Exercising My Brain

This brain of mine is in need of some exercising!



With all this humidity that we've been experiencing the last week or so, the barometric pressure has affected me in such a manner that it literally hurts my head to even THINK! The pressure is so intense, the pain is moving to my face and even my jawline. Sometimes it seems that even blinking my eyes causes me distress! The pain in behind my eyes can get so intense (Matt, how do you spell 'intense'? [wink, wink]) that I have to lay down with complete silence surrounding me.



My late mother-in-law, who studied nursing, told me a story of how years ago doctors would have bricks put around a person laying in bed who was suffering from arthritis, to keep them from moving. They thought that keeping the patient still was the best therapy. However, as time went on, researchers found that the opposite was the most therapeutic..... they needed to get moving, be active, and not be stationary.



So I figure since my head hurts, I need to do some brain exercises. Maybe that will help my brain from seizing up and experiencing brain freeze.... although I don't think anything could freeze in this humidity!!!!







Last December I started reading a blog, Angie Smith's Bring The Rain, and she challenged her readers to join her in memorizing Scripture. They set out to memorize all 24 verses of Psalm 139 within about two weeks. I thought I would give it a try with them and I did pretty well at the beginning..... lost a bit of steam.... regained some momentum..... and now I kind of know most of it, but could improve immensely. Twenty-four verses is a LOT, but I looked back to when I was just a wee one and I remember Mrs. Wilson teaching me in Sunday School and we were instructed to memorize Psalm 23. If I could memorize a whole six verses when I was ten or twelve years old, then I'm sure twenty-four shouldn't be a problem now, right?



I recently came across Psalm 121 and decided that would make for some good memorizing, and I've decided that's my next Scripture to memorize.



And what I'm wondering is...... how many of you brave souls out there want to join me? It's good to do it with someone else because you can encourage one another (or try to get a verse ahead of them! Ooooo..... it's OK to be competitive when memorizing Scripture, isn't it? haha).



So, what say you, gang? Wanna give it a whirl? We can break it down like Angie did....
Day One - Verse 1
Day Two - Verse 2
Day Three - Review Verses 1 & 2
Day Four - Verse 3
Day Five - Verse 4
Day Six - Review Verses 1 -4
Day Seven - Verse 5.............
and so on.
Every three days is a review.



I'm gonna start soon, so anyone who wants to learn along with me, let me know. I have heard so many sermons lately about getting into the Bible, reading God's Word, memorizing Scripture, quoting Scripture through the hard times, etc. that I realized I HAVE to do this. I have quoted portions of Psalm 139 as situations arise and am thankful that I can refer back to it, even though it's not 100% memorized yet. I have always appreciated people who could pull Scripture from the filing cabinets in their brains.... even giving the reference as well! That's amazing. I want to be able to do that.



Don't use the excuse that you're not good at memorizing. I used to say that too. Of course the Lord wants His Word in our hearts, so through the Holy Spirit we will be able to do it. The older I am getting, the more I am realizing this is so important. Wish someone had kicked my butt into doing this a long time ago, just like when I was a kid.



Thank you, Mrs. Wilson, for kicking my butt when I was little. Why have you stopped? hahahaha



So, Psalm 121. Below are both the New International Version and the King James Version; however, if you choose to join me, you can use any version you like. I haven't decided yet which one I'll memorize, I like both NIV and KJV.



Psalm 121 (New International Version)
A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you — the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.



Psalm 121 (King James Version)
1I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

And maybe you are currently memorizing something else. If so, let me know.... maybe I'll memorize your choices along with you!

We don't know what tomorrow holds, and someday we might have our Bibles taken from us....... then what will we do?



Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.(Psalm 119:11 KJV)



Have you hid it in your heart? Well then, let's get crackin', shall we?

Revelation Song - For Danielle - Happy Birthday

My little baby sister turns 33 on July 27th. Where on earth has the time gone?



Somewhere along the line, she grew up, got married, had two children.... but she's still, and always will be, my little baby sister.



Dani, this song is for you.



