tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71816828624182396882024-03-13T19:31:09.380-06:00Merrie MelodyMelodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.comBlogger1375125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-63676428813117533502023-12-14T15:47:00.024-07:002023-12-14T16:07:42.500-07:00Puppy Woes - boxes and pee pads<p> <span color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I have been having to rethink the boxes I use for the puppies' bed, play area, and potty area. Also rethinking disposable potty pads, which have been SO GREAT (though I think I've been single-handedly destroying the environment!) I could keep the puppies clean and dry by changing the puppy pads super often. So nice!</span></p><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="x1iorvi4 x1pi30zi x1l90r2v x1swvt13" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id=":r2n3:" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px 16px;"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" color="var(--primary-text)" dir="auto" style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Let's talk boxes first:</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I started with one box when they were first born, which makes sense because one was enough - they just slept and peed where they were.
</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Then their eyes opened, so I started using a second box - one for my <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>bedroom for them to sleep at night and one in the dining room for them to play in during the day.
</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Then they started walking and then running and needed more room, so I created a third box for just playing in with toys. The third box was a lot longer, so it became the play box and the second box didn't get much use.
</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Then, they learned to get over the side of the play box, so I brought back in the sleeping box that had 2 "doorways" so that Maggie could go in, but the babies didn't really leave the box even though they could. The second box became the transition box for Maggie and a potty station for the babies - I (mostly) trained them to not pee in the toybox.
</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Then the sleeping box became to small, so the second box became the transition box and I cut down the wall a little so that Maggie could still get in and out and the original door was turned toward the toybox door. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Enter another problem: The disposable pee pads. The puppies started tearing up just for fun. Then they started chewing on the torn up pee pads, and I worry that they were swallowing some of the torn up pee pads, too.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">So disposable pee pads are now out (I'm in mourning), and washable pee pads are needed - but amazon is taking THREE DAYS to ship them! (the world of instant food and overnight shipping has really spoiled me!) I do have 4 pee pads, but 4 is simply not enough, so in the meanwhile I'm using the washable pee pads that I do have along with towels.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem;">I'm thinking of getting rubber backed rugs to put the washable pee pads on in the play box, the sleeping box, and the transitional box / potty box so that the wet doesn't soak through onto the carpeted floors. (Update, I bought some rubber backed rugs and they are on the bottom of all 3 boxes with some "scatter rugs" and washable pee pads & towels on top. I'll let you know how it goes.)</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I was taking to Steve about all of this and I said, "I wish I could have worked backwards so that I knew what I'd really need and save money by not buying things we won't use. But, you can't know what you don't know. I'm going to post a blog post to help along the next person" (hopefully the next person will not somehow be me again!)</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">"Nah," he said, "just write, 'You can't know what you don't know', it'll be unhelpful and yet make you seem wise.'"</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Here are the boxes:
Box #1 - the babies' bed when they were first born:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJCjXRc6VSw6leyClJKhoPCuhCfgcKXz3RpQH_dGjGh2_SzdkTXDu-xZByUx7yfg2EBLyLqwWHx48KyT6hIkbdZMUx8sI3AzDCQFhV9s9NpCF1GeHF12H66GnOabE6SrqWqzgtcnZyA3EQ23nabq-3ZvC_83xVoPFRd93slZ3FoFyyDqD5_YYUpHwA6vP/s1080/409770447_10224275905231746_2549335700899745411_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJCjXRc6VSw6leyClJKhoPCuhCfgcKXz3RpQH_dGjGh2_SzdkTXDu-xZByUx7yfg2EBLyLqwWHx48KyT6hIkbdZMUx8sI3AzDCQFhV9s9NpCF1GeHF12H66GnOabE6SrqWqzgtcnZyA3EQ23nabq-3ZvC_83xVoPFRd93slZ3FoFyyDqD5_YYUpHwA6vP/s320/409770447_10224275905231746_2549335700899745411_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Box #2 - the box used in the dining room so that the babies could be close by us during the day:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjik9vpbJm3XeoUldx3CWvhxTumSzxqwPETlbwqkFNlypuQ_misv2-EeIS-SZzmE8FkmWdyW2YafW-dLJjUz1WuWyv3fTeb2lAZo4U7voWCWehSGLIcVy1Q5tPsPZGv_RvmE8DMGD-UwoU05ScFSf2au5NBqTVgSiI5gM92xnXGHvQUbDs-lZTihx0CnQPx/s1124/409749205_10224275909711858_3355421865696395437_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="843" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjik9vpbJm3XeoUldx3CWvhxTumSzxqwPETlbwqkFNlypuQ_misv2-EeIS-SZzmE8FkmWdyW2YafW-dLJjUz1WuWyv3fTeb2lAZo4U7voWCWehSGLIcVy1Q5tPsPZGv_RvmE8DMGD-UwoU05ScFSf2au5NBqTVgSiI5gM92xnXGHvQUbDs-lZTihx0CnQPx/s320/409749205_10224275909711858_3355421865696395437_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Box #3 - the toybox with one of other boxes butted up door opening to door opening:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDNnOy5o1FM8rMbK4oSwmw7uXIEGzOHWy33I6PJyv0Y42vH6A6cGet7Ru1xb71xb8h7KEYYdOgxU-jO3bi29c3mxX5ydfkwmXJsKN22Isb06nFyB-moOOTLlKoGrf15bg1rhlQX6BubxUdZxJTFFBZx4C_9aEMK5j8C5oNvuLaMybkK0PLd7tHfjhCb_o/s1124/409808876_10224275912551929_2701533489974808553_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="843" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDNnOy5o1FM8rMbK4oSwmw7uXIEGzOHWy33I6PJyv0Y42vH6A6cGet7Ru1xb71xb8h7KEYYdOgxU-jO3bi29c3mxX5ydfkwmXJsKN22Isb06nFyB-moOOTLlKoGrf15bg1rhlQX6BubxUdZxJTFFBZx4C_9aEMK5j8C5oNvuLaMybkK0PLd7tHfjhCb_o/s320/409808876_10224275912551929_2701533489974808553_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Hopefully the rubber backed rugs will work to keep any wetness from leaking and that I can keep up with the washable pee pad laundry AND that the puppies potty train easily and soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is what the set up looks like now until I get more washable potty pads - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Their bed in my bedroom - the 2nd door has been raised up so they can't get out and the box that you'll see in the next photo sits at the end of this box too, so Maggie can get in and out as she pleases:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQD385Qsq0xBU96jZZBCSULyw1CXJScNu0ZDg-V2Puqa3IhhI3zT7cyTWYRIZGwoa9IAtBb0IbS8gDw3i_w0uIrHoa_xcPjCEu60YNDrBlMXB5YxV9TRVxWbGKikKktwEWvh8Ata2OBxEJjMb2DYqrsGt0ng9SflsAVM6u-eeBVksteH-vvex0GY5BOyg/s2016/398414689_7077905125629279_172183368963507755_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQD385Qsq0xBU96jZZBCSULyw1CXJScNu0ZDg-V2Puqa3IhhI3zT7cyTWYRIZGwoa9IAtBb0IbS8gDw3i_w0uIrHoa_xcPjCEu60YNDrBlMXB5YxV9TRVxWbGKikKktwEWvh8Ata2OBxEJjMb2DYqrsGt0ng9SflsAVM6u-eeBVksteH-vvex0GY5BOyg/s320/398414689_7077905125629279_172183368963507755_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The boxes in the dining room for play during the day - The toy box is the furthest away, that middle box is the transition box. For now, I put down a disposable potty pad after their naps so that they can potty right away, then I remove it so that they don't consume it. No accidents yet, but this is a new set up. The closed up box is just for Maggie to use to jump into the box with the puppies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGAYVmpgmwnBaWFf1eWvEPU_IC7rQXDOMoq4UgoRNgfRU9rIYtWtntonYPXCY3507QMU29F_Gh1h4IaO2Gio7RMeSVTBxLmNYOO39BSCToTDbwdZx2d2nejQizzrVDj9W-6_qrZuqD2KwX6xZiHe1_EFgDF051lh_uoxnsEO4y4wXRB5Y-9vx-C4OxA43/s2016/368026437_397842275917479_1013149786473433795_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGAYVmpgmwnBaWFf1eWvEPU_IC7rQXDOMoq4UgoRNgfRU9rIYtWtntonYPXCY3507QMU29F_Gh1h4IaO2Gio7RMeSVTBxLmNYOO39BSCToTDbwdZx2d2nejQizzrVDj9W-6_qrZuqD2KwX6xZiHe1_EFgDF051lh_uoxnsEO4y4wXRB5Y-9vx-C4OxA43/s320/368026437_397842275917479_1013149786473433795_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">♥ Melody<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br />
