Bloggy Giveaway Winner!

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Timestamp: 2008-11-01 03:59:23 UTC

Congratulations to Amber! I have emailed you and can't wait to hear from you so I can get your package in the mail. Enjoy.

Thank you to everyone who played along.

Blessings!

Boomama's Souptacular...Green Chili (Chicken) Soup

This recipe is from my old, tattered and stained copy of Simply Colorado. I received this cookbook during the Christmas of 1993. This can be prepared as stated in the recipe, as a lighter soup, or with chopped, sauteed chicken breast added in for a heartier meal. Of course, it's better the longer it cooks, and/or the 2nd day.



Green Chili Soup



Cooking Spray

1 med onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp pepper

1/8 tsp dried whole oregano

3 medium boiling potatoes, cleaned adn cute into small cubes

1 (7 oz.) can chopped green chilies

1 (49.5 oz) chicken broth (about 6 c)

3 oz reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese, shredded



Coat a 2 quart saucepan with cooking spray; add onion and garlic and saute over medium heat for about 5 minutes until onion wilts. Stir in cumin and pepper; continue to cook 2-3 minutes or until onion starts to show signs of browning. Add oregano, potatoes, green chilies and chicken broth. Bring to a boil; cover and simmer 45 minutes. Serve hot with cheese sprinkled into your open mouth evenly over each serving.



Comments: I find this a tad spicy, which I personally love. Just note that if you or your family doesn't like spicy things. We like to eat this with a jalapeno cheddar bread (Krusteaz bread maker boxed goodness) and a salad. Or, let's be honest: lots of cheddar bread and butter. Forget the salad. ;)



For more recipes, head over here.

An Oldie (sort of ) but Goodie...

Comments are now closed.


I'm hoppin' on the bloggy giveaway bandwagon...


Giving something very similar to last year...but not the same. I made a few fun fur scarves for holiday giving, and I have one picked out just for YOU. Well, actually, I have a four choices. The photographic lighting is not the greatest, but you can see pretty much what they look like. I promise to have all strings woven in and have yours ready to go as soon as you win it.

In order to win: Please leave a comment telling me your favorite morning drink. Tell me how you fix it and how yummy it is for your tummy. For me, I fix a pot of freshly ground whatever's on sale coffee. BUT, I pour about a 1/2 t of vanilla and shake a dash of cinnamon on top of the grounds before I brew. Mmmm...When it's done, I add some fat free creamer, and I am in heaven. Well, at least as heaven as it gets down here. ;) What about you? Oh, and BTW, don't forget to tell me which scarf you'd like if you were to win.

Light blue fun fur. Verrrrry Soft.
Orange, red, and purple fun fur knitted with a skein of white fun fur.

Pink fluffy fun fur knitted with a skein of multi-colored pink, blue, periwinkle, mint green, and peach fun fur.

Dark blue fun fur knitted with a marled skein of medium and light blue, and green fun fur.

If you would like to join the hoopla, please go here!

I'll draw my winner by random generator on Friday, Oct. 31st.

Gladitude Monday

Thanks, friends, for the encouragement re: Gladitude Mondays. I never meant for them to be a series or a staple of my blog, but I'm so g.l.a.d. that they've become that. The day I can't remember a thing for which to be grateful is a day I don't wish to think about!

10. Glad for my visiting well-wishers! I have been a bit down and out with "the crud", and while it's no huge deal, I wanted to whine a bit, and needed some sympathy. So thank you! You made me smile. My head is still heavy, and I'm a bit achy, and I sound just.beautiful.,but I've no doubt I'll be in driving, cleaning, and cooking shape a.s.a.p.

9. Glad for a hubby who--not intuitively so, but asking for direction and that's OK!--is picking up the slack for me. I can drive, but I hate to, so he's off picking up our DD from a party.

