ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Anyone who knows me knows that I think Sunday afternoon naps are delicious. Actually, most naps are delicious; even the, "I'm so sick I don't have a choice but to sleep," naps are delightful.

I don't know why "z" is a symbol for sleeping - maybe it is what people think snoring sounds like? (Yes, I have woken myself up with a little snort of a snore - I admit it. Himself says he doesn't remember the last time he heard me snore - good answer, Himself, good answer.)

Getting back to sleeping, I never anticipated having a chronic condition that would cause me to have constant fatigue. Maybe God's sense of humor gave me a way to be able to nap without having guilt about it? I have tried to fight it but it fights back. If I don't nap when I need to, I wind up flat on my back with pain. Blessedly, my hubby is kind about this. Others, like my children, don't get it unless they are reminded (conditions that are invisible sometimes make people think you exaggerate or fake it).

Anyhoodle, by the grace of God, I am able to cope and I get to nap! ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

The A to Z Challenge has been a hoot. I'm so glad to have had this experience and to have met new people. Maybe I will be more regular in my blogging....let's hope so!

Yielding

As a human being, I have choices.

Some choices are trivial: chocolate vs. vanilla (anyone who has been around for a while knows that I consider dark chocolate to be a food group), Rangers or Islanders.

Some will affect the rest of your life: marriage partner, whether or not to have children.

As a professing Christian, it is my choice whether or not I am going to yield to God's will. I have found that, when I do, life goes ever so much more smoothly.

Most of the time, doing things my way, without using God's perspective, I fail miserably. Not only do I fail myself but I fail everyone around me. When I use God's perspective in my decision making, I am not guaranteed an easy ride but I am ever so much successful and content.

This evening I was bummed out by a loved one's stinkin' attitude. Not only was I bummed out, I was angered and ready to lash out. Not trusting my tongue, I held it and got away from this person as fast as possible. I then snapped at someone else and needed to apologize. It was then that I realized I hadn't yielded my attitude to God. Now, I am writing this and watching Captain America with The Boy. (The Boy and I are both into super hero movies and the original Star Wars.)

I had a choice: wallow in anger and resentment or yield to God's desire for me to pray for the offending loved one and praise God for His blessings. I won't lie to you. It took my the senseless snapping at my boy to make me realize my selfish spirit.

At one time, it wouldn't have mattered and I would have continued in my folly. Thankfully, I am finally learning.

X Marks the Spot...

I lost my whole post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will try to redo later.....ugh.

Deep breath...X Marks the Spot for the Friday Falderal, a meme made up by moi! Please join in...

Have you ever participated in a blog challenge where you blog daily with topics starting with each letter of the alphabet with only most Sundays off? This is my third to last post in the A to Z Challenge and it has been a mind stretching ride!

Bloggers, have you ever met a blogging buddy? I started blogging on Windows Live Spaces which no longer exists. It was a great community. I have been blessed to meet four fellow bloggers in person and several on the phone and via Skype. I have never been disappointed!

You can vacation anywhere in the world without having to actually travel there and back (yes, I am a fan of the original Star Trek) - where would you like to go. I've had a yen to go to Scotland! I love the green of nature and their accents are delightful.

Do you do animal prints? Anyone who knows me that I dig zebra and have since I was a small child when my grandmother made fake fur coats for us. I have a zebra jacket, purse (not to be worn with said jacket) and a friend gave me a furry zebra lap blanket.

Who would you rather have for president, Yoda or Obi Wan Kenobi? It's a toss up. They both have presidential characteristics. Yoda would show that we are a diverse nation but Obi Wan would be easier to understand. Oh, the choices we have to make!

Join the Company Girl blog hop if you like!  

When oh When Will I Learn...

...to make sure my nails are COMPLETELY dry before I leave my manicure appointment (don't judge - every two weeks my daughter pays for my manicure for all the time I watch Isabella - my idea not hers!)...

...to make a meal plan for the week...

...to stick with a plan that will get me to sleep earlier each night...

...to not take that first bite of something that I know I can't stop eating until it is gone...

...how to keep a neat home...

...how to let go of things that need letting go of...

...how to become more disciplined in every area of my life...

...how to let go and let God be in control...

