Adding More Work--Another Family Member

We (the youngest of the family) had been praying for a dog, but the kind we wanted--small, non-shedding were out of our price range. We (parents) procrastinated and one day a friend messaged me and asked if I would be interested in house-breaking her puppy.

I told her that we could probably do that, it would take care of the longing and actually might cure them of "needing" a dog.

The next day she called again and said they had a family meeting and we could keep the dog if we wanted her as they have decided a dog was just not fitting into their family.

Well she fits in ours very much! Even with the "fun" of housebreaking.

She took a little time to unlearn bad habits but Shekinah was surprisingly willing to do clean up duty. Her big weakness at this point is not liking to do her business outside in the rain and she loves to shred paper. We should change her name--she came pre-named "Eden" and we have a lady in our church with that name, but so far we haven't bothered.

She us remarkably patient with being lugged around.

She loves the grands and they love her.

I am now Grandma "Woof"

On mornings that are difficult, the puppy is there.

When the girls are at school the puppy is there.

I've seen a teen or two curl up beside the puppy after a day at school.

She hasn't had therapy dog training, but the other day one of the kids had tears running down their face and the puppy did a great job of comforting.

When you feel down because your classmate tells you that you will always be slow at doing things because, "you only have 4 fingers and I have 10!"

The puppy steps up to the job while mom scrambles to find the right words.

What can I tell my child to say in response to words like that?

I know that little kids will be little kids and she needs to develop a thick skin

but

how thick does her skin need to be!?

The other night one of us was wishing for 6 puppies to go around for all of us. One of our children has made some bad choices, we are hoping that he and we can muddle through this and come through the other side ok. I know God has a plan, I just wish it wouldn't be so hard to understand it.

Thankfulness

Today our minister contrasted thankfulness with complaining.

He pointed out how complaining is actually a blow to God...

Discredits His sovereignty.

Disrupts Christian unity--makes His church look a mess,

Discredits His plans for us.

Oh wow!

Just because complaining is something everyone else does-  that does not make it OK.

Got my work cut out for me.

The other week I babysat "the boys" and played street hockey with Parker.

I was amazed that I could still hit that ball.

We played a mean game of Candyland...I got the Rubble puppy with a dirty face.

And if I won, I was going to get loaded in the recycle truck.

Ha Ha...he won.

Then it snowed, what a start to the winter.

This was Hope's first experience with snow driving, thankfully I called her before she 

was driving and told her to wait at a grocery store near our house because the hill close to our place becomes a skating rink that throws cars into the ditch during snow storms.

I went to retrieve the girls from school.

A run that normally takes 40 minutes round trip, ended up taking 3-1/2 hours.

We sat in a ditch for awhile, we calmed our nerves in a parking lot for awhile and figured that the cinder trucks would eventually come through that wonderful road.

Nope

Didn't happen.

Meanwhile around the county there were 200+ accidents over that period.

I was very thankful for cell phones and I knew where my teen drivers were sitting and waiting.

And I'll try not to complain about PenDot workers.

Our puppy discovered snow....crazy dog.

I need to figure out how to keep her from chewing on pins...she finds them on the floor and chews on them! Hopefully I caught her every time.

Babysat this crew one evening....I think there were 10 kids counting mine.

Met a deer on a dark road one night. It appears it got up and kept running.

The van sustained some damage.

Thankfully the parts that were damaged were the plastic pieces and the radiator is ok.

Did you know you can buy a car, one piece at a time on Amazon?

I'm hoping that repairing the van goes well for him. 

He just got finished repairing parts of his '97 pick-up truck.

We borrowed this game from Joe the other night and gave it a trial.

I think we will re-visit this game again

Well, tomorrow it is 6 weeks since I was on Facebook. I've missed it because there were some yardsale items I would have liked to list. I also need to find some Christmas gifts for the younger parties in our house...can't list them here cause she can read. I'm not sure yet what Joe will decide about going back online....he is unsure about it. One day he says he knows he's not ready and other days he is ready to just go for it. Either way, I'm proud of how well he did during this time, it wasn't easy. I wasn't prepared for how much the withdrawal affected his life- I don't think he was either. One day maybe I will be able to blog about it. I will just say that it is very possible to be as addicted to the internet. It serves the same purpose as any other addiction. It keeps you from  acknowledging feelings and thoughts. I found this definition and it fits.

 Short Definition of Addiction:

Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.

Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.

My New Hobby

A few weeks ago I posted a photo of a side of leather and mentioned that I'm starting a new hobby.

I'm not really sure why I'm starting a new hobby...maybe it has something to do with being over 50.

They say you should make your brain learn new things so that it stays sharp. This isn't something as crazy as teaching myself to brush my teeth with my left hand, but there are a few things I'm needing to learn.