I know it's your current favourite and is becoming quite popular, despite the fact that our Christian-radio-friend Kevin says he doesn't know the song..... maybe once he hears this, he will clue in and say, "Ahhh, yesss, of course!" (What a silly little man he can be, eh? [wink, wink, Kev])

(Kevin: The version below is sung by Kari Jobe; however, Philips Craig & Dean sing it as well, and I believe that is who sings it on UCB)




This video has clips from different movies, and I'll warn you that you might want to have the tissues handy. I'll post the lyrics below the video, but please be sure to watch the video..... it's truly amazing.



Holy are You, Lord.



And Happy Birthday, Banner. XO





Revelation Song

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy is He
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven's Mercy Seat [2x]

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing: Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything, and I will adore You!

Clothed in rainbows of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
To You the Only Wise King

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing: Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything, and I will adore You!

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus, Your Name is Power, Breath, and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing: Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything, and I will adore You!


Amen!

Why Is It That......?

Why is it that......

......my circumstances are not any different today than they were yesterday, yet today those circumstances just seem overwhelming for me? My stomach wasn't in knots yesterday, but today it is. Life is the same today as it was yesterday, so why am I bothered by "things" today and not yesterday? How come?



Why is it that......

......some days I can just simply pick things up after my husband has left them lying around and I don't chaw about it, yet other days I find these same things lying anywhere-and-everywhere they don't belong, like clothing (specifically underwear and socks!), newspapers and flyers, calculators, popcorn bags, bottle caps...... [sigh], and I end up "chewin' nails and spittin' rust"? How come?



Why is it that......

......one day my kids can make a comment to me that someone else might consider a little "smart-mouthed", however I know they're just teasing me and having fun ('cause I'm a good one to dish it out!), yet another day they do the same thing and I might tear a strip off them for "back-talkin' their Momma!"? And now they're frustrated and confused because they don't know what they've done wrong? How come?



Why is it that......

......I can be sooooo appreciative of the life I have, most specifically the health of my family, yet another day I complain and chew that "life's not better"? How come?




Why is it that......

......some moments I can feel so close to God and know He is with me and has my life all planned out already and all I have to do is listen to Him and let Him lead, yet in the next moment I am fearful of the future, worried about my kids, perturbed with my husband, frustrated that I'm not a better wife, feel guilty that I haven't even picked up my Bible that day? How come?






Well, I was contemplating all this earlier today, and the first thought I had was that God supplies His grace to me.

So my next thought was, "Well, does one day have more grace than another? Why can I handle things and get through one day, yet struggle the next?"


I figured that the Lord wouldn't be sitting there thinking, "Well, I'm not giving Michelle as much grace today as I did yesterday because she used up her quota." I'm smart enough to know that God doesn't operate like that! But a song did immediately pop into my head, and the lyrics of the song (which I amazingly have had memorized since I was a y'ung thang) helped me to understand His "dishing out" of grace.

Here's the words to the song He Giveth More Grace (and I'm typing from memory, just so you know! I'm not gonna cheat and Google the words!)

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase
To added affliction He addeth His mercy
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance
When our strength has failed 'ere the day is half done
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
The Father's full giving is only begun.

CHORUS
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure
His power has no boundary known unto men
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.




So, there is no measure to His grace, it is unlimited. There's no measure to it; however, we get more grace when we need more grace.

Grace is God's unmerited favour to me. I don't deserve His favour. I did nothing to receive it, and most definitely don't deserve it. Yet He loves me, despite how I feel and despite how I'm acting towards anyone. The first line of the song says, "He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater." Some days we need more grace, but Hallelujah, it has no limit! There's no measure to it!

He loves me despite my fault-finding with my husband's inability to find the dirty laundry basket; He loves me despite my nit-picking at my kids; He loves me despite my worrying about too much month and not enough money.

HOWEVER, that being said typed, He doesn't want me to stay in my attitude of fault-finding and nit-picking and worrying and every other bad habit I have accummulated over my 42 years. He gives me grace despite those things; but I have to be aware of them and consciously make a choice to change (for a healthier me and a happier family! haha)




Why is it that......

