Banner Day

1. I walked over to the hospital to have lunch with my friends, they called me as I was on my way back to say they couldn't make it - then the rain started. This gave me an excuse to go over to KFC and get chicken and green beans - not the healthiest meal, but pretty easy on the taste buds.
2. I am completely done Christmas shopping - everything has been either purchased or ordered and I am happy as a clam about that. Mom and Dad allowed me to buy gifts, within reason, for the family so that Mom wouldn't have to struggle with figuring out what they needed/wanted. I am thrilled with what I found. Oh - and today, I found a present that I had forgotten I bought for Justin - just one more lovely thing added to the mix.

3. I started taking Udo's oil capsules - because I am a wimp and couldn't stomach the oil itself. I have noticed that I sleep so deeply and my dreams are way more vivid - like last night when I was sorting things out on these shelves and I woke wondering where they had gone. Even people who eat healthy have items that could use supplementation, I love the oil, I think it helps me - and possibly Jake and his ADD stuff. Time will tell.

4. Germ-X - the hand sanitizer people make a Harvest Spice version that makes my hands smell like oranges and cloves - like some kind of portable mulling spice, only it is attached.

5. Three people sent me the article about how pop/soda/coke is bad for you - even though I drink diet most of the time. There are some studies, though, which suggest that pop consumption and the use of artificial sweeteners can impede weight loss - so as of yesterday, I am down to 2 cokes a day. That is a huge reduction. This is partially due to the Crystal Light Green Tea and Raspberry mix - which I know still has the artificial sweetener, but lacks the phosphates and sodium in cokes. One step at a time.

6. I found a new GYN who specialized in managing menopause - though this may or may not be what is going on - at least she was kind on the phone and made up for the poor behavior of the doc I saw last week.

7. My husband may still be looking for a job, but he is an ace at laundry. Which cracks me up because it is not my favorite chore at all - but I love coming home to clean laundry. We vented the dryer into the house, which cuts down on heating - but the current mid-60's makes it feel more like a sauna.

8. I have been reading the Gluten Free Girl, who has tons of recipes and charming anecdotes. Today she posted a recipe for cream puffs - one of my favorite items of all times. I am not sure how much of my bread problem is gluten, and how much of it is actually a problem with wheat - but these looked beautiful and I can't wait to try them!

The chicken coop is green

Over the weekend, as on any weekend, we had a project: To move the chickens to a home of their own - away from the goats who tend to squash the eggs that our chickens have so lovingly set upon. About two weeks ago, one of our girls hatched a baby chick - and when we came out to feed everyone, the chick had already gone on to a better place
The chicken coop ws left out in the woods, and from what we gathered from the kids who lived in the neighborhood, it hasn't seen chickens in at least 15 years. It was ready for a break - so we put in a couple of pine branches for a roost, put supports under the nesting boxes, cleaned about fifty pounds of top soil off the roof, and spread new leaves and straw on the floor.

Jake and I cut brush and pounded stakes - then Josh came out and chopped some wood - and Justin helped hang an old door from the basement after he swept off the aforementioned top soil. A little green paint - which was originally chosen to paint the kitchen in the old house - and ta da - the old rusted tin chicken coop is now the House of Chicks.

Two of our girls are already setting eggs, so hopefully, we will have baby chicks for Christmas!

I didn't realize, until I saw the picture, that the door looks really stupid in brown, so I will be doing a bit more painting it seems.

The only casualty in this process was me. You see, I am unbelievably allergic to Poison Ivy - and those spiky no-touch vines in our woods. I have been faithfully washing up with Burt's soap, which has jewelweed for the oils, but on Sunday, we had company - and we visited for about 4 hours before I got to wash up. So now my hands look like I was lashed with poison ivy vines - and it is less than attractive. But the chickens are happy - Mr Red Rooster is much quieter, waiting until nearly 6 to crow, and the woods are slowly becoming a part of the useable land. Totally worth the casualty of my paws.

Real Thanks Giving

I read something written by YoJ and by Magz this morning, and it touched a place in my heart. Typically, when I write about religion, there are no comments, but I felt compelled to write something just the same, because, as Mother Theresa would say,
"This about you and God, it was never about them anyway".