Overall, though, I have learned that God's mercies are new every morning and He is always, ALWAYS with me; to comfort, to guide and to heal.

Victuals

Victuals, vittles it all comes down to food that is edible. My cooking is better than the average. Haven't lost anyone yet and people come back for more!

Tonight, my pot luck dish is Acini di Pepe with Spinach and Feta (acini di pepe is little pastas shaped like peppercorns). It is a fan favorite! Recipe supplied upon demand.

There's something about sharing a meal that brings people together. Maybe it is the endorphins eating releases into the brain. Whatever it is, community is built.

Off to my dinner!

Unacceptable

When a person becomes a teacher, it ought to be because they love, I mean LOVE children and desire making a positive difference in the lives of their students.

When a person becomes a special needs teacher, this love and desire to make a difference in childrens' lives needs to be multiplied several times over.

There is no greater trust that a parent can give than for a person to spend hours of time with their child. When a child doesn't have the ability to communicate clearly, the trust factor has to be even greater.

It is with a heavy heart that I share this:

This is unacceptable. I believe it is time to have cameras in all special needs classrooms first and then in every classroom across the country. When I was in fourth, fifth and sixth grade, I had teachers who were abusive. This was in an academically talented situation. That is why I say cameras need to be in EVERY classroom.

Who will speak out for our precious, precious children?

Thankfulness = Contentment

When I am thankful, I find it difficult to not be content with my lot. I have a chronic illness. I am so thankful it is not a degenerative illness. My granddaughter has autism. I am so thankful she is able to hug and be hugged and able to communicate as well as she does. My husband has to wake up for work at 2:30 AM which is really rough on his system. I am thankful for his health and ability to work. All of my clothing is either ill fitting or out of fashion. I am thankful for being clothed. Some of my friends are so hard to keep in touch with. I am thankful for the time we have spent together. We have only one working car. I am thankful for the one that works. When I have a complaining spirit, I need to remind myself to be thankful. Have you tried this? g I do not know why blogger isn't showing paragraph breaks, but I will be thankful that it is publishing at all...

(Playing it) Safe

"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia "A ship in harbor is safe -- but that is not what ships are built for." John A. Shedd, Salt from My Attic, 1928 How dull to always play things safely all the time. Think of some of the things we would be missing out on had there not been a spirit of adventure within the hearts of some: There had to be a first person to try sushi. clams, oysters! What about taking a ship out into the open sea? Building suspension bridges? Flying like a bird...planes, hang gliders, etc. What about discovering electricity? And, greatest of all, giving one's life for another; in the battle field, on the streets, on a cross. Safety can be highly overrated.

Rejuvacote

And now for something completely different (name the show that comes from and you win!). My fingernails have always been brittle. A friend introduced me to a product called Rejuvacote. You use it as you would regular nail polish or as a base and top coat and reapply each evening for a week. My nails have never been so strong! Let me know if you plan to give it a try. In the USA, you can get it at Harmon and use a Bed, Bath and Beyond 20% off coupon. It is also available on Amazon. Have a great weekend! g

A New Quest

Just this evening, a friend and I were discussing how our lives are going to change over the next year. She will finish homeschooling her youngest child and will start. I am trying to downsize my belongings in anticipation of moving.

We are on quests; searches for what is to come next. My friend will probably continue her education. I haven't a clue what is next for me.

Because of a chronic condition, I am unable to work outside the home. Because of this same condition, I am unable to go back to school, which I would very much like to do. I never know from one day to the next if I am going to be able to drive a car or need a nap. Today, I slept an extra six hours after seeing Isabella off to school. There was no choice; it had to be done.

One thing I do know is that God has a plan for me. Right now, I don't know what it is. However, I know it will be a great ride!

(Local) Politics

In my town, we have a board of commissioners. Nine people are running for five commission seats and the person who gets the most votes is the mayor.

With this being an election year, to introduce the candidates, private citizens have "teas" in their homes where they serve snacks and have a candidate or two talk about themselves and their vision for the town. I have attended two and plan to go to a League of Women Voters round table or whatever they are calling it.

This is the first time I have attended any political interest meetings in town. Why now? I am becoming a one or two issue voter. I want to know how, or if, the candidates are thinking of the future needs of our special needs loved ones.