......just typing out this post has made me feel better already? How come?


Because I have a great family and great friends and most definitely a great God.




Why is it that......

......God chose me? Why'd He pick me up from the miry clay and set my feet upon the rock? How come?


Because He loves me. And He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
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Selah's "Unredeemed"

Wanna listen to a great song?

Well, of course it's by Selah!

Follow along to the lyrics posted below the video. This was recorded LIVE during an interview of Selah on K-LOVE radio. Todd, the male vocal in this song, says on Selah's blog that this song "sums up what so many of us are feeling and hoping for. That one day God will wipe every tear, that He will make sense of the pain and tragedy in our lives, and that He will one day redeem what has been unredeemed."

(Hey Justin, are you SURE that Allan (the piano player) isn't your brother? You two look sooooo much alike!)








Unredeemed
(Written by Chad Cates, Tony Wood, Brian Petak)
Produced by Bernie Herms

The cruelest word
The coldest heart
The deepest wound
The endless dark
The lonely ache
The burning tears
The bitter nights
The wasted years
Life breaks and falls apart
But we know these are…

Places
Where grace is
Soon to be so amazing
They may be unfulfilled
They may be unrestored
But when anything that’s shattered
Is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see
It will not be
Unredeemed

For every choice
That led to shame
And all the love
That never came
For every vow
That someone broke
And every life
That gave up hope
We live in the shadow of the fall
But the cross says these are all – just

Places
Where grace is
Soon to be so amazing
They may be unfulfilled
They may be unrestored
But when anything that’s shattered
Is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see
It will not be
Unredeemed

Places
Where grace is
Soon to be so amazing
They may be unfulfilled
They may be unrestored
You never know the miracle
The Father has in store
Just watch and see
It will not be
Unredeemed
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Did I mention I've seen this group LIVE?

(Yah, I know I did..... but I'm gonna mention it again!.... 'cause, you know, it IS my blog......)

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Me and my gang of girlie-friends went to Cobourg a few years ago and watched them perform. That was when Nicol was in the group, but I'd LOOOOOOVE to go hear Amy perform! (Lord, I'll leave this one in Your hands, OK? You can make it happen! Thanking You in advance.... :O) )

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Anyways, I thought this was an amazing message of hope to share with you, especially those of you who are hurting at this time. Hang in there.... "you never know the miracle the Father has in store".

Another Soldier Down

All this talk of battle and wars from this previous blogpost got me to thinking about another song by The Isaacs, Another Soldier Down, from their Eye Of The Storm CD.

The song describes our obligation as Christians to join together and support one another and lift each other up. The lyrics are really quite moving as I picture a Christian in battle, and then another Christian comes alongside him, assisting him, being available for him, lifting him up in prayer.

Here's a video of The Isaacs from a Gaither concert, and I'll put the lyrics below it.




Another Soldier Down
written by Dee Gaskin

We're in a mighty conflict here
The army of the Lord
We must join forces standing tall
And lean upon His word
The enemy is now in view
And bravely circles round
Then comes a cry from the battlefield
Another soldier down

CHORUS
Go then with haste, stand by his side
And lend your strength once more
Oh bear him up with faith and prayer until the battle's o'er
The fight before the victory, the cross before the crown
Be ever watchful ere the cry, another soldier down

We've set our minds on victory, advancing day by day
With God our hope, our strategy, our fortress on the way
And at the end there is a rest, an everlasting crown
All end of fear no more we'll hear, another soldier down


Boy, that song really moves me.

We've Already Won The War

My boys LOVE playing X-Box and X-Box360. They enjoy playing the 'war' games and forming alliances to "get the bad guys".

Yesterday, they got to experience it first hand.

I'm not talkin' bullets, but rather......




Paintball.


In the woods.

Thirteen teenagers and two adults (plus two adults who were designated as photographers) running around with rifles filled with ammunition of yellow paint......

dodging 'bullets', hiding behind tires, crawling into trenches, running from tree to tree, shooting at "the enemy" (or in some cases...their own team members!.... yikes!)