The terminology about the types of tanning.

The different techniques of hand-stitching leather.

I am quite pleased with my first results.

Oh, someone asked me why I'm selling leather bags...

well, over a year ago we had a family discussion about going back to China for a visit. We thought that the summer after Joseph graduates would be a good time...turns out that Hope will be graduating at the same time. The time-frame seemed like plenty of time to save up those extra dollars that were bound to be lying around...yeah- well. Time to get to work.

So that is why, I started a new hobby...fabric bags sell too, but leather is in a class of its own.

This bag is 10" wide by 10-1/2 " high and 2" wide

Hand stitched

from 4 oz  leather

It has a cross-body removable strap

An inside pocket for your phone

Oh and the leather scent is free!

$90

From now till December 15 shipping will be free.
Use the Paypal button on the sidebar.

This bag is larger

It measures 15" across the top and 11" across the bottom

12-1/2" high   4" wide

also has a cross body adjustable strap , a snap closure

and an inside pocket

$125--free shipping until December 15
Use the Paypal button on the sidebar.

back

I'm working on a wallet type thing too, but need to work out some kinks in the design process.

Horrible Rotten Day?

Or "for such a time as this"?
Last week I had "one of those days". You wonder why exactly God allows them to happen, it didn't seem that I learned anything from it...well maybe I did.  Or maybe I avoided being someplace I shouldn't have been...see it went like this--

Last Friday morning, well actually Thursday afternoon, Hope reminded me that we were headed to her home-school supervisor's school so she could complete some tests. Even though she has her license she asked if I would ride with her since it was almost an hour's drive. Friday morning dawned and I was glad I consented to go with her, it was a rainy day--one of those days when you really don't like to send your newly-licensed driver down the road alone.
We took along her new GPS so we could test it. The GPS worked fine on the way to Kutztown, but on the way home it was dead and no amount of cord jiggling made that thing work.
On the way home I got a phone call from an unfamiliar number, so I figured it was another one of those election campaign people- I ignored the call.
We arrived home and I checked the answering machine "this is ________ from _________school were you still planning to come and teach the class this morning?" My heart fell, I had COMPLETELY forgotten my appointment to do a brief CPR class for a local Mennonite school! I called the teacher, fell over myself apologizing and asked how we could fix this. "Next week is out because I'm babysitting my grandsons most of the week." "This afternoon will work. 1:45? yes, I can do that."   That was about 1-3/4 hour in the future, surely I could keep my appointment?
At 1300 hours I rolled into the ambulance station, told my tale of woe to the paid staff. They laughed at me and told me I'm getting old....yes I know that--so are they!  Threw all 32 manikins in the back of my van--they are just half bodies. Started out the drive and my shifter-thingy slipped all the way to the "3". No! that's not where it should be! But that's where it was and it wasn't moving! I tried putting it in park, but that wasn't happening. Turned off the key--that was sorta a mistake cause you can't start this van unless it's in "neutral" or "park".  NOW WHAT!?

Should I call that poor teacher and cancel again? Hope had already left with her car to get Shekinah at school, besides her car is too small for 32 manikins. I walked in to talk to the paid staff and  "J" told me to just take her truck. "Take a yellow blanket in case it rains, I don't want the manikins wet for my class tomorrow."  Good deal! I wasn't late--yet.
Threw the manikins -not literally- on the back of her truck and took off. A quick check of the dials on the dash....quarter tank of gas, red brake lites  "on", yellow anti-lock brake lite "on"....well it got her to work, hopefully it takes me 20 minutes down the road.  I kept it around 55 cause it had a funny feel when you went faster and something on the roof sounded like it might fly off when I hit 56 mph.
Got to the school in the nick of time and backed up to the doors and the oil light flickered.--well I'll look into that after the class---oh and I really should call my hubby and tell him that the van is parked at an awkward spot at the ambulance building--should I just call a tow truck?
Taught the class, loaded the manikins, started the truck, the oil light did not light. OK, let's take the back roads and head for home.
Turned right on North ______road and the truck died! REALLY!?  "J" didn't want to believe me, "did you run it out of gas?" Thankfully I was on a little bit of a slope and the truck could coast into a driveway. Called my parents who live nearby, but they weren't home, called my brother who also lives nearby, he brought a wrench.
We checked the oil, kicked the tires...no not really about the tires. Tried starting it again and it worked!
Yelled out my thanks and headed for home. "J" had called back and was prepped to bring the second ambulance over to rescue me and my 32 companions.
Finally, was able to call my hubby--he works at one of those manufacturing places that does not allow outside contact EXCEPT in the case of dire emergency, then you need to talk to a receptionist and someone in HR and THEN he has to call you back. Told him the bad news and he said he wants to take a look before we call a tow truck.
With the help of the neighbor guy  at the ambulance building and my husband's years as a do-it-yourself guy, he managed to get the van in "N" and start it, then shift it to "3" and head for home.