</div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="x168nmei x13lgxp2 x30kzoy x9jhf4c x6ikm8r x10wlt62" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="x1n2onr6" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div class="x6s0dn4 xi81zsa x78zum5 x6prxxf x13a6bvl xvq8zen xdj266r xktsk01 xat24cr x1d52u69 x889kno x4uap5 x1a8lsjc xkhd6sd xdppsyt" style="align-items: center; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--divider); color: var(--secondary-text); display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; justify-content: flex-end; line-height: 1.3333; margin: 0px 16px; padding: 10px 0px;"><div class="x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 x2lah0s x1qughib x1qjc9v5 xozqiw3 x1q0g3np xykv574 xbmpl8g x4cne27 xifccgj" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #65676b; display: flex; flex-flow: row; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; justify-content: space-between; margin: -6px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"></div><div class="x10l6tqk x13vifvy" style="font-family: inherit; height: 332px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 249px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-40535084999512984472023-11-12T09:54:00.003-07:002023-11-12T09:54:50.687-07:00Puppies!<p>I am slow on keeping things up to date here. In September, we adopted Josh and Hayley's dog, Maggie. We knew there was a possibility she was pregnant when we brought her home, and on October 17th it was confirmed with an ultrasound, and just a few days later on the 21st she had an xray that revealed 3 puppies.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwQQZR83kwZajkpprXKCN2-qc4pKSk5rBwfuPeSvAEwhVsxE5x3NP3WiMeRqTEZsxrTZiQr0vWPf6z0xgNU8Nd7RptBsRPdqtBr5vCzH3QJEO16Mcn_OHML3Ow88jk2H6AaYvf4TUIQzWUB-cWWa3MU1HoGy9CYo5YG6F7Sok07JhiijFZrbb6eGyFauP/s1124/391662864_10224083449660477_8463269921255946651_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="843" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwQQZR83kwZajkpprXKCN2-qc4pKSk5rBwfuPeSvAEwhVsxE5x3NP3WiMeRqTEZsxrTZiQr0vWPf6z0xgNU8Nd7RptBsRPdqtBr5vCzH3QJEO16Mcn_OHML3Ow88jk2H6AaYvf4TUIQzWUB-cWWa3MU1HoGy9CYo5YG6F7Sok07JhiijFZrbb6eGyFauP/s320/391662864_10224083449660477_8463269921255946651_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On October 26th, she gave birth to 3 healthy puppies - <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupJOR30xvqOgdu5J99cWY0wMMajE8uj4bfXkUQtKopaRyClWeki8pd_2bWVZr1ThG7thV60D0mJ64Aj_GkhmOD-J7wcE9KjCA4cKWAEfEk6Rf_OtI4VIvbVSMfeEReyVOQ8zKqOkZik-olE8FBQXoepmN_wOixnE41-jbcmXnlPNqX7jyYYh_C7kzQMrX/s1326/maggieandherpuppiessq2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="1326" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupJOR30xvqOgdu5J99cWY0wMMajE8uj4bfXkUQtKopaRyClWeki8pd_2bWVZr1ThG7thV60D0mJ64Aj_GkhmOD-J7wcE9KjCA4cKWAEfEk6Rf_OtI4VIvbVSMfeEReyVOQ8zKqOkZik-olE8FBQXoepmN_wOixnE41-jbcmXnlPNqX7jyYYh_C7kzQMrX/s320/maggieandherpuppiessq2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I put a stuffed animal in with her and the babies so that she could get out of the whelping box occasionally and the babies would be okay snuggling up to the stuffed animal and give Maggie a break.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The little black male was born first, then the little black female, followed by the little brown female. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weigh in:<br />Boy: 9.0 oz</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bl Girl: 7.5 oz</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Br Girl: 8.5 oz</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As they've grown, the brown girl has become the biggest, then the boy, followed by quite a margin by the little black girl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The brown girl and black boy's eyes opened yesterday (Nov. 11) starting with one eye opened on the 10th. So far, the little black girl's eyes are still closed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Current weights:<br />Boy:2 lbs 3 oz</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bl Girl: 1 lb 15 1/2 oz</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Br Girl: 2 lb. 6 1/2 oz</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And pictures taken last night & this morning:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA__yIeMj2SBSMhBHk8fU6MM2p8fxkqwRx8FAlYKa-TKt_aqfacm2UlAwYDBck6FXU6QiIcvWsYPLxvOlA1rlLQl7D0Qs4QZTou4c7PZ7bSx62yjmsXY86uOVR9K-TGEfeYX1i5oK7PQUBBBYJwkxiIF1c5LRVhcPIZjOfjuuS1lh4H6woMB5Nyv-ohzMP/s1932/November11boy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="1932" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA__yIeMj2SBSMhBHk8fU6MM2p8fxkqwRx8FAlYKa-TKt_aqfacm2UlAwYDBck6FXU6QiIcvWsYPLxvOlA1rlLQl7D0Qs4QZTou4c7PZ7bSx62yjmsXY86uOVR9K-TGEfeYX1i5oK7PQUBBBYJwkxiIF1c5LRVhcPIZjOfjuuS1lh4H6woMB5Nyv-ohzMP/s320/November11boy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWn814BOxeqctRu2i3mGC6lda-XGf7tMMipIZ-1I6oWUUD7CwCTbQGnBRzueDYqMiiLmOw9RH5Hnh6B4cki1DqveQh1AKMMiUj_dbajOB9uP_B5xzKAqk_MOpoedYaKbTBbjxKKoIYkQYc82yZwRwf8pyOsnnnh8dICDu02jXKZlFXmuMZLD5kZDtxQiq/s1979/November12blackgirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="1932" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWn814BOxeqctRu2i3mGC6lda-XGf7tMMipIZ-1I6oWUUD7CwCTbQGnBRzueDYqMiiLmOw9RH5Hnh6B4cki1DqveQh1AKMMiUj_dbajOB9uP_B5xzKAqk_MOpoedYaKbTBbjxKKoIYkQYc82yZwRwf8pyOsnnnh8dICDu02jXKZlFXmuMZLD5kZDtxQiq/s320/November12blackgirl.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNz_Xp7bu4xnmTh7HC2zWXaQoOBw-6DDzeZ86HS9Q_2FSX4M_qvStHoLPIEPdmqxCOmFOeewfTNd_otb2cyclYP5oCaUxTmrZAM5VZjveT70_M4nQ5Ytyu87uacE9_pU7P72I1oeJmybu2k9c0SCyAC3NPG_kafnhKDy7kaaNv3MkRfWx5yOTeo8b1gAC/s1932/November12browngirl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="1932" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNz_Xp7bu4xnmTh7HC2zWXaQoOBw-6DDzeZ86HS9Q_2FSX4M_qvStHoLPIEPdmqxCOmFOeewfTNd_otb2cyclYP5oCaUxTmrZAM5VZjveT70_M4nQ5Ytyu87uacE9_pU7P72I1oeJmybu2k9c0SCyAC3NPG_kafnhKDy7kaaNv3MkRfWx5yOTeo8b1gAC/s320/November12browngirl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Josh and Hayley have called dibs on the black boy, and I am thinking of keeping one of the girls. There has been a lot of interest in these puppies, so I think it will be easy to find a home for the 2nd girl. As of today, I am thinking of keeping the little black girl, but that could change.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Maggie is doing well, though she didn't sleep last night and seemed to have an elevated temperature on the 10th (101.8). It was within normal range but her normal temperature seems to run a bit cooler (99.6-100.4). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The puppies are adorable, but being a puppy grandma can be rough at times in trying to take care of mama Maggie and wipe off poop from various locations found on the puppies - today I found some on a puppies ear. Puppies have no idea of personal space, so puppy piles happen often. I am past the point of making sure that each puppy latches on properly during feeding time, which is very nice! At this point, I just point them in the right direction when necessary - like when a puppy is behind Maggie instead of being in front of her where they need to be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">♥ Melody</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-51470076168227067132023-06-06T10:56:00.005-06:002023-06-06T10:56:55.391-06:00Grandkid Quilts<p> I just saw this post on facebook, and I'm placing it here so that when I get back in gear creating baby quilts, I will remember how many blocks to create - </p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Grandkid quilts - </span></p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Quilt #4 - for baby Malekai (Jessica & Haylee)</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The past few days I've been sewing again. <span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="🙂" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/ta5/1.5/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span> </div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Each baggie has 9 blocks (36 in total), enough for my grandkid quilt - the strips above the blocks will attach the blocks together. Tomorrow, I'll start putting the blocks together. <span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="🌺" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf2/1.5/16/1f33a.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbIhi1Uia64IoT_y8-wP5glrOO07eME3YJBet3ByOk0Hld0CjHs2e5tDFaMgg1b6WgOyz_J3aiHnH5goQcuLn9Vl8la4w8GPgLYJNm9-PvI9MDy5-Ej686lBMInddAXcoaQIqc0CvSzujIrrVpaICz6v-DIlqcI5CXMG4vYYsFEI982k1ui0PjwR91Q/s480/102302859_10217149123746663_787756000947449712_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="352" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbIhi1Uia64IoT_y8-wP5glrOO07eME3YJBet3ByOk0Hld0CjHs2e5tDFaMgg1b6WgOyz_J3aiHnH5goQcuLn9Vl8la4w8GPgLYJNm9-PvI9MDy5-Ej686lBMInddAXcoaQIqc0CvSzujIrrVpaICz6v-DIlqcI5CXMG4vYYsFEI982k1ui0PjwR91Q/w294-h400/102302859_10217149123746663_787756000947449712_n.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><br /><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><br /></span></div><p><br /></p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-33677592654180324472023-06-05T11:55:00.001-06:002023-06-05T11:55:41.575-06:00My EfM Graduation<p style="text-align: left;"> I only just realized that I never wrote about graduating from EfM (Education for Ministry), a program through the University of the South to create a "more articulate laity." </p><p style="text-align: left;">Before I get to that, though, I want to talk about my journey.<br />I started off at St James' in Midvale in my first year (Old Testament), then St Stephen's in West Valley my second year (New Testament). My third year (Christian History), I started my own group and held classes as the mentor & a participant at St Mary's in Provo. During the pandemic, I discovered that permanent online groups could be held, so I have opted for that every year since. My fourth year I completed Christian Ethics and Morals, Theology, and Interfaith Relations as a co-mentor and graduated from the program. Since then, I have been the mentor for 2 more classes, and was asked to be the EfM Coordinator for the Episcopal Diocese of Utah this past February. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I absolutely love the program, and the way it is put together creates a cohesive group of friends. We are having our EfM Graduation next Saturday for the group of 2023.