Join me as we take a look at some brave kids (and some brave adults!)





Sorry, Christopher, there's no where to hide in this game, and that includes climbing trees........
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Two teams were formed, and this photo shows the beginning of the first game. Lee, our "man in charge" at Rapidfire Paintball, was most pleasant to deal with and treated all the kids wonderfully. He was the referee for all the games and is shown here in the centre of the photo wearing black and white. Thanks, Lee, for a fun day!

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Recognize this person?

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It's ME!......Michelle!

I am one of the photographers for the day. You will notice I am wearing a BIG BRIGHT RED SHIRT. This shirt speaks for itself. It says to all players: "The person in the big bright red shirt is NOT to be shot at with a rifle under any circumstances! Failure to abide by this law could result in the photographer seriously ripping your head from your body! Please use caution at ALL times!"

The rules were followed by everyone; however, a stray bullet did find it's way to the area where I was standing and I did get splattered with yellow paint.... not much.... just enough paint for me to say, "Rats! What IS IT with THIS SKIRT? A seagull pooped on it last month and NOW it's been sprayed with yellow paint!"

(For those of you that are wondering why I'd wear a skirt to a paintball field..... I was planning on chauffeuring the kids then sitting in the car and working on a bible study by Beth Moore. But when I found out I was allowed to enter the battlefield to take pictures, I thought... why not!)

OK, enough rambling.... on to more photos..........

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Poor Jared.... he got shot. I know he looks fine to you here, but the wounds are shown on the next photo.

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Just like Forrest Gump, poor ol' Jarey got shot in "the but-tocks". He also got shot in the back of the neck... you can see some of the paint on his ball cap.

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Shortly thereafter, Blake wandered off the field...... all I can say is, "Thank You, Lord, that they MUST wear their MASKS!!!!!"

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This is one of the adults, Dave, who was dressed in full camouflage regalia.

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After Lee-The-Referee blew the whistle, signalling the game was finished, the teams headed back to base to load up on ammunition. Pictured here is Jared with our "adopted sons" Christopher and Matthew.

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Back out onto the field for another game. Blake, Chris, & Matt await the famous whistle, signalling "Game On!"

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Lots of "hiding" places to choose from. The problem is getting from one hiding place to another! There were trees, trenches, wooden walls, barrels, combine tires, and little houses you could seek for "safety".

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"Cover me!"

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Duncan surrendering. I think he actually got shot a few times; however, sometimes the paintballs don't break. It's my understanding that the unbroken paintballs hurt worse than the ones that splatter!

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"Uhhh..... 'Scuse me, Duncan.... was that some back-talk you were givin' me? I'LL show you who's boss!"

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Matt and Chris waiting out the enemy. (Good camouflaging, Matthew; I can barely see you up against those tires!)

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Matthew.... think about it. Not a good idea to shoot your chauffeur. It's a loooong walk back home. (Just kidding, folks; I told him to pose like this.)

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Chris got pelted pretty good in this game with some paintballs that didn't break. Took a rest against the tree before heading back to camp.

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Most serious injury of the day was to Blake. The whistle blew to commence battle and he was on the front line for his team. He'd barely had time to think when "BAM!", he got shot in the face by his own team-mate.

He walked towards me to head off the field, and we discovered that he had a nice mixture of yellow paint and red blood running down his face. (That would make orange for you non-artists out there.)

After we cleaned him up, we took this photo of his jawline to show how tough he is! Then he went right back out into battle. What a trooper!

Later that evening, that area was swollen up like a very large grape! This morning I asked him if it hurts and he said, "No, there's no pain, but it looks pretty bad." (It's all scabbed up today and is about the size of a nickel.) I said, "When people ask you what happened, just tell them it's an old war injury. Either that, or tell them that your Momma took you out!!!!!!"

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In this game, one team (dubbed as 'The Terrorists') have kidnapped Nikki from the other team and are holding her hostage. 'The Rescuers' must find Nikki and rescue her without her being shot.

