baker's bytes

Overheard at the Yellow House:

2011-03-01T20:19:00.000-08:00

Elli: "Cooper, knock it off! If you don't knock it off right now, I am going to make you get out of the TV room." (noise and arguing ensue...) "COOPER! GET OUT OF HERE RIGHT NOW!!!"

I step in and say, "Okay...I don't want to hear any more fighting, so you can now both go to your bedrooms."

Cooper: "Oh, Mom! Did you think we were fighting? No! We were just playing a game...and it's called Get out of here right now! The first person to say it wins! Congratulations, good job, Elli! You just won!"

Me: LOL for real, while thinking to myself, "That boy may have a real chance at a career in politics!"

The results are in!

2011-02-26T10:47:00.000-08:00

beFoRe


AFteR

Here is the first of my new "slipcovers." I just made a new cover for the seat cushion and then added a new ruffly skirt. Easy, breezy.

Then, I did the sofa (which was not a bad piece to begin with...pretty new and custom, in fact)...but I wanted a more monochromatic look.


Look! It's two of my cuties and the sofa BefoRe


duRiNg...


and FiNiSHed!

I liked it so well, I decided to do another. So, I found a cute little sofa at the local antiques store, and here is what it looked like to begin with:


gReat BoNeS...questionable fabric, not crazy about Queen Anne legs...


I love it with a new "dReSS"


The (Lt) Colonel decided to get on the act...and rather than paint the old mantel:


He decided to build a new one to my specifications.	(He really is a handy guy to have around!)

So...I am loving my new "keeping" room.

Now, the next step will be to paint over all that white...updates to come!

So anyways....

2011-01-10T08:48:00.000-08:00

My stinking computer crashed about 3 stinking times in the month of December. DECEMBER! I lost all my photos, logos, vinyl making capabilities, print shop...everything!!!! What a pain! So, I apologize for the lack of updates! I will be better this month...as it is one of my resolutions. As you may have read here, I am diving into a restoration of heart and home. I will document it here on this very page! And, be sure to check out the ideas and how-to's here. (We're using it up this month) Here's to a happy, healthy, successful new year! Love ya'll!

Boo, Ya'll!

2010-10-07T07:37:00.000-07:00

Halloween has come to the manor!

Thought you might like to see!

jacks all in a row

here, kitty, kitty...

The witch is IN!

(and apparently, at present...naked.)

Good golly, Miss Molly!

Even the
class
room

gets in

on the

act!

Tricksy, tricksy...

The anatomy lesson

The end.

(of the tour.)

Ya'll come see us again real soon!

Places in My Heart

2009-09-24T13:06:00.001-07:00

Last night, I sat down before 9:00 p.m. to just rest...I cannot even remember the last time that happened. Lately I have been falling into bed (or waking up on the couch amid a pile of laundry) around midnight or 1:00 IN THE MORNING! Now, if you know me well, you know this is not my norm. I am not a night owl, I am a morning person, a morning girl... But recent events in our family and home have complicated my life a bit, and the only solution has been to burn the proverbial candle at both ends. So, when the opportunity presented itself last night, I vegged. On the sofa. In front of the television. Laptop in hand. And I liked it.

I visited my sister, Cindi's blog, because it is hilarious! Seriously, folks...if ya haven't been there, you really ought to. Why? One word. Twins. Boys. 4 years old. That's why! She is so good at recording their antics and that blog always makes me smile and usually laugh out loud. A lot. So, I visited. I laughed. Tried to comment, but my computer (which is finally working again after a whole freakin' month waiting for a new cord)was not cooperating. So, I looked around a bit and came across some blogs that she has links to. One of them belongs to a childhood friend of ours and his wife who just lost a precious baby boy to a brain tumor. I read lots of their entries and cried. Another is a blog about a little girl named Sadie, who battled a brain tumor for 16 months before passing on about 3 months ago. Sadie's page is linked to many other similar stories on blogs written by broken-hearted mothers and fathers. Sad. It was so interesting to me as I read these blogs how similar they all were. Sad, yes. But also full of hope and love and understanding and peace. Now I mentioned before that my life has become, well...complicated. I won't bore you with the details, because, dear reader, I know that YOUR life is also complicated. As I read these blogs, it so clearly hit me. We all have complicated, messy, sad lives. We are all dying. It is the nature of being human.

