Handmade bags-Earth friendly

Do you still use paper or plastic bags for your shopping?
Maybe you could try making your own instead.

I inherited 5 yards of really loud purple and neon flowered crepe.
What to do? Make grocery bags of course.

The cashiers often giggle and say "Oh, they all match!" Which happens to be code for "Eww. I can't believe you came out of the house with those."

The picture is tame. They are more garishly purple and neon than they look.
At first my youngest son ripped them out of my “granny cart”, because we almost always walk to the store, and he screamed “Nuh-uh! I am not going if you are bringing these ugly things!”, But he recovered when I explained that we were helping the environment.

I have also been crocheting some bags out of #10 cotton, I try to make them all a little different. I get bored with repetition.

Make a bottom as wide or as fancy as you want. Some I made with a granny square 6x6 in and then proceeded to chain 5, sc in ch space all around. When you get to the top divide stitches by 4, 2 sides you want to reduce the number and the other 2 sides you will make your handles. These will hold the lighter items like fruit or vegetables. Mine fit a 4 pack roll of toilet paper. But You can make them bigger.
I will try to write up an actual pattern soon. But try Firefly's 1Bag first.

I live on a farm free pattern

New Orleans Lakefront Lighthouse-

New Orleans Lakefront Lighthouse-

I'm hoping ya'll will take a sec, (and it only takes a sec) to help out. Our lighthouse on Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans was destroyed by Katrina. Built in the 1890s, the lighthouse has been a lakefront landmark for years, guiding boats in and out of the Orleans Marina and the Municipal Yacht Harbor. Some of the original materials were salvaged and they're trying to rebuild it but of course it takes money the city doesn't have right now.

There is a company that restores lighthouses and has a contest going on right now to donate new windows and doors for a lighthouse in need of restoration, and the Canal lighthouse is on the list! PLEASE help out and vote for New Orleans !! Thanks ya'll!

www.jeld-wen.com/lighthouse

To see more about our light house check here

http://www.saveourlake.org/lighthouse.htm

Mother's Day

Mother's day was sad.
My MIL was in heaven, and my Mom was in Georgia visiting my brother. My FIL came here for a visit to see his mom.
I ended up making a chicken and sausage gumbo. And cleaning my own house. What's up with that!!!
It is Mother's day darnit. I should be pampered and not have to lift a finger...... Sorry, I was just dreaming. Here in the real world Mother's day = "do your job" day.
Any way, Thank you,God for making me a Mother.
Thank you God for giving me a Mother.
Thank you God for giving me a MIL.
I did get a diamond cross pendant(which has lost a diamond already) and a Cappuchino Blast. WOOO HOOO!

It would seem that being a Christian is not always goodness and light.
I am being attacked. And I have done nothing wrong.
My childhood friend, C, whom my whole group of childhood friends have been looking for for the last 20+ years has finally been found.
I have been talking to him on myspace...everything platonic and on the up and up. We have been talking about our lives since we last saw each other. Mostly talking about our families and our pets. There was a mention about a first kiss in the garage. But really everything on the up and up. My husband was fully aware of everything that was mentioned. I even read the emails to him. We had conversations about meeting at the park with our families and possibly going out to eat as a group.

All of that said, I got a really nasty email from his GF yesterday. Fabricating some romantic connection that does not exist. I responded in a christian way that if I said anything to her that offended her I am sorry, but I didn't do anything wrong.
Let me just say that she was blaming me for everything that had ever gone wrong ever in there relationship. Even so far as to call my character into question....almost calling me a harlot.

My husband even gave C a call to sort this out.
They talked and it appears that she did fabricate a "relationship" between us. DUH!!!!! I told her that.
I only wanted to be friends with both of them. But they have bigger fish to fry than me.
I pray that they are able to work through whatever it is that they have causing strife between them.
I reiterate "I AM NOT AFTER YOUR MAN" so do not attack me. I have never attacked you, nor do I have any intentions of doing so.
If C feels that he can no longer talk to me than that is his choice. I only ever wanted a friendship. He is not my "Childhood Crush". I still see him in my mind as a troubled little kid making mud pies in my front yard. At this point I am not sure if being friends with him is worth all of this hassle.
Anyway, I am done venting.

List of gratitude

Sometimes I feel like this blog has become a "bitch-fest" please forgive me. I don't always feel this way. Life has been challenging lately.
I guess I should post more on the things that make me happy, or make a gratitude list.

I am grateful for.....