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Here I am at my own graduation in 2021. Amber, Rio, and the girls came to celebrate with me. ♥</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZkGxsEKB-ExXHXlRq4-M7toUXVRPGDj1NiBpzco8XRXwUmLP8DM2rDXvQiS1PdtylOFahPMg0_iAXDRSKArC0VZlUI_XnZaRwwwX7dk2OUAu0bBWYudsqzQAqBUOaaxH9zxao0F1ZxqZFOebiKbA8X0N1uiWDLb5qY-CugMmWhWitn9bRPOwwiw_HQ/s960/195439784_10159033243014760_3968302349591725162_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZkGxsEKB-ExXHXlRq4-M7toUXVRPGDj1NiBpzco8XRXwUmLP8DM2rDXvQiS1PdtylOFahPMg0_iAXDRSKArC0VZlUI_XnZaRwwwX7dk2OUAu0bBWYudsqzQAqBUOaaxH9zxao0F1ZxqZFOebiKbA8X0N1uiWDLb5qY-CugMmWhWitn9bRPOwwiw_HQ/w300-h400/195439784_10159033243014760_3968302349591725162_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Amber wrote this on a post of the picture on facebook: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Got to celebrate my momma today! Proud of you! Love you </span></div><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; display: inline-flex; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; white-space-collapse: preserve; width: 16px;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="💕" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tc1/1.5/16/1f495.png" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;" width="16" /></span></span><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; display: inline-flex; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; white-space-collapse: preserve; width: 16px;"><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="💕" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tc1/1.5/16/1f495.png" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;" width="16" /></span></span></blockquote><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; display: inline-flex; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; white-space-collapse: preserve; width: 16px;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-49673601440915592482023-01-07T13:05:00.003-07:002023-01-07T13:27:15.713-07:00Madison Elizabeth<p> I am late in announcing the birth of grandbaby #13! <br />Madison Elizabeth came into the world on December 6th at 7:59 a.m., weighing in at 5 lbs 11 oz.</p><p>Because of crazy wintery weather and sickness, Steve, Michael and I weren't able to meet her until yesterday when Karen brought the kids to visit. I got to snuggle with her the whole time!</p><p>Of course I had to have a picture with her - isn't she absolutely precious?</p><p>Be sure to look at her pictures from her birth, too, with her mommy (Karen) and daddy (Grover) below the pic of Mema and Madi. I can see so much of Ben & Millie in her! ♥</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRALABmfqzF7IXszoIz9uPnJATm3S-16Qx-FGuYutXw70eH8fS-mS28FChD7dwTntAiQu3VTF7O5MTG7wlAFVx6Eg1jZ5RYVC4zOKmU0BHaYvcQa2sZF9f942ZuorLLFKZuLg4oEkOIdC2lDbSbbzgw1v2bzowJizsS7NA2SmcrUt3hej292aiK7bOHA/s2048/316832861_2188549264660387_7143506651262459569_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRALABmfqzF7IXszoIz9uPnJATm3S-16Qx-FGuYutXw70eH8fS-mS28FChD7dwTntAiQu3VTF7O5MTG7wlAFVx6Eg1jZ5RYVC4zOKmU0BHaYvcQa2sZF9f942ZuorLLFKZuLg4oEkOIdC2lDbSbbzgw1v2bzowJizsS7NA2SmcrUt3hej292aiK7bOHA/s2048/316832861_2188549264660387_7143506651262459569_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQKYtokSlBbfk4oV6YkhNcTW8t2IUTKjPgtxvjG4w4pU3SvneH8Xy4N5G0KjBnzDJwDYWhxnOMfk_Twxauw-jq3QC0L4qIokwCt6dxUIYeRdUDp422biKhF1KzS3-MiPvy3cEaTMOfYIEY3YUXnE-bxhaG76cvw6Xyb6fA9fMCmWMWv_qAM7nEJCghg/s1107/memaandmadicr2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="780" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQKYtokSlBbfk4oV6YkhNcTW8t2IUTKjPgtxvjG4w4pU3SvneH8Xy4N5G0KjBnzDJwDYWhxnOMfk_Twxauw-jq3QC0L4qIokwCt6dxUIYeRdUDp422biKhF1KzS3-MiPvy3cEaTMOfYIEY3YUXnE-bxhaG76cvw6Xyb6fA9fMCmWMWv_qAM7nEJCghg/s320/memaandmadicr2.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRALABmfqzF7IXszoIz9uPnJATm3S-16Qx-FGuYutXw70eH8fS-mS28FChD7dwTntAiQu3VTF7O5MTG7wlAFVx6Eg1jZ5RYVC4zOKmU0BHaYvcQa2sZF9f942ZuorLLFKZuLg4oEkOIdC2lDbSbbzgw1v2bzowJizsS7NA2SmcrUt3hej292aiK7bOHA/s320/316832861_2188549264660387_7143506651262459569_n.jpg" width="240" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLF0-S6nMu93b7ox3YhEKMkiMW7A51Z0NvV0SYwnklEzGt_xOtA6b5VmrXHkKuipJB52ben7RSax4rkocRb4kmWuiKlkOFSOoDVK0ZCu8lIZhXNO_wPm-Hdd-un_HdhxIJEVyQ5S9Ec2QvB0qQVk_ZnFuX1U0SJDTVH4r_1RU7xerX_sfqzk14VF90xg/s2048/317805002_2188549184660395_5418811741012751199_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLF0-S6nMu93b7ox3YhEKMkiMW7A51Z0NvV0SYwnklEzGt_xOtA6b5VmrXHkKuipJB52ben7RSax4rkocRb4kmWuiKlkOFSOoDVK0ZCu8lIZhXNO_wPm-Hdd-un_HdhxIJEVyQ5S9Ec2QvB0qQVk_ZnFuX1U0SJDTVH4r_1RU7xerX_sfqzk14VF90xg/s320/317805002_2188549184660395_5418811741012751199_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6grN36hIkEo2-Bsgz-YBpFl-w5StKJT7YWJKyZfPt_4MMo4GVBkJeN_xSRmeTpm4At_WX5IOjy1YbI2wO4ZSwm-5pn5J5I-XyAJL0LHKUAedSzmWyaNuMKRkqW4vFtvev6VvuAv-t5y1QvkCq3UlJd6DY5qpWtdxW8BeqiDtbfR5UnDbYYAjn7I9LOw/s2048/318553427_2188549117993735_7746858408289979685_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="999" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6grN36hIkEo2-Bsgz-YBpFl-w5StKJT7YWJKyZfPt_4MMo4GVBkJeN_xSRmeTpm4At_WX5IOjy1YbI2wO4ZSwm-5pn5J5I-XyAJL0LHKUAedSzmWyaNuMKRkqW4vFtvev6VvuAv-t5y1QvkCq3UlJd6DY5qpWtdxW8BeqiDtbfR5UnDbYYAjn7I9LOw/s320/318553427_2188549117993735_7746858408289979685_n.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-83381871163280365872022-04-24T19:39:00.006-06:002022-04-24T19:41:16.770-06:00Just an update about life as it is right now<p> Just to check in - </p><p>Amber is so pleased how well Brylee sleeps! She says that she now understands why babysitters told her that Bryn & Blake didn't sleep - she hadn't had a baby who was a good sleeper to compare them to.</p><p>EfM is going well. I love the group and I love leading the group through the information. The TRs are wonderful this year.</p><p>Community of Hope/Circle of Care is going well. I was asked to be an Al Alon sponsor a few months ago, and the training I received at COH/CofC is helping me to hold space and walk the journey with my sponsee.</p><p>The Enneagram Journey program by Susanne Stabile went well. The group is still meeting, expanding beyond the 12 weeks.<br />I am starting another group in June during EfM's summer break.</p><p>I have also decided to go through the "Me and White Supremacy" book with another group this year. I think it is important to recognize our own biases/prejudices since awareness is the first step to change.</p><p>I am still hosting the Al Anon group on Wednesdays, and occasionally attend the Tuesday meeting as well. I am so grateful for the tools taught in Al Anon. I have more serenity now than I have at any other point in life.</p><p>Aquarium Sagas:<br />I still have three fish tanks: </p><p>a 29 gallon tank with Gus Gus the blood parrot, a bristle nose pleco, and some zebra danios.<br />a 15 gallon tank with a bristle nose pleco, three peppered corys, a platy, and three neons.</p><p>and a 38 gallon tank with the two goldfish: Cleo & Levi. </p><p>I have the two guinea pigs: Chewy & Andie.</p><p>Four indoor cats: Tilly, Patch, Lucy, & Boots.</p><p>One dog: Meggie. <br /></p><p>Four outside cats: the mama cat, two babies (who aren't babies anymore!) and Minnie. I need to name them. Mama cat had babies & one of the "babies" is pregnant. I sure wish that No More Homeless Pets was still open to the public; I'd like to get the outside cats fixed, but it is so expensive. Minnie is spayed, but the other three, and now the babies, are not.</p><p>Seven chickens: an Americana, Rhode Island Red, Barred Rock, a silver laced Wyondotte and three gold sex links.</p><p>Bentley asked me, "Why do you have so many pets, Grandma Mema." I didn't know what to say! I love them all & they bring me joy.</p><p>I had Boots to the vet last week. He is getting over his nasty cold, but the vet did think we should do a viral panel since he has a spot on his eye that worried her; she is hoping that it is not being caused by the herpes virus, but told me to watch it and bring him back if it starts turning opaque as it could make him go blind.</p><p>I figured out the ages of all of the indoor cats & Meggie:<br />Meg will be 16 in July (born in 2006)<br />Mow Mow Boots will be 14 (born in 2008)<br />Tilly will be 13 (born in 2009)<br />Patch will be 5 (born in 2017 - the year Bethy the dog died.)<br />Lucy will be 4 (born in 2018)<br />All of the indoor cats & dog were born here at this house except for Boots who showed up in the yard last year & adopted us.</p><p>Last week Steve had his first colonoscopy on Friday, and on Tuesday we visited Michael's new neurosurgeon. Steve's colonoscopy went great and he doesn't need another one for 10 years! I am jealous, since I'm on the 5 year track.<br />Michael's neurosurgeon seems very kind and is happy to tell us that since Michael hasn't had a problem with his shunt for nearly 20 years, chances that he will in the future are very low. We will go back for a check up in 2 years.</p><p>Something of note is that I had someone besides Cami or me cut my hair on Saturday. I went to the SmartStyle in Walmart and one person was working, Karley E., so she was the one I chose. The haircut turned out very well!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6rX0pzhVc6pxPgFq_0KDwq5K5Xr0RWtk7u4QJZB4lFUHIDXQRLYcRJPy2McXfYhYw45mqAHGZuaXQcAHcjVNkuTyfjehyu-wdYoW7-GdGdrZepo776afjmHd8FyC4fsOjr3aEPhJTI8NByMONZK5L0F1B-sLujzbLV4DRQpR2mWkhm0hFrEjZTuI3w/s1280/WIN_20220424_19_32_41_Pro.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6rX0pzhVc6pxPgFq_0KDwq5K5Xr0RWtk7u4QJZB4lFUHIDXQRLYcRJPy2McXfYhYw45mqAHGZuaXQcAHcjVNkuTyfjehyu-wdYoW7-GdGdrZepo776afjmHd8FyC4fsOjr3aEPhJTI8NByMONZK5L0F1B-sLujzbLV4DRQpR2mWkhm0hFrEjZTuI3w/s320/WIN_20220424_19_32_41_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><br /><p>Miah had her 13th Birthday, last week, which is a big difference from when I first met her 9 years ago when Josh and Hayley first got together (<a href="https://merriemelody.blogspot.com/2013/04/this-momentmiahs-birthdayapril-19.html" target="_blank">her 4 year old birthday</a>)!</p><p>I think that is all the updates I can think of for now!<br />♥ Melody</p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-57963218827639624772022-04-07T09:42:00.002-06:002022-04-07T09:42:22.024-06:00Daniel Tiger and Lady Aberlin's duet<p>I saw this facebook post and realized that it needed to be here, on my blog, where I can read it and remember it, because I had forgotten all about this -</p><p>Melody<br />April 7, 2019 </p><p>I love in the part in Mister Roger's "Won't You Be My Neighbor" documentary when Daniel Tiger and Lady Aberlin sing a duet together after Daniel confides to her that he feels like a mistake and a fake. </p><p>Hedda Sharapan said that it was interesting to watch Daniel tell Lady Aberlin his worries, then watch her she sing back to Daniel that she loves him as he is, and then they both sing their songs together, in a duet. She said that she felt it would have been disingenuous if Daniel would have simply accepted what Lady Aberlin said as truth above his own - that in that moment he knew she was right and he was wrong - but as they sing both of those songs as truths in a duet, it felt very genuine and helpful. It felt true that Daniel could hold both ideas in his head and heart - and I think we're all like that.</p><p>My story similar to this was when a person said to me, "Everyone loves you, Melody, don't you know that?" I don't remember what my mouth said, but my heart said that no, I don't know that. Now, when I start feeling unlovable, I remember his words; they are a treasure to me just as I'm sure Lady Aberlin's are to Daniel Tiger.</p><p><a href="https://vimeo.com/90982494">https://vimeo.com/90982494</a></p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-26199375563478825032022-04-06T20:49:00.007-06:002022-04-06T20:52:07.415-06:00Brylee M. Rose<table>
