Ahhhhhh....

Ahhhhhh.......time to exhale!

It seems like it's been a little non-stop around here lately...and as I breathe in and exhale out...I find myself feeling some peace !!!

It's always so hard for me to say good-by to my little three year olds...and especially without crying my eyes out. God had blessed me greatly over and over by each group of children that enter my classroom door each September. They are all just so SPECIAL!!! Not only the little ones, but their families too..as I grow new friendships!

Of course, the year didn't end without one last laugh! You know how you have your own version of what you look like in your head? Well, I like to picture myself as a blonde (even though in reality...I know it's not quite so...), apparently that is apparent to even a three year old! On our last REAL classroom day one of the little girls came over to me as proud and happy as can be, and announced, "Miss Tammy, look we have the same hair color"..holding a strand of hair out toward mine....Of course I smiled and said , "We sure do"...even though, as I looked at her light brown hair was horrified :D Truth...it's a gift three year olds have....they have no boundaries or worries about speaking it !!! Needless, to say my Miss Susy had a great laugh about it too....

Then, another little girl told me during outside time on our "Adventure Day"...."Miss Tammy this is the best day of my whole life". Simplicity...three year olds find happiness in little things!

So, as I begin my summer...I'm going to hold onto two of those things they taught me...Truth & Simplicity....exhaling and enjoying, finding peace & joy in all that summer brings!

And, I have oh so many more things I want to share soon.....but, my flowers are patiently waiting to be planted...finally!!!! From my heart to yours...Happy Sunday...& Sweet Blessings!

From my kitchen window....

Our home has two nice big windows in the kitchen...that I LOVE to look out....a few weeks ago, on a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning, I opened my windows to find these shots.....

A bird house that each Spring graciously homes a family of birds...I am so amazed watching as the Mama flies back and forth bringing food to her babies, who poke their little heads out the hole and open wide for their treat !

Then there are the kitties....who absolutely LOVE relaxing in the sun on our porch. There is nothing that feels as good as soaking in the Sun!

And....this is the "sitting pot"...everyday I find some kitty sitting in this spot :D

I'm wondering what will happen when I finally find time to turn this little pot into a flower planter for the Summer??? :D

So, there's a little view from my kitchen window :D It never ceases to bring a smile to my morning! Happy SUNDAY sweet friends...praying each of you start your day with a view that brings a warm smile to your day too! Sweet blessings!

Seeking Advice!

WANTED....SOME ADVICE.....!!!

You see I bought a vacuum cleaner a couple of years ago, that I just loved. It is a Bissel Velocity. We had one at preschool, and it worked like a dream. Well...since then, both vacuum's have stopped working well...I take mine apart clean it every time, check all the belts often, and do all the things the manual instructs to keep my "little girl" running perfectly. But, it doesn't!!! It sucks up all the fine dirt (I'm always amazed at how much dirt actually hides within my carpet :D ) That's all it does...it never picks up pieces of lint, strings, cat hair, straw, etc..even on the lowest setting?????

So....before I make my next purchase, I'm seeking advice on what kind to get :D
I know...NO ONE posts about vacuum cleaners....but, I really don't want to keep wasting money on vacuums that work for a year and then go kapoot!!! (I actually, secretly wish I could just have a cleaning fairy that showed up whenever the carpet needed vacuumed and "poof" ...job done!) PLEASE HELP ME :D!!!

Okay, there....I did it...I posted a "want ad" on my blog !!! Thanks for helping me on this one....I hope each of you have a GREAT Friday filled with many, many Sweet blessings!

Reality...

Reality....do you ever think about it??? Lately, it's been on my mind....Mostly the REAL part of the word!



It's that time of year when the REALity parts of life come....



Whether I'm ready or NOT....REALity is happening...



* In less than a week, I have to say good-by to my preschoolers....kids that I have nourished, cherished, and loved for nine months ! They are my babies...and now, I have to let them move on....it's always so bittersweet...the beginning of Summer and the End of Preschool! (I am never ready to say good-by!)



* Last weekend we finally found time to work our cattle, and move them to their Summer homes of nothing but green, green grass! The REALITY of it all, two LONG days of going here & there, pushing, and catching, smelling less than good, looking less than clean.....



* In less than a week, I have to have my preschool books finished! REALITY shouting OUT LOUD!



* Spring is almost out the door and I've yet to plant a single flower!


* The days are long, and full...but a new beginning, filled with new opportunities comes each morning

* There is always more month than money

* The REALity of being a woman....is that it is sometimes hard to be REAL...but, I want to be !

* Sometimes life is smooth sailing, sometimes the waters are rough....Sometimes, there are storms, sometimes beautiful rainbows...the REALity is life is for living..and our job is to live in REALity!

* It is a true REALity to me, that when I consume pounds of sugar it finds a place to go...