8. Re: #9...It took me about 10 years of being married before I realized that men and women were made differently and thus worked differently. For example, I'd be so incensed when we were having people over for dinner, and the apartment was a mess and Big would come into the kitchen saying, "Is there anything you want me to do?" What? Are.you.kidding.me? Look.around! It took me a long time to realize that giving him a list and/or being very up front with my expectations wasn't nagging--it was something concrete for him to hold onto. Talk about an a-ha moment. I'm still here, wishing he would/could read my mind and anticipate my needs because I'm such a flawed human. But...when I remember to give him a list and ask him nicely to do things, voila! He does them! Happily. I'm so GLAD I figured this out.

7. Glad I was sick on a weekend so I could rest. Even though I missed choir :( and worship team :(, I am glad I stayed home and kept my germs to myself. Drama has been getting me all manner of tea, inhalers, and books, so I feel well-nursed.

6. Glad I finally got this cro-hooking thing down...I think. I'll post a picture soon. Right now I'm making a hat in Denver Broncos colors for my nephew.

5. Glad that Big and I finally sent "the letter" about cutting back for Christmas to his parents. This was so hard. We don't want to hurt feelings, but our kids have been getting waaay to much and, thus have been focusing their hearts (who can blame them?) away from Jesus and others during the holiday season. Of COURSE we'll do presents. But honestly, one or 2 from grandma and grandpa and the rest in savings will not kill them.

4. Glad that we just spoke to Big's folks, and they are on-board with the above. Feelings don't appear to be hurt.

3. Glad that when Big is home, he often drives Drama Girl to school. Especially glad today because that means I can blog and then go to bed. I did pull my big girl panties on and make her lunch, though. :) Even wrote a lunch note. But I'm done.

2. Glad I have a little dachshund who feels entitled to read my Bible with me. Ahem...well, at least he jumps up on the chair and hunkers in. Bless the beasts and the children, man.

1. Glad I'm down 9/10s of a pound even tho my last 3 meals have included ice cream. But hey...I'm watching my portion size. ;)

Bonus glad: I realize that much of this post centers around my little cold/virus/crud. I am so very grateful that this blip in the road is just that for me. My family and I are (suddenly, I don't know how to conjugate the previous verb) healthy people. My heart goes out to those with chronic illness and those whose children have chronic illness. Please pray for them.

SDG! Gretchen

Dead Mothers Don't Give Sympathy

Hi,



First, I want to thank Denise for several awards she has blessed me with here. Her encouragement and prayers and gentle words on in each post are a gift to me each time I read them.



Secondly...



I'm sick. And...my mom's been dead almost 10 years. She's in heaven, smoking w/o guilt, if smoking is allowed, and crafting and reading up a storm. Thank God. And most days...I'm okay with that. Really. Except when a) I stub a toe, or b) when I'm sick. Those are 2 circumstances when I need my mom. Because I feel like Snoopy, throwing his head back and saying, "waaaah". In the way that only Snoopy can do.



Okay...I'm gonna take my pitiful self back to bed and ache there.

I Didn't Fall In...God is Good

A.k.a: To whom much is given, much is expected. Dear Lord, I'm so sorry for the poor steward that I've been. You have blessed us with such abundant foodstuffs, and I haven't organized or taken care of them--indeed, I've taken their availablity for granted--for years. Forgive me this sin, Lord. I know others go hungry each day. Thank You for my daily bread. I pray that You would bless the hungry and the poor, and that You would help me to see all my clutter for what it is: sin. Thank You most awesome God. It's in Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Friends, I was expecting to write a cheeky post about how much I hate cleaning and how reorganizing this pantry took hours of my precious time. But then, it hit me. This is food. A necessity for all of us. Yet I took this necessity and put my own spin of un-, dis-, in- lack of appreciation by actually being pissed feeling frustrated and angry that I can't see what I have and "don't have anything to make for dinner". Shame on me. Thank You Lord for conviction and healing. May it extend to the other areas of my life which I continue to collect and take for granted/use inadequate stewardship. Amen.