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At the end of the wars, Christopher could not get his camouflage pants unbuttoned. Honestly, these kids are going into high school and they can't even manage to dress and undress themselves yet??? Jared tried to help him, unsuccessfully. Matthew tried to help him, unsuccessfully. Ol' Mom to the rescue! But don't worry.... he had his bluejeans on underneath. Jared decided to make it a Kodak moment, but Momma's too quick for Jared!

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Here's a photo of all the warriors (and the photographers!)Back row (l-r) - Michelle (photographer), Sydney, Blake, Justin, Jared, Shayne, Duncan, Claire, John, Kristen, Angie, Andrew (photographer & lunch-man), Nikki

Front row (l-r) - Dave (warrior & photographer), Matthew, Christopher, Mitchell

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Thanks again to Lee and Rapidfire Paintball for a day of battle. I can't even tell you which teams won which battles; however, I am reminded by the words of a song from one of the The Isaacs albums:

"There's not a battle that I cannot win, We've already won the war; I come in the name of the Lord."

Thank You, Lord, that as Christians You help see us through our daily battles and that someday You will return to fight the last war, and You will reign victorious.

Amen!

Marley & Me - Grab The Tissues

OK, so, have you watched this movie yet? Marley & Me.........
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I've been wanting to rent it for a while now, but I knew I had to be in "just the right mood" to watch it. I'd been told it's enough of a tear-jerker that grown men were getting a little misty-eyed in the theatres.
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Well, I went through eight tissues. Filled them all.
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Although we never had a dog that was quite as rambunctious and destructive as Marley, I certainly had my fair share of pets around home while I was growing up, and we presently are on Canines #5 & #6 in the Found family.
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Just a side note here, did you know that the word rambunctious is NOT in my Oxford Dictionary??? I'm shocked. I knew it was a word, but it was no where to be found. So I looked it up online. And there it was. It IS a word!
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Anyways, back to my point. I have visited the vet on many occasions to have a pet "put down". I always stayed with them as they passed. I couldn't imagine not being there with them, talking to them as they drifted from this life into eternity.... goin' to see Jesus.
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OK, now for those of you who want to debate this fact.... don't bother! I don't want to hear it. I like to think that my pets are in a better place and that I will see them again one day, and if you can't choose to believe that for yourself, well that's all fine and dandy, but don't preach to me how you think that will not be the case. You're not God and you don't know for sure, so with all due respect, BUTTON IT.
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[sigh]
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Now.... where was I?
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Oh yes, at the vet's office. So, the doctors have ALWAYS been so compassionate with me when "the time came", and sometimes I've been so upset, I've almost had the doctors misty-eyed.
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We would bring our dogs back to my parents' property and wrap them in an old blanket (to keep them warm.... just like the guy said in the movie!.... See? I'm NOT weird!) and then we'd bury them in The Pet Cemetery. No way I can count the doggies and the kitties out there. Too many. Maybe the dogs I could recollect, but certainly not the cats. Waaaaay too many.
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Some people just don't understand the bond that folks have with their pets. Even Duke, one of our dogs. I am SURE this creature lost some oxygen during birth. Sometimes he's dumber than a doorknob. But he loves me. Unconditionally. A dog is truly man's best friend. You can yell at him, but if you call him, he's right there back by your side, waiting for that pat on the head or that tummy rub.
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At one point in the movie, the guy lays down on the floor beside Marley in front of the fireplace. That made me think of our dog Shiloh. She was Jon's and my first Golden Retriever. She was amazing and we loved her so much. She became very ill and was later diagnosed with leukemia. I remember one time Jon was on the road in the transport and Blake & Jake were tucked into their beds (Jared wasn't around at that time, but we found out later that I was actually just pregnant with him, and didn't know until after Shiloh died).... ok, back on track..... so Jon was away, kids were in bed, and I just laid down on the kitchen floor beside Shiloh, who was too tired to basically even lift her little head, and I pet her and cuddled her and just cried and cried and cried. (Oh man, the waterworks are here again..... get a grip, Michelle).