Over and over again...so many things are becoming REAL to me...and over and over again...I am so thankful that through each REALity I am not alone. GOD knows each and everyone of those moments...He knows me...and each day HE gives me the opportunity to begin again....to face the REALities that surround me...and to go forward....all through four simple letters connected to one powerful word...HOPE! So in the midst of the REALity in your worlds...I'm praying you each can find that word too! Sweet blessings!

I'm here....

Hi! And, Happy MONDAY!!!

I'm here...honestly, I haven't fallen off the side of the earth, been under the weather, hiding out, or on vacation.... :D (Although, I wish I was on vacation...sitting under a big umbrella watching the waves lap the seashore somewhere tropical and warm :D)

Why is it that May gets so BUSY?!?! Every year, I think I'm going to be so ahead of my game when May gets here...so, I can just ENJOY the month...Mmmmm...good thoughts, that just somehow never materialize!

So, here's the run-down of my May so far.... :D

* In the last three days I've been to Pendleton, Pasco, Boardman, Pendleton, and Yes...Pendleton again today! Once for farmer's market...and twice to drop-off & pick-up the Mr.'s truck from the truck Dr. :D

* Mowed the lawn, twice...once on Saturday, and once on Sunday...CRAZY I know...but, my lawn was so tall, I was trying to AVOID raking...which didn't work that well at all!

* Had dinner at my sisters....a barbecue :D (Don't you just LOVE barbecues!) ...We had steaks cooked on a smoker...and sat around a fire pit watching the stars glow...PERFECT! (Because my Mr. was actually sitting beside me :D)

* Cleaned out a freezer of dog bones...that had sometime decided to STOP working...Praising God we found it before the really HOT weather hits....

* A trip to the dump to deliver 480 lbs of dog bones :( And, wouldn't you know it...that's just what all the customers wanted at the markets this weekend?!?!

* Discovered how to use my Shop Vac to suck out drippings (to put it a nice way) from the dog bone un-thawing.

* Tried to stay awake last night to see the winner of Celebrity Apprentice...made it until 10:30....but, thankfully, my Mr. saw it and gave me the report!

* Began my preschool week with handprint t-shirts...done in acrylic paint...and for the first time in 12 years...actually, got paint on my clothes :D

* Spent time studying God's word on Peace!

* Decided that it's time to find time to plant some flowers in pots on my porch :D

So, there you have it...May as it is unfolding...and now, I must, I mean I REALLY MUST go work on some of my end of the year preschool things! May your Tuesday's be filled with GREAT May things! Sweet blessings!

The Rock

Yesterday as my preschoolers were playing on the playground...(part of which is covered by pea gravel)...I noticed something the size of a penny, it was black and very shiny...at first I thought since it had rained..it was probably just a wet pebble...I reached down to pick it up...it wasn't wet...and the top was very shiny and smooth....then, I turned it over to see this.....

It was a Rock...

One side was rough...it had crevices and cracks, dirt embedded upon it...

Then, here was the other side....

Shiny, smooth and bright....so, shiny in fact, that I could actually see my reflection in it. (NO worries, I still had my eyes on my kids...). I showed it to Miss Susy and she had a name for it...apparently it's a special kind of rock. Anyway, I put it in my pocket...and thought about it the rest of the day....

The more I thought about it...the more I realized...I am that Rock! Yep...we are ALL that Rock! We start out like the rough side...not so pretty all the time, with dirt here & there, dents & crevices from life...but....when we find God...he takes us in...he brushes off the dirt, smooths out the rough spots, fills in the dents & crevices...over & over again, until one day we are like the other side of the Rock...shiny, smooth, beautiful..and the best part...we can see NOT our reflection looking back at us...but HIS!

Sometimes, it takes awhile for the polished results...in fact, I'm thinking it takes most of a lifetime...and I'm praying and hoping that ultimately in the end....I will be a shining reflection of Him!!!

So, that little Rock...it's going to become a part of my collection (the one that reminds me of special memories, feelings, moments...the one that reminds me daily...that I am special, loved, and worth all the hard-work, cleaning, and polishing!)
So, next time you are surrounded by Rocks...I hope you take a minute or two to look for a special keepsake that will forever remind you...Rocks can turn into beautiful, precious gems!!! Sweet blessings!

P.S. Hey, look I fixed the date on my camera :D Whooohoooo!!! Now, I just need some photography lessons...sorry for the blury pictures..but, I think you'll still get the drift :D

How can it be????

How can it be, that today I opened my blog to find this beautiful new banner??? (I am truly blessed by one sweet, talented girl ...THANK YOU, sweet friend!)

How can it be that my alarm went off at 4:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning????

How can it be that I fed the horses, kitties, and cows in the dark this morning???

How can it be that I drove to town at 5:00 this morning to my classroom to get a stacking shelf???

How can it be that from 7:00 a.m. until 12:15 a.m. I was standing outside in the cold wearing two shirts, a vest, my heavy winter coat, gloves and a scarf...and was still cold????