As I sat and pondered and cried, a thought occurred to me. These precious little souls that are dying of horrible diseases are not so different from my precious children. Or yours. Or my precious husband. Or yours. I resolved to give to my children and husband and loved ones the kind of lives that these sweet parents gave to their babies when they were dying. Priorities set. Flexibility in every plan. Lots of love, lots of snuggling and kisses. Lots of yeses. If I knew my child or husband or parents or siblings had a limited amount of time to live, I would want to make every day as rich and as sweet and as love filled as possible. I started getting emotional thinking that I don't know how long my children's lives will be. Neither do I know how long my husband's life will be or mine or my parents or siblings or my friends or my not friends. But I do know that I want every day to be filled with the kind of love that I would be proud to send them home to their Heavenly Father with.

And how great would this world be if we ALL treated each other like we would treat a dying child? Can you imagine the tone of your voice, the patience you would have if you were with a terminally ill child? You would only have kind words, free of sarcasm or pessimism. You would touch them, hold them, kiss them. You would look into their eyes when you were near them, and treasure every second you had to share with them. If they were down or angry, you would have only understanding and compassion for their hurt. In short, you would show them true charity. You would feel it in your soul, and pass it on to them. Isn't that really Christ's message? Love one another as I have loved you...Love thy neighbor as thyself....the list could go on and on. The most remarkable thing about loving others in this way, is that YOUR own light shines brighter when you do, and you feel your OWN worth even more! Amazing! Whoever thought of this plan was brilliant! Genius even!

I cannot imagine the depth of pain that losing a child would cause. I don't want to know, thank you very much. I just want to know that I have been able to love and be loved in the way God intended...pure and true!

Heavenly Father is so good! Life is not easy, it's a TEST, for Heaven's sake. (Ha! That was a little pun! unintentional, even!) Thank goodness it is open-book and the Proctor will answer any questions you ask Him! (Granted, it takes a while to get the answers sometimes, but still...) Isn't it nice that we each have our own test tailored specifically to our individual needs. Nothing too easy, mind you...we need to be challenged, of course. He knows us. He loves us. and I love YOU, the reader. I hope that the next time we meet, you will know that I am a little different. That I love you a little better. That my light is shining a little brighter. Just try to overlook the bags under my eyes and the cast on my foot. And let's sit down on the couch together in front of the t.v. and read Cindi's blog...and laugh a lot!

A word about ogres and heroes

2009-05-12T12:32:00.001-07:00

I love this guy!

Last night we watched Shrek 2 for family night (hey...I just had surgery, and my husband wasn't home...gimme a break!) and I couldn't help but think of my husband! They are a lot alike...here are some ways:

1. Shrek is big and formidable looking...so is Todd (although Todd is not green, so people don't scream and run away when they see him...usually.) This trait comes in handy. For example, when you have a teenage daughter (we do), you want to look very ogre like to teenage boys...make them think you could bite their head off if you wanted to.

2. Shrek has a look on his face most of the time that would lead you to believe he is not a happy fellow. ditto with Todd (see his facebook picture--prime evidence). But like Cindi says, "It's like Lavell Edwards (former BYU football coach) said...he is smiling on the inside, his brain just forgot to tell his face!" Todd's happy...his face just doesn't realize it most of the time.

3. Shrek is pretty darn funny...a comedian even, some might say. Todd, too. That boy is hilarious, I tell you! He makes me laugh like no other! And man, do I love to laugh!

4.Shrek is really good with completing difficult tasks...the same goes for Todd. There is no job to big or too tough for him! Fire-breathing dragons? Bring em on! He is one hard worker...that Todd! Besides, have you seen his muscles?

5. Shrek would do just about anything for Fiona...to prove his love for her. Well, it goes without saying that so would Todd. Only not for Fiona (at least, I don't think...) But for me...that boy would move heaven and earth. And he does. Frequently.

At the end of the 2nd Shrek movie, Shrek has become one handsome guy (due to a potion) and Fiona is one foxy lady. Shrek comes riding in to save Fiona from the devastatingly handsome, perfect (but completely selfish and wrong for her) Prince Charming. He is who Fiona always thought she'd end up with...and Shrek lets her choose. She chooses Shrek, of course...and chooses to have him stay an Ogre. This is the good part, people! Now, my Todd is one handsome guy...and I will keep him that way. (I'm not really all that fond of green) I am so glad that I "ended up" with the "real" guy. The imperfectly perfect guy. The guy with substance, not just a pretty face. The ogre, so to speak. Yes, I realize that my analogy also casts me as an ogre. Fine. I'll be an ogre (aren't we all a little ogre-ish?)and Todd can be an ogre if it means that we, like the "Shreks" are perfectly happy with our imperfectly perfect relationship. I am just so glad that I am the one who gets to see him in his true, beautiful, not-at-all mean ogre way. You can too, if you look past his gruff exterior. You'll see something that you like. In fact, YOU might be the one to turn green...with envy!