Let's be clear though: Nobody had better mess with the labeling, sorting, and stacking piece of pristine near-perfection that is my pantry. Oh, I kid. That's why there are pictures. So we can all remember when.

She wanted the "Vanna" shot, but I think this is more indicative of everyone's surprise and glee.

Cheryl Made Me Do It...

It's really not my fault, you know. Cheryl wrote this fun, quirky, questions of the day meme, so I had to play along. Join me if you wish. But remember...I didn't make you do it.

Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall? I am fickle. Right now, fall is my absolute favorite. Probably because of a few things: the "fresh start" of a new school year, the anticipation of crisp days and pretty trees, and the focus on preparations crafty and otherwise for Thanksgiving and Christmas. When we get to all seasons except winter, you'll find that they're favorites, too, but really, fall is first, and summer is second. Winter's only saving grace is my birthday, in early March.

Who is your favorite Disney princess? Cinderella. Could it be because during the day, I often f.e.e.l. like Cinderella before the big night? Nah. It's because that's one of my favorite Disney movies. My other being Lady and the Tramp, of course. And I do have a prince. As with Bev, I married above myself, indeed. Also, let's face it--the fairy godmother thing rocks!

What's the last book you read? Spirit of Christmas (Leisure Arts). I tell you, I am in the crafting mood.

What book are you reading right now? I've started Maytrees by Annie Dillard (the first of hers I've read). Also, picking my way through other craft books. In 2Chronicles of my Bible.

Name one "presidential" memory (an election you remember as a child, voting for the first time, etc.) I remember being in 6th grade and hearing over the intercom at my school that President Reagan and others had been shot. I also remember the Hostage release.

What are 3 things that scare you/freak you out?

1. Trucks passing me on the highway.

2. Tornados

3. The thought of the diseases my husband could be bringing home from Asia.

If you were running for office, what would your campaign slogan be? My name is Gretchen, and I don't know everything, but I promise to surround myself with smart folks! And if I'm elected president, I promise to wear make up to all my public functions. And take a shower, too!

Who's your favorite football team(s)? The Buffs, The Broncos, and The 'Hawks.

How are they doing this season? To borrow a term from my husband and son: they all suck. The Buffs recently won, but they needed to. The 'Hawks are in terrible shape.

Do you have anything particular that you're looking forward to this Fall? Yep!

1. Dressing up for and helping out with Halloween and Harvest functions at my daughter's school and at church

2. The daily quiet time with my pumpkin spice candle.

3. Thanksgiving. It's hard. I really love making Thanksgiving dinner, so I'm not thrilled when someone else is at the helm, but I love the time with family and friends and the day-long binge-a-thon. Plus, when I'm not cooking, I probably need to do something...Like knit. Or play games. :) Faves: mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, and the devilled eggs.

4. My dtr's play about women's suffrage.

5. Doing all the inside activities that you feel guilty doing when the sun is shining.

Are you craving anything right now? Only this:

Badly!

What's the last thing that really made you laugh out loud? Probably joking around with my kids. We all like to make up new words, so that's usually worth a giggle. I haven't have a big gut-buster for a while though.

Thank you, Cheryl. That was fun. ;)

Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Gladitude:

Howdy...Without further ado, here are some happy-doggone-good-glad-making things in my week:

10. Well, I know I'm the very last person on board, but I lurve these little free bloggy backgrounds. Even I could cut and paste that. Not bad!

9. Glad that we're back home and our weekend was filled with crispy cool fallness. Beautifully sunny days with brrrsy temps in the mornings. Big even had frozen dew on his car this morning.

8. Glad for a kick-butt church service, discussing Luke 5:27-32. Our pastor goes r.e.a.l.l.y. slowly because he really wants us to understand the 1st Century history--e.g. what being a tax collector really meant in that society--and the Greek undertones of the text. He also ended with us thinking about how we might judge "sinners" in our lives. Get it? We're all sinners. There is no salvation by segregation (his words, not mine--I assure you. LOL).

