tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48815502641544804512024-02-07T18:41:15.650-06:00Eat, Fart and BarkLoving God, blessed to homeschool three boys with my wonderful Army husband of almost 20 years.Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.comBlogger218125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-20685722920447768732013-07-03T12:41:00.001-05:002013-07-03T12:41:06.202-05:00Happy 4th of JulyHi friends,<br />
I would like to wish each and everyone of you and your families a wonderful Independence Day celebration. We won't be doing much around here. Herogian is at boy scout camp, and the other two only want to be with a friend and his family shooting off fireworks. I'm hoping I can get some work out of Hubby and get this yard cleaned up. We had three trees cut down and we are still trying to cut up all the branches for firewood and then clear out the small stuff by binding it up to haul away. The pin oaks weren't small.<br />
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School is finally going well. We are in week 5 of 8. I'm almost done with one final project of two. The research method one shouldn't be too hard, just needs a lot of research time. The one that's almost done is a strength program of 6 weeks of lifting. Right up my alley. <br />
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Work outs have really improved this summer. Having to take Hawk to football practice at 6 a.m. and not getting home until 8:30-9, has given me time to run/walk, and then study in the car. When Gluten is home from camps, we turn around at 9 and head back out for two hours of soccer practice. More study time. :-) <br />
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Another change this summer is smoothies. We are doing protein powder mixed in fresh strawberry + any other berry, or fruit we have around. I've notice a big change in energy levels. Actually feeling full throughout the day and not wanting to snack. This has been a good change for the boys also. We are trying to develop some muscle on those twiggy arms of theirs.<br />
<br />This is the challenge I put out for July. If you like you can follow more of our workouts on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/momsthecoach">www.facebook.com/momsthecoach</a>. or <a href="http://www.momsthecoach.blogspot.com/">www.momsthecoach.blogspot.com</a> . You can find and share the below on Pinterest.com also. <br />
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Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-68517304831549772522013-06-28T12:07:00.003-05:002013-06-28T12:07:52.771-05:00July Workout Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-65616833487597319072013-06-05T17:56:00.003-05:002013-06-05T17:56:49.547-05:00THe Garden is growing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was last week. This week it looks even better. The beans and peas are growing along the side edges, cucumbers are up and the corn is about 5 inches tall now, radishes and two tomato plants finish out this garden. I have been enjoying the fresh spring lettuce (light green color) and spinach leaves in salads. In the far part of the yard I threw out potatoes, they are now growing, the asparagus is done and strawberries, mulberries are ready for picking.
I'm so excited.Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-65167134261816222912013-05-27T20:43:00.002-05:002013-05-27T20:43:24.290-05:00Workouts startedToday, Happy Memorial Day!, the workouts started. Jump over to <a href="http://www.momsthecoach.blogspot.com/">www.Momsthecoach.blogspot.com</a> to check out the workout and exercise explanations. If you know any athletes from middle school to college or beyond that want a different plan to follow for the summer this one will help them touch on the major areas of training for speed, agility, strength and endurance.<br />
You will also see how to make a roller to roll the kinks out.Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-14649443012768613022013-05-21T13:37:00.003-05:002013-05-21T13:37:43.257-05:00Summer workout program week 1Over on <a href="http://www.momsthecoach.blogspot.com/">www.momsthecoach.blogspot.com</a> I pieced week 1's workouts from the summer program. The USM athletes should be starting this next week. If you want to join us for something different, I'd like to hear that you are. Any questions about exercises, please contact me. Many exercises have multiple names. <br />
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Schools almost out. Let's get in shape this summer.Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-6191484620901611092013-05-16T08:23:00.001-05:002013-05-16T08:23:38.839-05:00I need to talk to youAs we waited in Great Clips for haircuts, I was reading in Reader's Digest that the most feared words to hear are, "I need to talk to you." I turned to Gluten and repeated the words.<br />
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"I need to talk to you."<br />
His eyes bugged out and his mouth slowly opened. Then even slower, he turned toward me.<br />
"Yep it works. You just thought about all the bad things you have done that you thought you would be in trouble for, see, it says those are the most feared words." I showed him the article. At that point he finally breathed again.<br />
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"Mom, that wasn't nice."<br />
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I did use it again later.<br />
"Gluten, I need to talk to you." I shouted up the stairway.<br />
"Yeah, right, you're not pulling that again on me."<br />
"What have I asked you to do three times now, and it still isn't done?"<br />
"Oops, I'm coming." He slunk past me down the stairs to pick up his pile of folded clothes from the laundry basket.<br />
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I think I like those words.<br />
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I'm blogging at <a href="http://www.momsthecoach.blogspot.com/">www.Momsthecoach.blogspot.com</a> for workouts and other exercise related items.<br />
Join me for some CORE and glute work today.Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-68854794522096063372013-05-11T23:28:00.001-05:002013-05-11T23:28:37.385-05:00Homeschooling myself and everything elseWe are coming to the end of our homeschooling adventure for the boys. The oldest two have been in public school for a semester. It has been okay. I only wanted to 'have it out' with a couple of teachers for pigheadedness only a couple of times. The boys made the adjustment and are doing well. It actually brought about some good things in the boys, self-responsibility for their assignments, standing up for their grades - find out how to erase an 'F' because you had the flu the day the assignment was done....<br />
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Gluten, is excited about going to high school next year and trying out for the soccer team. Hawk will be trying out for football and Herogian - Cross-Country. It will be good for them to be involved in sports. We are praying that a 250 lb. linebacker doesn't squish Hawk in his first game. Yes, he has finally made it past the 100 lb mark. <br />
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Since the boys won't be homeschooling with me anymore, I'm going to homeschool myself. I'm going back to school for my Masters in Exercise and Sports Science. I'm taking online classes through American Military University. I'll start this June with 'Methods in Research', 'Advanced Methods in Strength and Conditioning', followed by 'Advanced Physiology' and 'Nutrition in Health and Sports' starting in August. I'm so excited.<br />
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The sleeping has improved. Thank you for your prayers. I have natural ingredients to help me sleep in pill form or in a tea. If I don't make it to sleep on my own by midnight, I get up and take something. I'm also getting a head start on the reading for my classes.<br />
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This summer will be busy, but in a way easy (I think) the boys are gone a lot with camps. I'll be able to get a lot of study time in. The mornings will have workouts for the boys at school, and I'm going to do the summer workout program I established for our track athletes to follow. I plan to get one week ahead of them so that I can adjust the program as we progress through the summer. The athletes have a certain level of fitness to reach before they come back to school next fall. No wasting time getting them in shape again. We are moving forward. If you have a middle school to college student that needs to get in general competing shape, give me a shout.<br />
