Totally defeated!

Kathleen and Andy talked me into playing few board games with them. They totally beat me in every game. Now I remember why I don't like to play games!!

I was going to report on Gov. Huckabee's talk: It was geared to the kids at the school. He had so many funny stories, we could have stayed all night listening to him! I think the main point of the speech was that our children are the future and that we do have a future. If our economy goes and all else, and, we have children that have faith--then there is hope. It was an enjoyable evening.

That is all for tonight. The kids wore me out.

Get It Done Day!

Not a day to look forward to, but one of necessity--"Doggy-do day." Amazing what they had been hiding under the snow and straw. Since I started so late in the day, I didn't get done in time to make it to the dump. Now there will be a quick trip to the dump in the morning.

Today was a beautiful day to be out, maybe a little cool with a wind blowing from the SW; but, under my coat it didn't phase me. The dogs were happy to follow me everywhere. I love Spring. Life is good--God is good.

Tomorrow is "visiting" day and church day for me, so on Thursday I will get back with an update on Gov. Huckabee's visit to Montana.  (No update.  His speech was not on hralthcare.)

Tonight I am skipping my procrastination ritual and going to scan another album. There just has to be these serious days every once in a while!! This will give Anita a chance to catch up with me, too!

Bad Hair Day

Took a shower this morning. I hoped it would put some zing back in my hair! Unfortunately, now my limp waves are gone. The perm is barely noticeable. I am so very disappointed. I have been waiting for about two years to get this perm; but I had put it off so that I wouldn't be wasting money. Well, maybe next year I will try again.

Ran to town to get some brown sugar to make an apple pie. A can of pumpkin pie mix was on sale...so, I thought I would make that instead. I came home and put the ingredients together and found out we had less than a cup of sugar in the house. Well, that shouldn't matter too much, we probably need to cut back on all the sugar anyways. The crust rolled out pretty nice as I put it all together and stuck it in the oven.

Then, as I was putting things away, I took the sack of flour and filled the cannister, as it was almost empty...which is why I had used the flour in the sack. Then I rolled up the top of the sack with the leftover flour, and went to put it on the cupboard self. But, hah! What's this! There was the sack of flour from the previous time I had tried to fill the cannister. I looked again at the sack I had just used--my gosh it was the sack of SELF RISING FLOUR that was sitting in the pantry. Well, too late now. Must remember to read labels!!!

The pie came out looking good and smelling good. There was a little cream left, so after the pie cooled a little, I whipped it up so I could have a tasty treat.

My advice to all is to never use self-rising flour for your pie crust. It kinda tasted like pie filling on bread. But, we can break off the crust and continue eating these pies--can't waste pumpkin pie mix!

Must now try to figure out how to make my hair look at least "ok" for the dinner tonight. On a positive note, I will be eating a meal cooked by professionals tonight!

Bummer

Well I waited two days to wash my hair to make sure the perm would get set, or whatever it does. Had a nice long soak today and washed my hair. Afterwards I sadly picked out my limp waves. The perm had washed out! Hey...$80 for two days of perm--heck of a price!!!

Made potato soup today and it turned out good. Got enough to have leftover soup for a week. Tomorrow I will probably freeze portions of it, after Kathleen and Andy get a chance to have some too.

Watched the Health Care Bill pass on C-Span. I look forward to hearing what Gov Huckabee has to report on it.

Will now leave all problems for tomorrow. Its time to take my washed-out hair to bed.

Snowy Spring Day

Earlier I was in town and the weather was nice out. Since Sammy broke her line, she had to stay in the house until I got back; and, then she got to go out and enjoy a little of the day. Clouds, that seemed to promise us snow, began to appear on the horizon. I looked out a little later and those clouds were all around us. Looking to the SW I saw the snow coming in across the fields. The dogs are now back in. Happy cats are out playing on the deck. They know Sam is safely out of their reach and in the house!!!

Today I splurged and went and got a perm. Last Sunday a friend from the Church gave me a ticket they had for Gov. Mike Huckabee's appearance on Monday night. I love that man, he is kind, he is conservative and he is just a good Christian guy. Maybe I can think of something to get his autograph on!!

Anita sent out a message that honey and cinnamon can heal us and keep us from a lot of viruses. So, I guess I will now go have some toast with honey on it and a glass of tea before bed. Will then sit, watch a tv show and stare at the picture albums for a little bit, so Anita doesn't win the procrastination race!! Life is good.

Thorn in the Flesh

Paul describes a "thorn in his flesh":

2 Corinthians 12:7 (New King James Version) The Thorn in the Flesh

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buffet describes "buffett" as:

Date: 13th century
1 : a blow especially with the hand
2 : something that strikes with telling force

We aren't told what it is that is such a burden on him. He describes this condition after he has told of the vision of heaven. He also tells us that God allows him to carry this cross, to keep him humble.

2 Corinthians 12:5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

So great will be the Kingdom of God.

