What a Ride!

We had a golden opportunity visiting Memom over Thanksgiving!!

Ms. Vickie asked us to come ride her horses!! Now let me tell you Ladybug has dearly wanted her own horse. She's asked over and over to have one in our back yard or in her room. This was a dream come true... to really ride a horse. Wow! To be invited to come ride....

With huge smiles the girls rode tall! Ms. Vickie & her husband guided the horses so gently for the girls.

Wanting to go faster... Lovebug held on for all she's worth when her horse was speeding up to a trot.. and she was trotted off.... she held strong on to the saddle horn.. and then calmly slid off to her feet!!

She climbed right back up and decided a walk was plenty fast! Both girls did great!

Then Ms. Vickie asked if I wanted to ride... so both Hubbie and I got to ride. How cool! That was so a surprise. I knew Hubbie wanted to ride but it seem too much to ask. Then to be offered was so over the top!!

"Lovebug she hung upside down on the fence. I liked riding the horses. I want a horse..." says Ladybug.

"I dearly loved riding the horse. It was so fun when I got to trot. I'm very glad I only slid to my feet."

Ms. Vickie- a HUGE Thank you for sharing world and letting us come ride!!! It was such fun. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!!! We hope to see you over Christmas!!! Have a wonderful Christmas filled with the joy of the first Christmas of Jesus' birth!!

Grace! ss

Let's see if we can do this with only one month to go till Christmas...

Ok... we are down to the wire you have one more month to get all the Christmas shopping done that you need to get completed (don't forget me). I am in Beaumont right now getting ready for the Thanksgiving holiday. I have completed all my shopping for everyone who is getting this email. No seriously... I have, and I will prove it check out the photos of our day at the galleria today. We started everything off by going ice skating and then we watched a painter painting, next we took a break and listened to a piano dude playing something that sounded like elevator music but better because he was right there playing it for us and it couldn't be elevator music because his grand piano would not fit in an elevator. Then you see the finished result of all the shopping. Ok so most of the shopping was done by the wifey and her mother and I just got to carry the goods... well I guess I paid for some of it too, although S's mom is most generous to cover meals and such.

So don't forget to remember that there are a lot of folks who will be doing without this year. Biggest thing I have learned in the past year is that there are often things that happen which we have no control over and we have to remember that God (the one who sent Jesus to be born on Christmas day) still has in His hands the events and happenings of this world.

Hey did I also mention that we got a new puppy? I will include a photo of Maple with this e-mail as well. So far this new puppy has proven to be everything that the previous one was not. Polite, kind, wipes her paws on the mat prior to entering her dog house, doesn't spit, doesn't chew, doesn't go with guys that do... that kind of thing. Pray she survives puppyhood... my girls are learning that you can't shove food in her mouth to make her eat. You know that thing about you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink it? Well it doesn't apply to my girls, if that dog doesn't drink you put her nose in the water until she does. Problem is I think that is called waterboarding and even the CIA might have some issues with that, don't worry we got them to understand that even when you mean good if it would hurt you it might not be good for the puppy either. She is a loving little pup and we are praying that we can all make it work for our family.

Hey just recently I got a facebook account... if you are on facebook and you know what I am talking about look me up and if you are in good standing with me I will approve you as a friend. :)

I also just got to see the movie "Fireproof" if you haven't seen it yet take your wife and go see it. We had some young hooligans in our theater with us and so I had to adjust their attitudes slightly in order to actually be able to concentrate on it and enjoy the last part of the movie. They kept popping their gum and so I yelled at them to stop popping their gum... I should have yelled that they should pop their gum more and expect reverse psychology to work on them but as it was they began popping their gum more and talking loudly. I finally had enough of it and Stephanie had just told me to just pray for them when I jumped up ran to the back of the theater, found the three of them got in the face of the one sitting in the middle and told them that "If you do not shut up I am going to see to it that you are thrown out of the theater, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?" Their only response was "Yes Sir!". Have you ever had someone (especially kids nowdays) who are so rude you want to help their parents get them back in line with a little discipline? Five minutes later they left the theater on their own and we had a peaceful finale to our movie. I did not want to go out with my wife, and pay to see a movie only to be interrupted by hooligans. I do not get to go out very often so I guess I took it into my own hands to modify their behavior with some not so reverse psychology.