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At Conference the triple jumpers placed 3rd and 4th, Long Jumping was 7th . They earned points for the team. Our 4x4 team won, a 5000m runner won, in the 400m men's we were 1st and 2nd, 3rd in 200 and 800 and 3rd in 10,000. We had other finishes that earned points for the teams - women's 9th in conference and the men 5th in conference. Not bad for our second year. We had 5 girls competing against teams with over 30, for the men we had 12 athletes where others had over 40 competitors. We have a couple of guys going to Nationals in the marathon.<br />
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Only six more broiler chickens to butcher. THis is one activity that I plan not to do again. At least not on the scale of 20 birds. I have wrung necks, chopped heads off, and used a killing cone. I now prefer the chopping block for fast action and easier to hold the birds down so they don't break a wing. Each day it is harder to do this job, but if I don't they will have a heart attack and die. I'd rather that not happen to the birds. <br />
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Have a great week. Happy Birthday to Gluten. Our youngest turns 14 Sunday. Happy Mother's Day.<br />
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Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-37628193753376463812013-04-23T14:31:00.002-05:002013-04-23T14:31:54.643-05:00Drum Magazine and InsomniaLast week I ran out of the synthetic sleep aid that I have been trying to ween off. I didn't expect to run out of them at that time. I'm still confused about being out of them, for I told myself all month at I'd cut the last five in half. Who knows what I decided when I got to those last five and was placing them in the day to day pill container. I don't know!<br />
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Thursday and Friday were two nights without anything , I was starting to feel murderous. You might say I took it out on the chickens. I have 22 to clean and freeze and Saturday I did five. Then I worked on cutting up the branches the tree guy cut off 3 large pin oaks. Eventually the three trees will be firewood, but he is dropping them a little at a time so we can cut them all up ourselves. Bigger job than expected. Saturday night I was searching the house, still under the impression that there should be five little pills hiding from me somewhere. I did find a sleep aid in my travel kit, so I used it to help me survive. Sunday night, same thing looking all over the house for something, spending time out in the living room, frustration level at the rooftop. Monday, the doctor received a call of help, and so did the pharmacist. I needed those two people to connect for a new script to be filled.<br />
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At lunch time, I'm on the couch resading when Gluten bee bops into the room asking," Can I order the gun magazine?"<br />
"What?"<br />
"Can I order the gun magazine, now?"<br />
What, gun magazine?" I'm holding open a book and can't picture Gluten reading a magazine.<br />
"You know the one I've been wanting to order for my gun." He goes into 1920's gangster stance, punches in the magazine and fires his imaginary air rifle.<br />
I'm so tired that I get tickled as reality hits. Then I start laughing.<br />
"What type of gun magazine did you think I wanted?" he asks.<br />
I play imaginary drums and hit the cymbal before opening up an air magazine to read.<br />
"OH yuck, why would I want that?" "Quit laughing!"<br />
It is too late. I 've lost it. I can't stop. <br />
At least laughing is good for a six pack ab. Right?<br />
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As to the insomnia, I tried some sleepy time Peppermint tea, I hate most teas, but this was drinkable, then I tried an over the counter melatonin, L-triptophan, something or another sleep aid. Commander tried these too. I'd like to use these one night and then the synthetic the next until I can get off it completely. Commander was sleeping soundly, but by 1:30 I was taking the synthetic, anything to get over that edge to fall asleep. <br />
Commander did say he'd help me tonight. Just let him know when I reach the edge and he'll push me on over - right out of bed onto the floor. Thanks Honey. YAWNNNNN.<br />
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Next step is to work on vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Magnesium is suppose to be good for sleep. <br />
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Hope you have a good night's rest.<br />
Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-84668896111618070262013-03-23T20:44:00.000-05:002013-03-23T20:44:04.761-05:00Spring Break with snowToday it started snowing - March 23rd. We are expecting anywhere from 8-10 inches of snow.<br />
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Commander took 2 boys with him this morning. First stop soccer game, second stop TKD testing, and then third stop - not scheduled. He stopped at a local farm supply store. When they came home, the two boys came in saying, "They were free! They were free!" <br />
The story told was that a photographer would get a couple of baby chicks and ducks to use for pictures and then return them to the store when done. The store didn't want them anymore, since they are done selling birds. Commander, or Herogian mentioned that we have birds. The man handed them the box and said, "They are free!"<br />
They came home with 3 chicks. <br />
Our garage is overran by birds. 35 to be exact.<br />
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While the boys were out today, I had garden duty. Twenty 40# bags of dirt, put in 9 post to hold fencing around the raised garden. As I was finishing with the last screw, Hawk yelled for me to look up. It was snowing. The fencing still needed to go around it and the gate area blocked off to keep the dogs out of the new dirt. Got it done along with spreading grass seed across the front yard and part of the back. A neighbor told me this is a good time to put down seed. The snow will cover it, protecting it from the birds, water it and give it time to root as it melts off. HMMM. I looked a bit daff pushing the spreader around the yard with large snowflakes falling. As I finished, I noticed that another neighbor was also spreading grass seed. <br />
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Commander and I are logging miles for moon joggers. <a href="http://www.moonjoggers.com/">www.moonjoggers.com</a> the goal is to run to the moon and back this year as a group. I think the group has 147,000+ miles already. We have 425 of it. Woohoo. This has been a good incentive to keep moving. I'm also keeping track of our milage separately. The competitor in each of us, doesn't want to be outdone - by too much.<br />
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The sleeping improved last night. I woke up. Therefore, I was asleep.Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-20253680299888025362013-03-21T12:00:00.000-05:002013-03-21T12:00:09.725-05:00breaking an addictionPart 1 - I've decided to get off a sleep aid to hopefully reduce panic attacks and anxiety caused by long term use.<br />
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It will just take the edge off, let you cross that bridge into sleep. It's not habit forming or anything, great new drug. Wanna make a bet? <br />
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In 2005 when I started anti hormonal therapy after breast cancer treatments, two of the meds I was taking caused Insomnia. So the solution was to take an anxiety drug at low dosage just at night to help me fall asleep, its suppose to be out of the system in six hours, so that's a good start on a good night's rest. Eight years later, it's time to get off the med. <br />
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I recall the first signs of a panic attack back in 2008 driving the three boys home from Oklahoma. The palpating heart, the drop of blood from the noggin, the fuzzy -'I could pass out feeling'. Thought it was blood sugar dropping. Pulled over, popped food in my mouth, concentrated on getting the boys back into the van and home we went. The only problem was that these episodes started increasing. <br />
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In the last two years, the fuzzy brain has showed up with just driving into town, or coming home from practice. Again, I thought is was blood sugar issues. I'd pull off into a neighborhood, sit for a while and suck on candy or drink my son's mountain dew; to his chagrine. Then it happened at a red light. I was waiting to turn left at a large intersection and was in the turn lane. I almost backed up and pulled over. I was only 4 miles from home. I thought I was going nuts. I started squeezing butt cheeks together, then the stomach to push blood upward. I tapped out rhythm on my thigh, steering wheel, tried to sing with the radio when i felt like jumping out of the sub (suburban) and screaming. I knew it was time to see a doctor. All through this time, I'm still taking this anxiety pill at night to sleep.<br />