How can it be that it is the 2nd of May...and the weather feels like the 1st of March????

How can it be that by the time I got home today at 2:30 I sat down on the sofa and fell fast asleep????

Mmmmm...all of these things Can be, and WERE...because today officially started the beginning of 6 months of Farmer's Markets. Six months...now, I don't like the sound of that...maybe it would sound better to say 25 weeks??? Or maybe, it would just sound better to say 24 to go?? :D Somehow, life at our little Casa is about to become full on the weekends...and Somehow, I'm just not quite ready for it yet! Today, a little voice kept whispering to my heart..."The JOY of the Lord is my strength." I needed to hear that voice...and I need to keep pushing onward, forward, and looking upward in just that... JOY!

It was good to see some familiar faces today...to catch up with those "Six month friends"...and to watch the sunrise to a beautiful new beginning. And, most of all....I'm thankful that it CAN BE May...that the rain CAN grace the earth, that I CAN be in a warm home right now! So from my little spot to yours...Happy Saturday, Almost Sunday!!! Sweet blessings!

Bus stop waiting...

Last week, my Mr. had to rent a Van...(I know, a Van???) Well, his company was doing a training for some of it's store dealers...the training was in Provo, Utah...and the company was providing the transportation....So, where could he find a 15 passenger van...but in Spokane. Now, the trick of getting the van without someone else driving him to Spokane, or leaving a rig there....the answer...the handy dandy Greyhound Bus!

Somehow, I thought we had left our college days of bus riding behind...but I was wrong. When were in college, Pat's Junior year he had to go to OSU as part of the OSU/EOSC Ag program...it was an interesting deal...he could go to Eastern all the other years, but that one (mainly because he needed to pick up his Animal Science credits...) and still graduate from OSU?!?! During his year at OSU he would frequently ride the bus back to LaGrande to see me! (Never mind that my husband is adventuresome and likes bus riding :D) It was always so exciting to meet him at the bus stop..watching and waiting to see the man of my dreams emerge.

Well, somehow 23 years later...I never thought I'd be experiencing the same thing!!! Today, he had to return the van...caught the Greyhound in Spokane and I drove to Pasco to pick him up...(and, to soothe my friends worries....the inside of the bus area was very nice...clean...and interesting! I found a family of three with a little two-year old waiting...and I couldn't help but wonder what their story was...and pray for them as I waited)....Finally, the big white bus with the dog running on the side pulled up..and I found myself just as excited and nervous as I use to be all those years ago...and still, the minute he stepped off, my heart skipped a beat!

I told him how impressed I was with the bus station...to which came the reply "This is not a very good neighborhood that it is in!"...Mmmmm....the tone told me, I should of been weary of it all...good thing I didn't know it then ! Then, he told me his boss had suggested that he take me with him to Spokane and then we could of rode the bus together...to which he replied "I wouldn't take my wife on a bus...it's not that safe"! Another thing I'm glad I didn't know until now....No matter what the bus is like, or who is riding, it will never stop my Mr. from taking one when he needs too....that's just how he is...he likes variety...adventure...and apparently safety is not a concern for him :D

It did turn into a nice little date complete with dinner at Applebee's! And, now, I'm hoping that sweet little family got to their destination safe & sound....

Sweet blessings!

Goodness...

God is GOOD! Not just occasionally, Not just once in awhile, Not just here & there...but, ALL the time!

Sometimes I get caught up in "life", the "world", and "it's expectations"...OR fear, worry, & stress,... and I lose sight of the fact...that God is Good All the Time!

It's been a crazy week...and, now that Friday is here...I can clearly look back and see how Good God was ....

~ He is healing my Mr. of another abscess (still a fall-out of the MRSA he had in January)
~ He brought a sweet girl to work with me at Preschool this week while my Miss Susy was in Vegas
~ He worked out all of my Mr.'s travel plans...and brought him home safely
~ He blessed my day with opportunities to visit with friends
~ He blessed my sister with a new job
~ He blessed me with His peace about Sweet Lily (who so far is looking better & happier :D)
~ He gave me energy to accomplish all that I needed too
~ He spoke into my heart about His JOY
~ He sent some much needed rain...that made my grass very happy!
~ He provided a way for me to pick-up Pat's truck from the shop
~ He is healing my toothache :D
~ He sent the bright Sun this morning to warm the earth
~ He helped me get my GG cow (who had decided to try the grass on the other side of the fence) back into our pasture!
~ He blessed with a little extra sleeping-in time this morning
~ He blessed me with words from fellow bloggers...posts that encouraged & inspired
~ He encouraged me to Let go and Let HIM


HE is Good! And, when I take time to focus on HIM..I see that goodness everywhere! Praying each of you have a Friday filled with His Goodness...and that you too can see it everywhere! Sweet blessings!