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<b>She is here!</b></br>
Brylee M. Rose</br>
Born on April 4, 2022</br>
@ 12:54 p.m.</br>
6 lbs 10 oz</br>
20" long</br>
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♥ Grandma Mema and Baby Brylee ♥<p>
I am so glad that this little bundle is finally here, healthy & strong.</br>
♥ Melody
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Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-49343224461018670572022-03-07T08:59:00.002-07:002022-03-07T09:03:42.147-07:00Sugar Cookie Recipes<p>At Christmas, I was longing to eat a sugar cookie from my childhood. Today's sugar cookies are so different from the "old ways."</p><p>I have decided to ask friends for their sugar cookie recipes and try them, to see if I can find the sugar cookie from my memories.</p><p>Here is one from Tracy from C&H Sugar ( <a href="https://www.mastercook.com/app/Recipe/WebRecipeDetails?recipeId=1314353&fbclid=IwAR3g3Y8HJwFVS_3DE7oSxq4tRrmcHX0T86iVgG-3p4z0hzc1mKfV5XS-xwc" target="_blank">recipe link</a> ) </p><p>Also, I just realized that the icing I've been missing is Royal Icing. I'll post a recipe soon. <br />I've used buttercream in the past, but I've missed the smooth, hard icing from my childhood, and I think that is Royal Icing.</p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-22965827532361944202022-02-16T16:35:00.000-07:002022-12-03T19:29:18.498-07:00Spring's Yam Oats<p>This is the tiktok link to the video with the recipe:<br /><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@springdiesel.2.fkn.whyte/video/7053572865081494831?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1">https://www.tiktok.com/@springdiesel.2.fkn.whyte/video/7053572865081494831?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1</a><br /><br /><b><i>Written recipe:</i></b></p><p>In an Instant Pot:</p><p>Spray the pot with a vegetable oil like Pam, then add:</p><p>1 1/4 cup steel cut oats<br />3 3/4 yam juice + water<br />can of yams</p><p>Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. Turn off the Instant Pot and let sit for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, vent to release pressure.</p><p>Open the Instant Pot and smash the yams with a potato masher. Stir the oats and yams together.</p><p>My additions:<br />add 1/4 cup butter<br />1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar. <br />Let the butter melt and stir together & place in a 7 cup bowl with airtight lid to store in the fridge. Keep the lid off until the oat/yam mixture is cool.</p><p>This dish will store for several days. <br />You can reheat a dishful in the microwave and add half & half to cool it off a bit and add more flavor.</p><p>1/2 cup of yam/oat mixture is 216.5 calories.</p><br />Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-67265436081870570912022-01-13T16:27:00.003-07:002022-01-13T16:35:05.026-07:00Steve's cabbage vegetable soup<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Steve's cabbage vegetable soup</b></h3><p><b>Ingredients/Shopping list:</b></p><p>1 head green cabbage (Don't use purple! - I have tried it, it is yucky!)</p><p>6 green onions (scallions)</p><p>2 red bell peppers (green works fine too - but the added color is nice)</p><p>1 whole stalk (bunch) of celery</p><p>2 large cans chopped tomatoes</p><p>1 package (envelope) onion soup mix</p><p>3 bullion cubes or equivalent</p><p><b>Instructions:</b></p><p>Chop up all vegetables and put in a 8 quart or larger stock pot or kettle. The size to cut them is from 1/4 inch to 1 inch - just however big you like vegetables in your soup.</p><p>Add the 2 cans tomatoes and the 3 bullion cubes (or paste or granules or whatever.)</p><p>Stir and add enough water to cover everything.</p><p>Bring to a fast boil and boil for 10 minutes. Then reduce the heat to a simmer (slow boil) and continue cooking until vegetables are tender. (The cabbage and celery are the ones to look out for. I like mine cooked for about 30 minutes! Some people like them crispier.)</p><p>Add seasoning (like poultry seasoning or additional salt) if desired.</p><p>Enjoy a bowl of hot soup. It smells good and tastes good. And it uses more calories to process than it gives your body. This is a negative calorie food!</p><p>Let the rest of it cool, and then refrigerate. I like to put mine in pint size jars to make it easy to grab a couple before heading out for the day.</p><div><br /></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-23237411441318431192021-12-25T18:46:00.007-07:002022-12-03T19:28:08.477-07:00Presbyterian ruling elders & ordination<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am also preparing to be ordained and installed as a ruling elder at church, since I was recently elected to session. I am reading "Presbyterian Polity for Church Leaders" to prepare. (Yes, it does feel like a ginormous responsibility that is much bigger than I am prepared for. I am trusting in God that this is what He/She wants me to do and will guide me as long as I listen. May God bless me to always listen.) </span> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I found an article that I really like, so I am tucking it away in case I'd like to reread it.<br /><br />Here is my favorite line in the article:<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #464545;"><i>"To be ordained is to become a “rower” in the church’s boat, listening to the word of the coxswain, Jesus Christ, as he gives direction and marks the tempo for the way forward."</i></span></span></p><p><a href="https://pres-outlook.org/2015/08/why-ordain-ruling-elders/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">https://pres-outlook.org/2015/08/why-ordain-ruling-elders/</span></a></p><p>A picture of Ron, April, Kathleen, Pastor Bobbie, and me as April and I were ordained:<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CI-EaZzh8l57w981E04F8IVVW1GszPaUEDt8WDRFjwhMFmX-Lz02MeahXL_PMWZ0TP2bIJmAKcFBKmBTgEzGZ1gWjdxUvnkjGu0cENrSUQ7Jf2IuSZ8B8kgnjF7Kpe86lprGnrNMNwTCFcE8A0RGVqAhRuG3j04TugZ5BYyg_ckrAcswi61QOIxNVA/s1440/272223960_10220603149895158_4749986425124358359_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CI-EaZzh8l57w981E04F8IVVW1GszPaUEDt8WDRFjwhMFmX-Lz02MeahXL_PMWZ0TP2bIJmAKcFBKmBTgEzGZ1gWjdxUvnkjGu0cENrSUQ7Jf2IuSZ8B8kgnjF7Kpe86lprGnrNMNwTCFcE8A0RGVqAhRuG3j04TugZ5BYyg_ckrAcswi61QOIxNVA/s320/272223960_10220603149895158_4749986425124358359_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-80544061494275634892021-12-16T18:32:00.004-07:002021-12-16T18:32:57.476-07:00Grandma (Ellen) Deveraux's Gingersnap Recipe<p>Recipe as told by Wendy, Dave's wife. </p><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="" dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc dati1w0a e5nlhep0" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_1nm" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb d3f4x2em iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto" style="color: var(--primary-text); display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">4.5-5 c flour
1 c sugar</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">1 c shortening ( don’t use butter)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">1 egg</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">2 T vinegar </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 t salt</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">1 c molasses </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">2 t ginger</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">1 t cinnamon </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">1 t cloves</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">1.5 t baking soda </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 375* degrees. Cream shortening and sugar. Add egg, vinegar and molasses. Beat well. Sift together flour ( I start with 4.5 cups), salt, soda and spices. Mix into creamed mixture. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Flour board and roll dough to 1/8” thick and cut with cookie cutter. Re-roll dough until all is used. Transfer to baking sheets. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake for approximately 10 minutes. This will vary depending on how thick the dough is and the size of the cookie. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Cool on pans for a couple of minutes then transfer to cooling racks. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Grandma’s original recipe said you could use bacon grease if you don’t have shortening. It also said that you could use Karo Syrup or honey for the molasses. <span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="🤗" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tb7/1/16/1f917.