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I was sent to Providence Hospital for a tilt table test. Lie down on their nice table, let them strap you on, and stay there for ten minutes; piece of cake. Then they stood the table up. One of the straps is strategically placed over the knee caps, you can't bend. Passed out in twelve minutes. Vaso Vago Syncope, blood pressure drops and you pass out. Drink gatorade and more water to keep your fluids up. Okay. Sweet and easy cure.<br />
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I keep a 32 ounce bottle of water or mixed gatorade with me at all times. I don't buy it at the store premade, I mix my own so I can tone down on the amount - don't need to drink calories and sugar all day. yet the anxiety has now surfaced. I feel it coming on at red lights, driving faster speeds on the hwy, afternoons rushing from one practice to the next. It's a game now, eat a protein bar to make it through practice, drink gatorade through practice to make it to the next scheduled event, eat there to make it home, take the back roads, and "Thank you, Lord, for boys needing driver's ed hours."<br />
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So how is all this related to an axiety pill I want to drop? Wikipedia clearified it for me. Long term effects of benzodiazepines (family of drugs) 'It was found that, after several years of chronic benzodiazepine use, a large portion of patients developed various mental and physical health problems including agoraphobia, irritable bowel syndrome, parasthesiae, INCREASED ANXIETY, and PANIC ATTACKS, which were<strong><u> not preexisting</u></strong>. The article also stated that withdrawal from these products 'can lead to a<strong><u> reduction</u></strong> in anxiety symptoms....' This is what I'm praying for.<br />
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Last night was the first night on 1/2 the dose. 0.5mg. I think I talked myself into keeping my eyes closed most of the night. Don't look at the clock, don't look at the clock.I felt like Smeegle and Gollum.<br />
Sleep behavior training suggest not taking naps during the day to improve sleep at night. I might have to go outside and stand in the snow to keep awake. Yes, it is snowing again in Kansas.<br />
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So Day 1. I'm tired. I'm thankful that it is THursday, our easiest day. I'm thankful that this is the day that the Lord has made and He is in charge of it.<br />
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Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-91414734509466686352013-03-17T21:06:00.000-05:002013-03-17T21:06:11.812-05:00When we are weak, God is strongThis past Saturday the USM track team traveled to Emporia for the first outdoor meet of the season. Our javelin thrower was having a rough couple of days - physically. He said he felt like he was dealing with food poisoning - upset stomach, headache, chills, no fever that he could tell. He never complained about having to go to the meet while feeling bad, he was just ready to get some marks and throw as best he could. <br />
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At the meet, he had to wait until around 4 in the afternoon before it was time for his heat of six men to throw. I told him to take it easy, get one good throw in and if he felt worse and didn't want to try the other three attempts, I'd deal with our head coach. I let him keep his outer layer of warm up shorts and long sleeve on, which would have been an issue with the head coach. I felt concerned for Michael, just like a mom for her son. It is no fun competing when you are sick. Little things like keeping a shirt on can help.<br />
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He ran back his approach and we put a shoe down to mark a suggested starting area. We didn't measure his long approach. He didn't know if he could throw from a long approach or would just use a short one. He warmed up with a couple of throws and then asked for last years PR distance. We remembered his farthest throw from last year being around 128'. I told him I'd pray for him.<br />
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THe first guy threw and his javelin landed close to a line on the field, it ended up being about 130'. I kept my eyes on the line for when Michael threw. His went past the line. First throw 132'. He didn't believe me, so I showed him the converter on my phone. I prayed for another meter. Knowing Michael was feeling week, I asked for God to show Michael His strength through him. Second throw 135'. That's a meter. Michael was shocked. Pray throw, Pray throw. Michael's third was 138' and his 4th throw 140' 4". How's that for a record breaking day? 12 feet!<br />
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I was also doing a lot of praying at the sand pit that day. Three jumpers long jumping and then triple jumping. Maria matched her PR in the Long Jump, and then went a foot farther in the Triple then she was indoors - we still need another foot to match her PR and qualify for nationals. Trevor jumped over 20 feet in the long jump, but just short of his PR. Our third jumper - we are praying for the approach and the board to match up during competition as well as it does in warmups. <br />
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Praying for good weather in Parkville, Tuesday 19th and then again Saturday at Baker Univ.Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-34690620089592263242013-02-25T21:49:00.001-06:002013-02-25T21:49:51.713-06:00Snow snow snow and moreWe are getting our second dump of snow in as many weeks. The boys are loving it. The older two get official snow days out of school and Gluten, well, yeah, he gets off too. I'm loving it. They don't wake up until noon, the dogs sleep, too, after breakfast. I get to do a few chores before sitting down to edit 'the book' - the one I've been writing on for the last umpteen years. It is coming together really well right now. <br />
I've been reading a lot of Angela Hunt books - great author - she writes many of her books in present tense. The more you read present tense, the easier it is to write it. Last week I picked up a book from a different author and immediately wanted to edit the past tense to present. That is an interesting concept for me. 'Sit and set' have also been clicking into the right spots ( I think), just have a few reduntant words like 'turns' and 'stands' that the thesarus and I'll have to work out.<br />
I'm enjoying the snow and the writing sessions.<br />
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Herogian and Gluten joined me this evening for a snow ball throwing contest. If you landed the snowball onto the clean top part of the roof, the snowball rolls down into the snow and builds before it drops off. The only problem that developed was the foot slipping out from under you when putting that much force into a light weight object. Mine split like a meteor shower and splattered the side of house, along with Hawk's bedroom window (he just happened to be napping) as I landed on my rearend. Gluten gave one a toss right over the house, then his next one sent his feet out from under him and he hit the raised garden bed edging with the back of his skull. That ended our game as we walked him into the house with a snowball held to the back of his head.<br />
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During the first snow, Herogian built a snow cave. Of course, he wanted to sleep in it. Commander and I both said,"No." We have heard to many tales of things like snow or sand collapsing on unsuspecting victims. I'm glad he listened to us, for it collasped at some point. The snow balls he placed beside it, just for that opportune time to hit his brothers, backfired. They found them and used them against him the next day - after the snowballs had frozen solid during the night. And they say paintball and air soft can be painful. Snowball fights just joined that catagory.<br />
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Have a great weekend.<br />
Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-17765816030166280002013-02-18T19:58:00.002-06:002013-02-18T19:58:37.046-06:00Still here and still kickingTHis year is really moving. When a blogging friend has to ask if I'm still here, that tells me I haven't been around EF&B lately.<br />
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This is what's been going on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77KkRJyB_3j2k3bp3pC88uzEfWFoYmmMD3NpDgoMhJE6QtWavOa24kJgtj46CH0E3kLn6y_zXA-jR5yCfK7nA3d_r7uPn1zgwluKznkB52SEsOea_A7NvFlZbPj6Ug_WB15RZ0E-zcik/s1600/IMG_0421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77KkRJyB_3j2k3bp3pC88uzEfWFoYmmMD3NpDgoMhJE6QtWavOa24kJgtj46CH0E3kLn6y_zXA-jR5yCfK7nA3d_r7uPn1zgwluKznkB52SEsOea_A7NvFlZbPj6Ug_WB15RZ0E-zcik/s320/IMG_0421.jpg" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
