Love my weekends

Our weekends have become even more precious since
I don't participate in a alternative schedule. For over 10 years,
I could eagerly looked forward to alternating Fridays off.

What could be better than a alternative schedule?
An environment where I feel appreciated. 
The anxiety level is significantly diminished.
Check.

look what Joe found for my collection

Let's talk about the fun planned for today.
Glitterfest is happening.  

Fall inspiration

Don't you love their eyeliner

 Date night at Noche de Calacas 

Happy 13th everyone.

Happy Monday

Romans 12:2

New International Version (NIV)

² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, 

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

Then you will be able to test and approve what 

God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Thinking of the time when mamas didn't work outside of the home.

vintage colors

We had a splendid weekend. Went out for sushi with 
dear friends on Saturday night.  I don't eat sushi but 
I loved watching our whole party enjoy.  
It is a mama's pleasure to 
have a satisfied family.

On Sunday, our friends barbequed for us.
It was a treat to visit together. Visiting with
their dogs only made me miss having a dog 
more.  

No tracking of time on weekends.

Dreaming of stitching. 

Be thankful

This is one of my favorite Biblical verses. 

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, 
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


In these uncertain times, these words have been gold to me.

Today, and everyday, I have a spirit of gratitude for knowing the Lord.
For my health, this allows me to care and provide for my family.
My precious family and friends.

I am thankful for the government and all the taxpayers who funded
public broadcasting services and libraries.
These two things expanded my life beyond its modest beginnings.
No matter how poor we were I had in my possession the power of
a literary passport in my library car.  All for the price of asking.

Growing up, we had one television with basic channels.

PBS, more specifically KQED, was where I met Big Bird,
Mr. Rogers, the Electric Company.
Public Broadcasting introduced me to BBC produced entertainment
and the Masterpiece Theater.

My conscience will not even allow me to consider
voting for a candidate that even utters the words
cut spending in the same sentence with PBS.
Really?  Allow billionaires to tuck their
bankrolls in the Caymans but cut PBS.
That is okay, the wealthy have plenty of other choices,
nannies, private tutors, you name it.


Imagine if PBS goes away, it is already tainted by corporate funding.
Simply imagine it gone. Who would blow the whistle?

Locally, I support my PBS station and Pacific Radio
(still solely listener supported).
There is no other media outlet for real investigative news.

We are in this together.  On November 6, we will forever decide the
direction of this great nation.
There is a chill in my spine.
Could it be greed will out vote the righteousness.?
If you are on the fence, ask yourself why are Sheldon Adelson,
the Koch brothers, and Karl Rove
dumping fortunes into the Romney/Ryan campaign?

Will the voices of the 47% be heard?
Will the 99% be heard?
Will the President stop being a diplomat and come out fighting?

Is anyone out there reading this? 

Get your own here.

I need a shot of Dr. Cornel West. 

My Beloved Cottage

“I would rather be poor in a cottage full of books than a king without the desire to read”

 Thomas Babington Macaulay 

This phone reminded me:
My girlfriend and I used to have a red princess phone.
The number had the last four digits.  7789 (PRTY)
Definitely the HOTline. 

Here's to good friends and better memories.

No Anxiety Sunday

aghhh.  The pain we put ourselves through.
Sundays used to fill my body with knots.
Unhappy butterflies.
No more.  I look forward to a job.

Nothing pleases me more than a cup of coffee/tea,
an old movie, embroidery with lots of color with
kid laughter in the background.

Searching for treasure pleases me, too.

The back of a cotton ball and q-tip holder.

The front.  Vintage colors.  I am not a fan of
the goose or ducks (unless they are real) but
I adore the vintage colors.

I crawled under a table to get this picture.
Thank goodness for Mr. Candycane and his
assistance to get me up.

Golden delicious apple.

Who stole the cookie jar?  Who me?  Couldn't be.
Joe stole the cookie from the cookie jar.
Do you recall that little classroom favorite?

My photos are a bit shaky from walking up so
many stairs.  

Chalkware squirrel. 

I like the idea of collecting items with
cross stitch or embroidery patterns.

Paint with crewel work.  See the cottage and the swirls outlined
in black.  LOVE it.  

Happy Sunday.

Estranged

For nearly eight years, I have grieved for a son who chooses not to see me.
I haven't seen my No. 2 son, heard his voice or even know what he looks like.
We became estranged after a very ugly custody battle, I commenced at his request. 
He was 14 and had requested to come live primarily with me, his stepfather, older brother, 
and baby brother.  His father and I had joint legal and physical custody with No. 2  living primarily with his father. No. 2 son had decided it was time to transition before starting high school. 

How had this horrible situation come to pass?  It is simply a terribly flawed legal, not justice, system. 
A manipulative selfish father with money on his side.  My inability to argue for reasonableness or fairness. In custody battles there are 3 types of fathers: the father that sacrifices everything for the wellbeing of their children, the father that gives begrudgingly,  and the father that puts property above all else. Mothers are guilty of heinous acts, too.

I fought with dignity and did what I thought was best and relinquished my children to their father initially.  At the time, it seemed like the lesser of two evils.  Less damage to the boys.  After just one year, at the age of  14, No. 1 came to live with us.  No. 2 son was told, by this father, that he, too, could join us at the age of 14. That promise was broken.  No. 2 was welcome anytime but his desire to live with us was not granted.  

No. 2 son witnessed the punishment of No. 1.  Recall the old saying, "If you can't be good you will be a terrible example." No. 1 was cutoff from monetary things for a while.  No. 2 was showered with things continuously. No. 2 was told he was his father's favorite.  What parent says that?

Estranged, (of a person) No longer close or affectionate to someone; alienated, what a hurtful word. 
I pray every morning for the Lord to soften my son's heart.  Now, I will pray doubly for his safety as he enters the Army.  His life long aspiration.  My mother used to say that no one other than another mother understands our hearts.  We love them long before they are born.  Be plant a brave face in their suffering.  Our hearts live outside our bodies. 

I attended my son's high school graduation, uninvited, but I was there to hear his precious name called.  The photos his father promised never arrived. When our divorce became final, all those years ago, my children shared what their father said.  He told them I had given up  and simply walked away from our children and community property.  Not true, I never gave up, I got on my knees and prayed.  I did not and will not compromise for things.  For like my mother, continuously reminded me, I have a soul to give God. My children couldn't be cut into two equal pieces. They were suffering, they didn't want their dogs to be put down, as their father threatened, and they didn't want to lose the only home they had known.   We kept the dogs until their passing, one at 16 and the other at  17.  Their father continues to live in our former home.  All I wanted was for my children to feel secure.

Precious Lord
All knowing and compassionate
In your infinite wisdom
I ask that you soften the heart of my precious son
That you keep him safe, Lord
That you surround him in Your light

Help him to serve our great land in honor
Guide him to do Your will, my beloved Lord
Make my mother's heart strong for Your will

Lord, protect all the men and women in service
Provide peace and resolve to their families and loved ones
God bless America

Amen

Happy Friday

My mother used to hang wash on the clothesline.
It always smelled to fresh and felt crisp.
My favorites were the towels and sheets.

Today, is my first day of unemployment.
I start a new job adventure on Wednesday. 
A few glorious days to prepare.
Clean my disheveled home, work on homework,
read, watch an old movie, and craft. 
Possibility all at the same time.