Statistics can be skewed but if the 1 in 88 statistic for Autism Spectrum Disorder is accurate, and even if it isn't the rate is still high, we are looking at an epidemic. What is going to happen as this population ages? As their parents age and can't care for them?
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So far, I think I might have one candidate thinking about this, after all, he is a politician. Maybe my being places where I can stir the stagnant pot of the status quo will make a difference (oooo, I like that). g

Oh, No!

It is late, I am tired (probably from staying awake last night trying to figure out a topic for today) and I've got nothing, nada, nil.

Oh, but we have made it through more than half of the challenge.

Oh, we have been having summer weather in April.

Oh, the local honey has been making my allergies manageable.

Oh, my parents had to cancel going on their trans-atlantic cruise because my father thought he could tough out a tooth ache and didn't do anything about it for two weeks...

Oh, I am selfishly relieved that they didn't go.

Oh, figuring out local politics has been exhausting (I think I just figured out tomorrow's blog post).

Oh, I don't want to move to Florida like Himself does even though it is so expensive to live here.

Oh, enough already. Good night, dear ones.

Never Can Say Goodbye....

...no, no, no, no I never can say goodbye..." The Jackson Five had that right about me. I find it so difficult to leave the past in the past.

There are nights when I can't fall asleep for all the visitors who enter my thoughts. Most of them are not welcome.

My goal is to leave the past in the past along with regrets, live in the present and have hope for the future. I pray about this every night before my sleep.

I don't know if you believe in demons but I am certain of their existence. I know they want to continually remind me of my past mistakes - or make me believe they were mistakes. They want me to experience discontent with my life. My contentment can come only through faith in my Savior.

Evil has power but I have power over evil. I have power through the name and the blood of Jesus Christ. Do I hear an amen?

Medical Care

When an elderly friend of ours was visiting his son in Canada, he became ill. His son, a medical doctor, called his dad's doctor in the States. He put his dad on a plane and made sure he took a cab directly to the hospital where his doctor had arranged for his admittance.

With socialized medicine in Canada, our friend's son knew he would be taken care of much more quickly in the States. Our friend is now recuperating from open heart surgery. Do you have any idea how long that would have taken in Canada? A long time; probably longer than our friend had to live without it (he was given only a couple of months without surgery).

Is this really the route we want America to take?

Lunacy Friday

Instead of Friday Falderal, we are doing Lunacy Friday. Why? Because I want to do the Friday Falderal and today's challenge letter is "l" and lunacy is a synonym for falderal so, so, so there. If not the spirit of the law of the a to z challenge, I have the letter of the law on my side!

Therefore, let the questions begin!

For those of you doing the a to z challenge, we are almost halfway there! How are you holding up? So far so good. I have visited quite a few sites and have noticed that a majority of them are by "authors." Have you noticed that?

There was an ad campaign a while back that said "Just do it!" What would "it" be to you? For me, it would be just be honest! I hate dishonesty. If I find you in a falsehood even once, I doubt I will ever completely believe you again. Trust is not something easily won back.

Italian food, Chinese or Peruvian? I just discovered Peruvian and it is delicious so I would have to go with Peruvian for now.

How do you feel about clowns? Oh, they scare me! I don't know if it is the fact that they are always in disguise or if it is because of scary movies.


Would you consider crossing an ocean on a cruise ship? I ask this because my parents leave on a transatlantic cruise in a couple of days. I don't know if I could handle that long on the open sea. Having the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic observed is NOT helping!

Looking forward to your answers! Have a great weekend, g

Kryptonite

There is only one substance in the universe that can bring Superman to his knees and it is that green, glowing substance called "kryptonite."

What is your kryptonite? I have several:

1 - Sweets. Even when I was anorexic, I ate my sweets, especially chocolate.

2 - Good manners. My daughter used to let her friends know that, if they said thank you, I would give them just about anything! I fed them often.

3 - Dissing me or hurting my feelings. If someone disses me or hurts my feelings it is a blow to my solar plexus. I become a small, hurt child and want to either hide or strike back. It happened to me tonight and I know, with everything in me, that the person who did it didn't mean to hurt me. Still, I, who do not cry, almost broke down like a blubbering infant.