THis is the old colors in the living room. And below is the new coloring for the living room and hallway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYzScW4i1cwtYxGfyBMtgwIMK_e6EsozRq2OJGecnsu9lhdNMEWxGZaq0Gkl4rOlS-PkcZp2S1ofaA4B_9zuvG42AmPlLRECe1jSH0evEFz4VBiEJXHRdKI67lGORWnfJ4w4Jk9CzoEs/s1600/Ipod++Feb+2013+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYzScW4i1cwtYxGfyBMtgwIMK_e6EsozRq2OJGecnsu9lhdNMEWxGZaq0Gkl4rOlS-PkcZp2S1ofaA4B_9zuvG42AmPlLRECe1jSH0evEFz4VBiEJXHRdKI67lGORWnfJ4w4Jk9CzoEs/s320/Ipod++Feb+2013+069.jpg" uea="true" width="240" /></a></div>
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THis chocolate color is replacing the burnt pumkin color accent wall. Which now extends to the ceiling with thequilt "Arizona" hanging from the ceiling's edge. That was scary, climbing up to the ledge with a five step ladder - the one that says don't step on the top step. Well, I had to, to get my bum high enough to sit on the ledge before pulling my feet up there to stand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj311E0MN5CQvToTF9pdSE425JgSH5eU2pI0qpql4BPSMu5bT33XoADtxF9sunDwkBUqZHINmMcY7W1b3qAF2mLLVVDGIETNz89aYZCbnECA5-R2LERPZiF8V7_29U3ntjTlLxDDXZIqUU/s1600/Ipod++Feb+2013+075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj311E0MN5CQvToTF9pdSE425JgSH5eU2pI0qpql4BPSMu5bT33XoADtxF9sunDwkBUqZHINmMcY7W1b3qAF2mLLVVDGIETNz89aYZCbnECA5-R2LERPZiF8V7_29U3ntjTlLxDDXZIqUU/s320/Ipod++Feb+2013+075.jpg" uea="true" width="240" /></a>The kitchen</div>
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was also painted flower pot red with a back splash wall added. THe picture doesn't do it justice.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGF45tuQDCaqgIanPGSsqFVhsGo1lLmYm4RO93MMnVDQZss37S6lW5o8EBGrnUuKPQUawvVYtUvmH5Z2cPEZj29xs9jhy2y2shUzr_QaiCk1_ClhOG5xtHf5es-xoU2T8hOV_RkHewYQA/s1600/Ipod++Feb+2013+070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGF45tuQDCaqgIanPGSsqFVhsGo1lLmYm4RO93MMnVDQZss37S6lW5o8EBGrnUuKPQUawvVYtUvmH5Z2cPEZj29xs9jhy2y2shUzr_QaiCk1_ClhOG5xtHf5es-xoU2T8hOV_RkHewYQA/s320/Ipod++Feb+2013+070.jpg" uea="true" width="240" /></a></div>
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This project was done by our friends at INTEXT.</div>
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THen we moved into Valentine's Day. THis is how my honey said, "I love you." A new Monstroncity of a treadmill that is quiet, speedy and will make me feel like I'm climbing Mt. Everest. A Nordic Track that almost does it all for you. It arrived this morning while I was working on his gift.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYN1JvaxDm1tdBeczald_fdBeE09iLWKY8l5VtCOX327DHzVgNpu-BQ7Fh0kJcfvcZun19lg7U1QI06ppUi7wSQyHF1GUVE2CzyWWu9aqR52UZojB0sg__SUgI6kEp63R4TP0y6uoNnA/s1600/treadmill+face.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYN1JvaxDm1tdBeczald_fdBeE09iLWKY8l5VtCOX327DHzVgNpu-BQ7Fh0kJcfvcZun19lg7U1QI06ppUi7wSQyHF1GUVE2CzyWWu9aqR52UZojB0sg__SUgI6kEp63R4TP0y6uoNnA/s320/treadmill+face.JPG" uea="true" width="240" /></a></div>
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For the Commander, I'm building him a raised garden. It is in the shape of a '<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">C'. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It will be framed with a three foot high fence on the front and sides, a gate at the center opening and the back row will be fenced five to six feet high with chicken wire for the beans, peas and other viney plants.The back is 18 feet in length, sides 10 feet. My sweetie asked today if I could build another one to match. Music to my ears.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTLavfCu8crzXN8DjsSblHEwqtn1nvf_QeO672qHuS1UrFbkOI1Bhj94UUtW-EB7N5psmO7WpxCppXWauDohI37KM47HuFzbVcROfQDQnV1jsD5Q_FYlCNITAtMvxy18lBuSBUsrQves/s1600/raised+garden+lower+half.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTLavfCu8crzXN8DjsSblHEwqtn1nvf_QeO672qHuS1UrFbkOI1Bhj94UUtW-EB7N5psmO7WpxCppXWauDohI37KM47HuFzbVcROfQDQnV1jsD5Q_FYlCNITAtMvxy18lBuSBUsrQves/s320/raised+garden+lower+half.jpg" uea="true" width="240" /></a></div>
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Today we hauled compost from the store, dirt from the lower pile in our back yard per wheelbarrow up the hill. My arms and shoulders are talking tonight. Finishing the fence and gate will probably have to wait until this week's storm passes before I can posthole dig. </div>
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Along with the home projects, the two older boys are in public school and doing well, now. At least the urge to strangle someone (teacher, coach) has subsided.</div>
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The USM track team is done with indoors except for two going to nationals. Not my jumpers - poo. So we are working hard to get ready for outdoor track which starts Mid-March.</div>
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Gluten is done with futsal and practicing for spring soccer, Hubby is about to transition out of the army for good, come March. </div>
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I'm still homeschooling Gluten and babysitting a four year old bundle of happiness. AND I'm back to editing the book - which has become my favorite part of the day along with looking forward to treadmill time - I say that as I sit here eating Brach's conversation hearts.</div>
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So Michelle, I hope that catches you up. I've got to get over to yours, Julies, OkGranny and the others tonight.</div>
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Have a great week.</div>
Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-57084903081027025462013-01-02T21:20:00.000-06:002013-01-02T21:20:14.586-06:00To the MoonMoonjoggers.blogspot.com is hosting a run to the moon. Since it is 238,000 miles (about) to the moon, they needed 500 plus runners to try and log 1000 or 2013 miles during the year 2013. Commander and I signed on as a team - Picklesnorts. We signed up for 1000 miles - splitting it between us and hopefully getting some help from the boys. So far we are on track for the 2013 miles for the year. Alright, I know, I know, this is January 2nd. So we haven't gone too far, but we started when Beiijing celebrated 2013 New Years, so that gave us an extra day. We had the chance to workout together on the 31st, so I counting it. We will just have to be done by the 31st of next December. We are at 37 miles.<br />
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We used mapmyrun to check the distance in our neighborhood and found that we can do a there and back route equal to 2.24 miles. This can be stretched to about 3 miles if we add in 3 more cul-de-sacs. We stopped after each lap to add another layer. By the last two laps we were doing them consecitively in sections. As the afternoon wore on the road was freezing up underneath us. The last 2 trudges up the hill to the church and back home had us shuffle stepping to keep our footing. <br />
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The next night was in our new workout room/old laundry room/ past bedroom/ retired office. We put the old vhs tv up on a wall locker and walked on the treadmill or eliptical through the first half of "Schindler's List". I finished it the next day.<br />
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Today, I met Commander at the post gym and we did eleven miles together. To reach the 1000 mark, we each need to do about 3. 2 miles (don't quote me, I can't remember straight on this one) for the 2013 miles we have to do 5.51 miles - now you can quote me. We are in the black for milage and want to keep it that way.<br />
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So if you are up to the challenge. Check out <a href="http://www.moonjoggers.blogspot.com/">www.moonjoggers.blogspot.com</a> and see if they still need runners. Or ask to sign up on the Picklesnort team. We'd love to have you.Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-18818122796876392402012-12-10T21:06:00.001-06:002012-12-10T21:06:24.053-06:00Thoughts and happeningsAngie Webb and her sister over at <a href="http://www.moonjoggers.blogspot.com/">www.moonjoggers.blogspot.com</a> are looking for walkers, joggers, and runners to help them log the miles needed to 'run to the moon'. You can join up as a team or individual. Do the 1000 miles or the ultimate challenge of 2013 miles for the year. That would be 5. 6 miles a day. That will definitely be a challenge even splitting it with the Commander. <br />
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*****<br />
This is the last full week of homeschooling three. We register for classes on Thursday at the local high school for the older 2 boys. I haven't heard from the school yet as to how many classes they have accepted for credit from the portfolios I put together, but I <u>expect</u> all. I want them to accept all the classwork we have done. Now, I'll hope that I'm not living in a dream world. It still feels right. I wonder what other plans God has in store for this coming year.<br />