So when I say "Have a Happy Thanksgiving" don't think I am trying to pull some form of reverse psychology on you by not meaning exactly what I said... Have a GREAT THANKSGIVING!

Save the wishbone for me...

KjS

Burnt

Burnt to a crisp.... I'm actually glad the rice did not catch on fire!!

I simply put rice on to cook.... and waited while the water kettle boiled.... meanwhile the rice burnt badly. I was distracted by facebook... hmmm... a lesson here....

The bottom of my favorite glass top pan had a horrible layer of burnt rice.

My WONDERFUL husband came home and simply picked up the pan and started the arduous task of cleaning it.

I must say... He did not walk in and ask if that smell was dinner! He did not fuss at me. He did not complain. He did not scold me when I said that pan should be thrown away. He saw my mess and worked on it!!! Oh, I am loved!!!!!!!!

After scrubbing made no impact... even after the near oven cleaner stuff... he finally made progress with SAND PAPER!!! Oh, gracious!!! Even that took much time and effort.

Hours later I have candles lit to eliminate the stench!!

Now, my charred pot is clean.... I'm thankful for a loving husband!!

That was Agape love!! Grace! ss

White Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies

We've enjoyed every last one of these!! They are definitely repeaters!! I'll make them again this week.


White Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies

• 4c Flour (1/2 Coconut Flour)
• 1c White Sugar
• 1c Brown Sugar
• 2t Cinnamon
• 1t Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1t Salt
• 2t Baking Soda
• 1can Pumpkin 16oz
• 3/4c Oil (Coconut Oil)
• 2 eggs
• 2T Milk
• 2t Vanilla
• 2c White Chocolate Chips
• 1c Nuts (Macadamia sound yummy)

Bake @ 375 for 9 minutes.

Mix flour, sugar & spices. Add pumpkin, oil, eggs, & vanilla. Beat on medium speed til well mixed. Stir in chocolate & nuts. Drop onto baking sheet & flatten a bit. Bake.

I've frozen these balled. They've been easy to pull out thaw & bake.

They required 2 grocery trips for me!! First I just had to have white chocolate chips. Then as I pulled ingredients, I was out of eggs! Humf!! Hubbie was so quick, in an instant he was off for to the store. He asked me to make them :) I like making them for him!!!!

Two friends have asked for the recipe... That makes them a winner to me :) I've skipped the nuts for Hubbie's sake & used the coconut things because I've had them!! I hope you enjoy them too!!!

Grace!! ss

Oh! That's "Bullie"... Ladybug's new Longhorn enjoying the cookies :)

Tent Poles Snap

Snap!! That's just what happened with two of our tent poles!! Both of our bay window poles busted or frayed this round!! The tent yet operated fine this round... sans the bays!

I've found the solution to busted tent poles... Hubbie we should have found this sooner... remember the screen tent poles!?! yet those were trashed... now I have the info to replace them!!!

Tent Pole Techno is who my tent maker refered me to. They knew the specs on our tent from way back in 2005!!! Soon I'll have my tent poles and some quick clips to boot!

Anywho!!

Hubbie & the girls camped. Mama just visited since I'm recovering from the sinus/ear stuff. I visited them and heard all that wouldn't have happened if I was there....

Overall I've heard it was cold! The lows were low 40s. That is officially cold here. The only caught 2 fish with the last of their white bread.

Ladybug - I liked when I went to fish and we did catch 2 fish. That is all. I enjoyed when I went up in the trees. That is all.

On the poles... Now we could live without bay windows... but I do enjoy finding the solution!! I really appreciate Hubbie finding all the numbers on our '05 tent so I could rabbit track it!!

Grace! ss

Sick

The day following the election... I'm sick.