4 - A lack of time spent with God. When I don't communicate with God through studying His Word and prayer, I am brought to my knees in weakness. I become less and less like Him and more and more depressed and anxious.

What is your kryptonite?

Joy in the Journey

"There is a joy in the journey
There's a light we can love on the way
There is a wonder and wildness to life
And freedom for those who obey
And all those who seek it shall find it
A pardon for all who believe
Hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind
To all who've been born in the Spirit
And who share incarnation with Him
Who belong to eternity stranded in time
And weary of struggling with sin
Forget not the hope that's before you
And never stop counting the cost
Remember the hopelessness when you were lost
There is a joy in the journey
There's a light we can love on the way
There is a wonder and wildness to life
And freedom for those who obey
And freedom for those who obey..."

Michael Card has such a way with words. He writes that joy is conditional; one must "obey."

I have never been disappointed when I have obeyed God's word. My greatest joy has been in my salvation. Before knowing Him, I did not know joy. When I am not in His will, I stumble and fall into the depths of despair.

Why do I make my life so difficult? If I only obey I will know joy! Like a petulant child, I want my own way! Oh, but that I would have eyes that would see and ears that would hear!

Thankfully, my God is patient.

I.....

...am behind in the a to z challenge. I have no idea how that happened! I like to be prompt. I like to be on time. I don't like tardiness. I just don't get it!

I would like to take the opportunity to apologize for this and for not being prepared with an appropriate post! Inconceivable!

How Did I Get Here From There?

When I was in high school, I thought I would graduate and become a flight attendant and travel the world. A gas crisis caused the airlines to layoff personnel, not hire more.

Plan B, go to college and study to be an adolescent psychologist. After graduation, I was supposed to go to graduate school. Uh, marriage and a baby followed, but not school.

With a husband who had left to seek "greener pastures," I tried graduate school whilst taking care of my infant daughter but it was too much. Off to work I went.

Seven years later, I met Himself. He told me I would never have to work more than part-time. ~heavy sigh~ That never happened and then The Boy was born.

The Boy is now twenty-two years old and I am a disabled "homemaker" who has helped take care a our granddaughter since the day she was born.

Things didn't turn out as I had planned. However, I am so happy to be able to be here for my precious girl.

How did I get here? I've stopped wondering and am trying to just live with what God has blessed me with. g

"g" as in "gail"

My daughter suggested I write about "gail" so here are a few things about me:

I use a small letter "g" online because I didn't like myself when I was a child (long story). Once I made peace with the little girl who was me, I started "honor" her with a small "g."

Before I had children, I didn't like children.

When I was fifteen, a friend let me drive his Corvette in the high school parking lot. It was the first time I ever drove and it felt gooood! When he would get a new 'vette, he would come by and let me drive it. Only the first one was an automatic...

I have two tattoos. I designed them and an artist made them into art work. My first was done before the tat craze came about.

Except on very rare occasions, I don't cry. I really wish I could.

In my humble opinion, dark chocolate ought to be a food group in and of itself.

I love words and learning in genera.. When someone uses a word I don't recogize, I ask them what it means. I have no false pride when it comes to knowledge.

Enough about me. Tell me something about you. g

Great is Thy Faithfulness

"Great is Thy faithfulness!" "Great is Thy faithfulness!"
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
"Great is Thy faithfulness," Lord, unto me!"

A blessed, glorious, victorious Resurrection Day to all and a Happy Passover to those who observe! g

Friday Falderal

A few years back, I started a meme called Friday Falderal. Every Friday, I would create questions, answer them and then ask my readers for their answers. "Falderal" is in honor of a dear friend who used the word liberally before she passed away.

So, without further ado, here are this week's questions:

Do you feel obligated to spend holidays with family or do you do your own thing?
My husband feels obligated and also likes to spend time with his family so we do. However, one time, years ago, we did go to California for Thanksgiving...

Cake, pie or cookies?

Oh, cookies! Chewy, yummy cookies! Then again, pecan pie...german chocolate cake? Who makes up these questions, anyway?!

Do you keep up with national politics?

Yes, I do. In the United States, we have the honor of being able to vote for our leadership. Much of the time I feel that my vote doesn't count because those I vote for don't get elected! However, I will not stomp on the lives that were lost to give me the right to vote.