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****<br />
I've been asked to be a coach/demonstrater at an Oklahoma Track Clinic this spring. Yahoo ! trip home. Anyone want to drive to OKC with me in April?Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-87047213090462882992012-12-08T22:02:00.000-06:002012-12-08T22:02:53.040-06:00twenty and plansWhen we travel, we plan. We plan vacations. We plan house improvements, painting schemes, school lessons and this time we worked on garden plans. Especially raised gardens. So if you are a Pinterest buddy, you now know why I just inundated the page with different ways to make a raised garden. There are a lot of great ideas on Pinterest.<br />
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I'm ready to hit H.D. and buy the lumber. It will be nice not having track practice next week so I can work on projects around the house, to hopefully include a raised cold garden. THis is a small greenhouse type garden for first plantings. I'd like to make two. One on each side of the door to the shed. These would be on the south side of the shed, therefore protected from the north. <br />
Next, I need to plan out the placement of the raised gardens in the yard. It would be fun to put them into a pattern like a quilt. They will need to be far enough apart for easy mowing, facing north to south on a slant so the plants dont shade each other, and out of the shade of the large trees and house. Now that I think of all the obstacles to work around, hmmm, the back yard might look like a giant tossed his lego building blocks in our yard.<br />
This will be a fun project to work on.<br />
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THis weekend had us traveling to Aimes, IA, for a coaching clinic. It was just the two of us. The boys stayed home with the dogs and chickens. Penny started coughing - (kennel cough) and needed medicine. I called the vet from Missouri. She finally called back in Iowa. Our wonderful Youth Pastor was kind enough to drive Herogian to the vet to get the medicine. Not the medicine she wanted to give us, but one that hopefully wouldn't send Penny into seizures as before. Please no seizures, especially while we are not there! Thanking our Lord for looking after the boys and dogs, and thanking our wonderful Mr. C.C. for helping them, and our neighbor D.N. for checking on the boys. <br />
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THis week will be twenty years for the Commander and I. On our return trip today, we stopped at an Amish Country Store. I spotted the perfect sign for our anniversary. "Marriage is like a deck of cards. When you get married all you need is two hearts. After twenty years you wish you had the club and spade." A HAAA HAA. Couldn't resist showing it to Commander.<br />
He was wonderful to take the day off and drive me to the coaching clinic. It was a very long day with little to eat. I about lost it during a late afternoon class- sugar drop for sure. Commander immediately drove me around town until we found a place we knew we could trust to get Gluten Free Food - WENDY'S. <br />
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Here's to twenty more years. I told him all I wanted was a kiss every night before bed. That's doable for us. Love you SweetHeart. 12-12-12.<br />
Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-77556576550796750522012-12-05T22:36:00.001-06:002012-12-05T22:36:35.121-06:00Gotta Love those trained boy scoutsLet me first say, I'm glad I wasn't here, only because the boys seemed to handle it a lot calmer than I ever would.<br />
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I don't like fire.I don't have fond memories of fire. I can remember back to my fifth year, or I might have been younger. We were camping as a family with either a tent (that's if I was younger) or the pop-up Star-craft camper. There was another family camping not too far from us. They had a daughter about my age. I remember playing with her during the day, then later that evening watching her running around the campfire with her siblings. Something happened, causing her to change directions in their game. She went right through the fire ring which had some type of metal grill over it (remembering that far back loses some details). She fell over with her foot caught in this metal. I don't know if the flames licked her leg or boiling water or baked beans spilt onto her leg. I know there was a lot of commotion with my parents trying to help them. They took her to the car wrapped up in a blanket.<br />
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Later in life the "evil beast of fire" was the bathroom heater. It was a gas unit built into the wall. Turn the gas valve on, strike a match, and POOF. No thank you. I didn't strike a match for that beast until I was 15. I took quick baths, or finagled Mom or Dad to "just light it while your in there, please."<br />
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I do better now that we have an inclosed fireplace. I enjoy the heat, the lower electric and gas bill. AHHHH, warmth.<br />
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BUT, here we go. I don't like the burn permit in our neighborhood. And I'm definitely not going to have a burn pile in our own yard. So you can imagine the shock when I get a call from Hawk asking, "when are you and Dad going to get back from the PX?"<br />
"We are just leaving post, now. Why?"<br />
"Oh, we had a fire in the back yard. But it's out now."<br />
"What do you mean you had a fire in the back yard. Why would you have a fire in the back yard?"<br />
"Well, I guess Dad asked Bradley to dump that bucket of old ashes out in the composter when he needed to clean out the fireplace earlier and wanted a clean bucket."<br />
"Yeah, those ashes have been outside for a couple of days."<br />
Well, there must have been some hot coals down in the middle. Herogian said he touched the top of the ash pile and they were cold. But when I looked out my window after you guys left, there was a fire as big as the bonfires Mr. Henry likes to make."<br />
*** Mr. Henry is the boy scout leader who makes big bonfires at Winter Campouts.***<br />
He continued, "I hollered at Gluten that there was a fire in our backyard, but he didn't believe me until he followed me outside. We grabbed the water hose and dragged it down there, then got the hose from the front yard. Herogian came out with a bucket of water from the kitchen. We doused it really good. The yard is a swamp down there now. Tell Dad the composter is gone."<br />
Those smart, calm, trained boys knew what to do. When we got home, they walked me down there (in muck boots) to show me that everything was wet. The composter - plastic - was indeed gone except for the bottom layer covered in dog poo and mud. The pile of kindling 2x4x4 was gone, and the corner of the woodpile was toasted. There was a trenching line curving from the garden gate, around the corner, cutting the spread of flames off from the rest of the garden area. They saved our asparagus! They wouldn't have if they had known what it was.<br />
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Commander took the boys out for Chinese food the following Sunday as their reward. Thank you boy scouts troop 167 for training the boys up right in this matter.<br />
Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-85580177658200583972012-11-10T20:19:00.001-06:002012-11-10T20:19:51.628-06:00Gluten free and the holidaysA couple of friends have recently been told to eat gluten free or that a child needs to eat gluten free. When you are diagnosed with Celiac Sprue, it is good to know that you can control the pain, bloating, diarrhea, wasting away, what ever the symptom, with a diet change instead of having to take drugs, surgery, or give yourself shots. THere are worse things out there to deal with. But changing your diet when the rest of the family doesn't have to change....<br />
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Cross contamination is everywhere in the kitchen from all the previous cooking with gluten = wheat, rye, barley, oats (are on the list because they can easily be contaminated out in the field) Finally, there are farms that don't switch crops.<br />
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Back to the kitchen, condiments are contaminated with malt flavoring, natural and artifical flavorings, smoke flavorings, caramel coloring, stabilizers, emulsifiers, white vinegar (doctors say it okay, but ask a celiac who is sick afterwards)certain dyes are even made from glutenous grains, and it depends on what country the maltodextrin comes from. <br />
Go try to clear all that out of your kitchen and still cook "normal" food for the rest of your family. <br />