7. Glad for the very superficial fact that my nails are all about the same length. Yes, short! But all the same shortness. I even have a sassy daaaaark plum on them.

6. Glad that God is prompting me towards some more self respect. I have really been feeling the nudge to shower and make up and dress nicely (even if my nicely is somebody else's ick) as I start my day. I've been a bit more intentional about my quiet times, too. Now, I know (because I read this great post) that I don't h.a.v.e. t.o. do those quiet times. But I do think there's nothing like starting your day with them if possible. Sometimes as I read thru my Bible, I tell God I just don't get what he's saying, and I apologize for being distracted or (ahem) bored at times. But it's funny. The second I repent and ask for help, I see something incredible in the text. Right now I'm nearly finished with 1Chronicles. As I've mentioned before, I've never read the Good Book from one end to the other, so this is an exhilarating challenge. I don't get very far in each setting--I started this in July--but it's so very cool. I guess I really hit a rabbit hole on this #6. Oh, well.

5. Glad for the beginning of a feeling of settling into a new routine. For the past two months, we've been in process and upheaval. While Stella Gretchen still doesn't quite have her groove, it's coming. That's comforting to an anxiety-ridden former control freak.

4. Having new visitors to this blog has made me glad. I have to admit, I'm like a kid waiting at the door for a visitor on her birthday, so when I see new folks and my more regular blog friends, it makes my heart sing.

3. Glad that Big and I are going to challenge each other for fitness. Tomorrow, we're picking weightloss goals for the next 2 months. We can both win. If we achieve our goal, we get a massage. If one person does it, s/he gets the massage, but we thought we'd both be incented to encourage each other if we weren't directly competing. Plus, if you know anything about how men lose weight...sigh...it's just one of the many things which is unfairly biased and slanted in this world! :)

2. Glad that Big and I have voted! Woohoo! We only cancelled each other out on a few things, but voted for the same president and governor. I'm thrilled to have the rhetoric and meanness behind me. I don't have to listen to one more political ad or commentary. Done! Glad for the right to vote my conscience and my heart in a free country.

1. Had breakfast with one of my dearest friends on the planet on Saturday. We met at 7 which is a testimony to how much I love her to avoid conflict with child activities. But it was glorious. All manner of pig and chicken fatty goodness from the earth now courses through my veins. And never forget the bean of life: coffee. This is probably the direct reason for #3 on the list. But I don't care. Good eats. Good chats. It was awesome.

Hope you have a t-double-e-double-r-double-i-double-f-double-i-double-c-c-c week.

Soli Deo Gloria!
Gretchen

Gladitude Part 2: Thursday Style...

1. Glad that Uncle J. was excited to show of his restored '67 'stang and his Corvette Stingray. He worked on these (probably for sanity's sake) while my aunt was undergoing treatment for breast cancer a few years back. Praise God, she's clear x5 years.

2. Glad that each girl took turns doing the princess wave. Because...why not?
3. Glad for just hangin' out, enjoying simple pleasures. And taking too many pictures.4. Glad for "James Dean". Seeing this bravado is such a blessing given his self-esteem licking of late.

5. Super glad for a same-aged 2nd cousin-once-removed (?) to come play at her grandma's (my great aunt's house) for a sleep-over with Drama girl. They are not quite one month apart in age.

6. Glad for Great Aunt D., a wonderfully supportive friend to Grum. She always hosts us when we come to Iowa, and seems so glad to do it. I know we must tire her out, but after raising 4 kids, and having 6 grandkids to run after, I suppose it's all in a day's work for her. She and Grum are 10 years apart. On the table, you can see the skeins of yarn which Aunt D. painstakingly started and re-started cro-hooking for me. Cro-hooking is like a crochet/knit hybrid; you use 2 different colors for a reversible effect. Ha! I never got past trying to get the 2 colors on correctly! :)

7. Grateful for patience. Though I don't have any. Someone would be patient with her son's umpteenth screwy-faced picture. Oh, well. I guess he's 12.