I love you, Todd!

Before and After!

2009-05-06T06:51:00.000-07:00

I thought you might enjoy seeing these images of my insides taken during surgery! The top 2 and bottom right are before and the bottom left is after. You can see that my intestines are adhered to my abdominal wall, and there are lots of organs and adhesions in places where they are not supposed to be. The bottom left show how the abdominal cavity is supposed to look...

The surgery was a success! They found all of my abdominal and pelvic organs stuck to each other...there was a long band of adhesions from my liver all the way to my appendix. The appendix was pretty diseased, so they removed it. They found 2 ovarian remnants and removed those. They un-stuck everything, returned all organs to their correct anatomical positions, and cleaned it all up in there! I should be feeling much, much better once I am recovered from the actual procedure!

Doctor Sinervo and staff in Atlanta were fabulous, as was the ENTIRE hospital staff at Northside. It was by far the best hospital experience I have ever had. I am so glad I was inspired to find this dr and was able to travel and have this surgery done! I have 2 small incisions on either side of my pelvis, and a pretty large incision in my belly button. I am recovering well...somedays are better than others, but all in all I think I am doing quite well and certainly on the road to being fully recovered! It is interesting that most of what they found was left over and/or due to the previous surgery. No wonder I kept feeling like things were not improving the way I had hoped! But, now they will! And watch out, world! DeeDee with health, vitality and energy?! Unstoppable!

Another Day!

2009-04-04T13:28:00.000-07:00

So, after several months of my health going downhill, and doctors not being able to offer much in the way of answers or treatment, I finally took matters into my own hands. I went to the Hotze Health and Wellness Center! Amazing! Doctors who understand what it is I am going through...have treated it for many years, and who are sure that they can help me! It is like going to a 5 star hotel dedicated to health. They take such good care of you! So, my hormones are completely out of balance (which may have something to do with the liver tumors) and they have started me on a regimen of prescription (and bioidentical) hormones, vitamins and supplements. Once I have sort of stabilized, I will do a special yeast cleansing diet which should also help to rid my body of the toxins that have built up over the years.

The day after I went to Hozte (saw Dr. Sheridan), Dr Sinervo from the Center for Endometriosis Care in Atlanta, Georgia phoned me. He said that he felt the majority of my pain was due to remnant ovarian syndrome. Evidently it is nearly impossible to remove all ovarian tissue in a hysterectomy...especially with such a mess as my insides were! That tissue that is left will act like an ovary, and the endo will grow and thrive once again! The ovarian tissue can even develop cysts...probably why I have been feeling like I have an ovarian cyst! I do! The pain in my back is most likely due to endo growing in the back of my pelvis. The tumors in my liver are possibly endometrial tissue. So, I will be flying to Atlanta soon to have one more and hopefully final surgery for endometriosis. The Center has only seen a 7-8% recurrence of pain and symptoms in 20 years of treating women. The normal rate is 40-60% of recurrence of symptoms in the first year following surgery! They use a very specialized surgical technique to remove ALL the errant tissue. They will have a general surgeon on hand to biopsy the liver lesions, and if it is endometrial tissue, they will remove the tumors also. So, though going through yet another surgery (It will be my 6th)for this awful disease doesn't thrill me, the prospect of once again and hopefully forever more being healthy, makes me ECSTATIC!

I am so thankful for all the prayers, and healthy wishes of family and friends...I truly feel so blessed and can absolutely see the Lord's hand in my life. Thanks, ya'll!

So, on to another day...the rain is about to stop, I can feel it!