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I feel for my friends, it is hard. Then there comes the holidays when almost everything about the holidays centers around food. The best thing for a Celiac - is to bring their own food. THink of yourself trasping up to the door of a friends house with a plate of food for one, even if you are bringing something else to the party. It used to make me feel like I was saying, "I can't trust you to not contaminate me." The diet can make you feel self-conscious, if you tend to already be self-conscious and who isnt.<br />
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THen there are the people who knowingly pass you something with gluten and they say, "Just try a little bit. A little bit won't hurt you." The best answer I've heard from other celiacs is to ask the person if they want to try a spoonful of arsenic. Then we will see who feels better in the morning. They would still win.<br />
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The kicker was the person that told me to leave my gluten free stuff at home, they didn't want to mess with it. I could just eat the vegetables as my Thanksgiving meal - the turkey was stuffed, therefore contaminated. I love you too. He meant well, it just came out wrong. We all do that.<br />
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THings have changed greatly over the last 20 years that I have dealt with Celiac Sprue. It has become a multi--million dollar business. I started off having to grind rice in a grinder to have a flour to make 'hockey pucks'. Today you can by gluten free bread at the store. There are companies like <a href="http://www.chebe.com/">www.Chebe.com</a> and <a href="http://www.glutenfreepizza.com/">www.glutenfreepizza.com</a> that make the best flour and pizza hands down. <a href="http://www.glutino.com/">www.Glutino.com</a> makes 'oreo' type cookies. WOW!<br />
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Two years after I was diagnosed, it was the middle of winter in Carlisle, PA, when I found out that Wendy's frosties were gluten free. Commander and I bundled up, put on our boots, and sloshed through the snow for a round trip over a mile just to get a frosty.<br />
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To be truely GF you must read the ingredients on everything. Thank goodness for companies that now mark their products, and stores like Dillon's that tag the shelf with gluten free markers to show you the GF item. I am thrilled with how much easier it is to get items GF. Even restaurants are trying to have GF menus. Be cautious about this, though, it doesn't always happen. One anniversary night, the Commander and I went straight from the restaurant to a large furniture-everything store across the street, because I wouldn't be able to make the ride home. Cross contamination. I spent 30- 40 minutes walking from one bathroom to the other. Really felt sorry for the ladies going in after me. <br />
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If you have a family member or friend coming to your party that you know is gluten free, keep a few things set aside that you know are clean. Put vegetables or salad in a container for them before you pour on the sauce. Keep the croutons separate. Check the sauces that you plan to use, if your not sure, they appreciate a call from you asking if it is okay to use. If it's not, that will at least clue them in to what they need to bring.<br />
Our church does Wednesday night meals for all that come. It is so awesome to get a text or email telling us that the whole meal or parts of it is gluten free. That is such a special feeling of love, especially when your insides make you feel like such an alien.<br />
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To my new gluten free friends. Hugs. Hang in there and stay Gluten Free, your gut will love you in the morning.Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-41396828931337343472012-11-10T19:34:00.002-06:002012-11-10T19:34:37.389-06:00still kicking and laughing<br />
It's November!!! The portfolios for the boys class credits are done and turned in. I'm hoping the school will accept all of them. They are suppose to call me soon and let me know. <u>Soon</u> is the magic word. My <u>soon</u> is Monday morning. Their <u>soon</u> might be day before class starts in January. <br />
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The boys are still excited about the changes ahead. I'm excited for them too. After ten years of homeschooling, they will learn a lot about life from a different perspective. I know they are both grounded firmly in Christ. I know there will be things that I don't want them to experience, but they need to build their walls against the ways of the world and they can't do that without the testing. We will work through this new experience together, just like we worked through all of our curriculum these past years. Gluten will still be at home finishing 8th grade, and helping me 'kidsit' our hopping 4 year old.<br />
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Happenings....<br />
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Gluten wanted to bleach a shirt with "question authority, not me." on the back of it.<br />
I gave him the evil eye and smirk, then gave him the lecture about where authority comes from - God. He agreed to find something else. I suggested, "Blond, explains it." For quite a while he kept saying 'no' to this. Then he finally stated," I don't want that on the shirt because I don't know what it means." Hmmmm. "Blond, explains it." He did end up with "You can't spell AWESOME with out "ME"." He also made his Mema a sleep shirt for her birthday. "I'm not short, I'm Fun Size."<br />
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Herogian had his last hunt with the post rod and gun club this past weekend. He limited out in 30 minutes. 2 pheasants, 4 quail. Penny was allowed to hunt with him and the guide's dog. She did really well. Penny only backed off when the other dog started to attack her,when she came in to check out the first pheasant the dog had fetched. She collected quail after that, but left the second pheasant where it landed. Mom even got to retrieve her ipod she dropped with the checkcord while chasing down the wounded pheasant. I realized the cord was missing from my hoodie pouch, but didn't know the ipod was missing until I found it. <br />
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This afternoon, Commander and I came home with a new 4 foot Christmas tree with lights already on it. Its place is on the small secretary desk in the corner of the living room. Below it, on the desk, was placed the first present. (unwrapped) a 3 foot pair of pruning shears. Later, while Commander and I were in the TV room, Hawk showed up at the door with the shears in hand. <br />
"Why is this under the Christmas tree?"<br />
Commander looked at him, and replied, "If you and your brother don't behave at school, we'll use those to nutor you."<br />
The shock on Hawk's face was worth it.<br />
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Herogian and Hawk have hit growth sputs. 3/4 inch in less than 2 months for Hawk. Herogian is there also. The cool part is that Herogian has finally decided to start working out to 'beef up' this includes doing TKD with Commander. He also went to the gym to workout with Commander yesterday before Boy Scouts left for camping. I have also found out that when it is bedtime, (his room is downstairs) that he uses what equipment we have to workout. Anybody have some free weights gathering dust?<br />
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Have a great week. Please pray for my uncles - yes, plural. Two are about to leave this world due to cancer. They are my father's younger brothers. Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-88001970715222630482012-10-13T16:46:00.002-05:002012-10-13T16:46:24.945-05:00T shirts -trying to get rid of themI bought 72 shirts for a Track/XC fund raising idea. I'm "official team fund raiser" - I take the title because I croke at being a recruiter. Anyhew, the idea was for "Create your own USM Spirit Shirt". I went to the trouble of cutting out 72 block letters to spell U-S-M S-P-I-R-E-S for each shirt. Cut out large numbers for team sports, skull candy designs, bought stars, flowers and a bunch of foam letters to write names on the shirts and anything else the buyer could think of, along with rolls of contact paper to create their own design.<br />
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After two days of sitting in the hot afternoon sun with my boys at campus, we realized this idea wasn't going to work. The kids came by, said it was a great idea and then walked off. One who wanted to make a shirt, then questioned why I asked for money when we finished it. Oh bother.<br />
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Thank goodness the ladies from church are going to the Women of Faith Convention in KC. They helped me out by letting me make shirts for them.<br />
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Now I'm making a few more to get rid of the<strong> last 2 dozen</strong> shirts. Here they are.<br />