8. Iowa, beautiful Iowa. You know, I was never glad about being from here as a child. Colorado (and certainly, WA) are much flashier than quiet, corn-fed Iowa. Truth is, though, because the land is so rich and the crops so valuable, it's never going to be as hyper-developed as other less agricultural places. That suits me just fine. A silo in the distance. Corn fields abutted to my Aunt's house (in the middle of Ames, no less). A place where simplicity, family values, and good old fashioned Friday night football games are heralded with more pomp and circumstance than the best of the pros. Yeah, I'm glad for Iowa.

SDG,

Gretchen

7 with a Twist

Tracy at Our Journey tagged me to do a meme. Of course, I'm one of my favorite subjects, so I was more than happy to oblige. :) I am to list 7 random things about me....and then tag 7 people to do the same. Tracy put a twist on it....she listed 7 places she has been on vacation. I'm going to list seven of my favorite things to do--in no particular order.

1. Blogging. Well, duh, right? This has been quite a ride for the past 2 years. I've "met" and met some fantastic people. I can't wait to meet more! I'm hoping to meet one next month!

2. Learning new crafts. Currently, I'm learning cro-hooking and self-teaching crochet. I have come to grips with the fact that I cannot just sit while watching TV/movies. Of course, I never feel compelled to get up and clean, but...

3. Lurve going to coffee with my peeps. Nothing says catch up like a nice warm, slightly sweet cuppa joe and great company. Yes, Starbucks is my fave hang out, but there are others I like. Starbucks is just so dang common that it's easy to find one between anyone I might know and me.

4. Lurve quilting and knitting. Big projects, little projects. Projects which have me swearing under my breath because the @#$% bobbin sticks or I drop a stitch. You know...good times.

5. I enjoy singing and being dramatic (in a positive way). Though it's a ton of work, I've decided to be a part of our church's dessert theater performance for Christmas. We're doing A Christmas Carol. So far, the rehearsals aren't too terribly long. However, I need to really time manage well in November and December because I'll be living at church until the 14th. Time to get that Christmas shopping/making going.

6. Absolutely enjoy the heck out of reading a good novel. I do have my share of how to: live, love, knit, crochet, parent, and eat well books. And of course, I'm reading the Good Book. But nothing beats a good Dorothea Benton Frank or Gail Tsukiyama novel.

7. I hesitate to include this one because it sounds so...like..."Oh, my name is Gretchen, and I am too good to be true!". Not the case. But I seek to encourage folks. Whether by an email, a note, a smile, or a meal, I really want others to feel wanted and loved. Anne Frank was right. You never do get poor by giving.

SDG!
Gretchen

Gladitude Part 1: Tuesday Style

Howdy,

I traveled to Iowa this past weekend (Fri-Mon) to see my grandma, or "Grum", as I call her. We stay with her brother and sister-in-law when we go because Grum lives in a tiny apartment. We had a wonderful time, visiting with relatives, and eating waaay too much good old Midwest cooking. Though it was super to see everyone, Grum is now old. Somehow, it just happened, seemingly overnight. She's still, at 82, not all grey-headed, but she's old. She's always been the "young" grandma, since she was 43 when I was born. Well, now I'm nearly 40, so I guess she had to get old sometime. Her knees give her constant pain, and she's got the endurance of a gnat. Which wouldn't surprise me of any 82 year old, but THIS 82 year old was so capable, so indelible. She lived with my mom and me in CO from the time I was twelve until I was 24 and no longer living at home with Mum and Grum. What an influence she's been. I told her so many things I couldn't quite tell my mom when I was a teen. Of course, I know she told my mom. But it was nice to at least assume the confidentiality for the moment. She's been a balm to my spirit--and I to hers, I hope--since my mom died, nearly 10 years ago at age 54.