The Wax Museum

2009-03-16T08:42:00.000-07:00

The 2nd Graders at Cline elementary hosted a Wax Museum last Thursday night. It was a great event, with so many historical characters there telling their own stories! My favorite, of course, was Abraham Lincoln (who suspiciously resembled my own Cooper Addison..both handsome guys I tell ya!) I am so mad because I thought I got a video of Elvis also. His performance was priceless! But alas, there seems to only be a still shot of him. This guy looks exactly like Cooper's best friend, Christian. Except that Christian is a blondie and dresses much more conservatively. Betsy Ross was also a favorite of mine...she very closely resembles little miss EmmaLee Davis, Cooper's betrothed (at least in my world she is! wink wink)

That Abe Lincoln guy, he is pretty amazing! What's funny is that Jordyn wanted to be him when she did a wax museum in 5th grade. Cross-dressing wasn't allowed so she "settled" for being Mary Todd Lincoln, Abe's wife. Then Cooper, not knowing any of that was emphatic from the beginning that he was choosing Abe Lincoln. Hmmmm...I always quote him, (scroll down to the bottom of my blog to see one of his sayings) and am very fond of the man. Wonder what our "connection" is to him. I do know that we gotta give "props" to Uncle Jimmy for the, well, props! He did a fabulous job on that hat! The rest was pretty simple and easy to come by with just a swipe of a card and a signature from me! My momma taught me to be resourceful, you know... And like Abe said, "All I am or ever hope to be I owe to my mother!" And what an angel mine is! I say to Abe, "hear, hear!"

Bring on the Rain!

2009-03-09T06:04:00.000-07:00

But, to tell the truth, I am hoping for sunny skies and clear sailin' this week! As you may know, I have been ill. Instead of the illness running its usual course and me getting better, I have just stayed sick. Bummer. Then, I had a CT scan that required further investigation. And then the further investigation required even further investigation. So, today, I am going for my first mammogram! Joy! I am not 40 yet, so it is a little early to be getting one, but I'll humor the dr. Then, later this week I will be having a liver biopsy to check out that stuff they saw on the CT scan. It is all a little scary, I must admit. However, nothing is ever SERIOUSLY wrong with me...I just get odd little syndromes that few other people get. Usually it is just a little black rain cloud in my otherwise sunshine-y life! It is interesting that when faced with difficulty, I tend to get weak in the knees, and end up on them a lot more than usual! Could this be the reason for my obstacles? To remind me Who is in control? To remind me that I need better communication with my Father in Heaven? Nah...it's just this dang physical body! I can hardly wait for the day (but I will wait...years and years and years) til I no longer have to be constrained by limitations of this particular defective body! But ya know, life is terminal...like the rain, it is inevitable, and neccessary for growth and further development and beauty! The rain never lasts forever (although I bet Noah and his family started to wonder!)...and though there are usually some indictors that it is going to shower, you never know for sure if you're going to get rain or not. So, in short life's forecast is this: terminal, with a chance of LIVING!!!!

Blood letting and other romanticism (February 4th)

2009-02-04T10:27:00.000-08:00

Jordyn and I recently watched Pride and Predjudice...the original 5 hour version. I love that movie, and really any movie based on that time period. I love the 1800s. Everyone and everything was so genteel. So proper. It was Jordyn's first time watching it. I got the dvds for Christmas, and I insisted one day when I wasn't feeling well that she sit and watch with me.

And there has been plenty of not feeling well lately... I have been dealing with a urinary tract infection. You probably know that I LOATHE going to the doctor. Hate it. So, as soon as I realized I had an infection, I started taking natural remedies. The burning stopped, and I thought it was over. Then, at the Charleston Tea Room, I started feeling worse. I decided it was time for the doctor. I went today and indeed, the infection is in my kidneys and so I am going to be on antibiotics, which I also HATE! He said I should feel better in 48 hours after starting the meds. THAT I am looking forward to.

Speaking of looking forward...Elli started wearing her reverse face mask..she loves wearing it, except when she sleeps, but is being a real trooper. Her desire for medical devices is coming in real handy right now!

Maybe Todd could use some of the desire, because I think he may need a pacemaker real soon :0) I don't know if his heart can handle having a dating age daughter! Jordyn is listed on facebook as "in a relationship with Zachary Joseph Nelson." And, what can I say? I love em both. They are so cute together and so proper. They'd have done well in the 19th century.

Oh, to have lived then. Propriety was the norm. Women were women. Men were men. Doctors were...barbers! Did you know that? When you were sick, you went to the barber for blood-letting. That is why they have those poles with the red and white stripes. To inform the public that they were skilled in blood-letting. The white represents bandages and the red...blood! Well, on second thought, maybe I just like to learn about the 19th century...peeing in a cup is bad enough. I wonder how much blood they'd drain for a kidney infection... I am starting to feel real glad about those anitibiotics! In fact, I'll wrap this up now so I can waddle to my car and drive over to the "Apothecary" and pick up my "remedy" at the window. For now, I will keep my blood where it should be: inside my body. I'll keep watching movies, and pretending that everything about life was romantic then.

