mr....the Dr. thinks he maybe has a case of Bursitis??? He gave him a brace to wear, some anti-inflammatory..and said if it's not better in a week to come back??? I'm praying it will be better soon......but until then, I think I'll just call him gimpy :D Hope he can find that nickname heartwarming :D (but, somehow I think he won't :D)!!! Happy Sunday to each of you...May your day be filled with many warm words spoken to you....!!! Sweet blessings!

Twine....Baling twine that is....

Baling Twine...it's definitely becoming one of my favorite trademarks!!! I absolutely LOVE my new banner....created especially for me, by one of my favorite girls (Lindsay...you're the BEST!) Not, only can my sweet friend keep my blog updated & alive...but, she took this very picture today...just for me!!! I am soooo truly blessed! My heart is smiling...and so is my Mr.'s :D

I'm not sure everyone knows this...but, for the last year and a half...baling twine has been the handle for our screen door....Oh, we've tried to replace the handle, then, the whole metal inside part that attaches the screen door...but, somehow something always breaks and we are back to the baling twine! I think maybe we are destined to make our own home fashion statement :D But, whatever the reason...baling twine is definitely one of our favorite things to use....
It may even just become the new zipper pull for my Carhardt farming coat that got a bath today...and came out missing it's zipper pull??? And, there is always a little bit of it stashed in both our rigs (just in case there is an emergency :D)...

But, the more I think about baling twine...the more I think about how God is the cord that binds us together....He is strong, always there to fill a need, or in an emergency...God's Love is faithful...and we can call on Him always...He is what we all need to use as our baling twine in life....He is the one that will always HOLD everything together...the cord that binds us! Color doesn't matter...but, Love does...Size doesn't matter, but Faith does....Where baling twine is used is endless...just like how we use God's gifts...Mmmmmm...baling twine...the more I think about it...the more I can see God illustrated...give it a try....if you need some twine for inspiration...just give me a call, I'd be happy to share some of my supply! Happy thinking....Sweet blessings!

Happy 2009 !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

HAPPY 2009 !!!

HAPPY NEW CHAPTER...in the book of Life!!!



Just wanted to wish everyone a New Year filled with ALL things good...and the BEST of everything! May it be a new chapter in your life, a new beginning for some things, a continued journey on others...a time of growing closer to Our Lord...learning, challenging, moving forward, step by step....seeking the adventures that lie ahead with joy...and most of all striving to be the BEST YOU...you can be...and sharing that with the world around you!

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
(1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24)

From my heart to yours...many, many Sweet Blessings!