It is not the election results or the President Elect... although they do give me pause to pray!

I'm sick in 24 hrs with a sinus infection! Alas, and now an acute middle ear infection. Yikes!! Am I 2 years old to have that battle!?! My dr. did say I must go on the antibiotic, yuck, and that the ear drops for pain would help!

Alas, I'm thankful my ENT Dr. got me right in. I'm thankful insurance helps w/ all that... yet the Rx itself did run me $40. (Avelox 400 mg for 10 days.)

Humf!

I know my immunity is low. Now what? I'm reading a book with whole host of challenging concepts.... we are surrounded by toxins... and it is just a matter of time til your body is compromised... so the questions is... How to detox? I have Detoxify or Die on ILL and may need to get a copy for me....

I'm not happy with the Rx... it just is a band aid... Jesus knows how we are made!! Seeking Him for direction & answers!

Grace! ss

Maple

The girls are proud as punch!

Maple is cute as can be! She's a 6 week old sheltie.

Daddy says she has an arrow on her face :) See it!?

She snuggles with the girls. This is huge. We so wanted Ladybug to be able to hold our puppy. Once at a pet store she was amazed when a dog there did not bite. That was in our Cocoa season.

She had a great ride home and did not get car sick. Yea! Big bonus!

She was one of the cutest puppies there at Canton. We had to decide between her and her sister. She had the cute face & a full white collar. Our Maple.

She's little and we know 2 neighbor dogs to die with parvo. We are praying her protection and trying be wise. We'll hit the vet this week.

We are mindful that all life is in God's hands. We are so enjoying her.

Did she whine? At 2:50 this morning Lovebug awoke us because Maple was whining. Hubbie watcher her... we knew she'd be lonely.... she went to sleep in the dog house and he'd given her a hot water bottle!... and after a bit of lonely whines she went back to sleep beside our back door.

We are all a bit tired today. We are also spending alot of time outside!!!

Grace! ss

Pumpkin Fudge & Whining

Yummm! Today I found my pumpkin fudge!! Yumm!!

We headed out to Trade Days at Canton. It was crowded. We walked a bit looking and did not buy a thing!!! Well, we did buy a Fudge Brownie Sunday...

Then we headed to "maybe" look for a puppy!?!!! Oh, the girls loved every puppy we saw. One guy even tried to get us to take his 5 month old puppy... I think Hubbie and the girls would have walked away with her, but I could not. Finally we found.... oh, this has to be it's own post.... with pics...

Anyway, we wandered back thru the pavilions and I found my pumpkin fudge!!!

Yumm!! And praying for no whining tonight!! :)
Grace! ss

Titanium dioxide

Maybe it is an age thing. Maybe I should have heard this many years ago!!! Maybe in the 20's it would have be preventative..... Now in the 30's I'm just learning... You can glean from me!!

My dermatologist has sent me to the world of Titanium dioxide. The route has been a bit around the block. My yearly dr. trip rose skin questions and that sent me to my dr. derma.

The issue is spots!! These are not the spots of Dr. Seuss... I've noticed them & my mom's mentioned them & my hubbie doesn't notice them. I've thought them to be sun spots. Not and they are not even. They are something of hormone spots. Alas, I think I'm stuck with spots. I don't think Clorox will help!

Actually I know of a bleach... but at $179 that insurance does not cover... I'm not sold yet... Maybe this is just how God's created me!?!

So now I'm looking for sunscreens with Titanium dioxide.

Today a visit to the Clinque counter introduced me to City Block w/ SPF40 face sunscreen with Td of 6.6% & a Almost Makeup with Td7.6% SPF15.

My makeup by BareEssentials has Td... foundation SPF15 Td16%. This is a powder and that's not "good coverage".

For now I'm researching! Reading labels. Learning.

Grace! ss

Piano Um Snap

Yea!! We started lessons today!!! G'Ma Carol had a opening in her schedule and we filled it!!!

Rhythm: Quarter, Quarter, Half-note... and more :)

As Lovebug worked on her rhythm... halfnote-hmmm... and half-snap... filled that space!!!