Lost teeth and Found appliances

2009-01-22T16:55:00.001-08:00

Little boy finally lost his first tooth! He is so excited! He is the last one in his class to lose one...and he thinks he can feel another wiggly one now, too!

In related news, Elli Noel found out that her top jaw is growing at a slower rate than her bottom jaw...and so, for starters, she got this great new appliance yesterday! It's name is expander. We have to turn it with a special key every night for 14 days. Then, hopefully it will have opened up her teeth a little. On February 4th, she will be the proud owner of a reverse face mask. She will wear it to bed every night for a year. At the end of the whole process, her face shape will be different, her smile will be more beautiful than ever, her teeth perfect, and I think she is going to waste away to nothing because eating is pretty difficult right now! Now, if they could promise it would shrink my nose, I'd definitely get one for myself!

New year, new computer, new post

2009-01-03T18:55:00.000-08:00

So, for Christmas, I got a new laptop, and a vinyl machine. I also got a 16 year old, a 9 year old and 15 years married! We had a party about every other weekend...and if you've been to a Baker party, you know they are no small affair. In short, I am pooped! We had lots of Johnson family visitors (the best gift of all!), and lots of friends. I will post pictures of the parties, the birthday girls, the husband (and son, for good measure), sometime in the new year. I make no promises of the exact date. Tomorrow is Sunday, and I am going to have a day of rest. The next day is Monday, the kids go back to school (bummer) and I will have a day of rest. Then Tuesday- day of rest. And Wednesday, Thursday, Friday...well, you get the idea! Then, once I feel rested, I will think about downloading and sharing pictures. And btw, I have a large stack of Christmas cards on the desk waiting to be sent. I am sorry you haven't received one yet. I just couldn't find the time. I do love ya'll and hope your holidays were merry and bright. And, I hope you got a lot of rest. If not, take the week off just like me...you deserve it!

New direction

2008-11-24T17:24:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I have been wanting a change...and now I've got one! We rearranged the house. Like, moved the family room to the study, piano to the old family room, and the bookcases and club chair to the old formal living. Here are some pictures for you to see! Well, I am not the best photographer...I will try to get better ones later. This one is of a table that Todd built in literally 3 and 1/2 hours. Who knew? He's been holdin out on me...

If you are worried about Todd's face, it actually looks better than it has in a while. He is using a cancer cream on his face for pre-cancerous lesions. Poor guy. Looks really painful.

And, if you are worried about Elli and her crutches...don't be. Well, you can worry about Elli, but the crutches are only for show! She hurt her ankle after visiting our friend who had surgery on her ankle. She was in a cast and wheelchair and had crutches...on the walk home, Elli's ankle started hurting very bad. By the time we got home, she had to pull out the standby crutches. We are expecting a speedy recovery...in about 2 weeks...the same time it will take Christen to heal. It's all apart of living in Oz, folks!

Time for a new post!

2008-10-13T06:12:00.000-07:00

It's past time, actually! First things first, though. Cindi tagged me weeks ago and I promised I would blog... so here goes!

4 quirks that I possess!

1. I am extremely claustrophobic. Like, really, really, really scared of small, cramped, or wide-open cramed spaces. Start hyperventilating.

2. I also am a bit scared of heights. So, that combined with my claustrophobia, makes me loathe elevators... put me in an one and I about start convulsing.

3. I am terrified of amusement park rides. I will not ride them. Ever. At all. I hate the thought of feeling completely out of control and your stomach doing flip flops and being scared and the speed...ugh!

4. I rode the Tower of Terror at Disney World several years ago! What?! Small, cramped elevator that goes up to an astonishing height, then drops you extremely quickly...several times... before the *ride* comes to an end. Facing all my worst fears at once...so unlike me! Go figure!

There! My quirks! Now it's your turn. If you are reading this, and you have a blog, I tag you! You're it!

No electricity for a week and a half...and other miracles!

2008-09-23T18:13:00.000-07:00

You know, for all the time I have spent living in hurricane-prone areas (Charleston for 5 years, here for 5+) this is the first time I have actually faced a storm head-on! I am going to send the kids off to school today, sit down and have a good cry and then post!