It was not so many years ago that I didn't feel like I deserved a good husband - or anything good for that matter. I have joked before that I go to Mass every weekend because I have a lot of years of making up to do - but a part of me really believed that. I thought because I had made bad choices, because I had knowingly sinned and chosen to do things that were fun - but wrong, because I had been a disgrace to my family, that I didn't deserve any better. That woman standing behind Jesus while he drew a line in the sand, asking whoever had not sinned to throw the first stone, was someone I really identifyed with. I believed that I had to spend my life helping others be happy, but that my own happiness was to be denied. I have been to the confessional, so I will spare you the details, but suffice it to say, the answer I got back was life altering.

Over and over again, I have come to God only to be met with a look of bewilderment. Why do I want to remember those hurtful things - I said I was sorry, I meant it, I have tried to make things right when I could - and God wonders why, if He could forgive me, that I am not willing to forgive myself. Do I really think I know more than God?

And that started my brain analyzing - do I really think I know more than God - do I really think I should continue to punish myself when He has forgiven something? It reminds me of Job, who questions God only to be reminded that he was not there when God flung the stars to the heavens or decided just how far the ocean would go. As I thought about these things, I realized that most of my bad behavior was a result of trying to be good enough, to be deserving, to be something I was not so that someone would like me. ( I understand this is very common in kids who are adopted or are un-mothered for one reason or another, who feel as though they are never good enough to repay their parents' kindness in adopting them and not leaving them orphaned - who knows if that is true, but it might be)

The first person I slept with, stealing vodka from my folks liquor cabinet, running around at all hours drunk and stupid, marrying men I wasn't in love with, staying even when he was mean - all things that if my daughter did them, I would pitch a fit - just like my folks did. But they all conglomerate - pointing at one thing. A hole in my soul so deep that I would do anything to fill it - or to deaden that feeling so that I didn't notice it. I remember writing a note back to someone I apologized to, saying that I felt like I had be come the very whore he had accused me of being. And that, my friends, is not a good feeling at all. People will do anything to fill up that gap - and we see it all the time - overeating, promiscuity, drugs, alcohol, shopping, or apathy. None of which are very adaptive coping mechanisms.

Once I realized what was wrong, I set about trying to fix it - and for me fixing it meant becoming real - moving from the image I was trying to portray of the well off suburban girl, always with nails and hair and make-up done, ironing my clothes trying to live above my means, always in need of a significant other ----to what was more honestly me - laid back, long haired, stubby fingernails with dirt that doesn't always come out, comfy clothes which allowed me to skip the much-hated ironing, and mascara, I still gotta have the mascara before I go out.

It has been a long process - started just before Jake was born, when I realized that I would probably be raising the kids by myself. But I recognize myself in the mirror - and I like myself a lot more often than I ever did back then.

I am no where near done - as every Act of Contrition reminds me of the dozens of personality aspects that still need work - especially patience.

But for this Thanksgiving, I am most thankful for a second chance. When I was at my lowest, He was there to answer my prayers and give me a hand up - helping me to see that He had been there the whole time, just waiting for me to ask for His help. I am thankful that I believe in a Savior who loves me more than I love myself. I was an ass and He loved me anyway - and filled my days with people who loved me for who I really was. I am thankful for the peace that comes in knowing that whether it is my Grandpa or my Dad or one of my friends, who passes first, there is a place for them to go with beauty that surpasses all understanding. I am thankful because He fills my life with "coincidences" and signs to numerous to mention which give me direction and lead to happiness. He forces me to pay attention to those around me, lest I miss something important. I am thankful that I didn't actually kill myself doing something stupid during those years that I did a lot of stupid things- and of course that the Ogre didn't manage to accomplish that either.

Joyful Woman has written several very moving posts about forgiveness, click over and check them out. I never cease to be amazed at how much we can learn from each other.

But for this year, think for a moment about being thankful that there is a new day dawning, and that with each day, we have the chance to become the kind of person we have always wanted to be.
Just look up.

As the world turns

If you are looking for holiday ideas - Jerry has a great post about a chicken recipe.

Jake's birthday party, which included letting some of his friends in with our animals, went exceptionally well - the weather held out - and it was beautiful.