The Ides of March

Home again. The dogs are happy to see us. We didn't have to worry about them going hungry, there was still food left. They are both now back to their "people watching" stations on the otherside of the sliding door, anxiously awaiting bones, rawhides or special goodies!

I opened the door to the cat's home and they turned their heads and gave me the look, like "ho hum...you are back." So laid back are those cats!

Its still a little cool out, but tomorrow is suppose to be in the 60's. Spring is here! Flowers, weeds and grass are all beginning to show green.

Christopher will be back next month. Perhaps by then I can get this scrapbook completed and start something outside!! If I hadn't done so much procrastination, I am sure I could probably have had it finished by now!!!

It was a busy weekend. Pete and Ginger had a family gathering celebrating a birthday and introducing the family to a newly found grandchild! Christopher had a lot of fun with his cousins, whom he only gets to see a time or two during the year. Sunday night we went to The Tooth Fairy. The title brings visions of a movie comparable to tinkerbell...or something. It wasn't. At first, it was a little hard to take a big man in a fairy costume, but by the end of the show we are laughing and cheering. It was a very nice movie!! Four stars at least!

Its a good day here. The Lord always gives us something to look forward to, or the next door that opens in our lives. God is good.

Mowing the Grass

Its time to mow the grass in California again. This time Huimin has called on Victoria to come up and help her; and, to bring her mower too, in case there are snakes out there. I wish I could sit with the kids in the house and watch as those two try to scare all the snakes out of the grass and get it mowed. The scary part is walking past the unmowed section as you push the mower forward. A snake can have quite a long striking distance.

When we first moved into our house in Sun Prairie Estates we had the challenge of mowing weeds, in the first pasture, that were higher than our kids. It was horrible. I got a scythe and then me and the kids knocked down the weeds and piled them into the back of the open scout. We looked like a huge haystack going down the road to the dump. It took many trips.

However around the shed, it wasn't only weeds, it was weeds, very tall grass and spilled over oats from the neighbor's field. Tim was mowing with the rider all the grass areas (around the shed, the lower pasture and the upper field). As he was mowing around the shed something bit him as he was mowing through the grass. He was sitting on the riding tractor with tall leather boots on. A snake had zero'd in on him and bit right through the boot. Luckily we had bull snakes out there, so it was not poisonous.

Here is another site on rattlesnakes: http://www.whmentors.org/saf/snakes.html

It includes their striking distance, first aid for bites and symptoms of the poison. Rattlers are pit vipers. These snakes have pits between their eyes and nostrils which detect heat. They use these "pits" to hunt for warm blooded prey. So, hopefully, if they are in front of the lawnmower, they will confuse the heat of the mower with the body heat of the girls. They can strike from 1/2 to 1/3 their length. Oh yea, another thing..they hunt day and night. One more note of caution--their tails don't rattle if they are wet.

According to this site, Huimin and Victoria will be able to discern whether the snakes are rattlers or gopher snakes by looking at their teeth. If it ONLY has two fangs on top -- it is a rattler. If it has a full set of teeth on top -- it is a gopher snake pretending to be a rattler. So, Huimin and Victoria...be careful!

Blue Monday

Got up when I heard Beamer whine to go out. As I glanced out the glass sliding door, everything looked white outside. I hurried over to the door to see if it was really "white stuff" that I saw. YES, it was! We had snow again!! Those nice warm sunny days--gone. After the dogs and cats were taken care of I hurried downstairs to check weather.com. Only two days of cold and then it is back to the 50's. Yea! Of course, I wouldn't mind a little of those high 60's that Texas seems to be having, either.

So--its a cold day in Montana. Nothing to do except bake cookies and wash clothes. Kathleen had some left-over nut topping for sundaes. I used it in the peanutbutter cookies and they came out so very delicious!! Had to test quite a few just to make sure each one had that special, crunchy taste. mmmmm

Tomorrow I will be in town all day. This time I am shopping wisely. I have already started the draft of a SHOPPING LIST. Not going to forget the toothpaste this time! The present tube is now so smashed down, I'm not sure there is enough for another brushing. Also, need to get some trail mix and get some adventurous cookies made before Christopher gets here! Can't wait to surprise everyone with a new taste. Hopefully it will turn out good.

More Snakes!

Huimin saw two more rattlesnakes by their house today. Both of them much bigger than the snake she saw the other day.

One was in the neighbor's grass, which was getting mowed. It slithered up onto the neighbor's patio, to get out of the way of the lawnmower.

The other one was in the grass by the road. It was eating a baby bird.

Its going to be a long spring and summer being trapped in the house and watching for snakes everywhere you go.

House of Death

Yesterday was the day for the Lutherans to stand in vigil outside of Planned Parenthood for the 40 Days for Life campaign.

From http://www.40daysforlife.com/splash.cfm:

The 40 Days for Life mission – and the life-changing decision made by Abby Johnson – are featured in a two-part edition of the Focus on the Family radio program. Abby is the former director of the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Bryan/College Station, Texas ... the community where 40 Days for Life began.