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span>. I’ve never tried either of these. <span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="🙂" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t4c/1/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="stjgntxs ni8dbmo4 l82x9zwi uo3d90p7 h905i5nu monazrh9" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="l9j0dhe7" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div class="bp9cbjyn m9osqain j83agx80 jq4qci2q bkfpd7mw a3bd9o3v kvgmc6g5 wkznzc2l oygrvhab dhix69tm jktsbyx5 rz4wbd8a osnr6wyh a8nywdso s1tcr66n" style="align-items: center; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--divider); color: var(--secondary-text); display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; justify-content: flex-end; line-height: 1.3333; margin: 0px 16px; padding: 10px 0px;"><div class="bp9cbjyn j83agx80 buofh1pr ni8dbmo4 stjgntxs" style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-grow: 1; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of n00je7tq arfg74bv qs9ysxi8 k77z8yql l9j0dhe7 abiwlrkh p8dawk7l lzcic4wl gmql0nx0 ce9h75a5 ni8dbmo4 stjgntxs a8c37x1j" role="button" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-radius: inherit; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-height: 1.3333em; outline: none; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: none;" tabindex="0"><span aria-hidden="true" class="bzsjyuwj ni8dbmo4 stjgntxs ltmttdrg gjzvkazv" style="float: left; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; width: 100px;"><br /></span></div></span></div></div></div><div class="tvfksri0 ozuftl9m jmbispl3 olo4ujb6" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 12px; margin-right: 12px;"><div class="rq0escxv l9j0dhe7 du4w35lb j83agx80 pfnyh3mw i1fnvgqd gs1a9yip owycx6da btwxx1t3 ph5uu5jm b3onmgus e5nlhep0 ecm0bbzt nkwizq5d roh60bw9 mysgfdmx hddg9phg" style="align-items: stretch; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-flow: row nowrap; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: inherit; justify-content: space-between; margin: -6px -2px; padding: 4px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="rq0escxv l9j0dhe7 du4w35lb j83agx80 cbu4d94t d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz rj1gh0hx buofh1pr g5gj957u n8tt0mok hyh9befq iuny7tx3 ipjc6fyt" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex: 1 1 0px; font-family: inherit; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; padding: 6px 2px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div aria-label="Leave a comment" class="oajrlxb2 gs1a9yip g5ia77u1 mtkw9kbi tlpljxtp qensuy8j ppp5ayq2 goun2846 ccm00jje s44p3ltw mk2mc5f4 rt8b4zig n8ej3o3l agehan2d sk4xxmp2 rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 mg4g778l pfnyh3mw p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x tgvbjcpo hpfvmrgz jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso l9j0dhe7 i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of du4w35lb n00je7tq arfg74bv qs9ysxi8 k77z8yql pq6dq46d btwxx1t3 abiwlrkh p8dawk7l lzcic4wl" role="button" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; align-items: stretch; background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-left-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-radius: inherit; border-right-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-style: solid; border-top-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: none; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><div class="n00je7tq arfg74bv qs9ysxi8 k77z8yql i09qtzwb n7fi1qx3 b5wmifdl hzruof5a pmk7jnqg j9ispegn kr520xx4 c5ndavph art1omkt ot9fgl3s rnr61an3" data-visualcompletion="ignore" style="background-color: var(--hover-overlay); border-radius: 4px; font-family: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; transition-duration: var(--fds-duration-extra-extra-short-out); transition-property: opacity; transition-timing-function: var(--fds-animation-fade-out);"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="cwj9ozl2 tvmbv18p" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 4px;"></div></div></div></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-58813724079244419962021-10-26T17:38:00.001-06:002021-10-26T17:38:13.953-06:00Banana Bread Recipe<p>Banana Bread Recipe (Debbie's & Grandma D's I think) </p><p>1 1/4 c. sugar<br /> 1/2 c. shortening<br /> 2 eggs<br /> 2 c. flour<br /> 1 tsp. baking powder<br /> 1 tsp. soda<br /> 1/2 tsp. salt<br /> 3/4 c. sour milk<br /> 1 c. mashed bananas<br /> 1/2 c. nuts</p><p>Mix sugar, shortening, & eggs. <br />Mix dry ingredients together. Add (slowly) to the sugar mixture. Add milk, then bananas, then nuts.</p><p>Bake 1 hour at 350*. Check doneness by poking a toothpick in the center; done when toothpick comes out clean.</p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-26361372846401367402021-09-16T14:29:00.002-06:002021-09-16T14:29:17.483-06:00Where is God when things go wrong?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVNYRJdwU8puQNbWrfi_DfbRcxc54PPippSbWeu8SNh6KV2rQnReTz4wXAq4Uu1wLiy60Ody3tAsYdE822MZF1EHegHi5tEG89SJUp_b0NZE1rTPWrvdprzt-9kF1MfEbPv4Q-u2oxxxt/s960/241817654_4660543857310052_5387585283010899341_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVNYRJdwU8puQNbWrfi_DfbRcxc54PPippSbWeu8SNh6KV2rQnReTz4wXAq4Uu1wLiy60Ody3tAsYdE822MZF1EHegHi5tEG89SJUp_b0NZE1rTPWrvdprzt-9kF1MfEbPv4Q-u2oxxxt/w400-h379/241817654_4660543857310052_5387585283010899341_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p></p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I had an epiphany today - </div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Very often, when terrible things happen, I wonder where God is in all of it.</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After reading this and seeing the picture and tying this in with Teresa of Avila's idea that we are God's hands and feet in the world, I realize that when I wonder where God is in all of the terrible stuff, I can look to His/Her people to see what they are doing to combat the bad stuff, and that will answer the question. God inspires us to take care of each other; that's where God is.</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">♥ Melody</div><p> </p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-71167315583057991432021-09-14T16:05:00.004-06:002022-12-03T19:29:37.365-07:00My spaghetti recipe<p> How have I never added my spaghetti recipe before now?<br /><br />Here it is, as I remember it - </p><p>Cook 16 oz of spaghetti noodles as directed on the package. After cooking & draining, add a TSP of butter & stir through to keep the noodles from sticking together.<br /><br />Brown 1 lb of hamburger with 1 medium onion & 3 cloves of crushed garlic. <br />Drain grease and return to pan. <br />To the meat mixure, add:<br />1 - 15 oz can of tomato sauce<br />1 heaping tsp of oregano<br />1 level tsp of basil<br />1 heaping tsp of salt<br />1/4 cup parmesan cheese<br />Stir together and heat to a simmer, reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes.</p><p><br /></p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-41043818149275096982021-07-04T16:15:00.006-06:002021-07-04T16:18:33.520-06:00Cute 4th of July Shirt - Happiness Triggers<p><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">One thing I loved when I was little was having my mom buy me a cute outfit for the 4th of July. I decided that it is an inexpensive way to be excited about a holiday/event/day.</span></p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happiness triggers are important. <span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">P.S. I absolutely love the cute camping trailers on this shirt! </span><span style="font-family: Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJpWxMM4MnnofUXdo8aiVeNiHSoWQZImmVm-FCKwmActI8kXoE15oLt3b5m5o8D9aGobu-nZsXq_Z2aH9LSva7uDp4NfJGP6bIuXGhDPwArXY-UobA64s0wy5fEECA-_4EFf3k5DIkwcM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="544" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJpWxMM4MnnofUXdo8aiVeNiHSoWQZImmVm-FCKwmActI8kXoE15oLt3b5m5o8D9aGobu-nZsXq_Z2aH9LSva7uDp4NfJGP6bIuXGhDPwArXY-UobA64s0wy5fEECA-_4EFf3k5DIkwcM/" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMiFXd1VNWeI12qvQEEdoeWzvBlcCXnl4foqkfuf_qyZgfM1qKAMucn4xCzmWhTsHewRO10D7KAGVLLUx0nyw2zt1muYlDVn-GoXvw7qheu53FeuoayZ3KtKbTUsub_QqbF7nDyprQ5SR/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="544" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMiFXd1VNWeI12qvQEEdoeWzvBlcCXnl4foqkfuf_qyZgfM1qKAMucn4xCzmWhTsHewRO10D7KAGVLLUx0nyw2zt1muYlDVn-GoXvw7qheu53FeuoayZ3KtKbTUsub_QqbF7nDyprQ5SR/" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">♥ Melody</div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-82684290914979543782021-05-20T12:09:00.002-06:002021-05-20T12:11:46.756-06:00Andie the guinea pig <p>It is with guilt and excitement that I introduce Andie. </p><p>Like I mentioned yesterday, our guinea pig, Honey, died right after surgery to remover her mammary tumor.<br />My heart was broken, and so, it would seem, was Chewy's - Honey's friend and our other pet guinea pig.<br />Chewy didn't touch her food the day Honey was in surgery or all day yesterday. Guinea pigs are supposed to be kept with other guinea pigs - they are not solitary animals.</p><p>I knew that we would get another guinea pig, but after seeing Chewy's reaction to being alone, it seemed that sooner rather than later would be best.<br /></p><p>So yesterday late afternoon, I called IFAs and pet stores within a 30 mile radius of me, and I found one place with a female guinea pig (I called 8 places!) so I asked them to hold it for me for an hour and I dashed up to get her.</p><p>She is a cute little thing, about 3 months old. Last night I took pictures of her and sat and looked at her trying to decide what to name her. She has a cute dark spot around her eye, so I was thinking about Dot, and then I noticed that the spot looked like a comma. The grammar nerd in me thought of my guilt about getting another guinea pig and how disloyal it feels to "replace" Honey so quickly, and my mind turned to the grammar rule that says that you can put two complete sentences together with a comma followed by and, so I thought of Andie - <br />Honey was so loved and valued, and this little guinea pig will never replace her but will bring her own personality and love to our home. So, she is Andie. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6c2xI5jAcjsf0wZfvg69UjeoLnO4N7elgyh9LbmWqrzgY7_0Ru10dxpC1FAQt5Iy-LeCJflCVzsxCj6rsrsIaF0IoIIyuf6XS-9bVxoHSQhc3hem4yjUhe83bbwNZXP3UGxr99yBo2tc/s2040/188736911_924629808321878_5837598116863817510_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2040" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6c2xI5jAcjsf0wZfvg69UjeoLnO4N7elgyh9LbmWqrzgY7_0Ru10dxpC1FAQt5Iy-LeCJflCVzsxCj6rsrsIaF0IoIIyuf6XS-9bVxoHSQhc3hem4yjUhe83bbwNZXP3UGxr99yBo2tc/s320/188736911_924629808321878_5837598116863817510_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0BjIdF9w-rPNH_uAAeKn7WdSwQSvNwZc6etDaWVZKPWTedFBJFx56h7HgduF7WkmX2-SayA3E9RSjJ4dWgTwrLQ6PMCsVJ6_ef1OFVjL-uXiC7p1Sp1PVHeBsBJwLV_UXvlBpZs2sw1B/s2040/188785878_950702672398077_1920136378572955783_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2040" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0BjIdF9w-rPNH_uAAeKn7WdSwQSvNwZc6etDaWVZKPWTedFBJFx56h7HgduF7WkmX2-SayA3E9RSjJ4dWgTwrLQ6PMCsVJ6_ef1OFVjL-uXiC7p1Sp1PVHeBsBJwLV_UXvlBpZs2sw1B/s320/188785878_950702672398077_1920136378572955783_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She won't be able to be with Chewy for the next few weeks - she has to be isolated in her own cage for the first week to make sure she isn't bringing any sickness from the pet store with her, then the second week we will put there cages close-by each other so that they can get used to each other from afar, they will be introduced to each other in a neutral territory, and then placed in a cage together.