Here our mix on learning the keys!!!

• Black Keys: 2 are Mickey & Minnie Mouse, then the 3 are the 3 Little Pigs
• "C" Mickie & Minnie? They live in the "D" house.
• Next Door is an Elf!! "E" & "F"
• Then is the 3 Little Pigs, They are Great! "G" "A"
• Don't get caught behind the Pigs "B"
• That's ABCDEFG!! And she knows middle C!

Maybe you'll think of our piano keyboard and follow our diddy!!

Her first homework was working fingers 2&3 on the keys!! in rhythm. She must remember to curl her fingers & not smash the bubble.

So!? How do you practice?? Or rather how do your children practice the piano??? Is it your agenda or theirs? How long? What have you learned that I'd can glean???

We are trying to practice for 15 minutes 2x a day. Right now it is on my schedule... and I know I want to rotate it to hers!!!

Enjoying the music!! Grace! ss

Gecko-ed

He walked into our world!!! I opend the sunroom door and he scampered in!!! I had no clue what it was!! Hubbie captured him!

With flash light in hand I showed the girls... who said "Look him up mom!!!"

Lovebug: I liked that the gecko ran and jumped. He was small, probably an inch, probably as small as a my little finger. He had dots all over him. His tail had stripes like a zebra.

Ladybug: I liked him. He was cute and colorful. He had stripes. He had a tail that was cute with stripes.

Here he is in Ladybug's hands!! She'll catch & hold anything!!! He was comfortable crawling with the girls and had to be coaxed into the bushes.

He is a Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)!! How cool is that!!!! He actually looked pinkish!!! That's true to character!!! "Translucent pinkish to white, with some darker blotching."

His eyes are really cool... and "The belly is white and somewhat translucent." We could so see inside him!! Here he is on GeckoWeb. It has a better shot of his eyes!!!

Enjoying God's marvelous creation!! Grace! ss

2 More to go...

To all only two more months until Christmas. This is not my typical monthly report. I had completed my report and hit spell check on my laptop and it did an autosave and before I knew it everything was wiped out. It was a really good letter too... I did the spell check at 11:53 so I would have made it if I had not missed it. I will try to recreate it and send it later but I will have to beg another day from you'se... You will understand that little comment once you get the next portion of my report.

I hate computers.... Good night...

Anyone know a good laptop computer repairman?

KjS

Alamo x3

Girls, "tell me about the Alamo.."

Ladybug said, "What happened at the Alamo is that Davy Crockett died. The whole army of the Texans died."

Lovebug told "Col. Travis and all of his soldiers were killed, even Davy Crockett. James Bowie fell sick with pneumonia and he was killed in his bed. Andrea nursed him until he was killed. She was hit by a bullet at her chin and arm. Susanna of the Alamo was a brave woman. She lived when all the men died. Even her husband died."

My challenge was finding the Alamo!!! When we were lost... I followed street signs to the Alamo.... to no avail.

Alamo 1x

Finally, I found Riverwalk mall & the IMAX... and they had a show on the Alamo!!! We watched it with Hubbie our first evening!! You cannot understand the Alamo without the finality that every man died in the battle. We watched that battle... and hid faces with the deaths of the heros. This paved the way for our time at the A. (Returning home we received a caution for the movie & young children... for us it was ok.)

Alamo 2x

Day 2, we walked thru the Hyatt and found the A!!! Yea!!! We entered the Shrine, what I'd call the chapel, and found the scavenger hunt!! Great idea, Aimee!!! We looked in every room for the ring of Col. Travis. We studied every item as we hunted. While there we caught a history retelling. Tired we walked back to the Riverwalk for a girls lunch at Landrys.

Alamo 3x

For our final day we debate just what to do... catch the Louis & Clark IMAX? or return to the A??? Both girls wanted to return to the Alamo for the audio tour!! They were primed and ready to listen!!! Lovebug said "it was pretty cool." We listened to the battle and a retelling of the struggle. The audio directed us the the cenotaph of the Alamo. We'd missed this memorial on our own tour. We also found where a canon hit as the audio directed us where to look.