I can't even begin to tell you how blessed we have been through this entire experience! We have seen miracles here daily and I almost hate to have the electricity back and life return to normal! Almost! It has been amazing to see how people pull together in a crisis situation, and I am sure that this is part of God's plan! He does a little house cleaning, and gives his kids an opportunity to serve one another and with one another. And you know what happens when you serve: you start to love those darn people! It's a pretty clever plan when you think about it.

One fabulous miracle we received was great weather. It was unseasonably cool during the week and a half we lived on our breezeway. It was cooler outside than inside. We had a party every night with friends and family! We had our storage of food and water, of course, and ate just as well as we would have normally. Thanks to Amber and Jimmy and their campstove and Amber's ingenuity! Those are two people you definitely want around in a natural disaster!

We had dear friends show up with full dinners, (thanks Kimberly and Janna and Ryann and the Stormin Hormans!) and hot cookies (thanks Shelli and Kathy Powdrell!) and monster cookies (thanks Becky Oliver...how did you do that with no power?) and coolers and drinks (thanks Shelli and Janna and Ryann!)to keep the ice we got from F.E.M.A. and the darling Reeds who just took such good care of us that I don't even know what we would have done without their watchful care! They waited in the F.E.M.A. lines daily for us, and brought us ice and water and M.R.E.s and even took Jordyn, Jessica and I to lunch after we cleaned a yard one day!

I feel like Jared and Christen are even more a part of our family now than ever...man we enjoyed hanging out nightly with ya'll! And we found out we have some other really super neighbors that we'd only waved to previously. We also found out, sadly, that our neighbor behind us died (of natural causes). We met his kids for the first time, though and we are so glad to add more names to the list of people we call friends!

We learned that growing up knowing all about food storage and self sufficiency is something we take for granted, and something that is a completely foreign idea to most people. Boy, are we glad for the prophet's counsel! We learned that partaking of the sacrament outside in the sunshine with fellow saints in come-as-you are clothes can be more spiritually uplifting than sitting in a pristine air-conditioned chapel. We learned that our newly called Bishop has certainly been called of God and that the mantel of his calling rests squarely upon his very capable shoulders.

We learned how much it means to us to know that there are people outside of Texas who care about us and are concerned for our welfare and keep us in their prayers. To have a conversation with ya'll (thanks mom, my first lifesaver!) and know that life was going on in the world was priceless...a life line if ever there was one! Thanks, Cindi, for taking the time to update my blog and facebook to let people know we were okay!

I am going to post some photos for you to see. The landscape here has changed. Everything looks completely different. And just in time for the dying season, anyway. Spring is going to bring a renewal next year like we haven't had in well, 20 or so years! We were the last house in our neighborhood to get power, and it is taking some getting used to that things have pretty much returned to normal now. I keep forgetting to switch on the light when I walk into a room. I can just go to the gas station to fill up with no long lines and no limits on how much gas you can get (I didn't even attempt that until yesterday!) The grocery stores are no longer only letting 5 people in at a time, and their shelves are full of everything...not just hit and miss. Our phone line is finally working again all the time because the power came back on and they were able to remove the generator that was powering the phone box! No more 2:00 a.m. tank changes. Gone, too, though are the bright nights and skies full of stars. I think it only seemed brighter because we no longer had artificial light to compare it to, but the moon seemed like a flashlight shining down directly on us!

I am so grateful for the MILLIONS of phone, electric, gas, tree, workers who've come here to help us! We'd still be waiting for power had it not been for some guys who left their families in other states and came to our aid, working 24-7! I am so thankful that I have a strong husband who is always the first to get to the task at hand and give it 110%! I can't even tell you what a huge help Jessica (my niece) and Jordyn were...total workhorses! Everyone pitched in to do way more than their share!

So, while I missed being connected to the outside world, I sure enjoyed the clearer connection we had to heaven. I know there was death and destruction and that it will take a long time to fully recover. But ya know, it's His world. He knows what is best for us. I'm so thankful that although the method may be extreme, His hand is in all things and He graciously gives us, from time to time, through miracles, a glimpse of heaven!

Breaking news

2008-09-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

Survivor: Friendswood, Texas

Starring: the Fearless Bakers and their fellow Texans, the Smiths

Ike didn't stand a chance against these fearless Texans! They weathered the storm like pros. Facing down the wind, the rain, and looking the hurricane right in the eye! The house on the rocks stood still. The foliage surrounding them... not so much.