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am happy to say that Chewy started eating when she heard Andie's little squeaks and running around her cage. She seems happy to have another guinea pig around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Welcome home, Andie!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">♥ Melody</div><br /><p><br /></p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-90493496560252402022021-05-19T21:15:00.009-06:002021-05-19T21:39:08.788-06:00RIP Honey the Guinea Pig<p>Honey the guinea pig died yesterday (below is Honey in front and Chewy in the background).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSVLo4eW08m0slIW3Q9xqIi2yrup6aPNmAzHTeImLYxxsUxGbeC5dPywcgRe-etCY5WpYbwuSr-iO4SNmxLTJ4TTaFxRTBw4aNLg1gixDyjhJXsvTpwcW6w_0pmqPIEFIQqmxbV_7ospZ/s900/Honey+and+Chewy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSVLo4eW08m0slIW3Q9xqIi2yrup6aPNmAzHTeImLYxxsUxGbeC5dPywcgRe-etCY5WpYbwuSr-iO4SNmxLTJ4TTaFxRTBw4aNLg1gixDyjhJXsvTpwcW6w_0pmqPIEFIQqmxbV_7ospZ/s320/Honey+and+Chewy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Last Friday, she was diagnosed with a very large mammary tumor and given a 50/50 chance that it was benign. Surgery was scheduled for Tuesday May 18th (yesterday.)</p><p>On Tuesday, I dropped off Honey at the vet in the morning and her surgery was scheduled for later in the afternoon. <br /><br />The vet told me that Honey would need to be kept separate from Chewy until she was healed better, so Josh and I decided to go to Petsmart to get a few things for a convalescing cage for Honey before she was released to go home later in the evening.</p><p>The vet called while I was pumping gas at gas station, preparing to drive to Petsmart.<br />She said that Honey's tumor had created many blood vessels, so there was a lot of "oozing" and cauterizing that happened during surgery, but that she had gotten through surgery. She said that Honey was still pretty out of it, so the vet wanted to keep her a little while longer. She mentioned that if she had any concerns, she may like to keep her overnight if that was okay with me. I wholeheartedly agreed - if something went wrong, I'd feel much better if it happened when a doctor could be around to take care of her.</p><p>At Petsmart we got a hay manger and an igloo/castle hide away for Honey, and while I was looking at fish - I wanted a betta since mine had died last year - the vet called and said that she was very sorry and they had done all they could, but Honey had quit breathing and died. They tried resuscitating her, but Honey didn't revive.</p><p>I was heartbroken. I am very attached to Honey - she was such a sweet piggy. <br />I put back the igloo/castle hide away and the hay manger, bought three snails on a whim, the betta fish, and catfood and left. </p><p>Josh and I stopped at the vet and retrieved Honey's body that had been placed in a little box and the carry bag that I'd taken her in that morning and went home.</p><p>I kept the candle lit for her through the night and during the day today. This afternoon after the grandkids went home, I took a shovel and the little box with Honey in it and went out the garden to by where Beth (our lab dog) is buried and dug a grave close by for Honey and gave her a very simple burial ceremony.</p><p>RIP Honey. You are very loved by all of us and will be very missed.</p><p>♥ Melody</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-60764259093387159752021-03-17T16:09:00.001-06:002021-08-13T17:57:50.189-06:00How I stayed sane during the pandemicTV / Movies watched during covid/2020<div><br /></div><div>Locke & Key</div><div>Anne With an E</div><div>Freaks</div><div>Kim's Convenience</div><div>The Good Witch</div><div>Sweet Magnolias</div><div>Virgin River</div><div>Gilmore Girls</div><div>Legacies</div><div>Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life</div><div>Travelers</div><div>Enola Holmes</div><div>The Good Cop</div><div>Schitt's Creek</div><div>Parenthood</div><div>Douglas</div><div>Nanette</div><div>Two Weeks Notice</div><div>The Stepford Wives (1975 version)</div><div><br /></div><div>Books I listened to on Audible (funny, b/c before the pandemic, I didn't think I liked books read to me)-</div><div>I discovered that I love Lauren Graham on Gilmore Girls, so I bought and listened to her read her books:</div><div>In Conclusion: Don't Worry about It</div><div>Someday, Someday, Maybe</div><div>Talking Just as Fast as I Can</div><div>A History of Christianity (read and listened to this one- it was assigned reading for EfM)</div><div>And a new series by Kalayana Price - </div><div>Once Bitten</div><div>Twice Dead</div><div>All of the books in the Soulwood series by Faith Hunter (5 so far) -</div><div>Blood of the Earth</div><div>Curse on the Land</div><div>Flame in the Dark</div><div>Circle of the Moon</div><div>Spells for the Dead</div><div>Several of the Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter</div><div>Skinwalker</div><div>Blood Cross</div><div>Mercy Blade</div><div>Raven Cursed</div><div>Death's Rival</div><div>Blood Trade</div><div>Off the Grid</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Books I read in 2020/2021 so far - </div><div>The Path Between Us</div><div>The Road Back to You </div><div>Theology - A Very Short Introduction</div><div>People of the Lie</div><div>The Preaching Life</div><div>The Borrowers</div><div>The Noticer</div><div>Life in Christ</div><div>Smoke Bitten</div><div>Mysteries of Faith</div><div><br /></div><div>Update to this list - </div><div>Vampire Diaries - all 8 seasons completed today (8/13/21)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-44929565750587802832021-01-01T20:00:00.000-07:002021-01-01T20:00:01.523-07:00Muddy Buddies<p>Muddy Buddies</p><p>INGREDIENTS</p><p>9 cups rice chex cereal</p><p>1/2 cup creamy peanut butter</p><p>1 cup milk or semisweet chocolate chips (I like Guittard or Ghirardelli)</p><p>4 tablespoons unsalted butter</p><p>1 teaspoon vanilla extract</p><p>1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt</p><p>1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar</p><p>Measure: the cereal (rice OR corn chex) into a very large bowl</p><p>Melt: the butter, chocolate chips, and peanut butter and mix together. Add in the vanilla and a pinch of salt (to balance the sweetness)</p><p>Combine: add the chocolate-peanut butter mixture to the cereal mixture and toss until combined</p><p>Coat: transfer the mixture to a large bag, add the powdered sugar, and shake to combine!</p><p>Recipe found here:<br />https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/3-recipes-muddy-buddies/</p><p><br /></p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-70268516664800889832020-12-20T20:49:00.001-07:002020-12-20T20:49:15.183-07:00<p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 1.8em;">Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats</span></p><div>from justsotasty.com (https://www.justsotasty.com/wprm_print/4489)</div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-91991977587180832472020-09-25T00:04:00.005-06:002020-09-25T00:05:58.797-06:00With Gratitude for the Day<p><br /></p><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc e5nlhep0 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_c6" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" color="var(--primary-text)" dir="auto" style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Today...</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"> I watered the lawn (I still drag the hose around by hand, so for me it's a big deal!)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">
I did my EfM homework (at least a chunk of it.)</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I put in an order with Smith / Instacart & have a fridge full of food (so blessed!)</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And a cat came to my house to die. Which sounds like a weird thing to say or express as a gratitude, but if you know animals, they want to be in a safe place when they feel so vulnerable. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">He was a stray that Steve & I have been feeding for weeks. I noticed a few days ago that he was very sick - he is also very wild, so there was no way I could take him to the vet. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Today, when I was out getting the mail, he vocalized when he saw me, which is weird - instinct says that he should have hid and been quiet. His meow sounded like "Ow! Ow! Ow!" and his nose and mouth were very wet (he was definitely sick.) He literally dragged himself from the end of the driveway under Steve's car to the front of the driveway, just underneath the front of my car, close to where we feed the strays every evening.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I went out often to check on him and tell him that everything was okay (because in the long run it will be). And that is where he passed.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I am so grateful and honored that he felt that we were safe people and our home was a safe place for him. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I have no use for being important to society's important people; I feel privileged to be important to those who just need to a person to feel safe and vulnerable with. That is who I strive to be.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">RIP cat. I hope that in heaven there are trees to climb and things to chase and pounce.