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Gosh I miss her.
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Then we were able to adopt a large, VERY large (in fact, overweight) Goldie from Ottawa. His name was Zachery. Zach had a canine friend who was also looking for a home, so Jon said, "Gee, I hate to split them up...." So we came home with TWO dogs. Bear was her name. She was a mixed breed that was mainly Lab. We only had Zach about five years and he died of a heart attack. Bear stuck around for 12 years and we had to put her down as she couldn't walk anymore, had bladder trouble, etc. I used to put a Depends Diaper on her for when she was in the house. I'd cut a hole in the back of the diaper for her tail and she'd wag and wag and wag that tail, I had a hard time catching it to stick through the hole in the diaper. I diapered her for probably half a year, only because she kept wagging that ol' tail and I knew she was happy to still be alive, despite her weaknesses; however, the day came when we knew she couldn't go on any longer. Poor Jarey took it the hardest, I think. Bear had been here since before he was born. The vet even came out to the van to put her down, just to make it easier for her. And that way, we were all able to be with her as she passed.
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Just after Zach had died, we got a new Golden Retriever puppy, hoping Bear would help train this dog and also hoping the new puppy would help Bear get over her grieving for Zach (by the way, dogs DO grieve..... I witnessed it!). This new Retriever was called Ezekiel.... Zeke for short. He was an AMAZINGLY beautiful dog, even the vet commented on his beautiful features and amazing body. When Zeke was six years old, we came home to find him dead on the rec-room floor. We didn't have extra money for an autopsy to be performed, so we just figured his heart gave out. He had been sick earlier that year, but was coming along better. God knew he'd had enough, though.
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So... imagine THIS...... Zeke dies on Saturday afternoon around 1pm-ish. Bear has to be put down the very next day! Approximately 25 hours later! Can you imagine the tears and snot in this house from me and Jon and the three boys??? Oh it was a wicked wicked weekend. So much pain. So, Sunday afternoon, after Bear is buried at the Fraser Pet Cemetery, Jon drives us to Cobourg to pick up a new Golden Retriever puppy...... (that'd be Duke, our present Retriever).
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But alas! While we're there (at this puppy factory...... once we arrived, we realized the conditions were terrible and we felt we needed to save this puppy from it's owners.....), there is another Retriever, Mick, that is about ten months old and the owners are giving him away! (Mick is Duke's half brother and also his uncle.... don't ask!). So Jon goes up to Mick and they create an instant bond. Jon says, "We'll take them both!"
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l-r Mick & Duke
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So in a matter of about 30 hours, we go from two dogs to one dog to no dogs to one dog to two dogs. Four dogs in a 30-hour period. Only here on Found's Funny Farm!
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We've had Mick & Duke for three years now, and although they try my patience, they're not as crazy as Marley. Like children, they're adorable when they're sleeping and I can't resist crawling over to them as they lay on the floor and plant a kiss on their face and then bury my face in their coats. (Except Micky.... lately he's a stinky boy and so he just gets a kiss and pet.... no face burying).
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I treasure our pets and I feel sorry for the man who beats his dog because I think the Lord will have a word or two to say to him someday.
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So as I close, if you have not watched Marley & Me, go and rent it. I know I've given a few details away, but it's still worth watching. And the rest of the movie is also significant in showing the relationship of a couple that grows into a family. I could relate to many things in their lives. You might too.
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So go rent the movie.
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And don't forget the tissues. You're gonna need 'em.

Sometimes, I Just Simply Don't Get It......

You ever have a day where you 'just don't get it?' I'm having one of those moments.

And it's one of those moments that I think to myself, "I wish I was presently locked inside a rubber room". I think that would be very therapeutic for me.

It'd be like...... a vacation.

And I'm imagining that the room would be a nice white rubber room. (Taimi, it likely would be eggshell white.... think that'd be a good shade? Or should I go pearl white? What say you?)

And the padding on the walls would be clean.... really clean. Almost like it'd been sanitized. Maybe with Sanifoam.... lemon scented. (But not for my hair, Taimi; just for the walls.)