So...a visit to Grum is also a visit to mom's brothers and their wives and significant others. And the cousins! Oh, the first and second cousins were enough to make Drama Girl need to draw out her own family tree. On my side alone, it's confusing enough. What with all the divorces, deaths, and living-togetherness. Ah...such is life, right? At any rate, this Tuesday edition of gladitude will feature the trip to Iowa.

1. Glad we stay with my great aunt and uncle in their comfortable, low-key home. Days are spent visiting, trying to teach Gretchen how to cro-hook , crafting, and grazing like cattle upon all the good food! Theirs is a revolving door of kids and grandkids and, apparently, grand nieces and nephews.

2. Glad that David found something he loved to do while at my Uncle J.'s and Aunt D.'s. Normally, he hates noise. I think we've figured out that if he can control the noise, though, he's golden. Also doesn't hurt that the motor vibrates, thus feeding his tactile sensory needs very well.

We spent all day on Saturday at their house, catching up with all my cousins and watching the kids run around--or in this case, ride around. Didn't hurt that the local football game was on in the man cave covered patio, and there was plenty o' chips, pulled pork sandwiches, icy malt beverages, and 25 million kinds of cookies. It was awful. Torture. ;)


3. Glad I know where I'm going when I die because my safety might've been in jeopardy. :) Do you see the other "vehicles"? Usually, Cinderella and/or Sleeping Beauty were driving those. And those princesses were NOT afraid to bump us. Before you shudder too much, I'll share that the blades were up. Nothing but fun and a total waste of precious gas.

See what I mean about the dangerous princess drivers? And, of course Drama Girl will not be out done on the riding mower. That's okay. David needed another a snack break.

This is called "taking one for the team", which is one of the things I so appreciate about Big. Not only that, but he was, at that very minute coming down with the crud. This picture is the last documented time we see him upright for the remainder of the trip.

4. Glad it's just a bad, bad cold, and am so thankful for our health.

5. Grateful and so very glad for this visit. This is only a fraction of our family, but it's a great start. See if you can pick me out. I'll give you a hint, I'm right by a guy I often call "Big". Wonder why? Great Grum is in the center on the swing.

6. Glad for this incredible woman who has probably influenced my life at least as much as my own mother. Glad for her no-nonsense, highly opinionated, nearly-always-right comforting countenance. So glad she's still here. Selfish, maybe--but true.

More later...if I can just get one more load of laundry done, clean one more tub, make one more menu plan...Bible reading...you understand.

SDG!

Gretchen

Picking Your Brain...Is Better Than Picking Your Nose

So...if you're not completely offended by my title, please oblige a girl here.

I'm feeling really nest-y. No, I'm not pregnant. In that case, I'd be feeling really horrified. Only because...well...I'm directly in the phase of enjoying other people's infants with a smile and a "here you go", as I hand the beautful bundle of work, blood, sweat, tears and energy, joy back to his/her mom or dad. ;)

Back to nest-y...

What are your fall crafts, recipes, tips, which bring you joy and fun, either alone or with the fam?
I'm talking anything from general fall stuff to Halloween to Thanksgiving, all the way to Christmas. Which, BTW, is only a bit over 2.5 months away. I wouldn't want to wish my fall away, but I sure lurrve me some Christmas.

For instance: Do you make ornaments or fall decor? Do you decorate one room or many? Do you have a favorite fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas treat or recipe or tradition? As i say, either done in solitude or with the hubs and chirrun.

I like to quilt and make smallish (read: doable in one day) crafts for fun and for decor. I also love to have folks over for Saturday dinner. Doing dinner on a Sunday for me seems like a lot of work--even with the crock pot. So, our Sunday dinners are on Saturday. I also am really interested in teaching myself to crochet. I have no idea what I'm going to make, but apparently, working with my hands by typing, knitting, quilting or other crafting is something of which I'm made.

Okay...Is my request clear enough? As mud, clear? Apparently, I'm asking for traditions in any form. And comforts of the seasons.

ta-da. I could be concise. I knew I could.

And then the moment passed and I'm wordy again.