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We are Ambassadors for CHRIST. II Cor. 5:20<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU2HggUxrhgn0pb-loLeCPOphUo9OVJYenHak6AomPsP_QWeYO7_OgMzPj0vEuaByh_-XUg1wfxgmJD7HaM6UWClvNCgeoCmlpnxwtC9agmCBC4IcqhfaOzjq723-IKpueikrNc-8xjk/s1600/ambassadors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU2HggUxrhgn0pb-loLeCPOphUo9OVJYenHak6AomPsP_QWeYO7_OgMzPj0vEuaByh_-XUg1wfxgmJD7HaM6UWClvNCgeoCmlpnxwtC9agmCBC4IcqhfaOzjq723-IKpueikrNc-8xjk/s320/ambassadors.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
To God be the Glory Great Things He Hath Done<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp32TMdMs0YdSBb9o3tgIhSS_5GYzcLf3r3sz2zQ4vcsOOk-_0pmHCnEE3B4QzudvezcaitJRzp6xqwSabqlopuQPOeo04GE5X6pphOd6luuUEeq3r2uYiTYFMg28Jp1UheBxMbTk6W9s/s1600/To+God+be+the+Glory.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp32TMdMs0YdSBb9o3tgIhSS_5GYzcLf3r3sz2zQ4vcsOOk-_0pmHCnEE3B4QzudvezcaitJRzp6xqwSabqlopuQPOeo04GE5X6pphOd6luuUEeq3r2uYiTYFMg28Jp1UheBxMbTk6W9s/s320/To+God+be+the+Glory.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
For God so Loves Me - I Run (with footprints)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKso73oDYZVD6iIzW5HZTR9wkyj15cDgTBUjSl1C_LtWtgOFcLu6GOrcZc0H-q8Xceq5Hz5FCuWn9b8y7mKqCt3_sdk8Rhywqvv7JFWJU2541FfC7igWjFTjTQZQ9iDbRJmJ6SnFeUJk/s1600/for+God+loves+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKso73oDYZVD6iIzW5HZTR9wkyj15cDgTBUjSl1C_LtWtgOFcLu6GOrcZc0H-q8Xceq5Hz5FCuWn9b8y7mKqCt3_sdk8Rhywqvv7JFWJU2541FfC7igWjFTjTQZQ9iDbRJmJ6SnFeUJk/s320/for+God+loves+me.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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THe shirts are $8.00 if interested. Give me a shout. Or let me know if you have a design you would like on a shirt. I'll see what I can do. </div>
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Stickers are sprayed over with bleach to bring out the design.</div>
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Have a great weekend.</div>
Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-48399545481686697172012-10-05T21:05:00.001-05:002012-10-05T21:05:20.567-05:00ChangesThanks for your prayers on our school situation. I feel like they have been answered. Today, we met with the school counselor at the local public school. Yeah! Can you believe it? After 10 years of homeschooling, we will be sending the two oldest to LHS. Hawk wants to go back into 9th so that he'll be with his original class, and next year as a sophmore he will have a chance to try football. He is the one that made the thoughts and prayers start looking like answers to our problems. He has always said (like me) that he wouldn't go to public school. In the last year, he has developed a desire to play football. I was shocked, but glad to see his eyes light up over somethings besides XBOX.<br />
Herogian hasn't been as thrilled with the idea, but after the visit to the school today, I think he is more on board. He realized he will be able to do more in science lab than I can give him, and woodshop - made his eyes light up. The higher sciences and math will be easier for me with the schools help.<br />
So, come January it will be Gluten and I at home with our four-year-old charge NC. I think Gluten will enjoy the time - it should take us less time to get his work done, he will be able help kidsit more (making $$). He is also looking forward to high school at LHS so he can try out for the soccer team.<br />
For someone who knows not to say NEVER. I've definitely have had enough lessons on it.... plus here's another.<br />
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You don't know your missing something until it is gone. I'm missing the stress and worry that was building up over the boys educational path when I thought I was in charge of it. Letting God brings relief in so many ways. I'm looking forward to the future now. Sometimes it is hard to let go when you see the release as being failure, turning it over and looking at it differently (God's way) makes a big difference.<br />
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Here's a pic from today's activities around the house. Mr. Matt is giving lessons on plumbing to NC under our kitchen sink.<br />
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Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-89644730807626217722012-10-01T23:26:00.000-05:002012-10-01T23:26:15.949-05:00It's been so long since I was herePhysically and mentally. I would think about posting and then go to bed. <br />
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We have been working around the house trying to get ready for winter. Two weekends ago, I decided to tackle the chicken coop door. A friend had given us a metal house door that would do a much better job than the 'cut out of siding door' that was the original on the lean-to. I yanked, hammered, cut and kicked, stomped and did whatever it took to get the wall out where the door needs to go. The concrete was crumbling on both ends and I wasn't sure just how I was going to get the door in, hold it in place and use the screwdriver at the same time. My neighbor came to my rescue. I asked her for a placement suggestion, since she had built her own coop. She then asked if I'd like some help. We had a fun time building the wall around where the larger door needed to go to fit under the slanted roof. we did a bit of framing and then stopped there. <br />
We have to have the patio room jacked up on one corner due to settling with the dry summer. When the crew comes out, Mr. Wendtz said he would gable the chicken coop roof over the door for me. Yahoo. He is also going to fix a permanent doggie door down stairs so we can use the patio door again. THENNNNN hope I still have the picture for this. We are getting a bid on a reading nook for under the stairway. Here we go. He has the whole wal down stairs to use. The return air vent will just be moved to the top of the wall allowing the nook to be as long as we want it - 7 feet at least - I have tall relatives that I'd like to come visit. Each person in the family has already claimed this area as theirs, and we haven't even decided if it is in budget. Praying. Praying. Praying. I could so cuddle up in this area with my computer and get carried away writing.<br />
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Other stuff going on is planting 21 junipers, 4 fire bushes on the east hill out front, filling it in with mulch and outlining it with rocks. On the west side I put in a pallet pathway, a few different plants and flowers, mulched it this weekend and lined the edge with rocks. 5 truck loads of mulch were moved this weekend. Can you say 'my body is sore!'</div>
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The four year old that stays with us in the morning has become my digging partner for dandelions and chickweed. I jab the digging stick in, he powers it down and pops the weed loose. We do about 30 minutes outside each morning playing and digging as we wait for Dad to show up. He's been a great help in helping me find the time to do the weed pulling.</div>
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Would ask for your prayers on a school matter. Will let you in on it later, but afraid to jinks it if I mention it too much too soon. You know what I mean?</div>
Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-11457885834697531612012-08-31T22:35:00.001-05:002012-08-31T22:35:40.675-05:00Calling Safety, shelves, and haircuts"Come on, move your feet out of the way so I can sit beside you."<br />
Gluten was homeschooling on the sofa and had stretched out to take up as much of it as he could. He pulled his feet back giving me just enough room to sit between his feet and the pillow. He tossed me his history book.<br />
"I've got mine. You might need yours". I spun the book back through the air quick enough to land it on his bare belly.<br />
It was review time of chapter three. Gluten does better if history and science are verbally reviewed daily. We started through the questions with only names of people getting him twisted. He'd flip through the pages checking bold face words and then give me the name. I'd ask if he was sure, causing him to actually read the passage to me to prove that he had the right one.<br />
"What was the New England Confederation? Why was it formed?" I asked. <br />
He thought for a moment, " uhmmm....safety!" <br />
"Yeah, defense, as in a military defense." I started to explain a bit more so it would stick with him. BUT, He was laughing.<br />
"What?"<br />
"I said, SAFETY, because I farted. I didn't want you to slug me. I didn't know I'd get a history question right with it." He was grabbing his stomach he was laughing so hard.<br />
I just hung my head. <br />
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******<br />
Pinterest is where I go to relax for <strike>a few minutes to</strike> an hour in the evening. Black shelves over the toilet in a small bathroom interested me. A trip to H.D. just happened to land into the errand schedule the other day for shelves and black supports. <br />