And maybe a strait-jacket thrown in there, too. Just so I don't, you know, bite my nails or gnaw off the ends of my fingers, pull out my hair, gouge my eyes out.

And meds.

I'd need meds.

But specifically, what kinds?

Besides Advil or some Tylenol 3's, I've only really had some heavy-duty stuff like Demerol and Morphine when I had kidney stone attacks and kidney surgery.... (Hey, FYI, getting it by I.V. is theeeeeeee beeeeeeest!!!!).

But there MUST be some other meds that they give you when you're in a rubber room. Those meds mentioned above are pain killers, for physical pain. Wouldn't you get some kind of medicine to sedate you? You know, make your mind all "floaty" and "space-like". I simply don't know. I know the Demerol and Morphine made me feel "floaty" and "space-like". Is that what I need? This is my first official public announcement that I need to be "rubber-roomed", so I really don't know WHAT I need.

Is there an L.A. group, like A.A.(Alcoholics Anonymous)? L.A. meaning Loonies Anonymous.

Hi, my name is Michelle, and I'm a Loonie. It has been five weeks since my last melt-down.

I mean, it's quite evident tonight, at least to ME, that I have apparently failed in the parenting department and in the supportive wife department, and even in the "sane human being" department!

Is it really that difficult to get even just a little tiny molecule-sized bit of respect around here? Sing it, girlfriend.




[insert long sigh here....]

You know what?

I feel better already just listening to that song.

But I still think I need a 'vacation' in a rubber room.

I'm sure there MUST be a Scripture reference somewhere in the Topical Index under "Loonie".

But.... the Bible says that we're here for a purpose. And I guess because I'm still alive, I haven't fulfilled that purpose yet. So.... I keep pressin' on??? I guess so.




Yaaaah.... THAT's what I needed.

No rubber room for tonight......

I don't have to "get it".... I just need to press on, whether I feel like it or not.

However, I might just keep that Sanifoam on hand.......

Happy Birthday Jonny & America

Happy Birthday to my hubby, Jonny! Grand ol' #43!





And Happy Birthday to my American family & friends! [Most especially to my girlfriend Tammie in Eugene, Oregon; and also to my brother-in-law, Dane, & sister-in-law, Valerie, and their children Raymond & Katelyn (also Ray's wife Kelly) in Riverside, California!] Happy Holiday, gang!

Today is just a relaxing day for us.... finally!.... and then this afternoon we'll be relaxing at a friend's BBQ. He's having an impromptu band, and Blake will be joining them on his fiddle.

We're hoping the rain holds off, but our friend is prepared with tents to protect the band and instruments as well as the spectators. It's more on the chilly side here today, being comfortable with wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. This has NOT been the case the last couple of weeks, as we've been donning muscle shirts and shorts to keep cool.

This morning I went outside with jeans and a t-shirt to hang up an American Flag by our mailbox, and it was COLD out there! The sun was shining, but Mr. Wind is putting on a good show today. The clouds are heavy, but hopefully will just pass on through.

I know I've been promising posts on Jared's graduation and also some pics of the jobsite I was working at; however, the two double-A batteries are practically dead in my camera and I forgot to buy more. I can't download to the computer with dead batteries. So, please be patient. They're coming. Most of my followers are away at the church family camp anyways, but hopefully I'll be ready for when you return!

OK, off to finish up some laundry, do some light sweeping, and then hopefully relax. Two of the four boys are still sleeping. "Adopted son" Billy came over last night and the boys hooked up a second TV and X-Box game so they could all be on the same team (or something like that.... I really have no idea how that thing works!). They said they were pulling an all-nighter; however, I think they were all in bed by 2:30am. That's a good thing because maybe I won't have to put up with any grumpy boys today! :O) [Update as of July 4th @ 2:23pm: Apparently Blake & Billy didn't get to bed until about 4am! THAT's why they slept in for so long! Crazy kids.]

Enjoy your weekend, folks. And again, Happy Birthday Jonny & America!