SDG!
Gretchen

Gladitude Part 2

Um...there's just no way to say this. I'm so glad that amidst the financial crisis we're all experiencing, I'm so appreciative of my hubby's perspective and sense of humor...

He played Tom Petty's "Free Falling" for us today, and we all danced. :)

What can you do?

Gladitude Monday and an Update

Howdy,

Thank you my friends, for your prayers and well wishes. I'm coming clean today. If you're interested in reading this, you'll probably want a cuppa something and a few extra minutes. I'm not brief.

I'm sharing this not because my 10 person readership needs this information, but because I want to avoid shame at all costs. Our valley has to do with the fact that my son has a really unique learning profile. Many of you have heard of sensory dysfunction and spectrum disorders, PDD, and Asperger's and the like. Many of you have also heard about giftedness. Did you know that giftedness, like the rest of intelligence is on a bit of an exponential scale? I didn't. Well, our David, our beloved gift from God has a top and bottom Bell Curve learning profile, and this has made his educational placement very challenging. About a week and a half ago, it was determined that he was not finding success in his middle school setting. Despite my pre-school-starting meeting with the teachers and all the prep. Sadly, this was determined after only a 3 week trial at school, but I believe that God was merciful in this. David had become the butt of jokes; he had tried so hard to be liked that he was "the funny one", but not in a good way. His teachers couldn't deal with his need for redirection and organizational needs. Also, he was a "distraction to the others", probably due to a medicine change more than anything else... so essentially, we were gently shown the door. I was not a pretty sight at the meeting, hearing all 7 or 8 of his teachers/staff telling me how he did this or that and really wasn't a good fit in this school. I tried. Oh, how I tried to keep back the tears. And, telling my son (with Dad on the phone in China, trying to be as available as possible) that he needed to move forward into a different direction is not something I care to repeat any time soon. "I'm a loser!" "I won't get into any college. " "No one will like me!" "I can't do anything right." Wracking sobs. Real fun.

David has many of the distractibility and sensory issues associated with Asperger's, but doesn't fit that category entirely because his language and metalinguistic skills are off the charts. He gets subtlety. He gets tone of voice, sarcasm, and most of all Monty Python. :) But eye contact is hard. Too much schtuff coming at him. He's able to track a number of things at once, and this is both a blessing and a curse. At times he'll be reading a book and tracking (read: eavesdropping) a conversation--enough so to add a witty remark as he turns the page. He doesn't feel himself "appropriately" in space, so he's a bit bull-in-a-china-shoppish, in addition to being 5' 9" , 180 # and 12. He doesn't like loud noises, and has a pathological fear of fire drills. He's also profoundly gifted. This was described to us beautifully by the neuropsychologist-neurologist who first told David that he was "wicked smart": "It's kind of like that new puppy you have. So much of it is wonderful, but (the puppy) still pees on the floor.". Additionally, being profoundly gifted, compared to mildly gifted is about the same as being profoundly mentally retarded vs. mild retardation. Huge differences in knowledge base and expectations. And lastly...we have dysgraphia. This one almost seems easy when compared to the rest. David has motor planning problems which make writing and, to a lesser degree, typing, difficult. However, I'm going to really pray that he start a blog because I think we all could use a dose of his thoughts on life. He's one of the most compassionate, heart-led human beings I know. And the boy knows history. Any era. Any type. Luuuurves it.

So...as we move forward, I wanted to share that we've found a school which I believe to be a complete answer to prayer. He will have 1:1 classes. He will remain Harvard-bound, if that's what he still wants to do. He'll be in a gentle place where the motto is: "They would if they could." In other words, if they aren't succeeding, there's a reason. As he grows in comfort and self esteem, we'll add some group (8-12 kids) classes. He's accepted for who and where he is. Praise God. That's probably my biggest gladitude: my son has a chance to be happy in school.