I know the girls learned the total loss of every man at the Alamo. We've talked about the Battle of San Jacinto... The cry "Remember the Alamo!" Even so, they've not yet been able to see the Alamo in the puzzle of events for Texas' Independence.

Yet, the Alamo will be a lasting memory as in time we build this puzzle of history!!

After a great third day we celebrated good attitudes!! I was thrilled they listened to the full tour!! (I'd wondered if they'd make it to the end!!) I wanted to celebrate with pumpkin fudge... but alas they had none & at 9 for 1/2 pound of anything... it was too steep for me. The girls agreed to share the 4 buck icee...

Today Ladybug called the Riverwalk her favorite vacation!!! (Or maybe that's what in her vivid memory!!)

Thanks Hubbie!! We had a wonderful time!!! We'll go with you anywhere!!!!

Grace! ss

SanA Riverwalk

What joy! We stayed right on the Riverwalk!!! If you've taken the boat tour... we were right at Marriage Island!!! We even got to see a bride's photo session!!!

Oh, how I got LOST!!! I made what could have been a fatal mistake... the girls & I headed above the walk to find our way!!! Oh, no. Now I was really lost... and was so a fish out of water passing many crowded bus stops....

Map in hand... I really thought it made me so obviously lost as many watched us pass by. I called Hubbie to see what he was doing & he said he could meet us for lunch!!! Yea!!


Now to find our hotel.... I headed one direction and had that PANIC feeling that we'd be lost forever.... Oh, LORD, Help!!! Looking at the map again... I did an 180 & in one block we were at the hotel!!! Wow!!! Praise God!!!!

I found the Riverwalk mall at what seemed at an unlikely jaunt of the river!! The mall was so out of sight!! Hubbie had to stop for a pose!!

My Lessons from the Riverwalk!

• Heading to street level when lost is not a wise option.


• The funny guys/gals in green wearing a hat are at corners to help those of us lost!!!


• The Alamo is thru the Hyatt... and if you pass the H there's not much after... turn around!!!



• My girls favorite was feeding the ducks & especially the duckings. Actually, they wanted to catch a duckling!!! Huge thanks for the suggestion to bring bread for them!!!


• I wore a fanny pack after hearing of a camera snatched out of a purse... at Hubbie's convention. I was reminded again to be cautious seeing several police around an elderly woman in a wheel chair... it looked like her load had been lightened!! Horrible!

We had all in all a wonderful time!!! From the river.... next the Alamo!!
Grace! ss

Thankful

I'm thankful for the 800 round miles to SanA & the Alamo & for those miles on a rental!!!

Thankful for our safety in those tight spaces & for Odyssey over the miles.

I'm amazed & thankful we camped with friends last weekend that now is hundreds of miles away!

Non stop washing is going on here & I'm so thankful for my own washer & dryer!!

Homeschooling.... I'm thankful we can hit the road... and learn all on the Alamo & we did it!!

Wow, I'm thankful that Hubbie brought us with him... over hill & dale... he toiled while we played... and he hit the river walk afterwards...

I thank God! He's brought us round & home again!! Grace!!! ss

My Camping Check List

My Camping Check List- This is my start on a master list!!! What would you add??? ss