♥ Melody</div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-58142564775893938072020-08-28T15:54:00.003-06:002020-08-28T15:54:40.813-06:00A Fascinating Book - The Road Back to You<p>I have been interested in personality types for years. I've had my kids take the Meyers-Briggs test and recently had them take the enneagram test, too.</p><p>When my daughter, who is similar to and yet different from me, got the same enneagram number, my curiosity was piqued. </p><p>Last week, I bought the book<i> The Road Back to You</i>, by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. In the reviews I read, it seems that these two people are the ones in the know about enneagram stuff.</p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="The Road Back to You Study Guide - By: Ian Morgan Cron, Suzanne Stabile
" height="320" src="https://g.christianbook.com/dg/slideshow/f400/846207_1_ftc.jpg" width="212" /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">I love to read, but it takes a very special book to keep me reading for hours on end, and this one has done that.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">A few days ago, I asked Steve to buy a copy for himself and also a copy of the study book that goes with it - one for him, one for me. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I think it will be fun for the two of us to study this book together, and I highly recommend it for everyone.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">♥ Melody </p>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181682862418239688.post-52620346907877355002020-08-27T14:38:00.012-06:002020-08-27T15:00:06.833-06:00Pandemic, protests, and priorities<p>The last one (priorities) was put in to keep the alliteration, though I suppose coming back to this place is a priority after the craziness that is happening around me.</p><p>I realize that my heart is spread thin these days, and often I forget to look and see how *I* am doing, so I'm hoping that posting will help bring my focus back to me, which is a healthy thing to do, as Al Anon teaches me.</p><p>Since the pandemic came on in March/April, Steve, Michael, and I have been staying home and quarantining A LOT. We occasionally visit with the kids and grandkids out on the front porch/lawn while wearing masks and staying 6 feet apart. Steve and I are trying to stay safe for ourselves of course, but especially for Michael. </p><p>We zoom a lot these days.</p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">At the beginning of COVID-19 after EfM- August during Zoom Church-</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZLAXnL_2ELdSlmAUydP-YAJAimAFW7nSQy9eRTYyz-xP6CtbIzeXFZPQiCNm6IEHXL7W72qt9aMWRfLY2t3ew35wz8HZCYpQ_h3_higNDo5AAk6-iqq2lzbPWtoNuLmIce-O3ASXgTjx/s480/89789979_228514978347047_5580339102319902720_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="352" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZLAXnL_2ELdSlmAUydP-YAJAimAFW7nSQy9eRTYyz-xP6CtbIzeXFZPQiCNm6IEHXL7W72qt9aMWRfLY2t3ew35wz8HZCYpQ_h3_higNDo5AAk6-iqq2lzbPWtoNuLmIce-O3ASXgTjx/w226-h307/89789979_228514978347047_5580339102319902720_n.jpg" width="226" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7zXkfbagU1oc7PJDpcjzohrrzU7AvWkK5EKVbqNGhgHLb3kSyoRaKsYbGWT4TKntkMGAFjJ3CurXwdnr2to4R8JvcmXnFQsrekbOnL_NKQiX6jpFWHVBCKEd5-63g4n4fZKccZFgci4k/w244-h324/117654868_3728561357161208_2382483391501224600_n.jpg" width="244" />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Steve is working from home, which wasn't really all that new. He'd had projects that required a lot of time, so rather than commute he often worked from home before the quarantine happened. Now that he is home more than ever, he has put a desk in Ashton's old room (which had become the storage room) so that he can be away and alone sometimes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have been sewing. A LOT. At the beginning of the pandemic, I was a nut job. My anxiety had spiked so high that I had a hard time functioning. Distraction was the first thing I did - lots and lots and lots of tv and movies have been watched. And then, of course I had to make masks, and the funniest thing happened while I was sewing ... it calmed my nerves. Even picking out stitches was soothing, which is very odd, since picking out stitches always made me super frustrated in the past.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSh5G_RNRrG_jDq2ECHvBfcY9je18cx2-9dpaP00TPwPD-MDb19oBsY7i-LQdoyYcyGCDRXsjFrB4o6wHNFBe3gJh00x5kgfOhQNjN2fslKv3DHSGEzm1c68qzoqoi1UazThuooENeqK2H/s480/91444627_10216582113731767_3384416044356468736_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="352" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSh5G_RNRrG_jDq2ECHvBfcY9je18cx2-9dpaP00TPwPD-MDb19oBsY7i-LQdoyYcyGCDRXsjFrB4o6wHNFBe3gJh00x5kgfOhQNjN2fslKv3DHSGEzm1c68qzoqoi1UazThuooENeqK2H/w282-h384/91444627_10216582113731767_3384416044356468736_n.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thin elastic could not be found b/c people were sewing masks like crazy for themselves and for health care workers b/c there was a shortage of masks for a while. Since there was only some round elastic in my mom's sewing cabinet that I inherited, and since round elastic is hard to sew on, I opted for ties. I made Ashton, Austen, Preston, Matthew, and Steve tie masks and kept the one elastic mask for myself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A week or so ago, Michael went outside to visit with Josh, Hayley, and the kids, and again with Amber and the kids and I was so impressed that he kept his mask on the whole time they were here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3YDu_1OdNsz-5QPUlm-R7PDg9y_nIDyc1asmeGfux4n7hgon7-WdMd8DLdz_KLBNYC34q6v7BrdE5VBMEOFMouFJiAivWBXeX3emH0cJkoDVABS6nnCAKbcngmSzuYkEwChtHZxL8iiQ/s2016/118168362_10217686968512446_2678813851092684331_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3YDu_1OdNsz-5QPUlm-R7PDg9y_nIDyc1asmeGfux4n7hgon7-WdMd8DLdz_KLBNYC34q6v7BrdE5VBMEOFMouFJiAivWBXeX3emH0cJkoDVABS6nnCAKbcngmSzuYkEwChtHZxL8iiQ/w305-h410/118168362_10217686968512446_2678813851092684331_o.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So... I gave him my mask and made myself a new one (reversible) with some 1/4" elastic that I found at JoAnn's a couple of months ago - the thicker elastic makes my ears poke out a bit, so I intend to hand stitch some round elastic on instead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hdqG0Fb9yU2P_1G50lCUMyQR9mU0WUIPwUS_Auj3rhLtN8iA9a0HD0i2W4cFv-heQn81TIkCG4QRER4m2Omf7RqBHL4hyphenhypheny3XQPOyfiLd_sdHtFRyyS7lCz9szvUFtPj4K7Skfp0lbSL3/s960/117399956_10217693920486241_3954774369421052_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="715" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hdqG0Fb9yU2P_1G50lCUMyQR9mU0WUIPwUS_Auj3rhLtN8iA9a0HD0i2W4cFv-heQn81TIkCG4QRER4m2Omf7RqBHL4hyphenhypheny3XQPOyfiLd_sdHtFRyyS7lCz9szvUFtPj4K7Skfp0lbSL3/w244-h328/117399956_10217693920486241_3954774369421052_n.jpg" width="244" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="715" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9s9aDgURlacQpnUiHHTcfRwz-M0wZUcuhKtYd01k_Tld2-8Hl6kHA_yEzp-wF-9Y54GrwdFWHGCq47tN2S06qAa2NEyB5i4VfBk6Ibf8aJYzdKW3IfnowgZPOgaEbQGRNDe66ztDAF3W0/w244-h328/117972696_10217693919646220_909614583746141375_n.jpg" width="244" /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Quilts! --</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You probably know that I had a goal to make a quilt for every grandbaby when they were born. Well, I have 11 grandchildren and only one of them have a quilt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since I discovered that sewing was therapeutic for me, I started sewing grandkid quilts, too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOSrEN79o-4SX7pGaJlbdRMBisr22HFZXz7IpdBH-ChbvtYMfSGcFL5Ld0RbOemYM1xbBqzmHJrklka0qVzHYalojEETOiAcULW7PnylZLY7BZDcHKnPKM4ps3_zzJhOmssgRC1JbbLQH/s960/109834304_10217527773492670_7185033394546955367_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="960" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOSrEN79o-4SX7pGaJlbdRMBisr22HFZXz7IpdBH-ChbvtYMfSGcFL5Ld0RbOemYM1xbBqzmHJrklka0qVzHYalojEETOiAcULW7PnylZLY7BZDcHKnPKM4ps3_zzJhOmssgRC1JbbLQH/w512-h381/109834304_10217527773492670_7185033394546955367_n.