I have been a real slacker - sorry about that. I have been a bit under the weather - and my doctor rewarded my trip in to see her yesterday by some really terse remarks including that she would see me again in 2 weeks and at that time she would tell me I don't have cancer and I could just relax. So needless to say, I am in search of a new GYN doc. I am adopted, I have a colorful history and some risk factors that force me to take any GYN issues seriously - because I have no family history. I have always planned for the worst, and hoped for the best in that arena - and thus far, I have been less than happy with this doc. I wish people would consider that being in the health field should also require you to have a compassionate personality.

My friend invited my family over for Thanksgiving - I don't have to cook the dinner and I have both Thursday and Friday off - woopie! I am making some baked goods - from scratch - but no big dinner to prepare - makes me happy!

If I don'e get back between now and then - hope you all have a great Thanksgiving holiday.

Betty and Lucy - ready for breakfast

Those glowing eyes - must be the indicator light to tell me that their tanks are empty!

Mary, daughter of Sarah, Day One

Here are the shots from my camera ( which are downloading onto some weird file on the computer, but what do I know) The two pictures where she is standing on the leaves are out in the side yard, after we caught her mother and seperated them from teh rest of the herd - and the other one is in the goat pen, where all the other goats were - before we caught them.

We named her Mary ( rather than Calamity Jane whose name brings about the song by Big and Rich about being buried on Deadwood Mountain) Her namesake is the mother of one of my friends, who celebrates her birthday the same day.

Coming out of the Closet

I use this spot, predominantly to talk about family and home stuff, though lately, I have been feeling like I am not fulfilling all that I could do here. I teach about diabetes for a living, but more importantly, I have been studying extensively, how the components of a diet can effect the overall life of a person. I believe there is more than one way to get healthy and that sometimes Western medicine falls terribly short. I use herbs, I see a chiropractor and I believe that attitude and prayer can heal more, at times, than medication.

With the stressors of the last couple of months, I have completely fallen off the wagon - eating everything in sight, including things that I know are unhealthy. Stress eating - and I knowingly chose not to do anything about it. Until yesterday - when I realized that even though I am worrying about all these other things, I have to take care of myself.

So let me share a little bit with you about what I know.

1. There is a direct relationship between hypoglycemia and diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is caused by cellular death in the pancreas. When the pancreas struggles day after day to keep up with the load of carbohydrates in the body ( whether the burden is quantity or quality) those cells are taxed, like a car kept in overdrive all the time. In overdrive, the cells cease to function properly, making it so that sometimes a person eats a meal and feels fine - other times they are starving and shaky two hours later - or they just want to sleep - both signs that the pancreas isn't functioning properly. Those cells can only go on so long until they are dying at a faster rate than they are reproducing, decreasing insulin production - and then the blood sugars start to rise. This process also fouls up the back up sugar-system in the liver and kidneys, complicating the matter even further.

2. Dr Weil and Dr Atkins and Dr Schwarzbein have it right. When I follow the dietary suggestions they have, my energy soars. I find that I am healthier - and my patients who follow them, find the same things. There must be something to the whole idea of less processing being healthier for a person, because it works in studies - and bears out when you look at populations as well. They preach about loading up on lean meats, fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains in moderation and most of all, avoiding all those chemicals and additives that tax the immune system.

3. If you could pick it from a tree, hunt it down, or grow it in your garden, it is probably good for you. Macaroni and cheese doesn't grow in a garden, so it should be eaten in moderation.

4. The immune system is like a three man clean up crew - there are a finite number of guys doing the clean up in your whole system. They react to everything we inhale, everything we eat, and all the germs that land on our skin. If we have them on heavy clean up duty - think of a three man crew at a stadium after a pro ball game - then some things get missed. If we have them on a lighter duty, like clean up after a gradeschool soccer game, they are more likely to have enough time to do the cleaning and do a thorough job.

5. If you don't bring it home from the grocery, you won't be as likely to eat it. It's an environmental control issue.

6. People who struggle with stress eating, have other deeper issues that also need to be dealt with - a gastric bypass doesn't repair your heart - it only shrinks your stomach. Thanks Dr Phil.

Maybe I'll share more in the future, but this morning, these things were bouncing around in my head so I wanted to jot them down.