Last Time I Forgot:
Rake
Dustpan
Table Umbrella
Doormat

Attic:
Tent (Big/3l) &Tarp
Screen Tent
Fans
Heater
All Sleep bags
Blankets

Cooking
Double Burner
Single Burner
Propane
Kettle
Hot Pads

Garage:
**Carpets 3x
Doormat 2x

Bucket
Ant Killer
Round-Up
Fly Swatter

Maddox
Shovel
Rake
Broom
Dustpan
Picnic Table
Umbrella

Fishing Poles
Tackle Box
??Worms

**Firewood

Uno
Bug cages
Mag glass
Chalk
Bubbles
Water guns
Sour Spray

Household:
Bedding
Sleeping bags-4
Sheets
Girls Blankets
Pillows
Towels

Flashlights
Lantern -2
Propane
Xtra Batteries

Hoodies
Sweatshirts

Swimsuits
Sunscreen

Meds:
Med Kit
Tylenol
Antacid
Itch
Poison Ivy
Chigger
Kleenex

Somores
Marshmallows
Graham
Chocolate

Kitchen:
Plates
Napkins
Paper towels
Plastic ware
Foil

Hot Tea
Cider
Mugs
Water
Cooler

Breakfast
Skillet
Hot pads
Spatula
Cracked Eggs
Bacon
Tortillas
Sausage mix
Fz OJ & Juice Jug

Hotdogs
Extend Forks
Buns
Chile
Mustard
Ketchup
Relish
Chips
Cookies
Drinks

Bread
PBJ
Cream Cheese

Snip!

Hey just wanted to let you know that I am excited about you going to get your hair cut. I think you will like a change.
123... 123... 123... 123...
KjS

Before














After! Thrilled!! I do like it!!!


It has taken forever to make that appointment... alas with the girls in toe. They made a fatal attempt at playing battle... and finally quieted reading books.... We survived!

Thanks to Lovebug my photographer!

Grace! ss

Sharp or Flat

I really have no clue!!!

To a friend's amazement... I can listen to her trio... and never hear if they are off!! Some would call this a blessing!!!

I've always thought I don't have an ear for music. Recently, I've heard you must be trained to hear the right sound!!!

So there!! I've never been taught!!! Well we are heading into new grounds....

After G'ma Carol tickled the ivory... we nearly lost this piano... it sounded too good to the sellers and they had second thoughts... nearly a week later they decided for it to go our way so our little girls could learn. Yea!

We are thrilled!!! Wow a piano!! It is a Jansen with a cool light for the music!! I've always admired those who could play!!! HUGE thanks to Mom & Dad!!! (Do leave a comment, Mum!!)


Now I'll pray my girls learn to tickle the ivory! G'ma Carol is eager to teach!!!

Now, how do you move a piano???? Oh!! Any volunteers???? Grace!! ss

Many Garage Sales

Two weekends in a row!!! We've hit many garage sales!! The girls are definitely learning to bargain :)

Here's our loot!!

3 Man Ten - $8 (Already broken in by the girls & neighbors!)
Yogurt Maker & extra cups & lids $5 (to replace those we've melted!!) Yea!
Battle .50 (I beat Hubbie)
Countdown $1 (Cool math game!! Replace dice for .98)
Red Silicone Pot Holder $1 (now I have two~)
Canvas Bag for camping $1
Car Soft sided top Cargo $10 (Camping supplies)
Hanging Clothes Bag $3 (Borrow no more)
Block & Tackle Pulleys $1

Lovebug:
Trouble $1 (Missing one green peg?!?)
Heart Tin .25
Candle & Bear & Basket $1
Paint Brushes .25 for chalking
(She offered .25 for another stethoscope but it was not worth a dollar to her!!)

Ladybug:
Stethoscope $1 (The real thing!~~)
Moose Massage Roller .25 (By the bed for a night back rub.)
Hoola Hoop .25 (That's gone everywhere with us!)
Paint Brushes .25 for more chalking

Hubbie even took the girls solo!!! He's great!!!

Grace!! ss

Oh!! My Back..

Yikes!! My back hurts....

I've visited my chiro.... snap crackle & pop, Thanks Dr. T.... but it is not helping... and surgery is not the answer either....

I don't have an injury, thankfully! Even so I have this lingering lower back pain... often as I stand... sometimes just waking up... Oh.. that was a clue...

Just this summer we celebrated 15 years... I love being married!!!
Alas.... my bed too has aged... 15 years. I think it to be the cause of my aching back.

Oh!!! This fix comes at a price!! Allergy resistant... side sleepers... foam....
Now I'm researching... awe... CR has a review... hummmm a research expense....

Praying for God to guide!! All our pennies are His!!!
Grace! ss