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-0I3ESbrUDwVHSwK8rPG-pZjJWL8HKWkWzuD4I1Y2xPivU66ttZwtTCY_aICqm4t4uN_42mE5oGuZNrZ_T0KBQ1CgVA5IiBRXeFQsVuQ8-p0hXHudpqtJPdzdsw3VAyjJoqEYwudVa2U/s480/104117658_3279261388771746_395298299733985515_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="352" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-0I3ESbrUDwVHSwK8rPG-pZjJWL8HKWkWzuD4I1Y2xPivU66ttZwtTCY_aICqm4t4uN_42mE5oGuZNrZ_T0KBQ1CgVA5IiBRXeFQsVuQ8-p0hXHudpqtJPdzdsw3VAyjJoqEYwudVa2U/w226-h307/104117658_3279261388771746_395298299733985515_n.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="352" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7OZBkqTtiiG11rq7VAAzHrmX9_sGpuaiHgqFRSO43HR1K3a6pcIUsEvQaxIXa8ZKKBhnCXzAoUhMD7R4pHdy_r5r000P6xZkjfAr1RZJRpPQGIgXWTzd0RViL5ZEmwRvOp8HzARDrCLu/w226-h283/Malekais_finished_quiltcr.jpg" width="226" /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62YlmML5gLd_QMm1zX4G170wwEcM-Rgf51Dyw2BRZd5Ayt1p8mLWaxUl-yB0tnxDguBgRAgIZobLglIUdj8gpNCueRTaE11rrLcsFRxO0uIgwFX0IKKDXqtpKRkW5h1W3PyyDUN4NCQIx/s480/103270758_303261910842838_8348136709540479022_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="352" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62YlmML5gLd_QMm1zX4G170wwEcM-Rgf51Dyw2BRZd5Ayt1p8mLWaxUl-yB0tnxDguBgRAgIZobLglIUdj8gpNCueRTaE11rrLcsFRxO0uIgwFX0IKKDXqtpKRkW5h1W3PyyDUN4NCQIx/w226-h307/103270758_303261910842838_8348136709540479022_n.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi470WB5XwsMbibfwiW0iOCr9ZqZUbv8-5XfIPNTYuGPhX8Zk0s0RVVQWns9rKFXRIwHOgUpToXNZVuERWPxAvtnwXntumyL7xe6gDlstc8eQ0tp3DYXnk6Aj313w7-HHNs0pOUlbfJOcft/s480/98050514_1058030297924987_8407927600416030720_n.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="352" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi470WB5XwsMbibfwiW0iOCr9ZqZUbv8-5XfIPNTYuGPhX8Zk0s0RVVQWns9rKFXRIwHOgUpToXNZVuERWPxAvtnwXntumyL7xe6gDlstc8eQ0tp3DYXnk6Aj313w7-HHNs0pOUlbfJOcft/w180-h244/98050514_1058030297924987_8407927600416030720_n.jpg" width="180" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFRovZOC20TI5SJg4Bhfz3n834jvxFcTSRzLrhnCSrhAXcpewW-bIkDe4ryzU7ap04kePhcPrNUfrzagg_KzXn55z-0-5xyUhJHoPxQ8rWNEd9bpciPBSfTKLj4xJ-UfFOAXGRNJYQYYd/s480/103972827_720773948494266_1754239634156971249_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFRovZOC20TI5SJg4Bhfz3n834jvxFcTSRzLrhnCSrhAXcpewW-bIkDe4ryzU7ap04kePhcPrNUfrzagg_KzXn55z-0-5xyUhJHoPxQ8rWNEd9bpciPBSfTKLj4xJ-UfFOAXGRNJYQYYd/w230-h307/103972827_720773948494266_1754239634156971249_n.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="720" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsjOz1OeRkvC9-5Rs4fkR3PWkvPGqr3H5HWK0yLBV0xj4hvruUILGFxSBz7VOMUKRg16J64pqvuuSinjjn8qsilgO9bdxZA9x374lD4TIr1wE_1UxjOAqE0Ava30LwPFeZOshrXTxYgpE/w262-h147/May4thprogress.jpg" width="262" /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeh_l0DTNcIh0Du72i-x4OtktCkojln-1PenfFdXj2VrznmIoYYfvNmb2l7Xd8OsM1_dRVvhrTsMouUiG5NdL4TNMVzUKmQntbq0ESdeOuTj9na8fiQwHZ3rIBjqZwK2EUyOYfLqT-VdV/s352/mercedesquiltdone.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="352" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeh_l0DTNcIh0Du72i-x4OtktCkojln-1PenfFdXj2VrznmIoYYfvNmb2l7Xd8OsM1_dRVvhrTsMouUiG5NdL4TNMVzUKmQntbq0ESdeOuTj9na8fiQwHZ3rIBjqZwK2EUyOYfLqT-VdV/w226-h222/mercedesquiltdone.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="700" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WxvoXmDn-Efosb-dV6JI5FpvGuYKj0yFynNObBCNVm4F_Tpj4T9-dnKp3Ss7KVwJqk0WQblCUC9vRl_s-3bjrTIK6-39_0pZOx-yh-sBFXY1h7gh67ur4qMJUapahSJnb3pG2PXaQGBB/w262-h242/jacksonsfinishedquilt700.jpg" width="262" /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, five tops are finished and three quilts are tied and bound. I'm making progress!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">School! --</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">School started for Miah, Teryn, and Mercedes - Aiden and Bentley will start once they are officially moved into their new (to them) home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are pictures of M,T, & M on their first day of school - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnUb2xTEL7vgYknBtjXc1eNrEfG6fDZpW-loWZVqMnOqNZnuU0_Vre6_HQXkFDwxGIYambYMZeGHanrE_dSceY4TujXO0Kf5Ad2kr6b2yka_cfkqhBFxiWDKtKd4HuANWmdMnIDhV6Rb-/w156-h210/118103184_10217704406908395_1445333360562579042_n.jpg" style="text-align: left;" width="156" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJGxETb_odIsMa20bqZsL8NenU-CJXR0Na6SPG7ofKmdnInEkpKi599CCiAKOPuL7X7CcM0GJMHR700LLWvW7mIpVJrwWrmGbIsJhehC1QDw-c7Q_Y2mPPxW6ZUsNdudx9sWcVVgQMLKa/s960/117763528_10217704406588387_1877817498650099104_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJGxETb_odIsMa20bqZsL8NenU-CJXR0Na6SPG7ofKmdnInEkpKi599CCiAKOPuL7X7CcM0GJMHR700LLWvW7mIpVJrwWrmGbIsJhehC1QDw-c7Q_Y2mPPxW6ZUsNdudx9sWcVVgQMLKa/w156-h210/117763528_10217704406588387_1877817498650099104_n.jpg" width="156" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNRABEMMbCRtGhYr2J1_HNyHm4YYV0w6lh-xdIGylQiNlZLVnCZ7KerGupn4HKw_BL3UsQrGq95B-CFZt1fajI_5959CeU1QC3eodzK285DyAgqWDCqzsXkLzLaiKCDb1sm1jvgtUVdGv/w156-h210/117987655_10217704405828368_5623608243494656477_n.jpg" style="text-align: left;" width="156" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This year, I bought each of them a back to school shirt like I have done for years, but this time I shopped and shipped from Amazon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, one more thing and I'll end this post - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I cut my own hair now! I'm looking forward to the day when I don't have to, and I can sit in Cami's chair and chat while she does the work and has the stress, but when my hair got this long, I decided to take matters into my own hands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwmX1LBQU8kLYEiPpGoUkmTS6nnee_JHPysqEOYAv-PhFfxYl5RKKoFfF3PCrhagogwMqtpELQ7DXH78kMGgJvgtCaQdshnfpCBtME0ERnCzBlkChX19R-0N2un-ZqP6hH37c9q7jEnF6/s480/106394933_10217305644979596_5930065351610479044_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="284" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwmX1LBQU8kLYEiPpGoUkmTS6nnee_JHPysqEOYAv-PhFfxYl5RKKoFfF3PCrhagogwMqtpELQ7DXH78kMGgJvgtCaQdshnfpCBtME0ERnCzBlkChX19R-0N2un-ZqP6hH37c9q7jEnF6/w181-h307/106394933_10217305644979596_5930065351610479044_n.jpg" width="181" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After watching several youtube videos and buying hair cutting scissors and thinners, I broke down and cut it myself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI51sucbBfpjWksRCqiWgc_bV7Jz019ux9CLf2xsU3UNiecAUlxVrAH9pM8DxisgrINxcIzUzLj00efudWBPSDHvntqgdyMBsRzfcsV8Ws_tdIQRAgKbfxV_-Rgn9uFFogBUdanpIEYhgd/s1280/117444903_10217626096870693_2641327415244795369_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI51sucbBfpjWksRCqiWgc_bV7Jz019ux9CLf2xsU3UNiecAUlxVrAH9pM8DxisgrINxcIzUzLj00efudWBPSDHvntqgdyMBsRzfcsV8Ws_tdIQRAgKbfxV_-Rgn9uFFogBUdanpIEYhgd/w328-h184/117444903_10217626096870693_2641327415244795369_o.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><br /> Not terrible, in fact, pretty darn good! The second cut was even shorter, because I'd gotten some courage since the first time went well - I don't know that I'll use clippers on the side again, because it is pretty darn short! But I am enjoying the ease of caring for it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, so that's it for today. Life is going on in a very different way than usual, but it is still going on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">♥ Melody</div><p></p>
Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01335907113967987846noreply@blogger.com0