If you're still with me, I'll continue with gladitude, briefly. :)

5. My daughter is at Camp Seymour in Gig Harbor for 2 nights and 3 days. She is soooo excited. She lurves nature and mud--and she'll have plenty of each. Also, as this is the first overnight with kids at her new school, I'm thrilled that she has the opportunity to bond in a fun learning experience.

4. Big is home from China. With the groans of my spirit from last week, I was so thrilled to see my better half. I just love him so.

3. I got to spend over 2 hours sewing yesterday! Yay! I finished a little baby quilt for our church (we like to give new wee ones a quilty welcome), and I made (no judging here) neckerchiefs for the hounds in Halloween print. The thread onto the collars, so they stay nicely in place. And yes...they are so darn cute that I will probably make Thanksgiving and Christmas neckerchiefs, too.

2. We had dinner with some dear friends this week at our house. I made lasagna, garlic bread, and a big green salad, and they brought a delectable homemade cheesecake. It was glorious. And the bonus? My kids ate the meal w/o complaint. They've never liked lasagna before (mutants), but somehow they both got over themselves, and even had seconds.

1. When I allow myself to be desperate for my Father--His love never fails me. Oh, how I'm glad for the lesson to hold fast only to faith, and loosely to all else.

SDG,
Gretchen

I'm Feeling A Little Julie Andrews-ish...

Here...in no particular order are some of my favorite things. I'd love to hear some of yours, too. Blessings!

1. Mmm...Honey Crisp apples. No, they're probably NOT "worth" the $2.49 or so a pound, but they are soooo tasty. Honey crisp is the perfect description. I can't add a thing. I'm always baffled delighted when healthy can taste good. :)

2. Is this picture big enough? :) Most of you know that we've been in a bit o' a valley. Thanks for your prayers--that's another post, but things are better. However, I did something I hardly ever do. I s.p.l.u.r.g.e.d. on the BIG one. The spiced pumpkin candle is so delicious and really makes my house feel homey and welcoming.

3. Well, New England, we're not. But we have such pretty colors this time of year. I am changing my name to Woman-who-drives-a-lot, so while I'm in the car, I really do enjoy God's tapestry. Growing up in CO, I only got to see one color: yellow. The aspen are beautiful, but not plentiful enough for my taste. Here, we get to see all manner of red, brown, orange, and yellow. Breathtaking.

4. My old, tattered Women's Devotional NIV Bible. I bought this one at Wal+Fart about 7 years ago, when I recommitted. How I wish I would've gotten a leather bound copy. Alas, mine is paperback. I so love this book, not only for what I've read, but for the promises I haven't yet read. For my "ah-ha" notes in the margins, and my highlights on the pages. One day, I'd love to have a leather bound Bible presented to me with my name on it. But for now...this is such a great work horse. Love the common-sense devotionals, too.

5. My 2038 Creative Expression Sewing Machine. Alas...I haven't named her yet, because she's only about 6 months, but I'm thinking: Soe. Zoe means life, and Soe can mean "giver of life thru old rags and fabric scraps". Huh? Right? With me?

6. Okay...I drink. There. I said it. In the interest of full disclosure :), I luuuurve this wine. And in even fuller disclosure? It's under $7.00! Woo Hoo! While I don't imbibe every day, when I decide to, this is a treat.

7. Portion control (?)...Ahem...well I'm trying. Specifically, I really love the 63% cacao extra dark chocolate "promises". Don't you love that name? I wonder what's promised? Ideally, one or 2 of these a day curbs my choco-fiending and thus reduces my calories. Plus--they're full of antioxidants. And that's all I have to say about that.

8. Our family's dirty little pleasure: Survivor. The boys strategize, and the girls look at Jeff's dimples enjoy the reward challenges.

9. My dirty little naughty little guilty little pleasure: Private Practice. I think it should be illegal to be as pretty as Kate Walsh is. So not right. ;)

10. Bamboo knitting needles. As one who doesn't love irritating sounds, knitting with these (vs. metal) is a breeze. They feel warm and smooth in my hands, and look pretty, too.