Celebrating

To celebrate our first baby, we had steaks with baby portabella mushrooms and wild rice and new potatoes and white corn on the cob - and for dessert, strawberries with organic raw sugar and the totally not healthy CoolWhip. And about twenty minutes later, a pan of fresh-from -the -oven brownies. Then I settled in to watch part of the Giant's game from Sunday night - since the COLTS were not on our cable system - even though they are the only undefeated team in the league, and Peyton has that laser, rocket arm - but whatever. Over the weekend I finally painted my chest of drawers the same olive green as our room - up to this point it has been a decorative feature with its bright red, yellow, and blue from it's former life in the boy's room. Justin went out twice to check our new momma and baby, both did fine. I bought her a sweater ( it's chilly out!)- so I'll get some pictures of that this afternoon.

Big News!!!! It's a Girl!

I don't want to steal the thunder - but there was some big excitement at Loners Ridge this afternoon - and my husband was channelling Billy Crystal. Sarah, the doe I picked up just last week decided to bless us with a new baby. She is the first girl born at our house. The girl as yet to be named - in the picture with Justin - is about a hour old - looks pretty good doesn't she!

Not Encouraging when a Vulture stares into your Hospital room

Our hospital was built in what used to be an old pine and oak forest. Unfortunately, some creatures have not been able or willing to let go and move on to another area. This includes the local vultures. Normally, they congregate on the top floor balcony - which is the oncology floor. The hospital has tried a number of things to get rid of them, but they continue to perch there because it has an excellent view.

Today, though, I caught this guy peering into a patient's window on the med/surg floor.
I did go down to see if there was a patient in the room that he might have been flapping his wings at - but it turned out that he was only fussing at his own reflection and the room was empty.

Weekend Update

This is the tree right outside my outpatient office - brilliant isn't it.


1. It was actually Bear's friends who called about the hooch. One of girls fathers had a stroke and was coming to live at a house previouslly occupied by young couples and a single buy - a stash of liquor like no one's business. They called and asked it we would take it - and I offered a hundred dollars, since it was their estimation that there were about 20 bottles and I had no idea what kind. It turned out to be 38 bottles including some Bacardi 151 and a zillion bottles of various DeKuypers - some of whichI have never had before. I know, that is amazing sconsidering I went to Indiana University, a known party school in the 80s. but it's true. Justin posted a picture on his spot, check it out if you get a minute.

2. I didn't like the toffee liquour very well, but apparently not enough to put down my glass before typing this.

3. My friend didn't get to come see me this weekend, and that was sad, but it did force me to clean up the guest room - which really needed doing.

4. I bought a new camera some time ago, so I have been trying to post updated pictures of our critters on Loners Ridge Scene. I thought posting along with their stories would be helpful to keep a record of who has lived here.

That's enough - I need sleep - and more aspirin.

Happiness

We celebrated Jake's 12th birthday a couple of days early this year, since I wasn't sure if I would be back from stayin with my folks before his birthday came. Dinner was great, the company was great and it is moments such as these that make all those difficult days worthwhile.

All things Bright and Beautiful

1. Britney filed for divorce yesterday and was reported to look relaxed. I bet - girl, take the kids - keep your stuff and start over sister - you are only 24 - which is way to young to be living through that much drama. I liked the first guy she was married to - maybe she can get him back when the time is right. Oh yea, and don't kiss Madonna - I saw her book - you don't know where her mouth has been.

2. Mother Earth magazine has a campaign for the month of November, encouraging everyone to replace the regular light bulbs in their home with the more energy efficient - Energy Star - long lasting bulbs. They are readily identified by the big star on the package - and can save you about $60 a year on energy costs. Speaking of which, we turned off the extra fridge in our carport - seems it was costing us about $25 a month to run! We need solar panels. seriously, I may get some when our tax check comes in April. There is a guy locally who has them and he sells energy back to the energy company.

3. I have had three days with a nearly non-existant patient load, enabling me to study up on a new insulin pump system and catch up on my other reading - it has been really great.

4. Crystal Light makes a Green Tea with Raspberry. I stink at making tea - though I don't know why I have so much trouble with it. I have tried buying Green Tea drinks, but they have a weird aftertaste. Even though this has some artificial flavor, there are still the tell-tale antioxidants - and it actually tastes good - even though it is the color of pee. I am trying to reduce my dependence on Coke Zero - and the plethora of other diet drinks I have been consuming. It isn't healthy for me - and I need to work on it - so I am switching - slowly but surely. I want to be Dr Weil when I grow up.