Our master bedroom toilet is in a room by itself. A small room - actually 35 1/8 inches wide.<br />
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I thought I chose things to put on the shelves due to the memories, but I can't remember where two of the things came from. Geezuh! My dad made the wishing well out of walnut shells, the glass piggy bank beside it is from childhood, Commander likes marbles, and Spooners. The pictures on top were on the table at our wedding, the frame on the left is from a friend at church given to me during chemo, the green glass basket is from an aunt, and the picture of the boys was when we first moved to Kansas in 2000. We were stuck in Hoge Barracks for 1 month.<br />
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*****<br />
Herogian asked for a haircut the other day since it has been so hot. He agreed to let me do it with the dog shears. Yeah - save that money! As the hair was falling, Hawk came around the corner to see what we were doing out on the patio. "Oh stop right there!" I was working across the top of Herogian's head. "Dad would freak if you left that part," said Hawk. Herogian felt the strip of long bangs and agreed. We left it. I wasn't going to be home when Commander came in, thank goodness. I did show Herogian where the clippers would be incase he decided to lose the bangs before Dad came home. I guess he didn't. This is his "School is driving me insane look" and it is what he greeted Dad with at the door.<br />
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The hair disappeared that night into a nice buzz cut.<br />
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Have a great Labor Day weekend. Thank the Lord for the blessing of rain. Pray for the relief for those suffering from too much of it at once. Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-66131116150477271472012-08-29T22:48:00.000-05:002012-08-29T22:49:45.579-05:00Altrazerodrop shoes - AwesomeIn '08-09 when Commander was deployed my feet started giving me pain while working in the back yard. Wearing muck boots without my orthotics in them - I thought was the problem. But fixing that issue didn't help. <br />
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It just kept getting worse to the point that I quit running in our neighborhood. It was embarrassing to run to the church 1/4 a mile down the road and then have to walk back home because my feet were burning.</div>
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Later it was kneeling down on bent toes digging, or building the walkway would cause both feet to burn. The picture's date is July 2011, I just finished</div>
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this path to the back patio 2 weeks ago. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ge92bY7AJYgBhquE36_bHc7Vq4mK4RYwCS_yKK6VUGmOCu96FwYArjiL1cPh6RnUfthsHklTFJ0cBJl5tM7dDpoFWdVyC-y0ZP-l0ytBb3oYf8epBwrbjnrHiBAcukVraAD6NSVPhXk/s1600/July+11+steps+blackberries+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ge92bY7AJYgBhquE36_bHc7Vq4mK4RYwCS_yKK6VUGmOCu96FwYArjiL1cPh6RnUfthsHklTFJ0cBJl5tM7dDpoFWdVyC-y0ZP-l0ytBb3oYf8epBwrbjnrHiBAcukVraAD6NSVPhXk/s320/July+11+steps+blackberries+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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THen you probably remember in May - foot surgery on both feet to cut out nerves from between the 3rd and 4th toes that were the size of pencils stuck inbetween the tendons and doubling back on themselves. Oh and the allergic reaction. Oh Bother.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNScAFV18VJkYSofNQUVr2CMXFyWVStx_aVd_7hLarYAddwAgvZ_Xen-e6WpVRn_GOPhlOeOmoISxl-gqAR51MaQh072eiU-ZSi_1H5tue-rWvrcZsEGuVmSK2ioOYFxfjivRraEJ_ryY/s1600/DSCF0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNScAFV18VJkYSofNQUVr2CMXFyWVStx_aVd_7hLarYAddwAgvZ_Xen-e6WpVRn_GOPhlOeOmoISxl-gqAR51MaQh072eiU-ZSi_1H5tue-rWvrcZsEGuVmSK2ioOYFxfjivRraEJ_ryY/s320/DSCF0054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well, we have made it to the end of August only after a wait of 4 1/2 weeks for these to arrive. They were on backorder.</div>
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Altra zero drop running shoes. As you can see from the side edge there isn't a big build up(inches) of cushion under the heels. That's why they are called zero drop. You actually run in a barefoot style of gait. Does it ever feel good! THe toe box is also larger so your toezies have room to spread out. This is super for Morton's toes and neuroma's - give 'em some room! My long old toes can now wiggle dance.</div>
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I started running again at the end of July and joined my friend Shannon on some of her runs. I wanted to stay up with her. My ego really didn't want to accept being at square one again with training, and tried to jump ahead. Well, I paid for that leap in the workouts. THe hills in her neighborhood are killers for knees and beginners at that. Then with the hard packed soccer field with clumps of grass sporadically growing - running strides down the middle of the field didn't help with tweaking the knee. IT Band tenderness, bursitis swelling, and pain sent me to the doctor. I took a week off, started back slow with a knee brace, walking most the time, and saving the jogging for races that I had already paid to enter. Tonight, my lookout on running has a smile again. It is because of these shoes. Just walking to the port -a- pot from the car convinced me to take off the knee brace. Walking a mile felt like I was holding the horses back. Picking up the pace on the straight aways at the track felt good -even though I was slow as molasses the foot strike was straight, balanced, no pronation to fight against, the knee felt great for the next mile. There was no clicking, catching, collapsy feeling from the knee for the first time in three weeks. I don't want to take the shoes off. My favorite workout is repeat 200's. They don't feel like a thing of the past, they are now in the future waiting for me.</div>
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Want to come run?</div>
Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881550264154480451.post-42731397917760882062012-08-27T22:58:00.001-05:002012-08-27T22:58:50.215-05:00It still fits and other thingsA dress on Pinterest caught my eye. I really liked it. a Titanic Vintage cream and green tea dress. While looking through my boards, I spied it again, then checked out the link with it. $173.00 for a dress - I don't think so, I know so, so, how am I going to get that dress made. MOMMM. Well that's how it usually would happen. It reminded me of my wedding dress - also a tea dress that my wonderful Mom made.<br />
For the wedding I wore a cream satin slip under the lace, For a Christmas Party shortly after our wedding ( to meet Commanders side of the family) I slipped a red slip under it, and then for an Army banquet of some sort I wore an Infantry blue slip. Of course my mother made all the slips for me. Talent for sewing leaks out of her pores. She amazes me.<br />
It has been twenty years since I found the pattern and asked Mom to make the dress, becuase I was sure I'd found the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. She was sure I'd found the only person to put up with me. She's right.<br />
Here is the front of the dress. The lace in front had to be dyed in tea to get it off white to match the rest of the lace. I noticed with the picture that there are a couple of yellow spots on it now. Below is full length.<br />
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Here is a full length shot with the red slip under it. It need a little pressing since it just came out of the tissue paper and box, but I was pleased that it still fit. Thank you Gluten for cutting my head off (I asked him to) Can't wear this kind of dress without makeup. </div>
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A long with the dress, my mom crocheted a large doily to be formed into a hat, and also a smaller doily for the flower bouquet. Talent runs deep in the family. My sister-in-law did all the flowers for the hat, bouquet, and wedding. I still have both in the house. I'm happy to be coming up on 20 years with Commander. He makes my life exciting, full of laughter, and God centered. I'm also glad that I could still get into the dress. But on that note, what would you do to a child that started gagging, saying "what do you have on? why are you wearing that? OH don't tell me, groce!" </div>
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I just didn't know what to say to their comments. Oh well, something will come to me when I least expect it and they won't expect it at all either.</div>
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Jane Deskishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013510422965908449noreply@blogger.com3