During the 40 Days for Life campaign in the fall of 2009, Abby witnessed an ultrasound-guided abortion. She quit her job at Planned Parenthood, as she realized she could no longer be involved in the abortion industry.

See the website for Abby Johnson's testimony.

This day was a nice spring day. The wind a little nippy, but we do still have snow on the mountains!! Young ladies came dashing in and then came out with something in their hands. I am pretty sure this crowd was the "birth control" crowd. Barb stood in the corner and was able to keep an eye on the parking lot. We were told, prior to this, that no abortions were performed at their office; rather, that abortions were referred to local doctors. However some girls came and stayed for extended periods of time. I stood by one of the exits and I saw, in a couple of the cars, that the drivers were brushing what looked like tears away from their eyes. About 4:30 Barb witnessed a man come out of the clinic in white pants and a blue top and get into the van that had been parked in the parking lot. We are pretty sure that abortions were performed this afternoon.

At our next day of vigil, we will remember gloves and something for our ears. When the sun drops out of sight it gets very cold. Also, to bring a hat or visor for that bright life-giving sun.

This was a bitter-sweet day. Spring is all around us with the newness of life with its smells, the sounds of birds chirping and the sight of squirrels chasing each other around the trees. While just on the other side of the wall one small DEFENSELESS baby is losing his or her fight with the abortionist and the weapon of his choice to kill the child. And there we stood with life all around us...not able to lift one finger to help this little baby!

This baby's cries are not going unheard. All these innocents will be avenged.

Psalm 94:

1 O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs—
O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth!
2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth;
Render punishment to the proud.
3 LORD, how long will the wicked,
How long will the wicked triumph?

4 They utter speech, and speak insolent things;
All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves.
5 They break in pieces Your people, O LORD,
And afflict Your heritage.
6 They slay the widow and the stranger,
And murder the fatherless.
7 Yet they say, “The LORD does not see,
Nor does the God of Jacob understand.”

8 Understand, you senseless among the people;
And you fools, when will you be wise?
9 He who planted the ear, shall He not hear?
He who formed the eye, shall He not see?
10 He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct,
He who teaches man knowledge?
11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man,
That they are futile.

12 Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD,
And teach out of Your law,
13 That You may give him rest from the days of adversity,
Until the pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not cast off His people,
Nor will He forsake His inheritance.
15 But judgment will return to righteousness,
And all the upright in heart will follow it.

16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers?
Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
17 Unless the LORD had been my help,
My soul would soon have settled in silence.
18 If I say, “My foot slips,”
Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up.
19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul.

20 Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law,
Have fellowship with You?
21 They gather together against the life of the righteous,
And condemn innocent blood.
22 But the LORD has been my defense,
And my God the rock of my refuge.
23 He has brought on them their own iniquity,
And shall cut them off in their own wickedness;
The LORD our God shall cut them off.

Guardian Angels kept Busy

Yesterday Huimin went out to mow the lawn. Leaves had blown into a corner and she was going to reach down and pull them out; but, then decided against it--she didn't want to get dirty. She got a rake and went to rake the leaves out. Then, from out of the pile of leaves, A COILED UP RATTLESNAKE BEGAN HISSING AT HER. She dropped her rake and flew to the house, shutting herself, the kids, the cat and the dog inside.

Huimin then called housing, which could not help her. She called services and they had the on-call technician call her back. It must have been about an hour, altogether, before he arrived. He had a snake stick and scooped up the very angry snake and then took it to dispose of it. It was hissing and rattling its little tail and definitely was in an attack mode. They had to put the snake back in its natural habitat, because of some type of protection. I later went online and did not find federal or state protection for it--which does not mean it is not there.

This is the second snake they have had in their yard THAT THEY KNOW OF. The neighbors across the lawn had one right outside the back of their house. Huimin drives Serena to and from school, or else walks with her, in case there are snakes on the road.

There is really no way to protect yourself from rattle snakes, unless you buy a bull snake or king snake, which will eat them. My sister once saw a rattler trying to get into a chicken yard. The snake was crawling up the fence and was 10 feet high and still going up. It was after the eggs in the chicken coop.

Here is an interesting article on rattlesnake vs gopher snake.

http://www.ibabuzz.com/garybogue/2009/07/09/rattlesnake-vs-gopher-snake-can-you-your-kids-tell-the-difference/

The article states that rattlesnakes don't hiss, so this may not have been a rattlesnake, but one pretending to be by, also, shaking his tail. Huimin said she did not get close enough to see if it had "cat's" eyes or not.

No matter what kind of snake it is--they will all bite. A man north of town, a few years ago, got bit by a rattler out in the country. By the time he walked back it was too late. He died from the venom in the snake bite.

The kids were just playing out in the yard where the snake was, before Huimin started mowing. If the kids got bit by a snake, it is doubtful that they would know what type of snake bit them! It would have took off before Huimin would have seen it. And, then, even adults have difficulty with snake identification.

Huimin is taking precautions: Shots for the dog, finding closest medical sources in case of a bite and snake bite kit. Hopefully, that will be the last snake they see!