5. I got a new doe from my friend Amber last night. She is a fence jumper and was in by herself. She is a yearling and has been in with a dark carmel buck for about two weeks. Her name was Spring before, but since all of ours have people names (except Nosey, though I have heard people called that before) I am changing her name to Sarah. Just fits her lively personality much better. Koda was sitting just outside the pen this morning, watching her, and barking if she put her hooves on the fence.

6. Josh has patched things up with the girl - whom I like very much. She came to the house last week, and I like how they are together. Of course, I only see bits and peices of it - but I am pleased with what I see. I am so proud of the kind of man he is turning out to be, even though I have to keep on him about little things.

In not good news, I have to go home and fix the pig pen - then try to catch Yoshi - she broke the 2X2 on her pen and is running loose with the goats. They don't like that at all because, well, she is a pig and goes from spot to spot eating everyone's food and knocking over the water troughs like she needs more mud to roll in. And the pens are really mushy and soaked from the full day of rain yesterday. Chasing a wet pig in the rain. This should be great.

A Season for Everything

About a year ago, I started following the blog of a lady, Karla, who was having a baby. I found her site on Raindrops - where about half my links came from in the first place! Being up to my ears in baby-itis myself, it was good to be able to see how things were going for her. Then toward the end of her pregnancy, she lost the baby. Baby Ava was beautiful and perfect in everyway, except that her little soul didn't stay here for very long. Several folks posted about her loss. She started a new blog, Untangling the Knots, I've been lurking there - checking in from time to time.

Karla is pregnant again, due in about 6 weeks. Her courage is amazing. Rather than deciding she would never tempt Fate again by carrying another pregnancy - and risking being hurt again - she has chosen to hope - and live - and follow the path her heart has led her to.

If you get a minute, stop by and read her story - she has a link to her memorial for Baby Ava over on the left. She could teach us all a bit about hope.

FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED

I have been helping teach CCD class for kids in the 9th and 10th grades - because I think it is important to be the miracle you pray for in your Church. For those of you who are not Catholic, this is the age in which they are given instruction about Confirmation - where the teenager makes the choice to to be Catholic for himself - renewing the promises made by his parents. But this is an informed choice, and is not to be taken lightly. Some people choose to make the vow, and some do not. But just like any other choice in life, once you choose a path, it is not always easy to stay on that path.

It occurred to me that I have gotten off the path a bit, over the last weekend. I got my feelings hurt over a comment that was made back to me - after I made a comment in jest - and I was allowing that injury to my pride to continue to bother me. More importantly, I have let my faith waver - months of seeing my dad sick and my husband struggle looking for work have caused me to question what in the heck God was thinking - and where He was when I called out to Him.

A few years ago, I came upon a poster with the following creed on it. I have it up in my bathroom, where I see it everyday, though I have gotten out of the habit of reading it. I thought I would share it with you - because regardless of what else I am - I am first and foremost a Catholic who believes in God as sure as I believe in love.


I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed". The die is cast. The decision is made. I have stepped over the line. I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present defined and my future secured. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colourless dreams, tamed visions, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, postion, promotion, plaudits or popularity. I do not have to be right, be recognised, be regarded or be rewarded. I now live by faith, love with patience and labour with power.

My gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, and my mission is clear. I cannot be detoured, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at devil's table, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I will not give up, shut up, let up or slow down until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up and spoken for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till He stops me. And when He comes for his own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner is clear:

I AM A MEMBER OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED

The End is Near

This morning, I heard that Billy Idol, of "White Wedding" fame, has released a Christmas album, Featuring "White Christmas". The link will take you to his My Space where you can hear him sing it.

Football season is over for Jake's team - they made it through two rounds of the playoffs and were decisively beaten by a team that trounced them in the regular season as well. It was a great time - and I will miss being able to have adult time goofing off while waiting ofr the games to start. It was a great bunch of folks. The team mom made poster-sized pictures of all the kids as one of their gifts, Jake's is a great action shot of him at the line of scrimmage, looking at the guy next to him while blocking the opponent.

I'm tired this week - seems like there is a neverending cavalcade of drama, and I want to get off the carousel for a while.