Following the Ike challenge, our Texans have spent their time cleaning their yards, their neighbors yards, their church friend's yards. They've been sweaty and hot, but have maintained their positive attitudes throughout. Nobody is even complaining about the stench. ;) Could be because even though they are without electricity, their gas powered water heater has provided much needed relief (to their bodies, spirits, and noses) in the form of nice hot showers.

Updates to come.

Reporting live from Colorado via phone conversations with Dee Dee, I am Cindi. We now return you to your regularly scheduled surfing...

**I am Dee Dee and I approve this message.

Uh-Oh!

2008-09-11T05:15:00.000-07:00

See the star I added? That's where my house is...in the heart of Friendswood, Texas. Just outside Houston. 32 miles inland from the gulf. Of Mexico. In the direct path (this morning) of Ike. I don't like Ike. But, can I call 'em or what? Thursday and Friday off from school! We are staying put. We are about 30 seconds from the church, and that will be our shelter if we need it. If we were going to fly out, we should have already done so, and I'd rather brave the storm than the traffic! We have friends and family that are staying,too.

On the upside, Southwest Airlines did cancel Todd's trip tomorrow, so he will be coming home tonight after all.

So, I am off to remove objects from the yard that could take flight, fill the water drum with clean water, check my supplies, get the 72 hour kits out and ready. Then, I will start a thorough cleaning of the house. I want it clean if Ike's gonna come through and destroy it! hmmm...maybe my remodel will be done, sooner than later! ;0)

Hurricane's a comin!

2008-09-09T11:49:00.000-07:00

Well, maybe not, but it's fun to say, nontheless! Anyone care to place bets on where and when Ike makes landfall? I'm guessing Brownsville, Texas. But, I am also guessing we are going to get a day or two off from school just in case. Mandatory evacuation. In other words, free day! Woo-Hoo!!! I think we'll have a hurricane party! I'll mix up some mud pies, cyclone pizzas, cloud juice...any other suggestions? Come on, ya'll are clever! Come up with a menu for our storm party! And I suppose it's a good time to have our 72 hour kit dinner,too. You know, eat what's in the old kits, stock 'em with new stuff! And we'll watch "Twister," and "Places in the Heart" and oh...what other movies are about storms? All right! I'm getting excited about this! I can't wait for your responses! I bet you're all getting jealous that you don't live closer to the Gulf! Don't worry, mom...we've got food and water and an inflatable raft (not to mention an SUV) We'll be just fine!

My cute family...

2008-08-28T15:46:00.000-07:00

...going to school. (see post below for pictures) Well, not all of us went to school. Todd, Max and I stayed home. Todd was happy to send the kids because he actually wants them to go to school. To learn stuff. whatever. I was not happy to see them go because I actually want them to be at home with me all day, every day. 18 years is all you get, people! That's NOTHING! It only took Jordyn like 2 years to become a sophomore! Max (5 months) was not happy at all...see his little depressed face! He went upstairs running from bedroom to bedroom looking for the kids. Then he sat at the top of the stairs with his head on the carpet and wouldn't move. Which was sort of what I felt like doing, too. But then, Todd made me get busy...mowing the lawn and cleaning house and other nonsense like that. (Hope he doesn't expect that to become routine--what about my bon-bons!) Then on Tuesday he did take me to lunch (but don't tell Jordyn) then on Wednesday I had lunch with Jordyn at school (don't tell Elli and Cooper) and today I hosted my annual back-to-school brunch for my girlfriends (don't tell Todd). And now, we are in a routine again and another school year is going to be gone tomorrow. Drat. The older you get, the faster time goes, it is true. To the kids, of course, they have just finished day 5 of 170 and the school year can't go by fast enough! Maybe going to school actually slows time! Oh. My. Gosh. I think I've stumbled onto the fountain of youth! All this time I've been glad to be done with school myself, when what I actually need is to keep going! I really liked 2nd grade! I wonder if there is an age limit?!...

pictures at last

2008-08-28T15:33:00.001-07:00

Okay, it takes me a while...but eventually I get to it! So, here goes a try at photos of the first day at school!

Success!