God
My Husband
My children
My Mother
My Mother in Law(now passed)
My grandmother
My Mimi
My Bestemama
My Aunts... all 5 of them
and the rest of my family
a place to live
food to eat
money to survive
money to splurge
money to save
money to pay bills
money to .....whatever
a comfortable bed
a sweet dog
a sweet bird
a computer
a recliner
knitting needles
crochet hooks
donated yarn
knowledge
skill
paitence
that my husband has a job
that I can school my children
that my children are safe
that I still have my health
that my family still has their health
that my MIL is no longer suffering
a flea comb
flea medicine
school materials
electricity
gas
water
a bathroom sink that is unclogged
cable
computer
internet
that my identity is still intact...I pray
that my body can still function
that I still have all of my faculties
my earings
my wedding ring
that my husband still wants me
that I still want my husband
that my husband has quite a few years off of drugs(5ish)
that we had places to go when Katrina demolished our city.
that we had food to eat
that we didn't lose anyone
that we didn't lose our home
that I still have my hair
for the grays-I have earned them
for the wrinkles-aging gracefully(I HOPE)
that my children are good kids
that I even had children
that they are boys
my stepdaughter
that she is still alive
that she didn't do me in...
that she is an adult
my step dad-Bigfoot
my extended family
my father in law
my sister in law
her family
all of my brothers and sisters
my friends
wanda
her family
that I have people who give me clothes
that I have a church
that I have my faith
that I have hope
that I have love
that I have comfort
that I have relief
that I have strength
that I have peace
that I have knowledge
that I have wisdom
that I have discernment
that I have energy
that I have health
that I have God
that I have Jesus
that I have life
that I was able to give life
that I am able to see and know those lives
that I am able to love those around me
that I can forgive, many times over
that I can be forgiven
that I can dream
that I have all of my senses
that I know love
that someone loves me
that I am able to make things for people who have less
that I don't live in a third world country
that I can be proud to be an American
for our soldiers
for those who have fought/given life/limb/sanity for my freedom
God blesses America
God blesses me and my family

This is a long gratitude list...I could continue, but I think I could be here all night.
Thank you, God- for everything.
Your daughter

Medicated child?!!!??!!!!!????!!!! What!!!!!!!

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/medicatedchild/

As a homeschooling Mom of 2, I have been confronted with "teachers" who have suggested that I put my children on medication for ADD or ADHD. This special on Frontline--The Medicated child, really opened my eyes. I am proud to say that with the help of God and the support of my husband, I have NOT put either of my children on any medication. If I do go to a Doctor who suggests Medication I will change doctors. WHAT is WRONG with people.... A 4 year old "normal" hyper child should not need to be zombieized.
I know parents and children who have had to be medicated. Knowing the situation, it was necessary. And the child is thriving. But these medications are being over prescribed and the kids are being over diagnosed.
Let kids be kids and pay attention to them Parents, stop being lazy, sending them to overcrowded schools, with teachers who are too busy to cope with a curious or bored child.
I don't know how far this will go. But I have no intention presently of putting my boys on anything. I will do my best as their mother, to give them the best possible chance for a drug free life as I can. God willing.

cool beans....

Here are a bunch of fun pics of my MIL.





These show her sense of humor and her openness. I love the one with her looking like Dorf. When she hugged me in the wedding picture that was the moment that she said,"Now you will call me MOM!". I loved that.

I have finally found one of my best childhood friends. Chris! Yea! This has made my year. My life has been so overwhelming lately. This is one thing I can be happy about.

Mourning into dancing

This morning at about 4:20, My Mother in Law passed away.
She went to be with God. I am relieved that she is no longer suffering.
So when I say God has turned my mourning into dancing, and my sorrow into joy. I am not trying to offend those who need time to mourn. I have been in mourning for the last 3 months, and now I have a heavy weight lifted from me. Her struggle is done and she is at peace. I am also at peace. Mom, I love you, you have been a kind friend.

raslin'

My Husband and the kids are big fans of 'raslin'. I have had enough!!!!
LORD, You have to handle this one, before I go "Ghetto" on these boys.
Dad thought it would be fun (against Mom's better judgement, and pleading)
to 'rastle' with the boys.Dad has since gone to bed.
Well now they are wrestling in thier bedroom and it is past midnight.
I did what any mom would do in this situation.
1.Woke up Dad! Loudly!!
2.Took the T.V. from Jr.
3.Punished Jr-Jr. from racing.
4.Gave them a lecture in not 'raslin' cause they will get hurt.
5.Gave DAD the lecture that I am puttin my foot down, NO "RASLIN".
6.Pet Maggie, cause she didn't do anything wrong and she didn't like Mommy's lecture.
7.Made another cup of coffee.
8.Prayed
9.Prayed that God stops me from hurting them.
10.Prayed that God changes their hearts about 'raslin'.
Now I am on "El Guapo" typing this on my blog.......
still to upset to go to bed, and the coffee isn't helping.
Thank you Lord for my family!!!

Wow, so busy!

A lot has been going on here. Mostly doing the Lord's work involving a fellow Christian. Long story, but so far GOD HAS IT!
After a month's vacation, we started our school routine again. I have become a tad more strict lately, since I realized I had become the "DOORMAT MOM".
They don't like me very much at the moment, but we accomplished a great deal today. As a free educational tool for President's Day, I took advantage of The Presidents shows on the History channel. I regret one thing, that I didn't take the time to watch it with them. I used the opportunity to catch up on some housework, and every 10 minutes or so I would pass them by and ask what they have learned about each particular president.
Now they know that President Garfield was not a Cat who loved Lasagna!
And that a certain President was a homosexual!
Maybe not all very factual information.
Be careful what you allow, cause it can come back and bite you!