Overcoming the Past

Since my dad has been sick, I have spent a lot of time thinking about the past. I think we are apt to do that when we look at how our relationship has been with someone we might be losing soon. As those thoughts arise, there are some things that I am not particularly proud of - even though somehow, God has used those very things to soften my heart - and make it so that I have trouble throwing stones, since I live in a glass house. That doesn't mean I am not an ass at times - 'cause I'll be the first to admit, it is not always easy to love me.

Yesterday, I heard a message by Max Lucado - who is just exceptionally gifted at telling storied to help you see the way things really are. He mentioned how things like guilt and feelings of worthlessness are tools of The Enemy - whose entire purpose is to make us feel like there is no point in behaving because we have screwed up so much already. He's pretty good at that. Then he said that God uses the memories of the past to help us see how very much we have been blessed - how our heart has softened -how our lives have progressed - how our thoughts have shifted - how very good life is even on a bad day.

I thought I would share this with you today because there was a time where the last thing I needed was to hear another sermon - and rather than hearing about how punitive God was, I needed to hear about how He really worked - how He loved me enough to put up with the days that I am an ass - and Max Lucado teaches that. His books have moved me - and I buy them nearly as fast as he can write them - his messages are available online -Upwords - or you can click the link above and check them out.

Maybe It's Me

I opened my email this morning, ever anxious to read your witty comments - since most folks read in the evenings instead of at work between patients, like I do. Instead, here are the subjects of my inbox ( possibly indicating a need for some therapy):
Treating Ulcerative Colitis
7 Benefits of Exercise
How Hormones Can Cause Anxiety
Save a Life: Know the Symptoms of Stroke
Dr Weil's Salmon Fritatta
Farmers market Chili Time
Medline Daily Research Update
Free shipping, Plus Beauty on a Budget from Avon
Keeping the Weight Off: Setting a Warning Zone
Tomato and Basil Chevre spread from Diabetic Living
and You have matched a Job in our Recruitment Database

I look at the list and wonder - holy Moses - who gets mail like this?

A Josh Story on Jake's Birthday - (or empathy for YoJ)

Josh has always been a bit precocious. I was astounded at God's sense of humor, giving me a son to raise alone - and I was especially troubled when trying to figure out how to potty train him. We settled on throwing Cheerios into the potty and hopping he would want to hit them with the stream. He liked that game - and it worked pretty quickly, along with teh promise of Ninja Turtle underwear when he could potty like a big boy. Of course, if he had to go and was at one end of the house - he would run into my bathroom, where the Cheerios were, and use the toilet there. I was a single parent, so I never had any privacy anyway. ( And even now, I still have precious little!)

My folks had taken Josh, Bear and I out to a nice lunch at the Olive Garden, I think for either a March or a June birthday. It was one of the older ones with the tile floor which had been dropped to form a little patio in the middle. Our table was lovely with linen and a little umbrella in the middle, a little fountain - it was perfect. Josh was about 2 and right before lunch came, he said he had to potty.

I offered to have my Dad take him. He refused and said I had to take him.

I said: "Honey, I am a girl and have to use the girl's room, you are a boy and have to go to the boy's room. Grandpa is a boy and he can take you."

"Momma, you're a boy so you can take me"
"No, honey, boys have a penis, and momma doesn't have a penis, so she can't go in the boy's room"

"Oh, Momma, yes you do. It is in the cabinet next to the potty in your room."

I'll let that sink in for a second.

I was dumbstruck -actually speechless - mostly because I could only think of tampons and towels in my bathroom -and still to this day do not posess the particular item that comes to mind when a small child comments about such a thing.

My folks on the other hand, they were hysterically laughing - and it was funnier as my face turned darker and darker crimson. I am not sure what they believe little Josh saw or thought he saw in my bathroom, but should the occasion ever arise that I need to purchase such a thing, I will make sure it is hidden from Josh!

Wabasha, Minnesota

On Sunday, we went to Red River, then on to Wabasha Minnesota. Wabasha is famous for at least two things: being the setting for Grumpy Old Men, and Grumpier Old Men with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Two of my favorite movies of all time.

It is also famous for the National Eagle Center, where they take in injured birds and provide education about eagles. It was a tiny place, but a lot of fun.

Garnet is 1 and Jake is 12 today!!!! Happy Birthday Kiddos!