Pampering, waste of money or therapy?:

I was raised with a "Depression Era" mentality so I tend to try to make a nickel worth five cents. It is hard for me to spend money on myself. That being said, I don't get paid for watching my granddaughter five days a week so I asked my daughter to pay for me to get a manicure every two weeks. It is time that is just for me and it is therapeutic!

Looking forward to hearing from you! g

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes in Greek means "preacher." It is the teaching and reflections of a man at the end of his life. You might remember the Byrds' song, Turn, Turn, Turn:

To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together

A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!

This was based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. The author concludes that "life not centered on God is purposeless and meaningless. Without him, nothing else can satisfy . With Him, all of life and His other good gifts are to be gratefully received." (notes from the NIV study Bible.)

What will you reflect on at the end of your life? Today is Maundy Thursday, the day the Christian church recognizes as the anniversary of the last supper Jesus Christ shared with his apostles, a Passover Seder. What was He reflecting on?

I believe I know the answer. He was reflecting on you - and me - and what was to come tomorrow. Good Friday.

Day by Day

Day by day
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day

Godspell has been a fave of mine since I was a teenager. This song pretty much says it all about what I want my relationship to be with God. It is so hard! However, He honors obedience and I am going to keep on trying. I know I will stumble along the way - a lot. However, He is patient.

It was so hard to come up with a song with "d" starting the lyrics that I could use! Bless my daughter for suggesting a do a search for songs that begin with d! Clever girl.

So far so good. Day four done. How are you all doing? g

"Ch-ch-ch-ch...Changes

Time to face the strange." Okay, so I'm a David Bowie fan.! It had to come out some time.

Seems that just when I get used to something it changes; sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad.

When we left the house this afternoon to run some errands (I love how "run errands" sounds. I first heard it when I was a child and had no idea what my friend's mother was talking about. We didn't talk like that in my house.), the lowest price of gas we saw was $3.59(9). When we returned, that gas station had gone up six cents! Why didn't we stop earlier? Coulda, shoulda, woulda - bummer. (btw, we say could have, should have, would have - I can be a grammar naz*)

There is no reason for the gas prices to be rising except for people in charge of such things listening to speculators. Insane.

A good change? Since I have been taking a spoonful of local honey each day, my allergies are not bad! The local bees use the local allergens to make the honey and it is a heck of a lot easier than allergy shots! I dare you to try it...

Another good change is that Himself finally got his hearing tested and the VA payed for his hearing aids. It is amazing the things he hasn't heard before such as the click of the mouse on his computer. The only bad thing is that he hasn't worn them in two days. ~heavy sigh~ Huh? Eh? I was enjoying not hearing those two words.

Any hoo, if we don't change I suppose we stagnate.

From what I see of this blog entry, my kids aren't the only ones with ADD. Just checking in and hoping your changes are mostly good! g

Blue, blue my world is blue...

...if you are of a certain age, you might recognize this as the opening line of the Theme From Romeo and Juliet by Henry Mancini, 1969. No nasty comments about age, please.

Well, this is the day the the world lights up blue for International Autism Awareness Day!

Just look at the places that have lit it up blue!



Why blue? I don't know. Maybe it is because autism is prevalent in boys and the founders of Autism Speaks have a grandson on the spectrum?

Whatever. My porch will be lit up tonight and the rest of the month. How about you? Will you join me?

hugs,g

Awareness?

This is the first in my attempt to do the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Twenty-six days, twenty-six entries, one for each letter of the alphabet.

As April is Autism Awareness Month, I can see no way around starting off with an "awareness' blog.

At this point in time, I do believe that anyone who has access to communications is "aware" of the existence of autism. Overall, I find people to be quite kind when they learn my granddaughter is on the spectrum. Seems that everyone has someone they know who has been touched by this disorder.

This site, http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html, will give you milestones your child ought to be reaching at certain ages. EARLY intervention is so very important to your child's development.

Awareness isn't just knowing that something exists; it is knowing about and dealing with the disorder as early as possible Did I say that already? I guess I really mean it!

Personally, I knew something was going on with my grandbaby before her first birthday. I still kick myself for not saying somethibng to my daughter sooner than I did. Better to be cautious than sorry.

Any questions? Looking forward to visiting and getting to know some of you. gail