With the help of JB Weld and patience he managed to repair the van....

Now WHY did my day go like that?  I was very thankful that the van didn't breakdown one hour from home. I was thankful that I didn't send Hope on that drive with a GPS that was going to stop working.  I don't know...

I'm also thankful that we don't have a big garage bill to pay...we're trying to save money for that trip--God knows that and I'm sure He has a plan.

Then I had this crazy week. It was a blast!

October

One night the ambulance needed a new computer and 

the grandkids daddy was the one to install it.

I entertained the troops while he worked.

Guess what we got!? She has been a wonderful addition to our family--I think. 

She loves everyone and is always happy to see you.

Our friends decided that now was not the time to add a dog to their family and asked if we would take her. She is a Cavashon-poodle.

One day we did apple sauce...

Hudson decided --like Ramona ---that "the first bite tastes best".

One thing about this dog...she wasn't quite house broke, this necessitates many quick trips outside in all sorts of weather.  She is suddenly my dog when she needs a trip in the dark.

Even dad likes her.

I finished and sold my first leather bag this month. 

I ordered another "cow" so that I could make a few more pieces.

We'll see where this new hobby takes me.

While internet addiction is very real (more on that later) it is good for something.

Two of the girls are learning a new language. Faith is taking Spanish at school and Hope is boning up on Mandarin. I think I will probably need to use Duolingo to help me. I used Pimsuelers before and it works, but you don't learn any characters with that method.

Thanks to the new puppy--oh she came with the name Eden--

I am now Grandma "woof" according to Hudson.

We had a Chinese meal at church the other Sunday.

Your's truly made a bunch of dumplings for dumpling soup.

There were many other wonderful dishes.

I was surprised at our PA Dutchmen and how well they took to the food.

Folding dumplings goes much faster with help.

I found a huge leather trench coat at a thrift shop...we will see what it becomes.

That girl and her/my dog!

Safety glasses for sweeping--don't you use them?

New bags in progress

It feels fake to write a whole blog post and not post about the biggest concern that is a constant hum in the back of my mind. We are realizing how strong addiction to a smart phone/computer and its games and mindless you tube videos can be. If you occupy your mind with a constant "noise" you don't have to think. There is a point when the need for the noise and constant input starts controlling all corners of your life and you can't think. I believe from what I've read and from what we are living that it really does change your brain pathways. What remains to be seen is how hard it will be to free oneself from the addiction. Will he ever be able to use a smart phone even a little bit?  It has affected school and work to the extent that we as his family aren't the only ones noticing. There have been some positive steps, but we are very much in the middle of a battle. Since we are in the middle of a 6 week challenge (he and I) I won't be on FB to read your comments (I'm off FB for 6 weeks and he is on a flip phone for the same amount of time)...put them in the comment section of the blog post or e-mail me...I'd love any help you would have.

Monthly Post

I'm not doing very good at blogging these days, sometimes because what is going through my mind is not for a public blog. And other times I am just a bit too busy to get my thoughts together for a post.

We have a grand daughter! She made her appearance about a month ago.

I'm still trying to wrap my mind around Ben being a daddy, but he looks like he has a pretty good idea how this works.

 

This little guy is growing up way too fast! He really loves his aunt Faith,

and no wonder, she caters to his every whim.

We practice extreme safety when cracking hickory nuts.

My parents went on a trip to Europe and they brought these back home for our family. There were just enough for each of us to have two. You would have thought the decision would affect us for the rest of our lives by the time it took each of us to decide.

QOTD: Shekinah getting up one dreary Monday morning--"Mom! I'm still so sleepy! You should have left me sleep longer!"

Crawls up on my lap and sniffles her slightly whistly nose, "SEE, even my nose still sounds like it's asleep!"

Another one so I don't forget (I'm finally doing my photo book for 2017 and am including my blog posts. I am having fun reading back over these quotes)

Hope is still driving on her learner's permit and it's a running joke between us that she drives SOO slow. Truly sometimes she is below the speed limit by quite a bit! Shekinah was riding along and Hope noticed a police cruiser coming toward us and mentioned the fact. Shekinah pipes up from the back seat "Well Hope! were you going too slow again!"

Shekinah, Faith and I helped cater a wedding reception one Saturday, I couldn't resist taking a picture of the cakes.

I'm going to try a new hobby, yes I am.

It is a learning curve, I doubt I'll post any pictures of completed projects for quite awhile.

Faith is enjoying calligraphy, it is amazing the number of pens the girl empties.