2008-08-25T14:32:00.000-07:00

For at least the first day of school! Hooray! Elli and Cooper both loooovvve their teachers and Elli says 3rd grade is definitely the grade for her! Hallelujah! And I didn't even send in the cinnamon rolls I made for the teachers...you know....get the year started on a roll! That my dear friends, is why the teachers fight over who gets my children in their classes. I can turn any food into a meaningful gift of appreciation (and I do!), not to mention my annual we love our teacher luncheons, the Friday cokes and the great holiday gifts. You know, I've been a brown-noser since my own school days. I find nothing wrong with it. We get a bad rap. I brown nose a little, the kids get a little favoritism from their teacher, so they are happy. The teacher gets spoiled, so she is happy. I know that my children are being well-cared for, so I'm happy. See? So my nose is a little off-color. I wear it boldly and proudly. I'm happy. They're happy. We're all happy! Happy. Happy. Happy!

WHEEE!!!!!

2008-08-22T19:47:00.001-07:00

Or is that Wii? WE got one today...a Wii! We just finished making our Mii's and the little Me's are in the living room playing Wii with their newly created Mii's! Is that too confusing? What is confusing is that it was daddy's idea...and he has always professed to be totally against any form of video game! I myself have never had much interest, but not vehemently opposed or anything. Someone must have convinced him that you can actually get a workout playing the Wii. So, now we have one. Now let me say that apparently, you cannot just walk into your local Target or Wal*Mart and grab one. In fact, they laugh at you in the electronics department when you ask where they keep them. But, take a trip to your local Blockbuster, and TA DA! They have ONE in stock. Who knew? Not me? Mii? We? Wii? WHEE?!

What the heck am I doing up?

2008-08-21T00:04:00.000-07:00

I can't sleep...maybe it was the caffeine I had a couple hours before bedtime to get rid of my headache. But man, did I get some serious stuff accomplished! And also, there is a little girl sleeping in my bed. There are two little girls sleeping in her bed. Funny...I thought sleepover meant they all slept over in the same room! Bless 'em. What is that book...the one where they "all rolled over and the little one said I'm crowded..." Know what I'm talking about? That's us tonight. Musical beds. Why do they even all have their own rooms anyway? Coop started in my bed since Elli wouldn't let him sleep with the girls. Then Elli decided 3 was too much of a crowd in her twin size daybed, and came to my room. I decided 3 was too much of a crowd in my queen size sleigh bed, and Cooper got the boot. (He was sound asleep, okay?! He won't even realize til the morning!) And now, Elli has my bed all to herself (Todd is in some hotel somewhere in the country...sleeping in a big bed all to himself!)which was probably her intention all along! She's pretty good at getting what she wants. Hmmm...do you think it's in the blood?

Speaking of getting what you want...that's all I keep thinking about...what I want! My remodel, of course! My mother-in-law said that now that her remodel is done she has found she has nothing to dream about at night. Well, for me maybe I will finally get sleep when (if) it's done, cause it won't be foremost in my mind anymore. I can't just dream about it, I have to get up and draw it on paper. And write notes. And check my email. And play around with graphics and insert them in my blogspot. And post a new blog. Who needs to sleep at 2:30 in the morning when you can do all that instead? Maybe I'll sleep at 6:30 in the morning instead of running. Maybe I'll sleep right through our 7:30 tennis time. Maybe I'll sleep at 8:30 instead of registering Jordyn for her sophomore year of high school. I don't even want to have a sophomore anyway! I am way too young for that and also, that means she thinks she's gettin out of here in 3 years! Well, no I take that back. She doesn't even want to leave. Unless she can take me with her. For four years. In a dorm room or apartment. With roommates. On twin size beds. Like a sleepover...

It's Sunday...

2008-08-17T15:37:00.000-07:00

and the kids are asking me to make treats. And that's why I am hiding in the study using the computer! One of these days I am going to take the time to try to upload some more photos on this blog! I love to bake, but I know they are all going to want to make something different. Which means it is going to turn into a fight and someone is going to get mad. For instance, Elli wants chocolate peanut butter bars, but Cooper is allergic to peanut butter. Cooper wants chocolate chip cookies, but Jordyn wants me to bake something good! So, you see my conundrum? Maybe I'll just ask Todd what he wants... (and that will be fruit or veggies) and then they will all yell at him and not me. Then, I will sneak into the kitchen while they are arguing and make myself a milkshake. I think I've got a plan!

and here we go...

2008-08-12T09:51:00.000-07:00

okay, trying the blog thing. It might be a fun way to check in on us...you know, kinda like voyerism... and maybe it will just be a good way for me to get stuff off my chest!